Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corología biológica y biogeografía histórica. En torno a las causas de la distribución geográfica de los seres vivos.

Explaining the causes for the distribution of living beings has had, and still presents, very different points of view, according lo their nature aud scope. Ignoring the artificial <‘continental bridges solutions», we point up the following three as the most irnportant ones: 1) Ihe Paleo-biographical approach to the planetary set which explains Ihe facts as the results of the interaction between the adaptiveirradiation and the excluding corupetition, upon the changing conditions due to shield tectonics; 2) the eco-biocenotio approach with a climatic dominant, according to which the zonal distribution of the great curreni biomes is established; 3) The dynamical approach to the balance model, successfully tried out on the primary or insularity level.
Análisis de la convergencia financiera de las regiones españolas con la ayuda de un modelo de efectos fijos

Recent research (Quah, 1996b and Rodriguez Pose, 1998) indicate that European regions are recording simultaneous processes of convergence and divergence, showing the diferential capacities of regions to adapt to a changing economic environment. A crucial determinant of regional adaptability is capital availability. This paper applies a fixed-effects model ‐used only with real variables before‐ to study the evolution of Spanish regions’ access to credit. The results show the presence of regional financial convergence in Spain, and indicate tentatively that the existence of regional banking institutions can be a specific factor favouring the reduction of financial and real disparities.
FAUNA DEL CRETACICO Y DEL TERCIARIO DEL NORTE DE BAJA CALIFORNIA

Este trabajo consiste en el estudio de moluscos y un crustaceo de las Formaciones San Gernando y Rosario del Cretacico Superior,Formacion Tepetate del Eoceno y aluvion del Cuaternario de la parte norte del Estado de Baja California.En esta fauna estan representados un escafopodo, 16 pelecipodos, 10 gateropodos, un cefalopodo y un crustaceo.
Upregulation of cAMP prevents antibody-mediated thrombus formation in COVID-19

Thromboembolic events are frequently reported in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The exact mechanisms of COVID-19 associated hypercoagulopathy, however, remain elusive. Recently, we observed that platelets (PLTs) from patients with severe COVID-19 infection express high levels of procoagulant markers, which were found to be associated with increased risk for thrombosis. In the current study, we investigated the time course as well as the mechanisms leading to procoagulant PLTs in COVID-19. Our study demonstrates the presence of PLT-reactive IgG antibodies that induce marked changes in PLTs in terms of increased inner-mitochondrial-transmembrane potential (Δψ) depolarization, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization and P-selectin expression. The IgG-induced procoagulant PLTs and increased thrombus formation was mediated by ligation of PLT Fc gamma RIIA (FcγRIIA). In addition, PLTs´ contents of calcium and cyclic-adenosine-monophosphate (cAMP) were identified to play central role in antibody-induced procoagulant PLT formation. Most importantly, antibody-induced procoagulant events as well as increased thrombus formation in severe COVID-19 were inhibited by Iloprost a clinically approved therapeutic agent that increases the intracellular cAMP levels in PLTs. Our data indicate that upregulation of cAMP could be a potential therapeutic target to prevent antibody-mediated coagulopathy in COVID-19 disease.
Lunar KREEP volcanism - Geologic evidence for history and mode of emplacement

The history of KREEP basalt emplacement in the Fra Mauro and Imbrium basin regions was investigated on the basis of the petrologic and geochemical characteristics of Apollo 14 and 15 samples and data from photogeologic, site geology and remote sensing studies. Results suggest that KREEP emplacement began after the excavation of the South Imbrium basin more than 4.0 to 4.1 billion years ago, continued into early to mid-Imbrium, and was in part sychronous with mare volcanism. Surface KREEP activity appears to be concentrated in a triangular area bounded by the Apollo 15 site, southern Procellarum and the Aristarchus region. Most of the Apollo 15 igneous KREEP basalts are products of post-Imbrium KREEP volcanism within the Imbrium basis, whereas the Apollo 14 KREEP-rich breccias represent extensively reworked KREEP volcanics extruded prior to about 4.0 to 4.1 billion years ago.
Elevated Fine Particulate Matter and Black Carbon Concentrations in Santiago, Chile During the Winter Season

