Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative and localized spectroscopy for non-invasive bilirubinometry in neonates

Couveusekinderen lopen een verhoogd risico op geelzucht, wat kan leiden tot hersenschade. Kinderen met geelzucht krijgen meerdere hielprikken per dag om de bilirubinewaarde in het bloed te bepalen. Bilirubine is het afbraakproduct van hemoglobine, dat kan zorgen voor een gelige huidskleur. Een mogelijk alternatief voor deze pijnlijke methode is optische spectroscopie, een niet-invasieve techniek die gebaseerd is op de absorptie van licht door bilirubine in de huid. Voor dit doel zijn al sinds 1980 bilirubinemeters ontwikkeld, maar de pijnlijke hielprik is nog niet vervangen. Nienke Bosschaart onderzocht de oorzaken hiervan en keek naar mogelijke verbeteringen. Veelbelovend is een nieuwe vorm van spectroscopie (LCS: laag-coherente spectroscopie), waarmee van buitenaf de bilirubinewaarde in een enkel bloedvat in de huid kan worden bepaald.
Effects of interdecadal climate variability on the oceanic ecosystems of the NE Pacific

ABSTRACTA major reorganization of the North-east Paciﬁc biotatranspired following a climatic ‘regime shift’ in the mid1970s. In this paper, we characterize the effects ofinterdecadal climate forcing on the oceanic ecosys-tems of the NE Paciﬁc Ocean. We consider the con-cept of scale in terms of both time and space withinthe North Paciﬁc ecosystem and develop a conceptualmodel to illustrate how climate variability is linked toecosystem change. Next we describe a number of re-cent studies relating climate to marine ecosystem dy-namics in the NE Paciﬁc Ocean. These studies havefocused on most major components of marine ecosys-tems – primary and secondary producers, forage spe-cies, and several levels of predators. They have beenundertaken at different time and space scales. How-ever, taken together, they reveal a more coherentpicture of how decadal-scale climate forcing may affectthe large oceanic ecosystems of the NE Paciﬁc. Finally,we synthesize the insight gained from interpretingthese studies. Several general conclusions can bedrawn.1 There are large-scale, low-frequency, and some-times very rapid changes in the distribution of atmo-spheric pressure over the North Paciﬁc which are, inturn, reﬂected in ocean properties and circulation.2 Oceanic ecosystems respond on similar time andspace scales to variations in physical conditions.3 Linkages between the atmosphere/ocean physicsand biological responses are often different across timeand space scales.4 While the cases presented here demonstrateoceanic ecosystem response to climate forcing, theyprovide only hints of the mechanisms of interaction.5 A model whereby ecosystem response to speciﬁedclimate variation can be successfully predicted will bedifﬁcult to achieve because of scale mismatches andnonlinearities in the atmosphere–ocean–biospheresystem.INTRODUCTIONIn this paper, we characterize the effects of interde-cadal climate forcing on the oceanic ecosystems of theNE Paciﬁc Ocean. Our approach is ﬁrst to reﬂect on anumber of recent studies relating climate to marineecosystem dynamics. These studies have focused onmost major components of marine ecosystems – pri-mary and secondary producers; primary, secondary andtop-level predators. They have been undertaken atdifferent time and space scales. However, taken to-gether they begin to reveal a more coherent picture ofhow decadal-scale climate forcing may affect the largeoceanic ecosystems of the NE Paciﬁc. We then syn-thesize the insight gained from these studies with whatwe know about atmospheric and oceanic physics andhow they affect these marine ecosystems.Of particular importance to this paper is the con-cept of scale. Ricklefs (1990) deﬁnes scale as thecharacteristic distance or time associated with varia-tion in natural systems. He goes on to make threeimportant points about why the concept of scale is soimportant to developing an understanding of ecosys-tem structure and dynamics. Every process and pattern has a temporal andspatial extent.
Design and Development of the Brain Training System for the Digital “Maintain Your Brain” Dementia Prevention Trial

