Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kv11.1 (hERG)‐induced cardiotoxicity: a molecular insight from a binding kinetics study of prototypical Kv11.1 (hERG) inhibitors

Drug‐induced arrhythmia due to blockade of the Kv11.1 channel (also known as the hERG K+ channel) is a frequent side effect. Previous studies have primarily focused on equilibrium parameters, i.e. affinity or potency, of drug candidates at the channel. The aim of this study was to determine the kinetics of the interaction with the channel for a number of known Kv11.1 blockers and to explore a possible correlation with the affinity or physicochemical properties of these compounds.
Forces acting on the Sierra Nevada block and implications for the strength of the San Andreas fault system and the dynamics of continental deformation in the western United States

[1] We present an analysis of the forces acting on the Sierra Nevada block in the western United States. Vertically integrated loads acting on the block are quantified through numerical modeling of the state of stress in the interior of the block constrained by stress observations. The Sierra Nevada block is located adjacent to the Pacific–North American plate boundary allowing determination of (1) the vertical distribution of shear stress at the plate boundary and the strength of the San Andreas fault system, (2) the horizontal distribution of shear stress coupling the Pacific and North American plates, and (3) the magnitude of stresses transmitted between rigid crustal blocks. We find that the San Andreas fault system supports a relatively large vertically integrated shear stress of ∼2.4 ± 0.4 TN/m to the northwest of San Francisco and only ∼0.3 TN/m to the southeast. The majority of this load is likely supported in the frictional portion of the crust, and therefore, the San Andreas fault system is both frictionally “strong” and “weak. ” Shear stress coupling the Pacific and North American plates diminishes away from the plate boundary from ∼1.5 TN/m on the western margin of the Sierra Nevada block to ∼1.1 TN/m on the eastern side. A south directed load of ∼2.4 TN/m on the northern end of the block balances this reduction in shear stress across the Sierra Nevada block and indicates that the Sierra Nevada block is compressing the rigid Cascade fore arc from the south, contributing to the forces causing N–S compression of the Pacific Northwest.
The Mediational Role of Values in Linking Personality Traits to Civic Engagement in Italian Youth

In recent decades, given new forms of political participation, the involvement of young people in the civic domain begins to be a focus of many studies. The present study examined the role of personality traits and personal values in the prediction of civic engagement (CE) in Italian youth ranging in age from 19 to 29 years old involved in an ongoing longitudinal study. The multidimensionality of a scale tapping CE has been demonstrated with the examination of confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modeling corroborated a mediational model in which benevolence fully mediated the relationship of the traits of agreeableness and openness with civic associationism, whereas power fully mediated the relationship of the traits of agreeableness and openness with political associationism. In this mediational model men reported higher levels of power than women, whereas women reported higher levels of agreeableness and openness traits. Since basic personal traits have been identified as the root of any behavioral tendency and values have been recognized as the more flexible and changeable variables, future interventions aimed to foster CE in youth could be designed considering the strength relationship between the examined dimensions in the present study.
Isolated carbonate platforms of Belize, Central America: sedimentary facies, late Quaternary history and controlling factors

