Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medical Imaging Technology Innovations to Minimize the Safety Risks of Angiography for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Author(s): Keselman, Paul | Advisor(s): Conolly, Steven M | Abstract: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. CVD iscaused by a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels of the heart and brain. CVD is comorbidwith Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), which is a buildup of plaque in the extremitiesand organs below the stomach. Medical imaging is a clinically indispensable tool for diagnosing CVD and PVD, as well as guiding real-time interventional procedures. Currently,the two main procedures for diagnosing CVD and PVD are X-Ray and CT angiography,both of which rely on injection of iodinated contrast agents. However, about 25% of patientundergoing these procedures suer from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). For this patientsubpopulation, iodinated contrast agents are risky and can lead to complete kidney failure.Physicians risk damaging patients' kidneys in order to alleviate the more imminent threat ofdeath from a heart attack. Hence, an open challenge remains to develop a safer diagnosticangiography method that could match current methods in resolution, contrast, and speed.Here we introduce and develop two new imaging methods for imaging patients with CKD.The rst method is MR Saline Angiography, an alternative Magnetic Resonance (MR) basedangiographic method for coronary imaging. In combination with the inherent resolution andspeed of traditional MR methods, MR Saline Angiography has the advantage of utilizingsaline as a safe contrast agent. This approach is an improvement upon the commonly usedGadolinium-based contrast agent that is also toxic to patients with CKD. Using a novelelectromagnetically shielded catheter and a tailored pulse sequence, we have demonstratedthat MR Saline Angiography is a feasible alternative for imaging coronary arteries. The second method is Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), a tracer imaging modality, which imagesSuperparamagnetic Iron Oxide nanoparticles. MPI is an emerging imaging technique withpossible applications in angiography as well as targeted and non-targeted tumor imaging,hyperthermia, perufsion, cell tracking and targeted drug delivery. Here we study the feasibilityof MPI as an angiographic imaging method by looking at short-term biodistributionand long-term iron clearance for two most common MPI tracers.
SCALE DEPENDENCE OF EMIGRATION RATES

In this paper, we examine how per capita emigration rates vary with patch size. Analyses of analytic diffusion models and lattice simulations show that the scale dependence of emigration rates is expected to differ between small and large patches. In large patches, per capita emigration rate (E) is given by E = kA−β. A is the area, k is a constant, and β, which describes the strength of the scale dependence, is given by β = 1−d/2, where d is the fractal dimension of the patch boundary. In small patches, the scale dependence is predicted to level off, and the value of the scaling coefficient (β) is influenced by details about how movement behaviors and mortality rates vary across patch boundaries. However, much of this variation can be explained as effects on the magnitude of per capita emigration rates. Analyses of published empirical studies of the scale dependence of emigration in terrestrial insects show that observed scaling coefficients are within the expected range (0 < β < 0.5), and that scaling coefficients decrease with decreasing scale. Moreover, we find that the fractal dimension of patch boundaries and the magnitude of emigration explain much of the observed variation between different patch networks, species, years, and sexes.
Cytokinin-cytokinin interaction ameliorates the callus induction and plant regeneration of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

The present study was carried out for developing an efficient in vitro callus induction and plant regeneration system in four different tomato genotypes (Solanum lycopersicum Mill., previous name: Lycopersicon esculentum), Advantage II, Edkawy, Castle Rock and Super Strain B, using hypocotyl and cotyledon explants. The effects of two cytokinins, BA (benzyl adenine) and Kin (kinetin), on callus induction and plant regeneration frequency were investigated when added to MS medium in combination at varying concentrations. All concentrations of the two cytokinins were suitable for callus induction and plant regeneration. The frequency of callus induction and plant regeneration from both cotyledon and hypocotyl explants reached 100% for all tested genotypes. Cotyledons produced a higher average number of shoots per explants than hypocotyls for all the genotypes in the five concentrations of combined cytokinins. The average number of shoots per explant in Super Strain B was found to be the highest (42 and 60 for.
GENETIC STUDY OF THE RESISTANCE OF COFFEA SPP. TO LEAF RUST: I. IDENTIFICATION AND BEHAVIOR OF FOUR FACTORS CONDITIONING DISEASE REACTION IN COFFEA ARABICA TO TWELVE PHYSIOLOGIC RACES OF HEMILEIA VASTATRIX

