Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermoelasticity of tremolite amphibole: Geophysical implications

Abstract We investigated the structure, equation of state, thermodynamics, and elastic properties of tremolite amphibole [Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2] up to 10 GPa and 2000 K, using first principles simulations based on density functional perturbation theory. We found that at 300 K, the pressure-volume results can be adequately described by a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state with bulk moduli K0 of 78.5 and 66.3 GPa based on local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA), respectively. We also derived its coefficients of the elastic tensor based on LDA and GGA and found that the LDA result is in good agreement with the experimental results. At 300 K, the shear modulus G0 is 58.0 GPa based on LDA. The pressure derivative of the bulk modulus K′ is 5.9, while that of the shear modulus G′ is 1.3. The second Grüneisen parameter, or δT = [–1/(αKT)](∂KT/∂T)P, is 3.3 based on LDA. We found that at ambient conditions, tremolite is elastically anisotropic with the compressional wave velocity anisotropy AVP being 34.6% and the shear wave velocity anisotropy AVS being 27.5%. At higher pressure corresponding to the thermodynamic stability of tremolite, i.e., ~3 GPa, the AVP reduces to 29.5%, whereas AVS increases to 30.8%. To evaluate whether the presence of hydrous phases such as amphibole and phlogopite could account for the observed shear wave velocity (VS) anomaly at the mid-lithospheric discontinuity (MLD), we used the thermoelasticities of tremolite (as a proxy for other amphiboles), phlogopite, and major mantle minerals to construct synthetic velocity profiles. We noted that at depths corresponding to the mid-lithosphere, the presence of 25 vol% amphibole and 1 vol% phlogopite could account for a VS reduction of 2.3%. Thus based on our thermoelasticity results on tremolite amphibole, it seems that mantle metasomatism could partly explain the MLD.
Mobile stroke unit versus standard medical care in the management of patients with acute stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Mobile stroke units have recently been introduced in the care of patients suspected of having an acute stroke, leading to shortening in the time to thrombolytics. We aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness in terms of functional outcome and survival among patients treated in mobile stroke unit and/or conventional care. Methods A systematic search of electronic databases, comparing the clinical outcomes among patients with acute stroke in the same study was conducted from 1990 to 2019. Pooled and subgroup analysis were performed using the random- and fixed-effect model based upon the I2 heterogeneity. Results A total of 21,297 patients from 11 publications (seven randomized controlled trials and four non-randomized controlled trials including prospective cohort studies) were retrieved. This included 6065 (n = 28.4%) of the patients treated in the mobile stroke unit and 71.6% (n = 15,232) of the patients managed in the conventional care. The mean age at clinical presentation (70.1 ± 14.5 vs. 71.05 ± 15.8) and National Institute Health Stroke Scale (9.8 ± 1.7 vs. 8.4 ± 1.5) was comparable (p > 0.05) in patients treated with mobile stroke unit and conventional care, respectively. The mean time-to-treatment window was significantly shorter among the patients treated in mobile stroke unit compared to conventional care (62.0 min vs. 75.0 min; p = 0.03, respectively). The pooled analysis of clinical outcome at day 7 indicated that patients treated in mobile stroke unit had 1.46-folds higher likelihood of better clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale 0–2) than those in the hospital (odds ratio: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.306–2.03, p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in terms of mortality (odds ratio: 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.81–1.18, p = 0.80), stroke-related neurological deficits (odds ratio: 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 0.81–2.32, p = 0.24), and other serious adverse events (odds ratio: 0.69, 95% confidence interval: 0.39–1.20, p = 0.19) among patients treated in mobile stroke unit versus conventional care. Conclusion Our results corroborate that patients treated in mobile stroke unit lead to short-term recovery following acute stroke without influencing the mortality rate. Further prospective studies are needed to validate our results.
Imperfect state of Eutypella parasitica in culture

Isolates of Eutypella parasitica Dav. and Lor. obtained from mycelial fans, infected bark tissue, and ascospores from different maple cankers produced conidia in culture on most standard media when exposed to light but not in the dark. Hyaline, one-celled, crescent-shaped, spores 1.3–1.8 μm wide and 25–32 μm long were extruded in gelatinous yellow or butterscotch cirri from pycnidiumlike structures or more open labyrinthiform structures which developed within the mycelium. Spores were borne terminally on branched conidiophores. The shape of these spores varied among different isolates. Conidia did not germinate when placed on several media, including host tissue, or when incubated over a wide temperature or pH range. The perfect state was not induced in culture despite various treatments, including incubation of mixed cultures for 2 years.
Systematic Parameterization of Divalent Metal Ions for the OPC3, OPC, TIP3P-FB, and TIP4P-FB Water Models.

