Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of the Phytoestrogen Genistein on the Circulating Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor ␬b Ligand-osteoprotegerin System in Early Postmenopausal Women

We investigated the serum levels of both receptor activator of nuclear factor ␬B ligand (RANKL) and its decoy receptor os-teoprotegerin (OPG) in postmenopausal healthy women after a 1-yr therapy with genistein, (n ‫؍‬ 30; 54 mg/d), hormone replacement therapy (n ‫؍‬ 30; 1 mg/d 17␤-estradiol combined with norethisterone acetate) and placebo (n ‫؍‬ 30). By comparison with placebo, the soluble RANKL (sRANKL)/OPG ratio was lower in the genistein group (؊69 ؎ 7%; P < 0.01 vs. placebo 81 ؎ 24%) and in hormone replacement therapy-treated women (؊11 ؎ 2%; P < 0.01 vs. placebo). A positive correlation (r ‫؍‬ 0.63; P < 0.01) was found between 1-yr percentage change in sRANKL/OPG ratio and 1-yr change in uri-nary deoxypyridinoline, a bone resorption marker. A negative correlation was observed between 1-yr percentage change in sRANKL/OPG ratio and 1-yr change in femoral neck bone mineral density (r ‫؍‬ ؊0.7; P < 0.01). Our findings suggest that the sRANKL-OPG system may mediate the beneficial effects of genistein on bone remodeling in postmenopausal women. G ENISTEIN, AN ISOFLAVONE that is found in abundance in soybeans and their derivative food, structurally resembles 17␤-estradiol (1). There are animal studies showing that genistein prevents estrogen-deficiency bone loss (2, 3). Our randomized, double-blind clinical trial confirmed the positive effects of genistein treatment on bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. A 1-yr genistein administration was associated with a normal-ization of elevated bone turnover: the phytoestrogen reduced bone resorption markers and enhanced bone neo-formation parameters. Moreover this composite effect on bone turnover caused a significant increase in lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) without any significant adverse effect on the breast and uterus (4). The mechanism by which genistein acts on bone is unknown. In vitro studies showed that the phytoestrogen modulates the osteoprotegerin (OPG)-receptor activator of nuclear factor ␬B ligand (RANKL) system, which represents a major advance in bone physiology and plays a crucial role in the balance of bone remodeling (5, 6). OPG and RANKL constitute a complex mediator system involved in the regulation of the resorption process in bone, which is probably responsible for the homeostatic mechanism of bone turnover. Alterations in this system could form the basis of some metabolic bone diseases, like osteoporosis and osteopetrosis, as suggested by recent experimental evidence (7–13). In vivo and in vitro studies (9, 12–14) have shown that OPG, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is secreted …
Exercise based rehabilitation for heart failure.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of chronic heart failure is increasing, and increases with increasing age. Major symptoms include breathlessness and restricted activities of daily living due to reduced functional capacity, which in turn affects quality of life. Exercise training has been shown to be effective in patients with coronary heart disease and has been proposed as an intervention to improve exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of exercise based interventions compared with usual medical care on the mortality, morbidity, exercise capacity and health related quality of life, of patients with heart failure. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2001), MEDLINE (2000 to March 2001), EMBASE (1998 to March 2001), CINAHL (1984 to March 2001) and reference lists of articles. We also sought advice from experts. SELECTION CRITERIA RCTs of exercise based interventions. The comparison group was usual medical care as defined by the study, or placebo. Adults of all ages with chronic heart failure. Only those studies with criteria for diagnosis of heart failure (based on clinical findings or objective indices) have been included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Studies were selected, and data were abstracted, independently by two reviewers. Authors were contacted where possible to obtain missing information. MAIN RESULTS Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria, with 1126 patients randomised. The majority of studies included both patients with primary and secondary heart failure, NYHA class II or III. None of the studies specifically examined the effect of exercise training on mortality and morbidity as most were of short duration. Exercise training significantly increased VO(2) max by (WMD random effects model) 2.16 ml/kg/min (95% CI 2.82 to 1.49), exercise duration increased by 2.38 minutes (95% CI 2.85 to 1.9), work capacity by 15.1 Watts (95% CI 17.7 to 12.6) and distance on the six minute walk by 40.9 metres (95% CI 64.7 to 17.1). Improvements in VO(2) max were greater for training programmes of greater intensity and duration. HRQoL improved in the seven of nine trials that measured this outcome. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS Exercise training improves exercise capacity and quality of life in patients mild to moderate heart failure in the short term. There is currently no information regarding the effect of exercise training on clinical outcomes. The findings are based on small-scale trials in patients who are unrepresentative of the total population of patients with heart failure. Other groups (more severe patients, the elderly, women) may also benefit. Large-scale pragmatic trials of exercise training of longer duration, recruiting a wider spectrum of patients are needed to address these issues.
Diatom response to Asian monsoon variability during the Late Glacial to Holocene in a small treeline lake, SW China

