Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CT-derived measurements of pulmonary blood volume in small vessels and need for oxygen in COVID-19 patients

In contrast to early reports of conventional acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as the underlying pathophysiology of hypoxemic respiratory failure observed in patients with severe COVID-19, more recent findings implicate direct involvement of the pulmonary vasculature in giving rise to these symptoms. In earlier research, we demonstrated that patients with COVID-19 showed markedly reduced pulmonary blood volumes in pulmonary vessels <5 mm2 in cross-sectional area visible on imaging (termed "BV5"), with attendant dilation of larger, more proximal vessels. Here, we present preliminary results in which reduced BV5 is shown to correlate significantly with increased need for supplemental oxygen and abnormal arterial blood gas measurements in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We suggest a potential mechanistic link between observed clinical, pathological, and imaging findings, and outline how these may be helpful in clinical assessment as well as the development of novel therapies.
The Influence of Various Culture Conditions on the Oxygen Consumption of Channel Catfish

Abstract Several experiments were conducted on relationships between oxygen consumption of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and environmental dissolved oxygen concentrations, feeding status, weight of fish, and temperature. Estimates of oxygen consumption under culture conditions were obtained by determining the rate of oxygen depletion in a still tank without aeration. Respiratory dependence (decrease in oxygen consumption rate with a decrease in environmental oxygen concentration) in both well-fed and fasted fish was noted at oxygen concentrations between 1 and 7 milligrams/liter. The oxygen consumption rates obtained one hour after feeding were higher than those taken immediately after feeding or from fasted fish. A log-log relationship between oxygen consumption and body weight of fish (2.3-1,006 g) was demonstrated. The slope (b) for the equation, oxygen consumption = (a) (weight)b was 0.80 for both well-fed and fasted fish. The relationship between oxygen consumption and environmental temperatu.
Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions Editors’ Picks Most Important Articles Published in 2012

Very late stent thrombosis occurs in patients with bare metal stent implantation, although the annual incidence is much lower than that after drug-eluting stent implantation. In-stent neoatherosclerosis with ruptured plaques and thin-cap fibroatheromas has been observed in bare metal stents. Atherosclerotic plaques harvested from patients with very late stent thrombosis and those with acute coronary syndrome unrelated to stent thrombosis were histologically indistinguishable from each other; showing foamy macrophages, cholesterol crystals, and thin fibrous cap. Disruption of neoatherosclerosis inside the stents could be an important underlying mechanism of very late stent thrombosis beyond 3 years after bare metal stent implantation.
Seasonal and spatial distribution of Bacterioplankton in a fluvial-lagunar system of a tropical region: density, biomass, cellular volume and morphologic variation

ABSTRACT The temporal and spatial fluctuations of Bacterioplankton in a fluvial-lagunar system of a tropical region (Pitimbu River and Jiqui Lake, RN) were studied during the dry and the rainy periods. The bacterial abundance varied from 2.67 to 5.1 Cells10 7 mL -1 and did not show a typical temporal variation, presenting only small oscillations between the rainy and the dry periods. The bacterial biomass varied from 123 µgC L -1 to 269 µgC L -1 in the sampling sites and the average cellular volume varied from 0.12 to 0. 54µm 3 , showing a predominance of the rods. The temperature showed a positive correlation with the cellular volume of the rods (R=0.55; p=0.02) and vibrio (R=0.53; p=0.03). Significant spatial differences of biomass (Mann Whitney: p=0.01) and cellular volume of the morphotypes (Mann Whitney: p=0.003) were found between the sampling sites. The strong positive correlations of the water temperature and oxygen with bacterioplankton showed a probable high bacterial activity in this system.
The Mediating Role of Psychological Contracts

