Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility characterisation of Candida spp. to four essential oils

In the present investigation, anti-Candida activity of four essential oils i.e. Black cumin (Nigella sativa), Curry leaf (Murraya koienigii), Ajwain (Trachiyspirum ammi), and Betel leaf (Piper betel) were screened against four human pathogenic species of Candida viz. Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida parapsilosis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the oils ranged between 15.62 and 250 μl/ml while studied through tube dilution method. The oils retained their anti-Candida activities even after heat treatment (at 45ΊC, 60ΊC, 100ΊC for 1 hour) and also on autoclaving. Both Ajwain and Black Cumin leaf oils showed better anti-Candida activity against Candida albicans, resulting in an irreversible damage to the cells. The anti-Candida activity of these essential oils could be attributable to the membrane inhibition mechanism. The activity of the oils is reported to be microbicidal (Candida-cidal).
PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND SCHOOL IMPLICATIONS OF ASTHMA: A COMPARISON OF BELGIAN FRENCH-SPEAKING CHILDREN HAVING ASTHMA WITH HEALTHY CHILDREN

Abstract The present study aimed to explore the psychosocial implications of asthma among Belgian French-speaking children. Ninety-nine parents of children having asthma (Mage = 11.40, SD = 2.35) and 102 parents of children without asthma (Mage = 11.25, SD = .81) participated in the study. Parents filled in the Child Behaviour Checklist and a demographic questionnaire. Results showed that children having asthma were assessed by their parents as having more internalizing, social and attention problems and as having less competence in doing activities (e.g., sports, hobbies, jobs) than their healthy peers. Significant differences also appeared between genders for attention problems, anxiety/depression, activities, social and school competences, indicating that boys were more vulnerable to psychological and social difficulties than girls but they had better school competences than girls. Finally, results showed no difference for psychological, social, and school adjustment between children who controlled and partly controlled their asthma. These findings emphasize the importance of screening children who would be at risk for having psychosocial problems and developing multidisciplinary interventions for children with asthma and for their families.
Psychrotrophic clostridia mediated gas and botulinal toxin production in vacuum‐packed chilled meat

A cocktail of washed spores from six psychrotrophic Clostridium strains isolated from blown vacuum‐packed meats was inoculated onto lamb chumps. A second washed spore cocktail of four toxigenic reference Cl. botulinum strains, types A, B (two strains) and E, and a Cl. butyricum type E strain, was similarly inoculated onto lamb chumps. All inoculated lamb chumps were individually vacuum‐packed and placed into storage at various temperatures typical of good to grossly abusive chilled storage (−l °C to 15 °C). All packs were observed for gas production (pack‐‘blowing’) over a 12 week storage period. On gas production, or after 12 weeks of storage, packs were examined by mouse bioassay for botulinum toxin production. The packs inoculated with the meat isolate cocktail showed evidence of gas production earlier than packs inoculated with reference strains. No botulinum toxin was recovered from the meat isolate inoculated packs, while botulinal toxin was detected in reference strain inoculated packs down to a nominal storage temperature of 2 °C.
Cell death in suboptic necrotic centers of chick embryo diencephalon and their topographic relationship with the earliest optic fiber fascicles

The structural features of suboptic necrotic centers (SONCs) in the floor of the chick embryo diencephalon were studied. These necrotic areas were observed lateral to the prospective zone of the optic chiasm through developmental stages 14 to 24. The relationship between SONCs and the earliest optic fiber fascicles also was studied in an attempt to determine the possible significance of these cell death areas in the mechanism of optic pathway development.
Proneness to Formation of Tight and Rigid Fibrin Gel Structures in Men with Myocardial Infarction at a Young Age

Summary The native fibrin gel structure formed in vitro from plasma samples was examined by liquid permeation of hydrated fibrin gel networks in 38 unselected men who had suffered a myocardial infarction before the age of 45 years and in 88 age-matched population-based control men. Both the fibrin gel porosity (permeability coefficient, Ks) and the calculated fiber mass-length ratio varied considerably within the two groups, but were generally lower in the patients. Ks was 8.3 ± 5.2 cm2 × 109 (mean ± SD) in the patient group and 12.5 ± 5.7cm2 × 109 among controls (p <0.001). The corresponding figures for fiber mass-length ratio were 13.1 ± 7.7 and 16.5 ± 7.5 Dalton/ cm × 10−13, respectively (p <0.01). Around 50% of the patients had Ks values below the 10th percentile of the control group. A strong inverse correlation was seen between plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and Ks (r = -0.603, p <0.001) or fiber mass-length ratio (r = -0.565, p <0.001) in the patient group. Corresponding weaker associations of PAI-1 with fibrin gel properties were also present in the control group. In addition, inverse relationships of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride concentrations to Ks (r = -0.362, p <0.001) and fiber mass-length ratio (r = -0.283, p <0.01) were found among the controls. Proneness to formation of tight and rigid fibrin gel networks with abnormal architecture in vitro is in vivo associated with myocardial infarction at a young age. Impaired fibrinolytic function secondary to a raised plasma PAI-1 activity level is associated with abnormal fibrin gel structure.
Rhapsodic Evolution: Essay on Exaptation and Evolutionary Pluralism

