Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-modality Synthesis from MRI to PET Using Adversarial U-Net with Different Normalization

Multi-modality biomedical images (especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)) are critical for auxiliary diagnosis in brain diseases. However, there are some common concerns in PET scans including the high cost, the usage of radioactive tracer and so on. These factors jointly result in a lack of PET datas. To overcome this limitation, in this study we proposed an effective U-Net architecture with the adversarial training strategy to synthesizing PET datas from their corresponding MRI. In addition, we notice that many prior works commonly adopted Batch Normalization (BN) as the normalization method by default. But in this specific task which always needs a small mini-batch, BN’s performance decreases rapidly. To alleviate this issue, we compared the performance of using other popular normalization methods rather than using BN as default. Experimental results on a subset of ADNI database demonstrated that the synthetic PET images from our proposed method were reasonable, and it was valuable to replace the Batch Normalization with the Instance Normalization in the tasks of cross-modality synthesis. Our study could help future research in this field.
Patient‐reported outcomes in sickle cell disease and association with clinical and psychosocial factors: Report from the sickle cell disease implementation consortium

Understanding patient experiences, quality of life, and treatment needs in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) is essential in promoting health and well‐being. We used measures from the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ‐Me), Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), and Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (NeuroQol) to evaluate pain impact, sleep impact, social functioning, depressive symptoms, tiredness, and cognitive function (collectively, patient reported outcomes [PROs]) and to identify associated demographic and clinical characteristics. Participants (n = 2201) between 18 and 45 years were recruited through the eight Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium (SCDIC) sites. In multivariate models, PROs were significantly associated with one another. Pain impact was associated with age, education, employment, time since last pain attack, hydroxyurea use, opioid use, sleep impact, social functioning, and cognitive function (F = 88.74, P < .0001). Sleep impact was associated with household income, opioid use, pain impact, social functioning, depressive symptoms, and tiredness (F = 101.40, P < .0001). Social functioning was associated with employment, pain attacks in the past year, autoimmune/inflammatory comorbidities, pain impact, sleep impact, depressive symptoms, tiredness, and cognitive function (F = 121.73, P < .0001). Depressive symptoms were associated with sex, sleep impact, social functioning, tiredness, and cognitive function (F = 239.51, P < .0001). Tiredness was associated with sex, education, sleep impact, social functioning, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function (F = 129.13, P < .0001). These findings reflect the baseline PRO assessments among SCDIC registry participants. Further research is needed to better understand these outcomes and new targets for interventions to improve quality of life and function in people with SCD.
Deposition of azadirachtin following ultra-low volume aerial applications to red pine plantations for control of pine false webworm, Acantholyda erythrocephala (L.) (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), in Ontario, Canada

A completely randomized experimental design was employed to assess differences in on-target deposition of azadirachtin A following aerial applications of Fortune AZA 3% (50 g a.i. ha−1) to three red pine plantations infested with pine false webworm (Acantholyda erythrocephala (L.)). Substantial differences in mean foliar deposits were observed among plantations. However, these differences were not statistically significant owing to high variability in deposits within spray blocks. All mean deposits were well in excess of levels generating 91% mortality in laboratory bioassays against pine false webworm. In relation to a second objective, poor and occasionally insignificant correlation between deposits on natural foliage and two types of artificial collectors indicated that neither collector was effective in estimating true foliar deposition. Our results suggest that aerial applications of undiluted azadirachtin formulations at nominal rates of 50 g a.i. ha−1 yield foliar deposits in red pine canopies sufficient to induce high mortality in pine false webworm populations. Strict control over application parameters (track spacing, upwind offset and flight-line orientation) is necessary to minimize deposit variation.
E. coli Rep helicase and RecA recombinase unwind G4 DNA and are important for resistance to G4-stabilizing ligands