This article proposes differential mediating mechanisms regarding the relationship between transformational leadership and employee pay satisfaction, job satisfaction, and commitment. It supposes that transformational leadership influences pay satisfaction in part through transactional psychological contracts, whereas relational psychological contracts partially mediate the effects on job satisfaction and commitment. Employees (n = 421) of nine different German charitable institutions participated in this cross-sectional study. A multiple mediator model was tested using structural equation modeling. The estimation of contrasts between the indirect effects supported the assumptions: relational psychological contracts partially mediated the relationship between transformational leadership, job satisfaction, and commitment, while transactional psychological contracts partially mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and pay
Protein and Energy Supplementation of High Alfalfa Silage Diets During Early Lactation

Abstract Protein versus energy as a first-limiting nutrient for milk yield and milk protein content was studied in cows fed high alfalfa silage diets. In Experiment 1, 12 cows during wk 3 to 12 of lactation were fed diets containing 48.2% alfalfa silage or 98.2% silage with or without infusion of 1 kg/d of casein into the abomasum. Infusion of casein resulted in a 22% increase in milk yield, 180-g/d increase in milk protein yield, and no change in DMI. In Experiment 2, 20 cows during wk 3 to 6 of lactation were fed 98.2% alfalfa silage diets and received no infusion, 1 kg/d of glucose infused into the abomasum, 1.2 kg/d of soy protein into the abomasum, or a mixture of the glucose and protein infusion into the abomasum. Infusion of glucose had no effect on milk yield but decreased DMI, milk fat, and milk protein. Infusion of protein increased daily milk yield by 17% and protein yield by 144 g/d. In Experiment 3, 20 cows during wk 9 to 12 of lactation were fed 98.2% alfalfa silage and received no infusion, . 75 kg/d of propionate infused into the rumen, 1.2 kg/d of soy protein infused into the abomasum, and the propionate and soy protein infusions combined. In Experiment 4, 20 cows were fed 78.2% alfalfa silage diets with or without 5% propylene glycol. Infusion of propionate or supplementation of propylene glycol in Experiments 3 and 4 reduced DMI and milk yield. Milk yield response to protein infused into the abomasum and lack of response to energy infused into the abomasum or included in the diet in a nonfermentable form suggest that protein, not energy, is the first-limiting nutrient for milk yield in cows fed high alfalfa silage diets.
Characteristics of Some Endocellular Peptidases of Streptococcus Lactis

Summary Cell-free extracts prepared from S. lactis grown in either milk or vitamin-test casein medium B showed the presence of several peptidases which had their optimum activity at pH values ranging from 7.0 to 8.5. Some of the characteristics of these peptidases were studied. There was no indication that the production of these peptidases was stimulated by the presence of whole protein in the growth medium. Some of the peptidases were found active at pH values that usually prevail in cheese of the most common types. Fractional precipitation with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 or absolute ethanol and adsorption with Kaolin or Al(OH) 3 Cγ were helpful in removing inactive material from the cell-free extract and separation of the peptidases.
Tobacco smoking, related harm and motivation to quit smoking in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

This narrative review focuses on the topic of tobacco smoking amongst people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We searched PubMed, PsycInfo and Scopus databases for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and smoking and included articles about the epidemiology of tobacco smoking in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, examining the relationship between smoking and mental health. This narrative review describes that a higher prevalence, frequency and impact of both high nicotine dependence and its harmful effects in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders compared with those in the general population. Despite several existent theories, the reasons for high smoking rates, the high dependence on nicotine and severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms are not fully understood. The main aim of this paper is to inform mental health personnel and particularly clinical and health psychologists about the impact and role of tobacco smoking for smokers with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
The Brazilian eogondwanic floral succession

An evolutionary sequence of fonns is proposed for the glossopteridophytes based on the morphographic characters of their leaves. Considering the average biometric properties of some of these characters, several "evolutionary indices" are proposed, that may be use fui in eogondwanic biostratigraphy.
Pharmacology and Biophysical Properties of α7 and α7 ‐ α8 α‐Bungarotoxin Receptor Subtypes Immunopurified from the Chick Optic Lobe

