Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual Recruitment in Zostera marina: Progress toward a Predictive Model

Ecophysiological stress and physical disturbance are capable of structuring meadows through a combination of direct biomass removal and recruitment limitation; however, predicting these effects at landscape scales has rarely been successful. To model environmental influence on sexual recruitment in perennial Zostera marina, we selected a sub-tidal, light-replete study site with seasonal extremes in temperature and wave energy. During an 8-year observation period, areal coverage increased from 4.8 to 42.7%. Gains were stepwise in pattern, attributable to annual recruitment of patches followed by centrifugal growth and coalescence. Recruitment varied from 13 to 4,894 patches per year. Using a multiple linear regression approach, we examined the association between patch appearance and relative wave energy, atmospheric condition and water temperature. Two models were developed, one appropriate for the dispersal of naked seeds, and another for rafted flowers. Results indicated that both modes of sexual recruitment varied as functions of wind, temperature, rainfall and wave energy, with a regime shift in wind-wave energy corresponding to periods of rapid colonization within our site. Temporal correlations between sexual recruitment and time-lagged climatic summaries highlighted floral induction, seed bank and small patch development as periods of vulnerability. Given global losses in seagrass coverage, regions of recovery and re-colonization will become increasingly important. Lacking landscape-scale process models for seagrass recruitment, temporally explicit statistical approaches presented here could be used to forecast colonization trajectories and to provide managers with real-time estimates of future meadow performance; i.e., when to expect a good year in terms of seagrass expansion. To facilitate use as forecasting tools, we did not use statistical composites or normalized variables as our predictors. This study, therefore, represents a first step toward linking remotely acquired environmental data to sexual recruitment, an important measure of seagrass performance that translates directly into landscape-scale coverage change.
Haemodynamic and ventilatory changes during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly ASA III patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate the haemodynamic and respiratory changes during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly ASA III patients. METHODS This clinical descriptive study included 16 patients aged > 75 yr. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl and etomidate and maintained with N2O in O2 (50%), fentanyl and isoflurane as needed. Inspired minute volume was kept constant during anaesthesia. Cardiovascular monitoring included a radial artery catheter and a pulmonary artery catheter for measurement of CO, RVEF and SvO2, and calculation of right ventricular end diastolic volume indexed (RVEDVI). Haemodynamic variables, arterial and venous blood gas analyses were collected before and 10 min after anaesthetic induction, 15, 30 and 60 min after insufflation (IAP = 12 mmHg) followed by a 10 degrees head-up tilt, and after exsufflation. RESULTS The mean age was 81 +/- 4 yr. The main cardiovascular depression was recorded after anaesthetic induction. Peritoneal insufflation resulted in improvement of cardiovascular function with increases in cardiac index (+19%), heart rate (+21%), MAP (+ 19%) and SvO2 (+8%), (P < 0.05) which may be the result of a sympathetic stimulation. No change in preload (RVEDVI) and SVR was recorded. Cardiac index was unchanged during pneumoperitoneum. Laparoscopy was associated with an increase in PaCO2 15 min after CO2 insufflation (from 33.9 to 38.3 mmHg, P < 0.05) and a further elevation after 60 min (44.4 mmHg) without any sign of extra peritoneal diffusion. There was no change in the intra-pulmonary shunt and the Pa-ETCO2 gradient remained stable (mean 7.2 mmHg). CONCLUSION We conclude that gradual abdominal insufflation to 12 mmHg followed by a limited 10 degrees head-up tilt is associated with cardiovascular stability in elderly ASA III patients.
[Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling in the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome].

