Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of freshwater flow extremes on intertidal biota of a wet-dry tropical estuary

Freshwater flow into estuaries during periods of high rainfall is considered to enhance the biomass of primary producers, with positive effects propagating to higher trophic groups. We examined the effect of flow on chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations and meiofaunal abundance on the intertidal mudflats in a wet-dry tropical estuary in the Norman River, northern Australia. Meiofaunal density and sediment chl a concentrations (microphytobenthos) were significantly reduced during 2 consecutive wet season floods (the first, a major flood; the second, minor). Additionally, a short-term study of primary productivity on the mudflats during the minor flood measured rates below detection limits. The effects of salinity and burial by sediment on chl a concentrations and meiofaunal abundance were examined experimentally. Both the sudden and prolonged changes in salinity and sediment movement, and subsequent sedimentation as a result of wet season floods were the likely causes of the reduced meiofaunal density, chl a concentrations and benthic primary production. In the short term, large floods in the wet-dry tropics appear to act more as a disturbance event than a subsidy for benthic estuarine biota, and any positive effects of the flood may not occur until flooding eases. Additionally, we propose that there is a transitional period between the typical wet and dry seasons in the wet-dry tropics, during which flood waters are dissipating and the initial impact of the flood has abated, and there are positive effects on meiofauna and microphytobenthos biomass.
Halothane as a possible cause of laryngitis in an anaesthetist

There have been several reports of sensitivity to halothane occurring in anaesthetists since that of Belfrage, Ahlgren & Axelson in 1966 concerning hepatitis. ’ Dental anaesthetists are particularly at risk because the nature of the work requires them to stand close to the expiratory valve when holding the patient’s head. Various suggestions have been made with the object of reducing the dose inhaled; these include exhaust tubing attached to the expiratory valve leading gases to the floor or exterior,’ improved ventilation systems, etc., but the anaesthetist must often continue to inhale an atmosphere containing an appreciable concentration of h a l ~ t h a n e . ~ The writerpishes to report another instance of halothane sensitivity in an anaesthetist.
Metalloregulation of FRE1 and FRE2Homologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae *

The high affinity uptake systems for iron and copper ions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae involve metal-specific permeases and two known cell surface Cu(II) and Fe(III) metalloreductases, Fre1 and Fre2. Five novel genes found in theS. cerevisiae genome exhibit marked sequence similarity to Fre1 and Fre2, suggesting that the homologs are part of a family of proteins related to Fre1 and Fre2. The homologs are expressed genes inS. cerevisiae, and their expression is metalloregulated as is true with FRE1 and FRE2. Four of the homologs (FRE3-FRE6) are specifically iron-regulated through the Aft1 transcription factor. These genes are expressed either in cells limited for iron ion uptake by treatment with a chelator or in cells lacking the high affinity iron uptake system. Expression of FRE3-FRE6 is elevated inAFT1–1 cells and attenuated in aft1null cells, showing that iron modulation occurs through the Aft1 transcriptional activator. The fifth homolog FRE7 is specifically copper-metalloregulated. FRE7 is expressed in cells limited in copper ion uptake by a Cu(I)-specific chelator or in cells lacking the high affinity Cu(I) permeases. The constitutive expression of FRE7 inMAC1 cells and the lack of expression in mac1–1 cells are consistent with Mac1 being the critical transcriptional activator of FRE7 expression. The 5′ promoter sequence of FRE7 contains three copper-responsive promoter elements. Two elements are critical for Mac1-dependent FRE7 expression. Combinations of either the distal and central elements or the central and proximal elements result in copper-regulated FRE7 expression. Spacing between Mac1-responsive sites is important as shown by the attenuated expression of FRE7 and CTR1 when two elements are separated by over 100 base pairs. From the three Mac1-responsive elements in FRE7, a new consensus sequence for Mac1 binding can be established as TTTGC(T/G)C(A/G).
Use of Hemostatic Gel in Postpartum Hemorrhage Due to Placenta Previa

BACKGROUND: Hemostasis for placenta previa is notoriously difficult because of the poor contractility of the lower segment. A hemostatic gel offers a new type of hemostatic matrix, which may have advantages. CASE: A 35-year-old woman had a postpartum hemorrhage despite the use of uterotonics 2 hours after cesarean delivery for major placenta previa. On relaparotomy, heavy oozing from the placental site was found. Difficult accessibility and profuse bleeding prompted the consideration of alternative treatment with the topical application of hemostatic gel over the lower segment, which achieved hemostasis within minutes. CONCLUSION: Hemostatic gel is easily applicable and provides quick and effective hemostatic control in the lower segment, where surgical intervention may be difficult.
Nilpotence for modules over the $\mod 2$ Steenrod algebra, II

