Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of film-forming gel containing nanoparticles for transdermal drug delivery

Despite several studies on film-forming systems with the advantages of both the film and the hydrogel, there are still no effective systems for fast film formation with a high level of control over permeability. In this study, a film-forming system for the delivery of nanomedicine, termed a film-forming nanogel (FFN), was produced and investigated for the first time to meet this need. The objective of this research was to study a new generation of film-forming hydrogels (FFHs) loaded with curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-GNPs) for transdermal applications. FFHs were prepared by employing zein and HPMC 4000 as film-forming polymers. Meanwhile, CUR-GNPs were obtained by sonoprecipitation. The film-forming time, particle characteristics and FFN drug release profile were assessed. The optimized FFH had a smooth surface and a fast drying time of 6 min and 4.5 min in vitro and ex vivo, respectively. Additionally, high, sustained drug permeation from the FFN was observed after 24 h. The FFH containing CUR-GNPs showed potential for application in transdermal drug delivery with a fast film-forming time, uniform particle dispersion and high, sustained drug permeation.
Leveraging nonlinear dynamic models to predict progression of neuroimaging biomarkers

Using biomarkers to model disease course effectively and make early prediction is a challenging but critical path to improving diagnostic accuracy and designing preventive trials for neurological disorders. Leveraging the domain knowledge that certain neuroimaging biomarkers may reflect the disease pathology, we propose a model inspired by the neural mass model from cognitive neuroscience to jointly model nonlinear dynamic trajectories of the biomarkers. Under a nonlinear mixed‐effects model framework, we introduce subject‐ and biomarker‐specific random inflection points to characterize the critical time of underlying disease progression as reflected in the biomarkers. A latent liability score is shared across biomarkers to pool information. Our model allows assessing how the underlying disease progression will affect the trajectories of the biomarkers, and, thus, is potentially useful for individual disease management or preventive therapeutics. We propose an EM algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation, where in the E step, a normal approximation is used to facilitate numerical integration. We perform extensive simulation studies and apply the method to analyze data from a large multisite natural history study of Huntington's Disease (HD). The results show that some neuroimaging biomarker inflection points are early signs of the HD onset. Finally, we develop an online tool to provide the individual prediction of the biomarker trajectories given the medical history and baseline measurements.
Serum Urate, Genetic Variation, and Prostate Cancer Risk: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background: Evidence is mounting that intraprostatic inflammation influences prostate cancer development. Uric acid crystals depositing in the prostate could result in injury and inflammation, increasing prostate cancer risk. Methods: Included were 6,574 men ages 45–64 years who enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study in 1987 to 1989. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the association of serum urate concentration alone and to improve accuracy, jointly with a genetic risk score (GRS, N = 4,983) derived from variants predictive of urate concentration, with prostate cancer (N = 813) risk. Results: Serum urate concentration or joint categories of urate concentration and GRS were not associated with prostate cancer risk (Ptrend for quartiles = 0.3). Results were generally similar by race and after excluding users of medications that influence uric acid. Conclusions: Serum urate alone and with a urate-associated GRS were not associated with prostate cancer risk. Impact: It is unlikely that circulating urate concentration influences prostate cancer development.
Elbow-flexion force estimation during arm posture dynamically changing between pronation and supination

Objective. In this study, we proposed a dynamic voluntary contraction force estimation framework and implemented it for elbow-flexion force estimation during arm posture dynamically changing between pronation and supination. Approach. High-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) from biceps brachii and brachialis muscles and the elbow-flexion force were measured synchronously. The simplified Hill model was adopted to establish the relation between HD-sEMG and the elbow-flexion force. In the training process of the force estimation model, HD-sEMG data from static isometric elbow flexion tasks in two force modes (staircase and sinusoidal) and two postures (supination or pronation) were used. The nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm was adopted to decompose HD-sEMG into activation patterns and the corresponding time-varying coefficient vectors. The major activation pattern was used to select the appropriate sEMG channels for extracting the input signal of the force estimation model. In the testing phase, the elbow-flexion force estimation during arm posture dynamically changing between pronation and supination was conducted. HD-sEMG was also decomposed using NMF algorithm. In this case, the concept of the major activation pattern is no longer applicable because the activation areas of biceps brachii and brachialis vary with the change of arm posture. An improved channel selection scheme based on the ratio of activation intensities was presented to extract the input signal of the well-trained simplified Hill model. Main results. (1) the improved channel selection scheme could locate effectively the primary muscle activation areas related to the change of arm posture; (2) the input signal extraction method based on the ratio of activation intensities obtained the best force estimation performance compared to the method based on all channels of HD-sEMG array and the method based on major activation pattern; (3) the force estimation performance was better when the simplified Hill model was calibrated with the sinusoidal force data rather than staircase data. Significance. This research provides an effective solution to realize muscle force estimation during a dynamic voluntary contraction task. It can be further extended to the research fields of biomechanics, sports, and rehabilitation medicine.
Levo-thyroxine Replacement in Obese Adults: the Role of Metabolic Variables and Aging on Thyroid Testing Abnormalities.

