Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
miR‐134 targets PDCD7 to reduce E‐cadherin expression and enhance oral cancer progression

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignancy worldwide. This study clarified the oncogenic role of miR‐134 in OSCC. Reporter assays, using both wild‐type and mutant constructs, confirmed that Programmed Cell Death 7 (PDCD7) gene was a potential target of miR‐134. The OSCC cells exogenously expressed miR‐134 exhibited reduced PDCD7 expression. As expected, exogenous miRZip‐134 expression increased PDCD7 expression in the OSCC cells; additionally, PDCD7 expression suppressed the oncogenicity of the OSCC cells. By contrast, PDCD7 knockout through gene editing increased in vitro oncogenicity and neck nodal metastasis in mice, and reduced E‐cadherin (E‐cad) expression. PDCD7 transactivated E‐cad expression via the GC‐box in the promoter. Moreover, miR‐134‐associated cellular transformation and E‐cad downregulation was attenuated by PDCD7. Downregulation of both PDCD7 and E‐cad and high levels miR‐134 expression was observed in OSCC tumor tissues. Activation of the miR‐134‐PDCD7‐E‐cad pathogenesis cascade occurred early during the human and murine oral carcinogenesis process. In conclusion, the oncogenic effect of miR‐134 in oral carcinoma is mediated by reducing PDCD7 and E‐cad expression.
Strategic Visibility in Enterprise Social Media: Implications for Network Formation and Boundary Spanning

Abstract Effective workgroups engage in team boundary spanning, that is, using communication ties as conduits to critical external resources. The proliferation of enterprise social media (ESM) and the associated increase in visibility of people, content, and interactions, has resulted in a widespread assumption that unlimited visibility improves boundary spanning. Consequently, the ESM literature has generally ignored the sentry functions of teams and failed to examine the possible strategic nature of visibility choices by ESM groups. Using log and content data from 655 ESM-based workgroups at a multinational enterprise, we contribute a deeper understanding of the distinct ways that ESM visibility—bounded or unbounded—is leveraged strategically to evoke diverse network structures, which in turn have implications for distinct boundary-spanning activities. Practically, these findings show that ESM present a unique opportunity for workgroups to simultaneously sustain multiple virtual spaces—with varying levels of visibility—through which they can manage their diverse boundary-spanning goals.
Estimating the burden on general practitioner services in England from increases in respiratory disease associated with seasonal respiratory pathogen activity

Abstract Understanding the burden of respiratory pathogens on health care is key to improving public health emergency response and interventions. In temperate regions, there is a large seasonal rise in influenza and other respiratory pathogens. We have examined the associations between individual pathogens and reported respiratory tract infections to estimate attributable burden. We used multiple linear regression to model the relationship between doctor consultation data and laboratory samples from week 3 2011 until week 37 2015. We fitted separate models for consultation data with in-hours and out-of-hours doctor services, stratified by different age bands. The best fitting all ages models (R2 > 80%) for consultation data resulted in the greatest burden being associated with influenza followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). For models of adult age bands, there were significant associations between consultation data and invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae. There were also smaller numbers of consultations significantly associated with rhinovirus, parainfluenza, and human metapneumovirus. We estimate that a general practice with 10 000 patients would have seen an additional 18 respiratory tract infection consultations per winter week of which six had influenza and four had RSV. Our results are important for the planning of health care services to minimise the impact of winter pressures. • Respiratory pathogen incidence explains over 80% of seasonal variation in respiratory consultation data. • Influenza and RSV are associated with the biggest seasonal rises in respiratory consultation counts. • A third of consultation counts associated with respiratory pathogens were due to influenza.
Multiple inputs ensure yeast cell size homeostasis during cell cycle progression

Coordination of cell growth and division is essential for proper cell function. In budding yeast, although some molecular mechanisms responsible for cell size control during G1 have been elucidated, the mechanism by which cell size homeostasis is established and maintained throughout the cell cycle remains to be discovered. Here, we developed a new technique based on quantification of histone levels to monitor cell cycle progression in individual yeast cells with unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis establishes the existence of a strong mechanism controlling bud size in G2/M that prevents premature entry into mitosis, and contributes significantly to the overall control of size variability during the cell cycle. While most G1 regulation mutants do not display any strongly impaired size homeostasis, mutants in which B-type cyclin function is altered, such as cdh1, display large cell-to-cell size variability, revealing a striking loss of size homeostasis. Our study thus demonstrates that size homeostasis is not controlled by a G1-specific mechanism but is likely to be an emergent property resulting from the integration of several mechanisms, including the regulation of B-type cyclin function, that coordinate cell and bud growth with division.
Balancing efficacy and toxicity of targeted agents currently used for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

