Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Host Potentials: Indexing Postharvest Fresh Fruits for Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii

Novel methodology is presented for indexing the relative potential of hosts to function as resources. A Host Potential Index (HPI) was developed as a practical framework to express relative host potential based on combining results from one or more independent studies, such as those examining host selection, utilization, and physiological development of the organism resourcing the host. Several aspects of the HPI are addressed including: 1) model derivation; 2) influence of experimental design on establishing host rankings for a study type (no choice, two-choice, and multiple-choice); and, 3) variable selection and weighting associated with combining multiple studies. To demonstrate application of the HPI, results from the interactions of spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), with seven “reported” hosts (blackberries, blueberries, sweet cherries, table grapes, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries) in a postharvest scenario were analyzed. Four aspects of SWD-host interaction were examined: attraction to host volatiles; population-level oviposition performance; individual-level oviposition performance; and key developmental factors. Application of HPI methodology indicated that raspberries (meanHPIvaried = 301.9±8.39; rank 1 of 7) have the greatest potential to serve as a postharvest host for SWD relative to the other fruit hosts, with grapes (meanHPIvaried = 232.4±3.21; rank 7 of 7) having the least potential.
Choice of Hemodialysis Access in Older Adults: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although arteriovenous fistulas have been found to be the most cost-effective form of hemodialysis access, the relative benefits of placing an arteriovenous fistula versus an arteriovenous graft seem to be least certain for older adults and when placed preemptively. However, older adults' life expectancy is heterogeneous, and most patients do not undergo permanent access creation until after dialysis initiation. We evaluated cost-effectiveness of arteriovenous fistula placement after dialysis initiation in older adults as a function of age and life expectancy. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Using a hypothetical cohort of patients on incident hemodialysis with central venous catheters, we constructed Markov models of three treatment options: (1) arteriovenous fistula placement, (2) arteriovenous graft placement, or (3) continued catheter use. Costs, utilities, and transitional probabilities were derived from existing literature. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed by age group (65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85-89 years old) and quartile of life expectancy. Costs, quality-adjusted life-months, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were evaluated for up to 5 years. RESULTS The arteriovenous fistula option was cost effective compared with continued catheter use for all age and life expectancy groups, except for 85-89 year olds in the lowest life expectancy quartile. The arteriovenous fistula option was more cost effective than the arteriovenous graft option for all quartiles of life expectancy among the 65- to 69-year-old age group. For older age groups, differences in cost-effectiveness between the strategies were attenuated, and the arteriovenous fistula option tended to only be cost effective in patients with life expectancy >2 years. For groups for which the arteriovenous fistula option was not cost saving, the cost to gain one quality-adjusted life-month ranged from $2294 to $14,042. CONCLUSIONS Among older adults, the cost-effectiveness of an arteriovenous fistula placed within the first month of dialysis diminishes with increasing age and lower life expectancy and is not the most cost-effective option for those with the most limited life expectancy.
Does Telomere Length Indicate Biological, Physical, and Cognitive Health Among Older Adults? Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

Telomere length (TL) has been suggested as a biomarker that can indicate individual variability in the rate of aging. Yet, it remains unclear whether TL is related to recognized indicators of health in an aging, older nationally representative sample. We examine whether TL is associated with 15 biological, physical, and cognitive markers of health among older adults ages 54+. TL was assayed from saliva using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (T/S ratio) in the 2008 Health and Retirement Study (n = 4,074). We estimated probability of high-risk levels across indictors of health by TL and age-singly and jointly. TL was associated with seven indicators of poor functioning: high-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol, cystatin C, pulse pressure, body mass index, lung function, and walking speed. However, after adjusting for age, associations were substantially attenuated; only associations with cholesterol and lung function remained significant. Additionally, findings show TL did not add to the predictive power of chronological age in predicting poor functioning. While TL may not be a useful clinical marker of functional aging in an older adult population, it may still play an important role in longitudinal studies in young and middle aged populations that attempt to understand aging.
The State of Unequal Educational Opportunity: Conclusion to the Special Issue on the Coleman Report 50 Years Later

The findings in the Coleman report were unusually expansive in their attention to factors beyond school as inputs to academic inequality, challenging prevailing understandings of educational inequality and igniting fierce debates that have endured (and continue in this special issue). This special issue affords at least two opportunities. First, it provides a benchmark from which to examine largely separate strands of research together, in order to assess the current state of the field and the debates within it. The papers in this volume have focused on ideas that connect closely with the Coleman report (school, family, and community effects), as well as issues that are increasingly relevant to our understanding of educational inequality (e.g., immigration, cross-national variation). Second, the Coleman report anniversary provides an opportunity to consider how contemporary researchers and policymakers can incorporate the insights and findings of the last fifty years of scholarship into the design of future studies and programs. This thought exercise raises several themes:
Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Metabolic Status in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind and Controlled Trial

