Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non‐lethal effects of predation in birds

Predators can affect individual fitness and population and community processes through lethal effects (direct consumption or ‘density’ effects), where prey is consumed, or through non-lethal effects (trait-mediated effects or interactions), where behavioural compensation to predation risk occurs, such as animals avoiding areas of high predation risk. Studies of invertebrates, fish and amphibians have shown that non-lethal effects may be larger than lethal effects in determining the behaviour, condition, density and distribution of animals over a range of trophic levels. Although non-lethal effects have been well described in the behavioural ecology of birds (and also mammals) within the context of anti-predation behaviour, their role relative to lethal effects is probably underestimated. Birds show many behavioural and physiological changes to reduce direct mortality from predation and these are likely to have negative effects on other aspects of their fitness and population dynamics, as well as affecting the ecology of their own prey and their predators. As a consequence, the effects of predation in birds are best measured by trade-offs between maximizing instantaneous survival in the presence of predators and acquiring or maintaining resources for long-term survival or reproduction. Because avoiding predation imposes foraging costs, and foraging behaviour is relatively easy to measure in birds, the foraging–predation risk trade-off is probably an effective framework for understanding the importance of non-lethal effects, and so the population and community effects of predation risk in birds and other animals. Using a trade-off approach allows us to predict better how changes in predator density will impact on population and community dynamics, and how animals perceive and respond to predation risk, when non-lethal effects decouple the relationship between predator density and direct mortality rate. The trade-off approach also allows us to identify where predation risk is structuring communities because of avoidance of predators, even when this results in no observable direct mortality rate.
Morbidity and mortality on chronic haemodialysis: a 10-year Swiss single centre analysis.

BACKGROUND Patient survival on chronic haemodialysis varies considerably among different countries and healthcare systems. To date, the survival of Swiss dialysis patients has not been analysed separately. METHODS We consecutively enrolled 266 patients entering the chronic haemodialysis program of the University Hospital Basel between 01.01. 1995 and 30.06. 2006 into a cohort study. Patient survival on chronic haemodialysis was the primary endpoint. Pre-specified sub-group analyses were performed for female and diabetic patients. RESULTS Patient age ranged from 15 to 90 years. Seventy-two percent suffered either from coronary artery, peripheral artery or cerebrovascular disease and 34% from diabetes. Sixty-nine (26%) patients underwent kidney transplantation. Transplanted patients were significantly younger (p <0.01) and less likely to suffer from diabetes (p <0.01) and atherosclerotic diseases (coronary, peripheral, cerebrovascular p for all ≤0.01). Median survival was 4.25 years (95%CI 3.66-5.50), with one, three and five year survival rates reaching 88%, 68% and 46%. Survival rates were equal in men and women (p = 0.34), among diabetic and non-diabetic patients (p = 0.41) and among men and women stratified for the presence of diabetes (p = 0.13). Overall, 34% (91/266) patients died during the observational period. Thirty three percent of all deaths were caused by cardiac events, followed by malignant diseases (8%) and infections (7%). In 9% (23/266) dialysis was withdrawn and withdrawal of dialysis contributed to death in 25% (23/91). CONCLUSION Survival on chronic haemodialysis treatment in Switzerland compares favourably to international reference values. Dialysis withdrawal and the frequency of kidney transplantation impact long term patient outcome and should be adjusted for when comparing mortality analysis.
Desquamative gingivitis in a 13-year-old male. Case report.

A case is reported of “desquamative gingivitis” in a 13-year-old male patient. On the basis of the clinical distribution of lesions, the histopathology, and direct and indirect immunofluorescent tests, the lesions were definitively diagnosed as cicatricial pemphigoid. This case is unusual because of the age of the patient, and further illustrates the value of immunologic tests in establishing a specific diagnosis of desquamative lesions.
Fire detection using the brownian correlation descriptor