OF THE THESIS Elevated Fine Particulate Matter and Black Carbon Concentrations in Santiago, Chile During the Winter Season by Kiet Tuan Nguyen Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Environmental Health San Diego State University, 2015 Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulates and biological matter into the atmosphere. Particulate matter with a diameter equal to or less than 2.5 micrometers, PM2.5, is a major constituent of air pollution and is associated with an increased risk in cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality. Like many developing countries with increasing urbanization and population growth, Chile is burdened with air pollution complications. In addition to its increasing emissions, the climate and geography provide unfavorable conditions for the dilution of air pollutants. In this study, the ambient particulate matter and carbon mass concentrations were quantified across three sampling sites within the city of Santiago. The sites included a downtown traffic hotspot, Republica, and two residential areas: Vitacura and Las Condes. MiniVols, DustTrak DRXs, Microaetholometers and a Harvard Impactor were used to measure 24-hour concentrations of PM2.5 and black carbon concentrations for 26 days during the 2013 winter season. Subsequently, gravimetric filters were weighed to determine mass concentration of PM2.5 and analyzed for elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC). The mean mass concentrations of PM2.5 were 59 +/5 μg/m, 37 +/6 μg/m and 40 +/5 μg/m for Republica, Vitacura, and Las Condes, respectively. Mean mass concentrations of black carbon were 7.8 +/0.6 μg/m, 5.4 +/0.5 μg/m and 3.9 +/0.3 μg/m, respectively. Analysis of OC-EC resulted in mean organic carbon concentrations of 15.3 +/1.4 μg/m, 7.8 +/0.8 μg/m and 13.8 +/1.5 μg/m in Republica, Las Condes and Vitacura, respectively. And 6.4 +/0.6 μg/m, 2.2 +/0.3 μg/m and 3.05 +/0.5 μg/m for elemental carbon, respectively. PM2.5 results seem to be higher than other urban cities like Sao Paul, Brazil and some U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, CA during the winter season. Overall results suggest that mass concentration levels of PM2.5 exceed the WHO 24-hr guideline (25 μg/m) and Chilean MINSAL 24-hr standard (50 μg/m) for the majority of the sampling period. Seasonal impacts of frequent thermal inversion layers and decreased wind activity are influencing contributors to elevated air pollution levels. Further chemical analyses are required to assess direct sources of emissions.
Sensitivity of Precipitation Statistics to Resolution, Microphysics, and Convective Parameterization: A Case Study with the High-Resolution WRF Climate Model over Europe

AbstractWe explore the impact of different resolutions, convective closures, and microphysical parameterizations on the representation of precipitation statistics (climatology, seasonal cycle, and intense events) in 20-yr-long simulations over Europe with the regional climate Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The simulations are forced in the period 1979–98, using as boundary conditions the ERA-Interim fields over the European region. Special attention is paid to the representation of precipitation in the Alpine area. We consider spatial resolutions ranging from 0.11° to 0.037°, allowing for an explicit representation of convection at the highest resolution. Our results show that while there is a good overall agreement between observed and modeled precipitation patterns, the model outputs display a positive precipitation bias, particularly in winter. The choice of the microphysics scheme is shown to significantly affect the statistics of intense events. High resolution and explicitly resolved .
River gaging reaches: a strategy for MODIS-based river monitoring

Satellite gaging reaches are polygonal land areas encompassing river and floodplain reaches where total surface water area expands and contracts as river discharge varies. Traditional gaging stations measure water level, or stage, as a surrogate for discharge. Such stations are commonly located where discharge changes are primarily accommodated by stage and not width changes. In contrast, we identify for testing purposes 191 gaging reaches distributed worldwide where multi-temporal remote sensing demonstrates significant water surface area variability. Typical reach lengths are 30 km and reach widths average 10-30 km. The gaging reaches are sufficiently wide to accommodate the largest floods. Measured water surface areas using the MODIS sensor 250 m resolution bands are converted to river characteristic widths (water area/river length) and, in the U.S., are compared to adjacent gaging station data. Preliminary results indicate that, along many U.S. gaging reaches, MODIS-derived widths are robust predictors of discharge. As is the case for in situ gaging stations, local width/discharge relations vary, and some reaches record discharge changes with greater precision than others. Time series of MODIS river characteristic widths can provide hydrologists and water resource managers with a geographically extensive and economical river monitoring capability
Modified Jeffery model: Influence of particle concentration on mineral fabric in moderately concentrated suspensions