Two chick optic lobe α‐bungarotoxin receptor subtypes (α7 and α7 ‐ α8) were immunopurified using polyclonal antibodies raised against synthetic peptides of chick α7 and α8 α‐bungarotoxin receptor subunits. The α7 subtype contained the Mr 57 000 α7 subunit, and represented 60 ‐ 70% of the α‐bungarotoxin receptors; the α7‐α8 subtype contained the Mr 57 000 α7 and α8 subunits, and represented only 20 ‐ 25% of the receptors. Both subtypes also had an additional Mr 52 000 subunit. The affinity of these subtypes for α‐bungarotoxin as well as antagonists was similar. However, the α7 ‐ α8 subtype displayed consistently higher affinities for agonists. When reconstituted in planar lipid bilayers, the α7 ‐ α8 subtype displayed several conductance states of 10 ‐ 50 pS; the α7 subtype had only one conductance state of 45 pS. The α7 ‐α8 subtype was activated by lower agonist concentrations than the α7 subtype. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the α8 subunit formed functional homomeric receptors that desensitized rapidly. These channels were blocked by α‐bungarotoxin and displayed a higher affinity for agonists than the α7 homomeric receptor. Taken together, these data indicate that at least two α‐bungarotoxin subtypes are present in the chick optic lobe. They operate as ligand‐gated channels and display different agonist sensitivities and kinetics/conductance properties.
DETERMINANTS OF GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN THE ROOT VOLE

I studied growth rate and reproduction in two geographically distinct strains of root voles, Microtus oeconomus, in the laboratory to unravel the mechanisms underlying the observed increase in body size from south to north among European microtine rodents. In the field, adult northern root voles are 51% heavier than southern. Many proximate and ultimate mechanisms underlying this geographic pattern have been suggested, but none has been adequately tested. I measured offspring growth rates in one northern and one southern strain over three consecutive laboratory generations, employing two separate experimental protocols (cross-mating and cross-fostering) to control for differential maternal investment. Paternal investment in the young was evaluated in separate tests. Northern root voles were larger at birth and grew faster than southern voles. Litter size and litter mass at birth were largest in the southern strain, when maternal body mass was adjusted for, indicating a larger prenatal reproductive expenditure in southern females. Cross-fostering and cross-breeding experiments demonstrated that the north-south difference in body mass is of genetic origin. Postnatal growth rate of cross-bred litters was intermediate between the two purebred strains, thus being consistent with an additive genetic mechanism. In contrast, neonatal mass of offspring from cross-bred pairs was similar to that of the southern strain, consistent with southern genetic dominance. Cross-fostering between the two strains showed that parental investment had no discernible effects on postnatal growth rate, although southern fathers showed more parental care than did northern fathers. Together, the cross-fostering and the cross-breeding experiments suggest that the growth rate of southern root voles was con- strained by their own genotype and not by the characteristics of their mothers. Low en- vironmental predictability in southern habitats and high productivity of northern habitats probably result in different selection pressures on growth rates and reproductive effort.
The lateral scent organs of Arvicola terrestris (Rodentia: Microtinae)

The lateral scent organs of Arvicola terrestris (L.) are basically similar in construction to those of A. scherman (Shaw), and differ in that they do not express long cylinders of secretion at the end of the breeding season, and that frequent epidermal vesicles are observed. During the year the organ of the male undergoes a cycle of activity with a peak in secretory activity shortly following the peak in the cycle of testis weight. Bilateral castration causes a marked involution of the organ in the male, which can be reconstituted by the administration of exogenous testosterone.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces p53 cytoplasmic localization and prevents p53-dependent apoptosis by a pathway involving glycogen synthase kinase-3β

The tumor suppressor p53, a sensor of multiple forms of cellular stress, is regulated by post-translational mechanisms to induce cell-cycle arrest, senescence, or apoptosis. We demonstrate that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibits p53-mediated apoptosis. The mechanism of inhibition involves the increased cytoplasmic localization of p53 due to phosphorylation at serine 315 and serine 376, which is mediated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK-3β). ER stress induces GSK-3β binding to p53 in the nucleus and enhances the cytoplasmic localization of the tumor suppressor. Inhibition of apoptosis caused by ER stress requires GSK-3β and does not occur in cells expressing p53 with mutation(s) of serine 315 and/or serine 376 to alanine(s). As a result of the increased cytoplasmic localization, ER stress prevents p53 stabilization and p53-mediated apoptosis upon DNA damage. It is concluded that inactivation of p53 is a protective mechanism utilized by cells to adapt to ER stress.
Developmental Changes in the Swimming Behavior and Underlying Motoneuron Activity in the Larval Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare

Abstract Developmental changes in the swimming behavior and underlying motoneuron activities of the larval angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, were investigated in the course of post-embryonic development of the fish. For a few days after hatching, angelfish larvae showed spontaneous wriggling movement, which was alternating lateral bending of the tail without locomotion. On the 5th or 6th day after hatching, the larvae started swimming (locomotive activity). Spontaneous ventral root activity was recorded extracellularly from the body surface of the immobilized larvae as a monitor of the spinal motoneuron activity underlying wriggling and swimming. The number of motoneuron impulses and the duration of the burst in each cycle during the spontaneous rhythmic ventral root activity were increased as the larvae developed. In addition, the duration of the motoneuron bursts in older larvae was much more variable compared with that in early larvae, suggesting that the force of tail beat could be regulated flexibly as the larvae developed. In early larvae, two distinguishable patterns of spontaneous ventral root activity were observed: a low frequency bursting and a high frequency bursting. Such bursting patterns were consistent with the behavioral observations of free moving larvae. After the start of swimming, the frequency of the motoneuron bursting converged into a narrow range, corresponding to the stable, continuous swimming rhythm of the free moving larvae. We propose that the early stages of the angelfish larvae provide us with a useful model for investigating the developmental changes in neuronal substrates underlying swimming activity of the teleost fish.
Relationship between iron chlorosis and alkalinity in Zea mays

Mengel, K. and Geurtzen, G. 1988. Relationship between iron chlorosis and alkalinity in Zea mays. - Physiol. Plant. 72: 460–465. Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Anjou 21) grown in nutrient solution with Fe-EDTA and with nitrate as the sole nitrogen source showed typical Fe-chlorosis symptoms after a growth period of 14–21 days. Alkalinity in roots, stems and leaves of the chlorotic plants was high. Transferring the chlorotic plants from the nitrate-containing nutrient solution to a solution of (NH4)2SO4 resulted in a regreening of leaves within 2–3 days which was associated with a decrease in solution pH, a decrease in alkalinity of plant parts, a translocation of Fe from roots to tops and a release of Fe into the outer solution. Similar effects were obtained when Fe chlorotic plants were transferred to a dilute HO solution with pH 3.5. Spraying chlorotic leaves with indoleacetic acid or with fusicoccin led also to a regreening of leaves without having a major effect on leaf alkalinity. Interpretation of the experimental results is based on the assumption that nitrate as sole N source leads to a high pH level in the apoplast resulting in the precipitation of Fe compounds, probably Fe oxide hydrate. Ammonium nutrition has the reverse effect since it lowers the apoplast pH and this can result in the dissolution of Fe compounds. Application of indoleacetic acid as well as fusicoccin supposedly stimulates the proton pumps in the plasmalemma of the leaf tissue. The resulting decrease in apoplast leaf pH in the microenvironment also leads to a dissolution of Fe compounds in the apoplast and thus promotes the uptake of Fe by the symplasm.
The trout (Salmo trutta) population of the Afon Cwm, a small tributary of the Afon Dyfi, mid‐Wales

Data are presented from a 10-year (1984 to 1993) study of a Salmo trutta population in the Afon Cwm, a small tributary of the Afon Dyfi, mid-Wales. The stream is a spawning and nursery area for sea trout. Growth of trout within the stream can be summarized by a von Bertalanffy growth coefficient (K) of 0·310, with asymptotic length (1∞) 21·6 cm and with length at age 1 of 7·6 cm. Mean population density in the whole stream varied from year to year between 0·05 and 0·60 0-group trout m−2 and between 0·05 and 0·70 older trout m−2. Mean biomass varied, between years, from 0·1 to 3·5 g m−2 for 0-group and from 1·3 to 10·4g m−2 for older trout. Loss between 3 and 5 months of age appeared to be proportionate at about 50 to 60% and instantaneous loss rate from 5 to 53 months of age varied from 0·04 to 0·10 month−1 and was positively correlated with cohort number at 3 months of age. Production between 3 and 53 months of age varied between cohorts from 3 to 8 g m −2 live weight.
Issues in Information Systems

