Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BETA DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY DIFFERENTIATION IN DRY PERENNIAL SAND GRASSLANDS

The spatial variability of species composition was studied in perennial sand grasslands in Hungary at multiple scales. Three sites were compared along an aridity gradient. Existing differences in climate along this ca. 200 km gradient correspond to regional climate changes predicted for the next 20-30 years. Six stands of Festucetum vaginatae grasslands were selected at each site within 400 x 1200 m areas for representing the coarse-scale within-site heterogeneity. Fine-scale compositional heterogeneity of vegetation within stands was sampled by recording the presence of species along 52 m long circular belt transects of 1040 units of 5 cm x 5 cm contiguous microquadrats. This sampling design enabled us to study the patterns of species combinations at a wide range of scales. The highest variability of plant species combinations appeared at very fine scales, between 10 cm and 25 cm. Differences in beta diversity along the gradient were scale-dependent. We found a decreasing trend of beta diversity with increasing aridity at fine scale, and on the contrary, an increasing trend at landscape scale. We conclude that the major trend of the vegetation differentiation due to aridity is the decrease of compositional variability at fine-scale accompanied by a coarse-scale diversification.
Management in primary health care: implications on managers workloads

b Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Departamento de Enfermagem. Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. ABSTRACT Objective: To identify which aspects of primary health care management, evidenced in current literature, can influence manager workloads. Methodology: Integrative literature review with data collection conducted in April 2016, in five databases, with articles published in English, Spanish and Portuguese between 2006 and 2016. Results: The results of the 78 studies were organized into two macro categories: increased workloads, especially due to the challenge of managing a new care model and deficits in working conditions; and workloads reduction related to the training of the teams and managers, the autonomy and the support for the managers. Conclusion: In addition to identifying factors that increase and decrease the workloads of managers, this study highlights the promising line of research, given the importance of management for the health sector and effectiveness of Primary Health Care.
Lithospheric mantle evolution of the Kaapvaal Craton: A Re‐Os isotope study of peridotite xenoliths from Lesotho kimberlites

Understanding the generation and evolution of cratonic lithospheric keels requires detailed knowledge of their age, timescale of formation, and the relationship between the crust and mantle part of the lithosphere. Re‐Os isotope analyses of peridotite xenoliths from Lesotho kimberlites indicate that large portions of the lithospheric keel beneath the SE Kaapvaal craton were stabilized during the late Archean. This process and subsequent additions of new lithospheric mantle coincide with events recorded by lower crustal xenolith studies from this region.
First open field measurements with a portable CO2 lidar/dial system for early forest fires detection

Lidar and dial are well established methods to explore the atmosphere. Different groups have already shown experimentally the possibility to measure the density variation of aerosol and particulate in the atmosphere due to plumes emitted in forest fires with this kind of systems. The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the capabilities of our mobile Lidar system, based on a CO2 laser, to detect forest fires and minimizing false alarms. For this purpose, our system can be operated in both lidar and dial configurations in sequence. The first Lidar measurement is performed to evaluate the variation of the local density into the atmosphere, using a nonabsorption water wavelength 10R18 (10.571 μm). If the returned signal reports a backscattering peak, the presence of a fire is probable. To confirm this hypothesis, a second dial measurement is carried out to reveal a second component emitted during the combustion process. The chosen second component is water vapour, which is, as it is well-known, largely produced during the first combustion stage. Measuring the water concentration peak after the detection of the aerosol density increment (referred to the standard mean atmospheric value) represents a good method to reduce false alarms with a dial system. In order to test this methodology, a first set of measurements has been performed in a field near the Engineering Faculty of the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". A quite small controlled-fire has been lighted into a box at a distance of about one kilometre from the system. The data acquired at the two wavelengths (10R18 and 10R20) have been averaged on 100 elastic backscattered Lidar signals. The first results confirm the effectiveness of the measurement strategy for reducing the number of false alarm preserving the early detection.
El espacio público de la ciudad:una aproximación desde el estudio de sus características microclimáticas

The migration flow and the tendency of the "megapolizacion" of the cities carries strong impacts in itself to the territory, whereas fast urbanization does not take into account the different parameters of environmental sustainability. This article approaches another way to allow for public space from its thermal behavior. The aim is to establish the relations between urban development, microclimate and its impact on the thermal comfort of the citizen. The adopted methodology includes two tools: (1) thermal quantification with measurements taken in the field (air temperature, relative humidity and air velocity) that will form the climatic context for the answers to a survey (2) that will serve to obtain a simplified evaluation of thermal comfort. It is possible to think that a direct relation exists between thermal comfort, urban development and place of residence of the citizen who explains how the urban space is used.
CORRELATION OF EARLY PALEOGENE GLOBAL DIVERSITY PATTERNS OF LARGE BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA WITH PALEOCENE AND EOCENE CLIMATIC EVENTS

