Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between the morphokinetics of in-vitro-derived bovine embryos and the transcriptomic profile of the derived blastocysts

The time-lapse system is a non-invasive method that enables a continuous evaluation through embryo development. Here, we examined the association between the morphokinetics of the developing embryo and the transcriptomic profile of the formed blastocysts. Bovine oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro; then, the putative zygotes were cultured in an incubator equipped with a time-lapse system. Based on the first-cleavage pattern, embryos were categorized as normal or abnormal (68.5±2.2 and 31.6±2.3%, respectively; P<0.001). A cleaved embryo was defined as normal when it first cleaved into two equal blastomeres; it was classified as synchronous or asynchronous according to its subsequent cleavages. An abnormal pattern was defined as direct, unequal, or reverse cleavage. Direct cleavage was classified as division from one cell directly into three or more blastomeres; unequal cleavage was classified as division that resulted in asymmetrically sized blastomeres; and reverse cleavage of the first division was classified as reduced number of blastomeres from two to one. Of the normally cleaving embryos, 60.2±3.1% underwent synchronous cleavage into 4, 8, and 16 blastomeres, and 39.7±3.1% cleaved asynchronously (P<0.001). The blastocyte formation rate was lower for the synchronously vs. the asynchronously cleaved embryos (P<0.03). The abnormally cleaved embryos showed low competence to develop to blastocysts, relative to the normally cleaved embryos (P<0.001). Microarray analysis revealed 895 and 643 differentially expressed genes in blastocysts that developed from synchronously and asynchronously cleaved embryos, respectively, relative to those that developed from directly cleaved embryos. The genes were related to the cell cycle, cell differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis. About 180 differentially expressed genes were found between the synchronously vs. the asynchronously cleaved embryos, related to metabolism and the apoptosis mechanism. We provide the first evidence indicating that an embryo’s morphokinetics is associated with the transcriptome profile of the derived blastocyst, which might be practically relevant for the embryo transfer program.
Rate of publication hastens, but number of publications slows academic promotion

Openings for an assistant professor often attract a hundred or more applicants. This allows hiring committees to select highly productive candidates based on their number of publications. Applicants with more rapid publication would be hired with little or no postgraduate experience, but those with slower rates of publication would need more postgraduate experience. Our results show an association of more postgraduate experience, slower rates of publication, a smaller research group, and slower promotion when years are measured from PhD granting; conversely little or no postgraduate experience is generally associated with more rapid publication, a larger research group, and faster promotion. These results suggest the unexpected result that the number and rate of publication have opposite effects on the years from PhD granting to promotion which parametric survival analysis using a log-logistic distribution with gamma frailty confirmed. Statistical analysis revealed that number and rate of publication are reciprocal suppressor variables which were individually weaker predictors of years to promotion, but much more powerful when combined. Intuitively, this is probably because number and rate of publication contain information about other variables with: (1) number of publications being associated with more postgraduate experience, a smaller research group, and slower rates of publication; and (2) rate of publication being associated with a larger research group, and less postgraduate experience. Further, we found that promotion committees closely follow institutional tenure policy requiring promotion a fixed number of years after hiring as an assistant professor which may partially explain why promotion committees fail adjust the number and rate of publication for research group size as fairness in promotion might favor. Our results suggest that both postgraduate experience and research group size influence a professor’s career.
Age prediction from coronary angiography using a deep neural network: Age as a potential label to extract prognosis-related imaging features

