Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Ethnolinguistic Diversity on the Sorghum Genetic Patterns in Subsistence Farming Systems in Eastern Kenya

Understanding the effects of actions undertaken by human societies on crop evolution processes is a major challenge for the conservation of genetic resources. This study investigated the mechanisms whereby social boundaries associated with patterns of ethnolinguistic diversity have influenced the on-farm distribution of sorghum diversity. Social boundaries limit the diffusion of planting material, practices and knowledge, thus shaping crop diversity in situ. To assess the effect of social boundaries, this study was conducted in the contact zone between the Chuka, Mbeere and Tharaka ethnolinguistic groups in eastern Kenya. Sorghum varieties were inventoried and samples collected in 130 households. In all, 297 individual plants derived from seeds collected under sixteen variety names were characterized using a set of 18 SSR molecular markers and 15 morphological descriptors. The genetic structure was investigated using both a Bayesian assignment method and distance-based clustering. Principal Coordinates Analysis was used to describe the structure of the morphological diversity of the panicles. The distribution of the varieties and the main genetic clusters across ethnolinguistic groups was described using a non-parametric MANOVA and pairwise Fisher tests. The spatial distribution of landrace names and the overall genetic spatial patterns were significantly correlated with ethnolinguistic partition. However, the genetic structure inferred from molecular makers did not discriminate the short-cycle landraces despite their morphological distinctness. The cases of two improved varieties highlighted possible fates of improved materials. The most recent one was often given the name of local landraces. The second one, that was introduced a dozen years ago, displays traces of admixture with local landraces with differential intensity among ethnic groups. The patterns of congruence or discordance between the nomenclature of farmers’ varieties and the structure of both genetic and morphological diversity highlight the effects of the social organization of communities on the diffusion of seed, practices, and variety nomenclature.
A broad‐based study on hyphenating new ionization technologies with MS/MS for PTMs and tissue characterization

Matrix‐assisted ionization (MAI) is a newly discovered method for converting compounds from the solid phase to gas‐phase ions having charge states similar to electrospray ionization (ESI), but without the need for high‐energy sources such as lasers or high voltage. Laserspray ionization (LSI) is a subset of MAI that uses a laser to provide high spatial resolution analyses, but the laser is not directly involved in the ionization process. These methods produce multiply‐charged analyte ions that are useful for characterizing compounds directly from surfaces using advanced characterization technologies. Because the multiply‐charged ions originate from charged matrix clusters, efficient desolvation of the matrix is a prerequisite. Here, we report on the utility of collision‐induced dissociation (CID) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) coupled to mass spectrometry using several MAI and LSI matrices for peptide and protein characterization employing mass spectrometers from two manufacturers. The information obtained is similar to that using ESI for most analyses and superior to matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) as is shown for intact proteins and protein digests directly from mouse brain tissue sections. The ionization processes are soft so that posttranslational modification (e.g. phosphorylation) sites are readily determined. Instances where ETD or CID in conjunction with MAI failed are attributed to lack of desolvation of charged matrix:analyte particles.
An Empirical Analysis of Mental State Talk and Affect Regulation in Two Single-Cases of Psychodynamic Child Therapy

Literature has shown the importance of mentalizing techniques in symptom remission and emotional understanding; however, no study to date has looked at the dynamic relations between mental state talk and affect regulation in the psychotherapy process. From a psychodynamic perspective, the emergence of the child’s capacity to regulate affect through the therapist’s reflection on the child’s mental states is a core aspect of treatment. In an empirical investigation of 2 single cases with separation anxiety disorder, who were treated in long-term psychodynamic play therapy informed with mentalization principles, the effect of therapists’ and children’s use of mental state talk on children’s subsequent capacity to regulate affect in play was assessed. One case was a positive outcome case, whereas the other did not show symptomatic improvement at the end of treatment. Children’s and therapists’ utterances in the sessions were coded using the Coding System for Mental State Talk in Narratives, and children’s play was coded by Children’s Play Therapy Instrument, which generated an index of children’s “affect regulation. ” Time-series Granger Causality tests showed that even though both therapists’ use of mental state talk significantly predicted children’s subsequent affect regulation, the association between child’s mental state talk and affect regulation was only supported for the child who showed clinically significant symptom reduction. This study provided preliminary support that mental state talk in psychodynamic psychotherapy facilitates emotion regulation in play.
Active application of primer acid on acid‐treated enamel: Influence on the bond effectiveness of self‐etch adhesives systems

