Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Five species, many genotypes, broad phenotypic diversity: When agronomy meets functional ecology.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Current ecological theory can provide insight into the causes and impacts of plant domestication. However, just how domestication has impacted intraspecific genetic variability (ITV) is unknown. We used 50 ecotypes and 35 cultivars from five grassland species to explore how selection drives functional trait coordination and genetic differentiation. METHODS We quantified the extent of genetic diversity among different sets of functional traits and determined how much genetic diversity has been generated within populations of natural ecotypes and selected cultivars. KEY RESULTS In general, the cultivars were larger (e.g., greater height, faster growth rates) and had larger and thinner leaves (greater SLA). We found large (average 63%) and trait-dependent (ranging from 14% for LNC to 95.8% for growth rate) genetic variability. The relative extent of genetic variability was greater for whole-plant than for organ-level traits. This pattern was consistent within ecotypes and within cultivars. However, ecotypes presented greater ITV variability. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that genetic diversity is large in domesticated species with contrasting levels of heritability among functional traits and that selection for high yield has led to indirect selection of some associated leaf traits. These findings open the way to define which target traits should be the focus in selection programs, especially in the context of community-level selection.
CEP 17-13 Does Business Confidence Matter for Investment ?

Business confidence is a well-known leading indicator of future output. Whether it has information about future investment is, however, unclear. We determine how informative business confidence is for investment growth independently of other variables using US business confidence survey data for 1955Q1–2016Q4. Our main findings are: (i) business confidence has predictive ability for investment growth; (ii) remarkably, business confidence has superior forecasting power, relative to conventional predictors, for investment downturns over 1–3 quarter forecast horizons and for the sign of investment growth over a 2–quarter forecast horizon; and (iii) exogenous shifts in business confidence reflect shortlived non-fundamental factors, consistent with the ‘animal spirits’ view of investment. Our findings have implications for improving investment forecasts, developing new business cycle models, and studying the role of social and psychological factors determining investment growth.
Sex-Dependent Choroidal Thickness Differences in Healthy Adults: A Study Based on Original and Synthesized Data

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of sex on choroidal thickness (CT) in healthy adults. Methods: Healthy Chinese adults were recruited and complete ophthalmic examinations were performed. The choroid was imaged by swept-source optical coherence tomography and the macular CT in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grids was obtained by the intrinsic automated segmentation software. CT in males and females was compared after controlling other factors. All of the published studies in PubMed were systemically tracked, and a syntheses analysis of the combined data of the present study and previous studies was performed to address this issue further. Results: A total of 104 healthy adults were included, of whom 38 (37%) were male and 66 (63%) were female. Older age and longer axial length (AL) each were significantly associated with thinner CT. After controlling for age and AL, the foveal CT and average macular CT were 25.5 μm (95% CI: 0.5–50.4 μm) and 22.1 μm (95% CI: 2.7–41.4 μm) thicker in men than in women, respectively. Significant differences in CT between males and females were also observed in inner and outer rings after controlling for age and AL (P < 0.05). After strict screening, 15 previously reported studies were determined to be eligible for inclusion. The combination of data collected from 2821 males and 3389 females provided further evidence that the choroid is thicker in males, with a pooled mean difference of 19.5 μm (95% CI: 11.4 to 27.6) for foveal CT and 14.7 μm (95% CI: 6.8 to 22.6) for average CT. Conclusion: Our study of Chinese subjects, along with the syntheses analysis, strengthens the evidence that CT is greater in males than in females, based on OCT measurements. This observation may be pertinent for the sex disparities in some clinical conditions related to CT.
Distortion Of Temperature Dependent Hall Measurements Due To Thermal Properties Of Thermal Glues

The effects of four different thermal glues (silicon‐highvacuum‐grease from Leybold vaccum ©, RS 503‐357 ©, fixogum © and cry‐con ©) on the results obtained by temperature dependent Hall technique are studied. It was found that it is necessary to use a thermal glue to ensure good thermal contact between the sample holder and the sample. All four thermal glues yielded the same results for temperatures between 300 K and 190 K. The use of RS 503‐357 © drastically distorts the results below 190 K. A possible explanation is a phase transition and its latent heat. The use of silicon‐highvacuum‐grease from Leybold vacuum ©, fixogum © and cry‐con © yield the same results down to 100 K. Below 100 K the results diverge. This is explained as the thermal properties of each glue are affected. Fixogum © seems to give the best thermal conductivity below 100 K. Cooling speed is important below 100 K.
Nanotherapeutics Containing Lithocholic Acid-Based Amphiphilic Scorpion-Like Macromolecules Reduce In Vitro Inflammation in Macrophages: Implications for Atherosclerosis

