Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Free Radical Enhancers and Scavengers on Accumulation of Early Light-Inducible Protein during Light Stress

Involvement of active oxygen species in the accumulation of early light-inducible protein (ELIP) in mature pea plants was investigated under light stress conditions. Here we provide evidence that hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen interfere with ELIP expression at both , transcriptional and posttranslational levels. Addition of free radical scavengers can alleviate the detrimental action of the radicals almost completely at the level of transcription but only a partial protection was observed at the level of proteins. The data suggest that the damage of ELIP occurs during its insertion into thylakoid membranes close to the free radical sources.
Support for Children as Next of Kin and Systematic Follow up - Group Leaders’ and Managers’ Perspectives within Non-profit Organizations in Sweden

Method : The aim of this study was to explore the systematic follow up of supportive activities in non-profit organizations targeted at children as next of kin. Managers and group leaders were interviewed, and findings were content analysed. Results : The findings indicated that a child focus, education, safety and trust were important. These factors were observed as the primary tasks and the key reason for being involved in supportive activities. Managers expressed concern about not retaining funding, if the organization was unable to demonstrate the effects of their activities. Namely, to enhance the health and wellbeing of children. In order to continuously develop their work most organisations explained that they used some form of system for follow up. However, there was a wide variation in how non-profit organizations worked with follow ups. Conclusion : Overall, it was evident that there was a major need for education and support in this area.
Controlled microdroplet transport in an atmospheric pressure microplasma

We report the controlled injection of near-isolated micron-sized liquid droplets into a low temperature He-Ne steady-state rf plasma at atmospheric pressure. The H2O droplet stream is constrained within a 2 mm diameter quartz tube. Imaging at the tube exit indicates a log-normal droplet size distribution with an initial count mean diameter of 15 μm falling to 13 μm with plasma exposure. The radial velocity profile is approximately parabolic indicating near laminar flow conditions with the majority of droplets travelling at >75% of the local gas speed and having a plasma transit time of <100 μs. The maximum gas temperature, determined from nitrogen spectral lines, was below 400 K and the observed droplet size reduction implies additional factors beyond standard evaporation, including charge and surface chemistry effects. The demonstration of controlled microdroplet streams opens up possibilities for gas-phase microreactors and remote delivery of active species for plasma medicine.
Deterioration of insulating materials by internal discharge

Various round-robin tests have been made to investigate degradation phenomena of insulating materials by corona discharges which take place in a cavity inside specimens composed of three thin films adhered with each other. For specimens made of several kinds of materials such as polyethylene, ac voltages of 3 to 8 kV are applied under conditions of different frequencies and film adhesion methods, and life versus voltage characteristics are measured and deterioration behaviors are also observed. Although there exist considerable dispersions between lifetimes measured, degradation grades by internal discharges can be clarified to a certain extent among different materials and the order of corona endurance natures of several materials may agree fairly well with those measured already by other experimental procedures. Measured lifetime distributions can also coincide well with values calculated by the Weibull analyses modified by the Committee. Meanwhile, sheet specimens of 2 mm in thickness with a cylindrical hole are put between electrodes and examined tentatively with regard to breakdown behaviors by discharges and it can be understood that most of the thick specimens made of three kinds of materials are broken down through degraded channels orginating from small pits which take place at bottom edges in the holes.
A natural formation scenario for misaligned and short-period eccentric extrasolar planets

Recent discoveries of strongly misaligned transiting exoplanets pose a challenge to the established planet formation theory which assumes planetary systems to form and evolve in isolation. However, the fact that the majority of stars actually do form in star clusters raises the question how isolated forming planetary systems really are. Besides radiative and tidal forces, dense gas aggregates in star-forming regions are potential sources for perturbations to protoplanetary discs or systems. Here we show that subsequent capture of gas from large extended accretion envelopes on to a passing star with a typical circumstellar disc can tilt the disc plane to retrograde orientation, naturally explaining the formation of strongly inclined planetary systems. Furthermore, the inner disc regions may become denser, and thus more prone to speedy coagulation and planet formation. Pre-existing planetary systems are compressed by gas inflows leading to a natural occurrence of close-in misaligned hot Jupiters and short-period eccentric planets. The likelihood of such events mainly depends on the gas content of the cluster and is thus expected to be highest in the youngest star clusters.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Wheat