Divalent metal ions play important roles in biological and materials systems. Molecular dynamics simulation is an efficient tool to investigate these systems at the microscopic level. Recently, four new water models (OPC3, OPC, TIP3P-FB, and TIP4P-FB) have been developed and better represent the physical properties of water than previous models. Metal ion parameters are dependent on the water model employed, making it necessary to develop metal ion parameters for select new water models. In the present work, we performed parameter scanning for the 12-6 Lennard-Jones nonbonded model of divalent metal ions in conjunction with the four new water models as well as the four previous water models (TIP3P, SPC/E, TIP4P, and TIP4P-Ew). We found that these new three-point and four-point water models provide comparable or significantly improved performance for the simulation of divalent metal ions when compared to previous water models in the same category. Among all eight water models, the OPC3 water model yields the best performance for the simulation of divalent metal ions in the aqueous phase when using the 12-6 model. Based on the scanning results, we independently parameterized the 12-6 model for 24 divalent metal ions with each of the four new water models. As noted previously, the 12-6 model still fails to simultaneously reproduce the experimental hydration free energy (HFE) and ion-oxygen distance (IOD) values even with these new water models. To solve this problem, we parameterized the 12-6-4 model for the 16 divalent metal ions for which we have both experimental HFE and IOD values for each of the four new water models. The final parameters are able reproduce both the experimental HFE and IOD values accurately. To validate the transferability of our parameters, we carried out benchmark calculations to predict the energies and geometries of ion-water clusters as well as the ion diffusivity coefficient of Mg2+. By comparison to quantum chemical calculations and experimental data, these results show that our parameters are well designed and have excellent transferability. The metal ion parameters for the 12-6 and 12-6-4 models reported herein can be employed in simulations of various biological and materials systems when using the OPC3, OPC, TIP3P-FB, or TIP4P-FB water model.
Change in practice in gynecologic oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social media survey

Objective COVID-19 has affected gynecologic cancer management. The goal of this survey was to evaluate changes that occurred in gynecologic oncology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A anonymous survey consisting of 33 questions (https://sites.google.com/view/gyncacovidfmartinelli) regarding interaction between gynecologic cancers and COVID-19 was distributed online via social media from April 9 to April 30, 2020. Basic descriptive statistics were applied. Analytics of survey-diffusion and generated-interest (visualizations, engagement rates, response rate) were analyzed. Results The survey received 20 836 visualizations, generating an average engagement rates by reach of 4.7%. The response rate was 30%. A total of 86% of respondents completed the survey, for a total of 187 physicians surveyed across 49 countries. The majority (143/187; 76%) were gynecologic oncologists, and most were ≤50 years old (146/187; 78%). A total of 49.7% (93/187) were facing the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, while 26.7% (50/187) and 23.5% (44/187) were in the peak and plateau phases, respectively. For 97.3% (182/187) of respondents COVID-19 affected or changed their respective clinical practice. Between 16% (27/165) (before surgery) and 25% (26/102) (before medical treatment) did not perform any tests to rule out COVID-19 infection among patients. The majority of respondents did not alter indications of treatment if patients were COVID-19-negative, while treatments were generally postponed in COVID-19-positive patients. Treatments were considered priority for: early stage high-risk uterine cancers (85/187; 45%), newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer (76/187; 41%), and locally advanced cervical cancer (76/187; 41%). Treatment of early stage low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer was deferred according to 49% (91/187) of respondents, with hormonal treatment as the option of therapy (31%; 56/178). A total of 77% (136/177) of respondents reported no changes in (surgical) treatment for early stage cervical cancer in COVID-19-negative patients, while treatment was postponed by 54% (96/177) of respondent, if the patient tested COVID-19-positive. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancers was considered by over one-third of respondents as well as hypofractionation of radiation treatment for locally advanced cervical cancers. Conclusion COVID-19 affected the treatment of gynecologic cancers patients, both in terms of prioritization and identification of strategies to reduce hospital access and length of stay. Social media is a reliable tool to perform fast-tracking, worldwide surveys.
Especies de hormigas del suelo en el Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona, Pacífico Colombiano