A modified Jeffery model involving particle interactions allows the simulation of preferred orientation of crystals and the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in magmatic flow with up to 40% of rigid particle fraction. Numerical simulations are compared to analogue and natural fabrics. A study of the role of particle concentration shows that the increasing percentage of crystal fraction in dilute suspensions leads to progressive attenuation of the fabric intensity and cyclicity. At high strains in simple shear flow, the lineation converges to a constant value close to the shear plane. With increasing particle concentration, the fabric diverges from the shear direction reflecting the effect of increased crystal tiling. The model can be applied to quantify mineral preferred orientations of crystal mushes in magmatic fabric studies.
Epidemiology of liver cirrhosis and associated complications: Current knowledge and future directions

Cirrhosis causes a heavy global burden. In this review, we summarized up-to-date epidemiological features of cirrhosis and its complications. Recent epidemiological studies reported an increase in the prevalence of cirrhosis in 2017 compared to in 1990 in both men and women, with 5.2 million cases of cirrhosis and chronic liver disease occurring in 2017. Cirrhosis caused 1.48 million deaths in 2019, an increase of 8.1% compared to 2017. Disability-adjusted life-years due to cirrhosis ranked 16th among all diseases and 7th in people aged 50-74 years in 2019. The global burden of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus-associated cirrhosis is decreasing, while the burden of cirrhosis due to alcohol and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing rapidly. We described the current epidemiology of the major complications of cirrhosis, including ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, renal disorders, and infections. We also summarized the epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis. In the future, NAFLD-related cirrhosis will likely become more common due to the prevalence of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, and the prevalence of alcohol-induced cirrhosis is increasing. This altered epidemiology should be clinically noted, and relevant interventions should be undertaken.
Safety, Humoral and Cell Mediated Immune Responses to Two Formulations of an Inactivated, Split-Virion Influenza A/H5N1 Vaccine in Children

Background Highly pathogenic influenza A/H5N1 has caused outbreaks in wild birds and poultry in Asia, Africa and Europe. It has also infected people, especially children, causing severe illness and death. Although the virus shows limited ability to transmit between humans, A/H5N1 represents a potential source of the next influenza pandemic. This study assesses the safety and immunogenicity of aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted (Al) and non adjuvanted influenza A/Vietnam/1194/2004 NIBRG-14 (H5N1) vaccine in children. Methods and Findings In a Phase II, open, randomised, multicentre trial 180 children aged 6 months to 17 years received two injections, 21 days apart, of vaccine containing either: 30 µg haemagglutinin (HA) with adjuvant (30 µg+Al) or 7.5 µg HA without adjuvant. An additional 60 children aged 6–35 months received two “half dose” injections (ie 15 µg+Al or 3.8 µg). Safety was followed for 21 days after vaccination. Antibody responses were assessed 21 days after each injection and cellular immune responses were explored. Vaccination appeared well tolerated in all age groups. The 30 µg+Al formulation was more immunogenic than 7.5 µg in all age groups: in these two groups 79% and 46% had haemagglutinination inhibition antibody titres ≥32 (1/dil). Among 6–35 month-olds, the full doses were more immunogenic than their half dose equivalents. Vaccination induced a predominantly Th2 response against H5 HA. Conclusions This influenza A(H5N1) vaccine was well tolerated and immunogenic in children and infants, with Al adjuvant providing a clear immunogenic advantage. These results demonstrate that an H5N1 Al-adjuvanted vaccine, previously shown to be immunogenic and safe in adults, can also be used in children, the group most at risk for pandemic influenza. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00491985
Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Community Based Study From Northern India

