Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Evaluation of the Mitochondrial Proteomes of Drosophila melanogaster Adapted to Extreme Oxygen Conditions

Mitochondria are the primary organelles that consume oxygen and provide energy for cellular activities. To investigate the mitochondrial mechanisms underlying adaptation to extreme oxygen conditions, we generated Drosophila strains that could survive in low- or high-oxygen environments (LOF or HOF, respectively), examined their mitochondria at the ultrastructural level via transmission electron microscopy, studied the activity of their respiratory chain complexes, and quantitatively analyzed the protein abundance responses of the mitochondrial proteomes using Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). A total of 718 proteins were identified with high confidence, and 55 and 75 mitochondrial proteins displayed significant differences in abundance in LOF and HOF, respectively, compared with the control flies. Importantly, these differentially expressed mitochondrial proteins are primarily involved in respiration, calcium regulation, the oxidative response, and mitochondrial protein translation. A correlation analysis of the changes in the levels of the mRNAs corresponding to differentially regulated mitochondrial proteins revealed two sets of proteins with different modes of regulation (transcriptional vs. post-transcriptional) in both LOF and HOF. We believe that these findings will not only enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying adaptation to extreme oxygen conditions in Drosophila but also provide a clue in studying human disease induced by altered oxygen tension in tissues and cells.
Distortions in Reproduction of Two-Interval Rhythms: When the “Attractor Ratio” Is Not Exactly 1:2

when rhythms consisting of two unequal intervals are reproduced cyclically, their interval ratio tends to be distorted in the direction of 1:2 (= 0.5), which thus seems to function as an “attractor ratio” (AR). However, recent results for musicians in a synchronization task (Repp, London, & Keller, 2011) have suggested an upward-shifted AR (USAR) somewhat greater than 0.5. Three new experiments suggest that this shift is not due to synchronization versus continuation tapping, the range of interval ratios employed, unimanual versus bimanual tapping, intensity differences between taps, or mental subdivision of the long interval, although some of these factors may affect its size. The new results also show that the USAR is found more consistently in musicians than in nonmusicians and seems to arise in rhythm production, not in perception. While the exact causes of the USAR remain unclear, the results suggest that the AR is not necessarily the mathematically simplest interval ratio.
Confidentiality

Abstract Confidentiality was the ethical dilemma most frequently encountered by Israeli social workers in a 1998 national survey (Linzer, Conboy and Ain, 2002). A reanalysis of survey responses found the social workers cared about preventing violations of client privacy, promoting client self-determination, and respecting client dignity, especially when challenged by: (1) public institutions' right to know, (2) limitations of protection of client communications and information, including duty to warn, (3) child and family dilemmas, (4) informed consent ambiguities, and (5) computers and technology utilization. Social workers looked to their own counsel, colleagues, and supervisor's advice and their professional code of ethics for guidance.
Re-imagining roles: using collaborative and creative research methodologies to explore girls’ perspectives on gender, citizenship and schooling

Often girls are the objects of the camera’s lens and subjects of the researcher’s gaze. This article describes a qualitative study using a collaborative, creative and critical methodology to explore girls’ perspectives on gender, citizenship and schooling. The seven adolescent girl participants used Photovoice to engage with their roles as girl-citizens. Despite Canada’s international reputation as a leader in gender equality, evidence reveals that challenges still prevent their full participation, particularly in formal politics. This research raises questions about what life is like for girls and women in Canada beyond the rhetoric and global rankings, and adds to the often disconnected bodies of literature on girlhood, citizenship and education.
Modelling variable source area dynamics in a CEAP watershed

In the Northeast US, saturation excess is the most dominant runoff process and locations of runoff source areas, typically called variable source areas (VSAs), are determined by the available soil water storage and the landscape topographic position. To predict runoff generated from VSAs some water quality models use the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number equation (SCS‐CN), which assumes a constant initial abstraction of rainfall is retained by the watershed prior to the beginning of runoff. We apply a VSA interpretation of the SCS‐CN runoff equation that allows the initial abstraction to vary with antecedent moisture conditions. We couple this modified SCS‐CN approach with a semi‐distributed water balance model to predict runoff, and distribute predictions using a soil topographic index for the Town Brook watershed in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The accuracy of predicted VSA extents using both the original and the modified SCS‐CN equation were evaluated for 14 rainfall‐runoff events through a comparison with average water table depths measured at 33 locations in Town Brook from March–September 2004. The modified SCS‐CN equation captured VSA dynamics more accurately than the original equation. However, during events with high antecedent rainfall VSA dynamics were still under‐predicted suggesting that VSA runoff is not captured solely by knowledge of the soil water deficit. Considering the importance of correctly predicting runoff generation and pollutant source areas in the landscape, the results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of integrating VSA hydrology into water quality models to reduce non‐point source pollution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visual symmetry perception in early onset monocular blindness

