Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The extracellular RNA complement of Escherichia coli

The secretion of biomolecules into the extracellular milieu is a common and well‐conserved phenomenon in biology. In bacteria, secreted biomolecules are not only involved in intra‐species communication but they also play roles in inter‐kingdom exchanges and pathogenicity. To date, released products, such as small molecules, DNA, peptides, and proteins, have been well studied in bacteria. However, the bacterial extracellular RNA complement has so far not been comprehensively characterized. Here, we have analyzed, using a combination of physical characterization and high‐throughput sequencing, the extracellular RNA complement of both outer membrane vesicle (OMV)‐associated and OMV‐free RNA of the enteric Gram‐negative model bacterium Escherichia coli K‐12 substrain MG1655 and have compared it to its intracellular RNA complement. Our results demonstrate that a large part of the extracellular RNA complement is in the size range between 15 and 40 nucleotides and is derived from specific intracellular RNAs. Furthermore, RNA is associated with OMVs and the relative abundances of RNA biotypes in the intracellular, OMV and OMV‐free fractions are distinct. Apart from rRNA fragments, a significant portion of the extracellular RNA complement is composed of specific cleavage products of functionally important structural noncoding RNAs, including tRNAs, 4.5S RNA, 6S RNA, and tmRNA. In addition, the extracellular RNA pool includes RNA biotypes from cryptic prophages, intergenic, and coding regions, of which some are so far uncharacterised, for example, transcripts mapping to the fimA‐fimL and ves‐spy intergenic regions. Our study provides the first detailed characterization of the extracellular RNA complement of the enteric model bacterium E. coli. Analogous to findings in eukaryotes, our results suggest the selective export of specific RNA biotypes by E. coli, which in turn indicates a potential role for extracellular bacterial RNAs in intercellular communication.
Facebook and body image concern in adolescent girls: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE The primary aim of the study was to examine the relationship across time between Facebook use and body image concern in adolescent girls. METHOD A sample of 438 girls in the first two years (Years 8 and 9) of high school (aged 13-15 years) at Time 1 completed questionnaire measures of Facebook consumption and body image concerns, and again two years later (Time 2). RESULTS Facebook involvement increased substantially over the two year time period. Body image concerns also increased. Number of Facebook friends was found to prospectively predict the observed increase in drive for thinness. On the other hand, internalization and body surveillance prospectively predicted the observed increase in number of Facebook friends. DISCUSSION It was concluded that Facebook "friendships" represent a potent sociocultural force in the body image of adolescent girls. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:80-83).
Rank‐ordering statistics of extreme events: Application to the distribution of large earthquakes

Rank-ordering statistics provide a perspective on the rare, largest elements of a population, whereas the statistics of cumulative distributions are dominated by the more numerous small events. The exponent of a power law distribution can be determined with good accuracy by rank-ordering statistics from the observation of only a few tens of the largest events. Using analytical results and synthetic tests, we quantify the systematic and the random errors. We also study the case of a distribution defined by two branches, each having a power law distribution, one defined for the largest events and the other for smaller events, with application to the worldwide (Harvard) and southern California earthquake catalogs. In the case of the Harvard moment catalog, we make more precise earlier claims of the existence of a transition of the earthquake magnitude distribution between small and large earthquakes; the b values are b2 = 2.3 ± 0.3 for large shallow earthquakes and b1 = 1.00 ± 0.02 for smaller shallow earthquakes. However, the crossover magnitude between the two distributions is ill defined. The data available at present do not provide a strong constraint on the crossover which has a 50% probability of being between magnitudes 7.1 and 7.6 for shallow earthquakes; this interval may be too conservatively estimated. Thus any influence of a universal geometry of rupture on the distribution of earthquakes worldwide is ill defined at best. We caution that there is no direct evidence to confirm the hypothesis that the large-moment branch is indeed a power law. In fact, a gamma distribution fits the entire suite of earthquake moments from the smallest to the largest satisfactorily. There is no evidence that the earthquakes of the southern California catalog have a distribution with two branches or that a rolloff in the distribution is needed; for this catalog, b = 1.00 ± 0.02 up to the largest magnitude observed, MW ≃ 7.5; hence we conclude that the thickness of the seismogenic layer has no observable influence whatsoever on the frequency distribution in this region.
Male and female guppies differ in problem-solving abilities

