Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptability of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts to wine fermentation conditions relies on their strong ability to consume nitrogen

Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains are genetically diverse, largely as a result of human efforts to develop strains specifically adapted to various fermentation processes. These adaptive pressures from various ecological niches have generated behavioral differences among these strains, particularly in terms of their nitrogen consumption capacities. In this work, we characterize this phenotype by the specific quantity of nitrogen consumed under oenological fermentation conditions using a new approach. Indeed, unlike previous studies, our experiments were conducted in an environment containing excess nitrogen, eliminating the nitrogen limitation/starvation factor that is generally observed in fermentation processes. Using these conditions, we evaluated differences in the nitrogen consumption capacities for a set of five strains from diverse origins. The strains presented extremely different phenotypes and variations in their capacities to take up nitrogen from a wine fermentation environment. These variations reflect the differences in the nitrogen uptake capacities between wine and non-wine strains. Finally, the strains differed in their ability to adapt to the nitrogen composition of the environment, leading to variations in the cellular stress states, fermentation performances and the activity of the nitrogen sensing signaling pathway.
Helicopter vs. ground transportation of patients bound for primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Implementation of the first Danish helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) was associated with reduced time from first medical contact to treatment at a specialized centre for patients with suspected ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to investigate effects of HEMS on mortality and labour market affiliation in patients admitted for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Guidance for using pilot studies to inform the design of intervention trials with continuous outcomes

Background A pilot study can be an important step in the assessment of an intervention by providing information to design the future definitive trial. Pilot studies can be used to estimate the recruitment and retention rates and population variance and to provide preliminary evidence of efficacy potential. However, estimation is poor because pilot studies are small, so sensitivity analyses for the main trial’s sample size calculations should be undertaken. Methods We demonstrate how to carry out easy-to-perform sensitivity analysis for designing trials based on pilot data using an example. Furthermore, we introduce rules of thumb for the size of the pilot study so that the overall sample size, for both pilot and main trials, is minimized. Results The example illustrates how sample size estimates for the main trial can alter dramatically by plausibly varying assumptions. Required sample size for 90% power varied from 392 to 692 depending on assumptions. Some scenarios were not feasible based on the pilot study recruitment and retention rates. Conclusion Pilot studies can be used to help design the main trial, but caution should be exercised. We recommend the use of sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the design assumptions for a main trial.
An energy-based control model for autonomous lifts

In this paper are presented some preliminary results on an autonomous lift subsystem made with the interconnection of a DC/AC controlled converter, a salient permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM), the charge and counterweight and the mechanical transmission system. These results are firstly the derivation of a Bond Graph and a related Port-Controlled Hamiltonian (PCH) models and, secondly, the analysis of two identification methods to estimate online the SPMSM parameters.
Work-Family Conflict and the Sex Difference in Depression Among Training Physicians

Importance Depression is common among training physicians and may disproportionately affect women. The identification of modifiable risk factors is key to reducing this disease burden and its negative impact on patient care and physician career attrition. Objective To determine the presence and magnitude of a sex difference in depressive symptoms and work-family conflict among training physicians; and if work-family conflict impacts the sex difference in depressive symptoms among training physicians. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective longitudinal cohort study of medical internship in the United States during the 2015 to 2016 academic year in which 3121 interns were recruited across all specialties from 44 medical institutions. Main Outcomes and Measures Prior to and during their internship year, participants reported the degree to which work responsibilities interfered with family life using the Work Family Conflict Scale and depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results Mean (SD) participant age was 27.5 (2.7) years, and 1571 participants (49.7%) were women. Both men and women experienced a marked increase in depressive symptoms during their internship year, with the increase being statistically significantly greater for women (men: mean increase in PHQ-9, 2.50; 95% CI, 2.26-2.73 vs women: mean increase, 3.20; 95% CI, 2.97-3.43). When work-family conflict was accounted for, the sex disparity in the increase in depressive symptoms decreased by 36%. Conclusions and Relevance Our study demonstrates that depressive symptoms increase substantially during the internship year for men and women, but that this increase is greater for women. The study also identifies work-family conflict as an important potentially modifiable factor that is associated with elevated depressive symptoms in training physicians. Systemic modifications to alleviate conflict between work and family life may improve physician mental health and reduce the disproportionate depression disease burden for female physicians. Given that depression among physicians is associated with poor patient care and career attrition, efforts to alleviate depression among physicians has the potential to reduce the negative consequences associated with this disease.
Clinical Characteristics and Current Interventions in Shock Patients in Chinese Emergency Departments: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Shock is a life-threatening condition in emergency departments (EDs) and is associated with a high mortality; however, its clinical characteristics and current interventions in China are seldom reported. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and current interventions of shock patients in Chinese EDs. Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in the EDs of 33 academic hospitals in 16 Chinese provinces. Adult shock patients were enrolled from December 2013 to April 2014. Age, sex, comorbidities, shock subtype, and vital signs were recorded on ED arrival; details of subsequent interventions and treatments were added. We compared those data between survivors and nonsurvivors. All patients were followed up for 3 days. The primary outcome was 3-day mortality. Binary logistic regression analysis identified the independent predictors of that mortality. Results: We enrolled 1095 shock patients. The 3-day mortality was 27.5%, 36.3%, and 29.0%, respectively, in the whole cohort and for cardiogenic and septic shock. Within the first 24 h, 1039 patients (94.9%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Use of bicarbonate, epinephrine, and dopamine is an independent predictor for mortality. Hemorrhage and trauma (39.1%), along with sepsis (40.4%) were the most commonly observed causes of shock in the ED. In nondiabetic patients with cardiogenic shock, 3-day mortality was 69.2% for patients needing glucose control — much higher than in those not needing glucose control (30.0%, P = 0.01). Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) was applied in 29.6% of septic shock patients, and the mortality of septic patients who received HES was much higher than those who did not (38.2% vs. 25.1%, P = 0.006). Conclusions: In China, short-term mortality of shock patients in EDs is still high, especially among those with cardiogenic and septic shock. HES application needs to be restricted — particularly in septic shock patients.
A Source Anonymity-Based Lightweight Secure AODV Protocol for Fog-Based MANET