Previously-designed amphiphilic scorpion-like macromolecule (AScM) nanoparticles (NPs) showed elevated potency to counteract oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) uptake in atherosclerotic macrophages, but failed to ameliorate oxLDL-induced inflammation. We designed a new class of composite AScMs incorporating lithocholic acid (LCA), a natural agonist for the TGR5 receptor that is known to counteract atherosclerotic inflammation, with two complementary goals: to simultaneously decrease lipid uptake and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by macrophages. LCA was conjugated to AScMs for favorable interaction with TGR5 and was also hydrophobically modified to enable encapsulation in the core of AScM-based NPs. Conjugates were formulated into negatively charged NPs with different core/shell combinations, inspired by the negative charge on oxLDL to enable competitive interaction with scavenger receptors (SRs). NPs with LCA-containing shells exhibited reduced sizes, and all NPs lowered oxLDL uptake to <30% of untreated, human derived macrophages in vitro, while slightly downregulating SR expression. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, including IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-10, is known to be modulated by TGR5, and was dependent on NP composition, with LCA-modified cores downregulating inflammation. Our studies indicate that LCA-conjugated AScM NPs offer a unique approach to minimize atherogenesis and counteract inflammation.
Three-Body Abrasive Wear Behaviour of Polymer Matrix Composites Filled with SiC Particles

Effect of filler material on three-body abrasive wear behaviour of Glass – Epoxy composites has been investigated. The abrading distance, applied load and sliding speed are the parameters used for the study. A L9 orthogonal array and ANOVA were used to identify the contribution of individual parameters. The result shows that the weight loss increases with increase in load, sliding speed and abrading distance. The abrading distance has more effect on the wear compared to other parameters. The filler material (SiC) contributes a significant wear resistance of the G–E composites.
Management of high-risk HPV-positive women for detection of cervical (pre)cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction: Primary HPV-testing has been shown to provide a superior detection of women at risk of cervical (pre)cancer compared to cytology-based screening. However, as most high-risk HPV infections are harmless, additional triage testing of HPV-positive women is necessary to identify those with cervical (pre)cancer. In this paper, we compare the performance, advantages and limitations of clinically relevant available triage strategies for HPV-positive women. Areas covered: Many different colposcopy triage strategies, comprising both microscopy-based and molecular (virus/host-related) markers, have been suggested: Pap cytology, p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology, HPV16/18 genotyping, viral DNA methylation and host cell DNA methylation. Literature search was limited to triage strategies that have achieved at least phase 2 of the five-phase framework for biomarker development and studies including large cohorts (≥100 hrHPV-positive women). Triage markers were stratified by sample type (cervical scrape, self-collected sample) and by study population (screening, non-attendee, referral). Expert commentary: At present, repeat Pap cytology and Pap cytology combined with HPV16/18 genotyping are the only triage strategies that have been robustly shown to be ready for implementation. Other strategies such as p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology and host cell DNA methylation analysis, with or without additional HPV16/18 genotyping, are attractive options for the near future.
SIZE EFFECT IN PULLOUT TESTS

The results of tests of the pullout strength of reinforcing bars embedded in concrete are reported. The test specimens are 1.5, 3, and 6-in. cubes with geometrically similar bars. The results are found to be consistent with Bazant's size effect law for the nominal stress at softening failures due to disturbed cracking. Based on the size effect law, an approximate formula predicting pullout strength is develoed.
Evaluation of the antioxidant impact of ginger-based kombucha on the murine breast cancer model

Abstract Background Abnormal metabolism is a common event in cancerous cells. For example, the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, particularly due to aerobic respiration during invasive stage, results in cancer progression. Herein, the impact of kombucha tea prepared from ginger on the alteration of antioxidant agents was assessed in the breast cancer animal model. Methods Two types of kombucha tea with or without ginger were administered to BALB/c mice before and after tumor challenge. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated in tumor, liver and kidney. Results Administration of kombucha ginger tea significantly decreased catalase activity as well as GSH and MDA level in tumor homogenate (p<0.001). A significant decrease in SOD activity and increase in MDA quantity was determined in the kidney which had received kombucha ginger tea (p<0.01). Conclusions The consumption of kombucha prepared from ginger could exert minor antioxidant impacts by balancing multi antioxidant factors in different tissues in the breast cancer models.
Detection of Genomic DNA Damage from Radiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)

