Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influences of Personality on Ungulate Migration and Management

Loss of migratory behaviour in ungulates often occurs with habituation to people to cause several challenges for wildlife managers, particularly in protected and urban areas. Aversive conditioning to increase ungulate wariness towards people could be an important tool for managing this problem, but it is frequently thwarted by variation in responsiveness among individuals, an aspect of personality that is currently little understood by managers. In this paper, we describe the potential role of personality in the ecological progression associated with habituation, loss of migration, and human-wildlife conflict in ungulates. We do so by (a) synthesizing our prior work on two populations of wild elk (Cervus canadensis) living in national parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, (b) using it to articulate a conceptual model to explain how anthropogenic changes in landscapes favour bolder individuals, and (c) showing how targeted use of aversive conditioning could limit the advantages to bold individuals that promote residency. Our review showed how bolder elk, defined by a combination of seven separate personality metrics on a bold-shy continuum, are three times more likely to forego migration, but are also quicker to learn by association, whether via the provision or cessation of aversive conditioning. These differences may relate to cognitive flexibility, which we measured with limb use preferences, to imbue bolder elk with more rapid responses to changing environments. In our conceptual model, we show how four ecological drivers comprised by interactions with humans, predators and conspecifics, in addition to changes in forage, favour bolder elk that are more likely to adopt a resident migratory tactic. We also explain how bold personalities could result from behavioral flexibility, genetic differences, or gene-environment interactions, each of which could be moderated by frequency-dependent payoffs to individuals. We suggest that managers could limit the prevalence of bold, resident ungulates by targeting bolder individuals with active and specific aversive conditioning, while minimizing anthropogenic food sources in predator refugia. A better understanding of personality in wildlife could support more proactive strategies to limit habituation and encourage migration and other keystone behaviours in changing landscapes.
Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: The Role of Translational Proteomics Research

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and it is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Despite recent progress in the development of screening programs and in the management of patients with colorectal cancer, there are still many gaps to fill, ranging from the prevention and early diagnosis to the determination of prognosis factors and treatment of metastatic disease, to establish a personalized approach. The genetic profile approach has been increasingly used in the decision-making process, especially in the choice of targeted therapies and in the prediction of drug response, but there are still few validated biomarkers of colorectal cancer for clinical practice. The discovery of non-invasive, sensitive, and specific biomarkers is an urgent need, and translational proteomics play a key role in this process, as they enable better comprehension of colorectal carcinogenesis, identification of potential markers, and subsequent validation. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the search for colorectal cancer biomarkers through proteomics studies according to biomarker function and clinical application.
Contribution of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) to the Pathogenesis of Proteasome-Associated Autoinflammatory Syndromes (PRAAS)

Type I interferonopathies cover a phenotypically heterogeneous group of rare genetic diseases including the recently described proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS). By definition, PRAAS are caused by inherited and/or de novo loss-of-function mutations in genes encoding proteasome subunits such as PSMB8, PSMB9, PSMB7, PSMA3, or proteasome assembly factors including POMP and PSMG2, respectively. Disruption of any of these subunits results in perturbed intracellular protein homeostasis including accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins which is accompanied by a type I interferon (IFN) signature. The observation that, similarly to pathogens, proteasome dysfunctions are potent type I IFN inducers is quite unexpected and, up to now, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this process remain largely unknown. One promising candidate for triggering type I IFN under sterile conditions is the unfolded protein response (UPR) which is typically initiated in response to an accumulation of unfolded and/or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (also referred to as ER stress). The recent observation that the UPR is engaged in subjects carrying POMP mutations strongly suggests its possible implication in the cause-and-effect relationship between proteasome impairment and interferonopathy onset. The purpose of this present review is therefore to discuss the possible role of the UPR in the pathogenesis of PRAAS. We will particularly focus on pathways initiated by the four ER-membrane proteins ATF6, PERK, IRE1-α, and TCF11/Nrf1 which undergo activation under proteasome inhibition. An overview of the current understanding of the mechanisms and potential cross-talk between the UPR and inflammatory signaling casacades is provided to convey a more integrated picture of the pathophysiology of PRAAS and shed light on potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Analysis of Decision-Making Process Using Methods of Quantitative Electroencephalography and Machine Learning Tools

