Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ovarian activity and antioxidant indices during estrous cycle of Barki ewes under effect of thyme, celery and salinomycin as feed additives

Summary This research aimed to examine the effects of thyme, celery and salinomycin on ovarian sex hormones, reproductive traits and antioxidant status during the estrous cycle. Seventy-five mature Barki ewes aged 2–3 years with an average weight of 40 ± 1.5 kg were assigned randomly into five groups (15 head/group). Group 1 was kept as the control; groups 2 and 3 received 20 g/head/day thyme (T) and celery (C) as dried herbs, respectively. Group 4 (T×C) received 10 g thyme + 10 g celery/head/day, and group 5 was treated with salinomycin 1 g/head/day. Blood samples were collected during follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle. Thyme and celery and the mixture of T×C increased (P < 0.01) estradiol-17β (E2) during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle, while only the celery group showed a marked (P < 0.001) increase in progesterone (P4) during the luteal phase compared with the control. Salinomycin supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) E2 concentrations during the follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle. Supplementation with thyme and celery enhanced (P < 0.001) antioxidant capacity in the luteal phase compared with the follicular stage. The salinomycin group showed increased (P < 0.01) levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared with the control group throughout luteal phase. For the interaction between estrous phases and treatments, thyme, celery, and T×C supplementation revealed an increase (P < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH, and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels compared with the control group during the follicular and luteal phases. Thyme and celery supplementation improved the number of services per conception and fertilization from 1st and 2nd inseminations, respectively. In conclusion, the applied treatment had significant effects on reproductive performance and antioxidant status in ewes throughout the estrous cycle.
Building a Graph Signal Processing Model Using Dynamic Time Warping for Load Disaggregation

Building on recent unsupervised Non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) algorithms that use graph Laplacian regularization (GLR) and achieve state-of-the-art performance, in this paper, we propose a novel unsupervised approach to design an underlying graph to model the correlation within time-series smart meter measurements. We propose a variable-length data segmentation approach to extract potential events, assign all measurements associated with an identified event to each graph node, employ dynamic time warping to define the adjacency matrix of the graph, and propose a robust cluster labeling approach. Our simulation results on four different datasets show up to 10% improvement in classification performance over competing approaches.
Evaluating a Pilot Culturally Sensitive Psychosocial Intervention on Posttraumatic Growth for Chinese American Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract This study investigated the potential benefit of a pilot culturally sensitive group support intervention, named Joy Luck Academy (JLA), in fostering posttraumatic growth among Chinese American breast cancer survivors. Eighty-six Chinese American breast cancer survivors participated in an eight-week single-arm pre-/post-test trial of an intervention program, which included educational lectures and peer mentor support. The JLA participants were compared with an independent sample of 109 Chinese American breast cancer survivors who went through routine care. Both groups completed baseline and eight-week follow-up assessments of the five facets of posttraumatic growth (meaningful interpersonal relationships, finding new possibilities in life, personal strength, appreciation of life, and spirituality). From baseline to follow-up, the JLA participants displayed significant improvements in the total score of posttraumatic growth, meaningful interpersonal relationships, appreciation of life, finding new possibilities in life, and personal strength. In contrast, the routine care participants showed no significant change in any of these outcome variables. The findings suggest the potential benefit of a culturally sensitive group support intervention in facilitating posttraumatic growth for Chinese American breast cancer survivors, indicating the need for a randomized controlled trial. The educational lectures and peer mentor support may be adapted to tailor the needs of other ethnic minority cancer patients.
Pvp : A Critical Review of the Kinetics and Toxicology of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Povidone)

Introduction. Synthesis and Properties of PVP. Movement of Large Molecules Across Membranes-General Considerations. Absorption of PVP by Various Routes of Administration. Excretion and Metabolism of PVP. Distribution and Storage of PVP. Storage of PVP in Humans. Functional Consequences of PVP Uptake by Body Tissues With Particular Reference to the Reticuloendothelial System (RES) and Immune System. Toxicological Studies on PVP. Overall Summary and Conclusions. References. Appendix. Index.
Mechanical testing of glutaraldehyde cross-linked mitral valves. Part one: In vitro mechanical behaviour

