Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of dietary organic acids on quality and sensory attributes of chicken eggs Einfluss organischer Futtersäuren auf die Qualität und die sensorischen Eigenschaften von

One of the most important quality criteria of table eggs are sensory characteristics. Sensory attributes and chemical composition of eggs can easily be influenced by feeding of hens (TERNES and LEITSCH, 1997; HUOPALAHTI et al., 2007), e.g. by the choice of feeding stuffs and feed additives. Organic acids are feed supplements which are used for a long time to improve well-being and performance in laying hens. It is well documented that organic acids improve digestibility of proteins and amino acids, absorption of minerals, influence contents of intestinal microflora and its mucous membrane morphology (GIANNENAS, 2006). Moreover, organic acids decrease pH value in the digestive tract of laying hens and by this the formation of ammonia and biogenic amines, and increase enzyme activity. It is established that organic acids improve fixation of microelements as phosphorus and calcium (DIBNER and BUTTIN, 2002; GIANNENAS, 2006). Organic acids and their salts are generally regarded as safe and have been approved by most member states of EU to be used as feed additives in animal production (EFSA, 2011). The use of organic acids has been reported to protect the pullets by competitive exclusion (RAGIONE and WOODWARD, 2005), enhancement of nutrient utilization, growth and feed conversion efficiency (DENLI et al., 2003). The organic acids in non-dissociated (non-ionized, more lipophilic) form can penetrate the bacteria cell wall and disrupt the normal physiology of certain types of bacteria (DHAWALE, 2005). Apart from the antimicrobial activity, they reduce the pH of digesta, increase the pancreatic secretion, and have trophic effects on the mucosa of gastro-intestinal tract (DIBNER and BUTTIN, 2002). Organic acids have made a great contribution to profitability in poultry production and also provided people with healthy and nutritious poultry products (RICKE, 2003; MOHARRERY and MAHZONIEH, 2005). Some experiments with layer hens have demonstrated that organic acids can positively affect laying performance and eggshell quality (BOLING et al., 2000; PARK et al., 2002; YESILBAG and COLPAN, 2006; SENGOR et al., 2007; WOO et al., 2007; SOLTAN,
Group Recruiting Events and Gender Stereotypes in Employee Selection

This paper reports the results of three studies that together provide converging evidence in support of theory that gender stereotypes bias employee selection during group recruiting events. Specifically, we find that female (male) job candidates who tend to exhibit stereotypically male personality traits or behaviors receive lower (higher) evaluations during group recruiting events. Prior research suggests gender stereotypes do not bias employee selection during one-on-one interviews. However, our results suggest that evaluating job candidates in the more social context of group recruiting events can have important unintended consequences on employee selection, a key component of the accounting control environment. Given the importance of on-campus group recruiting events to inform hiring decisions across organizations such as investment banks and public accounting firms, our results contribute to a better understanding of survey and field evidence suggesting that entry-level male and female employees have different personalities at these organizations which appear to influence their career trajectories.
FDG-PET in the detection of bone marrow disease in Hodgkin's disease and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and its impact on clinical management.

AIM Identification of bone marrow disease (BMD) is a crucial step in the diagnostic work-up of patients with lymphoma. In lymphoma staging, bone marrow biopsy (BMb) is considered as the gold standard, despite its limitations. The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) vs BMb in the detection of BMD in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HL) or aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and its impact on therapy. METHODS A total of 194 consecutive patients with malignant lymphoma were referred for staging. The clinical stage was defined according to the Ann Arbor classification by means of contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT), BMb and whole body FDG-PET/CT scan. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy in BMD evaluation were calculated for PET and BMb. RESULTS FDG-PET vs BMb: sensitivity 65.3% vs 55.1%; specificity 98.6% vs 100%; accuracy 90.2% vs 88.7%; positive and negative predictive value 94.1% and 89.3% vs 100% and 86.8%, respectively. Although PET and BMb had similar sensitivity and accuracy, BMD was identified by both methods in only 10 out of 49 patients. There were no significant differences in PET and BMb accuracy between the HL and the NHL patients. Moreover, treatment regimen was changed in 12 patients on the basis of FDG-PET findings. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that BMb and FDG-PET are complementary in the evaluation of BMD. FDG-PET improves the sensitivity of BMb, especially in the presence of focal BMD. Performing FDG-PET before BMb is advised for optimal biopsy site targeting.
Potential prognostic value of repulsive guidance molecules in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Repulsive guidance molecules (RGMs) are novel co-receptors of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) which have been implicated in bone metastasis of cancer. This study aimed to investigate roles played by RGMs in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of RGMs was examined in breast cancer cell lines using RT-PCR. The expression of RGMs in human breast cancer tissues was assessed using both quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS RGMB was detectable in both cell lines and tissues samples of breast cancer. RGMA and RGMC were expressed in the breast tissues, but were undetectable in the examined breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, reduced expression of RGMA in breast cancer was associated with poor prognosis. RGMB transcript levels appeared to be lower in breast cancer with local recurrence and distant metastasis, but were relatively higher in the patients who died from the disease. CONCLUSION Aberrant expression of RGMs was indicated in breast cancer. The perturbed expression was associated with disease progression and poor prognosis.
Passive mobile sensing and psychological traits for large scale mood prediction

