Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a set of mobile phone text messages designed for prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events

Background: Supporting lifestyle change is an effective way of preventing recurrent events in people with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is a need to develop innovative strategies that increase access to programmes for individuals at high risk of CVD. This study aimed to develop a bank of text messages designed to provide advice, motivation, and support for decreasing cardiovascular risk. Design: Iterative development process with mixed methods Methods: An initial bank of 120 text messages was drafted based on behaviour change techniques, guidelines, and input from clinicians and public health experts. A questionnaire was then administered to participants (n = 53) for evaluation of message content, usefulness, and language. To test the process of delivery, a pilot study was conducted using a specifically designed computer programme that delivered messages to multiple mobile phones according to a pre-specified schedule. Data were collected regarding message timing, delivery, and usefulness. Results: In the qualitative questionnaire, 92% of participants found the messages easy to understand and 86% found the messages contained useful information. Positive feedback was also obtained from the pilot study. Based on these results, together with suggestions provided, several messages were reworded and an additional 44 were written. The need for semi-personalization was also identified and a random set of 103 individualized messages was created. Conclusions: A final bank of 137 mobile telephone text messages designed to support behaviour change and decrease cardiovascular risk have been developed through a multistep iterative process. This provides a scientific approach for future developers of health-related text messages.
Chemical constituents from Sambucus williamsii Hance fruits and hepatoprotective effects in mouse hepatocytes

Abstract Chemical investigation of Chinese folk medicine Sambucus williamsii Hance has resulted in the isolation and characterisation of seventeen compounds from the n-BuOH extract of its fruits, including two new phenylethanoid glycosides and fifteen known compounds. Structures of new compounds were elucidated primarily on the basis of their extensive spectroscopic data including 2D NMR. In addition, the n-BuOH extract from the fruits of S. williamsii was found to show a protective effect on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. So the hepatoprotective effects of principal constituents from it were tested by MTT assays. The results showed that Compounds 13, 16 and 17 displayed hepatoprotective effects.
Vehicular content centric network (VCCN): a survey and research challenges

Recently, Content Centric Networking (CCN) has been proposed for the Future Internet. Since CCN is at an early bud stage, many issues are still unidentified and open. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of applying the CCN concept to vehicular communications (named as Vehicular CCN, VCCN in this work). In addition, we identify a number of VCCN challenges such as naming, name resolution, routing or forwarding strategies, content storing, management and policy of forwarding information base and pending interest table management, security and trust issues, etc.
Lymphocyte enrichment using CD81‐targeted immunoaffinity matrix

In mass cytometry, the isolation of pure lymphocytes is very important to obtain reproducible results and to shorten the time spent on data acquisition. To prepare highly purified cell suspensions of peripheral blood lymphocytes for further analysis on mass cytometer, we used the new CD81+ immune affinity chromatography cell isolation approach. Using 21 metal conjugated antibodies in a single tube we were able to identify all basic cell subsets and compare their relative abundance in final products obtained by density gradient (Ficoll‐Paque) and immune affinity chromatography (CD81+ T‐catch™) isolation approach. We show that T‐catch isolation approach results in purer final product than Ficoll‐Paque (P values 0.0156), with fewer platelets bound to target cells. As a result acquisition time of 105 nucleated cells was 3.5 shorter. We then applied unsupervised high dimensional analysis viSNE algorithm to compare the two isolation protocols, which allowed us to evaluate the contribution of unsupervised analysis over supervised manual gating. ViSNE algorithm effectively characterized almost all supervised cell subsets. Moreover, viSNE uncovered previously overseen cell subsets and showed inaccuracies in Maxpar™ Human peripheral blood phenotyping panel kit recommended gating strategy. These findings emphasize the use of unsupervised analysis tools in parallel with conventional gating strategy to mine the complete information from a set of samples. They also stress the importance of the impurity removal to sensitively detect rare cell populations in unsupervised analysis. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Probability estimation with machine learning methods for dichotomous and multicategory outcome: Applications

