Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Gaseous Ozone Against Generic E . coli in Ground Beef

The use of gaseous ozone was evaluated as an antimicrobial intervention against Escherichia coli (E.coli) in ground beef. This research took place in two parts. Phase 1 initially inspected for color and appearance change due to ozone gas oxidizing the beef. Phase 2 tested for antimicrobial action due to the ozone against E.coli bacteria. Ozone treatment to the ground beef showed no color or flavor change at ozone levels that were effective at reducing E.coli in the ground beef. Raw, ground beef inoculated with generic E.coli was treated with gaseous ozone at various levels it was determined that approximately 95.8% of the E.coli in the ground beef was killed when the ozone concentration approached 200 ppm. Introduction: Ground beef recalls are commonly caused by unsafe levels of E.coli bacteria found in the product that is distributed to stores. Specifically the O157:H7 strain of Escherichia coli (E.coli) is found in the recalled beef. Currently there are very few antimicrobial intervention options available for the ground beef process. This research was performed to evaluate if there is a possibility that Ozone gas may be an effective antimicrobial intervention in the ground beef process. Ozone has proven to be a very effective antimicrobial intervention in many food processing applications (Rice 1983), including red meat and beef applications. Ozone has proven to be an effective antimicrobial intervention against E.coli,(Akbas and Ozdemir 2006) and specifically O157:H7 E.Coli (Kim and Yousef, 2000). However, ozone is traditionally used in the aqueous phase for surface sanitation and general disinfection. Aqueous ozone is very convenient as an antimicrobial agent, water is the carrier of the ozone. Typically water is already in use in the washing of surfaces and produce, so adding ozone to existing processes is very convenient and cost effective. While aqueous ozone has proven effective in other beef processing applications, the use of aqueous ozone is not possible in most ground beef processes as water would need to be added to the ground beef mixture, doing so is undesirable as that ground beef will then loose the 100% ground beef rating. Ozone gas may be an alternative to aqueous ozone in ground beef processing as an antimicrobial intervention. Ozone gas is used as an antimicrobial intervention in other processes with great success, (Rice 1983) and it has been very briefly tested in beef storage application in the past with good results in reducing some strains of bacteria (Fournaud & Lauret 1972). During this past testing, discoloration of the red meat was analyzed. With 100 PPM of ozone exposure at up to 30 minutes, no change in color was noticed. With 500 PPM of ozone exposure for the same time period, undesirable color and odor changes were noticed in the meat samples. The apparent
Significance of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes before and after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer

Neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer is becoming increasingly common. However, biomarkers predicting the response to neoadjuvant therapy have not been established. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have a crucial effect on tumor progression and survival outcome as the primary host immune response, and an antitumor immune effect has been reported to contribute to the response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We investigated the significance of TILs before and after neoadjuvant treatment and the change in the density of those TILs. Sixty‐four patients who underwent radical resection after neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer were enrolled. The number of TIL subsets was examined using immunohistochemical staining of pretreatment biopsy samples and post‐treatment resected specimens. In both the neoadjuvant chemotherapy cohort and the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy cohort, a low density of CD8+ TILs in pretreatment biopsy samples was associated with a poor response, and a low density of CD8+ TILs in post‐treatment resected specimens was similarly associated with a poor response. In the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy cohort, the density of CD8+ TILs in post‐treatment resected specimens was significantly increased compared with that in pretreatment biopsy samples. We concluded that T lymphocyte‐mediated immune reactions play an important role in tumor response to neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer, and the evaluation of TILs in pretreatment biopsy samples might be a predictor of the clinical effectiveness of neoadjuvant treatment. Furthermore, neoadjuvant therapy, especially chemoradiotherapy, could induce the activation of the local immune status.
Hippocampal protein kinase D1 is necessary for DHPG-induced learning and memory impairments in rats

