Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ambient Humidity on the Transmission of UV/Visible Light through Model Human Epidermis

Transmission of light through model human epidermal samples is investigated at four different wavelengths and at varying ambient humidity. Light from light emitting diodes (LEDs) is used for transmission measurements through the samples at a UVA wavelength of 365 nm, and visible wavelengths of 460 nm, 500 nm, and 595 nm. Ambient air-humidity is varied between 20% and 100%. Results show that for high ambient humidity, near 100%, transmission of light through the epidermis is higher than at low ambient humidity, 60% or lower. These results are explained with a simple model of epidermis as a turbid medium and the effect of adsorbed water in reducing light-scattering by refractive-index-matching. Biological implications of increased light-transmission through epidermis at high ambient humidity are discussed.
Solution-Processed Single-Crystal Array for High-Performance Conformable Transistors

Currently, almost all reported conformable organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are based on semiconductor thin film, and most of them applied the vapor deposition method. Here, based on an inclined drop-casting method, we have successfully obtained high-quality 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene single-crystal transistor array on the trichloro(phenyl)silane modified anti-solvent cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) dielectric layer. The resulting OFET array presents an excellent electrical performance with the mobility as high as 2.22 cm2 V−1 s−1. In addition, after peeling off the whole device array directly from the substrate in an all-dry process, the device array can well conform to different shaped objects and shows the highest mobility of 0.87 cm2 V−1 s−1 on an artificial finger nail. All of these results demonstrate great application potential of solution-processed conformable OFETs in next-generation smart electronics.
Prevalence of dentin hypersensitivity among the residents of Xi’an city, China

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prevalence and intra-oral distribution of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and to evaluate the related risk factors. Material and methods: A total of 1320 subjects, aged between 20 and 69 years old, were selected from six communities in the urban areas of Xi’an, China. The data were collected by conducting individual interviews using a standard questionnaire; then, the clinical examination was performed for patients who reported about the discomforts they felt in their teeth when subjected to chemical, mechanical and thermal stimuli. Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) was diagnosed by a subject short, sharp pain in response to a blast of cold air from a triple syringe. Results: While replying to the questionnaire, 445 subjects reported about signs of discomfort in the teeth. DH was diagnosed in 336 persons by clinic examination. Thus, the overall prevalence of DH was 33.7% in the questionnaire and 25.5% in the intraoral test. The prevalence of DH was higher in females (33.8%) than in males (22.2%). Furthermore, we found that the prevalence of DH was highest in the age group of 50–59 years (39.3%). The most common initiation factors were acid (37.7%) followed by cold stimuli (35.8%). In general, most subjects with sensitive teeth had a higher educational background. Conclusions: The prevalence of DH was 25.5% in the population of Xi’an City in China. More emphasis should give to middle-aged and old females while planning oral health intervention campaigns. In addition, premolars and cervical surfaces should be examined for the prevention of DH.
Treating relapsed follicular lymphoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: Advanced follicular lymphoma (FL) remains an incurable disease, at least with conventional therapy. Despite the long remission and disease-free periods that can be currently achieved with treatment, the disease will ultimately relapse in most of the patients. Areas covered: This article reviews the current spectrum of therapies for patients with relapsed FL in the rituximab area. It will revisit current therapies, approaches to therapeutic decision making and novel agents under investigation. Expert commentary: At present, rituximab or second generation anti-CD20 antibodies either as single agent or in combination with chemotherapy, anti-CD20 maintenance therapy and stem cell transplant remain effective treatment options for relapsed patients. A plethora of new targeted agents and novel approaches such as immunotherapy are currently under investigation,thus the landscape is rapidly evolving. In this context, therapeutic decisions for individual patients in a disease which is increasingly becoming a chronic condition require a tailored approach integrating multiple clinical parameters with particular considerations of patients’ preferences and quality of life.
Factor analysis in the identification of dietary patterns and their predictive role in morbid and fatal events