Machine learning methods are applied to three different large datasets, all dealing with probability estimation problems for dichotomous or multicategory data. Specifically, we investigate k‐nearest neighbors, bagged nearest neighbors, random forests for probability estimation trees, and support vector machines with the kernels of Bessel, linear, Laplacian, and radial basis type. Comparisons are made with logistic regression. The dataset from the German Stroke Study Collaboration with dichotomous and three‐category outcome variables allows, in particular, for temporal and external validation. The other two datasets are freely available from the UCI learning repository and provide dichotomous outcome variables. One of them, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Heart Disease dataset, uses data from one clinic for training and from three clinics for external validation, while the other, the thyroid disease dataset, allows for temporal validation by separating data into training and test data by date of recruitment into study. For dichotomous outcome variables, we use receiver operating characteristics, areas under the curve values with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals, and Hosmer–Lemeshow‐type figures as comparison criteria. For dichotomous and multicategory outcomes, we calculated bootstrap Brier scores with 95% confidence intervals and also compared them through bootstrapping. In a supplement, we provide R code for performing the analyses and for random forest analyses in Random Jungle, version 2.1. 0. The learning machines show promising performance over all constructed models. They are simple to apply and serve as an alternative approach to logistic or multinomial logistic regression analysis.
Non-alignment comparison of human and high primate genomes

Compositional spectra (CS) analysis based on k-mer scoring of DNA sequences was employed in this study for dot-plot comparison of human and primate genomes. The detection of extended conserved synteny regions was based on continuous fuzzy similarity rather than on chains of discrete anchors (genes or highly conserved noncoding elements). In addition to the high correspondence found in the comparisons of whole-genome sequences, a good similarity was also found after masking gene sequences, indicating that CS analysis manages to reveal phylogenetic signal in the organization of noncoding part of the genome sequences, including repetitive DNA and the genome "dark matter". Obviously, the possibility to reveal parallel ordering depends on the signal of common ancestor sequence organization varying locally along the corresponding segments of the compared genomes. We explored two sources contributing to this signal: sequence composition (GC content) and sequence organization (abundances of k-mers in the usual A,T,G,C or purine-pyrimidine alphabets). Whole-genome comparisons based on GC distribution along the analyzed sequences indeed gives reasonable results, but combining it with k-mer abundances dramatically improves the ordering quality, indicating that compositional and organizational heterogeneity comprise complementary sources of information on evolutionary conserved similarity of genome sequences.
The (mis)measurement of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen: exploitation at the core of the scale

Background. The dark side of human character has been conceptualized in the Dark Triad Model: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. These three dark traits are often measured using single long instruments for each one of the traits. Nevertheless, there is a necessity of short and valid personality measures in psychological research. As an independent research group, we replicated the factor structure, convergent validity and item response for one of the most recent and widely used short measures to operationalize these malevolent traits, namely, Jonason’s Dark Triad Dirty Dozen. We aimed to expand the understanding of what the Dirty Dozen really captures because the mixed results on construct validity in previous research. Method. We used the largest sample to date to respond to the Dirty Dozen (N = 3,698). We firstly investigated the factor structure using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and an exploratory distribution analysis of the items in the Dirty Dozen. Secondly, using a sub-sample (n = 500) and correlation analyses, we investigated the Dirty Dozen dark traits convergent validity to Machiavellianism measured by the Mach-IV, psychopathy measured by Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire Revised, narcissism using the Narcissism Personality Inventory, and both neuroticism and extraversion from the Eysenck’s questionnaire. Finally, besides these Classic Test Theory analyses, we analyzed the responses for each Dirty Dozen item using Item Response Theory (IRT). Results. The results confirmed previous findings of a bi-factor model fit: one latent core dark trait and three dark traits. All three Dirty Dozen traits had a striking bi-modal distribution, which might indicate unconcealed social undesirability with the items. The three Dirty Dozen traits did converge too, although not strongly, with the contiguous single Dark Triad scales (r between .41 and .49). The probabilities of filling out steps on the Dirty Dozen narcissism-items were much higher than on the Dirty Dozen items for Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Overall, the Dirty Dozen instrument delivered the most predictive value with persons with average and high Dark Triad traits (theta > −0.5). Moreover, the Dirty Dozen scale was better conceptualized as a combined Machiavellianism-psychopathy factor, not narcissism, and is well captured with item 4: ‘I tend to exploit others towards my own end. ’ Conclusion. The Dirty Dozen showed a consistent factor structure, a relatively convergent validity similar to that found in earlier studies. Narcissism measured using the Dirty Dozen, however, did not contribute with information to the core of the Dirty Dozen construct. More importantly, the results imply that the core of the Dirty Dozen scale, a manipulative and anti-social trait, can be measured by a Single Item Dirty Dark Dyad (SIDDD).
Multiple choice allocations with small maximum loads

