Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation donor sources in the 21 st century : choosing the ideal donor when a perfect match does not exist

The ability to perform hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) hinges on the availability of a suitable donor. The best donor for HSCT is anHLA-matched sibling or unrelated donor. Unfortunately, on the basis of average family size, less than 30% of patients will have amatched sibling donor.As ethnic diversity increases in Europe and North America, it is imperative to have a strategy to identify an alternative stem cell source when an adult matched unrelated donor (MUD) cannot be identified. At present there are 3 alternative donor options: a partially HLA-mismatched unrelated donor (MMURD), a haploidentical relateddonor, andanumbilical cordblood (UCB) stemcell product. The heterogeneity of patients in observational studies in the literature does not lend itself to direct comparisons of alternative donor sources. Until such studies as the Blood andMarrowTransplant Clinical TrialsNetwork (BMT-CTN) randomized comparison ofUCB and haploidentical transplantation (BMT-CTN 1101, NCT01597778) are complete, physicians are left to cautiously interpret the existing data in making these important decisions. There are patient-related, disease-related, and transplant protocol–related factors that together uniquely affect the clinical outcomes of an individual patient. Here we summarize the existingbodyof evidence inaneffort toguide clinicians in using the current literature to help make a decision on donor source for an individual patient when a matched related donor (MRD) or MUD are unavailable.
Synthesis of PMMA-b-PU-b-PMMA tri-block copolymers through ARGET ATRP in the presence of air

ARGET (activators regenerated by electron transfer) ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) has been suc- cessfully performed (in flasks fitted with rubber septa without the need for use of Schlenk line) in the presence of limited amount of air and with a very small (370 ppm) amount of copper catalyst together with an appropriate reducing agent Cu(0). Novelty of this work is that the poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polyurethane-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) tri- block copolymers were synthesized for the first time through ARGET ATRP, by using tertiary bromine-terminated polyurethane as a macroinitiator (MBP-PU-MBP), CuBr2 or CuCl2 as a catalyst and N,N,N",N#,N#-pentamethyldiethylene- triamine (PMDETA) or 2,2"-bipyridine (Bpy) as a complexing agent. As the polymerization time increases, both the monomer conversion and ln((M)0/(M)) increased and the molecular weight of copolymer increases linearly with increasing conversion. Theoretical number-average molecular weight (Mn, th) of the tri-block copolymers was found to be comparable with number-average molecular weight determined by GPC analyses (Mn, GPC). These results indicate that the formation of the tri-block copolymers was through atom transfer radical polymerization mechanism. 1 H and 13 C NMR spectral methods were employed to confirm chemical structures of synthesized macroinitiator and tri-block copolymers. Mole percentage of PMMA in the tri-block copolymers was calculated using 1 H NMR spectroscopy and was found to be comparable with the GPC results. Additionally, the studies of surface properties (confocal microscopy and SFE) of tri-block copolymer coatings confirmed the presence of MMA segments.
Sight Word Literacy: A Functional-Based Approach for Identification and Comprehension of Individual Words and Connected Text

Reviews of the research on literacy for students with moderate intellectual disability indicated that sight-word instruction continues to be their primary mode of reading instruction. Reported in this article are data supporting the Sight-Word Component of the larger Integrated Literacy Curriculum for Students with Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disabilities. This component consists of three word sets of controlled vocabulary and two sets of functional vocabulary selected to remediate deficits reported in the current body of published research. Remediative features include motor demonstrations of comprehension and systematic instruction of both individual words and connected text. From the four years of data of this funded project, illustrative data for individual and small group instruction are presented. A functional relation is demonstrated between student performance and the curriculum component through use of changing-criterion designs embedded with multiple- baseline designs.
Optimization of a direct real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase reaction (DRT-qPCR) assay for the detection of grapevine rupestris stem-pitting associated viruses (GRSPaV) in grapevine