Background Dementia is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence and burden of the disease are urgently needed. Maintain Your Brain (MYB) is a randomized controlled trial of a multimodal digital health intervention targeting modifiable dementia risk factors to combat cognitive decline and potentially prevent dementia. In addition to behavioral modules targeting mood, nutrition, and physical exercise, a new Brain Training System (BTS) will deliver computerized cognitive training (CCT) throughout the trial to provide systematic, challenging, and personally adaptive cognitive activity. Objective This paper aimed to describe the design and development of BTS. Methods BTS has been designed with a central focus on the end user. Raw training content is provided by our partner NeuroNation and delivered in several innovative ways. A baseline cognitive profile directs selection and sequencing of exercises within and between sessions and is updated during the 10-week 30-session module. Online trainers are available to provide supervision at different levels of engagement, including face-to-face share-screen coaching, a key implementation resource that is triaged by a “red flag” system for automatic tracking of user adherence and engagement, or through user-initiated help requests. Individualized and comparative feedback is provided to aid motivation and, for the first time, establish a social support network for the user based on their real-world circle of friends and family. Results The MYB pilot was performed from November 2017 to March 2018. We are currently analyzing data from this pilot trial (n=100), which will make up a separate research paper. The main trial was launched in June 2018. Process and implementation data from the first training module (September to November 2018) are expected to be reported in 2019 and final trial outcomes are anticipated in 2022. Conclusions The BTS implemented in MYB is focused on maximizing adherence and engagement with CCT over the short and long term in the setting of a fully digital trial, which, if successful, could be delivered economically at scale. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000851268; https://www.anzctr. org.au /Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx? id=370631&isReview=true
Influência dos fatores ambientais sobre a distribuição da comunidade de invertebrados bentônicos em canais de uma planície de inundação neotropomunidade de invertebrados bentônicos em canais secundários e principal de uma planície de inundação neotropical

Um dos temas centrais em ecologia e a importância relativa dos processos locais e regionais na determinacao da estrutura de comunidades, pois ambos os processos podem agir como filtros na composicao das comunidades locais. Nesse sentido, este estudo analisou a influencia dos fatores ambientais sobre a distribuicao da comunidade de invertebrados bentonicos em diferentes canais da planicie de inundacao do alto rio Parana, por meio de coletas trimestrais realizadas de marco a dezembro de 2010. A partir de dados bioticos e abioticos foi realizada Analise de Correspondencia Canonica, onde foi possivel agrupar os centros dos rios Ivinhema e Parana e o canal Ipoita em relacao aos demais pontos, principalmente pelos maiores valores de profundidade e velocidade e pelos taxons tipicos de ambientes loticos, como Harpacticoida, Haplotaxidae e Narapidae, e o centro do canal Curutuba, com L. fortunei . Pode-se concluir que a velocidade de fluxo, a textura granulometrica e materia orgânica do sedimento foram fatores estruturadores da comunidade bentonica, determinando a distribuicao dos invertebrados tanto entre os diferentes canais como entre as regioes marginais e centrais desses ambientes, proporcionando maior ou menor disponibilidade de recursos e heterogeneidade ambiental.
Potential Health Benefits of Berries

Fruit and vegetable consumption is inversely related to the incidence of heart disease and several cancers. However, many people in countries in Northern latitudes do not eat the recommended “5-a-day” of fruit and vegetables. For such populations, a potentially important source of fruit may be locally grown soft fruits (eg. raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants). Such berries contain micronutrients such as vitamin C and folic acid which are essential for health. However, berries may have additional health benefits as they are also rich in phytochemicals such as anthocyanins which are glycosidic-linked flavonoids responsible for their red, violet, purple and blue colours. In vitro studies indicate that anthocyanins and other polyphenols in berries have a range of potential anti-cancer and heart disease properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell regulatory effects. Such experimental data has lead to numerous health claims on the internet implying that “berries are edible superstars that may protect against heart disease, cancers and ageing”. However, the bioavailabilty of polyphenols such as anthocyanins would appear to be limited, thus compromising their nutritional relevance. Consequently the aim of the article is to assess the current scientific evidence for claims that berries may have additional health benefits to those normally associated with consuming fruit and vegetables.
Storage tissue metabolism and reproduction in marine bivalves—a brief review