Abstract In a number of species, males and females have different ecological roles and therefore might be required to solve different problems. Studies on humans have suggested that the 2 sexes often show different efficiencies in problem-solving tasks; similarly, evidence of sex differences has been found in 2 other mammalian species. Here, we assessed whether a teleost fish species, the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, displays sex differences in the ability to solve problems. In Experiment 1, guppies had to learn to dislodge a disc that occluded a feeder from which they had been previously accustomed to feed. In Experiment 2, guppies had to solve a version of the detour task that required them to learn to enter a transparent cylinder from the open sides to reach a food reward previously freely available. We found evidence of sex differences in both problem-solving tasks. In Experiment 1, females clearly outperformed males, and in Experiment 2, guppies showed a reversed but smaller sex difference. This study indicates that sex differences may play an important role in fish’s problem-solving similar to what has previously been observed in some mammalian species.
The Prevalence of the Potential Drug-Drug Interactions Involving Anticancer Drugs in China: A Retrospective Study

Background: To survey the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between anticancer drugs and non-anticancer drugs and evaluate the risk factors associated with these drug-drug interactions in China. Methods: All discharged patients in the Department of Oncology were collected from Jun to Dec in 2016 with the Hospital Information System of the Chinese people’s Liberation Army General Hospital. Drugs were screened for interactions by Micromedex solutions database. Descriptive statistics were generated and logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors. Results: Among 6578 eligible patients, 1979 potential drug interactions were found in 1830 patients (27.82%). The most common drug-drug interaction was cisplatin and furosemide. Erlotinib was most likely to interact with various non-anticancer drugs. Most interactions were classified as pharmacodynamics (71.60%), major severity (97.02%) and were supported by fair documentation evidence (86.21%). In multivariate analysis, increasing number of medications, lung cancer and patients with stage IV had a higher risk for potential drug-drug interactions. Conclusion: Potential drug-drug interactions between antineoplastic drugs and non-antineoplastic drugs occur frequently in cancer patients of Chinese hospitals. Doctors should fully consider potential risk associated with DDIs. Further research should be performed to evaluate real clinical significance of these drug-drug interactions.
Relating protein intake to nutritional status in haemodialysis patients: how to normalize the protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (PNA)?

BACKGROUND The protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (PNA) is assumed to be a reliable estimate of dietary protein intake in haemodialysis patients. Protein requirements are related to body size. In order to standardize PNA to individual differences in body size, PNA is normalized to various terms related to the patient's body weight. It is not clear which is the most appropriate method to normalize PNA. METHODS We calculated five commonly used variants of normalized PNA and related them to indices of nutritional status in 57 stable chronic haemodialysis patients, 57 +/- 15 (mean +/- SD) years of age. PNA, determined by direct dialysate quantification, was normalized to actual post-dialysis dry body weight (DBW), normal body weight (DBWnormal), lean body mass (LBM), normal lean body mass (LBMnormal), and 'normalized' body weight (N). Nutritional status was assessed using an index of nutrition composed of anthropometry derived parameters and plasma albumin concentration. RESULTS PNA(DBW) (0.85 +/- 0.14 g/kg/d) tended to be higher than PNA(DBWnormal) (0.81 +/- 0.14 g/kg/d). PNA(LBM) (1.17 +/- 0.19 g/kg/d) did not differ from PNA(LBMnormal) (1.19 +/- 0.21 g/kg/d). PNA(N) (1.06 +/- 0.14 g/kg/d) was significantly higher than PNA(DBW) and PNA(DBWnormal), but lower than PNA(LBM) and PNA(LBMnormal). Actual PNA (61 +/- 13 g/d) correlated significantly with DBW (r=0.52) and LBM (r=0.63) indicating that large patients eat more protein. Interestingly, actual PNA correlated with plasma albumin (r=0.33) and with the overall index of nutrition (r=0.27) as well. PNA(DBW) correlated negatively with relative DBW (r=-0.32), expressed as a percentage of normal values, indicating that PNA(DBW) is relatively high in underweight patients. In contrast, PNA(DBWnormal) correlated positively with all nutritional parameters as well as with the overall index of nutrition (r=0.33). PNAN and PNA(LBM) did not correlate with the nutritional status, but PNA(LBMnormal) correlated positively with relative DBW (r=0.50) and with overall nutritional status (r=0.34). PNA(DBWnormal) and PNA(LBMnormal) in well-nourished patients showed overlap with the values in patients with evident malnutrition, despite the positive correlation of the normalized PNA values with nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS Normalizing PNA by DBWnormal and LBMnormal appeared to be the most appropriate method to standardize protein intake in haemodialysis patients. Since actual PNA is the purest estimate of protein intake that correlated with nutritional status, we recommend to evaluate actual PNA as well in studies that relate protein intake to patient outcome.
Classification error as a measure of gene relevance in cancer diagnosis

