Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms Among Frontline Firefighters in China

Abstract To investigate the prevalence and comorbidity rate of potential posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in frontline firefighters in China, as well as to analyze the related predictive factors for PTSD and depression, our study included 261 firefighters who completed assessments including the Demographic Data Forum, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Chinese version of Perceived Stress Scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Among the participants, 1.9% and 11.9% were identified as having potential PTSD and depression, respectively. There was a 9.1% chance of comorbid PTSD among the depressed firefighters and a 60% chance of comorbid depression among the firefighters with PTSD. Perceived stress positively predicted both PTSD and depression; perceived social support negatively predicted both PTSD and depression. Whereas family exogenous support predicted both PTSD and depression, family endogenous support only predicted depression. In addition, PTSD was predicted by rank. Soldiers and sergeants demonstrated higher level of PTSD than officers. Future studies on mental health of firefighters should take factors like perceived stress, social support, and rank into consideration.
Allelopathic properties of Lantana camara

Lantana camara is regarded both as a notorious weed and a popular ornamental garden plant. Allelopathy involves both inhibitory and stimulatory biochemical interactions between plants. Lantana allelopathic effect studies have been done with many crops, trees, shrub and weeds under both laboratory and field conditions to determine their allelopathic potential and its use. Allelochemicals of Lantana inhibited the germination, growth and metabolism of crops, weeds and bryophytes and vegetables.
What the Field Needs: Core Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Public Librarianship

Recent developments in society, technology, and user expectations have required response from public libraries—specifically, the need to assess whether there have been changes in the qualifications necessary for public librarians to succeed. In an analysis of a nationwide study of LIS professionals, alumni, and faculty from five iSchools, this article addresses this topic by exploring the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are considered core for professional public librarians and how they align with current trends in the field. The study also examines how the KSAs for public librarianship compare with those for academic and school librarianship. The results are salient for public library directors, managers, and others concerned with trends in public libraries and LIS students interested in public library careers. The findings will also be of interest to LIS faculty as they review and develop curricula to prepare emerging public library professionals.
A New Method Involving Percutaneous Application in the Treatment of Deep Venous Insufficiency: An Experimental Study With Internal Compression Therapy in a Porcine Model

Introduction: To study the efficiency of internal compression therapy (ICT), a new and promising method of treatment for deep venous insufficiency, how that efficiency is achieved, and its potential side-effects, in a porcine model. Material and Methods: The femoral vein diameters of 4 pigs were first measured. ICT was then applied such as to reduce the diameter of these veins by 50%. The femoral vein diameters of 2 pigs were re-measured after 1 month. The femoral vein and its surrounding tissue were excised for immunohistopathological and genetic examination. The same procedures were applied to the remaining 2 pigs 3 months subsequently. Collagen I and IV immunohistochemical staining and Masson’s trichrome and Alcian blue histochemical staining were applied during immunohistopathological examination. Collagen I, III, and IV and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA expressions were examined for genetic examination. Results: The femoral vein diameters decreased by approximately 50% after ICT application. This decrease persisted after the first and third months. Histopathological examination revealed loose connective tissue around the venous tissue after the operation, particularly in the third month, together with perivascular fibrosis and increased collagen in connective tissue. No difference was observed between regions with and without ICT application in terms of mucinous degeneration, an indicator of tissue injury, during Alcian blue staining. Genetic examination revealed an increase in collagen I and IV and CTGF mRNA expression in perivascular tissue resulting from ICT application. Conclusion: ICT is effective both in terms of creating a durable tissue around the vein and of increasing collagen tissue and stimulating fibrosis, and has no deleterious side-effects on tissue.
Evaluation of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl) Carbodiimide Cross-Linked Collagen Membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration in Beagle Dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone regeneration efficacy of an 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-cross-linked collagen membrane for guided bone regeneration (GBR). A non-cross-linked collagen membrane (Control group), and an EDC-cross-linked collagen membrane (Test group) were used in this study. In vitro, mechanical, and degradation testing and cell studies were performed. In the animal study, 36 artificial bone defects were formed in the mandibles of six beagles. Implants were inserted at the time of bone grafting, and membranes were assigned randomly. Eight weeks later, animals were sacrificed, micro-computed tomography was performed, and hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens were prepared. Physical properties (tensile strength and enzymatic degradation rate) were better in the Test group than in the Control group. No inflammation or membrane collapse was observed in either group, and bone volumes (%) in defects around implants were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). The results of new bone areas (%) analysis also showed similar values in the two groups (p > 0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that cross-linking the collagen membranes with EDC is the method of enhancing the physical properties (tensile strength and enzymatic degradation) of the collagen membranes without risk of toxicity.
Allometric modelling of crown width for white spruce by fixed- and mixed-effects models