Summary The diversity of storage tissue cell types in bivalve molluscs is evident. In some species there are no specific storage cells, and the adductor muscle plays the role of a reserve tissue (Pectinidae). In others both muscular cells and specific storage cells are involved in storage and release of nutrients for gametogenesis (Veneridae). A few species have a specific storage tissue such as the mantle in Mytilus containing two complementary types of cells. This specialisation can be correlated with the fertility of the species and with the variation of available food organisms. Vesicular connective tissue is found in species with a high level of fecundity which are subject to marked fluctuations in food availability (Mytilidae, Ostreidae). This can be considered as an adaptive behaviour to profit from uncertain supply of food supplies in order to produce the maximum number (and quality) of gametes in a precise period of the year.
Optimizing Runge-Kutta smoothers for unsteady flow problems

We consider the solution of unsteady viscous flow problems by multigrid methods employing RungeKutta smoothers. Optimal coefficients for the smoothers are found by considering the unsteady linear advection equation and performing a Fourier analysis, respectively, looking at the spectral radius of the multigrid iteration matrix. The new schemes are compared to using a classic dual t ime s epping approach, where the scheme for the steady state equation is reused, meaning that the smoother c efficients are obtained by an optimization based on the steady state equations, showing significant improvements.
Effect of Glomus intraradices on infection by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici in tomatoes over a 12-week period

The interaction between Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, a vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, and Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht f.sp. radicis-lycopersici Jarvis & Shoemaker and its effect on tomato plants were investigated over a 12-week period. The root colonization by Glomus was not affected by the presence of Fusarium. The number of Fusarium propagules was consistently lower when the plants were inoculated with Glomus. The presence of Glomus decreased root necrosis caused by Fusarium in weeks 5, 11, and 12, but no significant effect was observed for the other 9 weeks. The results obtained at any observation time for the endomycorrhizal colonization and the Fusarium population, but not for the percent of root necrosis evaluation, were consistent throughout the 12-week experiment. It is concluded that the parameters used to study the interaction between a vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, a fungal root pathogen, and a host plant must be measured at different times after inoculation with th.
Axonal Damage in Traumatic Brain Injury

Axonal damage is one of the most common and important pathologic features of traumatic brain injury. Severe diffuse axonal injury, resulting from inertial forces applied to the head, is associated with prolonged unconsciousness and poor outcome. The susceptibility of axons to mechanical injury appears to be due to both their viscoelastic properties and their highly organized structure in white matter tracts. Although axons are supple under normal conditions, they become brittle when exposed to rapid deformations associated with brain trauma. Accordingly, rapid stretch of axons can damage the axonal cytoskeleton, resulting in a loss of elasticity and impairment of axoplasmic transport. Subsequent swelling of the axon occurs in discrete bulb formations or in elongated varicosities that accumulate organelles. Calcium entry into damaged axons is thought to initiate further damage by the activation of proteases and the induction of mitochondrial swelling and dysfunction. Ultimately, swollen axons may become disconnected and contribute to additional neuropathologic changes in brain tissue. However, promising new therapies that reduce proteolytic activity or maintain mitochondrial integrity may attenuate progressive damage of injured axons following experimental brain trauma. Future advancements in the prevention and treatment of traumatic axonal injury will depend on our collective understanding of the relationship between the biomechanics and pathophysiology of various phases of axonal trauma.
Mapping Fruit Susceptibility to Postharvest Physiological Disorders and Decay Using a Collection of Near-isogenic Lines of Melon