Since formulating the theory of punctuated equilibria in 1972, a group of prominent evolutionary biologists, geneticists, and paleontologists have contributed towards a significant reinterpretation of the neo-Darwinian image of evolution that had consolidated during the second half of the twentieth century. We believe a research program, which we might define as "evolutionary pluralism" or "post-Darwinism," has been outlined, one that is centered on the discovery of the complexity and multiplicity of elements that work together to produce changes in our evolutionary systems. We are talking about a three-dimensional multiplicity: a multiplicity of rhythms in evolution (i.e., the theory of punctuated equilibria); a multiplicity of evolutionary units and levels (i.e., the hierarchical theory of evolution); and a multiplicity of factors and causes in evolution (i.e., the concept of exaptation). Although the reductionistic and deterministic view of natural history interprets the intelligence of evolution as a panoptic and executory rationality, evolutionary pluralism, going back to the original flexibility of the Darwinian opus, sees in the intelligence of evolution an ingenious m tis, an imperfect but very creative, craftsmanlike cleverness. The new metaphors of change introduced by evolutionary pluralism and the consequent criticism of the adaptational paradigm offer some very interesting spin-offs for the study of evolutionary systems in widely differing fields, from theoretical economics to the cognitive sciences. I propose a particular hypothesis concerning the possibility and usefulness of expanding the concept of exaptation into a general theory of developmental processes, both in biology as well as in the cognitive sciences.
Stellar archaeology: the evolving spectrum of FG Sagittae

Over an interval of 120 years, the extraordinary object FG Sge has been transformed from a hot post-AGB star to a very luminous cool supergiant. Theoretically, this evolution has been associated with the reignition of a helium-shell during the post-AGB stage. A series of studies of the chemical composition of the photosphere have suggested that this evolution has been associated with a dramatic increase of approximately 3 dex in the abundances of s-process elements between about 1960 and 1995. The problem with this apparent change is that it occurred at a time when the surface convection zone, which is governed by the star's effective temperature, could not have developed sufficiently to dredge processed material from the stellar interior to the surface. We have reviewed the chemical evolution of FG Sge by means of modelling the time-varying spectrum under a range of assumptions. By comparing these models with published observational data, a self-consistent picture has emerged. In particular we find that surface hydrogen has been depleted during the interval in question. In contrast, the s-process abundances have generally maintained a steady enhancement of around $1{-}2$ dex, although some modest changes may have occurred since 1950. This implies that FG Sge has not just completed dredging up freshly-produced s-process isotopes. However, there remains a contradiction between the observed hydrogen-depletion, the age of the associated planetary nebula, and current evolutionary models for a pre-white dwarf suffering a late thermal pulse.
The Neotethyan Sanandaj‐Sirjan zone of Iran as an archetype for passive margin‐arc transitions

The Sanandaj‐Sirjan zone of Iran is a northwest trending orogenic belt immediately north of the Zagros suture, which represents the former position of the Neotethys Ocean. The zone contains the most extensive, best preserved record of key events in the formation and evolution of the Neotethys, from its birth in Late Paleozoic time through its demise during the mid‐Tertiary collision of Arabia with Eurasia. The record includes rifting of continental fragments off of the northern margin of Gondwanaland, formation of facing passive continental margins, initiation of subduction along the northern margin, and progressive development of a continental magmatic arc. The latter two of these events are critical phases of the Wilson Cycle that, elsewhere in the world, are poorly preserved in the geologic record because of superimposed events. Our new synthesis reaffirms the similarity between this zone and various terranes to the north in Central Iran. Late Paleozoic rifting, preserved as A‐type granites and accelerated subsidence, was followed by a phase of pronounced subsidence and shallow marine sedimentation in Permian through Triassic time, marking the formation and evolution of passive margins on both sides of the suture. Subduction and arc magmatism began in latest Triassic/Early Jurassic time, culminating at ~170 Ma. The extinction of arc magmatism in this zone, and its shift northeastward to form the subparallel Urumieh‐Dokhtar arc, occurred diachronously along strike, in Late Cretaceous or Paleogene time. Post‐Cretaceous uplift transformed the zone from a primarily marine borderland into a marine archipelago that persisted until mid‐Tertiary time.
On decision depths for partial response codes