Abstract Large benthic foraminifera (LBF) were major contributors to many Paleogene carbonate platforms around the world. These photosymbiotic foraminifera lived in warm, oligotrophic, shallow waters within the photic zone. Such Paleogene families as the nummulitids, alveolinids, and orthophragminids rose to prominence in the late Paleocene, thrived in the early and middle Eocene, and declined in the late Eocene and Oligocene. Diversity data from these three families were studied to understand better the controls on the rise of Paleogene LBFs. Analyzed data included total diversity (total number of species per biozone), number of first occurrences per biozone, and number of last occurrences per biozone. Results indicate that there were four intervals of increased total diversity, increased first occurrence, and increased last occurrence for all three families studied. These four intervals follow closely after important climatic events within the Paleogene: the mid-Paleocene biotic event (MPBE), the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM, a hyperthermal event), the early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) and the middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO). The shallow marine biotic community, on a global scale, reacted to such climatic warming events as the MPBE, PETM, EECO, and MECO, based on these diversity trends. Our data also show a pattern of an increase in the number of last occurrences followed by an increase in the number of first occurrences, which suggests that the overall increase in species diversity is due to faunal turnover, as has been interpreted for the large benthic foraminiferal turnover that occurred at the PETM.
Measuring pragmatic language in speakers with autism spectrum disorders: Comparing the children's communication checklist--2 and the test of pragmatic language.

PURPOSE To compare the Children's Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2), a parent report instrument, with the Test of Pragmatic Language (TOPL), a test administered to the child, on the ability to identify pragmatic language impairment in speakers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who had age-appropriate structural language skills. METHOD Sixteen rigorously diagnosed children with ASD were matched to 16 typically developing children on age, nonverbal IQ, and structural language skill. Both groups were given the TOPL, and their parents completed the CCC-2. RESULTS The CCC-2 identified 13 of the 16 children with ASD as pragmatically impaired, while the TOPL identified only 9. Neither test identified any of the children in the control group as having pragmatic language impairment. CONCLUSIONS In these children with ASD, who displayed age-appropriate structural language skills, the CCC-2 identified pragmatic language impairment better than the TOPL. Clinically, this can be useful in documenting the presence of language dysfunction when traditional standardized language assessments would not reveal communication problems.
Mercury Capillary Pressure Curves and the Intepretation of Pore Structure and Capillary Behaviour in Reservoir Rocks

ABSTRACT Mercury injection and withdrawal capillary pressure curves provide information regarding the efficiency with which a nonwetting phase can be withdrawn from a pore system. Withdrawal (recovery) efficiency varies among samples of differing lithology and can be explained in terms of the geometric aspects of the pore systems, some of which can be interpreted from the capillary pressure curves themselves and others only by direct observation of rocks and resin pore casts. Withdrawal efficiency is defined as the ratio of the volume of mercury withdrawn from a sample at minimum pressure to the volume injected before pressure was reduced. Some features of capillary pressure curves result from experimental procedure and the influences of sample size and shape in conjunction with effects that are peculiar to the external boundary region of the sample. Features which are not typical of an infinite pore system must be recognized before interpretations are made. From experiments on rock samples as well as from theoretical consideration of artificial models it is found that withdrawal efficiency tends to increase with increase in initial saturation. Withdrawal efficiency also increases as throat to pore diameter and volume ratios increase, as the homogeneity of throat and pore sizes increases, and as the number of connections (throats) per pore increases. For a particular sample, withdrawal efficiency is also dependent on saturation history. The initial injection curve combined with the final withdrawal and final reinjection curves for a sample is sufficient to predict withdrawal efficiency from any initial saturation and to construct any desired pair of withdrawal and reinjection curves for intermediate saturations. Experimental determination of the dependency of mercury withdrawal efficiency on saturation history, and the ability to predict withdrawal efficiency for any initial saturation, may be useful in understanding nonwetting phase movements due to capillary effects in hydrocarbon reservoirs.
On the factors modulating the intensity of the tropical rainbelt over West Africa

This article presents a case study of a wet and a dry year over West Africa. These 2 years, 1955 and 1983, are characterized by rainfall anomalies of one sign throughout West Africa, including the Sahel and Guinea Coast (the no‐dipole cases defined in previous studies). The contrast in rainfall is related to a general weakening and intensification of the tropical rainbelt in the dry year (1983) and the wet year (1955), respectively. The study, limited to the month of August, examines the factors that modulate the intensity of the rainbelt. The more intense rainbelt of 1955 is associated with an anomalously strong tropical easterly jet (TEJ) and a slight northward displacement of the African easterly jet of the Northern Hemisphere (AEJ‐N). The link between the TEJ and rainfall is a causal one, with the strong TEJ enhancing rainfall by enhancing upper‐level divergence and sustaining a strong Hadley‐type overturning over West Africa, with strong vertical motion. In 1983, a weak TEJ and vertical alignment of the AEJ‐N and TEJ axes promote a weak rainbelt and ubiquitous drought. The factors that produce a rainfall dipole (i.e. an opposition in the sign of anomalies between the Sahel and the Guinea Coast) are notably different. The dipole results from meridional displacements of the circulation and rainbelt, rather than changes in rainbelt intensity. Although the strong TEJ is a prime factor, the development of the dipole requires the development of strong and vertically extensive equatorial westerlies. These are produced by strong surface pressure gradients over the Atlantic and West Africa. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
A practical risk score for early prediction of neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: MIRACLE2.