The electroencephalographic activity of particular brain areas during the decision making process is still little known. This paper presents results of experiments on the group of 30 patients with a wide range of psychiatric disorders and 41 members of the control group. All subjects were performing the Iowa Gambling Task that is often used for decision process investigations. The electroencephalographical activity of participants was recorded using the dense array amplifier. The most frequently active Brodmann Areas were estimated by means of the photogrammetry techniques and source localization algorithms. The analysis was conducted in the full frequency as well as in alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and theta bands. Next the mean electric charge flowing through each of the most frequently active areas and for each frequency band was calculated. The comparison of the results obtained for the subjects and the control groups is presented. The difference in activity of the selected Brodmann Areas can be observed in all variants of the task. The hyperactivity of amygdala is found in both the patients and the control group. It is noted that the somatosensory association cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and primary visual cortex play an important role in the decision-making process as well. Some of our results confirm the previous findings in the fMRI experiments. In addition, the results of the electroencephalographic analysis in the broadband as well as in specific frequency bands were used as inputs to several machine learning classifiers built in Azure Machine Learning environment. Comparison of classifiers' efficiency is presented to some extent and finding the most effective classifier may be important for planning research strategy toward finding decision-making biomarkers in cortical activity for both healthy people and those suffering from psychiatric disorders.
Optimization of Real-Time EEG Artifact Removal and Emotion Estimation for Human-Robot Interaction Applications

Affective human-robot interaction requires lightweight software and cheap wearable devices that could further this field. However, the estimation of emotions in real-time poses a problem that has not yet been optimized. An optimization is proposed for the emotion estimation methodology including artifact removal, feature extraction, feature smoothing, and brain pattern classification. The challenge of filtering artifacts and extracting features, while reducing processing time and maintaining high accuracy results, is attempted in this work. First, two different approaches for real-time electro-oculographic artifact removal techniques are tested and compared in terms of loss of information and processing time. Second, an emotion estimation methodology is proposed based on a set of stable and meaningful features, a carefully chosen set of electrodes, and the smoothing of the feature space. The methodology has proved to perform on real-time constraints while maintaining high accuracy on emotion estimation on the SEED database, both under subject dependent and subject independent paradigms, to test the methodology on a discrete emotional model with three affective states.
25-OH Vitamin D Levels and Cognitive Performance: Longitudinal Assessment in a Healthy Aging Cohort

Background: Declining serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D, a biomarker of vitamin D status] with aging is a well-recognized phenomenon. However, scarce information is available on the relation between 25(OH)D levels and cognitive performance over time in older individuals. Our purpose was to evaluate, longitudinally, the association of 25(OH)D with cognitive function in a healthy older adults’ cohort. Methods: Sixty-four individuals over 55 years-old with no cognitive impairment, clustered as healthy “Poor” and “Good” cognitive performers, were followed for an average of 18 months. Seasonal-adjusted 25(OH)D serum levels (measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) were related, longitudinally, with cognitive (memory and general/executive) composite scores. Results: Overall seasonal-adjusted median serum 25(OH)D level was of 47 nmol/l [interquartile range (IQR), 38–60 nmol/l]. A negative correlation between baseline 25(OH)D and the general/executive composite score was found in the “Poor” cognitive performers (rs = −0.52, p = 0.006), an association lost after adjusting 25(OH)D levels for the season. No effect was found in both groups between seasonal-adjusted 25(OH)D levels and the variation of both memory and general/executive composites during follow-up when adjusted for age, gender and education level. Conclusion: In this healthy older population with no cognitive impairment, lower serum levels of 25(OH)D were not longitudinally associated with poorer cognitive scores.
The Evolution of T Cell Depleted Haploidentical Transplantation

Work on bone marrow transplantation from haploidentical donor has been proceeding for over 20 years all over the world and new transplant procedures have been developed. To control both graft rejection and graft vs. host disease, some centers have preferred to enhance the intensity of the conditioning regimens and the post-transplant immune suppression in the absence of graft manipulation; others have concentrated on manipulating the graft in the absence of any additional post-transplant immune suppressive agent. Due to the current high engraftment rates, the low incidence of graft-vs.-host disease and regimen related mortality, transplantation from haploidentical donors have been progressively offered even to elderly patients. Overall, survivals compare favorably with reports on transplants from unrelated donors. Further improvements will come with successful implementation of strategies to enhance post-transplant immune reconstitution and to prevent leukemia relapse.
The Genome Sequence of Gossypioides kirkii Illustrates a Descending Dysploidy in Plants

