Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diurnal 24-Hour Rhythm in Ambulatory Heart Rate Variability during the Day Shift in Rotating Shift Workers

Circadian variation in cardiac autonomic nervous system activity and behavior during the day shifts of shift workers has not hitherto been clarified. This study examined diurnal 24-h variation in heart rate variability (HRV), sleep-wake cycle, physical activity, and food intake during the day shift in rotating shift workers. The subjects were female nurses and caregivers working at a health care facility (14 day workers and 13 rotating shift workers). Each subject was asked to undergo 24-h electrocardiograph and step count recordings. Coarse graining spectral analysis was used for approximately 10-min segments of HRV (600 beats) to derive the total power (TOT: >0.04 Hz), integrated power in the low-frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF: >0.15 Hz) ranges, the ratio of HF power to TOT (HF nu), and the ratio of LF power to HF power (LF/HF). Double cosinor analysis was used to obtain 24-h and 12-h period variations in variables of HRV and physical activity. While no difference was found in the acrophases of either period for step counts or in the 12-h period of HRV variables between the groups, the acrophases of the 24-h period for HRV variables were delayed by 1.3 to 5.5 h in rotating shift workers, and their differences in HF power, HF nu, and LF/HF reached a significant level (p < 0.05). On the days of the experiment, retiring time, waking up time, total time in bed, sleep efficiency, and mealtimes and energy intake for each diet did not differ between the groups. These results suggest that there is a possibility of an abnormal phase angle between circadian variation in cardiac autonomic nervous system activity and the sleep-wake cycle during the day shift in shift workers.
Chemical and physical pretreatments of fruits and vegetables: Effects on drying characteristics and quality attributes – a comprehensive review

ABSTRACT Pretreatment is widely used before drying of agro-products to inactivate enzymes, enhance drying process and improve quality of dried products. In current work, the influence of various pretreatments on drying characteristics and quality attributes of fruits and vegetables is summarized. They include chemical solution (hyperosmotic, alkali, sulfite and acid, etc.) and gas (sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and ozone) treatments, thermal blanching (hot water, steam, super heated steam impingement, ohmic and microwave heating, etc), and non-thermal process (ultrasound, freezing, pulsed electric field, and high hydrostatic pressure, etc). Chemical pretreatments effectively enhance drying kinetics, meanwhile, it causes soluble nutrients losing, trigger food safety issues by chemical residual. Conventional hot water blanching has significant effect on inactivating various undesirable enzymatic reactions, destroying microorganisms, and softening the texture, as well as facilitating drying rate. However, it induces undesirable quality of products, e.g., loss of texture, soluble nutrients, pigment and aroma. Novel blanching treatments, such as high-humidity hot air impingement blanching, microwave and ohmic heat blanching can reduce the nutrition loss and are more efficient. Non-thermal technologies can be a better alternative to thermal blanching to overcome these drawbacks, and more fundamental researches are needed for better design and scale up.
Generation coordination for transient stability enhancement using particle swarm optimization

This paper presents a security constrained power system dynamic performance enhancement using particle swarm optimization (PSO) based on time domain simulation (TDS). The key feature of the security monitoring is the critical fault clearing time. Time-domain simulation is used to determine the unstable point of the power system based on bisection technique to reduce computation time. The Independent System Operator (ISO) should plan hours-ahead or days-ahead rescheduling to determine the optimal allocation of generated power from each generator based on the expected system disturbances. The objective is to find proper adjustments of the generated power that maintain acceptable security levels throughout the system and minimize system losses. The generation rescheduling (GR) is considered as a necessary remedial action to improve the system transient stability during the disturbances. PSO is used to determine the most suitable generation coordination among system generators.
Investigating the role of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Significant progress has been made in understanding the hematopoietic supportive capacity of both mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteogenic cells in maintaining hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vitro. However the role of HSPCs in regulating their bone marrow niche environment through influencing the function of neighboring cell populations to complete this reciprocal relationship is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the influence of HSPCs on the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro, using a highly enriched population of hematopoietic cells with the phenotype c‐Kit+Sca‐1+Lineage− (KSL) and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells in direct contact co‐culture in medium with or without the addition of the osteogenic supplement dexamethasone. The data suggest that a low dose of HSPCs in co‐culture with MSCs in combination with dexamethasone treatment accelerates the osteogenic progression of MSCs, as evidenced in the earlier peak in alkaline phosphatase activity and enhanced calcium deposition compared to cultures of MSCs alone. We observed a longer persistence of functional primitive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the population treated with dexamethasone, and this observation was positively correlated with enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Therefore, our findings further support the concept that HSPCs are actively involved in regulating the development and maintenance of the stem cell niche environment in which they reside. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1544–1553, 2011
Introducing the holo-TIE approach to cellular imaging.

