Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracellular microvesicle microRNAs as predictive biomarkers for targeted therapy in metastastic cutaneous malignant melanoma

Background Mitogen activated-protein kinase pathway inhibitors (MAPKis) improve treatment outcome in patients with disseminated BRAFV600 mutant cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) but responses are of limited duration due to emerging resistance. Although extensive research in mechanisms of resistance is being performed, predictive biomarkers for durable responses are still lacking. We used miRNA qPCR to investigate if different levels of extracellular microvesicle microRNA (EV miRNA) in matched plasma samples collected from patients with metastatic IV BRAFV600 mutated CMM before, during and after therapy with MAPKis could serve as predictive biomarkers. Materials and methods EV miRNAs were extracted from plasma samples from 28 patients collected before and during therapy, measured by quantitative PCR-array and correlated to therapy outcome. Results Increased levels of EV let-7g-5p during treatment compared to before treatment (EV let-7g-5p_delta) were associated with better disease control with MAPKis (odds ratio 8568.4, 95% CI = 4.8–1.5e+07, P = 0.000036). Elevated levels of EV miR-497-5p during therapy were associated with prolonged progression free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.13–0.52, P <0.000061). Conclusions EV miRNAs let-7g-5p and miR-497-5p were identified as putative novel predictive biomarkers of MAPKi treatment benefit in metastatic CMM patients highlighting the potential relevance of assessing EV miRNA during and after treatment to unravel novel mechanisms of resistance.
Low-Phase-Noise Wideband Mode-Switching Quad-Core-Coupled mm-wave VCO Using a Single-Center-Tapped Switched Inductor

This paper describes a mode-switching quad-core-coupled millimeter-wave (mm-wave) voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), using a single-center-tapped (SCT) switched inductor for extension of the frequency tuning range (FTR) and improvement of the phase noise (PN). The switches not only serve for in-phase coupling among the VCO cores but also can modify the equivalent tank inductance suitable for coarse frequency tuning. The frequency gaps between the multi-resonant frequencies are controlled by the common-mode (CM) inductance that is precisely set by the lithography fabrication. Together with the tiny varactors for fine frequency tuning, a wide and continuous FTR can be achieved. It is analytically shown that tiny switches (i.e., small parasitic capacitance) for mode selection are adequate to avoid bimodal oscillation, synchronize the VCO cores against resonance frequency mismatches, and prevent PN degradation. A symmetrical layout of SCT switched inductor also aids the VCO to be immune to magnetic pulling. Prototyped in 65-nm CMOS, the VCO exhibits a 16.5% FTR from 42.9 to 50.6 GHz. The PN at 46.03 GHz is −113.1 dBc/Hz at 3-MHz offset, corresponding to a figure-of-merit (FoM) of 183.6 dBc/Hz. The die size is 0.039 mm2.
Possible Role of CYP450 Generated Omega-3/Omega-6 PUFA Metabolites in the Modulation of Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Obese Children

Obesity is often accompanied by metabolic and haemodynamic disorders such as hypertension, even during childhood. Arachidonic acid (AA) is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), vasoactive and natriuretic metabolites that contribute to blood pressure (BP) regulation. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may compete with AA for CYP450-dependent bioactive lipid mediator formation. We aimed at investigating the role of AA, EPA and DHA and their CYP450-dependent metabolites in BP control and vascular function in 66 overweight/obese children. Fatty acid profile moderately correlated with the corresponding CYP450-derived metabolites but their levels did not differ between children with normal BP (NBP) and high BP (HBP), except for higher EPA-derived epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (EEQs) and their diols in HBP group, in which also the estimated CYP450-epoxygenase activity was higher. In the HBP group, EPA inversely correlated with BP, EEQs inversely correlated both with systolic BP and carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT). The DHA-derived epoxydocosapentaenoic acids (EDPs) were inversely correlated with diastolic BP. Omega-3 derived epoxymetabolites appeared beneficially associated with BP and vascular structure/function only in obese children with HBP. Further investigations are needed to clarify the role of omega-3/omega-6 epoxymetabolites in children's hemodynamics.
Surface Deformation of the Shanghai Coastal Area Revealed by a Multi-Satellite Dinsar Investigation

In this work, we investigate the evolution of ground deformation in the Shanghai coastal region, China, over the last decade. We performed a Small BAseline subset DInSAR analysis based on the exploitation of three independent SAR datasets acquired by the ASAR/ENVISAT (ENV), COSMO-SkyMed (CSK), and Sentinel-1A (SlA) sensors, spanning the time frame between 2007 and 2017. More precisely, we used a time-dependent geotechnical centrifuge model of the subsidence signals to combine the available time-gapped CSK and ENV datasets, and hence we produced a long-term CSK, ENV, and SlA displacement time-series. The maximum subsidence rate calculated by the combined long-term ENV+CSK+S1A deformation time-series is about 30 mm/year. The achieved results are beneficial for future studies assessing the environmental risk (e.g., due to flooding) of the population living in the coastal area of Shanghai.
Automated Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema Detection on OCT Images using Deep Learning