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with severe cognitive impairments as well as some metabolic defects. Scant studies in animal models indicate a link between probiotics and cognitive function. This randomized, double-blind, and controlled clinical trial was conducted among 60 AD patients to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on cognitive function and metabolic status. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 30 in each group) treating with either milk (control group) or a mixture of probiotics (probiotic group). The probiotic supplemented group took 200 ml/day probiotic milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 109 CFU/g for each) for 12 weeks. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score was recorded in all subjects before and after the treatment. Pre- and post-treatment fasting blood samples were obtained to determine the related markers. After 12 weeks intervention, compared with the control group (−5.03% ± 3.00), the probiotic treated (+27.90% ± 8.07) patients showed a significant improvement in the MMSE score (P <0.001). In addition, changes in plasma malondialdehyde (−22.01% ± 4.84 vs. +2.67% ± 3.86 μmol/L, P <0.001), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (−17.61% ± 3.70 vs. +45.26% ± 3.50 μg/mL, P <0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (+28.84% ± 13.34 vs. +76.95% ± 24.60, P = 0.002), Beta cell function (+3.45% ± 10.91 vs. +75.62% ± 23.18, P = 0.001), serum triglycerides (−20.29% ± 4.49 vs. −0.16% ± 5.24 mg/dL, P = 0.003), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (−1.83 ± 1.26 vs. −4.66 ± 1.70, P = 0.006) in the probiotic group were significantly varied compared to the control group. We found that the probiotic treatment had no considerable effect on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, fasting plasma glucose, and other lipid profiles. Overall, the current study demonstrated that probiotic consumption for 12 weeks positively affects cognitive function and some metabolic statuses in the AD patients. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.irct. ir/, IRCT201511305623N60.
Unique spectral signatures of the nucleic acid dye acridine orange can distinguish cell death by apoptosis and necroptosis

Cellular injury and death are ubiquitous features of disease, yet tools to detect them are limited and insensitive to subtle pathological changes. Acridine orange (AO), a nucleic acid dye with unique spectral properties, enables real-time measurement of RNA and DNA as proxies for cell viability during exposure to various noxious stimuli. This tool illuminates spectral signatures unique to various modes of cell death, such as cells undergoing apoptosis versus necrosis/necroptosis. This new approach also shows that cellular RNA decreases during necrotic, necroptotic, and apoptotic cell death caused by demyelinating, ischemic, and traumatic injuries, implying its involvement in a wide spectrum of tissue pathologies. Furthermore, cells with pathologically low levels of cytoplasmic RNA are detected earlier and in higher numbers than with standard markers including TdT-mediated dUTP biotin nick-end labeling and cleaved caspase 3 immunofluorescence. Our technique highlights AO-labeled cytoplasmic RNA as an important early marker of cellular injury and a sensitive indicator of various modes of cell death in a range of experimental models.
The Protective Effects of Enalapril Maleate and Folic Acid Tablets against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Rats

Background Renal vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and apoptosis are the major causes of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets on CIN in diabetic rats. Methods Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: CIN (C), CIN + enalapril maleate (CE), CIN + folic acid (CF), and CIN + enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets (CEF). CE, CF, and CEF rats were treated orally with enalapril maleate, folic acid, or enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets, respectively, for 5 days. CIN was induced in all groups followed by analyzed biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, endothelial dysfunction parameters, renal histopathology, and TUNEL staining. Results Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and malondialdehyde levels were lower in the CEF group than in the C group. Homocysteine, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and nitric oxide levels were higher in the CEF group than in the C group. Histopathology scores and percentage of apoptotic kidney cells in the CEF group were significantly decreased compared with those in the C group. Conclusions These results suggest that enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets have a protective effect against CIN in diabetic rats.
Image Updating for Brain Shift Compensation During Resection.

BACKGROUND In open-cranial neurosurgery, preoperative magnetic resonance (pMR) images are typically coregistered for intraoperative guidance. Their accuracy can be significantly degraded by intraoperative brain deformation, especially when resection is involved. OBJECTIVE To produce model updated MR (uMR) images to compensate for brain shift that occurred during resection, and evaluate the performance of the image-updating process in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. METHODS In 14 resection cases, intraoperative stereovision image pairs were acquired after dural opening and during resection to generate displacement maps of the surgical field. These data were assimilated by a biomechanical model to create uMR volumes of the evolving surgical field. A tracked stylus provided independent measurements of feature locations to quantify target registration errors (TREs) in the original coregistered pMR and uMR as surgery progressed. RESULTS Updated MR TREs were 1.66 ± 0.27 and 1.92 ± 0.49 mm in the 14 cases after dural opening and after partial resection, respectively, compared to 8.48 ± 3.74 and 8.77 ± 4.61 mm for pMR, respectively. The overall computational time for generating uMRs after partial resection was less than 10 min. CONCLUSION We have developed an image-updating system to compensate for brain deformation during resection using a computational model with data assimilation of displacements measured with intraoperative stereovision imaging that maintains TREs less than 2 mm on average.
IMPACTED THIRD MOLARS AND ASSOCIATED PATHOLOGY IN JORDANIAN PATIENTS

