Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Histopathological and Ultrastructure changes in the embryonic development of Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) induced by Lufenuron(CSI) and Rice Bran Extract (Waste product).

Background: Waste product compound of rice bran and lufenuron are considered safe compounds to the human and to the environment. They can be used to control Schistocerca gregaria.Objective: The aim of the present study is to examine the ultrastructural changes and histopathological alteration in the Schistocerca gregaria embryogenesis induced by selected waste product compound of rice bran (Oryza sativa) and a chitin synthesis inhibitor (lufenuron). Materials and Methods: Histological and ultrastructure study of normal and affected eggs of Schistocerca gregaria were conducted to demonstrate the effects of lufenuron and rice bran extract on the embryogenesis. Cleavages started about 5 hrs post oviposition (pop) and continue to divide until formation of cellular blastodrem by 1 day pop. By 2 days pop germ band is formed, differentiated into ectoderm and mesoderm. At 3 days pop segmentation of germ band into mouthpart and three thoracic segments occur. Antenna was observed at 3 days pop. Fore and midgut were detected by 5 days pop. Hindgut was also observed by 5 days pop. By 4 days pop, eyes and brain appeared. Brain appeared as two ganglionic masses separated by oesophagus, which by 5 days pop appears as 2 large interconnect cerebral lobes enwrapped by neurilemma. Histological section of affected eggs showed great effects on brain, alimentary canals and compound eyes.Results: Ultrastructure study of newly deposited eggs showed that, the chorion consists of several easily distinguishable layers and in 30-hour-old eggs, cleavage nuclei of different shapes could be observed. The nuclei of the blastoderm cell have spindle shape and have condensed chromatin, which attaches to nuclear membrane. Electron micrograph of lufenuron-affected eggs revealed abnormal chorion and cleavage nuclei. In rice bran affected eggs, disintegrated blastoderm that failed to arranged and sever malformed nuclei were seen. Vaculation and lysis of cell components leaving cavities within the ooplasm were detected in both treatments.Conclusion: The tested compounds induced serious changes to the embryos of Schistocerca gregaria as revealed by the histological and ultrastructure studies
Development of CAR-T cell therapy for B-ALL using a point-of-care approach

Recently approved by the FDA and European Medicines Agency, CAR-T cell therapy is a new treatment option for B-cell malignancies. Currently, CAR-T cells are manufactured in centralized facilities and face bottlenecks like complex scaling up, high costs and logistic operations. These difficulties are mainly related to the use of viral vectors and the requirement to expand CAR-T cells to reach the therapeutic dose. In this paper, by using Sleeping Beauty-mediated genetic modification delivered by electroporation, we show that CAR-T cells can be generated and used without the need for ex vivo activation and expansion, consistent with a point-of-care (POC) approach. Our results show that minimally manipulated CAR-T cells are effective in vivo against RS4;11 leukemia cells engrafted in NSG mice even when inoculated after only 4 hours of gene transfer. In an effort to better characterize the infused CAR-T cells, we show that 19BBz T lymphocytes infused after 24h of electroporation (where CAR expression is already detectable) can improve the overall survival and reduce tumor burden in organs of mice engrafted with RS4;11 or Nalm-6 B cell leukemia. A side-by-side comparison of POC approach with a conventional 8-day expansion protocol using Transact beads demonstrated that both approaches have equivalent antitumor activity in vivo. Our data suggests that POC approach is a viable alternative for the generation and use of CAR-T cells, overcoming the limitations of current manufacturing protocols. Its use has the potential to expand CAR immunotherapy to a higher number of patients, especially in the context of low-income countries.
Investigating Particle Size-Flux Relationships and the Biological Pump Across a Range of Plankton Ecosystem States From Coastal to Oligotrophic

Sinking particles transport organic carbon produced in the surface ocean to the ocean interior, leading to net storage of atmospheric CO2 in the deep ocean. The rapid growth of in situ imaging technology has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of particle flux attenuation in the ocean; however, estimating particle flux from particle size and abundance (measured directly by in situ cameras) is challenging. Sinking rates are dependent on several factors, including particle excess density and porosity, which vary based on particle origin and type. Additionally, particle characteristics are transformed while sinking. We compare optically-measured particle size spectra profiles (Underwater Vision Profiler 5, UVP) with contemporaneous measurements of particle flux made using sediment traps and 234Th:238U disequilibrium on six process cruises from the California Current Ecosystem (CCE) LTER Program. These measurements allow us to assess the efficacy of using size-flux relationships to estimate fluxes from optical particle size measurements. We find that previously published parameterizations that estimate carbon flux from UVP profiles are a poor fit to direct flux measurements in the CCE. This discrepancy is found to result primarily from the important role of fecal pellets in particle flux. These pellets are primarily in a size range (i.e., 100 – 400 µm) that is not well-resolved as images by the UVP due to the resolution of the sensor. We develop a new, CCE-optimized algorithm for estimating carbon flux from UVP data in the southern California Current (Flux = ∑_(i=1)^x▒〖n_i A〖d_i〗^B ∆d_i 〗), with A = 13.45, B = 1.35, d = particle diameter (mm) and Flux in units of mg C m-2 d-1. We caution, however, that increased accuracy in flux estimates derived from optical instruments will require devices with greater resolution, the ability to differentiate fecal pellets from low porosity marine snow aggregates, and improved sampling of rapidly sinking fecal pellets. We also find that the particle size-flux relationships may be different within the euphotic zone than in the shallow twilight zone and hypothesize that the changing nature of sinking particles with depth must be considered when investigating the remineralization length scale of sinking particles in the ocean.
Perlin Noise Generation of Physiologically Realistic Patterns of Fibrosis