Fog-based MANET (Mobile Ad hoc networks) is a novel paradigm of a mobile ad hoc network with the advantages of both mobility and fog computing. Meanwhile, as traditional routing protocol, ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) routing protocol has been applied widely in fog-based MANET. Currently, how to improve the transmission performance and enhance security are the two major aspects in AODV’s research field. However, the researches on joint energy efficiency and security seem to be seldom considered. In this paper, we propose a source anonymity-based lightweight secure AODV (SAL-SAODV) routing protocol to meet the above requirements. In SAL-SAODV protocol, source anonymous and secure transmitting schemes are proposed and applied. The scheme involves the following three parts: the source anonymity algorithm is employed to achieve the source node, without being tracked and located; the improved secure scheme based on the polynomial of CRC-4 is applied to substitute the RSA digital signature of SAODV and guarantee the data integrity, in addition to reducing the computation and energy consumption; the random delayed transmitting scheme (RDTM) is implemented to separate the check code and transmitted data, and achieve tamper-proof results. The simulation results show that the comprehensive performance of the proposed SAL-SAODV is a trade-off of the transmission performance, energy efficiency, and security, and better than AODV and SAODV.
Squamous cell cancer of the nasal cavity: New insights and implications for diagnosis and treatment

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal cavity is a rare malignancy and often analyzed in heterogeneous studies with other tumors of the nose or the paranasal sinuses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate distinct risk factors, tumor characteristics, outcome predictors, and the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in SCC of the nasal cavity.
Orbit orientation in didelphid marsupials (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae)

Abstract Usually considered a morphologically conservative group, didelphid marsupials present considerable variation in ecology and body size, some of which were shown to relate to morphological structures. Thus, changes on orbit morphology are likely and could be related to that variation. We calculated orbit orientation in 873 specimens of 16 Didelphidae genera yielding estimates of orbits convergence (their position relative to midsagittal line) and verticality (their position relative to frontal plane). We then compared similarities in these variables across taxa to ecological, morphological and phylogenetic data to evaluate the influencing factors on orbit orientation in didelphids. We found an inverse relation between convergence and verticality. Didelphids orbits have low verticality but are highly convergent, yet orbit orientation differs significantly between taxa, and that variation is related to morphological aspects of the cranium. Rostral variables are the only morphological features correlated with orbit orientation: increasing snout length yields more convergent orbits, whereas increase on snout breadth imply in more vertical orbits. Size and encephalization quotients are uncorrelated with orbit orientation. Among ecological data, diet showed significant correlation whereas locomotion is the factor that less affects the position of orbits. Phylogeny is uncorrelated to any orbital parameters measured. Ecological factors seemingly play a more important role on orbit orientation than previously expected, and differentiation on orbit orientation seems to be more functional than inherited. Thus, despite the apparent homogeneity on didelphid morphology, there is subtle morphological variability that may be directly related to feeding behavior.
Crosstalk Between Bone and Fat Tissue: Associations Between Vitamin D, Osteocalcin, Adipokines, and Markers of Glucose Metabolism Among Adolescents

