Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indirect Effects of Environmental Change in Resource Competition Models

Anthropogenic environmental change can affect species directly by altering physiological rates or indirectly by changing competitive outcomes. The unknown strength of competition-mediated indirect effects makes it difficult to predict species abundances in the face of ongoing environmental change. Theory developed with phenomenological competition models shows that indirect effects are weak when coexistence is strongly stabilized, but these models lack a mechanistic link between environmental change and species performance. To extend existing theory, we examined the relationship between coexistence and indirect effects in mechanistic resource competition models. We defined environmental change as a change in resource supply points and quantified the resulting competition-mediated indirect effects on species abundances. We found that the magnitude of indirect effects increases in proportion to niche overlap. However, indirect effects also depend on differences in how competitors respond to the change in resource supply, an insight hidden in nonmechanistic models. Our analysis demonstrates the value of using niche overlap to predict the strength of indirect effects and clarifies the types of indirect effects that global change can have on competing species.
FORMATION OF HEMICHROMES FROM OXIDIZED HEMOGLOBIN SUBUNITS *

Human hemoglobins are complex molecules which consist of two pairs of unlike globin polypeptide chains with a heme group attached to each of the globin subunits. The normal functional properties of hemoglobin depend upon interaction among these The following studies indicate that interaction among unlike subunits of hemoglobin is important for determining the state of the hemoglobin molecule following its oxidation. The properties of oxidized hemoglobin subunits may play a role in the formation of intraerythrocytic inclusion bodies in thalassemic syndromes.
The motorcycle accident: a growing problem.

DURING 1968, 3,780 MOTORCYCLES WERE REGISTERED IN MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK; AT LEAST 207 OPERATORS AND 19 PASSENGERS WERE INVOLVED IN PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS, INCLUDING FIVE FATALITIES. MANY FACTORS CAUSED OR CONTRIBUT*ED TO THE ACCIDENTS, ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORTS. STATISTICS ON CAUSES, OPERQTOR'S CHARACTERISTICS, KINDS OF INJURIES, AND MOTORCYCLE INVOLVE YOUNG, HEALTHY PEOPLE - AND MANY SCAR THEM FOR LIFE - URGENT MEASURES OF PREVENTION ARE ESSENTIAL. /HSL/
Enhanced Gain by Double-Periodic Stacked Subwavelength Hole Array

Using a doubly periodicity structure the extraordinary transmission of subwavelength metallic hole arrays in the microwave range can be boosted. Stacking several of such plates a left-handed metamaterial can be obtained as it is shown by the computed dispersion diagrams as well as the amplitude and phase measurements. An effective refraction index along the propagation direction can be calculated, giving a negative magnitude between -1 and 0. This enhances the emission by a focused beam with narrow beamwidth. Several practical applications like novel antennas are envisaged.
Covariate-Adjusted Adaptive Designs for Continuous Responses in a Phase III Clinical Trial: Recommendation for Practice

