Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
South Los Angeles Since the 1960s: Race, Place, and Class

South Los Angeles embodies a complex history that captures the dynamics of spatial inequality. It is an area where some of the largest protests reacting to a system of racial oppression have imprinted a persistent image on the names South Central and Watts. This article analyzes how the stigma attached to the South Los Angeles area has translated to place specific forms of inequality. We take advantage of the consistency in the boundaries the Census used to collect data in the area from 1960 to 2016 to test hypotheses about the relative importance of race, place, and economic class in the Los Angeles region. The analysis revolves around three themes critical to furthering equality: housing, employment, and transportation. We find that the significance of place has changed significantly over the course of half a century without ever disappearing. In each of the themes we study, the significance of the factors we highlight changes, but South Los Angeles remains disadvantaged relative to the region.
A model of wind-influenced leaf litterfall in a mixed hardwood forest

Litterfall is an important ecological process in forest ecosystem functioning. Some attempts have been made to develop spatially explicit models of litterfall, but wind influence has never been included. Therefore, we studied the effect of wind on litterfall in an intimately mixed birch-oak forest using tree diameter and position as input data. After testing a litterfall model that assumed isotropic leaf dispersal, an anisotropic dispersal module was developed to account for wind influence. Using leaf fall data of 104 litter traps, isotropic and anisotropic models were optimized for silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), and red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and model quality was compared. The anisotropic leaf litterfall model proved to be relevant because (i) the estimated litterfall directions corresponded very well to prevailing wind directions during leaf fall and (ii) including directionality significantly increased the goodness of fit of the models for both oak species but not for birch. Consequently, prevailing wind directions during leaf fall affected leaf dispersal in a broad-leaved deciduous forest. Insight into the spatial variability of the litter layer in forest ecosystems can benefit from the improved understanding of small-scale litterfall processes.
Nuclear Morphology and the Biology of Cancer Cells

Background: For more than a century, diagnostic pathologists have used morphologic abnormalities of the nucleus as essential diagnostic features to distinguish benign from malignant cells. These features include nuclear enlargement and increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, nuclear membrane irregularities, hyperchromasia, and abnormal chromatin distribution. As our knowledge about the genetic and epigenetic abnormalities of cancer cells has increased in recent decades, the pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie these morphologic abnormalities remain incompletely understood. Summary: This review attempts to summarize biologic abnormalities in malignant cells related to these morphologic changes. The molecular anatomy of the nuclear envelope in normal and malignant cells is discussed as well as regulation of nuclear size and shape, regulation of signal transduction pathways by molecules of the nuclear envelope, chromatin distribution, and the effects of HPV infection on dysplastic cells in the uterine cervix. Key Message: Causes of morphologic nuclear abnormalities in malignant cells are likely multifactorial. They probably include mutations, dysregulation of signal transduction pathways, abnormal gene expression patterns, alterations of nuclear envelope proteins and chromatin, and aneuploidy.
The trajectory of COVID-19 scenario in Malaysia: facing the unprecedented

Abstract Background: Like other affected countries around the globe, Malaysia is shocked by the Coronavirus disease 2019, which is also known as COVID-19. Aims: This commentary article discusses the COVID-19 scenario in Malaysia, particularly in relation to the sudden increase in the number of new cases related to an international mass gathering. Findings: Projection through modelling helps the relevant authorities to act quickly and effectively, including enforcement of physical and social distancing. Modelling also assists in understanding the link between the biological processes that underpin transmission events and the population-level dynamics of the disease. Conclusion: There is no one-size-fits-all approach in managing disease outbreak. The fight against COVID-19 very much depends on their attitude during the 14-day Movement Control Order (MCO) which has been extended recently.
A Phishing Detection System for E-Banking Site

