Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delineating the Dynamic Transcriptome Response of mRNA and microRNA during Zebrafish Heart Regeneration

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death for the vast majority of people around the world, which is often due to the limited capability of human cardiac regeneration. In contrast, zebrafish have the capacity to fully regenerate their hearts after cardiac injury. Understanding and activating these mechanisms would improve health in patients suffering from long-term consequences of ischemia. Therefore, we monitored the dynamic transcriptome response of both mRNA and microRNA in zebrafish at 1–160 days post cryoinjury (dpi). Using a control model of sham-operated and healthy fish, we extracted the regeneration specific response and further delineated the spatio-temporal organization of regeneration processes such as cell cycle and heart function. In addition, we identified novel (miR-148/152, miR-218b and miR-19) and previously known microRNAs among the top regulators of heart regeneration by using theoretically predicted target sites and correlation of expression profiles from both mRNA and microRNA. In a cross-species effort, we validated our findings in the dynamic process of rat myoblasts differentiating into cardiomyocytes-like cells (H9c2 cell line). Concluding, we elucidated different phases of transcriptomic responses during zebrafish heart regeneration. Furthermore, microRNAs showed to be important regulators in cardiomyocyte proliferation over time.
Automatic Approach for Cervical Cancer Detection and Segmentation Using Neural Network Classifier

Cervical cancer leads to major death disease in women around the world every year. This cancer can be cured if it is initially screened and giving timely treatment to the patients. This paper proposes a novel methodology for screening the cervical cancer using cervigram images. Oriented Local Histogram Technique (OLHT) is applied on the cervical image to enhance the edges and then Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT) is applied on it to obtain multi resolution image. Then, features as wavelet, Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), moment invariant and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) features are extracted from this transformed multi resolution cervical image. These extracted features are trained and also tested by feed forward back propagation neural network to classify the given cervical image into normal and abnormal. The morphological operations are applied on the abnormal cervical image to detect and segment the cancer region. The performance of the proposed cervical cancer detection system is analyzed in the terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Likelihood Ratio positive, Likelihood ratio negative, precision, false positive rate and false negative rate. The performance measures for the cervical cancer detection system achieves 97.42% of sensitivity, 99.36% of specificity, 98.29% of accuracy, PPV of 97.28%, NPV of 92.17%, LRP of 141.71, LRN of 0.0936, 97.38 % precision, 96.72% FPR and 91.36% NPR. From the simulation results, the proposed methodology outperforms the conventional methodologies for cervical cancer detection and segmentation process.
Overview of Fungi and Mycotoxin Contamination in Capsicum Pepper and in Its Derivatives

Capsicum products are widely commercialised and consumed worldwide. These substrates present unusual nutritional characteristics for microbial growth. Despite this, the presence of spoilage fungi and the co-occurrence of mycotoxins in the pepper production chain have been commonly detected. The main aim of this work was to review the critical control points, with a focus on mycotoxin contamination, during the production, storage and distribution of Capsicum products from a safety perspective; outlining the important role of ecophysiological factors in stimulating or inhibiting mycotoxin biosynthesis in these food commodities. Moreover, the human health risks caused by the ingestion of peppers contaminated with mycotoxins were also reviewed. Overall, Capsicum and its derivative-products are highly susceptible to contamination by mycotoxins. Pepper crop production and further transportation, processing and storage are crucial for production of safe food.
The blocking effect of atmospheric particles by forest and wetland at different air quality grades in Beijing China

ABSTRACT To understand the effect of forests and wetlands on air quality, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentration and meteorological data were collected in the forest and wetland in the Beijing Olympic Forest Park in China from May 2106 to May 2017. The blocking rates of forest and wetland to PMs were calculated under different air quality grades which were divided into six levels base on a technical regulation. And we have got three main conclusions. (1) The diurnal variations of PMs were different in the forest and wetland. It showed a first decrease and then an increase in the forest; the lowest value (PM10 = 40.00 µg/m3, PM2.5 = 5.37 µg/m3) was at approximately 12:00. In the wetlands, the lowest values were recorded at 16:00 (PM10 = 39.63 µg/m3 and PM2.5 = 15.89 µg/m3). (2) Another result showed that the blocking in the forest were significantly higher than that at the wetlands (P < .05), and the blocking effects were much better under lower air quality grades. The blocking rate of PM10 and PM2.5 was the highest when the air quality is excellent in the forest. When it comes to wetland, the highest blocking rate of PM10 appears at good air quality, and the highest of PM2.5 was at serious polluted. (3) In addition, there was negative correlation between PM concentrations and temperature, whereas the correlation between PM concentrations and relative humidity is positive. However, the correlation between blocking and meteorological parameters is weak. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Factors Associated with Parental Treatment Attitudes and Information-Seeking Behaviors for Childhood ADHD