Abstract G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures can form physical barriers within the genome that must be unwound to ensure cellular genomic integrity. Here, we report unanticipated roles for the Escherichia coli Rep helicase and RecA recombinase in tolerating toxicity induced by G4-stabilizing ligands in vivo. We demonstrate that Rep and Rep-X (an enhanced version of Rep) display G4 unwinding activities in vitro that are significantly higher than the closely related UvrD helicase. G4 unwinding mediated by Rep involves repetitive cycles of G4 unfolding and refolding fueled by ATP hydrolysis. Rep-X and Rep also dislodge G4-stabilizing ligands, in agreement with our in vivo G4-ligand sensitivity result. We further demonstrate that RecA filaments disrupt G4 structures and remove G4 ligands in vitro, consistent with its role in countering cellular toxicity of G4-stabilizing ligands. Together, our study reveals novel genome caretaking functions for Rep and RecA in resolving deleterious G4 structures.
Predicting the Effect of Deep-Rooted Hybrid Poplars on the Groundwater Flow System at a Large-Scale Phytoremediation Site

ABSTRACT Estimating the effect of phreatophytes on the groundwater flow field is critical in the design or evaluation of a phytoremediation system. Complex hydrogeological conditions and the transient water use rates of trees require the application of numerical modeling to address such issues as hydraulic containment, seasonality, and system design. In 1999, 809 hybrid poplars and willows were planted to phytoremediate the 317 and 319 Areas of Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, Illinois. Contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds and tritium. The site hydrogeology is a complex framework of glacial tills interlaced with sands, gravels, and silts of varying character, thickness, and lateral extent. A total of 420 poplars were installed using a technology to direct the roots through a 25--ft (8--m)-thick till to a contaminated aquifer. Numerical modeling was used to simulate the effect of the deep-rooted poplars on this aquifer of concern. Initially, the best estimates of input parameters and boundary conditions were determined to provide a suitable match to historical transient ground-water flow conditions. The model was applied to calculate the future effect of the developing deep-rooted poplars over a 6 year period. The first 3 years represent the development period of the trees. In the fourth year, canopy closure is expected to occur; modeling continues through the first 3 years of the mature plantation. Monthly estimates of water use by the trees are incorporated. The modeling suggested that the mature trees in the plantation design will provide a large degree of containment of groundwater from the upgradient source areas, despite the seasonal nature of the trees' water consumption. The results indicate the likely areas where seasonal dewatering of the aquifer may limit the availability of water for the trees. The modeling also provided estimates of the residence time of groundwater in the geochemically altered rhizosphere of the plantation.
Association between food availability and young people’s fruits and vegetables consumption: understanding the mediation role of the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the relationship between fruits and vegetables (F&V) availability at home and young people’s F&V consumption behaviour, and how the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs could potentially mediate the relationship. Design: Cross-sectional face-to-face survey questionnaire to assess the TPB constructs and home food availability assessed using open inventories method. F&V availability was categorised into low and high levels based on median split. Setting: Singapore. Participants: Two hundred and ten households (each consisting one parent–child pair) recruited via stratified cluster sampling with child participants ranging from 9 to 16 years of age. Results: Mediation analyses were conducted using structural equation modelling. The relationship between home F&V availability and F&V consumption behaviour did not have a significant direct association, but there were significant indirect effects through the routes of perceived behavioural control (PBC) and intention as well as attitude and intention. Specifically, higher level of F&V availability at home was related to more positive PBC and attitude towards F&V, and subsequently greater intention to consume F&V and higher consumption of F&V. Conclusions: Parents should make F&V more readily available at home as increased exposure to F&V could be related to enhanced liking, sense of control and intention to consume F&V and facilitate children’s healthy diet.
Vitamin C Content in Fruits and Berries Consumed in Finland

