Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution Characteristics of Landscape Ecological Risk Patterns in Coastal Zones in Zhejiang Province, China

Analyzing evolution characteristics of landscape ecological risk patterns would help establish ecological risk early warning mechanism, reduce the ecological risk probability and promote coastal landscape pattern optimization. In this study, landscape pattern indices were first calculated by using multitemporal Landsat TM images acquired in years 1990, 2000 and 2010, then landscape ecological risk pattern evolution models and the spatiotemporal evolutions of ecological risk patterns of coastal zones in Zhejiang province, China were constructed and analyzed. The results demonstrate that (1) greater changes have taken place in landscape structures during the two decades, and (2) the areas of cropland, sea, woodland and water surface have decreased significantly, while the areas of built-up land, unused land and aquaculture land have increased. In 1990, coastal landscapes were mainly occupied by extremely low and low ecological risk areas. However, by 2010, the low ecological risk area apparently decreased compared to that in 1990, while extremely high and high ecological risk areas increased significantly, occupying spatial regions where originally the extremely low and low ecological risk zones located. Transition rates of ecological risk grades in the second ten years (2000–2010) were significantly lower than in the first ten years (1990–2000). The result suggests that people who originally urged to accelerate coastal landscape exploitation and development have started to concern the ecological environment protection and to pursue a mode that economic development and ecological protection are synchronously conducted.
Hepatic and extra-hepatic transcription of inter-alpha-inhibitor family genes under normal or acute inflammatory conditions in rat.

The expression and level of the mRNAs for the five genes that code for a set of plasma proteins collectively referred to as the inter-alpha-inhibitor family have been studied in rat under a normal condition or in the course of a turpentine-induced, systemic inflammation. In healthy rats, all five mRNAs [H1, H2, H3, H4, and alpha1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP)] are expressed primarily in liver and two of them (H2 and H3) are found to a lower extent in brain. By in situ hybridization onto sections of a normal brain, the H3 mRNA has been precisely localized to the hypothalamus, amygdala, pontine area, optic tectum, and cerebellum. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of total RNAs obtained from a panel of organs, low amounts of one or more mRNA(s) could be detected in other locations (e.g., intestine and stomach). Furthermore, the extrahepatic expressions of several of these genes are up- or downregulated at 20 h after the start of a turpentine-induced inflammation. In liver, the contents of H3 and H4 mRNA are upregulated, whereas those of AMBP and H2 are downregulated during the acute phase. This is accounted for by changes in gene transcription, the kinetics of which is gene-specific. This behavior of H1, H2, H3, H4, and AMBP mRNAs in rat liver is in keeping with more limited analyses made at mRNA and/or protein levels in other species (human, pig) suffering from an acute inflammation. Therefore, the inflammation-associated regulation of these five genes that is conserved between species indicates that the inter-alpha-inhibitor family members are likely to be important partners of the acute phase response.
Measuring alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems: comparison of responses from self-administered questionnaires and telephone interviews.

AIMS Compared with surveys using self-administered questionnaires, telephone interviews generally yield higher coverage rates, have a lower proportion of missing values and result in fewer inconsistencies. Meta-analyses, however, show that responses to sensitive questions by telephone tend to be biased by social expectations. The aim of the study is to examine whether responses on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems differ with respect to mode of administration (self-administered vs. telephone). Design and participants. Data were analysed from the 1995 self-administered survey among 6427 subjects and from telephone surveys conducted annually between 1994 and 1996 yielding a pooled sample of 6193 subjects. MEASUREMENTS Alcohol consumption within the last 30 days was measured using a beverage-specific quantity-frequency index. For a summary measure responses were converted into pure alcohol (ethanol) per day and categorized into no alcohol consumption (0 g), non-hazardous consumption (< or = 20 g for female and < or = 40 g for males) and hazardous consumption (> 20 g for females and > 40 g for males). Alcohol-related problems were assessed using the CAGE questionnaire with a cut-off point of at least two positive responses. FINDINGS Using (cumulative) logistic regression, a significant mode effect was found for both alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Lower beverage-specific prevalences in the telephone mode were found to be responsible for the difference in the distribution of the summary consumption measure. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that patterns of drinking and alcohol-related problems are more easily reported in self-administration questionnaires compared to telephone interviews.
H II REGION METALLICITY CONSTRAINTS NEAR THE SITE OF THE STRONGLY LENSED SUPERNOVA “SN REFSDAL” AT REDSHIFT 1.49

