Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body size, not other morphological traits, characterizes cascading effects in fish assemblage composition following commercial netting

Traits used to group species and generalize predator-prey interactions can aid in constructing models to as- sess human impacts on food webs, especially in complex, species-rich systems. Commercial netting has reduced popu- lations of large-bodied piscivores in some lagoons of a Venezuelan floodplain river, and cascading effects result in distinct prey fish communities in netted and unnetted lagoons. In 2002 and 2003, we sampled assemblages of prey fishes in netted and unnetted lagoons and tested whether fish size and (or) other morphological characteristics were as- sociated with differences in assemblage composition. In both years, prey fish assemblages in netted lagoons were domi- nated numerically by larger species. We used geometric morphometric methods to test for a relationship between species morphological characteristics and found that neither overall morphological ordination nor specific morphologi- cal traits could be used to distinguish among assemblages. Thus, size was the only variable that was useful in explain- ing differences in assemblage composition. Even in this species-rich river with a complex food web, size-structured predator-prey interactions apparently influence community-level patterns and can be used to characterize human im- pacts. Resume : Les caracteristiques utilisees pour regrouper les especes et pour generaliser les interactions predateurs-proies peuvent servir a construire des modeles d'evaluation des impacts anthropiques sur les reseaux alimentaires, particuliere- ment dans les systemes complexes, riches en especes. La peche commerciale au filet a reduit les populations des pisci- vores de grande taille dans certains lagons de la plaine de debordement d'une riviere du Venezuela et les effets en cascade qui s'en sont suivis ont donne des communautes distinctes de poissons proies dans les lagons soumis a la peche et dans ceux qui ne le sont pas. En 2002 et 2003, nous avons echantillonne des peuplements de poissons proies dans des lagons exploites et non exploites et verifie s'il existe une association entre la taille et (ou) d'autres caracteris- tiques morphologiques des poissons et les differences de composition des peuplements. Durant les deux annees, les peuplements de poissons proies dans les lagons exploites etaient domines numeriquement par des especes plus grandes. Des methodes morphometriques geometriques nous ont servi a chercher a decouvrir une relation entre les caracteristi- ques morphologiques des especes; nous n'avons trouve ni d'ordination globale morphologique, ni de caracteristiques morphologiques specifiques qui permettent de distinguer les peuplements. La taille est donc la seule variable utile pour expliquer les differences de composition des peuplements. Meme dans cette riviere riche en especes et a reseau alimen- taire complexe, les interactions predateurs-proies reliees a la taille semblent influencer les patrons au niveau de la communaute et peuvent servir a caracteriser les impacts anthropiques.
Gender differences in child-related and parent-related determinants of oral health-related lifestyle among 11- to 12-year-old Finnish schoolchildren

Objective. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether child-related and parent-related characteristics were associated differently with oral health-related lifestyle among boys and girls. Material and methods. The study population consisted of 5th and 6th graders and their parents in Pori, Finland. There were 1691 children ranging in age between 11 and 12 years. The data were gathered by questionnaires. For the analyses, we grouped children and parents within three lifestyle groups: favorable, moderate and poor. Differences in child-related and/or parent-related characteristics between boys and girls were analyzed with logistic regression analyses; those with a favorable lifestyle comprised the healthy lifestyle group, and those with a moderate or poor lifestyle the unhealthy lifestyle group. Results. Oral health-related lifestyle was healthy more often among girls than among boys. In both genders, those who considered toothbrushing important for pleasing authorities more often had a healthy lifestyle. Girls who considered toothbrushing important for health and appearance were more likely to have a healthy lifestyle than those who did not. The effect of parents’ oral health-related lifestyle was slightly stronger among boys than among girls. Among girls, however, high occupational level of father was indicative of healthy lifestyle. Conclusions. Among girls and boys, there are similarities and differences in factors related to oral health-related lifestyle. The parents’ model is important for both, but the effect is stronger among boys than among girls. Among girls, attitudes on health and appearance are positively associated with a health-related lifestyle.
Histopathological Findings in Spontaneous Hematoma of the Umbilical Cord: Severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in a Term Survived Newborn

