Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variability in aflatoxin-albumin adduct levels and effects of hepatitis B and C virus infection and glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genotype.

Exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), an important cofactor in the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan, is influenced by dietary and other factors. The present study examined the intraindividual variability in AFB1-albumin adducts, the most reliable long-term biomarker of AFB1 exposure, and whether the baseline or follow-up adduct levels and the intraindividual variability in adduct levels are modified by endogenous and environmental factors. The study measured AFB1-albumin adduct levels among 264 healthy male residents of three townships (Hu-Hsi, Ma-Kung, and Pai-Hsa) of Penghu Islets, Taiwan, at two different time points with a median interval of 1.68 years (range 1.00-3.17 years). There was a generalized reduction in the adduct levels, with the median values being 22.1 pmol/mg (range 5.0-355.8 pmol/mg) at time 1 and 14.3 pmol/mg (range 5.0-205.2 pmol/mg) at time 2. This intraindividual variability in adduct levels was inversely associated with the age of subjects and the time interval between the two blood draws. The variability in adduct levels was lower among subjects in Hu-Hsi and Pai-Hsa townships as compared to those in Ma-Kung. No significant association was observed for the intraindividual variability in AFB1-albumin adducts with regard to the season when blood was drawn. There was also no significant association between intraindividual variability and hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, or GSTT1 status. In conclusion, we found substantial intraindividual variability in the AFB1 exposure (as determined by AFB1-albumin adducts) in Taiwan, which was probably more likely related to dietary or other environmental influences rather than to endogenous factors (e.g., hepatitis B/C viral infection or GST M1/T1 genetic status).
Feeding habits and trophic levels of bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus of different size classes in the Mediterranean Sea

Summary Possible changes in diet and trophic levels in relation to size of Mediterranean bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, were investigated using labelled carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes. Samples were obtained from two locations in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea) in May and October 2004. The δ13C and δ15N analyses revealed at least three significant isotopic groups [small juveniles (0.7–2.2 kg), sub-adults (15–50 kg) and adults (70 to 225 kg)]. δ13C was negatively dependent on weight, while δ15N was positively dependent on weight [TW = 8.2 (±0.16) + 0.03 (± 0.0) *δ15N (n = 49; r = 0.91; P < 0.001)]. Different prey contribution to the diet was highlighted for each class. The diet of juveniles comprised zooplankton, small pelagic fish and some coastal fish; sub-adults relied on medium pelagic fish, shrimps and cephalopods, and adults relied mainly on cephalopods and larger fish. The trophic level (TL) of tunas belonging to each size class was closely correlated to weight, starting from ca 3.0 TL for Group I and reaching 4.4–4.8 TL for the giants. Bluefin tuna, from small juveniles to giants, showed a shift in feeding preferences due to different use of habitats and food items as a function of the life stage.
Detection and Localisation of PrPSc in the Liver of Sheep Infected with Scrapie and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Prions are largely contained within the nervous and lymphoid tissue of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) infected animals. However, following advances in diagnostic sensitivity, PrPSc, a marker for prion disease, can now be located in a wide range of viscera and body fluids including muscle, saliva, blood, urine and milk, raising concerns that exposure to these materials could contribute to the spread of disease in humans and animals. Previously we demonstrated low levels of infectivity in the liver of sheep experimentally challenged with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In this study we show that PrPSc accumulated in the liver of 89% of sheep naturally infected with scrapie and 100% of sheep challenged with BSE, at both clinical and preclinical stages of the disease. PrPSc was demonstrated in the absence of obvious inflammatory foci and was restricted to isolated resident cells, most likely Kupffer cells.
Effect of different endodontic sealers on push-out bond strength of fiber posts

Despite the increasing demand for fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts, their bonding to root canals is still subject to debate. Endodontic sealers may affect the bond strength between fiber posts and root canal dentin. Aim: To compare the effects of different sealers on fiber post bond strength. Methods: Sixty teeth were divided into 4 groups according to obturation method: GI, gutta-percha without any sealers; GII, gutta-percha and AH26 resin-based sealer; GIII, RealSeal point and RealSeal resin-based sealer, GIV, Guttaflow. Fiber posts were cemented into root canals. Specimens were sectioned, and the bond strength was measured in the middle area. The failure mode was evaluated. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc test. Results: The highest bond strength was observed in the control group (2.95±1.12), and the least was in the Guttaflow group (1.15±0.78). There was a significant difference between bond strengths of the control and Guttaflow groups and between AH26 and Guttaflow groups (p<0.05). The failure mode was mainly adhesive between dentin and resin cement in all groups. Conclusions: Sealers may have a negative effect on the bond strength of fiber posts to root canal dentin.
The Preventive Approach of Biocompounactives (3): A Review in Recent Advances in Cereals and Some Animal-Based Foods