BACKGROUND The features of pituitary ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome are often indistinguishable from those of occult ectopic ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome (CS). AIM To assess the diagnostic accuracy of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) in the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome as compared with ACTH levels and the overnight high dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST). MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective review of medical records of 23 patients (aged 19 to 63 years, 16 women) with surgically proven CS, 20 pituitary microadenomas (CD) and 3 with occult ectopic ACTH secretion (EAS). RESULTS No tumor was identifiable by imaging techniques. Mean plasma ACTH values were higher in patients with EAS than in CD (103+/- 110.2 and 73.1+/-41.98 pg/mL respectively, p=NS). Three patients with EAS and 3 patients with CD did not suppress cortisol with the HDDST. The sensitivity of the test was 86% and the specificity 100%. To improve the diagnostic outcome of BIPSS, an stimulation with Desmopressin (9 fig i.v) was performed in 9 patients. The threshold for a pituitary source, was defined as an inferior petrosal sinus to peripheral ACTH basal and post Desmopression ratio >2. BIPSS was successfully carried out in 22 patients and no complications occurred. In 6 patients BIPSS failed to meet the threshold criteria. In 3 patients, bronchial carcinoid tumors which proved to synthesize ACTH, were removed. The diagnostic sensitivity of BIPSS greatly improved from 86% to 100% after Desmopressin stimulation. BIPSS accurately predicted the inverted exclamation markateralization of the microadenoma in 8 of 12 patients (66%). CONCLUSIONS The combination of Desmopressin stimulation with BIPSS was useful for the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's Syndrome. However, the preoperative location of pituitary microadenomas was poorly predicted by BIPSS.
No loss of cartilage volume over three years in patients with knee osteoarthritis as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to provide accurate quantification of structural changes in joint disease, with sensitivity to change, as it can provide direct visualization of the cartilage and bone. In this study, we investigated whether knee cartilage volume, as assessed by MRI, is sensitive to change over time in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN Sixteen patient volunteers (10 male, six female) with established OA of the knee were entered into the study and demographic data recorded. At baseline, 12 months and 37+/-2 months, patients underwent simple measures of disease severity, as well as extended weight-bearing AP knee X-rays. In addition the patient's index knee was imaged using MR at 1.0 T using a 3-D spoiled gradient-echo sequence with fat-suppression, repetition time 50 ms, echo time 11 ms, flip-angle 40 degrees, sagittal slice thickness 1.56 mm and in-plane pixel resolution 0.55 mm. Manual image segmentation was performed on all knee cartilage compartments and the respective cartilage volumes determined. RESULTS Eleven of the original patients recruited completed the 3-year study. Radiographic features indicated that the majority had a spectrum of well-established OA at entry. The average decrease in medial tibiofemoral joint space width was 0.21+/-0.37 mm (mean+/-S.D.). Comparison of MR images at baseline and 37+/-2 months indicated little evidence of cartilage lesion shape or size change in any of the compartments. There was no significant MRI volume change in any of the knee cartilage compartments over the course of 1 year. The change in total knee cartilage volume, as measured by MRI, was a loss of only 1.6%, or 0.36+/-1.3 ml (mean+/-S.D.), over the 3 years. CONCLUSIONS The failure to identify loss of cartilage volume over 3 years in this cohort of patients with established knee OA using MRI challenges the face validity of this endpoint to assess structural changes in OA.
Kidney Transplantation in the Obese Transplant Candidates: To Transplant or Not To Transplant?

The prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) at the time of transplantation among kidney transplant recipients in the United States has doubled between 1987 and 2001 and continues to increase inexorably. Single‐center and large registry studies in kidney transplant recipients demonstrated that high body mass index (BMI) at transplant is associated with increased risk of wound and surgical site infections, delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection episodes, and graft loss, among others. Hence, in many centers, obese transplant candidates are denied a transplant based on their body mass index (BMI) alone. The impact of obesity on short‐ and long‐term graft and patient outcomes after kidney transplantation are herein revisited, followed by the authors' proposed approach to evaluate and select obese transplant candidates for a kidney transplant. Suggested interventions to optimize the health of such candidates are also discussed.
Essays in experimental economics

This thesis consists of studies in the field of experimental economics. The first two chapters of the thesis deal with the issue of subject selection in Cournot Oligopoly experiments. In particular, chapter 1 presents a study which was designed to test whether a predominant personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) can account for differences in behavior between subjects in a Cournot Duopoly with random matching. Chapter 2 investigates whether Malaysian managers behave differently than Malaysian students (and German students) in a Cournot Triopoly. Chapter 3 presents a study in the field of environmental economics that investigates whether the initial allocation of emission permits and the auction design affect the adoption of advanced technology in a market with many small asymmetric firms, particularly, when the regulator commits himself ex-ante to the level of permits. Chapter 4 provides a natural investigation of a market sharing certain features with the ultimatum bargaining game. The introduction of the Schleswig-Holstein ticket (S-H ticket) by the German train company created a market which is characterized by ‘proposers’ who offer to take ‘responders’ with their ticket for a specified price. A deadline imposed by the trains’ departure time on the bargainers transforms the situation into an ultimatum bargaining situation. Chapter 4 thoroughly describes this market, which we refer to as the Kiel market for budget travel by train. Finally, Appendix A presents a bootstrap approach to determine critical values for the dynamic quintile test as a common diagnostic tool for model based Value-at-Risk estimates.
Enlargement of the apical foramen of mature teeth by instrumentation and apicoectomy. A study of effectiveness and the formation of dentinal cracks

