Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three arginine residues in apolipoprotein A-I are critical for activation of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase.

Previous studies have suggested that the helical repeat formed by residues 143;-164 of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) contributes to lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activation. To identify specific polar residues involved in this process, we examined residue conservation and topology of apoA-I from all known species. We observed that the hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface of helix 143;-164 contains a cluster of three strictly conserved arginine residues (R149, R153, and R160), and that these residues create the only significant positive electrostatic potential around apoA-I. To test the importance of R149, R153, and R160 in LCAT activation, we generated a series of mutant proteins. These had fluorescence emission, secondary structure, and lipid-binding properties comparable to those of wild-type apoA-I. Mutation of conserved residues R149, R153, and R160 drastically decreased LCAT activity on lipid-protein complexes, whereas control mutations (E146Q, D150N, D157N, R171Q, and A175R) did not decrease LCAT activity by more than 55%. The markedly decreased activities of mutants R149, R153, and R160 resulted from a decrease in the maximal reaction velocity V(max) because the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant K(m) values were similar for the mutant and wild-type apoA-I proteins. These data suggest that R149, R153, and R160 participate in apoA-I-mediated activation of LCAT, and support the "belt" model for discoidal rHDL. In this model, residues R149, R153, and R160 do not form salt bridges with the antiparallel apoA-I monomer, but instead are pointing toward the surface of the disc, enabling interactions with LCAT. - Roosbeek, S. , B. Vanloo, N. Duverger, H. Caster, J. Breyne, I. De Beun, H. Patel, J. Vandekerckhove, C. Shoulders, M. Rosseneu, and F. Peelman. Three arginine residues in apolipoportein A-I are critical for activation of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 31;-40.
Upright Versus Supine Radiographs of Clavicle Fractures: Does Positioning Matter?

Objectives: To determine whether clavicle fracture displacement and shortening are different between upright and supine radiographic examinations. Design: Combined retrospective and prospective comparative study. Setting: Level I Trauma Center. Patients: Forty-six patients (mean age, 49 years; range, 24–89 years) with an acute clavicle fracture were evaluated. Intervention: Standardized clavicle radiographs were obtained in both supine and upright positions for each patient. Displacement and shortening were measured and compared between the 2 positions. Main Outcomes Measurements: One resident and 3 traumatologists classified the fractures and measured displacement and shortening. Data were aggregated and compared to ensure reliability with a 2-way mixed intraclass correlation. Results: Fracture displacement was significantly greater when measured from upright radiographs (15.9 ± 8.9 mm) than from supine radiographs (8.4 ± 6.6 mm, P < 0.001), representing an 89% increase in displacement with upright positioning. Forty-one percent of patients had greater than 100% displacement on upright but not on supine radiographs. Compared with the uninjured side, 3.0 ± 10.7 mm of shortening was noted on upright radiographs and 1.3 ± 9.5 mm of lengthening on supine radiographs (P < 0.001). The intraclass correlation was 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73–0.89] for OTA fracture classification, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75–0.87) for vertical displacement, and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.88–0.95) for injured clavicle length, demonstrating very high agreement among evaluators. Conclusions: Increased fracture displacement and shortening was observed on upright compared with supine radiographs. This suggests that upright radiographs may better demonstrate clavicle displacement and predict the position at healing if nonoperative treatment is selected.
Realized Volatility Prediction

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to use machine learning and time series models in the context of high frequency trading to forecast stock prices. Method: We analyzed time series models such as ARMA and GARCH, gradient boosting tree model – which is a deep learning model – and machine learning models FFNN and GBM to compare each models’ benefits and drawbacks. To determine the accuracy of each models’ stock forecasting, we calculated the root mean square percentage error (RMSPE). The RMSPE reveals the magnitude of error in relation to the actual values; a lower value is wanted. Results & Conclusion: After evaluating the models against real market data, we found that the machine learning models outperformed the time series models. Machine learning models FFNN, and GBM have an RMSPE of roughly 0.20 and 0.21, respectively, while time series models Garch 1 and 2 had a RMSPE of 0.32 and 0.37, respectively. Therefore, feed-forward neural network and GBM forecast stock prices more accurately than LSTM and time series models. Unsupervised algorithms improve prediction accuracy.
Practices in habilitation of pediatric recipients of cochlear implants in India: A survey

