Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Light Induced Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Extract of Prunus amygdalus

Light driven, photon mediated green synthesis of silver nano-particles (AgNPs) was carried out using aqueous silver nitrate solution (1 mM) and aqueous extract of almond (Prunus amygdalus). Experiments were carried out in dark, diffused sunlight and direct sunlight to study the influence of light intensity as well as by wrapping the reaction tubes with colored cellophane filters (violet, green, yellow and red) to investigate the effect of light color on AgNP synthesis. It was observed that the violet filter enhanced the AgNPs synthesis appreciably. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis confirmed participation of bio-molecules with hydroxyl and amide groups present in the almond extract as reducing and capping or stabilizing agents, respectively. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies revealed the particle size distribution of nano-particles as 2 – 400 nm, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed their spherical shape with an average size of about 20 nm. Growth analysis of AgNPs revealed an increase in number of nano-particles with time, whereas their rate of growth decreased gradually. The AgNP suspension was stable even beyond 3 weeks.
A new species of Leucoagaricus (Agaricaceae) from Colombia

A new taxon of Leucoagaricus is proposed as L. amazonicus. The collection representing this species was collected in the lowlands of the Amazonas Department, Colombia, on a dump produced by ants belonging to Acromyrmex octospinosus. The very particular habitat, the small size and dark brown basidiomata that stain yellowish when bruised, the peronate inferior annulus, and the cheilocystidia which are relatively short, capitate and filled with dense brown contents are some of the features of this species.
Distractor effect and saccade amplitudes: Further evidence on different modes of processing in free exploration of visual images

In view of a variety of everyday tasks, it is highly implausible that all visual fixations fulfil the same role. Earlier we demonstrated that a combination of fixation duration and amplitude of related saccades strongly correlates with the probability of correct recognition of objects and events both in static and in dynamic scenes (Velichkovsky, Joos, Helmert, & Pannasch, 2005; Velichkovsky, Rothert, Kopf, Dornhoefer, & Joos, 2002). In the present study, this observation is extended by measuring the amount of the distractor effect (characterized as a prolongation of visual fixation after a sudden change in stimulation; see Pannasch, Dornhoefer, Unema, & Velichkovsky, 2001) in relation to amplitudes of the preceding saccade. In Experiment 1, it is shown that retinotopically identical visual events occurring 100 ms after the onset of a fixation have significantly less influence on fixation duration if the amplitude of the previous saccade exceeds the parafoveal range (set on 5° of arc). Experiment 2 demonstrates that this difference diminishes for distractors of obvious biological value such as looming motion patterns. In Experiment 3, we show that saccade amplitudes influence visual but not acoustic or haptic distractor effects. These results suggest an explanation in terms of a shifting balance of at least two modes of visual processing in free viewing of complex visual images.
Beyond High Tech: Early Adopters of Open Innovation in Other Industries

Companies have historically invested in large research and development departments to drive innovation and provide sustainable growth. This model, however, is eroding due to a number of factors. What is emerging is a more open model, where companies recognize that not all good ideas will come from inside the organization and not all good ideas created within the organization can be successfully marketed internally. To date, Open Innovation concepts have been regarded as relevant primarily to ‘high-technology’ industries, with examples that include Lucent, 3Com, IBM, Intel and Millenium Pharmaceuticals. In this article, we identify organizations in industries outside ‘high technology’ that are early adopters of the concept. Our findings demonstrate that many Open Innovation concepts are already in use in a wide range of industries. We document practices that appear to assist organizations adopting these concepts, and discover that Open Innovation is not ipso facto a recipe for outsourcing R&D. We conclude that Open Innovation has utility as a paradigm for industrial innovation beyond high tech to more traditional and mature industries.
An intercomparison of approaches for improving operational seasonal streamflow forecasts