Aim: Evaluate the composite‐to‐enamel bond after passive or active application of self‐etching primer systems on polished or pre‐etched enamel with phosphoric acid. Materials and Methods: Two self‐etch adhesives systems (SEAS) were used: Clearfil SE Bond and Easy Bond. Third human molars were divided into 8 groups (N = 10). The crown of each tooth was sectioned into halves and the mesial/distal surfaces were used. The adhesives were actively or passively applied on enamel with or without prior phosphoric‐acid etching. Resin composite cylinders were built after adhesive application. After stored in relative humidity for 24 hr/37°C the specimens were subjected to microshear test in universal testing a machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. The results were analyzed with three‐way ANOVA and the Tukey test. The enamel‐etching pattern was evaluated under SEM. Results: The 2‐step SEAS system presented significantly higher adhesive bond strength means (47.37 MPa) than the 1‐step (36.87 MPa). A poor enamel‐ etching pattern was observed in active mode showing irregular and short resin tags, however there was not compromised the bond strength. Conclusion: Active or passive application produced similar values of bond strength to enamel regardless of enamel pretreatment and type of SEAS.
An injectable shear-thinning biomaterial for endovascular embolization

An engineered shear-thinning biomaterial is used as an embolic agent for vascular occlusion as treatment for bleeding. Stopping blood in its tracks Effective treatments for ruptured blood vessels must be rapidly deployed to promote hemostasis. Avery et al. formulated a gelatin and silicate nanoplatelet hydrogel material that occluded blood flow without requiring thrombus formation. When injected into arteries and veins in mice and pigs, the biomaterial occluded blood flow without evidence of fragmentation or displacement for up to 24 days. Occluded vessels showed evidence of connective tissue replacing the biomaterial in the vessel lumen. Shear-thinning biomaterials represent promising alternatives for stable endovascular embolization. Improved endovascular embolization of vascular conditions can generate better patient outcomes and minimize the need for repeat procedures. However, many embolic materials, such as metallic coils or liquid embolic agents, are associated with limitations and complications such as breakthrough bleeding, coil migration, coil compaction, recanalization, adhesion of the catheter to the embolic agent, or toxicity. Here, we engineered a shear-thinning biomaterial (STB), a nanocomposite hydrogel containing gelatin and silicate nanoplatelets, to function as an embolic agent for endovascular embolization procedures. STBs are injectable through clinical catheters and needles and have hemostatic activity comparable to metallic coils, the current gold standard. In addition, STBs withstand physiological pressures without fragmentation or displacement in elastomeric channels in vitro and in explant vessels ex vivo. In vitro experiments also indicated that STB embolization did not rely on intrinsic thrombosis as coils did for occlusion, suggesting that the biomaterial may be suitable for use in patients on anticoagulation therapy or those with coagulopathy. Using computed tomography imaging, the biomaterial was shown to fully occlude murine and porcine vasculature in vivo and remain at the site of injection without fragmentation or nontarget embolization. Given the advantages of rapid delivery, in vivo stability, and independent occlusion that does not rely on intrinsic thrombosis, STBs offer an alternative gel-based embolic agent with translational potential for endovascular embolization.
Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium in different population groups: systematic review andmeta-analysis

Background Mycoplasma genitalium is a common cause of non-gonococcal non-chlamydial urethritis and cervicitis. Testing of asymptomatic populations has been proposed, but prevalence in asymptomatic populations is not well established. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of M. genitalium in the general population, pregnant women, men who have sex with men (MSM), commercial sex workers (CSWs) and clinic-based samples, Methods We searched Embase, Medline, IndMED, African Index Medicus and LILACS from 1 January 1991 to 12 July 2016 without language restrictions. We included studies with 500 participants or more. Two reviewers independently screened and selected studies and extracted data. We examined forest plots and conducted random-effects meta-analysis to estimate prevalence, if appropriate. Between-study heterogeneity was examined using the I2 statistic and meta-regression. Results Of 3316 screened records, 63 were included. In randomly selected samples from the general population, the summary prevalence was 1.3% (95% CI 1.0% to 1.8%, I2 41.5%, three studies, 9091 people) in countries with higher levels of development and 3.9% (95% CI 2.2 to 6.7, I2 89.2%, three studies, 3809 people) in countries with lower levels. Prevalence was similar in women and men (P=0.47). In clinic based samples, prevalence estimates were higher, except in asymptomatic patients (0.8%, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.4, I2 0.0%, three studies, 2889 people). Summary prevalence estimates were, in the following groups: pregnant women 0.9% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.4%, I2 0%, four studies, 3472 people), MSM in the community 3.2% (95% CI 2.1 to 5.1, I2 78.3%, five studies, 3012 people) and female CSWs in the community 15.9% (95% CI 13.5 to 18.9, I2 79.9%, four studies, 4006 people). Discussion This systematic review can inform testing guidelines for M. genitalium. The low estimated prevalence of M. genitalium in the general population, pregnant women and asymptomatic attenders at clinics does not support expansion of testing to these groups. Registration numbers PROSPERO: CRD42015020420
Commercial Drivers' Health: A Naturalistic Study of Body Mass Index, Fatigue, and Involvement in Safety-Critical Events