Abstract Objective The purpose was to examine the role of dietary patterns derived from factor analysis and their association with health and disease. Design Longitudinal population study, with measurement of diet (dietary history method), cardiovascular risk factors and a follow-up of 20 years for CHD incidence and 40 years for mortality. Setting Two population samples in rural villages in northern and central Italy. Subjects Men (n 1221) aged 45–64 years were examined and followed up. Results One of the factors identified with factor analysis, run on seventeen food groups, was converted into a factor score (Factor 2 score) and used as a possible predictor of morbid and fatal events. High values of Factor 2 score were characterized by higher consumption of bread, cereals (pasta), potatoes, vegetables, fish and oil and by lower consumption of milk, sugar, fruit and alcoholic beverages. In multivariate analysis, Factor 2 score (mean 0·0061; sd 1·3750) was inversely and significantly associated (hazard ratio for a 1 sd increase; 95% CI) with 20-year CHD incidence (0·88; 0·73, 0·96) and 40-year mortality from CHD (0·79; 0·66, 0·95), CVD (0·87; 0·78, 0·96), cancer (0·84; 0·74, 0·96) and all causes (0·89; 0·83, 0·96), after adjustment for five other risk factors. Men in quintile 5 of Factor 2 score had a 4·1 years longer life expectancy compared with men in quintile 1. Conclusions A dietary pattern derived from factor analysis, and resembling the characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, was protective for the occurrence of various morbid and fatal events during 40 years of follow-up.
Science Education

Funding information National Science Foundation, Grant/Award Numbers: ESI‐0227557, ESI‐0101780, and DRL‐1020316, ESI‐0439493; National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program Abstract This study proposes a strategic framework to guide teachers’ curriculum adaptation, planning, and enactment as a lever for redistributing epistemic agency. This framework intends to position teachers as strategic decision‐makers around when and how to open up aspects of their curriculum. We argue that seeing the aspects of Next Generation Science Standards‐ aligned curricula—the methods of investigation, the anchoring phenomena, and the explanatory models students construct—as entry points for redistributing epistemic agency may help teachers make inroads to shifting their classroom practice towards more responsive instruction. Importantly, our tool acknowledges that there are different “levels” at which teachers might strategically decide to open up space for student decision‐ making. These decisions may have a differential impact on students’ subsequent participation in science practices. In this paper, we will use three cases to highlight the specific and incremental ways that teachers can open up aspects of the curriculum and how those openings redistributed epistemic agency in their classroom. We argue that this framework may be used as a tool for engaging teachers in conversation about how they can begin to position students as partners in the epistemic decisions that drive classroom activity.
Rational design of Polymeric Hybrid Micelles to Overcome Lymphatic and Intracellular Delivery Barriers in Cancer Immunotherapy

Poor distribution of antigen/adjuvant to target sites and inadequate induction of T cell responses remain major challenges in cancer immunotherapy because of the lack of appropriate delivery systems. Nanocarrier-based antigen delivery systems have emerged as an innovative strategy to improve vaccine efficacy. Here we present polymeric hybrid micelles (PHMs) as a simple and potent antigen/adjuvant co-delivery system with highly tunable properties. PHMs consist of two amphiphilic diblock copolymers, polycaprolactone-polyethylenimine (PCL-PEI) and polycaprolactone-polyethyleneglycol (PCL-PEG). PHMs with different proportions of cationic PCL-PEI were prepared and loaded with tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Trp2) peptide and adjuvant CpG oligodeoxynucleotide to generate the Trp2/PHM/CpG co-delivery system. Lymphatic and intracellular antigen delivery as a function of PCL-PEI proportion was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. PHMs containing 10% (w/w) PCL-PEI (Trp2/PHM10/CpG) showed the optimal balance of good distribution to lymph nodes, strong immunization effect after subcutaneous administration, and low toxicity to dendritic cells. In a mouse model of B16F10 melanoma, Trp2/PHM10/CpG showed significantly higher antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and greater anticancer efficacy than Trp2/PHM0/CpG without PCL-PEI or a mixture of free Trp2 and CpG. These results provide new insights into how cationic segments affect the efficiency of antigen delivery by cationic nanocarriers. They also suggest that PHMs can serve as a structurally simple and highly tunable platform for co-delivery of antigen and adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy.
Incremental Validity of Self- and Informant Report of Personality Disorders in Later Life

