Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The onset and development of the chick electroretinogram: the A- and B-waves.

Abstract THE development of the electroretinogram (ERG) of the chick embryo has been studied by Goto (1950), Peters et al. (1958), Garcia-Austt and Patetta-Queirolo (1961 a,b) and more recently by Blozovski and Blozovski (1968) and most of them reported that the first appearance of the ERG was recognized in the embryonic stage from the 16th to 19th day of incubation. The time of appearance of the ERG varied with different experimental conditions, namely in situ or isolated eye. Other reasons for the disagreement of the first onset time among various workers might be due to breed differences and to classification of developing embryos. The purpose of this experiment is to study when the ERG first appears in our testing conditions, and to observe a pattern of changes in the chick ERG at various ages of development. MATERIALS AND METHODS a) Materials: About two hundred White Leghorn chicks (Goto-201 line) 1 to…
Comparison of ABC/2 estimation technique to computer-assisted planimetric analysis in warfarin-related intracerebral parenchymal hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The ABC/2 formula is a reliable estimation technique of intracerebral hematoma volume. However, oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT)-related intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) compared with primary ICH is based on a different pathophysiological mechanism, and various shapes of hematomas are more likely to occur. Our objective was to validate the ABC/2 technique based on analyses of the hematoma shapes in OAT-related ICH. METHODS We reviewed the computed tomography scans of 83 patients with OAT-associated intraparenchymal ICH. Location was divided into deep, lobar, cerebellar, and brain stem hemorrhage. Shape of the ICH was divided into (A) round-to-ellipsoid, (B) irregular with frayed margins, and (C) multinodular to separated. The ABC/2 technique was compared with computer-assisted planimetric analyses with regard to hematoma site and shape. RESULTS The mean hematoma volume was 40.83+/-3.9 cm3 (ABC/2) versus 36.6+/-3.5 cm3 (planimetric analysis). Bland-Altman plots suggested equivalence of both estimation techniques, especially for smaller ICH volumes. The most frequent location was a deep hemorrhage (54%), followed by lobar (21%), cerebellar (14%) and brain stem hemorrhage (11%). The most common shape was round-to-ellipsoid (44%), followed by irregular ICH (31%) and separated and multinodular shapes (25%). In the latter, ABC/2 formula significantly overestimated volume by +32.1% (round shapes by +6.7%; irregular shapes by +14.9%; P ANOVA <0.01). Variation of the denominator toward ABC/3 in cases of irregularly and separately shaped hematomas revealed more a precise volume estimation with a deviation of -10.3% in irregular and +5.6% in separately shaped hematomas. CONCLUSIONS In patients with OAT-related ICH, >50% of bleedings are irregularly shaped. In these cases, hematoma volume is significantly overestimated by the ABC/2 formula. Modification of the denominator to 3 (ie, ABC/3) measured ICH volume more accurately in these patients potentially facilitating treatment decisions.
Effect of clay loading on flammability of poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites

The present study is related to the investigation of flammability properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) after incorporation of clay. PMMA/layered silicate (nanoclay) nanocomposites with 5% loading of nanofiller were prepared using melt intercalation technique. Commercially modified nanoclays such as Cloisite 30B, Cloisite 93A and in-house modified nanoclay (Quaternary ammonium salt modified Na-MMT i.e. OTAB-Na-MMT have been used as organoclays for the preparation of nanocomposites. Thermal characterization of the above prepared nanocomposites was carried out by thermal conductivity, horizontal burning test (UL94HB) and cone calorimeter experiments. The morphological behavior of nanocomposites was characterized by wide angle x-ray diffraction technique. The morphology of charred material obtained after burning was investigated using scanning electron microscopic analysis.
Low levels of tumor suppressor candidate 3 predict poor prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose The tumor suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3) has been considered to be closely associated with the occurrence, development and invasion of various malignant tumors. However, the expression of TUSC3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues remains ambiguous. The purpose of this research was to investigate the expression of TUSC3 in HCC tissues and analyze the relationship between TUSC3 levels and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of HCC patients. Materials and methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TUSC3 in HCC and the corresponding para-cancerous tissues from 92 samples of HCC patients. mRNA and protein expression levels of TUSC3 were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot assays in 25 paired HCC and corresponding adjacent nontumor tissues. Furthermore, statistical analysis was applied to evaluate the correlation between TUSC3 level and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of HCC patients. Results Immunohistochemical assay indicated that the expression of TUSC3 was significantly lower in HCC tissues when compared with the corresponding para-cancerous tissues (χ2=11.512, P=0.001). The analysis of clinicopathological characteristics showed that low expression of TUSC3 in HCC tissues was significantly associated with Edmondson grade, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage and tumor size (P=0.008, 0.009 and 0.020, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that the expression of TUSC3 was strongly correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after radical surgery in HCC patients (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the TUSC3 level was an independent risk factor for OS and DFS in HCC patients (P=0.001, P<0.001, respectively). Results of qRT-PCR and Western blot assays indicated that the level of TUSC3 in HCC tissues was significantly lower than that in the corresponding adjacent noncancerous tissues (P<0.01, P<0.001). Conclusion The expression of TUSC3 in HCC was significantly downregulated and was correlated with tumor progression and prognosis, which could be used as an independent predictor of prognosis in HCC patients.
Gunrock

