Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishment of an Efficient Genetic Transformation System in Sanghuangporus baumii

(1) Background: Sanghuangporus baumii, a valuable medicinal fungus, has limited studies on its gene function due to the lack of a genetic transformation system. (2) Methods: This study aimed to establish an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system for S. baumii. This study involved cloning the promoter (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, gpd) of S. baumii, reconstructing the transformation vector, optimizing the treatment of receptor tissues, and inventing a new method for screening positive transformants. (3) Results: The established ATMT system involved replacing the CaMV35S promoter of pCAMBIA-1301 with the gpd promoter of S. baumii to construct the pCAMBIA-SH-gpd transformation vector. The vectors were then transferred to A. tumefaciens (EHA105) for infection. This study found that the transformation efficiency was higher in the infection using pCAMBIA-SH-gpd vectors than using pCAMBIA-1301 vectors. The mycelia of S. baumii were homogenized for 20 s and collected as the genetic transformation receptor. After 20 min of co-culture and 48 h of incubation in 15 mL PDL medium at 25 °C, new colonies grew. (4) Conclusions: These colonies were transferred to PDA medium (hygromycin 4 μg/mL, cefotaxime 300 μg/mL), and the transformation efficiency was determined to be 33.7% using PCR.
Navigating Congenital Nasal Obstruction: A Contemporary Surgical Paradigm

An uncommon form of nasal airway obstruction in a newborn with respiratory distress manifestations that needs prompt surgical correction when medical therapy cannot address the problem adequately. In this case study, two newborns were diagnosed with congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) following a CT paranasal sinuses when the infant demonstrated persistent symptoms of upper airway obstruction. The narrowing of the nasal pyriform aperture, with a mean width of 0.65 cm in these newborns, was insufficient to allow breathing through the nostrils. Bedsides flexible endoscopy examinations revealed laryngomalacia in both of these infants. A supraglottoplasty, surgical nasal dilation, and stenting were performed without requiring a sublabial drill out of the pyriform aperture, allowing total resolution of the initial respiratory symptoms. Thus, a successful nasal enlargement was accomplished. During the post-operative follow-up period, no incurrences were observed. Both patients with CNPAS were successfully treated with nasal dilatation and nasal stenting instead of the traditional pyriform aperture bone removal by a sublabial approach. Despite being a small series, it demonstrates that nasal dilatation and stenting may be considered an alternate procedure in selective CNPAS cases because it lowers the risk of open surgery and presumably offers an effective management option.
A Novel Drosophila Model of Alzheimer’s Disease to Study Aβ Proteotoxicity in the Digestive Tract

Amyloid-β (Aβ) proteotoxicity is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and is caused by protein aggregation, resulting in neuronal damage in the brain. In the search for novel treatments, Drosophila melanogaster has been extensively used to screen for anti-Aβ proteotoxic agents in studies where toxic Aβ peptides are expressed in the fly brain. Since drug molecules often are administered orally there is a risk that they fail to reach the brain, due to their inability to cross the brain barrier. To circumvent this problem, we have designed a novel Drosophila model that expresses the Aβ peptides in the digestive tract. In addition, a built-in apoptotic sensor provides a fluorescent signal from the green fluorescent protein as a response to caspase activity. We found that expressing different variants of Aβ1–42 resulted in proteotoxic phenotypes such as reduced longevity, aggregate deposition, and the presence of apoptotic cells. Taken together, this gut-based Aβ-expressing fly model can be used to study the mechanisms behind Aβ proteotoxicity and to identify different substances that can modify Aβ proteotoxicity.
Empowering marginalised groups through co-operative inquiry: Illustrated by a practical example