— Phishing is an attack that deals with social engineering methodology to illegally acquire and use someone else‟s data on behalf of legitimate website for own benefit (e.g. Steal of user‟s password and credit card details during online communication). It is affecting all the major sectors of industry day by day with a lot of misuse of user credentials. It is affecting all the major sectors of industry and banking day by day with a lot of misuse of user credentials. To protect bank's users against online phishing, various anti-phishing techniques have been proposed that follows different strategies like client side and server side protection. Hence it is necessary to detect the attacker and secure individuals private data. Till now many approaches are found to detect phishing websites. Among them are Bacterial Foraging algorithm, Visual similarity based approach, etc. Every approach has some weakness or limitations such as less efficient or time consuming or no up-to-date blacklist or phishtank. To detect the phishing websites different techniques are proposed such as classifier technique, heuristics based technique, hybrid technique etc. In this paper, we propose a technique based on Heuristic based technique. In first Phase, website is identified based on different parameters like URL, IP Address, Forms, age of domain. In second Phase, the visual similarity of the phishing banking page is compared with the original banking website. The proposed approach also gives the suggestions to the users for their particular domain search that makes user more comfortable to use the system.
Allozyme Evidence for Cryptic Speciation in Sympatric Populations of Nassarius spp. (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

The Nassarius reticulatus complex (Mollusca: Gastropoda) is a common and morphologically variable organism of the Lusitanian marine province. The taxonomic status of the different morphs has been the subject of considerable debate for over a century. About 50 individuals of each N. nitidus and N. reticulatus morphs were collected in November 1994 from the same area (Ria de Vigo, north-west Iberian Peninsula). Preliminary screening by allozyme electrophoresis for 27 enzymes resolved 24 presumptive enzyme loci. There were no deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg expected proportions at most polymporphic loci for any morph. Five and two enzyme loci were completely and partially diagnostic loci, respectively, between the morphs. The genetic identity of morphs (1=0.658 ±0.095) was characteristic of congeneric species. The absence of electrophoretically recognizable hybrids in sympatric populations provides clear evidence that the two morphs are reproductively isolated within the study area. These genetic results corroborate other reported biochemical, morphological and behavioural differences between the morphs. Consequently, these data strongly suggest that the taxa N. nitidus and N. reticulatus must be considered as separate species.
Suitability of the maize weevil and angoumois grain moth as hosts for the parasitoids Anisopteromalus calandrae and Pteromalus cerealellae

Two parasitoids, Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), were compared for their ability to parasitize two important internally‐developing insect pests of stored maize (Zea mays L.). Parasitism by P. cerealellae was greater on Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), than on maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, in no‐choice experiments. Anisopteromalus calandrae parasitized more maize weevils than did P. cerealellae. The former parasitoid parasitized only a few Angoumois grain moths successfully in maize, but parasitized many in wheat if the hosts were younger than 3 weeks old. Thus, both host age and type of grain affect suitability for parasitism. The effects of parental host (species on which the female developed) and experimental host (species exposed to parasitism) on parasitism rate of P. cerealellae were tested in a host‐switching experiment. Parasitism by parasitoids reared on maize weevils was 23% lower than that of parasitoids reared on Angoumois grain moth. This effect was independent of which host the filial generation of parasitoids was tested on. However, the experimental host species had a much greater effect on parasitoid fecundity than the parental host species. Female progeny had smaller body sizes when emerging from maize weevil than from Angoumois grain moth, which may explain the parental host effect on fecundity. There was also a slight intergenerational effect of host species on parasitoid body size.
Description of a new divergent lineage and three new species of Honduran salamanders of the genus Oedipina (Caudata, Plethodontidae)

We describe three new species of the plethodontid salamander genus Oedipina from Honduras. All three are relatively small to moderate sized, elongated and attenuate forms, which are differentiated from each other and from other members of the genus in limb and digital features, size, and body shape. Their distinctiveness is validated by phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA (cytochrome b and 16S) data, which shows each to be strongly differentiated. Furthermore, two of the three species are sister taxa and they comprise a third major clade in the genus, which we recognize as a new subgenus.
Effective enzymatic debridement of burn wounds depends on the denaturation status of collagen