For large-scale graph analytics on the GPU, the irregularity of data access and control flow, and the complexity of programming GPUs, have presented two significant challenges to developing a programmable high-performance graph library. “Gunrock,” our graph-processing system designed specifically for the GPU, uses a high-level, bulk-synchronous, data-centric abstraction focused on operations on a vertex or edge frontier. Gunrock achieves a balance between performance and expressiveness by coupling high-performance GPU computing primitives and optimization strategies with a high-level programming model that allows programmers to quickly develop new graph primitives with small code size and minimal GPU programming knowledge. We characterize the performance of various optimization strategies and evaluate Gunrock’s overall performance on different GPU architectures on a wide range of graph primitives that span from traversal-based algorithms and ranking algorithms, to triangle counting and bipartite-graph-based algorithms. The results show that on a single GPU, Gunrock has on average at least an order of magnitude speedup over Boost and PowerGraph, comparable performance to the fastest GPU hardwired primitives and CPU shared-memory graph libraries, such as Ligra and Galois, and better performance than any other GPU high-level graph library.
Relationship among Depression, Anxiety and Mother-Infant Bonding in Mothers of Premature Babies

Preterm birth is a multi-problematic event and can greatly affect the mother psychological wellbeing. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among depression, anxiety, and mother-infant bonding in mothers of premature babies. A descriptive correlational research design was utilized in this study. A convenient sample of sixty mothers was recruited in this study. The study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), at El Manial University Hospital. Data for this study were collected using four tools including socio-demographic data sheet, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and MotherInfant Bond Scale. The results of the current study showed that mothers with premature babies suffer from severe level of anxiety and have high negative attitude toward their babies. Also, the study revealed that there was no statistical significant relationship between mothers’ depression, anxiety and their bond with their babies. However, there was statistically significant direct relationship between mothers’ depression and anxiety. The study concluded that, having premature baby can affect the mother’s psychological state. The study recommended that, mothers of premature babies are in great need for psychological support and guidance. It is crucial to follow-up those mothers during their premature babies’ development.
Understanding Social Situations (USS): A Proof-of-Concept Social–Cognitive Intervention Targeting Theory of Mind and Attributional Bias in Individuals With Psychosis

Objectives: In this proof-of-concept trial, we examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Understanding Social Situations (USS), a new social–cognitive intervention that targets higher level social–cognitive skills using methods common to neurocognitive remediation, including drill and practice and hierarchically structured training, which may compensate for the negative effects of cognitive impairment on learning. Method: Thirty-eight individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders completed the same baseline assessment of cognitive and social–cognitive functioning twice over a 1-month period to minimize later practice effects, then received 7–10 sessions of USS training, and then completed the same assessment again at posttreatment. Results: USS training was well tolerated and received high treatment satisfaction ratings. Large improvements on the USS Skills Test, which contained items similar to but not identical to training stimuli, suggest that we were effective in teaching specific training content. Content gains generalized to improvements on some of the social–cognitive tasks, including select measures of attributional bias and theory of mind. Importantly, baseline neurocognition did not impact the amount of learning during USS (as indexed by the USS Skills Test) or the amount of improvement on social–cognitive measures. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: USS shows promise as a treatment for higher level social–cognitive skills. Given the lack of relationship between baseline cognition and treatment effects, it may be particularly appropriate for individuals with lower range cognitive function.
Investigating the nucleic acid interactions of histone‐derived antimicrobial peptides

While many antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) disrupt bacterial membranes, some translocate into bacteria and interfere with intracellular processes. Buforin II and DesHDAP1 are thought to kill bacteria by interacting with nucleic acids. Here, molecular modeling and experimental measurements are used to show that neither nucleic acid binding peptide selectively binds DNA sequences. Simulations and experiments also show that changing lysines to arginines enhances DNA binding, suggesting that including additional guanidinium groups is a potential strategy to engineer more potent AMPs. Moreover, the lack of binding specificity may make it more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance to these and other similar AMPs.
Softwood lumber products in the United States: substitutes, complements, or unrelated?

