Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated (FTO) Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Physical Activity, Food Intake, Eating Behaviors, Psychological Health, and Modeled Change in Body Mass Index in Overweight/Obese Caucasian Adults

The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is currently recognized as the most robust predictor of polygenic obesity. We investigated associations between the FTO rs1421085 and rs17817449 polymorphisms and the FTO rs1421085–rs17817449 haplotype and dietary intake, eating behavior, physical activity, and psychological health, as well as the effect of these associations on BMI. N = 133 treatment seeking overweight/obese Caucasian adults participated in this study. Genotyping was performed from whole blood samples. Weight and height was measured and a non-quantified food frequency questionnaire was completed to assess food group intake. Validated questionnaires were completed to assess physical activity (Baecke questionnaire), psychological health (General Health questionnaire, Rosenburg self-esteem scale and Beck Depression Inventory), and eating behavior (Three Factor Eating questionnaire). The risk alleles of the FTO polymorphisms were associated with poorer eating behaviors (higher hunger, internal locus for hunger, and emotional disinhibition scores), a higher intake of high fat foods and refined starches and more depressive symptoms. The modeled results indicate that interactions between the FTO polymorphisms or haplotypes and eating behavior, psychological health, and physical activity levels may be associated with BMI. The clinical significance of these results for implementation as part of weight management interventions needs further investigation.
PIN tuned phase-gradient-metasurface transmitarray for beam steering application

This work presents a study of a PIN tuned active phase gradient metasurface to be used for beam-steering application. The unit cell of the active metasurface consists of square-loop slot loaded with PIN diodes. The phase difference between the unit cells of the metasurface is generated by different position of the PIN diodes welded in the unit cell. And the refractive beam angle of the metasurface can be tuned by changing the state of the PIN diodes. The active metasurface is designed at S band and the effectiveness of the design is validated by numerical simulation.
A simultaneous two-level clustering algorithm for automatic model selection

One of the most crucial questions in many real-world cluster applications is determining a suitable number of clusters, also known as the model selection problem. Determining the optimum number of clusters is an ill posed problem for which there is no simple way of knowing that number without a priori knowledge. In this paper we propose a new two-level clustering algorithm based on self organizing map, called S2L-SOM, which allows an automatic determination of the number of clusters during learning. Estimating true numbers of clusters is related to the cluster stability which involved the validity of clusters generated by the learning algorithm. To measure this stability we use the sub-sampling method. The great advantage of our proposed algorithm, compared to the common partitional clustering methods, is that it is not restricted to convex clusters but can recognize arbitrarily shaped clusters. The validity of this algorithm is superior to standard two-level clustering methods such as SOM+k-means and SOM+Hierarchical agglomerative clustering. This is demonstrated on a set of critical clustering problems.
Teacher Morale, Job Satisfaction and Motivation

Introduction PART ONE: CONCEPTS AND CONTEXTS Job Satisfaction Morale Motivation The Research Design PART TWO: TEACHERS' WORKING LIVES A 'Low Morale' School? Rockville County Primary Voices Crying in the Wilderness? Dissatisfaction and Unfulfilment amongst 'Extended' Professionals Keeping on Your Toes Job Fulfilment and High Morale through Challenge Keeping the Job in Perspective The Leadership Factor What Makes Teachers Tick? What Makes Teachers Cross? Completing the Picture PART THREE: POLICY IMPLICATIONS Getting the Best out of Teachers Implications for School-Level Management The Wider Picture Addressing Key Policy Issues
Presenilin Attenuates Receptor-Mediated Signaling and Synaptic Function

Presenilin (PS) plays an essential role in intramembranous γ-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and several membrane-bound proteins. Here we report that selective accumulation of a membrane-tethered deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) derivative (DCC-α) correlates with extensive neurite outgrowth in transfected neuroblastoma cells and axodendritic connectivity associated with increased spine density in cortical neurons derived from PS1-/- embryos, as well as wild-type neurons treated with γ-secretase inhibitors. cAMP-dependent signaling was also increased in both the neuroblastoma and cortical neuron systems. As a physiological consequence of increases in axodendritic connectivity and in the magnitude of cAMP-dependent signaling, short- and long-term glutamatergic synaptic transmission was enhanced in PS-deficient neurons. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time that PS-mediated γ-secretase activity attenuates receptor-mediated intracellular signaling pathways that are critical in regulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission and memory processes.
Separation of dendritic and T cells using electrowetting and dielectrophoresis