Crown width is an important predictor for tree growth, crown surface area, forest canopy cover, tree-crown profiles and wildlife habitat indices. This paper developed crown width models for white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in Alberta using allometric fixed and mixed models with varying degrees of model complexity. Diameter at breast height was the most important predictor and was used in the base model. Crown ratio, height-diameter ratio and two competition indices (CIs) were additional predictors added to the base model to form four expanded models. At each level of complexity, a fixed model and a mixed model were fitted. Improved fits were achieved for both model types as model complexity increased, and all mixed models provided much better fits than their fixed model counterparts. Population-averaged (PA) predictions by fixed models, and typical mean (TM), PA and plot-specific (PS) predictions by mixed models were compared on both model fitting and validation data. TM and PA predictions by eac.
Effects of Light Quality on Growth and Phytonutrient Accumulation of Herbs under Controlled Environments

In recent years, consumption of herb products has increased in daily diets, contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, chronic diseases, and certain types of cancer owing to high concentrations of phytonutrients such as essential oils and phenolic compounds. To meet the increasing demand for high quality herbs, controlled environment agriculture is an alternative and a supplement to field production. Light is one of the most important environmental factors influencing herb quality including phytonutrient content, in addition to effects on growth and development. The recent development and adoption of light-emitting diodes provides opportunities for targeted regulation of growth and phytonutrient accumulation by herbs to optimize productivity and quality under controlled environments. For most herb species, red light supplemented with blue light significantly increased plant yield. However, plant yield decreased when the blue light proportion (BP) reached a threshold, which varied among species. Research has also shown that red, blue, and ultraviolet (UV) light enhanced the concentration of essential oils and phenolic compounds in various herbs and improved antioxidant capacities of herbs compared with white light or sunlight, yet these improvement effects varied among species, compounds, and light treatments. In addition to red and blue light, other light spectra within the photosynthetically active region—such as cyan, green, yellow, orange, and far-red light—are absorbed by photosynthetic pigments and utilized in leaves. However, only a few selected ranges of light spectra have been investigated, and the effects of light quality (spectrum distribution of light sources) on herb production are not fully understood. This paper reviews how light quality affected the growth and phytonutrient accumulation of both culinary and medicinal herbs under controlled environments, and discusses future research opportunities to produce high quantity and quality herbs.
Self-Collected Oral Fluid and Nasal Swab Specimens Demonstrate Comparable Sensitivity to Clinician-Collected Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimens for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract We compared self-collected oral fluid swab specimens with and without clinician supervision, clinician-supervised self-collected mid-turbinate (nasal) swab specimens, and clinician-collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Supervised oral fluid and nasal swab specimens performed similarly to clinician-collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens. No sample type could detect SARS-CoV-2 infections amongst all positive participants.
Updated Breast Cancer Surveillance Recommendations for Female Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer From the International Guideline Harmonization Group.

