Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity, phylogeny, and bathymetric zonation of Sirsoe (Annelida: Hesionidae) from colonization experiments in the South China Sea, with the description of three new species

Abstract The South China Sea (SCS) basin is hypothesized to host distinct and bathymetrically differentiated fauna due to its semi‐enclosed basin and three‐layer circulation system. To test this hypothesis, three cow falls are artificially deployed at separate depths (655, 1604, and 3402 m) on Zhongnan seamount in the middle SCS, and the associated worms, Sirsoe spp. are selected as targets to explore their diversity, phylogeny, and zonation pattern. Analyses of collected specimens reveal three new Sirsoe species, which were then nominally described and named as S. polita sp. nov. (655 m), S. nanhaiensis sp. nov. (1604 and 3402 m), and S. feitiana sp. nov. (3402 m), and one known species (S. balaenophila lineage II). Metabarcoding analyses on cow‐fall sediments reveal seven additional Operated Taxonomic Units (OTUs) assigned to Sirsoe, increasing the Sirsoe diversity to 10 species/OTUs in the middle SCS. Their distribution along depth shows increasing diversity toward the deeper sites. Phylogenetic inferences recover S. polita closely related to S. alucia from the Southwest Atlantic, forming a lineage deeply divergent from others. The nine deep‐water species/OTUs are scattered in three distinct lineages showing closer phylogenetic relationships between 1604‐ and 3402‐m counterparts. The lineage formed by S. naihaiensis and S. feitiana is distinct from other non‐SCS congeners both morphologically and genetically. These results suggest multiple independent invasions of Sirsoe to the SCS, a new lineage potentially endemic to the SCS, and a strong zonation pattern related to depth, especially between the shallow (655 m) and the deep (1604 and 3402 m) sites. The semi‐enclosed feature combined with the physical structure of the SCS may contribute to such a pattern. This work is registered in ZooBank under: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:317771C8‐42D717‐4765‐A168‐B3BE99B09FBF.
Vitiligo and Metabolic Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with various skin conditions including vitiligo. However, the association between these 2 conditions has yet to be determined by quantitative meta-analysis. Objective The aim of this paper was to determine the association between vitiligo and metabolic syndrome via systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science was performed for all published literature prior to August 16, 2020. Case control and prospective cross-sectional studies analyzing the association between vitiligo and MetS were included in this review. The primary outcome measures include the type of vitiligo, diagnostic criteria for MetS, components of MetS (waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting glycemic index, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and BMI. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence and association of MetS in patients with vitiligo. Results A total of 6 studies (n=734 participants) meeting eligibility criteria were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of MetS in patients with vitiligo was (0.296, 95% CI 0.206, 0.386; P<.001). Patients with vitiligo were no more likely to develop MetS compared to control patients (odds ratio 1.66, 95% CI 0.83, 3.33; P=.01). A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed a significant association between MetS and vitiligo (P<.001). Significant elevations in fasting glycemic index (mean difference 5.35, 95% CI 2.77, 7.93; P<.001) and diastolic blood pressure (mean difference 1.97, 95% CI 0.02, 3.92; P=.05) were observed in patients with vitiligo compared to control patients. Conclusions The association between vitiligo and metabolic syndrome carries important clinical implications. Dermatologists and other multidisciplinary team members should remain vigilant when treating this patient population in order to prevent serious cardiovascular complications that may arise as a result of metabolic disease.
Predictors of Academic Success in Students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Considering that academic success is one of the most important topics for medical sciences schools and faculty members, this study was conducted to determine the predictors of academic success in students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 542 students of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The sampling method was stratified at random. The socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, Multiple Intelligences Profiling Questionnaire (MIPQ), College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES), Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ-85-PART2), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 16 software. The General Linear Model (GLM) was used to determine the predictors of academic success. Results: According to the Pearson correlation test, there was a significant positive correlation between academic grade point average (GPA) and social support (r=0.10, P=0.048), academic self-efficacy (r=0.36, P<0.001) and there was a significant negative relationship between GPA and total mental health score (r=-0.14; P=0.003) and its subdomains including anxiety (r=-0.10, P= 0.027), depression (r = -0.15, P = 0.002), and social dysfunction (r=-0.12; P=0.010). According to GLM, the variables of academic self-efficacy, and level of education were among the predictors of academic success, so the GPA increased significantly with academic self-efficacy (β:0.02, P<0.001). The GPA was greater in bachelor's students than in professional doctorate students (β:0.76, P<0.001). The signiﬁcance level was considered at P<0.05. Conclusion: Due to the significant relationship between academic self-efficacy, and educational level with academic success, the promotion of self-efficacy is necessary for all students of all educational levels.
Regional variation in climate change alters the range‐wide distribution of colour polymorphism in a wild bird