ABSTRACT One adaptive design is proposed and studied by Bandyopadhyay and Biswas (2001) for comparing two treatments having continuous responses with covariates at hand in a phase III clinical trial. On the other hand, a drop-the-loser urn design is recently proposed by Ivanova (2003), which is known to have the least variability among urn-based adaptive designs for binary responses. The drop-the-loser rule for continuous data was recently introduced by Ivanova et al. (2006). But neither of the works considered covariates for the allocation design. The present paper provides a version of the newly proposed adaptive design, drop-the-loser rule, but for continuous responses and by incorporating the covariate information in the allocation procedure. Several exact and limiting properties of the design, and also of a simpler version of it, are studied. We compare the design of Bandyopadhyay and Biswas (2001) with the covariate-adjusted drop-the-loser-type rule for continuous responses and conclude that, although the drop-the-loser rule is better for binary responses, the design of Bandyopadhyay and Biswas (2001) performs better than the drop-the-loser-type rule for continuous responses with covariates. We recommend the existing design of Bandyopadhyay and Biswas (2001) for practical purposes.
Quality of life and patterns of nontraditional therapy use by patients with cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics of patients with cancer that may be associated with use of or interest in nontraditional healthcare practices or therapies. DESIGN Descriptive study using survey methodology with a large convenience sample. SETTING Private, outpatient, adult hematology/oncology practice in the midwestern United States. SAMPLE 89 outpatients who had received, were currently receiving, or were scheduled to receive chemotherapy for cancer. Participants ranged in age from 21-88 years (X = 63.26), were predominately Caucasian and female, and had a high school education. METHODS Patients presenting for treatment were handed surveys and asked to mail them back to the investigators. Instruments included Ferrans and Powers' Quality of Life (QOL) Index--Cancer Version and a questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study to obtain demographic information and information regarding interest in or use of nontraditional therapy (NT). Data were analyzed for frequency of use, interest in using NT, and relationship between use/interest and quality of life. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES QOL, using NT. FINDINGS 34 (39.5%) of the respondents initiated use of NT after receiving a diagnosis of cancer; they were more commonly female, less than 65 years of age, and more highly educated. New users of NT tended to have known about their diagnosis longer, had experienced a recurrence or metastasis, and had been told that the possibility of cure was unlikely. QOL scores were higher among new users versus continuous users of various individual categories of NT. CONCLUSIONS Adult patients with cancer in this study sample very commonly used nontraditional healthcare practices; more than one-third initiated their use after diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Practitioners are challenged and encouraged to become more knowledgeable regarding NT therapy use and more sensitive to issues surrounding patients' decisions to use them.
Prevalence of polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats in the United Kingdom

The prevalence of polycystic kidney disease was assessed in 132 Persian cats, 46 of them referred for the investigation and treatment of medical or surgical conditions, and 86 apparently healthy cats referred specifically to be screened for the disease. Cats referred for the investigation of renomegaly or renal failure were excluded, and cats under 10 months old were only included if they had been examined postmortem. One hundred and twenty-six of the cats were examined ultrasonographically with a 7.5 MHz sector scanner, and the other six cats were examined postmortem. Forty-nine of the 86 cats referred specifically for screening (57.0 per cent) and 16 of the 46 cats referred for other clinical reasons (34.8 per cent) were affected by the disease, giving an overall prevalence of 49.2 per cent.
Python Programming Language

Python is an interpreted, general purpose language. An interpreted language is a language that needs to be interpreted by an interpreter. The program codes written using an interpreted language are supposed to be executed using an interpreter. The interpreter performs various functions. For example, the interpreter executes the source of the programming language directly. So, the interpreter translates the source code into a code that can be understood by the user. In addition, python is a high level programming language . The design philosophy of python enforces code readability. Python is aimed at combining remarkable power with a clear syntax. The standard library of python is large and comprehensive. Python is different from other languages.
Hip Arthroplasty up to the Age of 30 and Considerations in Relation to Subsequent Revision

We reviewed a series of 17 hip arthroplasties in 16 patients performed when the patients were 30 years old or younger who presented to us for consideration of revision. The mean age was 23.1 years (14 to 30) at the initial arthroplasty. At the time of the original procedure there were 4 sequelae of septic arthritis, 7 old traumatic hip injures, 3 cases of developmental dysplasia (DDH), 1 case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 1 steroid-induced avascular necrosis, and 1 old slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) The implants inculded 11 total hip arthroplasties (THA), 3 double cup arthroplasties, 1 bipolar arthroplasty,1 monopolar arthroplasty and 1 cup arthroplasty. The cause for revision lay on the acetabular side in 16 cases and on the femoral side in 6 cases (some had failure on both sides of the joint). There was one revision for recurrent dislocation. The patients had undergone a mean of 1.1 procedures (range 0–3) before the primary arthroplasty. There was a mean interval of 10.6 years (2–33) between the arthroplasty and the revision and the patients had a mean of 1.9 further revision procedures (0 to 4). Complications of revision surgery inculded 1 case of sepsis, 2 recurrent dislocations and 8 re-revisions. Postel and Merle d'Aubigne (PMA) score increased from 10.1 to 14.6 at an mean follow-up of 5.4 years (1 to 20). The typical patient was male (11/17) having had the first arthroplasty at age 23 for trauma sequelae (7/17), a revision at 34 (acetabular failure (16/17). At age 46.4, and after 1.9 secondary procedures hip scores were not exceptional. Such generally disappointing results arose from errors in implant selection or technical mistakes. Careful surgery is critical, and the way of life of the patient may need to be modified.
Review of the Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Different Photovoltaic and Concentrating Solar Power Electricity Generation Systems