ABSTRACT A 2-yr study was conducted in South Carolina wheat fields to describe spatial and temporal dynamics of stink bugs sampled with sweep nets. In 2008, the main phytophagous species were Euschistus servus (Say) (35.8, 36.7%), Oebalus pugnax (F.) (35.0, 6.0%), Nezara viridula L. , (15.2, 46.3%), and Thyanta custator (F.) (14.0, 10.5%) for adults and nymphs, respectively. In 2009, the main phytophagous species were O. pugnax (39.8, 37.8%), E. servus (38.4, 30.0%), N. viridula (14.6, 29.5%), and T. custator (6.8, 2.8%). &khgr;2 goodness-of-fit tests indicated that all species (both adults and nymphs) had observed distributions that did not match the Poisson distribution. Indices of dispersion (ID) across sampling dates were significantly >1 for all species and life stages, also suggesting a nonrandom distribution. Slopes of Taylor's power law were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than a value of 1 for only adult O. pugnax and nymph T. custator. Coefficients &bgr; of patchiness regressions were significantly >1 in all cases except for E. servus adults and T. custator nymphs. The inverted distance weighted interpolation method showed considerable levels of spatial variability in densities within fields. Sampling along the edge of fields showed a significant distance from field border effect (P < 0.05) on all adults in both years except for N. viridula. High densities in wheat adjacent to a susceptible crop such as corn suggests that localized control methods in wheat may be effective in mitigation of stink bugs and damage in corn.
Clinical Motor Outcome of Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Deep-Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease Using Image-Guided Frameless Stereotaxy

BACKGROUND:Image-guided neuronavigation has largely replaced stereotactic frames when precise, real-time anatomic localization is required during neurosurgical procedures. However, some procedures, including placement of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) leads for the treatment of movement disorders, are still performed using frame-based stereotaxy. Despite the demonstration of comparable accuracy between frame-based and “frameless” image-guided approaches, the clinical efficacy of frameless DBS placement has never been reported. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the outcomes of subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS using the frameless technique for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS:Of 31 subjects (20 men) with PD for 10 ± 4 years, 28 had bilateral STN DBS and 3 had unilateral STN DBS. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scale (III) and total medication doses were assessed before surgery on and off medication and off medication/ON DBS (off/ON) after 6 to 12 months of STN DBS. RESULTS:There was a 58% improvement from bilateral STN DBS in the UPDRS III (40 ± 16 preoperatively off, 17 ± 11 off/ON) 9.6 ± 1.9 months after surgery (P < .001). This compared favorably with the published outcomes using the frame-based technique. All motor subscores improved significantly (P < .01). The mean reduction in medication was 50%. No intraoperative complications occurred, but one subject with hypertension died of a delayed hemorrhage postoperatively. Two subjects developed postoperative infections that required lead removal and antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS:Bilateral STN DBS for PD performed by an experienced team using a frameless approach results in outcomes comparable to those reported with the use of the frame-based technique.
Women and Disability

Women with disabilities present a compelling set of issues for health services researchers and policy-makers. Women live longer and report more disability than men, both in terms of the proportions affected at any point in the life cycle and the number of activities reported to be limited at anyone time. The proportion of women with disabilities has risen markedly in the last quarter century. In the USA, for example, 11.7% of women reported being limited in their activities in 1970, gradually increasing to 15.6% in 1994. Because disability research has traditionally been driven by cost considerations where men were considered the major wage earners and benefit recipients, the impact of disability on women has been grossly understudied.i Much of this work slights women with disabilities, particularly those who have not had full-time jobs with benefits. In 1992, for example, the participation rate of women with disabilities in the US labor force was only about 60% that of able-bodied women and significantly less than that of men with disabilities. Women with disabilities have experienced a marked growth in part-time employment to meet temporary demands for labor, but many of these women work without full health benefits.V' As a consequence, disability is an overlooked but critical women's health issue with serious policy implications. By any standard, these women are vulnerable to persistent health and social problems. Women with disabilities report chronic health conditions at a much higher rate than able-bodied women. In the USA, more than 55% of women with physical disabilities do not have adequate health insurance. These women often report being physically and psychologically abused, even in health care institutions.f Women with disabilities have more comorbidities than men and often experience more than one disabling condition at a time. " Poor women and those from minority and ethnic groups have additional burdens. They are more likely to be disabled and have fewer resources to deal with their problems than white women or women of higher education and income levels. " Women with disabilities are more likely to be socially isolated and be single mothers than other women. They are also more likely than men with disabilities to be treated as victims. Women who are carriers of genetic diseases are often challenged about becoming pregnant and pressured to take responsibility for their own or their children's disabilities whether or not they knew the facts or had been genetically counselled before they conceived.f In general, women with disabilities experience serious health and social problems for which they do not have adequate skills or resources to cope. As a consequence, these women experience dependency, poverty and poor quality of life. " In sum, women with disabilities are often discriminated against and excluded. By reverberation, the problem exerts tremendous financial, social and moral strains on individuals, families and society. The need for health services research and policy analysis focusing on women with disabilities lies in five areas:
Comparative and Functional Evaluation of In Vitro Generated to Ex Vivo CD8 T Cells

