Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Emphysema at Chest CT in GOLD Stage 0 Cigarette Smokers Predicts Disease Progression: Results from the COPDGene Study.

Background The clinical significance of visually evident emphysema on CT images in individuals without spirometric evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by current diagnostic criteria is, to the knowledge of the authors, unknown. Purpose To evaluate whether participants with visually evident emphysema at CT were more likely to have progressive disease and increased mortality at 5 years compared with those without visual emphysema. Materials and Methods This secondary analysis of the prospective Genetic Epidemiology of COPD study evaluated current or former smokers enrolled between 2008 and 2011 who did not meet current criteria for COPD (defined as Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stage 0). Statistical analysis was performed by using linear mixed models to estimate mean physiologic, imaging, and clinical outcomes for those with and without visual emphysema. Hazard ratios for mortality were calculated by using Cox regression models with emphysema as the main predictor. Results Of the 4095 participants, 48.3% (1979 participants; 1096 men and 883 women; mean age, 57 years ± 8 [standard deviation]) had trace or greater visual emphysema at CT and 51.7% (2116 participants; 1068 men and 1048 women; mean age, 56 years ± 8) had no emphysema at CT. At 5 years, participants with visual emphysema at CT demonstrated progressive airflow obstruction with lower values of ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)-to-functional vital capacity (FVC) ratio (-1.7 vs -0.7) and greater progression in quantitative emphysema measured by 15th percentile lung density (-3.3 vs -0.3 HU), adjusted lung density (-3.1 vs -0.2 g/L), and percentage of lung voxels with CT attenuation less than -950 HU (0.17 vs -0.20) than participants without emphysema (P < .001 for each). The rate of quantitative emphysema progression increased with greater grades of emphysema severity within the emphysema group. Conclusion The presence of visual emphysema at CT in current and former Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stage 0 smokers predicted structural and physiologic disease progression. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Grenier in this issue.
Abundance Trends of American Martens in Michigan Based on Statistical Population Reconstruction

ABSTRACT Estimating the dynamics of furbearer populations is challenging because their elusive behavior and low densities make observations difficult. Statistical population reconstruction is a flexible approach to demographic assessment for harvested populations, but the technique has not been applied to furbearers. We extended this approach to furbearers and analyzed 8 yr of age-at-harvest data for American marten (Martes americana) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Marten abundance estimates showed a general downward trend from an estimate of = 1,733.3 ( = 861.3) animals in 2000 to =1,163.9 ( = 520.1) in 2007. The harvest probability of martens increased nearly 5-fold from 0.0542 ( = 0.0250) in 2000 to 0.2637 ( = 0.1154) in 2007, which corresponded to a 5-fold increase in trap-nights. Continued monitoring of martens in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and a reassessment of current harvest regulations are necessary given the estimated decreases. Moreover, we do not encourage the use of harvest indices as the sole technique to assess the status and trends of marten and fisher populations. Auxiliary studies in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, will allow for continued use and improvement in the application of these models.
Vehicular Sensor Networks: Applications, Advances and Challenges

Vehicular sensor networks (VSN) provide a new paradigm for transportation technology and demonstrate massive potential to improve the transportation environment due to the unlimited power supply of the vehicles and resulting minimum energy constraints. This special issue is focused on the recent developments within the vehicular networks and vehicular sensor networks domain. The papers included in this Special Issue (SI) provide useful insights to the implementation, modelling, and integration of novel technologies, including blockchain, named data networking, and 5G, to name a few, within vehicular networks and VSN.
Surveillance for Borrelia spp. in Upland Game Birds in Pennsylvania, USA

The Borrelia genus contains two major clades, the Lyme borreliosis group, which includes the causative agents of Lyme disease/borreliosis (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and other related B. burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies), and the relapsing fever borreliosis group (B. hermsii, B. turicatae, and B. parkeri). Other unclassified reptile- and echidna-associated Borrelia spp. (i.e., B. turcica and ‘Candidatus Borrelia tachyglossi’, respectively) do not belong in either of these two groups. In North America, Borrelia spp. from both of the major clades are important pathogens of veterinary and public health concern. Lyme disease is of particular interest because the incidence in the northeastern United States continues to increase in both dogs and humans. Birds have a potentially important role in the ecology of Borrelia species because they are hosts for numerous tick vectors and competent hosts for various Borrelia spp. Our goal was to investigate the prevalence of Borrelia spp. in four free-living species of upland game birds in Pennsylvania, USA including wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), and American woodcock (Scolopax minor). We tested 205 tissue samples (bone marrow and/or spleen samples) from 169 individuals for Borrelia using a flagellin gene (flab) nested PCR, which amplifies all Borrelia species. We detected Borrelia DNA in 12% (24/205) of samples, the highest prevalence was in wild turkeys (16%; 5/31), followed by ruffed grouse (13%; 16/126) and American woodcock (3%; 1/35). All pheasants (n = 13) were negative. We sequenced amplicons from all positive game birds and all were B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Our results support previous work indicating that certain species of upland game birds are commonly infected with Borrelia species, but unlike previous studies, we did not find any relapsing fever borreliae.
The biology of a new gas-vacuolate cyanobacterium, Dactylococcopsis salina sp. nov., in Solar Lake