Abstract Vitamin C content was determined in fruits and berries consumed in Finland during 1987-1989 and 1992-1993. Vitamin C contents in fresh blackcurrants averaged 137 ± 16.6 mg/100g fresh weight (N = 28) and fresh strawberries contained 60 ± 3.6mg/100g fresh weight (N = 46). Vitamin C contents in different strawberry varieties grown in 1992 ranged from 56 to 99mg/100g fresh weight. Vitamin C contents in berries varied during different years. Frozen storage destroyed about 28% of the vitamin C contents in blackcurrants and 34% in strawberries.
Effect of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid concentrations and the number of applications on the yield components, yield, and fibre properties of Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)

Field experiments were performed in 2 successive seasons at the experimental station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, on the Egyptian cotton cultivar Giza 75 (Gossypium barbadense L.). Cotton plants were sprayed with the growth regulator 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) once (after 90 days), twice (90 and 105 days), or 3 times (90, 105, and 120 days after sowing), during the square initiation and bolling stage, at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 mg/L, respectively. The volume of solution was the same for all treatments, 960 L/ha. The control plants were sprayed with water only. The effect of the previous treatments on yield components, lint yield, and fibre properties was studied. The application of NAA increased the number of opened bolls per plant, boll weight, seed index, and lint yield per ha. Lint percentage, fibre length parameters, and micronaire value were not significantly affected by NAA. Flat bundle strength was significantly increased when NAA was applied once at 10-25 mg/L. The application of NAA twice or 3 times at 15-20 mg/L tended to give the best results on yield components and lint yield of the Egyptian cotton plants.
Association betwen plant age simple and complex carbohydrate accumulation among winter wheat cultivars differing in resistance to snow moulds during acclimation at low temperatures

Exposure of winter wheat to pre-hardening (20sC) and hardening (2sC) growth temperatures for different intervals under controlled environment conditions affected the nature and quantity of simple and complex soluble carbohydrates in six cultivars differing in resistance to snow mould. The highest levels of total simple sugars were observed following exposure of plants to hardening temperatures for one week followed by a stabilization or decline following 3 and 6 weeks exposure to 2sC. Fructan levels increased rapidly following 3 and 6 weeks exposure to 2sC. In younger plants grown for 2 weeks at 20sC and hardened for 6 weeks, 10–37% (ave. 20%) of crown dry weights existed as fructans compared with 24–47% (ave. 39%) in crowns of older plants grown for 6 weeks at 20°C and similarly hardened. Fructans comprised 75–82% of all soluble carbohydrates regardless of plant age prior to hardening. The average degree of polymerization increased from DP3-4 following 1 week hardening to DP9-11 following 6 weeks hardeni.
Características de carcaça, componentes não-carcaça e composição tecidual e química da 12ª costela de cordeiros Santa Inês terminados em pasto com três gramíneas no período seco

Carcass traits, non-carcass components and 12th rib yield of Santa Ines sheep finished in rotational grazing with three different tropical grasses (A. gayanus Kunth. cv. Planaltina, P. maximum Jacq. cv. Aruana and P. maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania) were evaluated in the dry season of the year. A completely randomized design with 11 sheep (3 months old and 18.8 ± 2.88 kg LW) in each treatment was used. Animals were supplemented with increasing levels of concentrate, as advancing of the dry season, besides ad libitum mineral salt. At the end of 82 days of experiment, the animals were slaughtered, in the previous day of the slaughter; loin eye area (LYA) was measured using ultra-sound (EMUS). Carcasses were evaluated for slaughter weight (SW), hot carcass weight (HCW), hot carcass dressing (HCD), carcass length (CL), subcutaneous fat score (SFATS), hot half carcass weight (HHCW), half carcass cuts (Rib/Belly, Rack, Back, Shoulder, Leg and Neck), skin weight (SKIN), thoracic (TV) and abdominal (AV) viscera and testicular (TE). The 12th rib was evaluated for total weight (TW), LYA, amount and percentage of muscle (MUSC), bone (BONE) and fat (FAT) as well as chemical composition. The characteristics SW, HCD, HHCW, SKIN and FAT did not differ between animals finished on Aruana and Tanzania grass, however were superior to those on andropogon grass. The yields on Neck, Rib/Belly and Rack in animals finished in tanzânia grass was superior to those on andropogon grass and aruana grass, which did not differ between itself. The other carcass traits, non-carcass components and 12th rib analyses did not differ between treatments. Sheep kept on aruana grass and tanzania grass howed better carcass traits with more satisfactory production levels when compared to the animals finished on andropogon grass.
Control of elongation and thickening growth of primary shoots and primary lateral shoots in 'Kyoho' grapes by CCC.

