Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of distant metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck using DWI and DCE‐MRI

The primary purpose was to evaluate the prognostic potential of diffusion imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) in predicting distant metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC) patients. The secondary aim was to examine differences in DWI and DCE‐MRI‐derived parameters on the basis of human papilloma virus (HPV) status, differentiation grade, and nodal stage of HNSCC.
Perceived Fears, Barriers, and Benefits Regarding Breast Cancer Screening: A Comparison of Lebanese and Lebanese-American Women

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among Lebanese women, and nearly half of these women are age < 50 years at diagnosis. Despite the current screening guidelines in Lebanon to start mammograms at 40 years of age, monthly self-breast examination, and yearly clinical breast examination, compliance with these recommendations remains low in both Lebanese and Lebanese-American women. This study aimed to examine different factors associated with breast cancer screening compliance in Lebanese and Lebanese-American women and determine and compare factors that predict breast cancer screening for these 2 groups. A cross-sectional study design was used to examine the factors associated with breast cancer screening compliance in Lebanese and Lebanese-American women. A total of 250 Lebanese women and 105 Lebanese-American women completed the questionnaires. Of these, 74.3% of Lebanese-American women and 72.5% of Lebanese women had ever had a mammogram, and 58.4% of Lebanese women had had a clinical breast examination, compared with 84.8% of Lebanese-American women. In both groups, health care provider recommendation was a predictor of having had a mammogram. Although the breast cancer screening practices of both groups are higher than previously reported, they continue to fall below the recommended rate of 81% according to the Healthy People Project. Given the susceptibility of Lebanese women age > 40 years to develop breast cancer, promotional breast cancer screening campaigns must emphasize the importance of adhering to screening guidelines for both Lebanese and Lebanese-American women.
Accuracy of VMS data from Norwegian demersal stern trawlers for estimating trawled areas in the Barents Sea

The accuracy of vessel monitoring system (VMS) data, used to determine fishing activity in the trawl fishery for gadoids in the Barents Sea, was studied by observer notes and Global Positioning System (GPS) data from two Norwegian vessels in October 2007. A speed rule of 2–5 knots correctly classified 75–80% of the fishing activity and 85–90% of the non-fishing activity. Linear interpolation between hourly VMS recordings underestimated trawl trajectories by 15%. The median haulwise difference between the VMS and the GPS trajectories was 500 m. The interpolated VMS data are appropriate for mapping the large-scale distribution of fishing effort and the area impacted, but to link fishing activities with small-scale mapping of benthos, more-frequent VMS-update times and more-refined interpolation techniques are required.
Association of Alcohol Consumption and Ideal Cardiovascular Health among South Asians: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study.

BACKGROUND Observational studies have shown that alcohol consumption above the recommended limit is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), although its association in South Asians is unclear. Less is known regarding the association between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health (CVH), assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) health metrics among those with South Asian ancestry. METHODS This analysis included 701 participants without CVD from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) cohort (2015-2018). Based on a personal history questionnaire, participants were divided into never, former, and current drinkers. The current drinking category was further classified into 1-3 drinks/week, 4-7 drinks/week, and >7 drinks/week. The consumption of 5 or more drinks on 1 occasion in the past month was defined as binge drinking. Each LS7 component was given a point score of 0, 1, or 2. The total score was categorized into 0 to 6, 7 to 10, and 11 to 14 to represent poor, intermediate, and ideal CVH, respectively. We use multinomial logistic regression to examine the association between alcohol consumption and CVH. RESULTS In the MASALA cohort (mean age=59 y, 43% female), participants consuming >7 drinks/week had the lowest mean CVH score. Compared with never drinkers, male participants consuming >7 drinks/week were less likely to have intermediate CVH [0.44 (0.08, 0.91)] and ideal CVH [0.23 (0.03, 0.96)]. Binge drinking was associated with significantly lower odds of ideal CVH compared to never drinkers. CONCLUSION We found evidence of an inverse association of moderate to heavy alcohol consumption and ideal CVH in South Asian men. These findings further underscore the important relationship between alcohol consumption and CVH in this unique population of South Asians.
Peroxynitrite-scavenging activity of green tea tannin

Peroxynitrite formed from superoxide and nitric oxide acts as a strong reactive oxidant. However, among green tea components, catechins with a galloyl group inhibited peroxynitrite formation by 3-morpholinosydnonimine and scavenged peroxynitrite itself. Especially when compared with penicillamine as a positive control, the green tea components (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate and (-)-gallocatechin 3-O-gallate, which have two galloyl groups, showed the most potent peroxynitritescavenging activity, indicating that the galloyl group may contribute to this activity. A structure of flavan-3-ol linked to gallic acid may be essential for the peroxynitrite-scavenging activity.
EQUITY PREMIUM PREDICTION