Several gas-vacuolate microorganisms have been found in Solar Lake, a stratified heliothermal saline pool in Sinai. The most abundant of these organisms is a new cyanobacterium Dactylococcopsis salina. It has been isolated and grown in a defined culture medium, and its biology has been studied in the lake throughout two annual periods of stratification. The Dactylococcopsis dominated the lake plankton between depths of 1 and 4 m during December 1979 to April 1980 but disappeared during summer holomixis. It reappeared in November and again persisted through to May 1981 but during this second period of stratification it was distributed only in a narrow band around a depth of 1 m. By determining the physical and chemical requirements of Dactylococcopsis in culture it has been possible to explain the changes in its abundance and vertical distribution in the lake, as follows. (i) Salinity provides no barrier to its distribution as it is able to grow over a wider range, 5-20% , than that encountered in the lake. (ii) The cyanobacterium is killed by prolonged exposure to temperatures exceeding 46 °C. This temperature was exceeded at depths below 1.5 m as the lake heated up in April 1980 and at depths below 2 m throughout the November 1980 to May 1981 period of stratification Dactylococcopsis was absent from these layers. (iii) While the Dactylococcopsis is able to photosynthesize under anaerobic conditions in the presence of sulphide, its efficiency is less than 4% of the aerobic rate. Its inability to compete effectively with other photosynthetic microorganisms in the presence of sulphide may explain its absence from depths below 4 m during the winter of 1980. (iv) Dactylococcopsis is able to adapt to very high light intensities. The natural population has a photosynthetic Ik of 900 µE m-2 s-1 and it survives light intensities of 800 µE m-2 s-1 for prolonged periods. However, the combination of even higher intensities and high oxygen concentrations at the lake surface may contribute to its absence there. (v) The absence of Dactylococcopsis from the top 0.7 m of the lake can be explained by grazing pressure from Artemia salina, the brine shrimp. The shrimp effectively filters the cyanobacterium from the epilimnetic water and is able to assimilate it. Artemia is unable to graze the metalimnetic population during stratification because it cannot withstand the elevated temperatures there. (vi) Dactylococcopsis resides in the stratified metalimnion for many months. Losses by sinking, or floating, are minimized by light intensity-regulated buoyancy control in which gas vacuoles provide an essential part.
Methanol Production by “Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum” SolV under Different Growth Conditions

The production of methanol, an important chemical, is completely dependent on natural gas. The current multistep chemical process uses high temperature and pressure to convert methane in natural gas to methanol. In this study, we used the methanotroph “Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum” SolV to achieve continuous methanol production from methane as the substrate. The production rate was highly dependent on the growth rate of this microorganism, and high conversion efficiencies were obtained. Using microorganisms for the production of methanol might enable the use of more sustainable sources of methane, such as biogas, rather than natural gas. ABSTRACT Industrial methanol production converts methane from natural gas into methanol through a multistep chemical process. Biological methane-to-methanol conversion under moderate conditions and using biogas would be more environmentally friendly. Methanotrophs, bacteria that use methane as an energy source, convert methane into methanol in a single step catalyzed by the enzyme methane monooxygenase, but inhibition of methanol dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the subsequent conversion of methanol into formaldehyde, is a major challenge. In this study, we used the thermoacidophilic methanotroph “Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum” SolV for biological methanol production. This bacterium possesses a XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenase that is dependent on rare earth elements for activity. By using a cultivation medium nearly devoid of lanthanides, we reduced methanol dehydrogenase activity and obtained a continuous methanol-producing microbial culture. The methanol production rate and conversion efficiency were growth-rate dependent. A maximal conversion efficiency of 63% mol methanol produced per mol methane consumed was obtained at a relatively high growth rate, with a methanol production rate of 0.88 mmol/g (dry weight)/h. This study demonstrates that methanotrophs can be used for continuous methanol production. Full-scale application will require additional increases in the titer, production rate, and efficiency, which can be achieved by further decreasing the lanthanide concentration through the use of increased biomass concentrations and novel reactor designs to supply sufficient gases, including methane, oxygen, and hydrogen. IMPORTANCE The production of methanol, an important chemical, is completely dependent on natural gas. The current multistep chemical process uses high temperature and pressure to convert methane in natural gas to methanol. In this study, we used the methanotroph “Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum” SolV to achieve continuous methanol production from methane as the substrate. The production rate was highly dependent on the growth rate of this microorganism, and high conversion efficiencies were obtained. Using microorganisms for the production of methanol might enable the use of more sustainable sources of methane, such as biogas, rather than natural gas.
Impaired estrogen signaling underlies regulatory T cell loss-of-function in the chronically inflamed intestine