Abstract. For much of the last century, forecasting centers around the world have offered seasonal streamflow predictions to support water management. Recent work suggests that the two major avenues to advance seasonal predictability are improvements in the estimation of initial hydrologic conditions (IHCs) and the incorporation of climate information. This study investigates the marginal benefits of a variety of methods using IHCs and/or climate information, focusing on seasonal water supply forecasts (WSFs) in five case study watersheds located in the US Pacific Northwest region. We specify two benchmark methods that mimic standard operational approaches – statistical regression against IHCs and model-based ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) – and then systematically intercompare WSFs across a range of lead times. Additional methods include (i) statistical techniques using climate information either from standard indices or from climate reanalysis variables and (ii) several hybrid/hierarchical approaches harnessing both land surface and climate predictability. In basins where atmospheric teleconnection signals are strong, and when watershed predictability is low, climate information alone provides considerable improvements. For those basins showing weak teleconnections, custom predictors from reanalysis fields were more effective in forecast skill than standard climate indices. ESP predictions tended to have high correlation skill but greater bias compared to other methods, and climate predictors failed to substantially improve these deficiencies within a trace weighting framework. Lower complexity techniques were competitive with more complex methods, and the hierarchical expert regression approach introduced here (hierarchical ensemble streamflow prediction – HESP) provided a robust alternative for skillful and reliable water supply forecasts at all initialization times. Three key findings from this effort are (1) objective approaches supporting methodologically consistent hindcasts open the door to a broad range of beneficial forecasting strategies; (2) the use of climate predictors can add to the seasonal forecast skill available from IHCs; and (3) sample size limitations must be handled rigorously to avoid over-trained forecast solutions. Overall, the results suggest that despite a rich, long heritage of operational use, there remain a number of compelling opportunities to improve the skill and value of seasonal streamflow predictions.
Evolution of Genome Size

The size of the genome represents one of the most strikingly variable yet poorly understood traits in eukaryotic organisms. Genomic comparisons suggest that most properties of genomes tend to increase with genome size, but the fraction of the genome that comprises transposable elements (TEs) and other repetitive elements tends to increase disproportionately. Neutral, nearly neutral and adaptive models for the evolution of genome size have been proposed, but strong evidence for the general importance of any of these models remains lacking, and improved understanding of factors driving the activity of TEs should also be considered. Fine-scale investigation of the mutational and population-genetic properties of both small and large insertions and deletions should help advance our understanding of how and why genome size evolution has occurred.
ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Poor results after ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are closely associated with severe hyperacute rejection due to the presence of anti-donor ABO antibodies during the early postoperative period. Nonetheless, ABO-incompatible LDLT has not been abandoned, and several different protocols have been proposed with the aim of avoiding acute graft necrosis and chronic biliary damage, both of which are recognized as major causes of poor outcome. Plasmapheresis to decrease anti-ABO titers and rituximab prophylaxis have been utilized to improve the outcome of ABO-incompatible LDLT. The lack of alternatives to LDLT provides a strong ongoing justification for performing ABOincompatible LDLT in Korea.
A review of green- and blue-water resources and their trade-offs for future agricultural production in the Amazon Basin: what could irrigated agriculture mean for Amazonia?

Abstract. The Amazon Basin is a region of global importance for the carbon and hydrological cycles, a biodiversity hotspot, and a potential centre for future economic development. The region is also a major source of water vapour recycled into continental precipitation through evapotranspiration processes. This review applies an ecohydrological approach to Amazonia's water cycle by looking at contributions of water resources in the context of future agricultural production. At present, agriculture in the region is primarily rain-fed and relies almost exclusively on green-water resources (soil moisture regenerated by precipitation). Future agricultural development, however, will likely follow pathways that include irrigation from blue-water sources (surface water and groundwater) as insurance from variability in precipitation. In this review, we first provide an updated summary of the green–blue ecohydrological framework before describing past trends in Amazonia's water resources within the context of land use and land cover change. We then describe green- and blue-water trade-offs in light of future agricultural production and potential irrigation to assess costs and benefits to terrestrial ecosystems, particularly land and biodiversity protection, and regional precipitation recycling. Management of green water is needed, particularly at the agricultural frontier located in the headwaters of major tributaries to the Amazon River, and home to key downstream blue-water users and ecosystem services, including domestic and industrial users, as well as aquatic ecosystems.
Assessment of Entrance Surface Dose for the Patients from Common Radiology Examinations in Sudan

