Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Zucchini and Its Distinctive Components in the Modulation of Degenerative Processes: Genotoxicity, Anti-Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effects

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo) is a seasonal vegetable with high nutritional and medical values. Many useful properties of this fruit are attributed to bioactive compounds. Zucchini fruits (“Yellow” and “Light Green” varieties) and four distinctive components (lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid) were selected. Firstly, the lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid contents were determined in these fruits. Then, in order to evaluate the safety and suitability of their use, different assays were carried out: (i) genotoxicity and anti-genotoxicity tests to determine the safety and DNA-protection against hydrogen peroxide; (ii) cytotoxicity; and (iii) DNA fragmentation and Annexin V/PI (Propidium Iodide) assays to evaluate the pro-apoptotic effect. Results showed that: (i) all the substances were non-genotoxic; (ii) all the substances were anti-genotoxic except the highest concentration of lutein; (iii) “Yellow” zucchini epicarp and mesocarp exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity (IC50 > 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively); and (iv) “Light Green” zucchini skin induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, β-carotene being the possible molecule responsible for its pro-apoptotic activity. To sum up, zucchini fruit could play a positive role in human health and nutrition due to this fruit and its components were safe, able to inhibit significantly the H2O2-induced damage and exhibit anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities toward HL60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cells) tumor cells. The information generated from this research should be considered when selecting potential accessions for breeding program purposes.
An automated retinal image quality grading algorithm

This paper introduces an algorithm for the automated assessment of retinal fundus image quality grade. Retinal image quality grading assesses whether the quality of the image is sufficient to allow diagnostic procedures to be applied. Automated quality analysis is an important preprocessing step in algorithmic diagnosis, as it is necessary to ensure that images are sufficiently clear to allow pathologies to be visible. The algorithm is based on standard recommendations for quality analysis by human screeners, examining the clarity of retinal vessels within the macula region. An evaluation against a reference standard data-set is given; it is shown that the algorithm's performance correlates closely with that of clinicians manually grading image quality.
Authorship Verification by combining SVMs with Kernels Optimized for Different Feature Categories

We present our approach to the PAN-2015 authorship verification task. We combine one-class SVM classifiers under the hypothesis that different categories of features a) are better suited for different authors and b) have different underlying topologies. Thus, we have each classifier operate in a different feature subset with a different kernel function, and the output is used to train a logistic regression model which assigns a different weight to each category of features. Results show that further improvement of the method is needed, and we discuss its shortcomings.
Functional Differentiation of Cholecystokinin‐Containing Interneurons Destined for the Cerebral Cortex

Abstract Although extensively studied postnatally, the functional differentiation of cholecystokinin (CCK)‐containing interneurons en route towards the cerebral cortex during fetal development is incompletely understood. Here, we used CCKBAC/DsRed mice encoding a CCK promoter‐driven red fluorescent protein to analyze the temporal dynamics of DsRed expression, neuronal identity, and positioning through high‐resolution developmental neuroanatomy. Additionally, we developed a dual reporter mouse line (CCKBAC/DsRed::GAD67gfp/+) to differentiate CCK‐containing interneurons from DsRed+ principal cells during prenatal development. We show that DsRed is upregulated in interneurons once they exit their proliferative niche in the ganglionic eminence and remains stably expressed throughout their long‐distance migration towards the cerebrum, particularly in the hippocampus. DsRed+ interneurons, including a cohort coexpressing calretinin, accumulated at the palliosubpallial boundary by embryonic day 12.5. Pioneer DsRed+ interneurons already reached deep hippocampal layers by embryonic day 14.5 and were morphologically differentiated by birth. Furthermore, we probed migrating interneurons entering and traversing the cortical plate, as well as stationary cells in the hippocampus by patch‐clamp electrophysiology to show the first signs of Na+ and K+ channel activity by embryonic day 12.5 and reliable adult‐like excitability by embryonic day 18.5. Cumulatively, this study defines key positional, molecular, and biophysical properties of CCK+ interneurons in the prenatal brain.
Molecular aspects of flower senescence and strategies to improve flower longevity

Flower longevity is one of the most important traits for ornamental plants. Ethylene plays a crucial role in flower senescence in some plant species. In several species that show ethylene-dependent flower senescence, genetic modification targeting genes for ethylene biosynthesis or signaling has improved flower longevity. Although little is known about regulatory mechanisms of petal senescence in flowers that show ethylene-independent senescence, a recent study of Japanese morning glory revealed that a NAC transcription factor, EPHEMERAL1 (EPH1), is a key regulator in ethylene-independent petal senescence. EPH1 is induced in an age-dependent manner irrespective of ethylene signal, and suppression of EPH1 expression dramatically delays petal senescence. In ethylene-dependent petal senescence, comprehensive transcriptome analyses revealed the involvement of transcription factors, a basic helix-loop-helix protein and a homeodomain-leucine zipper protein, in the transcriptional regulation of the ethylene biosynthesis enzymes. This review summarizes molecular aspects of flower senescence and discusses strategies to improve flower longevity by molecular breeding.
The Relationship of Chronic and Momentary Work Stress to Cardiac Reactivity in Female Managers: Feasibility of a Smart Phone–Assisted Assessment System

