Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Desiccation tolerance and cryopreservation of in vitro grown blueberry and cranberry shoot tips.

vitro grown shoot tips of two cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) cultivars, Wilcox (PI 614079) and Franklin (PI 554998) and three blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivars, Berkeley (PI 554883), O'Neal (PI 554944) and Brigitta Blue (PI 618166) from the tissue culture collections of the USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR), Corvallis, were tested for recovery from desiccation and following cryopreservation using three protocols. Cold acclimated, encapsulated and sucrose-pretreated blueberry cultivars were tolerant of desiccation under laminar flow of up to 7h while cranberry cultivars were very sensitive to drying by 3h. Cryopreservation screening followed 2 weeks of alternating-temperature cold acclimation. The three blueberry cultivars cryopreserved with the encapsulation-dehydration technique (ED) produced 83% to 92% regrowth. PVS2 vitrification (VIT) (33% to 87%) and controlled rate cooling (CC) (50% to 67%) were also successful for some blueberries. The cranberry cultivars had poor (5% to 37%) recovery with all three techniques and will require further study to improve recovery after desiccation and cryopreservation.
A hybrid text mining system for chemical entity recognition and classification using dictionary look-up and pattern matching @ BeCalm challenge evaluation workshop

Chemicals as therapeutics and investigational agents receive much att ention in clinical research and applications recently. However, automated appro aches to recognize and categorize the chemical entities in biomedical text are challenging beca use of the wide varieties of morphologies and nomenclature. We present here a hybrid text minin g system that combines chemical lexicon and patterns for recognition/categorization. We applied this approach to identify chemical entities from the patent abstracts of BioCreative V.5 Chemica l Entity Mention Recognition (CEMP) corpus. We also FRPSDUHG WKH K\EULG DSSURDFK ZLWK WKH 3WUDGLWLRQDO ́ lexion-based method, and illustrated that the hybrid approach can achieve enhanced performance (i.e. precision, recall, and F-score) than the lexion-based me thod.
Sporulation of Cyclospora sp. oocysts

Cyclospora sp. oocysts sporulated maximally at 22 and 30 degrees C for 14 days retarded sporulation. Up to 12% of human- and baboon-derived oocysts previously stored at 4 degrees C for 1 to 2 months sporulated when stored for 6 to 7 days at 30 degrees C.
The regulation of presenilin‐1 by nerve growth factor

Presenilin‐1 (PS1) protein concentration is linked to neuronal development and to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, yet little is known about the biological factors and mechanisms that control cellular levels of PS1 protein. As PS1 levels are highest in the developing brain, we tested whether neurotrophin‐induced differentiation influences PS1 expression using neuronotypic pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Treatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) caused ∼ 60–75% increases in the steady‐state levels of endogenous PS1 N‐ and C‐terminal fragments. PS1 protein accumulation was dose‐responsive to NGF and required the presence of the TrkA NGF receptor tyrosine kinase. NGF also induced PS1 fragment accumulation in cultured explants of rat dorsal root ganglia. Quantitative northern blot analysis using PC12 cultures indicated that NGF did not increase steady‐state PS1 mRNA levels. However, pulse‐chase experiments indicated that NGF slowed the degradation rate of endogenous PS1 fragments, increasing the half‐life from t1/2 @22.5 to @25.0 h. This increase in half‐life was insufficient to account for the ∼ 60–75% increase in PS1 fragment levels measured in NGF‐treated cells. Thus, NGF may regulate PS1 protein concentration in NGF‐responsive cells by a complex mechanism that increases PS1 fragment production independent of holoprotein synthesis.
Cognitive rehabilitation in Multiple sclerosis

Cognitive impairments are frequent in Multiple sclerosis (MS). However, most studies about efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation interventions have been criticized in terms of methods and/or design. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in MS patients with a cognitive intervention (ProCogSEP* program), compared to a control intervention (discussion program). Twenty MS patients have completed this simple blind study: 10 patients followed 13 sessions (2 hours) of the ProCog-SEP1 program. Ten other patients followed 13 sessions (2 hours) of a discussion program (Control Group). All patients underwent neuropsychological assessment, before and after their program, in order to evaluate cognitive functions. Two neuropsychologists respectively assessed the patients and conducted the group sessions. Compared to its own baseline, ProCog-SEP Group show improvements in verbal memory [free recall (p = .02), learning (p = .002)], in visual memory [free (p = .05) and delayed recall (p = .007)], in working-memory (p = .03), in verbal fluency (p = .05) and in language (p = .01). Inter group analysis show a benefit of cognitive program mainly in verbal and visual memory, and in verbal fluencies. These results support the interest of a cognitive therapeutic management of MS patients.
A cross-cultural study of adolescents' physical activity levels in France and Spain