Background/Aims The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) varies from 4% to 20% in different Asian nations. Prevalence of IBS in native North Indian community is not known. Methods Between November 2008 to December 2009, we estimated the prevalence of IBS in a rural community of Ballabgarh block, located in Haryana state. A structured questionnaire based on Rome III module was used to collect symptoms related to IBS from all the participants in a door to door survey. A Rome III criterion was used for diagnosis of IBS. IBS was further classified based on predominance of symptoms as constipation predominant, diarrhea predominant, mixed and unspecified based on Rome III module. Results There were 4,767 participants (mean age 34.6 ± 10.8, males 50%). Overall, 555 (11.6%; 95% CI, 10.7-12.5) had constipation, 542 (11.4%; 95% CI, 10.5-12.3) diarrhea and 823 (17.3%; 95% CI, 16.2-18.4) abdominal pain. The overall prevalence of IBS was 4% (95% CI, 3.5-4.6). The prevalence of constipation predominant IBS was 0.3% (95% CI, 0.16-0.49), diarrhea predominant IBS 1.5% (95% CI, 1.18-1.90), mixed IBS 1.7% (95% CI, 1.35-2.11) and unsubtyped IBS 0.5% (95% CI, 0.32-0.75). The prevalence of IBS was significantly higher in females compared with males (4.8% vs 3.2%, P = 0.008). However, there was no significant difference between males and females in the prevalence of different subtypes of IBS. The prevalence increased with age. Conclusions The prevalence of IBS in a North Indian community is 4%. IBS poses a significant burden on the rural adults.
EVIDENCE FOR A CONTRIBUTION FROM TWO MANTLE PLUMES TO ISLAND-ARC LAVAS FROM NORTHERN TONGA

Lavas from the islands of Tafahi and Niuatoputapu, at the northern end of the active Tonga-Kermadec arc in the southwest Pacific, were erupted at a convergent plate margin, yet they can be shown to contain a contribution from two different mantle plumes. High concentrations of Nb relative to other high field strength elements in these lavas, compared to other Tonga lavas, reflect an ocean island basalt component in the mantle wedge derived from the nearby Samoa mantle plume. Pb isotope compositions indicate that most of the Pb in these lavas is derived from the oceanic crust of the plume-generated Louisville Seamount Chain, which is being subducted beneath the Tonga arc. These two plume components were thus introduced into the arc lavas in very different ways and provide insight into upper-mantle dynamics and magma-generation processes occurring in an active arc–back-arc system.
Real‐world treatment patterns for palbociclib plus an aromatase inhibitor, or an aromatase inhibitor alone, for patients with metastatic breast cancer in the Flatiron Database

There are limited real‐world comparative effectiveness data for palbociclib plus an aromatase inhibitor (AI) as a first‐line (1L) treatment examining endpoints that require long term follow‐up and post 1L progression. The Flatiron Health Analytic Database was used to characterize treatment and dosing patterns in patients with hormone receptor‐positive/human epidermal growth factor 2‐negative (HR+/HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) receiving palbociclib plus an AI vs an AI alone in routine US clinical practice. In addition, time to chemotherapy (TTC) and real‐world progression‐free survival (rwPFS) when combining 1L and second‐line of therapy (rwPFS2) were assessed. Of 1324 patients who received palbociclib plus an AI between February 3, 2015 and March 31, 2020, 1110 (83.8%) started palbociclib at the recommended 125 mg/day dose. After stabilized inverse probability treatment‐weighting (sIPTW), median TTC in patients treated with palbociclib plus an AI and AI alone was 37.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.7‐40.7) and 29.2 months (95% CI, 26.8‐33.5), respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.77 [95% CI, 0.69‐0.86], P < .0001); median rwPFS2 was 32.6 months (95% CI, 29.4‐35.2) and 20.7 months (95% CI, 18.9‐22.6), respectively (HR = 0.62 [95% CI, 0.54‐0.70], P < .0001). Sensitivity analyses with propensity score matching showed similar results to sIPTW analyses. Results from this large real‐world study examining additional effectiveness outcomes beyond 1L rwPFS and overall survival support the use of palbociclib plus an AI as a 1L treatment for patients with HR+/HER2− mBC.
The Peg Claims spodumene pegmatites, Maine