The decision depth L/sub d/ for finite and infinite partial response signaling (PRS) schemes is investigated. New measures are proposed that take into account error event multiplicity. We conclude that small to moderate decoder decision depths achieve performance near MLSE even for near catastrophic codes. Under some constraints, the decision depth should be an increasing function of the signal to noise ratio.
Image Appearance Exploration by Model‐Based Navigation

Changing the appearance of an image can be a complex and non‐intuitive task. Many times the target image colors and look are only known vaguely and many trials are needed to reach the desired results. Moreover, the effect of a specific change on an image is difficult to envision, since one must take into account spatial image considerations along with the color constraints. Tools provided today by image processing applications can become highly technical and non‐intuitive including various gauges and knobs.
Circumstantial Risks in Psychotic Offenders and their Criminal History: A Review of the Literature

The authors present the results of a review of the literature between 1990 and 2006. A search of www.PubMed. com and www.PsychInfo. com yielded 1942 articles using the following search terms: (crime/violence) AND (psychosis/schizophrenia) AND (substance abuse); (crime/violence) AND (psychosis/schizophrenia) AND (personality disorder/psychopathy); or (crime/violence) AND (psychosis/schizophrenia) AND (youth). Ultimately, however, only 29 articles remained after eliminating the articles on irrelevant topics. This review covers the literature on the influence of the circumstantial risks to which violent psychotic patients were exposed since childhood. The temporal relationship between a psychotic disorder and criminality, prior psychiatric care, the victims, psychosocial and circumstantial problems, and behavior problems in childhood and adolescence are discussed, in that order. Studies into the time of the first offense in relation to the onset of psychosis, diagnosis and first admission yielded a variety of results. Most of the forensic patients had had previous contact with general psychiatry before becoming a forensic patient, but the quality of the psychiatric care was not always appropriate. The victims of schizophrenic patients were mostly persons that they knew. Besides substance abuse, social functioning was viewed as an important risk factor. Externalizing behavior in childhood and adolescence was seen most often in future schizophrenics who later committed offenses. In summary, it can be stated that a psychotic disorder should never be seen separately from the circumstantial risk factors.
New H‐band galaxy number counts: a large local hole in the galaxy distribution

We examine H-band number counts determined using new photometry over two fields with a combined solid angle of 0.30 deg2 to H≈ 19, as well as bright data (H≤ 14) from the two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS). First, we examine the bright number counts from 2MASS extracted for the ≈4000-deg2 Automated Plate Measuring machine (APM) survey area situated around the southern Galactic pole. We find a deficiency of ≈25 per cent at H= 13 with respect to homogeneous predictions, in line with previous results in the B and Ks bands. In addition, we examine the bright counts extracted for |b| > 20° (covering ≈27 000 deg2); we find a relatively constant deficit in the counts of ≈15–20 per cent to H= 14. We investigate various possible causes for these results; namely, errors in the model normalization, unexpected luminosity evolution (at low and high redshifts), errors in the photometry, incompleteness and large-scale structure. In order to address the issue of the model normalization, we examine the number counts determined for the new faint photometry presented in this work and also for faint data (H≲ 20) covering 0.39 deg2 from the Las Campanas Infrared Survey (LCIRS). In each case a zero-point is chosen to match that of the 2MASS photometry at bright magnitudes using several hundred matched point sources in each case. We find a large offset between 2MASS and the LCIRS data of 0.28 ± 0.01 mag. Applying a consistent zero-point, the faint data, covering a combined solid angle of 0.69 deg2, is in good agreement with the homogeneous prediction used previously, with a best-fitting normalization a factor of 1.095+0.035−0.034 higher. Addressing the contribution from large-scale structure, we estimate the cosmic variance in the bright counts over the APM survey area and for |b| > 20° expected in a Lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmology using 27 mock 2MASS catalogues constructed from the ΛCDM Hubble Volume simulation. The APM survey area bright counts are in line with a rare fluctuation in the local galaxy distribution of ≈2–3σ. The |b| > 20° counts represent a 2.5–4σ fluctuation and would imply a local hole which extends over the entire local galaxy distribution, which may start to be at odds with ΛCDM. The increase in faint near-infrared data from the UK Infrared Deep Sky Survey should help to resolve this issue.
Early Pancreas Transplant Outcomes with Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Preservation: A Multicenter Study

Little is known about the use of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) preservation solution for pancreas preservation. We compared early pancreas graft outcomes at four pancreas transplant programs within the state of Michigan in 2002 and 2003 (University of Wisconsin [UW] era) with those in 2004 (HTK era). The primary endpoint was early graft loss. The UW group (n=41) and the HTK group (n=36) had similar outcomes with respect to: technical graft loss (9.8% vs. 8.3%, P=NS), 90-day graft function (90.2% vs. 86.1%, P=NS), and rate of pancreatic leak/abscess (12.2% vs. 11.1%, P=NS). There were also no significant differences in postoperative amylase and lipase levels between the two groups. The HTK group did have significantly more acute rejection within the first 180 days (25.0% vs. 9.8%, P<0.05). HTK is a suitable substitute for UW in the preservation of pancreas allografts.
Selective Attention Toward Angry Faces and Risk for Major Depressive Disorder in Women