We present the local H ii region metallicity near the site of the recently discovered multiply lensed supernova (SN; “SN Refsdal”) at redshift 1.49. “SN Refsdal” is located at the outer spiral arm (∼7 kpc) of the lensed host galaxy, which we previously reported to exhibit a steep negative galactocentric metallicity gradient. Based on our updated near-infrared integral field spectroscopic data, the gas-phase metallicity averaged in an intrinsic radius of ∼550 pc surrounding an H ii region ∼200 pc away from the SN site is 12 + log(O/H) PP 04 N 2 ≤ 8.67 ? > . The metallicity averaged over nine H ii regions at similar galactocentric distances (∼5–7 kpc) as “SN Refsdal” is constrained to be 12 + log(O/H) PP 04 N 2 ≤ 8.11 ? > . Given the fortuitous discovery of “SN Refsdal” in an advantageously lensed face-on spiral, this is the first observational constraint on the local metallicity environment of an SN site at redshift z > 1 ? > .
Overcurrent Tests and Numerical Simulations on a 66-kV-Class RE123 High-Temperature Superconducting Model Cable

In Japan, the development of a 66-kV-class superconducting power cable was started in 2008 as a national project. A high-temperature superconducting (HTS) power cable typically consists of a copper former, HTS conductor layers, electrical insulation layers, HTS shield layers, and copper shield layers. A 66-kV-class superconducting power cable may be subjected to a fault current of 31.5 kArms for 2 s. Therefore, in order to ensure the stability and feasibility of the cable, the thermal characteristics and current distributions of the cable need to be investigated under fault conditions. In this study, overcurrent experiments were performed on a 2-m-long HTS model cable. Numerical simulations were also performed on the model cable by using a computer program on the basis of a 3D finite element method and an electrical circuit model.
Increased QT dispersion and P wave dispersion in major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND QT and P wave dispersion parameters can indicate abnormalities in autonomic nervous system and cardiac functioning. OBJECTIVES To determine QT and P wave dispersion in patients with major depressive disorder compared with healthy volunteers. METHODS Fifty newly diagnosed patients with major depressive disorder and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers underwent 12-lead electrocardiography. QT interval, QT dispersion, heart rate-corrected QT dispersion and P wave dispersions were calculated manually by a blinded specialist. RESULTS Groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, metabolic diseases and left ventricular ejection fraction. The major depressive disorder group had significantly higher QT dispersion (58.5±9.9 versus 41.7±3.8; P<0.001), heart rate-corrected QT dispersion (62.5±10.0 versus 45.2±4.3; P<0.001) and P wave dispersion (46.9±4.8 versus 41.5±5.1; P<0.001). CONCLUSION Increased QT dispersion, heart-rate corrected QT dispersion and P wave dispersion in major depressive disorder patients may be indicative of autonomic imbalance and increased risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality.
Application of Coping Strategies Developed by Older Deaf Adults to the Aging Process

