Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid algal culture diagnostics for open ponds using multispectral image analysis

This article presents a multispectral image analysis approach for probing the spectral backscattered irradiance from algal cultures. It was demonstrated how this spectral information can be used to measure algal biomass concentration, detect invasive species, and monitor culture health in real time. To accomplish this, a conventional RGB camera was used as a three band photodetector for imaging cultures of the green alga Chlorella sp. and the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis. A novel floating reference platform was placed in the culture, which enhanced the sensitivity of image color intensity to biomass concentration. Correlations were generated between the RGB color vector of culture images and the biomass concentrations for monocultures of each strain. These correlations predicted the biomass concentrations of independently prepared cultures with average errors of 22 and 14%, respectively. Moreover, the difference in spectral signatures between the two strains was exploited to detect the invasion of Chlorella sp. cultures by A. variabilis. Invasion was successfully detected for A. variabilis to Chlorella sp. mass ratios as small as 0.08. Finally, a method was presented for using multispectral imaging to detect thermal stress in A. variabilis. These methods can be extended to field applications to provide delay free process control feedback for efficient operation of large scale algae cultivation systems. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 30:233–240, 2014
Diversion from the Criminal Justice System Pilot Project at Manchester Magistrates Court

Abstract We looked at the volume and type of work involved in providing a psychiatric service to a busy inner city magistrates' court. We assessed all remand prisoners considered to be mentally disordered and who were appearing before the bench on the day of referral. We found that most of the referrals were appropriate and required some form of intervention. There was co-operation from the courts and district psychiatric services though the latter expressed concern about the implications of the purchaser provider model.
The impact of empathy and reappraisal on emotional intensity recognition

ABSTRACT Empathy represents a fundamental ability that allows for the creation and cultivation of social bonds. As part of the empathic process, individuals use their own emotional state to interpret the content and intensity of other people’s emotions. Therefore, the current study was designed to test two hypotheses: (1) empathy for the pain of another will result in biased emotional intensity judgment; and (2) changing one’s emotion via emotion regulation will modulate these biased judgments. To test these hypotheses, in experiment one we used a modified version of a well-known task that triggers an empathic reaction We found that empathy resulted in biased emotional intensity judgment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a bias in the recognition of emotional facial expressions as a function of empathy for pain. In experiment two, we replicated these findings in an independent sample, and further found that this biased emotional intensity judgment can be moderated via reappraisal. Taken together, our findings suggest that the novel task used here can be employed to further explore the relation between emotion regulation and empathy.
The perceptions and experiences of nurses undertaking research in the clinical setting

Nursing research activity by clinicians has increased in volume in the last few years, due to an increased awareness of the importance of evidence-based practice, the shift of nurse education into higher education establishments and the emergence of new nursing roles which demand research activity as a central domain of the role. This paper will report on the results of a study examining nursing research activity in the UK National Health Service and will present data examining the perceptions and experiences of nurses undertaking research. Forty-eight research-active nurses in five NHS organisations were interviewed. Data were analysed using the Framework approach. Four main themes emerged: perceptions of nursing research, NHS influences, support systems and individual influences. Many factors were identified by nurses that influenced their experiences and perceptions, and nurses frequently reported difficulties in being able to conduct research in the clinical area. Dissemination via publication was rare. Personal sacrifices were common and nurses felt that these were not recognised by managers. Nurses undertaking research need more structured support systems and recognition of the value of nursing research. Individualised help from more experienced researchers for support and to disseminate findings is recommended.
Enhanced recall of disgusting relative to frightening photographs is not due to organisation

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that disgusting photographs are better remembered than frightening photographs, even when the two image types have equivalent valence and arousal. However, this work did not control for potential differences in organisation between the disgusting and frightening stimuli that could account for enhanced memory for disgusting photographs. The current research therefore tested whether differences in recall between disgusting and frightening photographs persist when differences in organisation are eliminated. Using a set of disgusting and frightening photographs matched for interrelatedness, Study 1 found that participants recalled more disgusting photographs than frightening photographs. This effect was mediated by increased attention to the disgusting photographs. Study 2 used Latent Semantic Analysis to further interrogate the relatedness of the photographs, providing converging evidence that organisation does not account for enhanced recall of disgusting photographs. Taken together, these results suggest that dimensional models of emotion cannot fully account for emotion’s effects on episodic memory. Instead, disgust appears to enhance recall via a distinctive, attention-mediated mechanism.
Differential response patterns to disgust-related pictures