Abstract The closely spaced, isolated carbonate platforms of Glovers Reef, Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Islands (Belize) differ significantly with regard to geomorphology and distribution of sedimentary facies, especially in platform interiors. Glovers Reef has a deep (18 m) lagoon with 860 more or less randomly distributed patch reefs. The interior of Lighthouse Reef is characterized by a linear trend of hundreds of coalescing patch reefs that separate a deeper (8 m) eastern and a shallower (3 m) western lagoon. Within both Glovers and Lighthouse Reefs, non-skeletal (peloidal) wackestone and packstone are found in shallow (<5 m) water depths. Deeper lagoon parts are characterized by mollusc-foram wackestones. Facies belts are circular in Glovers Reef, as opposed to linear in Lighthouse Reef. The Turneffe Islands platform has up to 8 m deep interior lagoons that are surrounded by large land/mangrove areas. These lagoons have restricted circulation, are devoid of coral patch reefs, and are dominated by organic-rich wackestone. These differences are largely a consequence of variations in antecedent topography and in exposure to waves and currents from platform to platform. Differences in elevation and relief of the Pleistocene basement are most likely controlled by differential subsidence and latitudinal variation in karstification. Differences in exposure to waves and currents are created as the Turneffe Islands platform is in a leeward position, protected from the open Caribbean Sea by Lighthouse Reef to the east. Variation in Pleistocene elevation caused the platforms to flood successively at different rates during Holocene sea-level rise. However, all reefs investigated kept pace with the rising Holocene sea level. Sediment is now largely bypassing the margins and filling in platform interior lagoons. These examples indicate how local attributes of antecedent topography and exposure to waves and currents can be at least as important as globally operating factors such as sea-level fluctuations. This observation should be kept in mind when interpreting palaeo-relationships in the geologic record.
Inland thinning of the Amundsen Sea sector, West Antarctica

Together with the Pine Island glacier (PIG), the Thwaites (TG) and Smith (SG) glaciers are the principal drainage systems of the Amundsen Sea (AS) sector of Western Antarctica. Here we use satellite radar altimetry and interferometry to show that a rapid thinning of ice has occurred within the fastest flowing sections of all AS outlet glaciers. The pattern of thinning extends to distances greater than 150 km inland. Between 1991 and 2001, the TG and SG thinned by more than 25 and 45 m at their grounding lines, and a total of 154 ± 16 km3 of ice (or 0.43 mm of eustatic sea level rise) was lost from the AS sector glaciers to the ocean. We show that the thickness changes may have caused the PIG, TG, and SG to retreat inland by over 8, 4, and 7 km respectively, in line with independent estimates of grounding line migration.
Female ticks (Ixodes scapularis) infected with Borrelia burgdorferi have increased overwintering survival, with implications for tick population growth

The tick, Ixodes scapularis, vectors pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Over the last few decades I. scapularis has expanded its range, introducing a novel health threat into these areas. Warming temperatures appear to be one cause of its range expansion to the north. However, other factors are also involved. We show that unfed adult female ticks infected with B. burgdorferi have greater overwintering survival than uninfected female ticks. Locally collected adult female ticks were placed in individual microcosms and allowed to overwinter in both forest and dune grass environments. In the spring we collected the ticks and tested both dead and living ticks for B. burgdorferi DNA. Infected ticks had greater overwintering survival compared with uninfected ticks every winter for three consecutive winters in both forest and dune grass environments. We discuss the most plausible explanations for this result. The increased winter survival of adult female ticks could enhance tick population growth. Our results suggest that, in addition to climate change, B. burgdorferi infection itself may be promoting the northern range expansion of I. scapularis. Our study highlights how pathogens could work synergistically with climate change to promote host range expansion.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Women With Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

What is the problem and what is known about it so far? Some physicians prescribe low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for pregnant women with a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Past studies show that LMWH may increase the live-birth rate for pregnant women who have thrombophilic disorders, which increase the risk for excessive clotting. Many women with unexplained RPL probably do not have thrombophilic disorders, however, so whether LMWH could improve outcomes for these women is unclear. Why did the researchers do this particular study? To find out whether LMWH increases ongoing pregnancy and live-birth rates in pregnant women with a history of unexplained RPL. Who was studied? 449 pregnant women who had a history of miscarriages. How was the study done? Participants were recruited from 14 outpatient clinics that specialized in unexplained pregnancy loss. Potential participants were tested for thrombophilic disorders and were excluded if they had major disorders. Eligible women at 5 to 8 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to receive daily multivitamin pills or vitamin pills plus LMWH (5000 IU of dalteparinsodium) injections. Women self-administered the injections daily until at least 24 weeks' gestation. Women not assigned to LMWH were not given placebo injections. The primary outcome was the ongoing pregnancy rate up to and including the 24th week of gestation. What did the researchers find? About 86% to 87% of women in both groups had intact pregnancies at 24 weeks' gestation and had live births. Women tolerated the injections well; none discontinued injections because of side effects. What were the limitations of the study? Participants and their providers were aware of which intervention patients received. What are the implications of the study? Low-molecular-weight heparin does not increase ongoing pregnancy or live-birth rates in women with unexplained RPL.
A hierarchical multiresolution registration structure for mobility tracking