Background Cooperative inquiry gives a voice to marginalised groups and breaks down power imbalances which makes it suitable for researching practical issues at community level. Objectives The objective of this article is to illustrate how cooperative inquiry can be utilised to empower members of marginalised communities in facilitating social change. Method The study setting is in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa. A cooperative inquiry methodology was used. The inquiry group consisted of wheelchair users (9), their care givers (8), taxi drivers (7) and stakeholders (4). Data collection comprised 16 sessions, alternating between action and reflection. Inductive thematic analysis of data of all the phases was done to ensure that cooperative inquiry gives voice to marginalised communities. Results The four themes that is, practical arrangements, understanding process, purpose, bonding and a cohesive group were identified. The themes showed progress from logistics, through individual understanding, to the group becoming one, and working together. Each of these phases is important in the development of a cooperative inquiry. Conclusion Cooperative inquiry methodology can bring people together in a positive way to facilitate social change, and developing practical solutions to challenges. Contribution Making use of a cooperative inquiry methodology to bring social change, minibus taxi services can be made accessible for wheelchair users. Concepts of social justice and decolonisation were imbued in the methodology.
Worker-recuperated enterprises in Argentina : A comparative case study of two print shops in Buenos Aires

III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . V CONTENTS . VII LIST OF FIGURES. IX LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . X CLARIFICATION OF CONCEPTS AND FORMALITIES . XI 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 A REAL ALTERNATIVE? 3 1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS. 5 1.3 THE STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS . 7 2.0 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK. 9 2.1 DEFINING THE RECUPERATED ENTERPRISES. 9 2.2 EXISTING LITERATURE ON THE ERTS . 9 2.2.1 The ERTs as subjective experiences.10 2.2.2 The origin.10 2.2.3 Re-interpretations of the ERTs.12 2.3 EXIT NEO-LIBERALISM . 13 2.4 VIABLE SURVIVAL STRATEGIES . 15 2.5 SUBJECTIVITY AND POLITICAL IDENTITY . 16 2.5. 1 The notion of work . 18 2.5. 2 Cooperativism . 18 2.5. 3 Self-management.20 3.0 METHODOLOGY . 22 3.1 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE.22 3.2 PREPARING FOR FIELDWORK.23 3.3 FORMULATING THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS . 25 3.4 COLLECTING DATA . 26 3.4.1 Interviews.27 3.4.2 Participant observation.31 3.4.3 Reflections on my role in the field.33 3.4.4 Written/ printed sources.34 3.5 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS.35 3.5. 1 Informed consent/ Anonymity.35 3.6 PRODUCING DATA . 37 3.6. 1 Transcription, Interpreting and Categorising.37 3.6. 2 Validity and Reliability . 38 3.7 LIMITATIONS . 40 4.0 AN INTELLECTUAL LABORATORY . 42 4.1 ANARCHISM.43 4.2 PERONISM.49 4.3 NEO-LIBERALISM.52 4.3.1 Consequences of neo-liberalism on the working class.53 4.4 “A MORE VIGILANT CIVIL SOCIETY”. 55 4.5 CHAPTER SUMMARY.56
Older Adults’ Experiences of Using Strategies to Maintain and Foster Social Participation: A Systematic Review with Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies

Social participation is positively associated with older adults’ health. Health-care services, therefore, need to empower older adults to adapt to the social changes that accompany aging. This systematic review, with a metasynthesis of qualitative studies, aimed to describe and develop an understanding of home-dwelling older adults’ (65 yrs+) experiences of using strategies to maintain and foster their social participation. The main search was performed in March 2022 using the PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and AMED databases and included peer-reviewed articles published between 2012 and 2022. A total of 35 full-text articles from 15 different countries were included and assessed for quality by the assessment tool for qualitative studies provided by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). The metasynthesis resulted in the main theme: strategically creating routines that foster social participation and two main categories: inward-looking strategies for social participation and outward-looking strategies for social participation. Each main category contained three subcategories. The findings suggest that for perceiving social participation, it is important for older adults to create routines with patterns of activities and to be able to engage in these activities. The findings further reflect that older adults use earlier experiences of social participation to facilitate the making of routines. This indicates that health-care interventions supporting older adults’ social participation must be applied early and with a health-promotive focus. Conclusively, researchers need to develop interventions that support older adults in healthy activity patterns by raising awareness of how to use inward-looking and outward-looking strategies to create routines for social participation. The findings further suggest that older adults’ possibilities for social participation could be supported by designing accessible venues that facilitate spontaneous meetings and encourage older adults’ own choices and initiatives for social participation.
Presence and Onset of Chronic Kidney Disease as a Factor Involved in the Poor Prognosis of Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, and all-cause death. However, few studies have examined the association between CKD and the prognosis of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). We collected ET patients who met the WHO classification 2017 and performed a retrospective clinical study to clarify the association between the presence and onset of CKD and prognosis. Of 73 patients who met the diagnostic criteria, 21 (28.8%) had CKD at the time of ET diagnosis. The age of patients with CKD was significantly higher, and a high proportion of these patients had the JAK2V617F gene mutation. The presence of CKD was a risk factor for the prognosis (hazard ratio (HR): 3.750, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.196–11.760, P=0.023), and the survival curve was significantly poorer. Furthermore, we analyzed patients without CKD at the time of ET diagnosis using the onset of CKD as a time-dependent variable and identified the onset of CKD as a risk factor for the prognosis (HR: 9.155, 95% CI: 1.542–54.370, P=0.005). In patients with renal hypofunction at the time of ET diagnosis or those with a reduction in the kidney function during follow-up, strict renal function monitoring at regular intervals is necessary.
Pengaruh Green Marketing Mix Terhadap Brand Image The Body Shop Pada Store Festival Citylink Bandung

Akhir-akhir ini kesadaran masyarakat terhadap lingkungan hidup mulai meningkat setelah melihat banyaknya kerusakan lingkungan yang terjadi. Hal ini mempengaruhi konsumen sehingga konsumen mulai menaruh perhatian pada isu lingkungan hidup lebih dari sebelumnya. Hal tersebutlah yang menjadi dasar bagi peneliti untuk melakukan penelitian mengenai green marketing mix terhadap brand image pada The Body Shop. Metode yang digunakan adalah deskriptif dan kausalitas. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi sederhana dengan hasil persamaan Y = -0,004 + 0,978X. Variabel yang diteliti adalah green marketing mix sebagai variabel independen serta brand image sebagai variabel dependen. Korelasi antara kedua variabel sangat kuat yaitu sebesar 0,933 dan hasil uji hipotesis menunjukkan Ho ditolak, maka terdapat pengaruh green marketing mix terhadap brand image The Body Shop. Berdasarkan hasil kajian dapat disimpulkan bahwa: (i) green marketing mix The Body Shop berada pada posisi 70,21% dan (ii) brand image The Body Shop berada pada posisi 68,85% dan (iii) variabel green marketing berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap variabel brand image. Kata Kunci : Green Marketing, Brand Image, Regresi Sederhana
Development of End-to-End Artificial Intelligence Models for Surgical Planning in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a commonly used technique for treating lumbar degenerative diseases. In this study, we developed a fully computer-supported pipeline to predict both the cage height and the degree of lumbar lordosis subtraction from the pelvic incidence (PI-LL) after TLIF surgery, utilizing preoperative X-ray images. The automated pipeline comprised two primary stages. First, the pretrained BiLuNet deep learning model was employed to extract essential features from X-ray images. Subsequently, five machine learning algorithms were trained using a five-fold cross-validation technique on a dataset of 311 patients to identify the optimal models to predict interbody cage height and postoperative PI-LL. LASSO regression and support vector regression demonstrated superior performance in predicting interbody cage height and postoperative PI-LL, respectively. For cage height prediction, the root mean square error (RMSE) was calculated as 1.01, and the model achieved the highest accuracy at a height of 12 mm, with exact prediction achieved in 54.43% (43/79) of cases. In most of the remaining cases, the prediction error of the model was within 1 mm. Additionally, the model demonstrated satisfactory performance in predicting PI-LL, with an RMSE of 5.19 and an accuracy of 0.81 for PI-LL stratification. In conclusion, our results indicate that machine learning models can reliably predict interbody cage height and postoperative PI-LL.
Long-Term Effects of Tolvaptan in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Predictors of Treatment Response and Safety over 6 Years of Continuous Therapy

