Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wave energy and swimming performance shape coral reef fish assemblages

Physical factors often have an overriding influence on the distribution patterns of organisms, and can ultimately shape the long-term structure of communities. Although distribution patterns in sessile marine organisms have frequently been attributed to functional characteristics interacting with wave-induced water motion, similar evidence for mobile organisms is lacking. Links between fin morphology and swimming performance were examined in three diverse coral reef fish families from two major evolutionary lineages. Among-habitat variation in morphology and performance was directly compared with quantitative values of wave-induced water motion from seven coral reef habitats of different depth and wave exposure on the Great Barrier Reef. Fin morphology was strongly correlated with both field and experimental swimming speeds in all three families. The range of observed swimming speeds coincided closely with the magnitude of water velocities commonly found on coral reefs. Distribution patterns in all three families displayed highly congruent relationships between fin morphology and wave-induced water motion. Our findings indicate a general functional relationship between fin morphology and swimming performance in labriform-swimming fishes, and provide quantitative evidence that wave energy may directly influence the assemblage structure of coral reef fishes through interactions with morphology and swimming performance.
Zofenopril or irbesartan plus hydrochlorothiazide in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension untreated or uncontrolled by previous treatment: a double-blind, randomized study

Objective: To compare zofenopril + hydrochlorothiazide (Z + H) vs. irbesartan + hydrochlorothiazide (I + H) efficacy on daytime SBP in elderly (>65 years) patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), untreated or uncontrolled by a previous monotherapy. Methods: After a 1-week run-in, 230 ISH patients (office SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg + daytime SBP ≥ 135 mmHg and daytime DBP < 85 mmHg) were randomized double-blind to 18-week treatment with Z + H (30 + 12.5 mg) or I + H (150 + 12.5 mg) once daily, in an international, multicenter study. Z and I doses could be doubled after 6 and 12 weeks, and nitrendipine 20 mg added at 12 weeks in nonnormalized patients. Results: In the full analysis set (n = 216) baseline-adjusted average (95% confidence interval) daytime SBP reductions after 6 weeks (primary study end point) were similar (P = 0.888) with Z + H [7.7 (10.7, 4.6) mmHg, n = 107] and I + H [7.9 (10.7, 5.0) mmHg, n = 109]. Daytime SBP reductions were sustained during the study, and larger (P = 0.028) with low-dose Z + H at study end [16.2 (20.0, 12.5) mmHg vs. 11.2 (14.4, 7.9) mmHg I + H]. Daytime SBP normalization (<135 mmHg) rate was similar under Z + H and I + H at 6 and 12 weeks, but more common under Z + H at 18 weeks (68.2 vs. 56.0%, P = 0.031). Both drugs equally reduced SBP in the last 6 h of the dosing interval and homogeneously reduced SBP throughout the 24 h. The proportion of patients reporting drug-related adverse events was low (Z + H: 4.4% vs. I + H: 6.0%; P = 0.574). Conclusion: Elderly patients with ISH respond well to both low and high-dose Z or I combined with H.
Differential Temporal and Spatial Preservation of Archaeological Sites in a Great Lakes Coastal Zone

Abstract Analysis of regional site taphonomy that incorporates depositional and postdepositional histories has become increasingly important in understanding the nature of preserved site populations and the strategies necessary for their discovery. We applied a systematic archival and field strategy directed at understanding such taphonomic processes in the coastal sand dunes of the northern and eastern Lake Michigan basin, and coupled these with a tactically directed program of OSL, 14C, and AMS dating. We demonstrate that long-term geological processes including lake level variation, episodic dune activation and stabilization, and the long-term effects of postglacial isostatic adjustments have markedly affected the potential for preservation of sites in coastal dune contexts over time and across subregions of the basin. Preservation potential for different time periods in coastal dunes is largely not synchronous with that of southern Michigan floodplains, posing substantial inferential problems. The archaeology of coastal dunes specifically, and coastal zones generally, must be used with extreme caution when cast against archaeological data from landforms with different formation processes and histories. While particularly true for the Great Lakes region, these results have implications for regional research broadly.
Dynamical study, hydrogen bond analysis, and constant pH simulations of the beta carbonic anhydrase of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