The research of immune cells is fundamental to many biological studies. Dendritic cells have the ability to induce a primary immune response in resting naive T cells. The aim of this work is to separate the activated T cells from dendritic cells on a digital microfluidic device where droplets are driven by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD). The cells suspended in EWOD-driven droplets are separated and concentrated using a high frequency electric signal which generates non-uniform electric fields and dielectrophoresis (DEP) forces exerting on dendritic cells and T cells. Separation and concentration of dendritic cells and T cells are demonstrated in a droplet using EWOD and DEP.
DNA Polymerase ζ-Dependent Lesion Bypass in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Is Accompanied by Error-Prone Copying of Long Stretches of Adjacent DNA

Translesion synthesis (TLS) helps cells to accomplish chromosomal replication in the presence of unrepaired DNA lesions. In eukaryotes, the bypass of most lesions involves a nucleotide insertion opposite the lesion by either a replicative or a specialized DNA polymerase, followed by extension of the resulting distorted primer terminus by DNA polymerase ζ (Polζ). The subsequent events leading to disengagement of the error-prone Polζ from the primer terminus and its replacement with an accurate replicative DNA polymerase remain largely unknown. As a first step toward understanding these events, we aimed to determine the length of DNA stretches synthesized in an error-prone manner during the Polζ-dependent lesion bypass. We developed new in vivo assays to identify the products of mutagenic TLS through a plasmid-borne tetrahydrofuran lesion and a UV-induced chromosomal lesion. We then surveyed the region downstream of the lesion site (in respect to the direction of TLS) for the presence of mutations indicative of an error-prone polymerase activity. The bypass of both lesions was associated with an approximately 300,000-fold increase in the mutation rate in the adjacent DNA segment, in comparison to the mutation rate during normal replication. The hypermutated tract extended 200 bp from the lesion in the plasmid-based assay and as far as 1 kb from the lesion in the chromosome-based assay. The mutation rate in this region was similar to the rate of errors produced by purified Polζ during copying of undamaged DNA in vitro. Further, no mutations downstream of the lesion were observed in rare TLS products recovered from Polζ-deficient cells. This led us to conclude that error-prone Polζ synthesis continues for several hundred nucleotides after the lesion bypass is completed. These results provide insight into the late steps of TLS and show that error-prone TLS tracts span a substantially larger region than previously appreciated.
The Burden of Mucosal Barrier Injury Laboratory-Confirmed Bloodstream Infection among Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Objective To evaluate the impact and burden of the new National Healthcare Safety Network surveillance definition, mucosal barrier injury laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (MBI-LCBI), in hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant populations. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Two hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant units at a large academic medical center. Methods Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) identified during a 14-month period were reviewed and classified as MBI-LCBI or non-MBI-LCBI (MBI-LCBI criteria not met). During this period, interventions to improve central line maintenance were implemented. Characteristics of patients with MBI-LCBI and non-MBI-LCBI were compared. Total CLABSI, MBI-LCBI, and non-MBI-LCBI rates were compared between baseline and postintervention phases of the study period. Results Among 66 total CLABSI cases, 47 (71%) met MBI-LCBI criteria. Patients with MBI-LCBI and non-MBI-LCBI were similar in regard to most clinical and demographic characteristics. Between the baseline and postintervention study periods, the overall CLABSI rate decreased from 3.37 to 3.21 infections per 1,000 line-days (incidence rate ratio, 0.95; 4.7% reduction, P=.84), the MBI-LCBI rate increased from 2.08 to 2.61 infections per 1,000 line-days (incidence rate ratio, 1.25; 25.3% increase, P=.44), and the non-MBI-LCBI rate decreased from 1.29 to 0.60 infections per 1,000 line-days (incidence rate ratio, 0.47; 53.3% reduction, P=.12). Conclusions Most CLABSIs identified among hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant patients met MBI-LCBI criteria, and CLABSI prevention efforts did not reduce these infections. Further review of the MBI-LCBI definition and impact is necessary to direct future definition changes and reporting mandates. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0): 1–6
Accuracy of Programs for the Determination of Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles from Next-Generation Sequencing Data