Structural changes and chemical modifications in DNA during interactions with X-ray radiation are still not clear within 48 h of incubation. We investigate genomic DNA from the radiated CNE2 cell line within 48 h of incubation using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Multivariate methods including principal component analysis (PCA) and random forest are proposed to explore the statistical significance before and after radiation. Our results show that intensities of several bands change after radiation, which indicates backbone damage and base-unstacking. Biological effects from DNA damage repairing process may be simultaneously stimulated and different from incubation time. Under doses of 10 Gy (with 24 and 48 h of incubation) and 20 Gy (with 48 h of incubation), the relative contents of C against T and A against G deviate obviously from the control level. Statistical results strengthen significantly the idea that modification in DNA bases is associated with the disruption of base-stacking in the DNA duplex. Our findings provide vital information for radiation-induced the DNA damage at the molecular level, which may provide insight into the effect and mechanism of anticarcinogens in tumor therapy.
Role of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Conferring Protection in Children At-Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from a Sibling Case–control Study

ABSTRACT Background: Gut microflora influences neural development through complex mechanisms. Feeding practices, especially breastfeeding influence gut microbiome and thereby play a pivotal role in immune and neural development. Current understandings of the role of healthy distal gut microflora in the development of immune and neural systems provide insights into immunological mechanisms as one of the possible etiologies in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies have shown that optimal breastfeeding is associated with lower odds of being at-risk for ASD and children with ASD are suboptimally breastfed. Methods: The feeding practices of children with ASD (n = 30) was compared to their typically developing siblings as matched controls (n = 30). Information regarding feeding practices was collected from mothers through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: About 43.3% of children with ASD received exclusive breastfeeding, whereas 76.7% of their typically developing siblings were exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with lower odds for ASD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.166; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.025–0.65), while early introduction of top feeds was associated with higher odds (OR = 6; 95% CI = 1.33–55.19). Difficulties in breastfeeding were attributed to child-related factors in 13.2% of the children. Conclusion: Children with ASD are suboptimally breastfed compared to their typically developing siblings. Exclusive breastfeeding may confer protection in vulnerable children. Further studies on larger prospective sample are required to establish the association.
Seasonal variation in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in northern Israel

ABSTRACT The incidence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and ischemic stroke vary across seasons. Most studies examining seasonal variation in sICH have been conducted in countries with significant climatic changes across seasons, whereas studies from the Mediterranean region, which has a relatively mild winter, are limited in number and have produced inconsistent results. Further studies from the region are called for, especially from countries where sICH seasonality has not yet been explored. A total of 974 patients with sICH between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2014 were included in this study. The seasonal, monthly and weekday distribution of hospital admissions, in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay and functional outcome at discharge were examined. We found that most hospital admissions due to sICH occurred in the winter (n = 286, 29%), whereas the fewest admissions occurred in the summer (n = 205, 21%; p = 0.0011). In terms of monthly distribution, most admissions were in January (n = 107, 11%), and the fewest admissions were in September (n = 60, 6%; p = 0.0004). There were no differences in the distribution of sICH between weekdays and weekends. Also, we found no significant weekday or seasonal variations in in-hospital mortality or functional outcome of sICH. Our results suggest that temporal patterns impact the natural course of sICH in northern Israel. The identification of factors, including biological ones, responsible for seasonal variation in regions with mild seasonal changes requires further research but could aid in the design of strategies for preventing sICH.
Dose-Response Association of CD8+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Survival Time in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Importance Cytotoxic CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) participate in immune control of epithelial ovarian cancer; however, little is known about prognostic patterns of CD8+ TILs by histotype and in relation to other clinical factors. Objective To define the prognostic role of CD8+ TILs in epithelial ovarian cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a multicenter observational, prospective survival cohort study of the Ovarian Tumor Tissue Analysis Consortium. More than 5500 patients, including 3196 with high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSOCs), were followed prospectively for over 24 650 person-years. Exposures Following immunohistochemical analysis, CD8+ TILs were identified within the epithelial components of tumor islets. Patients were grouped based on the estimated number of CD8+ TILs per high-powered field: negative (none), low (1-2), moderate (3-19), and high (≥20). CD8+ TILs in a subset of patients were also assessed in a quantitative, uncategorized manner, and the functional form of associations with survival was assessed using penalized B-splines. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival time. Results The final sample included 5577 women; mean age at diagnosis was 58.4 years (median, 58.2 years). Among the 5 major invasive histotypes, HGSOCs showed the most infiltration. CD8+ TILs in HGSOCs were significantly associated with longer overall survival; median survival was 2.8 years for patients with no CD8+ TILs and 3.0 years, 3.8 years, and 5.1 years for patients with low, moderate, or high levels of CD8+ TILs, respectively (P value for trend = 4.2 × 10−16). A survival benefit was also observed among women with endometrioid and mucinous carcinomas, but not for those with the other histotypes. Among HGSOCs, CD8+ TILs were favorable regardless of extent of residual disease following cytoreduction, known standard treatment, and germline BRCA1 pathogenic mutation, but were not prognostic for BRCA2 mutation carriers. Evaluation of uncategorized CD8+ TIL counts showed a near-log-linear functional form. Conclusions and Relevance This study demonstrates the histotype-specific nature of immune infiltration and provides definitive evidence for a dose-response relationship between CD8+ TILs and HGSOC survival. That the extent of infiltration is prognostic, not merely its presence or absence, suggests that understanding factors that drive infiltration will be the key to unraveling outcome heterogeneity in this cancer.
Morphological and clinical risk factors for the rupture of anterior communicating artery aneurysms.