Background Understanding molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of learning and memory impairments remains a challenge. Recent investigations have shown that the activation of group I mGluRs (mGluR1 and mGluR5) in cultured hippocampal neurons by application of (S)-3,5-Dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) causes the regulated internalization of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), which subsequently activates protein kinase D1 (PKD1). Through phosphorylating the C-terminals of the NMDAR GluN2 subunits, PKD1 down-regulates the activity of remaining (non-internalized) surface NMDARs. The knockdown of PKD1 does not affect the DHPG-induced inhibition of AMPA receptor-mediated miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (mEPSCs) but prevents the DHPG-induced inhibition of NMDAR-mediated mEPSCs in vitro. Thus, we investigated the in vivo effects of bilateral infusions of DHPG into the hippocampal CA1 area of rats in the Morris water maze (MWM) and the novel object discrimination (NOD) tests. Methods A total of 300 adult male Sprague Dawley rats (250–280 g) were used for behavioral tests. One hundred ninety four were used in MWM test and the other 106 rats in the NOD test. Following one week of habituation to the vivarium, rats were bilaterally implanted under deep anesthesia with cannulas aimed at the CA1 area of the hippocampus (CA1 coordinates in mm from Bregma: AP -3.14; lateral +/-2; DV -3.0). Through implanted cannulas artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF), the group1 mGluR antagonist 6-Methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), the dynamin-dependent internalization inhibitor Dynasore, or the PKD1 inhibitor CID755673 were infused into the bilateral hippocampal CA1 areas (2 μL per side, over 5 min). The effects of these infusions and the effects of PKD1 knockdown were examined in MWM or NOD test. Results DHPG infusion increased the latency to reach the platform in the MWM test and reduced the preference for the novel object in the NOD task. We found that the DHPG effects were dose-dependent and could be maintained for up to 2 days. Notably, these effects could be prevented by pre-infusion of the group1 mGluR antagonist MPEP, the dynamin-dependent internalization inhibitor Dynasore, the PKD1 inhibitor CID755673, or by PKD1 knockdown in the hippocampal CA1 area. Conclusion Altogether, these findings provide direct evidence that PKD1-mediated signaling may play a critical role in the induction of learning and memory impairments by DHPG infusion into the hippocampal CA1 area.
Bayesian distances and extinctions for giants observed by Kepler and APOGEE

We present a first determination of distances and extinctions for individual stars in the first release of the APOKASC catalogue, built from the joint efforts of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) and the Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium (KASC). Our method takes into account the spectroscopic constraints derived from the APOGEE Stellar Parameters and Chemical Abundances Pipeline, together with the asteroseismic parameters from KASC. These parameters are then employed to estimate intrinsic stellar properties, including absolute magnitudes, using the Bayesian tool PARAM. We then find the distance and extinction that best fit the observed photometry in SDSS, 2MASS, and WISE passbands. The first 1989 giants targeted by APOKASC are found at typical distances between 0.5 and 5 kpc, with individual uncertainties of just ~1.8 per cent. Our extinction estimates are systematically smaller than provided in the Kepler Input Catalogue and by the Schlegel, Finkbeiner and Davis maps. Distances to individual stars in the NGC 6791 and NGC 6819 star clusters agree to within their credible intervals. Comparison with the APOGEE red clump and SAGA catalogues provide another useful check, exhibiting agreement with our measurements to within a few percent. Overall, present methods seem to provide excellent distance and extinction determinations for the bulk of the APOKASC sample. Approximately one third of the stars present broad or multiple-peaked probability density functions and hence increased uncertainties. Uncertainties are expected to be reduced in future releases of the catalogue, when a larger fraction of the stars will have seismically-determined evolutionary status classifications.
Comparison of outcomes between radical hysterectomy followed by tailored adjuvant therapy versus primary chemoradiation therapy in IB2 and IIA2 cervical cancer

