Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with higher extracellular vesicle counts in obese adults

Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) independent of obesity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a novel target of CVD, however, it remains unknown if obese individuals with very poor fitness (VPF) have elevated EVs versus people with poor fitness (PF). Thus, we tested whether VPF was associated with greater EV subtypes in obese adults. Subjects with VPF (n = 13, VO2peak: 15.4 ± 0.6 mL/kg/min, BMI: 34.1 ± 1.7 kg/m2) and PF (n = 13, VO2peak: 25.9 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min, BMI: 32.1 ± 1.2 kg/m2) were compared in this cross‐sectional study. After an overnight fast, AnnexinV (AV) +/− platelet (CD31+/CD41+), leukocyte (CD45+/CD41−), and endothelial EVs (CD105+, CD31+/CD41−) were analyzed from fresh platelet poor plasma via imaging flow cytometry. Body fat, blood pressure (BP), and glucose tolerance (OGTT) were also tested. Body weight, BP, and circulating glucose were similar between groups, although VPF subjects were older than PF (64.0 ± 2.1 vs. 49.8 ± 4.2 year; P < 0.05). People with VPF, compared with PF, had higher total AV− EVs (P = 0.04), AV− platelet EVs (CD31+/CD41+; P = 0.006), and AV− endothelial EVs (CD31+/CD41−; P = 0.005) independent of age and body fat. Higher AV− platelet and endothelial EVs were associated with lower VO2peak (r = −0.56, P = 0.006 and r = −0.55, P = 0.005, respectively). Endothelial‐derived AV−/CD31+/CD41−EVs were also related to pulse pressure (r = 0.45, P = 0.03), whereas AV−/CD105 was linked to postprandial glucose (r = 0.41, P = 0.04). VPF is associated with higher AnnexinV− total, endothelial, and platelet EVs in obese adults, suggesting that subtle differences in fitness may reduce type 2 diabetes and CVD risk through an EV‐related mechanism.
Comparison of Some Chromatic, Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Banana Fruit at Different Stages of Ripeness

The physical, mechanical and chemical properties of banana fruits at different level of ripeness were determined. Relation between stages of banana ripeness and these properties were investigated and correlation coefficients were calculated. A significant difference at 5% level was found between the degree of ripeness and properties of banana fruit. Duncan multiple range test were conducted and results were reported. Comparisons indicated that ultimate strength and a* appropriated the highest correlation coefficient, but mechanical experiments destroyed banana fruits thus were not suitable for ripening process.
Cemento-Osseous Dysplas ias : Imaging Features Based on Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans

beam computed tomography (CBCT) stands out for allowing three-dimensional image evaluation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cases diagnosed as COD on CBCT scans, as well identify the main imaging features related to these lesions. An analysis was performed in a database containing 22,400 radiological reports, in which all cases showing some type of COD were initially selected. These CBCT exams were reevaluated to confirm the radiographic diagnosis and determine the prevalence and distribution of the types of COD with regard to gender, age and preferred location, while describing its most common imaging aspects. Data were presented using descriptive analyses. There were 82 cases diagnosed as COD in the CBCT images (prevalence of 0.4%). The distribution of patients was 11 (13.4%) male and 71 (86.6%) female, with a mean age of 49.8 years (age-range 17-85 years). There were 47 (57.3%) cases of periapical COD, 23 (28%) of focal COD and 12 (14.6%) of florid COD. The mandible was more affected than the maxilla. In most cases, the lesions were mixed or hyperdense. All COD had well-defined limits and there were no cases of tooth displacement. In conclusion, periapical COD was the most common type and the most affected bone was the mandible. Imaging evaluation is critical for diagnosis and dentists should bear in mind all possible radiographic presentations of COD in order to prevent misleading diagnoses and consequently, inadequate treatments. Cemento-Osseous Dysplas ias : Imaging Features Based on Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans
Quantitation of cell-associated carbon nanotubes: selective binding and accumulation of carboxylated carbon nanotubes by macrophages

