Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrasmall Mixed Eu–Gd Oxide Nanoparticles for Multimodal Fluorescence and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Passive Accumulation and Retention in TBI

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. TBI can have a long-term impact on the quality of life for survivors of all ages. However, there remains no approved treatment that improves outcomes following TBI, which is partially due to poor delivery of therapies into the brain. Therefore, there is a significant unmet need to develop more effective delivery strategies that increase the accumulation and retention of potentially efficacious treatments in the injured brain. Recent work has revealed that nanoparticles (NPs) may offer a promising approach for site-specific delivery; however, a detailed understanding of the specific NP properties that promote brain accumulation and retention are still being developed. Multimodal imaging plays a vital role in the understanding of physicochemical properties that initiate the uptake and accumulation of NPs in the brain at both high spatial (e.g., fluorescence imaging) and temporal (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) frequency. However, many NP systems that are currently used in TBI only provide contrast in a single imaging modality limiting the imaging data that can be obtained, and those that offer multimodal imaging capabilities have complicated multistep synthesis methods. Therefore, the goal of this work was to develop an ultrasmall NP with simple fabrication capable of multimodal imaging. Here, we describe the development, characterization, accumulation, and retention of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-coated europium–gadolinium (Eu–Gd) mixed magnetic NPs (MNPs) in a controlled cortical impact mouse model of TBI. We find that these NPs having an ultrasmall core size of 2 nm and a small hydrodynamic size of 13.5 nm can be detected in both fluorescence and MR imaging modalities and rapidly accumulate and are retained in injured brain parenchyma. These NPs should allow for further testing of NP physicochemical properties that promote accumulation and retention in TBI and other disease models.
An On-chip Spiking Neural Network for Estimation of the Head Pose of the iCub Robot

In this work, we present a neuromorphic architecture for head pose estimation and scene representation for the humanoid iCub robot. The spiking neuronal network is fully realized in Intel's neuromorphic research chip, Loihi, and precisely integrates the issued motor commands to estimate the iCub's head pose in a neuronal path-integration process. The neuromorphic vision system of the iCub is used to correct for drift in the pose estimation. Positions of objects in front of the robot are memorized using on-chip synaptic plasticity. We present real-time robotic experiments using 2 degrees of freedom (DoF) of the robot's head and show precise path integration, visual reset, and object position learning on-chip. We discuss the requirements for integrating the robotic system and neuromorphic hardware with current technologies.
The Compassionate Communities Connectors model for end-of-life care: a community and health service partnership in Western Australia

Background: There is an international drive towards increasing provision of community-led models of social and practical support for people living with advanced illness. Aim: This feasibility project aims to develop, implement and evaluate a model of community volunteers, identified as Compassionate Communities Connectors, to support people living with advanced life limiting illnesses/palliative care needs. The aims also include the development and evaluation of a training programme for volunteers and assessment of the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of this model of care. Methods: The approach seeks to map and mobilise people’s personal networks of care through the Connectors enlisting Caring Helpers (community volunteers). Up to 10 Connectors will be trained to work with at least 30 families selected by the palliative care service as requiring support. The primary outcome is the effect of the intervention on social connectedness. Secondary outcomes are the intervention’s effect on unplanned hospital utilisation, caregiver support needs, advance care plans and satisfaction with intervention for patients/carers, volunteers and service providers. Conclusion: It is expected that this intervention will enhance patient, carer and family social, psychological and practical support and reduce the need for dying people to be admitted to a hospital.
Characterization and Use of a Fiber Optic Sensor Based on PAH/SiO2 Film for Humidity Sensing in Ventilator Care Equipment

