Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial uncoupling attenuates sarcopenic obesity by enhancing skeletal muscle mitophagy and quality control

Sarcopenic obesity is a highly prevalent disease with poor survival and ineffective medical interventions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is purported to be central in the pathogenesis of sarcopenic obesity by impairing both organelle biogenesis and quality control. We have previously identified that a mitochondrial‐targeted furazano[3,4‐b]pyrazine named BAM15 is orally available and selectively lowers respiratory coupling efficiency and protects against diet‐induced obesity in mice. Here, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial uncoupling simultaneously attenuates loss of muscle function and weight gain in a mouse model of sarcopenic obesity.
The Inhibition Effect of Affordances in Action Picture Naming: An Event-related Potential Study

Abstract How quickly are different kinds of conceptual knowledge activated in action picture naming? Using a masked priming paradigm, we manipulated the prime category type (artificial vs. natural), prime action type (precision, power, vs. neutral grip), and target action type (precision vs. power grip) in action picture naming, while electrophysiological signals were measured concurrently. Naming latencies showed an inhibition effect in the congruent action type condition compared with the neutral condition. ERP results showed that artificial and natural category primes induced smaller waveforms in precision or power action primes than neutral primes in the time window of 100–200 msec. Time–frequency results consistently presented a power desynchronization of the mu rhythm in the time window of 0–210 msec with precision action type artificial objects compared with neutral primes, which localized at the supplementary motor, precentral and postcentral areas in the left hemisphere. These findings suggest an inhibitory effect of affordances arising at conceptual preparation in action picture naming and provide evidence for embodied cognition.
Orthosis and Foot Structure Affect the Fifth Metatarsal Principal Strains During Simulated Level Walking

Background: Fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal bone are common injuries in elite athletes and are associated with high rates of delayed union and nonunion. Structural features of the foot may increase fracture risk in some individuals, emphasizing the need for intervention strategies to prevent fracture. Although orthotic devices have shown promise in reducing fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone, the effect of orthosis on fifth metatarsal strains is not well understood. Purpose: To quantify the effects of different foot orthotic constructs on principal tensile strains in the proximal fifth metatarsal bone during cadaveric simulations of level walking. An additional purpose was to investigate the relationships between structural features of the foot and corresponding strains on the fifth metatarsal bone during level walking. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 10 midtibial cadaveric specimens were attached to a 6 degrees of freedom robotic gait simulator. Strain gauges were placed at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (zone II) and the proximal diaphysis (zone III) during level walking simulations using 11 different foot orthotic configurations. Images of each specimen were used to measure structural features of the foot in an axially loaded position. The peak tensile strains were measured and reported relative to the sneaker-only condition for each orthotic condition and orthotic-specific association between structural features and principal strains of both zones. Results: In total, 2 of the 11 orthotic conditions significantly reduced strain relative to the sneaker-only condition in zone II. Further, 6 orthotic conditions significantly reduced strain relative to the sneaker-only condition in zone III. Increased zone II principal strain incurred during level walking in the sneaker-only condition showed a significant association with increases in the Meary’s angle. Changes in zone III principal strain relative to the sneaker-only condition were significantly associated with increases in the Meary’s angle and fourth-fifth intermetatarsal angle. Conclusion: The use of orthotic devices reduced principal strain relative to the condition of a sneaker without any orthosis in zone II and zone III. The ability to reduce strain relative to the sneaker-only condition in zone III was indicated by increasing values of the Meary’s angle and levels of the fourth-fifth intermetatarsal angle. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians can use characteristics of foot structure to determine the proper foot orthosis to potentially reduce stress fracture risk in high-risk individuals.
Risk of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis After Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE After risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant (PV) carriers have a residual risk to develop peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). The etiology of PC is not yet clarified, but may be related to serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), the postulated origin for high-grade serous cancer. In this systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis, we investigate the risk of PC in women with and without STIC at RRSO. METHODS Unpublished data from three centers were supplemented by studies identified in a systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library describing women with a BRCA-PV with and without STIC at RRSO until September 2020. Primary outcome was the hazard ratio for the risk of PC between BRCA-PV carriers with and without STIC at RRSO, and the corresponding 5- and 10-year risks. Primary analysis was based on a one-stage Cox proportional-hazards regression with a frailty term for study. RESULTS From 17 studies, individual patient data were available for 3,121 women, of whom 115 had a STIC at RRSO. The estimated hazard ratio to develop PC during follow-up in women with STIC was 33.9 (95% CI, 15.6 to 73.9), P < . 001) compared with women without STIC. For women with STIC, the five- and ten-year risks to develop PC were 10.5% (95% CI, 6.2 to 17.2) and 27.5% (95% CI, 15.6 to 43.9), respectively, whereas the corresponding risks were 0.3% (95% CI, 0.2 to 0.6) and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.6 to 1.4) for women without STIC at RRSO. CONCLUSION BRCA-PV carriers with STIC at RRSO have a strongly increased risk to develop PC which increases over time, although current data are limited by small numbers of events. Peritoneal carcinomatosis after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in women with a BRCA pathogenic variant
Multispecies colour polymorphisms associated with contrasting microhabitats in two Mediterranean wrasse radiations