CONTEXT General rates of over- and under-replacement in levo-thyroxine (L-T4) users with primary hypothyroidism are variably high. No information on L-T-4 adequacy exists in obesity. OBJECTIVE We explored rates and factors relating to L-T4 adequacy in obese patients with primary hypothyroidism. SETTING Tertiary care center. DESIGN Among 4954 consecutive obese patients admitted between 2011-2014, 691 hypothyroid patients on L-T4 therapy and 691 BMI-, age- and gender-matched euthyroid controls underwent analysis of thyroid function, gluco-lipid profile, body composition and indirect calorimetry. L-T4 users were classified into low TSH (<0.27 mU/liter), euthyroid (0.27-4.2 mU/liter) and high TSH (>4.2 mU/liter). RESULTS L-T4 users constituted 13.9% of the incident population. TSH was low in 7.5%, high in 17.2% and normal in 75.2% of L-T4 users. Over-treatment decreased with aging and more L-T4 users ≥65y had normal TSH than those <65y (p<0.05). Compared to the euthyroid obese group, L-T4 users showed higher adiposity, similar insulin resistance but an healthier lipid profile. In multivariable analyses, L-T4 dose was predicted by fat-free mass, hypothyroidism cause, and gender (p<0.0001 to <0.05). Risk of L-T4 over-replacement increased with younger age (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.94-0.99), higher L-T4 dose (OR 2.98; 95% CI 1.44-6.14) and lower BMI (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.88-0.99). Male gender increased the likelihood of L-T4 under-replacement (OR 2.37; 95% CI 1.10-5.11). CONCLUSIONS Obesity is associated with milder rates of inadequate L-T4 treatment compared to non-obese populations. L-T4 adequacy increases with aging. Age, body composition and gender are main the determinants of L-T4 requirements in obesity.
Apparent diffusion coefficient values and non-homogeneity of diffusion in brain tumors in diffusion-weighted MRI

Background The values that have been received from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) might play a vital role in evaluating tumors and their grading scale. Purpose To investigate the predictive role of this heterogeneity in brain tumor pathologies and its correlation with Ki-67. Material and Methods A total of 124 patients with brain tumors underwent brain MRI with gadolinium injection. ADC and standard deviation of each lesion have been obtained from manual localization of the region of interest on the ADC map. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to determine the minimum cut-off values of the mean ADC and mean standard deviation of ADC maps having the highest sensitivity and specificity to differentiate high-grade and low-grade tumors. Results Mean ADC values in the region of interest were significantly lower for malignant tumors (grade IV and metastasis) than grade I brain tumors, while a higher mean standard deviation was observed. In a more detailed comparison of tumor groups, the mean standard deviation of the ADC for glioblastoma multiform was significantly higher than meningioma grade I (P < 0.001) and metastasis was significantly higher than grade III and IV astrocytic tumors (P = 0.004). The analysis of Ki-67 proliferation index and mean ADC values in gliomas showed a significant inverse correlation between the parameters (r = –0.0429, P < 0.001) and direct correlation between Ki-67 and mean standard deviation of the ADC (r = 0.551, P < 0.001). As an index for the ADC to differentiate high-grade and low-grade tumors, the cut-off values of 1.40*10−3 mm2/s for mean ADC and 45*10−3 mm2/s for mean standard deviation have the highest combination of sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve. Conclusion The mean value and standard deviation of the ADC could be considered for differentiating between low-grade and high-grade brain tumors, as two available non-invasive methods.
Neural adaptation to faces reveals racial outgroup homogeneity effects in early perception

Significance The tendency to view members of social outgroups as interchangeable has long been considered a core component of intergroup bias and a precursor to stereotyping and discrimination. However, the early perceptual nature of these intergroup biases is poorly understood. Here, we used a functional MRI adaptation paradigm to assess how face-selective brain regions respond to variation in physical similarity among racial ingroup (White) and outgroup (Black) faces. We conclude that differences emerge in the different tuning properties of early face-selective cortex for racial ingroup and outgroup faces and mirror behavioral differences in memory and perception of racial ingroup versus outgroup faces. These results suggest that outgroup deindividuation emerges at some of the earliest stages of perception. A hallmark of intergroup biases is the tendency to individuate members of one’s own group but process members of other groups categorically. While the consequences of these biases for stereotyping and discrimination are well-documented, their early perceptual underpinnings remain less understood. Here, we investigated the neural mechanisms of this effect by testing whether high-level visual cortex is differentially tuned in its sensitivity to variation in own-race versus other-race faces. Using a functional MRI adaptation paradigm, we measured White participants’ habituation to blocks of White and Black faces that parametrically varied in their groupwise similarity. Participants showed a greater tendency to individuate own-race faces in perception, showing both greater release from adaptation to unique identities and increased sensitivity in the adaptation response to physical difference among faces. These group differences emerge in the tuning of early face-selective cortex and mirror behavioral differences in the memory and perception of own- versus other-race faces. Our results suggest that biases for other-race faces emerge at some of the earliest stages of sensory perception.
Genetic ancestry testing among white nationalists: From identity repair to citizen science