Symmetry detection is impaired by abnormal binocular vision development such as in amblyopia. However, the detection of symmetry has never been investigated in cases where input from one eye is profoundly compromised. Testing monocularly blind (MB) individuals represents a unique opportunity to investigate whether symmetry salience relies on a normally developed binocular visual system. In a visual symmetry detection task using dot patterns, congenitally MB showed comparable accuracy to normally sighted individuals viewing monocularly. This included better detection of vertically than horizontally symmetric patterns. However, the MB were slower than controls in detecting a symmetrical pattern. In a control target-detection task, no significant differences in performance were observed between these groups. Overall, normal developing binocular vision does not appear necessary for the visual system to detect the presence of visual symmetry. However, optimal detection mechanisms may be dependent on binocular summation or other processes dependent on input from both eyes.
Emerging technologies for diagnosis of dental caries: The road so far

It is now universally recognized that the development of new technologies for early detection and quantitative monitoring of dental decay at an early stage of formation could provide health and economic benefits ranging from timely preventive interventions to reduction in the time required for clinical trials of anticaries agents. The use of technologies as adjunct to clinical visual examination for caries diagnosis will facilitate preventive care in dentistry to lower treatment cost as well as reduce the cost and time for testing potential anticaries agents. This article describes the various technologies available to aid the dental practitioners in detecting dental caries at the earliest stage of its formation, assessing the activities of the detected carious lesion, and quantitatively or qualitatively monitoring of the lesion over time. The need and the importance of these technologies were also discussed. The data discussed are primarily based on published scientific studies and reviews from case repo.
First Report of Complete Sequence of a blaNDM-13-Harboring Plasmid from an Escherichia coli ST5138 Clinical Isolate

Since the first report of blaNDM-1, 16 blaNDM variants have been identified among Gram-negative bacteria worldwide. Recently, a novel blaNDM variant, blaNDM-13, was identified in the chromosome of an ST101 Escherichia coli isolate from Nepal. Here we first reported plasmid-mediated blaNDM-13 in a carbapenem-resistant E. coli ST5138 clinical isolate associated with hospital-acquired urinary tract infection from China. blaNDM-13 and blaSHV-12 coexisted on the a ~54 Kb self-transferable plasmid. Compared with NDM-1, NDM-13, NDM-3, and NDM-4 had two amino acid substitutions (D95N and M154L), one amino acid substitution (D95N) and one amino acid substitutions (M154L), respectively. Complete plasmid sequencing showed that blaNDM-13-harboring plasmid (pNDM13-DC33) was highly similar to the blaNDM-1-harboring IncX3 plasmid pNDM-HN380, a common blaNDM-harboring vector circulating in China. In accordance with the structure of pNDM-HN380, pNDM13-DC33 consists of a 33-kb backbone encoding plasmid replication (repB), stability partitioning, and transfer (tra, trb, and pil) functions, and a 21-kb antimicrobial resistance region with high GC content between umuD and mpr genes. In conclusion, the present study is the first report of a plasmid-encoded blaNDM-13 and the complete sequence of a blaNDM-13-harboring plasmid (pNDM13-DC33). blaNDM-13 maybe originate from blaNDM-1 located on a pNDM-HN380-like plasmid by sequential mutations.
Design and acceptability assessment of a new reversible orthosis

We present a new device aimed at being used for upper limb rehabilitation. Our main focus was to design a robot capable of working in both the passive mode (i.e. the robot shall be strong enough to generate human-like movements while guiding the weak arm of a patient) and the active mode (i.e. the robot shall be able of following the arm without disturbing human natural motion). This greatly challenges the design, since the system shall be reversible and lightweight while providing human compatible strength, workspace and speed. The solution takes the form of an orthotic structure, which allows control of human arm redundancy contrarily to clinically available upper limb rehabilitation robots. It is equipped with an innovative transmission technology, which provides both high gear ratio and fine reversibility. In order to evaluate the device and its therapeutic efficacy, we compared several series of pointing movements in healthy subjects wearing and not wearing the orthotic device. In this way, we could assess any disturbing effect on normal movements. Results show that the main movement characteristics (direction, duration, bell shape profile) are preserved.
A framework to create realistic IVUS phantoms for different intraluminal pressures