One of the main problems in cancer diagnosis by using DNA microarray data is selecting genes relevant for the pathology by analyzing their expression profiles in tissues in two different phenotypical conditions. The question we pose is the following: how do we measure the relevance of a single gene in a given pathology? A gene is relevant for a particular disease if it is possible to correctly predict the occurrence of the pathology in new patients on the basis of expression level of this gene only. In other words, a gene is informative for the disease if its expression levels are useful for training a classifier able to generalize, that is, able to correctly predict the status of new patients. In this paper we present a selection bias free, statistically well founded method for finding relevant genes on the basis of their classification ability. We applied the method on a colon cancer data set and produced a list of relevant genes, ranked on the basis of their prediction accuracy. We found, out of more than 6500 available genes, 54 overexpressed in normal tissue and 77 overexpressed in tumor tissue having prediction accuracy greater than 70% with p-value p les 0.05.
Reducing stigma toward seeking mental health treatment among adolescents.

PURPOSE This study examined the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce explicit and implicit stigma-relevant attitudes toward mental illness and treatment-seeking and behavioural indicators of willingness to seek treatment. METHODS Adolescents were randomly assigned to the experimental (education about mental illness and treatment involving psychoeducation and contact (via DVD) with an affected individual) or control intervention (education about tobacco). RESULTS Findings suggest the stigma intervention was effective at reducing explicit but not implicit stigma-relevant attitudes. As hypothesized, participants receiving the experimental intervention reported less explicit stigma toward treatment and greater openness to personally seek treatment if they had also reported prior mental health treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These findings support the potential for a brief educational intervention among adolescents to reduce negative attitudes toward mental health treatment, but raise questions about how to effectively address implicit stigma as well as the importance of translating stigma reduction into behavior changes.
On the Energy-Efficient of Throughput-Based Scheme Using Renewable Energy for Wireless Mesh Networks in Disaster Area

We study the emergency communication problem in the post-disaster scenario. The emergence of Renewable Energy-enabled Based Station (REBS), which has pre-equipped energy harvesting devices, provides a new perspective to solve this problem, since the post-disaster communication scenario happens to be a Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) constituted by REBSs. However, one needs to address the unstable and inadequate power supply, insufficient capacities of the communication links, and the time-varying traffic demands accordingly during a period of time. In this paper, we deal with these problems and focus on optimizing data traffic throughput with the lowest weighted energy consumption based on the expectation of traffic demands. We firstly analyze the post-disaster communication issue and formulate this problem into a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem, and propose an off-line energy efficient scheme using the expectation of traffic demands. Furthermore, an on-line scheme is put forward which dynamically adjusts the off-line result with the knowledge of the current real data traffic demands. The efficiency of our proposal is demonstrated by theoretical analyses and numerical results.
Mesenchymal patterning by Hoxa2 requires blocking Fgf-dependent activation of Ptx1

Hox genes are known key regulators of embryonic segmental identity, but little is known about the mechanisms of their action. To address this issue, we have analyzed how Hoxa2 specifies segmental identity in the second branchial arch. Using a subtraction approach, we found that Ptx1 was upregulated in the second arch mesenchyme of Hoxa2 mutants. This upregulation has functional significance because, in Hoxa2-/-;Ptx1-/- embryos, the Hoxa2-/- phenotype is partially reversed. Hoxa2 interferes with the Ptx1 activating process, which is dependent on Fgf signals from the epithelium. Consistently, Lhx6, another target of Fgf8 signaling, is also upregulated in the Hoxa2-/- second arch mesenchyme. Our findings have important implications for the understanding of developmental processes in the branchial area and suggest a novel mechanism for mesenchymal patterning by Hox genes that acts to define the competence of mesenchymal cells to respond to skeletogenic signals.
Communications in Statistics-Theory and Methods

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Pain after transrectal ultrasonography‐guided prostate biopsy: the advantages of periprostatic local anaesthesia

Objective To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of periprostatic local anaesthesia (LA) during prostatic biopsy guided by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), as 20–65% of men report moderate to severe pain, and there is anecdotal and published evidence that periprostatic anaesthesia improves patients' tolerance.
Effect of Peripheral Heart Action training and Yoga Exercise Training on Respiratory Functions and C-Reactive Protein of Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of peripheral heart action (PHA) and yoga exercises on respiratory functions and CRP of obese postmenopausal women. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 40 elderly women (age: 65.3 ± 2.6 years) referring voluntarily to the Sport Counseling Center of Sports and Youth Administration of Qazvin province in 2018 were randomly assigned to three groups: yoga exercise group (n = 14), strength training group (n = 13), and control group (n = 13). The experimental groups performed the exercise protocols (yoga and PHA training) three sessions a week each lasting 40 minutes for two months. Tests were performed to evaluate the subjects’ ventilatory capacity including FVC and FEV1 using spirometry and CRP. The tests were done in pre-test and post-test. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using the t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc test. Results: FEV1 was better in the yoga and PHA exercise groups than in the control group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.016, respectively). Furthermore, CRP was better in the yoga and PHA training groups than in the control group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). There was no significant difference in the study variables between the two training groups (P = 0.97). Conclusions: Based on the obtained results, due to the vulnerability of the elderly to cardiorespiratory and inflammatory problems, it is highly proposed to apply such exercises to improve the physiological functions.
The obstructed hemivagina, ipsilateral renal anomaly, uterus didelphys triad

