Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Transfer of Global Improvements in Genetic Programming

Koza has shown how Automatically Defined Functions (ADFs) can reduce computational effort in the genetic programming paradigm. In Koza's Automatically Defined Functions, as well as in standard genetic programming, an improvement in a part of a program (an ADF or a main body) can only be transferred to other individuals in the population via crossover. In this article, we consider whether it is a good idea to transfer immediately improvements found by a single individual to other individuals in the population. A system that implements this idea has been proposed and tested for the even-5-parity, even-6-parity, and even-10-parity problems. Results are very encouraging: computational effort is reduced (compared to Koza's ADFs) and the system seems to be less prone to early stagnation. Also, as evolution occurs in separate populations, our approach permits to parallelize genetic programming in another different way.
In Vitro Study of Candida tropicalis Isolates Exhibiting Paradoxical Growth in the Presence of High Concentrations of Caspofungin

ABSTRACT Paradoxical growth was noted in RPMI 1640 and antibiotic medium 3 in the case of 14 and 1 of 15 Candida tropicalis strains, respectively, at a caspofungin concentration of 12.5 μg/ml using minimum fungicidal concentration tests. Time-kill assays showed that against isolates killed at lower concentrations, caspofungin at a concentration of 12.5 μg/ml was only fungistatic.
Cancellous impaction grafting in the human femur: Histological and radiographic observations in 6 autopsy femurs and 8 biopsies

6 whole postmortem femurs and 8 femoral biopsies were studied histologically, 3 months to 8 years after cancellous impaction grafting with a cemented stem for aseptic loosening. All stems were stable. Radiographs showed cortical healing in 5 cases, trabecular remodelling in 1, and trabecular incorporation in 9. There was a radiolucent line in 1 case. The histology varied. There was always a viable cortical shell around the grafted area. 1 patient showed complete bony restitution. The others still had varying amounts of remaining graft in the neo-medullary cavity, even after 8 years. The graft particles were usually embedded in dense fibrous tissue, thus forming a supporting composite tissue capable of carrying load. There was no time-dependent deterioration in the histological appearance. Radiographically, cortical healing and trabecular remodeling corresponded to viable bone. The lack of a radiolucent line said little about the viability of the tissue closest to the cement. The radiographs did not detect thin soft tissue membranes. Radiographic criteria used to assess primary total joint replacement do not necessarily apply to impaction grafting, and radiographic changes should be interpreted cautiously, especially as regards tissue viability.
Interference in memory between tones adjacent in the musical scale.

Pitch recognition was required alter a 4-sec. delay during which 4 other tones were played. When the standard (S) and comparison (C) tones were identical in pitch, the inclusion of a tone in the intervening sequence that was a semitone higher or lower than the S tone produced an increase in errors. Including tones both a semitone higher and a semitone lower in the same intervening sequence produced a further increase in errors. Analogous results were obtained when the S and C tones differed in pitch. However, when the critical intervening tone was identical in pitch to the C tone, errors were further increased. This paper is concerned with interference effects in memory between tones of similar pitch. Studies of long-term verbal memory have repeatedly demonstrated similaritybased interference. However, the existence of such effects in short-term verbal memory has been the subject of considerable controversy (Brown, 1958; Conrad, 1964; Wickelgren, 1965). It has been shown that short-term recognition memory for tonal pitch is subject to interference produced specifically by the interpolation of tones in the retention interval and not by the interpolation of numbers presented acoustically at equal loudness (Detitsch, 1970). Since tones are more similar acoustically to each other than they are to spoken numbers, this finding demonstrates a general effect of similarity. A more specific effect has also been found in a study in which pitch recognition was required after an interval during which other tones were played (Deutsch, 1972a). The standard (S) and
Laparoscopic Resection of Retroperitoneal Paragangliomas: A Comparison with Conventional Open Surgical Procedures.

OBJECTIVE Paraganglioma (PGL) is a rare type of tumor that arises from the extra-adrenal paraganglia. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is well established for the treatment of adrenal pheochromocytomas, but laparoscopic resection of PGLs is controversial. In this study, we compared the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and conventional open surgical procedures for PGLs. We also analyze the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic technique for renal hilar PGLs. METHODS A retrospective review of all patients who underwent resection of retroperitoneal PGLs from 2002 to 2014 in our hospital was performed. Twelve patients underwent open procedures, and 15 underwent laparoscopic procedures. The preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS PGLs located at the renal hilum were predominantly both in the Lap group (n = 9) and open group (n = 7). Laparoscopic procedures in 14 of 15 patients were effectively completed without conversion to open surgery; one case with renal hilar tumor was converted to open surgery because of bleeding. The baseline characteristic of the patients in each group was well equivalent with respect to patient age, gender, body mass index, and tumor size. In the Lap group, the perioperative indexes were significantly different from those of the open group (each p < 0.05), including operative time (217.36 ± 51.90 vs 175.67 ± 36.79; p = 0.029), estimated blood loss (80.71 ± 83.52 vs 172.50 ± 160.86 mL; p = 0.047), and postoperative hospital stay (5.64 ± 1.95 vs 8.58 ± 1.97 days; p = 0.001). However, the intraoperative hemodynamic parameters and intensive care unit stay days were similar in both the groups. The perioperative data of the two procedures for renal hilar PGLs were compared. The Lap group showed estimated blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay outcomes were more favorable than the open group. Other data were similar in both the groups. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic procedure is safe and feasible in the treatment of patients with retroperitoneal PGLs. Laparoscopic resection of PGLs from the renal hilum is technically challenging. However, it is possible to safely undertake laparoscopic resection of these tumors by an experienced surgeon.
Novel Lamp‐2 gene mutation and successful treatment with heart transplantation in a large family with Danon disease