Biocompounactives are compounds which have the capability and the ability to interact with one or more component(s) of the living tissue by presenting a wide range of probable effects. They contain chemicals that are found in small quantities in plants and certain foods (such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils and whole grains); and they have actions in the body that can promote good health. All scientific studies confirm that a varied and balanced diet is a factor in protection against cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and high cholesterol. The philosophy that food can be a health promoting beyond its nutritional value is gaining acceptance in the public arena and among the scientific community as mounting research links diet/food components to disease prevention and treatment. In this work, we complete the discussion of the preventive approach of biocompounactives, and opportunities that present bioactivity of cereals and some animal-based foods phytochemicals to prevent many chronic diseases. As well, we finish discussing some challenges related to the evaluation of biological activity by some studies presenting important limitations that must be considered before using data types in the interpretation and extrapolation of phytochemicals bioactivities to Humans.
Mechanisms of population limitation in the southern red-backed vole in conifer forests of western North America: insights from a long-term study

Our goals were to characterize multiannual population changes of the southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi) to determine potential cycling behavior, and to specify the possible causes of these changes. We analyzed a detailed, 21-year record of changes in abundance of M. gapperi in late successional coniferous forest in southern British Columbia, Canada, from 1995 to 2015. We evaluated 3 hypotheses (H), namely that population changes are related to: (H1) changes in food supply from cone crops of coniferous trees; (H2) changes in forest habitat associated with beetle-killed lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) trees; and (H3) territorial reorganization leading to breeding season declines in abundance. There were 3 cyclic population fluctuations (6- to 7-year periodicity) where red-backed voles reached mean fall numbers of 19–25, 15–16, and 26–27 per ha, respectively; in contrast, only 2–5 voles per ha occurred during population lows. Breeding season declines in abundance occurred in 17 of 21 years, with particularly precipitous drops ranging from 49% to 69% loss of voles. M. gapperi had more successful pregnancies, juvenile recruits, and adult recruits in the high than in the low population years. Mean index of early juvenile survival was 22% higher in low than high population years. Mean summer survival (58%) was consistently lower than that in winter (83%). Population increases were positively related to cone crops of 3 coniferous tree species. Thus, H1 was partially supported in 3 of 4 seedfall events. Positive changes in forest habitat, resulting from seed rain as a food supply and fallen debris from beetle-killed pine trees as cover, may have supported high numbers of voles in 2011–2012 (H2). A spring reorganization event limited the number of breeding animals by density-dependent inhibition of maturation and survival of juvenile voles, and led to breeding season declines (H3). Rigorous field experiments are needed to test these hypotheses and their interactions as mechanisms driving population change.
Terrestrial trophic dynamics in the Canadian Arctic

The Swedish Tundra Northwest Expedition of 1999 visited 17 sites throughout the Canadian Arctic. At 12 sites that were intensively sampled we estimated the standing crop of plants and the densities of herbivores and predators with an array of trapping, visual surveys, and faecal-pellet transects. We developed a trophic-balance model using ECOPATH to integrate these observations and determine the fate of primary and secondary production in these tundra ecosystems, which spanned an 8-fold range of standing crop of plants. We estimated that about 13% of net primary production was consumed by herbivores, while over 70% of small-herbivore production was estimated to flow to predators. Only 9% of large-herbivore production was consumed by predators. Organization of Canadian Arctic ecosystems appears to be more top-down than bottom-up. Net primary production does not seem to be herbivore-limited at any site. This is the first attempt to integrate trophic dynamics over the entire Canadian Arctic.
THROMBOSIS AND HEMOSTASIS The disul fi de isomerase ERp 72 supports arterial thrombosis in mice

The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; Division of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Center For Advanced Proteomics Research, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ; and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Institute of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
Optimized transmultiplexers for multirate systems

