Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modélisation de la thermodynamique de l’extraction des gaz acides par les amines

Liquid vapor equilibria of H 2 S and CO 2 in aqueous solutions of monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) are modelled over a wide range of experimental conditions. Modeling requires ionisation constants for alkanolamines and acid gases, and carbamate formation constants for MEA and DEA. An equation of state for electrolytes in mixed solvents is used to calculate the temperature and composition dependence of fugacity coefficients. This allows to deconvolute chemical reactions constants evolution with temperature in the reference state of infinite dilution in water using vapor pressure equilibrium data on complex concentrated mixtures. Les equilibres liquide vapeur de H 2 S et CO 2 dans les solutions aqueuses de monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) et methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) sont modelises dans une large gamme de conditions experimentales. La modelisation requiert les constantes d'ionisation des alkanolamines et des gaz acides, ainsi que la constante de carbamatation de la MEA et de la DEA. Une equation d'etat des electrolytes en melange de solvants est utilisee pour calculer l'influence de la temperature et de la composition sur les coefficients de fugacite. Ce modele permet notamment de decrypter l'influence de la temperature sur les constantes de carbamatation dans l'etat de reference de dilution infinie des reactifs dans l'eau.
Method-Specific Cortisol and Dexamethasone Thresholds Increase Clinical Specificity of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test for Cushing Syndrome.

BACKGROUND The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is the recommended first-tier test for suspected Cushing syndrome (CS). Missed dexamethasone intake or insufficient dexamethasone serum exposure may yield false positive results. Quantification of serum dexamethasone in DST samples may therefore improve test performance. METHODS Simultaneous quantification of dexamethasone and cortisol by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 400 DST serum samples (100 overt CS, 200 excluded CS, 100 adrenal incidentalomas with (possible) autonomous cortisol secretion, AI-ACS) randomly selected within the indication groups. The 2.5th percentile of dexamethasone in patients with excluded CS was considered the lower limit of normal (LLN). RESULTS Serum dexamethasone varied from undetectable to 20.2 ng/mL with a median of 4.8 ng/mL (95% CI 4.5-5.1 ng/mL). Dexamethasone was undetectable in only 16 patients (4%), suggesting non-compliance. The dexamethasone LLN was 1.8 ng/mL (4.6 nmol/L). Decreased glomerular filtration rate and diabetes mellitus were associated with higher serum dexamethasone concentration, while body mass index, sex, age, nicotine, and oral contraceptives had no significant effect. By excluding the 27 samples with dexamethasone <LLN and applying the method-specific cortisol cutoff of 2.4 µg/dL (66 nmol/L) to samples with suspected CS, the clinical specificity for CS increased from 67.5% to 92.4% while preserving 100% clinical sensitivity. Among 100 AI-ACS samples (defined by immunoassay), 4 samples had dexamethasone <1.8 ng/mL and 14 samples had cortisol <2.4 µg/dL, which excluded autonomous cortisol secretion. CONCLUSIONS Quantification of dexamethasone and method-specific cortisol cutoffs in DST samples may reduce the false positive rate and lower the proportion of patients requiring further workup.
Life expectancy in metastatic prostate cancer patients according to racial/ethnic groups

To quantify the magnitude of differences between observed overall survival and respective, age‐adjusted Social Security Administration life tables‐derived life expectancy in Caucasian, African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian metastatic prostate cancer patients. Furthermore, to test for differences in cancer‐specific mortality and other‐cause mortality according to race/ethnicity.
Neo‐darwinism still haunts evolutionary theory: A modern perspective on Charlesworth, Lande, and Slatkin (1982)

The Modern Synthesis (or “Neo‐Darwinism”), which arose out of the reconciliation of Darwin's theory of natural selection and Mendel's research on genetics, remains the foundation of evolutionary theory. However, since its inception, it has been a lightning rod for criticism, which has ranged from minor quibbles to complete dismissal. Among the most famous of the critics was Stephen Jay Gould, who, in 1980, proclaimed that the Modern Synthesis was “effectively dead. ” Gould and others claimed that the action of natural selection on random mutations was insufficient on its own to explain patterns of macroevolutionary diversity and divergence, and that new processes were required to explain findings from the fossil record. In 1982, Charlesworth, Lande, and Slatkin published a response to this critique in Evolution, in which they argued that Neo‐Darwinism was indeed sufficient to explain macroevolutionary patterns. In this Perspective for the 75th Anniversary of the Society for the Study of Evolution, we review Charlesworth et al. in its historical context and provide modern support for their arguments. We emphasize the importance of microevolutionary processes in the study of macroevolutionary patterns. Ultimately, we conclude that punctuated equilibrium did not represent a major revolution in evolutionary biology – although debate on this point stimulated significant research and furthered the field – and that Neo‐Darwinism is alive and well.
Effects of operational sex ratio, mating age, and male mating history on mating and reproductive behavior in Grapholita molesta