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), osteocalcin, markers of glucose metabolism, and obesity-related parameters among adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 198 adolescents age 14–18 years. Weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences were measured, as well as the following biochemical parameters: serum 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), total (tOC) and undercarboxylated (ucOC) osteocalcin, adiponectin, leptin, glucose, and insulin. The homeostasis model of assessment estimate of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and β-cell function (HOMA-β) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. Student's t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlation, and linear regression models were performed. Results: Overweight was observed in 42.6% of the sample. This group presented significantly higher PTH, leptin, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β and lower 25(OH)D, adiponectin, tOC, ucOC, and QUICKI than normal-weight subjects. 25(OH)D was positively correlated with ucOC and adiponectin and negatively associated with body mass index (BMI), weight, and waist circumference (p < 0.05 for all). The association between 25(OH)D and ucOC was also observed in the multiple regression analysis, adjusted for age, BMI, and season of the year (partial r2 = 0.071, p < 0.0001). 25(OH)D and ucOC were not associated with markers of glucose metabolism. However, leptin was strongly correlated with insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, and QUICKI (p < 0.0001 for all). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that undercarboxylated osteocalcin is related to 25(OH)D and adiponectin concentrations. Both ucOC and 25(OH)D were lower in overweight and obese adolescents, reinforcing the importance of fighting obesity. Although a relationship of ucOC and 25(OH)D with markers of glucose metabolism was not observed, leptin has shown to be the hormone most related to energy homeostasis.
A parsimonious characterization of change in global age-specific and total fertility rates

This study aims to understand trends in global fertility from 1950-2010 though the analysis of age-specific fertility rates. This approach incorporates both the overall level, as when the total fertility rate is modeled, and different patterns of age-specific fertility to examine the relationship between changes in age-specific fertility and fertility decline. Singular value decomposition is used to capture the variation in age-specific fertility curves while reducing the number of dimensions, allowing curves to be described nearly fully with three parameters. Regional patterns and trends over time are evident in parameter values, suggesting this method provides a useful tool for considering fertility decline globally. The second and third parameters were analyzed using model-based clustering to examine patterns of age-specific fertility over time and place; four clusters were obtained. A country’s demographic transition can be traced through time by membership in the different clusters, and regional patterns in the trajectories through time and with fertility decline are identified.
Long-term changes in retinal vascular diameter and cognitive impairment in type 1 diabetes

Objective: To assess associations between cognitive impairment and longitudinal changes in retinal microvasculature, over 18 years, in adults with type 1 diabetes. Research design and methods: Participants of the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study received ≥3 fundus photographs between baseline (1986–1988) and time of cognitive assessment (2010–2015: N = 119; 52% male; mean age and type 1 diabetes duration 43 and 34 years, respectively). Central retinal arteriolar equivalent and central retinal venular equivalent were estimated via computer-based methods; overall magnitude and speed of narrowing were quantified as cumulative average and slope, respectively. Median regression models estimated associations of central retinal arteriolar equivalent and central retinal venular equivalent measures with cognitive impairment status, adjusted for type 1 diabetes duration. Interactions with HbA1c, proliferative retinopathy and white matter hyperintensities were assessed. Results: Compared with participants without cognitive impairment, those with clinically relevant cognitive impairment experienced 1.8% greater and 31.1% faster central retinal arteriolar equivalent narrowing during prior years (t = −2.93, p = 0.004 and t = −3.97, p < 0.0001, respectively). Interactions with HbA1c, proliferative retinopathy and white matter hyperintensities were not significant. No associations were found between central retinal arteriolar equivalent at baseline, at time of cognitive testing, or any central retinal venular equivalent measures, and cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Long-term arterial retinal changes could indicate type 1 diabetes–related cognitive impairment. Studies examining longitudinal central retinal arteriolar equivalent changes as early biomarkers of cognitive impairment risk are warranted.
Time‐efficient measurement of multi‐phase arterial spin labeling MR signal in white matter