Objective To compare survival outcomes and treatment-related morbidities between radical hysterectomy (RH) and primary chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with bulky early-stage cervical cancer. Methods We selected 215 patients with stage IB2 and IIA2 cervical cancer (tumor diameter > 4 cm on magnetic resonance imaging) who underwent RH followed by tailored adjuvant therapy (n=147) or primary CRT (n=68) at two tertiary referral centers between 2001 and 2010. Results About twenty nine percent of patients were cured by RH alone and these patients experienced the best survival outcomes with the lowest morbidity rates. After the median follow-up times of 40 months, 27 RH (18.4%) and 20 CRT (29.4%) patients had recurrence (p=0.068) and 23 (15.6%) and 17 (25%) patients died of disease (p=0.101). The 5-year progression-free survival were 77% and 66% (p=0.047), and the 5-year overall survival were 78% and 67% (p=0.048) after RH and primary CRT, respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients who received primary CRT was at higher risk for tumor recurrence (odds ratio [OR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24 to 4.14; p=0.008) and death (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.53 to 5.98; p=0.001) than those who received RH. Grade 3-4, early (17% vs. 30.9%, p=0.021) and late (1.4% vs. 8.8%, p=0.007) complications were significantly less frequent after RH than primary CRT. Conclusion Thirty percent of patients were cured by RH alone. A treatment outcome was better in this retrospective study in terms of morbidity and survival. Randomized trials are needed to confirm this result.
The Relative Persuasiveness of Different Message Types Does Not Vary as a Function of the Persuasive Outcome Assessed: Evidence from 29 Meta-Analyses of 2,062 Effect Sizes for 13 Message Variations

Experiments that compare the persuasiveness of two message types (e.g., strong vs. weak fear appeals) characteristically examine persuasive impact using atti-tudinal, intention, or behavioral outcomes. The equivalence of these three outcomes as indices of relative persuasiveness is assessed by re-analyzing data from 2,062 effect sizes in 29 meta-analyses of 13 different message variations, including one-sided and two-sided messages, negative political advertising, and several fear appeal variations. The relative persuasiveness of alternative message types is found to be largely invariant across these different outcomes: If message type A is more persuasive than message type B with attitudinal outcomes, it is also—and equally—more persuasive with intention and behavioral outcomes. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed.
Examining Social Capital and Its Relation to Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening among Underserved Latinas in the U.S.

Many Latinos in the U.S. experience structural barriers to health care. Social capital and its implications for health and access to health care among this group are not well understood by researchers. This study examined associations between social capital and breast and cervical cancer screening adherence among a sample of 394 predominately Puerto Rican and Dominican women. Data were collected at baseline from Latinas attending screening education programs in Buffalo, New York and New York City in 2011–2012. Social capital was higher among Latinas who were older, better educated, insured, and spoke English. In multivariable logistic regression, a one unit increase in social capital index score was associated with greater adherence to Pap test (OR = 1.61), clinical breast exam (OR = 1.47) and mammography screening (OR = 1.50). Social capital should be further explored as a strategy to facilitate breast and cervical cancer screening among underserved Latinas.
Temporal dynamics of emergence and dispersal of garter snakes from a communal den in Manitoba

Although garter snakes at communal overwintering dens on the Canadian prairies have attracted considerable behavioural ecology research, previous studies have relied upon sampling of active animals to describe broad patterns of distribution and abundance of snakes within the den population. We conducted a mark–recapture study to directly quantify temporal and spatial variation in the phenotypic traits (sex, size, body condition) of snakes at the den itself, and those dispersing through woodland 50 m away. Captures of 909 snakes on the days they emerged, and 6653 snakes as they dispersed, revealed massive spatiotemporal heterogeneity in phenotypic traits among samples. Day-to-day variation in weather conditions affected numbers and sex ratios of emerging and dispersing snakes; for example, small females dispersed in greater numbers after unusually cold nights, when harassment by courting males was reduced. Most snakes stayed at the den only briefly (<5 days) prior to dispersal, so that sampling at the den itself (the only evidence available from most previous studies) underestimates the number of animals in the population, as well as the proportions of females, of small adult males and of juvenile animals. Overall, the heterogeneous and temporally dynamic distributions of phenotypic traits (such as sex and size) among our samples are predictable on the basis of the central roles of male–male competition and sexual conflict in the mating system of these snakes. Surprisingly, however, many of the snakes that overwinter at this den play no part in den-based breeding aggregations
Ecological values of Hamilton urban streams (North Island, New Zealand): constraints and opportunities for restoration