A morphological alteration of ‘Kyoho’ grapevines by CCC [(2-chloroethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride] was studied. CCC retarded elongation of primary shoots and primary lateral shoots. The former was due to a retardation of cell division and cell elongation, the latter mainly to a suppression of cell division. Effects of CCC were different from tissue to tissue of the grapevines. In the pith, both cell elongation and cell division were depressed by CCC, but in the starch sheath located in inner cortex, cell division was mainly depressed by CCC. The internodes and nodes were thickened by treatment with CCC. The thickening growth of internodes of the primary shoots with CCC was based on a remarkable development of xylem in particular and of phloem. The thickening growth of the primary lateral shoots with CCC was also similar to that of the primary shoots, but was not remarkable as compared with the primary shoots. Development of tendrils of the primary shoots were inhibited with CCC. Those of the primary lateral shoots were also scarcely induced with CCC as well as treatment without CCC.
Digital Back Propagation in Long-Haul, MIMO-Supported, Multicore Fiber Transmission

This work presents an experimental evaluation of single-channel long-distance transmission over a homogeneous single-mode multicore fiber. We compare the detection of 20 GBaud polarization-multiplexed quadrature-phase-shift-keyed signals with and without the use of high-order multiple-input multiple output systems, to undo crosstalk-induced degradation, combined with digital back-propagation to undo fiber nonlinearity-induced degradation. It is shown that these techniques combined enable a transmission reach increase of 28%.
Efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in Korean patients with severe eosinophilic asthma from the DREAM and MENSA studies

Background/Aims The efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma has been evaluated in a global clinical trial programme. This post hoc analysis assesses the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in Korean patients. Methods Data from Korean patients in the Phase III, placebo-controlled, randomised DREAM (MEA112997/NCT01000506) and MENSA (MEA115588/NCT01691521) studies were included. Patients ≥ 12 years old with severe eosinophilic asthma received mepolizumab (DREAM: 75, 250 or 750 mg intravenously [IV]; MENSA: 75 mg IV or 100 mg subcutaneously [SC]), or placebo every 4 weeks for 52 weeks (DREAM) or 32 weeks (MENSA). The primary outcome was the rate of clinically significant asthma exacerbations. Secondary outcomes included forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores (MENSA only). Blood eosinophil counts (BEC) and safety were assessed throughout. Results Reductions in the rate of clinically significant asthma exacerbations were observed with the approved (100 mg SC) and bioequivalent (75 mg IV) doses of mepolizumab in Korean patients who participated in DREAM and MENSA. In MENSA, trends for improvements from baseline at week 32 in pre-bronchodilator FEV1 (75 mg IV group), ACQ-5 and SGRQ scores (in both treatment groups) were seen versus placebo in Korean patients. Incidence of on-treatment adverse events was similar in Korean patients versus non-Korean patients as were observed reductions from baseline in BEC. Conclusions Mepolizumab treatment provided clinical benefits for Korean patients with severe eosinophilic asthma; the safety profile is consistent with the overall population.
Production of ligninolytic enzymes by Pleurotus sp. and Dichomitus squalens in soil and lignocellulose substrate as influenced by soil microorganisms

