Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling fish growth: multi‐model inference as a better alternative to a priori using von Bertalanffy equation

The common practice among researchers who study fish growth is to a priori adopt the von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM), which is the most used and ubiquitous equation in the fisheries literature. However, in many cases VBGM is not supported by the data and many species seem to follow different growth trajectories. The information theory approach frees the researcher from the limiting concept that a ‘true’ growth model exists. Multi-model inference (MMI) based on information theory is proposed as a more robust alternative to study fish growth. The proposed methodology was applied to 133 sets of length-at-age data. Four candidate models were fitted to each data set: von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM), Gompertz model, Logistic and the Power model; the three former assume asymptotic and the latter non-asymptotic growth. In each case, the ‘best’ model was selected by minimizing the small-sample, bias-corrected form of the Akaike information criterion (AICc). To quantify the plausibility of each model, the ‘Akaike weight’wi of each model was calculated. Following a MMI approach, the model averaged asymptotic length for each case was estimated, by model averaging estimations of interpreting Akaike weights as a posterior probability distribution over the set of candidate models. The VBGM was not selected as the best model in 65.4% of the cases. Most often VBGM was either strongly supported by the data (with no other substantially supported model) or had very low or no support by the data. The estimation of asymptotic length was greatly model dependent; as estimated by VBGM was in every case greater than that estimated by the Gompertz model, which in turn was always greater than that estimated by the Logistic model. The percentage underestimation of the standard error of , when ignoring model selection uncertainty, was on average 18% with values as high as 91%. Ignoring model selection uncertainty may have serious implications, e.g. when comparing the growth parameters of different fish populations. Multi-model inference by model averaging, based on Akaike weights, is recommended as a simple and easy to implement method to model fish growth, for making robust parameter estimations and dealing with model selection uncertainty.
Differential Effects of Organic Nitrates on Endothelial Progenitor Cells Are Determined by Oxidative Stress

Objective—Reduced levels and impaired function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) foster development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)–derived NO regulates EPC mobilization and function. Organic nitrates release NO, and therefore may favorably affect EPC biology. Methods and Results—We compared the effects of 2 different nitrates on circulating EPC numbers and function. Treatment of rats with pentaerythritol-trinitrate (PETriN) or isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) increased circulating EPC levels. EPC from ISDN- but not PETriN-treated animals displayed impaired migratory capacity and increased reactive oxygen species formation in EPCs. In vitro treatment with ISDN reduced migration and incorporation of human EPCs into vascular structures on matrigel, whereas PETriN improved EPC function. ISDN, but not PETriN, increased NADPH oxidase–mediated oxidative stress in cultured human EPCs. Addition of polyethylene-glycolated superoxide dismutase or diphenyliodonium normalized both ISDN-induced superoxide anion production and impaired migratory capacity of EPCs. Conclusions—Long-acting nitrates increase levels of circulating EPCs, but differ in their effects on EPC function dependent on the induction of intracellular oxidative stress. Organic nitrates that improve EPC function may confer long-term cardiovascular protection based on their beneficial effects on EPC biology.
Identificação sorológica de alérgenos de ácaros da poeira domiciliar em cães com dermatite atópica

House dust mite antigens have been used for decades to diagnose allergic diseases in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to identify allergens in commercial Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis extracts by immunoblotting using sera from allergic dogs and anti-dog IgE conjugate. The analysis of antigens present in the D. farinae extract (FDA Allergenic) using sera from 10 dogs allergic to D. farinae showed that eight sera recognized a band of approximately 102 kDa, eight recognized two bands of 52 to 76 kDa, five recognized one band of approximately 76 kDa, four recognized one band of 31 to 38 kDa, and two recognized one band of 12 to 17 kDa. Immunoblot assays of the B. tropicalis extract (FDA Allergenic) using sera from 10 animals allergic to B. tropicalis showed that five sera recognized two bands of 52 to 76 kDa. These results demonstrate the importance of the two house dust mite species for the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis in Brazil. In addition, the results indicate which allergens should be present in allergenic extracts used for diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy.
Understanding the Role of Neighborhood Typology and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Time to Recidivism Among Adjudicated Youth