Abstract Introduction Cochlear implant (CI) (re)habilitation programs are long-term processes, with many factors contributing to the overall success. The clinics in India that are working toward pediatric CI habilitation vary in their team philosophy, clinical practices, and service delivery. It is important to explore their clinical perspectives and practices to appreciate their current state and suggest directions for improvement in the future. Objective The objective of the study was to characterize the current status and clinical practices of the pediatric CI programs in India. Methods Twenty-two clinics involved in the pediatric CI habilitation program across India participated in the survey. The heads of the CI teams of the participant clinics completed a validated survey questionnaire containing multiple-choice and open-ended questions on the details of the CI habilitation team, assessment and therapy protocols used, and other related clinical services. The categorical data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical measures. Results and discussion The interpretation of results indicated a need to focus future discussions on early identification and management of hearing impairment, funding for CIs, continuing education programs for professionals, decision processes for providing CIs for children with multiple concerns, choice of language(s) of instruction, assessment protocols used, and outreach/consultation services.
Evaluation of candidate biomarkers to predict cancer cell sensitivity or resistance to PARP-1 inhibitor treatment

Impaired DNA damage response pathways may create vulnerabilities of cancer cells that can be exploited therapeutically. One such selective vulnerability is the sensitivity of BRCA1- or BRCA2-defective tumors (hence defective in DNA repair by homologous recombination, HR) to inhibitors of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), an enzyme critical for repair pathways alternative to HR. While promising, treatment with PARP-1 inhibitors (PARP-1i) faces some hurdles, including (1) acquired resistance, (2) search for other sensitizing, non-BRCA1/2 cancer defects and (3) lack of biomarkers to predict response to PARP-1i. Here we addressed these issues using PARP-1i on 20 human cell lines from carcinomas of the breast, prostate, colon, pancreas and ovary. Aberrations of the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex sensitized cancer cells to PARP-1i, while p53 status was less predictive, even in response to PARP-1i combinations with camptothecin or ionizing radiation. Furthermore, monitoring PARsylation and Rad51 foci formation as surrogate markers for PARP activity and HR, respectively, supported their candidacy for biomarkers of PARP-1i responses. As to resistance mechanisms, we confirmed the role of the multidrug resistance efflux transporters and its reversibility. More importantly, we demonstrated that shRNA lentivirus-mediated depletion of 53BP1 in human BRCA1-mutant breast cancer cells increased their resistance to PARP-1i. Given the preferential loss of 53BP1 in BRCA-defective and triple-negative breast carcinomas, our findings warrant assessment of 53BP1 among candidate predictive biomarkers of response to PARPi. Overall, this study helps characterize genetic and functional determinants of cellular responses to PARP-1i and contributes to the search for biomarkers to exploit PARP inhibitors in cancer therapy.
Axial-spin Technique of Endoscopic Intracorporeal Knot Tying: Comparison With the Conventional Technique and Objective Assessment of Knot Security, Learning Curves, and Performance Efficiency Across Training Levels