The idea of using multiple choices to improve allocation schemes is now well understood and is often illustrated by the following example. Suppose n balls are allocated to n bins with each ball choosing a bin independently and uniformly at random. The maximum load, or the number of balls in the most loaded bin, will then be approximately logn log logn with high probability. Suppose now the balls are allocated sequentially by placing a ball in the least loaded bin among the k ≥ 2 bins chosen independently and uniformly at random. Azar, Broder, Karlin, and Upfal [1] showed that in this scenario, the maximum load drops to log logn log k +Θ(1), with high probability, which is an exponential improvement over the previous case. In this thesis we investigate multiple choice allocations from a slightly different perspective. Instead of minimizing the maximum load, we fix the bin capacities and focus on maximizing the number of balls that can be allocated without overloading any bin. In the process that we consider we have m = bcnc balls and n bins. Each ball chooses k bins independently and uniformly at random. Is it possible to assign each ball to one of its choices such that the no bin receives more than ` balls? For all k ≥ 3 and ` ≥ 2 we give a critical value, ck,`, such that when c ck,` this is not the case. In case such an allocation exists, how quickly can we find it? Previous work on total allocation time for case k ≥ 3 and ` = 1 has analyzed a breadth first strategy which is shown to be linear only in expectation. We give a simple and efficient algorithm which we also call local search allocation(LSA) to find an allocation for all k ≥ 3 and ` = 1. Provided the number of balls are below (but arbitrarily close to) the theoretical achievable load threshold, we give a linear bound for the total allocation time that holds with high probability. We demonstrate, through simulations, an order of magnitude improvement for total and maximum allocation times when compared to the state of the art method. Our results find applications in many areas including hashing, load balancing, data management, orientability of random hypergraphs and maximum matchings in a special class of bipartite graphs.
A peculiar class of debris disks from Herschel /DUNES

Context . The existence of debris disks around old main sequence stars is usually explained by continuous replenishment of small dust grains through collisions from a reservoir of larger objects. Aims . We present photometric data of debris disks around HIP 103389 (HD 199260), HIP 107350 (HN Peg, HD 206860), and HIP 114948 (HD 219482), obtained in the context of our Herschel open time key program DUNES (DUst around NEarby Stars). Methods . We used Herschel /PACS to detect the thermal emission of the three debris disks with a 3σ sensitivity of a few mJy at 100 μm and 160 μm. In addition, we obtained Herschel /PACS photometric data at 70 μm for HIP 103389. These observations are complemented by a large variety of optical to far-infrared photometric data. Two different approaches are applied to reduce the Herschel data to investigate the impact of data reduction on the photometry. We fit analytical models to the available spectral energy distribution (SED) data using the fitting method of simulated thermal annealing as well as a classical grid search method. Results . The SEDs of the three disks potentially exhibit an unusually steep decrease at wavelengths ≥70 μm. We investigate the significance of the peculiar shape of these SEDs and the impact on models of the disks provided it is real. Using grain compositions that have been applied successfully for modeling of many other debris disks, our modeling reveals that such a steep decrease of the SEDs in the long wavelength regime is inconsistent with a power-law exponent of the grain size distribution −3.5 expected from a standard equilibrium collisional cascade. In contrast, a steep grain size distribution or, alternatively an upper grain size in the range of few tens of micrometers are implied. This suggests that a very distinct range of grain sizes would dominate the thermal emission of such disks. However, we demonstrate that the understanding of the data of faint sources obtained with Herschel is still incomplete and that the significance of our results depends on the version of the data reduction pipeline used. Conclusions . A new mechanism to produce the dust in the presented debris disks, deviations from the conditions required for a standard equilibrium collisional cascade (grain size exponent of −3.5), and/or significantly different dust properties would be necessary to explain the potentially steep SED shape of the three debris disks presented.
Interneurons Provide Circuit-Specific Depolarization and Hyperpolarization

Perisoma-inhibiting interneurons (PIIs) control fundamental aspects of cortical network function by means of their GABAergic output synapses. However, whether they depolarize or hyperpolarize their target cells in the mature circuitry remains controversial. By using unitary field potential and gramicidin D perforated-patch recordings, we provide evidence that the postsynaptic effect of GABAergic synapses is fundamentally different in two regions of rat hippocampus. Signaling at PII output synapses is hyperpolarizing in CA1 principal cells (PCs) but depolarizing in dentate gyrus (DG) PCs. While the reversal potential of GABAA receptor-mediated currents is identical in both areas, ∼15 mV more negative resting potentials of DG compared with CA1 PCs underlie the opposing effects of perisomatic GABAergic transmission. Thus, the nature of PII output signaling is circuit-dependent and may therefore contribute differentially to information processing in the two brain areas.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Findings of Optic Radiation in Patients with Putaminal Hemorrhage