We imitate much of the work of Hopkins and Smith in [7], in the context of modules over the mod 2 Steenrod algebra A. Our main result is an analog of the periodicity theorem of [7], implying, for example, the existence of infinitely many non-nilpotent elements in Ext∗∗ A (F2,F2).
Randomized Trial of a Patient Decision Aid for Choice of Surgical Treatment for Breast Cancer

A decision aid for the surgical treatment of early breast cancer was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The decision aid, a tape and workbook, includes explicit presentation of probabilities, photographs and graphics, and a values clarification exercise. Community surgeons were randomized to use the decision aid or a control pamphlet. Patients completed a questionnaire prior to using the decision aid, after reviewing it but prior to surgery, and 6 months after enrollment. There was no difference in anxiety, knowledge, or decisional regret across the 2 groups. There was a nonsignificant trend toward lower decisional conflict in the decision aid group. A subgroup of women who were initially leaning toward mastectomy or were unsure had lower decisional conflict. Although the decision aid had minimal impact on the main study outcomes, a subgroup may have benefited. Such subgroups should be identified, and appropriate decision support interventions should be developed and evaluated.
Abnormal metabolism of secondary bile acids in patients with cirrhosis 1

The composition of bile acids in human bile was determined in bile-rich duodenal fluid on four consecutive days in a group of seven patients with cirrhosis and eight control patients with no liver disease. There was a marked reduction of secondary biliary bile acids in cirrhotic patients. Possible mechanisms for these changes are discussed.
Modelos para series temporales heterocedásticas

Muchas series temporales financieras observadas con frecuencias elevadas y algunas series macroeconomicas son condicionalmente heterocedasticas. La modelizacion de la varianza condicional de dichas series es importante desde un punto de vista teorico para cualquier modelo que tenga en cuenta la incertidumbre. Ademas, desde un punto de vista econometrico, si se ignora la heterocedasticidad se puede incurrir en perdidas de eficiencia en la estimacion y en la construccion de intervalos de prediccion. En el presente articulo, se revisan los principales modelos univariantes y multivariantes propuestos en la literatura para la modelizacion de la heterocedasticidad temporal: modelos basados en ARCH y modelos de volatilidad estocastica. Para cada modelo considerado se describen sus principales propiedades estocasticas asi como su estimacion, validacion y prediccion. En el caso univariante, los diferentes modelos descritos se ilustran con la modelizacion del Indice Largo diario de la Bolsa de Madrid.
Serum Adenosine Deaminase as Inflammatory Marker in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototypical inflammatory joint disease. The degree of inflammation is reflected in the extent of joint damage, which further has influence on the quality of life of patients with RA, including risk of atherosclerosis. Hence, besides clinical indices, estimation of degree of inflammation using biochemical markers helps in effecting optimum treatment strategies. C-reactive protein (CRP) is established as an inflammatory marker in patients with RA. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme of purine metabolism is considered as a marker of cell mediated immunity and has also been suggested as a marker of inflammatory process in RA. The present study attempts to study the efficacy of serum ADA activity as an inflammatory marker in RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty six RA patients and forty six age and sex matched healthy controls were included in the study. ADA activity and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in serum were measured in all the subjects. Statistical analyses were done using Medcalc statistical software version 12.2. 2. RESULTS ADA activity and hsCRP levels were increased in RA patients compared to controls (p<0.0001 and 0.0001 respectively). Significant positive correlation was obtained between hsCRP and ADA in patients (r=0.316, p=0.033). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed statistically significant area under curve (AUC) for ADA that is comparable to that obtained for hsCRP (0.776, p<0.0001 for ADA, 0.726, p<0.0001 for hsCRP). Similar diagnostic utility was obtained with ROC generated cut-off value of 25.3 IU/L (82.6% sensitivity and 65.2% specificity) and with control mean value of 23.48 IU/L (86.96% sensitivity and 54.35% specificity) for ADA. CONCLUSION Findings of the present study indicate the importance of ADA as a marker of inflammation. Considering the higher sensitivity obtained, we propose control mean (23.48 IU/L) as a cut-off for serum ADA activity as an inflammatory marker. Owing to the simplicity and also the cost effectiveness of ADA assay, ADA may be recommended as a marker of inflammation in patients with RA. However, further larger and well controlled studies are needed to establish its role as inflammatory marker.
Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with basal cell carcinoma