One of the extraordinary aspects of plant genome evolution is variation in chromosome number, particularly that among closely related species. This is exemplified by the cotton genus (Gossypium) and its relatives, where most species and genera have a base chromosome number of 13. The two exceptions are sister genera that have n = 12 (the Hawaiian Kokia and the East African and Madagascan Gossypioides). We generated a high-quality genome sequence of Gossypioides kirkii (n = 12) using PacBio, Bionano, and Hi-C technologies, and compared this assembly to genome sequences of Kokia (n = 12) and Gossypium diploids (n = 13). Previous analysis demonstrated that the directionality of their reduced chromosome number was through large structural rearrangements. A series of structural rearrangements were identified comparing the de novo G. kirkii genome sequence to genome sequences of Gossypium, including chromosome fusions and inversions. Genome comparison between G. kirkii and Gossypium suggests that multiple steps are required to generate the extant structural differences.
Comparable study between organic and nonorganic vegetables in their contents of some nutritive components

Background There is no doubt that vegetables play an essential role in human growth as they provide the human body the necessary needs of vitamins and minerals. Several analytical methods have been set up and improved to determine the quantity of vitamins and minerals in different fruits and vegetables. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quantities of vitamins and minerals in organic and nonorganic vegetables in Egyptian. The results showed that organic tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, squash, carrots, and cabbage had significantly higher content of vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, phosphorus, and calcium. However, nonorganic vegetables showed significantly higher content of protein than the organic vegetables. Objective To identify which vegetables, organic or nonorganic, contain a higher level of vitamins and minerals. Results Organic crops contained a higher significant level of vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, phosphorus, and calcium, whereas it contained less protein level than nonorganic crops. Conclusion The difference between organic and nonorganic content may be related to the type of soil and the method of cultivation.
Coronary artery dominance and atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation

Background and Aim: Catheter-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation primarily for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become a significant therapeutic alternative for symptomatic and drug-refractory AF patients. It is evident that AF time and left atrium diameter (LAD) have the most critical impact on AF recurrence. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of coronary artery dominance for predicting AF recurrence after cryoballoon PVI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical, laboratory, and angiographic data from consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography and successful cryoballoon PVI. Images of the coronary angiography were retrospectively reviewed for the coronary artery dominance by two experienced observers. The coronary artery system was classified as right dominant (RD) and left dominant. Results: A total of 140 patients without coronary artery disease and structural heart disease who underwent successful cryoballoon PVI were included in the study. There were 101 RD (72%) and 39 left-dominant (28%) patterns. A total of 26 patients (22%) had developed AF recurrence during follow-up. AF recurrence rates were 41% in the left coronary-dominant group and 15% in the right coronary-dominant group (P = 0.001). According to AF recurrence after cryoballoon PVI, only follow-up time (15.7 ± 2.4 vs. 14 ± 1.8 months, P = 0.001), LAD (41.8 ± 2 vs. 40.6 ± 1.8 mm, P = 0.003) and coronary artery disease (CAD) (left CAD, 51.6% vs. 21.1%, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with AF recurrence. AF recurrence rates in multivariable logistic regression analysis according to AF recurrence after cryoballoon PVI, follow-up time, LAD, and CAD were independent predictors of AF recurrence. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that left CAD may be related to AF recurrence after cryoballoon PVI. Coronary artery dominance may be an additional predictor of AF recurrence if supported by larger prospective studies.
Verification and what to do until your probe-mic system arrives (Part 1 of 2)

ing aids, the patient was “fitted” to the best gain and output through the use of numerous screwdriver adjustments and even by trying different instruments until the desired real-ear outcome was obtained. Today, because of our ability to conduct precise pre-fitting programming of hearing aids, this “fitting procedure” has become more of a “verification procedure. ” Does the hearing aid function in the real ear the way the software says it should? Much of what needs to be verified regarding real-ear hearing aid performance can be accomplished with probe-mic measures. These test procedures have been used clinically for the past 25 years, and are cited as “best practice” in published fitting guidelines. There are some dispensers, however, who do not have this equipment. What do they do? Push a few programming buttons and hope they get lucky? Or, is it possible to verify the fitting to a reasonable degree using alternative measures? At least one person thinks so, and she’s our Page Ten author this month. Robyn Cox received a PhD in audiology from Indiana University in 1974, then joined the faculty of the University of Memphis shortly thereafter and never left. She is currently a professor and the director of the Hearing Aid Research Laboratory (HARL). You all know her numerous publications regarding improving hearing aid fitting procedures for older adults, and studying how to achieve fitting success. Dr. Cox is perhaps best known for her work in developing standardized several questionnaires, including the clinically popular APHAB and SADL. You might not be aware of the most recent questionnaire developed in the HARL, the DOSO (Device Oriented Subjective Outcome) Scale, designed to yield a personality-free measure of the success of a hearing aid fitting. One of her current areas of interest is “comparative effectiveness research”—a focus on just which aspects of hearing aid provision give our patients the biggest bang for their buck? Robyn was born in Toowoomba, Australia and grew up in Aussie-land. She says, “When I was growing up, no one ever cooked shrimp on the barbie, fair dinkum! We only cooked steak and sausages. ” Another myth exploded! What is not myth, though, is that real-ear verification of hearing aid performance is a critical component of the fitting. This article provides some very useful guidance on how to accomplish this, even if your probe-mic equipment is on back order.
From Etiopathogenesis to the Prediction of Autoimmune Diseases: Relevance of