Objective: To explore the relation of commercial truck drivers' body mass indexex (BMI) to fatigued driving episodes and involvement in safety-critical events. Methods: One hundred and three professional truck drivers participated in a long-term naturalistic (on-road) driving study whereby vehicle motion data as well as video of the driver and driving environment were gathered continuously. This data set was analyzed to identify safety-critical events as well as fatigued driving episodes using two independent measures of fatigue. Odds ratio analyses were then performed to explore the relative risk of driving while fatigued and involvement in safety-critical events based on driver's BMI classification (obese versus non-obese). Results: Results indicated that of the 103 participating truck drivers, 53.4 percent were obese based on BMI. Odds ratio calculations revealed that obese individuals were between 1.22 (CI = 1.03–1.45) and 1.69 times (CI = 1.32–2.18) more likely than non-obese individuals to be rated as fatigued based on the two measures of fatigue. Other analyses showed that obese individuals were at 1.37 times (CI = 1.19–1.59) greater risk for involvement in a safety-critical event than non-obese individuals. Finally, one of the fatigue measures showed that obese individuals were 1.99 times (CI = 1.02–3.88) more likely than non-obese individuals to be fatigued while involved in an at-fault safety-critical incident. Conclusion: The results of this study support other research in the field of health and well-being that indicate a link between obesity and fatigue, which is a major safety issue surrounding commercial motor vehicle operations given the long hours these drivers spend on the road.
Tumour virus vaccines: hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus

Two of the most important human oncogenic viruses are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). HBV infection has been preventable by vaccination since 1982; vaccination of neonates and infants is highly effective, resulting already in decreased rates of new infections, chronic liver disease and hepato-cellular carcinoma. Nonetheless, HBV remains a global public health problem with high rates of vertical transmission from mother to child in some regions. Prophylactic HPV vaccines composed of virus-like particles (VLPs) of the L1 capsid protein have been licensed since 2006/2007. These target infection by the oncogenic HPVs 16 and 18 (the cause of 70% of cervical cancers); a new vaccine licensed in 2014/2015 additionally targets HPVs 31, 33, 45, 52, 58. HPV vaccines are now included in the national immunization programmes in many countries, with young adolescent peri-pubertal girls the usual cohort for immunization. Population effectiveness in women is now being demonstrated in countries with high vaccine coverage with significant reductions in high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (a surrogate for cervical cancer), genital warts and vaccine HPV type genoprevalence. Herd effects in young heterosexual men and older women are evident. Cancers caused by HBV and HPV should, in theory, be amenable to immunotherapies and various therapeutic vaccines for HPV in particular are in development and/or in clinical trial. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Human oncogenic viruses’.
Autism‐specific maternal anti‐fetal brain autoantibodies are associated with metabolic conditions

Approximately 23% of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) produce specific patterns of autoantibodies to fetal brain proteins that have been detected in only 1% of mothers of typically developing children. The biological mechanisms underlying the development of ASD‐specific maternal autoantibodies are poorly understood. We sought to determine whether ASD‐specific maternal autoantibodies identified postnatally were associated with metabolic conditions (MCs) during gestation. Participants were 227 mothers of 2–5 year old children with confirmed ASD, enrolled in CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and the Environment) between January 2003 and April 2008, and from whom blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti‐fetal brain autoantibodies (Ab+). MCs included diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and prepregnancy obesity or overweight, ascertained from medical records or structured telephone interviews. Log‐linear regression models were performed to estimate prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on robust standard errors. Fifty‐six (25%) mothers were Ab+. Ab+ prevalence was higher among mothers with diabetes, hypertensive disorders, or overweight compared to healthy mothers, but differences were not statistically significant. In a subset of 145 mothers whose children exhibited severe ASD (31 Ab+), those diagnosed with type 2 or gestational diabetes were 2.7‐fold more likely to be Ab+ (95% CI 1.1, 6.6), controlling for delivery payer and smoking. Gestational diabetes specifically was associated with a 3.2‐fold increased Ab+ prevalence (95% CI 1.2, 8.6). In this exploratory study, mothers whose children had severe ASD and who experienced diabetes were more likely to have anti‐fetal brain autoantibodies 2–5 years later. Autism Res 2017, 10: 89–98. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utility of genetic and non-genetic risk factors in predicting coronary heart disease in Singaporean Chinese

