Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-analyses of treatment standards for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal common cancer with an estimated 5-year survival rate of 6–7% (across all stages). The only potential curative therapy is surgical resection in those with localized disease. Adjuvant (postoperative) therapy confers a survival advantage over postoperative observation alone. Neoadjuvant (preoperative) therapy offers the potential to downstage initially unresectable tumors for resection, sterilize resection margins and decrease locoregional recurrence, and identify a subset of patients with aggressive disease for whom surgery will not be beneficial. Induction chemotherapy followed by consolidation chemoradiation is another recommended approach in those with locally advanced disease. For those who cannot be downstaged, cannot tolerate surgery, or were diagnosed with metastatic disease, treatment remains palliative with chemotherapy being a critical component of this approach. Recently, intensive combination chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival rates in comparison to gemcitabine alone in advanced disease. The past few decades have afforded an accumulation of high-level evidence regarding neoadjuvant, adjuvant and palliative therapies in pancreatic cancer. There are numerous reviews discussing recent retrospective studies, prospective studies and randomized controlled trials in each of these areas. However, reviews of optimal and recommended treatment strategies across all stages of pancreatic cancer that focus on the highest levels of hierarchical evidence, such as meta-analyses, are limited. The discussion of novel therapeutics is beyond the scope of this review. However, an extensive and the most current collection of meta-analyses of first-line systemic and locoregional treatment options for all stages of pancreatic cancer to date has been accumulated.
Efficient optimization of the quantum relative entropy

Many quantum information measures can be written as an optimization of the quantum relative entropy between sets of states. For example, the relative entropy of entanglement of a state is the minimum relative entropy to the set of separable states. The various capacities of quantum channels can also be written in this way. We propose a unified framework to numerically compute these quantities using off-the-shelf semidefinite programming solvers, exploiting the approximation method proposed in Fawzi, Saunderson and Parrilo (2017 arXiv: 1705.00812). As a notable application, this method allows us to provide numerical counterexamples for a proposed lower bound on the quantum conditional mutual information in terms of the relative entropy of recovery.
Analysis of Noncanonical Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases in Toxoplasma gondii by Targeted Gene Deletion Using CRISPR/Cas9

ABSTRACT Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are expanded in apicomplexan parasites, especially in Toxoplasma gondii where 14 separate genes encoding these enzymes are found. Although previous studies have shown that several CDPKs play a role in controlling invasion, egress, and cell division in T. gondii, the roles of most of these genes are unexplored. Here we developed a more efficient method for gene disruption using CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) that was modified to completely delete large, multiexonic genes from the genome and to allow serial replacement by recycling of the selectable marker using Cre-loxP. Using this system, we generated a total of 24 mutants in type 1 and 2 genetic backgrounds to ascertain the functions of noncanonical CDPKs. Remarkably, although we were able to confirm the essentiality of CDPK1 and CDPK7, the majority of CDPKs had no discernible phenotype for growth in vitro or infection in the mouse model. The exception to this was CDPK6, loss of which leads to reduced plaquing, fitness defect in a competition assay, and reduced tissue cyst formation in chronically infected mice. Our findings highlight the utility of CRISPR/Cas9 for rapid serial gene deletion and also suggest that additional models are needed to reveal the functions of many genes in T. gondii.
Failure Modes of Foam Core Sandwich Beams under Static and Impact Loads

In recent times, sandwich structures have been widely used in load bearing structures due to their high specific stiffness and high specific strength. Some sandwich structures, such as those used in high speed transportations, are required to have high impact energy absorption characteristics also. Since sandwich structures can fail in various modes, in this article, the static failure modes and load capabilities of foam core composite sandwich beams composed of E-glass/Epoxy and PVC foam were investigated by both experimental and analytic methods. The static load capabilities and failure modes predicted by the theory of beam on elastic foundation showed good agreement with the three-point bending test results. Using the experimental and analytic results, the static failure mode map was constructed. Also, the impact failure modes and the impact energy absorption characteristics of the sandwich beams were studied by the impact test and the finite element analysis. From the test result, it was found that the face failure mode was favorable for the high impact energy absorption. Using the experimental and finite element analysis results, the impact failure mode map was constructed.
Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis multilocus sequence types and genovar distribution in chlamydia infected patients in a multi-ethnic region of Saratov, Russia

