Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Avaliação de anéis de crescimento de espécies florestais de terra-firme no município de Novo Aripuanã – AM

O efeito de clareiras naturais e artificiais nos aneis de crescimento e na area de vasos na secao transversal de especies florestais foi estudado numa area de floresta primaria de terra-firme no municipio de Novo Aripuana (AM) (S 5°18' W, 60°04'). O proposito deste estudo foi contribuir pa ra o entendimento da dinâmica da floresta primaria na Amazonia Central no tocante aos fatores de clareira (15 pre- existentes: > 4 anos / 15 novas: ≤ 1ano), condicao edafica, microclimatica e competicao entre arvores vizinhas para enriquecer o campo de manejo florestal sustentavel. A fitossociologia em volta das clareiras naturais foi estudada para compreender o efeito das clareiras naturais. A clareira artificial foi parcela para sistema de enriquecimento em linha estabelecida em 1996. Os aneis florestais e a area de vasos das especies de DAP ≥ 5cm, ao nivel de comunidade e de oito especies representativas quantitativamente, foram observados em visao macroscopica e imagem digital. Para determinacao da periodicidade cambial, foi aplicada incisao no câmbio vascular (janela de Mariaux) durante um ciclo. Em 79% das especies (179 especies.) coletadas, foram visiveis os aneis de crescimento com e sem lente (x 10). Baseando-se em quatro tipos de aneis de crescimento, verificou-se que 72 % das especies formam aneis de crescimento pela diferenciacao de fibra. A media de largura dos aneis de 115 especies (n = 384), antes e depois de abertura das clareiras foi 1,77 (± 0,04) mm.ano -1 (α=0,05) e 2,46 (± 0,05) mm.ano -1 , respectivamente (P = < 0,001). A media da area de vaso de 148 especies (n = 399) aumentou de 0,062 (± 0,002) para 0,071 (± 0,004) mm 2 . mm - 2 . ano -1 (α = 0,05) depois da abertura (P = < 0,001). A magnitude da resposta foi evidente, principalmente nos individuos menores. A mesma tendencia foi vista na borda da linha de enriquecimento, na largura dos aneis (P = < 0,001) e na area de vaso (P = < 0,05). A mesma diferenca de aneis e da area de vaso foi nitida nas clareiras maiores. A dinâmica da floresta local foi considerada elevada, possuindo baixo tempo de renovacao (73-119 anos), e sua diversidade floristica foi considerada alta (706 morfoespecies com DAP ≥ 5 cm / 1,9 ha). Diferentes valores de fluxo do calor e umidade do solo foram medidos em tres tamanhos de clareira: Grande > Medio > Pequeno. Observou-se tambem maior concentracao de macro e micronutrientes (N-total, C-total, Mg, Mn e Al) nas clareiras grandes e novas. Estas combinacoes de fatores abioticos em clareiras influenciam o desenvolvimento das arvores menores e a manutencao da diversidade local.
Verb classes within and across languages

Any attempt to characterize valency patterns within and across languages confronts the phenomenon of verb or valency classes: sets of semantically-related verbs sharing a range of linguistic properties, such as the possible realizations of their arguments and the particular interpretation associated with each possible argument realization. The Leipzig Valency Classes Project provides an excellent context for deepening our understanding of verb classes and, specifically, investigating a big question raised by efforts to classify verbs: which facets of verb classification are universal and which language particular? I begin this paper by reviewing the motivations for recognizing verb classes. With this background, I introduce a broad semantic dichotomy that encompasses many existing verb classes and show its grammatical relevance. I then consider its implications for crosslinguistic studies of verb classes, such as the ones that are being carried out by the Valency Classes Project, through a case study of the argument realization options of hitting verbs.
Asthma, allergy and the Olympics: a 12-year survey in elite athletes