This study examined the effect of neighborhood disadvantage and criminogenic risk on juvenile recidivism. The sample included 893 youths involved in the delinquency/formal probation division of one Midwestern county juvenile court between 2004 and 2010. Juveniles were classified into one of three neighborhood typologies (i.e., Distressed/Disadvantage, Resilient/Mixed, Benchmark/Advantaged) based on the socioeconomic conditions in their neighborhoods. Survival models revealed that when examining the effect of neighborhood type, youth who lived in Resilient/Mixed neighborhoods, characterized by having the most transient residents, yet high graduation rates, were at greatest risk of recidivism. However, neighborhood effects disappeared after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and criminogenic risk. Although there was no significant interaction between neighborhood and risk group classification, there was a significant interaction between risk group, age, and gender. These findings suggest the need for advanced statistical models that can disentangle the conflated effects of socioeconomic conditions and sociodemographic characteristics.
Human tumor cell strains both unable to repair O6-methylguanine and hypersensitive to killing by human α and β interferons

: Human brain tumor cell strains were previously found by others to be sensitive to growth inhibition by human interferon-beta (HuIFN-beta). We noticed that the sensitive strains were some that we had found deficient in the repair of O6-methylguanine (O6MeG), a characteristic of 20% of the human tumor cell strains we have studied. We confirmed this sensitivity to HuIFN-beta, and have further shown that human brain tumor cells which repair O6MeG are resistant to the growth inhibitory effects of HuIFN-beta. In addition, treatment with HuIFN-alpha or HuIFN-beta resulted in more killing (reproductive inactivation) of six human tumor cell strains deficient in repairing O6-methylguanine in DNA than did such treatment of six strains of cells proficient in such repair. Further, we found two human lines, altered to become O6MeG repair deficient after establishment of the primary tumor cell culture, that were resistant to interferon. IFN treatment produced no DNA damage detectable by either chemical or biological assays. It is suggested that the genes responsible for resistance to IFN treatment and to agents that produce O6MeG are often coordinately shut down.
Use of lignosulfonate to decrease the rumen degradability of canola meal protein

Treatment of canola meal (CM) with 5 or 10% lignosulfonate (LSO3) for 1 or 2 h at 100 °C increased borate-insoluble CP and neutral-detergent-insoluble nitrogen and decreased in vitro ammonia concentration compared with untreated or heated CM. Acid-detergent-insoluble nitrogen was increased in 2% xylose and 10% LSO3 CM heated for 2 h. Ruminal degradability of CP was reduced by heating CM (P < 0.01), and this effect was more pronounced (P < 0.001) with LSO3 or xylose. Key words: Cattle, canola meal, lignosulfonate, rumen undegradable protein
Brucea javanica oil emulsion injection (BJOEI) as an adjunctive therapy for patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Brucea javanica oil emulsion injection (BJOEI) has been widely applied as a promising adjunctive drug for colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, the exact effects and safety of BJOEI remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to summarize the efficacy and safety of BJOEI for the treatment of advanced CRC through the meta-analysis, in order to provide scientific reference for the design of future clinical trials. Methods: Eligible prospective controlled clinical trials were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Medline, Web of Science (WOS), Excerpt Medica Database (Embase), Chinese BioMedical Database (CBM), China Scientific Journal Database (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Database. Papers in English or Chinese published from January 2000 to May 2020 will be included without any restrictions. The clinical outcomes including therapeutic effects, quality of life (QoL), immune function and adverse events, were systematically evaluated. Study selection and data extraction will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0 were used for data analysis, and a fixed or random-effect model will be used depending upon the heterogeneity observed between trials. Subgroup and meta-regression analysis will be carried out depending on the availability of sufficient data. Results: The results of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion: Our study will draw an objective conclusion of the effects and safety of BJOEI for advanced CRC, and provide a helpful evidence for clinicians to formulate the best postoperative adjuvant treatment strategy for CRC patients. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY202060014. Abbreviations: BJOEI = Brucea javanica oil emulsion injection, CBM = Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, CC = colon cancer, CI = confidence intervals, CNKI = China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CR = complete response, CRC = colorectal cancer, DCR = disease control rate, DFS = disease-free survival, DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid, EMBASE = Excerpt Medica Database, GRADE = grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation, HRs = hazard ratios, INPLASY = International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols, ORR = overall response rate, OS = overall survival, PD = progressive disease, PR = partial response, PRISMA-P = preferred reporting items for systematic review and metaanalysis protocols, QoL = quality of life, RC = rectal cancer, RCTs = randomized controlled trials, RECIST = response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, RR = risk ratio, SD = stable disease, VIP = China Scientific Journal Database, WHO = World Health Organization, WOS = Web of Science.
The plasmid-encoded hydrogenase gene cluster in Alcaligenes eutrophus