Background This is the first report to characterize the prevalence and genovar distribution of genital chlamydial infections among random heterosexual patients in the multi-ethnic Saratov Region, located in Southeast Russia. Methods Sixty-one clinical samples (cervical or urethral swabs) collected from a random cohort of 856 patients (7.1%) were C. trachomatis (CT) positive in commercial nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and duplex TaqMan PCRs. Results Sequence analysis of the VDII region of the ompA gene revealed seven genovars of C. trachomatis in PCR-positive patients. The overall genovars were distributed as E (41.9%), G (21.6%), F (13.5%), K (9.5%), D (6.8%), J (4.1%), and H (2.7%). CT-positive samples were from males (n = 12, 19.7%), females (n = 42, 68.8%), and anonymous (n = 7, 11.5%) patients, with an age range of 19 to 45 years (average 26.4), including 12 different ethnic groups representative of this region. Most patients were infected with a single genovar (82%), while 18% were co-infected with either two or three genovars. The 1156 bp-fragment of the ompA gene was sequenced in 46 samples to determine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) among isolates. SNP-based subtyping and phylogenetic reconstruction revealed the presence of 13 variants of the ompA gene, such as E (E1, E2, E6), G (G1, G2, G3, G5), F1, K, D (D1, Da2), J1, and H2. Differing genovar distribution was identified among urban (E>G>F) and rural (E>K) populations, and in Slavic (E>G>D) and non-Slavic (E>G>K) ethnic groups. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) determined five sequences types (STs), such as ST4 (56%, 95% confidence interval, CI, 70.0 to 41.3), ST6 (10%, 95% CI 21.8 to 3.3), ST9 (22%, 95% CI 35.9 to 11.5), ST10 (2%, 95% CI 10.7 to 0.05) and ST38 (10%, 95% CI 21.8 to 3.3). Thus, the most common STs were ST4 and ST9. Conclusion C. trachomatis is a significant cause of morbidity among random heterosexual patients with genital chlamydial infections in the Saratov Region. Further studies should extend this investigation by describing trends in a larger population, both inside and outside of the Saratov Region to clarify some aspects for the actual application of C. trachomatis genotype analysis for disease control.
Hospital Admissions for Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Before and After the Trans-Fatty Acid Restrictions in New York

Importance Trans-fatty acids (TFAs) have deleterious cardiovascular effects. Restrictions on their use were initiated in 11 New York State (NYS) counties between 2007 and 2011. The US Food and Drug Administration plans a nationwide restriction in 2018. Public health implications of TFA restrictions are not well understood. Objective To determine whether TFA restrictions in NYS counties were associated with fewer hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke compared with NYS counties without restrictions. Design, Setting, and Participants We conducted a retrospective observational pre-post study of residents in counties with TFA restrictions vs counties without restrictions from 2002 to 2013 using NYS Department of Health’s Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and census population estimates. In this natural experiment, we included those residents who were hospitalized for MI or stroke. The data analysis was conducted from December 2014 through July 2016. Exposure Residing in a county where TFAs were restricted. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was a composite of MI and stroke events based on primary discharge diagnostic codes from hospital admissions in NYS. Admission rates were calculated by year, age, sex, and county of residence. A difference-in-differences regression design was used to compare admission rates in populations with and without TFA restrictions. Restrictions were only implemented in highly urban counties, based on US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Urban Influence Codes. Nonrestriction counties of similar urbanicity were chosen to make a comparison population. Temporal trends and county characteristics were accounted for using fixed effects by county and year, as well as linear time trends by county. We adjusted for age, sex, and commuting between restriction and nonrestriction counties. Results In 2006, the year before the first restrictions were implemented, there were 8.4 million adults (53.6% female) in highly urban counties with TFA restrictions and 3.3 million adults (52.3% female) in highly urban counties without restrictions. Twenty-five counties were included in the nonrestriction population and 11 in the restriction population. Three or more years after restriction implementation, the population with TFA restrictions experienced significant additional decline beyond temporal trends in MI and stroke events combined (−6.2%; 95% CI, −9.2% to −3.2%; P < .001) and MI (−7.8%; 95% CI, −12.7% to −2.8%; P = .002) and a nonsignificant decline in stroke (−3.6%; 95% CI, −7.6% to 0.4%; P = .08) compared with the nonrestriction populations. Conclusions and Relevance The NYS populations with TFA restrictions experienced fewer cardiovascular events, beyond temporal trends, compared with those without restrictions.
Sneak into Devil's Colony- A study of Fake Profiles in Online Social Networks and the Cyber Law

Massive content about user's social, personal and professional life stored on Online Social Networks (OSNs) has attracted not only the attention of researchers and social analysts but also the cyber criminals. These cyber criminals penetrate illegally into an OSN by establishing fake profiles or by designing bots and exploit the vulnerabilities of an OSN to carry out illegal activities. With the growth of technology cyber crimes have been increasing manifold. Daily reports of the security and privacy threats in the OSNs demand not only the intelligent automated detection systems that can identify and alleviate fake profiles in real time but also the reinforcement of the security and privacy laws to curtail the cyber crime. In this paper, we have studied various categories of fake profiles like compromised profiles, cloned profiles and online bots (spam-bots, social-bots, like-bots and influential-bots) on different OSN sites along with existing cyber laws to mitigate their threats. In order to design fake profile detection systems, we have highlighted different category of fake profile features which are capable to distinguish different kinds of fake entities from real ones. Another major challenges faced by researchers while building the fake profile detection systems is the unavailability of data specific to fake users. The paper addresses this challenge by providing extremely obliging data collection techniques along with some existing data sources. Furthermore, an attempt is made to present several machine learning techniques employed to design different fake profile detection systems.
TFIIH localization is highly dynamic during zygotic genome activation in Drosophila, and its depletion causes catastrophic mitosis