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a perishable fruit that requires refrigeration to extend its shelf life. Postharvest behavior differs substantially among melon varieties due to genetic differences. In this work, we use a collection of near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from a cross between the Spanish cultivar Piel de Sapo (PS) and an exotic Korean accession 'Shongwan Charmi' (SC (PI161375)), each of them with a single introgressed region from SC into the PS background, to detect and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in postharvest life traits, such as total losses, water-soaking, necrosis of the placental tissue, chilling injury (CI), decay, fruit over-ripening, flesh browning, hollow flesh disorder, and flavor loss during storage. Fruit were examined at harvest and after 35 days at 8 8C. Three QTLs induced desirable quality traits:flv4.1 reduced the loss of fruit flavor after refrigeration,tl8.1 reduced total losses, and fus8.4 reduced the susceptibility to fusarium rot (Fusarium Link). Another 11 QTLs produced a detrimental effect on other quality traits. The NIL population was useful for dissecting complex, difficult-to-measure pre- and postharvest disorder traits of different degrees of development and for investigating flavor loss during storage. Further studies with the QTLs described herein will shed light on the genetic control of melon shelf life and help breeders who are interested in this fruit quality trait.
FLUORIDE AND/OR ARSENIC TOXICITY IN MICE TESTIS WITH FORMATION OF GIANT CELLS AND SUBSEQUENT RECOVERY BY SOME ANTIDOTES

SUMMARY: Administration of sodium fluoride (NaF, 5 mg/kg body weight) and/or arsenic trioxide (As2O3, 0.5 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days caused structural alterations (including the formation of giant cells) in mice testis, affected spermatogenesis, reduced protein levels, and lowered activities of 3β- and 17βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs). In turn, the latter effect resulted in accumulation of cholesterol and a decline in testosterone levels, indicating a decrease in testicular steroidogenesis. Withdrawal of NaF + As 2 O 3 for 30 days led to partial recovery, but supplementation with ascorbic acid, calcium, and vitamin E, individually or in combination, during the withdrawal period, caused significant recovery in testis.
Influence of Pulsing Biocides and Preservative Solution Treatment on the Vase Life of Cut Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) Varieties

Currently, the cut flower industry in Ethiopia is facing an increasing total fresh loss of about20% due to poor postharvest handling. Cut flowers need to last longer in a vase or flowerarrangement with their aesthetic qualities, fragrance and appearance maintained in order toget consumer’s acceptance. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop possibilities ofextending vase life of cut rose flowers in Ethiopia. Pulsing solutions comprising biocides (1gAl 2 (SO4) 3 l -1 , 0.4 ml HQSl -1 , 0.6 ml NaOCll -1 , 0.6g Ca(ClO) 2 l -1 ), 10 g l -1 long life, distilled waterand tap water as control on the vase life of rose (Rosa hybrid L.) cut flower varieties - RedCalipso, Akito, and Viva were evaluated under laboratory conditions at Ziway Sher Ethiopia.Treatments were arranged in 7x3 factorial combinations of pulsing solutions and varieties in acompletely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Results showed that maximumvase life of 15.50 and 15.08 days were obtained from cut flower stems pulsed in NaOCL1 -1 andHQS, respectively. The minimum vase life of 13.25 and 13 days were obtained from cutflower stems pulsed in AL 2 (SO4) 3 and tap water, respectively. AL 2 (SO4) 3 which has been themost commonly used biocide by most Ethiopian cut flower growers was found not effectiveas compared to the other biocides in the present study. NaOCL1 -1 and HQS as pulsingbiocides on extending the vase life of cut flowers could be considered as alternatives toAL 2 (SO4) 3 currently on use in most of the cut flower industry in Ethiopia.
Tolerance of tomato varieties to lespedeza dodder

Abstract Dodder (Cuscuta) species are obligate shoot parasites that attach to stems and leaves of plants belonging to diverse families, diverting water, minerals, and metabolites, resulting in suppression of crop plants and yield reduction. Lespedeza dodder has the most diverse and numerous host range among the Cuscuta genus and is a major weed problem in tomato production in certain parts of the world, including California. At present, few resistant varieties of normally susceptible plant species have been developed or identified, and none are available in California. In this study, greenhouse and field studies were conducted to test and characterize the tolerance of commercial hybrid tomato varieties to lespedeza dodder. In greenhouse studies, Heinz varieties ‘9492’, ‘9553’, and ‘9992’ exhibited tolerance to the parasite, compared to the susceptible variety, ‘Halley 3155’. Lespedeza dodder germinated, made contact, twined around tomato stems, and adhered to them, but in most cases, haustoria failed to penetrate into the stem, eventually leading to the death of the parasite. In field studies, lespedeza dodder attachments were 75% less on tolerant varieties, and dodder growth was reduced by more than 70%. Nomenclature: Lespedeza dodder, Cuscuta pentagona Engelm. CVCPE; tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum L. ‘Heinz 9492’, ‘Heinz 9553’, ‘Heinz 9992’.
Effect of cola nut ( Cola nitida ) on tumour marker enzymes in rat liver during hepatocarcinogenesis