Alcaligenes eutrophus strain H16 harbors a 450 kilobase pairs (kb) conjugative plasmid which codes for the ability of the organism to grow lithoautotrophically on hydrogen and carbon dioxide (reviewed in [1]). The genes for hydrogen oxidation, designated hox, are clustered on plasmid pHG1 in a DNA region of approximately 100-kb in size ([2], Fig. 1). The hox genes and their organization have been analyzed by isolation of Hox-deficient mutants, by complementation analysis, by cloning of hox genes, identification of hox-encoded polypeptides and, most recently, by DNA sequencing. The hox cluster is flunked by the two structural gene regions, hoxS and hoxP; it contains a regulatory locus, hoxC, and additional genes like hoxN and hoxM whose products play a role in the formation of catalytically active hydrogenase proteins. Of four indigenous 1.3-kb insertion elements, two copies of IS491 map in the hox gene cluster. These elements may be involved in rearrangements and deletions which occur particularly frequently in this region of the megaplasmid (Schwartz, Kortluke and Friedrich, unpublished).
High-gain low-profile rectangular microstrip patch antenna with Yagi elements

ABSTRACT This paper presents a novel high gain rectangular microstrip patch antenna (RMSA) with vertically placed Yagi elements. The antenna is fed by a coaxial probe to excite TM01 fundamental waves at 2.4GHz, which is suitable for wireless local area network (WLAN) applications. In order to increase the antenna gain, Yagi elements are placed in groups of 5, on each side of the substrate in order to serveas directors for the radiating slots as well as the ground reflections. The proposed antenna offers 1.3dB gain improvement and %3 . 1 impedance bandwidth increase in comparison to the plain rectangular microstrip antenna with the same specifications. The advantage of this antenna is to provide an easy and cost effective solution to increase microstrip antenna gain, particularly in 8-10dB range, without disruptingits planar structure.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the antifungal activity of fluoxetine combined with antifungals against Candida albicans biofilms and oral candidiasis

Abstract Candida albicans biofilms are responsible for oral candidiasis. Fluoxetine is a widely used antidepressant, with certain anti-Candida activities. The antifungal activity of fluoxetine combined with various antifungals against C. albicans biofilms and oral candidiasis was evaluated in this study. The morphological change in the inhibition of fluoxetine on C. albicans biofilms was observed using SEM. The interactions between fluoxetine and antifungals against C. albicans biofilms were evaluated using microdilution checkerboard methods, FICI and the ΔE model. The synergistic combination was tested in vivo on the mice model of oral candidiasis. SEM imaging showed fluoxetine inhibited hyphal growth and biofilm formation. Fluoxetine combined with caspofungin exhibited synergistic effects against C. albicans biofilms. Antagonistic effects occurred when fluoxetine was combined with amphotericin B or terbinafine. Further, the fluoxetine combined with caspofungin significantly reduced the lesion score and CFU of C. albicans on the murine tongue (p < 0.05), and relieved oral candidiasis of the infected mice.
Wideband microstrip‐to‐air‐filled substrate integrated waveguide transition with controllable band‐pass performance