Abstract According to Gloger's rule, animal colouration is expected to be darker in wetter and warmer climates. Such environmental clines are predicted to occur in colour polymorphic species and to be shaped by selection if colour morphs represent adaptations to different environments. We studied if the distribution of the colour polymorphic tawny owl (Strix aluco) morphs (a pheomelanic brown and a pale grey) across Europe follow the predictions of Gloger's rule and if there is a temporal change in the geographical patterns corresponding to regional variations in climate change. We used data on tawny owl museum skin specimen collections. First, we investigated long‐term spatiotemporal variation in the probability of observing the colour morphs in different climate zones. Second, we studied if the probability of observing the colour morphs was associated with general climatic conditions. Third, we studied if weather fluctuations prior to the finding year of an owl explain colour morph in each climate zone. The brown tawny owl morph was historically more common than the grey morph in every studied climate zone. Over time, the brown morph has become rarer in the temperate and Mediterranean zone, whereas it has first become rarer but then again more common in the boreal zone. Based on general climatic conditions, winter and summer temperatures were positively and negatively associated with the proportion of brown morph, respectively. Winter precipitation was negatively associated with the proportion of brown morph. The effects of 5‐year means of weather on the probability to observe a brown morph differed between climate zones, indicating region‐dependent effect of climate change and weather on tawny owl colouration. To conclude, tawny owl colouration does not explicitly follow Gloger's rule, implying a time and space‐dependent complex system shaped by many factors. We provide novel insights into how the geographic distribution of pheomelanin‐based colour polymorphism is changing.
Assessing the effects of prenatal poly-drug exposure on fetal brain vasculature using optical coherence angiography

Abstract. Significance Maternal exposure to drugs during pregnancy is known to have detrimental effects on the fetus. Alcohol (ethanol) and nicotine are two of the most commonly co-abused substances during pregnancy, and prenatal poly-drug exposure is common due, in part, to the prevalence of unplanned pregnancies. The second trimester is a critical period for fetal neurogenesis and angiogenesis. When drug exposure occurs during this time, fetal brain development is affected. Several behavioral, morphological, and functional studies have evaluated the changes in fetal brain development due to exposure to these drugs individually. However, research on the combined effects of ethanol and nicotine is far more limited, specifically on fetal vasculature changes and development. Aim We use correlation mapping optical coherence angiography (cm-OCA) to evaluate acute changes in fetal brain vasculature caused by maternal exposure to a combination of ethanol and nicotine. Approach Ethanol (16.6% v/v, at a dose of 0.75g / kg) and nicotine (at a dose of 0.1 mg / kg) were administered to pregnant mice after initial cm-OCA measurements in utero. Subsequent measurements were taken at 5-min intervals for a total period of 45 min. Results from these experiments were compared to results from our previous studies in which the mother was exposed to only ethanol (dose: 0.75 g / kg) or nicotine (dose: 0.1 mg / kg). Results While results from exposure to ethanol or nicotine independently showed vasoconstriction, no significant change in vasculature was observed with combined exposure. Conclusion Results suggested antagonistic effects of ethanol and nicotine on fetal brain vasculature.
Pan-European study of genotypes and phenotypes in the Arabidopsis relative Cardamine hirsuta reveals how adaptation, demography, and development shape diversity patterns

We study natural DNA polymorphisms and associated phenotypes in the Arabidopsis relative Cardamine hirsuta. We observed strong genetic differentiation among several ancestry groups and broader distribution of Iberian relict strains in European C. hirsuta compared to Arabidopsis. We found synchronization between vegetative and reproductive development and a pervasive role for heterochronic pathways in shaping C. hirsuta natural variation. A single, fast-cycling ChFRIGIDA allele evolved adaptively allowing range expansion from glacial refugia, unlike Arabidopsis where multiple FRIGIDA haplotypes were involved. The Azores islands, where Arabidopsis is scarce, are a hotspot for C. hirsuta diversity. We identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) in the heterochronic SPL9 transcription factor as a determinant of an Azorean morphotype. This QTL shows evidence for positive selection, and its distribution mirrors a climate gradient that broadly shaped the Azorean flora. Overall, we establish a framework to explore how the interplay of adaptation, demography, and development shaped diversity patterns of 2 related plant species.
Comparison of the Effect of Teaching Methods of Flipped Class and TBL in Enhancing Psychological Empowerment