PURPOSE As new evidence is available, the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group has updated breast cancer surveillance recommendations for female survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer. METHODS We used evidence-based methods to apply new knowledge in refining the international harmonized recommendations developed in 2013. The guideline panel updated the systematic literature review, developed evidence summaries, appraised the evidence, and updated recommendations on the basis of evidence, clinical judgement, and consideration of benefits versus the harms of the surveillance interventions while attaining flexibility in implementation across different health care systems. The GRADE Evidence-to-Decision framework was used to translate evidence to recommendations. A survivor information form was developed to counsel survivors about the potential harms and benefits of surveillance. RESULTS The literature update identified new study findings related to the effects of prescribed moderate-dose chest radiation (10 to 19 Gy), radiation dose-volume, anthracyclines and alkylating agents in non-chest irradiated survivors, and the effects of ovarian function on breast cancer risk. Moreover, new data from prospective investigations were available regarding the performance metrics of mammography and magnetic resonance imaging among survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma. Modified recommendations include the performance of mammography and breast magnetic resonance imaging for survivors treated with 10 Gy or greater chest radiation (strong recommendation) and upper abdominal radiation exposing breast tissue at a young age (moderate recommendation) at least annually up to age 60 years. As a result of inconsistent evidence, no recommendation could be formulated for routine breast cancer surveillance for survivors treated with any type of anthracyclines in the absence of chest radiation. CONCLUSION The newly identified evidence prompted significant change to the recommendations formulated in 2013 related to moderate-dose chest radiation and anthracycline exposure as well as breast cancer surveillance modality.
Micro-Fabricated RTD Based Sensor for Breathing Analysis and Monitoring

The design, micro-fabrication, and characterization of a resistance temperature detector (RTD) based micro sensor for minimally invasive breathing analysis and monitoring is presented. Experimental results demonstrate that the change in air temperature while inhaling and exhaling can be transduced into a time varying electrical signal, which is subsequently used to determine the breathing frequency (respiratory rate). The RTD is placed into a Wheatstone bridge to simultaneously reduce the sensor’s output noise and improve overall system accuracy. The proposed design could potentially aid health care providers in the determination of respiratory rates, which is of critical importance during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Feeding patterns in seagrass beds of three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus juveniles at different growth stages

Today, three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus are the most abundant fish in the White Sea and are close to their historical maximum. Based on observations from 2011–2013, this study reports quantitative and qualitative characteristics of juvenile stickleback diet during periods of active feeding in coastal Zostera seagrass beds. The following planktonic taxa dominated stomach contents: copepods Temora longicornis and Microsetella norvegica, ciliophora Helicostomella subulata. Benthic organisms such as Oligochaetae and Orthocladiinae also played an important role, whereas the literature suggests they were once rare in marine stickleback diets. Consumption patterns depended on fish size, with the most pronounced diet shift taking place as juveniles reached a length of 15 mm, in late August. In larger juveniles the highest correlation between the abundance of food organisms in stomachs and in the sea was observed for Orthocladiinae, suggesting that they are the preferred food. Overall, changes in diet followed changes in the abundance of available food organisms, but food selectivity analysis of planktonic organisms showed that M. norvegica were actively selected by juveniles.
The role of learning in the spatial behavior of Neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae)