ABSTRACT In the present study, attentional bias was investigated as a potential predisposing mechanism for the contamination-related subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (C-OC disorder). Fifty healthy participants with varying degrees of subclinical C-OC symptoms performed a visual search task to measure differential attentional biases elicited by neutral, disgust-, and fear-specific pictorial material. Participants had to find a target picture within five neutral distractor pictures randomly presented on different locations in an array. The task was to decide whether the array contained an unpleasant target picture or not. In randomly-selected emotional trials, participants were further asked about the content of the picture and the confidence of their answer. The results show that the reaction times significantly differed between the emotional and neutral pictures. Participants were significantly more confident in answering questions referring to fear compared to disgust pictures. This effect was marginally amplified in participants with higher C-OC symptoms. We discuss the results within the framework of the cost and benefit hypothesis, which postulates that disgust evolutionarily elicits stronger uncertainty compared to fear, owing to the ambiguous nature of the stimuli. Increased uncertainty might be an important but underestimated factor for pathological disgust experience, such as in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The small GTPases Rab9A and Rab23 function at distinct steps in autophagy during Group A Streptococcus infection

Autophagy mediates the degradation of cytoplasmic contents in the lysosome and plays a significant role in immunity. Here we identified the small GTPases Rab9A and Rab23 as novel autophagy regulators during Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection. Rab9A was recruited to GAS‐containing autophagosome‐like vacuoles (GcAVs) after autophagosomal maturation and its activity was required for GcAV enlargement and eventual lysosomal fusion. GcAV enlargement appeared to be related to homotypic fusion of GcAVs with Rab9A. Rab23 was recruited to GAS‐capturing forming autophagosomes. Knockdown of Rab23 expression decreased both LC3‐ and Atg5‐positive GAS formation and caused the accumulation of LC3‐positive structures that did not associate with intracellular GAS. It was suggested, therefore, that Rab23 is required for GcAV formation and is involved in GAS targeting of autophagic vacuoles. Furthermore, knockdown of Rab9A or Rab23 expression impaired the degradation of intracellular GAS. Therefore, our data reveal that the Rab9A and Rab23 GTPases play crucial roles in autophagy of GAS. However, neither Rab9A nor Rab23 were localized to starvation‐induced autophagosomes. Not only Rab9A but also Rab23 was dispensable for starvation‐induced autophagosome formation. These findings demonstrate that specific Rab proteins function at distinct steps during autophagy in response to GAS infection.
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐E encoded by orf virus regulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration and promotes epidermal regeneration

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A, a key regulator of cutaneous blood vessel formation, appears to have an additional role during wound healing, enhancing re‐epithelialization. Orf virus, a zoonotic parapoxvirus, induces proliferative skin lesions that initiate in wounds and are characterized by extensive blood vessel formation, epidermal hyperplasia and rete ridge formation. The vascular changes beneath the lesion are largely due to viral‐expressed VEGF‐E. This study investigated using mouse skin models whether VEGF‐E can induce epidermal changes such as that seen in the viral lesion. Injection of VEGF‐E into normal skin increased the number of endothelial cells and blood vessels within the dermis and increased epidermal thickening and keratinocyte number. Injection of VEGF‐E into wounded skin, which more closely mimics orf virus lesions, increased neo‐epidermal thickness and area, promoted rete ridge formation, and enhanced wound re‐epithelialization. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that VEGF‐E did not induce expression of epidermal‐specific growth factors within the wound, but did increase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 expression. In cell‐based assays, VEGF‐E induced keratinocyte migration and proliferation, responses that were inhibited by a neutralizing antibody against VEGF receptor (VEGFR)‐2. These findings demonstrate that VEGF‐E, both directly and indirectly, regulates keratinocyte function, thereby promoting epidermal regeneration.
IQGAP1 mediates the disruption of adherens junctions to promote Escherichia coli K1 invasion of brain endothelial cells

The transcellular entry of Escherichia coli K1 through human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) is responsible for tight junction disruption, leading to brain oedema in neonatal meningitis. Previous studies demonstrated that outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of E. coli K1 interacts with its receptor, Ecgp96, to induce PKC‐α phosphorylation, adherens junction (AJ) disassembly (by dislodging β‐catenin from VE‐cadherin), and remodelling of actin in HBMEC. We report here that IQGAP1 mediates β‐catenin dissociation from AJs to promote actin polymerization required for E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC. Overexpression of C‐terminal truncated IQGAP1 (IQΔC) that cannot bind β‐catenin prevents both AJ disruption and E. coli K1 entry. Of note, phospho‐PKC‐α interacts with the C‐terminal portion of Ecgp96 as well as with VE‐cadherin after IQGAP1‐mediated AJ disassembly. HBMEC overexpressing either C‐terminal truncated Ecgp96 (Ecgp96Δ200) or IQΔC upon infection with E. coli showed no interaction ofphospho‐PKC‐α with Ecgp96. These data indicate that the binding of OmpA to Ecgp96 induces PKC‐α phosphorylation and association of phospho‐PKC‐α with Ecgp96, and then signals IQGAP1 to detach β‐catenin from AJs. Subsequently, IQGAP1/β‐catenin bound actin translocates to the site of E. coli K1 attachment to promote invasion.
STUDIES ON PERITONITIS: II. PASSAGE OF BACTERIA FROM THE PERITONEAL CAVITY INTO LYMPH AND BLOOD

