Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Earthworm Egg Capsules as Vectors for the Environmental Introduction of Biodegradative Bacteria

ABSTRACT Earthworm egg capsules (cocoons) may acquire bacteria from the environment in which they are produced. We found that Ralstonia eutropha (pJP4) can be recovered from Eisenia fetidacocoons formed in soil inoculated with this bacterium. Plasmid pJP4 contains the genes necessary for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation. In this study we determined that the presence of R. eutropha (pJP4) within the developing earthworm cocoon can influence the degradation and toxicity of 2,4-D and 2,4-DCP, respectively. The addition of cocoons containing R. eutropha (pJP4) at either low or high densities (102 or 105 CFU per cocoon, respectively) initiated degradation of 2,4-D in nonsterile soil microcosms. Loss of 2,4-D was observed within the first week of incubation, and respiking the soil with 2,4-D showed depletion within 24 h. Microbial analysis of the soil revealed the presence of approximately 104 CFU R. eutropha (pJP4) g−1 of soil. The toxicity of 2,4-DCP to developing earthworms was tested by using cocoons with or without R. eutropha (pJP4). Results showed that cocoons containing R. eutropha (pJP4) were able to tolerate higher levels of 2,4-DCP. Our results indicate that the biodegradation of 2,4-DCP by R. eutropha (pJP4) within the cocoons may be the mechanism contributing to toxicity reduction. These results suggest that the microbiota may influence the survival of developing earthworms exposed to toxic chemicals. In addition, cocoons can be used as inoculants for the introduction into the environment of beneficial bacteria, such as strains with biodegradative capabilities.
WIC Participation and Relative Quality of Household Food Purchases: Evidence from Foodaps

We examine the effect of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on the quality of household food purchases using the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) and propensity score matching. A healthy purchasing index (HPI) is used to measure nutritional quality of household food purchases. WIC foods explain the improvement in quality of food purchases, not self‐selection of more nutrition‐conscious households into the program. The improvement in purchase quality was driven entirely by WIC participating households who redeemed WIC foods during the interview week. There was no significant difference between WIC participants who did not redeem WIC foods and eligible nonparticipants. In this sample, there is no evidence that lack of access to clinics has adverse effects on participation nor is there evidence that HPI depends on supermarket access. A supervised machine learning process supports our main conclusion on the importance of WIC foods.
Post‐synaptic actions of midlumbar interneurones on motoneurones of hind‐limb muscles in the cat.

1. The hypothesis that interneurones in the 4th lumbar segment (L4) are interposed between group I and group II afferents and hind‐limb motoneurones has been tested. Action potentials of single interneurones were induced by ionophoretically applied homocysteate and recorded in parallel with post‐synaptic potentials in motoneurones; the latter were recorded from motor axons in the ventral root of the first sacral segment as population potentials, using the sucrose gap technique. 2. The action potentials of twenty‐four L4 interneurones were found to be followed by either e.p.s.p.s. or i.p.s.p.s in motoneurones. The latencies of the majority of these p.s.p.s were consistent with monosynaptically evoked excitation or inhibition of motoneurones since they exceeded the latencies of antidromic activation of the interneurones from the S1 motor nuclei by only a fraction of a millisecond. 3. The dominant input to both the excitatory and the inhibitory interneurones was from group II muscle afferents, in particular from the quadriceps nerve. The latencies of excitation of the interneurones by these afferents indicated a monosynaptic coupling between them. The same interneurones were co‐excited by group I and cutaneous afferents and by descending fibres. 4. We conclude that not only excitation but also inhibition of hind‐limb motoneurones from group II afferents may be mediated disynaptically and that interneurones in the 4th lumbar segment contribute to both.
The Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein SmD1 Interplays with Splicing, RNA Quality Control, and Posttranscriptional Gene Silencing in Arabidopsis[OPEN]