ABSTRACT Introduction: In recent years, innovative mechanism-based drugs have enriched the therapeutic armamentarium for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and are widely used in the clinical practice. These small molecules targeting the B-cell receptor signaling pathway and the BCL-2 anti-apoptotic protein offer new chemo-free options to both unfit patients and high-risk patients who show a poor response to chemoimmunotherapy. Nonetheless, treatment with ibrutinib, idelalisib and venetoclax is associated with unique side effects. Awareness, prevention and the appropriate management of these specific toxicities are of crucial importance for a successful treatment. Areas covered: The purpose of this review is to discuss the most relevant studies on small molecules in CLL, with particular attention to the emerging toxicity profile of these agents and to the factors that should be considered to address the most appropriate treatment approach for each patient. Expert opinion: The increased knowledge on the biology of CLL has translated into the development of targeted agents that are highly effective and produce deep responses. Toxicities potentially associated with these agents should be known for an optimal management of CLL patients.
External features of the developing embryo of the stonefly, Kamimuria tibialis (pictet) (plecoptera, perlidae)

External features of the egg, developing embryo, and first instar nymph of Kamimuria tibialis are described. The embryonic development from the germ disc to the full‐grown embryo is divided into 12 stages. The saclike embryonic rudiment is formed by the bending and folding of the germ disc. The embryo first elongates at the egg surface and then sinks into the yolk due to caudal flexure. In the head, four paired protocerebral lobes differentiate and the fourth lobes are thought to be the rudiments of preantennal ganglia. The columnar serosal cells appear at the posterior pole of the egg and they disappear before katatrepsis. The coniform chloride cells occur at the hind margins of the first nine abdominal segments in the full‐grown embryo and first instar nymph. Amnion formation in K. tibialis is very similar to that of Allonarcys proteus and the Isoptera. It is proposed that the immersed type of growth pattern of embryos is divided into two subtypes in hemimetabolous insects; one is in the Palaeoptera and Paraneoptera, and the other is in the Plecoptera, Orthoptera, Notoptera, Isoptera, Embioptera, and the blattarian, Periplaneta americana.
Forward and Backward Masking of Consonants in School-Age Children and Adults.

Purpose This experiment sought to determine whether children's increased susceptibility to nonsimultaneous masking, particularly backward masking, is evident for speech stimuli. Method Five- to 9-year-olds and adults with normal hearing heard nonsense consonant-vowel-consonant targets. In Experiments 1 and 2, those targets were presented between two 250-ms segments of 70-dB-SPL speech-shaped noise, at either -30 dB signal-to-noise ratio (Experiment 1) or at the listener's word recognition threshold (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, the target was presented in steady speech-shaped noise at listener threshold. For all experiments, percent correct was estimated for initial and final consonants. Results In the nonsimultaneous noise conditions, child-adult differences were larger for the final consonant than the initial consonant whether listeners were tested at -30 dB signal-to-noise ratio (Experiment 1) or at their individual word recognition threshold (Experiment 2). Children were not particularly susceptible to backward masking relative to adults when tested in a steady masker (Experiment 3). Conclusions Child-adult differences were greater for backward than forward masking for speech in a nonsimultaneous noise masker, as observed in previous psychophysical studies using tonal stimuli. Children's greater susceptibility to nonsimultaneous masking, and backward masking in particular, could play a role in their limited ability to benefit from masker envelope modulation when recognizing masked speech.
Accurate Calibration of Multi-LiDAR-Multi-Camera Systems

As autonomous driving attracts more and more attention these days, the algorithms and sensors used for machine perception become popular in research, as well. This paper investigates the extrinsic calibration of two frequently-applied sensors: the camera and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). The calibration can be done with the help of ordinary boxes. It contains an iterative refinement step, which is proven to converge to the box in the LiDAR point cloud, and can be used for system calibration containing multiple LiDARs and cameras. For that purpose, a bundle adjustment-like minimization is also presented. The accuracy of the method is evaluated on both synthetic and real-world data, outperforming the state-of-the-art techniques. The method is general in the sense that it is both LiDAR and camera-type independent, and only the intrinsic camera parameters have to be known. Finally, a method for determining the 2D bounding box of the car chassis from LiDAR point clouds is also presented in order to determine the car body border with respect to the calibrated sensors.
Development of a Modular Board for EEG Signal Acquisition