A very fast filter bank optimization technique is proposed for synthesizing efficient nearly perfect-reconstruction cosine-modulated transmultiplexer systems for multicarrier modulation. The most important problems in communications systems are the existence of both the ISI and inter-carrier interference. In order to properly minimize both of these, a windowing technique is used for generating the prototype filter for the cosine-modulated synthesis and analysis filter banks in such a way that a proper weighted sum of the above-mentioned interferences in the sub-channels is minimized. For this purpose, the parameters of the generalized Blackman window proposed by the authors of this paper and the cutoff frequency of the ideal filter are optimized subject to the condition that the 3-dB cutoff frequency of the prototype filter occurs at /spl omega/=/spl pi//(2M) with M being the number of channels. Numerical simulations show that the proposed technique leads to an increase in the signal-to-interference ratio compared to the original Blackman window giving the best results, according to our experience, among the well-known windows.
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A (UVA) is a new technique of corneal tissue strengthening by using riboflavin as a photosensitizer and UVA to increase the formation of intra and interfibrillar covalent bonds by photosensitized oxidation. Keratocyte apoptosis in the anterior segment of the corneal stroma all the way down to a depth of about 300 microns has been described and a demarcation line between the treated and untreated cornea has been clearly shown. It is important to ensure that the cytotoxic threshold for the endothelium has not been exceeded by strictly respecting the minimal corneal thickness. Confocal microscopy studies show that repopulation of keratocytes is already visible 1 month after the treatment, reaching its pre-operative quantity and quality in terms of functional morphology within 6 months after the treatment. The major indication for the use of CXL is to inhibit the progression of corneal ectasias, such as keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration. CXL may also be effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of iatrogenic keratectasia, resulting from excessively aggressive photoablation. This treatment has also been used to treat infectious corneal ulcers with apparent favorable results. Combination with other treatments, such as intracorneal ring segment implantation, limited topography-guided photoablation and conductive keratoplasty have been used with different levels of success.
Relationship between Academic Self-efficacy Believed of College Students and Academic Performance.

-This paper investigate the levels of students’ academic self-efficacy beliefs and relationship between academic self-efficacy with students’ academic performance among final year students’ in one of Nigerian Colleges of education. Questionnaire was used as the means of data collection. A total sample of 339 respondents who were stratified and randomly selected from five faculties of the College participated in the research. The respondents were between the age of 19 to 34 years old with mean age equals 23.19 (SD= 2.64). The findings revealed that, 80.82% of the respondents have higher levels of academic self-efficacy in the College. Also positive and significant relationship between academic self-efficacy beliefs with students’ academic performance (r=0.342, p<0.01) were recorded. Therefore, it is recommended that students’ should be exposing to the kind of self-efficacy intervention program in order for the students’ to be having a kind of confidence to feel that, they can really perform well and deal with all academic related task positively, which in turn improve academic achievement of students’ positively. KeywordsAcademic Self-Efficacy, Academic Performance, Relationship, College Students’.
Endometrial scratching for subfertility: everyone's doing it.

STUDY QUESTION What proportion of clinicians across Australia, New Zealand and the UK are currently offering or recommending endometrial scratching for subfertility? SUMMARY ANSWER Eighty-three percent of clinicians responding to this survey are recommending endometrial scratching to women undergoing IVF. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Endometrial scratching is currently being proposed as a technique to increase the probability of implantation in women undergoing IVF. While trial results provide evidence in favour of this procedure, there remains some uncertainty about both the extent of any beneficial effect and the subgroups of women most likely to benefit. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Cross-sectional survey with responses from a total of 143 public and private fertility care providers surveyed between August and October 2015. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS An online survey was distributed to all 189 fertility clinics across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. All clinicians, nurses and embryologists were eligible to take part. One hundred and forty-three of the 152 responses received were eligible for inclusion, with multiple responses per clinic in 33 cases. At least one response was received from 68 clinics (36% response rate per clinic). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE This survey found that 83% of clinicians commend endometrial scratching prior to IVF. Of these, 92% recommend endometrial scratching to women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and 6% recommend it to all women having IVF. Most respondents (73%) agreed that the procedure is beneficial in women with RIF undergoing IVF and disagreed (53%) that the procedure is beneficial for women undergoing their first IVF cycle. The most common timeframe for performing endometrial scratching is the luteal phase of the cycle prior to the IVF cycle. Additionally, only 4% of clinicians recommend endometrial scratching to women undergoing intrauterine insemination or trying to conceive naturally. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Fertility care providers who recommend endometrial scratching may be more likely to respond to the survey and this could exaggerate the use of the procedure reported here. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study was conducted across three countries and may be generalizable to similar settings. While this procedure already appears to be offered by the majority of respondents, the results of further studies in this area may further refine or expand the context in which this procedure is beneficial. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS No funding or competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
Challenges to our current view on chloroplasts

Abstract Chloroplasts are the co-evolution product of three different genetic compartments. This review compiles reports about bacteria and various photosynthetically active eukaryotes that challenge our current view on the structure of chloroplasts. It highlights their structurally dynamic nature and their differences in various groups of the Archaeplastida. Based on these reports, it argues in favor of an evolutionary view on bacterial as well as on plastid cell biology.
Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase Does Not Impact Murine Meiotic Recombination