Within the five classes (α, β, γ, δ, and ζ) of carbonic anhydrases (CAs) the first two, containing mammal and plant representatives, are the most studied among all CAs. In this study, we have focused our investigation on the beta-class carbonic anhydrase of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum. We investigated both the importance of the Asp-Arg dyad near the catalytic zinc-bound water and the possible roles that water molecules within the active site and residues near the entrance of the catalytic cleft have on the first step of the enzyme’s reaction mechanism. Hydrogen-bonding analysis of selected residues within the active site and constant pH replica exchange molecular dynamics constant pH replica exchange simulations were performed. The latter was done in order to evaluate the pKa values of possible proton acceptors. We found an intricate hydrogen-bonding network involving two acidic residues within the active site, Asp16 and Asp34, and the catalytic water molecule. We also observed a very strong interaction between the zinc-bound water and residues Asp34 and Arg36. This interaction was not significantly affected by the change in the protonation state of both the catalytic water and aspartate residue 34. The pKa analysis show that the effect of the R36A mutation affects not only the possible proton acceptors, but also the catalytic water itself.
ABDOMINAL RESCUE AFTER FAILED CEPHALIC REPLACEMENT

Background Since the introduction of cephalic replacement for shoulder dystocia, the management of failures has not been addressed. The purpose of this report is to describe abdominal hysterotomy as an alternative approach to the resolution of shoulder dystocia. Case A 21-year-old woman, gravida 1, experienced severe shoulder dystocia following partial delivery of a 4320-g infant. Classical maneuvers as well as cephalic replacement were unsuccessful before and after general anesthesia. A low transverse hysterotomy permitted manual rotation of the anterior shoulder to the oblique diameter and further descent of the posterior shoulder. Delivery of the posterior arm was then completed without difficulty. Conclusion Persistent failed cephalic replacement, especially after general anesthesia, can be successfully resolved with a hysterotomy using a low transverse uterine incision.
INCREASED LEVELS OF GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS DURING SEPTIC SHOCK: RELATION TO MORTALITY AND THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIONS OF PLASMA

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are structurally heterogeneous negatively charged polysaccharides. Endothelial GAGs, also known as glycocalyx, are involved in capillary permeability. In rat venules stimulated with proinflammatory substances ex vivo, the GAG-containing proteoglycan, syndecan-1, is shed from the endothelium. We wanted to investigate if we could trace the same response during septic shock as reflected in the circulating GAG levels. Arterial plasma samples were collected from 18 consecutive septic shock patients admitted to our intensive care unit. Plasma GAGs were measured with an Alcian blue slot binding assay, and syndecan-1 levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Effects of GAGs on the antibacterial activity of plasma were assessed by a radial diffusion assay. The median plasma GAG level was significantly higher in the septic shock patients than in matched controls (median [interquartile range], 2.7 &mgr;g/mL [1.9 - 4.8 &mgr;g/mL] vs. 1.8 &mgr;g/mL [1.7 - 2.0 &mgr;g/mL]). Furthermore, the GAG levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors (4.6 &mgr;g/mL [3.1 - 8.8 &mgr;g/mL], n = 8) than survivors (1.8 &mgr;g/mL [1.6 - 2.6 &mgr;g/mL], n = 10). The syndecan-1 levels were also increased in the patients compared with controls (246 ng/mL [180 - 496 ng/mL] vs. 26 ng/mL [23 - 31 ng/mL]) and correlated to the cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. The GAGs inhibited the endogenous antibacterial activity of plasma as well as isolated antimicrobial peptides. The concentrations required were in the same range as the GAG levels measured in the patients. These results show that the GAG levels are increased in septic shock patients, possibly reflecting peripheral endothelial cell damage. We also found that GAGs in relevant concentrations neutralize antimicrobial peptides in plasma.ABBREVIATIONS-GAG-glycosaminoglycan; PG-proteoglycan; CS-chondroitin sulfate; AMP-antimicrobial peptides; RDA-radial diffusion assay; TSB-tryptic soy broth; BPI-bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein; DEAE-diethylaminoethyl
Cross-Calibration of Daily Growth Increments, Stable Isotope Variation, and Temperature in the Gulf of California Bivalve Mollusk Chione cortezi: Implications for Paleoenvironmental Analysis

Abstract Annual-oxygen isotope profiles from two live-collected specimens of Chione cortezi Carpenter were analyzed in conjunction with daily growth-increment width profiles and high-resolution temperature records from the same site in the northern Gulf of California. The daily growth-increment profiles serve to date the deposition of the δ18O samples. Then the δ18O values were compared with high-resolution temperature records from the same site. Shell deposition began in late March or early April and ended in late November or early December. δ18O-derived estimates of the maximum and minimum temperature thresholds of growth agree well with those obtained from the dated increment width profile. Shell deposition in these two specimens of C. cortezi from the northern Gulf began when temperature warmed above ∼17°C and slowed or halted when temperature rose above ∼31°C. The temporal resolution of stable isotope samples varies throughout the year. Samples with the coarsest resolution (>3 weeks) were taken from parts of the shell deposited near the minimum and maximum temperature thresholds of growth. Higher resolution samples have intermediate δ 18O values and most represent less than five days of growth. Calculated temperatures from the dated oxygen-isotope samples are similar to observed temperatures. Differences reflect the effects of daily temperature variation, tidal emergence, and enrichment in δ18O of the water in which the clams grew. Stable oxygen-isotope samples used in conjunction with increment-width profiles can provide paleoenvironmental information at sub-weekly to sub-monthly resolution.
Oscillation period and power consumption in configurable self-timed ring oscillators