Objective: To develop a compact probe that can be used to monitor humidity in ventilator care equipment. A mesoporous film of alternate layers of Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (bilayers), deposited onto an optical fibre was used. The sensing film behaves as a Fabry-Perot cavity of low-finesse where the absorption of water vapour changes the optical thickness and produces a change in reflection proportional to humidity. Methods: The mesoporous film was deposited upon the cleaved tip of an optical fibre using the layer-by-layer method. The sensor was calibrated in a bench model against a commercially available capacitive sensor. The sensitivity and response time were assessed in the range from 5 % relative humidity (RH) to 95%RH for different numbers of bilayers up to a maximum of nine. Results: The sensitivity increases with the number of bilayers deposited; sensitivity of 2.28 mV/%RH was obtained for nine bilayers. The time constant of the response was 1.13 s ± 0.30 s which is faster than the commercial device (measured as 158 s). After calibration, the optical fibre humidity sensor was utilised in a bench top study employing a mechanical ventilator. The fast response time enabled changes in humidity in individual breaths to be resolved. Conclusion: Optical fibre sensors have the potential to be used to monitor breath to breath humidity during ventilator care. Significance: Control of humidity is an essential part of critical respiratory care and the developed sensor provides a sensitive, compact and fast method of humidity monitoring.
Loss of Butt-End Leg Bands on Male Wild Turkeys

Abstract We estimated loss of butt-end leg bands on male wild turkeys (Meleagris gallapavo) captured in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (USA) during December–March, 2006–2008. We used aluminum rivet leg bands as permanent marks to estimate loss of regular aluminum, enameled aluminum, anodized aluminum, and stainless steel butt-end leg bands placed below the spur. We used band loss information from 887 turkeys recovered between 31 days and 570 days after release (x¯ = 202 days). Band loss was greater for turkeys banded as adults (>1 yr old) than juveniles and was greater for aluminum than stainless steel bands. We estimated band retention was 79–96%, depending on age at banding and type of band, for turkeys recovered 3 months after release. Band retention was <50% for all age classes and band types 15 months after banding. We concluded that use of butt-end leg bands on male wild turkeys is inappropriate for use in mark–recapture studies.
Encounter and Proximity Norms for Salmon Anglers in California and New Zealand

Abstract To provide high-quality salmon fishing experiences, it is important to understand what social characteristics are involved. With increasing demand for salmon fishing, there are often higher concentrations of anglers at accessible rivers and, subsequently, increased potential for encounters. Surveys of salmon anglers in northern California and New Zealand were conducted to collect data on encounter norms. Tolerance for encounters with other anglers and the structure of encounter norms are compared between groups. Results indicate that social contacts may be less important for the salmon fishing experience than for other types of fishing (e.g., trout fishing) or other types of recreational activities, such as river running or backcountry hiking. In addition, it appears that salmon anglers have less normative agreement concerning tolerable encounters in higher-density fishing situations. The study indicates that contacts have an impact on the salmon fishing experience, and that there is an identifia.
Functional Ecology of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizas as Influenced by Phosphate Fertilization and Tillage in an Agricultural Ecosystem

AbstractThe importance of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizas (VAM) in an agricultural crop production system depends largely on our ability, through soil management, to increase the effectiveness of the indigenous mycorrhizal fungal population. To do so requires a good understanding of the functional ecology of the symbiosis.In this article, we discuss primarily our programs at Guelph, which have focused on two aspects of the symbiosis: the influence of phosphate (P) fertilization on colonization and the influence of soil disturbance by tillage on colonization and P absorption.Although it is generally accepted that the level of colonization of roots by VAM fungi decreases with increased P availability, we have found that the decrease is not as marked as thought. A reasonable degree of colonization was observed at available P levels well above those required for maximum yield. We have also found that the reduction in colonization occurs to a greater extent in the roots growing in a fertilized zone than in th.
Effects of Dietary Quercetin on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Parameter, Immunoglobulin and Blood Antioxidant Activity in Broiler Chicks