Urban streams globally are characterised by degraded habitat conditions and low aquatic biodiversity, but are increasingly becoming the focus of restoration activities. We investigated habitat quality, ecological function, and fish and macroinvertebrate community composition of gully streams in Hamilton City, New Zealand, and compared these with a selection of periurban sites surrounded by rural land. A similar complement of fish species was found at urban and periurban sites, including two threatened species, with only one introduced fish widespread (Gambusia affinis). Stream macroinvertebrate community metrics indicated low ecological condition at most urban and periurban sites, but highlighted the presence of one high value urban site with a fauna dominated by sensitive taxa. Light-trapping around seepages in city gullies revealed the presence of several caddisfly species normally associated with native forest, suggesting that seepage habitats can provide important refugia for some aquatic insects in urban environments. Qualitative measures of stream habitat were not significantly different between urban and periurban sites, but urban streams had significantly lower hydraulic function and higher biogeochemical function than periurban streams. These functional differences are thought to reflect, respectively, (1) the combined effects of channel modification and stormwater hydrology, and (2) the influence of riparian vegetation providing shade and enhancing habitat in streams. Significant relationships between some macroinvertebrate community metrics and riparian vegetation buffering and bank protection suggest that riparian enhancement may have beneficial ecological outcomes in some urban streams. Other actions that may contribute to urban stream restoration goals include an integrated catchment approach to resolving fish passage issues, active reintroduction of wood to streams to enhance cover and habitat heterogeneity, and seeding of depauperate streams with native migratory fish to help initiate natural recolonisation.
Characterization of the organic composition of aerosols from Rondonia, Brazil, during the LBA-SMOCC 2002 experiment and its representation through model compounds

The chemical composition of carbonaceous aerosols collected during the LBA-SMOCC field experiment, conducted in Rondˆ onia, Brazil, in 2002 during the transition from the dry to the wet season, was investigated by a suite of state-of-the-art analytical techniques. The period of most intense biomass burning was characterized by high concen- trations of submicron particles rich in carbonaceous material and water-soluble organic compounds (WSOC). At the on- set of the rainy period, submicron total carbon (TC) concen- trations decreased by about 20 times. In contrast, the con- centration of supermicron TC was fairly constant through- out the experiment, pointing to a constant emission of coarse particles from the natural background. About 6-8% of TC (9-11% of WSOC) was speciated at the molecular level by GC-MS and liquid chromatography. Polyhydroxylated com- pounds, aliphatic and aromatic acids were the main classes of compounds accounted for by individual compound analysis. Functional group analysis by proton NMR and chromato- graphic separation on ion-exchange columns allowed char- acterization of ca. 50-90% of WSOC into broad chemical classes (neutral species/light acids/humic-like substances). In spite of the significant change in the chemical composi- tion of tracer compounds from the dry to the wet period, the functional groups and the general chemical classes of WSOC changed only to a small extent. Model compounds representing size-resolved WSOC chemical composition for the different periods of the campaign are then proposed in this paper, based on the chemical characterization by both individual compound analysis and functional group analy- sis deployed during the LBA-SMOCC experiment. Model compounds reproduce quantitatively the average chemical structure of WSOC and can be used as best-guess surrogates in microphysical models involving organic aerosol particles over tropical areas affected by biomass burning.
Compare developmental profile between children with down syndrome and typically developing matched with cognitive ability under five years old