The identification of four different and dominant genes conditioning the resistance reaction of Coffea arabica to Hemileia vastatrix has enabled us, following Person's method of analysis, to apply Flor's theory to this host–parasite system as well as to infer the genotypes of each of the twelve physiologic races used in this work, and predict the likely occurrence of four rust races which are not yet known.These data, together with the knowledge of the geographical distribution of the rust races, provide the basis of a coffee breeding program which is designed to improve resistance to H. vastatrix.
Senescence and Receptivity of Maize Silks

Ears of maize (Zea mays L.) fail to produce kernels if pollination is delayed more than a few days after silks emerge. Reproductive failure in aging flowers could be due to loss of silk receptivity to pollen. To test this possibility, we examined the capacity of silks to support pollen germination, tube growth, and the passage of tube to the ovary as flowers aged. Plants were grown in the greenhouse and silks were pollinated by hand up to 14 d after emergence from the husks (.)
Comparative biometry and isotopy of three dominant pennatulacean corals in the Northwest Atlantic

Spatial and temporal shifts in biometric features were examined in three common deep-water pennatulacean corals (sea pens) from the Northwest Atlantic: Anthoptilum grandiflorum, Halipteris finmarchica and Pennatula aculeata. These three species show different morphological characters and adaptations to their environment. Analyses of colony length, ratio of peduncle to colony length, weight/length ratio, polyp size and density as well as sclerite shape, location and abundance indicate that their phenotype is modulated by environmental factors (e.g. food availability, currents and sediment type) and antipredator strategies. Moreover, the three species had different carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures that could be explain primarily by their different polyp diameters and colony shapes, suggesting that they rely on slightly different food sources (varying proportions of phytodetritus and zooplankton). Finally, sclerites were found only in H. finmarchica and P. aculeata and are not known to occur in A. grandiflorum, except for minute oval bodies inside the peduncle. The Mg/Ca ratio of sclerites differed between the two species and, for P. aculeata, among types of sclerites, evoking different biomineralization pathways related to their functional roles (structural support or defence). Overall, this study provides new information on the ecology of poorly known species, which are ubiquitous and suspected to play an important ecological role in deep-water ecosystems.
Rules relating hepatotoxicity with structural attributes of drugs

The relationship between molecular structures of drugs and their hepatotoxicity was studied by characterizing their structure in a new way and using formal concept analysis, a mathematical technique to condense knowledge into particular rules, which does not imply linearly assumptions as many conventional statistical techniques. The structural characterization was based on molecular descriptors and molecular frameworks, further decomposed into structural elements, rings, and bridges. The methodology was applied to drugs in the liver toxicity knowledge base database with the potential to cause drug-induced liver injury. Numbers of atoms and bonds along with the aromatic ratio were suitable descriptors for such drugs. The higher the number of rings and asymmetric structural elements in their terminal ring systems, the higher is the probability of hepatotoxicity. Rules were found which may help to design drugs which are unlikely to be hepatotoxic.
Comparison of Experienced and Inexperienced Consumers’ Utilisation of Extrinsic Cues in Product Evaluation