Although there have been several researches for vision-based fire detection, they still have a high false positive ratio as many fire-like colored moving objects exist in the world. For this reason, we propose a new fire detection algorithm using the Brownian correlation descriptor. In this algorithm, fire candidates are detected by the chroma-intensity map based on the color property of the flame. Next, Brownian correlation descriptors are extracted from the candidates. After extracting them, the Brownian motion classifier discriminates the dynamic property between the fire and fire-like objects through multiple adjacent frames in a video. The proposed algorithm is evaluated by comparing with the recent algorithm using multiple positive and negative videos.
Distribution of Lipids in the Wall and Cytoplasmic Membrane Subfractions of the Cell Envelope of Escherichia coli

Cell wall and membrane subfractions of the cell envelope of Escherichia coli have been isolated by a procedure involving particle electrophoresis and sucrose gradient density centrifugation. The lipid content of each fraction has been investigated. The individual phospholipids of both fractions are quantitatively similar except that the proportion of lysophosphatidylethanolamine is greater in the wall than in the membrane. Fatty acid analysis of the phospholipids of each fraction revealed that the wall phospholipids contain a greater proportion of palmitic acid. Coenzyme Q is almost exclusively localized in the cell membrane.
Adsorption of Phenol and 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid onto Functional Materials

The objective of this study was to investigate the removal of two organic pollutants; 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (phydroxybenzoic acid) and phenol from synthetic wastewater by the adsorption on mesoporous materials. In this context, the aim of this work is to study the adsorption of organic compounds phenol and 4AHB on MCM-41 and FSM-16 non-grafted (NG) and other grafted (G) by trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). The results of phenol and 4AHB adsorption in aqueous solution show that the adsorption capacity tends to increase after grafting in relation to the increase in hydrophobicity. The materials are distinguished by a higher adsorption capacity to the other NG materials. The difference in the phenol is 14.43% (MCM-41), 14.55% (FSM-16), and 16.72% (MCM-41), 13.57% (FSM-16) in the 4AHB. Our adsorption results show that the grafted materials by TMCS are good adsorbent at 25 °C. Keywords—MCM-41, FSM-16, TMCS, phenol, 4AHB.
Hacia un modelo de evaluación de entornos virtuales de enseñanza y aprendizaje: La importancia de la usabilidad

En este trabajo presentamos algunos aspectos de la investigacion que se esta realizando como parte de un trabajo de tesis de la Maestria de Tecnologia Informatica Aplicada en Educacion, de la Facultad de Informatica de la UNLP. En particular, es de interes estudiar y analizar los actuales Entornos Virtuales de Ensenanza y de Aprendizaje (EVEA), como han evolucionado y cuales son los criterios que permiten evaluarlos. Se presentan aqui diferentes modelos de evaluacion de EVEAs, descriptos por diversos autores. Se los compara y resume para dar contexto a este trabajo. Se revisa, luego, el concepto de usabilidad y de heuristicas de usabilidad. Se proponen, finalmente, algunas ideas para alcanzar un modelo de evaluacion de EVEAs, que incorpore criterios de usabilidad. Si bien no existen aun aplicaciones del modelo de evaluacion propuesto, se tiene la intencion de aplicarlo para un EVEA en particular, en un contexto institucional especifico.
Timing of meal insulin boluses to achieve optimal postprandial glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE This study determined the optimal timing of insulin bolus administration in relation to meal consumption in adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty-three subjects participated in this crossover study consisting of three treatment arms: delivering an insulin glulisine bolus by insulin pump 20 min prior to a meal ("PRE"), immediately before the meal ("START"), and 20 min after meal initiation ("POST"). Blood glucose levels were measured every 30 min for a total of 240 min post-meal initiation. Mean blood glucose levels at 1 and 2 h after meal initiation, blood glucose area under the curve (AUC), and maximum blood glucose levels were analyzed. RESULTS At both 60 and 120 min after meal initiation, the PRE arm showed significantly lower glycemic excursions than the START arm (P = 0.0029 and 0.0294, respectively) and the POST arm (P = 0.001 and 0.0408, respectively). Glycemic AUC was significantly less in the PRE arm versus both the START and POST arms (159.5 +/- 58.9 mg/dL vs. 187.0 +/- 43.1 mg/dL [P = 0.0297] and 184.5 +/- 33.2 mg/dL [P = 0.0463], respectively). Peak blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the PRE arm compared to the START arm (P = 0.0039) and the POST arm (P = 0.0027). CONCLUSIONS A bolus of rapid-acting insulin 20 min prior to a meal results in significantly better postprandial glucose control than when the meal insulin bolus is given just prior to the meal or 20 min after meal initiation.
LOCOMOTOR COMPENSATION CREATES A MISMATCH BETWEEN LABORATORY AND FIELD ESTIMATES OF ESCAPE SPEED IN LIZARDS: A CAUTIONARY TALE FOR PERFORMANCE‐TO‐FITNESS STUDIES