Abstract Objective: In the last few years there have been attempts to revascularize mature necrotic teeth instead of performing a standard root canal treatment. Apical foramen enlargement (AFE) would be necessary for regenerative treatments of mature teeth. In the literature, AFE has been made through apicoectomy and instrumentation. However, no standardized methods have been described yet, which may affect the success of the therapy. Our aim was to describe the effectiveness and damage to dental structures of five methods for AFE. Methods: Two hundred and ten human teeth were assigned to one control group (n = 10) and four treatment groups (n = 50 each): instrumentation was up to file #80 0.5 mm coronal to the apex (I), at apex level (II), 0.5 mm beyond the apex (III) and apicoectomy at 2 and 4 mm from the apex (IV). The apical foramen diameter was measured before and after treatment. The formation of clinically visible fractures (CVF) and microcracks was analysed clinically and with ESEM, respectively. Thirty-two in situ sheep’s teeth were also instrumented, to compare damage in in situ and ex vivo teeth. Results: The foramen diameter was augmented by 0.15, 0.47, 0.54 0.06 and 0.32 mm in human teeth of groups I, II, III, apicoectomy at 2 and 4 mm, respectively. CVF were more frequent as the working length was augmented. No statistical differences were found for microcrack formation. In situ teeth showed significantly less damage. Conclusions: Instrumentation at apex level seems to be the most effective and least harmful technique for AFE, while apicoectomy is not a useful method.
Chronic Helminth Infection Reduces Basophil Responsiveness in an IL-10–Dependent Manner

Basophils play a key role in the development and effector phases of type 2 immune responses in both allergic diseases and helminth infections. This study shows that basophils become less responsive to IgE-mediated stimulation when mice are chronically infected with Litomosoides sigmodontis, a filarial nematode, and Schistosoma mansoni, a blood fluke. Although excretory/secretory products from microfilariae of L. sigmodontis suppressed basophils in vitro, transfer of microfilariae into mice did not result in basophil suppression. Rather, reduced basophil responsiveness, which required the presence of live helminths, was found to be dependent on host IL-10 and was accompanied by decreases in key IgE signaling molecules known to be downregulated by IL-10. Given the importance of basophils in the development of type 2 immune responses, these findings help explain the mechanism by which helminths protect against allergy and may have broad implications for understanding how helminth infections alter other disease states in people.
The Intersection of Sustainability, Marketing, and Public Policy: Introduction to the Special Section on Sustainability

In this introduction to the special section on sustainability, the authors propose two primary factors that can help characterize past research in marketing on sustainability. The first of these factors, the research objective, has two dimensions: mitigate versus create and short-term versus long-term focus. To mitigate (vs. create) implies that the objective of the research is to understand factors whose reduction (enhancement) would have a positive impact on sustainability. Short- versus long-term focus describes the fact that the research objective can be to impact an immediate behavior related to sustainability or can be focused on longer-term drivers or consequences of such behaviors. The second factor, research context, can have multiple dimensions, although much of the past and current research on sustainability has been conducted in four contexts: environmental, nonenvironmental, business-to-consumer, and business-to-business. The authors first review past literature in light of this framework and then discuss the articles in the special section. They close with a discussion of where researchers interested in studying the intersection of sustainability, marketing, and public policy can go from here.
Old-Age Labor Force Participation in Germany: What Explains the Trend Reversal Among Older Men? And What the Steady Increase Among Women?

The aim of this paper is to illustrate for Germany the factors that may explain the U-shaped pattern of older men’s labor force participation - from a long declining trend that began in the early 1970s to an increasing trend starting from the late 1990s - and at the same time the steady increase in older women’s labor force participation. In a first step, we provide graphical evidence of the trends of various variables which may be relevant, with the aim of investigating the presence or absence of common patterns between these factors and labor force participation. Then, through a decomposition analysis, we provide an empirical estimate of the contribution of some of these factors to the overall evolution of labor force participation. Our preliminary conclusion is that much of the change in the trend of older men’s labor force participation may be explained by changes in public pension regulations, and in particular by the phasing in of actuarial adjustments for early retirement. Regarding women, whether public pension rules play a role is unclear. Most probably, the secular change of women’s role in society is the main driver of the steadily increasing labor force participation among German women.
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Bacterial Protein Synthesis: Monitoring Vitality After Water Treatment