The objective of this study was to assess the status of impacted third molars and to determine the frequency and type of pathological conditions associated with these impacted teeth. The study consisted of 600 patients who were referred to the Oral Surgery Clinic for consultation, diagnosis, and treatment for partially, or completely impacted third molars of the mandible and maxilla. The age range of patients was between 17 and 70 years. Clinical and radiographic examinations were carried out. The results showed that approximately 40.4% of the patients had all the four third molars impacted, 26.4% had three third molars impacted, 21.8% had two third molars impacted, while 10.9% had one third molar impacted. Male to female ratio was 4.6 to 5.4. The mandible accounted for 60.6% and the maxilla 39.4% where 43.4% were in mesioangular position, 30.3% in vertical position, 16% in distoangular positon and 10.3% horizontally. Among the patients, 62% were 20-30 years, 27% were 10-20 years and only 4% were over 40 years. Pathological conditions associated with impacted third molars were found in 37.9%. The most common condition was pericoronitis in 23.6%, followed by dental caries in 7.9%.
Predicting the life of steel rails

Abstract A model of plastic strain accumulation, wear, and rolling contact fatigue (RCF) crack initiation in rail steel has been developed. Local to the contact zone, material is subject to severe cyclic stresses taking it beyond yield and leading to incremental accumulation of plastic deformation (ratcheting). This model is based on a ratcheting law derived from twin-disc, rolling-sliding contact experiments and can simulate thousands of ratcheting cycles with corresponding strain hardening. The model is being further refined to account for detailed microstructural changes. Sections of worn and fatigued rail, removed from service, have been metallurgically analysed. To obtain further data on rail-steel deformation and RCF crack initiation, twin-disc tests have been performed using discs cut from across a railhead and wheel rim. Two heat treatments were applied to some rail discs to investigate the effect of pro-eutectoid ferrite phase distributions and volume fractions. Tests were run to failure (defined by an eddy current crack-detection system) and to percentages of fatigue lives. Micro- and nano-hardness tests, and microstructural observations, have been used to suggest a micromechanism of fatigue crack initiation for the model. Application of this model will contribute to reduced maintenance costs and an improved understanding of RCF development.
Properties of Natural Rubber Reinforced by Carbon Black-based Hybrid Fillers

Properties of natural rubber (NR) filled with hybrid fillers were compared. Loading of the primary filler, carbon black (CB), was fixed whereas that of the secondary fillers, carbon nanotube (CNT) and conductive carbon black (CCB), was varied. The increase of secondary filler loading results in loss of elasticity but the increases of viscosity, vulcanization rate, cross-link density, hardness, modulus, thermal and electrical conductivities and tan δ. Obviously, CNT gives stronger effect than CCB. However, CCB gives improvement in tensile and tear strengths when added up to 3 phr whereas the addition of CNT shows no significant effect on the strengths.
Management and Outcome of Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infections: A Single Center Experience

Background: Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) remains a severe and challenging complication in vascular surgery with high morbidity and mortality rates. Incidence has been reported between 1% and 6%. The aim of this study was to report our experience in terms of general and surgical management as well as outcome, over 15 years. Methods: A retrospective consecutive study was conducted of all patients treated in our department for PVGI between January 2000 and December 2015. We analyzed all data relative to primary operation, duration interval between initial surgery and infections signs, infection site, type of microorganism involved, and surgical treatment modality, as well as evaluation of short- and long-term results. Results: Sixty-two patients were admitted for PVGI. Primary revascularization procedures consisted of a peripheral bypass in 42 (68%) patients and an aortic bypass in the remaining 20 (32%) patients. Median interval between primary procedure and reintervention was 3 months (interquartile range 17 [IQR 17]) in the peripheral group and 48 months (IQR 70.5) in the aortic group. Complete excision of the prosthetic graft was carried out in 85% of the cases. Thirty-day mortality was 0% and 9.5% in the aortic and peripheral group, respectively. The overall survival rate was 62.3% at 2-years, 46.4% in the aortic group, and 69.7% in the peripheral group. Conclusions: Prosthetic vascular graft infection needs a multidisciplinary management with appropriate antibiotherapy, radical removal of the infected graft, and in situ reconstruction. This strategy gives satisfactory results in terms of mortality, morbidity, patency rates, and infection control.
Tuning Electronic and magnetic properties of phosphorene by vacancies and adatoms