PABST AUTOANTIGENS, AUTOANTIBODIES, AUTOIMMUNITY Volume 5 2007 Disease-associated autoantibodies become more and more important for routine diagnostics as well as basic and applied research. As many of these autoantibodies are detectable long time before clinical manifestations, they may be used to predict the development of the appropriate disease. However their potential role in the very early diagnosis or risk assessment of disease development remains to be further studied. The current knowledge, the facts and perspectives regarding the prediction of organ specific and systemic autoimmune diseases are discussed in Chapter 1. For disease prediction and early intervention it is necessary to understand the pathologic processes leading to autoimmune diseases. For instance, components of the innate immune system (e.g. Toll-like receptors) can have a dramatic impact on autoantibody response and disease pathogenesis, either by promoting or by regulating disease (Chapter 2). The different effects of autoantibodies in immune homeostasis and autoimmune manifestations are discussed in Chapters 3 to 6.1 (natural autoantibodies as catalytic or protective immunoglobulins, autoantibodies against protective molecules, macromolecular complexes, receptor structures and ion channels). Reviews and news regarding autoantibodies in organ specific (Chapter 6) and systemic autoimmune diseases (Chapter 7) follow. The main focus of Chapter 7 is the pathologic, diagnostic and prognostic relevance of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins or peptides. Chapter 9 deals with methodical aspects and diagnostic stategies starting with general comments on early diagnosis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Technologies for the identification of novel autoantibodies as well as for the determination of autoantibodies and autoantibody profiles were presented. Improvement of autoantibody analyses by autoantigen designing and technological innovations were discussed. Optimized, standardized and cost-effective multiparametric assays are the prerequisite for a probable future use of autoantibodies for the more accurate prediction of diseases.
Chromatographic profiles, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxicity potential of extracts of Banisteriopsis pubipetala (A. Juss)

Background: Banisteriopsis pubipetala is a little-studied species belonging to the same genus of B. caapi, which stands out for the bioactive compounds known to be important in the degenerative diseases treatment. Objective: The objective is to analyze the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic potential and chromatographic profile of the extracts of B. pubipetala. Materials and Methods: The investigation of the chromatographic profile was performed through high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detector. Cell viability was determined by a quantitative colorimetric assay with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. In the pharmacological tests, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-10, and nitric oxide (NO) levels in cell culture supernatants were performed. Results: In the leaf were observed nine major compounds and in the stem five major compounds. The extracts of B. pubipetala demonstrated concentration-dependent behavior regarding cytotoxicity. The fraction in dichloromethane had inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) = 67.39 μg/mL whereas the extract in ethyl acetate had IC50 =103.37 μg/mL. The results showed that extracts significantly reduced the production of IL-6 and TNF-α by cells 3T3 cells, however increased the production of IL-10 and NO. Conclusion: The results of the tests indicate that the extracts of B. pubipetala evaluated have potential anti-inflammatory properties and may promote the regulation of inflammation levels.
Precision Agriculture: A Remote Sensing Monitoring System Architecture †

Smart Farming is a development that emphasizes on the use of modern technologies in the cyber-physical field management cycle. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Computing have accelerated the digital transformation of the conventional agricultural practices promising increased production rate and product quality. The adoption of smart farming though is hampered because of the lack of models providing guidance to practitioners regarding the necessary components that constitute IoT-based monitoring systems. To guide the process of designing and implementing Smart farming monitoring systems, in this paper we propose a generic reference architecture model, taking also into consideration a very important non-functional requirement, the energy consumption restriction. Moreover, we present and discuss the technologies that incorporate the seven layers of the architecture model that are the Sensor Layer, the Link Layer, the Encapsulation Layer, the Middleware Layer, the Configuration Layer, the Management Layer and the Application Layer. Furthermore, the proposed Reference Architecture model is exemplified in a real-world application for surveying Saffron agriculture in Kozani, Greece.