Intraspecific colour polymorphisms (CPs) present unique opportunities to study fundamental evolutionary questions, such as the link between ecology and phenotype, mechanisms maintaining genetic diversity and their putative role in speciation. Wrasses are highly diverse in ecology and morphology and harbour a variety of colour‐polymorphic species. In the Mediterranean Sea, wrasses of the tribe Labrini evolved two species radiations each harbouring several species with a brown and a green morph. The colour morphs occur in complete sympatry in mosaic habitats with rocky outcrops and Neptune grass patches. Morph‐specific differences had not been characterized yet and the evolutionary forces maintaining them remained unknown. With genome‐wide data for almost all Labrini species, we show that species with CPs are distributed across the phylogeny, but show evidence of hybridization. This suggests that the colour morphs are either ancient and have been lost repeatedly, that they have evolved repeatedly or have been shared via hybridization. Focusing on two polymorphic species, we find that each colour morph is more common in the microhabitat providing the best colour match and that the morphs exhibit additional behavioural and morphological differences further improving crypsis in their respective microhabitats. We find little evidence for genetic differentiation between the morphs in either species. Therefore, we propose that these colour morphs represent a multi‐niche polymorphism as an adaptation to the highly heterogeneous habitat. Our study highlights how colour polymorphism (CP) can be advantageous in mosaic habitats and that Mediterranean wrasses are an ideal system to study trans‐species polymorphisms, i.e. polymorphisms maintained across several species, in adaptive radiations.
Clinical effects of maxillary protraction in different stages of dentition in skeletal class III children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using maxillary protraction during different stages of the dentition by assessing changes in the jaws and inclination of incisors. MATERIALS AND METHODS MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane, Web Of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Databases were searched without time limitations up to the 15th January 2022. Google Scholar was used to search grey literature. We included cohort studies that compared the effect of maxillary protraction by analyzing primary outcomes and were grouped in age-related conditions. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were used for statistical analysis, followed by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation analysis. RESULTS Six studies were finally included. The heterogeneity test showed P≥0.1 and I2 ≤50%, and a fixed-effect model was applied. Patients in the early treatment group (ETG) were mainly in the early-mixed dentition stage, while patients in the late-treatment group (LTG) were in the late-mixed and early-permanent dentition stage. Meta-analysis showed that there were no statistical differences (P>0.05) between the ETG and LTG groups in terms of SNA (the angle composed by point Sella-Nasion-Subspinale), SNB (the angle composed by point Sella-Nasion-Supramentale), ANB (the angle composed by point Subspinale-Nasion-Supramentale), Wits, U1/SN (the angle composed by the axis of upper incisors and Sella-Nasion plane), and L1/MP (the angle composed by the axis of lower incisors and the mandibular plane). CONCLUSION Our analysis showed that maxillary protraction applied in the late-mixed or early-permanent dentition stage did not cause different effects on the maxillary growth, the correction of the intermaxillary relationship, the inhibition of mandibular growth, and dental tipping of skeletal class III patients when compared with that in the early-mixed dentition stage. Collectively, these data provide a theoretical basis for widening the applicable age period of maxillary protraction and choosing the best treatment opportunity for children patients after a comprehensive assessment.
Dynamics of an impacting emulsion droplet

Emulsions are widely used in agriculture where oil-based pesticides are sprayed as an emulsion. However, emulsion droplets can bounce off hydrophobic plant surfaces, leading to major health and environmental issues as pesticides pollute water sources and soils. Here, we report an unexpected transition from bouncing to sticking to bouncing as the droplet impact speed increases. We show that the physics are governed by an in situ, self-generated lubrication of the surface leading to a suction force from the nascent oil layer around the droplet. We demonstrate that this phenomenon can be controlled by a careful balance of three time scales: the contact time of the droplet, the impregnation time scale of the oil, and the oil ridge formation time scale. We lastly build a design map to precisely control the bouncing of droplets and the oil coverage of the target surface. These insights have broad applicability in agriculture, cooling sprays, combustion, and additive manufacturing.
Accuracy of retention model parameters obtained from retention data in liquid chromatography.