BackgroundSpontaneous hematoma of the umbilical cord is a rare, unpreventable, and dramatic event mainly due to a disruption of the vascular wall, often resulting in adverse perinatal outcome. CaseWe describe a case of a term fetus with acute hemorrhage in the cord occurred intrapartum during spontaneous vaginal delivery. No iatrogenic factors were involved because no drugs, obstetric instruments, or procedures were applied. Umbilical hematoma probably developed in a time frame of 90 seconds, when the electronic fetal monitoring tracing detected a loss of fetal heart rate. At birth, the baby was in serious conditions with a low Apgar score (always 3 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes) and severe mixed acidosis. He was intubated, was ventilated, and underwent therapeutic hypothermia. Although all standard emergency procedures had been immediately applied, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy ensued within 24 hours postnatal. Placental examination revealed in the cord disruption of the elastic fibers in the vessels walls. Moreover, myofibroblasts in the Wharton's jelly appeared reduced in number and blunted, instead of their usual stellate shape. Chorioamnionitis but no funisitis was also present.Clinical follow-up of the child, aged 4 years, showed spastic tetraplegia, seizures, central deafness, and blindness. ConclusionsIntrinsic anomalies of the cord favored vascular rupture, hematoma of the cord, and acute fetal hypoxia. Placental examination played a key role in excluding medical malpractice because hematoma of the cord was a damaging, not otherwise preventable, event.
Disparities in colorectal screening between US-Born and Foreign-Born populations: Evidence from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey

Background. Over 11% of the US population in 2002 was foreign born. Studies that have examined disparities of cancer screening often focus on racial/ethnicity differences without considering their origins. This study examines the disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening between US- and foreign-born groups and explores factors associated with such disparities. Methods. Data were obtained from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Module. Multivariate logistic models were used to compare the use of CRC screening among the foreign born and 4 US-born race/ethnicity subgroups while controlling for other factors that may affect such screening. Appropriate weighting procedures were employed to account for the complex design of the survey. Results. Compared with the US-born non-Hispanic Whites, the odds ratio of ever having had a colorectal screening for the US-born Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic other races groups, and the foreign-born group with 15 or more years of residency was 0.65, 0.77, 0.98, and 0.58, respectively. An even lower odds ratio (0.46) was found among the foreign-born group with a shorter duration of residency. We found that the rate of screening for foreign-born individuals with good socioeconomic status and/or with health insurance was significantly lower than that of the US-born with similar status, and the rate was not much different from that of US-born individuals in lower socioeconomic levels. Having a usual source of care was found to be the most important protective factor for the foreign-born group. Conclusions. Foreign birth was associated with a lower rate of CRC screening. Future studies of health disparities should also consider immigration status.
Urban smartness and sustainability in Europe. An ex ante assessment of environmental, social and cultural domains

ABSTRACT The aim of the paper is to define a set of smartness and sustainability indicators applicable to European cities and to assess their outcome in an ex ante perspective with regard to the implementation of Europe 2020 strategy. Following the DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impact, Response) model, we select a bundle of indicators for three relevant sustainability domains (environmental, social and cultural), which are proper to the smart city definition. Then we define groups of homogeneous cities for each domain by using a two-step cluster analysis. Results show the existence of heterogeneous groups of cities that are likely to become smart in the cultural domain, side by side with groups of more developed urban areas that have acquired a substantial advantage in the environmental and social dimensions.
National Report Card on Discrimination in America: The Role of Testing

In March, 1998, the Urban Institute, with support from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), convened a conference that involved many of the best-known researchers working on the measurement of discrimination. The goals of the conference were to explore the feasibility and merits of creating a national report card on discrimination, assess the role that paired testing and other social science methodologies might play in its formulation, and identify the pilot research needed for the report card's full implementation.
Socio-Economic Transformation of Akan Funeral Rites in Ghana: The Changing Process

Cultural traditions at the end of life solidify societal members. As the world becomes more globalized, socio-economic factors affect how traditional practices are expressed, and the role and toll they make on modern societies. This article examines the contemporary Akan funeral practices in Ghana. Akan lineage members, from birth through puberty, marriage, maturity, old age, go through various rites of passage that bond them culturally and spiritually to others in society. One such ritual is funeral celebration. Funeral celebration, an old practice, has always been at the heart of public social events of Akan people. However, the changes in Ghanaian Akan funerals over the past 4 decades, and their impact on the people, make this an important topic. The article describes the Akan belief of life after death, the respect accorded to the dead, the prestige associated with successful funeral celebrations, and socio-economic factors that continue to shape Akan funeral practices. Socio-economic impact and the resulting challenges are discussed.
Antimicrobial Resistance Testing of Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli and First Description of TEM-52 Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase in Serogroup O26