Medical X-ray exposures are the largest man-made source of population exposure to ionising radiation in many countries. Although information on medical exposure is already incorporated into national legislative documents, in Isfahan there is no data on the assessment of patient's entrance surface dose (ESD) and the health risk from conventional radiography in daily clinical practice. In this study, Entrance Surface dose (ESD) were estimated for adults patients undergoing common Xray examinations in two Hospitals in Khartoum, namely Khartoum teaching hospital and academy teaching hospital. the study was performed in four X-ray machines. A total of 191 patients were included in this study. Patient’s data such as (age and weight) and exposure parameters (kV and mAs) were recorded. The results of ESD have been obtained with the use of the Dose Cal software which developed by the radiological protection center in saint gorges hospital London. The results showed that the mean values for chest, abdomen and limbs were 0.31 mGy, 2.6 mGy, 0.05 mGy respectively. the results obtained in this work, range from (10.3) for lumbosacral lat to (0.004) for Elbow, was not exceeding the reference value and also the values obtained by Previous studies. But When comparison made between the four machines using some selected tests, the mean dose value at Khartoum teaching hospital by (shimadzu (1)) was found to be higher than other machines. This may be due the fact that the machine is old one and also it is output is greater than outputs of other machines, but in general the competency of technicians in Khartoum teaching hospital is less than in the academy teaching hospital, and also the number of patients in this hospital is more than academy hospital. [Tamboul J, Yousef M, Mokhtar K, Alfaki A, Sulieman A. Assessment of Entrance Surface Dose for the Patients from Common Radiology Examinations in Sudan. Life Sci J 2014;11(2):164-168]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 23
GC-MS Analysis and Antimicrobial Screening of Essential Oil from Lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus )

Medicinal plants are source of a great economic value. Plant herbs are naturally gifted at the synthesis of medicinal compounds. The extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants have resulted in the discovery of new drugs with high therapeutic value. Lemon grass was collected from administration gardens near Burjifartih west Khartoum, and was extracted for its oil by the hydro-distillation method approximately four hours. the extracted oil was analyzed by GC-MS and chemical constituents in the oil were identified, the major compounds in the oil were, citral (34.8%), neral (30.72%), β-myrecene (11.28%), geraniol (5.54%), 1,3,4-trimethyl 3-cyclohexene-1-Carboxaldehyde (2.20%), citonellol (1.34%). The compounds, D-Limonene (0.03%), Geranyl Acetate (0.57%) and Bicyclo [3.1. 1] heptane-2-Carboxaldehyde-6,6-dimethyl (0.23%) were the minor compounds. antibacterial and antifungal activities of the oil were tested, all tested microorganisms were sensitive and no resistant was not observed, all growth inhibition zones occurred in the high activity level which is (>18mm).
Micro RNA’s (mirna’s) may help explain expression of multiple genes in Alzheimer’s Frontal Cortex