Abstract A single step Direct real-time quantitative reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (DRT-qPCR) was applied and optimized for the detection of Grapevine rupestris stem-pitting associated virus (GRSPaV) in grapevine. A probe and primer set were designed from conserved genomic regions from eight GRSPaV accessions from GenBank and used with the Direct Plant Extraction Buffer (DiPEB) system in place of total nucleic acid extraction using commercial kits to identify 14 grapevine accessions and field grapevine isolates for the presence of GRSPaV. Optimal detection of GRSPaV was obtained using foliar tissue macerated first in ELISA extraction buffer that was further diluted in DiPEB buffer (1:9 v/v). Middle-aged grape leaves on young canes gave acceptably low Cq (quantification cycle) values, with no significant differences detected between bisected half leaves, refrigerated and frozen leaves, and frozen leaf macerates made in ELISA buffer. Cq values of macerates derived from cambial tissue were comparable to those of leaf tissue macerates. The DRT-qPCR was shown to be a reproducible, specific test capable of detection of as little as 4.59 pg of viral RNA. This is the first study to use this simplified method for the detection of viruses that infect grapevine. Because this system does not require the use of a commercial nucleic acid extraction kit, it provides savings in cost and time allowing higher throughput testing.
Forage and Seed Yield Variation of Alfalfa Cultivars in Response to Planting Date

The current work was carried out during 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Agriculture Faculty, South Valley University, Qena Governorate, Egypt to study the direct and indirect effects of yield attributes on forage and seed yields of alfalfa. Six alfalfa genotypes from Egypt (Aswan population, Balady population, El-Dakhla population, Ismalia-1 cultivar, Nitrogen fixing population and Siwa population) beside one variety from USA (Genan) were used in this study. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design using split plot arrangement with three replications. Three sowing dates of 20th October (D1), 20th November (D2) and 20th December (D3) were allocated in the main plot while the seven alfalfa genotypes were arranged in the sub plots. Three cuts were taken from each sowing date at 80, 125 and 165 days after sowing at 80, 45- and 40-day intervals, respectively. After taking three cuts, the plants were left out until flowering and seed production which take place in the first week of April, May and June for studied sowing dates, respectively. The obtained results show that, the Ismalia-1 cultivar exceeded the other tested genotypes for seasonal fresh forage yield trait (6.16 kg m-2) under third planting date (20th December) while, El-Dakhla genotype superior with regard to seasonal dry forage yield (2.00 kg m-2) under the same planting date. Otherwise, Aswan population produced the maximum mean values of Seasonal protein forage yield (0.60 kg m-2) under second planting date (20th November). In addition, Genan cultivar which was introduced from USA gave the maximum seed yield plant (1.20 g) under the first planting date (20th October). Furthermore, the obtained results show that the fresh forage yield had the greatest influence on protein forage yield in each sowing date. Meantime, the results of path analysis show that, number of seeds/pod and number of pods/plant considered the most effective traits in seed yield/plant of alfalfa. Moreover, negative correlation between seed yield/plant and 1000-seed weight was observed. Therefore, selection for improving seed yield/plant may be carried directly through selection for number of seeds/pod and number of pods/plant.
Working memory resources and interference in directed forgetting

Recent research has shown that the ability to inhibit irrelevant information is related to Working Memory (WM) capacity. In three experiments, we explored this relationship by using a list-method directed-forgetting task (DF) in participants varying in WM capacity. Contrary to predictions, in Experiment 1, DF effects were only found for participants with low WM capacity, whereas high WM capacity participants did not show this effect. This unexpected pattern of results was explained as due to the differential susceptibility to interference of high and low span participants. In Experiments 2 and 3, interference was increased by introducing a memory load between the to-be-forgotten and the to-be-remembered list (Experiment 2) and by increasing the list length (Experiment 3). In these conditions of high interference, the pattern of results was reversed so that DF effects were obtained for the high span group and they were not present for the low span group. The reversal of the effect for the high and low WM capacity group depending on the degree of interference suggests that inhibition in the DF procedure depends on both: the degree of interferencparticipants, and the availability of controlled resources
Food-safety standards : A catalyst for the winners-a barrier for the losers ? The case of GlobalGAP in horticultural export from Kenya