ObjectiveThere are no comprehensive surveys relating the reported high prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in athletes to comorbidities and immune changes associated with intense chronic exercise. This 12-year survey aims to evaluate several clinical, functional and immunological parameters in order to assess features, trend and burden of asthma, allergy, infections and autoimmune diseases, in a large homogeneous population of Olympic athletes. MethodsSix hundred and fifty-nine Italian Olympic athletes were studied through four cross-sectional surveys performed between 2000 and 2012 before the Summer and Winter Olympics. Clinical diagnosis of allergic, autoimmune and infectious diseases was complemented by: skin-prick tests (n = 569); pulmonary function tests (n = 415); total (n = 158) and specific (n = 72) serum IgE; serum autoantibodies (n = 30), cytokines and growth factors (n = 92); flow cytometry (n = 135). ResultsThe prevalence of asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was 14.7%, with a significant increase (P = 0.04) from 2000 (11.3%) to 2008 (17.2%). The prevalence of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, skin allergic diseases and anaphylaxis was 26.2%, 20.0%, 14.8% and 1.1%, respectively. Sensitization to inhalant allergens was documented in 49.0% of athletes, being 32.7% in 2000 and 56.5% in 2008 (P < 0.0001). Food, drug and venom allergy was present in 7.1%, 5.0% and 2.1% of athletes, respectively. The high prevalence of asthma and allergy was associated with recurrent upper respiratory tract (10.3%) and herpes (18.2%) infections, an abnormal T cell subset profile and a general down-regulation of serum cytokines with a significantly lower IFN-&ggr;/IL-4 ratio. ConclusionA chronic and intense physical exercise may cause a transient immunodepression with a preferential shift to a Th2 response, associated with abnormalities of the respiratory tract.
Curvature consistency improves local shading analysis

The authors describe how a surface reconstruction algorithm based on minimizing the variation of surface curvature can be used to stabilize and correct the results of local shading analysis. The approach is viewpoint independent and applicable to any process that can provide estimates of local surface orientation. The assumptions used in formulating the minimization are derived from standard differential geometry. When applied as a second stage of processing after local shading analysis, the algorithm can recover a close approximation of the true surface orientation under realistic assumptions about image noise. Results are presented that show the performance of the algorithm on synthetic and real data. In particular, they demonstrate how this form of reconstruction can compensate for some of the shape distortion incurred in local shading analysis. <<ETX>>
Determination of Mycotoxins Using Hollow Fiber Dispersive Liquid–Liquid–Microextraction (HF-DLLME) Prior to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC - MS/MS)

Abstract A modified hollow-fiber-supported dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (HF-DLLME) method was developed for the determination of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in food samples. The various parameters affecting the efficiency of extraction, such as pH, salt addition, extraction time, stirring rate, desorption time, type and volume of extractant and disperser solvents were carefully studied and optimized using two step strategies. The linearity of the evaluated results was 0.1 to 30 μg L−1 for aflatoxins and 0.1 to 20 μg L−1 for ochratoxin A, with regression coefficients (R2) exceeding 0.9990. The precision was satisfactory with relative standard deviation values less than 11%. The method accuracy was within the recommended range from 70% to 120% and analyte accuracy between 83% and 101%. The limits of detection and quantification were in the range from 0.04 to 0.06 μg L−1 and 0.08 to 0.13 μg L−1, respectively, for multi-aflatoxins, and 0.02 to 0.04 µg L−1 and 0.08 to 0.10 µg L−1, respectively, for ochratoxin A. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of mycotoxins in food samples.
AFN-1252, a FabI Inhibitor, Demonstrates a Staphylococcus-Specific Spectrum of Activity

ABSTRACT AFN-1252, a potent inhibitor of enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI), inhibited all clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (n = 502) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 51) tested, including methicillin (meticillin)-resistant isolates, at concentrations of ≤0.12 μg/ml. In contrast, AFN-1252 was inactive (MIC90, >4 μg/ml) against clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, Enterococcus spp. , Enterobacteriaceae, nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli, and Moraxella catarrhalis. These data support the continued development of AFN-1252 for the treatment of patients with resistant staphylococcal infections.
Quadriceps Muscle Fatigue and Comfort Generated by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation with Current Modulated Waveforms