Bacterial vitality after water disinfection treatment was investigated using bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) and flow cytometry (FCM). Protein synthesis activity and DNA integrity (BONCAT–SYBR Green) was monitored in Escherichia coli monocultures and in natural marine samples after UV irradiation (from 25 to 200 mJ/cm2) and heat treatment (from 15 to 45 min at 55°C). UV irradiation of E. coli caused DNA degradation followed by the decrease in protein synthesis within a period of 24 h. Heat treatment affected both DNA integrity and protein synthesis immediately, with an increased effect over time. Results from the BONCAT method were compared with results from well-known methods such as plate counts (focusing on growth) and LIVE/DEAD™ BacLight™ (focusing on membrane permeability). The methods differed somewhat with respect to vitality levels detected in bacteria after the treatments, but the results were complementary and revealed that cells maintained metabolic activity and membrane integrity despite loss of cell division. Similarly, analysis of protein synthesis in marine bacteria with BONCAT displayed residual activity despite inability to grow or reproduce. Background controls (time zero blanks) prepared using different fixatives (formaldehyde, isopropanol, and acetic acid) and several different bacterial strains revealed that the BONCAT protocol still resulted in labeled, i.e., apparently active, cells. The reason for this is unclear and needs further investigation to be understood. Our results show that BONCAT and FCM can detect, enumerate, and differentiate bacterial cells after physical water treatments such as UV irradiation and heating. The method is reliable to enumerate and explore vitality of single cells, and a great advantage with BONCAT is that all proteins synthesized within cells are analyzed, compared to assays targeting specific elements such as enzyme activity.
Tapping into Graduate Students' Collaborative Technology Experience in a Research Methods Class: Insights on Teaching Research Methods in a Malaysian and American Setting.

This case study used qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate challenges of learning and teaching research methods by examining graduate students’ use of collaborative technology (i.e., digital tools that enable collaboration and information seeking such as software and social media) and students’ computer self-efficacy. We conducted virtual focus groups and surveyed graduate education students taking required research methodology courses in Klang Valley (Malaysia) and Florida (USA). A thematic analysis showed learning research methods evoked emotions for students, students used collaborative technology for learning primarily at one university, and students needed support to access online literature and data sources. Survey results indicated that all students, however, had high levels of computer self-efficacy. Overall results showed that Malaysian women had the strongest computer self-efficacy belief. Our study suggests that collaborative technology for learning and teaching research methods may be underutilized to engage student learning and that faculty responsible for teaching methods courses need to be aware of the emotional side of learning and offer supports, such as collaborative technology, to connect students.
An automatic registration method for pre- and post-interventional CT images for assessing treatment success in liver RFA treatment.

PURPOSE In image-guided radio frequency ablation for liver cancer treatment, pre- and post-interventional CT images are typically used to verify the treatment success of the therapy. In current clinical practice, the tumor zone in the diagnostic, preinterventional images is mentally or manually mapped to the ablation zone in the post-interventional images to decide success of the treatment. However, liver deformation and differences in image quality as well as in texture of the ablation zone and the tumor area make the mental or manual registration a challenging task. Purpose of this paper is to develop an automatic framework to register the pre-interventional image to the post-interventional image. METHODS The authors propose a registration approach enabling a nonrigid deformation of the tumor to the ablation zone, while keeping locally rigid deformation of the tumor area. The method was evaluated on CT images of 38 patient datasets from Erasmus MC. The evaluation is based on Dice coefficients of the liver segmentation on both the pre-interventional and post-interventional images, and mean distances between the liver segmentations. Additionally, residual distances after registration between corresponding landmarks and local mean surface distance in the images were computed. RESULTS The results show that rigid registration gives a Dice coefficient of 87.9%, a mean distance of the liver surfaces of 5.53 mm, and a landmark error of 5.38 mm, while non-rigid registration with local rigid deformation has a Dice coefficient of 92.2%, a mean distance between the liver segmentation boundaries near the tumor area of 3.83 mm, and a landmark error of 2.91 mm, where a part of this error can be attributed to the slice spacing in the authors' CT images. CONCLUSIONS This method is thus a promising tool to assess the success of RFA liver cancer treatment.
Outcomes associated with early removal versus retention of peripherally inserted central catheters after diagnosis of catheter-associated infections in neonates

Abstract Objective: To compare clinical outcomes and hospital resource utilization of infants who had peripherally inserted central catheters removed early versus retained following diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection. Study Design: In a single centre retrospective cohort study, we compared outcomes of infants who had peripherally inserted central catheters removed early versus retained after diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection. Mortality, cardio-respiratory deterioration, use of blood products and antibiotics were compared between groups. Results: Over a 10-year period, of the 119 eligible infants, 38 had peripherally inserted central catheters removed early and 81 had catheters retained after diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection. Baseline demographics, illness severity at onset of sepsis and distribution of organisms were similar between the groups. Infants in “catheter–retained” group required longer antibiotic usage (17 ± 9 versus 13 ± 6 days; p = 0.025) and more frequent sequential positive blood cultures [31/81 (47%) versus 8/38 (22%), p = 0.014). Infants with Gram-negative bacteremia demonstrated higher mortality when catheters were retained [43% (9/21) versus 7% (1/14); p = 0.028]. Conclusions: Retaining peripherally inserted central catheters after diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infection was associated with longer duration of bacteremia and prolonged exposure to systemic antibiotics as well as increased mortality in Gram-negative bacteremia.