White matter (WM) perfusion has great potential as a physiological biomarker in many neurological diseases. Although it has been demonstrated previously that arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL‐MRI) enables the detection of the perfusion‐weighted signal in most voxels in WM, studies of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in WM by ASL‐MRI are relatively scarce because of its particular challenges, such as significantly lower perfusion and longer arterial transit times relative to gray matter (GM). Recently, ASL with a spectroscopic readout has been proposed to enhance the sensitivity for the measurement of WM perfusion. However, this approach suffers from long acquisition times, especially when acquiring multi‐phase ASL datasets to improve CBF quantification. Furthermore, the potential increase in the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) by spectroscopic readout compared with echo planar imaging (EPI) readout has not been proven experimentally. In this study, we propose the use of time‐encoded pseudo‐continuous ASL (te‐pCASL) with single‐voxel point‐resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) readout to quantify WM cerebral perfusion in a more time‐efficient manner. Results are compared with te‐pCASL with a conventional EPI readout for both WM and GM perfusion measurements. Perfusion measurements by te‐pCASL PRESS and conventional EPI showed no significant difference for quantitative WM CBF values (Student's t‐test, p = 0.19) or temporal SNR (p = 0.33 and p = 0.81 for GM and WM, respectively), whereas GM CBF values (p = 0.016) were higher using PRESS than EPI readout. WM CBF values were found to be 18.2 ± 7.6 mL/100 g/min (PRESS) and 12.5 ± 5.5 mL/100 g/min (EPI), whereas GM CBF values were found to be 77.1 ± 11.2 mL/100 g/min (PRESS) and 53.6 ± 9.6 mL/100 g/min (EPI). This study demonstrates the feasibility of te‐pCASL PRESS for the quantification of WM perfusion changes in a highly time‐efficient manner, but it does not result in improved temporal SNR, as does traditional te‐pCASL EPI, which remains the preferred option because of its flexibility in use.
Nonparametric Bayesian covariate‐adjusted estimation of the Youden index

A novel nonparametric regression model is developed for evaluating the covariate‐specific accuracy of a continuous biological marker. Accurately screening diseased from nondiseased individuals and correctly diagnosing disease stage are critically important to health care on several fronts, including guiding recommendations about combinations of treatments and their intensities. The accuracy of a continuous medical test or biomarker varies by the cutoff threshold (c) used to infer disease status. Accuracy can be measured by the probability of testing positive for diseased individuals (the true positive probability or sensitivity, Se(c), of the test), and the true negative probability (specificity, Sp(c)) of the test. A commonly used summary measure of test accuracy is the Youden index, YI=max{Se(c)+Sp(c)−1:c∈ℝ} , which is popular due in part to its ease of interpretation and relevance to population health research. In addition, clinical practitioners benefit from having an estimate of the optimal cutoff that maximizes sensitivity plus specificity available as a byproduct of estimating YI. We develop a highly flexible nonparametric model to estimate YI and its associated optimal cutoff that can respond to unanticipated skewness, multimodality, and other complexities because data distributions are modeled using dependent Dirichlet process mixtures. Important theoretical results on the support properties of the model are detailed. Inferences are available for the covariate‐specific Youden index and its corresponding optimal cutoff threshold. The value of our nonparametric regression model is illustrated using multiple simulation studies and data on the age‐specific accuracy of glucose as a biomarker of diabetes.
MicroRNA‐106b overexpression alleviates inflammation injury of cardiac endothelial cells by targeting BLNK via the NF‐κB signaling pathway

We aim to investigate whether microRNA‐106b (miR‐106b) affects the inflammation injury of cardiac endothelial cells (ECs) by targeting B‐cell linker (BLNK) via the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) were assigned into the control, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), negative control (NC), pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), miR‐106b mimic, miR‐106b inhibitor, and si‐BLNK, and miR‐106b inhibitor+si‐BLNK groups. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blotting were conducted for miR‐106b expression and expressions of BLNK, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, NF‐κB, pIκBα, BTK, and PLC‐γ2. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was applied for levels of IL‐6, IL‐10, and TNF‐α; cell counting Kit‐8 assay for cell proliferation; and flow cytometry for cell cycle and ensuing apoptosis. In‐vitro tube formation assay was performed for tube formation ability. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay revealed that BLNK was verified as the target gene of miR‐106b. Compared with the H/R and NC groups, the PDTC, miR‐106b mimic, and si‐BLNK groups had declined expressions of IL‐6, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, BTK, PLC‐γ2, NF‐κB p105/p50, and pIκBα as well as levels of L‐6 and TNF‐α, but contrarily elevated levels of NF‐κB p105/p50 and IL‐10. The PDTC, miR‐106b mimic, and si‐BLNK groups had less cell number in G0/G1 phase but higher cell count in both S and G2 phases, decreased cell apoptosis but increased proliferation and tube formation ability, while opposite trends were observed in the miR‐106b inhibitor group. Our findings indicated that the overexpression of miR‐106b alleviated the inflammation injury of cardiac ECs by targeting BLNK via the NF‐κB signaling pathway.