A novel wideband back‐to‐back microstrip‐to‐air‐filled substrate integrated waveguide (AFSIW) transition with controllable band‐pass performance is presented. The wideband transition is constructed by a gradient microstrip and a section of widened partially dielectric‐filled AFSIW. The sharp rejection performance above the pass band is achieved by taking advantage of the notch characteristics of the widened partially dielectric‐filled AFSIW section. The lower stop band is determined by the cut‐off characteristic of the intermediate AFSIW between the back‐to‐back transitions. The relationship between the band‐pass response and the dimensional parameters of the transition is investigated. A prototype is designed, manufactured and measured. The measured fractional bandwidth (FBW) is 57.63% centered at 14.75 GHz. The suppression over 20 ~ 25 GHz is better than 25 dB, and a transmission zero with a suppression of 51.7 dB is introduced at 1 GHz away from the upper‐edge frequency of the pass band.
Comparison of BOLD and CBV using 3D EPI and 3D GRASE for cortical layer functional MRI at 7 T

Functional MRI (fMRI) at the mesoscale of cortical layers and columns requires both sensitivity and specificity, the latter of which can be compromised if the imaging method is affected by vascular artifacts, particularly cortical draining veins at the pial surface. Recent studies have shown that cerebral blood volume (CBV) imaging is more specific to the actual laminar locus of neural activity than BOLD imaging using standard gradient‐echo EPI sequences. Gradient and spin‐echo (GRASE) BOLD imaging has also shown greater specificity when compared with standard gradient‐echo EPI BOLD. Here we directly compare CBV and BOLD contrasts in high‐resolution imaging of the primary motor cortex for laminar functional MRI in four combinations of signal labeling, CBV using slice‐selective slab‐inversion vascular space occupancy (VASO) and BOLD, each with 3D gradient‐echo EPI and zoomed 3D‐GRASE image readouts.
Hubungan antara Ethical Organizational Culture dengan Burnout: Peran Mediasi Managerial openness

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa peran managerial openness sebagai mediator pada hubungan antara ethical organizational culture dan burnout pada karyawan di Organisasi XYZ sebagai salah satu institusi pemerintah Indonesia yang bergerak di bidang keuangan. Penelitian dilakukan pada 113 karyawan di Organisasi XYZ dengan menggunakan metode self-report survey. Penelitian dilakukan dengan melakukan proses adaptasi kepada 3 instrumen yang digunakan, yaitu: ethical organizational culture diukur dengan mengadaptasi skala CEVMS – Short Form (CEVMS-SF) milik DeBode dkk (2013), dengan jumlah 32 item dan memiliki nilai reliabilitas 0,89; burnout diukur dengan mengadaptasi 9 item Bergen inventory (BBI-9) dari Feldt dkk (2014), dengan nilai reliabilitas 0,91; dan managerial openness diukur dengan mengadaptasi skala dari Ashford dkk (1998), dengan jumlah 6 item dan reliabilitas 0,75. Pada penelitian ini didapatkan bahwa managerial openness berhasil memediasi secara parsial hubungan antara ethical organizational culture dengan burnout dengan nilai BootLLCI= 0,02 dan BootULCI= 0,12. Artinya, ethical organizational culture melalui managerial openness memiliki peran yang besar dalam menghambat pembentukan burnout pada karyawan di organisasi.
Effect of short-term high temperature stress on the development and fecundity of Ophraella communa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Since insects are ectothermic, they are highly vulnerable to the sudden increase of temperature. Indeed, it has been hypothesized that the survival, development, fecundity, and even population expansion of insects are all affected significantly by extremely high temperature. We studied the effect of short-term high temperature stress on the survival and development of different stages, adult longevity and fecundity of Ophraella communa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of the invasive plant, the common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asterales: Asteraceae) in the laboratory. The results showed that egg, larval, pupal and adult survival rates were significantly affected after 2 hour-short-stress at high temperatures (35 to 47°C) when compared to the 28°C control. With the exceptions of the control and 35°C stress, survival rate of females was significantly higher than that of males after short-stress at any high temperature. Short-term high temperature stress also significantly impacted longevity and fecundity of adult beetles. Except for control, female longevity was significantly longer than male's after short-stress at any high temperature. The survival rates of different stages, and adult longevity and fecundity of the beetle decreased significantly with the increase of short-term stress temperature. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that the development and population expansion of O. communa may be significantly affected when they are exposed to a high temperature stage in a summer day in the areas invaded by common ragweed, in southern China.
Tumor necrosis factor- (cid:1) inhibits myogenesis through redox-dependent and -independent pathways