Fibrosis, the pathological excess of fibroblast activity, is a significant health issue that hinders the function of many organs in the body, in some cases fatally. However, the severity of fibrosis-derived conditions depends on both the positioning of fibrotic affliction, and the microscopic patterning of fibroblast-deposited matrix proteins within afflicted regions. Variability in an individual’s manifestation of a type of fibrosis is an important factor in explaining differences in symptoms, optimum treatment and prognosis, but a need for ex vivo procedures and a lack of experimental control over conflating factors has meant this variability remains poorly understood. In this work, we present a computational methodology for the generation of patterns of fibrosis microstructure, demonstrating the technique using histological images of four types of cardiac fibrosis. Our generator and automated tuning method prove flexible enough to capture each of these very distinct patterns, allowing for rapid generation of new realisations for high-throughput computational studies. We also demonstrate via simulation, using the generated fibrotic patterns, the importance of micro-scale variability by showing significant differences in electrophysiological impact even within a single class of fibrosis.
Survey of Finite Element Method-Based Real-Time Simulations

The finite element method (FEM) has deservedly gained the reputation of the most powerful, highly efficient, and versatile numerical method in the field of structural analysis. Though typical application of FE programs implies the so-called “off-line” computations, the rapid pace of hardware development over the past couple of decades was the major impetus for numerous researchers to consider the possibility of real-time simulation based on FE models. Limitations of available hardware components in various phases of developments demanded remarkable innovativeness in the quest for suitable solutions to the challenge. Different approaches have been proposed depending on the demands of the specific field of application. Though it is still a relatively young field of work in global terms, an immense amount of work has already been done calling for a representative survey. This paper aims to provide such a survey, which of course cannot be exhaustive.
Learning Analytics: Potential, Protection, and Privacy in the Educational System

Learning analytics offers many exceptional opportunities, but how can a programme or institution use it successfully? It provides better insight into the teaching process and the feedback from college students ultimately improves schooling: this is the concept behind learning analytics. The use of learning analysis to guide the design and deployment of learning is becoming more popular. Educational institutions at all levels are realising that with the help of technology they are better able to gather data that would be very valuable when analysed. The aim of learning analytics is to apply facts from extraordinary structures and databases that help students to learn and teachers to improve their teaching strategies. To ensure that educational institutions obtain their greatest desires, as done through the usage of learning analytics, there is a vital need to increase the viable requirements analysis method. This is in addition to carrying out the performance evaluation consistent with it. This chapter discusses learning analytics and gives a critical analysis of the potential, protection, and privacy that learning analytics has in educational institutions. Learning Analytics: Potential, Protection, and Privacy in the Educational System
Salmonella grows massively and aerobically in fecal matter

The use of wastewater for irrigation and animal manure as fertilizer can cause transmission of intestinal pathogens, conditions frequently observed in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Here we tested the ability of Salmonella to grow in the fecal matter; we inoculated freshly isolated Salmonella strains (from chickens) in chicken fecal matter and incubated for 24, 48 and 72 hrs under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. We found that both Salmonella and E. coli multiplied massively in fecal matter outside a host for 72 hrs, being their growth higher in aerobic conditions. Our results have critical implications in waste management, as we demonstrate that aerobic treatments may not be the best to reduce the number of Salmonella in the environment.
Head Shape Modulates Diversification of a Classic Cichlid Pharyngeal Jaw Innovation