The treatment of burn wounds by enzymatic debridement using bromelain has shown promising results in our burn center. However, inadequate debridement occurred in a few cases in which the etiology of the burn was attributed to relatively low temperature burns. We hypothesized that bromelain is ineffective in burns in which collagen denaturation, which occurs approximately at 65°C, has not taken place. Our objective was to assess whether there is a relationship between the denaturation of collagen and the ability of bromelain to debride acute scald burn wounds of different temperatures. Ex vivo human skin from four different donors was cut into 1x1 cm samples, and scald burns were produced by immersion in water at temperatures of 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, and 100°C for 20 minutes. Denaturation of collagen was assessed with histology, using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and a fluorescently labeled collagen hybridizing peptide (CHP), and with second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. Burned samples and one control sample (room temperature) were weighed before and after application of enzymatic debridement to assess the efficacy of enzymatic debridement. After enzymatic debridement, a weight reduction of 80% was seen in the samples heated to 70°C and 100°C, whereas the other samples showed a reduction of 20%. Unfolding of collagen, loss of basket‐weave arrangement, and necrosis was seen in samples heated to 60°C or higher. Evident CHP fluorescence, indicative of collagen denaturation, was seen in samples of 60°C, 70°C and 100°C. SHG intensity, signifying intact collagen, was significantly lower in the 70°C and 100°C group (P <.05) compared to the lower temperatures. In conclusion, denaturation of collagen in skin samples occurred between 60°C and 70°C and strongly correlated with the efficacy of enzymatic debridement. Therefore, enzymatic debridement with the use of bromelain is ineffective in scald burns lower than 60°C.
Design of a Supportive Transfer Robot System for Caregivers to Reduce Physical Strain During Nursing Activities

The number of people in need of long-term care is rising and personnel scarcity is already foreseeable. The shortage of caregivers is further increased due to early retirement attributed to the major health burden when working at high speed with heavy lifting. Since nursing staff in many cases work beyond their physical strain limits during routine activities at the bed and existing systems do not counteract the current trend, we investigate with the present work whether the concept of a collaborative robotic support system can contribute to the physical relief of the nursing staff to make it possible to fall below the physical strain limits.
Associations Between Arthropods and the Supralittoral Ecotone: Dependence of Aquatic and Terrestrial Taxa on Riparian Vegetation

Abstract We evaluated the family-level richness and abundance of aquatic and terrestrial arthropods in marine supralittoral habitats and related arthropod assemblages to the presence and composition of supralittoral vegetation. Using pan traps, we collected 12,226 arthropods in 24 taxa. Collembolans (Entomobryomorpha, Hypogastruridae), amphipods (Talitridae), and midges (Chironomidae) were the most abundant taxa. Regardless of habitat associations, arthropod abundance was higher in sites with supralittoral vegetation than in the site where vegetation had been removed for townhouse development. This was true for both aquatic and terrestrial arthropods. Our results suggest that removal of supralittoral vegetation may have cascading effects on supralittoral arthropod communities and may adversely affect the productivity of both aquatic and terrestrial arthropods.
Emotional distress in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence of risk and resilience from a longitudinal cohort study

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated lockdown could be considered a ‘perfect storm’ for increases in emotional distress. Such increases can only be identified by studies that use data collected before and during the pandemic. Longitudinal data are also needed to examine (1) the roles of previous distress and stressors in emotional distress during the pandemic and (2) how COVID-19-related stressors and coping strategies are associated with emotional distress when pre-pandemic distress is accounted for. Methods Data came from a cohort study (N = 768). Emotional distress (perceived stress, internalizing symptoms, and anger), COVID-19-related stressors, and coping strategies were measured during the pandemic/lockdown when participants were aged 22. Previous distress and stressors were measured before COVID-19 (at age 20). Results On average, participants showed increased levels of perceived stress and anger (but not internalizing symptoms) during the pandemic compared to before. Pre-COVID-19 emotional distress was the strongest predictor of during-pandemic emotional distress, followed by during-pandemic economic and psychosocial stressors (e.g. lifestyle and economic disruptions) and hopelessness, and pre-pandemic social stressors (e.g. bullying victimization and stressful life events). Most health risks to self or loved ones due to COVID-19 were not uniquely associated with emotional distress in final models. Coping strategies associated with reduced distress included keeping a daily routine, physical activity, and positive reappraisal/reframing. Conclusions In our community sample, pre-pandemic distress, secondary consequences of the pandemic (e.g. lifestyle and economic disruptions), and pre-pandemic social stressors were more consistently associated with young adults' emotional distress than COVID-19-related health risk exposures.
REPORTS Serum Protease Inhibitor Abrogation of Newcastle Disease Virus Enhancement of Cytolysis by Recombinant Tumor Necrosis Factors Alpha and Beta