The current study examined selective attention toward emotional images as a risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD). Using multiple indices of attention in a dot-probe task (i.e., reaction time [RT] and eye-tracking-based measures) in a retrospective, high-risk design, we found that women with remitted MDD, compared with controls, exhibited greater selective attention toward angry faces across RT and eye-tracking indices and greater attention toward sad faces for RT measures. Second, we followed women with remitted MDD prospectively to determine if the attentional biases retrospectively associated with MDD history would predict MDD recurrence across a 2-year follow-up. We found that women who spent a greater proportion of time looking at angry faces during the dot-probe task at the baseline assessment had a significantly shorter time to MDD onset. Taken together, these findings provide converging retrospective and prospective evidence that selective attention toward angry faces may increase risk for MDD recurrence.
Measuring the impact of an alternative approach to school bullying.

BACKGROUND National estimates of middle school bullying approximate 40%, making it the leading form of school violence. Meta-analysis of conventional anti-bullying efforts have shown mixed results, averaging small reductions in bullying behavior. Social-Emotional Learning and Positive Youth Development provide a theory-driven alternative for approaching bullying and victimization by strengthening social competencies that reduce related youth risk behaviors. METHODS A sample of 7th grade students (N = 323) participated in Take the Lead (TTL); a 16-session curriculum designed to build social competencies of all participants. Data were coded and collected using a pretest/posttest time-lag control group cohort study design. Participants self-reported bully and victim behaviors using the Peer Relations Questionnaire. Extracted data were assessed for changes in bullying and victim behaviors, from pretest to posttest, between groups and sexes. RESULTS Participants in TTL reported significant reductions in bullying (p < .001), and victimization (p < .001), from pretest to posttest, and compared to controls (p < .001). Findings remained consistent between sexes (p < .001). Control groups experienced increases in bully and victim behaviors during the same time period, which were significantly reduced following participation in TTL (p < .001). CONCLUSION Identifying intervention alternatives to address bullying behaviors must remain a research priority. This study supports the application of theory-driven SEL and PYD constructs within a curriculum designed to improve social competencies of all students.
Acceptance of moderate drinking by alcoholism treatment services in Canada.

OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to provide a nationwide survey of acceptance of nonabstinence goals and related alcoholism treatment practices by Canadian alcoholism treatment services. METHOD A random sample of 335 Canadian alcoholism treatment service agencies were mailed a 4-page questionnaire designed to assess acceptance of moderate drinking as a drinking goal and related alcoholism treatment practices. RESULTS Acceptance varied by type of service, with considerably more acceptance by outpatient programs (62%) and mixed inpatient/outpatient programs (43%) than inpatient/detoxification/ correctional facilities (27%) and halfway houses (16%). Two-thirds of the respondents who reported moderate drinking as unacceptable in their own agencies categorically rejected moderation for all alcoholism clients. CONCLUSIONS Individuals seeking services in Canadian alcoholism treatment agencies are more likely to have a choice of drinking goals if they present to an outpatient program than a residential institution, and Canadian agencies appear more accepting of moderation goals than American programs, but less accepting than British and Norwegian service agencies.
Oral oocyst-induced mouse model of toxoplasmosis: effect of infection with Toxoplasma gondii strains of different genotypes, dose, and mouse strains (transgenic, out-bred, in-bred) on pathogenesis and mortality

SUMMARY Humans and other hosts acquire Toxoplasma gondii infection by ingesting tissue cysts in undercooked meat, or by food or drink contaminated with oocysts. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent clinical disease due this parasite in humans, although, various T. gondii vaccine candidates are being developed. Mice are generally used to test the protective efficacy of vaccines because they are susceptible, reagents are available to measure immune parameters in mice, and they are easily managed in the laboratory. In the present study, pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis was studied in mice of different strains, including Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) transgenic mice infected with different doses of T. gondii strains of different genotypes derived from several countries. Based on many experiments, the decreasing order of infectivity and pathogenicity of oocysts was: C57BL/6 background interferon gamma gene knock out (KO), HLA-A*1101, HLA-A*0201, HLA-B*0702, Swiss Webster, C57/black, and BALB/c. Mice fed as few as 1 oocyst of Type I and several atypical strains died of acute toxoplasmosis within 21 days p.i. Some Type II, and III strains were less virulent. The model developed herein should prove to be extremely useful for testing vaccines because it is possible to accurately quantitate a challenge inoculum, test the response to different strains of T. gondii using the same preparations of oocysts which are stable for up to a year, and to have highly reproducible responses to the infection.