Significance This study identifies a mechanism by which 17β estradiol (estrogen) contributes to peripheral tolerance via modulation of regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation and function. Our results show that estrogen signaling through the nuclear receptor ERβ is required for TGF-β–dependent differentiation of Tregs, a critical pathway for peripheral Treg differentiation in the gut. Female patients with Crohn’s disease express significantly lower levels of ERβ in peripheral T cells and the intestinal mucosae. Tregs deficient in ERβ express aberrant levels of Tsc22d3 (GILZ), a protein not normally expressed in Tregs and that interferes with functional Treg suppression. Our findings support a pathway by which ERβ-specific signaling normally functions to limit GILZ expression in Tregs, thus maintaining peripheral tolerance in the gut. Signaling of 17β-estradiol (estrogen) through its two nuclear receptors, α and β (ERα, ERβ), is an important mechanism of transcriptional regulation. Although ERs are broadly expressed by cells of the immune system, the mechanisms by which they modulate immune responses remain poorly understood. ERβ-specific signaling is reduced in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease, and our previous work suggests that dysregulation of ERβ-specific signaling contributes to enhanced intestinal inflammation in female SAMP/YitFC mice, a spontaneous model of Crohn’s disease-like ileitis. The present study builds on these prior observations to identify a nonredundant, immunoprotective role for ERβ-specific signaling in TGF-β–dependent regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. Using a strain of congenic SAMP mice engineered to lack global expression of ERβ, we observed dramatic, female-specific exacerbation of intestinal inflammation accompanied by significant reductions in intestinal Treg frequency and function. Impaired Treg suppression in the absence of ERβ was associated with aberrant overexpression of Tsc22d3 (GILZ), a glucocorticoid-responsive transcription factor not normally expressed in mature Tregs, and ex vivo data reveal that forced overexpression of GILZ in mature Tregs inhibits their suppressive function. Collectively, our findings identify a pathway of estrogen-mediated immune regulation in the intestine, whereby homeostatic expression of ERβ normally functions to limit Treg-specific expression of GILZ, thereby maintaining effective immune suppression. Our data suggest that transcriptional cross-talk between glucocorticoid and steroid sex hormone signaling represents an important and understudied regulatory node in chronic inflammatory disease.
An assessment of the developmental potential of embryonic stem cells in the midgestation mouse embryo

Summary Embryonic stem cells (ES) cells were injected into host blastocysts either in groups of 10-15 cells or as single cells in order to test their developmental potential in the developing embryo. The analysis of midgestation chimaeras, by electrophoretic separation of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) isozymes, showed that ES cells were capable of colonizing trophectoderm and primitive endoderm derivatives at a low frequency, as well as producing a high rate of chimaerism in tissues of the fetus and extraembryonic mesoderm.
Causal Attributions for Industrial Accidents: A Culture-Comparative Analysis

Theory and research on causal attribution have primarily focused on Western population samples. Given the important cultural differences that have been noted between Western (individualistic) and Eastern (collectivistic) cultures, l undertook a cross-cultural comparative analysis of causality attributions related to serious accidents between Ghanaian and Finnish industrial workers. The data comprised 529 participants: 73 victims, 65 witnesses, and 71 supervisors from Finland, and 121 victims, 117 witnesses, and 82 supervisors from Ghana. Consistent with my predictions, l found the Ghanaian participants to be more contextual in their causality attributions. Compared to their Finnish counterparts, they externalised their faults and work failures and were rather defensive in their explanations. The discussion is focused on the cultural, cognitive and motivational factors for the divergence causality assignment.
Polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) as a molecular discrimination tool for raw and heat-treated game and domestic animal meats.

Summary Evaluation of two polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods for the identification of different kinds of meat samples was performed. Both PCR methods amplified a region of the gene encoding for the subunit 12S of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA. The first method amplified an approx. 714 bp long DNA fragment. The second PCR-RFLP method was newly developed and it was able to amplify a smaller DNA fragment (around 269 bp). The PCR products of both methods were digested with two different restrictases (AseI and FatI). The two methods allowed a clear discrimination of all 87 meat samples of different animal origin: beef (Bos taurus), goat (Capra hircus), sheep (Ovis aries), pork (Sus scrofa domestica or Sus scrofa fera), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama). The newly developed PCR assay permitted the identification of heat-treated meat samples.
Speed-Dating