In this issue of Acta Crystallographica Section A, a significant advance in full-field X-ray imaging of biological samples is reported by workers from Tim Salditt’s group at GeorgAugust-University in Göttingen (Krenkel et al., 2017). Their holographic regime method, which they call the holo-TIE approach, is a significant improvement of the classical ‘transport of intensity’ (TIE) method of Paganin & Nugent (1998). Following the original development of Cloetens et al. (1999), the work described by Krenkel et al. combines data measured at multiple detector distances to fill gaps of missing frequencies in the contrast-transfer function. This idea is presented and justified using the language of variation of Fresnel numbers. The results also clearly show the respective advantages of different staining strategies relevant to biological imaging, where both resolution and contrast are key metrics. In X-ray imaging science, ‘resolution’ is defined as the highest spatial frequency capable of being measured by the instrument, limited by the solid angle passed by some aperture or by the detector, for example. The ‘contrast’, on the other hand, is a property of the sample, measured in an analogous way to the presence of density (or phase) modulations of a given spatial frequency within the sample. Both the instrument and the sample have to deliver this level of performance in order for the resulting image to contain the fine features needed for biological interpretation. In the current work, reporting holo-TIE imaging of mouse macrophage cells (Krenkel et al., 2017), OsO4 was found to create a uniform background that identifies only the approximate shape of the cytoplasm-filled regions, while BaSO4 particles were found to stand out nicely. However, while the BaSO4 particles are seen with high resolution, they are markers that may or may not report on the biological state of the sample, depending on the method of attachment and introduction to the cells. Observing the markers with high resolution does not necessarily mean that the biological functions are determined with the same level of detail.
Cultural co-orientation revisited: The case of the South China Morning Post

The freedom of press is one aspect that leaders from the West often criticise about China. As former British colony, Hong Kong has been able to preserve its special status with constitutional rights and liberties that also include the freedom of press. However, in recent years, sentiments of increased influence from Beijing have led to fears that it would curb the freedoms enjoyed by residents of the Special Administrative Region. However, instead of clear unambiguous interferences, Beijing has opted for an indirect approach that is predominantly characterised by the salience of economic considerations in reporting news binding the media outlets closer to the position of Beijing. This article shows that the South China Morning Post has undergone an editorial shift that moves it closer to the position of the Chinese government.
How prior Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) record influence the effectiveness of one single CSR initiative: Mediating role of motive attribution

The public does not take every corporate social responsibility (CSR) behavior as good, and reward the corporation. Instead, people make attribution of motive for the seemingly social responsible action and respond accordingly. Based on attribution theory and using experimental research method, this study tested how prior CSR record influenced the public’s attribution of altruistic motive for a corporation’s single CSR initiative, which further influenced the effectiveness of the CSR initiative in terms of attitude toward the corporation, reputation evaluation, word of mouth (WOM) communication, and purchase intention. Results showed that the public in general had a high level of suspicion about the corporate motive for launching a CSR initiative. However, in comparison to the corporations with negative prior CSR record, corporations with positive record were more likely to be attributed of altruistic motive, which tends to generate positive reaction from the public. Motive attribution was demonstrated as a robust mediator in the relationship between prior CSR record and the public’s reaction. Interestingly, it was found that the public’s reaction can be significantly improved by one single CSR initiative for corporations with negative prior CSR record, but not for those with positive record. More discussion on the implications of the findings was conducted.
Protection of Plasma Membrane K+ Transport by the Salt Overly Sensitive1 Na+-H+ Antiporter during Salinity Stress1