Introduction: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used by physical therapists in the clinic. The efficacy of NMES is limited by the rapid onset muscle fatigue. The role of NMES parameters is muscle fatigue is not clear. Objective: To determine the effects of shape waveform on muscle fatigue, during NMES. Methods: Twelve healthy subjects participated in the study. Subjects were assigned to 1 of 3 groups, randomly. Group assignment determined the order in which they were tested using 3 different shape waveforms. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was measured during the first session. Fatigue test was applied with amplitude required to elicit 50% of the MVIC. In each 3 testing sessions torque of contraction and level comfort were measured, and percent fatigue was calculated. Analysis of variance tests for dependent samples was used to determine the effect of shape waveform on muscle fatigue and comfort scores Results: The results showed no one shape waveform was most fatigable and that SQ wave induced more uncomfortable stimulus.
3:1-Bandwidth millimeter-wave PUMA array

A planar-printed PUMA array at 4mm scale is presented that operates over roughly 12GHz to 38GHz (approximately 3:1 bandwidth), demonstrating PUMA technology manufactured at millimeter-wave scales. The simple design consists of a single layer of Rogers 3003 material plated front and back with through vias, sandwiched between a structural metal backing and a superstrate radome layer. The aperture is less than 0.4 wavelengths thick at the highest frequency of operation. Scan performance is excellent, with VSWR <; 2 for 45-degree scans in all planes, VSWR <; 3 for 60-degree scans in all planes and over all frequencies. Measured results are presented.
Impact of cleavage-stage embryo biopsy in view of PGD on human blastocyst implantation: a prospective cohort of single embryo transfers.

BACKGROUND Human embryo biopsy is performed for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The impact of 1- or 2-cell removal at cleavage-stage on future embryo development and implantation capacity is highly debated. METHODS In order to explore this issue further, a cohort of Day 5 single embryo transfers was analysed prospectively for embryological and clinical outcome. All transferred embryos resulted from 8-cell embryos on Day 3, from which subsequently either one cell (group I, n = 182) or two cells (group II, n = 259) were removed, or on which no invasion by means of embryo biopsy was performed (group III, control group, n = 702). RESULTS Blastocyst formation was significantly better in group III compared with group II, and similar to group I. Group I and group II did not differ in Day 3 nor in Day 5 embryo development. The overall live birth rate was significantly higher in group I (37.4%, CI 29.0-47.4%) than in group II (22.4%, CI 17.0-28.9%), and comparable to the reference ICSI population (35.0%, CI 30.8-39.7%). CONCLUSIONS The clinical outcome of 1-cell biopsy was significantly better than that of 2-cell biopsy, even when adjusted for availability of genetically transferable embryos.
Quality of life in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib or interferon alfa: results from a phase III randomized trial.

PURPOSE In an international, randomized phase III trial, sunitinib demonstrated statistically significant efficacy over interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) (progression-free survival time, 11 v 5 months, respectively; P < .001; objective response rate, 31% v 6%, respectively; P < .001). We report health-related quality-of-life (QOL) results from this trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seven hundred fifty mRCC patients were randomly assigned to sunitinib (6-week cycles: 50 mg orally once daily for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off) or IFN-alpha (9 million units subcutaneous injections, three times weekly). QOL measures included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), the FACT-Kidney Symptom Index-15 item (FKSI-15), and the EuroQoL-5D's utility score (EQ-5D Index) and its visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). The primary QOL end point was the FKSI Disease-Related Symptoms (FKSI-DRS) subscale. Higher scores indicated better outcomes (better QOL or fewer symptoms). Data were analyzed for the intent-to-treat population using mixed-effects models, supplemented with pattern-mixture models. RESULTS Patients receiving sunitinib reported higher FKSI-15 and FKSI-DRS scores at each cycle than those receiving IFN-alpha, with a significant difference in the overall least squares means (3.27 and 1.98, respectively; P < .0001). Similarly, differences in least squares means for FACT-G (and all subscales), EQ-5D Index, and EQ-VAS were all significantly favorable for sunitinib (P < .01). Per pre-established thresholds, between-treatment differences in the mean scores were clinically meaningful after cycle 4 for FKSI-DRS and at all assessments for FKSI-15, FACT-G, and the FACT-G functional well-being subscale. CONCLUSION Sunitinib provides superior QOL compared with IFN-alpha in mRCC patients.
A Practical Guide to Developing a Knowledge Management Culture (KMC) in a Non-Profit Organization (NPO)

