Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Replication-competent retroviral vectors encoding alkaline phosphatase reveal spatial restriction of viral gene expression/transduction in the chick embryo

Replication-competent avian retroviruses, capable of transducing and expressing up to 2 kb of nonviral sequences, are now available to effect widespread gene transfer in chicken (chick) embryos (S. H. Hughes, J. J. Greenhouse, C. J. Petropoulos, and P. Sutrave, J. Virol. 61:3004-3012, 1987). We have constructed novel avian retroviral vectors that encode human placental alkaline phosphatase as a marker whose expression can be histochemically monitored. These vectors have been tested for expression by introducing them into the embryonic chick nervous system. They have revealed that the expression of retrovirally transduced genes can be spatially and temporally limited without the need for tissue-specific promoters. By varying the site and time of infection, targeted gene transfer can be confined to selected populations of neural cells over the course of several days, a time window that is sufficient for many key developmental processes. The capability of differentially infecting specific target populations may avoid confounding variables such as detrimental effects of a transduced gene on processes unrelated to the cells or tissue of interest. These vectors and methods thus should be useful in studies of the effect of transduced genes on the development of various organs and tissues during avian embryogenesis. In addition, the vectors will facilitate studies aimed at an understanding of viral infection and expression patterns.
An SVM Based Skin Disease Identification Using Local Binary Patterns

Researches on identification of Skin diseases from the digital images are increasing due to multidimensional challenges of the domain. Most of the researches are based upon the freely available digital images from the internet instead of real ground truth data set. To address these problems, we first created a ground truth dataset consisting of 876 images of human skin affected with three prevalent skin diseases of the Indian subcontinent (viz. leprosy, tineaversicolor and vitiligo collected from the patients) together with normal skin and then developed a mechanism to recognize them automatically. It is worthy to mention here, leprosy, vitiligo (at early stage) and tineaversicolor are hypo pigmenting disorders and very similar in lesion shape and color. All the images are divided randomly into train and test sets, approximately in the ratio 4:1 for each class. For recognition of the diseases from the skin images different popular texture and frequency domain features such as Local Binary Pattern(LBP), Gray Level Co-occurrences Matrix (GLCM), Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) have been used with Support Vector Machines (SVM) based classifiers. Maximum recognition accuracies of 89.65% has been observed on test set using the LBP feature set. To the best of our knowledge this is the first automated noninvasive system to identify the three important skin diseases from digital images of the affected skin regions.
A Framework for Resource Allocation Strategies in Cloud Computing Environment

This paper presents a critical evaluation of current network resource allocation strategies and their possible applicability in Cloud Computing Environment which is expected to gain a prominent profile in the Future Internet. This research attempts to focus towards network awareness and consistent optimization of network resource allocation strategies and identifies the issues which need further investigation by the research community. A framework for network resource allocation in Cloud Computing, based on tailored active measurements, has also been proposed. The main conclusion is that network topology, traffic considerations, changing optimality criteria along with dynamic user requirements will play a dominant role in determining future Internet application architectures and protocols and in shaping resource allocation and management strategies in vital applications like Cloud Computing.
Influence of Amitraz and Oxalic Acid on the Cuticle Proteolytic System of Apis mellifera L. Workers

This work verifies that amitraz and oxalic acid treatment affect honeybee cuticle proteolytic enzymes (CPE). Three bee groups were monitored: oxalic acid treatment, amitraz treatment, control. Electrophoresis of hydrophilic and hydrophobic CPE was performed. Protease and protease inhibitor activities (in vitro) and antifungal/antibacterial efficiencies (in vivo), were analyzed. Amitraz and oxalic acid treatment reduced hydrophobic, but did not affect hydrophilic, protein concentrations and reduced both hydrophilic and hydrophobic body surface asparagine and serine protease activities in relation to most substrates and independently of pH. The activities of natural cuticle inhibitors of acidic, neutral, and alkaline proteases were suppressed as a result of the treatments, corresponding with reduced antifungal and antibacterial activity. Electrophoretic patterns of low-, medium-, and high-molecular-weight proteases and protease inhibitors were also affected by the treatments.
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: does it contribute to chronic fatigue and decreased health-related quality of life in cirrhosis?