Physicochemical similarities between K+ and Na+ result in interactions between their homeostatic mechanisms. The physiological interactions between these two ions was investigated by examining aspects of K+ nutrition in the Arabidopsis salt overly sensitive (sos) mutants, and salt sensitivity in the K+ transport mutants akt1 (Arabidopsis K+ transporter) and skor (shaker-like K+ outward-rectifying channel). The K+-uptake ability (membrane permeability) of the sos mutant root cells measured electrophysiologically was normal in control conditions. Also, growth rates of these mutants in Na+-free media displayed wild-type K+ dependence. However, mild salt stress (50 mm NaCl) strongly inhibited root-cell K+ permeability and growth rate in K+-limiting conditions of sos1 but not wild-type plants. Increasing K+ availability partially rescued the sos1 growth phenotype. Therefore, it appears that in the presence of Na+, the SOS1 Na+-H+ antiporter is necessary for protecting the K+ permeability on which growth depends. The hypothesis that the elevated cytoplasmic Na+ levels predicted to result from loss of SOS1 function impaired the K+ permeability was tested by introducing 10 mm NaCl into the cytoplasm of a patch-clamped wild-type root cell. Complete loss of AKT1 K+ channel activity ensued. AKT1 is apparently a target of salt stress in sos1 plants, resulting in poor growth due to impaired K+ uptake. Complementary studies showed that akt1 seedlings were salt sensitive during early seedling development, but skor seedlings were normal. Thus, the effect of Na+ on K+ transport is probably more important at the uptake stage than at the xylem loading stage.
Effects of novel quasi‐interpenetrating network/gold nanoparticles composite matrices on DNA sequencing performances by CE

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with particle sizes of about 20, 40, and 60 nm were prepared and added into a quasi‐interpenetrating network (quasi‐IPN) composed of linear polyacrylamide (LPA) with different viscosity‐average molecular masses of 1.5, 3.3, and 6.5 MDa and poly‐N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (PDMA) to form polymer/metal composite matrices, respectively. These novel matrices could improve ssDNA sequencing performances due to interactions between GNPs and polymer chains and the formation of physical cross‐linking points as demonstrated by intrinsic viscosities and glass transition temperatures. The effects of the parameters in relation to quasi‐IPN/GNPs matrices, such as GNP contents, GNP particle sizes, LPA molecular masses, and solution concentrations, on ssDNA sequencing performances were studied. In the presence of GNPs, the separation had the advantages of high resolution, speediness, excellent reproducibility, long shelf life and easy automation. Therefore, less viscous matrix solutions (with moderate size GNPs) due to lower solution concentration and lower‐molecular‐mass LPA could be used to replace more viscous solutions (without GNPs) due to higher solution concentration or higher‐molecular‐mass LPA to separate DNA, while the sieving performances were approximate even higher, which helped to achieve full automation especial for capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) and microchip electrophoresis (MCE).
Surface Acting and Job-Related Affective Wellbeing: Preventing Resource Loss Spiral and Resource Loss Cycle for Sustainable Workplaces

This study empirically examines the synergistic negative effect of two kinds of job demand on job-related affective wellbeing (JAW) and the accelerating effects of cynicism in the negative relationships between job demands and JAW using a sample of 299 employees in the Chinese banking industry. Job demands include quantitative role overload and surface acting to represent the quantitative and qualitative aspects of job demands. Cynicism is introduced as a state where one’s energy resource is lost. The results of this study show that surface acting has a negative relationship with JAW, but quantitative role overload has no relationship with JAW. High levels of quantitative role overload exacerbate the negative relationship between surface acting and JAW. Cynicism also exacerbates the negative relationship between surface acting and JAW but does not have any moderating effect in the relationship between quantitative role overload and JAW. These results are consistent with the relationships predicted by resource loss spiral and resource loss cycle. The resource loss spiral means that resource loss, caused by handling with a quantitative role overload, lessens the employee’s ability to cope with surface acting. The resource loss cycle represents a vicious circle that amplifies the resource loss caused by surface acting. Surface acting reduces the level of one’s resources. Furthermore, surface acting reduces JAW and resources more strongly when an individual has low levels of previous energy resources than it reduces JAW and resources when he or she has high levels of previous energy resources.
Sequence domains required for the activity of avirulence genes avrB and avrC from Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea

avrB and avrC from Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea share significant amino acid homology but interact with different soybean resistance genes to elicit the hypersensitive defense reaction. Recombinant genes constructed between avrB and avrC revealed that the central regions were required for avirulence gene activity but the 5' and 3' termini were interchangeable. Recombinants involving the central regions did not yield any detectable avirulence gene activity, and no new avirulence phenotypes were observed from any of the chimeric genes. These results suggest that the protein products of avrB and avrC possess catalytic properties that are required for the avirulence phenotypes.
Deference and Hierarchy in International Regime Complexes