ABSTRACT In Drosophila, zygotic genome activation occurs in pre-blastoderm embryos during rapid mitotic divisions. How the transcription machinery is coordinated to achieve this goal in a very brief time span is still poorly understood. Transcription factor II H (TFIIH) is fundamental for transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Herein, we show the in vivo dynamics of TFIIH at the onset of transcription in Drosophila embryos. TFIIH shows an oscillatory behaviour between the nucleus and cytoplasm. TFIIH foci are observed from interphase to metaphase, and colocalize with those for RNAPII phosphorylated at serine 5 (RNAPIIS5P) at prophase, suggesting that transcription occurs during the first mitotic phases. Furthermore, embryos with defects in subunits of either the CAK or the core subcomplexes of TFIIH show catastrophic mitosis. Although, transcriptome analyses show altered expression of several maternal genes that participate in mitosis, the global level of RNAPIIS5P in TFIIH mutant embryos is similar to that in the wild type, therefore, a direct role for TFIIH in mitosis cannot be ruled out. These results provide important insights regarding the role of a basal transcription machinery component when the zygotic genome is activated. Summary: In vivo dynamics during zygotic genome activation of transcription factor II H and the effect of its absence in the early Drosophila embryo.
Radio occultation bending angle anomalies during tropical cyclones

Abstract. The tropical deep convection affects the radiation balance of the atmosphere changing the water vapor mixing ratio and the temperature of the upper troposphere lower stratosphere. The aim of this work is to better understand these processes and to investigate if severe storms leave a significant signature in radio occultation profiles in the tropical tropopause layer. Using tropical cyclone best track database and data from different GPS radio occultation missions (COSMIC, GRACE, CHAMP, SACC and GPSMET), we selected 1194 profiles in a time window of 3 h and a space window of 300 km from the eye of the cyclone. We show that the bending angle anomaly of a GPS radio occultation signal is typically larger than the climatology in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and that a double tropopause during deep convection can easily be detected using this technique. Comparisons with co-located radiosondes, climatology of tropopause altitudes and GOES analyses are also shown to support the hypothesis that the bending angle anomaly can be used as an indicator of convective towers. The results are discussed in connection to the GPS radio occultation receiver which will be part of the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) payload on the International Space Station.
Alcohol and arrhythmias: a comprehensive review

The use of alcohol as a social lubricant has been ubiquitous in human societies since ancient times. It has also long been recognized that alcohol produces undesirable cardiovascular effects, especially when imbibed in excess. Numerous investigators have noted a causal relationship between alcohol and arrhythmias, as well as sudden cardiac death. We have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature on alcohol as a potential trigger for arrhythmias. We have reviewed the major epidemiological studies undertaken on this subject. We have also explored pathophysiological mechanisms that drive the arrythmogenic effects of alcohol. In conclusion, although there is definite proof in the literature to implicate alcohol as a culprit in arrhythmias, the relationship is complex.
HEAVY METAL UPTAKE BY PLANTS IN DIFFERENT PHYTOREMEDIATION TREATMENTS

The goal of our research was to develop the phytoremediation technology by testing different treatments under field conditions. The experiment was based on the integrated improvement of physical, chemical and biological conditions of Gyongyosorosz i spoil. 18 different phytoremediation treatments were tested. The highest chemical risk of Gyongyosoroszi mine waste was found in case of Pb, Zn, Cd and As. The plots could be successfully vegetated. The biomass production of different treatments was largely different. Multi-level revitalization not only had high impact on the biomass production, but also reduced the heavy metal uptake of plants. The concept of the integrated phytoremediation technology proved to be an efficient tool to stabilize the surface of spoils by plants.
Mid-Miocene cooling and the extinction of tundra in continental Antarctica

A major obstacle in understanding the evolution of Cenozoic climate has been the lack of well dated terrestrial evidence from high-latitude, glaciated regions. Here, we report the discovery of exceptionally well preserved fossils of lacustrine and terrestrial organisms from the McMurdo Dry Valleys sector of the Transantarctic Mountains for which we have established a precise radiometric chronology. The fossils, which include diatoms, palynomorphs, mosses, ostracodes, and insects, represent the last vestige of a tundra community that inhabited the mountains before stepped cooling that first brought a full polar climate to Antarctica. Paleoecological analyses, 40Ar/39Ar analyses of associated ash fall, and climate inferences from glaciological modeling together suggest that mean summer temperatures in the region cooled by at least 8°C between 14.07 ± 0.05 Ma and 13.85 ± 0.03 Ma. These results provide novel constraints for the timing and amplitude of middle-Miocene cooling in Antarctica and reveal the ecological legacy of this global climate transition.
Antistaphylococcal β-Lactams versus Vancomycin for Treatment of Infective Endocarditis Due to Methicillin-Susceptible Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci: a Prospective Cohort Study from the International Collaboration on Endocarditis