Abstract The goals of this study were (1) to describe and compare levels of physical activity (PA), assessed by accelerometry, of adolescents in two close Spanish and French cities according to gender and period of the week and (2) to assess, with reference to country and gender, the extent to which international PA guidelines were fulfilled. The PA of 401 adolescents (53.37% females) from France and Spain (55.72% French) aged 14.45±0.67 years was assessed with GT3X accelerometers for seven consecutive days to evaluate their habitual levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Data collection took place from September to December 2010 in six public and state schools in France and Spain. There were significant differences in MVPA in terms of country, gender and period of the week. Spanish adolescents were more active than French adolescents, boys were more active than girls and MVPA was higher on weekdays than at weekends. French girls showed the lowest level of PA. Only 35.9% of the whole sample met the guidelines for PA in both countries. Governments of relevant countries, especially France, should adopt PA promotion policies targeted at adolescents in order to enhance their compliance with PA guidelines.
A NOVEL β0-THALASSEMIA MUTATION AT CODON 55 (−A) AND A RARE 17 bp DELETION AT CODONS 126–131 IN THE INDIAN POPULATION

A new mutation at codon 55 (−A) and a rare mutation, a 17 bp deletion at codons 126–131, that gives rise to β0-thalassemia, were found in the Indian population by means of direct sequencing of two polymerase chain reaction products generated from a 2.3 kb DNA fragment containing the whole β-globin gene. Each polymerase chain reaction product was sequenced on both strands in a mutation-loading format, showing all nucleotide substitutions or deletions/insertions, including mutations and polymorphisms, in the product. The entire protocol requires four sequencing reactions/gel loadings after two successive polymerase chain reactions, which simplifies the mutation search process and reduces the reading error rate.
Genetic differences between blood- and brain-derived viral sequences from human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients: evidence of conserved elements in the V3 region of the envelope protein of brain-derived sequences

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) sequences were generated from blood and from brain tissue obtained by stereotactic biopsy from six patients undergoing a diagnostic neurosurgical procedure. Proviral DNA was directly amplified by nested PCR, and 8 to 36 clones from each sample were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of intrapatient envelope V3-V5 region HIV-1 DNA sequence sets revealed that brain viral sequences were clustered relative to the blood viral sequences, suggestive of tissue-specific compartmentalization of the virus in four of the six cases. In the other two cases, the blood and brain virus sequences were intermingled in the phylogenetic analyses, suggesting trafficking of virus between the two tissues. Slide-based PCR-driven in situ hybridization of two of the patients' brain biopsy samples confirmed our interpretation of the intrapatient phylogenetic analyses. Interpatient V3 region brain-derived sequence distances were significantly less than blood-derived sequence distances. Relative to the tip of the loop, the set of brain-derived viral sequences had a tendency towards negative or neutral charge compared with the set of blood-derived viral sequences. Entropy calculations were used as a measure of the variability at each position in alignments of blood and brain viral sequences. A relatively conserved set of positions were found, with a significantly lower entropy in the brain-than in the blood-derived viral sequences. These sites constitute a brain "signature pattern," or a noncontiguous set of amino acids in the V3 region conserved in viral sequences derived from brain tissue. This brain-derived signature pattern was also well preserved among isolates previously characterized in vitro as macrophage tropic. Macrophage-monocyte tropism may be the biological constraint that results in the conservation of the viral brain signature pattern.
Multichannel film dosimetry with nonuniformity correction.