The aim of this study was to perform an initial assessment, in vitro, of the feasibility of using a glutaraldehyde cross-linked porcine mitral valve to retain acute functionality, focusing on assessing mitral regurgitation. Six porcine hearts were tested using an in vitro simulator. Testing was repeated following cross-linking of mitral valves; where cross-linking was achieved by placing them in a glutaraldehyde solution. The simulator enabled systolic pressure on the ventricular side of the valve to be mimicked. Following testing, mitral valve leaflets underwent Scanning Electron Microscopy of the ventricular surface of both the anterior and posterior leaflets (1 cm2 samples). The peak pressure withstood by cross-linked valves was significantly lower than for untreated valves (108 mmHg cf. 128 mmHg for untreated valves; p < 0.05). The peak pressure was typically reached 0.5 s later than for the untreated valve. While both cross-linked and untreated valves exhibited endothelium denudation, the unfixed valve had less endothelial loss. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking of porcine mitral valves may be of potential value in assessing improved bioprosthetic mitral valve replacements. However, a more immobile valve exhibiting endothelial denudation (i.e. sclerosis) was a possible concerns identified following in vitro acute assessment.
Virtual reality (VR) informative aids increase residents' atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures-related knowledge and patients' satisfaction.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrythmia and increasing numbers of patients receiving AF ablation nowadays. So, in cardiology division, residents need to familiar with the AF ablation procedure-related knowledge for primary care. This study evaluated the baseline residents and patients self-efficacy to AF ablation procedure-related knowledge, developed the specific virtual reality (VR) informative aids, evaluated the effects of VR training and resident-led VR aids-based patient education on their self-efficacy, in the aspects of familiarity, confidence and anxiety, and satisfaction. METHODS From 2019, April to 2020, April, this 1-year prospective pre- and post-study was undergone in cardiology division. Between 2019, April to 2019, December, the experienced physicians were invited to develop virtual reality (VR) informative aids for AF ablation procedure-related knowledge. Between January 2020 to April 2020, newly developed VR informative aids was implemented in educational program of training rotated residents for giving patient education. RESULTS A total of 20 residents and 32 patients were enrolled. The baseline self-reported self-efficacy and knowledge score were relatively low among rotated residents and their patients. In addition to high level of satisfaction, self-efficacy and knowledge score of residents and their patients were increased after VR aids-based training and resident-led patient education. Higher degree of improvement in self-efficacy was noted among patients with depression/anxiety history than those without history. The follow-up assessments among residents showed that the positive effects of VR aids was sustained until 2 weeks later. CONCLUSION Overall, residents and patients reported that the VR aids increase the effectiveness of patient education, achieve the purpose of a paperless environment, and motivate them to recommend it to others. Implementation of resident-to-patient education have a positive impact on trainees and patients understanding about AF ablation procedures-related knowledge.
Improving the Pedestrian’s Perceptions of Safety on Street Crossings. Psychological and Neurophysiological Effects of Traffic Lanes, Artificial Lighting, and Vegetation

The effect that the physical characteristics of urban design have on the pedestrian’s perceptions of safety is a fundamental aspect of city planning. This is particularly so with street crossings, where the pedestrian has to make a decision. This paper analyses how pedestrians are affected by number of traffic lanes, lighting colour temperature, and nearby vegetation as they cross roads. Perceptions of safety were quantified by means of the psychological and neurophysiological responses of 60 participants to 16 virtual reality scenarios (4 day and 12 night), based on existing urban design variables. The results showed differences between night-time and daytime scenarios, which suggests that there is a need to analyse both situations. As to the design guidelines, it was observed that safety is improved by reducing the number of traffic lanes and nearby vegetation, and by using a lighting colour temperature of 4500 K. However, the analysis of the variables showed that combined effects produce different results to those obtained from the analysis of individual elements. This result is essential information for urban managers in their assessments of whether particular interventions will improve crossing points.
Imagerie Quantitative du Collagène par Génération de Seconde Harmonique

Le collagene est une proteine ubiquitaire qui joue un role central dans l'architecture et la tenue mecanique des tissus conjonctifs et est implique dans de nombreuses pathologies. Synthetise sous forme de triples helices, le collagene s'auto-assemble en fibrilles in vivo et in vitro pour former des reseaux tridimensionnels. La microscopie multiphoton basee sur la generation de seconde harmonique (SHG) est une technique tres specifique, permettant de visualiser, sans marquage, le collagene en profondeur dans des tissus, avec une resolution sub-micrometrique. Ce travail de these vise a developper des approches quantitatives en imagerie SHG du collagene, tant a l'echelle fibrillaire que tissulaire. Nous avons montre que la microscopie SHG permet de sonder la dynamique de formation du reseau collagenique jusqu'a l'echelle d'une fibrille unique. En outre, nous avons caracterise la structuration de gels collageniques controlee par ajout de nanoparticules de silice fonctionnalisees. Nous avons ensuite realise de l'imagerie correlative electronique/SHG sur ces gels pour mesurer la sensibilite de notre microscope et calibrer la reponse d'une fibrille en fonction de son diametre. De plus, nous avons pu evaluer l'hyperpolarisabilite d'une molecule et valider le modele additif utilise pour calculer la reponse d'une fibrille. Enfin, nous avons developpe une analyse d'images specifique permettant de quantifier l'organisation d'un tissu collagenique a l'echelle fibrillaire, dans le but d'explorer la relation fonction/structure d'un tissu. Ceci a ete valide en etudiant la modification des proprietes biomecaniques de souris genetiquement modifiees modele du syndrome d'Ehlers-Danlos.
Evolution of Hominin Detoxification: Neanderthal and Modern Human Ah Receptor Respond Similarly to TCDD