The problem of locating mobile users through location registration and paging is considered. A new class of registration schemes are proposed. In these schemes overlapping registration areas of various sizes are allowed. Depending on the degree of overlap, the performance of the registration scheme may range from that of the static strategy based on disjoint registration areas (used in IS-41 and GSM), to that of the dynamic distance based location update strategies. The latter achieve significantly better trade-offs between paging and registration rates than the static strategy. The availability of various registration area sizes allow the mobile to pick the one that fits better to its call/mobility pattern. An algorithm is obtained which given an heterogenous mobile population with a variety of call/mobility patterns and a registration scheme, determines an allocation of mobiles to registration areas such that the resulting aggregate registration and paging rates are below certain target values, whenever the target values are achievable. The proposed class of registration schemes are amenable to a static implementation with minimal processing requirements at the mobile terminal of the same levels as in the mobility management schemes in IS-4 and GSM, while they may achieve performance equivalent to dynamic location update strategies.
The Impact of the Assimilation of Dropsonde Observations during PALAU2005 in ALERA

The effect of the assimilation of dropsonde data over the tropical western Pacific was investigated in an objective analysis. In June 2005, 30 dropsondes were released on four separate flight days. The data impact was assessed using the objective analysis dataset of “ALERA. ” The analysis of the zonal wind field over the tropical western Pacific in ALERA revealed large errors corresponding to active convection. These errors were reduced by 1-3 m s-1 due to the assimilation of the dropsondes. The impact signal due to the assimilation of the dropsondes propagated northward and appeared significantly around Japan. The phase and group speeds of the impact signal at 700 hPa were approximately 3 m s-1 and 12 m s-1, respectively. The former speed was consistent with the mean meridional wind speed, and the latter speed roughly corresponded to the meridional group speed of Rossby waves with wavelengths of a few thousand kilometers.
Effect of fasting in Ramadan on body composition and nutritional intake: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND The present study aimed to assess the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on body weight and composition and the effects of age and sex. METHODS Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated and fat mass, fat-free mass and percentage body fat were assessed by bioelectrical impedance on 240 adult subjects (male: 158) who fasted between sunrise and sunset for at least 20 days. Measurements were taken 1 week before and 1 week after Ramadan. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using a 3-day food frequency questionnaire on a sub-sample of subjects before and during Ramadan. RESULTS Subjects were grouped according to age and sex: ≤35 years (n = 82, males: 31) and 36-70 years (n = 158, males: 127). There were significant reductions in weight and BMI (P < 0.001) in almost all subjects, with the biggest being in males ≤35 years [-2.2% (SE 2.2%), P < 0.001]. Waist and hip circumferences fell in most subjects, except females aged 36-70 years. Fat mass fell in most subjects, ranging from 2.3% to 4.3% from baseline, except in females aged 36-70 years who did not experience a significant change. Fat-free mass was significantly reduced in all subjects (P < 0.001), whereas percentage body fat was lower only in males by 2.5% (SE 3.2%) (P = 0.029) in those aged ≤35 years and by 1.1% (SE 1.5%) (P < 0.001) in those aged 36-70 years. Dietary intake was similar before and during Ramadan, except in males whose protein intake fell during Ramadan (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS Ramadan fasting leads to weight loss and fat-free mass reductions. Body composition changes vary depending on age and sex.
A hybrid scheme for low bit-rate coding of stereo images

