Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attentional Control Moderates Relations Between Negative Affect and Neural Correlates of Action Monitoring in Adolescence

This study examined the moderating role of attentional control on relations between negative affect and action monitoring event related potentials (ERPs) (error-related negativity (ERN) and N2) in a group of healthy adolescents (9 to 17 years old). These ERPs were recorded while participants completed a modified flanker task. Participants also completed the negative affect subscale of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS–C) and the attentional control subscale of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire–Revised (EATQ–R). Regression analyses revealed negative affect by attentional control interactions, suggesting that youth high in attentional control and high in negative affect show increased N2 amplitude and a trend toward increased ERN amplitude. These findings are discussed with regard to the interface of attention and emotion processes that are implicated in action monitoring and relevance to the study of self-regulation during adolescence.
Improved Photodynamic Efficacy of Zn(II) Phthalocyanines via Glycerol Substitution

Phthalocyanines are excellent photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy as they have strong absorbance in the near infra-red region which is most relevant for in vivo activation in deeper tissular regions. However, most phthalocyanines present two major challenges, ie, a strong tendency to aggregate and low water-solubility, limiting their effective usage clinically. In the present study, we evaluated the potential enhancement capability of glycerol substitution on the photodynamic properties of zinc (II) phthalocyanines (ZnPc). Three glycerol substituted ZnPc, 1–3, (tetra peripherally, tetra non-peripherally and mono iodinated tri non-peripherally respectively) were evaluated in terms of their spectroscopic properties, rate of singlet oxygen generation, partition coefficient (log P), intracellular uptake, photo-induced cytotoxicity and vascular occlusion efficiency. Tetrasulfonated ZnPc (ZnPcS4) was included as a reference compound. Here, we showed that 1–3 exhibited 10–100 nm red-shifted absorption peaks with higher molar absorptivity, and at least two-fold greater singlet oxygen generation rates compared to ZnPcS4. Meanwhile, phthalocyanines 1 and 2 showed more hydrophilic log P values than 3 consistent with the number of glycerol attachments but 3 was most readily taken up by cells compared to the rest. Both phthalocyanines 2 and 3 exhibited potent phototoxicity against MCF-7, HCT-116 and HSC-2 cancer cell-lines with IC50 ranging 2.8–3.2 µM and 0.04–0.06 µM respectively, while 1 and ZnPcS4 (up to 100 µM) failed to yield determinable IC50 values. In terms of vascular occlusion efficiency, phthalocyanine 3 showed better effects than 2 by causing total occlusion of vessels with diameter <70 µm of the chorioallantoic membrane. Meanwhile, no detectable vascular occlusion was observed for ZnPcS4 with treatment under similar experimental conditions. These findings provide evidence that glycerol substitution, in particular in structures 2 and 3, is able to improve the photodynamic properties of ZnPc.
Estimating Escherichia coli loads in streams based on various physical, chemical, and biological factors

Microbes have been identified as a major contaminant of water resources. Escherichia coli is a commonly used indicator organism. It is well recognized that the fate of E. coli in surface water systems is governed by multiple physical, chemical, and biological factors. The aim of this work is to provide insight into the physical, chemical, and biological factors along with their interactions that are critical in the estimation of E. coli loads in surface streams. There are various models to predict E. coli loads in streams, but they tend to be system‐ or site‐specific or overly complex without enhancing our understanding of these factors. Hence, based on available data, a Bayesian neural network (BNN) is presented for estimating E. coli loads based on physical, chemical, and biological factors in streams. The BNN has the dual advantage of overcoming the absence of quality data (with regard to consistency in data) and determination of mechanistic model parameters by employing a probabilistic framework. This study evaluates whether the BNN model can be an effective alternative tool to mechanistic models for E. coli load estimation in streams. For this purpose, a comparison with a traditional model (load estimator (LOADEST), U.S. Geological Survey) is conducted. The models are compared for estimated E. coli loads based on available water quality data in Plum Creek, Texas. All the model efficiency measures suggest that overall E. coli load estimations by the BNN model are better than the E. coli load estimations by the LOADEST model on all the three occasions (threefold cross validation). Thirteen factors were used for estimating E. coli loads with the exhaustive feature selection technique, which indicated that 6 of 13 factors are important for estimating E. coli loads. Physical factors included temperature and dissolved oxygen; chemical factors include phosphate and ammonia; and biological factors include suspended solids and chlorophyll. The results highlight that the LOADEST model estimates E. coli loads better in the smaller ranges, whereas the BNN model estimates E. coli loads better in the higher ranges. Hence, the BNN model can be used to design targeted monitoring programs and implement regulatory standards through total maximum daily load programs.
Post-nesting movements and feeding grounds of a resident East Pacific green turtle Chelonia mydas population from Costa Rica