Coronary angiography (CAG) is still considered the reference standard for coronary artery assessment, especially in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although aging causes changes in coronary arteries, the age-related imaging features on CAG and their prognostic relevance have not been fully characterized. We hypothesized that a deep neural network (DNN) model could be trained to estimate vascular age only using CAG and that this age prediction from CAG could show significant associations with clinical outcomes of ACS. A DNN was trained to estimate vascular age using ten separate frames from each of 5,923 CAG videos from 572 patients. It was then tested on 1,437 CAG videos from 144 patients. Subsequently, 298 ACS patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were analysed to assess whether predicted age by DNN was associated with clinical outcomes. Age predicted as a continuous variable showed mean absolute error of 4 years with R squared of 0.72 (r = 0.856). Among the ACS patients stratified by predicted age from CAG images before PCI, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were more frequently observed in the older vascular age group than in the younger vascular age group (p = 0.017). Furthermore, after controlling for actual age, gender, peak creatine kinase, and history of heart failure, the older vascular age group independently suffered from more MACE (hazard ratio 2.14, 95% CI 1.07 to 4.29, p = 0.032). The vascular age estimated based on CAG imaging by DNN showed high predictive value. The age predicted from CAG images by DNN could have significant associations with clinical outcomes in patients with ACS.
The cosmology in f(R,τ) gravity without dark energy

We examine the evolution of universe in f(R,τ) gravity where R is the Ricci curvature and τ is the trace of energy–momentum tensor. We focus on the specific form f(R,τ) = R + f(τ) and explicitly find out the relation between f(τ) and state of equation w by adiabatic condition. All possible modes of evolution of the scale factor for the five kinds of state of equation, w = ±1,±1 3, 0 are exhibited. We simulate numerically the plots of redshift versus distance modulus for three interesting modes and then obtain the good fitting curve compared with the astronomical observation data.
Applied Numerical Methods for Food and Agricultural Engineers

Units and Dimensions A Concise Treatise on FORTRAN Numerical Methods Numerical Differentation Real Roots of Algebraic Equations Numerical Integration Solution of Linear Algebraic Equations Least Squares Approximation Solution of Initial and Boundary Value Problems Solution of Partial Differential Equations Errors Finite Element Methods Dimensional Analysis Methods of Dimensional Analysis Model Testing for Scaling Up Applications Air Psychrometrics Tubular Heat Exchanger with Annular Fin Heat Transfer Coefficient in Puffing of Rice Residence Time of a Particle Inside a Cyclone Seperator Drying Simulation using Diffusion and Thin-Layer Concepts Appendices Index
Aged versus fresh autologous platelet transfusion in a two‐hit healthy volunteer model of transfusion‐related acute lung injury

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a severe complication of blood transfusion that is thought of as a two‐hit event: first the underlying patient condition (e.g., sepsis), and then the transfusion. Transfusion factors include human leukocyte antigen antibodies or biologic response modifiers (BRMs) accumulating during storage. Preclinical studies show an increased TRALI risk with longer stored platelets, clinical studies are conflicting. We aim to discover whether longer platelet concentrate (PC) storage time increases TRALI risk in a controlled human experiment.
Complex Genomic Rearrangements following Selection in a Glutamine-Limited Medium over Hundreds of Generations

Large-scale genomic changes, including copy number variations (CNVs), are frequently observed in long-term evolution experiments (LTEEs). We have previously reported the detection of recurrent CNVs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations adapting to glutamine-limited conditions over hundreds of generations. Here, we present the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) assemblies of 7 LTEE strains and their ancestor. ABSTRACT Large-scale genomic changes, including copy number variations (CNVs), are frequently observed in long-term evolution experiments (LTEEs). We have previously reported the detection of recurrent CNVs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations adapting to glutamine-limited conditions over hundreds of generations. Here, we present the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) assemblies of 7 LTEE strains and their ancestor.
Validation of the Nurse Managers' Work Content Questionnaire and Factors―A Structural Equation Modeling Study