ABSTRACT. This study addresses an important dimension concerning the softwood lum- ber trade dispute between United States and Canada-substitutability among imported and domestically produced species. We employ the restricted translog subcost function ap- proach to study this issue based on the monthly data of US softwood products consumption and prices between Jan. 1989 and July 2001. The results show that the spruce-pine-fir lumber species group, mainly imported from Canada, is largely unrelated to domestically produced treated southern yellow pine, Douglas-fir, and other species groups, but is a substitute to untreated southern yellow pine and engineered wood products. Furthermore, untreated southern yellow pine is facing more severe competition from structural panels rather than from the imported Canadian spruce-pine-fir group. FOR. SCI. 50(4):416-426. Key Words: Trade dispute, US-Canada, southern pine, spruce-pine-fir, engineered wood products, translog subcost function.
Bioavailability and nutritional effects of carotenoids from organically and conventionally produced carrots in healthy men

It has been hypothesised that organically grown vegetables are healthier than conventionally produced ones due to a higher content of phytochemicals. However, few data from controlled human studies exist. The aim of the present study was to compare the carotenoid content and antioxidant capacity of organically and conventionally produced carrots under defined conditions. Furthermore, a human intervention study was conducted to compare bioavailability, plasma antioxidant capacity, endogenous DNA strand breaks and immune parameters in healthy men ingesting carrots from different agricultural systems. Thirty-six volunteers consumed either organically or conventionally produced blanched carrots (200 g/d; 2 weeks) or no carrots in a double-blind, randomised intervention study. No statistically significant differences were observed in the total carotenoid contents (121 (sd 7) μg/g organic v. 116 (sd 13) μg/g conventional) and the antioxidant capacities (0·43 (sd 0·08) μmol Trolox equivalents/g organic v. 0·32 (sd 0·07) μmol Trolox equivalents/g conventional) of the carrots administered to the volunteers. Intake of organically or conventionally produced carrots significantly increased (P < 0·001) plasma α- and β-carotene concentrations in both intervention groups without differences in plasma carotenoid concentrations. Consumption of carrots did not lead to significant changes in the plasma antioxidant status, endogenous DNA strand breaks and parameters of the immune system in all groups. Therefore, these results indicate that the agricultural system has neither an effect on the carotenoid content, the antioxidant capacity of carrots, nor on the bioavailability of carotenoids and on antioxidant, antigenotoxic and immunological effects as assessed in a human intervention study.
Persistence of metabolic syndrome and its impact on glucose metabolism in overweight and obese children and adolescents

Abstract Objective: To verify the effects of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its relation to insulin resistance (IR) in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity after 24 months of follow-up. Design: Studies of repeated measures from April 2009 to April 2012. For both measurements, the evaluations performed were anthropometry, MS diagnosis, fasting blood glucose, glucose homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), and insulin level; at a second evaluation, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was used as an additional indicator of glucose metabolism alterations. Logistic regression between syndrome persistence and its components with glucose metabolism alterations was performed for each of its indicators. The SPSS version 17.0 software (95% CI) was used. Location: Center for Childhood Obesity, Campina Grande, Brazil. Subjects: Children and adolescents (n=133), aged 2–18 years, with overweight or obesity. Results: There was a significant decrease in MS during the study period, with persistence of the syndrome in 17.3% of the individuals. The presence of at least one alteration in glucose metabolism occurred in 45.1% of children and adolescents. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the average levels of HOMA-IR showed significant decrease at the end of 24 months (p<0.01), and an elevated waist circumference (WC) remained associated with IR (p<0.01). Conclusion: There was observed no relationship of IR or other indicator of glycemic disorders by persistence of MS. An elevated WC remained associated with IR after controlling for the effects of the following variables: gender, age group, and other MS components.
Minimal residual hairy cell leukemia eradication with moxetumomab pasudotox: phase 1 results and long-term follow-up.