This paper contains an extensive review of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from different material-based photovoltaic (PV) and working mechanism-based concentrating solar power (CSP) electricity generation systems. Statistical evaluation of the life cycle GHG emissions is conducted to assess the role of different PVs and CSPs in reducing GHG emissions. The widely-used parabolic trough and central receiver CSP electricity generation systems emitted approximately 50% more GHGs than the paraboloidal dish, solar chimney, and solar pond CSP electricity generation systems. The cadmium telluride PVs and solar pond CSPs contributed to minimum life cycle GHGs. Thin-film PVs are also suitable for wider implementation, due to their lower Energy Pay-Back Time (EPBT) periods, in addition to lower GHG emission, in comparison with c-Si PVs.
Molecular geometry optimization with a genetic algorithm.

We present a method for reliably determining the lowest energy structure of an atomic cluster in an arbitrary model potential. The method is based on a genetic algorithm, which operates on a population of candidate structures to produce new candidates with lower energies. Our method dramatically outperforms simulated annealing, which we demonstrate by applying the genetic algorithm to a tight-binding model potential for carbon. With this potential, the algorithm efficiently finds fullerene cluster structures up to ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ starting from random atomic coordinates.
A Highly Conserved Binding Site in Vesicle-associated Membrane Protein-associated Protein (VAP) for the FFAT Motif of Lipid-binding Proteins*

A variety of lipid-binding proteins contain a recently described motif, designated FFAT (two phenylalanines in an acidic tract), which binds to vesicle-associated-membrane protein-associated protein (VAP). VAP is a conserved integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum that contains at its amino terminus a domain related to the major sperm protein of nematode worms. Here we have studied the FFAT-VAP interaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where the VAP homologue Scs2 regulates phospholipid metabolism via an interaction with the FFAT motif of Opi1. By introducing mutations at random into Scs2, we found that mutations that abrogated binding to FFAT were clustered in the most highly conserved region. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we identified several critical residues, including two lysines widely separated in the primary sequence. By examining all other conserved basic residues, we identified a third residue that was moderately important for binding FFAT. Modeling VAP on the known structure of major sperm protein showed that the critical residues form a patch on a positively charged face of the protein. In vivo functional studies of SCS22, a second SCS2-like gene in S. cerevisiae, showed that SCS2 was the dominant gene in the regulation of Opi1, with a minor contribution from SCS22. We then established that reduction in the affinity of Scs2 mutants for FFAT correlated well with loss of function, indicating the importance of these residues for binding FFAT motifs. Finally, we found that human VAP-A could substitute for Scs2 but that it functioned poorly, suggesting that other factors modulate the binding of Scs2 to proteins with FFAT motifs.
Insulated-gate planar thyristors: II&#8212;Quantitative modeling

The basic modes of operation of a new planar, high-voltage thyristor which is controlled by an insulated gate are described in Part I. This paper presents models for the dc operation of the device. Low-current nonregenerative operation is described by an equivalent circuit containing MOSFET's, bipolar transistors, and resistors. These are analyzed by a general-purpose nonlinear circuit analysis program. Sophisticated transistor models, both bipolar and MOS, are required to accurately represent the component devices, and their characteristics are discussed. The high-conductivity state is modeled as a one-dimensional p-i-n diode. Determination of appropriate parameters is described and simulations are compared to measured characteristics. The resulting models are suitable for the design of devices with a wide variety of dc characteristics.
CMOS-Compatible Self-Aligned In0.53Ga0.47As MOSFETs With Gate Lengths Down to 30 nm