We detect cyclical variation in the predictive information of economic fundamentals, which can be used to substantially improve and simplify out-of-sample equity premium prediction. Economic fundamentals based on stock-specific information (notably the dividend yield) deliver better predictions in expansions. Economic fundamentals based on aggregate information (notably the short rate) deliver better predictions in recessions. Accordingly, a simple forecast combination of one predictor that generates cyclical forecasts and one predictor that generates countercyclical forecasts can deliver statistically significant and economically valuable equity premium predictions in both expansions and recessions. A prominent two-predictor forecast combination that performs well is the dividend yield and the short rate. Strategies designed for ex-ante timing of the business cycle can provide additional economic gains in equity premium prediction.
The biomechanical effects of pronated foot function on gait. An experimental study

The relationship between foot kinematics and the development of lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) has been the focus of recent attention. However, most studies evaluated static foot type and not dynamic foot function. The purpose was to compare lower limb and foot kinematics, and plantar pressures during gait in physically active individuals with pronated and non‐pronated foot function. Foot function in 154 adult participants was documented as pronated (n = 63) or neutral (n = 91) using 2 established methods: The Foot Posture Index and the Center of Pressure Excursion Index. Difference between the groups in triplanar motion of the lower limb during barefoot gait was evaluated using a 3D motion capture system incorporating the Oxford Foot Model. Dynamic parameters of plantar pressure were recorded using a pressure platform. Anterior‐posterior pelvic tilt range of motion (ROM), peak knee internal rotation, forefoot dorsiflexion ROM, peak forefoot abduction, and rearfoot eversion were all increased in those with pronated foot function. Hallux contact time and time to peak force under the medial forefoot were increased with pronated foot function, and maximal force under the lateral forefoot was reduced. Pronated foot function affected the whole lower limb kinematic chain during gait. These kinematic alterations could increase the risk of developing MSD. Further studies should elucidate the relationship between pronated foot function and MSD, and, if confirmed, foot function should be evaluated in clinical practice for patients with lower limb and low back pain.
The lncRNA MEG3 mediates renal cell cancer progression by regulating ST3Gal1 transcription and EGFR sialylation

ABSTRACT Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of cancer progression. Abnormal sialylation leads to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) malignancy. However, the mechanism by which the lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) mediates RCC progression by regulating ST3Gal1 transcription and EGFR sialylation is still unrevealed. Here, we found that the expression of MEG3 was higher in adjacent tissues than in RCC tissues, as well as downregulated in RCC cell lines compared to expression in normal renal cells. The proliferation, migration and invasion of RCC cells transfected with MEG3 was decreased, whereas knockdown of MEG3 had the opposite effect. The proliferative and metastatic abilities of RCC cells in vivo were concordant with their behavior in vitro. ST3Gal1 expression was dysregulated in RCC and was positively correlated with MEG3. By applying bioinformatics, c-Jun (also known as JUN) was identified as a transcription factor predicted to bind the promoter of ST3Gal1, and altered MEG3 levels resulted in changes to c-Jun expression. Furthermore, ST3Gal1 modulated EGFR sialylation to inhibit EGFR phosphorylation, which affected activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–AKT pathway. Taken together, our findings provide a novel mechanism to elucidate the role of the MEG3–ST3Gal1–EGFR axis in RCC progression. Summary: The lncRNA MEG3 mediates renal cell cancer progression. MEG3 regulates ST3Gal1 expression through interaction with the c-Jun transcription factor, with downstream effects on EGFR sialylation and PI3K–AKT signaling.
Factors Influencing Gateway Providers’ Confidence in Helping People with Mental Illness

ABSTRACT Low mental health service utilization among vulnerable groups with mental health needs has been an ongoing public health concern. Guided by the Gateway Provider Model, this study focuses on public housing employees, a unique gateway provider group, who are within close proximity with public housing residents, a vulnerable group who may experience more psychological distress and mental illness. The present study examined the relationships of mental health literacy, stigma, attitude toward mental health treatment, exposure to mental health treatment, and training to confidence among public housing employees (N = 193) in helping someone with mental illness. Findings show that confidence is associated with mental health literacy and training, yet no relationship between confidence and stigma, and confidence and previous exposure to mental health treatment were found. The findings emphasize the importance of mental health literacy and training of gateway providers as a possible way to promote mental health in the community.
Role of epigenetic regulatory enzymes in animal models of mania induced by amphetamine and paradoxical sleep deprivation