Solomon Asfaw is a Ph.D. candidate (Research Associate) in Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Leibniz University of Hannover , Königsworther Platz 1, D-30167, Hannover, Germany (e-mail: solomon@ifgb.uni-hannover.de). Dr. Dagmar Mithöfer is a Scientist at International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Kenya. Prof. Dr. Hermann Waibel is a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management under Leibniz University of Hannover.
OneUp: Supporting Practical and Experimental Gamification of Learning

Gamification of education is still evolving. It lacks systematic studies assessing its effect in different learning contexts. Creating gamified courses is still difficult, since there is a lack of sufficient understanding of how to gamify learning and appropriate software support is missing. As a response to these challenges, we developed OneUp ̶ a customizable platform aimed at facilitating the process of gamifying academic courses and enabling contextual studies on educational gamification. In this paper we rationalize our approach to building OneUp and present the underlying principles and motivations guiding its design. We also describe the platform functionality which includes support for integrating game design elements in learning activities, creating dynamic problems, and visualizing student performance and progress. At the end, we present a usability study of the platform and the assessment results from an end user perspective.
Amino Acid Composition and Protein Content of Mature Human Milk from Nine Countries

This study represents analysis of 220 human milk samples from nine cities in nine countries crossing five continents. Samples were collected from mothers from 18 to 40 years of age with a lactation range from 30 days to 188 days. Amino acids were analyzed using Waters Accq_Tag HPLC method. Total protein was calculated from the nitrogen content multiplied by a protein factor of 6.25. The nitrogen content was analyzed using FP‐528 nitrogen analyzer made by LECO Corporation. True protein was calculated from amino acid analysis and includes protein, free amino acids and peptides. Total protein, true protein, and the amino acid composition are not influenced by mother's age, and are statistically similar among locations, with the exception of samples from Chile, which had higher total protein and true protein. True protein is approximately 76% of total protein, is statistically similar among locations, and is not influenced by mother's age or days of lactation. Total protein, true protein, and individual amino acid concentrations in human milk steadily decline from 30 to 151 days of lactation, and are significantly higher in the second month than in the following four months. The amino acid profiles are statistically similar among locations. These results confirm higher protein and amino acid levels in early lactation and demonstrate consistency in the protein and amino acid composition of human milk across all locations.
Rhapsody: Pathogenicity prediction of human missense variants based on protein sequence, structure and dynamics

The biological effects of human missense variants have been studied experimentally for decades but predicting their effects in clinical molecular diagnostics remains challenging. Available computational tools are usually based on the analysis of sequence conservation and structural properties of the mutant protein. We recently introduced a new machine learning method that demonstrated for the first time the significance of protein dynamics in determining the pathogenicity of missense variants. Here we present a significant extension that integrates coevolutionary data from Pfam database and we also introduce a new interface (Rhapsody) that enables fully automated assessment of pathogenicity. Benchmarked against a dataset of about 20,000 annotated variants, the methodology is shown to outperform well-established and/or advanced prediction tools. We illustrate the utility of our approach by in silico saturation mutagenesis study of human H-Ras. The tool is made available both as a webtool (rhapsody.csb.pitt.edu) and an open source Python package (pip install prody-rhapsody).
Epidemiologic Studies Cannot Reveal the True Shape of the Dose–Response Relationship for Radon-Induced Lung Cancer

A long-standing controversy is the correct shape of the dose-response relationship for lung cancer induction by inhaled radon (eg, residential radon) at low levels. A probabilistic approach is used in this commentary to show that cohort and case-control epidemiologic studies cannot reveal the true shape of the dose-response relationship for radon-induced lung cancer. Using the indicated approach, it is found that while the dose response for radon-induced lung cancer is expected to be threshold-increasing, the dose-response curve for the cancer incidence when cancers caused by smoking and other carcinogens are included is expected to be threshold-decreasing (ie, threshold-hormetic), as low-level radon can protect from cancer induction by other carcinogens via stimulating the body’s natural defenses against cancer. These defenses include DNA damage repair, removal of aberrant cells via apoptosis, suppression of cancer promoting inflammation, and anticancer immunity.
Stromal ISLR promotes intestinal regeneration and cancer by suppressing epithelial Hippo signaling via FAT1