UNLABELLED Diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue have been reported in patients with cirrhosis. The presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and the attendant poor cardiac response to physical stress may affect HRQoL and contribute to fatigue in these patients. AIMS To evaluate the contribution of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy to HRQoL and fatigue in ambulatory cirrhotic patients. METHODS Thirty ambulatory cirrhotic patients (14 preascitic, Child-Pugh score 5.6 +/- 0.3; 16 ascitic, Child-Pugh score 9.1 +/- 0.5) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and assessment of HRQoL, fatigue and depressive symptomatology. HRQoL and fatigue scores were correlated with liver disease severity, depressive symptomatology and parameters of cardiac function and exercise physiology. RESULTS Subscales of all HRQoL measuring the effect of disease on the ability to perform physical, social and emotional roles were significantly impaired when compared with controls (P<0.001). The impact of fatigue, as assessed by the Fatigue Assessment Inventory, was greater in cirrhotics (4.46 versus 2.53 in healthy age-matched controls, P<0.01). Diminished HRQoL, impact of fatigue and vitality were related to depressive symptoms rather than to cardiac structural and functional abnormalities, which were present in cirrhotic patients. Poorer physical quality of life scores correlated with diminished mental health. CONCLUSIONS Depression, rather than the presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, may have contributed to the diminished HRQoL and vitality in patients with cirrhosis with or without ascites.
The Bicomponent Pore-Forming Leucocidins of Staphylococcus aureus

SUMMARY The ability to produce water-soluble proteins with the capacity to oligomerize and form pores within cellular lipid bilayers is a trait conserved among nearly all forms of life, including humans, single-celled eukaryotes, and numerous bacterial species. In bacteria, some of the most notable pore-forming molecules are protein toxins that interact with mammalian cell membranes to promote lysis, deliver effectors, and modulate cellular homeostasis. Of the bacterial species capable of producing pore-forming toxic molecules, the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most notorious. S. aureus can produce seven different pore-forming protein toxins, all of which are believed to play a unique role in promoting the ability of the organism to cause disease in humans and other mammals. The most diverse of these pore-forming toxins, in terms of both functional activity and global representation within S. aureus clinical isolates, are the bicomponent leucocidins. From the first description of their activity on host immune cells over 100 years ago to the detailed investigations of their biochemical function today, the leucocidins remain at the forefront of S. aureus pathogenesis research initiatives. Study of their mode of action is of immediate interest in the realm of therapeutic agent design as well as for studies of bacterial pathogenesis. This review provides an updated perspective on our understanding of the S. aureus leucocidins and their function, specificity, and potential as therapeutic targets.
MAP65-1a positively regulates H2O2 amplification and enhances brassinosteroid-induced antioxidant defence in maize

Brassinosteroid (BR)-induced antioxidant defence has been shown to enhance stress tolerance. In this study, the role of the maize 65kDa microtubule-associated protein (MAP65), ZmMAP65-1a, in BR-induced antioxidant defence was investigated. Treatment with BR increased the expression of ZmMAP65-1a in maize (Zea mays) leaves and mesophyll protoplasts. Transient expression and RNA interference silencing of ZmMAP65-1a in mesophyll protoplasts further revealed that ZmMAP65-1a is required for the BR-induced increase in expression and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Both exogenous and BR-induced endogenous H2O2 increased the expression of ZmMAP65-1a. Conversely, transient expression of ZmMAP65-1a in maize mesophyll protoplasts enhanced BR-induced H2O2 accumulation, while transient silencing of ZmMAP65-1a blocked the BR-induced expression of NADPH oxidase genes and inhibited BR-induced H2O2 accumulation. Inhibiting the activity and gene expression of ZmMPK5 significantly prevented the BR-induced expression of ZmMAP65-1a. Likewise, transient expression of ZmMPK5 enhanced BR-induced activities of the antioxidant defence enzymes SOD and APX in a ZmMAP65- 1a-dependent manner. ZmMPK5 directly interacted with ZmMAP65-1a in vivo and phosphorylated ZmMAP65-1a in vitro. These results suggest that BR-induced antioxidant defence in maize operates through the interaction of ZmMPK5 with ZmMAP65-1a. Furthermore, ZmMAP65-1a functions in H2O2 self-propagation via regulation of the expression of NADPH oxidase genes in BR signalling.
Engaging in dyadic coping: Buffering the impact of everyday stress on prospective relationship satisfaction

Stress originating within one’s relationship (internal stress), such as conflicts between partners, has been shown to have detrimental effects on relational longevity and well-being. Theoretical arguments suggest the need to examine the impact stress originating outside the relationship (external stress) can have on relational well-being. External stress can spillover into the relationship causing internal stress, making stress a dyadic versus individualistic phenomenon. Using data from 131 couples, we examined whether internal stress may mediate the association between external stress and relationship satisfaction and how dyadic coping may moderate this relationship within one year. Dyadic coping was found to decrease the impact of chronic external stress on chronic internal stress, particularly in women. Women who reported higher dyadic coping skills had a higher relationship satisfaction which influenced also their partner’s relationship satisfaction positively. Further research should focus on couples’ dyadic coping skills as a mechanism between stress and relationship satisfaction.
Collagen/Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Based Synthetic Bone Grafts via Dehydrothermal Processing