Abstract The short-lived polygamous moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) is an important fruit pest worldwide. Trapping males by synthetic female sex pheromones is not an effective reproductive control strategy. It is important to improve this technology by understanding the mating system of G. molesta. This study investigated mating opportunities and fertile egg production by altering the operational sex ratio, mating age, and male mating history in repeated single mating and multiple mating in the two sexes. Our results showed that the mating and reproductive parameters of virgin males were affected by the number and age of virgin females. Males preferred a female number ≤three-fifths of the male number or ≤2-day-old females, while they discriminated against a female number ≥three times of the male number or ≥5-day-old females. On the other hand, the mating and reproductive parameters of virgin females were affected by repeated single mating and especially multiple mating under different male mating histories. Females preferred once-mated males and discriminated against virgin males. These results indicated that mating systems including more and older virgin females for virgin males and different virgin males for virgin females may be suitable for suppressing G. molesta populations. Hence, these results revealed that preventing mating of virgin adults by synthetic female sex pheromones should be most effective in controlling G. molesta.
Nitrogen Source Effects on Methane Emissions From Drill-Seeded, Delayed-Flood Rice Production

ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation is unique compared with the production of most other upland row crops in that rice is typically produced under flooded-soil conditions, which can result in net emissions of methane (CH4). Nutrient applications for optimum production, specifically nitrogen (N), which can be organic or inorganic sources, are carefully managed in rice production. However, how nutrient-source effects on CH4 emissions from rice production may interact with other known factors affecting CH4 emissions, such as previous crop/crop rotation and soil texture, are poorly understood, particularly in the midsouthern United States where rice production is concentrated. The objective of this study was to evaluate CH4 fluxes and season-long emissions as affected by fertilizer-N source (i.e., ammonium sulfate [AS], pelletized poultry litter [PPL] + urea, and urea only) and previous crop in rotation (i.e., soybean [Glycine max L.] or rice) from rice production on a clayey Epiaquert and a silt-loam Albaqualf in the Lower Mississippi River Delta region of eastern Arkansas. Methane fluxes, measured using 30-cm-diameter, enclosed-headspace chambers, peaked near heading for all treatments, with PPL + urea resulting in greater (P < 0.05) peak fluxes than for the other fertilizer-N sources from both soil textures. Methane fluxes were consistently numerically lower from the clay soil throughout the growing season than from the silt-loam soil. Methane emissions from AS were, on average, 21% lower (P < 0.05) than from PPL + urea or urea only, which did not differ, from the silt-loam soil. Methane emissions were 60% lower (P < 0.05) when soybean was the previous crop compared with rice on the clay soil, but were unaffected (P > 0.05) by previous crop on the silt-loam soil. Results clearly indicate that the choice of fertilizer-N source for certain soil textures, specifically AS application to a silt-loam soil, has the potential to mitigate CH4 emissions and reduce the large, negatively perceived, C footprint associated with rice production.
Dynamic magnetic hysteresis properties of two-dimensional ferrimagnetic structures containing high-spin (S = 5/2) and low-spin (S = 1/2)

ABSTRACT The dynamic hysteresis behaviors of a containing high spin-5/2 and low spin-1/2 Ising ferrimagnetic system on a square lattice are studied by using the dynamic mean-field approximation. The influences of the temperature, the single-ion anisotropy and the frequency on dynamic hysteresis behaviors are investigated in detail. Somewhat characteristic behaviors are found, such as the presence of triple hysteresis loop for appropriate values of the crystal field or temperature. Besides, we observed that, hysteresis loop area and phase transition points are very sensitive to changes in frequency and thus have profound importance in device application.
Effects of Automated Messages on Internet Users Attempting to Access “Barely Legal” Pornography