Objective: Despite the association between childhood ADHD and long-term negative outcomes, there is a significant delay to treatment and a low rate of lifetime treatment contact for individuals with ADHD. Method: The current study examined (a) variables associated with parental treatment-seeking attitudes and information-seeking behaviors and (b) the relationship between these attitudes and behaviors in 87 non–treatment-seeking parents whose children had elevated ADHD symptoms. Results: Regressions indicated that attitudes toward ADHD treatment were associated with ADHD knowledge and misconceptions (ps < .01), susceptibility to ADHD stigma (p < .001), and satisfaction with past providers (ps < .01). Experience with past providers was significantly associated with information-seeking behavior (ps < .01). Conclusion: Parental knowledge of ADHD, low levels of stigma, and positive experiences with past providers were the strongest predictors of positive attitudes about ADHD treatment. Experience with past providers was the only factor related to treatment-seeking behavior. These results offer avenues to decreasing barriers to treatment in pediatric ADHD.
Illumina midi-barcodes: quality proof and applications

Abstract DNA barcoding constitutes a supplemental genetically based characterization tool for the identification of species. Traditionally, the barcodes are generated with a length of 650 bp using standardized Sanger sequencing, but with the introduction of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) methods new opportunities for sequencing are available. To use HTS for barcode collection and identification, the amplification of shorter fragments is preferred. Reference DNA midi-barcodes of wild bees were produced using the Illumina MiSeq as well as the Sanger method. Although DNA midi-barcodes derived from Illumina were comparatively shorter (418 bp), their sequences were coherent to the morphological assignment of species. The Illumina barcodes proved to be effective and dealt better with some general limitations of DNA barcoding.
Interferon β-Mediated Protective Functions of Microglia in Central Nervous System Autoimmunity

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) leading to demyelination and axonal damage. It often affects young adults and can lead to neurological disability. Interferon β (IFNβ) preparations represent widely used treatment regimens for patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) with therapeutic efficacy in reducing disease progression and frequency of acute exacerbations. In mice, IFNβ therapy has been shown to ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS while genetic deletion of IFNβ or its receptor augments clinical severity of disease. However, the complex mechanism of action of IFNβ in CNS autoimmunity has not been fully elucidated. Here, we review our current understanding of the origin, phenotype, and function of microglia and CNS immigrating macrophages in the pathogenesis of MS and EAE. In addition, we highlight the emerging roles of microglia as IFNβ-producing cells and vice versa the impact of IFNβ on microglia in CNS autoimmunity. We finally discuss recent progress in unraveling the underlying molecular mechanisms of IFNβ-mediated effects in EAE.
Drawing a Line: Grasses and Boundaries

Delineation between distinct populations of cells is essential for organ development. Boundary formation is necessary for the maintenance of pluripotent meristematic cells in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and differentiation of developing organs. Boundaries form between the meristem and organs, as well as between organs and within organs. Much of the research into the boundary gene regulatory network (GRN) has been carried out in the eudicot model Arabidopsis thaliana. This work has identified a dynamic network of hormone and gene interactions. Comparisons with other eudicot models, like tomato and pea, have shown key conserved nodes in the GRN and species-specific alterations, including the recruitment of the boundary GRN in leaf margin development. How boundaries are defined in monocots, and in particular the grass family which contains many of the world's staple food crops, is not clear. In this study, we review knowledge of the grass boundary GRN during vegetative development. We particularly focus on the development of a grass-specific within-organ boundary, the ligule, which directly impacts leaf architecture. We also consider how genome engineering and the use of natural diversity could be leveraged to influence key agronomic traits relative to leaf and plant architecture in the future, which is guided by knowledge of boundary GRNs.
Higher silver bioavailability after nanoparticle dietary exposure in marine amphipods

On release into surface waters, engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) tend to settle to sediments and, consequently, epibenthic fauna will be exposed to them through diet. We established Ag uptake and accumulation profiles over time in the hemolymph of a marine amphipod fed with a formulated feed containing AgNPs or AgCl. Silver bioavailability was higher in organisms exposed to AgNPs, indicating that the nanoparticles pose a higher risk of toxicity compared to similar concentrations of AgCl. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:806–810. © 2019 SETAC
Examining the ‘cosmetics placebo effect’