It has been shown in a previous paper that dogs survive intraperitoneal injections of colon bacilli suspended in saline, but that they succumb to intraperitoneal injections of colon bacilli suspended in gum tragacanth. This study concerns itself with the fate of the bacteria after their intraperitoneal injection in the two suspensions mentioned. Since the original investigations of von Recklinghausen,11863, much work has been done on the absorption from the peritoneal cavity of dyes (both diffusible and colloidal), organic and inorganic substances in solution and suspension, and colloids, including bacteria. The literature on the subject has been covered by Bolton,21921, Katsura3and Notkin.4The results of the various investigators have been conflicting in regard to the mode of absorption of the various substances. In the investigation of absorption by way of the lymphatics, the thoracic duct had been the only channel considered until the work of Bolton, 1921, and
A Qualitative Investigation of Patients’ and Caregivers’ Experiences of Severe Sepsis*

Objectives:To explore and describe the subjective experiences and long-term impact of severe sepsis on survivors of severe sepsis and their informal caregivers (e.g., spouse or family member) through qualitative research methods. Design:A qualitative exploratory study using semi-structured interviews with survivors of severe sepsis and their informal caregivers in the United Kingdom and United States. Participants also completed a demographic background form and sites provided medical history details. Transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Setting:Patients were recruited from a large National Health Service hospital in the United Kingdom and a level 1 trauma center hospital in the United States. Caregivers were recruited through eligible patients. Interviews were conducted either face to face in participant’s homes or another convenient location or over the telephone. Patients:Patients who were 18 years old or older and had experienced an episode of severe sepsis in the previous 12 months were recruited by clinical staff in each hospital. Caregivers were family members or friends who had provided informal care for the patient after their episode of severe sepsis. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Thirty-nine interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 17 informal caregivers (of these 28 were conducted face-to-face and 11 by telephone). Five main themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: awareness and knowledge of severe sepsis; experience of hospitalization, ongoing impact of severe sepsis; impact on caregivers; and support after severe sepsis. Experiences varied depending on the patients’ health prior to the severe sepsis, with the worst affected reporting lasting impacts on multiple aspects of their life. Conclusions:The study extends what was understood about severe sepsis from the patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives from the previous limited literature. Caregivers as well as patients reported enduring impact. The study also identified problems of lack of awareness of diagnosis and understanding of severe sepsis by patients and caregivers and difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare providers and ancillary services after discharge from hospital.
A 3D in situ cell counter reveals that breast tumor cell (MDA‐MB‐231) proliferation rate is reduced by the collagen matrix density

Many cell types require the biophysical and biochemical cues within the 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) to exhibit their true physiologically relevant behavior. As a result, cell culture platforms have been evolving from traditional 2D petridish plates into 3D biomatrices, and there is a need for developing analytic tools to characterize 3D cell culture. The existing cell counting method, using a hemocytometer or coulter counter, requires that cells are suspended in fluids prior to counting. This poses a challenge for 3D cell culture as cells are embedded in a 3D biomatrix. We use a facile 3D cell counting method that overcomes this limitation and allows for in situ cell counting in a 3D cell culture using equipment that is commonly available in a biology lab. Using a breast tumor cell line, MDA‐MB‐231, as a model system, we demonstrated that MDA‐MB‐231 cells (1) grow slower within a 3D collagen matrix than on a 2D substrate for an extended growth time (a week) with a comparable, initial cell‐to‐cell distance, (2) their cell growth rate decreases with the increase of collagen concentration, showing a linear growth rate rather than an exponential growth rate. Further work using flow cytometry showed that the observed growth rate reduction was consistent with the retardation of the transition to S (synthesis) phase in the cell cycle. This work demonstrates the validity of the 3D cell counting method and the importance of cell–ECM interactions in cell proliferation. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 31:990–996, 2015
Evaluating the interaction between UCOE and DHFR‐linked amplification and stability of recombinant protein expression