The triad of obstructed hemivagina, renal anomaly and uterus didelphys is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain and menstrual discomfort in adolescent girls. Accurate diagnosis and surgical treatment can be delayed for several months or even years. Adolescent girls presenting with these symptoms should have a baseline pelvic ultrasound scan to establish uterine anatomy. In those with ultrasound findings of Müllerian anomalies appropriate follow up would include a magnetic resonance imaging, preferably at a tertiary centre with expertise in interpretation of Müllerian anatomy, as well as early consultation and referral to a centre with experience in the management of these rare conditions. Appropriate surgery would be a single stage procedure to either excise or completely divide the obstructing septum. There is currently no consensus on concurrent laparoscopy. We present a case series of four patients with the triad of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis managed between 2005–2009 at a tertiary centre for paediatric and adolescent gynaecology.
Aggregation of common-metric attributes in preference revelation in choice experiments and implications for willingness to pay

There is a growing literature that promotes the notion of process heterogeneity in the way that individuals evaluate packages of attributes in real or hypothetical markets and make choices. Empirical evidence suggests that individuals use a number of processing strategies such as cancellation, referencing, and attribute aggregation, the latter occurring where there is a common metric. In this paper we consider the threshold relationship between attributes that are defined on a common metric (e.g., minutes or dollars), in order to gain evidence on the extent to which such attributes might be added up or not in preference revelation. The model specification does not require supplementary information on whether specific individuals claimed to have added up attributes; rather we structure a nonlinear utility function that permits a probabilistic preservation or aggregation of each attribute. We translate this new evidence into a willingness to pay (WTP) for travel time savings, and contrast it with the results from the traditional linear additive model, as well as establishing the extent to which self-stated attribute addition systematically varies with WTP and component inputs into WTP. The implications for environmental assessment are highlighted. (a)
Numerical Study of Opto-Fluidic Ring Resonators for Biosensor Applications

The opto-fluidic ring resonator (OFRR) biosensor is numerically characterized in whispering gallery mode (WGM). The ring resonator includes a ring, a waveguide and a gap separating the ring and the waveguide. Dependence of the resonance characteristics on the resonator size parameters such as the ring diameter, the ring thickness, the waveguide width, and the gap width between the ring and the waveguide are investigated. For this purpose, we use the finite element method with COMSOL Multiphysics software to solve the Maxwell's equations. The resonance frequencies, the free spectral ranges (FSR), the full width at half-maximum (FWHM), finesse (F), and quality factor of the resonances (Q) are examined. The resonant frequencies are dominantly affected by the resonator diameter while the gap width, the ring thickness and the waveguide width have negligible effects on the resonant frequencies. FWHM, the quality factor Q and the finesse F are most strongly affected by the gap width and moderately influenced by the ring diameter, the waveguide width and the ring thickness. In addition, our simulation demonstrates that there is an optimum range of the waveguide width for a given ring resonator and this value is between ∼2.25 μm and ∼2.75 μm in our case.
A Linguistically Grounded Annotation Language for Spatial Information

An understanding of spatial information in natural language is necessary for many computational linguistics and artificial intelligence applications. In this paper, we discuss what problems researchers face with respect to this topic, focusing on the need for a well-developed annotation scheme. The desiderata for such a specification language are defined along with what representational mechanisms are required for the specification to be successful. We then review several spatial information annotation schemes, focusing on the latest version of the ISO-Space specification. Finally, we discuss where ISO-Space still falls short and propose some ways that the specification could be enriched. RESUME. Algorithmes dans les deux la linguistique computationnelle et en intelligence artifi- cielle necessitent la capacite de comprendre et de raisonner sur l'information spatiale en lan- gage naturel. Dans cet article, nous discutons de ce que les chercheurs face a des problemes en ce qui concerne ce sujet, mettant l'accent sur la necessite d'un schema d'annotation bien developpe. Les desiderata d'un tel langage de specification sont definies avec les mecanismes de representation sont necessaires pour la specification de reussir. Nous examinons ensuite plu- sieurs schemas d'annotation d'information spatiale, en se concentrant sur la derniere version de la specification ISO-Space. Enfin, nous nous demandons ou ISO-Space est encore loin et de proposer quelques facons que les specifications peuvent etre enrichis.