Millions of patients worldwide remain inadequately treated for bone defects related to factors such as disease or trauma. The drawbacks of metallic implant and autograft/allograft use have steered therapeutic approaches towards tissue engineering solutions involving tissue regeneration scaffolds. This study proposes a composite scaffold with properties tailored to address the macro- and microenvironmental conditions deemed necessary for successful regeneration of bone in defect areas. The biodegradable scaffold composed of porous beta-tricalcium phosphate particles and collagen type I fibers is prepared from a mixture of collagen type-I and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) particles via lyophilization, followed by dehydrothermal (DHT) processing. The effects of both sterilization via gamma radiation and the use of DHT processing to achieve cross-linking were investigated. The impact of the chosen fabrication methods on scaffold microstructure and β-TCP particle-collagen fiber combinations were analyzed using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and microcomputerized tomography (µ-CT). Electron spinning resonance (ESR) analysis was used to investigate free radicals formation following sterilization. Results revealed that the highly porous (65% porosity at an average of 100 µm pore size), mechanically adequate, and biocompatible scaffolds can be utilized for bone defect repairs.
Effect of Friction Stir Process Parameters on the Mechanical and Thermal Behavior of 5754-H111 Aluminum Plates

A study of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process was carried out in order to evaluate the influence of process parameters on the mechanical properties of aluminum plates (AA5754-H111). The process was monitored during each test by means of infrared cameras in order to correlate temperature information with eventual changes of the mechanical properties of joints. In particular, two process parameters were considered for tests: the welding tool rotation speed and the welding tool traverse speed. The quality of joints was evaluated by means of destructive and non-destructive tests. In this regard, the presence of defects and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) were investigated for each combination of the process parameters. A statistical analysis was carried out to assess the correlation between the thermal behavior of joints and the process parameters, also proving the capability of Infrared Thermography for on-line monitoring of the quality of joints.
Mandatory protocol for treating adult patients with diabetic ketoacidosis decreases intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay: Results of a nonrandomized trial*

Objective: To determine the effect of a mandatory protocol for treating diabetic ketoacidosis. Design: Chart review of patients treated before and after protocol implementation. Setting: University‐affiliated U.S. public teaching hospital. Patients: A total of 241 consecutive nonpregnant patients >18 yrs old admitted to a medical intensive care unit for diabetic ketoacidosis between January 2000 and January 2005. Intervention: Implementation of a mandatory treatment protocol in May 2003. Measurements: Intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, time to correction of anion gap and ketone clearance, and hypoglycemic episodes. Results: Before protocol implementation, the mean ± sd intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were 44 ± 28 hrs and 91 ± 73 hrs, respectively. After implementation, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay decreased 23% and 30%, to 34 ± 18 hrs and 64 ± 41 hrs, respectively (both p < .007). Time to anion gap closure and ketone clearance also decreased (both p < .05). No difference in the number of hypoglycemic episodes was observed. Conclusion: Implementing a mandatory protocol for treating adult patients with diabetic ketoacidosis decreases intensive care and hospital lengths of stay and time to anion gap closure and ketone clearance, without increasing the rate of hypoglycemia.
Dubious causes of no interest to students? The development of National Union of Students in the United Kingdom

Abstract In February 1992, the National Union of Students of the United Kingdom celebrated its 70th anniversary, however there were those within government that were determined that NUS would not see another decade. This article examines the ideological roots of this hostility to student organisations and examines NUS' response to it and the consequent legal framework that was devised. The article continues with a discussion of the calls for the reform of NUS from member students' unions and minority groups within the student body and analyses the organisation's response to the change process as well as the approach to student representation and government relations that NUS has adopted.
Risk as a Determinant of Trust

I propose that the degree of trust an individual forms toward an interaction partner is a function of the degree of risk that is involved in the situation. Two experiments were conducted in order to test this hypothesis. Subjects had to decide whether they would lend either an inexpensive scientific book (low-risk condition) or an expensive scientific book (high-risk condition) to a fictitious male fellow student. After subjects had made their decision, they had to indicate the degree of trust they had formed toward the interaction partner by means of a scale that referred to similar trust-related interactions. The hypothesis was clearly confirmed: The degree of trust was higher in the high-risk condition than in the low-risk condition. Results are explained in terms of self-perception theory. Implications are discussed.
Student Physical Education Teachers' Well-Being: Contribution of Basic Psychological Needs

This study adopted Self-Determination Theory tenets and aimed to explore whether student physical education (PE) teachers’ satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs independently predicts well-being. 267 Turkish student PE teachers were recruited for the study. Two stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed in which each outcome was regressed on the three psychological need measures. The results confirmed SDT’s universality; satisfactions of all three needs were positively correlated with subjective well-being and negatively correlated with loneliness. Relatedness was the strongest predictor of student teachers’ well-being whereas autonomy was the strongest predictor of their loneliness. Results are consistent with the SDT tenets which claims satisfactions of autonomy, competence and relatedness contribute to individuals’ well-being. The practical implications of this study concerns teacher education programs which should be regulated to inform student teachers about their own psychological needs and well-being and their students’ psychological needs and well-being in the future.
Cross-Linked Polyethylene Glycol Beads to Separate 99mTc-Pertechnetate from Low-Specific-Activity Molybdenum