Previous studies have found a positive effect of cosmetics on certain behavioral measures, such as the tip given to waitresses by male patrons. These studies have employed confederates who usually wear cosmetics. We therefore sought to examine whether the positive effect found in these studies could, in part, be explained by a change in behavior. In order to test the possibility of a 'cosmetics placebo effect', we employed a confederate to solicit donations from passersby. On some days our confederate would not have any cosmetics applied to her face (i.e., no cosmetics condition), on some days cosmetics were pretended to be applied to her face (i.e., placebo cosmetics condition), and on other days cosmetics were actually applied to her face (i.e., cosmetics condition). In line with previous research, we found that across conditions men donated significantly more than women to our female solicitor, providing support for the 'showoff hypothesis', in which male generosity serves as a mating tactic. When investigating men's donations in more detail, we found that the highest percentage of donations came in the cosmetics condition, followed by the placebo cosmetics condition, and then by no cosmetics condition. The effect of condition on donation rates, however, was not statistically significant. Our study was limited to one solicitor and one dependent variable (i.e., percentage of people approached who donated) and therefore future research would benefit from using more confederates as well as examining other behavioral measures. Given the influence of cosmetics use on so many real-world outcomes, we believe that further exploration into a possible 'cosmetics placebo effect' would be valuable.
Choice Architecture in Appalachian High Schools: Evaluating and Improving Cafeteria Environments

School meals are a primary source of nutrition for many adolescents. Determining factors that influence the selection of various foods can provide insight on strategies to improve students’ cafeteria choices. This evaluation and observation was conducted at three Appalachian high schools to assess the cafeteria environment. The study developed and implemented an assessment tool created using principles of choice architecture and behavioral economics building on the work of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs (BEN Center). The assessment tool scored eight components of the lunchroom—the exterior, hot serving area, cold serving area, salad bar, beverage area, payment station, dining area and grab-n-go, where a higher score equals healthier components offered. High school (HS) #1 earned 73/128 points (57%), HS #2 earned 69/128 (54%), and HS #3 earned 53/102 (52%). HS #3 did not have a grab-n-go option and the final score was out of 102. Video observation was used to collect data on lunchroom activity during mealtimes. Each school received reports that highlight the results and suggest improvements to raise their score. The scoring tool represents a novel way to assess the health of school lunches, provide insights on how to improve the healthfulness of students’ lunch choice, and improve overall nutrition status.
Two-level delivery systems based on CaCO3 cores for oral administration of therapeutic peptides

Abstract Two-level systems for oral delivery of therapeutic peptides were developed; the carriers consist of CaCO3 cores included into alginate granules. Such systems were first used for the delivery of low molecular weight drugs. It was shown that efficiency of encapsulation of peptides depends on their pI value, hydrophobicity, characteristics of the compounds used for doping CaCO3 cores, their surface potential and the techniques employed for loading peptides into the first-level carriers. Doping CaCO3 cores with dextran sulphate save their viability compared to the pristine CaCO3 cores, but ensures delivery of the desired quantity of peptide when using a smaller amount of delivery systems. Introducing the inhibitor of peptidases leads to an increase in the concentration of peptide in rat blood after intragastric administration of the developed delivery systems. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of fragments of destructed first-level carriers in blood and plasma of experimental animals.
Plasmid‐encoded protein attenuates Escherichia coli swimming velocity and cell growth, not reprogrammed regulatory functions

In addition to engineering new pathways for synthesis, synthetic biologists rewire cells to carry out “programmable” functions, an example being the creation of wound‐healing probiotics. Engineering regulatory circuits and synthetic machinery, however, can be deleterious to cell function, particularly if the “metabolic burden” is significant. Here, a synthetic regulatory circuit previously constructed to direct Escherichia coli to swim toward hydrogen peroxide, a signal of wound generation, was shown to work even with coexpression of antibiotic resistance genes and genes associated with lactose utilization. We found, however, that cotransformation with a second vector constitutively expressing GFP (as a marker) and additionally conferring resistance to kanamycin and tetracycline resulted in slower velocity (Δ~6 μm/s) and dramatically reduced growth rate (Δ > 50%). The additional vector did not, however, alter the run‐and‐tumble ratio or directional characteristics of H2O2–dependent motility. The main impact of this additional burden was limited to slowing cell velocity and growth, suggesting that reprogrammed cell motility by minimally altering native regulatory circuits can be maintained even when extraneous burden is placed on the host cell. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 35: e2778, 2019.
Hypertension Treatment Rates and Health Care Worker Density: An Analysis of Worldwide Data