Research shows moderate agreement between different sources of information when assessing personality disorders (PDs) in older adults. The differences between measurement methods appear to be not only the result of measurement error, but also an indication that each source holds nonredundant information relevant to PD diagnosis. The current article examines three sources of diagnostic information (self-report, informant report, and clinical interview) and the utility of these instruments in predicting important outcomes in older adulthood. We analyzed data from 1,630 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 years participating in a longitudinal study of later life. PD symptomatology was assessed using multiple methods, which were then used to predict health, marital satisfaction, and cognitive decline. All three sources contributed significantly to the prediction of these outcomes, with important implications for the assessment of older adults in research and clinical settings.
IOC Medical and Scientific Commission reviews its position on the use of dietary supplements by elite athletes

Success in sport is determined by genetic endowment and by the modulation of that innate talent by an appropriate training programme. When athletes train to the limits of what is possible, they inevitably look for other factors that may help them to gain an advantage over the opposition. Of these, nutrition is often seen as an ‘easy’ option, and it is undoubtedly true that the food choices that an athlete makes will have profound effects on the ability to sustain consistent and intensive training and to amplify the training response. Although some of the details are unclear and are the subject of debate, there is little doubt that good nutrition strategies can also optimise performance in competition.1 At the highest level of sport, competitors will all be genetically gifted, will have trained intensively and will have exploited all obvious performance-enhancement strategies. In the search for further gains, the use of dietary supplements is an attractive opportunity. Athletes may feel that …
Osteochondral Tissue Engineering In Vivo: A Comparative Study Using Layered Silk Fibroin Scaffolds from Mulberry and Nonmulberry Silkworms

The ability to treat osteochondral defects is a major clinical need. Existing polymer systems cannot address the simultaneous requirements of regenerating bone and cartilage tissues together. The challenge still lies on how to improve the integration of newly formed tissue with the surrounding tissues and the cartilage-bone interface. This study investigated the potential use of different silk fibroin scaffolds: mulberry (Bombyx mori) and non-mulberry (Antheraea mylitta) for osteochondral regeneration in vitro and in vivo. After 4 to 8 weeks of in vitro culture in chondro- or osteo-inductive media, non-mulberry constructs pre-seeded with human bone marrow stromal cells exhibited prominent areas of the neo tissue containing chondrocyte-like cells, whereas mulberry constructs pre-seeded with human bone marrow stromal cells formed bone-like nodules. In vivo investigation demonstrated neo-osteochondral tissue formed on cell-free multi-layer silk scaffolds absorbed with transforming growth factor beta 3 or recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. Good bio-integration was observed between native and neo-tissue within the osteochondrol defect in patellar grooves of Wistar rats. The in vivo neo-matrix formed comprised of a mixture of collagen and glycosaminoglycans except in mulberry silk without growth factors, where a predominantly collagenous matrix was observed. Immunohistochemical assay showed stronger staining of type I and type II collagen in the constructs of mulberry and non-mulberry scaffolds with growth factors. The study opens up a new avenue of using inter-species silk fibroin blended or multi-layered scaffolds of a combination of mulberry and non-mulberry origin for the regeneration of osteochondral defects.
Eight-Year Follow-Up of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Brain Structural Changes in Fabry Disease