The generation of the cytotoxic CD8 T cell response is dependent on the functional outcomes imposed by the intrathymic constraints of differentiation and self-tolerance. Although thymic function can be partly replicated in vitro using OP9-DL1 cell cultures to yield CD8 αβ TCR-bearing cells from hematopoietic progenitor cells, a comprehensive and functional assessment of entirely in vitro generated CD8 T cells derived from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells has not been established and remains controversial. In this study, we demonstrate that a phenotypic, molecular, and functional signature of in vitro derived CD8 T cells is akin to that of ex vivo CD8 T cells, although several significant differences were also observed. Transfer of in vitro derived CD8 T cells into syngeneic and immunodeficient host mice showed no graft-versus-host response, whereas a robust homeostatic proliferation was observed, respectively. These findings, along with a diverse and broad TCR repertoire expressed by the in vitro derived CD8 T cells, allowed for the successful generation of Ag-specific T cells to be obtained from an entirely in vitro generated CD8 T cell pool. These findings support the use of Ag-specific in vitro derived effector CD8 T cells for immune reconstitution approaches, which would be amenable to further tailoring for their use against viral infections or malignancies.
Electrical muscle stimulation increases early reinnervation following nerve injury and immediate repair

Treating partially or completely denervated muscle following nerve injury using electrical muscle stimulation has been met with much controversy. Previous studies have shown that chronic electrical muscle stimulation or neuromuscular activity leads to impaired reinnervation of muscle end plates. In this study we investigated the use of a moderate stimulation paradigm delivered daily over a 2 week period and the effects on functional recovery and reinnervation. Rat gastrocnemius muscle was denervated by complete tibial nerve transection and immediately repaired using epineurial sutures. Electrical muscle stimulation was carried out 5 days per week in 1 hour sessions. Our results show that numbers of motoneurons reinnervating muscle and reinnervated endplates were significantly higher in animals that received daily muscle stimulation compared to those without stimulation. Other functional measurements such as muscle force, weight, and contractile properties were no different between groups. Our results provide evidence that the improved reinnervation may be due to antidromic depolarization of axons proximal to the repair site.
CMOS DNA Sensor Array With Integrated A/D Conversion Based on Label-Free Capacitance Measurement

This paper presents a fully electronic label-free DNA chip in 0.5-mum CMOS technology, with 5-V supply voltage, suitable for low-cost highly integrated applications. The chip features an array of 128 sensor sites with gold electrodes and integrated measurement, conditioning, multiplexing and analog-to-digital conversion circuitry. The circuits measure capacitance variations due to DNA hybridization on the gold electrodes which are bio-modified by covalently attaching probes of known sequence. Specificity, repeatability and parallel detection capability of the fabricated chip are successfully demonstrated
Effects of Ascorbic Acid in Alkaptonuria: Alterations in Benzoquinone Acetic Acid and an Ontogenic Effect in Infancy

ABSTRACT: The effects of ascorbic acid on the excretion of homogentisic acid and its derivative benzoquinone acetic acid were studied in two adults and three infants. The administration of relatively large amounts of ascorbic acid to the adults was followed by a disappearance of benzoquinone acetic acid from the urine, whereas the level of excretion of homogentisic acid did not change. This could have relevance to the pathogenesis of ochronotic arthritis. In the 4-mo-old infant and the 5-mo-old infant ascorbic acid in the urine may have doubled the amount of homogentisic acid, presumably through an effect on the immature p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid oxidase. Dietary reduction of the intake of tyrosine and phenylalanine substantially reduced the excretion of homogentisic acid.
Marital Relationship Quality in Early-Stage Dementia: Perspectives From People With Dementia and Their Spouses