ABSTRACT Background The responsibilities of nurse managers are diverse and occasionally inadequately organized. Moreover, the role of nurse manager often lacks a clear job description. Few methodologies for evaluating the content of nurse managers' work exist. Purpose This study was designed to validate the Nurse Managers' Work Content Questionnaire (NMWCQ) instrument and to analyze the relationships between NMWCQ factors and background variables using structural equation modeling. Methods A multicenter descriptive and cross-sectional study design was used. The NMWCQ, which includes 87 items across 13 components, was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and pilot study. The questionnaire was sent to all of the nurse managers (N = 756) employed at eight Finnish hospitals in 2019. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to psychometrically test and validate the NMWCQ, whereas Cronbach's alpha values were calculated to explore the internal consistency of the instrument. Structural equation modeling was applied to detect the relationships between the constructed factor structure and the background variables. Results Two hundred seven nurse managers participated in this study. The final solution for the NMWCQ included 75 items across 12 factors. The NMWCQ factors were as follows: responsibility for new employees, daily management, human resource management, decision making, clinical nursing, development, planning of processes, collaboration, ensuring knowledge, evidence-based management, ensuring care quality, and financial management. The items showed factor loadings that were either positive or negative, with values ranging from . 314 to . 846. The Cronbach's alpha values for the factors ranged between . 605 and . 851. All of the covariances and relationships between background variables and factors were found to be significant (p ≤ .05). The structural equation modeling showed acceptable index results (incremental fit index = .954, comparative fit index = .951, and root mean square error of approximation = .048). Conclusions The NMWCQ version assessed in this study shows a more robust structure than the previously published pilot version. Psychometric testing showed the NMWCQ as suitable for describing the diverse work requirements of nurse managers and may offer a framework for concretizing the job description of nurse managers.
The peritumoral brain zone in glioblastoma: where we are and where we are going

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and invasive primary brain tumor. Current therapies are not curative, and patients' outcomes remain poor with an overall survival of 20.9 months after surgery. The typical growing pattern of GBM develops by infiltrating the surrounding apparent normal brain tissue within which the recurrence is expected to appear in the majority of cases. Thus, in the last decades, an increased interest has developed to investigate the cellular and molecular interactions between GBM and the peritumoral brain zone (PBZ) bordering the tumor tissue. The aim of this review is to provide up‐to‐date knowledge about the oncogenic properties of the PBZ to highlight possible druggable targets for more effective treatment of GBM by limiting the formation of recurrence, which is almost inevitable in the majority of patients. Starting from the description of the cellular components, passing through the illustration of the molecular profiles, we finally focused on more clinical aspects, represented by imaging and radiological details. The complete picture that emerges from this review could provide new input for future investigations aimed at identifying new effective strategies to eradicate this still incurable tumor.
The physics of gamma-ray bursts

Gamma-ray bursts (GRB's), short and intense pulses of low-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays, have fascinated astronomers and astrophysicists since their unexpected discovery in the late sixties. During the last decade, several space missions\char22{}BATSE (Burst and Transient Source Experiment) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, BeppoSAX and now HETE II (High-Energy Transient Explorer)\char22{}together with ground-based optical, infrared, and radio observatories have revolutionized our understanding of GRB's, showing that they are cosmological, that they are accompanied by long-lasting afterglows, and that they are associated with core-collapse supernovae. At the same time a theoretical understanding has emerged in the form of the fireball internal-external shocks model. According to this model GRB's are produced when the kinetic energy of an ultrarelativistic flow is dissipated in internal collisions. The afterglow arises when the flow is slowed down by shocks with the surrounding circumburst matter. This model has had numerous successful predictions, like the predictions of the afterglow itself, of jet breaks in the afterglow light curve, and of the optical flash that accompanies the GRB's. This review focuses on the current theoretical understanding of the physical processes believed to take place in GRB's.
Enhanced piezoelectric response in BTO NWs-PVDF composite through tuning of polar phase content