Satellite telemetry has helped reveal migratory movements of sea turtles. We attached satellite transmitters (MK10 Pat Tags) to 10 post-nesting East Pacific green turtles Che- lonia mydas from Nombre de Jesus, Costa Rica (in 2006, 2007 and 2009) to track their movements, identify their foraging grounds, and elucidate their foraging behavior. Location data were ana- lyzed by applying a switching state-space model to obtain daily position estimates and to differ- entiate between 2 behavioral modes (migrating and foraging). All post-nesting movements were along coastal routes ranging up to 1086 km from the nesting beach. Of the 10 turtles, 6 remained local residents of Costa Rica foraging in the Gulf of Papagayo (N = 2) and the Gulf of Santa Elena (N = 4). One individual moved southwards to the Gulf of Panama, and 3 other turtles migrated northwards to waters off the Gulf of Fonseca in northern Nicaragua, with one continuing its forag- ing movements northwards to coastal Guatemala. Home ranges during foraging varied widely among individuals, and the calculated size of feeding grounds ranged from 315 to 18 335 km 2 , the latter being the largest reported for this species. The fact that members of this nesting population inhabit coastal waters makes them vulnerable to human activities along the coasts of Central America. Our findings highlight the importance of Costa Rica and the coastal waters of Central America for the survival of the Endangered Costa Rican green turtles.
A Longitudinal Study of Morbidity Pattern and Nutritional status of under Five Children in a Slum Community of Kolkata

Introduction: Nearly one-tenth of the India’s population is children under 5 years of age. So the morbidities and under nutrition affecting their health have got bearing on the overall health status of the country. Urban under-served slum dweller children are more vulnerable to infection and under nutrition due to their exposure to unfavourable socio economic and environmental conditions. Objective: To study the morbidity pattern and nutritional status among the under five children residing in urban slum and to find out the association with morbidity and under nutrition. Methodology: A longitudinal community based observational study was conducted among all under five children (49) - who were followed up once in a fortnight for 12 months. In the study area, under five children were selected by Census method, Episode wise incidence, seasonal variation and association of morbidity with different parameters were calculated. To assess nutritional status weight was measured once in a month and plotted on the then followed ICDS growth chart. Height / length & wasting were measured once in a month and were compared with NCHS chart. Result: Both Points prevalence rate and episode based incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)) were highest among the morbidities followed by fever & diarrhea. Seasonal variations were seen in ARI, diarrhea, fever and skin diseases. Incidence of ARI was more in winter and pre winter whereas incidence of diarrhea and fever were more in summer. Skin infection was more in monsoon months. Episodes of Morbidity were associated significantly with high birth order, more number of siblings in the family and less feeding practice during illness. Morbidity was more among children with severe degree of under nutrition as well as having growth faltering. Under nutrition, stunting and wasting were more prevalent among girls. Conclusion: ARI, fever and diarrhea were the major causes of morbidity. These three diseases and skin infection showed seasonal variation. Morbidity episodes were associated significantly with birth order, number of siblings and feeding practice during illness and severe under nutrition or growth faltering. Girl children were more undernourished, stunted and wasted than boys. In any planning process for improvement of mother and child health these information are very essential.
Prostate cancer exosomes as modulators of the tumor microenvironment

Researchers are currently trying to understand why some men with prostate cancer go on to develop aggressive disease whilst others maintain slow growing tumors. Although endogenous genetic anomalies within the tumor cell are important, the prevailing view is that the tissue microenvironment as a whole is the determinant factor. Many studies have focussed on the role of soluble factors in modulating the nature of the tumor microenvironment. There is however a growing interest in the role of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, as regulators of disease progression. A variety of resident cells, as well as infiltrating cells, all contribute to a heterogeneous population of exosomes within the tumor microenvironment. Studies focussing on the role of exosomes in prostate cancer are however relatively rare. In this review, evidence from various cancers, including prostate, is used to present numerous potential roles of exosomes in prostate cancer. Whilst further validation of some functions may remain necessary it is clear that exosomes play a major role in intercellular communication between various cell types within the tumor microenvironment and are necessary for driving disease progression.
A Moving Average Approach for Spatial Statistical Models of Stream Networks

In this article we use moving averages to develop new classes of models in a flexible modeling framework for stream networks. Streams and rivers are among our most important resources, yet models with autocorrelated errors for spatially continuous stream networks have been described only recently. We develop models based on stream distance rather than on Euclidean distance. Spatial autocovariance models developed for Euclidean distance may not be valid when using stream distance. We begin by describing a stream topology. We then use moving averages to build several classes of valid models for streams. Various models are derived depending on whether the moving average has a “tail-up” stream, a “tail-down” stream, or a “two-tail” construction. These models also can account for the volume and direction of flowing water. The data for this article come from the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program in Southeast Queensland, Australia, an important national program aimed at monitoring water quality. We model two water chemistry variables, pH and conductivity, for sample sizes close to 100. We estimate fixed effects and make spatial predictions. One interesting aspect of stream networks is the possible dichotomy of autocorrelation between flow-connected and flow-unconnected locations. For this reason, it is important to have a flexible modeling framework, which we achieve on the example data using a variance component approach.
Age‐related energy values of meat and bone meal for broiler chickens