Spouse caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) report relatively poor marital relationship quality (RQ), but few studies have obtained the perspective of the PwD, examined discrepancies between spouses, or considered changes in RQ over time. This study explored caregiver and PwD perceptions of RQ, identified associated factors, and examined changes over an 18-month period. Participants were 54 couples where one spouse had early-stage dementia and 54 were control couples. RQ was assessed with the Positive Affect Index. Measures of mood, stress, and quality of life (QoL) were also administered. The clinical couples were followed up after 9 and 18 months. Caregivers gave significantly lower RQ ratings than controls. PwD ratings did not differ significantly from those of caregivers or controls. Dyadic discrepancies were significantly greater in the clinical than in the control group. Caregiver ratings were associated with stress, whereas PwD ratings were associated with depression and QoL. Discrepancies were associated with caregiver stress and with PwD mood, QoL, and age. Caregiver ratings declined significantly over time; PwD ratings did not decline significantly, but showed different trends for men and women. It is important to consider RQ when considering how to support couples where one partner has early-stage dementia.
Effect of a 125 mT static magnetic field on the kinetics of voltage activated Na+ channels in GH3 cells

Voltage activated Na+ channels were examined in GH3 cells, using the whole cell patch clamp method. Channel currents were recorded before, during, and after a 150 s exposure to a 125 mT static magnetic field. There was a slight shift in the current–voltage relationship and a less than 5% reduction in peak current during magnetic field exposure. More pronounced, however, was an increase in the activation time constant, τm, during and for at least 100 s following exposure to the field. This change in τm was seen primarily at lower activation voltages. No change was noted in the inactivation time constant, τh. Changes were clearly temperature dependent, being evident only at and above 35 °C. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that reorientation of diamagnetic anisotropic molecules in the cell membrane are capable of distorting imbedded ion channels sufficiently to alter their function. The temperature dependence of this phenomenon is probably due to the greater ease with which a liquid crystal membrane can be deformed. Bioelectromagnetics 24:517–523, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Death Notification for Families of Homicide Victims: Healing Dimensions of a Complex Process

Family bereavement by homicide is one of the most challenging facets of crime victim intervention a medical care provider, mental health clinician, or law enforcement officer will face. But the process of healing can begin at the outset through intelligent, sensitive, competent, and compassionate death notification and body identification by trained and dedicated professionals. A practical system for death notification and body identification is presented that can be adapted and modified to the needs of law enforcement, military mental health, and notifiers from related disciplines; it can also be adapted to death notification in sudden, accidental deaths. Throughout, the emphasis is on how notifiers may often be the de facto first responders in the struggle to help traumatically bereaved family members survive their ordeal and reclaim their lives.
Modeling social reintegration in persons with spinal cord injury

Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify and develop a model of the factors related to social reintegration in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: A convenience sample of 145 persons with SCI living in two cities in South Korea anonymously completed a questionnaire that comprised the assessment of social reintegration, a tool developed to measure the degree of adjustment to community living in persons with SCI. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of self-esteem, social barriers, physical function, family support, informational support, perceived stress, emotion-focused coping (EFC), and problem-focused coping (PFC) on social reintegration. Results: The model explained 65% of the variance in social reintegration in persons with SCI. The results indicated that the social reintegration of persons with SCI was influenced most by EFC. Family support, informational support, perceived stress and social barriers were also significantly related to social reintegration. Conclusions: These findings suggest implications for developing the interventions at various levels including family and community and specific to individual coping strategies to enhance social reintegration in persons with SCI.
ELISA and HPLC determination of the occurrence of aflatoxin M 1 in raw cow's milk

Raw cow's milk collected from dairy farms in the province of Leon, Spain, was examined for aflatoxin M1(AFM1). The samples were analysed with a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentrations of AFM1 in the milk extracts were initially estimated by ELISA, with recovery rates of 74.6%109% for artificially contaminated milk at levels of 10%80 ng l-1. Samples found to contain more than 10 ng l-1 were further quantified with HPLC. The mean recovery for this method was 89.3%. The quantification limit was 10 ng l-1for both ELISA and HPLC. Although AFM1 was confirmed in only 3.3% of the samples, the concentrations in all these cases were lower than the maximum limit applicable to these products pursuant to European Union legislation. Both methods were validated with reference material certified by the Community Bureau of Reference.
Overexpression of a Plant Reticulon Remodels the Lumen of the Cortical Endoplasmic Reticulum but Does not Perturb Protein Transport

We have cloned a member of the reticulon (RTN) family of Arabidopsis thaliana (RTNLB13). When fused to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and expressed in tobacco leaf epidermal cells, RTNLB13 is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Coexpression of a soluble ER luminal marker reveals that YFP‐tagged, myc‐tagged or untagged RTNLB13 induces severe morphological changes to the lumen of the ER. We show, using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis, that RTNLB13 overexpression greatly reduces diffusion of soluble proteins within the ER lumen, possibly by introducing constrictions into the membrane. In spite of this severe phenotype, Golgi shape, number and dynamics appear unperturbed and secretion of a reporter protein remains unaffected.