Abstract In studies of hominin adaptations to fire use, the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the evolution of detoxification has been highlighted, including statements that the modern human AHR confers a significantly better capacity to deal with toxic smoke components than the Neanderthal AHR. To evaluate this, we compared the AHR-controlled induction of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA in HeLa human cervix epithelial adenocarcinoma cells transfected with an Altai-Neanderthal or a modern human reference AHR expression construct, and exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). We compared the complete AHR mRNA sequences including the untranslated regions (UTRs), maintaining the original codon usage. We observe no significant difference in CYP1A1 induction by TCDD between Neanderthal and modern human AHR, whereas a 150–1,000 times difference was previously reported in a study of the AHR coding region optimized for mammalian codon usage and expressed in rat cells. Our study exemplifies that expression in a homologous cellular background is of major importance to determine (ancient) protein activity. The Neanderthal and modern human dose–response curves almost coincide, except for a slightly higher extrapolated maximum for the Neanderthal AHR, possibly caused by a 5′-UTR G-variant known from modern humans (rs7796976). Our results are strongly at odds with a major role of the modern human AHR in the evolution of hominin detoxification of smoke components and consistent with our previous study based on 18 relevant genes in addition to AHR, which concluded that efficient detoxification alleles are more dominant in ancient hominins, chimpanzees, and gorillas than in modern humans.
Statistical Considerations for Trials in Adjuvant Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary Improvements in the treatment of patients with cancer largely depend on clinical trials comparing a new intervention with a previous standard of care. This is not different when it comes to improving adjuvant (postoperative) and neoadjuvant (preoperative) treatment for colorectal cancer. In clinical trials, there is usually a close collaboration between physicians and statisticians, and better and more reliable results can be obtained when such trials are designed, conducted and analyzed with attention to some important methodological issues. In this article, we provide a general review of useful methodological and statistical ideas that may help investigators and clinicians in their attempt to improve treatment results in colorectal cancer. Abstract The design of the best possible clinical trials of adjuvant interventions in colorectal cancer will entail the use of both time-tested and novel methods that allow efficient, reliable and patient-relevant therapeutic development. The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to safely and expeditiously bring to clinical practice novel interventions that impact patient lives. In this paper, we discuss statistical aspects and provide suggestions to optimize trial design, data collection, study implementation, and the use of predictive biomarkers and endpoints in phase 3 trials of systemic adjuvant therapy. We also discuss the issues of collaboration and patient centricity, expecting that several novel agents with activity in the (neo)adjuvant therapy of colon and rectal cancers will become available in the near future.
Lean Management and Breakthrough Performance Improvement in Health Care

Background and Objectives: Lean management in health care organizations attempts to empower staff to generate continuous improvement through incremental but regular improvements in work processes. However, because of the increasing pressure on health care organizations to substantially improve quality of care and patient outcomes while containing costs in the relatively short term, many health care leaders are looking for ways to achieve large breakthrough improvements in their organization's performance. The objective of this research is to understand whether and how Lean management can be used to achieve breakthrough improvements in performance. Methods: This study used grounded theory and content analysis of in-depth, semistructured interviews with 10 nationally recognized experts in the use of Lean management in health care organizations. The 10 participants constitute a purposive sample of experts with in-depth understanding of the strengths and limitations of Lean management in health care organizations. Results: Two out of 10 participants defined breakthrough improvement as a major change in a performance metric; 2 participants defined it as a fundamental redesign in a process or service; the remaining 6 participants defined breakthrough improvement as having both these characteristics. The extent to which participants believed Lean was an effective means for achieving breakthrough improvement in performance was related to how they defined breakthrough improvement. The 2 participants who defined breakthrough improvement as a significant change in a performance metric believed Lean methods alone were sufficient. The 2 participants who defined breakthrough improvement to be a fundamental redesign tended not to view Lean alone as an effective approach. Rather, they, and the 6 participants who defined breakthrough improvement as having both change-in-metric and process redesign characteristics, viewed human-centered design thinking as the primary or important complementary approach to achieving breakthrough improvement. Participants identified resources, culture change, and leadership commitment beyond what would be required to achieve incremental improvement as the main facilitators and barriers to achieving breakthrough improvements. Conclusion: This research reveals some differences in experts' definitions of breakthrough improvement, and illuminates the value of human-centered design thinking, alone or as a complement to Lean management, in achieving breakthrough improvement in health care organizations. Most of our expert participants agreed that supplementing Lean management methods with the contributions of innovation design and investing significant resources, strengthening the organizational culture to support the necessary changes, and providing stronger leadership commitment to the effort are important facilitators for achieving breakthroughs in organizational performance.
The Association between Major Dietary Pattern and Low Muscle Mass in Korean Middle-Aged and Elderly Populations: Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Reduced skeletal muscle mass in older populations is independently associated with functional impairment and disability, resulting in increased risk of mortality and various comorbidities. This study aimed to examine the association between major dietary pattern and low muscle mass among Korean middle-aged and elderly populations. A total of 8136 participants aged ≥50 years were included from a cross-sectional study based on the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The following four distinct dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis: “Condiment, vegetables, and meats”; “wheat flour, bread, fruits, milk, and dairy products”; “white rice, fish, and seaweeds”; and “whole grain, bean products, and kimchi”. A higher “white rice, fish, and seaweeds” pattern score was associated with a lower prevalence of low muscle mass in both men and women, whereas a higher “condiment, vegetables, and meats” pattern score was associated with a higher prevalence of low muscle mass in men. A dietary pattern based on white rice, fish, and seaweeds can be helpful in protecting against loss of skeletal muscle mass in Korean middle-aged and elderly populations. Future research is paramount to confirm the causal association between dietary pattern and the risk of low muscle mass.
Enhanced trace element mobilization by Earth’s ice sheets