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) was first described as the triggering enzyme of the B-cell−specific reactions that edit the immunoglobulin genes, namely somatic hypermutation, gene conversion, and class switch recombination. Over the years, AID was also detected in cells other than lymphocytes, and it has been assigned additional roles in the innate defense against transforming retroviruses, in retrotransposition restriction and in DNA demethylation. Notably, AID expression was found in germline tissues, and in heterologous systems it can induce the double-strand breaks required for the initiation of meiotic recombination and proper gamete formation. However, because AID-deficient mice are fully fertile, the molecule is not essential for meiosis. Thus, the remaining question that we addressed here is whether AID influences the frequency of meiotic recombination in mice. We measured the recombination events in the meiosis of male and female mice F1 hybrids of C57BL/6J and BALB/c, in Aicda+/+ and Aicda−/− background by using a panel of single-nucleotide polymorphisms that distinguishes C57BL/6J from BALB/c genome across the 19 autosomes. In agreement with the literature, we found that the frequency of recombination in the female germline was greater than in male germline, both in the Aicda+/+ and Aicda−/− backgrounds. No statistical difference was found in the average recombination events between Aicda+/+ and Aidca−/− animals, either in females or males. In addition, the recombination frequencies between single-nucleotide polymorphisms flanking the immunoglobulin heavy and immunoglobulin kappa loci was also not different. We conclude that AID has a minor impact, if any, on the overall frequency of meiotic recombination.
Microstructure model for the heat-affected zone of X80 linepipe steel

An important aspect of the integrity of oil and gas pipelines is the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of girth welds where the microstructure of the as-hot rolled steel is altered with potentially adverse effects on the HAZ properties. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the HAZ microstructure for different welding scenarios. Here, an integrated microstructure evolution model is proposed and applied to the HAZ of an X80 linepipe steel. The model considers dissolution of Nb-rich precipitates, austenite grain growth and austenite decomposition into ferrite and bainite. Microstructure maps showing the fraction of transformation products as a function of distance from the fusion line are obtained and used to compare the effect of different welding procedures on the HAZ microstructure.
Nitrogen Cycle Evaluation (NiCE) Chip for Simultaneous Analysis of Multiple N Cycle-Associated Genes

ABSTRACT Various microorganisms play key roles in the nitrogen (N) cycle. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and PCR amplicon sequencing of N cycle functional genes allow us to analyze the abundance and diversity of microbes responsible for N-transforming reactions in various environmental samples. However, analysis of multiple target genes can be cumbersome and expensive. PCR-independent analysis, such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, is useful but expensive, especially when we analyze multiple samples and try to detect N cycle functional genes present at a relatively low abundance. Here, we present the application of microfluidic qPCR chip technology to simultaneously quantify and prepare amplicon sequence libraries for multiple N cycle functional genes as well as taxon-specific 16S rRNA gene markers for many samples. This approach, named the nitrogen cycle evaluation (NiCE) chip, was evaluated by using DNA from pure and artificially mixed bacterial cultures and by comparing the results with those obtained by conventional qPCR and amplicon sequencing methods. Quantitative results obtained by the NiCE chip were comparable to those obtained by conventional qPCR. In addition, the NiCE chip was successfully applied to examine the abundance and diversity of N cycle functional genes in wastewater samples. Although nonspecific amplification was detected on the NiCE chip, this can be overcome by optimizing the primer sequences in the future. As the NiCE chip can provide a high-throughput format to quantify and prepare sequence libraries for multiple N cycle functional genes, this tool should advance our ability to explore N cycling in various samples. IMPORTANCE We report a novel approach, namely, the nitrogen cycle evaluation (NiCE) chip, by using microfluidic qPCR chip technology. By sequencing the amplicons recovered from the NiCE chip, we can assess the diversities of N cycle functional genes. The NiCE chip technology is applicable to analysis of the temporal dynamics of N cycle gene transcription in wastewater treatment bioreactors. The NiCE chip can provide a high-throughput format to quantify and prepare sequence libraries for multiple N cycle functional genes. While there is room for future improvement, this tool should significantly advance our ability to explore the N cycle in various environmental samples.
A parallel algorithm for construction of uniform grids

We present a fast, parallel GPU algorithm for construction of uniform grids for ray tracing, which we implement in CUDA. The algorithm performance does not depend on the primitive distribution, because we reduce the problem to sorting pairs of primitives and cell indices. Our implementation is able to take full advantage of the parallel architecture of the GPU, and construction speed is faster than CPU algorithms running on multiple cores. Its scalability and robustness make it superior to alternative approaches, especially for scenes with complex primitive distributions.