Adjustment to deafness in early life and its influence on adjustment to the aging process was a major premise for this study. Early life experiences, peer group relationships, social relations, feelings of discrimination and stigmatization, and treatment as a minority group which together have led to the development of adaptive strategies were examined. Using ethnographic research, data was gathered from 22 deaf adults aged 55 to 84. Results indicated the educational programs they attended as children had ramifications throughout their lives. The type of program they had attended was of paramount importance in the participants' development of adaptive strategies, particularly their peer-based society and lifetime friendships which maximized sociability. Participants reported feelings of discrimination, stigmatization and minority group treatment. Nonetheless, their early acceptance of their disability appeared to carry over as the deaf adults approached the aging process.
Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Micrococcus, which, when limited in its extent and activity, causes acute suppurative inflammation (phlegmon), produces, when more extensive and intense in its action on the human system, the most virulent forms of septicaemia and pyaemia.1 In an elegant series of clinical observations and laboratory studies published in 1880 and 1882, Ogston described staphylococcal disease and its role in sepsis and abscess formation.1,2 More than 100 years later, Staphylococcus aureus remains a versatile and dangerous pathogen in humans. The frequencies of both community-acquired and hospital-acquired staphylococcal infections have increased steadily, with little change in overall mortality. Treatment of these infections .
Optimization of losless image compression method for GPGPU

This paper presents power and execution time efficient implementation of highly adaptive lossless image compression method based on predictor classification and blending, denoted as CBPC coder. Power efficiency is becoming increasingly important in both: datacenters and consumer electronics. This is why we aimed to target its optimization, as well as throughput, of CBPC coder on a CPU and a GPU, using CUDA for the latter. Tests were conducted using mainstream components in a desktop PC and high end components in a server. The CUDA version proved to be both more efficient and faster than a singlethreaded CPU version, however, further tests should be done comparing even more optimized CUDA version against multithreaded CPU implementation to cover the whole spectrum and to achieve better performance per watt for both consumer desktop and server system running the method. Finally, we demonstrate the benefits of GPGPU approach for compute-intensive, fine grained data-parallel parts of the algorithm, notably predictor classification and blending computations.
Functional MRI Assessment of Task-Induced Deactivation of the Default Mode Network in Alzheimer’s Disease and At-Risk Older Individuals

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in old age, and is characterized by prominent impairment of episodic memory. Recent functional imaging studies in AD have demonstrated alterations in a distributed network of brain regions supporting memory function, including regions of the default mode network. Previous positron emission tomography studies of older individuals at risk for AD have revealed hypometabolism of association cortical regions similar to the metabolic abnormalities seen in AD patients. In recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of AD, corresponding brain default mode regions have also been found to demonstrate an abnormal fMRI task-induced deactivation response pattern. That is, the relative decreases in fMRI signal normally observed in the default mode regions in healthy subjects performing a cognitive task are not seen in AD patients, or may even be reversed to a paradoxical activation response. Our recent studies have revealed alterations in the pattern of deactivation also in elderly individuals at risk for AD by virtue of their APOE e4 genotype, or evidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In agreement with recent reports from other groups, these studies demonstrate that the pattern of fMRI task-induced deactivation is progressively disrupted along the continuum from normal aging to MCI and to clinical AD and more impaired in e4 carriers compared to non-carriers. These findings will be discussed in the context of current literature regarding functional imaging of the default network in AD and at-risk populations.
The Burden of Caring for a Husband with Alzheimer's Disease

The caregiving wife needs an advocate who is concerned about her well being. The home healthcare nurse can fulfill this role by treating the needs of the wife as well as the dependent husband, advancing community programs to reduce the caregiving burden, and supporting legislation that recognizes that older women cannot be the sole caregivers to their dependent husbands.
Freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: The impact of dual‐tasking and turning

Background: Turning is the most important trigger for freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD), and dual‐tasking has been suggested to influence FOG as well. Objective: To understand the effects of dual tasking and turning on FOG. Methods: 14 Freezers and 14 non‐freezers matched for disease severity and 14 age‐matched controls were asked to turn 180° and 360° with and without a cognitive dual‐task during the off‐period of the medication cycle. Total number of steps, duration, cadence, freezing‐frequency, and secondary‐task performance were measured. Results: Seven freezers froze during the protocol. Freezing occurred in 37.5% of trials during 180° turning compared to 0% during straight‐line walking (X2 = 10.44, p < 0.01). The occurrence of FOG increased during 360° when also a dual‐task was added (X2 = 4.23, p = 0.04). Freezers took significantly more steps and were slower than controls in all conditions. The presence of a dual‐task increased these differences. Cadence increased significantly for freezers during 360° and 180° compared to straight‐line walking. In contrast, cadence was decreased during turning in controls and non‐freezers. During straight‐line walking, only freezers made errors in the secondary task. Controls increased their error‐rate during 180° turning, whereas freezers deteriorated their secondary task performance during 360°. Conclusions: 360° turning in combination with a dual‐task is the most important trigger for freezing. During turning, non‐freezers and controls decreased their cadence whereas freezers increased it, which may be related to FOG. Freezers adopted a posture second strategy in contrast to non‐freezers when confronted with a dual task. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Synthesis of Novel Thiopurine Pyranonucleosides: Evaluation of Their Bioactivity