Knowledge is the most important asset of an organization. Being able to preserve organizational knowledge determines profitability, sustainability, competitiveness and the ability to grow. No organization can afford to lose its knowledge base. According to the World Economy Forum, 95 percent of CEOs claim that Knowledge Management (KM) is a critical factor in an organizationâs success; and 80 percent of companies mentioned in Fortune Magazine have staff assigned specifically to KM. Developing a culture of sharing and creating knowledge is a long process that requires changing peopleâs values, beliefs and behaviours. Staff must be convinced of KM benefits and be engaged in programs and initiatives that support transfer of knowledge. Many organizations focus on technology as a silver bullet, losing sight of the fact that people as well as processes are important factors in successful implementation of Knowledge Management Culture (KMC). In this article we will discuss the concept of a knowledge management culture. We will specifically explore how a non-profit organization (NPO) assessed its current environment and capitalized on its existing KMC as a way to leverage its KM program. Creating a KMC is key since technology does not manage knowledge â people do!
Role of Protein Misfolding in DFNA9 Hearing Loss*

Mutations in the COCH (coagulation factor C homology) gene have been attributed to DFNA9 (deafness, autosomal-dominant 9), an autosomal-dominant non-syndromic hearing loss disorder. However, the mechanisms responsible for DFNA9 hearing loss remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that mutant cochlin, the protein product of the COCH gene, forms a stable dimer that is sensitive to reducing agent. In contrast, wild-type (WT) cochlin may form only dimers transiently. Interestingly, the presence of mutant cochlin can stabilize WT cochlin in dimer conformation, providing a possible mechanism for the dominant nature of DFNA9 mutations. Furthermore, the expression of mutant cochlin eventually induces WT cochlin to form stable oligomers that are resistant to reducing agent. Finally, we show that mutant cochlin is cytotoxic in vitro and in vivo. Our study suggests a possible molecular mechanism underlying DFNA9 hearing loss and provides an in vitro model that may be used to explore protein-misfolding diseases in general.
The effect of offset correlation on positional accuracy estimation for linear features

This paper explores the effect of correlation on the statistics of separation of two lines when using regularly‐spaced offsets to measure the distance between them. The paper describes two methods, one based on time‐series modelling and the other on moving block bootstrap analysis, to show how adjacent offsets are correlated and how this degrades the confidence with which the displacement of one line with respect to the other can be determined. In a case study the displacement between two vector representations of the same coastline is determined using offsets. In the case study it is shown how confidence in the displacement is degraded because of correlation between adjacent offsets. It is suggested the methods have application in the field of GIS when offset models are used to determine the positional accuracy of linear vector features.
Long-acting formulations delivering aripiprazole: beyond single-value characterizations of steady-state pharmacokinetics

and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php). Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2017:13 1815–1816 Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment Dovepress
Ca2+ influx shutdown during neutrophil apoptosis: importance and possible mechanism