OBJECT Patients with ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms have historically been observed to have poor neuropsychological outcomes, and ACoA aneurysms have accounted for a higher proportion of ruptured than unruptured aneurysms. Authors of this study aimed to investigate the morphological and clinical characteristics predisposing to ACoA aneurysm rupture. METHODS Data from 140 consecutive patients with ACoA aneurysms managed at the authors' facility between July 2003 and November 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with (78) and without (62) aneurysm rupture were divided into groups, and morphological and clinical characteristics were compared. Morphological characteristics were evaluated based on 3D CT angiography and included aneurysm location, dominance of the A1 portion of the anterior cerebral artery, direction of the aneurysm dome around the ACoA, aneurysm bleb(s), size of the aneurysm and its neck, aneurysm-parent artery angle, and existence of other intracranial unruptured aneurysms. RESULTS Patients with ruptured ACoA aneurysms were significantly younger (a higher proportion were younger than 60 years of age) than those with unruptured lesions, and a significantly smaller proportion had hypercholesterolemia. A significantly larger proportion of patients with ruptured aneurysms showed an anterior direction of the aneurysm dome around the ACoA, had a bleb(s), and/or had an aneurysm size ≥ 5 mm. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an anterior direction of the aneurysm dome around the ACoA (OR 6.0, p = 0.0012), the presence of a bleb(s) (OR 22, p < 0.0001), and an aneurysm size ≥ 5 mm (OR 3.16, p = 0.035) were significantly associated with ACoA aneurysm rupture. CONCLUSIONS Findings in the present study demonstrated that the anterior projection of an ACoA aneurysm may be related to rupturing. The authors would perhaps recommend treatment to patients with unruptured ACoA aneurysms that have an anterior dome projection, a bleb(s), and a size ≥ 5 mm.
Reducing patient mortality, length of stay and readmissions through machine learning-based sepsis prediction in the emergency department, intensive care unit and hospital floor units

Introduction Sepsis management is a challenge for hospitals nationwide, as severe sepsis carries high mortality rates and costs the US healthcare system billions of dollars each year. It has been shown that early intervention for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock is associated with higher rates of survival. The Cape Regional Medical Center (CRMC) aimed to improve sepsis-related patient outcomes through a revised sepsis management approach. Methods In collaboration with Dascena, CRMC formed a quality improvement team to implement a machine learning-based sepsis prediction algorithm to identify patients with sepsis earlier. Previously, CRMC assessed all patients for sepsis using twice-daily systemic inflammatory response syndrome screenings, but desired improvements. The quality improvement team worked to implement a machine learning-based algorithm, collect and incorporate feedback, and tailor the system to current hospital workflow. Results Relative to the pre-implementation period, the post-implementation period sepsis-related in-hospital mortality rate decreased by 60.24%, sepsis-related hospital length of stay decreased by 9.55% and sepsis-related 30-day readmission rate decreased by 50.14%. Conclusion The machine learning-based sepsis prediction algorithm improved patient outcomes at CRMC.
Chronic caregiving stress alters peripheral blood immune parameters: the role of age and severity of stress.

BACKGROUND To examine the impact of chronic psychological stress on the immune system, a series of cellular and humoral immunological parameters was compared in 18 female caregivers of handicapped people and 18 age- and sexmatched controls. METHODS The immunological parameters included assessment of T cell number (T cells, T helper, and T suppressor/cytotoxic) and function (delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity), antibody titers for latent herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2), and markers of inflammation (complement C3 and C4 factors and c-reactive protein). Serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE) and titers for the nonlatent virus roseola were used to control for nonspecific elevations in serum proteins. Results were associated with the age of the investigated subjects, the severity of stress (family burden) and the degree of disability of the handicapped people. RESULTS Caregivers had a significantly lower percentage of T cells, a significantly higher percentage of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells and a significantly lower T helper:suppressor ratio. Subjects were also analyzed after division into two groups according to the median age (45 years). Compared to their matched controls, older caregivers (mean age = 50.3) also had lower numbers of T cells and T helper cells and higher antibody titers for cytomegalovirus. In addition, in the caregiver population severity of stress was significantly positively correlated with T suppressor/cytotoxic cells and negatively correlated with T helper:suppressor ratio. No other differneces in the immune parameters were found between caregivers and controls. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that psychological stress differentially affects various aspects of the immune system and confirm the relevant role of age and severity of stress in modulating these influences.