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes code for proteins that play a central role in the function of the immune system by presenting peptide antigens to T cells. As HLA genes show extremely high genetic polymorphism, HLA typing at the allele level is demanding and is based on DNA sequencing. Determination of HLA alleles is warranted as HLA alleles are major genetic risk factors in autoimmune diseases and are matched in transplantation. Here, we compared the accuracy of several published HLA-typing algorithms that are based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. As genome sequencing is becoming increasingly common in research, we wanted to test how well HLA alleles can be deduced from genome data produced in studies with objectives other than HLA typing and in platforms not especially designed for HLA typing. The accuracies were assessed using datasets consisting of NGS data produced using an in-house sequencing platform, including the full 4 Mbp HLA segment, from 94 stem cell transplantation patients and exome sequences from 63 samples of the 1000 Genomes collection. In the patient dataset, none of the software gave perfect results for all the samples and genes when programs were used with the default settings. However, we found that ensemble prediction of the results or modifications of the settings could be used to improve accuracy. For the exome-only data, most of the algorithms did not perform very well. The results indicate that the use of these algorithms for accurate HLA allele determination is not straightforward when based on NGS data not especially targeted to the HLA typing and their accurate use requires HLA expertise.
Homozygosity mapping in autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa families detects novel mutations

Purpose Autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) is a genetically heterogeneous disease resulting in progressive loss of photoreceptors that leads to blindness. To date, 36 genes are known to cause arRP, rendering the molecular diagnosis a challenge. The aim of this study was to use homozygosity mapping to identify the causative mutation in a series of inbred families with arRP. Methods arRP patients underwent standard ophthalmic examination, Goldman perimetry, fundus examination, retinal OCT, autofluorescence measurement, and full-field electroretinogram. Fifteen consanguineous families with arRP excluded for USH2A and EYS were genotyped on 250 K SNP arrays. Homozygous regions were listed, and known genes within these regions were PCR sequenced. Familial segregation and mutation analyzes were performed. Results We found ten mutations, seven of which were novel mutations in eight known genes, including RP1, IMPG2, NR2E3, PDE6A, PDE6B, RLBP1, CNGB1, and C2ORF71, in ten out of 15 families. The patients carrying RP1, C2ORF71, and IMPG2 mutations presented with severe RP, while those with PDE6A, PDE6B, and CNGB1 mutations were less severely affected. The five families without mutations in known genes could be a source of identification of novel genes. Conclusions Homozygosity mapping combined with systematic screening of known genes results in a positive molecular diagnosis in 66.7% of families.
An efficient data-driven tissue deformation model

In this paper we present an efficient data-driven tissue deformation model. The work originates in process automation within the pig meat processing industry. In the development of tools for automating accurate cuts, knowledge on tissue deformation is of great value. The model is built from empirical data; 10 pig carcasses are subjected to deformation from a controlled source imitating the cutting tool. The tissue deformation is quantified by means of steel markers inserted into the carcass as a three-dimensional lattice. For each subject marker displacements are monitored through two consecutive computed tomography images - before and after deformation; tracing corresponding markers provides accurate information on the tissue deformation. To enable modelling of the observed deformations, the displacements are parameterised applying methods from point-based registration. The parameterisation is based on compactly supported radial basis functions, expressing the displacements by parameter sets comparable between subjects. For modelling the tissue deformation, principal component analysis is applied, treating each of the parameter sets as an observation. Using leave-one-out cross-validation, marker displacements are estimated in all subjects from the mean parameters. This yields an absolute error with mean 1.41 mm. The observed lateral movement of the loin muscle is analysed in relation to the principal modes, and the results are compared to manual measurements of carcass composition. We find an association between the first principal mode and the lateral movement. Furthermore, there is a link between this and the ratio of meat-fat quantity - a potentially very useful finding since existing tools for carcass grading and sorting measure equivalent quantities.
The relationship between autobiographical memory and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Previous research has shown that people who are depressed, have recently attempted suicide or experienced childhood sexual abuse have difficulties recalling specific autobiographical events from memory. This overgeneral memory bias has been found for both negative and positive events and has been found to be a maladaptive cognitive style. The present study is an investigation of autobiographical memory retrieval in people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, a disorder which has para-suicidal behaviour as one of its diagnostic criterion. The BPD group (n = 23) was compared with a control group (n = 23) on i) a measure for autobiographical memory retrieval, ii) various measures of mood, iii) a dissociative experiences scale and iv) frequency of para-suicidal incidents. In line with hypotheses, results indicated that the subject group produced significantly more overgeneral autobiographical memories than the control group. This memory bias remained for positive and negative events when depression was statistically controlled. No differences were found between the two groups on autobiographical memory for neutral events when depression was statistically controlled. Analysis indicated that dissociation positively correlated with overgeneral autobiographical memory and that both depression and anxiety correlated with selfharm. A trend was also found between overgeneral autobiographical memory and self-harm, suggesting that overgeneral memory may function as a defence mechanism, protecting individuals from self-harrrýing behaviour. These results are discussed in relation to the current theories of autobiographical memory and the nature of dissociation in memory disturbance. The importance of assessing Axis I disorders and targeting of mood in clinical practice, to decrease self-harm, is highlighted. The study also highlights the heterogeneous nature of Borderline Personality Disorder. The implications for clinical practice are discussed and guidelines for further research are outlined.
The key feature for early migratory processes