SmD1, a conserved component of the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex, participates in splicing and in the partitioning of aberrant RNAs between RNA quality control and RNA silencing pathways. RNA quality control (RQC) eliminates aberrant RNAs based on their atypical structure, whereas posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) eliminates both aberrant and functional RNAs through the sequence-specific action of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The Arabidopsis thaliana mutant smd1b was identified in a genetic screen for PTGS deficiency, revealing the involvement of SmD1, a component of the Smith (Sm) complex, in PTGS. The smd1a and smd1b single mutants are viable, but the smd1a smd1b double mutant is embryo-lethal, indicating that SmD1 function is essential. SmD1b resides in nucleoli and nucleoplasmic speckles, colocalizing with the splicing-related factor SR34. Consistent with this, the smd1b mutant exhibits intron retention at certain endogenous mRNAs. SmD1 binds to RNAs transcribed from silenced transgenes but not nonsilenced ones, indicating a direct role in PTGS. Yet, mutations in the RQC factors UPFRAMESHIFT3, EXORIBONUCLEASE2 (XRN2), XRN3, and XRN4 restore PTGS in smd1b, indicating that SmD1 is not essential for but rather facilitates PTGS. Moreover, the smd1b mtr4 double mutant is embryo-lethal, suggesting that SmD1 is essential for mRNA TRANSPORT REGULATOR4-dependent RQC. These results indicate that SmD1 interplays with splicing, RQC, and PTGS. We propose that SmD1 facilitates PTGS by protecting transgene-derived aberrant RNAs from degradation by RQC in the nucleus, allowing sufficient amounts to enter cytoplasmic siRNA bodies to activate PTGS.
Arthroscopic Acromioplasty: A Comparison Between Workers' Compensation and Non-Workers' Compensation Populations

Background: The purpose of the present prospective study was to analyze a consecutive series of patients with subacromial impingement syndrome who were managed with arthroscopic acromioplasty by a single surgeon.Methods: A consecutive series of 106 patients (106 shoulders) with a mean age of 44.7 years (range, twenty to seventy years) was analyzed after a mean duration of follow-up of thirty-two months. The Workers' Compensation group included forty patients (twenty-five men and fifteen women) with a mean age of 41.7 years. The non-Workers' Compensation group included sixty-six patients (thirty-two men and thirty-four women) with a mean age of 46.5 years. The work-demand level was categorized according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles from the United States Department of Labor. Previously unrecognized intra-articular pathological changes were categorized with use of consistent criteria. Workers' Compensation status, the work-demand level, and the presence of associated intra-articular pathological changes were analyzed for their effect on outcome scores and time to return to full-duty work.Results: The mean outcome scores for the entire population showed significant improvement when the preoperative values were compared with the postoperative values; specifically, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score improved from 41.8 to 86.9, the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score improved from 5.1 to 10.0, and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain improved from 6.0 to 1.1 (p < 0.05). Postoperatively, there was no significant difference in the mean outcome scores between the Workers' Compensation and non-Workers' Compensation groups or between different work-demand levels. There was, however, a significant difference in the average time to return to full-duty work (13.7 weeks in the Workers' Compensation group compared with 9.1 weeks in the non-Workers' Compensation group; p = 0.0001), with the Workers' Compensation group having relatively heavier work-demand levels. Intra-articular pathological findings did not affect the outcome scores, but pathological findings that changed treatment were associated with a longer time to return to work (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Arthroscopic acromioplasty consistently provided a good surgical outcome and the ability to return to work in both the Workers' Compensation and non-Workers' Compensation populations. The work-demand level had a direct effect on the time to return to full duty, regardless of Workers' Compensation status. Patients, physicians, therapists, and employers may benefit from the knowledge of these expected outcomes and realistic time-frames for return to work.Level of Evidence: Prognostic study, Level I-1 (prospective study). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
2'-Deoxy-5-propynyluridine: a nucleoside with two conformations in the asymmetric unit.