MicroRNA’s (miRNA’s) are non-coding RNA’s that can regulate gene expression. miRNA’s are small (~22 nt) and can bind by complementation to mRNA’s resulting in direct degradation and/or interference with translation. We used paired-end RNAseq and small RNAseq to examine expression of mRNA’s and miRNA’s, respectively, in total RNA’s isolated from frontal cortex of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and control (CTL) subjects. mRNA’s were aligned to the hg38 human genome using Tophat2/Bowtie2 and relative expression levels determined by Cufflinks as FPKM (fragments per kilobase of exon per million mapped reads). miRNA’s were aligned to the hg19 human genome and quantitated as number of mature known miRNA reads with miRDeep*. Using a false-discovery rate (FDR) of 10% (FDR ≤ 0.10) applied to 11,794 genes with FPKM > 2.0, we identified 55 genes upregulated in AD and 191 genes downregulated in AD. The top 145 miRNA’s with the highest mean expression were mostly under-expressed in AD (132/145 miRNAs had AD/CTL < 1.0)). AD samples had increased coefficients of variation for miRNA and mRNA expression, implying greater heterogeneity. miRTAR analysis showed that 32 (58%) of the mRNA genes upregulated in AD could be controlled by one or more of 60 miRNA’s under-expressed >1.5-fold in AD (AD/CTL < 0.67). AD frontal cortex gene expression analysis showed extensive regulation by miRNAs that appear to interact with the majority of overexpressed protein coding genes. The temporal sequence of appearance in AD brain and etiologies of this extensive, heterogeneous regulation by miRNA’s are unknown. (243 words) Correspondence to: James P. Bennett, Jr. M.D., Ph.D, Neurodegeneration Therapeutics, Inc., 3050A Berkmar Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901-3450, Tel: 434-529-6457, Fax: 434-529-6458, E-mail: aging.mitochondria@gmail.com
Sourcing drugs with stable isotopes

Carbon (813C) and nitrogen (815N) isotope ratios at natural abundance levels are useful tools in determining the region-of-origin for both cocaine and heroin. Here we show that cocaine originating from different geographic regions of South America exhibited pronounced differences in their 813C and 815N values. The distinct isotope-ratio combinations allow reliable determination of the region-of-origin for the major coca growing regions along the Andean Ridge. We then show that heroin and morphine samples also exhibited significantly different 813C and S15N values that were correlated with their geographic origin. The distinct isotope ratio combinations allowed for identification of heroin and/or morphine originating from Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America. Variations in the carbon and nitrogen ratios of intercepted cocaine kilos have been examined. Isotope
Effect of sugarless gum chewing on intestinal movement after cesarean section

A randomized controlled clinical trial research design was adopted to investigate the effect of sugarless gum chewing on the intestinal movement after cesarean section. This study was conducted at postpartum unit of King Khalid General Hospital, Kingdome of Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 60 post cesarean section parturients. Tools: Data was collected using two tools. Tool I: Socio-demographic and reproductive history interview schedule. Tool II: Postoperative Assessment Sheet. Method: participants were assigned randomly into two groups of 30 study and control. Participants in the study group were instructed to chew gum for 30 minutes three times/day as soon as they are awake; while participants in the control group followed the hospital routine; Each woman in both groups was examined abdominally using a stethoscope to detect intestinal movement and asked to report immediately the time of either passing flatus or stool. Results: it was found that study group had lower means than the control one regarding the time of feeling the first intestinal movement (2.93 ± 1.14 & 8.13 ± 4.27) respectively; the time of hearing the first intestinal sounds (3.47 ± 1.38 & 9.03 ± 4.29) respectively; the time of the first flatus (3.90 ± 1.37 & 9.97 ± 3.87) respectively and the time to the first bowel movement (5.33 ± 1.71 & 13.30 ± 2.11) respectively. However, the relationship between both groups for the previously mentioned items was highly statistically significant (<0.0001). In conclusion, gum chewing is physiologic, safe and effective method for decreasing the time for regain of the intestinal movement after cesarean section. Chewing gum after cesarean section could be recommended to be included in the hospital protocol for management of postpartum care of cases with cesarean deliveries. [Wafaa Abed El-Hamid Rashad. Effect of sugarless gum chewing on intestinal movement after cesarean section. Life Sci J 2013;10(4): 3257-3261]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 433
Fumigation of Brown Rice with Volatiles from Bee Propolis and Impact on Storage Characteristics