Analyses of diatoms, grain size, magnetic susceptibility, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen were applied to a 9.26 m long sediment core, spanning the last 12.2 kyr, from a small treeline lake (Tiancai Lake, ~3898 m a.s.l.) in southwest China. Diatom assemblages are dominated by Cyclotella distinguenda, Aulacoseira species, and small fragilarioid taxa, all of which are sensitive to changes in water pH and light conditions that are probably related to vegetation development and runoff processes triggered by variations in the Asian monsoon. High abundances of C. distinguenda and Pseudostaurosira brevistriata reflected cold and dry climates during the Late Glacial (12.2–11.4 kyr BP). In the early Holocene (11.4–9.4 kyr BP), a steep decline in C. distinguenda and a visible increase in Aulacoseira alpigena responded to a strengthening monsoon intensity. The persistent increases in A. alpigena mirrored strong monsoon intensity in the middle Holocene (9.4–4.6 kyr BP). After 4.6 kyr BP, the reduction of A. alpigena was related to weak monsoon intensity in the late Holocene. The main trends of diatom evolution show a general correspondence to variations in solar insolation. Three visible excursions, with an increase in P. brevistriata and a drop in A. alpigena, centered at around 8.4, 2.5, and 0.3 kyr BP, correlate with low sunspot numbers and known cold events in the North Atlantic. Some similarities and correlations between the Holocene diatom data, the North Atlantic record, and solar insolation indicate that variations in the Asian monsoon response to changes in solar forcing and the North Atlantic climate.
Changes in atmospheric circulation and temperature trends in major vineyard regions of New Zealand

This paper contributes to knowledge of the impact of global warming on viticulture, using major vineyard regions of New Zealand as a case study to illustrate regional disparities in climate change impacts resulting from downscale effects of larger scale atmospheric circulation. Recent trends in air temperature in New Zealand vineyard areas are investigated. Trends since 1941 in Marlborough show an increase in temperature range, with both rising maximum temperatures and declining minimum temperatures, but no change in the annual mean. More hot days and frosts are of concern to viticulturalists, and this trend not only differs from other major vineyard areas, but also occurs at other sites in eastern parts of the country. The relationship between changes in atmospheric circulation over New Zealand and observed trends in temperature and frost occurrence at Blenheim is investigated using the Kidson weather type classification for the period 1958–2010 and the Trenberth M1 index. The increased temperature range is expected to be associated with more frequent clear skies along the east coast of the country, resulting from changes in weather patterns (more frequent anticyclones, fewer low‐pressure systems, increased zonal and southerly flow). These changes in weather patterns are shown to be closely linked to larger scale changes in atmospheric circulation via the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Southern Oscillation. The results show that significant regional variations in the impact of global warming can occur over areas of complex terrain such as New Zealand. Observed differences in local temperature and frost trends can be caused by the interaction of changing weather systems with mountainous terrain. These changing weather systems themselves are seen to be the result of major shifts in the larger scale atmospheric circulation. These results are important for assessing possible impacts on viticulture and in developing adaptation strategies for agriculture in response to predicted future climates.
Stochastic analysis of transport in unsaturated heterogeneous soils uder transient flow regimes

Approximate analytic solutions are developed to predict the transport of inert solutes in variably saturated, randomly heterogeneous porous media subject to a random boundary flux condition. The mean and variance of solute mass flux past a series of vadose zone control planes are determined using a Lagrangian approach. The method requires the specification of an advective travel time probability density function (pdf) between the soil surface and the control planes and an impulse response function which quantifies the specific flow and transport processes that affect the solute along an individual streamline in the soil. In this study an advective‐dispersive impulse response function for inert solute is assumed, and an advective travel time pdf is derived from the statistics of the boundary flux and soil properties using a one‐dimensional transient vadose zone flow model [Foussereau et al., this issue]. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted using random boundary flux sequences and spatially correlated random hydraulic conductivity fields in a multidimensional variably saturated flow and transport code to test the analytic model assumptions. The analytic model accurately predicts the ensemble mean solute flux breakthrough curves for a variety of soil‐climate combinations. The general behavior of the coefficient of variation of solute flux is also accurately reproduced; however, the minimum coefficient of variation at the mean center of mass was slightly underpredicted in most cases. Results show that for shallow soils in humid climates, boundary flux variability dominates soil variability in determining the uncertainty of solute transport predictions in the vadose zone.
Environmental Influence on the Response of Aquatic Laboratory Ecosystems to a Toxicant