This paper presents the design and implementation of a compact in size, modular battery powered conventional EEG (cEEG) signal acquisition board based on ADS1298. An introduced novel vertically stackable board design allows solve EEG front-end scaling problem and to effectively reconfigure hardware even for most demanding applications. The system allows to capture 16 to 64 EEG channels at sample rates from 250 Hz to 1000 Hz and to transfer raw EEG signal over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi interface. Furthermore, simple but effective validation techniques are provided for such system evaluation. Conducted tests confirm the validity of the system for real world applications and against official datasheet specifications. With a 6.59 microvolts peak-to-peak input referred noise and -97 dB common mode rejection ratio in 0-70 Hz band the proposed design can be a low-cost precision cEEG research device.
Design and control of a novel variable stiffness soft arm

ABSTRACT Soft robot arms possess such characteristics as light weight, simple structure and good adaptability to the environment, among others. On the other hand, robust control of soft robot arms presents many difficulties. Based on these reasons, this paper presents a novel design and modeling of a fuzzy active disturbance rejection control (FADRC) controller for a soft PAM arm. The soft arm comprises three contractile and one extensor PAMs, which can vary its stiffness independently of its position in space. Force analysis for the soft arm is conducted, and stiffness model of the arm is established based on the relational model of contractile and extensor PAM. The accuracy of stiffness model for the soft arm was verified through experiments. Associated to this, a controller based on the fuzzy adaptive theory and active disturbance rejection control (ADRC), FADRC, has been designed to control the arm. The fuzzy adaptive theory is used to adjust the parameters of the ADRC, the control algorithm has the ability to control stiffness and position of the soft arm. In this paper, FADRC was further verified through comparative experiments on the soft arm. This paper reinforces the hypothesis that FADRC control, as an algorithm, indeed possesses good robustness and adaptive abilities. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Impact of car transport availability and drive time on eye examination uptake among adults aged ≥60 years: a record linkage study

Aim To examine associations between uptake of free primary eye care, service availability (density of optometric practices) and service accessibility (household car access and drive time to nearest provider) after accounting for socioeconomic status and other individual, household and area factors. Methods We constructed a cohort of 294 870 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years, drawing contextual information from the 2011 Northern Ireland Census. Minimum drive times to the nearest optometry practice (1–19 min) and number of practices were derived for 890 geographical areas. The primary outcome was attendance at one or more publicly funded eye examinations to which all cohort members were entitled between 2009 and 2014. We used multiple log-binomial regression to estimate associations between eye care uptake, car ownership and drive time. Results Eye examination uptake was 60.0%. 23.7% of the cohort had no car access, and these individuals had lower uptake than car owners (unadjusted risk ratio (RR) of uptake=0.86 (0.86, 0.87)). Among non-car owners, uptake decreased with drive time (longest vs shortest: RR=0.92 (0.88, 0.97)) with the largest decrease at 4 min drive time (approximately 1.5 miles). This pattern was weaker among car owners. These associations were independent of service availability, which was not associated with uptake. Conclusion Both drive time and household car access were associated with eye care use, adjusting for individual, household and area factors. Policies to improve uptake should target those with no car access, especially those beyond walking distance from the nearest eye care provider.
Reproductive tolerance in male primates: Old paradigms and new evidence

Within social groups of primates, males commonly compete over reproduction, but they may also rely on cooperation with other males. Theory suggests that it may be adaptive for male primates to tolerate some reproduction by other males if reproductive tolerance fosters cooperation, particularly that dominant males yield so‐called reproductive concessions to subordinates to entice their cooperation. We review four recent studies that claimed to have found evidence for reproductive concessions or similar forms of reproductive tolerance. However, upon critical reevaluation of their results, no study provides conclusive support for reproductive concessions as predicted by theoretical models. Yet two studies demonstrated a form of reproductive tolerance that cannot be explained by any of the existing models, and that seems to have evolved only in multi‐male, multi‐female societies with diverse strategic options for males. Our article provides guidance how to study this form of reproductive tolerance in the absence of a unifying model.
TRPV4 is the temperature-sensitive ion channel of human sperm

Ion channels control sperm fertilizing ability by triggering hyperactivated motility, which is regulated by membrane potential, intracellular pH, and cytosolic calcium. Previous studies unraveled three essential ion channels that regulate these parameters: 1) the Ca2+ channel CatSper, 2) the K+ channel KSper, and 3) the H+ channel Hv1. However, the molecular identity of an additional sperm Na+ conductance that mediates initial membrane depolarization and, thus, triggers downstream signaling events is yet to be defined. Here, we functionally characterize DSper, the Depolarizing Channel of Sperm, as the temperature-activated channel TRPV4. It is functionally expressed at both mRNA and protein levels, while other temperature-sensitive TRPV channels are not functional in human sperm. DSper currents are activated by warm temperatures and mediate cation conductance, that shares a pharmacological profile reminiscent of TRPV4. Together, these results suggest that TRPV4 activation triggers initial membrane depolarization, facilitating both CatSper and Hv1 gating and, consequently, sperm hyperactivation.
Association of Coffee Drinking With Mortality by Genetic Variation in Caffeine Metabolism: Findings From the UK Biobank