We report a kit-based approach for the purification of sodium pertechnetate (99mTcO4−) from solutions with high MoO42− content. Methods: Cross-linked polyethylene glycol resins (ChemMatrix) were used to separate 99mTc and molybdenum in 4N NaOH. The resins were loaded at various flow rates and eluted with water to release 99mTc. The 99mTc solution was passed through a cation exchange resin and an alumina cartridge, followed by saline elution. This process was tested with cyclotron-produced 99mTc using an automated system and disposable kits. Results: Optimal results were obtained by loading 500 mg of resin at flow rates of up to 3.1 mL/min, with quantitative extraction of 99mTc from the molybdate solution and complete release of 99mTc after elution with water. The automated system was highly efficient at isolating Na99mTcO4 within minutes, with a recovery rate of 92.7% ± 1.1% (mean ± SD) using cyclotron-produced 99mTc. Conclusion: ChemMatrix resins were highly effective at separating 99mTcO4− from molybdate solutions.
Hemoglobin C Trait Provides Protection From Clinical Falciparum Malaria in Malian Children

Background. Hemoglobin C trait, like hemoglobin S trait, protects against severe malaria in children, but it is unclear whether hemoglobin C trait also protects against uncomplicated malaria. We hypothesized that Malian children with hemoglobin C trait would have a lower risk of clinical malaria than children with hemoglobin AA. Methods. Three hundred children aged 0–6 years were enrolled in a cohort study of malaria incidence in Bandiagara, Mali, with continuous passive and monthly active follow-up from June 2009 to June 2010. Results. Compared to hemoglobin AA children (n = 242), hemoglobin AC children (n = 39) had a longer time to first clinical malaria episode (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19; P = .001; 364 median malaria-free days vs 181 days), fewer episodes of clinical malaria, and a lower cumulative parasite burden. Similarly, hemoglobin AS children (n = 14) had a longer time to first clinical malaria episode than hemoglobin AA children (HR, 0.15; P = .015; 364 median malaria-free days vs 181 days), but experienced the most asymptomatic malaria infections of any group. Conclusions. Both hemoglobin C and S traits exerted a protective effect against clinical malaria episodes, but appeared to do so by mechanisms that differentially affect the response to infecting malaria parasites.
Effect of Assimilation of Work Experience on Growth Satisfaction: Assessment of an Internal Validity Threat Due to Higher Order Needs

Within the context of the job characteristics model, Bottger and Chew (1986) argue that capacity for growth, rather than need for growth, would predict individual differences in growth satisfaction. In three large samples, they show that propensity to assimilate work experience (AWE) has a significant main effect on growth satisfaction, independent of job scope and context satisfaction. By contrast, growth need strength (GNS) has a null main effect and weak interaction effect on growth satisfaction. The present study assesses a possible threat to the internal validity of the Bottger and Chew findings. It examines whether higher order needs, namely growth need strength and needs for achievement, dominance and autonomy actually explain the AWE effect on growth satisfaction. Two samples of managers (N = 440 and N = 708) from the original Bottger and Chew study are used here. Using regression analysis, we show that the AWE effect is not attributable to needs.
Texture Feature Extraction for Identification of Medicinal Plants and comparison of different classifiers

This paper presents an automated system for recognizing the medicinal plant leaves that are taken from the suburbs of the western ghats region. The dataset comprises of 250 different leaf images, of five species. Texture analyses of the leaf images have been done in this work using the feature computation. The features include grey textures, grey tone spatial dependency matrices(GTSDM) and Local Binary Pattern(LBP) operators. For each leaf image, a feature vector is generated from the statistical values. 70% of the images in the dataset are the training dataset and the rest are included in the test set. Six different classifiers are used to classify the plant leaves based on feature values. When features are combined without any preprocessing, it yielded a classification performance of 94.7%.
Distance Learning for Gifted Students: Outcomes for Elementary, Middle, and High School Aged Students

Although distance learning often is cited as a potentially useful strategy to provide appropriately challenging academic coursework to gifted students, little research has been conducted on its use or effectiveness with this population, particularly with younger students in elementary school. In this study, distance learning outcomes for gifted students from age 5 to 17 were examined, drawing on student and parent evaluations and final grades, and comparing results by age group. Overall, the students and their parents found the course an effective learning experience. Elementary school age students reported different reasons for enrolling, rated their instructors significantly more favorably, and found their course to be slightly less demanding compared to older students. However, they rated software usability somewhat lower. The findings point to the potential for distance learning for gifted students, even those in elementary school, and suggest issues that should be considered to ensure success.