Migration of cells is one of the most essential prerequisites to form higher organisms and depends on a strongly coordinated sequence of processes. Early migratory events include substrate sensing, adhesion formation, actin bundle assembly and force generation. While substrate sensing was ascribed to filopodia, all other processes were believed to depend mainly on lamellipodia of migrating cells. In this work we show for motile keratinocytes that all processes from substrate sensing to force generation strongly depend on filopodial focal complexes as well as on filopodial actin bundles. In a coordinated step by step process filopodial focal complexes have to be tightly adhered to the substrate and to filopodial actin bundles to enlarge upon lamellipodial contact forming classical focal adhesions. Lamellipodial actin filaments attached to those focal adhesions originate from filopodia. Upon cell progression, the incorporation of filopodial actin bundles into the lamellipodium goes along with a complete change in actin cross-linker composition from filopodial fascin to lamellipodial α-actinin. α-Actinin in turn is replaced by myosin II and becomes incorporated directly behind the leading edge. Myosin II activity makes this class of actin bundles with their attached FAs the major source of force generation and transmission at the cell front. Furthermore, connection of FAs to force generating actin bundles leads to their stabilization and further enlargement. Consequently, adhesion sites formed independently of filopodia are not connected to detectable actin bundles, transmit weak forces to the substrate and disassemble within a few minutes without having been increased in size.
The Clinical and Economic Consequences of Nosocomial Central Venous Catheter-Related Infection: Are Antimicrobial Catheters Useful?

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are essential for many hospitalized patients, but they are associated with important infectious complications. Recent studies have indicated that CVCs coated with antimicrobial agents reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR BSI). To estimate the clinical and economic consequences of short-term central venous catheter-related infection and the potential usefulness of antimicrobial-coated catheters, we reviewed and synthesized the available relevant literature. Statistical pooling was used to estimate the incidence of both catheter colonization and CR BSI. The attributable mortality of CR BSI was also evaluated. In addition, the economic consequences of both local and systemic catheter-related infection was estimated from literature reports that used micro-costing and other techniques. Among patients in whom standard, noncoated CVCs are in place for an average of 8 days, 24.7% are expected to develop catheter colonization (95% confidence interval [CI95], 22.0%-27.5%). Approximately 5.2% (CI95 3.9%-6.5%) will develop CR BSI. The attributable mortality of CR BSI remains unclear, but recent studies are consistent with a range from 4% to 20%. An episode of local catheter-related infection leads to an additional cost of approximately $400, whereas the additional cost of CR BSI ranges from approximately $6,005 to $9,738. Formal economic analyses indicate that CVCs coated with antibacterial agents (such as chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine or minocycline-rifampin) likely reduce infectious complications, yielding economic advantages. In light of the substantial clinical and economic burden of catheter-related infection, hospital personnel should adopt proven cost-effective methods to reduce this common and important nosocomial complication.
Protein Kinase Cε Is Required for the Induction of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase-1 in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Macrophages1

LPS induces in bone marrow macrophages the transient expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). Because MKP-1 plays a crucial role in the attenuation of different MAPK cascades, we were interested in the characterization of the signaling mechanisms involved in the control of MKP-1 expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages. The induction of MKP-1 was blocked by genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and by two different protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors (GF109203X and calphostin C). We had previously shown that bone marrow macrophages express the isoforms PKCβI, ε, and ζ. Of all these, only PKCβI and ε are inhibited by GF109203X. The following arguments suggest that PKCε is required selectively for the induction of MKP-1 by LPS. First, in macrophages exposed to prolonged treatment with PMA, MKP-1 induction by LPS correlates with the levels of expression of PKCε but not with that of PKCβI. Second, Gö6976, an inhibitor selective for conventional PKCs, including PKCβI, does not alter MKP-1 induction by LPS. Last, antisense oligonucleotides that block the expression of PKCε, but not those selective for PKCβI or PKCζ, inhibit MKP-1 induction and lead to an increase of extracellular-signal regulated kinase activity during the macrophage response to LPS. Finally, in macrophages stimulated with LPS we observed significant activation of PKCε. In conclusion, our results demonstrate an important role for PKCε in the induction of MKP-1 and the subsequent negative control of MAPK activity in macrophages.