Abstract A key assumption in evolutionary studies of locomotor adaptation is that standard laboratory measures of performance accurately reflect what animals do under natural circumstances. One widely examined measure of performance is maximum sprint speed, which is believed to be important for eluding predators, capturing prey, and defending territories. Previous studies linking maximum sprint speed to fitness have focused on laboratory measurements, and we suggest that such analyses may be appropriate for some species and intraspecific classes, but not others. We provide evidence for a general inverse relationship between maximum laboratory sprint speed and the percentage of maximum capacity that animals use when escaping from a threat in the field (the model of locomotor compensation). Further, absolute values of field escape speed and maximum laboratory speed are not significantly related when comparing across a diverse group of Anolis and lacertid lizards. We show that this pattern of locomotor compensation holds both within (i.e., among intraspecific classes) and among lizard species (with some exceptions). We propose a simple method of plotting field escape speed (y‐axis) versus maximum laboratory speed (x‐axis) among species and/or intraspecific classes that allows researchers to determine whether their study organisms are good candidates for relating laboratory performance to fitness. We suggest that species that reside directly on, or near the “best fitness line”(field escape speed = maximum laboratory speed) are most likely to bear fruit for such studies.
Nucleic Acids Research

RNA extracted from CsCl_purified virions of tobacco mosaic virus is shown to give rise to an unusual nucleotide on digestion with RNAase T2, in addition to the four major nucleotides. This minor component has the electrophoretic characteristics of a phosphorylated end group, but is partially resistant to bacterial alkaline phosphatase. It is, however, a substrate for venom phos_ phodiesterase or nucleotide pyrophosphatase, yielding products which imply the structure m7G5'ppp5'Gp. T4V RNA, like many animal cellular and viral mRNAs recently examined, therefore has a 5' terminus blocked by a methylated nucleo_ tide inverted with respect to the rest of the chain.
Improved sphere bounds on the coveting radius of codes

The sphere bound is a trivial lower bound on K(n,R), the minimal cardinality of any binary code of length n and with covering radius R. By simple arguments it is considerably improved, to K(n,1)>or=2/sup n//n for n even. A table of lower and upper bounds on K(n,R) for n >
The Prostatic Capsule: Does It Exist? Its Importance in the Staging and Treatment of Prostatic Carcinoma

Pathologic evaluation of tumor extent in a radical prostatectomy specimen for prostatic adenocarcinoma is extremely important in staging and planning further therapy. We studied whole-organ sections of 50 prostate glands, obtained at either radical prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma or cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer, to evaluate the so-called capsule of the prostate, the prostatic apex, and the surgical margins. The outer surface of the prostatic portion of the specimen was totally inked with different colors for the anterior, posterior, left, and right areas. Cross sections were processed for histologic examination, and the apex (distal 1.5 cm) was amputated and radially sectioned (like a cervical cone). We found that the “capsule” is made up of a band of concentrically placed fibromuscular tissue that is an inseparable component of the prostatic stroma. The outer surface of this tissue gives rise to a few bundles of fibromuscular stroma that penetrate and disappear into the periprostatic connective tissue stroma. The apex is sparse in glandular elements, particularly in the anterior portion, and the outer fibromuscular layer is no longer present. Thus we conclude that the prostate does not have a true capsule, but only an outer fibromuscular band.
Fractionation of polymeric procyanidins from lowbush blueberry and quantification of procyanidins in selected foods with an optimized normal-phase HPLC-MS fluorescent detection method.