Abstract To understand the influence of carboxylation on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with cells, the amount of pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (P-MWNTs) or carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (C-MWNTs) coated with Pluronic® F-108 that were accumulated by macrophages was measured by quantifying CNTs extracted from cells. Mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages and differentiated human THP-1 (dTHP-1) macrophages accumulated 80–100 times more C-MWNTs than P-MWNTs during a 24-h exposure at 37 °C. The accumulation of C-MWNTs by RAW 264.7 cells was not lethal; however, phagocytosis was impaired as subsequent uptake of polystyrene beads was reduced after a 20-h exposure to C-MWNTs. The selective accumulation of C-MWNTs suggested that there might be receptors on macrophages that bind C-MWNTs. The binding of C-MWNTs to macrophages was measured as a function of concentration at 4 °C in the absence of serum to minimize the potential interference by serum proteins or temperature-dependent uptake processes. The result was that the cells bound 8.7 times more C-MWNTs than P-MWNTs, consistent with the selective accumulation of C-MWNTs at 37 °C. In addition, serum strongly antagonized the binding of C-MWTS to macrophages, suggesting that serum contained inhibitors of binding. Moreover, inhibitors of class A scavenger receptor (SR-As) reduced the binding of C-MWNTs by about 50%, suggesting that SR-As contribute to the binding and endocytosis of C-MWNTs in macrophages but that other receptors may also be involved. Altogether, the evidence supports the hypothesis that macrophages contain binding sites selective for C-MWNTs that facilitate the high accumulation of C-MWNTs compared to P-MWNTs.
Assessing Patient’s Perception of Nursing Care in Medical- Surgical Ward in Ghana

Introduction: Caring is the essence of nursing and is the fundam ental factor that distinguishes nurses from other health professionals. Patients’ perceptions of nurs es caring behaviors can have a significant influenc e on patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. Despite the impo rtance of nurses caring and its relationship to pat ient satisfaction, the changes in health care delivery systems globall y h ve intensified nurses’ responsibilities and wor kloads making traditional nurse-patient relationships which empha size caring aspects difficult to accomplish. The ai m of this study was to explore patients’ perceptions about nurses c aring behaviors. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted o n a randomly selected sample of 183 patients admitted to the medical-surgical ward. Data were co lle ted using the Caring Behaviors Inventory-24. Da ta were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social S ciences version 22 software. Descriptive statistics were computed on the sample characteristics and study variables i n the form of frequencies, means, SD, and percentag s. Results: The minimum and maximum age of respondents were 18 -68 years. The current admission was the first for most of the respondents (56.7%). The overall patients’ score on positive perception of urses caring behaviors was 89.5% and a mean score of overall patient perceptio n of nurses caring behavior on the Caring Behaviors Inventory24 subscale was 4.68 which revealed a high score ra te indicating a positive perception Conclusion: Although patients in this study had positive perce ptions of nurses caring behaviors, there was still a small percentage of patients that did not have posi tive perception of nurses caring behaviors. Nurses should continue to strive for excellence during nursing care. The s tudy was limited to only adult patients therefore; further studies should be done to include the perception of caring from children to gain insight as to whether childre n have special needs in relation to caring.
Wonderful strife: systematics, stem groups, and the phylogenetic signal of the Cambrian radiation