PURPOSE A new method to evaluate radiochromic film dosimetry data scanned in multiple color channels is presented. This work was undertaken to demonstrate that the multichannel method is fundamentally superior to the traditional single channel method. The multichannel method allows for the separation and removal of the nondose-dependent portions of a film image leaving a residual image that is dependent only on absorbed dose. METHODS Radiochromic films were exposed to 10 x 10 cm radiation fields (Co-60 and 6 MV) at doses up to about 300 cGy. The films were scanned in red-blue-green (RGB) format on a flatbed color scanner and measured to build calibration tables relating the absorbed dose to the response of the film in each of the color channels. Film images were converted to dose maps using two methods. The first method used the response from a single color channel and the second method used the response from all three color channels. The multichannel method allows for the separation of the scanned signal into one part that is dose-dependent and another part that is dose-independent and enables the correction of a variety of disturbances in the digitized image including nonuniformities in the active coating on the radiochromic film as well as scanner related artifacts. The fundamental mathematics of the two methods is described and the dose maps calculated from film images using the two methods are compared and analyzed. RESULTS The multichannel dosimetry method was shown to be an effective way to separate out non-dose-dependent abnormalities from radiochromic dosimetry film images. The process was shown to remove disturbances in the scanned images caused by nonhomogeneity of the radiochromic film and artifacts caused by the scanner and to improve the integrity of the dose information. Multichannel dosimetry also reduces random noise in the dose images and mitigates scanner-related artifacts such as lateral position dependence. In providing an ability to calculate dose maps from data in all the color channels the multichannel method provides the ability to examine the agreement between the color channels. Furthermore, when using calibration data to convert RGB film images to dose using the new method, poor correspondence between the dose calculations for the three color channels provides an important indication that the this new technique enables easy indication in case the dose and calibration films are curve mismatched. The method permit compensation for thickness nonuniformities in the film, increases the signal to noise level, mitigates the lateral dose-dependency of flatbed scanners effect of the calculated dose map and extends the evaluable dose range to 10 cGy-100 Gy. CONCLUSIONS Multichannel dosimetry with radiochromic film like Gafchromic EBT2 is shown to have significant advantages over single channel dosimetry. It is recommended that the dosimetry protocols described be implemented when using this radiochromic film to ensure the best data integrity and dosimetric accuracy.
[CT-angiography of the carotid artery: First results with a novel 16-slice-spiral-CT scanner].

PURPOSE To evaluate a novel multislice CT system (16-slice-spiral-CT scanner) for the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease of the carotid arteries were examined with a 16- slice-spiral-CT scanner. Collimation was 16 x 0.75 mm, table speed 36 mm/s (pitch of 1.5), rotation time 0.5 s, tube current was 160 eff.mAs at 120 kV. 60 ml of contrast material were injected with a power injector followed by a saline flush. The start delay was measured with test bolus method (20 ml CM). Interactive multiplanar reformation (iMPR) and thin slab MIP as well as volume rendering were used for image evaluation and presentation. RESULTS Scan time was 9 s for a range of 300 mm. This allowed imaging the whole length of the carotid artery (aortic arch to circle of Willis) in a true arterial phase. Pulsation artefacts did not impair the evaluation of the vessels at the level of the aortic arch. Overall image quality of both "source images" and 3D-reconstructions was excellent, due to a reduced voxel size of 0.03 mm (3). Image evaluation and postprocessing (iMPR, MIP) was done within 15 min. iMPR was highly accurate for demonstrating plaque morphology and determining the percentage of the stenosis. CONCLUSION For the first time, true arterial phase images of the entire carotid artery with high spatial resolution could be acquired using a 16-slice-spiral-CT scanner. This method offers the potential to replace catheter angiography in the evaluation of carotid artery stenosis.
Does a Dynamic Test of Phonological Awareness Predict Early Reading Difficulties?

A few studies have indicated that dynamic measures of phonological awareness may contribute uniquely to the prediction of early reading development. However, standard control measures have been few and limited by floor effects, thus limiting their predictive value. The purpose of the present study was to examine the predictive value of a dynamic test of phonological awareness while controlling for both letter knowledge and standard phonological awareness using measures with no floor effect. We administered a dynamic test of phonological awareness along with traditional tests of phonological awareness and letter knowledge to 160 children in the fall of kindergarten. Reading outcomes were studied at three test points: at the end of kindergarten, in the first half of Grade 1, and at the end of Grade 1. The results indicated that the dynamic test of phonological awareness contributed significantly to the prediction of children’s reading development in kindergarten and the first half of Grade 1 after control for static phonological awareness and letter knowledge. However, the unique prediction value of the dynamic test of phonological awareness did not extend to the end of Grade 1.
Beyond Depression: Yearning for the Loss of a Loved One

Studies assessing the impact of relationship quality and social support on marital bereavement have typically focussed on depressive symptoms as the major (and often only) bereavement outcome. Although sadness and depression are important symptoms of grieving, they are neither the only nor necessarily the most important ones. We argue that in addition to measures of depression, grief measures need to be used in assessing bereavement outcome. However, grief measures do not only assess reactions that are specific to bereavement such as yearning, but also general responses that grief shares with other critical life events (e.g., anxiety, shock, anger, intrusive thoughts, and despair). We would expect marital quality to only affect yearning for the loved one who died, but not other more general grief reactions. In contrast, experiencing support from family and friends, though unlikely to reduce yearning, might ameliorate these general grief symptoms as well as depression. Using data on widows from the Changing Lives of Older Couples (CLOC) study, a large-scale prospective study of older couples, we assessed the relationship between marital quality and social support with depression and grief on the death of a spouse. Consistent with hypotheses, social support but not relationship quality was associated with depression and general grief reactions. In contrast, relationship quality but not social support was associated with yearning. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Mechanical Demagnetization at Head Disk Interface of Perpendicular Recording