In this paper, we propose a hybrid scheme to implement an object driven, block based algorithm to achieve low bit-rate compression of stereo image pairs. The algorithm effectively combines the simplicity and adaptability of the existing block based stereo image compression techniques with an edge/contour based object extraction technique to determine appropriate compression strategy for various areas of the right image. Unlike the existing object-based coding such as MPEG-4 developed in the video compression community, the proposed scheme does not require any additional shape coding. Instead, the arbitrary shape is reconstructed by the matching object inside the left frame, which has been encoded by standard JPEG algorithm and hence made available at the decoding end for those shapes in right frames. Yet the shape reconstruction for right objects incurs no distortion due to the unique correlation between left and right frames inside stereo image pairs and the nature of the proposed hybrid scheme. Extensive experiments carried out support that significant improvements of up to 20% in compression ratios are achieved by the proposed algorithm in comparison with the existing block-based technique, while the reconstructed image quality is maintained at a competitive level in terms of both PSNR values and visual inspections.
Forms of phosphorus in virgin and fertilised calcareous soils of Western Australia

Total phosphorus (P), inorganic P (Pi), organic P, and several Pi fractions were determined for 8 fertilised calcareous soils under agriculture and their virgin analogues under natural bush to ascertain changes due to agricultural development. The relationships between soil properties and forms of P were also determined. In general, agricultural development of soils resulted in increases in total P (average 105% increase), Pi (154%), organic P (49%), Olsen P (200%), Colwell P (100%), and all Pi fractions compared with their virgin analogues. For the virgin soils, the abundance of the Pi fractions was in the order: Al-P>O-P (occluded P)>Fe-P>Ca10-P = Ca2-P>Ca8-P, which changed to Al-P>Ca8-P>Ca2-P>Ca10-P>Fe-P>O-P for fertilised soils. The average contribution of each fraction to the increase in total Pi was Al-P (29%), Ca8-P (26%), Ca2-P (18%), Fe-P (13%), Ca10-P (13%), and O-P (4%). The change in Ca8-P was closely correlated with the content of the active fraction of calcite in the soil (ACCE). The increase in Fe-P associated with agriculture was highly correlated with citrate-dithionite-bicarbonate (CDB) extractable Fe (Fed) and acid-ammonium oxalate extractable Fe (Feo). The increase in Al-P was correlated with the ratio of acid-ammonium oxalate extractable Al (Alo) to Feo. Both Olsen and Colwell NaHCO3-extractable P were highly correlated with Ca2-, Al-, Fe-, and Ca10-P, and total P values. Multiple regression analysis indicated that Ca2-P and Ca10-P were major contributors to available P as determined by the Olsen and Colwell soil tests.
Comparative erythrocyte deformability investigations by filtrometry, slit-flow and rotational ektacytometry in a long-term follow-up animal study on splenectomy and different spleen preserving operative techniques: Partial or subtotal spleen resection and spleen autotransplantation.

BACKGROUND Partial or subtotal spleen resection or spleen autotransplantation can partly preserve/restore the splenic filtration function, as previous studies demonstrated. OBJECTIVE For better evaluation and follow-up of the various spleen-preserving operative techniques' effectiveness versus splenectomy, a composite methodological approach was applied in a canine experimental model. METHODS Beagle dogs were subjected to control (n = 6), splenectomy (SE, n = 4), partial and subtotal spleen resection (n = 4/each) or spleen autotransplantation groups (AU, Furka's spleen-chip method, n = 8). The follow-up period was 18 postoperative (p.o.) months. Erythrocyte deformability was determined in parallel by bulk filtrometry (Carat FT-1 filtrometer), slit-flow ektacytometry (RheoScan D-200) and rotational ektacytometry (LoRRca MaxSis Osmoscan). RESULTS By filtrometry, relative cell transit time increased in the SE group (mostly in animal Nr. SE-3), showing the highest values on the 3rd, 9th and in 18th p.o. months. Elongation index values decreased in this group (both by slit-flow and rotational ektacytometers). In general, AU and two resection groups' values were lower versus control and higher than in SE. CONCLUSIONS Forasmuch in the circulation both elongation by shear stress and filtration occur, these various erythrocyte deformability testing methods together may describe better the alterations. Considering the possible complications related to functional asplenic-hyposplenic conditions, individual analysis of cases is highly important.
The 2010/2011 snow season in California's Sierra Nevada: Role of atmospheric rivers and modes of large‐scale variability