The YAP signaling activation in epithelial cells is essential for intestinal regeneration and tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanism linking stromal signals to YAP-mediated intestinal regeneration and tumorigenesis is poorly defined. Here we report a stroma-epithelia YAP signaling axis essential for stromal cells to modulate epithelial cell growth during intestinal regeneration and tumorigenesis. Specifically, upon inflammation and in cancer, an oncogenic transcription factor ETS1 in stromal cells induces expression of a secreted protein ISLR that can directly binds to a transmembrane protocadherin FAT1 on the surface of epithelial cells. This binding suppressed the Hippo signaling by disrupting MST1-FAT1 association, resulting in YAP signaling activation. Deletion of Islr in stromal cells in mice markedly impaired intestinal regeneration, and suppressed tumorigenesis in the colon. Moreover, the expression of stromal cell-specific ISLR and ETS1 significantly increased in inflamed mucosa of human IBD patients and in human colorectal adenocarcinoma, accounting for the epithelial YAP hyperactivation. Collectively, our findings uncovered a molecular mechanism governing signals for communication between stroma and epithelium during tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis.
THE MATERIALS AND PAINTING TECHNIQUES OF GIULIO ARISTIDE SARTORIO IN THE PICTORIAL CYCLE “ THE POEM OF HUMAN LIFE ” ( 1906-07 ) : KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION FOR A MUSEUM DISPLAY PROJECT

In the spring of 1906 Giulio Aristide Sartorio (1860-1932) accepted to create a large series of paintings on canvas to be placed in the Central Hall of the Venice Biennale of 1907: “The Poem of Human Life”. The artist proposed a highly dramatic view of human existence divided into four main scenes – called Light, Darkness, Love, Death – interspersed with ten vertical panels (the Caryatids). The complex iconography presented by Sartorio appears as a synthesis of the Mediterranean world and Northern culture. Free of architectural elements and worked in monochrome, the painting cycle stands out due to the exceptional arrangement of its figures in movement (Figure 1) [1]. The works of Aristide Sartorio are of considerable interest, both for their undoubted artistic value and for the particular technique used in the preparation of the painted layers. For this pictorial technique the artist used traditional procedures which he adapted to the new demands of his time; it is the latter that are the starting point in the search for suitable exhibition solutions for the entire cycle. To complete the 240 m2 of the cycle in just nine months, Sartorio used a special painting technique, described by the author as “. a mixture of wax, mineral turpentine and oils.called French encaustic. ” [2,3] which enabled the painting to be completed in a very short time. Sartorio was known to work with home-made mixtures of oil paints (mixed with pigments and prepared himself in his studio) with the addition of several waxes, natural resins, mineral spirits and gums. His brushstrokes appear fluid and the resulting painted layers are characterised by a certain thickness (in some cases more than 2 cm); he did not apply any final layers of varnish (Figure 2).
Evaluation of Allelopathic Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Parthenium (Pathenium hysterophorus L.) on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.), Soybean (Glycine max L.) and Green Gram (Phaseolus mungo L.)