Compared the developmental profile of children with Down syndrome(N=31) and typically developing children(N=21) under five years old using the measurement adapted from Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP) (Corporation, 2004) and Behavioral Characteristics Progression Instructional Activities (BCP), found that children with Down syndrome experienced significant language delay. Socioemotional and gross motor skill ability were found as the strengths for children with Down syndrome, while their self-help and language ability were relatively weak compared to other developmental aspects. Bigger sample size was suggested for the future study.
Laser application in neurosurgery

Background: Technological innovations based on light amplification created by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) have been used extensively in the field of neurosurgery. Methods: We reviewed the medical literature to identify current laser-based technological applications for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic uses in neurosurgery. Results: Surgical applications of laser technology reported in the literature include percutaneous laser ablation of brain tissue, the use of surgical lasers in open and endoscopic cranial surgeries, laser-assisted microanastomosis, and photodynamic therapy for brain tumors. Laser systems are also used for intervertebral disk degeneration treatment, therapeutic applications of laser energy for transcranial laser therapy and nerve regeneration, and novel diagnostic laser-based technologies (e.g., laser scanning endomicroscopy and Raman spectroscopy) that are used for interrogation of pathological tissue. Conclusion: Despite controversy over the use of lasers for treatment, the surgical application of lasers for minimally invasive procedures shows promising results and merits further investigation. Laser-based microscopy imaging devices have been developed and miniaturized to be used intraoperatively for rapid pathological diagnosis. The multitude of ways that lasers are used in neurosurgery and in related neuroclinical situations is a testament to the technological advancements and practicality of laser science.
Usefulness of DNA Barcoding for Identification of Preimaginal Stages Species of the Mecinini: Genus Miarus (Schoenherr, 1826) and Cleopomiarus (Pierce, 1919) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Differentiation between the two genera Miarus (Schoenherr, 1826) and Cleopomiarus (Pierce, 1919) and further identification of species within the genus have still proved to be a problem. The only known method for Polish species is based on detailed analysis of the adult male reproductive organs. Modern taxonomy may support the morphological markings using biological labels. It allows for the generation of DNA barcode that makes possible to identify the species of insects at any stage of development and any part of the body. The aim of the study was to verify the possibility of using the DNA barcoding BOLD database to species identification of the representatives of Mecinini, based on the MT-CO1 sequence obtained from individuals in the larvae and pupae stages. It was found possible to assign specimens on larvae (L2, L3) and pupae stage to the right genus – Miarus or Cleopomiarus. The species level identification using MT-CO1 sequences, especially within the genus Miarus, does not allow unambiguous assignment of unknown individuals.
The evolutionary fate of the chloroplast and nuclear rps16 genes as revealed through the sequencing and comparative analyses of four novel legume chloroplast genomes from Lupinus

Abstract The Fabaceae family is considered as a model system for understanding chloroplast genome evolution due to the presence of extensive structural rearrangements, gene losses and localized hypermutable regions. Here, we provide sequences of four chloroplast genomes from the Lupinus genus, belonging to the underinvestigated Genistoid clade. Notably, we found in Lupinus species the functional loss of the essential rps16 gene, which was most likely replaced by the nuclear rps16 gene that encodes chloroplast and mitochondrion targeted RPS16 proteins. To study the evolutionary fate of the rps16 gene, we explored all available plant chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Whereas no plant mitochondrial genomes carry an rps16 gene, many plants still have a functional nuclear and chloroplast rps16 gene. Ka/Ks ratios revealed that both chloroplast and nuclear rps16 copies were under purifying selection. However, due to the dual targeting of the nuclear rps16 gene product and the absence of a mitochondrial copy, the chloroplast gene may be lost. We also performed comparative analyses of lupine plastomes (SNPs, indels and repeat elements), identified the most variable regions and examined their phylogenetic utility. The markers identified here will help to reveal the evolutionary history of lupines, Genistoids and closely related clades.