The polymeric procyanidins were fractionated from lowbush blueberry on a Sephadex LH-20 column. The degree of polymerization (DP) for the polymers was determined by thiolysis to be in a range of 19.9 to 114.1. Normal-phase HPLC analysis indicated that the polymeric procyanidins did not contain oligomeric procyanidins with DP < 10. The polymers eluted as a single peak at the end of the chromatogram. The normal-phase HPLC gradient was modified to improve the separation of procyanidin monomers through decamers and to elute all the polymers beyond those as a distinct peak. Monomers through decamers were quantified individually. All the polymers (DP > 10) were quantified using a mixture of purified polymers as an external standard. Polymers were found to be the dominant procyanidins in brown sorghum bran, cranberry, and blueberry. Thiolysis of the polymer peaks indicated that epicatechin was present as extension units in these foods, however, the composition of terminal units varied considerably between catechin and epicatechin, or an A-type dimer linkage in the case of cranberry.
All‐in‐one ex vivo self‐reconstruction technique using an autologous inferior vena cava for a right lobe liver graft with multiple and complex venous orifices

In right lobe (RL) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) tributaries draining segments 5 (V5) and 8 (V8) of the liver or sometimes the right inferior hepatic veins (RIHVs) is essential to prevent congestion of the designated drainage area. Various reconstruction techniques have been proposed, and there has been clinically significant success in cases with simple venous anatomy. Meanwhile, a few reports have described techniques for reconstructing multiple tributaries with cryopreserved vein grafts obtained from cadavers. However, the availability of such vascular grafts is extremely limited, particularly in countries in which cadaveric donors are scarce. Here we describe 2 cases for whom we applied a novel all-in-one venous reconstruction technique for an RL graft with multiple and complex hepatic vein (HV) orifices. To achieve this, we used the recipient’s whole exenterated inferior vena cava (EIVC) and a complete portal vein (PV) procured from the explanted liver [explanted portal vein (EPV)].
Biotinylated Synthetic Chemokines: Their Use for the Development of Nonradioactive Whole-Cell Binding Assays

A chemokine binding assay on whole cells was developed using biotinylated synthetic CCL22 as a model ligand. CCL22 analogues were produced by a chemical route, resulting in > 97% homogeneous and defined polypeptides. First, the 5 biotinylated CCL22 analogues synthesized were captured by agarose-immobilized streptavidin, indicating that the biotin molecules introduced in positions G1, K27, K49, K61, and K66 of CCL22 were accessible for binding. Then, it was established using a migration assay that the biotinylated chemokines were at least as biologically active as the unmodified CCL22 form. Subsequently, the biotinylated chemokines were evaluated in an FACS-based whole-cell binding assay. Surprisingly, only the CCL22 analogue with the biotin in position K66 constituted a suitable staining reagent for CCR4-positive cells. Finally, binding characteristics and reproducibility of the binding assay were outlined for the CCL22 analogue with the biotin in position K66. These results exemplified that biotinylated synthetic chemokines constitute promising ligands for the development of chemokine receptor-binding assays on whole cells, provided the position of the biotin moiety introduced along the sequence is adequately chosen. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2003:316-323)
“Fascia Iliaca Block for Analgesia After Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial”

To the Editor: W e read with interest the work by Shariat et al. The attempt to increase our knowledge of analgesia for hip arthroplasty is commendable; however, we have noted some debatable statistics and questionable methodology, which may cast doubt on the conclusion and summary of this article. The study protocol describes visual analog scale scoring for pain assessment; however, the article refers solely to the numeric rating scale 11 (NRS-11) score. This could easily be a typographical error in the study protocol; if, however, it is not, then the substitution of NRS-11 (in the article) for visual analog scale (in the study protocol) is questionable. The interchangeability of these 2 scoring systems has been controversial in the past. Indeed, such interchangeability has been questioned specifically for postoperative orthopedic patients. The NRS-11 data in this article are presented as continuous (numerical) data, data that can be represented on a number line. Clearly, one patient’s NRS score of 8, say, is not twice as much pain as his NRS score of 4. Similarly, a patient’s perception of a score of 6, for example, is not the same as another patient’s score of 6. Is it therefore wise to consider NRS scores as a continuous variable? Finally, we noted that the authors wanted a “. mean NRS approximately 8–9 for the SB group” and pain intensity ranged up to 10 in each group (for up to 30 minutes postblock). Assuming a pain score of 10 is not an instantaneous event, to have a patient with a pain score of 10 up to 30 minutes after a hip arthroplasty seems a long timewithout giving supplemental analgesia (apart from the patient controlled analgesia morphine and fascia iliaca block), all in the name of a randomized control trial.
Principal Component Analysis of Process Datasets with Missing Values