AIMS The purpose of this study was to develop a practical risk score to predict poor neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) for use on arrival to a Heart Attack Centre. METHODS AND RESULTS From May 2012 to December 2017, 1055 patients had OOHCA in our region, of whom 373 patients were included in the King's Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Registry (KOCAR). We performed prediction modelling with multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of the primary outcome to derive a risk score. This was externally validated in two independent cohorts comprising 473 patients. The primary endpoint was poor neurological outcome at 6-month follow-up (Cerebral Performance Category 3-5). Seven independent predictors of outcome were identified: missed (unwitnessed) arrest, initial non-shockable rhythm, non-reactivity of pupils, age (60-80 years-1 point; >80 years-3 points), changing intra-arrest rhythms, low pH <7.20, and epinephrine administration (2 points). The MIRACLE2 score had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90 in the development and 0.84/0.91 in the validation cohorts. Three risk groups were defined-low risk (MIRACLE2 ≤2-5.6% risk of poor outcome); intermediate risk (MIRACLE2 of 3-4-55.4% of poor outcome); and high risk (MIRACLE2 ≥5-92.3% risk of poor outcome). The MIRACLE2 score had superior discrimination than the OHCA [median AUC 0.83 (0.818-0.840); P < 0.001] and Cardiac Arrest Hospital Prognosis models [median AUC 0.87 (0.860-0.870; P = 0.001] and equivalent performance with the Target Temperature Management score [median AUC 0.88 (0.876-0.887); P = 0.092]. CONCLUSIONS The MIRACLE2 is a practical risk score for early accurate prediction of poor neurological outcome after OOHCA, which has been developed for simplicity of use on admission.
Entering the policy debate: An economic evaluation of groundwater policy in flux

This is an age of transition in groundwater policy. The ownership and control of aquifers, changing groundwater quality, and the impact of groundwater on the environment command the attention of policy makers around the globe. Substantial pressure exists for change in the laws and regulations governing groundwater, which are critical to the management of this critical resource. The objective of this paper is to contribute to the practical policy debate from an economic perspective. This study begins by outlining the basic stages of change in groundwater policy and their economic relevance. A set of physical, economic, and institutional indicators are suggested that may help to understand various country issues. The indicators are used to describe some actual experiences in groundwater policy in the United States and Spain that are examined for insights into common policy questions. This study suggests that the public authority to initiate groundwater policy innovations often results from the physical ties between surface and groundwater. In contexts rich with spatial and temporal externalities the situation is more complex, but this increases the social benefits that result from successful reform. A credible threat of losing rights is often necessary to create enough incentives to firm existing rights. Reductions in overall use are better achieved through purchasing and retiring rights, rather than through compensation for nonuse. Finally, the policy issues important to groundwater are often more fundamental than pricing alone. These insights may help policy makers adapt to emerging groundwater management problems.
Application of Stable Isotope Methodology in the Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics of (S,S)-3-[3-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-propylpiperidine Hydrochloride in Rats

The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate the use of stable isotope (SI)-labeled compound as an approach for pharmacokinetic analysis such as fraction absorbed, hepatic extraction ratio, and fraction metabolized from the parent drug to a metabolite. (S,S)-3-[3-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-propylpiperidine hydrochloride (PNU96391) was selected as the model compound because of its simple biotransformation pathway, i.e., the predominant metabolic pathway to the N-despropyl metabolite (M1), which makes it a suitable candidate. The second objective was to fully characterize the pharmacokinetics of PNU96391 in rats using the SI coadministration approach with quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Overall the present study showed that 1) absorption of PNU96391 from the gastrointestinal tract was near complete (>90% of the dose), 2) PNU96391 was predominantly metabolized to M1 (approximately 70% of the dose), and 3) M1 was exclusively eliminated into urine with negligible biotransformation (ratio of renal clearance to plasma clearance ≈0.9). Therefore, the present study demonstrated the utility of the SI methodology for characterizing the pharmacokinetics of a compound within the drug discovery and development process. Furthermore, the compartmental pharmacokinetic modeling provided insights into the disposition and biotransformation rates of PNU96391 and M1, suggesting that the modeling could add further advantages to the SI coadministration approach. Despite the greater availability of SI-labeled compounds, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) scientists have yet to take full advantage of the potential use of these analogs for mechanistic ADME studies. These SI-labeled compounds can be used more widely to gain a better understanding of ADME properties in drug discovery and development.
Multicenter phase 1/2 Trial of napabucasin and pembrolizumab in patients with 1 metastatic colorectal cancer (EPOC1503/SCOOP Trial)