In liquid chromatography (LC), it is often very useful to have an accurate model of the retention factor, k, over a wide range of isocratic elution conditions. In principle, the parameters of a retention model can be obtained by fitting either isocratic or gradient retention factor data. However, in spite of many of our own attempts to accurately predict isocratic k values using retention models trained with gradient retention data, this has not worked in our hands. In the present study we have used synthetic isocratic and gradient retention data for small molecules under reversed-phase LC conditions. This allows us to discover challenges associated with predicting isocratic k's without the confounding influences of experimental issues that are difficult to model or eliminate. The results indicate that it is not currently possible to consistently predict isocratic retention factors for small molecules with accuracies better than 10%, even when using synthetic gradient retention data. Two distinct challenges in fitting gradient retention data were identified: 1) a lack of 'uniqueness' in the parameters; and 2) an inability to find the global optimum fit in a complex fitting landscape. Working with experimental data where measurement noise is unavoidable will only make the accuracy worse. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Exposure to nitrate from food and drinking-water in New Zealand. Can these be considered separately?

Abstract Recent epidemiological studies have reported associations between colorectal cancer incidence and nitrates in drinking-water, but not from the diet. The toxicokinetics of nitrates were reviewed and exposure data from New Zealand were analysed. Dietary (including drinking-water) exposure of New Zealanders to nitrates was found to be very similar to most other countries and within internationally-established acceptable daily intakes. Less than 10% of nitrate exposure was from drinking-water, with little difference between adults and children. Approximately half of the total water-based exposure is through water alone, the remainder was consumed as tea and coffee (adults), or water-based fruit drinks (children). For children, drinking-water as a beverage is generally consumed close to a meal time, with 83% of servings consumed within an hour of eating. For adults, this is reduced to 51% of servings consumed within an hour of a meal. Only 2.6% of nitrate exposure for adults and 0.7% of nitrate exposure for children is from drinking-water consumed on its own and not in close temporal association to food consumption. It was concluded from the combination of the biology and the exposure assessment that there is little reason to differentiate between drinking-water and food nitrate exposure.
Constrained optimization problems governed by PDE models of grain boundary motions

Abstract In this article, we consider a class of optimal control problems governed by state equations of Kobayashi-Warren-Carter-type. The control is given by physical temperature. The focus is on problems in dimensions less than or equal to 4. The results are divided into four Main Theorems, concerned with: solvability and parameter dependence of state equations and optimal control problems; the first-order necessary optimality conditions for these regularized optimal control problems. Subsequently, we derive the limiting systems and optimality conditions and study their well-posedness.
Numerical Investigation of Openings on Lateral Strength of Masonry Walls

The study investigates the reduction in masonry walls' strength with different opening sizes and aspect ratios using simplified micro modeling. Calibration of the numerical wall model was done by following an existing wall model from the literature. Springs (COMBIN39) were used to model the compression and shear strength of mortar, whereas contact elements (CONTA178) were used to model the bond between mortar and bricks. The load was provided in two phases; first, the gravity load was applied in the vertical direction to compress the wall then the lateral load was applied. Five walls with an opening size 0%, 1.85%, 3.66%, 10.91%, and 16.5% of the total wall area have been modeled in this study. The analysis results showed that up to an opening area of 4% masonry wall showed approximately 50% reduction in strength and stiffness. Beyond 4% opening size, strength and stiffness drop almost linearly. Such modeling can save cost, time, and know beforehand the type of failure of a masonry wall to avoid life loss.
Using Panel Data to Study Political Interest, News Media Trust, and News Media use in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT During times of crisis or instability, citizens are more reliant on news media as a source of information. We need to better understand which news media people consume, how it changes over time, and whether two important predictors of news use – political interest and news media trust – affect news use during times of crisis. Specifically, we investigate the reciprocal dynamics between news media use, political interest, and news media trust in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing survey data from two waves from the Netherlands (N = 907, with a baseline just before the outbreak of the pandemic), we find that both traditional and online news use, based on self-report measures, increased in the first phase of the public health crisis. Our findings lend general but mixed support for the reciprocal dynamics between news media use and political interest. Interestingly, the results indicate a reciprocal relationship both for use of and trust in non-mainstream news websites and use of and trust in social media.
Is my opinion important in evaluating lecturers? Students’ perceptions of student evaluations of teaching (SET) and their relationship to SET scores