We report a density functional theory (DFT) study regarding the effects of atomic defects, such as vacancies and adatom adsorption, on the electronic and magnetic properties of phosphorene (a two-dimensional monolayer of black phosphorus). A monovacancy in the phosphorene creates an in-gap state in the band gap of pristine phosphorene and induces a magnetic moment, even though pristine phosphorene is nonmagnetic. In contrast, both planar and staggered divacancies do not change the magnetic properties of phosphorene, although a staggered divacancy creates states in the gap. Our DFT calculations also show that adsorption of nonmetallic elements (C, N, and O) and transition metal elements (Fe, Co, and Ni) can change the magnetic properties of phosphorene with or without vacancies. For example, the nonmagnetic pristine phosphorene becomes magnetic after the adsorption of N, Fe, or Co adatoms, and the magnetic phosphorene with a monovacancy becomes nonmagnetic after the adsorption of C, N, or Co atoms. We also.
The evaluation and design of a short depression screening tool in Turkish older adults

ABSTRACT Introduction: Depression is a common and serious healthcare problem for older adults. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of GDS-4 and GDS-5 in Turkish, and to establish a new short-form Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for our population, and also determine the superiority of each short scale to another. Methods: A total of 437 outpatients were enrolled in the study. A researcher evaluated all participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria, and then another researcher applied GDS-15 to all participants. We obtained the answers of short GDS forms, examined in this study, from GDS-15 forms. After Cohen's κ analysis, we compared the diagnostic value of each question for geriatric depression according to their κ values, and developed three (TGDS-3), four (TGDS-4), five (TGDS-5), and six (TGDS-6) question scales to screen geriatric depression in Turkish population. Results: A total of 437 participants were assessed. The mean age (SD) of the patients was 72.95 years (7.37). Cronbach's α values of GDS-4 and GDS-5 were <0.70. Cronbach's α values of TGDS-3, TGDS-4, TGDS-5, and TGDS-6 were >0.70. The best cut-off values were ≥5 for GDS-15 and GDS-5, and ≥1 for others. Discussion: GDS-15 is the most powerful screening scale for geriatric depression. GDS-4 and GDS-5 are not eligible for depression screening in Turkish older adults. All new short scales are valid and reliable, and TGDS-4 is a practical, less time-consuming option for daily practice.
Assessing the Validity of a Multidisciplinary Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

ABSTRACT Construct: The purpose of this study was to provide validity evidence for the mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) as an assessment tool for clinical skills in the workplace. Background: Previous research has demonstrated validity evidence for the mini-CEX, but most studies were carried out in internal medicine or single disciplines, therefore limiting generalizability of the findings. If the mini-CEX is to be used in multidisciplinary contexts, then validity evidence should be gathered in similar settings. The purpose of this study was to gather further validity evidence for the mini-CEX but in a broader context. Specifically we sought to explore the effects of discipline and rater type on mini-CEX scores, internal structure, and the relationship between mini-CEXs and OSCEs in a multidisciplinary context. Approach: During clerkship, medical students completed eight different rotations (family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, emergency, anesthesiology and obstetrics and gynecology). During each rotation, mini-CEX forms and a written examination were completed. Two multidisciplinary OSCEs (in Clerkship Year 3 and start of Year 4) assessed clinical skills. The reliability of the mini-CEX was assessed using Generalizability analyses. To assess the influence of discipline and rater type, mean scores were analyzed using a factorial analysis of variance. The total mini-CEX score was correlated to scores from the students' respective OSCEs and corresponding written exams. Results: Eighty-two students met inclusion criteria for a total of 781 ratings (average of 9.82 mini-CEX forms per student). There was a significant effect of discipline (p < .001, = .16), and faculty provided lower scores than nonfaculty raters (7.12 vs. 7.41; p = .002, = .02). The g-coefficient was . 53 when discipline was included as a facet and . 23 when rater type was a facet. There were low, but statistically significant correlations between the mini-CEX and scores for the 4th-year OSCE Total Score and the OSCE communication scores, r(80) = . 40, p < . 001 and r(80) = . 29, p = . 009. The mini-CEX was not correlated with the written examination scores for any of the disciplines. Conclusions: Our results provide conflicting findings for validity evidence for the mini-CEX. Mini-CEX ratings were correlated to multidisciplinary OSCEs but not written examinations, supporting the validity argument. However, reliability of the mini-CEX was low to moderate, and error accounted for the greatest amount of variability in scores. There was variation in scores due to discipline and resident raters gave higher scores than faculty. These results should be considered when considering the use of the mini-CEX in different contexts.