Raumliches Lernen stellt ein breites Feld der vergleichenden Kognitionsforschung dar. Amphibien wurden dabei jedoch weitestgehend ignoriert, unter anderem deswegen, weil ihnen bisher hoher entwickelte Lernfahigkeit generell abgesprochen wurde. Gleichzeitig fuhrten aber die bemerkenswerten Langstreckenbewegungen von Amphibien in temperaten Regionen, wie etwa die fruhjahrlichen Laichwanderungen zu Fortpflanzungsgewassern, zu einem verstarkten Interesse an den Orientierungsmechanismen. Als eine Orientierungsmoglichkeit wurden im Gedachtnis gespeichertelokale Reize in Betracht gezogen, was jedoch bisher nicht nachgewiesen werden konnte. Auserdem wurden Orientierung und Bewegungsmuster von Amphibien beinahe ausschlieslich bei temperaten Arten studiert, wohingegen die komplexesten raumlichen Verhaltensweisen (z.B. Territorialitat und Kaulquappentransport) bei tropischen Amphibien, wie etwa Pfeilgiftfroschen (Dendrobatidae), zu finden sind. Ich habe mir zum Ziel gesetzt, die Bedeutung des Lernens im raumlichen Verhalten von Pfeilgiftfroschen zu untersuchen, um diese Wissenslucke zu schliesen. In meiner Dissertation habe ich Bewegungsmuster und Orientierungsmechanismen von zwei territorialen Pfeilgiftfroscharten mit vaterlichem Kaulquappentransport untersucht. Hierzu habe ich Mannchen aus ihren Territorien entfernt und kunstliche Gewasser zur Abgabe ihrer Kaulquappen angeboten. Die Bewegungsmuster der versetzten Tiere wurden dabei mittels Telemetrie und intensiver Feldbeobachtungen verfolgt. Es zeigte sich, dass Mannchen von Allobates femoralis uber mehrere hundert Meter in nahezu gerader Linie in ihr Territorium zuruckkehren, aber nur aus Gebieten welche sie zuvor schon erkunden konnten. Auserdem suchen die Mannchen weiterhin bekannte Stellen zur Kaulquappenabgabe auf, selbst wenn die zuvor vorhandene kunstliche Wasserstelle wieder entfernt wurde. Das gleiche Heimkehrverhalten konnte ich auch bei den Mannchen von Ameerega trivittata finden, wobei die von den Tieren zuruckgelegten Strecken teilweise doppelt so lang waren, was vermutlich mit den zuruckgelegten Distanzen wahrend des Kaulquappentransports zusammenhangt. Insgesamt zeigt sich in der vorliegenden Dissertation eine erstaunliche Orientierungsfahigkeit der Pfeilgiftfrosche, in welcher Lernen eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Es ist anzunehmen, dass Pfeilgiftfrosche sich eine umfangreiche raumliche Karte ihrer Umgebung aneignen konnen, welche ihnen die flexible Orientierung ermoglicht. Die konkreten hierzu genutzten sensorischen Informationen sind allerdings weiterhin unbekannt. Meine Ergebnisse bestatigen die zunehmende Ansicht, dass raumliches Lernen eine Fahigkeit darstellt, die in Wirbeltieren weit verbreitet ist, und moglicherweise sogar ein ursprungliches Merkmal darstellt. Weitere Untersuchungen uber die kognitiven Mechanismen des Orientierungsvermogens von Amphibien konnen wahrscheinlich wichtige Einsichten in die Evolution von raumlicher Kognition geben.
College Students’ Perceptions of Peer Alcohol Use: A Social Network Analytic Approach

Abstract Background: Traditional measures attempting to capture students’ perceptions of peer drinking fail to capture the unique social influence of their most proximal peers. Purpose: This study presents egocentric social network data assessing the relationship between students’ personal drinking behaviors and those of their closest social ties. Methods: 697 college students participated in the study by reporting on demographic information, alcohol use (AUDIT scores), and egocentric networks. Hierarchical linear regression assessed whether egocentric network variables uniquely predicted personal alcohol use, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and Greek-life affiliation. Results: Students with higher AUDIT scores were more likely to nominate persons close to them that engaged in more frequent, higher quantity drinking, and were also likely to mirror drinking behaviors to that of their close ties. Conclusion: Future studies should utilize SNA to capture the nuance associated with individuals’ perceptions of close others’ alcohol use and their own drinking behaviors. Interventions aimed at reducing collegiate drinking should consider the interpersonal nature of drinking behaviors among college student networks.
Mechanisms of Transcriptional Silencing by the Nuclear Piwi Protein in Drosophila Germ Cells