ABSTRACT Previous studies have identified a positive relationship between students’ perceptions of student evaluations of teaching (SET) and the grades that students provide in SET, controlling for other bias factors. The research by Spooren and Christiaens in 2017 at the University of Antwerp supported this finding. In this study, the methodology used by Spooren and Christiaens was replicated at the Technological Indoamerica University in Ecuador, in a close conceptual replication. In the replicated study, 967 undergraduate participants answered the questionnaires used by the original authors. The replication study sample was very similar in size, seniority, and gender to the original study but not in academic disciplines studied. Most of the students agreed that the evaluation was relevant and could improve teaching practices. Results show a statistically significant but small positive relation among perceptions of SET and SET scores (0.20 for the Belgian university and 0.27 for the Ecuadorian university).
Experiences of precariousness and exploitation of Romanian transnational live-in care workers in Austria

Based on conceptualizations of a continuum of exploitation to examine phenomena related to precariousness and modern slavery, this article examined Romanian transnational live-in care workers’ job perceptions based on thematic analysis of qualitative interviews. As a framework, we adopted a five-dimensional concept of work-related precariousness, comprising (1) reproductive–material, (2) social–communicative, (3) legal–institutional (participation), (4) status and recognition, and (5) meaningful–subject-related aspects. While interviewees reported job satisfaction, they gave many accounts of unfair or exploitative treatment. Prime aspects of exploitation included low wages, extensive working hours and insecure self-employment, being tricked to work without remuneration, being urged to engage in work beyond care, being withheld food and sanitation, inadequate training, low status and recognition, and fulfilling excessive demands due to a strong sense of commitment. We align our findings with the literature to identify urgent fields of action for improving working conditions in live-in care.
Discussion in Diverse Middle School Social Studies Classrooms: Promoting All Students’ Participation in the Disciplinary Work of Inquiry

Background/Context: Although calls for rich discussion and argumentation about disciplinary texts and content are frequent, research indicates that in classrooms such discussions are rare. When discussions do happen, few students tend to participate. Purpose/Focus of Study: We look to exemplar teachers’ classrooms where a range of ethnically, racially, linguistically, and academically diverse students participated substantively in discussions throughout social studies inquiries to understand what those teachers do to support broad and substantive student participation in discussion, knowing that discussion promotes student learning. Research Design: Using video recordings of class sessions, we conducted discourse analysis and used case study methods to examine classroom discourse over 20 days of inquiry across an academic year within the context of a larger, design-based research project. Findings: We identify how two teachers build toward and facilitate three types of disciplinary, whole-class, text-based discussions: Sensemaking, Argumentative, and Culminating Argumentative. We analyze the instructional work involved in preparing students for discussions, in situating discussions within a larger context of inquiry, and in facilitating discussions in the moment, focusing on the intellectual work being done when students take extended turns of talk that build on what has been said before. Conclusions/Recommendations: This work contributes a broader understanding of how students’ full participation in disciplinary discussion and argumentation can be supported in the context of inquiry. We draw implications for enabling all students to participate in inquiry, with particular attention to students learning English or needing support for reading complex sources.
The Development of Intergroup Cooperation: Children Show Impartial Fairness and Biased Care

One of the most remarkable features of human societies is our ability to cooperate with each other. However, the benefits of cooperation are not extended to everyone. Indeed, another hallmark of human societies is a division between us and them. Favoritism toward members of our group can result in a loss of empathy and greater tolerance of harm toward those outside our group. The current study sought to investigate how in-group bias impacts the developmental emergence of concerns for fairness and care. We investigated the impact of in-group bias on decisions related to care and fairness in children (N = 95; ages 4–9). Participants made decisions about how to allocate resources between themselves and a peer who was either an in-group or out-group member. In decisions related to care, participants were given two trial types on which they could decide whether to give or throw away a positive or negative resource. In decisions related to fairness participants and peer partners each received one candy and participants decided whether to allocate or throw away an extra candy. If the extra candy was distributed it would place either the participant or their recipient at a relative advantage, whereas if the extra candy was thrown away the distribution would be equal. We found that on fairness trials children’s tendency to allocate resources was similar toward in-group and out-group recipients. Furthermore, children’s tendency to allocate resources changed with age such that younger participants were more likely to allocate extra candies to themselves, whereas older participants were more likely to allocate extra candies to their recipient. On trials related to care we did observe evidence of in-group bias. While distribution of positive resources was greater than negative resources for both in-group and out-group recipients, participants distributed negative resources to out-group recipients more often compared to in-group recipients, a tendency that was heightened for young boys. This pattern of results suggests that fairness and care develop along distinct pathways with independent motivational supports.