Objectives: Little is known about optic radiation (OR) injury in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We attempted to investigate OR injury in patients with ICH by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods: Forty-three consecutive patients with putaminal hemorrhage and 40 normal healthy control subjects were recruited. DTI data were acquired at the beginning of rehabilitation (average 34 days after onset). DTI-Studio software was used to reconstruct the OR. Fractional anisotropies (FA) and fiber numbers of the ORs were measured. FA values and fiber numbers of affected ORs were described as abnormal when they were more than 2.5 SD lower than those of normal controls. Results: Thirty (70%) of the 43 patients showed an OR abnormality in the affected hemisphere. In 13 (30%) patients, the affected OR was disrupted or nonreconstructable. On the other hand, of the 20 patients with preserved OR integrity, 14 (33%) had a low FA value and 3 (7%) a low FA and fiber number. The other 13 (30%) of the 43 patients had no abnormal OR findings. Conclusion: Seventy percent of patients showed any abnormality of OR in the affected hemisphere on DTI. This result suggests that patients with putaminal hemorrhage are at high risk of OR injury.
Sociodemographic, psychological, and lifestyle characteristics are associated with a liking for salty and sweet tastes in French adults.

BACKGROUND Various studies have shown that sensory liking influences dietary behavior and that individual characteristics are related to food intake and weight status, but little is known about individual profiles associated with salt and sweet liking. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between a liking for salty and sweet tastes (i.e., a liking for foods rich in salt or sugar and preferred amounts of salt or sugar seasoning in foods) and sociodemographic, psychological, and lifestyle characteristics in a large sample. METHODS Individual factors and liking scores were collected by validated questionnaires from 37,181 French adults participating in the NutriNet-Santé study, a large web-based observational cohort launched in 2009 that studies relations between nutrition and health. The associations were assessed by multivariable multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for socioeconomic, anthropometric, and health variables. RESULTS In both genders, with increasing age, individuals were more likely to have a high salt liking (men, OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.30; women, OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.19), whereas they were less likely to have a strong sweet liking (men, OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.91; women, OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.68). Current smokers (men, OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.90, 2.78; women, OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.36, 1.66) and heavy drinkers (men, OR: 2.92; 95% CI: 2.37, 3.58; women, OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 2.22, 2.98) were more likely to like salt than nonsmokers and alcohol abstainers. Regarding the sweet taste, women smokers were less likely to like sweets (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.89). Highly uncontrolled eaters [men, OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 2.04, 2.80; women, OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.99, 2.47) and highly emotional women (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.55) were more likely to have a high liking for sweets than slightly uncontrolled eaters and nonemotional eaters, whereas those with high cognitive restraint (men, OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.46; women, OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.60) and former weight-loss dieters (men, OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.70; women, OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.73) were less likely to have a strong sweet liking compared with those with low cognitive restraint and never-dieters. CONCLUSION An unhealthy lifestyle that includes smoking and alcohol consumption may influence salt liking, and eating behavior may have an impact on sweet liking. Further research is needed to study the influence of individual factors and sensory liking on dietary intake and weight status. This study was registered at the European Clinical Trials Database as 2013-000929-31.
Molecular mechanism of anticancer effect of Sclerotium rolfsii lectin in HT29 cells involves differential expression of genes associated with multiple signaling pathways: A microarray analysis.

Sclerotium rolfsii lectin (SRL) is a lectin isolated from fungus S. rolfsii and has high binding specificity toward the oncofetal Thomsen-Friedenreich carbohydrate antigen (Galβ1-3GalNAc-α-O-Ser/Thr, T or TF), which is expressed in more than 90% of human cancers. Our previous studies have shown that binding of SRL to human colon, breast and ovarian cancer cells induces cell apoptosis in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in vivo. This study investigated the SRL-mediated cell signaling in human colon cancer HT29 cells by mRNA and miRNA microarrays. It was found that SRL treatment results in altered expression of several hundred molecules including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-JUN-associated, apoptosis-associated and cell cycle and DNA replication-associated signaling molecules. Pathway analysis using GeneSpring 12.6. 1 revealed that SRL treatment induces changes of MAPK and c-JUN-associated signaling pathways as early as 2 h while changes of cell cycle, DNA replication and apoptosis pathways were significantly affected only after 24 h. A significant change of cell miRNA expression was also observed after 12 h treatment of the cells with SRL. These changes were further validated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. This study thus suggests that the presence of SRL affects multiple signaling pathways in cancer cells with early effects on cell proliferation pathways associated with MAPK and c-JUN, followed by miRNA-associated cell activity and apoptosis. This provides insight information into the molecular mechanism of the anticancer activity of this fungal lectin.