ABSTRACT We have investigated the antimicrobial resistance of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) strains isolated from humans, animals, food, and the environment in Belgium. Resistance was more frequent in non-O157 strains from humans than in O157 strains from humans or other sources, and among non-O157 VTEC strains, intimin-positive strains were more resistant than intimin-negative strains. We also report the first VTEC strain producing an IncI1 extended-spectrum β-lactamase encoded by plasmid-borne blaTEM-52; this β-lactamase was previously associated with Salmonella enterica and E. coli isolates from different origins.
Group III and IV muscle afferent discharge patterns after repeated lengthening and shortening actions

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that group III and IV muscle afferent activity would differ after concentric‐ and eccentric‐type fatiguing tasks. Tibialis anterior afferent activities from adult rats were measured in three conditions: before and after a rest period (C), and after concentric (CC) or eccentric (EC) exercise. Specific activators were used to elicit increases in afferent discharge rates, i.e., electrically induced fatigue (EIF), or potassium chloride (KCl) and lactic acid (LA) injections. After the rest period (POST‐condition), the control group displayed a pattern of response to stimuli similar to that obtained in baseline condition (PRE‐condition). However, responses were significantly different in the exercise groups: afferent responses were blunted in the CC group and were almost suppressed in the EC group. These results demonstrate that the type of muscular contraction involved in the fatiguing task can affect group III and IV afferent fiber activity differently and, potentially, can differentially affect the regulation of central motor command. Muscle Nerve, 2009
A miniaturized FSS based on tortuous structure design

A miniaturized frequency selective surface (FSS) composed of wire grid and tortuous pattern of cross-dipole element has been proposed to realize a first-order band-pass response. Resonant frequency of the proposed FSS can be adjusted by changing tortuous factor of the cross-dipole element. Sharper one-side roll-off characteristic and better resonant frequency angular stability can be obtained by the proposed FSS with a larger tortuous factor. Also, by cascading the proposed FSS of different tortuous factors, a dualband frequency filter property can be obtained. The proposed FSS is analyzed by equivalent circuit method and full-wave simulations.
Biophysical studies of the nucleic acid chaperone properties of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein

The nucleocapsid protein NCp7 of HIV-1 possesses nucleic acid chaperone properties that are thought to be crucial throughout the viral life cycle. These properties promote the rearrangement of nucleic acids into their most thermodynamically stable conformations. These NCp7 properties involve two components, namely nucleic acid destabilization and activation of the annealing of complementary sequences. Biophysical techniques have been found extremely powerful to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying these two components. We propose here an overview of the recent reports that examine the nucleic acid chaperone properties of NCp7 by these techniques.
Optimal flexible designs in phase II clinical trials.

In the conduct of a phase II cancer clinical trial, patients usually enter in two stages. If the response rate from the first stage is low, then the study terminates. Within various two-stage designs, Simon proposed the optimal and minimax criteria. In the co-operative group setting, practical considerations make it difficult to arrive at the planned sample size exactly. Green and Dahlberg proposed and compared several flexible designs. In this paper, we explicitly define a flexible design as a collection of two-stage designs where the first stage size is in a set of consecutive values (n1, ., nk) and the second stage size is also in another set of consecutive values (N1, ., Nk), and each of k2 possible designs has the same probability of occurrence. We apply Simon's optimal and minimax criteria to flexible designs for phase II trials in order to minimize the number of patients tested on an ineffective drug.
Transfer of an ampicillin resistance gene between two Escherichia coli strains in the bowel microbiota of an infant treated with antibiotics.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the presumed acquisition of ampicillin resistance by an Escherichia coli strain residing in the gut of an infant. METHODS E. coli strains were quantified in faecal samples obtained at regular intervals from an infant followed from birth to 12 months of age and their resistance profiles were determined. beta-Lactamases were identified by isoelectric focusing and genes by PCR followed by DNA sequencing. Plasmids were characterized by restriction fragment analysis and Southern-blot hybridization, and tested for conjugative transfer. RESULTS The infant carried two E. coli strains, termed 29A and 29B, simultaneously in the microbiota during the first month of life. All isolates of 29A were resistant to ampicillin, whereas strain 29B, which was initially ampicillin susceptible, acquired resistance following treatment of the infant with ampicillin/amoxicillin because of urinary tract infection. Acquisition of resistance by strain 29B was associated with acquisition of a bla(TEM-1b)-encoding plasmid, pNK29, which was also present in strain 29A. Transfer of plasmid pNK29 could be replicated by conjugation from strain 29A to strain 29B in vitro. Strain 29A also adapted to ampicillin treatment by mutation of the bla(TEM-1b) promoter gene to yield a higher level of resistance. CONCLUSIONS This is an unequivocal demonstration of gene transfer between two strains co-residing in the human gut, as the donor, recipient and transconjugant strains were isolated. The results suggest the dynamic adaptation by commensal bacteria in response to antibiotic treatment may occur readily.
A marketing strategy for a new functional fish