This study compares experienced and inexperienced consumers’ patterns in cue utilisation in product evaluations in the arts market. Borrowing the notion of high- and low-scope cues introduced by the cue-diagnosticity framework, we differentiate between the two most readily discernible extrinsic cues in the fine arts market – an art gallery’s brand reputation (a high-scope cue) and certificates of authenticity (a low-scope cue). These two cues are different in nature; the former is more abstract, intangible, and rich in content, so is more difficult to interpret than the latter. Given the differences in experienced and inexperienced consumers’ information processing styles, we hypothesise that experienced arts consumers form perceived credibility of and purchase intentions towards artworks based on high-scope cues, whereas inexperienced consumers do so based on low-scope cues. To test our hypothesis, we conducted a consumer intercept study at Korea’s two most representative art fairs. The survey participants were categorised into either experienced or inexperienced consumers based on their prior purchase experience, and their responses to a set of attribute combinations about two artworks created by the same artist were collected. The results indicate that experienced participants show higher purchase intentions when an art gallery’s reputation is very high, whereas inexperienced participants show higher purchase intentions when artworks are accompanied by certificates of authenticity. This congruency effect between prior experience and cue type is mediated by the perceived credibility of the artworks. The findings suggest a correspondence between a consumer’s prior experience and the types of extrinsic cues that are important in product evaluations. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt ever to investigate the role of prior experience in determining when to use high- or low-scope cues. It also provides a useful frame of reference to advise marketers on the effective sales approach based on a client’s prior purchase experience.
Two new species of the oribatid mite subgenus Phyllolohmannia (Oribatida: Lohmanniidae: Mixacarus) from Thailand

ABSTRACT Two new species of oribatid mite subgenus Phyllolohmannia of Mixacarus (Acari: Oribatida: Lohmanniidae), Mixacarus (Phyllolohmannia) tenasserimensis n. sp. and Mixacarus (P.) variata n. sp. , are described and illustrated from Thailand based on adult and immature instars collected from the leaf-litter of dry evergreen forests. An identification key to six recognized species of the subgenus Phyllolohmannia is also presented.
A microplate technique to quantify nutrients (NO2−, NO3−, NH4+ and PO43−) in seawater

Many methods to measure nutrients (NO2−, NO3−, NH4+, and PO43−) in water are based on the formation of coloured complexes that are measured by spectrophotometry, frequently using large-volume (10 mL) spectrophotometer cells. Miniaturization of the techniques using microplate readers and sample volumes as small as 250 μL is an affordable alternative for these determinations. This work describes the adaptation to microtechniques using a 96-well microplate to measure nitrogen compounds and phosphate in seawater. They can be used as an inexpensive procedure for routine monitoring in aquaculture ponds because of the smaller sample, reagent requirements, and suitable ranges.
A taxonomic revision of the family Haplotaxidae (Oligochaeta)

The family Haplotaxidae is re-defined and the genera Pelodrilus, Heterochaetella and Adenodrilus are merged in the single genus Haplotaxis. Haplotaxis dubius and Haplotaxis ascaridoides are recognized as subspecies of Haplotaxis gordioides, and H. forbesi is regarded as synonymous with H. gordioides following a re-examination of the type material. The absence of the gizzard in H. smithii is reported for the first time, and the presence of both pairs of male pores in the same segment in H. violaceus is confirmed, the type material of both species having been examined. Pelodrilus monticola, P. tuberculatus and P. darlingensis are merged in Haplotaxis africanus (n. comb.), Pelodrilus aucklandicus is recognized as a synonym of H. hologynus hologynus (n. comb.), but P. bipapillatus is recognized as a subspecies of hologynus.
Development of a technique for assessing veld condition in the Kruger National Park using key grass species

A technique based on key grass species was developed for assessing veld condition in the Kruger National Park in terms of its potential to produce grass forage for consumption by herbivores and fine fuels for veld burning. Fourteen grass species were selected out of a total of 93 species. Forbs were treated as a single separate category. The key species included at least two species from the decreaser and increaser categories. Multiple regression models were developed using these species which are able to estimate accurately the forage and fuel potential of the veld and also indicate trends in the condition of the grass sward.
Contrasting effects of protection from harvesting in populations of two limpet species in a recently established marine protected area