Abstract Gould's Wonderful Life (1989) was a landmark in the investigation of the Cambrian radiation. Gould argued that a number of experimental body plans (“problematica”) had evolved only to become extinct, and that the Cambrian was a time of special fecundity in animal design. He focused attention on the meaning and significance of morphological disparity versus diversity, and provoked attempts to quantify disparity as an evolutionary metric. He used the Burgess Shale as a springboard to emphasize the important role of contingency in evolution, an idea that he reiterated for the next 13 years. These ideas set the agenda for much subsequent research. Since 1989 cladistic analyses have accommodated most of the problematic Cambrian taxa as stem groups of living taxa. Morphological disparity has been shown to be similar in Cambrian times as now. Konservat-Lagerstätten other than the Burgess Shale have yielded important new discoveries, particularly of arthropods and chordates, which have extended the range of recognized major clades still further back in time. The objective definition of a phylum remains controversial and may be impossible: it can be defined in terms of crown or total group, but the former reveals little about the Cambrian radiation. Divergence times of the major groups remain to be resolved, although molecular and fossil dates are coming closer. Although “superphyla” may have diverged deep in the Proterozoic, “explosive” evolution of these clades near the base of the Cambrian remains a possibility. The fossil record remains a critical source of data on the early evolution of multicellular organisms.
The independent effects of hypovolaemia and pulmonary vasoconstriction on ventricular function and exercise capacity during acclimatisation to 3800 m

We sought to determine the isolated and combined influence of hypovolaemia and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction on the decrease in left ventricular (LV) function and maximal exercise capacity observed under hypobaric hypoxia. We performed echocardiography and maximal exercise tests at sea level (344 m), and following 5–10 days at the Barcroft Laboratory (3800 m; White Mountain, California) with and without (i) plasma volume expansion to sea level values and (ii) administration of the pulmonary vasodilatator sildenafil in a double‐blinded and placebo‐controlled trial. The high altitude‐induced reduction in LV filling and ejection was abolished by plasma volume expansion but to a lesser extent by sildenafil administration; however, neither intervention had a positive effect on maximal exercise capacity. Both hypovolaemia and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction play a role in the reduction of LV filling at 3800 m, but the increase in LV filling does not influence exercise capacity at this moderate altitude.
BMHP 1-Derived Self-Assembling Peptides : Hierarchically Assembled Structures with Self-Healing Propensity and Potential for Tissue Engineering Applications

Fabrizio Gelain,†‡§* Diego Silva,†‡ Andrea Caprini,†‡ Francesca Taraballi,†‡ Antonino Natalello,‡^ Omar Villa,†‡ Ki Tae Nam,z# Ronald N. Zuckermann, Silvia Maria Doglia,‡^ and Angelo Vescovi†‡§ Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering;A.O. Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Piazza dell'ospedale maggiore 3, Milan, 20162, Italy, Biotechnology and Biosciences Department, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza dell Scienza 2, Milan, 20126, Italy, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Opera di San Pio da Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo 71013, Italy, ^Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze fisiche della Materia (CNISM) UdR Milan-Bicocca, Milan, 20126, Italy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, 151-742, Seoul, Korea
Novel Methods to Optimize Genotypic Imputation for Low‐Coverage, Next‐Generation Sequence Data in Crop Plants

Next‐generation sequencing technology such as genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) made low‐cost, but often low‐coverage, whole‐genome sequencing widely available. Extensive inbreeding in crop plants provides an untapped, high quality source of phased haplotypes for imputing missing genotypes. We introduce Full‐Sib Family Haplotype Imputation (FSFHap), optimized for full‐sib populations, and a generalized method, Fast Inbred Line Library ImputatioN (FILLIN), to rapidly and accurately impute missing genotypes in GBS‐type data with ordered markers. FSFHap and FILLIN impute missing genotypes with high accuracy in GBS‐genotyped maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and breeding populations, while Beagle v. 4 is still preferable for diverse heterozygous populations. FILLIN and FSFHap are implemented in TASSEL 5.0.
Electrophysiological evidence for colour effects on the naming of colour diagnostic and noncolour diagnostic objects

In this study, we investigated the level of visual processing at which surface colour information improves the naming of colour diagnostic and noncolour diagnostic objects. Continuous electroencephalograms were recorded while participants performed a visual object naming task in which coloured and black-and-white versions of both types of objects were presented. The black-and-white and the colour presentations were compared in two groups of event-related potentials (ERPs): (1) The P1 and N1 components, indexing early visual processing; and (2) the N300 and N400 components, which index late visual processing. A colour effect was observed in the P1 and N1 components, for both colour and noncolour diagnostic objects. In addition, for colour diagnostic objects, a colour effect was observed in the N400 component. These results suggest that colour information is important for the naming of colour and noncolour diagnostic objects at different levels of visual processing. It thus appears that the visual system uses colour information, during naming of both object types, at early visual stages; however, for the colour diagnostic objects naming, colour information is also recruited during the late visual processing stages.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation in Possibly Misspecified Dynamic Models with Time Inhomogeneous Markov Regimes