The anomalously snowy winter season of 2010/2011 in the Sierra Nevada is analyzed in terms of snow water equivalent (SWE) anomalies and the role of atmospheric rivers (ARs)—narrow channels of enhanced meridional water vapor transport between the tropics and extratropics. Mean April 1 SWE was 0.44 m (56%) above normal averaged over 100 snow sensors. AR occurrence was anomalously high during the period, with 20 AR dates during the season and 14 in the month of December 2010, compared to the mean occurrence of nine dates per season. Fifteen out of the 20 AR dates were associated with the negative phases of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the Pacific‐North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern. Analysis of all winter ARs in California during water years 1998–2011 indicates more ARs occur during the negative phase of AO and PNA, with the increase between positive and negative phases being ∼90% for AO, and ∼50% for PNA. The circulation pattern associated with concurrent negative phases of AO and PNA, characterized by cyclonic anomalies centered northwest of California, provides a favorable dynamical condition for ARs. The analysis suggests that the massive Sierra Nevada snowpack during the 2010/2011 winter season is primarily related to anomalously high frequency of ARs favored by the joint phasing of −AO and −PNA, and that a secondary contribution is from increased snow accumulation during these ARs favored by colder air temperatures associated with −AO, −PNA, and La Niña.
Do Landscape Assessments Need to Account for Environmental Attitudes and Demographics? Scenic Beauty Perceptions of Old-growth and Harvested Forests by Ecotopian Versus Timber Subcultures in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

Differences in informed scenic beauty perceptions, among 504 residents of Oregon, USA, were investigated to see how environmental attitudes, demographics, and old-growth versus harvested forests affected them. Scenic differences dominated explanation of perceptual differences. Attitudes accounted for small marginal differences in perceived scenic beauty if they instigated affects due to landscapes’ scenic content. These affects reversed direction with changes in landscape type. Demographic attributes only related to very small differences in perceived beauty if they were strongly correlated with such affective attitudes. These relationships often reversed or became inoperative with coincident changes in landscapes, attitudes, or other demographic traits. Respondents disagreed about ugly more than beautiful landscapes. Forest protection attitudes were associated with younger people, regional newcomers, urban rather than rural residents, more education, and more income. Forest production attitudes were associated with the opposite traits. Differences in scenic beauty perceptions were associated only with respondents’ ages, regional experience and residential locations. It is generally not worthwhile to account for viewers’ traits in landscape assessments except when attitudes contend with the content of ugly scenery.
Palaeozoic and Tertiary transcurrent movements on the Great Glen fault

Synopsis Two periods of major transcurrent movement on the Great Glen fault are here recognised: (1) a sinistral shift (essentially that of Kennedy 1946) of about 83 miles, which occurred in late Lower or early Middle Old Red times; and (2) a dextral shift of 18 miles which was initiated at the close of the strictly regional phase of the Hebridean Tertiary vulcanicity. The north-westerly dyke-swarms of the latter are dislocated by the dextral movement at the Great Glen and Firth of Lorne faults, while the extension of the Great Glen fault across SE. Mull is deformed and locally transgressed by intrusives emplaced about the Mull Early Caldera. The crustal stress system causing dextral shift on the Great Glen fault terminated the period of intrusion of north-westerly dykes; a few later dykes in Mull show an east-north-easterly trend in conformity with the new direction of regional stress maximum. The maximum age of the dextral movement is therefore indicated by the minimum age value for the dykes of the north-westerly swarm; at about 52 m.y. , this corresponds to early Eocene times. The same dextral movement has dislocated an ancient river system which formerly flowed eastwards across the Scottish Highlands.