White nationalists have a genetic essentialist understanding of racial identity, so what happens when using genetic ancestry tests (GATs) to explore personal identities, they receive upsetting results they consider evidence of non-white or non-European ancestry? Our answer draws on qualitative analysis of posts on the white nationalist website Stormfront, interpreted by synthesizing the literatures on white nationalism and GATs and identity. We show that Stormfront posters exert much more energy repairing individuals’ bad news than using it to exclude or attack them. Their repair strategies combine anti-scientific, counter-knowledge attacks on the legitimacy of GATs and quasi-scientific reinterpretations of GATs in terms of white nationalist histories. However, beyond individual identity repair they also reinterpret the racial boundaries and hierarchies of white nationalism in terms of the relationships GATs make visible. White nationalism is not simply an identity community or political movement but should be understood as bricoleurs with genetic knowledge displaying aspects of citizen science.
Design Procedure and Experimental Verification of a Broadband Quad-Stable 2-DOF Vibration Energy Harvester

Vibration-based energy harvesters brought the idea of self-powered sensors to reality in the past few years. Many strategies to improve the performance of linear vibration energy harvesters that collect energy over a limited bandwidth have been proposed. In this paper, a bi-stable two degrees of freedom (2-DOF) cut-out vibration energy harvester employing a pair of permanent magnets is designed through a proposed design methodology. Based on this methodology, the nonlinear harvesters can be optimally designed such that the bandwidth can be widened for a targeted output voltage. The proper selection of the harvester parameters as well as the gap distances between the tip and the fixed magnets are the bases of this methodology. The mathematical modeling of the proposed harvester and the formula for the potential energy between the tip and the fixed magnets are presented. Additionally, to enhance the performance of the bi-stable energy harvester (BEH), a quad-stable energy harvester (QEH) was configured by adding more fixed magnets. Experiments were performed to validate the numerical simulations and the results showed that, the simulation and experimental results are consistent. The results indicate that, the QEH covers a wider bandwidth than the BEH and based on a figure of merit the QEH shows the best performance among many harvesters presented in the literature.
Immunization of Rabbits with Recombinant Human Cytomegalovirus Trimeric versus Monomeric gH/gL Protein Elicits Markedly Higher Titers of Antibody and Neutralization Activity

Congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and HCMV infection of immunosuppressed patients cause significant morbidity and mortality, and vaccine development against HCMV is a major public health priority. HCMV envelope glycoproteins gB, gH, and gL, which constitute the core fusion machinery, play critical roles in HCMV fusion and entry into host cells. HCMV gB and gH/gL have been reported to elicit potent neutralizing antibodies. Recently, the gB/gH/gL complex was identified in the envelope of HCMV virions, and 16–50% of the total gH/gL bound to gB, forming the gB/gH/gL complex. These findings make the gB/gH/gL a unique HCMV vaccine candidate. We previously reported the production of HCMV trimeric gB and gH/gL heterodimers, and immunization with a combination of trimeric gB and gH/gL heterodimers elicited strong synergistic HCMV-neutralizing activity. To further improve the immunogenicity of gH/gL, we produced trimeric gH/gL. Rabbits immunized with HCMV trimeric gH/gL induced up to 38-fold higher serum titers of gH/gL-specific IgG relative to HCMV monomeric gH/gL, and elicited ~10-fold higher titers of complement-dependent and complement-independent HCMV-neutralizing activity for both epithelial cells and fibroblasts. HCMV trimeric gH/gL in combination with HCMV trimeric gB would be a novel promising HCMV vaccine candidate that could induce highly potent neutralizing activities.
Probiotic Ingestion, Obesity, and Metabolic-Related Disorders: Results from NHANES, 1999–2014