With the increasing number of individuals accessing online child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), there is an urgent need for primary prevention strategies to supplement the traditional focus on arrest and prosecution. We examined whether online warning messages would dissuade individuals from visiting a honeypot website purporting to contain barely legal pornography. Participants (n = 419) seeking the site were randomly assigned to one of five conditions; they went straight to the landing page (control; n = 100) or encountered a warning message advising of the potential harm to viewers (n = 74), potential harm to victims (n = 65), ability of police to track IP addresses (n = 81), or possible illegality of such pornography (n = 99). We measured the attempted click-through to the site. Attrition rates for the warning message conditions were 38% to 52%, compared with 27% for the control group. The most effective messages were those that warned that IP addresses can be traced (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64) and that the pornography may be illegal (OR = 2.99). We argue that warning messages offer a valuable and cost-effective strategy that can be scaled up to help reduce the accessing of CSEM online.
Cardiac diagnostic test results and outcomes in 44 dogs naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract Background The protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes myocarditis in dogs. Objectives To describe the cardiac diagnostic test results and outcomes of dogs naturally infected with T. cruzi. Animals Forty‐four client‐owned dogs. Methods Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs with an indirect fluorescent antibody test result for T. cruzi ≥1 : 80. Data collected included signalment, cardiac diagnostic test results (ECG, echocardiography, cardiac troponin I) and outcome. Outcomes were categorized as alive, dead (cardiac or noncardiac) or lost to follow up. Results ECG abnormalities were present in 41 dogs with ventricular arrhythmias (n = 28) and atrioventricular block (AVB) (n = 15) most commonly identified. Echocardiographic chamber enlargement was present in 28 dogs and most often included the right ventricle (RV) (n = 15) and left atrium (n = 12). Troponin was ≥2 times the reference range in 20/36 (56%) dogs. In univariate analysis using nonparametric Kaplan‐Meier, ventricular arrhythmias with a modified Lown score ≥2 (P = .02), presence of AVB (P = .04), and RV enlargement (P = .006) were associated with decreased survival times. Right ventricular enlargement (HR 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4‐9.3; P = .007) and higher body weight at presentation (HR 1.0; 95% CI 1.0‐1.1; P = .04) were associated with decreased time to death in the final explanatory multivariable model. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Cardiac abnormalities were common and variable, and RV enlargement was associated with shorter survival time. A diagnostic evaluation that includes screening for arrhythmias, echocardiography, and cTnI can provide useful information related to the characterization of heart disease in dogs seropositive for T. cruzi.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor prevents skeletal muscle fibrosis in diabetic mice

What is the central question of this study? We questioned whether an angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor prevents skeletal muscle fibrosis in diabetic mice. What is the main finding and its importance? Administration of ACE inhibitor prevents the increase in skeletal muscle fibrosis during the early phase after induction of diabetes by streptozotocin. Our findings might provide a new therapeutic target for skeletal muscle abnormalities in diabetes.
Head impact exposure and concussion in women’s collegiate club lacrosse

ABSTRACT This study sought to describe head impact exposure in women’s collegiate club lacrosse. Eleven women’s collegiate club lacrosse players wore head impact sensors during eight intercollegiate competitions. Video recordings of competitions were used to verify impact data. Athletes completed questionnaires detailing their concussion history and perceived head impact exposure. During the monitored games, no diagnosed concussions were sustained. Three athletes reported sustaining head impacts (median = 0; range: 0–3 impacts per game). Six impacts registered by the sensors were verified on video across a total of 81 athlete-game exposures. Verified impacts had a median peak linear acceleration of 21.0 g (range: 18.3 g – 48.3 g) and peak rotational acceleration of 1.1 krad/s2 (range: 0.7 krad/s2 – 5.7 krad/s2). Women competing in collegiate club lacrosse are at a low risk of sustaining head impacts, comparable to previous reports of the high school and collegiate varsity levels of play.
Cleaning Zirconia Surface Prior To Bonding. A Comparative Study of Different Methods and Solutions.

PURPOSE To evaluate resin cement bond strength after removal of salivary contamination from a zirconia surface using different cleaning solutions and air-borne particle abrasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS One-hundred and twenty zirconia specimens (KATANA STML, Noritake) were prepared and divided into 12 groups (n = 10). Groups were subjected to a notched-edge shear bond strength test (ISO 29022) to analyze the bonding efficiency of a resin cement (Panavia V5, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.) before and after contamination with saliva. Group 1 (control) was prepared and cemented without salivary contamination. Group 2 was coated with ceramic primer (Clearfil Ceramic Primer Plus, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.) then subjected to salivary contamination then tested. Group 3 was contaminated, cleaned by air-borne particle abrasion, ceramic primer and resin cement applied, and tested. Groups 4-12 were contaminated, and then different cleaning solutions (water, 4.5% hydrofluoric acid, 35% phosphoric acid, Ivoclean, KATANA cleaner, Zirclean, sodium hypochlorite 4%, and 7.5%) were used to decontaminate the zirconia surface, followed by ceramic primer, resin cement application, and tested. One-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS One-way ANOVA showed statistical differences among cleaning procedures (p <0.001, F = 13.48). Air-borne particle abrasion was the only group which provided a bond strength (21 ±2.8 MPa) that was not statistically different than the control group in which no contamination occurred (25.3 ±3.3 MPa) (P = 0.247). The use of hydrofluoric acid and zirconia cleaning solutions resulted in bond strengths values which were not statistically different from each other (17.5-19.1MPa). CONCLUSION Air-borne particle, zirconia cleaning solutions and hydrofluoric acid are feasible to decontaminate the zirconia surface from saliva prior to bonding the restoration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Differential impact of four sperm preparation techniques on sperm motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation, acrosome status, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial activity: A prospective study