We have fabricated a flexible, environment friendly piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) based on the ferroelectric Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite incorporated with Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanowires (NWs) of piezoelectric coefficient d 33 = 308 pm V−1. The single-layered PENG can deliver output power density of 10 μW cm−2 and an output voltage of 2 V with a nominal mechanical load of 1 kPa. BaTiO3 (BTO) NWs of different concentrations were incorporated into PVDF to tune the polar phase content, internal resistance, and optimize the output power. We show that there exists a critical value of BTO NWs loading of 15 wt%, beyond which the piezoelectric energy harvesting characteristics of the PVDF nanocomposites decrease. The oxygen vacancies present in the BTO NWs surface attract the fluorine ions of PVDF chain and favour the formation of β phase. The enhanced value of dielectric constant and dielectric loss of BTO-PVDF samples in the low frequency region suggest strong interfacial polarization in the composite system. The fabricated PENG can charge a super-capacitor up to 4 V within 35 s. The origin of the high power output from the BTO (15 wt%)-PVDF composite is attributed to the combined effect of enhanced polar phase content, strong interfacial polarization, and reduced internal resistance. This study provides an effective pathway in enhancing the performance of BTO-PVDF based piezoelectric energy harvesters.
Veratrum parviflorum poisoning: identification of steroidal alkaloids in patient blood and breast milk

Abstract Introduction The Veratrum genus is composed of plants containing a diverse set of steroidal alkaloids. Veratrum plant material has been utilized for centuries as herbal medicines, however the alkaloids have such a low therapeutic index that they are not used in modern medicine. Here we report an incident of inadvertent ingestion of V. parviflorum by hikers in Georgia that allowed detection, and in several instances identification of alkaloids from the plant, and correlated their presence within patient blood and breast milk specimens. Case history Eight patients, three male and five female, presented in the spring of 2020 and 2021 with symptoms requiring emergent medical attention after ingestion of Veratrum parviflorum. All patients believed the plants to be a local native species of wild leek, Allium tricoccum, locally known as ramps. Plants were identified using photographs as well as fresh and cooked plant material provided by patients, in consultation with botanists at the University of Georgia Herbarium. Written consent was obtained from all patients for collection of blood and breast milk specimens for laboratory identification of Veratrum alkaloids. Methods V. parviflorum plant material, and patient serum and breast milk were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF) to identify steroidal alkaloids. Results The V. parviflorum extract was confirmed to contain cyclopamine, veratramine, jervine, and muldamine. Two out of the eight patients had detectable concentrations of Veratrum alkaloids. Of the alkaloids identified in the plant, cyclopamine and jervine were detected within patient serum, and cyclopamine and veratramine were observed to be present in breast milk. Discussion Toxicity resulting from Veratrum steroidal alkaloids has primarily been reported from V. album and V. viride. This is the second report of V. parviflorum poisoning. The present work reports for the first time the presence of muldamine and jervine within V. parviflorum. This work provides the first instance of identification of Veratrum alkaloids in breast milk. Thus, the findings presented herein add to literature record causative agents contributing to the toxicity of V. parviflorum when ingested and potential for secondary poisoning through breastfeeding. Conclusion V. parviflorum toxicity was observed to cause nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, abdominal pain, light-headedness, blurred vision, and tingling in the arms. Patients experiencing mild symptoms improved with supportive care, IV fluids, and antiemetics, but hemodynamically unstable patients required atropine and vasopressors. This study demonstrated that more lipophilic Veratrum alkaloids can be passed along in breast milk, which suggests additional precautions may be critical to limit further poisonings.
Measuring Oxygen Abundances from Stellar Spectra without Oxygen Lines