We report the synthesis of novel thiopurine pyranonucleosides. Direct coupling of silylated 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine with the appropriate pyranoses 1a–e via Vorbrüggen nucleosidation, gave the N-9 linked mercaptopurine 2a–e and thioguanine 4a–e nucleosides, while their N-7 substituted congeners 10a–e and 7a–e, were obtained through condensation of the same acetates with 6-chloro and 2-amino-6-chloropurines, followed by subsequent thionation. Nucleosides 3a–e, 5a–e, 8a–e, and 11a–e were evaluated for their cytostatic activity in three different tumor cell proliferative assays.
Human papilloma virus prevalence, genotype distribution, and pattern of infection in Thai women.

BACKGROUND The pattern of infection in cervical lesions with respect to HPV subtype has not been systematically studied in Thai women. The aim here was to determine HPV prevalence, genotype, and infection pattern in cervical lesions and to estimate the potential efficacy of an HPV prophylactic vaccine. DESIGN Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cervical tissue blocks of 410 Thai patients from 8 institutes in 4 regions of Thailand (northern, southern, north-eastern, and central) were studied. The samples included 169 low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), 121 high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), and 120 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). HPV-DNA was amplified by PCR using consensus primers GP5+ and GP6+. The HPV genotype was then determined by reverse linear blot assay that included 37 HPV-specific 5'-amino-linked oligonucleotide probes. Patterns of infection were classified as single infection (one HPV type), double infection (two HPV types), and multiple infection (three or more HPV types). RESULTS The mean age of the subjects was 42 years. The prevalence of HPV infection was 88.8%. The highest HPV prevalence was found in the southern region (97.1%) and the lowest in the central region (78.6%). HPV-DNA was detected in 84.6% of LSILs, 90.1% of HSILs, and 93.3% of SCCs. A total of 20 HPV genotypes were identified. The five most common high risk HPV were HPV16 (83.2%), HPV18 (59.3%), HPV58 (9.3%), HPV52 (4.1%), and HPV45 (3.8%). In double and multiple infection patterns, the most common genotypes were HPV16/18 (27.8%) and HPV11/16/18 (54.9%). HPV6 was found only in LSIL and never in combination with other subtypes. HPV11 was most common in LSIL. CONCLUSION There is no difference of HPV type distribution in women from 4 regions of Thailand with prominent HPV16 and HPV18 in all cases. The bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines have the potential to prevent 48.6 % and 74.5% of cervical cancers in Thai women. The potential of cancer prevention would rise to 87.6% if other frequent HR-HPV types (HPV58, 52, and 45) were also targeted by an HPV vaccine.
Micronutrients and women of reproductive potential: required dietary intake and consequences of dietary deficienty or excess. Part II - Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Essential Fatty Acids

Part II of this review considers additional micronutrients. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin found in foods of animal origins (fatty fish, liver oil) or fortified products (milk, cheese). Vitamin D deficiency is common in African-American women living in northern latitudes. Vitamin D supplementation may be needed to reach desired 25-(OH)D3 concentrations of >50 nmol/L. In foods of animal origin, preformed Vitamin A is present; in plants (fruits and vegetables) vitamin A precursors (β-carotenoids) are present. Vitamin A supplementation is usually not warranted, and in developing countries should not exceed 3000 μg (10,000 IU)/day. Iron in the form of haem-iron is found in meat, fish and poultry; non-haem (inorganic) iron is found in vegetables, fruits and grains. Iron supplementation may be necessary in the third trimester, earlier in pregnancy or in non-pregnant states if serum ferritin is <20 μg/L or haemoglobin <10.9 g/dL. Zinc is available in red meat, seafood including oysters and unpolished grains; supplementation is not necessary. To assure adequate iodine, food is fortified worldwide with iodated salt. If urinary iodine levels are low, supplementation is needed. Essential fatty acids requirements can be met by one to two portions of fish per week.
Bacterial communities associated with the ctenophores Mnemiopsis leidyi and Beroe ovata.