Experience sampling has long been the established method to sample people's mood in order to assess their mental state. Smartphones start to be used as experience sampling tools for mental health state as they accompany individuals during their day and can therefore gather in-the-moment data. However, the granularity of the data needs to be traded off with the level of interruption these tools introduce. As a consequence the data collected with this technique is often sparse. This has been obviated by the use of passive sensing in addition to mood reports, however, this adds additional noise. In this paper we show that psychological traits collected through one-off questionnaires combined with passively collected sensing data (movement from the accelerometer and noise levels from the microphone) can be used to detect individuals whose general mood deviates from the common relaxed characteristic of the general population. By using the reported mood as a classification target we show how to design models that depend only on passive sensors and one-off questionnaires, without bothering users with tedious experience sampling. We validate our approach by using a large dataset of mood reports and passive sensing data collected in the wild with tens of thousands of participants, finding that the combination of these modalities achieves the best classification performance, and that passive sensing yields a +5% boost in accuracy. We also show that sensor data collected for a week performs better than single days for this task. We discuss feature extraction techniques and appropriate classifiers for this kind of multimodal data, as well as overfitting shortcomings of using deep learning to handle static and dynamic features. We believe these findings have significant implications for mobile health applications that can benefit from the correct modeling of passive sensing along with extra user metadata.
Label Fusion: A Pipeline for Generating Ground Truth Labels for Real RGBD Data of Cluttered Scenes

Deep neural network (DNN) architectures have been shown to outperform traditional pipelines for object segmentation and pose estimation using RGBD data, but the performance of these DNN pipelines is directly tied to how representative the training data is of the true data. Hence a key requirement for employing these methods in practice is to have a large set of labeled data for your specific robotic manipulation task, a requirement that is not generally satisfied by existing datasets. In this paper we develop a pipeline to rapidly generate high quality RGBD data with pixelwise labels and object poses. We use an RGBD camera to collect video of a scene from multiple viewpoints and leverage existing reconstruction techniques to produce a 3D dense reconstruction. We label the 3D reconstruction using a human assisted ICP-fitting of object meshes. By reprojecting the results of labeling the 3D scene we can produce labels for each RGBD image of the scene. This pipeline enabled us to collect over 1,000,000 labeled object instances in just a few days. We use this dataset to answer questions related to how much training data is required, and of what quality the data must be, to achieve high performance from a DNN architecture. Our dataset and annotation pipeline are available at labelfusion.csail. mit.edu.
Nutritional Screening Tools as Predictors of Mortality, Functional Decline, and Move to Higher Level Care in Older People: A Systematic Review

This systematic review assessed whether nutritional screening tools (NSTs) predict mortality, functional decline, and move to higher level care in older adults residing in the community or in institutions. In total, 37 prospective studies published between 1999 and 2012 met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The most commonly used NST in these studies was the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Comparison of NSTs was limited by variation in follow-up time, lack of uniform definition of functional decline, and biases in many studies. Results of MNA, MNA-Short Form (MNA-SF), and Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI) assessments were significantly associated with subsequent mortality, with good negative predictive power (∼0.83), but only modest positive predictive power (PPV∼0.32). MNA-SF and MNA results had a low to moderate association with functional decline (PPV∼0.34). Move to higher level care was less strongly associated with NST scores (PPV∼0.25). Overall, there is evidence that NSTs can predict those at low risk of mortality, functional decline, and, to a lesser extent, move to higher level care in older people.
Preconditioning in an Inflammatory Milieu Augments the Immunotherapeutic Function of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as potent therapeutic agents for multiple indications. However, recent evidence indicates that MSC function is compromised in the physiological post-injury milieu. In this study, bone marrow (BM)- and adipose-derived (AD)-MSCs were preconditioned in hypoxia with or without inflammatory mediators to potentiate their immunotherapeutic function in preparation for in vivo delivery. Human MSCs were cultured for 48 h in either normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (2% O2) with or without the addition of Cytomix, thus creating 4 groups: (1) normoxia (21%); (2) Cytomix-normoxia (+21%); (3) hypoxia (2%); and (4) Cytomix-hypoxia (+2%). The 4 MSC groups were subjected to comprehensive evaluation of their characteristics and function. Preconditioning did not alter common MSC surface markers; nonetheless, Cytomix treatment triggered an increase in tissue factor (TF) expression. Moreover, the BM-MSCs and AD-MSCs from the +2% group were not able to differentiate to chondrocytes and osteoblasts, respectively. Following Cytomix preconditioning, the metabolism of MSCs was significantly increased while viability was decreased in AD-MSCs, but not in BM-MSCs. MSCs from both tissues showed a significant upregulation of key anti-inflammatory genes, increased secretion of IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA), and enhanced suppression of T-cell proliferation following the Cytomix treatment. Similarly, following a lipopolysaccharide challenge, the Cytomix-treated MSCs suppressed TNF-α secretion, while promoting the production of IL-10 and IL-1RA. These preconditioning approaches facilitate the production of MSCs with robust anti-inflammatory properties. AD-MSCs preconditioned with Cytomix under normoxia appear to be the most promising therapeutic candidates; however, safety concerns, such as thrombogenic disposition of cells due to TF expression, should be carefully considered prior to clinical translation.
Direct Estimation of Land Surface Albedo From Simultaneous MISR Data