Importance Prospective cohorts in North America, Europe, and Asia show consistent inverse associations between coffee drinking and mortality, including deaths from cardiovascular disease and some cancers. However, concerns about coffee, particularly among people with common genetic polymorphisms affecting caffeine metabolism and among those drinking more than 5 cups per day, remain. Objective To evaluate associations of coffee drinking with mortality by genetic caffeine metabolism score. Design, Setting, and Participants The UK Biobank is a population-based study that invited approximately 9.2 million individuals from across the United Kingdom to participate. We used baseline demographic, lifestyle, and genetic data form the UK Biobank cohort, with follow-up beginning in 2006 and ending in 2016, to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for coffee intake and mortality, using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. We investigated potential effect modification by caffeine metabolism, defined by a genetic score of previously identified polymorphisms in AHR, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and POR that have an effect on caffeine metabolism. Of the 502 641 participants who consented with baseline data, we included those who were not pregnant and had complete data on coffee intake and smoking status (n = 498 134). Exposures Total, ground, instant, and decaffeinated coffee intake. Main Outcomes and Measures All-cause and cause-specific mortality. Results The mean age of the participants was 57 years (range, 38-73 years); 271 019 (54%) were female, and 387 494 (78%) were coffee drinkers. Over 10 years of follow-up, 14 225 deaths occurred. Coffee drinking was inversely associated with all-cause mortality. Using non–coffee drinkers as the reference group, HRs for drinking less than 1, 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 7, and 8 or more cups per day were 0.94 (95% CI, 0.88-1.01), 0.92 (95% CI, 0.87-0.97), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.84-0.93), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.83-0.93), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.77-0.92), and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.77-0.95), respectively. Similar associations were observed for instant, ground, and decaffeinated coffee, across common causes of death, and regardless of genetic caffeine metabolism score. For example, the HRs for 6 or more cups per day ranged from 0.70 (95% CI, 0.53-0.94) to 0.92 (95% CI, 0.78-1.10), with no evidence of effect modification across strata of caffeine metabolism score (P = .17 for heterogeneity). Conclusions and Relevance Coffee drinking was inversely associated with mortality, including among those drinking 8 or more cups per day and those with genetic polymorphisms indicating slower or faster caffeine metabolism. These findings suggest the importance of noncaffeine constituents in the coffee-mortality association and provide further reassurance that coffee drinking can be a part of a healthy diet.
Rapid glucocorticoid tapering therapy to reduce mortality from pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with rheumatic disease

Abstract Objective: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious complication in patients with rheumatic diseases who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy. These patients have a higher mortality from PCP than those with human immunodeficiency virus. We examined factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with rheumatic diseases and evaluated PCP treatment in this population. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study included 31 patients with rheumatic diseases who were admitted to Juntendo University Hospital for PCP treatment from June 2006 to December 2017. The primary outcome was non–disease-specific mortality at discharge. Results: The median age at PCP diagnosis was 64 years. The survival rate was 61.3% (19/31). Twelve patients died, in all cases due to respiratory failure due to PCP. Among variables at PCP diagnosis and those related to PCP treatment, the presence of coexisting pulmonary diseases and greater glucocorticoid dose at PCP diagnosis were associated with higher mortality. The mortality related to biological agents for PCP was low. Rapid tapering of glucocorticoids improved survivability. Conclusion: In the treatment of PCP in patients with rheumatic diseases, rapid tapering of glucocorticoids was associated with a higher survival rate than the use of conventional therapy.
IT Capability and a Firm's Ability to Recover from Losses: Evidence from the Economic Downturn of the Early 2000s

ABSTRACT: Prior literature shows that during an economic downturn firms have difficulty sustaining superior performance, and a larger percentage of firms report losses. Motivated by this literature, we explore the role of sustainability of organizational IT capability (ITC) on a firm's performance during an economic downturn. Specifically, we examine how ITC sustainability contributes to a firm's ability to recover from losses. ITC sustainability reflects a firm's ability to resist competitors' attempts to imitate or improve on its ITC. We use ITC sustainability to classify firms as sustainable (Systematic ITC), as non-sustainable (Occasional ITC), and as having no ITC (Non-ITC). Using a sample of large U.S. firms during the economic downturn of the early 2000s, we show that Systematic ITC firms achieve higher levels of firm-specific abnormal earnings and are capable of faster recovery when compared to all competitors (Occasional ITC and Non-ITC firms) and competitors with only Occasional ITC.