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been used to induce regression of tumors in human cancer patients. We recently demonstrated that human malignant melanoma cells resistant to the lytic effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) become susceptible after treatment with NDV. We examined the effects of a serine protease inhibitor, N-1-tosylamide-2-phenyl-ethyl-chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), on viral enhancement of TNF cytotoxicity. Virulent NDV (but neither heat- nor UV-inactivated NDV) induced a 100-fold increase in the sensitivity of murine fibroblast L929 cells to recombinant human TNF-alpha (rHuTNF-alpha), rHuTNF-beta, and recombinant murine TNF-alpha (rMuTNF-alpha). TPCK, which is an inhibitor of chymotrypsin-like proteases, blocked between 42% and 93% of the cytolytic activity of rMuTNF-alpha, rHuTNF-alpha, and rHuTNF-beta toward NDV-treated L929 cells. Similarly, TPCK abrogated 62% of the cytotoxicity of rMuTNF-alpha toward dactinomycin-treated L929 cells. In contrast, TPCK had no effect on WEHI 164 clone 13 cells, a murine fibrosarcoma cell line that is much more sensitive to the lytic effects of TNF and does not show enhanced sensitivity to TNF after treatment with either NDV or dactinomycin. These results suggest a role for a cellular protease in the mechanism by which some viruses sensitize tumor cells to the cytolytic activity of TNF.
Long Noncoding RNA LINC02163 Accelerates Malignant Tumor Behaviors in Breast Cancer by Regulating the MicroRNA-511-3p/HMGA2 Axis

Long intergenic nonprotein-coding RNA 02163 (LINC02163) has been reported to be upregulated and work as an oncogene in gastric cancer. The aims of the present study were to determine the expression profile and clinical value of LINC02163 in breast cancer. Additionally, the detailed functions of LINC02163 in breast cancer were explored, and relevant molecular events were elucidated. In this study, LINC02163 was upregulated in breast cancer, and its expression level was closely associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. Patients with breast cancer presenting high LINC02163 expression exhibited shorter overall survival than those presenting low LINC02163 expression. Knockdown of LINC02163 resulted in a decrease in breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and an increase in cell apoptosis in vitro. In addition, silencing of LINC02163 impeded breast cancer tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistic investigation revealed that LINC02163 served as a competing endogenous RNA for microRNA-511-3p (miR-511-3p) and consequently upregulated the expression of the high-mobility group A2 (HMGA2), a downstream target of miR-511-3p. Intriguingly, miR-511-3p inhibition and HMGA2 restoration counteracted the effects of LINC02163 deficiency on the malignant properties of breast cancer cells. LINC02163 exerts cancer-promoting effects during the initiation and progression of breast cancer via regulation of the miR-511-3p/HMGA2 axis. Our findings add to our understanding of the roles of the LINC02163/miR-511-3p/HMGA2 pathway as a regulator of breast cancer pathogenesis and may be useful in the development of lncRNA-directed cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Comparison of the disease activity score and the revised EUSTAR activity index in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVES To compare the ability of the Disease Activity Score (DAS) and the Revised EUSTAR Activity Index (RAI) to detect diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) patients requiring treatment intensification in a Belgian cohort. METHODS We retrospectively compared the widely used DAS and the recently developed RAI in a longitudinal cohort (median follow-up of 42 months) of 62 dcSSc patients, of whom 30 with a disease duration ≤3 years at inclusion. Active disease was defined by a DAS ≥3/10 or a RAI ≥2.5/10. We chose a pragmatic definition to assess disease progression, namely any start or increase of glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, anti-endothelin receptors or prostanoids. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) of DAS and RAI for prediction of actual treatment changes were compared by ROC curves. RESULTS According to RAI, 48% (of all dcSSc patients) and 55% (of ≤3 years dcSSc patients) were categorised as effectively active during follow-up while 34% and 43% according to DAS, respectively. The PPV and the NPV to detect disease progression, in ≤3 years dcSSc patients, were 59% and 89% for RAI vs 73% and 87% for DAS, respectively. The area under ROC curves were high for both scores (0.85 for RAI and 0.87 for DAS). CONCLUSIONS Both scores are proven as predictive to detect disease activity, with a slightly better sensitivity for RAI. By contrast, RAI lacks specificity in predicting a real need for treatment intensification, thereby possibly leading to overtreatment.
Isolation, biochemical and molecular characterization of strains of coliforms from the water sample collected from Shivnath river