An important characteristic for life is the ability to persist – to reproduce and defend oneself against different stresses. The ability of a species to persist from one generation to the next heavily depends on the integrity of the genetic material being passed down, and thus organisms have developed strategies to ensure the integrity of their genomes remain in tact. In Metazoan germlines, piwi proteins and their associated piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) provide a RNA-interference (RNAi) based defense system against the expression of transposable elements (TEs). TE expression is detrimental to an organism’s genome – resulting in disruption of genes, double-stranded DNA breaks, and germ cell death – ultimately leading to the sterility of the organism. In Drosophila melanogaster, the piRNA pathway is composed of two cytoplasmic piwi clade Argonuate proteins, Aubergine (Aub) and Argonaute3 (Ago3), and a single nuclear piwi clade Argonuate protein, Piwi. The piwi clade Argonaute proteins bind piRNAs to form effector complexes that repress TE sequences. The work presented in this thesis examines the role of the nuclear piwi clade Argonaute – Piwi – and the mechanisms by which Piwi accomplishes its functions. Chapter Two presents how Piwi/piRNA complexes identify genomic loci expressing TEs and direct the establishment of a repressive chromatin state to transcriptionally silence the loci. In Chapter Three, we explore the piRNA-induced transcriptional silencing (piRITS) pathway using a heterologous reporter based tethering system in vivo. We discuss how the recruitment of Piwi alone to a locus is not sufficient to induce repression, and establish a model for the connection bridging the Piwi/piRNA complex and effector silencing complex in the piRITS pathway. In Chapter Four, we employ our heterologous reporter based tethering system to explore the mechanism of piRNA precursor selection in the two cell types that make up Drosophila ovaries. We uncover a common mechanism of piRNA biogenesis in the two cell types and establish a unifying model of piRNA substrate selection. Finally, in Chapter Five, as essential step to understanding how Piwi achieves its nuclear function, we developed a heterologous two-hybrid system to identify factors that directly interact with Piwi. Overall, the work presented in this thesis provides a piece of the groundwork in understanding the mechanisms of transcriptional silencing of TEs in germ cells by Piwi. The work proposes that Piwi has dual functions in the nucleus. First, upon target recognition, Piwi recruits the piRITS complex to target loci to accomplish Piwi- mediated transcriptional silencing by deposition of H3K9me3. Then, Piwi recruits the RDC complex to specifically bind H3K9me3 at target loci to allow piRNA-production from the locus.
MTOR suppresses autophagy-mediated production of IL25 in allergic airway inflammation

Introduction Airway epithelial cells are recognised as an essential controller for the initiation and perpetuation of asthmatic inflammation, yet the detailed mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the roles and mechanisms of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR)–autophagy axis in airway epithelial injury in asthma. Methods We examined the MTOR–autophagy signalling in airway epithelium from asthmatic patients or allergic mice induced by ovalbumin or house dust mites, or in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. Furthermore, mice with specific MTOR knockdown in airway epithelium and autophagy-related lc3b -/- mice were used for allergic models. Results MTOR activity was decreased, while autophagy was elevated, in airway epithelium from asthmatic patients or allergic mice, or in HBE cells treated with IL33 or IL13. These changes were associated with upstream tuberous sclerosis protein 2 signalling. Specific MTOR knockdown in mouse bronchial epithelium augmented, while LC3B deletion diminished allergen-induced airway inflammation and mucus hyperproduction. The worsened inflammation caused by MTOR deficiency was also ameliorated in lc3b -/- mice. Mechanistically, autophagy was induced later than the emergence of allergen-initiated inflammation, particularly IL33 expression. MTOR deficiency increased, while knocking out of LC3B abolished the production of IL25 and the eventual airway inflammation on allergen challenge. Blocking IL25 markedly attenuated the exacerbated airway inflammation in MTOR-deficiency mice. Conclusion Collectively, these results demonstrate that allergen-initiated inflammation suppresses MTOR and induces autophagy in airway epithelial cells, which results in the production of certain proallergic cytokines such as IL25, further promoting the type 2 response and eventually perpetuating airway inflammation in asthma.