Oxygen is the most abundant “metal” element in stars and in the cosmos. But determining oxygen abundances in stars has proven challenging, because of the shortage of detectable atomic oxygen lines in their optical spectra as well as observational and theoretical complications with these lines (e.g., blends, three-dimensional, non-LTE). Nonetheless, Ting et al. were recently able to demonstrate that oxygen abundances can be determined from low-resolution (R ≃ 2000) optical spectra. Here, we investigate the physical processes that enable such a measurement for cool stars, such as K-giants. We show that the strongest spectral diagnostics of oxygen come from the CNO atomic-molecular network but are manifested in spectral features that do not involve oxygen. In the outer atmosphere layers, most of the carbon is locked up in CO, and changes to the oxygen abundance directly affect the abundances of all other carbon-bearing molecules, thereby changing the strength of CH, CN, and C2 features across the optical spectrum. In deeper atmosphere layers, most of the carbon is in atomic form, and any change in the oxygen abundance has little effect on the other carbon-bearing molecules. The key physical effect enabling such oxygen abundance measurements is that spectral features in the optical arise from both the CO-dominant and the atomic carbon-dominant regions, providing non-degenerate constraints on both C and O. Beyond the case at hand, the results show that physically sound abundances measurements need not be limited to those elements that have observable lines themselves.
Gout in Dalarna, Sweden – a population-based study of gout occurrence and compliance to treatment guidelines

Objective This study aimed to describe the incidence and prevalence of gout, describe the use of allopurinol among prevalent gout cases, and determine persistence with allopurinol and degree of compliance with treat-to-target recommendations before and after the publication of Swedish national guidelines in 2016. Method Prospectively registered data on gout diagnoses and allopurinol prescriptions were used to calculate incidence and prevalence, and the proportion of prevalent patients on allopurinol. Gout patients starting allopurinol during 2013–2015 versus 2016–2018 were compared regarding persistence and compliance with treat-to-target principles. Results The incidence of gout was 221–247 per 100 000 person-years during 2014–2019, prevalence in 2018 was 2.45%. Among prevalent cases, the proportion on allopurinol ranged from 21% to 25%. Allopurinol persistence was better for individuals starting therapy during 2016–2018 compared with 2013–2015 (45% vs 39%, p = 0.031), as were several outcomes related to treat-to-target principles, e.g. measuring baseline serum urate (SU) (84% vs 77%, p < 0.001), follow-up SU (50% vs 36%, p < 0.001), and the proportion of patients reaching an SU level < 360 µmol/L (45% vs 30%, p < 0.001). Conclusion Incidence and prevalence were slightly higher than in previous Swedish reports. Allopurinol use among prevalent gout patients did not increase during 2014–2019. Only a minor improvement in persistence was seen, and a moderate increase in compliance with guidelines, suggesting a need for improved management and extended patient involvement to increase and optimize the use of urate lowering therapy.
Star Formation and Active Galactic Nuclei in the Core of the Shapley Supercluster: A Very Large Array Survey of A3556, A3558, SC 1327−312, SC 1329−313, and A3562

The core of the Shapley supercluster (A3556, A3558, SC 1327-312, SC 1329-313, and A3562) is an ideal region in which to study the effects of cluster mergers on the activity of individual galaxies. This paper presents the most comprehensive radio continuum investigation of the region, relying on a 63 pointing mosaic obtained with the Very Large Array yielding an areal coverage of nearly 7 deg2. The mosaic provides a typical sensitivity of about 80 μJy at a resolution of 16″, enabling the detection of galaxies with star formation rates as low as 1 M⊙ yr-1. The radio data are complemented by optical imaging in the B and R bands, producing a catalog of 210 radio-detected galaxies with mR ≤ 17.36 (MR ≤ -19). At least 104 of these radio-detected galaxies are members of the supercluster on the basis of public velocity measurements. Across the entire core of the supercluster, there appears to be a significant deficit of radio galaxies at intermediate optical magnitudes (-21 ≥ MR > -22). This deficit is offset somewhat by an increase in the frequency with which brighter galaxies (MR ≤ -22) host radio sources. More dramatic is the highly significant increase in the probability for fainter galaxies (-20 ≥ MR > -21) in the vicinity of A3562 and SC 1329-313 to be associated with radio emission. The radio and optical data for these sources strongly suggest that these active galaxies are powered by star formation. In conjunction with recent X-ray analysis, this is interpreted as young starbursts related to the recent merger of SC 1329-313 with A3562 and the rest of the supercluster.