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of protection from extractive activities on the population structure of two limpets of commercial interest, Patella ulyssiponensis and Patella candei crenata . We evaluated the status of these populations in La Palma Marine Protected Area (MPA), Canary Islands, and in comparable unprotected areas in the lower intertidal zone of the same island. We showed that the density of P. ulyssiponensis depended greatly on the level of protection, whereas the effects of protection on the density of P. candei crenata were less clear and only differences between sites were found. These results are probably linked to the different habitat affinities of the two species studied and demonstrate the need to tailor conservation strategies in MPAs to individual species for appropriate management of local shellfish resources.
New Record and Southern Range Extension for the Mearn's Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys arenicola Mearns,1896) in Veracruz, Mexico

ABSTRACT. Mearn's grasshopper mouse (Onychomys arenicola) in Mexico is found primarily in the central and northern states. This is the first report of the genus Onychomys in the state of Veracruz, based on 7 captured specimens (3 collected). This finding extends the species' known distribution by approximately 470 km east-southeast. In addition, this record increases the alpha diversity of terrestrial mammals for the state of Veracruz to 192 species.
Regnellidium (Salviniales, Marsileaceae) Macrofossils and Associated Spores from the Late Cretaceous of South America

Premise of research. Fossils representing aquatic ferns with clear affinities to extant Regnellidium (Salviniales, Marsileaceae) are reported for the first time from Upper Cretaceous sediments of the La Colonia Formation, Chubut Province, Argentina. Methodology. Preserved organs including rhizomes bearing roots, compound leaves, and associated putative sporocarps were collected from the Cerro Bosta and Quebrada del Helecho localities of the La Colonia Formation. Spores were macerated for the macrofossil-bearing sediments of the Cerro Bosta locality and examined with SEM. Pivotal results. The macrofossils are morphologically similar to extant Regnellidium diphyllum. The fossil plants are rhizomatous, with the rhizomes bearing roots and leaves with two leaflets. The leaflets have dichotomizing venation and a marginal vein. Associated megaspores attributed to Molaspora lobata and microspores of the Crybeloporites type are also comparable to those of extant Regnellidium. Conclusions. These fossils represent the first report of Regnellidium-like macrofossils and the widespread Cretaceous megaspore taxon Molaspora from South America. Their presence in the La Colonia Formation suggests that Regnellidium may have been present on the continent continuously for more than 65 million years, although Cenozoic reports are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
Two‐stage Nested PCR Effectiveness for Direct Detection of Vibrio vulnificus in Natural Samples

ABSTRCT The nested primers designed to amplify a 222-base pair portion of the hemolysin gene, vvhA, were specific for all V. vulnificus strains tested. The nested PCR amplification, coupled with direct extraction of template DNA, revealed improved sensitivity sufficient for detection of 1 to 10 CFU V. vulnificus in 1 mL of seafood homogenates, and eliminated the need for enrichment culturing. Thereby, the nested PCR method achieved a broader applicability, making it effective for extensive use in identification of the pathogen in natural samples such as raw seafoods, seawater and sediments.
Experimental Designs for Estimating Transient Responses to Management Disturbances

Simple experimental designs invoking treated and control areas, with all treatments initiated at the same time, should not be used to assess transient responses to management actions or environmental disturbances. Such designs will not properly control for "time–treatment" interactions, involving differential responses of treated areas to nonrandom trends in the experimental environment. For example, survival trends for hatchery salmon stocks cannot be simply compared with survival trends in wild stocks, since the hatchery stocks may be more susceptible to changes in environmental factors such as ocean temperature. To control for such time–treatment interactions, it is suggested to use a "staircase" experimental design in which treatment is initiated at different times on the treated areas. Computation of the average transient and interaction response parameters for such designs, while correcting for temporal trends and inherent differences among areas, can be done using general linear models. The optimum.
Ultrastructural and biochemical aspects of digestion in the imagoes of the fly Rhynchosciara americana