Abstract Background: The aim of this study is to measure and compare the dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis of patients with basal cell carcinoma and healthy subjects with a newly developed and original method. Objective: Thirty four patients attending our outpatient clinic and clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as nodular basal cell carcinoma, and age and gender matched 30 healthy individuals have been involved in the study. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis tests have been measured with a novel automatic spectrophotometric method developed and the results have been compared statistically. Results: Serum native thiol and disulphide levels in the patient and control group show a considerable variance statistically (p = 0.028, 0.039, respectively). Total thiol levels do not reveal a considerable variation (p = 0.094). Disulphide/native thiol ratios and native thiol/total thiol ratios also show a considerable variance statistically (p = 0.012, 0.013, 0.010, respectively). Conclusions: Thiol disulphide homeostasis in patients with basal cell carcinoma alters in the way that disulphide gets lower and thiols get higher. Thiol/disulphide level is likely to have a role in basal cell carcinoma pathogenesis.
Transposon mutagenesis of group B streptococcus beta-hemolysin biosynthesis

Beta-hemolysin production by group B streptococci (GBS) is speculated to be a major virulence factor of the organism. A virulent, beta-hemolytic group B streptococcus strain was mutagenized with the self-conjugative transposon Tn916 to derive isogenic strains with mutations only in the gene(s) responsible for beta-hemolysin biosynthesis. There was no significant difference between the virulence of the parent strain and that of the mutant strains in a neonatal rat sepsis model.
Relationship between preoperative anxiety and postoperative satisfaction in dental implant surgery with intravenous conscious sedation.

PURPOSE To study if patient preoperative anxiety is related to age and gender and to compare preoperative anxiety with postoperative patient and surgeon satisfaction in dental implant surgery under intravenous conscious sedation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dental implants were placed in 102 patients under local anesthesia and intravenous conscious sedation. The procedures were performed with or without dental extractions, and with or without bone regeneration. Anxiety was evaluated using Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale and levels of surgeon and patient satisfaction were evaluated on an adapted scale. RESULTS Low preoperative anxiety was observed in 27.8% of patients, moderate in 50%, and high in 22.2%. Mean value of anxiety was 9.8+/-3.7. The level of surgeon satisfaction was adequate in 87.8% of the surgeries; patients were awake and nervous in 4.4% of surgeries, and excessively sleepy, with little cooperation in 7.8% of surgeries. Regarding patient satisfaction, the procedure was comfortable for 23.3% of patients, neither comfortable nor uncomfortable for 28.9%, a slightly uncomfortable experience for 36.7%, and very uncomfortable for 10% of patients. Younger patients and women were observed to have more anxiety, the difference being statistically significant. Patients with higher preoperative anxiety expressed a lower level of satisfaction, with statistically significant differences. There was no significant relationship between preoperative patient anxiety and postoperative surgeon satisfaction. CONCLUSION Anxiety was higher in younger patients and women. In this study, a higher preoperative patient anxiety was associated with lower patient satisfaction, but had no influence on postoperative surgeon satisfaction.
Fund size , fund flow , transaction costs and performance : Size matters !

This study examines the impact of trade size and execution strategy on portfolio returns arising from the growth/decline of fund size for a sample of active equity managers. Utilising a unique database of daily trading records of active fund managers, our study provides a direct test between performance and scale economies exhibited by active funds. We show that fund performance is negatively impacted by manager size and monthly fund flow activity. We show that fund inflow exerts pressure on managers to purchase new stocks, and that this pressure is related to liquidity concerns. The purchase of these new stocks are sub-optimal, and represents a drag on fund performance. Additionally, we show that large managers configure their portfolios to reduce market impact costs, and therefore do not incur higher market impact costs compared to small managers. We do show, however, that in attempting to avoid market impact costs, performance suffers, and offers a partial explanation for the fund size effect.
Enzymatic activity of three sugarcane varieties under salt stress

Sugarcane is a species of great economic importance to Brazil. The study of enzymatic activity has helped to identify varieties of sugarcane tolerant to salt stress, for planting in Brazilian semiarid regions, where there is the occurrence of saline soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enzymatic activity of three varieties of sugarcane subjected to stress caused by salinity. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The leaf blade samples were collected for analysis of soluble proteins and determination of the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. The protein content was higher for RB962962 and lower for the varieties RB92579 and RB867515. However, in RB867515, there was an increase in the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase, while the varieties RB92579 and RB962962 showed a reduction in the activity of these enzymes. These results indicate that the variety RB867515 has a more efficient mechanism in plant protection against the action of reactive oxygen species.
Effect of Mediators of Innate Immunity and Inflammation on CD8+ Veto Cells

Background. Methods of allotolerance induction that are successful in mice often fail in primates. Activators of innate immunity derived from microbial pathogens, which are present in primate populations but not in pathogen-free mouse colonies, have been shown to overcome tolerance induction by co-stimulatory blockade or regulatory T cells. Unlike other strategies, veto cells promote long-term allograft survival in primates. Accordingly, the authors hypothesized that veto cells are resistant to the effects of innate immune activation. Methods. Using mixed lymphocyte reactions as a model of alloimmunization, the authors assessed the effect of inflammatory mediators on veto cell activity. Results. The authors demonstrate that the activity of veto cells is unaltered by lipopolysaccharide, double-stranded RNA, or interferon-&ggr;. Tumor necrosis factor-&agr; modestly inhibited the veto effect, but only when veto cells were limiting. Conclusions. These findings may help to explain why veto cell-based therapies are more effective than other approaches in primate populations.
Accuracy rate of frozen section studies in ovarian cancers: a regional cancer institute experience.