Datasets with missing values arising from causes such as sensor failure, inconsistent sampling rates, and merging data from different systems are common in the process industry. Methods for handling missing data typically operate during data pre-processing, but can also occur during model building. This article considers missing data within the context of principal component analysis (PCA), which is a method originally developed for complete data that has widespread industrial application in multivariate statistical process control. Due to the prevalence of missing data and the success of PCA for handling complete data, several PCA algorithms that can act on incomplete data have been proposed. Here, algorithms for applying PCA to datasets with missing values are reviewed. A case study is presented to demonstrate the performance of the algorithms and suggestions are made with respect to choosing which algorithm is most appropriate for particular settings. An alternating algorithm based on the singular value decomposition achieved the best results in the majority of test cases involving process datasets.
Self-reported dry eye disease across refractive modalities.

PURPOSE To compare self-reported dry eye disease across contact lens wearers, spectacles wearers, and clinical emmetropes (i.e., those not requiring refractive correction). METHODS The survey included two symptom questions (dryness and light sensitivity) that inquired about frequency and intensity at three times of day (morning, afternoon, and evening) and a self-perception question (i.e., Do you think you have dry eyes? ). Dryness and light sensitivity scales were then calculated, summed, and scored, providing a dry eye classification. Logistic regression (binary and multinomial) and analysis of covariance were used to examine the relation between mode of refractive correction and dry eye status, frequency of symptoms, and diurnal change in symptom intensity. RESULTS Overall, 893 surveys were completed, and the age-adjusted frequency of dry eye in the sample was 28.7%, with 3.5% of the sample reporting severe symptoms (at least grade 4 of a possible 5 for both symptoms). Contact lens wearers were most likely to report dry eye disease (52.3%), followed by spectacle wearers (23.9%) and clinical emmetropes (7.1%). Adjustment for age and gender showed that contact lens (adjusted odds ratio = 12.37, 95% confidence interval = 7.55-20.26) and spectacle wearers (adjusted odds ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval = 1.12-3.80) were more likely than emmetropes to report dry eye problems. After adjustment for age and gender, contact lens wearers were shown to be more likely to experience frequent symptoms and an increase in symptoms throughout the day (F = 51.4, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The frequency of self-reported dry eye is high, especially in contact lens wearers.
Hospitals' negotiating leverage with health plans: how and why has it changed?

OBJECTIVE To describe how hospitals' negotiating leverage with managed care plans changed from 1996 to 2001 and to identify factors that explain any changes. DATA SOURCES Primary semistructured interviews, and secondary qualitative (e.g., newspaper articles) and quantitative (i.e., InterStudy, American Hospital Association) data. STUDY DESIGN The Community Tracking Study site visits to a nationally representative sample of 12 communities with more than 200,000 people. These 12 markets have been studied since 1996 using a variety of primary and secondary data sources. DATA COLLECTION METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of individuals from hospitals, health plans, and knowledgeable market observers. Secondary quantitative data on the 12 markets was also obtained. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Our findings suggest that many hospitals' negotiating leverage significantly increased after years of decline. Today, many hospitals are viewed as having the greatest leverage in local markets. Changes in three areas--the policy and purchasing context, managed care plan market, and hospital market--appear to explain why hospitals' leverage increased, particularly over the last two years (2000-2001). CONCLUSIONS Hospitals' increased negotiating leverage contributed to higher payment rates, which in turn are likely to increase managed care plan premiums. This trend raises challenging issues for policymakers, purchasers, plans, and consumers.