It is known that bipolar disorder has a multifactorial aetiology where the interaction between genetic and environmental factors is responsible for its development. Because of this, epigenetics has been largely studied in psychiatric disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors on epigenetic enzyme alterations in rats or mice submitted to animal models of mania induced by dextro‐amphetamine or sleep deprivation, respectively. Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to 14 days of dextro‐amphetamine administration, and from the eighth to the fourteenth day, the animals were treated with valproate and sodium butyrate in addition to dextro‐amphetamine injections. Adult C57BL/6 mice received 7 days of valproate or sodium butyrate administration, being sleep deprived at the last 36 hr of the protocol. Locomotor and exploratory activities of rats and mice were evaluated in the open‐field test, and histone deacetylase, DNA methyltransferase, and histone acetyltransferase activities were assessed in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Dextro‐amphetamine and sleep deprivation induced hyperactivity and increased histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase activities in the animal's brain. Valproate and sodium butyrate were able to reverse hyperlocomotion induced by both animal models, as well as the alterations on histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase activities. There was a positive correlation between enzyme activities and number of crossings for both models. Histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase activities also presented a positive correlation between theirselves. These results suggest that epigenetics can play an important role in BD pathophysiology as well as in its treatment.
Near-Inertial Waves and Turbulence Driven by the Growth of Swell

Between 5% and 25% of the total momentum transferred between the atmosphere and ocean is transmitted via the growth of long surface gravity waves called “swell. ” In this paper, we use large-eddy simulations to show that swell-transmitted momentum excites near-inertial waves and drives turbulent mixing that deepens a rotating, stratified, turbulent ocean surface boundary layer. We find that swell-transmitted currents are less effective at producing turbulence and mixing the boundary layer than currents driven by an effective surface stress. Overall, however, the differences between swell-driven and surface-stress-driven boundary layers are relatively minor. In consequence, our results corroborate assumptions made in Earth system models that neglect the vertical structure of swell-transmitted momentum fluxes and instead parameterize all air–sea momentum transfer processes with an effective surface stress.
Influence of climate and human land use on the distribution of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the western boreal forest

Understanding the factors that drive species distributions is emerging as an important tool in wildlife management, under unprecedented changes in species ranges. While invasion ecologists have long studied the impact of human land use on species’ distributions, and models developed more recently to explain changes in species range boundaries have been largely parameterized by climate variables, few authors have considered climate and land-use factors together to explain species distribution. The purpose of this study was to test two main competing hypotheses involving human land use and climate effects on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) distribution, which has expanded into the boreal ecosystem in recent decades. Using a species distribution modeling approach with data from boreal Alberta, we found that climate, as measured by an index of winter severity, was the most important individual factor determining current white-tailed deer distribution in boreal Alberta. Human land.
The Contribution of Within-Field Inoculum Sources of Gibberella zeae to Fusarium Head Blight in Winter Wheat and Barley

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most economically important diseases of small grains and continues to impact crops when environmental conditions are favorable to Gibberella zeae (Fusarium graminearum), the causal agent of the disease. Corn residues are considered to be primary sources of inoculum for epidemics of FHB. Therefore, knowledge of the movement of Gibberella zeae from a local source of infested corn residue is critical to the management of FHB in wheat and barley. Previous research made significant progress in defining the spatial dissemination of inoculum sources of G. zeae within agricultural fields, but was unable to clearly distinguish between within-field and background sources. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism, released clones of G. zeae were tracked within wheat and barley fields. This strategy allowed the distinction between the contributions of released clones to FHB, compared to that of background inocula. Corn residue infested with clones of G. zeae was placed into small replicated plots in winter wheat fields in New York and Virginia in 2007 and 2008 and wheat spikes were collected at 0, 3, 6, and ≥24 m from the inoculum sources. Recovery of released clones decreased an average of 90% between 3 and 6 m from inoculum sources. Various amounts of corn residue infested with a single clone of G. zeae were placed into small replicated plots in winter wheat and barley fields in Virginia from 2008 to 2010. The use of minimal or conventional tillage and a moderately resistant cultivar of
Predictors of Blood Pressure and Lipids Levels Among African Americans

Predictors of Blood Pressure and Lipid Levels Among African Americans by Frank Baah Lanor MA, Webster University, 2004 Diploma, The Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK, 1998 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Public Health Walden University August 2018
Histological, Histochemical and Morphometric Changes of Splenic Melanomacrophage Centers (Smmcs) in Sparicotyle-Infected Cultured Sea Breams (Sparus aurata)