Elevated blood pressure is the leading cause of death worldwide; however, treatment and control rates for hypertension are low. Here, we analyze the relationship between physician and nurse density and hypertension treatment rates worldwide. Data on hypertension treatment rates were collected from the STEPwise approach to Surveillance country reports, individual studies resulting from a PubMed search for articles published between 1990 and 2010, and manual search of the reference lists of extracted studies. Data on health care worker density were obtained from the Global Atlas of the Health Workforce. We controlled for a variety of variables related to population characteristics and access to health care, data obtained from the World Bank, World Development Indicators, United Nations, and World Health Organization. We used clustering of SEs at the country level. Full data were available for 154 hypertension treatment rate values representing 68 countries between 1990 and 2010. Hypertension treatment rate ranged from 3.4% to 82.5%, with higher treatment rates associated with higher income classification. Physician and nurse/midwife generally increased with income classification. Total healthcare worker density was significantly associated with hypertension treatment rate in the unadjusted model (P<0.001); however, only nurse density remained significant in the fully adjusted model (P=0.050). These analyses suggest that nurse density, not physician density, explains most of the relationship with hypertension treatment rate and remains significant even after adjusting for other independent variables. These results have important implications for health policy, health system design, and program implementation.
The Exploration of Computer Assisted Language Learning and the Cultivation of Fresh Talents

Computer assisted language learning provides the primary motive for the reform and development of English (as a second language) teaching. The present paper explores and compares the characteristics of traditional language teaching and computer assisted language learning and points out their advantages and shortcomings respectively. It comes to a conclusion that only by integrating those two teaching models in our language teaching can we cultivate fresh language talents that are skilled and useful in the development of our society.
Ultrafast dynamics of solvated electrons at anatase TiO2/H2O interface

Solvated electrons are known to be the lowest energy charge transfer pathways at oxide/aqueous interface and the understanding of the electron transfer dynamics at the interface is fundamental for photochemical and photocatalytic processes. Taking anatase TiO2/H2O interface as a prototypical system, we perform time-dependent ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics calculations to study the charge transfer dynamics of solvated electrons. For the static electronic properties, we find that the dangling H atoms can stabilize solvated electrons. A solvated electron band can be formed with one monolayer H2O adsorption. The energies of the solvated electron band minimum (SEBM) decrease when H2O adsorbs dissociatively. Moreover, the surface oxygen vacancies are also helpful for stabilizing the solvated electron band. For the dynamics behaviour, we find that the ultrafast charge transfer from SEBM to anatase TiO2 (1 0 1) surface at 100 K is mainly contributed by nonadiabatic mechanism. Comparing with rutile TiO2 (1 1 0) surface, the lifetime of solvated electron on anatase TiO2 (1 0 1) surface is longer, suggesting a better photocatalytic properties. Our results provide essential insights into the understanding of the charge transfer dynamics and the possible photocatalytic mechanism at oxide/aqueous interface.
Phonological and lexical abilities of Jordanian children with autism

Abstract This study examines phonological and lexical abilities of children with autism in Jordan. JISH Articulation Test (JAT) to measure phonological abilities and JISH School Readiness Screening Test to measure lexical abilities were used in the study. Children with ASD (n = 39) aged 4–8 years and 40 children with typical development were selected to participate in this study. The main finding of this study was that language impairment in both phonological and lexical abilities were noted among Jordanian children with ASD. The results also showed that phonological impairment was greater than lexical impairment. It is concluded that the findings of such study will be helpful to guide experts to provide children with ASD with appropriate educational programs and establish a comprehensive and effective treatment protocols that include phonological and lexical exercises to enhance their speech and language abilities.
The Cooperation Link: Power and Context Moderate Verbal Mimicry

Drawing on theories of mimicry as a schema-driven process, we tested whether the degree of verbal mimicry is dependent on the congruence between interactants’ power dynamic (symmetric versus asymmetric), task type (cooperative versus competitive), and interaction context (negotiation versus social). Experiment 1 found higher verbal mimicry among dyads who successfully completed a cooperative problem-solving task compared with those who did not, but only under conditions of symmetric, not asymmetric, power. Experiment 2 had dyads complete either a cooperative or a competitive negotiation task, under conditions of symmetric versus asymmetric power. Verbal mimicry was associated with improved negotiation outcomes under conditions of cooperation and symmetry, and competition and asymmetry. Experiment 3 completes this picture by separating cooperative–competitive orientation from the interaction context. Consistent with Experiment 2, verbal mimicry was associated with task success during a negotiation context with asymmetric power, and during a social interaction context with symmetric power. Our results point to the contextual link between verbal mimicry and task outcome.