Neutrophils are essential components of the natural immune system and form the first line of defence against bacterial and fungal infections. They are terminally differentiated cells and have half-lives in the circulation of only 8–20 hr. Their nuclei are invaginated to form a number of defined lobes with thin connecting filaments.1 The DNA is condensed within these nuclear lobes and is randomly distributed into the separate lobes2,3 and probably cannot be transcribed. These cells also have little endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but can produce some protein from existing mRNA.4 They have few mitochondria and the cells generate ATP glycolytically. The long-term survival of these cells is thus insecure, and ultimately limited by the extent of their glycogen stores. One route towards death would thus occur as ATP levels diminished and ion pumps, especially plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase, became progressively ineffective until cell death proceeds by necrosis. However, it may result in the release of hydrolases and proteases either by necrotic lysis or by Ca2+-driven exocytosis. Moreover, extracellular superoxide generation may also be triggered by Ca2+ influx.5–8 Thus, potentially disastrous extensive damage to the tissues may occur. It thus seems unlikely that the elimination of the millions of neutrophils that die physiologically would be by the necrotic route. Furthermore, neutrophil necrosis is unlikely to be the route for neutrophil clearance in inflammation. Instead, at the resolution of inflammation the neutrophil activity is reduced by an increase in the rate of neutrophil apoptosis. While our understanding of this physiological process of apoptosis as a cell biological phenomenon has increased over the last decade, the unusual role of apoptosis for neutrophils and its consequences are only now being understood. For example, in many cells, apoptosis is characterized by nuclear condensation and invagination, a morphological event that occurs in neutrophils as they mature. In some respects then the mature neutrophil has already embarked on the route towards apoptosis. This is also evident as neutrophils undergo apoptosis spontaneously, without the need for external stimuli. In fact, external stimuli may modify the rate of this constitutive apoptosis, either by accelerating or delaying cell death, but cannot prevent it.
Images of the child in Danish welfare work in health visiting and day-care

ABSTRACT This empirical article investigates the underlying ideas and images of children and childhood in the practice of health visitors and preschool teachers. Theoretically the article is based on the interpretation that these ideas and images are essential to understand the governing of children, though that the ideas of the possible and available subject positions in society are considered to be powerful and productive. As a typology for differing ideas about children and childhood, the article uses the child images developed by Chris Jenks and further developed by Karen M Smith. Furthermore, the analysis draws on concepts of Michel Foucault and Nikolas Rose. The results are based on ethnographical fieldwork and interviews, and the article concludes that both an innocent and a responsible image of the child form the practice of the health visitors and preschool teachers. An innocent child image fills up most of the time, but when the health visitors and preschool teachers are seeking explicitly to intervene and influence the children, a responsible child image is clearly dominant.
Blood–brain barrier permeability to manganese and to Gd‐DOTA in a rat model of transient cerebral ischaemia

Loss of integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and brain swelling is a potentially lethal complication of reperfusion in human stroke. To assess the time course of BBB modifications, we performed angiography, diffusion‐weighted imaging, T1‐weighted (T1W) imaging and T1 mapping, and monitored acute changes after middle cerebral artery occlusion and recanalization in rats (n = 27). The animals were grouped according to the duration of occlusion: 30 min (group A, n = 8), 1 h 30 min (group B, n = 9), and 2 h 30 min (group C, n = 10). For 17 animals (four in group A, six in group B, and seven in group C), MnCl2 and dimeglumine gadoterate (Gd‐DOTA) were injected at 13 min and 34 min after recanalization, respectively. The 10 remaining animals (control groups) underwent the same acquisition protocols, but no contrast agents were injected. Cell damage was determined 1 h after recanalization on haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections. Our results indicate that in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model in the rat, changes in BBB permeability assessed by contrast agent extravasation occur within the first hour of reperfusion, even after an occlusion period not exceeding 30 min. No differences between BBB permeability to Gd‐DOTA and Mn2+ were detected in our experimental conditions. The reduction in apparent diffusion coefficient during occlusion appears to be a good predictor of BBB modifications after reperfusion in this model. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.