The title compound, 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-(prop-1-ynyl)pyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, C(12)H(14)N(2)O(5), shows two conformations in the crystalline state: conformer 1 adopts a C2'-endo (close to (2)E; S-type) sugar pucker and an anti nucleobase orientation [chi = -134.04 (19) degrees], while conformer 2 shows an S sugar pucker (twisted C2'-endo-C3'-exo), which is accompanied by a different anti base orientation [chi = -162.79 (17) degrees]. Both molecules show a +sc (gauche, gauche) conformation at the exocyclic C4'-C5' bond and a coplanar orientation of the propynyl group with respect to the pyrimidine ring. The extended structure is a three-dimensional hydrogen-bond network involving intermolecular N-H.O and O-H.O hydrogen bonds. Only O atoms function as H-atom acceptor sites.
Clustering based self-optimization of pilot power in dense femtocell deployments using genetic algorithms

Femtocells are small base stations used to enhance cellular coverage in an indoor environment. However, dense femtocell deployments can lead to severe performance degradation. This paper adopts a new strategy to self-optimize the pilot power of femtocells by creating disjoint femtocell clusters which are managed by the chosen cluster heads (CHs). Each CH optimizes the coverage of its connected members by applying a multi-objective heuristic based on genetic algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed approach can significantly reduce both the computational time and the data overhead compared with the centralized power optimization.
Actions Speak Louder than Words: Understanding the Meaning of Loyalty Program Building Blocks

DOI: 10.14254/2071789X.2018/11-2/21 ABSTRACT. Although the concept of a loyalty program has been widely adopted in business practice and researched by academics for decades, its efficacy is still disputable. Some researchers argue that studies on loyalty programs do not account for cross-customer effects and the simultaneous interplay of multiple psychological mechanisms with program delivery. Thus, the main aim of the study is to examine the meaning of marketing actions which form a “loyalty program” in an intercultural context. The authors argue that customers’ understanding of the meaning of marketing actions plays a crucial role in the effective planning of marketing activities. The study draws from Wittgenstein’s linguistic theory and investigates which marketing actions customers perceive as building their loyalty towards a company. The data was collected from over 300 customers in Poland, Serbia and Kuwait and analysed in a conjoint design. The study finds that intercultural differences do bring varying understanding of the same marketing activities which needs to be taken into account both in future studies and in business practice. This study provides guidelines for adaptation of marketing loyalty programs to specifics of culture which may go beyond country borders.
Development of the CT Syndesmophyte Score (CTSS) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: data from the SIAS cohort

Objectives To develop the CT Syndesmophyte Score (CTSS) for low-dose CT (ldCT) to assess structural damage in the spine of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and test its reliability. Methods Patientswith AS in the SIAS cohort had whole spine ldCT at baseline and 2 years. Syndesmophytes were scored in coronal and sagittal planes in eight quadrants per vertebral unit (VU) as absent=0, <50% of the intervertebral disc space (IDS)=1, ≥50%=2 or bridging the IDS=3 (range 0–552). Images were scored by two readers, paired by patient, blinded to time order. Whole spine and spinal segment status and change scores were calculated. Inter-reader reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), smallest detectable change (SDC) and frequency of scores per VU. Results 49 patients (mean age 50 years (SD 9.8), 84% men, 88% human leucocyte antigen B27 positive) were included. Mean (SD) scores of reader 1 were: whole spine baseline status score 163 (126) and change score 16 (21), spinal segment baseline status scores 30 (41), 97 (77) and 36 (36) and change scores 2 (7), 12 (18) and 3 (4) for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, respectively. Scores of reader 2 were similar. Whole spine status score ICC was 0.99 and 0.97–0.98 for spinal segments. Whole spine change score ICC was 0.77 and 0.32–0.75 for spinal segments. Whole-spine SDC was 14.4. Score distribution pattern per VU was similar between readers. Conclusions Using the CTSS, new bone formation in the spine of patients with AS can be assessed reliably. Most progression was seen in the thoracic spine.
Long‐term structural and functional consequences of cardiac ischaemia–reperfusion injury in vivo in mice