Tolvaptan, an oral vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, reduces renal volume expansion and loss of renal function in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Data for predictive factors indicating patients more likely to benefit from long-term tolvaptan are lacking. Data were retrospectively collected from 55 patients on tolvaptan for 6 years. Changes in renal function, progression of renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], 1-year change in eGFR [ΔeGFR/year]), and renal volume (total kidney volume [TKV], percentage 1-year change in TKV [ΔTKV%/year]) were evaluated at 3-years pre-tolvaptan, at baseline, and at 6 years. In 76.4% of patients, ΔeGFR/year improved at 6 years. The average 6-year ΔeGFR/year (range) minus baseline ΔeGFR/year: 3.024 (−8.77–20.58 mL/min/1.73 m2). The increase in TKV was reduced for the first 3 years. A higher BMI was associated with less of an improvement in ΔeGFR (p = 0.027), and family history was associated with more of an improvement in ΔeGFR (p = 0.044). Hypernatremia was generally mild; 3 patients had moderate-to-severe hyponatremia due to prolonged, excessive water intake in response to water diuresis—a side effect of tolvaptan. Family history of ADPKD and baseline BMI were contributing factors for ΔeGFR/year improvement on tolvaptan. Hyponatremia should be monitored with long-term tolvaptan administration.
Advancing Engineering Education Using a Teaching Focused Plan For Creating an Inclusive Classroom

Texas A&M University has recently started several initiatives within its newly created engineering education faculty group to support faculty in creating a more inclusive classroom where diversity and inclusion can be safely discussed in the context of current events and course topics. These initiatives include 1) a weekly teaching fellows program where faculty experiment with inclusive practices and watch videos of their implementation and reflect on their success, 2) a weekly meeting with the faculty of engineering education as a whole where faculty regularly share the techniques that have been successful, and 3) a weekly reading group for students and faculty discussing how race and inclusion can be better integrated into the classroom. This paper will discuss the techniques tested, their results across multiple classrooms and engineering disciplines, the successes of faculty trying these techniques in their classroom for the first time, and the results of an analysis of qualitative and quantitative data analysis on these events. Qualitative data includes interviews describing experiences in the classroom as well as feedback from students in the classroom about their experiences. A particular focus will be attending to the experiences of faculty teaching first-year students. Results show that the initiative has been quite successful and a large number of faculty have attempted previously considered risky methods of creating an inclusive classroom with excellent success. Results also demonstrate that success breeds success, and the more faculty that attempt changing their engineering classroom to be more inclusive, the more other faculty are willing to attempt similar techniques in their own classrooms.
Conflict over Access to Land & Water Resources within Sub-Saharan Dry Lands