Objectives To evaluate a wireless smart phone–assisted (SPA) system that assesses ongoing heart rate (HR) and HR-triggered participant reports of momentary stress when HR is elevated during daily life. This SPA system was used to determine the independent and interactive roles of chronic and momentary work stress on HR reactivity among female managers. Methods A sample of 40 female managers reported their chronic work stress and wore the SPA system during a regular workday. They provided multiple reports of their momentary stress, both when triggered by increased HR and at random times. Relationships among chronic stress, momentary stress, and HR were analyzed with hierarchical linear modeling. Results Both chronic work stress (b = 0.08, standard error [SE] = 0.03, p = .003) and momentary work stress (b = 1.25, SE = 0.62, p = .052) independently predicted greater HR reactivity, adjusting for baseline HR, age, smoking, caffeine, alcohol use, and momentary physical activity levels. More importantly, chronic and momentary stress significantly interacted (b = 1.00, SE = 0.04, p = .036); high momentary stress predicted elevated HR only in the context of high chronic stress. Conclusions Female managers who experience chronic work stress displayed elevated cardiac reactivity during momentary stress at work. The joint assessment of chronic stress and momentary stress and their relationship to physiological functioning during work clarifies the potential health risks associated with work stress. Moreover, this wireless SPA system captures the immediate subjective context of individuals when physiological arousal occurs, which may lead to tailored stress management programs in the workplace.
Detection and removal of stimulation artifacts in electroencephalogram recordings

Stimulation artifacts are short-duration, high-amplitude spikes which can be observed in electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings whenever surface functional electrical stimulation (FES) is applied during recordings. Stimulation artifacts are of non-physiologic origin and hence have to be removed before analysis of the EEG can take place. In this paper, algorithms for the detection and removal of stimulation artifacts are presented. The algorithms require only little computational resources and can be applied online, while signals are recorded. Therefore, the algorithms are suitable for applications such as online control of FES based neuroprostheses by a brain-computer interface. Tests are performed with datasets recorded from two subjects for artifact durations ranging from 0.5 ms to 10 ms. After application of the artifact removal algorithms the signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed signals ranges from 15 dB to 45 dB, depending on the duration of artifacts and the type of algorithm.
Guidelines for Bootstrapping Validity Coefficients in ATCS Selection Research

Abstract : This technical report 1) reviews the literature on bootstrapping estimation procedures and potential applications to the selection of air traffic control specialists (ATCSs), 2) describes an empirical demonstration of procedures for estimating the sample size required to demonstrate criterion-related validity in ATCS selection, and 3) provides summary guidelines and recommendations for estimating sample size requirements in ATCS selection test validation using bootstrapping procedures under conditions of direct and indirect range restriction. Bootstrapping estimates the sampling distribution of a statistic by iteratively resampling cases from a set of observed data. Confidence intervals are constructed for the statistic, providing an empirical basis for inferential statements about the likely magnitude of the statistic. Correlations between scores on the written ATCS aptitude test battery and subsequent performance in initial qualification training for a large sample of 10,869 controllers hired between 1986 and 1992 were bootstrapped in an empirical demonstration of the methodology. Finally, a three-step sequence of procedures is described for use in future bootstrap estimates of confidence intervals. Recommendations for sample size requirements in future ATC criterion validity studies include: 1. Results suggest samples of at least N 175 to ensure the 90% confidence interval for does not contain 0. 2. Assumptions of bivariate normality in traditional parametric estimation procedures are not justified in the current data. Note that this observation may result in confidence intervals that are wider or narrower for any given sample size than intervals obtained from traditional parametric estimation. 3. Corrections for direct range restriction did not substantively influence whether the bootstrapped 90% confidence interval contained 0. Future applications should assess whether this holds true.
Anotación automática de datos acerca de la reputación de los políticos en redes sociales