A simple and accurate analytical model for evaluating the oscillation period of Self-timed rings is proposed. Thank to this model, the designer can easily choose the number of stages and the appropriate ring initialization. The model is so simple that it can quickly provide an estimation of the oscillation period only with a paper sheet and a pen. Nevertheless it takes into account analog effect called “Charlie effect”. The Charlie effect is of prime importance when modeling the behavior of asynchronous rings. Moreover the relation between power consumption, ring initialization and stage implementation is showed. In order to validate our model, comparisons have been made with electrical simulations demonstrating the validity of our approach.
A preliminary study of insect fauna on pig carcasses located in sugarcane in winter in southeastern Brazil

Minimum post‐mortem intervals can be estimated based on analyses of the pattern of insect succession on a carcass. In order to successfully apply this approach, insect development rates must be considered with regard to local regional climatic conditions. This study is the first to analyse insect succession on carcasses decomposing in a sugarcane crop in Brazil. In all seasons, Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) were frequent visitors during the fresh and bloated stages of decomposition, whereas Dermestes maculatus (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Dermistdae), Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Oxelytrum sp. (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were characteristic at the most advanced decomposition stages. The fact that climatic variations influence the occurrence of insect species and vegetation in the tropics may help to solve crimes through sampling of the local insect fauna, as may the fact that only certain groups of insects occur in specific regions of large countries like Brazil.
Depression in multiple sclerosis: The utility of common self-report instruments and development of a disease-specific measure

The ultimate objective of the present investigation was to improve the detection of depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) by comparing common self-report depression measures to a new, modified measure, which takes into account the contribution that symptoms of MS may have on individuals’ reports. There has been a longstanding concern regarding the accurate assessment of depression in MS, particularly with regard to the overlap of MS symptomatology and neurovegetative depression symptoms on self-report questionnaires, which may lead to an overdiagnosis of depression in MS. To address these difficulties, we previously proposed a “trunk and branch” of depression in MS. This model allows for the delineation of what symptoms are most reflective of depression in MS. By identifying these symptoms, it was possible to develop a modified Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in which only the items found to be most related to depression in MS are included in the new measure, the MS Specific BDI (MS-BDI). We compared this measure to common self-report instruments (Beck Depression Inventory–Second Edition, BDI–II; Beck Depression Inventory–Fast Screen, BDI–FS; Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory, CMDI). Results suggest that cutoffs of 4 on the BDI–FS and 23 on the CMDI Mood subscale are most useful when screening for depression in MS, with a sensitivity for both of 100%, while a cutoff of 19 on the BDI–II, a cutoff of 22 on the CMDI Evaluative scale, and a cutoff of 8 on the MS-BDI had high specificities, suggesting they can be used as to assist in diagnosing depression in MS.
Climbing fiber synapse elimination in cerebellar Purkinje cells

Innervation of Purkinje cells (PCs) by multiple climbing fibers (CFs) is refined into mono‐innervation during the first three postnatal weeks of rodents’ lives. In this review article, we will integrate the current knowledge on developmental process and mechanisms of CF synapse elimination. In the ‘creeper’ stage of CF innervation (postnatal day 0 (P0)∼), CFs creep among PC somata to form transient synapses on immature dendrites. In the ‘pericellular nest’ stage (P5∼), CFs densely surround and innervate PC somata. CF innervation is then displaced to the apical portion of PC somata in the ‘capuchon’ stage (P9∼), and translocate to dendrites in the ‘dendritic’ (P12∼) stage. Along with the developmental changes in CF wiring, functional and morphological distinctions become larger among CF inputs. PCs are initially innervated by more than five CFs with similar strengths (∼P3). During P3–7 only a single CF is selectively strengthened (functional differentiation), and it undergoes dendritic translocation from P9 on (dendritic translocation). Following the functional differentiation, perisomatic CF synapses are eliminated nonselectively; this proceeds in two distinct phases. The early phase (P7–11) is conducted independently of parallel fiber (PF)–PC synapse formation, while the late phase (P12–17) critically depends on it. The P/Q‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channel in PCs triggers selective strengthening of single CF inputs, promotes dendritic translocation of the strengthened CFs, and drives the early phase of CF synapse elimination. In contrast, the late phase is mediated by the mGluR1–Gαq–PLCβ4–PKCγ signaling cascade in PCs driven at PF–PC synapses, whose structural connectivity is stabilized and maintained by the GluRδ2–Cbln1–neurexin system.
Recombinant PrP and Its Contribution to Research on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

The misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the disease-associated isoform (PrPSc) and its accumulation as amyloid fibrils in the central nervous system is one of the central events in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Due to the proteinaceous nature of the causal agent the molecular mechanisms of misfolding, interspecies transmission, neurotoxicity and strain phenomenon remain mostly ill-defined or unknown. Significant advances were made using in vivo and in cellula models, but the limitations of these, primarily due to their inherent complexity and the small amounts of PrPSc that can be obtained, gave rise to the necessity of new model systems. The production of recombinant PrP using E. coli and subsequent induction of misfolding to the aberrant isoform using different techniques paved the way for the development of cell-free systems that complement the previous models. The generation of the first infectious recombinant prion proteins with identical properties of brain-derived PrPSc increased the value of cell-free systems for research on TSEs. The versatility and ease of implementation of these models have made them invaluable for the study of the molecular mechanisms of prion formation and propagation, and have enabled improvements in diagnosis, high-throughput screening of putative anti-prion compounds and the design of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide an overview of the resultant advances in the prion field due to the development of recombinant PrP and its use in cell-free systems.
A 4MHz BW 69dB SNDR continuous-time delta-sigma modulator with reduced sensitivity to clock jitter

A 3rd-order 1-bit continuous-time delta-sigma modulator (CTDSM) is reported. By shaping the 1-bit DAC feedback current with the proposed multi-step return-to-zero (RZ) waveform, the CTDSM achieves reduced sensitivity to clock jitter. In addition, the modulator adopts a proposed excess-loop-delay (ELD) compensation scheme. For a 4-MHz bandwidth, the CTDSM achieves a dynamic range of 71.5dB and a peak SNDR of 69 dB. Fabricated in a 0.18-μm CMOS, this chip dissipates 16.9 mW from a 1.8-V supply.
The influence of chair height on lower limb mechanics during rising

The mechanics of the lower limb were analyzed in young, adult normal subjects when rising from a seated position. Limb mechanics were described in terms of flexion–extension motion and moments at the hip, knee and ankle while rising from four seat heights corresponding to 65, 80, 100, and 115% of the subject's knee joint height. The results indicate that the maximum moment tending to flex the hip joint was higher than that occurring at the knee or ankle. The magnitude of the maximum flexion moment at the hip was not substantially influenced by chair height, changing by < 12% between the highest and lowest chair heights. Conversely, the maximum knee flexion moments were found to be highly dependent on chair height and nearly doubled from the highest to the lowest position. The magnitude of the moments at the ankle did not change with chair height and were significantly lower than the magnitude of the moments found during normal walking. The magnitude of motion and moments at the hip were greater during chair‐rising than during stair‐climbing or walking. The range of motion required at the knee for the lower chair heights was also greater than was reported during stair‐climbing studies. Thus, the combination of moments in joint angles during chair‐rising are unique among common activities of daily living and should be considered in chair selection as well as in the guidelines for prosthetic devices.
A MULTI-OBJECTIVE MEMETIC ALGORITHM FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN OF FRP COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

An approach for decreasing costs in lightweight structures using FRP composite materials is applied considering hybrid construction where expensive and high-stiffness materials are used together with inexpensive and low-stiffness material. So, a Multi-objective Memetic Algorithm (MOMA) searching Pareto-optimal front is proposed. The trade-off between minimum weight/sustainable costs and minimum strain energy, depending on given stress, displacement and buckling constraints imposed on composite structures, is searched. Results show that MOMA is promising in multi-objective optimization of FRP composite hybrid structures based on sustainability concepts.
Modeling speaker variability using long short-term memory networks for speech recognition

Speaker adaptation of deep neural networks (DNNs) based acoustic models is still a challenging area of research. Considering that long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have been successfully applied to many sequence prediction and sequence labeling tasks, we propose to use LSTM RNNs for modeling speaker variability in automatic speech recognition (ASR). Firstly, the LSTM RNNs are used for extracting d-vectors (deep vector), which are then concatenated with the raw features for acoustic models. The speaker information provided by d-vectors helps DNNs based acoustic models ﬁgure out the speaker normalization during training. Furthermore, motivated by the idea that speech message can also be useful for speaker recognition, a new network called as cross-LSTM is proposed, which consist of two LSTMs: one for classifying speakers and the other for classifying senones. As a result, the speaker recognition and speech recognition are conducted simultaneously. Experiments are conducted on a conversational telephone speech corpus. Experimental results show the proposed models are effective for alleviating speaker variability in ASR, and yield 6% relative improvement for the LSTMP RNNs based systems.