Este trabajo compila registros publicados (1991) y no publicados (2006) sobre las especies de hormigas del PNN Gorgona y aporta nuevos registros de especies recolectadas en 2010. Se recopilo informacion de 15 diferentes sitios de isla Gorgona (13.82km 2 ), incluyendo la pequena isla de Gorgonilla (0.4899km 2 ). Los metodos de recolecta incluyeron trampas de caida, cebos de atun, sacos Winkler, trampas Malaise, red entomologica y captura directa. El inventario de hormigas de suelo y sotobosque resulto en 107 especies y morfoespecies, 46 generos y 12 subfamilias. Myrmicinae reunio la mayor riqueza (37 especies) seguida de Ponerinae (27) y Formicinae (12). Los generos mas ricos fueron Pachycondyla (15 especies), Camponotus (nueve) y Pheidole (ocho), mientras que 30 generos solo presentaron una especie . Doce especies fueron muy comunes: Azteca sp. , Atta cephalotes, Camponotus sericeiventris, Eciton vagans , Ectatomma goninion , Gnamptogenys annulata , Odontomachus bauri , Pachycondyla bugabensis , P. harpax , P. verenae , Paraponera clavata y Wasmannia auropunctata . En comparacion con otras islas neotropicales, Gorgona tiene un numero sorprendentemente elevado de especies de hormigas, ninguna de ellas invasivas. Por tanto, estos resultados sugieren que, mecanismos ecologicos y procesos de recuperacion natural en el ecosistema han generado disponibilidad de microhabitats permitiendo la coexistencia una gran riqueza de especies.
A Morphometric Analysis of Platelet Dense Granules of Patients with Unexplained Bleeding: A New Entity of Delta-Microgranular Storage Pool Deficiency

One thousand and eighty patients, having prolonged bleeding times, frequent epistaxis, menorrhagia or easy bruising or other bleeding manifestations, and excluding those with von Willebrand’s disease, were evaluated for platelet dense granule deficiency. The mean diameter of platelet dense granules was determined for all patients using image analysis. Four hundred and ninety-nine had “classic” dense (delta) granule storage pool deficiency (δ-SPD). Five hundred and eighty-one individuals (53.8%) were found to have a normal mean number of dense granules, but for some of these patients, the dense granules were smaller than for the controls. Of the patients having a normal number of dense granules, 165 (28.4%) were found to have significantly smaller granules than the platelets obtained from the control subjects. Their average granule diameter was 123.35 ± 0.86 nm, that is more than three standard deviations below the mean of the control data. Total δ-granule storage pool volumes (TDGV)/platelet were calculated using these measurements. Individuals with δ-SPD had half the number of granules (2.25 ± 0.04 DG/PL) and storage pool volume (3.88 ± 1.06 × 106 nm3) when compared to our control data (4.64 ± 0.11 DG/PL; 10.79 × 106 nm3 ± 0.42). Individuals having a bleeding history but a normal average of small dense granules had a calculated storage pool volume statistically different than controls and essentially the same storage pool volume as patients with δ-SPD. We have identified a sub-classification of δ-SPD that we have defined as micro-granular storage pool deficiency (δ-MGSPD).
Invasion of the exotic cladoceran Daphnia lumholtzi into North American reservoirs

Daphnia lumholtzi, a large cladoceran native to Africa, Asia, and Australia, has recently invaded reservoirs of the southern United States. We examined its distribution, history of invasion, and population dynamics in Missouri reservoirs. Surveys detected the species in 7 of 112 reservoirs in 1992 and 11 of 119 reservoirs in 1993. Analysis of quantitative zooplankton samples from two reservoirs over a 7-year period indicated that D. lumholtzi first reached detectable densities in 1990 and persisted during 1991–1993. Population maxima typically occurred in late summer, with the species absent from the plankton during winter and spring. Based on its current distributional patterns, D. lumholtzi appears to be capable of colonizing most reservoirs in the southern regions of North America.
Taninos y fenoles sobre la fermentación in vitro de leñosas forrajeras tropicales

Con el objetivo de determinar la actividad biologica de factores antinutricionales en nueve follajes y cinco frutos arboreos forrajeros de la region central del estado de Chiapas, Mexico, se llevo a cabo el presente trabajo durante el ano 2006. Los factores antinutricionales estudiados fueron polifenoles totales y taninos condensados. El metodo utilizado fue a traves de la tecnica de produccion de gas in vitro en medio rico en nitrogeno y la adicion o no de Polietilenglycol (PEGEG-4000). Se utilizo un diseno experimental completamente al azar, asi como regresiones y correlaciones lineales simples. La composicion quimica mostro una amplia variacion entre especies. El uso de PEGEG aumento significativamente (p < 0,05) la produccion de gas en los follajes de L. collinsii, G. ulmifolia, A. pennatula y A. milleriana y en los frutos A. milleriana, G. ulmifolia y L. collinsii. En el follaje, los incrementos en la produccion de gas estuvieron asociados inversamente a los altos contenidos de fenoles y taninos condensados de las especies (r -0,68, p < 0,04 y r-0,67, p < 0,03 respectivamente). En los frutos, no se encontro relacion entre fenoles y taninos y la produccion de gas, pero si se encontro asociacion inversa a las fracciones de fibra (FDN= r -0,97, p < 0,06 y FDA= r -0,94, p < 0,01). Resaltan las altas concentraciones de factores antinutricionales presentes en follajes de algunas especies y la importancia del PEGEG para demostrar la alta actividad de estos.
Effect of the pollen parent on oil content of the corn kernel