This paper considers maximum likelihood (ML) estimation in a large class of models with hidden Markov regimes. We investigate consistency and local asymptotic normality of the ML estimator under general conditions which allow for autoregressive dynamics in the observable process, time-inhomogeneous Markov regime sequences, and possible model misspecification. A Monte Carlo study examines the finite-sample properties of the ML estimator. An empirical application is also discussed.
A Soft Pneumatic Fabric-Polymer Actuator for Wearable Biomedical Devices: Proof of Concept for Lymphedema Treatment

Soft actuators are ideal candidates for wearable biomedical devices, their inherent compliance, robustness, lightweight and the possibility to be washable take advantage over rigid actuators. Thus, a soft pneumatic fabric-polymer bending actuator as a base component for a robotic device for lymphedema treatment is reported in this work. The actuator is composed of two mechanical elements, one made of fabric and the other one made of a hyperelastic polymer which is stuck on the fabric element. The fabric element is designed and fabricated with a curved shape longer than the polymer element, that is a hyperelastic beam. To assemble both elements, the fabric element was folded before sticking in order to match the length of the polymer beam. Once the air is pumped into the fabric, it bends towards its original curved shape. Once the air is removed, the hyperelastic beam allows the actuator to recover its initial position. This actuator is capable of exerting compression and lateral force on a human arm mimicking manual lymphatic drainage. A mathematical model is presented which is in good agreement with the experimental data, it could serve to predict the actuator motion. An end-tip free bending displacement of about 2.2 cm and a bending force of about 0.35 N were achieved at 12.5 kPa. A proof-of-concept system for lymphedema treatment is presented as well.
The Mediating Effect of Fatigue on Work-Life Balance and Positive Well-Being in Railway Staff

Both fatigue and negative work-life balance can be influenced by job characteristics and individual differences, while fatigue is associated with reduced positive well-being. This paper reports a study that investigated the mediation effect of fatigue between those stressors and well-being outcomes among UK railway staff. A large number of significant mediation effects of fatigue were found in this study, and as a result, the process by which job demands, job support and control influence major positive well-being outcomes can be partially explained by fatigue.
Transient Detection Modelling for Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) Sky Survey

Given the advancement of data acquisition and telescope technology, astronomy has joined the global trend of big data and artificial intelligence in recent years. The objective of GOTO is to identify optical counterparts to gravitational wave detections. This requires obtaining many images of the sky every night, which are then systematically processes and analysed to deliver 40-million observed sources. These sources are then compared against a reference set such that new bright sources can be extracted and used to form a set of counterpart candidates. Most of the candidates will not represent real cases, with their detected changes in brightness caused by errors in data collection and/or pre-processing. To this end, the handful of real candidates has to be correctly sifted from the false-positives to allow astronomers to effectively employ follow-up observations to verify their truth. The aforementioned problem falls nicely into data classification, where multiple physical measurements of candidates are explicated as independent variables with labels given by experts as the class variable. This research is set to explore conventional techniques to analyze this specific dataset, from data preparation through to model development and evaluation. The outcome of our research not only provides a baseline for future developments, but also pro-vides a thorough review of data characteristics. It will be also proving useful for the GOTO project in terms of shaping the approach to acquire and store data.
Challenges Facing Nursing Profession in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, like many areas of the world, is challenged by a nursing shortage. The World Health Organization (2004), reported that there is only 40 nurses for every 10,000 of the Saudi Arabia population. In 2010, it was found that there is a chronic nursing shortage of 30% that is worsened by heavy migration of nurses. The Saudi literature links the shortage in Saudi nurses to socio-cultural factors found to influence the prevailing negative images and perceived low status of nursing. Community image, family disagreement, cultural and communal values, long working hours, mixing with members of the opposite gender, and the worry of not being a "marriageable" prospect were the main reasons why Saudi females did not choose nursing as a career (Miligi & Selim 2013). The Saudi Arabian government has committed enormous resources to improve health care, with the ultimate goal of providing free and accessible healthcare services for every Saudi national and expatriate working within the public sector (Al-Dossary et al., 2008). However, the nursing needs of Saudi Arabia far exceed the supply of Saudi nurses. Despite continued efforts to increase the number of Saudi nurses, by 2010, expatriate nurses still constituted 74% of the total nursing workforce in Saudi Arabia (Ministry of Health Annual Report 2010). In Saudi Arabia, nursing is a less desirable career choice for Saudi nationals in comparison to other professions. There are a number of challenges facing nurse practitioners (Tumulty 2001). Keyw o rds : Challenges, Nursing profession
Impact of Pathogenic FBN1 Variant Types on the Progression of Aortic Disease in Patients With Marfan Syndrome