Brain structural alterations and neuropsychiatric symptoms have been described repeatedly in Fabry disease, yet cognitive deficits have been shown to be only mild. Here, we aimed to investigate neuropsychiatric symptoms and brain structure longitudinally. We expected no clinically relevant increase of neuropsychiatric symptoms in parallel to increased brain structural alterations. We assessed 14 Fabry patients (46.1 ± 10.8 years) who had participated in our investigation eight years ago. Patients engaged in neuropsychiatric testing, as well as structural magnetic resonance imaging and angiography to determine white matter lesions, hippocampal volume, and the diameter of the larger intracranial arteries. While Fabry patients did not differ on cognitive performance, they showed progressive and significant hippocampal volume loss over the 8-year observation period. White matter lesions were associated with older age and higher white matter lesion load at baseline, but did not reach statistical significance when comparing baseline to follow-up. Likewise, intracranial artery diameters did not increase significantly. None of the imaging parameters were associated with the neuropsychiatric parameters. Depression frequency reduced from 50% at baseline to 21% at follow-up, but it did not reach significance. This investigation demonstrates clinical stability in cognitive function, while pronounced hippocampal atrophy is apparent throughout the 8 years. Our middle-aged Fabry patients appeared to compensate successfully for progressive hippocampal volume loss. The hippocampal volume decline indicates brain regional neuronal involvement in Fabry disease.
Methodology for Protection Performance Evaluation on Power Transmission Networks

An innovative methodology for protection performance evaluation on transmission networks is presented in this paper. It was developed to overcome difficulties faced by the Brazilian utility Companhia Hidro Elétrica do São Francisco (CHESF) during the preparation of short-circuit reports that must be sent to regulatory organizations whenever transmission-line faults occur. In the proposed methodology, a combination of several algorithms is used to extract from oscillographic records relevant information about short circuits and performance of protection functions. Aiming toward practical applications in CHESF, a software named disturbance analysis and protection performance evaluation has been developed in order to execute the proposed methodology functions, providing reports about the short-circuit characteristics and protection operation. To validate the proposed methodology, digital fault simulations in the Alternative Transients Program (ATP) and in Computer-Aided Protection Engineering (CAPE) software were carried out. Furthermore, real-world fault cases were also analyzed by assessing actual oscillographic fault records provided by CHESF. The obtained results show that the proposed methodology is reliable and quite useful for short-circuit analysis and protection performance evaluation procedures.
A cross-sectional survey of current treatment and symptom burden of patients with COPD consulting for routine care according to GOLD 2014 classifications

Background As part of the Respiratory Disease Specific Program (DSP) conducted to provide observations of clinical practice from a physician and matched patient viewpoint, this study aimed to establish how patients with COPD are treated according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification system and to quantify the symptom burden. Methods Data were obtained from the Respiratory DSP, a cross-sectional survey of patients with a diagnosis of COPD consulting for routine care in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the USA during the third quarter of 2013. Patients’ exacerbation risk and symptom data were used for classification into GOLD groups A−D based on GOLD 2014 criteria. Prescribing practices were stratified by physician type and time since patient diagnosis. Results A total of 903 physicians participated in the Respiratory DSP, with data from 1,641 patients included in this analysis. Most patients were classified into GOLD groups B (n=742; 45.2%) and D (n=704; 42.9%). Patients in groups A and D were most likely to be treated in line with GOLD recommendations (61.5% and 77.5%, respectively), compared with 40.1% for group B. Patients with a diagnosis within the past 12 months were more likely to be treated according to recommendations. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in combination with one or more long-acting bronchodilator were prescribed across all GOLD groups. Patterns of treatment were, in general, similar for patients treated by a primary care physician or a pulmonologist. COPD assessment test scores ≥10 indicating a high symptom burden were reported for >80% of patients. Conclusion This analysis confirmed a high symptom burden among patients with COPD and indicates some misalignment of prescribing with GOLD recommendations, particularly regarding the role of ICS/long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and ICS/LABA + long-acting muscarinic antagonist combinations across the different GOLD groups.
Comparative effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers on the risk of pneumonia and severe exacerbations in patients with COPD