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) phantoms allow flexibility and full vessel and atherosclerotic-parameter control. Controlling coronary properties in phantoms is important to calibrate and test many different IVUS algorithm. Therefore, a framework to create representative IVUS phantoms, using Finite Element method and Field II, is presented. First, a coronary cross section model is selected. Second, the different regions of an IVUS image are assigned for the elasticity modulus. Third, triangular element is used to automatically generate the IVUS mesh, higher number of elements are disposed at borders, where more precision is required. Finally, the deformation is computed, using different intraluminal pressure. Consequently, the deformed image is generated, and Field II is applied to incorporate the Speckle noise. The framework is corroborated by creating phantoms with different features, and comparing the plaque strain rate, with deformations obtained by recent studies. Moreover, related modalities, such as Intravascular OCT and MRI can be included in this framework for future investigations.
Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in normotensive women with Turner’s syndrome

Women with Turner’s syndrome (TS) are at risk of not only congenital cardiovascular malformations but also hypertension and ischaemic heart disease,1 risk factors that may all interact and reduce left ventricular (LV) performance. Conventional echocardiography, however, has not been able to identify LV dysfunction in TS,2 but the techniques used may well have been insufficient to detect subtle alterations in cardiac function. To confirm our hypothesis of impaired LV function in women with TS, we therefore used tissue and conventional Doppler echocardiography to evaluate systolic long-axis function and diastolic filling in a group of asymptomatic, normotensive women with TS. We studied 33 women with TS. Exclusion criteria were cardiac malformations (bicuspid aortic valve not included), LV ejection fraction < 55%, hypertension, impaired insulin sensitivity, and diabetes. All participants were not taking any drugs other than hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Three had previously received growth hormone. Thirty-three age-matched healthy female volunteers served as controls. To address the metabolic state of the women with TS, fasting blood samples were drawn between 09 00 and 10 00. Insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) -S) and β cell function (HOMA-B) were assessed by the HOMA model. All echocardiographic examinations were performed by NHA on a GE Vivid Five (GE Medical Systems, Horten, Norway) equipped with a 2.5 MHz transducer. Assessment of LV …
Fluorescence polarization in homogeneous nucleic acid analysis.

A new method for DNA diagnostics based on template-directed primer extension and detection by fluorescence polarization is described. In this method, amplified genomic DNA containing a polymorphic locus is incubated with oligonucleotide primers (designed to hybridize to the DNA template adjacent to the polymorphic site) in the presence of allele-specific dye-labeled dideoxyribonucleoside triphosphates and a commercially available modified Taq DNA polymerase. The primer is extended by the dye-terminator specific for the allele present on the template, increasing approximately 10-fold the molecular weight of the fluorophore. At the end of the reaction, the fluorescence polarization of the two dye-terminators in the reaction mixture are analyzed directly without separation or purification. This homogeneous DNA diagnostic method is shown to be highly sensitive and specific and is suitable for automated genotyping of large number of samples. [The data shown in Figure 3 are available as an online supplement at. ]
Changes in the structure of the accretion disc of EX Draconis through the outburst cycle

ABSTRA C T We report on the analysis of high-speed photometry of the dwarf nova EX Draconis through its outburst cycle with eclipse mapping techniques. The eclipse maps show evidence of the formation of a one-armed spiral structure in the disc at the early stages of the outburst, and reveal how the disc expands during the rise phase until it fills most of the primary Roche lobe at maximum light. During the decline phase the disc becomes progressively fainter until only a small bright region around the white dwarf is left at minimum light. The eclipse maps also suggest the presence of an inward- and an outward-moving heating wave during the rise and an inward-moving cooling wave in the decline. The inferred speed of the outward-moving heating wave is of the order of 1 km s 21 , while the speed of the cooling wave is a fraction of that. Our results suggest a systematic deceleration of both the heating and the cooling waves as they travel across the disc, in agreement with predictions of the disc instability model. The analysis of the brightness temperature profiles indicates that most of the disc appears to be in steady state during quiescence and at outburst maximum, but not during the intermediate stages. As a general trend, the mass accretion rate in the outer regions is larger than in the inner disc on the rising branch, while the opposite holds during the declining branch. We estimate a mass accretion rate of _ Ma 10 28 M( yr 21 at outburst maximum and _ Ma 10 29:1 M( yr 21 in quiescence. The brightness temperature profile in quiescence also suggests that the viscosity parameter is high at this stage, acool * 0:25, which favours the masstransfer instability model. The uneclipsed light has a steady component, understood in terms of emission from the red secondary star, and a variable component that is proportional to the out-of-eclipse flux and corresponds to about 3 per cent of the total brightness of the system. The variable component is interpreted as arising in a disc wind.
The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS): A Preliminary Report on Selected Characteristics of Approximately 10 000 Pregnant Women Recruited During the First Year of the Study