The short‐term (<24 h) consequences of oxidative stress induced by ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) have been studied extensively in the mouse heart. However, much less is known about the long‐term effects inflicted by a brief ischaemic period on the murine heart. We therefore examined the structural and functional consequences of a 30 min ischaemic period after 2 and 8 weeks of reperfusion and compared these to the effects induced by permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The latter procedure resulted in transmural myocardial infarcts of about 52% of the left ventricle. In contrast, the single 30 min ischaemic period led to infarct sizes of about 13% of the left ventricle (range, 4–23%) at 2 and 8 weeks after reperfusion. Maximal cardiac contractility responses (+dP/dt) to dobutamine infusion and volume loading were depressed at 2, but not at 8 weeks after IR. The restoration of cardiac contractility at 8 weeks after IR was associated with a significant 20% enlargement of the end‐diastolic volume and 16% increase of the left ventricular wall thickness. These changes in cardiac geometry were less pronounced at 2 weeks after IR. Histological examination revealed that the IR injury was associated with prominent calcification. At 2 and at 8 weeks after IR, 25 ± 5 and 38 ± 5% of the injured area was calcified as observed in 69 and 73% of the animals, respectively. After permanent occlusion of the LAD, calcification was not observed and healing of the affected area was characterized by thinning and dilatation of the infarcted myocardium. These data indicate that, in mice, a single 30 min period of ischaemia reduced ventricular contractility up to at least 2 weeks after reperfusion. However, 8 weeks after IR, cardiac function was restored by eccentric hypertrophy associated with calcification of the injured ventricular wall.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Real-Options Theory and its Application to Solar Energy Investment Projects

Conventional methods used in project evaluation have a static nature, which cause decision makers to examine investment projects within a narrow scope. As an alternative, real-options theory allows decision makers to use the concepts of uncertainty and managerial flexibility, which classical methods do not deal with, in valuing investment projects. Carlsson and Fuller’s fuzzy real-options theory has been a solution for situations where cash flow and cost variables used in the model cannot be expressed by using classical numbers but by using fuzzy numbers. The idea of using intuitionistic fuzzy numbers in real options theory can expand the narrow scope more effectively than the idea of ​​using classical real-options theory, thereby providing an opportunity to evaluate investment projects from a wider perspective. In this study, intuitionistic fuzzy real-option valuation model has been developed and applied to the evaluation of solar energy investment projects. Studies have shown that solar energy investments that do not seem profitable today in Turkey can perform profitably in the future. Moreover, the historical volatility model differs from the expected valuable models, whereas the optimum investment year between the models formed by the uncertainty inductions from the expected values ​​exhibit minimal difference.DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.ee. 29.2. 19206
A collaborative study of differences in the survival rates of black patients and white patients with cancer

In 1983, the National Cancer Institute began a social‐epidemiologic study of possible behavioral and biologic determinants of black/white racial disparities in cancer survival. The design, methodology, underlying hypotheses, and patient accrual of this study are discussed. Survival differences in four organ sites are investigated: cancers of the uterine corpus, breast, bladder, and colon. The first three sites were chosen because of significant observed black/white differentials in survival. Although racial disparities in survival from colon cancer are less prominent, this site was included because it is a leading cause of deaths attributable to cancer, because regional variations have been observed in black/white survival disparities, and because colon data permit cross‐gender comparisons. Data collection centers for the study included the Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics, the Louisiana Tumor Registry, and the California Tumor Registry. Probability samples of patients newly diagnosed with these cancers were drawn from the areas served by these registries. Diagnostic years of eligibility were 1985 to 1986 for breast and colon cancer, and 1985 to 1987 for bladder and uterine corpus cancer. Data were collected by personal interview, medical records abstract, physician records, and pathology review. Analyses focus on seven main explanatory hypotheses.
Trends in Black–White Employment Gaps Since the Great Recession