Anti-CD22 moxetumomab pasudotox achieved 46% complete remissions (CRs) in previously reported phase 1 testing in relapsed/refractory hairy cell leukemia (HCL; n = 28). The importance of minimal residual disease (MRD) after CR in HCL is unknown. A 21-patient extension cohort received 50 µg/kg every other day for 3 doses in 4-week cycles. These patients plus 12 previously reported at this upper dose level received 143 cycles without dose-limiting toxicity. The combined 33-patient cohort achieved 64% CR and 88% overall response rates, with median CR duration of 42.4 months. Of 32 50-µg/kg patients evaluable for MRD by bone marrow aspirate flow cytometry (most stringent assessment), median CR duration was 13.5 (4.9-42.4) months in 9 MRD-positive CRs vs 42.1 (24.0-69.2) months in 11 MRD-negative CRs (P < .001). Among MRD-negative CRs, 10 patients had ongoing CR, 9 without MRD, at end of study. To our knowledge, moxetumomab pasudotox is the only nonchemotherapy regimen that can eliminate MRD in a significant percentage of HCL patients, to enhance CR duration. Repeated dosing, despite early neutralizing antibodies, increased active drug levels without detectable toxicity from immunogenicity. The activity and safety profiles of moxetumomab pasudotox support ongoing phase 3 testing in HCL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT00586924.
Studies on composites from wood and polypropylenes. II

Composites of polypropylene (PP) or maleic-anhydride-modified polypropylene (MPP) with refiner ground pulp (RGP) were prepared under various kneading conditions (mixing temperature, rate of rotation, and mixing time) and evaluated for their tensile strength (σmax), break elongation (ϵmax), and Young's modulus (E). Particularly, for the rate of rotation, fiber length distribution and its fibrillation were investigated in connection with mechanical properties of the composites. Also evaluated in this study was the effect of modifiers of PP on the properties. Modified PP that can be grafted or can have affinity to RGP was proved to improve the tensile strength of the molded composites as the RGP content increases, while the strength was decreased for PP–RGP composite without a modifier. MPP was also evaluated as a compatibilizer for the PP–RGP composites, and a tremendous improvement of tensile strength was achieved with MPP addition of only 2.5%, indicating that MPP can act as a compatibilizer in its system. These lines of evidence is interpreted to be caused from the improvement of the adhesion between RGP and PP through localizing MPP at the interface of these two components.
Effects of feeding nivalenol-contaminated diets to male broiler chickens.

In two feeding trials the effect of nivalenol (NIV) on male broiler chickens was studied. A commercial starter diet was provided for ad libitum consumption throughout the whole experiment. The NIV was added to the feed when the birds were 7 d old. Growth and feed consumption were thereafter registered every 5th d during 20 d. In the first trial birds were offered feed containing 0, . 5, 2.5, or 5 ppm NIV. The only variable that significantly differed from the control was the concentration of uric acid in plasma, which was increased by 94 and 66%, respectively, in treatment groups 2.5 and 5 ppm. In the second trial, NIV-concentrations of 0, 3, 6, and 12 ppm were used. The weight gain for the 20-d period was decreased by 11% with 6 and 12 ppm. During this period these birds showed a decrease of about 6% in feed consumption and feed conversion efficiency. Gizzard erosions were found in 33% of the birds fed 12 ppm NIV and in 8% of those fed 3 or 6 ppm. No such erosions were found in the control birds. Relatively, the liver weights in the 12 ppm group were reduced more than total body weights. No effects on relative organ weights were found when bursa, spleen, and gizzard were compared to control. In the blood, no change compared to control was found in hematocrit or in the plasma concentration of glucose, calcium, cholesterol, triglycerides, and uric acid, or in the plasma activity of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, or gamma glutamyl transpeptidase.
The Process and Strategy for Developing Selective Histone Deacetylase 3 Inhibitors

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are epigenetic drug targets that have gained major scientific attention. Inhibition of these important regulatory enzymes is used to treat cancer, and has the potential to treat a host of other diseases. However, currently marketed HDAC inhibitors lack selectivity for the various HDAC isoenzymes. Several studies have shown that HDAC3, in particular, plays an important role in inflammation and degenerative neurological diseases, but the development of selective HDAC3 inhibitors has been challenging. This review provides an up-to-date overview of selective HDAC3 inhibitors, and aims to support the development of novel HDAC3 inhibitors in the future.
The Role of Communication of Performance Schemes: Evidence from a Field Experiment

In corporate practice, incentive schemes are often complicated even for simple tasks. Hence, the way they are communicated might matter. In a controlled field experiment, we study a minimally invasive change in the communication of a well-established incentive scheme - a reminder regarding the piece rate at the beginning of the shift. The experiment was conducted in a large firm where experienced managers work in a team production setting and here incentives for both quantity and quality of output are provided. While the treatment conveyed no additional material information and left the incentive system unchanged, it had significant positive effects on quantity and on managers' compensation. These effects are economically sizable and robust to alternative empirical specifications. We consider various potential mechanisms, where our preferred explanation - improved salience of incentives - is consistent with all of the findings