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that damages the retina, causing vision loss. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is also a form of vision loss for diabetic people. It is therefore crucial to detect AMD and DME in the early stages for the timely treatment of the eye and the prevention of any vision impairment. Automatic detection of DME and AMD on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are presented in this paper. The method used is based on training a deep learning algorithm to classify them into healthy, dry AMD, wet AMD and DME categories. This method outperforms a transfer learning based method proposed recently in the literature for classification of OCT images into AMD and DME categories.
Prevalence of traumatic injuries to the anterior teeth among 3–17-year-old school children of Indore and correlating it with Kuppuswamy SES, occlusal relationship and ascertaining percentage of those seeking the treatment

Abstract Background Orofacial trauma is one of the most prevailing oral health problems among the children. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of traumatic injuries and to correlate the causes, specific age groups, socio-economic status, occlusal relationship and ascertain the percentage of those seeking the treatment among school children in Indore (Madhya Pradesh, India). Materials and methods Five thousand school going children aged between 3 and 17 years belonging to different zones of Indore were randomly selected and divided into three age groups, Group I – 3–5 years; Group II – 6–11 years and Group III – 12–17 years. The study was carried out by a single investigator and assisted by a well-trained cooperative alert assistant. An American Dental Association (ADA) type 3 examination was carried out using a mouth mirror and explorer under sufficient natural light. Traumatic injuries to the anterior teeth were recorded according to the Ellis and Davey classification. Details were noted concerning the gender, age and socio-economic status of patient; cause of trauma, number, type and relationship of teeth, lip competence and the level of unmet treatment needs. Results One thousand and seventeen children had traumatized anterior teeth with a mean prevalence of 20.34%. Prevalence was more in boys than in girls with a ratio of 2:1. Single tooth injury was observed in 81.7%. The prevalence of trauma was highest in the upper socio-economic class (31.4%) and least was seen in lower class (14.8%). The most common cause of trauma was from a fall (36.72%). Maximum prevalence was seen in either class II division 1 malocclusion or distal step terminal plane primary molar relationship. Only 2.95% of the children had undergone treatment for traumatically injured anterior teeth. Conclusion High prevalence of traumatized teeth with the low percentage of children receiving treatment emphasizes the need for education programs about traumatic dental injuries that should be directed towards the children, parents and school teachers.
Retrospective attribution of false beliefs in 3-year-old children

Significance The continuous flow of social interactions requires humans to monitor others’ mental states dynamically, yet this aspect of mind reading remains largely neglected. We tested whether, beyond prospective belief tracking, young children would also attribute beliefs to others retrospectively. We found that 3-year-old children retrospectively inferred the content of someone’s beliefs by combining present information with relevant events retrieved from episodic memory. This finding shows that emerging capacities for episodic memory contribute to the development of social cognitive processes, enriching children’s ability to monitor others’ mental states. A current debate in psychology and cognitive science concerns the nature of young children’s ability to attribute and track others’ beliefs. Beliefs can be attributed in at least two different ways: prospectively, during the observation of belief-inducing situations, and in a retrospective manner, based on episodic retrieval of the details of the events that brought about the beliefs. We developed a task in which only retrospective attribution, but not prospective belief tracking, would allow children to correctly infer that someone had a false belief. Eighteen- and 36-month-old children observed a displacement event, which was witnessed by a person wearing sunglasses (Experiment 1). Having later discovered that the sunglasses were opaque, 36-month-olds correctly inferred that the person must have formed a false belief about the location of the objects and used this inference in resolving her referential expressions. They successfully performed retrospective revision in the opposite direction as well, correcting a mistakenly attributed false belief when this was necessary (Experiment 3). Thus, children can compute beliefs retrospectively, based on episodic memories, well before they pass explicit false-belief tasks. Eighteen-month-olds failed in such a task, suggesting that they cannot retrospectively attribute beliefs or revise their initial belief attributions. However, an additional experiment provided evidence for prospective tracking of false beliefs in 18-month-olds (Experiment 2). Beyond identifying two different modes for tracking and updating others’ mental states early in development, these results also provide clear evidence of episodic memory retrieval in young children.
Understanding the Rarity of ISD Method Selection - Bounded Rationality and Functional Stupidity