We demonstrate self-aligned fully-depleted 20-nm-thick In<sub>0.53</sub>Ga<sub>0.47</sub>As-channel MOSFETs using CMOS-compatible device structures and manufacturable process flows. These devices consist of self-aligned source/drain extensions and self-aligned raised source/drain with low sheet resistance of 360 and 115 Ω/sq, respectively. We demonstrate short-channel MOSFETs with gate lengths L<sub>G</sub> down to 30 nm, low series resistance R<sub>EXT</sub> = 375 Ω·μm, and high peak saturation transconductance G<sub>MSAT</sub> = 1275 μS/μm at L<sub>G</sub> = 50 nm and drain bias V<sub>DS</sub> = 0.5 V. We obtain long-channel capacitive inversion thickness TINV = 2.3 nm and effective mobility μ<sub>EFF</sub> = 650 cm<sup>2</sup>/Vs at sheet carrier density N<sub>S</sub> = 5 × 10<sup>12</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup>. Finally, using a calibrated quasi-ballistic FET model, we argue that for L<sub>G</sub> ≤ 20 nm, μ<sub>EFF</sub> ≈ 1000 cm<sup>2</sup>/Vs will lead to short-channel MOSFETs operating within 10% of the ballistic limit. Thus, our III-V processes and device structures are well-suited for future generations of high-performance CMOS applications at short gate lengths and tight gate pitches.
Enantiospecific Reassessment of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral Eflornithine against Late-Stage Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Sleeping Sickness

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of oral eflornithine in 25 patients with late-stage Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sleeping sickness. A secondary aim was to determine the concentrations of l- and d-eflornithine required in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for an efficient eradication of the T. brucei gambiense parasites. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 100 (group I, n = 12) or 125 (group II, n = 13) mg/kg of body weight of drug every 6 h for 14 days. The concentrations of l- and d-eflornithine in the plasma and CSF samples were measured using a stereospecific liquid chromatographic method. Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was used to characterize the plasma pharmacokinetics. The plasma concentrations of l-eflornithine were on average 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51, 54%; n = 321) of the d-enantiomer concentrations. The typical oral clearances of l- and d-eflornithine were 17.4 (95% CI, 15.5, 19.3) and 8.23 (95% CI, 7.36, 9.10) liters/h, respectively. These differences were likely due to stereoselective intestinal absorption. The distributions of eflornithine enantiomers to the CSF were not stereoselective. A correlation was found between the probability of cure and plasma drug exposure, although it was not more pronounced for the l-enantiomer than for that of total eflornithine. This study may explain why oral treatment for late-stage human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) patients with racemic eflornithine has previously failed; the more potent l-enantiomer is present at much lower concentrations in both plasma and CSF than those of the d-enantiomer. Eflornithine stereoselective pharmacokinetics needs to be considered if an oral dosage regimen is to be explored further.
Association study of CREB1 and childhood‐onset mood disorders

Several lines of evidence suggest that the cellular pathways involved in synaptic plasticity contribute to the risk of depression. These findings include the evidence that chronic antidepressant treatment upregulates the cAMP signal transduction cascade resulting in increased expression and function of the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor that increases the expression of key growth factors involved in synaptogenesis and neurogenesis. Recently, linkage to CREB1 was reported for early‐onset depression in families recruited from the Pittsburgh area. This finding was significant only in female sibling pairs from those families. Two specific DNA variants, −656G/A and a C insertion/deletion in intron 8, were identified in CREB1 that co‐segregated with depression in two of the families. We sought to investigate the relationship of CREB1 to childhood‐onset mood disorders (COMD) using a sample of 195 nuclear families (225 affected children) collected in Hungary. We genotyped the two CREB1 DNA variants previously identified as linked to depression as well as three additional polymorphisms spanning the gene. In addition, we genotyped the −656G/A DNA change and the intron 8 polymorphism in a sample of 112 probands with mood disorders collected in the Pittsburgh area and matched controls, and examined the distribution of alleles. The −656A allele was not observed in our samples and there was no evidence for association of the intron 8 polymorphism in either the sample from Pittsburgh (χ2 = 0.061, 1 d.f., P = 0.803) or Hungary (χ2 = 0.040, 1 d.f., P = 0.842). We found no evidence for an association with the other three polymorphisms or with the haplotypes of these markers. Further, we found no sex‐specific relationship. Our results, therefore, do not support the previous evidence for this gene as a major factor contributing to depression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laboratory evaluation of the Pall LG6 leukocyte depleting arterial line filter