The availability of multiangular information from the NASA Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument provides an excellent opportunity for the characterization of surface anisotropy, which can be used for improving surface albedo estimation. However, the MISR data have been reported with large uncertainties and data gaps due to inaccurate aerosol estimation and/or cloud masking limiting its otherwise broader applications. To mitigate these issues, two approaches were proposed to estimate land surface albedo directly from surface reflectance (LSA_sfc) and Top-of-Atmosphere reflectance (LSA_toa), respectively. As a further development of the traditional albedo algorithms, this is the first attempt to simultaneously utilize multispectral and multiangular information in surface albedo estimation without any prior constraining information. Validations at AmeriFlux sites show that the proposed algorithms can achieve accuracies similar to that of the MISR product with respective bias and RMSE of 0.004 and 0.032 for LSA_sfc and 0.005 and 0.032 for LSA_toa algorithms. We found that the LSA_toa algorithm can significantly reduce data gaps and provide accurate surface albedo retrievals with two to three times more valid data than the current MISR product. In addition, these approaches can be easily applied to other optical sensors to produce accurate and gap-free clear-sky surface albedo estimations. The results of this paper also highlight the importance of having two to three simultaneous observations with sufficient angular sampling, which can improve albedo accuracy and reduce data gaps.
Effects of N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine on short-term RR interval and systolic blood pressure oscillations.

The role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) in short-term regulation of RR interval and arterial blood pressure (BP) in conscious rats was studied with N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). RR interval and systolic BP (SBP) variability was investigated by spectral analysis procedures. L-NMMA infused intravenously (i.v.) at 1.2 mg/kg/min elicited a clear increase in blood pressure (BP), RR interval (RRI), and respiratory rate. The main spectral modifications observed during L-NMMA infusion were (a) an increase in power of lower frequency (LF, 0.02-0.20 Hz) systolic BP (SBP) oscillations, (b) a decrease in the power of middle frequency (MF, 0.20-0.60 Hz), SBP oscillations, (c) an increase in the power of respiratory (high-frequency, HF) RR oscillations, and (d) an increase in the SBP-RR correlation in the LF band. These results suggest that L-NMMA infusion induced a rearrangement in the lower frequency oscillations of SBP, in which a decrease in sympathetic activity appears to be involved. The increase in HF oscillations of the RR interval appears to be a consequence of the increase in vagal activity in response to the increase in SBP induced by L-NMMA infusion. The suggested autonomic nervous system alterations could account for the increase in the SBP-RRI correlation in the LF band after L-NMMA administration.
Correlation between microalbuminuria and cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the relationship between microalbuminuria (MAU) and cardiovascular events. METHODS A total of 1259 hospitalized patients who received urinary albumin detection were recruited from Tongji Hospital of Tongji University in 2012. They were divided into two groups according to the level of urinary albumin: normal albuminuria (NAU) group (n=907) and MAU group (n=352). General information and cardiovascular events were collected and further analyzed. RESULTS Patients in MAU group was elder than those in NAU group (P<0.01), and the prevalence of diabetes and/or hypertension in MAU group was significantly higher than that in NAU group (P<0.01). The prevalence of major cardiovascular events (unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) and congestive heart failure requiring therapy in hospital in MAU group was significantly higher than that in NAU group (P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed patients in MAU group had higher risk for major cardiovascular events (OR 1.438, 95% CI 1.018-2.031) and congestive heart failure (OR 2.540, 95% CI 1.717 to 3.757). CONCLUSIONS MAU increases the risk for major cardiovascular events and congestive heart failure. MAU is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular events. Patients with MAU (30-300 mg/24 h) should be treated timely to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and delay the progression of cardiovascular diseases, which is independent of presence of diabetes and/or hypertension.
Teaching Diplomatics in 2.0 Web Environments: An Innovative Experience to Promote Interaction Among Students From Different Countries and With Different Learning Needs