ABSTRACT Six hundred and eighty‐four male Ross 308 broiler chicks were used to test the null hypothesis that post hatching age between day 0 and 21 does not affect utilization of energy in meat and bone meal (MBM). There were 6 replicate cages in each of 12 treatments consisting of 3 test diets (0, 40, or 80 g MBM/kg diets) at 4 feeding ages post hatching (day 0 to 7, 6 to 11, 10 to 16, or 15 to 21 post hatching) for a total of 72 cages in a randomized complete block design. Birds were assigned to the 12 treatments on day 0, fed a standard starter diet until they were switched to the test diets on day 0, 6, 10, or 15, and the number of birds per cage for day 0 to 7, 6 to 11, 10 to 16, or 15 to 21 were 12, 10, 8, or 8, respectively. Excreta were collected during the last 3 days of each feeding age post hatching and ileal digesta on the last day of each age. There was no interaction between dietary MBM level and feeding age post hatching for any of the response criteria. Weight gain and gain‐to‐feed ratio improved linearly (P < 0.001) with increasing dietary MBM and, expectedly, there was an increase (P < 0.001) in weight gain and a reduction (P < 0.001) in gain‐to‐feed ratio with bird feeding age post hatching. Ileal digestible energy (IDE), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and nitrogen‐corrected AME (AMEn) of the diet linearly increased (P < 0.001) with increasing dietary MBM. There were linear increases in dietary IDE (P < 0.05), AME (P < 0.001), and AMEn (P < 0.001) with bird feeding age post hatching. The IDE, ME, and MEn of MBM were determined by the regression procedure. During day 0 to 7, 6 to 11, 10 to 16, or 15 to 21, energy values increased (P < 0.05) with age and the respective IDE of MBM were 2.852, 2.962, 2.927, or 2.959 kcal/g DM. Corresponding ME of MBM were 2.909, 3.125, 3.083, or 3.075 kcal/g DM and those of MEn were 2.687, 2.887, 2.839, or 2.845 kcal/g DM. These results show that energy values of MBM increase with age post hatching and suggest the same energy value of MBM should not be used in formulating diets of broiler chickens during the first 3 weeks post hatching.
A Comparison of Qualitative and Metric Spatial Relation Models for Scene Understanding

Object recognition systems can be unreliable when run in isolation depending on only image based features, but their performance can be improved when taking scene context into account. In this paper, we present techniques to model and infer object labels in real scenes based on a variety of spatial relations — geometric features which capture how objects co-occur — and compare their efficacy in the context of augmenting perception based object classification in real-world table-top scenes. We utilise a long-term dataset of office table-tops for qualitatively comparing the performances of these techniques. On this dataset, we show that more intricate techniques, have a superior performance but do not generalise well on small training data. We also show that techniques using coarser information perform crudely but sufficiently well in standalone scenarios and generalise well on small training data. We conclude the paper, expanding on the insights we have gained through these comparisons and comment on a few fundamental topics with respect to long-term autonomous robots.
Cleorodes Warren, 1894 does not belong in the tribe Boarmiini (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

The geometrid genus Cleorodes is shown to belong in the tribe Gnophini (sensu lato) and not in Boarmiini as previously assumed. The conclusion is based on an analysis of morphological characters of a number of genera in these tribes. Moreover, the result is unambiguously supported by a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence variation in three nuclear gene regions (segments D1 and D2 of 28S rRNA, and elongation factor 1D ) and a mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase-1. The phylogenetic hypothesis is based on a combined sequence data set, which was analysed using direct optimisation.
Cortical Reorganization following Injury Early in Life

The brain has a remarkable capacity for reorganization following injury, especially during the first years of life. Knowledge of structural reorganization and its consequences following perinatal injury is sparse. Here we studied changes in brain tissue volume, morphology, perfusion, and integrity in children with hemiplegia compared to typically developing children, using MRI. Children with hemiplegia demonstrated reduced total cerebral volume, with increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and reduced total white matter volumes, with no differences in total gray matter volume, compared to typically developing children. An increase in cortical thickness at the hemisphere contralateral to the lesion (CLH) was detected in motor and language areas, which may reflect compensation for the gray matter loss in the lesion area or retention of ipsilateral pathways. In addition, reduced cortical thickness, perfusion, and surface area were detected in limbic areas. Increased CSF volume and precentral cortical thickness and reduced white matter volume were correlated with worse motor performance. Brain reorganization of the gray matter within the CLH, while not necessarily indicating better outcome, is suggested as a response to neuronal deficits following injury early in life.
Integration Without Awareness