The midgut of adult Rhynchosciara americana Wiedemann (Diptera: Sciaridae) displays, in contrast to the midguts of other adult Diptera, two caeca connected to a ventriculus. All midgut cells exhibit long apical microvilli, and narrow and ramified basal channels with openings to the underlying space. These morphological features are thought to be involved in the absorption of nutrients from food. Enzymatic assays in R. americana adults revealed that amylase occurs in salivary glands and midgut, whereas aminopeptidase, α‐glucosidases and trypsin occur only in the midgut, mainly in the ventriculus. There is a soluble (Mr 105000) and a membrane‐bound aminopeptidase (solubilized form, Mr 110000). Soluble α‐glucosidase inactivates easily and could not be characterized, whereas membrane‐bound α‐glucosidases were resolved after solubilization into three molecular species (Mr 186000, 105000 and 84000) with different substrate specificities. The activities of trypsin (pH optimum 9.0), which was inhibited completely by soybean trypsin inhibitor, and of amylase (pH optimum 5.5), were not sufficiently high to be further characterized. The data support the assertion that R. americana adults are able, to a limited extent, to digest and absorb starch and proteins, in addition to nectar sugars. The results, supported by published data, suggest that there is an inverse correlation between the digestive enzyme activities and midgut absorptive surface in insects which has nectar as a major food.
Inter-sexual differences in New Zealand fur seal diving behaviour

We studied the diving behaviour of adult male and lactating female New Zealand fur seals Arctocephalus forsteri to determine inter-sexual differences in their foraging strategies. Adult male fur seals are significantly longer and heavier than lactating females. Lactating females are central place foragers that regularly provision dependent pups, and consequently females con- ducted shorter duration foraging trips (5.0 ± 3.7 d) compared to the relatively unconstrained adult males (9.0 ± 3.9 d). Male trip durations were not correlated to variables that measured individuals' dive effort. In lactating females, foraging trip duration was significantly, positively correlated to the number of dives h -1 and negatively correlated with the mean dive duration at night. This indicates that females on longer trips invested relatively more time searching for prey patches, which they utilised on relatively short duration dives. Males and females typically dived at night and appeared to utilise both pelagic and benthic habitats. Males dived deeper (max = 380+ m, mean = 52.1 ± 59.3 m) and for longer (max = 14.8 min, mean = 3.6 ± 2.5 min) than females (max = 312 m and 9.3 min, mean = 41.5 ± 26.8 m and 2.7 ± 1.3 min). Inter-sexual foraging competition is likely to be minimal in this species, because females typically utilised continental shelf waters and males foraged in deeper waters over the continental shelf break, beyond female foraging grounds. Inter-sexual differences in fur seal diving behaviour most likely result from sexual dimorphism, which places different physiological constraints on the diving performance of males and females.
Response of different benthic habitats to off-shore fish cages

Off-shore fish farming can increase the organic load of nearby coastal marine ecosystems due to the deposition of fish food and faeces on seabeds. Seagrass meadows are particularly affected by aquaculture activities but there are few empirical data showing differential effects of the same farming activity on multiple habitat types. Here, we assessed over a 2-year period whether macrofaunal assemblages inhabiting sandy bare seabeds and Cymodocea nodosa meadows varied in their macrofaunal community structure to the fish farming activities. We observed high spatial and temporal variability in macrofauna composition and dynamics among seabed habitats and a limited impact of fish cages in their area of influence as compared with control areas. Seagrass meadows showed a higher abundance in macrofauna communities than sandy bare bottoms. Local marine currents could partially explain some results because of their influence on grain size composition. Differences in grain size resulted in higher abundances of the tanaid Apseudes talpa beneath fish cages and the absence of the sensitive amphipod Ampelisca brevicornis. Differences of resilience of seabeds (seagrass meadows and sandy bare bottoms) should be taken into account for environmental monitoring studies of off-shore fish cages. Our results suggest that hydrodynamics are a key factor to determine buffer areas between fish cages and seagrass meadows.