This paper aim to present a project about the use of a virtual learning environment for the teaching of Diplomatic using digital technologies. The learning activities were part of a Master’s course in Library science, Archival Science and Research Methodology at the Federico II University of Naples in 2011 which is a postdegree course and for aspiring or young archivists. Technologies from two projects that have been running separately in recent years were used in an integrated way. One is Rete@ccessibile which gave rise to the Moodle platform of the same name (www.firbreteaccessibile.it); the other is Monasterium.NET (www.monasterium.net) which uses Web 2.0 using an environment known as MOMCa (www.mom-wiki.unikoeln.de), and a tool called EditMOM, set up especially by the University of Cologne for the management of medieval charters. The teaching activities at the University of Naples were organized as part of the European ENArC project (European Network on Archival Cooperation) of the Culture Programme 20072013 involving the Department of History of Federico II University, Naples, and numerous institutions from various European countries (www.recruitdigitaldoc.org). The project involved also a large international working group made up of teachers of diplomatics and palaeography who in recent months have been assessing the possibility of organizing a distance learning course for the same discipline, but of an international nature.
Location-Aware Pilot Assignment for Massive MIMO Systems in Heterogeneous Networks

We investigate the heterogeneous cellular network (HetNet) where the macrocell base stations (MBSs) are equipped with very large antenna arrays. Since such a combined massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) and HetNet system operates in the co-channel time-division duplex mode, to mitigate the pilot contamination effect to channel estimation, the number of users that can be served simultaneously is limited by the available pilot resources in the conventional designs. We propose a pilot reuse scheme for massive MIMO-HetNet to increase the user capacity. Specifically, location-aware channel estimation is employed at the MBSs to mitigate the severe pilot contamination introduced by pilot reuse, and we propose a novel pilot assignment algorithm to reduce the interference in HetNets. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed scheme can support more users and increase both the uplink and the downlink sum-rate capacity, in comparison to the conventional scheme, particularly when the antenna number at the MBSs is sufficiently large.
Correlations between Photodegradation of Bisretinoid Constituents of Retina and Dicarbonyl Adduct Deposition*

Background: The origin of adduct-forming and cross-linking species in aging Bruch's membrane of the eye is unclear. Results: Mechanistic studies indicate links between photodegradation of bisretinoids of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and dicarbonyl adduct deposition. Conclusion: Dicarbonyl release from overlying RPE may be a factor in Bruch's membrane deposition. Significance: These processes could contribute to age-related macular degeneration. Non-enzymatic collagen cross-linking and carbonyl adduct deposition are features of Bruch's membrane aging in the eye, and disturbances in extracellular matrix turnover are considered to contribute to Bruch's membrane thickening. Because bisretinoid constituents of the lipofuscin of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are known to photodegrade to mixtures of aldehyde-bearing fragments and small dicarbonyls (glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MG)), we investigated RPE lipofuscin as a source of the reactive species that covalently modify protein side chains. Abca4−/− and Rdh8−/−/Abca4−/− mice that are models of accelerated bisretinoid formation were studied and pre-exposure of mice to 430 nm light enriched for dicarbonyl release by bisretinoid photodegradation. MG protein adducts were elevated in posterior eyecups of mutant mice, whereas carbonylation of an RPE-specific protein was observed in Abca4−/− but not in wild-type mice under the same conditions. Immunolabeling of cryostat-sectioned eyes harvested from Abca4−/− mice revealed that carbonyl adduct deposition in Bruch's membrane was accentuated. Cell-based assays corroborated these findings in mice. Moreover, the receptor for advanced glycation end products that recognizes MG and GO adducts and glyoxylase 1 that metabolizes MG and GO were up-regulated in Abca4−/− mice. Additionally, in acellular assays, peptides were cross-linked in the presence of A2E (adduct of two vitamin A aldehyde and ethanolamine) photodegradation products, and in a zymography assay, reaction of collagen IV with products of A2E photodegradation resulted in reduced cleavage by the matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9. In conclusion, these mechanistic studies demonstrate a link between the photodegradation of RPE bisretinoid fluorophores and aging changes in underlying Bruch's membrane that can confer risk of age-related macular degeneration.