BACKGROUND Frozen section is a valuable diagnostic procedure in the categorization of ovarian tumors as benign, borderline and malignant. Thus, it guides in tailoring surgical therapy, particularly in young women. AIM This study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of frozen section in ovarian neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was done of intraoperative frozen sections for suspected ovarian neoplasms. The frozen and permanent section reports were compared and overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined. RESULTS The study included 135 patients and the overall accuracy of frozen section in determining malignancy was 84.25%. Twenty cases were incorrectly diagnosed, of which 16 cases were under-diagnosed and four were over-diagnosed. With respect to malignant potential, the sensitivity for malignant tumors was highest (91.5%) with specificity of 98.2%. For benign tumors, the sensitivity and specificity were 90.4% and 82.6%, respectively. Borderline tumors had the lowest sensitivity of 31.2% with specificity of 94%. Sensitivity for benign, borderline and malignant tumors in the non-mucinous group was 91.3%, 60% and 95% respectively, whereas the sensitivity was 75%, 18% and 57%, respectively, for mucinous tumors revealing low sensitivity in borderline, mucinous tumors. The low sensitivity rates were due to restriction in the sampling of an adequate number of bits in the large sized tumors. CONCLUSION The present study concurs that frozen section is an accurate test for diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors. However, accuracy rates for borderline and mucinous tumors are low.
High-resolution force sensor based on morphology dependent optical resonances of polymeric spheres

Performance characteristics of a force sensor concept based on the morphology dependent resonance (MDR) shifts of micro-optical resonators have been investigated. Previous experimental studies have indicated that microsphere sensors with diameters ranging between 30 and 950 μm may have force resolutions reaching 10−5 N [T. Ioppolo et al., Appl. Opt. 47, 3009 (2008)]. In the present, we carry out a systematic analysis and experiments to investigate the sensitivity, resolution, and bandwidth limits of MDR-based force sensors. Expressions for MDR shifts due to applied force in the polar direction are obtained for microspheres of various dielectric materials in the diameter range of 300–950 μm. The analyses are compared with experimental results for polymethylmethacrylate and polydimethylsyloxane (PDMS) microsphere sensors. The results show that the strain effect on MDR shifts is dominant over that of mechanical stress. It also indicates that force sensitivities of the order of a 1 pN are feasible using hollo.
A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE CHARACTERIZATION OF BRAIN GLIOMAS, BY MEANS OF SEMI-AUTOMATIC MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS

The aims of this paper were to present a reliable morphometric procedure for glioma analysis for preliminary prognosis and to develop a semi-automatic procedure that is easy to use. The data presented are important to the extent that they verify the reliability of the results by showing that they are consistent with the findings from more complicated automatic analytical tools. The objects for analysis were digital images of haematoxylin-eosin stained glioma samples. The overall analysis consisted of digital image analysis and the determination of morphometric parameters. Interestingly, an increase in the mean values of aspect ratio with increasing malignancy grade was found. Moreover, the morphometric parameters in relation to the histological origin of gliomas were examined and it was found that, the cellular nuclei of glioblastoma multiforme reveal the biggest mean values of aspect ratio compared with other gliomas.
Control of industrial exposure to tetrachloroethylene by measuring alveolar concentrations: theoretical approach using a mathematical model

Guberan, E. and Fernandez, J. (1974). British Journal of Industrial Medicine,31, 159-167. Control of industrial exposure to tetrachloroethylene by measuring alveolar concentrations: theoretical approach using a mathematical model. The uptake, distribution, and elimination of tetrachloroethylene were studied using a mathematical model, and predicted alveolar concentrations were compared with experimental data. Because of its high fat solubility the solvent accumulated in adipose tissue with a predicted biological half-life of 71·5 hours. The relation between the alveolar concentrations and the level or duration of exposure was discussed. The alveolar concentrations of tetrachloroethylene during and after similar exposure were predicted in subjects who differed in age, body weight, height, and body fat content, both at rest and during physical effort. Predictions were made of the alveolar concentrations following exposures to steady and variable concentrations in ambient air, and following exposures of several weeks of the type occuring in industry. It was concluded that measurement of the postexposure alveolar concentrations could be used to estimate the mean exposure to tetrachloroethylene in most industrial situations.