The Pall LG6 arterial line filter has been designed to remove free circulating leukocytes from the arterial line of the extracorporeal circuit employed in openheart surgery. The filter was evaluated and compared to a control filter (Pall Stat-Prime) in terms of its general blood handling characteristics, particularly with regard to the associated level of leukocyte removal. The gross air handling characteristics of the filters were also assessed together with pressure drop. It was found that the filters differed little in terms of all factors studied other than the level of leukocyte depletion. The LG6 filter was associated with substantial levels of leukocyte depletion, particularly the depletion of neutrophils. Over the 90 minute perfusion period the LG6 filter was found to be associated with a neutrophil depletion rate of around 70% while preferentially sparing lymphocytes. This compared to a 10-20% depletion rate in the control filter. This was achieved without apparently compromising the performance of the filter in terms of the other factors studied.
Comparative neurocognitive effects of 5 psychotropic anticonvulsants and lithium.

CONTEXT Many of the new antiepileptic drugs have psychiatric indications, and most are prescribed by psychiatrists for patients with mood disorders, even when a specific indication is absent. Epileptic drugs as a whole, even the newer ones, are known to affect cognition, sometimes in untoward ways. Research on the neurocognitive effects of antiepileptic drugs, however, has been done exclusively in normal volunteers and in patients with seizure disorders. METHOD A naturalistic, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who were taking 1 of 5 different antiepileptic drugs or lithium (LIT). Cognitive status was measured by a computerized neurocognitive screening battery, CNS Vital Signs (CNSVS). SUBJECTS One hundred fifty-nine patients with bipolar disorder, aged 18-70 years, were treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) (N = 16), lamotrigine (LMTG) (N = 38), oxcarbazepine (OCBZ) (N = 19), topiramate (TPM) (N = 19), and valproic acid (VPA) (N = 37); 30 bipolar patients were treated with LIT. RESULTS Significant group differences were detected in tests of memory, psychomotor speed, processing speed, reaction time, cognitive flexibility, and attention. Rank-order analysis indicated superiority for LMTG (1.8) followed by OCBZ (2.1), LIT(3.3), TPM (4.3), VPA (4.5), and CBZ (5.0). CONCLUSION The relative neurocognitive effects of the various psychotropic antiepileptic drugs in patients with bipolar disorder were concordant with those described in the seminal literature in normal volunteers and patients with epilepsy. LMTG and OCBZ had the least neurotoxicity, and TPM, VPA, and CBZ had the most. LIT effects on neurocognition were intermediate. Choosing a mood-stabilizing drug with minimal neurocognitive effects may enhance patient compliance over the long term.
Automated valuation modelling: a specification exercise

Market value predictions for residential properties are important for investment decisions and the risk management of households, banks and real estate developers. The increased access to market data has spurred the development and application of Automated Valuation Models (AVMs), which can provide appraisals at low cost. We discuss the stages involved when developing an AVM. By reflecting on our experience with md*immo, an AVM from Berlin, Germany, our paper contributes to an area that has not received much attention in the academic literature. In addition to discussing the main stages of AVM development, we examine empirically the statistical model development and validation step. We find that automated outlier removal is important and that a log model performs best, but only if it accounts for the retransformation problem and heteroscedasticity.
The effects of placental malaria on mother-to-child HIV transmission in Rakai, Uganda

We examined the association of placental malaria and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in a prospective community-randomized trial in Rakai District, Uganda. In the 746 HIV-positive mother-infant pairs, the MTCT rate was 20.4%. Placental malaria was more common in HIV-positive than HIV-negative women. After multivariate adjustment for HIV viral load, the risk of MTCT associated with placental malaria was 2.89 and with HIV viral load the risk was 2.85. Interventions to prevent malaria during pregnancy could potentially reduce MTCT.