Lysosome‐associated membrane protein‐2 deficiency (LAMP‐2 deficiency), or Danon disease, is a rare X‐linked lysosomal disease characterized by cardiomyopathy, vacuolar myopathy, and mental retardation. Less than 20 families with mutations of the Lamp‐2 gene have been reported. We describe a family from Sardinia with eight affected patients (4 females and 4 males) and a novel mutation in exon 2 of the Lamp‐2 gene (c.102_103delAG). Females developed isolated cardiomyopathy in adulthood, whereas males presented with cardiomyopathy, myopathy, and mental retardation before the age of 20 years. Cardiomyopathy was lethal in three females in their 40s and in three males before the age 20 years. One patient was successfully treated by heart transplantation with more than 5‐year follow‐up. This study demonstrates that Danon disease is a frequently fatal condition that is potentially treatable with heart transplantation. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Vibrio vulnificus rtxA1 gene recombination generates toxin variants with altered potency during intestinal infection

Vibrio vulnificus is a food-borne bacterial pathogen associated with 1% of all food-related deaths, predominantly because of consumption of contaminated seafood. The ability of V. vulnificus to cause disease is linked to the production of a large cytotoxin called the “multifunctional-autoprocessing RTX” (MARTXVv) toxin, a factor shown here to be an important virulence factor by the intragastric route of infection in mice. In this study, we examined genetic variation of the rtxA1 gene that encodes MARTXVv in 40 V. vulnificus Biotype 1 strains and found four distinct variants of rtxA1 that encode toxins with different arrangements of effector domains. We provide evidence that these variants arose by recombination either with rtxA genes carried on plasmids or with the rtxA gene of Vibrio anguillarum. Contrary to expected results, the most common rtxA1 gene variant in clinical-type V. vulnificus encodes a toxin with reduced potency and is distinct from the toxin produced by strains isolated from market oysters. These results indicate that an important virulence factor of V. vulnificus is undergoing significant genetic rearrangement and may be subject to selection for reduced virulence in the environment. This finding would imply further that in the future on-going genetic variation of the MARTXVv toxins could result in the emergence of novel strains with altered virulence in humans.
Monitoring movement into and through a newly planted rainforest corridor using genetic analysis of natal origin

Genetic analysis of individual origins works best with populations that are genetically distinct but which exchange a high rate of immigrants, conditions that don't normally coexist since immigration acts to prevent the accumulation of genetic differences. We provide empirical results from a newly constructed habitat linkage to illustrate the unique suitability of such analysis to monitoring the re-establishment of connections between previously isolated populations. Donaghy's Corridor links a previously isolated 498 ha fragment of rainforest to an adjacent 80 000 ha of intact forest. Starting in the final year of the planting programme that established the corridor, we trapped two species of native small mammals, the Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes) and the Cape York Rat (Rattus leucopus), within and nearby the linkage. We used genetic data from ear clippings to determine which side of the corridor individual animals originated from, and by comparing this information to trap locations, we identified 16 long-distance movements through the corridor. As genetic analysis of origins allowed movements to be detected from a single capture event and as it reflected movement since birth, this approach yielded considerably more data than capture records alone. The combination of movement and capture records allowed species-specific assessment of corridor function, revealing that the use and occupation of the corridor was higher for Bush Rat than for Cape York Rat and was neither symmetrical nor uniform. Long-distance movements through the corridor were most common immediately after habitat restoration, dropping off as the reconstructed habitat was colonized.
Jumping performance of froghopper insects