No single information systems development method (ISDM) suits to all information systems development (ISD) projects. Despite of this, ISDM selection has received limited attention in earlier research. This raises the question are ISDM selection decisions rare in practice as well, and if so, what are the reasons. We used the bounded rationality and functional stupidity theories to investigate ISDM selection decision-making behavior, and interviewed 31 IS professionals working in the borderline between IS clients and suppliers. We examined their experiences about ISDM selection within both types of organizations. We discovered that the ISDM selection decisions of ISD projects are seldom discussed, that the ISDM selection behavior of client and supplier organizations differ, and that the bounded rationality and functional stupidity theories are descriptively useful. In addition to these research contributions, our study shows that there are theoretical and practical reasons to develop better ISDM selection guidelines for ISD projects.
Amyloid beta soluble forms and plasminogen activation system in Alzheimer’s disease: Consequences on extracellular maturation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and therapeutic implications

Soluble oligomeric forms of amyloid beta (Aβ) play an important role in causing the cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by targeting and disrupting synaptic pathways. Thus, the present research is directed toward identifying the neuronal pathways targeted by soluble forms and, accordingly, develops alternative therapeutic strategies. The neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is synthesized as a precursor (pro‐BDNF) which is cleaved extracellularly by plasmin to release the mature form. The conversion from pro‐BDNF to BDNF is an important process that regulates neuronal activity and memory processes. Plasmin‐dependent maturation of BDNF in the brain is regulated by plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1), the natural inhibitor of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA). Therefore, tPA/PAI‐1 system represents an important regulator of extracellular BDNF/pro‐BDNF ratio. In this review, we summarize the data on the components of the plasminogen activation system and on BDNF in AD. Moreover, we will hypothesize a possible pathogenic mechanism caused by soluble Aβ forms based on the effects on tPA/PAI‐1 system and on the consequence of an altered conversion from pro‐BDNF to the mature BDNF in the brain of AD patients. Translation into clinic may include a better characterization of the disease stage and future direction on therapeutic targets.
An Automated Water Task to Test Visual Discrimination Performance, Adaptive Strategies and Stereotyped Choices in Freely Moving Mice

We describe an automated training/testing system for adult mice that allows reliable quantification of visual discrimination capacities, adaptive swimming strategies, and stereotyped choices with minimal human intervention. The experimental apparatus consists of a hexagonal swimming pool with an internal decision zone leading to three interior arms with two software-controlled platforms inside of each arm. Each experimental trial consists in projecting a “positive” conditioned discriminative stimulus (SD) in one randomly chosen arm, whereas the other two arms project non-reinforced stimuli (the delta stimuli, SΔ). By employing a classical behavioral training schedule, the mice learn to swim toward the arm that displays the SD, because it predicts the presence of two elevated platforms located symmetrically to the left and right side of the projecting monitor. Separate behavioral components for discriminative and stereotyped choice behavior can be identified through this geometric arrangement. In addition, the projection in real-time of either static or dynamic visual stimuli allows the usage of training programs contingent on current behavioral performance. We validated the system by characterizing the visual acuity and contrast sensitivities in a group of trained mice. By employing pharmacological manipulations, we found that the mice required an intact functioning of the primary visual cortex (V1) to solve the hexagonal pool. Overall, the automated training system constitutes a reliable, rapid, and inexpensive method to quantify visual capacities of mice. It can be used to characterize visual and non-visual factors of choice behavior. It can also be combined with manipulations of visual experience and pharmacological micro-infusions to investigate integrated brain function and learning processes in adult mice over consecutive days.
Whole-Body Vibration as a Warm-up Before Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage on Symptoms of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness in Trained Subjects.

Magoffin, RD, Parcell, AC, Hyldahl, RD, Fellingham, GW, Hopkins, JT, and Feland, JB. Whole-body vibration as a warm-up before exercise-induced muscle damage on symptoms of delayed-onset muscle soreness in trained subjects. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-There is no clear scientific evidence that whole-body vibration (WBV) used as a warm-up before performing eccentric exercise mitigates delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and speeds strength loss recovery. These benefits were observed primarily in nonresistance-trained individuals. The aim of this study was to determine whether WBV could mitigate soreness and expedite strength recovery for resistance-trained individuals when used as a warm-up before eccentric exercise. Thirty resistance-trained males completed 300 maximal eccentric contractions of the quadriceps after warming up with (WBV) or without (CON) WBV. Both CON and WBV experienced significant isometric (26.3 and 30.2%, respectively) and dynamic (50.9 and 46.4%, respectively) strength loss immediately after exercise. Isometric strength was significantly depressed after 24 hours in the CON group (8.2% p < 0.02), but not in the WBV group (5.9% p = 0.7). Isometric strength was no longer significantly depressed after 48 hours in the CON group (6.1% p < 0.07) or the WBV group (4.1% p = 0.20). Dynamic strength was significantly decreased in both the CON and WBV groups at 24 hours (17.7% p < 0.001 and 15.5% p < 0.001, respectively) and 48 hours (17.1% p < 0.01 and 13.6% p < 0.002), but only significant for the CON at 1 week after exercise (8.6% p = 0.05). Pain as measured by a visual analog scale was significant in both groups at 24 and 48 hours after exercise, but WBV experienced significantly less soreness than the CON group after 24 hours (28 vs. 46 mm p < 0.01, respectively) and 48 hours (38 vs. 50 mm p < 0.01). Pain pressure threshold increased significantly in both groups, but there was no difference between groups. These results suggest the use of WBV before eccentric exercise mildly mitigates DOMS in trained individuals. Application of WBV can function as a quick mode of warm-up before resistance training and can decrease pain perception from DOMS. This may be beneficial to athletes undergoing a heavy strength training phase where DOMS is likely.
Vlogging: Trigger to Impulse Buying Behaviors