Introduction: Today, it is felt as necessary to promote the psychological empowerment of individuals, especially at the postgraduate level using an appropriate educational approach. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of flipped class (FC) and team-based learning (TBL) in enhancing psychological empowerment. Methods: This semi-experimental study (pretest-posttest model) was conducted on postgraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine. Ninety students were included in the study using census method. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, forty students were divided into two groups of 20 in a non-random way according to their gender and educational level. The workshop teacher randomly selected one of the groups as a TBL and the other as an FC. A two-day workshop was held for each group (12 hours of training in total). The educational method was TBL in one group and FC in another. Spritzer’s Psychological Empowerment questionnaire was used for data collection in pre- and post-test (one month apart). This questionnaire includes 12 questions (based on a five-point Likert scale) to assess the 4 aspects of job meaningfulness, feeling to be qualified, feeling to be effective, and feeling to have the freedom of choice. The minimum and maximum scores are 12 and 60, respectively. The experts of the field have confirmed its reliability. Its Cronbach-Alpha values were reported in previous studies at 0.86 and 0.89, respectively. Data were analyzed using statistical tests in SPSS16 and Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney non-parametric tests. Results: The Mann-Whitney U-test indicated no significant difference between the total mean of the two groups (FC: 35.20±1.73, TBL: 34.30±1.26) in the pre-test (P=0.157). However, there was a significant difference between the psychological empowerment scores of the two groups in the post-test (P<0.001). The Wilcoxon test showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores for each group (P<0.05) and the psychological empowerment scores increased in the post-test for the two groups. However, the mean of post-test score in the TBL group (M: 42.55±1.82, P<0.001) was higher than the FC group (M: 38.45±2.64, P>0.001). Conclusion: Due to the influence of the TBL technique on psychological empowerment at the postgraduate level, it seems that TBL is more useful and practical for enhancing psychological empowerment.
Spin in Abstracts of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of Melanoma Therapies: Cross-sectional Analysis

Background Spin is defined as the misrepresentation of a study’s results, which may lead to misperceptions or misinterpretation of the findings. Spin has previously been found in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of acne vulgaris treatments and treatments of various nondermatological conditions. Objective The purpose of this study was to quantify the presence of spin in abstracts of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of melanoma therapies and identify any related secondary characteristics of these articles. Methods We used a cross-sectional approach on June 2, 2020, to search the MEDLINE and Embase databases from their inception. To meet inclusion criteria, a study was required to be a systematic review or meta-analysis pertaining to the treatment of melanoma in human subjects, and reported in English. We used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) definition of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Data were extracted in a masked, duplicate fashion. We conducted a powered bivariate linear regression and calculated odds ratios for each study characteristic. Results A total of 200 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. We identified spin in 38% (n=76) of the abstracts. The most common type of spin found was type 3 (selective reporting of or overemphasis on efficacy outcomes or analysis favoring the beneficial effect of the experimental intervention), occurring 40 times; the least common was type 2 (title claims or suggests a beneficial effect of the experimental intervention not supported by the findings), which was not present in any included abstracts. We found that abstracts pertaining to pharmacologic interventions were 3.84 times more likely to contain spin. The likelihood of an article containing spin has decreased annually (adjusted odds ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.99). No significant correlation between funding source or other study characteristics and the presence of spin was identified. Conclusions We have found that spin is fairly common in the abstracts of systematic reviews of melanoma treatments, but the prevalence of spin in these abstracts has been declining from 1992-2020.
Isolated abnormal diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (iso↓DLco) is associated with increased respiratory symptom burden in people with HIV infection