Coliform bacteria include organisms like Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp. , Klebsiella sp. and Citrobacter sp.and are gram negative, facultative anaerobic, non-sporulating and lactose fermenting organisms. E. coli is used as the indicator organism for detection of faecal contamination of water. Conventional methods for the detection of Coliforms in water include microbial culture technique in lactose containing media, Biochemical characterization, study of cell morphology, colony morphology etc. These methods are time consuming with limited specificity. DNA based molecular techniques like 16S rRNA gene sequencing is highly specific. In this research work, the16S rRNA gene sequencing technique was used to characterize the two isolates from water samples of Shivnath River after the above said preliminary tests were conducted. The two strains of coliforms identified by this technique were Escherichia coli strain GA and Enterobacter cloacae strain AB6.
On-clamp versus purely off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in solitary kidneys: comparison of perioperative outcomes and chronic kidney disease progression at two high- volume centers.

BACKGROUND Minimal literature describes the impact of hilar control on the progression to chronic kidney disease (pCKD) after robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in solitary kidneys (SK). The aim of this study was to compare purely off-clamp (ocRPN) vs on-clamp robotic partial nephrectomy (onRPN) in SK and to identify predictors of pCKD at two high-volume centers. METHODS Between December 2013 and October 2019, 54 patients with SK underwent ocRPN and onRPN for renal tumors at two institutions. Baseline and perioperative data were analyzed. Newly onset of CKD stage 3b,4,5 (CKD3b,4,5) was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves and compared for warm ischemia time (WIT) with the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors of pCKD. RESULTS At a median follow-up of 13 months (IQR 6.3-34), newly onset of CKD3b and CKD 4,5 were observed in 11.1% and 7.4% of patients, respectively. onRPN was associated with a higher risk of progression to CKD 3b,4,5 stages (Fig 1; p=0.034) and higher rate of perioperative complications (p=0.03). On univariable analysis eGFR at discharge (eGFRd), positive surgical margins status (PSM) and WIT were predictors of newly onset of CKD3b,4,5 (each p <0.05). Multivariable analysis identified eGFRd (HR 0.88; CI 95% 0.81-0.96) and WIT (HR 1.09; CI 95% 1.02-1.16) as independent predictors of pCKD (each p <0.01). Main limitations include the retrospective nature of the study, the short-term follow-up and the lack of data adjustment for parenchymal volume loss. CONCLUSIONS eGFRd and WIT during RPN are independent predictors of pCKD in SK. In this setting a critical reduction of WIT should be achieved according to the oncologic outcome. In patients with SK, WIT represents the only surgical modifiable factor of RPN for avoiding a quicker onset of pCKD.