College of Applied Life Science, Jeju National University, 690-756, KoreaABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary quercetin on growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, immunoglobulin, and blood antioxidant activity in broiler chickens. Three hundred twenty one-day old Ross broilers were divided 8 treatments (C(), basal diet; C(+), basal diet with antibiotics; vitamin E 20 IU; vitamin E 200 IU; quercetin 20 ppm; quercetin 200 ppm; methoxylated quercetin 20 ppm; methoxylated quercetin 200 ppm) with 4 replicates and 10 birds per replicate. Birds were reared for 35 days and their feed intake and weight gain were measured weekly. At 35d, eight birds of average weight from each replicate were selected for blood collection and analysis. Weight gain of birds in the groups fed quercetin was higher when compare to NC but there was no significant difference. In the serum, creatinine, BUN and AST in quercetin groups significantly decreased compared to those of control (NC and PC) (P<0.05). The contents of IgA and IgM were significantly lower in quercetin groups than those of NC (P<0.05). SOD like activity and MDA content tended to decrease in quercetin groups, however, there was no significant difference among treatments. In conclusion, supplemental quercetin to poultry diet could be positive aspect on performance and blood metabolites. Optimum adding levels was more than 20 ppm. (Key words: quercetin, broiler, blood biochemical parameter, immunoglobulin, blood antioxidant activity)
POLYPHENOL CONTENTS, CYTOTOXICITY AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF SOME SELECTED NIGERIAN VEGETABLE FOODS

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the relative antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and some polyphenol contents in selected Nigerian vegetable foods. The flavouoid contents varied from 1.55± 4.23 to 17.300 ± 0.200% in the extracts. Total phenol contents were between 0.263 ± 0.00 to 1.328 ± 0.318% in the plant extracts. 2,2- Diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effects of the extracts was determined spectrophotometrically. Rapid radical scavenging screening using thin layer chromatographic plate (TLC) was also performed. The highest radical scavenging effect was observed in C. esculenta leaf extract with IC 50 = 180.20 >g/mL. This is comparable to the standards quercetin and ascorbic acid used. The higher amount of the polyphenolic compounds is attributable to more potent radical scavenging effects as demonstrated by C. esculenta leaf extract. The extracts possessed very low cytotoxicity to brine-shrimp, when compared with the reference standard (Potassium dichromate, LC 50 = 180.142 >g/mL). The results obtained in the present study indicate that these vegetables can be potential sources of natural antioxidant agents and are relatively safe for the purposes utilized.
Antisense oligomer-mediated intervention in inherited disease: new targets, mechanisms and challenges

ii Table of contents v List of tables and figures xviii Abbreviations xxvi Acknowledgements xxix Chapter 1 – Introduction 1 1.1 Regulation of eukaryotic gene expression by the untranslated gene regions and other non-coding elements – Published review article. 2 1.1.1 Promoter. 4 Types of promoter. 5 Complex factor interactions. 9 Alternative promoters. 10 Bidirectional promoters. 11 Conclusion. 14 1.1. 2 5’ untranslated region. 14 Structure. 14 Regulatory motifs. 21 Conclusions. 31 1.1. 3 Intronic regions. 31 Organisation and length. 32 Introns in the UTRs. 33
The intrinsic rate of increase of reindeer and caribou populations in arctic environments

The intrinsic rate of increase of an animal population, rm, is specific to the environment in which it is measured. Previous estimates of maximum growth rates for reindeer and caribou Rangifer tarandus populations were based on introductions to islands with cool oceanic climates. The mean intrinsic rate of increase of 6 populations was 0.26 ranging from 0.21 on St Paul Island in the Bering Sea to 0.29 in the Barff herd on South Georgia. I calculated rm for two Rangifer populations introduced to arctic environments to determine the effect of environmental severity on the intrinsic rate of increase. Reindeer on the Belcher islands increased at rm= 0.28 and caribou on Southampton Island increased at rm = 0.23 (mean = 0.26). The lower primary productivity and longer duration of snow cover in arctic environments did not affect the intrinsic rate of increase.
Vineyard floor management improves wine quality in highly vigorous Vitis vinifera ’Cabernet Sauvignon’ in New Zealand