It is imperative that institutes of higher education produce self-directed, self-regulated learners who plan their learning goals, monitor and control their learning, and adjust their learning strategies to meet their academic objectives. One of the most widely used instruments to investigate self-regulated learning strategies is the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ); however, the instrument’s latent factor structure and discriminant validity have been questioned. This study collected three iterations of data for Motivation and two iterations of data for Learning Strategies validation. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to investigate the latent factor structure. Convergent and discriminant validity tests were performed to test construct validity. The analyses revealed similar Motivation subscales and items that were consistent with the original subscales, but the modified items did not correspond well with the original Learning Strategies subscales.
Redistribution of Neuroactive Amino Acids in Hippocampus and Striatum during Hypoglycemia: A Quantitative Immunogold Study

Postembedding immunocytochemistry was used to localize aspartate, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamine in hippocampus and striatum during normo- and hypoglycemia in rat. In both brain regions, hypoglycemia caused aspartatelike immunoreactivity to increase. In hippocampus, this increase was evident particularly in the terminals of known excitatory afferents—in GABA-ergic neurons and myelinated axons. Aspartate was enriched along with glutamate in nerve terminals forming asymmetric synapses on spines and with GABA in terminals forming symmetric synapses on granule and pyramidal cell bodies. In both types of terminal, aspartate was associated with clusters of synaptic vesicles. Glutamate and glutamine immunolabeling were markedly reduced in all tissue elements in both brain regions, but less in the terminals than in the dendrosomatic compartments of excitatory neurons. In glial cells, glutamine labeling showed only slight attenuation. The level of GABA immunolabeling did not change significantly during hypoglycemia. The results support the view that glutamate and glutamine are used as energy substrates in hypoglycemia. Under these conditions both excitatory and inhibitory terminals are enriched with aspartate, which may be released from these nerve endings and thus contribute to the pattern of neuronal death characteristic of hypoglycemia.
The effect of seaweed extracts, as a supplement or alternative culture medium, on the growth rate and biochemical composition of the microalga, Isochrysis galbana (Park 1949)

Aqueous extracts of green [Ulva lactuca Linnaeus and Enteromorpha intestinalis (Linnaeus) Nees] and red [Gracilaria corticata (J. Agardh) J. Agardh] seaweeds from the Persian Gulf of Iran were examined for their potential usefulness as components of microalga Isochrysis galbana culture medium against conventional f/2 medium. Isochrysis galbana was successfully cultured using the tested seaweed extracts (SWE) and exhibited higher or similar cell density and biomass when SWE were used as a supplement or an alternative medium respectively. When the SWE were used as an alternative medium, microalgal protein, lipid and ash content were similar but carbohydrate increased compared with control. Total saturated fatty acids decreased with a corresponding increase in total mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids following supplementation of f/2 medium with SWE. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was not affected by SWE treatments but docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) tended to decrease, except for I. galbana cultured with U. lactuca extract. With the exception of potassium, SWE did not significantly impact the mineral content of cultured I. galbana. The study points to the potential usefulness of specific SWE in the production of microalgae as a food source in aquaculture.
Delayed germination of southern pine seeds related to seed coat constraint

The data suggest that constraint by the coat and megagametophyte was an important cause of slowness in southern pine (Pinus spp.) seed germination. As much as 69% of the variation in the speed of germination in five pine species was related to percentage coat weight among the three physical criteria measured. The validity of the constraint concept was supported by higher rates of water and oxygen uptake, increased size of megagametophytes during imbibition, and faster speed of germination of decoated seeds.