The influence of prevailing environmental conditions on population and community responses to chronic toxicant perturbation was addressed in a 36-month laboratory ecosystem study. A series of 16 aquatic communities incorporating guppy, amphipod, snail, planaria, algal, and microbial populations were established in 750-L (200-gal) fiberglass tanks and were monitored monthly for changes in population biomasses. The environmental variables were the exploitation levels of the fish populations and the energy input and habitat availability. The development and resultant near steady states of the predator, prey, and competitor populations were represented graphically using phase plane analysis. Both the density-dependent and the time-dependent responses of the laboratory ecosystems to ''established'' sublethal dieldrin exposure varied according to the prevailing levels of environmental conditions. The ecologically different outcomes ranged from substantial perturbation, including mortalities but with eventual recovery to the preexposure population densities and community structure, to the extinction of a major population as a result of sublethal effects.
The association of admission random blood glucose concentration and body-mass index with mortality in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the association between hyperglycemia and body mass index (BMI), along with other associated comorbidities in hospitalized COVID-19 patients among the Indonesian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study conducted at Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung between March 1, 2020, and August 30, 2020. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test for categorical data and unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney alternative test for numerical data using SPSS version 24.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0. IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and GraphPad Prism version 7.0 for Windows. RESULTS A total of 142 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were documented between March and August 2020 at the Hasan Sadikin Hospital. Among the 142 patients, 116 (81.7%) survived, while 26 (18.3%) died. Sex, age, BMI, number of comorbidities, heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, platelet count, random blood glucose (RBG), and length of stay (LOS) were significantly associated with mortality. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that admission RBG levels > 140 mg/dl were independently associated with an increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1-17.5, p = 0.043), while BMI > 25 kg/m2 was significantly associated with reduced mortality (OR, 0.22; 95% CI 0.05-0.88, p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS Admission hyperglycemia, indicated by an increase in RBG levels >140 mg/dL, is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, while obesity (BMI >25 kg/m2) might have protective properties against the risk of death.
Palynology, vegetation and climate of the Waikato lowlands, North Island, New Zealand, since c. 18,000 years ago

Abstract The vegetational and climatic history of the Waikato lowlands during the last c. 18,000 years is inferred from the palynology of sediment cores from Lakes Rotomanuka, Rotokauri, and Okoroire. Intra- and inter-lake correlations were aided by multiple tephra layers interbedded with the lake sediments. The detailed chronological resolution given by these tephra sequences shows that late glacialpost glacial vegetational and climatic changes were nearly simultaneous throughout the Waikato lowlands.
Scour holes downstream of bed sills in low-gradient channels

An experimental study on long local scouring downstream of bed sills in a monogranular sand bed was carried out in the hydraulic laboratory flume at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (Italy). The main objectives of this study were to determine scour hole dimension, with its maximum scour depth as a function of time and at the equilibrium stage, the scour hole shapes and the investigation of the influence of sills on the distribution of the three-velocity components through the scour hole at the same stage. Four experimental configurations were tested, the main difference between them being the distance between sills. Based on experimental data, the classical dimensional analysis of the variables that influence the development of the scour hole has been carried out in order to obtain two empirical formulas predicting the maximum scour depth and the length of the scour hole at the equilibrium stage. Moreover, it was observed that the distance between sills influences the scour hole dimension and shape. The three-velocity components of the flow, measured with an acoustic Doppler velocimeter, show that in the scour hole, at the equilibrium stage, the three components of the flow turbulence intensities are very high. Near-bed flow vortexes in addition to secondary currents are also observed.
Crustal anisotropy in north Taiwan from shear-wave splitting

Using the seismic data recorded by 13 seismic stations in north Taiwan from July 1991 to December 2002, this study analyzes the feature of shear-wave splitting in north Taiwan by SAM method of shear-wave splitting. The results show that predominant polarization directions of fast shear-waves at Yilan basin strikes to nearly E-W, while polarization directions at mountain ranges (Western Foothill, HsuCeshan Range and Central Range) are in NNE or NE direction. Polarizations are scattered if the stations are on seashore or on island, and often have two predominant polarizations, which may be caused by irregular topography or complicated local tectonics. From the spatial distribution of time delays, we also find that taking station TWE as a boundary, time delays at station TWE and north of the station are longer than those at south of the station. It possibly suggests that anisotropy at station TWE and north of the station are stronger than anisotropy at south of the station.
Structure of coastal dunes: observations from ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys

The structure of coastal dunes from three different sites within Wales, UK, have been investigated using ground penetrating radar (GPR), revealing the internal structure of the dunes. GPR provides a unique insight into the internal structure of coastal dunes that cannot be achieved by any other non-destructive or geophysical technique. The profiles presented show results from surveys investigating sand thickness and distribution, and dune structure and statigraphy. Surveys at Towyn Warren map the base of the sands with their structure interpreted as a transgressive sand sheet that wedges out towards the North. Surveys at The Bennet reveal a complex internal structure of prograding units and cross-cutting erosion surfaces allowing the construction of a relative chronology for the dune. Profiles from Freshwater reveal sets of sedimentary structures including cross- stratification, dipping foresets, cut and fill troughs, bounding surfaces and erosion surfaces. These structures are interpreted in terms of the dunes evolution allowing the identification of periods of accretion and progradation, erosion, re-working, stabilization and major events in the dunes history. The water table is resolved, and the effect of saline waters on attenuation is shown.
Declining Aerosols in CMIP5 Projections: Effects on Atmospheric Temperature Structure and Midlatitude Jets

The effects of declining anthropogenic aerosols in representative concentration pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) are assessed in four models from phase 5 the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), with a focus on annual, zonal-mean atmospheric temperature structure and zonal winds. For each model, the effect of declining aerosols is diagnosed from the difference between a projection forced by RCP4.5 for 2006‐2100 and another that has identical forcing, except that anthropogenic aerosols are fixed at early twenty-first-century levels. The response to declining aerosols is interpreted in terms of the meridional structure of aerosol radiative forcing, which peaks near 408N and vanishes at the South Pole. Increasing greenhouse gases cause amplified warming in the tropical upper troposphere and strengthening midlatitude jets in both hemispheres. However, for declining aerosols the vertically averaged tropospheric temperature response peaks near 408N, rather than in the tropics. This implies that for declining aerosols the tropospheric meridional temperature gradient generally increases in the Southern Hemisphere (SH), but in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) it decreases in the tropics and subtropics. Consistent with thermal wind balance, the NH jet then strengthens on its poleward side and weakens on its equatorward side, whereas the SH jet strengthens more than the NH jet. The asymmetric response of the jets is thus consistent with the meridional structure of aerosol radiative forcing and the associated tropospheric warming: in the NH thelatitudeofmaximumwarmingis roughlycollocatedwith thejet, whereasin theSH warmingisstrongestin the tropics and weakest at high latitudes.
Phase transformations in the earth's mantle and subducting slabs: Implications for their compositions, seismic velocity and density structures and dynamics

Phase transformations in model mantle compositions and those in subducting slabs have been reviewed to a depth of 800 km on the basis of recent high-pressure experimental data. Seismic velocity and density profiles in these compositions have also been calculated using these and other mineral physics data. The nature of the seismic velocity and density profiles calculated for a pyrolite composition was found to generally agree with those determined by seismic observations (e.g. PREM). The locations of the seismic discontinuities at 400 and 670 km correspond almost exactly to the depths where the transformations of the olivine component to denser phases take place. Moreover, the steep gradients in the seismic velocity/density profiles observed between these depths are qualitatively consistent with those expected from the successive transformations in the complementary pyroxene-garnet component in the pyrolite composition. Further, the calculated seismic velocity and density values agree well with those observed in the upper mantle and mantle transition region within the uncertainties attached to these calculations and observations. Pyrolite or peridotite compositions are thus most likely to represent the composition of the mantle above 670 km depth, although some degrees of chemical heterogeneity may exist in the transition region. The observed sharp discontinuous increases of seismic velocities and density at this depth may be attributed either to the phase transformation to a perovskite-bearing assemblage in pyrolite or to chemical composition changes. Density profiles in subducted slabs have been calculated along adequate geotherms assuming that the slabs are composed of the former oceanic crust underlain by a thicker harzburgitic layer. It is shown that the former oceanic crust is substantially less dense than the surrounding pyrolite mantle at depths below 670 km, while it is denser than pyrolite in the upper mantle and the transition region. The subducted former oceanic crust may be trapped in this region, forming a geochemically enriched layer at the upper mantle-lower mantle boundary. Thick and cool slabs may penetrate into the lower mantle, but the chemically derived buoyancy may result in strong deformation and formation of megalith structures around the 670 km seismic discontinuity. These structures are consistent with those detected by recent seismic tomography studies for subduction zones.
CULTURAL NICHE CONSTRUCTION WITH APPLICATION TO FERTILITY CONTROL: A MODEL OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL TRANSMISSION OF CONTRACEPTIVE USE

The evolution of a cultural trait may be affected by niche construction, or changes in the selective environment of that trait due to the inheritance of other cultural traits that make up a cultural background. This study investigates the evolution of a cultural trait, such as the use of contraception, that is both vertically and horizontally transmitted within a homogeneous social network. Individuals conform to the norm, and adopters of the trait have fewer progeny than others. The study examines the effects of a vertically transmitted aspect of the cultural background, such as the preference for high or low levels of education, on the evolution of contraceptive use. This provides an example of cultural niche construction that facilitates the spread of traits with low Darwinian fitness while providing an environment that counteracts conformity to norms. Thus niche construction can facilitate the ‘demographic transition’, whereby a reduction in fertility follows a reduction in mortality.