Functional innovations are often invoked to explain the uneven distribution of ecological diversity. Innovations may provide access to new adaptive zones by expanding available ecological opportunities and may serve as catalysts of adaptive radiation. However, diversity is often unevenly distributed within clades that share a key innovation, highlighting the possibility that the impact of the innovation is mediated by other traits. Pharyngognathy is a widely recognized innovation of the pharyngeal jaws that enhances the ability to process hard and tough prey in several major radiations of fishes, including marine wrasses and freshwater cichlids. We explored diversification of lower pharyngeal jaw shape, a key feature of pharyngognathy, and the extent to which it is influenced by head shape in Neotropical cichlids. While pharyngeal jaw shape was unaffected by either head length or head depth, its disparity declined dramatically with increasing head width. Head width also predicted the rate of pharyngeal jaw evolution such that higher rates were associated with narrow heads. Wide heads are associated with exploiting prey that require intense processing by pharyngeal jaws that have expanded surfaces for the attachment of enlarged muscles. However, we show that a wide head constrains access to adaptive peaks associated with several trophic roles. A constraint on the independent evolution of pharyngeal jaw and head shape may explain the uneven distribution of ecological diversity within a clade that shares a major functional innovation.
Impacts of 21st‐century climate change on montane habitat in the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago

The Madrean Sky Island Archipelago is a North American biodiversity hotspot composed of ~60 isolated mountains that span the Cordilleran Gap between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madre Occidental. Characterized by discrete patches of high‐elevation montane habitat, these “sky islands” serve as stepping stones across a “sea” of desert scrub/grassland. Over this coming century, the region is expected to shift towards a warmer and drier climate. We used species distribution modelling to predict how the spatial distribution of montane habitat will be affected by climate change.
Quality Management of the Pre-Analytical Phase of Total Laboratory Testing Process: Monitoring and Control

Background: Laboratory testing is a complex process comprising three phases that include the preanalytical, analytical and the post analytical phase of total laboratory testing process. Preanalytical phase represents the most error prone phase of the laboratory testing process. Consequently, many problems arise mostly at pre-analytical phase of non-laboratory settings which are outside the control of the laboratory before the analysis of the submitted specimens. Objectives: To evaluate the monitoring and control of errors in the non-laboratory related preanalytical phase of the total testing process. Methods: A literature review of the continuous quality improvement and Quality Assurance (CQI/QA) components of the preanalytical phase of total laboratory testing process. Results: The prevalence of preanalytical errors is approximately 70% of all errors that occurred in laboratory diagnostics. Many of the variables are outside the traditional laboratory areas. Errors in the pre-analytical phase can result in misdiagnosis and mismanagement and consequently compromise patient’s safety. Errors presentation at this stage requires good communication and co-operation among all health professionals involved in the total testing process from the time a laboratory request is made until the sample is ready for testing. Review Article Akande; CJAST, 29(5): 1-8, 2018; Article no.CJAST. 43874 2 Conclusion: In non-laboratory settings, continuous monitoring and control of the initial phase of the total testing process is critical in order to reduce pre-analytical errors so that the laboratory can achieve accurate and reliable results. Non-laboratory errors in pre-analytical phase can be monitored and controls by timely and effective coordination of health care professionals for improved patient's safety and reliable testing outputs.
Complex Activity Recognition Using Acceleration, Vital Sign, and Location Data

Complex activity recognition is a valuable issue in mobile and wearable computing. Since complex activities are strongly relevant to users’ locations, location data can be used in complex activity recognition. Current activity recognition methods utilizing location data either do not make the most of location data or have a “cold-start” problem. In this paper, we propose CAROLINA (complex activity recognition using acceleration, vital sign, and location data) to recognize complex activities from wearable sensors. CAROLINA divides a map into grid cells and builds a grid cell-activity matrix by integrating check-in and ATUS (American Time Use Survey) datasets. Since some grid cells do not have check-in records, there are some null entries in the matrix, and all the entries are reconstructed by matrix factorization. Meanwhile, a POI (point of interest) category dataset is exploited to build a grid cell-grid cell similarity matrix, which is used to reduce the loss of matrix factorization. The results of experiments show that CAROLINA can effectively utilize location data to improve complex activity recognition performance.
Cloning and Functional Analysis of the Rice rbcS Gene Promoter

The regulative sequence (Posrbcs) of ribulose-1 ,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit( rbcS ) genes in rice was cloned by PCR amplification. The cloned Posrbcs was fused with gus gene, and then introduced into rice (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The result of GUS histochemical staining showed that gus gene driven by Posrbcs expressed in leaf, culm, sheath and glume,respectively, and not in endosperm. Also, 5' end difference length deletions of Posrbcs were fused with gus gene and the fused genes were transformed into rice,respectively. Quantitative analysis of GUS activity showed that the expression level of gus gene was reduced with the deletion of Posrbcs. The result of this experiment also showed that light induction could enhance GUS activity. Furthermore, the deletion of light inducible elements such as I box, GT1 binding factors, GATA box and T box could reduce GUS activity and postpone the light-induction time. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that I box, GT1 factor, T box and GATA box could bind with the nuclear protein.
Isolating endophytic fungi from evergreen plants and determining their antifungal activities