Abstract Five inter‐row soil management techniques were applied to a vigorous Vitis vinifera ’Cabernet Sauvignon’ vineyard in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand—a permanent chicory (Chicorium intybus var. sativum ’Puna') cover crop; chicory sprayed with herbicide before veraison; incorporated pine (Pinus radiata) sawdust and bare soil maintained using cultivation or non‐selective herbicide. Both chicory treatments significantly reduced the soil water content and shoot growth late in the season compared to the other treatments. Petiole nitrate concentration and leaf size were lowest in the sawdust and both chicory treatments. The pruning weights in the two chicory treatments were reduced to about half those found in the other treatments. No significant differences among treatments were found in yield or other viticultural characteristics examined. Both chicory treatments resulted in advanced ripening (increased soluble solids and decreased titratable acids), increased anthocyanins, and reduced ammonia content of berries compared to other treatments. Sensory evaluation of wines produced from the cultivation (bare soil) and the permanent chicory cover crop treatment were conducted after 4 years of bottle age, and showed riper fruit aroma and flavour and a higher overall quality score in the chicory treatment. Competition imposed for two seasons using a permanent chicory cover crop has resulted in improved viticultural and oenological characteristics of a highly vigorous ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ vineyard in a marginal site in New Zealand.
A role for lysosomal pH dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and strategies for its restoration

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, leading to memory loss progressive cognitive decline over the course of what can be many years. Mutations in the catalytically active component of the γ-secretase complex, presenilin 1 (PS1), are the most common cause of familial Alzheimer’s disease (fAD), a less-prevalent but earlier-onset form of AD. PS1 mutation is associated with more severe lysosomal and autophagic pathologies than are found in sporadic AD; these pathologies may be a result of lysosomal pH dysregulation. The goal of this dissertation was to confirm a role for elevated lysosomal pH in cells from PS1-fAD patients, to investigate the repercussions of this lysosomal dysfunction, and to identify a therapeutic approach by which to restore both pH and lysosomal pathology to normal. Using human skin fibroblasts containing the PS1-fAD mutation A246E, the present work identified a small but significant increase in lysosomal pH in PS1-fAD mutant cells when compared to control fibroblasts. The pH data were supported by a reduction in mature cathepsin D (Cat D) and Cat D active site availability in PS1-fAD cells, as well as by substantial accumulation of autophagic substrates and up-regulation of components of the lysosomal and autophagic degradative systems, both at the mRNA and protein levels. Treatment with cAMP proved restorative, bringing lysosomal pH in PS1-fAD cells back to baseline while having minimal effect on control cells. cAMP increased Cat D active site availability, reduced autophagic backlog, and led both to mTOR phosphorylation and to down-regulation of genes involved in lysosomal function. Interestingly, cAMPinduced pH restoration, as well as Cat D increase and mTOR phosphorylation, was found to be PKAdependent, suggesting a signaling pathway that may serve as a useful target for future treatment, and implicating PKA in the immediate, upstream response to cAMP treatment, and mTOR and gene expression modulation in the downstream response. This treatment proved effective in compromised lysosomes from primary neuronal cultures, as well, supporting the general utility of a cAMP-based approach. Together, these results identify lysosomal pH elevation as an important factor in AD pathology, and suggest several possible targets for future therapeutic investigation. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Neuroscience First Advisor Claire H. Mitchell
Determining the severity of skin injuries of red mullet, Mullus barbatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Mullidae), inflicted during escape from trawl codend

Bottom trawling involves towing a trawl along the sea floor and is a principal contributor to discard and escape mortality during commercial fishing. Of these, the escape mortality was defined by ICES (Anonymous 2004) as the mortality of organisms that actively escape from a gear prior to the catch being landed by the fishing operation. Escape mortality occurs as a result of interaction between the fish and the trawl during the capture process and it includes physical injury, exhaustion, and stress (Breen 2004). Target and non-target species may be injured while escaping from the trawl gear usually by passing through the mesh of the codend (Wileman et al. 1996). Gilman et al. (2013) defined the escape mortality as pre-catch losses that occur when organisms escape from the fishing gear alive but die later. The escape mortality is a component of unaccounted fishing mortality (Suuronen 2005). Fishing experiments have been performed to estimate the rate of delayed ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2015) 45 (1): 75–83 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2015.45. 1.08
Bioclimatic mapping as a new method to assess effects of climatic change