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are widely used in the biopharmaceutical industry. In the creation of mammalian cell lines plasmid DNA carrying the gene‐of‐interest integrates randomly into the host cell genome, which results in variable levels of gene expression between cell lines due to gene silencing mechanisms. In addition, cell lines often show unstable protein production during long‐term culture. This means that a large number of clones need to be screened in order to isolate stable, high producing cell lines making mammalian cell line development a long and laborious process. In this study an expression platform incorporating a Ubiquitous Chromatin Opening Element (UCOE; which are proposed to maintain chromatin in an open state) has been utilised for the expression of eGFP in CHO cells. Cell lines containing a UCOE vector, showed a significantly higher and more consistent eGFP expression than the non‐UCOE cell lines without DHFR amplification. To further improve recombinant protein production cell lines were amplified with methotrexate (MTX). UCOE cell lines showed improved growth in MTX therefore amplification to 250 nM MTX was achieved following a one‐step amplification procedure. However, non‐UCOE cell lines showed higher levels of eGFP production following MTX amplification. In addition, UCOE cell lines did not improve stability during long‐term culture in the absence of selective pressure. Stable eGFP production was achieved for all cell lines when MTX is present. Finally, UCOE cell lines displayed more consistent response to external stimuli than non‐UCOE cell lines, suggesting that UCOE cell lines are less prone to clonal variability. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 31:1014–1025, 2015
High‐titer production and strong antimicrobial activity of sophorolipids from Rhodotorula bogoriensis

Rhodotorula bogoriensis produces sophorolipids (SLs) that contain 13‐hydroxydocosanoic acid (OH‐C22) as the lipid moiety. A systematic study was conducted to further understand the fermentative production of SLs containing OH‐C22 (C22‐SL) by R. bogoriensis. Shake‐flask studies showed that R. bogoriensis consumed glucose at a slow pace. HPLC analysis of the C22‐SL products from shake‐flask fermentations at different glucose concentrations showed a correlation between glucose depletion and the extent of C22‐SL deacetylation. A large‐scale bioreactor fermentation resulted in the isolation of C22‐SL at a volumetric product yield of 51 g/L. HPLC analysis of C22‐SL product from the bioreactor fermentation corroborated the finding that glucose depletion correlated with extensive deacetylation of C22‐SL. The antimicrobial activity of C22‐SL was established for the first time to be stronger than the C18‐SL from Candida bombicola against Propionibacterium acnes in a plate assay. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 31:867–874, 2015
Reverse Osmosis and Membrane Distillation for Desalination of Groundwater: A Review

In recent years, the increasing threat to groundwater quality due to human activities has become a matter of great concern. The groundwater quality problems present today are caused by contamination and by overexploitation, or by combination of both, which are faced by many Indian states. Today, reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are the leading technology for desalination of groundwater because of their strong separation capabilities and exhibiting a great potential for treatment of waters worldwide. However, the RO process had some problems due to the formation of polarization films because high pressure operation and by-products which may generate bacteria and fouling. Also, high energy consumption and brine disposal problem is faced in RO process due to the limited recovery of water. These problems may be overcome by other membrane thermal process such as a membrane distillation (MD). This paper addresses the outline of RO and MD process for desalination. RO has developed over the past 40 years and MD is an emerging technology for brackish water desalination and yet is not fully implemented in industry. The MD is the better alternative to RO for desalination theoretically found in the literature.
Mental Rotation of Tactical Instruction Displays Affects Information Processing Demand and Execution Accuracy in Basketball

ABSTRACT Purpose: In sports games, coaches often use tactic boards to present tactical instructions during time-outs (e.g., 20 s to 60 s in basketball). Instructions should be presented in a way that enables fast and errorless information processing for the players. The aim of this study was to test the effect of different orientations of visual tactical displays on observation time and execution performance. High affordances in visual-spatial transformation (e.g., mental rotation processes) might impede information processing and might decrease execution performance with regard to the instructed playing patterns. Method: In a within-subjects design with 1 factor, 10 novice students were instructed with visual tactical instructions of basketball playing patterns with different orientations either showing the playing pattern with low spatial disparity to the players’ on-court perspective (basket on top) or upside down (basket on bottom). Results: The self-chosen time for watching the pattern before execution was significantly shorter and spatial accuracy in pattern execution was significantly higher when the instructional perspective and the real perspective on the basketball court had a congruent orientation. Conclusion: The effects might be explained by interfering mental rotation processes that are necessary to transform the instructional perspective into the players’ actual perspective while standing on the court or imagining themselves standing on the court. According to these results, coaches should align their tactic boards to their players’ on-court viewing perspective.