The vlogging popularity provides a prospective channel for marketers and vloggers to influence viewers’ buying decision. A vlog presents various stimulus that may affect viewers to impulse purchase. However, studies examining the stimulus in the vlog context and how their effects on impulse buying behaviors are still limited. Three aspects, namely vlogger-related factors, task-related factors, and mood-related factors, are identified as the stimulus. These aspects are psychologically processed by perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, and parasocial interaction leading to the urgency to buy impulsively. The Stimulus Organism Response (SOR) model is adapted to construct a model in explaining impulse buying behavior in the vlog context. Analysis of 1084 responses shows the urgency to buy impulsively is affected by parasocial interaction and perceived usefulness. Attitude homophily of the vloggers strongly influences parasocial interaction and informativeness strongly influences perceived usefulness. relationship parasocial impulsively. This study divides three aspects of vlog stimuli into vlogger-related factors, task-related factors, and mood-related factors and explores the use of the stimuli framework in the vlog environment. This study also extends the use of SOR model in describing the impulse buying behavior to enrich the impulse buying behavior literature in the vlogs context. This study contributes to the extant literature by determining the vlog factors as the stimuli triggering the impulse buying behaviors in the vlog context. The vlogger factors used in this study is in line with the research by Lee and Watkins (2016). The result of this study confirms the vlogger-related factors, namely social attractiveness, physical attractiveness, and attitude homophily has a significant relationship with parasocial interaction. The task-related and mood-related factors, consist of informativeness, entertainment, creativity, and production quality, can be applied as factors in the vlog environment. The factors are adapted from the advertising literature to assess the media used in the vlogs.
Factors Affecting Users' Dynamic Message Deleting Intention on Social Networks: An Empirical Study Based on Impression Management Theory

Social dynamics is a social networking service that allows users to input updates including letters, pictures, videos and share them with their social friends. Previous research mainly focus on the application of dynamic messages in the fields of communication science and economics. Based on impression management theory, this paper studies the influencing factors of users' dynamic message deleting intention on social networks. The results show that impression management performance and social network fatigue significantly affect user's intention to delete the dynamic messages. While message sender factors, such as self-monitoring, interpersonal interaction and image promotion; social platform factors such as information overload and social overload, indirectly influence the deleting intention through intermediary variables. This paper makes up for the lack of relevant empirical research, making users more social flexibility and effectiveness, thereby enhancing social validity, and have some practical implications for social networking services platforms
Isolation and Characterization of Potentially Probiotic Bacterial Strains from Mice: Proof of Concept for Personalized Probiotics

Modulation of the gut microbiota through the use of probiotics has been widely used to treat or prevent several intestinal diseases. However, inconsistent results have compromised the efficacy of this approach, especially in severe conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of our study was to develop a personalized probiotic strategy and assess its efficacy in a murine model of intestinal inflammation. Commensal bacterial strains were isolated from the feces of healthy mice and then administered back to the host as a personalized treatment in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Colonic tissues were collected for histological analysis and to investigate inflammatory markers such as Il-1β, Il-6, TGF-β, and Il-10, and the enzyme myeloperoxidase as a neutrophil marker. The group that received the personalized probiotic showed reduced susceptibility to DSS-colitis as compared to a commercial probiotic. This protection was characterized by a lower disease activity index and reduced histopathological damage in the colon. Moreover, the personalized probiotic was more effective in modulating the host immune response, leading to decreased Il-1β and Il-6 and increased TGF-β and Il-10 expression. In conclusion, our study suggests that personalized probiotics may possess an advantage over commercial probiotics in treating dysbiotic-related conditions, possibly because they are derived directly from the host’s own microbiota.