Rigorous mapping of climatic patterns outstands as one of the mayor issues concerning climatic change. This paper investigates the extent of the bioclimatic approach to develop a rigorous cartographic methodology to express climatic diversity patterns. Michoacan, Mexico was chosen to represent a region of complex geo-ecological layout where the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical realms converge. Bioclimatic indices were computed and their spatial expression was processed in a Geographic Information System. Ground verification was performed at 93 sites across the province. In addition, from 2010 until 2012, more than 2000 kilometers of roads were surveyed to gather data on isobioclimate boundaries. In total, one macrobioclimate, two bioclimates, four thermotypes, five ombrotypes and 14 isobioclimates were distinguished in Michoacan. The Tropical pluviseasonal bioclimate was the predominant bioclimate, covering 56.17% of the province. The Tropical xeric covers 43.82% and the Tropical pluvial is practi.
A pathological comparative study of diffusion-weighted imaging and computed tomography in determination of lesion length for esophageal carcinoma

Objective To investigate the accuracy of measurement of lesion length by computed tomography(CT)scan and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)for esophageal carcinoma, and to provide an optimized imaging method as a reference for target delineation in esophageal carcinoma. Methods Thirty-five patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma from 2012 to 2013 were prospectively enrolled as subjects. All patients underwent examinations of esophageal endoscopy, CT scan of the thorax and abdomen, and DWI before radical surgery. Lesion lengths were measured by the above methods and compared with the real length of pathological specimen resected at surgery. The consistency between the lesion length measured by each imaging method and the pathological standard were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)and the Bland-Altman method. Results Four patients had no hyperintense signal on DWI, resulting in a false-negative rate of 11% in all patients and a false-negative rate of 44%(4/9)in patients with stage T1 esophageal carcinoma. Thirty-one patients had lesion lengths measured by DWI for analysis. The tumor length of pathological specimen after surgery was 4. 58 cm, while the tumor lengths measured by endoscopy, CT scan, and DWI with b-values of 600, 800, and 1000 s/mm2 were 4. 56, 5. 58, 4. 41, 3.99, and 3. 83 cm, respectively. The ICC values were 0. 703 , 0. 764, 0. 946, 0. 890, and 0. 882, respectively, with P value of 0. 000 for all. According to the results of the Bland-Altman method, the highest degree of consistency was achieved between the tumor lengths measured by endoscopy and DWI with a b-value of 600 s/mm2 and the pathological standard. Conclusions The esophageal tumor lengths measured by DWI are close to the real tumor length of the pathological specimen, in which the lesion length measured by DWI with a b-value of 600 s/mm2 is most reliable. However, the value of DWI in the early diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma is limited. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms length/pathology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Tomography, X-ray computed
Prevalence of subclinical bovine mastitis and the in vitro sensitivity of bacterial isolates in Batna governorate, east of Algeria. -

strains of bacteria were isolated from individual milk of lactating cows showing subclinical mastitis detected by California Mastitis Test (CMT) and somatic cell counts (CCS). 38 of these strains are belonging at Staphylococci species with 26 Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus strains, which are more and more involved in the decrease of milk production. 10 of them were Enterobacteriacea, 6 Nocardia spp, 6 Corynebacterium bovis. The seven remaining strains were devided between Pseudomonas, Pasteurella and Streptococcus.The totality of these bacteria seems to be sensitive to different antibiotics used in this study.Nocardia strains seem to be a new finding in the field of isolated bacteria from subclinical mastitis especially in Algeria. This study shows that Subclinical Mastitis is offending in most cases of Bovine Mastitis with 87.27%. Bacteriological analysis shows that there is a wide range of germs that cause these infections, but fortunately that these strains have not evolved resistance to leaving the practicing veterinarian care to treat mastitis in light of antibiogram results.