The study is part of the project " Novel forms of livestock and wildlife integration adjacent to protected areas in Africa: Tanzania " focusing on the reduction of conflicts over natural resources through the integration of agriculture, pastoralism and nature conservation. FAO executes this project funded by the GEF (Global Environment Facility) and the International Livestock Research Institute provides scientific support. The objective of the following study is to elaborate an analytical framework and to provide concrete indicators to policy makers and field agents working in the field of pastoralism, natural resources management and agriculture in the dry lands of sub-Saharan Africa. The objective is to help national decision-makers and international development agencies to formulate policies and prioritising their action for an improved sustainable use of the land and water resources, while resolving conflicts among the different users. The ultimate goal is thus to provide national policy makers and international development agencies with recommendations helping them to target their actions and thereby to contribute more effectively to prevent conflicts or at least mitigate their impact on rural livelihoods and on the environment. The study is organised in two phases with two regional workshops at the end of each one. This report presents the results of the first phase of " Identification of the factors underlying conflicts over access to land and water resources " through a regional analysis and local case studies. It is basically a desk study completed by the contribution of two African experts. The objective is not limited to a review of the existing literature on land tenure, natural resources management and conflicts in African dry lands. We had to identify areas or situations – the difference is important – with high conflict risks and to elaborate policy recommendations to be presented and debated during the first workshop in Dakar (March 6-8.). The detailed terms of reference of the second phase will be defined at the end of the first workshop within an iterative process of coming and going between case studies, attempts at generalising and policy proposals. The overall aim of the study is thus policy-oriented, but, given the width and the complexity of the subject, it needs to be built on a sound understanding of field issues. The study is transversal, made of two levels of relevance: the project level and the na-tional/international level (national policy-makers and international agencies). At both levels, the final objective …
Lymphatic Vessels in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the nasal lymphatic system in order to uncover novel factors that might be involved in pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Patients and Methods Lymphatic vessels (LVs) and macrophages were localized and counted in the inferior and middle turbinate, the uncinate process and the ethmoid of CRSwNP and CRSsNP patients, the NP and the inferior turbinate of controls (n≥6 per group). Lysates of the same tissue types (n=7 per group) were analyzed for lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor 1 (LYVE-1), for matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP-14) and for Hyaluronic acid (HA) using ELISA. HA was localized in sections of CRSwNP NP, CRSsNP ethmoid and control inferior turbinate (n=6 per group). The results of HA levels were correlated to the number of macrophages in tissues. The nasal secretions of CRSwNP (n=28), CRSsNP (n=30), and control (n=30) patients were analyzed for LYVE-1 and HA using ELISA. Results The number of LVs was significantly lower in tissues of both CRS groups compared to the control. In the tissue lysates, LYVE-1 expression differed significantly between the CRSwNP tissues with a particularly high level in the NP. MMP-14 was significantly overexpressed in CRSwNP uncinate process. There were no significant differences in tissue HA expression. In the mucus LYVE-1 was significantly underexpressed in CRSsNP compared to CRSwNP and control, while HA was significantly underexpressed in both CRS groups. In the NP, HA and macrophages were accumulated particularly below the epithelium. Tissue levels of HA revealed a significant positive correlation with the number of macrophages. Conclusion CRS might be associated with an insufficient clearing of the nasal mucosa through the lymphatics. The accumulation of HA and macrophages might promote inflammation, fluid retention, and polyp formation. These results may provide novel CRS-associated factors.
CO2 and CH4 Fluxes across Polygon Geomorphic Types, Barrow, Alaska, 2006-2010

Carbon flux data are reported as Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), Gross Ecosystem Exchange (GEE), Ecosystem Respiration (ER), and Methane (CH4) flux. Measurements were made at 82 plots across various polygon geomorphic classes at research sites on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO), the Biocomplexity Experiment site on the BEO, and the International Biological Program (IBP) site a little west of the BEO. This product is a compilation of data from 27 plots as presented in Lara et al. (2012), data from six plots presented in Olivas et al. (2010); and from 49 plots described in (Lara et al. 2014). Measurements were made during the peak of the growing seasons during 2006 to 2010. At each of the measurement plots (except Olivas et al., 2010) four different thicknesses of shade cloth were used to generate CO2 light response curves. Light response curves were used to normalize photosynthetically active radiation that is diurnally variable to a peak growing season average ~400 umolm-2sec-1. At the Olivas et al. (2010) plots, diurnal patterns were characterized by repeated sampling. CO2 measurements were made using a closed-chamber photosynthesis system and CH4 measurements were made using a photo-acoustic multi-gas analyzer. In addition, plot-level measurements for thaw depth (TD),more » water table depth (WTD), leaf area index (LAI), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are summarized by geomorphic polygon type. « less