Suboptimal human semen handling in vitro may induce sperm damage. However, the effects of semen swim‐up, pellet swim‐up, density gradient, and density gradient followed by SU on sperm motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation, acrosome reaction, intracellular reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial activity were not fully understood.
Conformation of myelin basic protein bound to phosphatidylinositol membrane characterized by vacuum‐ultraviolet circular‐dichroism spectroscopy and molecular‐dynamics simulations

The 18.5‐kDa isoform of myelin basic protein (MBP) interacts with the membrane surface of the myelin sheath to construct its compact multilamellar structure. This study characterized the conformation of MBP in the membrane by measuring the vacuum‐ultraviolet circular‐dichroism (VUVCD) spectra of MBP in the bilayer liposome comprising the following essential lipid constituents of the myelin sheath: phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PIP), and phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2). The spectra of MBP exhibited the characteristic peaks of the helix structure in the presence of PI liposome, and the intensity increased markedly in the presence of PIP and PIP2 liposomes to show an isodichroic point. This suggests that the amount of the membrane‐bound conformation of MBP enhanced due to the increased number of negative net charges on the liposome surfaces. Secondary‐structure analysis revealed that MBP in the membrane comprised approximately 40% helix contents and eight helix segments. Molecular‐dynamics (MD) simulations of the eight segments were conducted for 250 ns in the presence of PI membrane, which predicted two amphiphilic and three nonamphiphilic helices as the membrane‐interaction sites. Further analysis of the distances of the amino‐acid residues in each segment from the phosphate group suggested that the nonamphiphilic helices interact with the membrane surface electrostatically, while the amphiphilic ones invade the inside of the membrane to produce electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. These results show that MBP can interact with the PI membrane via amphiphilic and nonamphiphilic helices under the control of a delicate balance between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.
A new energetics model for the assessment of the power-duration relationship during over-ground running

ABSTRACT We evaluated the reliability of an over-ground running three-minute all-out test (3MT) and compared this to traditional multiple-visit testing to determine the critical speed (CS) and distance > CS (D´). Using a novel energetics model during the 3MT, critical power (CP) and work > CP (W´) were also evaluated for reliability and compared to the multiple-visit tests. Over-ground running speed was measured using Global Positioning Systems during fixed-speed trials on a 400 m track to exhaustion, at four intensities corresponding to: (i) maximal oxygen uptake (Vmax), (ii) 110% , (iii) Δ70% (i.e. 70% of the difference between gas exchange threshold and Vmax) and (iv) Δ85%. The participants subsequently performed the 3MT across two days to determine its reliability. There were no differences between the multiple-visit testing and the 3MT for CS (P = 0.328) and D´ (P = 0.919); however, CP (P = 0.02) and W´ (P < 0.001) were higher in the 3MT. The reliability of the 3MT was stable (P > 0.05) between trials for all variables, with coefficient of variation ranging from 2.0–8.1%. The current over-ground energetics model can reliably estimate CP and W´ based on GPS speed data during the 3MT, which supports its use for most athletic training and monitoring purposes. The reliability of the over-ground running 3MT for power- and speed-related indices was sufficient to detect typical training adaptations; however, it may overestimate CP (∼ 25 W) and W´ (∼ 7 kJ) compared to multiple-visit tests.
Land use effects on mosquito biodiversity and potential arbovirus emergence in the Southern Amazon, Brazil.

The Amazon rainforest is considered the largest reservoir of culicids and arboviruses in the world. It has been under intense human-driven alteration, especially in the so-called "Arc of Deforestation", located in the Eastern and Southern regions. The emergence and transmission of infectious diseases are increasing, potentially due to land use change. We used landscape-scale mosquito surveillance across a forest fragmentation gradient in the Southern Amazon to evaluate the relationship between forest disturbance and the composition and structure of mosquito communities with a particular focus on the potential for arbovirus emergence in the region. Generalized Linear Models and Logistic Regression were used to associate the degree of landscape disturbance with arbovirus vectors richness and abundance. A total of 1,960 culicids, belonging to 50 species, were collected from 2015 to 2016. Among these species, 20 have been associated with the transmission of arboviruses. Our results show an association of land use, more specifically small size of forest remnants with more irregular shape and higher edge density, with the increase of arbovirus vectors richness and abundance. Six species of mosquito vectors exhibited a higher probability of occurrence in landscapes with medium or high degrees of disturbance. Our results indicate that land use change influences mosquito communities with potential implications for the emergence of arboviruses.
Baseline serum B‐cell maturation antigen levels predict time to disease progression for patients with smoldering multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) patients with smoldering (S) disease are defined by a lack of CRAB/SLiM criteria but may transform into disease requiring treatment. The International Myeloma Working Group risk stratification model for SMM uses serum M‐protein, serum‐free light chain ratio, and bone marrow plasma cell percentage. We investigated whether baseline serum B‐cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) levels are predictive of disease progression among 65 patients with SMM.