Background The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) is an ongoing nationwide birth cohort study launched in January 2011. In this progress report, we present data collected in the first year to summarize selected maternal and infant characteristics. Methods In the 15 Regional Centers located throughout Japan, the expectant mothers were recruited in early pregnancy at obstetric facilities and/or at local government offices issuing pregnancy journals. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the women during their first trimester and then again during the second or third trimester to obtain information on demographic factors, physical and mental health, lifestyle, occupation, environmental exposure, dwelling conditions, and socioeconomic status. Information was obtained from medical records in the first trimester and after delivery on medical history, including gravidity and related complications, parity, maternal anthropometry, and infant physical examinations. Results We collected data on a total of 9819 expectant mothers (mean age = 31.0 years) who gave birth during 2011. There were 9635 live births. The selected infant characteristics (singleton births, gestational age at birth, sex, birth weight) in the JECS population were similar to those in national survey data on the Japanese general population. Conclusions Our final birth data will eventually be used to evaluate the national representativeness of the JECS population. We hope the JECS will provide valuable information on the impact of the environment in which our children live on their health and development.
Users’ Perspectives on and Learning Effectiveness of Tour-Guide Training Courses With 3D Tourist Sites

This study investigated trainees’ conceptualization of a training course with three-dimensional situated tourist sites (3D-STS) in order to examine its learning effectiveness and surveyed the trainees’ views to understand their perspectives on 3D-STS. In addition to self-developed 3D-STS, a test, a questionnaire, and a follow-up interview were conducted to collect data for analysis. The results outlined four dimensions of 3D-STS: interface and situation, tool and function, communication mechanism, and overall satisfaction. The results showed that (a) there was a significant difference between trainee pretests and posttests with regard to concepts, and (b) there was a significant difference in perspectives on 3D-STS of male and female trainees before and after the experiment.
Autocorrelation and Distinctness of Decimations of l-Sequences

It has long been open whether all pairs of proper decimations of $l$-sequences based on primes are cyclically distinct. By determining the nontrivial maximal autocorrelation of $l$-sequences, this paper presents a partial proof of the distinctness problem. Since the proof idea is completely different from former ones, the set of decimations that are known to be cyclically distinct is further enlarged. On the basis of convincing experimental data, the proof seems to ensure that more than 79% of $l$-sequences based on different primes satisfy the fact that every pair of proper decimations is cyclically distinct. In particular, a complete proof is provided for $l$-sequences based on primes of the form $2\cdot r+1$, where $r$ is an odd prime number.
Facilitating Disclosure of HIV-Positive Status to Family Members

Little has sofar appeared in thefamily counseling literature concerning disclosure to family members of HIVpositive status. Yet disclosure is necessary if HIVpositive individuals are to garner support from their families or family members are to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from contracting the disease (e.g., spouses). A review of a recent article from the family counseling literature offers a model for facilitating disclosure developed from the experiences of 5 women.
Early prediction of gestational diabetes: a practical model combining clinical and biochemical markers

Abstract Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is usually diagnosed late in pregnancy, precluding early preventive interventions. This study aims to develop a predictive model based on clinical factors and selected biochemical markers for the early risk assessment of GDM. Methods: Based on a prospective cohort of 7929 pregnant women from the Quebec City metropolitan area, a nested case-control study was performed including 264 women who developed GDM. Each woman who developed GDM was matched with two women with normal glycemic profile. Risk prediction models for GDM and GDM requiring insulin therapy were developed using multivariable logistic regression analyses, based on clinical characteristics and the measurement of three clinically validated biomarkers: glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measured between 14 and 17 weeks of gestation. Results: HbA1c and hsCRP were higher and SHBG was lower in women who developed GDM (p<0.001). The selected model for the prediction of GDM, based on HbA1c, SHBG, BMI, past history of GDM, family history of diabetes and soft drink intake before pregnancy yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.79 (0.75–0.83). For the prediction of GDM requiring insulin therapy, the selected model including the same six variables yielded an AUC of 0.88 (0.84–0.92) and a sensitivity of 68.9% at a false-positive rate of 10%. Conclusions: A simple model based on clinical characteristics and biomarkers available early in pregnancy could allow the identification of women at risk of developing GDM, especially GDM requiring insulin therapy.