A total of 262 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from 23 evergreen plant species collected from Zijin Mountain in Nanjing, China. Two-hundred and three of the fungi isolates were classified into 23 taxa in 19 genera based on colony morphology and microscopic observation of mycelia and asexual/sexual spores. The highest richness was obtained from Cedrus deodara (28), while the highest diversity of identified species (6) was isolated from Sabina procumbens. Some fungi appeared to be host-specific, such as Botrytis ricini lt300, Geotrichum candidum lt274 and Lacellina graminicolalt256, while other strains (e.g. Alternaria alternata lt222, Anthina sp. Lt147,Colletotrichum gloeosporioids lt305 and Fusarium solani lt293) were commonly isolated from a range of plants. The richness of the endophytic fungi recovered from plant branches was significantly higher than those from leaves. Moreover, about 70% of the obtained endophytic fungi could produce antifungal metabolites against at least one plant pathogenic fungi. The EtOAc extracts of seven species of Anthina sp. lt147, C. gloeosporioids lt305, Ectostroma sp. Lt144, Fusarium decemcellulare lt183, Fusariumoxysporum lt173, Paraconiothyrium brasiliense lt161 and C. montemartinii lt198 showed broad inhibition against the growth of all the six phytopathogens with the inhibition rates from 20 to 80%. These results indicated that endophytic fungi may play an important role in protection of the evergreen plants from disease as well as an excellent resource for searching for natural antifungal compounds. Key words: Endophytic fungi, evergreen plants, antifungal activity.
Effects of high-intensity interval training compared to moderate-intensity continuous training on maximal oxygen consumption and blood pressure in healthy men: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Introduction: Aerobic exercise generates increased cardiorespiratory fitness, which results in a protective factor for cardiovascular disease. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) might produce higher increases on cardiorespiratory fitness in comparison with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT); however, current evidence is not conclusive. Objective: To compare the effects of a low-volume HIIT and a MICT on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure during eight weeks in healthy men between 18 and 44 years of age. Materials and methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial. Forty-four volunteers were randomized to HIIT (n=22) or MICT (n=22). Both groups performed 24 sessions on a treadmill. The HIIT group completed 15 bouts of 30 seconds (90-95%, maximal heart rate, HRmax), while the MICT group completed 40 minutes of continuous exercise (65-75% HRmax). The study is registered as a clinical trial via clinicaltrials.gov with identifier number: NCT02288403. Results: Intra-group analysis showed an increase in VO2max of 3.5 ml/kg/min [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02 to 4.93; p=0.0001] in HIIT and 1.9 ml/kg/min (95% CI -0.98 to 4.82; p=0.18) in MICT. However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (1.01 ml/kg/min. 95% CI -2.16 to 4.18, p=0.52). MICT generated a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to HIIT (median 8 mm Hg; p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups for DBP. Conclusions: Results indicated no significant change in VO2max with a low-volume HIIT protocol versus MICT after 24 sessions. In contrast, MICT provided a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to HIIT
How Playlist Evaluation Compares to Track Evaluations in Music Recommender Systems

Most recommendation evaluations in music domain are focused on algorithmic performance: how a recommendation algorithm could predict a user's liking of an individual track. However, individual track rating might not fully reflect the user's liking of the whole recommendation list. Previous work has shown that subjective measures such as perceived diversity and familiarity of the recommendations, as well as the peak-end effect can influence the user's overall (holistic) evaluation of the list. In this study, we investigate how individual track evaluation compares to holistic playlist evaluation in music recommender systems, especially how playlist attractiveness is related to individual track rating and other subjective measures (perceived diversity) or objective measures (objective familiarity, peak-end effect and occurrence of good recommendations in the list). We explore this relation using a within-subjects online user experiment, in which recommendations for each condition are generated by different algorithms. We found that individual track ratings can not fully predict playlist evaluations, as other factors such as perceived diversity and recommendation approaches can influence playlist attractiveness to a larger extent. In addition, inclusion of the highest and last track rating (peak-end) is equally good in predicting playlist attractiveness as the inclusion of all track evaluations. Our results imply that it is important to consider which evaluation metric to use when evaluating recommendation approaches.
A Study on a Mixed Stopping Strategy for Total Recall Tasks

How do we calculate how many relevant documents are in a collection? In this abstract, we discuss our line of research about total recall systems such as interactive system for systematic reviews based on an active learning framework [4–6]. In particular, we will present 1) the problem in mathematical terms, and 2) the experiments of an interactive system that continuously monitors the costs of reviewing additional documents and suggests the user whether to continue or not in the search based on the available remaining resources. We will discuss the results of this system on the ongoing CLEF 2019 eHealth task.