Residing in a phylum of their own, ctenophores are gelatinous zooplankton that drift through the ocean's water column. Although ctenophores are known to be parasitized by a variety of eukaryotes, no studies have examined their bacterial associates. This study describes the bacterial communities associated with the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi and its natural predator Beroe ovata in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Investigations using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes demonstrated that ctenophore bacterial communities were distinct from the surrounding water. In addition, each ctenophore genus contained a unique microbiota. Ctenophore samples contained fewer bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) by T-RFLP and lower diversity communities by 16S rRNA gene sequencing than the water column. Both ctenophore genera contained sequences related to bacteria previously described in marine invertebrates, and sequences similar to a sea anemone pathogen were abundant in B. ovata. Temporal sampling revealed that the ctenophore-associated bacterial communities varied over time, with no single OTU detected at all time points. This is the first report of distinct and dynamic bacterial communities associated with ctenophores, suggesting that these microbial consortia may play important roles in ctenophore ecology. Future work needs to elucidate the functional roles and mode of acquisition of these bacteria.
Hemodynamic and Hematologic Profile of Healthy Adults Ingesting Dietary Supplements Containing 1,3-Dimethylamylamine and Caffeine

Background 1,3-dimethylamylamine (a constituent of geranium), alone and in combination with caffeine, is widely used within dietary supplements. We have recently determined the hemodynamic effects of 1,3-dimethylamylamine and caffeine alone and in combination, using a single ingestion study. However, no study has determined the hemodynamic effects of these ingredients following chronic use. Moreover, no study has determined the effects of these ingredients on bloodborne variables related to health and safety. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to assess the hemodynamic and hematologic profile of two different dietary supplements containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine and caffeine (in addition to other ingredients), before and after two weeks of daily intake. Methods 7 men (24.9 ± 4.2 yrs) ingested the dietary supplement Jack3d™, while 4 men and 2 women (22.5 ± 1.8 yrs) ingested the dietary supplement OxyELITE Pro™ once per day for two weeks. On days 1 and 15, resting heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured and rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for complete blood counts, comprehensive metabolic panel, and lipid panel. These tests were done prior to ingestion of supplement. On days 1 and 15 following blood collection, subjects ingested the assigned supplement (2 servings) and HR, SBP, DBP, and RPP were recorded at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-ingestion. Results After 14 days of treatment, resting HR, SBP, DBP, and RPP were not increased (P > 0.05). No significant changes were noted in any measured bloodborne variable, with the exception of an increase in fasting blood glucose with ingestion of Jack3d™ (P = 0.02). In response to acute intake of the supplements, HR, DBP, and RPP were not increased statistically (P > 0.05). SBP was increased with OxyELITE Pro™ (P = 0.03), but not with Jack3d™ (P = 0.09). Compared to pre-ingestion and in general, both supplements resulted in an increase in SBP, DBP, and RPP from 5%-15%, with a peak occurring at the 60 or 90 minute post-ingestion time. Conclusion Acute ingestion of OxyELITE Pro™, but not Jack3d™, results in an increase in SBP. Chronic intake of two servings per day of OxyELITE Pro™ or Jack3d™ over a 14 day period does not result in an elevation in resting HR, SBP, DBP, or RPP. No significant changes are noted in any measured bloodborne variable following 14 days of ingestion, with the exception of blood glucose with Jack3d™. Longer term intervention studies inclusive of larger sample sizes are needed to extend these findings.