The activities of the extracellular enzymes laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP) of the white rot fungi Pleurotus sp. and Dichomitus squalens were measured in the straw substrate and soil layers of solid state cultures. Cultures with sterile soil were compared to cultures with nonsterile soil. For both organisms, enzyme activities in sterile soil were approximately the same as in straw when calculated to the base of the liquid phases (water content) in the straw or soil material. The growth rate and enzyme activities of Pleurotus sp. were not significantly influenced by the presence of soil microorganisms. In contrast, D. squalens did not penetrate the nonsterile soil, and no enzyme activities could be detected in nonsterile soil. Laccase and MnP activities in the straw declined to zero. From this point of view, highly competitive strains like Pleurotus sp. seem to be more suitable for the application in soil remediation than weak competitors (D. squalens) which are not able to maintain appropriate levels of enzyme activities in nonsterile soil.
Fructans from Renga Renga Lily (Arthropodium cirratum) Extract and Frutafit as Prebiotics for Broilers: Their Effects on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary water-soluble carbohydrate extract from Renga renga lily (Arthropodium cirratum) and a commercial product, Frutafit ® (both fructans) on the performance, organ weights, ileal digestibility and gut morphology of male Cobb broiler chickens. There were six treatment groups: a negative control with no supplements, a positive control supplemented with 45 ppm Zn-bacitracin, and four test diets each supplemented with Renga renga lily extract or Frutafit at 5 or 10 g/kg diet. Supplementation with low levels of Renga renga lily extract and Frutafit in the diet did not affect productive parameters, whereas the inclusion of a high level of Frutafit had a negative effect on BWG and FI compared with birds fed the negative control diet. The addition of an antibiotic to the diet significantly improved (p 0.05) by supplementation with both levels of lily extract and the low level of Frutafit. The apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, protein and fat was decreased (p<0.05) by the high level of Frutafit. The apparent metabolisable energy (AME) of the diets fed the high level of Frutafit was approximately 0.2 MJ/kg DM lower than that of the negative control group. The addition of Zn-bacitracin increased (p<0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility of fat. The relative weight of the liver was higher (p<0.05) in broilers supplemented with the high level of Frutafit than for negative control birds at 14 and 35 d of age. Feeding Renga renga lily extract or Frutafit had no effect on the gut morphology of birds on d 14 and 35. It can be concluded that dietary inclusion of fructans from the two sources used in this study affected broiler performance differently and in a dose-dependent manner.
Abundance and distribution of organic mound‐building ants of the Formica rufa group in Yellowstone National Park

Red wood ants (Formica rufa group) are ubiquitous in many conifer and mixed‐conifer forests of northern Europe and Asia. In contrast, relatively little is known about the abundance and distribution of the 24 North American F. rufa group species. As ants are important components of most soil invertebrate communities and are considered ecosystem engineers that alter the flow of energy and nutrients through terrestrial systems, it is important to gain information on their distribution and abundance. We conducted a survey for red wood ant mounds in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Wyoming/Montana, USA, where human disturbance has been kept to a minimum for over 130 years. We found a total of 85 red wood ant mounds (0.11 to 0.17 mounds/ha) on 327 km of roads and 180 km of the hiking trails we surveyed. The occurrence of ant mounds was higher then expected by random distribution at elevations between 1600 and 2400 m, annual precipitation of 250 to 760 mm, middle and late successional lodgepole pine, late successional Douglas fir forest and non‐forested grassland/sagebrush prairie vegetation. Additionally, mounds were clustered in gently sloped not north‐exposed locations and in areas that had not recently burned. Most of the mounds detected were inhabited by Formica obscuripes Forel, which occupied 94% of the mounds sampled. Based on a multi‐criteria binary Geographic Information System model that we developed, we found that ant mounds were to be expected with a high probability in less then 1% of the YNP area. These results together with the detected low density and small size of the red wood ant mounds within the study area suggest that these insects have a much lower impact on invertebrate biodiversity and ecosystem processes, such as forest productivity and carbon and nutrient cycling on the ecosystem scale compared with their counterparts in European or Asian systems.