Abstract How do states resolve jurisdictional conflicts among international institutions? In many issue areas, global governance is increasingly fragmented among multiple international organizations (IOs). Existing work argues this fragmentation can undermine cooperation as different institutions adopt conflicting rules. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for interinstitutional coordination. I develop a theory of institutional deference: the acceptance of another IO's exercise of authority. By accepting rules crafted in another IO, member states can mitigate rule conflict and facilitate a division of labor within the regime complex. I use an original data set of over 2,000 IO policy documents to describe patterns of deference in the counterterrorism, intellectual property, and election-monitoring regime complexes. Empirical tests support two theoretical claims. First, institutional deference is indeed associated with a division of labor among institutions: IOs that defer to each other are more likely to focus their rule-making efforts on separate subissues. Second, deference is a strategic act that is shaped both by efficiency concerns and power politics. Statistical tests confirm that deference is used to efficiently pool resources among disparate organizations, and that IOs with weaker member states tend to defer to organizations with more powerful members.
Value of pharmacologic stress myocardial perfusion imaging for preoperative risk stratification for aortic surgery.

BACKGROUND Aortic surgery is an invasive, high-risk noncardiac procedure and the patients who require it have a high prevalence of coronary artery disease. Therefore, preoperative risk stratification for this subset is essential. METHODS AND RESULTS To assess the perioperative risk for aortic surgery, pharmacologic stress single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed in 302 patients: aortic dissection in 56, thoracic aortic aneurysm in 124, and abdominal aortic aneurysm in 122. Not only was the presence or absence of perfusion defects analyzed, but also the 20-segment model. Pharmacologic thallium SPECT revealed negative findings in 210 patients and positives in 92. Perioperative cardiac events occurred in 9 patients: 7 occurred in patients with positive SPECT, and in only 2 of those with negative SPECT (2/210 vs 7/92; p<0.05). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression model revealed that a summed stress score>or=14 was the most important factor to identify patients who subsequently had perioperative cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacologic stress SPECT has significant value in the risk stratification of patients before aortic surgery. In patients with positive SPECT, an aggressive approach to reduce the preoperative risk is necessary, whereas aortic surgery can be performed safely in patients with negative SPECT.
Promoting patient care: work engagement as a mediator between ward service climate and patient-centred care.

AIMS To test a model that suggests the ward's climate of service facilitates nurses' patient-centred care behaviours through its effect on nurses' work engagement. BACKGROUND Organizational efforts to promote patient-centred care focused on interventions aimed to improve nurses' communication skills, or to improve patient's participation in the decision-making process. These interventions have been only partially successful, as they do not take the ward context into account; so caring professionals who attend workshops can rarely apply their newly acquired skills due to the daily pressures of the ward. METHOD A nested cross-sectional research design (nursing staff within wards) was adopted, with three measures of the care behaviour of nurses. Data were collected in 2009, from 158 nurses working in 40 wards of retirement homes in northern Israel. Nurses' work engagement, ward's climate for service and control variables were measured via validated questionnaires. Patient-centred care behaviours were assessed by structured observations. RESULTS The findings supported our model: service climate proved a link to nurses' work engagement and patient-centred care behaviours. Nurses' work engagement mediated the service-climate patient-centred care behaviours. CONCLUSION The research is pioneering in demonstrating a close relation between ward service climate and patient-centred care. In practice, to improve patient-centred care managers should invest in facilitating ward service climate, highlighting the importance of service to the organization through appropriate rewards, guidance and administrative practices.
Dried Pomegranate Potentiates Anti-Osteoporotic and Anti-Obesity Activities of Red Clover Dry Extracts in Ovariectomized Rats

Red clover (RC) shows potential activity against menopausal symptoms and pomegranates have antioxidative and beneficial effects on postmenopausal symptoms; thus, we investigated whether the anti-climacteric activity of RC could be enhanced by the addition of dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) extracts in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Regarding the anti-osteoporotic effects, bone mineral density increased significantly in OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of an RC:PCP 2:1 mixture, respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Additionally, femoral, tibia, and L4 bone resorption was decreased in OVX induced control rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (60 and 120 mg/kg), respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Regarding anti-obesity effects, the OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture showed a decrease in total fat pad thickness, the mean diameters of adipocytes and the body weights gain compared with OVX induced control rats. The estradiol and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased in OVX induced rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (120 mg/kg) compared with OVX induced control rats, also, the uterine atrophy was significantly inhibited in 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture treatment compared with OVX control rats. In conclusion, our results indicate that PCP enhanced the anti-climacteric effects of RC in OVX rats. The RC:PCP 2:1 mixture used in this study may be a promising new potent and protective agent for relieving climacteric symptoms.