Scholars have recently begun to harness the immense power of speed-dating procedures to achieve important and novel insights into the dynamics of romantic attraction. Speed-dating procedures allow researchers to study romantic dynamics dyadically, with regard to potentially meaningful relationships, and with strong external validity. This article highlights the strengths and promise of speed-dating procedures, reviews some of their most exciting contributions to our understanding of the social psyche, and illustrates how scholars can employ speed-dating and its straightforward variants to study topics relevant to diverse subfields of psychological science.
Toward Speech Keyword Accuracy for String Results

— This study solves the accuracy problem of each keyword when training Keyword spotting (KWS) in non-aligned string results. This approach is called Keyword Detection Accuracy (KWA), which has been improved from the Levenshtein Distance algorithm, it is used to evaluate the accuracy of keywords in KWS by measuring the minimum distance between two strings. The main improvement algorithm is to display the status of each keyword in the training phase for predictive and true labels. In this study, the model used for training is LIS-Net, which is used in Speech Command Recognition. The results of the model are significantly improved compared to baseline models, and the results are displayed on graphs that can see the accuracy of each keyword.
Phylogeography of an alpine plant (Bupleurum smithii, Apiaceae) endemic to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions inferred from chloroplast DNA sequence variation

To obtain a better understanding of how Quaternary climatic oscillations influenced range distributions and intraspecific split of alpine plants on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and in adjacent regions, we investigated the extant phylogeographical structure of Bupleurum smithii in this area based on 22 populations and 103 individuals spanning the entire distribution region of this species using chloroplast DNA sequences. Two major haplotype lineages were identified, and at least two corresponding glacial refugia maintaining in the northeastern and eastern edge of the QTP during the Last Glacial Maximum were revealed. Secondary contact between populations and efficient gene flow were also found between two major haplotype lineages. In addition, based on the geographic distribution of haplotypes, we found that populations on the platform derived from individuals that recolonized this area from refugia situated at the northeastern and eastern edges of the QTP, and that B. smithii recolonized from southern to northern China during inter‐ and post‐glacial periods.
Biochemical regulation of isoprene emission

Isoprene (C 5 H 8 ) is emitted from many plants and has a substantial effect on atmospheric chemistry. There are several models to estimate the rate of isoprene emission used to calculate the impact of isoprene on atmospheric processes. The rate of isoprene synthesis will depend either on the activity of isoprene synthase or the availability of its substrate dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP). To investigate long-term regulation of isoprene synthesis, the isoprene emission rate of 15 kudzu leaves was measured. The chloroplast DMAPP level of the five leaves with the highest emission rates and the five leaves with the lowest rates were determined by non-aqueous fractionation of the bulked leaf samples. Leaves with high basal emission rates had low levels of DMAPP whereas leaves with low basal emission rates had high DMAPP levels in their chloroplasts indicating that the activity of isoprene synthase exerts primary control over the basal emission rate. To investigate short-term regulation, isoprene precursors were fed to leaves. Feeding dideuterated deoxyxylulose (DOX-d 2 ) to Eucalyptus leaves resulted in the emission of dideuterated isoprene. Results from DOX-d 2 feeding experiments indicated that control of isoprene emission rate was shared between reactions upstream and downstream of the DOX entry into isoprene metabolism. In CO 2 -free air DOX always increased isoprene emission indicating that carbon availability was an important control factor. In N 2 , isoprene emission stopped and could not be recovered by adding DOX-d 2 . Taken together, these results indicate that the regulation of isoprene emission is shared among several steps and the relative importance of the different steps in controlling isoprene emission varies with conditions.
Effect of leukaemia inhibitory factor and different types of feeder layers on growth and pluripotent nature of embryonic stem cells from in vitro produced goat (Capra hircus) blastocysts

Feeder layer and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) play an important role in maintaining the embryonic stem cells in undifferentiated state and help in their unlimited proliferation. The aim of the present investigation was to see the effect of LIF and different types of feeder layers on growth and pluripotent nature of goat embryonic stem cells. Goat blastocysts were produced in vitro by standard methods of in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) techniques. Inner cell mass (ICM) cells were isolated mechanically and cultured in embryonic stem (ES) cell medium on inactivated feeder layer supplemented with or without LIF. When ICM cells were cultured on goat fibroblast feeder layer in ES cell culture medium supplemented with LIF they maintained undifferentiated state up to 15 passages. The undifferentiated ES cells showed stem cell specific morphological features, normal karyotype and expressed stem cell specific surface markers like alkaline phosphatase,TRI-1-61, TRI-1-81 and intracellular markers Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. It could be concluded that goat embryonic stem cells were successfully cultured on feeder layers which were not of goat origin but to maintain the undifferentiated state for long time was found the best on goat fetal fibroblast with LIF.