Background: Marfan syndrome can cause life-threatening aortic complications. We investigated the relationship between FBN1 genotype and severe aortopathy (aortic root replacement, type A dissections, and related death). Methods: We evaluated 248 patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic FBN1 variants. The variants were classified as haploinsufficient type (HI, n=93) or dominant-negative type (DN, n=155) based on their location and predicted amino acid alterations, and we examined the effects of the FBN1 genotype on severe aortic events (aortic root replacement, type A dissections, and related death). Results: The cumulative event-free probability was significantly lower in the HI group than in the DN group (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 -3.2; P<0.001). Male patients were at a greater than two-fold increased risk in both genotypes. In addition, after identifying deleterious variants among DN patients, we found that those with variants affecting or creating Cysteine residues and in-frame Deletion variants in exons 25–36 and 43–49 (DN-CD group) had a 6.3-fold higher risk compared with DN-nonCD patients (P<0.0001), which was comparable to or more deleterious than HI patients (P=0.062). Furthermore, DN-CD + HI patients had larger aortic root Z-scores than DN-nonCD patients (P<0.05 for <20 years; P<0.01 for 20–40 years), and males under 20 years old were more likely to develop aneurysms with higher rate of change in Z-score than females (P<0.001 in males; P=0.24 in females). Conclusions: DN-CD+HI patients should be monitored more carefully than DN-nonCD patients for rapid development of aortic root aneurysms.
Comparison of Visual Outcome and Morphologic Change between Different Surgical Techniques in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Surgery

Purpose To investigate the morphological and functional outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery between three different surgical techniques: ERM peeling only, whole-piece ILM peeling, and maculorrhexis ILM peeling. Patients and Methods This is a retrospective, consecutive, and comparative study enrolling 60 patients from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Surgery performed between July 2011 and June 2012 was done with ERM peeling only (group I). ERM peeling and ILM peeling as a whole piece (group II) were performed between July 2012 and July 2013. Surgery performed between August 2013 and December 2014 was done with maculorrhexis ILM peeling (group III). Main outcome measures include visual acuity change (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT). Results At 12 months postoperation, the mean BCVA in group III was significantly better than in group I and group II. Comparison of CFT reduction between the three groups revealed significantly more reduction in group III than in group II at all postoperative follow-up periods. Eyes with restoration of foveal depression were observed in 52.6% in group I, 52.4% in group III, but only 20% of eyes in group II. None of the eyes in both ILM peeling groups encountered recurrence of macular pucker formation. Conclusion All three techniques can achieve visual acuity improvement and macular thickness reduction. Maculorrhexis ILM peeling achieves more rapid improvement of visual function, better final visual outcome, and a higher rate of normal foveal contour than whole-piece ILM peeling.