Objectives An isolated reduction in the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco; iso↓DLco) is one of the most common pulmonary function test (PFT) abnormalities in people living with HIV (PWH), but its clinical implications are incompletely understood. In this study, we explored whether iso↓DLco in PWH is associated with a greater respiratory symptom burden. Study design Cross-sectional analysis Methods We used ATS/ERS compliant PFTs from PWH with normal spirometry (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ≥0.7; FEV1, FVC ≥80% predicted) from the I AM OLD cohort in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, grouped by DLco categorized as normal (DLco ≥lower limit of normal, LLN), mild iso↓DLco (LLN >DLco >60% predicted), and moderate-severe iso↓DLco (DLco ≤60% predicted). We performed multivariable analyses to test for associations between DLco and validated symptom-severity and quality of life questionnaires, including the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), as well as between DLco and individual CAT symptoms. Results Mild iso↓DLco was associated only with a significantly higher SGRQ score. Moderate-severe iso↓DLco was associated with significantly higher odds of mMRC ≥2 and significantly higher CAT and SGRQ scores. PWH with moderate-severe iso↓DLco had increased odds of breathlessness, decreased activity, lower confidence leaving home, and less energy. Conclusions Iso↓DLco is associated with worse respiratory symptom scores, and this association becomes stronger with worsening DLco, suggesting that impaired gas exchange alone has a significant negative impact on the quality of life in PWH. Additional studies are ongoing to understand the etiology of this finding and design appropriate interventions.
Complexity in nominal plural allomorphy - a contrastive survey of ten Germanic languages

We investigate the complexity of nominal plural allomorphy in ten Germanic languages from a contrastive and diachronic perspective. Focusing on one language family allows us to develop multidimensional criteria to measure morphological complexity and to compare different diachronical drifts. We introduce a three-step complexity metric, involving (1) a quantitative step, (2) a qualitative step, and (3) a validation step comparing the results from step (1) and (2) to actual language use. In this article, we apply the method’s two first steps to the plural allomorphy of our sample languages. Our criteria include for (1) the number of allomorphs and for (2) iconicity in form-meaning relationship, the basis of allomorph assignment, and the direction of determination between stem and suffix. Our approach reveals Faroese as the most complex language and English as the simplest one.
Fundamental limits in structured principal component analysis and how to reach them

Significance The assumption of unstructured “noise,” i.e., that the complement of what is considered an interesting “signal” in a certain dataset is pure randomness, has pervaded analytical studies in high-dimensional inference. However, this hypothesis is often too simplistic to capture realistic scenarios. We thus need to understand the role of the noise structure, namely the presence of correlations within it. We address this problem in spiked matrix models and provide characterization of the information-theoretic limits to inference. We also propose a message-passing algorithm which is observed through simulations to saturate these limits by optimally capturing the noise statistical dependencies. The resulting picture shows that both signal and noise structure should be exploited by algorithms in order to produce better signal estimation.
On hadamard differentiability and m-estimation in linear models

Robust (M-) estimation in linear models generally involves statistical functional processes. For drawing statistical conclusions (in large samples), some (uniform) linear approximations are usually needed for such functionals. In this context, the role of Hadamard differentiability is critically examined in this dissertation. In particular, the concept of the second-order Hadamard differenti-ability and some related theoretical results are established for the study of the convergence rate in probability of the uniform asymptotic linearity of the M-estimator of regression. Thereby, using Hadamard differentiability through the linear approximation of the estimator, the asymptotic normality, the weak consistency and an asymptotic representation are derived under the weak conditions on the score function t/J, the underlying d.f. F, and the regreSSIOn constants. Some other approaches are also considered for the study of the asymptotic normality and the weak consistency, and these approaches lead to two sets of conditions for the strong consistency of the M-estimators in linear models.
Metabolic and renal outcomes of empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending Armed Forces Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To explore the effects of empagliflozin (25 mg) on metabolic and renal parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This retrospective observational comparative study was conducted at a military hospital in southern Saudi Arabia. All adults (aged >18 years) with T2DM who attended diabetic clinics between October 2021 to March 2022 (6 months), with or without insulin treatment, were eligible for inclusion in the study. Results: Following the initiation of empagliflozin treatment, statistically significant reductions in patient weight (kg) were observed at 1, 3-5, and 6 months. In addition, low-density lipoprotein levels significantly decreased 3-5 months post-treatment initiation (p=0.011). However, serum creatinine level decreased gradually with time during the treatment with empagliflozin, from 87.45±31.78 (0.105) to 78.39±27.43 (0.033). Furthermore, after empagliflozin treatment, the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio significantly decreased at 3-5 and 6 months. Moreover, HbA1c levels exhibited statistically significant decreases at 3-5 months (p<0.001) and at 6 months (p<0.001) following the initiation of empagliflozin treatment. Notably, systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly reduced 6 months after empagliflozin treatment. Conclusion: In the current study, empagliflozin has demonstrated efficacy in controlling blood pressure and body weight, and improving renal function, short-term dyslipidemia, and glycemic control in patients with T2DM.