ABSTRACT The phenotypic expression of methicillin resistance among coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) is heterogeneous regardless of the presence of the mecA gene. The potential discordance between phenotypic and genotypic results has led to the use of vancomycin for the treatment of CoNS infective endocarditis (IE) regardless of methicillin MIC values. In this study, we assessed the outcome of methicillin-susceptible CoNS IE among patients treated with antistaphylococcal β-lactams (ASB) versus vancomycin (VAN) in a multicenter cohort study based on data from the International Collaboration on Endocarditis (ICE) Prospective Cohort Study (PCS) and the ICE-Plus databases. The ICE-PCS database contains prospective data on 5,568 patients with IE collected between 2000 and 2006, while the ICE-Plus database contains prospective data on 2,019 patients with IE collected between 2008 and 2012. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were 6-month mortality and survival time. Of the 7,587 patients in the two databases, there were 280 patients with methicillin-susceptible CoNS IE. Detailed treatment and outcome data were available for 180 patients. Eighty-eight patients received ASB, while 36 were treated with VAN. In-hospital mortality (19.3% versus 11.1%; P = 0.27), 6-month mortality (31.6% versus 25.9%; P = 0.58), and survival time after discharge (P = 0.26) did not significantly differ between the two cohorts. Cox regression analysis did not show any significant association between ASB use and the survival time (hazard ratio, 1.7; P = 0.22); this result was not affected by adjustment for confounders. This study provides no evidence for a difference in outcome with the use of VAN versus ASB for methicillin-susceptible CoNS IE.
Prevalence and predictors of khat chewing among Ethiopian university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Khat chewing has become a common practice among university students in developing countries like Ethiopia. It has a potential effect on physical, mental, social and cognitive aspects of student functioning. In Ethiopia, study findings regarding the prevalence of khat chewing were highly dispersed and inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis estimates the pooled prevalence of khat chewing and its predictors among Ethiopian university students. Method A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the prevalence and predictors of khat chewing among university students in Ethiopia. We searched literature from the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library. A total of 24 Ethiopian studies reporting the prevalence of khat chewing among university students were included. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format prepared in Microsoft Excel and the analysis was done using STATA 14 statistical software. To assess heterogeneity, the Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test were used. Since the included studies exhibit high heterogeneity, a random effect meta-analysis model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of khat chewing. Moreover, the association between predictor variables, and khat chewing practice were examined. Results The meta-analysis of 24 studies revealed that the pooled prevalence of khat chewing among university students in Ethiopia was 23.22% (95% CI: 19.5, 27.0). In the subgroup analysis, the highest prevalence was observed in Oromia region (31.6%; 95CI: 21.2, 41.9) whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in Amhara region (18.1%; 95%CI: 12.4, 23.8). Being male OR: 2.76 (95% CI 1.64, 4.63), family khat chewing practice OR: 2.91 (95% CI 1.06, 7.98), friend khat chewing habit OR: 4.74 (95% CI 3.48, 13.06), alcohol drinking OR: 7.06 (95% CI 5.65, 8.82) and cigarette smoking habit OR: 15.11 (95% CI 8.96, 25.51) were found to be predictors of khat chewing. Conclusion The study found that the prevalence of khat chewing among university students was quite common, with slightly more than 1 in 5 students engaging in the use of this substance. Being male, family khat chewing practice, friend’s khat chewing habit, alcohol drinking, and cigarette smoking were found to be predictors of khat chewing practice among university students.
Development of Veneer-based Corrugated Composites, Part 2: Evaluation of Structural Joints and Applications

This publication introduces and describes the mechanical properties of a newly developed structural composite using corrugated veneer panels as core material. Prior to this study, rejected hardwood veneers and veneer residues (side-clippings) were converted into three-dimensional panels, and the basic physical and mechanical properties were investigated through the testing of similar, but non-corrugated products. This study focuses on the application of I-joist web elements, although other application possibilities are also mentioned. Different web to web and web to flanges joints were configured and tested for their tension and shear strength resistance. The load-bearing capacity was evaluated using standard structural size prefabricated members. The I-joists that had corrugated web panels showed an improved load carrying capacity under concentrated loads. Buckling failure, which is common in deep straight web panels of oriented strand board (OSB), or plywood, under concentrated loads could not be observed.