The Peg Claims pegmatites are located SW. of Rockland in the towns of Warren and Cushing, Knox County, Maine. These pegmatites are representative of a group of zoned, granitic, Li-bearing pegmatites in which spodumene is present nearly from wall to wall. The pegmatites are discordant, steeply dipping, tabular bodies in the Penobscot quartz-mica schist near the Waldoboro granite. A narrow quartz- tourmaline-muscovite-apatite aureole is commonly developed around each of the pegmatites and around inclusions of country rock in the pegmatites. The pegmatites are zoned, and each may be subdivided into: 1) a narrow quartz-muscovite border zone; 2) a narrow albite-quartz-muscovite wall zone; and 3) an albite-quartz-spodumene-perthite core that constitutes most of the pegmatite. Cross-cutting, fine-grained, quartz-albite-spodumene-muscovite lenses are found within pegmatite cores. The bulk mineralogy and variations in the mineralogy from zone to zone of the largest body (Dike 1) were determined by megascopic mineral point-counts. There is a decrease of albite, quartz, and muscovite and an increase of spodumene and perthite from the border and wall zones into the core. The alkali contents of Dike 1 and of each of its zones were determined by flame photometer and X-ray fluorescence analyses. The amount of Na 2 O decreases and the amounts of K 2 O, Li 2 O, Rb 2 O, and Cs 2 O increase from the border and wall zones into the core. Estimated bulk compositions of Dike 1 and of each of its zones were computed. It is concluded that the distribution, structural features, bulk chemistry, and the mineralogical, chemical, and textural zoning of the pegmatites are consistent with development by fractional crystallization of a pegmatitic fluid in a restricted system.
Association of Subretinal Fluid Duration and Baseline Chorioretinal Structure With Optical Coherence Tomography in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose This study investigated the association between subretinal fluid (SRF) duration and baseline chorioretinal structure in patients with naïve (first-episode and untreated) central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods We divided 59 patients into non-prolonged (<3 months) and prolonged (>3 months) groups based on SRF fluid persistence from the initial visit. The follow-up period varied as the shorter duration was chosen between SRF disappearance time and 3 months from the initial visit. We measured the central retinal thickness (CRT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), SRF height (SRFH), and outer nuclear layer thickness (ONL) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at the initial visit and recorded SRF duration. We compared these parameters between the groups, conducted multivariate analysis for SRF duration of more than 3 months, and investigated the correlation among CCT and CRT, SRFH, or ONL, and among SRF duration and CRT, CCT, SRFH, or ONL. Results CCT was significantly thicker in the prolonged than in the non-prolonged group at the initial visit (P = 0.044) and significantly correlated with CRT and SRFH (P = 0.007, r = 0.35 and P = 0.002, r = 0.39). SRF duration significantly correlated with CRT and SRFH (P = 0.009, r = 0.40 and P = 0.003, r = 0.41). The optimal model for SRF duration more than 3 months included age (P = 0.054) and CCT (P = 0.008). Conclusions Thicker baseline CCT can lead to a longer SRF duration in naïve CSC. Translational Relevance This association aids in early detection of cases at a higher risk of prolonged SRF.
Oscillatory Regulation of Hes1: Discrete Stochastic Delay Modelling and Simulation

Discrete stochastic simulations are a powerful tool for understanding the dynamics of chemical kinetics when there are small-to-moderate numbers of certain molecular species. In this paper we introduce delays into the stochastic simulation algorithm, thus mimicking delays associated with transcription and translation. We then show that this process may well explain more faithfully than continuous deterministic models the observed sustained oscillations in expression levels of hes1 mRNA and Hes1 protein.
Involvement of the lymphatic system in salt-sensitive hypertension in humans

Summary Background The mechanisms of salt sensitivity as an important intermediate phenotype of essential hypertension remain elusive. A novel theory proposes that lymphatic vessels regulate sodium and fluid homeostasis. Since vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) plays a vital role in lymphatic capillary hyperplasia, we hypothesized that VEGF-C was involved in salt-sensitive hypertension. We therefore investigated its plasma concentration in salt-sensitive subjects. Material/Methods Twenty-seven subjects (BP ≤160/100 mmHg; age range 25–50 years) from a rural community of northern China were enrolled in this study. The baseline BP of volunteers was monitored for 3 days, followed by a low-salt diet for 7 days (3 g/day, NaCl) and a high-salt diet for 7 days (18 g/day, NaCl). Those who exhibited a BP increase of 10% from low-salt period to high-salt period were diagnosed as salt-sensitive subjects. The concentration of plasma VEGF-C was measured by an immunoenzyme method (ELISA). Result High salt intake significantly increased the plasma VEGF-C level. It was higher in the salt-sensitive subjects (3642.2±406.1 pg/ml) than in the salt-resistant subjects (2249.8±214.6 pg/ml). The comparison of VEGF-C levels between the 2 groups had significant statistical difference (P<0.01). Conclusions The VEGF-C level increases significantly in the salt-sensitive subjects after high salt intake. VEGF-C could be used as a biomarker of salt sensitivity.