Rice lipids are usually stable in the intact spherosomes in the cell. However, lipid membrane destruction by phospholipase, physical injury or high temperature, initiates hydrolysis through the action of lipases. Control of microbial induced lipolysis of rice would benefit from an approach that provides simultaneous antimicrobial and antioxidation control. Therefore, propolis, a resinous hive product collected by honeybees, known to possess both antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, was used in this study to evaluate feasibility of using its derived volatiles to control microbial prevalence, while providing oxidative stability of lipids, in stored brown rice (Oryza sativa, hinohikari var). Specifically, the effect of volatiles from Propolis including polar extracts (AEPE), non-polar extracts (MCPEV and HEPEV) and crude samples (CRUPV), on rice lipids oxidation and fungal and bacterial prevalence were studied. The stabilization effectiveness on oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids in brown rice were CRUPV> AEPEV> MCPEV>HEPEV>control, in the order of strength. Following brown rice storage, the bacterial species of Bacillus genera were most predominant with Bacillus cereus persisting on samples of all the treatments. Moraxella osloensis, Pseudomonas oleovorans, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Xanthomonas campestris, Curtobacterium citreum, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens and Aerococcus viridans affected the samples discriminately. Penicillium species was the most dominant fungi and persisted in all the treatments. MCPEV and CRUPV treated samples indicated the lowest species infestation numbers. Milling of the treated and stored brown rice samples indicated that samples treated with MCPEV and CRUPV had less broken rice than control samples. Also, the MCPEV treated samples were whiter than the control samples. The findings from this study show that there is potential to use Propolis extracts to limit lipid oxidation and microbial prevalence on rice.
Bridging the Research-Practice Divide in Youth Psychotherapy: The Deployment-Focused Model and Transdiagnostic Treatment

Five decades of research have produced scores of empirically tested psychotherapies for youths who have mental health problems and disorders. These empirically supported treatments (ESTs), most of them focused on single disorders or single problem domains (e.g., depressive disorders), have shown substantial effects in randomized controlled efficacy trials. However, the ESTs do not fare as well when tested against usual clinical care with clinically referred youths treated in clinically representative conditions. One reason may be that referred youths and their clinical care contexts are sometimes more complex than the ESTs. For example, most youths referred for treatment have multiple problems and disorders, and their treatment needs shift over time. To address the differences between efficacy research conditions and clinical practice, we have proposed a deployment-focused model of treatment development and testing, recommending research that focuses on the kinds of individuals and intervention contexts for which the treatments are ultimately intended. Our work with colleagues consistent with the deployment-focused model has led to a transdiagnostic intervention approach, Child STEPs. STEPs uses an integrative modular treatment protocol derived from the psychotherapy evidence base, with treatment guided by frequent feedback to clinicians on youth treatment response. In a multisite randomized trial of this approach, applied to youths with anxiety, depression, and conduct problems, STEPs markedly outperformed usual clinical care on measures of clinical symptoms and diagnosis. The findings illustrate the potential of the deployment-focused approach to narrow the gap between clinical science and everyday clinical care.
Molecular reappraisal confirms that the Campanula trichocalycina-pichleri complex belongs to Asyneuma (Campanulaceae).

The phylogentic position of the Campanula trichocalycina-pichleri complex, a group consisting of two species distributed respectively in the Apeninenes and the Balkans, represents a long-standing taxonomic problem resulting from a conflict among limited number of morphological characters. Traditionally, this complex was treated either as a separate genus, Podanthum, or as part of Campanula or Asyneuma. However, these competing taxonomic hypotheses have never been tested using explicite phylogenetic approaches. We present here the results of molecular phylogenetic analyses based on non-coding chloroplast sequences (trnL-F). Molecular evidence indicates that Campanula trichocalycina and C. pichleri form a strongly supported lineage, positioned as sistergroup to Asyneuma s.str. Consequently, we treate this complex as congeneric with Asyneuma. We also discuss relative importance of floral morphology versus fruit dehiscence for circumscription of Asyneuma and Campanula as well as proposed taxonomic status of Asyneuma comosiforme, a species recently discovered not to be closely related to other members of Asyneuma and segregated from this genus.