SUMMARY The kinematics of jumping in froghopper insects were analysed from high speed sequences of images captured at rates up to 8000 s-1. In a jump, the attitude of the body is set by the front and middle legs, and the propulsion is delivered by rapid and synchronous movements of the hind legs that are 1.5 times longer than the other legs, but are only about half the length of the body and represent just 2% of the body mass. The wings are not moved and the front and middle legs may be raised off the ground before take-off. The hind legs are first cocked by a slow levation of the trochantera about the coxae so that the femora are pressed against the ventral, indented wall of the thorax, with the femoro-tibial joints tucked between the middle legs and body. Only the tips of the hind tarsi are in contact with the ground. In this position, the hind legs stay motionless for 1-2 s. Both trochantera are then synchronously and rapidly depressed about the coxae at rotational velocities of 75 500 deg. s-1 and the tibiae extended, to launch a jump that in Philaenus reaches a height of 700 mm, or 115 body lengths. In the best jumps by Philaenus, take-off occurs within 0.875 ms of the start of movements of the hind legs at a peak velocity of 4.7 m s-1 and involves an acceleration of 5400 m s-2, equivalent to 550 times gravity. This jumping performance requires an energy output of 136 μJ, a power output of 155 mW and exerts a force of 66 mN.
A new force field for simulating phosphatidylcholine bilayers

A new force field for the simulation of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in the liquid‐crystalline, fluid phase at zero surface tension is presented. The structure of the bilayer with the area per lipid (0.629 nm2; experiment 0.629–0.64 nm2), the volume per lipid (1.226 nm3; experiment 1.229–1.232 nm3), and the ordering of the palmitoyl chains (order parameters) are all in very good agreement with experiment. Experimental electron density profiles are well reproduced in particular with regard to the penetration of water into the bilayer. The force field was further validated by simulating the spontaneous assembly of DPPC into a bilayer in water. Notably, the timescale on which membrane sealing was observed using this model appears closer to the timescales for membrane resealing suggested by electroporation experiments than previous simulations using existing models. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Immunohistochemical analysis of survivin expression in primary breast cancers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, is expressed in fetal tissues but undetectable in normal adult tissues. It is also expressed in most common human cancers. This study evaluated the expression of survivin in breast cancers. METHODS A monoclonal anti-survivin antibody B1 was generated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 226 paraffin sections of primary breast cancers and correlated with the patients' clinicopathological characteristics. RESULTS Survivin was expressed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells in 59.3% of breast cancers. Expression of survivin was associated with high histologic grade (p = 0.027), high mitotic count (p = 0.014), positive p53 immunostaining (p = 0.012), neu overexpression (p = 0.018), and with bcl-2 (p = 0.001) and bak (p < 0.001) expression. No correlation was found between survivin expression and age, tumor size, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or Bax expression. Survivin expression was not significantly associated with overall or disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS Survivin expression is correlated with high histologic grade, high mitotic count, p53 overexpression, and bcl-2 expression in breast cancer. It does not have significance as a marker in predicting overall or disease-free survival.
Experimental investigation on consistency limits of cement and lime-stabilized marine sediments

This paper presents the effects of treatments with cement and lime on the consistency limits of marine sediments dredged from Dunkirk port. The Casagrande percussion test and the fall cone test were used to determine the liquid limits of raw sediments and treated marine sediments. For the evaluation of the plastic limits, the results of the fall cone test were compared with those obtained by the rolling test method. The relationship between the water contents and the penetration depths for the determination of the liquid limit and the plastic limit was explored. Liquid limits at 15.5 mm and plastic limits at 1.55 mm seem to be a more appropriate choice for the studied marine sediments compared with the limits determined by other used prediction methods. Finally, the effect of cement treatment and lime treatment on the Casagrande classification of the studied sediments was investigated according to the different prediction results.
Conservation Genetics of Two Highly Endangered and Poorly Known Species of Zamia (Zamiaceae: Cycadales) in Colombia

Genetic diversity is key in providing the variation needed to face stochastic change. Increased habitat loss alters population size and dynamics posing serious threats to the conservation of wild species. Colombia has undergone massive deforestation over the last century, but harbors extraordinary high species diversity of genus Zamia (Cycadales); however, most of the species are under threat. In this study, we targeted the largest accessible remaining populations of 2 closely related species growing as endemics in the Magdalena Valley region of Colombia. We successfully transferred the SSR loci used in previous Zamia studies to these species. In total, we amplified 13 microsatellite loci in 3 wild populations, aiming at: 1) assessing genetic diversity and 2) understanding if the structure found between the 3 populations reflected species and population boundaries due to ecological and historical genetic isolation. We found that the actual population size does not reflect population genetic diversity with a small population (Perales) harboring the highest genetic diversity. In addition, all populations are highly structured regardless of species containment, all showing signs of genetic isolation. Given the high degree of ecological threat, and the inherent biological traits of Cycads, we provide information regarding the prioritization of populations for ex situ management.
Crystal Growth of Inorganic and Biomediated Carbonates and Phosphates