Diseases caused by parasites are much more frequently described in cultured fish, which suffer from artificial conditions and numerous stress factors. This study investigates the histological, histochemical and morphometric modifications of splenic melanomacrophage centers (SMMCs) infected by Sparicotyle chrisophrii (Monogenea, ectoparasite of the gills) in sea breams (Sparus aurata), cultured in floating cages in the Gulf of Gaeta (Italy). Infected fish swam near the water surface, showing severe signs of anemia. Several spleens were collected from both healthy and dead fish (70–100 gr. body weight). A spleen histopathology was evaluated by using traditional stainings, such as Haematoxylin and Eosin (HE), Periodic Acid-Schiff reaction (PAS), Perl's reaction for haemosiderin and Schmorl's reaction for lipofuscins. Furthermore, SMMCs morphometry was performed on PAS-stained sections to study 7 morphometric parameters [Mean SMMCs profile area (MPA), Mean SMMCs maximum diameter (Media), Mean SMMCs minimum diameter (media), Mean SMMCs diameter (Dia), Mean SMMCs Perimeter (P), Mean SMMCs Form Factor (FF) and Mean SMMCs number per square millimeter of spleen tissue (MN)]. A light microscope of HE stained sections of spleen revealed a dramatic increase in the size and number of SMMCs in parasitized animals. Morphometric data illustrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) of all studied parameters between healthy and diseased fish. This study emphasizes the importance of using histopathological investigations to unravel the complex biological host/parasite interaction, which results in systemic lesions affecting reared marine species.
Masters Thesis: Enhancement of Conventional IPC Decoupling by Inclusion of an Azimuth Offset

Wind turbine technology has become one of the most attractive solutions to generate electricity as well as to cope with the global carbon emissions. Having a prospective future in terms of growing worldwide demands, it becomes more important to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) of the wind turbine which is generally done by manufacturing the structure, such as the rotor blades and tower, larger. Consequently, this so-called upscaling strategy introduces a drawback in terms of more severe fatigue loadings at both the rotating and fixed components, for example due to wind shear effect, turbulence, and tower shadow, if not dealt with properly. Fortunately, a solution from the control engineering field, namely Individual Pitch Control (IPC), emerged in response to this challenge. The idea is to rotate the pitch angle of the blades individually depending on the measured loads, normally from the corresponding blade roots. Conventional IPC incorporates the Multi-Blade Coordinate (MBC) transformation which transforms the individual blade load signals from the rotating into the non-rotating reference frame; resulting in the decoupled signals of tilt and yaw axes. This enables the design of Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers that generate pitch actions at these channels; followed by the reverse coordinate transformation such that the individual pitch actions can be implemented. In reality, however, there are interactions between the tilt and yaw axes, which can be coped with by inclusion of a constant azimuth offset into the reverse MBC transformation. Although the straightforward technique is widely practiced in the literature, no validation on this offset and how it affects the cross-coupling prevail whatsoever. Recently in the literature, an analysis of a wind turbine model with the inclusion of the MBC transformation in the frequency domain revealed the existence of tilt-yaw axes crosscoupling to some extents which invalidates the SISO control system design; confirming that the problem should be treated in the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) control framework. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to enhance the decoupling by the aforementioned azimuth offset inclusion in which SISO control system design can be made possible. In this study, an extension of the above-mentioned frequency domain analysis was done by including the azimuth offset. Having successfully shown considerable changes in terms of system’s gain, the investigation was continued by using both the linearized and nonlinear NREL Master of Science Thesis Atindriyo Kusumo Pamososuryo
PLANT DEFENSE THEORY PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO INTERACTIONS INVOLVING INBRED PLANTS AND INSECT HERBIVORES

Inbreeding in the form of self-fertilization is widespread among plants and typically results in broad, detrimental changes in plant morphology and physiology. Phenotypic changes associated with inbreeding are likely to alter interactions between inbred plants and other organisms, but few studies have investigated this potential. We found that inbreeding in the entire-leaf morning glory, Ipomoea hederacea var. integriuscula, altered this plant's ability to resist and tolerate attack by insect herbivores. The effects of inbreeding on plant defense, however, varied among insect species, and plant defense theory helped explain this variation. If the effects of inbreeding on plant phenotype are analogous to those of environmental stresses, then the plant vigor hypothesis predicts specialist herbivores will perform better on outbred plants, and the plant stress hypothesis predicts that generalist herbivores will perform better on inbred plants. We conducted a series of greenhouse experiments in which we reared.