Background Although numerous phenotype based equations for predicting risk of ‘hard’ coronary heart disease are available, data on the utility of genetic information for such risk prediction is lacking in Chinese populations. Design Case–control study nested within the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Methods A total of 1306 subjects comprising 836 men (267 incident cases and 569 controls) and 470 women (128 incident cases and 342 controls) were included. A Genetic Risk Score comprising 156 single nucleotide polymorphisms that have been robustly associated with coronary heart disease or its risk factors (p < 5 × 10−8) in at least two independent cohorts of genome-wide association studies was built. For each gender, three base models were used: recalibrated Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) Model (M1); ATP III model fitted using Singapore Chinese Health Study data (M2) and M3: M2 + C-reactive protein + creatinine. Results The Genetic Risk Score was significantly associated with incident ‘hard’ coronary heart disease (p for men: 1.70 × 10−10–1.73 × 10−9; p for women: 0.001). The inclusion of the Genetic Risk Score in the prediction models improved discrimination in both genders (c-statistics: 0.706–0.722 vs. 0.663–0.695 from base models for men; 0.788–0.790 vs. 0.765–0.773 for women). In addition, the inclusion of the Genetic Risk Score also improved risk classification with a net gain of cases being reclassified to higher risk categories (men: 12.4%–16.5%; women: 10.2% (M3)), while not significantly reducing the classification accuracy in controls. Conclusions The Genetic Risk Score is an independent predictor for incident ‘hard’ coronary heart disease in our ethnic Chinese population. Inclusion of genetic factors into coronary heart disease prediction models could significantly improve risk prediction performance.
Evaluation of the Possibility for Using Polypropylene/Graphene Composite as Bipolar Plate Material Instead of Polypropylene/Graphite Composite

To reduce the bipolar plate weight and keep the desired power density of a low temperature fuel cell, thermoplastic composite bipolar plates have been fabricated for low temperature fuel cell applications. Concerns over material weight, electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and injection processability of the thermoplastic nanocomposites have brought forth the idea of producing a polypropylene/graphene nanocomposite for an injection moulded bipolar plate application. In this article, the properties of produced polypropylene/graphene nanocomposites were also compared with the properties of polypropylene/graphite composites to assess the feasibility for using polypropylene/graphene nanocomposites as a bipolar plate material. The effects of graphene contents and sizes on electrical conductivity and mechanical properties were reported in this work. Moreover, the obtained results were discussed in terms of morphology and state of dispersion and distribution of the graphene within the polypropylene matrix. This work is a preliminary study that offers insight into the material selection and development for low temperature fuel cells toward the ultimate goal of broad commercialization.
Association of Spontaneous Preterm Delivery and Future Maternal Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are well established. However, little is known about a woman’s cardiovascular response to pregnancy, which appears to be an early marker of future maternal CVD risk. Spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) has been associated with a ⩽3-fold increased risk of maternal CVD death later in life compared with having a term delivery. This review focuses on 3 key areas to critically assess the association of sPTD and future maternal CVD risk: (1) CVD risk factors, (2) inflammatory biomarkers of interest, and (3) specific forms of vascular dysfunction, such as endothelial function and arterial stiffness, and mechanisms by which each may be linked to sPTD. The association of sPTD with subsequent future maternal CVD risk suggests that a woman’s abnormal response to pregnancy may serve as her first physiological stress test. These findings suggest that future research is needed to understand why women with sPTD may be at risk for CVD to implement effective interventions earlier in a woman’s life.
Hypertensive Cardiovascular and Renal Disease and Target Organ Damage: Lessons from Animal Models

This brief review discusses some aspects of hypertensive damage to the kidneys and cardiovascular system. A comparison of renal and cardiac manifestations of hypertensive disease between results of clinical and experimental studies was made, with a major focus on the possible role of salt and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in inducing target organ damage. Thus, some degree of renal impairment is often present in patients with essential hypertension, varying from microalbuminuria to end-stage renal disease, whereas in rats with spontaneous hypertension only slight renal damage is seen in old rats with little evidence of renal failure. Since renal damage in hypertensive rats is induced when they are exposed to increased salt intake, we suggested that salt may also account for kidney injury in hypertensive patients. Similarly, cardiac damage is aggravated in hypertensive human beings and rats when given salt excess. We further presented evidence that the RAS may mediate adverse cardiac and renal effects of excessive salt intake. Finally, we also discussed some aspects of the cardiovascular physiology in the giraffe, the only mammal that in comparison with the human being has extremely high pressure at the level of the heart and kidneys but no target organ damage.
Heat Transfer Analysis of Rectangular Channel Plate Heat Sink

In order to improve the simulation effects of space cold black environment, this paper described a rectangular channel plate heat sink. By using fluid mechanics theory and finite element method, the internal fluid flow and heat transfer in heat sink was numerically simulated to analyze the impact of channel structural on fluid flow and heat transfer. The result showed that heat sink temperature uniformity is well, and the impact of channel structural on the heat sink temperature uniformity is not significant. The channel depth and spacing are important factors which affect the fluid flow and heat transfer in the heat sink. The two factors of heat transfer and resistance need to be considered comprehensively to determine the optimal flow structure parameters. Keywords—heat transfer, heat sink, numerical simulation