Objectives This study aimed to compare the effects of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on the risk of pneumonia and severe exacerbations in patients with COPD. Patients and methods All patients with COPD who used ACEis and ARBs for >90 days between 2000 and 2005 were recruited. Pairwise matching (1:1) of the ACEi and ARB groups resulted in two similar subgroups, with 6,226 patients in each. The primary outcomes were pneumonia and COPD exacerbations, and the secondary outcome was death. Results During the follow-up period, the incidence of pneumonia was 7.20 per 100 person-years in the ACEi group and 5.89 per 100 person-years in the ARB group. The ACEi group had a higher risk of pneumonia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.22; 95% CI, 1.15–1.29) than the ARB group. The incidence of severe exacerbations was 0.65 per person-year for the patients receiving ACEis and 0.52 per person-year for those receiving ARBs. The patients receiving ACEis had a higher risk of severe exacerbations (aHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.16–1.21) than those receiving ARBs. Similar trends were noted in terms of severe exacerbations requiring hospitalization (aHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.21–1.28) or emergency department visits (aHR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.13–1.18), pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation (aHR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.24–1.47), and mortality (aHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.26–1.42). Conclusion ARBs were associated with lower rates of pneumonia, severe pneumonia, and mortality than ACEis in patients with COPD.
Multi-omics analysis identifies ATF4 as a key regulator of the mitochondrial stress response in mammals

Mitochondrial stress activates a mitonuclear response to safeguard and repair mitochondrial function and to adapt cellular metabolism to stress. Using a multiomics approach in mammalian cells treated with four types of mitochondrial stressors, we identify activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) as the main regulator of the stress response. Surprisingly, canonical mitochondrial unfolded protein response genes mediated by ATF5 are not activated. Instead, ATF4 activates the expression of cytoprotective genes, which reprogram cellular metabolism through activation of the integrated stress response (ISR). Mitochondrial stress promotes a local proteostatic response by reducing mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, inhibiting mitochondrial translation, and coupling the activation of the ISR with the attenuation of mitochondrial function. Through a trans–expression quantitative trait locus analysis, we provide genetic evidence supporting a role for Fh1 in the control of Atf4 expression in mammals. Using gene expression data from mice and humans with mitochondrial diseases, we show that the ATF4 pathway is activated in vivo upon mitochondrial stress. Our data illustrate the value of a multiomics approach to characterize complex cellular networks and provide a versatile resource to identify new regulators of mitochondrial-related diseases.
The Effect of Diet and Opponent Size on Aggressive Interactions Involving Caribbean Crazy Ants (Nylanderia fulva)

Biotic interactions are often important in the establishment and spread of invasive species. In particular, competition between introduced and native species can strongly influence the distribution and spread of exotic species and in some cases competition among introduced species can be important. The Caribbean crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva, was recently introduced to the Gulf Coast of Texas, and appears to be spreading inland. It has been hypothesized that competition with the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, may be an important factor in the spread of crazy ants. We investigated the potential of interspecific competition among these two introduced ants by measuring interspecific aggression between Caribbean crazy ant workers and workers of Solenopsis invicta. Specifically, we examined the effect of body size and diet on individual-level aggressive interactions among crazy ant workers and fire ants. We found that differences in diet did not alter interactions between crazy ant workers from different nests, but carbohydrate level did play an important role in antagonistic interactions with fire ants: crazy ants on low sugar diets were more aggressive and less likely to be killed in aggressive encounters with fire ants. We found that large fire ants engaged in fewer fights with crazy ants than small fire ants, but fire ant size affected neither fire ant nor crazy ant mortality. Overall, crazy ants experienced higher mortality than fire ants after aggressive encounters. Our findings suggest that fire ant workers might outcompete crazy ant workers on an individual level, providing some biotic resistance to crazy ant range expansion. However, this resistance may be overcome by crazy ants that have a restricted sugar intake, which may occur when crazy ants are excluded from resources by fire ants.