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been recognized as having key importance in obesity- and metabolic-related diseases. Although there is increasing evidence of the potential benefits induced by probiotics in metabolic disturbances, there is a lack of large cross-sectional studies to assess population-based prevalence of probiotic intake and metabolic diseases. Our aim was to evaluate the association of probiotic ingestion with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. A cross-sectional study was designed using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2014. Probiotic ingestion was considered when a subject reported consumption of yogurt or a probiotic supplement during the 24-h dietary recall or during the Dietary Supplement Use 30-Day questionnaire. We included 38,802 adults and 13.1% reported probiotic ingestion. The prevalence of obesity and hypertension was lower in the probiotic group (obesity-adjusted Odds Ratio (OR): 0.84, 95% CI 0.76–0.92, p < 0.001; hypertension-adjusted OR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.71–0.88, p < 0.001). Accordingly, even after analytic adjustments, body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower in the probiotic group, as were systolic and diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly higher in the probiotic group for the adjusted model. In this large-scale study, ingestion of probiotic supplements or yogurt was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity and hypertension.
Night Shift Work, DNA Methylation and Telomere Length: An Investigation on Hospital Female Nurses

Increased breast cancer risk has been reported in some night shift (NS) workers but underlying biological mechanisms are still unclear. We assessed the association between NS work and DNA methylation of tumor suppressor (TP53, CDKN2A, BRCA1, BRCA2) and estrogen receptor (ESR1, ESR2) genes, methylation of repetitive elements (LINE-1, Alu), and telomere length (TL). Forty six female nurses employed in NS for at least two years were matched by age (30–45 years) and length of service (≥1 year) with 51 female colleagues not working in NS. Each subject underwent a semi-structured interview and gave a blood sample. We applied linear regression and spline models adjusted for age, BMI, smoking habit, oral contraceptive use, parity and marital status/age at marriage. Currently working in NS was associated with ESR1 hypomethylation (β: −1.85 (95%CI: −3.03; −0.67), p = 0.003). In current and former NS workers we observed TP53 (−0.93 (−1.73; −0.12), p = 0.03) and BRCA1 (−1.14 (−1.71; −0.58), p <0.001) hypomethylation. We found an increase between TL and number of years in NS in subjects employed in NS <12 years (0.06 (0.03; 0.09), p <0.001), while a decrease if employed in NS ≥12 years (−0.07 −0.10; −0.04), p <0.001). Our findings show NS-associated markers potentially involved in cellular aging, genomic instability, and cancer development.
Factors Nurses in the Intensive Care Unit Consider When Making Decisions About Patient Mobility.

BACKGROUND Early mobility interventions in the intensive care unit can improve patients' outcomes, yet they are not routinely implemented in many intensive care units. In an effort to identify opportunities to implement and sustain evidence-based practice, prior work has demonstrated that understanding the decision-making process of health professionals is critical for identifying opportunities to improve program implementation. Nurses are often responsible for mobilizing patients, but how they overcome barriers and make decisions to mobilize patients in the intensive care unit is not understood. OBJECTIVE To describe processes that nurses in intensive care units use to make decisions and barriers that influence their decision-making about patient mobility. METHODS An exploratory descriptive approach using semi-structured interviews of a purposive sample of registered nurses in 2 intensive care units at 2 hospitals was used. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by using directed content analysis to identify categories that describe nurses' decision-making about patient mobility. RESULTS Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 nurses in a 1-on-1 setting. Four main categories that influenced nurses' decision-making about mobility were identified in the directed content analysis: purpose of mobility, gathering information, establishing and activating the plan, and barriers to progressing the plan. CONCLUSIONS Deciding to mobilize patients in the intensive care unit is a multifaceted, individualized decision made by nurses, and numerous patient-, nurse-, and unit-related factors influence that decision. Future studies that target unit culture and interprofessional perspectives are needed.
Reassessing critical success factors for ERP adoption - a case study

This paper reports a reevaluation of existing research on critical success factors in the adoption of ERP systems in organizations. The paper reports an in-depth case study of an ERP adoption and implementation process reporting specifically on the CSFs which had an impact. These factors are compared to those identified in the existing literature and show that whilst the key factors like the role of project champions are confirmed, there was less evidence of a range of factors influencing decisions involved with the adoption of the ERP.
Can't see the colony for the bees: behavioural perspectives of biological individuality

The question ‘what is an individual’ does not often arise in studies within the field of behavioural ecology. Generally behavioural ecologists do not think about what makes an individual because they tend to use intuitive working concepts of individuality. Rarely do they explicitly mention how individuality affects their experimental design and interpretation of results. By contrast, the concept of individuality continues to intrigue philosophers of biology. It is interesting that while philosophers of biology debate definitions of individuality, biologists generally use the concept of individuality every day without much thought. Here we review the philosophical approaches to defining biological individuality, and illustrate how the biological individuality concepts used by biologists are affected by their study question and choice of organism. We clarify the behavioural perspective of biological individuality by introducing the concept of the behavioural individual. The notion of the behavioural individual is particularly interesting when explored in less‐conventional study organisms. By including less‐conventional organisms, it becomes clear why the concept of biological individuality is usually intuitive in behavioural ecology.