The Great Recession had a devastating impact on labor force participation and employment. This impact was not unlike other recessions, except in size. The recovery, however, has been unusual not so much for its sluggishness but for the unusual pattern of recovery in employment by race. The Black employment–population rate has increased since bottoming out in 2010 while the White employment–population rate has remained flat. We examine trends in labor force participation and employment by race, sex, and age and determine that the explanation is a combination of an aging White population and an increase in labor force participation among younger Black people. We estimate the likelihood of labor force participation and employment among young men and women to control for confounding factors, such as changes in educational characteristics. We then decompose the gaps among groups and the changes over time in labor force participation using an Oaxaca–Blinder-like technique for nonlinear estimations. We find that much smaller negative impacts of characteristics and greater returns to characteristics among young Black men and women than among young White men and women explain the observed trends.
Statistical considerations in evaluating pharmacogenomics-based clinical effect for confirmatory trials

Background The current practice for seeking genomically favorable patients in randomized controlled clinical trials using genomic convenience samples. Purpose To discuss the extent of imbalance, confounding, bias, design efficiency loss, type I error, and type II error that can occur in the evaluation of the convenience samples, particularly when they are small samples. To articulate statistical considerations for a reasonable sample size to minimize the chance of imbalance, and, to highlight the importance of replicating the subgroup finding in independent studies. Methods Four case examples reflecting recent regulatory experiences are used to underscore the problems with convenience samples. Probability of imbalance for a pre-specified subgroup is provided to elucidate sample size needed to minimize the chance of imbalance. We use an example drug development to highlight the level of scientific rigor needed, with evidence replicated for a pre-specified subgroup claim. Results The convenience samples evaluated ranged from 18% to 38% of the intent-to-treat samples with sample size ranging from 100 to 5000 patients per arm. The baseline imbalance can occur with probability higher than 25%. Mild to moderate multiple confounders yielding the same directional bias in favor of the treated group can make treatment group incomparable at baseline and result in a false positive conclusion that there is a treatment difference. Conversely, if the same directional bias favors the placebo group or there is loss in design efficiency, the type II error can increase substantially. Limitations Pre-specification of a genomic subgroup hypothesis is useful only for some degree of type I error control. Conclusion Complete ascertainment of genomic samples in a randomized controlled trial should be the first step to explore if a favorable genomic patient subgroup suggests a treatment effect when there is no clear prior knowledge and understanding about how the mechanism of a drug target affects the clinical outcome of interest. When stratified randomization based on genomic biomarker status cannot be implemented in designing a pharmacogenomics confirmatory clinical trial, if there is one genomic biomarker prognostic for clinical response, as a general rule of thumb, a sample size of at least 100 patients may be needed to be considered for the lower prevalence genomic subgroup to minimize the chance of an imbalance of 20% or more difference in the prevalence of the genomic marker. The sample size may need to be at least 150, 350, and 1350, respectively, if an imbalance of 15%, 10% and 5% difference is of concern. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 525—536. http://ctj.sagepub. com
Environmental Protection in School Curricula: Polish Context

Properly planned and effectively implemented education provides an opportunity to change human behavior, which in turn may lead to an improved quality of life worldwide, including by means of realizing a cleaner environment. This article presents the results of research on the integration of environmental protection issues into curricula by Polish teachers. It was assumed that the environmental protection issues included the challenges related to the sustainable management of natural resources. The sample consisted of 337 teachers of general subjects who were employed in schools in the Małopolska region (southern Poland) and working with students in lower-secondary (13–16 years old) and upper-secondary (16–20 years old) schools. The results of the research show that many teachers know how to integrate environmental protection issues into their curricula. However, there are still many teachers who ignore key issues in the education of sustainable development in their teaching process.