Resumen. Recientemente, la mineria de opinion en Twitter, por medio de la Recuperacion de Informacion (RI) y del Procesamiento de Lenguage Natural (PLN) atrajo interes en la investigacion politica. Sin embargo, la obtencion de datos anotados de dominio especifico sigue siendo un paso manual muy costoso. Ademas, la cantidad y calidad de estas anotaciones pueden ser criticas en relacion al rendimiento de los metodos de PLN basados en tecnicas de Aprendizaje de Maquina (AM). Una solucion alternativa es utilizar conjuntos de datos cruzados por idioma (cross-language) y cruzados por dominio (cross-domain) para simular los datos de entrenamiento. Este articulo describe algunos enfoques de AM para la anotacion automatica de tuits en espanol que tratan acerca de la reputacion de los politicos. Nuestra principal conclusion es que un clasificador estadistico sin entrenamiento especifico del dominio politico puede simular una anotacion tan confiable como la provista por anotadores humanos. Este tipo de clasificadores, tambien puede resultar equivalente al uso de recursos especificos tales como lexicones de polaridad o datos de dominio traducidos manualmente.
Knee-extension-assist for knee-ankle-foot orthoses

Individuals with quadriceps muscle weakness often have difficulty generating the knee-extension moments required for common mobility tasks. A new device that provides a knee-extension moment was designed to help individuals perform sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit. The knee-extension-assist (KEA) was designed as a modular component to be incorporated into existing knee-ankle-foot-orthoses (KAFO). The KEA loads a set of springs as the knee flexes under bodyweight and returns the stored energy as an extension moment during knee extension. The springs can be locked in place at the end of flexion to prevent unwanted knee extension while seated. When the affected leg is unloaded, the device disengages, allowing free joint motion. A prototype KEA underwent mechanical testing and biomechanical evaluation on an able-bodied individual during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit.
Changes in energy and motor activity: core symptoms of bipolar mania and depression?

Objective: To evaluate how well symptom rating scales differentiate bipolar disorder (BD) episode types. Methods: One hundred and six patients with BD were followed for 13 years. At each visit, the following clinical scales were administered: Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) and Clinical Global Impressions scale for use in bipolar illness (CGI-BP). To perform a comparison between the affective states of BP, three time points in each patient’s follow-up period were chosen for evaluation: the most severe manic episode, the most severe depressive episode, and the euthymic period with least symptoms. Canonical discriminant analyses (CDA) were performed to identify which symptoms best discriminated episodes. Results: CDA revealed HAM-D was worse than YMRS and CGI-BP to discriminate mood states. The items evaluating increased motor activity in YMRS (2, increased motor activity/energy) and HAM-D (9, agitation) were the best to distinguish mania, depression, and euthymia. In contrast, HAM-D item 8 (retardation) and the HAM-D and YMRS items related to mood symptoms were less important and precise. Conclusion: Higher levels of energy or activity should be considered a core symptom of mania. However, our results do not confirm the association between a decrease in energy or activity and depression. HAM-D probably does not assess motor activity adequately.
Structure from Recurrent Motion: From Rigidity to Recurrency

This paper proposes a new method for Non-Rigid Structure-from-Motion (NRSfM) from a long monocular video sequence observing a non-rigid object performing recurrent and possibly repetitive dynamic action. Departing from the traditional idea of using linear low-order or low-rank shape model for the task of NRSfM, our method exploits the property of shape recurrency (i.e., many deforming shapes tend to repeat themselves in time). We show that recurrency is in fact a generalized rigidity. Based on this, we reduce NRSfM problems to rigid ones provided that certain recurrency condition is satisfied. Given such a reduction, standard rigid-SfM techniques are directly applicable (without any change) to the reconstruction of non-rigid dynamic shapes. To implement this idea as a practical approach, this paper develops efficient algorithms for automatic recurrency detection, as well as camera view clustering via a rigidity-check. Experiments on both simulated sequences and real data demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Since this paper offers a novel perspective on rethinking structure-from-motion, we hope it will inspire other new problems in the field.
Delay-aware routing and data transmission for multi-hop D2D communications under stochastic interference constraints

In this paper, we determine the multi-hop route that maximizes the throughput between a given Device-to-Device (D2D) source-destination pair for delay sensitive applications. We solve the routing problem under per-link target rate and delay constraints, in addition to the stochastic interference constraint from the cellular network. We derive closed-form expressions for the achievable end-to-end throughput, delay and packet drop probability. Based on this analysis, we develop an optimal routing algorithm for throughput maximization. We confirm the accuracy of our analysis using Monte Carlo simulations and illustrate the tradeoff between delay and throughput. Further, we show that multi-hop route offers significant gains in end-to-end data rates compared to the direct link communication under the stochastic interference constraint imposed by the cellular network and the maximum delay constraint on the transmitted packets.
High Imminent Vertebral Fracture Risk in Subjects With COPD With a Prevalent or Incident Vertebral Fracture

Subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an increased risk of vertebral fractures (VFs); however, VF incidence is largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the incidence of new and/or worsening VF in subjects with COPD. Smokers and subjects with COPD (GOLD II–IV) from the ECLIPSE study with complete set of chest CT scans (baseline and 1‐ and 3‐year follow‐up) to evaluate vertebrae T1 down to L1 were included. If a VF was diagnosed on the last scan, detailed VF assessment of the previous scans was performed. VFs were scored according to the method of Genant as mild, moderate, or severe. Main outcome measure was the cumulative incidence of new and/or worsening VF at subject level, within 1 and 3 years. Of 1239 subjects (mean age 61 years, 757 males [61%], 999 subjects with COPD), 253 (20.5%) had ≥1 prevalent VF. The cumulative incidence of VFs was 10.1% within 1 year and 24.0% within 3 years. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), pack‐years, and smoking status, prevalence and incidence were similar between smokers and COPD GOLD stages. Within 1 year, 29.2% of the subjects with a prevalent VF had an incident VF, compared with 5.1% in absence of prevalent VF (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6–7.4) and 58.5% versus 15.0% within 3 years (HR = 3.6; 95% CI 2.9–4.6). The incidence of VF was higher with increasing number and severity of prevalent VFs. Among subjects having an incident VF within the first year, 57.3% had a subsequent VF within the next 2 years. In this study, more than half of the smokers and subjects with COPD with a prevalent VF or an incident VF within the first year sustained a subsequent VF within 3 years. The 3‐year risk was even higher in the presence of multiple or severe prevalent VFs. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.
The Value of Biosamples in Smoking Cessation Trials: A Review of Genetic, Metabolomic, and Epigenetic Findings

Introduction Human genetic research has succeeded in definitively identifying multiple genetic variants associated with risk for nicotine dependence and heavy smoking. To build on these advances, and to aid in reducing the prevalence of smoking and its consequent health harms, the next frontier is to identify genetic predictors of successful smoking cessation and also of the efficacy of smoking cessation treatments ("pharmacogenomics"). More broadly, additional biomarkers that can be quantified from biosamples also promise to aid "Precision Medicine" and the personalization of treatment, both pharmacological and behavioral. Aims and Methods To motivate ongoing and future efforts, here we review several compelling genetic and biomarker findings related to smoking cessation and treatment. Results These Key results involve genetic variants in the nicotinic receptor subunit gene CHRNA5, variants in the nicotine metabolism gene CYP2A6, and the nicotine metabolite ratio. We also summarize reports of epigenetic changes related to smoking behavior. Conclusions The results to date demonstrate the value and utility of data generated from biosamples in clinical treatment trial settings. This article cross-references a companion paper in this issue that provides practical guidance on how to incorporate biosample collection into a planned clinical trial and discusses avenues for harmonizing data and fostering consortium-based, collaborative research on the pharmacogenomics of smoking cessation. Implications Evidence is emerging that certain genotypes and biomarkers are associated with smoking cessation success and efficacy of smoking cessation treatments. We review key findings that open potential avenues for personalizing smoking cessation treatment according to an individual's genetic or metabolic profile. These results provide important incentive for smoking cessation researchers to collect biosamples and perform genotyping in research studies and clinical trials.
Effectiveness of Platelet Rich Plasma and Bone Graft in the Treatment of Intrabony Defects: A Clinico-radiographic Study

Background & Objectives: Periodontal disease is characterized by the presence of gingival inflammation, periodontal pocket formation, loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone around the affected tooth. Different modalities have been employed in the treatment and regeneration of periodontal defects which include the use of bone grafts, PRP and other growth factors.The purpose of this prospective, randomized controlled study was to compare the regenerative efficacy of PRP and bonegraft in intrabony periodontal defects. Methodology: This randomized control trial was carried out in the Department of Periodontics & Oral Implantology, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. The study sample included 20 periodontal infrabony defects in 20 patients, 12 males and 8 females. The patients were aged between 25 -45 years(with mean age of 35 years). The 20 sites selected for the study were was randomly divided into 2 groups of 10 sites each. Group A: PRP alone, Group B: Bone Graft. Statistical Anaysis & Results: Statistical Analysis Was Done Using SPSS (Version 18.0): Statistical analysis was done usingpaired ‘t’ tests and ANOVA that revealed a significant reduction ingingival index, plaque index, probing pocket depth and gain in clinical attachment level at various time intervalswithin both the groups. Radiographic evaluation revealed statistically significant defect fill (p<0.001) at the end of 6months within both the groups. However, there was astatistically significant difference seen in group B radiographically, when compared to group A. Conclusion: Both the groups showed promising results in enhancing periodontal regeneration; however the resultswith bonegraftwere comparatively better, although not statistically significant when compared to PRP alone.