The administration effect of Cola nut extract (Cn) during hepatocarcinogenesis was studied to investigate the possible cancer suppressive effect of the component that existed in the leaves. The rats (66 Male Spraque Dawley) were divided into 11 groups: N (Normal), C (Cancer), NCn1 (Normal + Cn 1%), NCn2.5 (Normal + Cn 2.5%), NCn5 (Normal + Cn 5%), CCn1 (Cancer + Cn 1%), CCn2.5 (Cancer + Cn 2.5%), CCn5 (Cancer + Cn 5%), CG1 (Cancer + Glycyrrhizin 1%), CG2.5 (Cancer + Glycyrrhizin 72.5%) and CG5 (Cancer + Glycyrrhizin 5%). 1, 2.5, and 5% (w/v) of cola nut extract were used, compared with Glycyrrhizin, the commercial anticancer drug used mainly for liver. Rats were induced with cancer by using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetyl-aminofluorene (AAF), the administration effect was studied by estimation of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in liver. The supplementation effect of cola nut extract and DEN/AAF into the body and liver weight of rats were also studied. Treatment with DEN/AAF caused increase in rats liver weight and all enzyme activities measured when compared with the control. However, DEN/AAF caused decrease of rats body weights. Significant differences were observed among all the treatment groups for GST and GGT activities. Key words: Tumour marker enzymes, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), glutathione S-transeferase (GST), cola nut, hepatocarcinogenesis.
Effect of Mulches on Soil Moisture and Fruit Yield in Summer Tomato

Present experiment was conducted in participatory mode among ten tomato growers of Chatra district of Jharkhand during late Rabi of 2009–10 to summer 2010 including three technology options viz., Farmers practices i.e. plots provided with required number of irrigations without mulching (TO1), use of black plastic mulch (TO2) and use of rice straw mulch applied @ 10 t/ha to maintain 5 cm thickness (TO3). Mulched plots were also irrigated whenever required to maintain soil moisture. Data were recorded on moisture content after one week of irrigation (%), number of irrigations during 130 days of crop duration, irrigation intervals (days) required to maintain at least 20–22% soil moisture, weed population per m2 area, fruit weight (g), fruit yield per plant (kg), yield (q/ha), and C:B ratio. Results indicated that black plastic mulch was promising for increasing soil moisture content after one week of irrigation, fruit weight and reducing number of irrigations and weed population per m2 area. However, rice straw mulch increased number of fruits per plant and fruit yield. Rice straw mulching also exhibited maximum B:C ratio due to higher fruit yield and lower initial input required in application of this locally available mulch material. Therefore, it was recommended for large scale application in summer tomato crop for remunerative yield.
Biochemical and Color Characteristics of Skinless Boneless Pale Chicken Breast

Extreme paleness of skinless, boneless chicken breasts sampled from the packaging area of a commercial processing plant was investigated. Six hundred fillets were collected during 10 visits to the same processing plant and were classified as normal (n = 300) and pale (n = 300) according to visual assessment by the principal investigator. Color (spectrocolorimetry) and pH of each fillet were measured within 1 h following collection. Fillets were frozen in liquid nitrogen and pooled samples of pale and normal meat were later analyzed for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), percentage mois­ ture, total pigment, myoglobin, and iron concentrations. Color characteristics (L, a, and b values), pH, total pigment, myoglobin, and iron concentrations were all found to be significantly different in pale meat when compared with normal chicken breast. The TBARS values and percentage moisture for the two groups were not different. Analyses of L, a, and b values revealed that the L characteris­ tic was a good color indicator that can be used to distinguish normal from pale samples, with both high sensitivity and high specificity. Moisture uptake in postchilled, pale fillets could not account for the decrease in total pigment concentration and myoglobin content. (Key words: chicken, meat color, myoglobin, pigment content, moisture)