We investigated the mechanism of nanometer-depth scratches triggering adjacent track interference (ATI) by applying DC erasure magnetic fields to scratch areas in recording media and measuring demagnetization by imaging magnetic bits using magnetic force microscopy. We found that the magnetic coercivity and anisotropy (Ku) of the scratch area is decreased to about half compared to that of a normal area. Section analysis of the recording layer under and along the scratch by transmission electron microscope revealed that the nanometer-depth scratch causes both c-axis tilt and slip of the (0001) plane of the close-packed hexagonal lattice structure of the grains. Micro-magnetic simulation indicated that the c-axis tilt only had a secondary effect on ATI but that the Ku decrease had a significant effect. On the basis of these transmission electron microscope analyses and the micro-magnetic simulation, we then concluded that the slip of crystal plane (0001) reduced Ku by introducing a stacking fault and essentially reduced coercivity, resulting in ATI.
AACN standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments.

In 2001, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) made a commitment to actively promote the creation of healthy work environments that support and foster excellence in patient care wherever acute and critical care nurses practice. This commitment is based on the Association's dedication to optimal patient care and the recognition that the deepening nurse shortage cannot be reversed without healthy work environments that support excellence in nursing practice. There is mounting evidence that unhealthy work environments contribute to medical errors, ineffective delivery of care, and conflict and stress among health professionals. Negative, demoralizing and unsafe conditions in workplaces cannot be allowed to continue. The creation of healthy work environments is imperative to ensure patient safety, enhance staff recruitment and retention, and maintain an organization's financial viability. AACN is strategically committed to bringing its influence and resources to bear on creating work and care environments that are safe, healing, humane and respectful of the rights, responsibilities, needs and contributions of all people–including patients, their families and nurses. Six standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments have been identified. Putting forth these six essential standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments is an important step in meeting our commitment. The standards uniquely identify systemic behaviors that are often discounted, despite growing evidence that they contribute to creating unsafe conditions and obstruct the ability of individuals and organizations to achieve excellence. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recognizes the inextricable links among quality of the work environment, excellent nursing practice and patient care outcomes. The standards represent evidence-based and relationship-centered principles of professional performance. Each standard is considered essential since studies show that effective and sustainable outcomes do not emerge when any standard is considered optional.
A Cycle of Violence? Examining Family-of-Origin Violence, Attitudes, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

Exposure to violence in the family-of-origin has consistently been linked to intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in adulthood. However, whether the transmission of violence across generations is role- and gender-specific still remains unclear. The current study examined the effects of experiencing child abuse and observing parental violence on IPV perpetration among a sample of male arrestees (N = 303). The differential effects of observing violence perpetrated by same-sex (father to mother), opposite-sex (mother to father), and both parents on subsequent IPV perpetration were examined. Logistic regression analyses showed that while observing father-only violence and bidirectional interparental violence was predictive of IPV perpetration, observing mother-only violence and direct experiences of child abuse was not. These findings suggest that the transmission of violence across generations is both role- and gender-specific and highlight the importance of examining unique dimensions of partner violence to assess influences on children. The study further examined whether attitudes justifying wife beating mediate the effect of exposure to violence and subsequent IPV perpetration. Results showed that although attitudes were predictive of perpetration, these attitudes did not mediate the relationship.
Ventricular fibrillation detection using a leakage/complexity measure method

This paper presents a new method for detecting Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) based on a two step processing. The first one, based on the published VF Filter Leakage Method, consists in sampling data from the ECG and filtering it so that the more the signal resembles a sinusoidal wave, the lower the filter's output value will be. This idea comes from the VF wave inspection which shows that it has some sinusoidal characteristics. In order to avoid false positive occurrences due to Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) episodes (which are sinusoidal as well), a second step, based on the Complexity Measure algorithm, was used consisting in generating a binary sequence by comparison between the sampled data and an adjustable threshold, and then, using this sequence to calculate the signal's disorder level. The achieved sensitivity for the VF algorithm was 70.32% and its predictivity was 94.66%.
Full-Duplex Decode-and-Forward Relaying with Limited Self-Interference Cancellation

—In this paper we address the transmit strategy design for a full-duplex (FD) one-way relaying system which operates in decode-and-forward (DF) mode. Our study starts with deﬁning a system model which encompasses the limits of a FD system to overcome its own loopback self-interference. Afterwards we present a design strategy for the deﬁned system focusing on the case with availability of the perfect channel state information (CSI) at all nodes. Furthermore, we generalize our solution to the case with erroneous CSI following the max-min design approach. In the end the proposed methods are evaluated via numerical simulations and the destructive effect of CSI error in the loopback channel is observed