Human conscious awareness is commonly seen as the climax of evolution. However, what function—if any—it serves in human behavior is still debated. One of the leading suggestions is that the cardinal function of conscious awareness is to integrate numerous inputs—including the multitude of features and objects in a complex scene—across different levels of analysis into a unified, coherent, and meaningful perceptual experience. Here we demonstrate, however, that integration of objects with their background scenes can be achieved without awareness of either. We used a binocular rivalry technique known as continuous flash suppression to induce perceptual suppression in a group of human observers. Complex scenes that included incongruent objects escaped perceptual suppression faster than normal scenes did. We conclude that visual awareness is not needed for object-background integration or for processing the likelihood of an object to appear within a given semantic context, but may be needed for dealing with novel situations.
Temporal dynamics of biogeochemical processes at the Norman Landfill site

The temporal variability observed in redox sensitive species in groundwater can be attributed to coupled hydrological, geochemical, and microbial processes. These controlling processes are typically nonstationary, and distributed across various time scales. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate biogeochemical data sets from a municipal landfill site to identify the dominant modes of variation and determine the physical controls that become significant at different time scales. Data on hydraulic head, specific conductance, δ2H, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and nonvolatile dissolved organic carbon were collected between 1998 and 2000 at three wells at the Norman Landfill site in Norman, OK. Wavelet analysis on this geochemical data set indicates that variations in concentrations of reactive and conservative solutes are strongly coupled to hydrologic variability (water table elevation and precipitation) at 8 month scales, and to individual eco‐hydrogeologic framework (such as seasonality of vegetation, surface‐groundwater dynamics) at 16 month scales. Apart from hydrologic variations, temporal variability in sulfate concentrations can be associated with different sources (FeS cycling, recharge events) and sinks (uptake by vegetation) depending on the well location and proximity to the leachate plume. Results suggest that nitrate concentrations show multiscale behavior across temporal scales for different well locations, and dominant variability in dissolved organic carbon for a closed municipal landfill can be larger than 2 years due to its decomposition and changing content. A conceptual framework that explains the variability in chemical concentrations at different time scales as a function of hydrologic processes, site‐specific interactions, and/or coupled biogeochemical effects is also presented.
Perturbation of Organogenesis by the Herbicide Atrazine in the Amphibian Xenopus laevis

Background Exposure to anthropogenic chemicals during development can disrupt the morphogenesis of organ systems. Use of the herbicide atrazine has been debated in recent years because of its implicated, but poorly characterized, effects on vertebrates. Previous studies primarily examined the effects of atrazine exposure during metamorphosis or early developmental stages of amphibians. Objectives We sought to identify and characterize the susceptibility during the often-overlooked developmental stage of organ morphogenesis. Methods We used a static renewal experimental treatment to investigate the effects of 10, 25, and 35 mg/L atrazine from early organ morphogenesis through the onset of tadpole feeding in the aquatic amphibian model system, Xenopus laevis. We quantified malformations of the body axis, heart, and intestine, as well as apoptosis in the midbrain and pronephric kidney. Results We found a significant dose-dependent increase in the percentage of atrazine-exposed tadpoles with malformations of multiple tissues including the main body axis, circulatory system, kidney, and digestive system. Incidence of apoptotic cells also increased in the both midbrain and kidney of atrazine-exposed tadpoles. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that acute atrazine exposure (10–35 mg/L for ≤ 48 hr) during early organ morphogenesis disrupts proper organ development in an amphibian model system. The concurrent atrazine-induced apoptosis in the pronephric kidney and midbrain begins to elucidate a mechanism by which atrazine may disrupt developmental processes in nontarget organisms.
Resource-aware distributed particle filtering for cluster-based object tracking in wireless camera networks

This paper presents a novel resource-aware framework for the implementation of distributed particle filters in resource-constrained wireless camera networks WCNs. WCNs often suffer from communication failures caused by physical limitations of the communication channel as well as network congestion. Unreliable communication degrades the visual information shared by the cameras, such as visual feature data, and consequently leads to inaccurate vision processing at individual camera nodes. This paper focuses on the effects of communication failures on object tracking performance and presents a novel communication resource-aware tracking methodology, which adjusts the amount of data packets transmitted by the cameras according to the network conditions. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed framework using three different mechanisms to share the particle information among nodes: synchronised particles, Gaussian mixture models, and Parzen windows. The experimental results show that the proposed resource-aware method makes the distributed particle filters more tolerant to packet losses and also more energy efficient.