The oil content of the corn kernel is significantly influenced by both the seed parent and the pollen parent. Reciprocal crosses indicate a pronounced matroclinous tendency. The influence of the seed parent on composition of the endosperm is no more evident than in the germ in spite of its origin through triple fusion. Corn grown for studies of oil content should be produced by controlled pollination because of the considerable influence of the pollen parent.
High prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a nationwide population‐based study

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Population ageing and mortality during 1990–2017: A global decomposition analysis

Background As the number of older people globally increases, health systems need to be reformed to meet the growing need for medical resources. A few previous studies reported varying health impacts of population ageing, but they focused only on limited countries and diseases. We comprehensively quantify the impact of population ageing on mortality for 195 countries/territories and 169 causes of death. Methods and findings Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (GBD 2017), this study derived the total number of deaths and population size for each year from 1990 to 2017. A decomposition method was used to attribute changes in total deaths to population growth, population ageing, and mortality change between 1990 and each subsequent year from 1991 through 2017, for 195 countries/territories and for countries grouped by World Bank economic development level. For countries with increases in deaths related to population ageing, we calculated the ratio of deaths attributed to mortality change to those attributed to population ageing. The proportion of people aged 65 years and older increased globally from 6.1% to 8.8%, and the number of global deaths increased by 9 million, between 1990 and 2017. Compared to 1990, 12 million additional global deaths in 2017 were associated with population ageing, corresponding to 27.9% of total global deaths. Population ageing was associated with increases in deaths in high-, upper-middle-, and lower-middle-income countries but not in low-income countries. The proportions of deaths attributed to population ageing in 195 countries/territories ranged from −43.9% to 117.4% for males and −30.1% to 153.5% for females. The 2 largest contributions of population ageing to disease-specific deaths globally between 1990 and 2017 were for ischemic heart disease (3.2 million) and stroke (2.2 million). Population ageing was related to increases in deaths in 152 countries for males and 159 countries for females, and decreases in deaths in 43 countries for males and 36 countries for females, between 1990 and 2017. The decreases in deaths attributed to mortality change from 1990 to 2017 were more than the increases in deaths related to population ageing for the whole world, as well as in 55.3% (84/152) of countries for males and 47.8% (76/159) of countries for females where population ageing was associated with increased death burden. As the GBD 2017 does not provide variances in the estimated death numbers, we were not able to quantify uncertainty in our attribution estimates. Conclusions In this study, we found that population ageing was associated with substantial changes in numbers of deaths between 1990 and 2017, but the attributed proportion of deaths varied widely across country income levels, countries, and causes of death. Specific preventive and therapeutic techniques should be implemented in different countries and territories to address the growing health needs related to population ageing, especially targeting the diseases associated with the largest increase in number of deaths in the elderly.
Why Do Maize Hybrids Respond Differently to Variations in Plant Density

Maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield responds greatly to plant density (D). However, the hybrid-plant density interaction usually found is not well understood. The objective of this work was to analyze responses of different maize hybrids to D considering their biomass plasticity and reproductive partitioning. Responses to D were analyzed during 2 yr in three hybrids with contrasting maturity and plasticity. The relationships between aboveground biomass per plant at maturity (Bp) and D and between grain yield per plant (Yp) and Bp were used to explain hybrid responses to D. Optimum D ranged from 10.3 to 13.7 plants m -2 . The hybrid with the lowest optimum D presented the greatest biomass plasticity and reproductive partitioning. Increasing D produced an increase in biomass production per unit area in all hybrids. Contrarily, a greater harvest index (HI) with increasing D was only observed in the hybrids with the least plasticity. Increments in grain yield with increasing D were, in all cases, more associated with increases in biomass production than with increments in HI. Parameters of the equations B P - D and Yp -Bp were related to optimum D. To validate these relationships, an independent data set was used. Some of these parameters were associated with biomass plasticity and reproductive partitioning and could be used to explain and estimate the responses to D.