Parthenium hysterophorus an obnoxious, aggressive, Neotropical composite weed has allelopathic effect and drastically retards the growth of many crop species. In the present paper the effect of different concentrations of aqueous leaf extract of Parthenium hysterophorus on the the germination percentage of seeds, radicle length, plumule length and dry weight of seedlings, elongation ratio of root and shoot, inhibition (−) or stimulation (+) % , phytotoxicity percentage of sunflower, soybean and Phaseolus mungo seeds has been studied. The results revealed that the increase in concentration of parthenium extract significantly decreases the seed germination, radicle length, plumule length of seedlings of sunflower, soybean and green gram. The leaf extract has inhibitory effect on radical growth of pulses compare to oil seeds. The tolerance level of parthenium allelopathy of crops represented as sunflower > soybean > green gram. The concentration dependent inhibitory activities of the aqueous extracts of parthenium on the germination and seedling growth of the test species suggest that the plant has allelopathic potentiality and possess allelochemicals. These allelochemicals could be the main reason for the restricted growth of other plant species near their colony. This study showed that allelopatic weed plants pose threat on seed germination, seedlings radicle and plumule lengths of sunflower, soybean and green gram crops. Thus, farmers should give special attention to avoid or minimize those weed species from their farm to contain their adverse effects on crops.
WBS Economic Modelling & Forecasting Group Working Paper Series : No 3 September 2013 Working paper title : Nonlinear Panel Data Model of Cross-Sectional Independence

This paper proposes a nonlinear panel data model which can endogenously generate both ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ cross-sectional dependence. The model’s distinguishing characteristic is that a given agent’s behaviour is influenced by an aggregation of the views or actions of those around them. The model allows for considerable flexibility in terms of the genesis of this herding or clustering type behaviour. At an econometric level, the model is shown to nest various extant dynamic panel data models. These include panel AR models, spatial models, which accommodate weak dependence only, and panel models where cross-sectional averages or factors exogenously generate strong, but not weak, cross sectional dependence. An important implication is that the appropriate model for the aggregate series becomes intrinsically nonlinear, due to the clustering behaviour, and thus requires the disaggregates to be simultaneously considered with the aggregate. We provide the associated asymptotic theory for estimation and inference. This is supplemented with Monte Carlo studies and two empirical applications which indicate the utility of our proposed model as a vehicle to model different types of cross-sectional dependence. JEL Classification: C31, C33, C51, E31, G14.
Plant economic strategies of grassland species control soil carbon dynamics through rhizodeposition

The plant economics spectrum is increasingly recognized as a major determinant of plant species effects on terrestrial ecosystem functioning related to carbon cycling. However, the role of plant economic strategies in the effects of living root activity on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics through rhizodeposition remains unexplored, despite SOC being the largest terrestrial carbon pool. Using a continuous 13C‐labelling method allowing partitioning of plant and soil sources to carbon fluxes and pools, we studied here the linkages between plant economic strategies and SOC cycling processes in a ‘common garden’ greenhouse experiment. It includes a panel of 12 grassland species selected along a gradient of economic traits and belonging to three functionnal groups (C3 grasses, forbs and legumes). All species induced an acceleration of native SOC mineralization but this rhizosphere priming effect (RPE) substantially differed across species and varied eleven‐fold by the end of the experiment (from +26% to +295% relative to unplanted soil). Interspecific variation in RPE was primarily linked to plant photosynthetic activity associated to species economic strategies of light and CO2 resource acquisition and processing. Fast‐growing acquisitive species, such as legumes, featured large RPE, in relation with their high canopy photosynthesis coupled to high leaf photosynthetic capacity and large net primary productivity allocated above‐ground. This large RPE was further associated with high root metabolic activity, rhizodeposition and soil microbial activity. In contrast, fine‐root growth and economic traits related to soil resource foraging ability were poor predictors of RPE. The formation of new root‐derived SOC varied nine‐fold across species and was similarly positively related to the net primary productivity allocated above‐ground. Fast‐growing acquisitive species with a high photosynthetic activity induced a disproportionately large RPE relative to SOC formation. Synthesis. Overall, our study demonstrates that rhizodeposition is a major mechanism through which plant economic strategies of grassland species control soil carbon dynamics. Acquisitive versus conservative species were associated with high versus low rates of photosynthesis and rhizodeposition, in turn leading to fast versus slow SOC turnover. This emphasizes the importance of considering rhizosphere processes for understanding plant species effects on soil biogeochemistry.