where the O-H covalent bond in the oxyacid makes carbonate salts moderately soluble. The most common metal cations forming carbonate minerals are Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Pb2+, Sr2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+. Continental and marine waters are enriched in Ca and Mg and are known to be saturated with respect diverse Ca-Mg carbonates such as calcite (CaCO3), aragonite (CaCO3) and dolomite (MgCa(CO3)2). [3] The concentration of the phosphate species (H3PO4, H2PO4, HPO4, and PO4) is also a function of pH, and their respective oxyacids are stronger than those of carbonic acids. [2] Because of this, phosphates are more stable than carbonates at low pH (<5). Chemical composition of phosphate minerals is more variable than that of carbonate minerals, and crystalchemical substitution of the PO4 group by CO3, OH–, F–, Cl–, etc, is rather common. In addition, numerous metals as Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Na+, Sr2+, Ce3+, La3+, Ba2+, and Pb2+ can be incorporat‐ ed into the structure of the phosphate minerals.
Feasibility and results of a fast-track protocol in thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND A rehabilitation program, a multimodal strategy favoring rapid postoperative return to autonomy, has rarely been undertaken after thoracic surgery compared to colectomy. The primary outcome of this fast-track program was the length of postoperative stay. Secondary outcomes concerned the feasibility of this strategy, the incidence of postoperative complications and 3-month postoperative mortality. METHODS Patients were included in this prospective single-center observational study if they were scheduled for lung resection (lobectomy or wedge resection) performed by posterolateral thoracotomy. The rehabilitation program, coordinated by a referent nurse, included a list of actions to be done, especially early feeding and ambulation, multimodal analgesia including epidural analgesia, early removal of chest tube. RESULTS One hundred and two patients were included in total with two exclusions (failure of epidural analgesia). The postoperative hospital stay was 8 (7-10) days (median [25-75th percentiles]); this duration was similar to that of the historical cohort which was 9 [7-13] days (P=0.06). Most actions were conducted with a high level of acceptance except for the insertion of a single chest tube (19%) and its removal later than expected in the program. Only 50% of patients left hospital shortly after exit criteria were met suggesting failure in the organization. Patients' satisfaction rate reached 77% and no postoperative death was reported during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION A program for early rehabilitation is feasible after thoracotomy. Chest drainage and organization to optimize the length of stay are crucial points.
Pathophysiology of anaemia: focus on the heart and blood vessels.

The amount of oxygen delivered to an organ depends on three factors: blood flow and its distribution; the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, i.e. haemoglobin concentration; and oxygen extraction. Non-haemodynamic and haemodynamic mechanisms operate to compensate for anaemia. Non-haemodynamic mechanisms include increased erythropoietin production to stimulate erythropoiesis, and increased oxygen extraction (displacement of the haemoglobin oxygen dissociation curve). This decreased affinity of oxygen for haemoglobin is mediated by increased 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentrations. Increased cardiac output is the main haemodynamic factor, mediated by lower afterload, increased preload, and positive inotropic and chronotropic effects. Decreased afterload is due to vasodilatation and reduced vascular resistance as a consequence of lower blood viscosity, hypoxia-induced vasodilatation, and enhanced nitric oxide activity. Vasodilatation also involves recruitment of microvessels and, in the case of chronic anaemia, stimulation of angiogenesis. With decreased afterload, the venous return (preload) and left ventricular (LV) filling increase, leading to increased LV end-diastolic volume and maintenance of a high stroke volume and high stroke work. High stroke work is also due to enhanced LV contractility attributed to increased concentrations of catecholamines and non-catecholamine inotropic factors. In addition, heart rate is increased in anaemia, due to hypoxia-stimulated chemoreceptors and increased sympathetic activity. In the long term, these haemodynamic alterations lead to gradual development of cardiac enlargement and LV hypertrophy (LVH). The LVH is eccentric, characterized by increased LV internal dimensions and a normal ratio of wall thickness to cavity diameter, as occurs in other forms of volume overload. When anaemia-related LVH develops in an otherwise 'healthy' humoral environment, the lesions are reversible and the type of LVH is primarily physiological and is not associated with impaired diastolic function. In the absence of underlying cardiovascular disorders, severe anaemia (Haemoglobin concentration < 4-5 g/dl) leads to congestive heart failure. In the presence of heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, anaemia intensifies angina and contributes to a high incidence of cardiovascular complications. In end-stage renal disease (ESRD), LVH is influenced by many other factors, leading to intense interstitial fibrosis, to alterations in diastolic function, and usually to poor reversibility. The chronic increase in cardiac output contributes to arterial remodelling of central elastic arteries such as the aorta and common carotid artery. This remodelling consists principally of arterial enlargement and compensatory arterial intima--media thickening. In ESRD, these geometric changes are accompanied by arterial stiffening. The principal consequences of arterial alterations are increased systolic pressure and high inertia due to higher blood mass in the dilated arterial system. These alterations contribute to the development of LVH and abnormal coronary perfusion.