Significance Trace elements are integral to biogeochemical processes at the Earth’s surface and play an important role in the carbon cycle as micronutrients to support biological productivity. We present data from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to demonstrate the importance of subglacial biogeochemical processes in mobilizing substantial quantities of these elements. Usually immobile elements are found in subglacial meltwaters at elevated concentrations compared with typical rivers, with most exhibiting distinctive size fractionation due to adsorption onto nanoparticles. Our findings suggest that ice sheets need to be included in models of global biogeochemical cycles of trace elements and studies of the fertilization of adjacent marine systems, especially the Southern Ocean, due to large export fluxes of micronutrients, most notably iron. Trace elements sustain biological productivity, yet the significance of trace element mobilization and export in subglacial runoff from ice sheets is poorly constrained at present. Here, we present size-fractionated (0.02, 0.22, and 0.45 µm) concentrations of trace elements in subglacial waters from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) and the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS). Concentrations of immobile trace elements (e.g., Al, Fe, Ti) far exceed global riverine and open ocean mean values and highlight the importance of subglacial aluminosilicate mineral weathering and lack of retention of these species in sediments. Concentrations are higher from the AIS than the GrIS, highlighting the geochemical consequences of prolonged water residence times and hydrological isolation that characterize the former. The enrichment of trace elements (e.g., Co, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in subglacial meltwaters compared with seawater and typical riverine systems, together with the likely sensitivity to future ice sheet melting, suggests that their export in glacial runoff is likely to be important for biological productivity. For example, our dissolved Fe concentration (20,900 nM) and associated flux values (1.4 Gmol y−1) from AIS to the Fe-deplete Southern Ocean exceed most previous estimates by an order of magnitude. The ultimate fate of these micronutrients will depend on the reactivity of the dominant colloidal size fraction (likely controlled by nanoparticulate Al and Fe oxyhydroxide minerals) and estuarine processing. We contend that ice sheets create highly geochemically reactive particulates in subglacial environments, which play a key role in trace elemental cycles, with potentially important consequences for global carbon cycling.
A Comprehensive Study of the Impacts of Oat β-Glucan and Bacterial Curdlan on the Activity of Commercial Starter Culture in Yogurt

This study provides important information about the impacts of various levels of oat (OBG) and bacterial (curdlan) β-glucan and fat contents in milk on survivability and metabolism of yogurt starter cultures. The results show that addition of β-glucans in the concentration higher than 0.25% reduced starter bacterial counts during storage and prolonged the milk acidification process. A significant increase in lactose consumption by starter cultures was noted in the yogurt samples with OBG addition up to 0.75%. The highest (by 567% on average) increase in lactic acid content was noted in the control yogurts. Whereas the lowest (by 351%) increase in lactic acid content was noted in yogurts with OBG. After 28-day storage, the acetic aldehyde content was significantly influenced by fat content, type and addition level of polysaccharide. A higher increase in acetoin content was noted in samples with 0.25% than in samples with 1% of polysaccharides. In turn, significantly lower increases in diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione contents were observed in the yogurt samples with OBG than in these with curdlan, with diacetyl production increase along with the higher concentration of the polysaccharide. The addition of OBG and curdlan to milk contributed to differences in the starter culture metabolism, consequently, in the milk acidification dynamics.