Tumor necrosis factor- (cid:1) inhibits myogenesis through redox-dependent and -independent pathways. Am Physiol Physiol wasting accom-panies diseases that are associated with chronic elevated levels of circulating inﬂammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. We previously demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor- (cid:1) (TNF- (cid:1) ) inhibits myogenic differentiation via the activation of nuclear factor- (cid:2) B (NF- (cid:2) B). The goal of the present study was to determine whether this process depends on the induction of oxidative stress. We demonstrate here that TNF- (cid:1) causes a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) during myogenic differentiation of C 2 C 12 cells, which coincides with an elevated generation of reactive oxygen species. Supplementation of cellular GSH with N -acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) did not reverse the inhibitory effects of TNF- (cid:1) on troponin I promoter activation and only partially restored creatine kinase activity in TNF- (cid:1) -treated cells. In contrast, the administration of NAC before treatment with TNF- (cid:1) almost completely restored the formation of multinucleated myotubes. NAC decreased TNF- (cid:1) -induced activation of NF- (cid:2) B only marginally, indicating that the redox-sensitive component of the inhibition of myogenic differentiation by TNF- (cid:1) occurred independently, or downstream of NF- (cid:2) B. Our observations suggest that the inhibitory effects of TNF- (cid:1) on myogenesis can be uncoupled in a redox-sensitive component affecting myotube formation and a redox independent component affecting myogenic protein expression. cultured in growth medium (GM) consisting of low-glucose DMEM containing antibiotics (50 U/ml penicillin and 50 (cid:3) g/ml streptomycin) and 9% (vol/vol) FBS (all from Life Technologies, Rockville, MD). For experiments, 60-mm dishes (Becton-Dickinson Labware, Bedford, MA) were coated with Matrigel (Becton-Dickinson Labware), which contains collagen IV, laminin, heparin sulfate proteoglycan, and entactin. Plating on Matrigel resulted in enhanced and more consistent differentiation, compared with frequently used protocols that employ 2% horse serum-containing media (unpublished observation). Cells were plated at 10 4 /cm 2 and were cultured in GM for 24 h, allowing them to reach (cid:4) 60% conﬂuency. To induce differentiation, cells were washed in Hank’s balanced salt solution and cultured in differentiation media (DM) containing DMEM low glucose, antibiotics, and 0.5% heat-inactivated FBS. To study the effects on differentiation, one single dose of murine TNF- (cid:1) (Calbiochem, La Jolla, CA) was added to the culture dishes directly after induction of differentiation. To study the effects of oxidative stress per se, cells were treated with 20–200 (cid:3) M H 2 O 2 (Sigma), which was added as a bolus directly after induction of differentiation. Cells were examined with an inverted phase-contrast microscope (model CH40; Olympus, Melville, NY) equipped with a camera (Nikon N6000).
Effect of different hydropriming times on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In dry land areas of the western half of Iran, chickpea due to exposure to rotation with wheat and barley play an important role in maintaining survival of agriculture in these regions. Seed priming is a simple and cheap method and is highly efficient and acceptable, especially in areas with low fertility. In this study, effects of different times of hydropriming on yield, yield components, phenological characteristics and percentage of protein of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) were examined in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in 2010. Seeds of chickpea were exposed at six different hydropriming times (2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h and control). The results of this experiment showed that the effect of hydropriming treatments for main branch and lateral branch number, number of pod per plant, biological yield, grain yield, time from planting to emergence, emergence to flowering, flowering to bloom and pod forming and growth length was significant. However, there was no significant difference between treatments in terms of plant height, number of seed per pod, number of empty pod, seed thousand weight, harvesting index, pod forming to seed pods and blooming to maturity, and percentage of seed protein.