ABSTRACT The successful development and bringing to market of a new fortified sea bream depends not only on the additional nutrients that it may include and the multiple health benefits that it might generate, but also on consumer habits, needs, wants, and their willingness to accept a new functional food product. In order to produce information on supporting entrepreneurs’ investment decisions with respect to a new functional fish, a market research study was performed in order to gather market data. The descriptive study aimed to measure: consumption habits with respect to all types of fish; the market share of aquaculture fish; market size and channels; the factors determining the acceptance of the new product; the consumer probability of buying and recommending the new product; the fair price of the new product; and the consumer profile. The results of this study were used to design a marketing strategy for the new food product to meet the Portuguese market requirements.
Immunologic characterization of cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes

Cellular immunocompetence of cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes was investigated in several neurologic diseases. Microtechniques were developed to enable determination of E-rosetting capacity and phytohemagglutinin responsiveness of scant numbers of cells present in the cerebrospinal fluid specimens studied. Although most individuals had phytohemagglutinin-responsive cells in their CSF, reactivity was somewhat less than that found simultaneously in their blood. Three of eight patients had comparable percentages of E rosettes in their blood and CSF. In the remainder, the values differed significantly. Although preliminary, these results illustrate a new approach to immunologic characterization of CSF lymphocytes in diseases.
Branch correlation measurements and analysis in an indoor Rayleigh fading channel for polarization diversity using a dual polarized patch antenna

Spatial diversity techniques are advantageous if the received signals of the diversity branches are sufficiently uncorrelated. Theoretical study using the power unbalance between the two branches employing Laplacian direction of arrival (DOA) distribution is carried out. It is shown that for low value of cross-polarization power ratio (XPR) the correlation has a negligible effect. In order to validate the theoretical results indoor NLOS measurements were carried out. The measurements were done to study the cross-correlation between two received signals of orthogonal polarization using a dual linear polarized patch antenna. The antenna has been designed, built and measured. The results of the channel measurements are given. It is concluded that received signals with orthogonal polarization in indoor Rayleigh fading channels have no significant envelope correlation.
p38 MAPK is a likely component of the signal transduction pathway triggering rapid cold hardening in the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis

SUMMARY Rapid cold hardening (RCH) is an adaptation enabling insects to quickly respond to low temperature, but little is known about the molecular events that trigger this response. In this study of the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis, we explore a possible role for mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the low temperature signaling that elicits RCH. We report that p38 MAPK from S. crassipalpis, which shows high cDNA sequence homology to p38 MAPKs from other insects and mammals, is rapidly activated at temperatures around 0°C, temperatures that are most effective for inducing RCH. By contrast, low temperature does not activate either extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). An increase in phospho-p38 MAPK was observed within 10 min following exposure to 0°C and reached its maximum level in 2 h. When flies were transferred from 0 to 25°C, the level of phospho-p38 MAPK decreased immediately and reached trace levels by 3 h. Nondiapausing flies were much more responsive to p38 MAPK activation than cold-hardy diapausing pupae. Thus, p38 MAPK activation and RCH both show the same narrow ranges of temperature sensitivity, temporal profiles of activation and decay, and developmental specificity. These correlations suggest that p38 MAPK plays a potential role in regulating the induction of RCH. The p38 MAPK response was not dependent upon the brain, as evidenced by high activation in isolated abdomens exposed to low temperature.
Environmental stress, inbreeding, and the nature of phenotypic and genetic variance in Drosophila melanogaster

Fifty‐two lines of Drosophila melanogaster founded by single‐pair population bottlenecks were used to study the effects of inbreeding and environmental stress on phenotypic variance, genetic variance and survivorship. Cold temperature and high density cause reduced survivorship, but these stresses do not cause repeatable changes in the phenotypic variance of most wing morphological traits. Wing area, however, does show increased phenotypic variance under both types of environmental stress. This increase is no greater in inbred than in outbred lines, showing that inbreeding does not increase the developmental effects of stress. Conversely, environmental stress does not increase the extent of inbreeding depression. Genetic variance is not correlated with environmental stress, although the amount of genetic variation varies significantly among environments and lines vary significantly in their response to environmental change. Drastic changes in the environment can cause changes in phenotypic and genetic variance, but not in a way reliably predicted by the notion of ‘stress’.