The development of novel combination therapies to overcome resistance of PD-1 blockade 87 for microsatellite-stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is urgently required. The 88 present study is a phase 1/2 study to assess the efficacy and safety of napabucasin plus 89 pembrolizumab in patients with mCRC. Our trial demonstrated anti-tumor activity of 90 napabucasin plus pembrolizumab for MSS mCRC patients as well as microsatellite instability 91 high (MSI-H) mCRC patients together with related biomarkers such as PD-L1, tumor 92 mutation burden and the consensus molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer. The impact of 93 related biomarkers on the efficacy warrants further investigations in the additional cohort. 94 Most treatment-related adverse events were manageable without unexpected safety signals. Abstract Purpose: This is a phase 1/2 trial to assess the efficacy and safety of napabucasin plus 100 pembrolizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Experimental Design: Phase 1 was conducted to determine the recommended phase 2 102 dose (RP2D) in a dose escalation design of napabucasin (240mg to 480 mg twice daily) with 103 200mg pembrolizumab every 3 weeks. Phase 2 included cohort A (n = 10, microsatellite 104 instability high) and cohort B (n = 40, microsatellite stable). The primary endpoint was 105 immune-related objective response rate (irORR). PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS), 106 genomic profiles and the consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) of colorectal cancer were 107 assessed. 108 Results: A total of 55 patients were enrolled in this study. In phase 1, no patients 109 experienced dose-limiting toxicities and napabucasin 480 mg was determined as RP2D. The 110 irORR was 50.0% in cohort A and 10.0% in cohort B. In cohort B, the irORR was 0%, 5.3%, 111 and 42.9% in CPS <1, 1≤ CPS <10 and CPS ≥10, respectively. Patients with objective 112 response tended to have higher tumor mutation burden than those without. Of evaluable 18 113 patients for CMS classification in cohort B, the irORR was 33.3%, 0%, 33.3% and 33.3% in 114 CMS1, CMS2, CMS3 and CMS4, respectively. The common grade 3 or higher 115 treatment-related adverse events included fever (10.0%) in cohort A and decreased appetite 116 (7.5%) and diarrhea (5.0%) in cohort B. Conclusions: Napabucasin with pembrolizumab showed anti-tumor activity with acceptable 118 toxicities for MSS mCRC patients as well as MSI-H mCRC, although it did not meet the 119 primary end point. The impact of related biomarkers on the efficacy warrants further (range 1 to 14) in cohort B. At the data cutoff, 7 (70%) patients in
Archaic Bookkeeping: Early Writing and Techniques of Economic Administration in the Ancient Near East

This work brings together current scholarship on the earliest true writing system in human history. Invented by the Babylonians at the end of the fourth millennium BC, this script, called proto-cuneiform, survives in the form of clay tablets that have until now posed formidable barriers to interpretation. Many tablets, excavated in fragments from ancient dump sites, lack a clear context. In addition, the purpose of the earliest tablets was not to record language but to monitor the administration of local economies by means of a numerical system. Using the latest philological research and new methods of computer analysis, the authors have deciphered much of the numerical information. In reconstructing both the social context and the function of the notation, they consider how the development of our earliest written records affected patterns of thought, the concept of number and the administration of household economies. "Archaic Bookkeeping" should interest specialists in Near Eastern civilizations, ancient history, the history of silence and mathematics, and cognitive psychology.
Engineering Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 BphA through site directed mutagenesis at site 283

20 Biphenyl dioxygenase (BPDO), which is a Rieske-type oxygenase (RO) catalyzes the initial 21 dioxygenation of biphenyl and some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In order to enhance the 22 degradation ability of BPDO in terms of broader substrate range, BphAES283M, BphAEp4-S283M and 23 BphAERR41-S283M variants were created from parent enzymes BphAELB400, BphAEp4 and BphAERR41, 24 respectively by substitution at one residue, Ser283Met. The results of steady-state kinetic parameters 25 show that for biphenyl, the kcat/Km value of BphAES283M, BphAEp4-S283M and BphAERR41-S283M 26 significantly increased compared to their parent enzyme. Meanwhile, we determined the Steady-state 27 AEM Accepted Manuscript Posted Online 24 July 2020 Appl. Environ. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/AEM.01040-20 Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved. on July 7, 2020 at 4309427 ht://aem . sm . rg/ D ow nladed fom