Introduction A major limitation of conventional laparoscopic surgery is the placement of an intracorporeal (IC) knot, which requires a significant amount of training and practice. An easier technique of IC knot tying using 90-degree grasper is compared with the conventional technique (CLT). The new axial-spin technique (AST) uses the spin of the instrument shaft to tie IC knots. Methods Fourteen participants stratified into 3 training levels were instructed to tie 50 reef IC knots using each technique on trainers in 3 sessions. The final 5 knots tied using each technique were deemed to be representative of maximal performance efficiency (PE) and randomly subject to tensile strength measurements using a tensiometer at 50 mm/s distraction. Mean knot execution time (mKET) measured in seconds (s), normalized KE time (nET=group mean/mKET), knot holding capacity, relative knot security (RKS), and PE (PE=RKS/nET) of the knots tied were computed and analyzed using paired t and analysis of variance. Results Variables included knot-tying session, technique and the training level. On completion of the study, junior residents (JR) averaged 51.72 seconds more, senior residents (SR) averaged 26.22 seconds more and attendings (ATT) averaged 19.17 seconds less to tie using CLT compared with the AST (F=40.52, P=0.0001). Across all levels, the CLT technique was taking 83.26 seconds on average to execute an IC knot compared with 59.08 seconds with AST method (t=2.784, P=0.015). Learning curves revealed that JR significantly improved mean KE times with the AST technique (first session vs. final session: 473.8 s vs. 55.9 s) compared with CLT (672.5 s vs. 107.6 s) across the sessions as compared with those in advanced levels of training. The RKS of knots executed by AST was significantly stronger (AST: 13.1 vs. 5.44 N, t=4.9, P=0.0001). The PE of knots executed using the CLT increased geometrically across training levels (JR: 1.35% SR: 5.58% ATT: 11.22%) whereas those of AST showed a linear trend (17.09%; 17.11%, and 13.95%). Conclusion The AST follows a linear pattern of learning across training levels compared with the steep exponential learning of the CLT. Inexperienced JRs were surprisingly 1.5 times more efficient with AST and 8 times less efficient with CLT compared with ATT using the CLT to execute the same knot. The AST is significantly easier to learn for JRs and could serve as a platform before acquiring more advanced knot-tying skills. Overall, with the AST, execution times are significantly shorter whereas the RKS and PE are significantly higher. JRs achieve a level of proficiency comparable with the senior level residents and ATT after participating in a reasonable training session consisting of at least 25 knots.
Pain catastrophizing changes during the menstrual cycle

Pain catastrophizing is an important predictor of pain intensity and pain-related outcomes. Many studies have shown that the level of this phenomenon is higher in women compared to men. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in pain catastrophizing in women during the different phases of their menstrual cycle and whether there is a difference in pain catastrophizing depending on the history of childbirth and dysmenorrhea. A prospective study was conducted among 149 healthy women aged 18–35, with a regular menstrual cycle, 80 of which were nulliparous. The participants filled a sociodemographic questionnaire at the enrollment and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale on the 1st, 12th, and 20th day of the menstrual cycle. Pain catastrophizing scores, including all the subscales, significantly varied throughout the menstrual cycle, being highest on the first day of menstrual cycle and declining subsequently. Pain catastrophizing scores were higher in nulliparous than in parous women. Higher pain catastrophizing scores on the first day of the menstrual cycle were found in dysmehorrhoic women and women who regularly use analgesics for dysmenorrhea. Knowing that pain catastrophizing varies throughout the menstrual cycle may help in creating interventions for pain prevention and treatment in cycling women.
Improved Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Growth on Cheese Whey by Controlling Enzymatic Lactose Hydrolysis

Whey generated in cheese manufacturing poses serious environmental issues that limit process profitability. The innovation in the dairy sector recognizes the "bio-refinery" as a key to successful handling of whey disposal and economic rise. Cheese whey valorisation is a complex process involving multiple technologies that might lead to value-added products (biomass, fine or bulk chemicals). This work focuses on the optimization of a fermentation process using whey as growth medium and carbon source. Lactose, which is abundant in whey, is a valuable carbon source. However, the microorganism more widely used in industrial fermentation processes, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is not a lactose-fermenting yeast. We set up an innovative biotechnological process for the production on large scale of a not-genetically modified yeast biomass that can be used in different contexts, such as bread making, production of probiotics, nutraceuticals, bio-active molecules. In order to use the cheese whey as raw material for the cultivation of S. cerevisiae and to overcome the limitations in the use of lactose we used and externally added the enzyme β-galactosidase. The careful optimization of the amount of added enzyme allowed the gradual release by hydrolysis and the simultaneous consumption of glucose and galactose with a consequent decrease of ethanol and an increase of the biomass produced.
Turkish Adolescents' Attitudes toward Physical Education

1,163 middle school students (586 girls, 577 boys; Grades 6–8) were selected through a stratified random sampling method to examine their attitudes toward physical education (PE) by grade, student's sex, sports participation characteristics, and teacher's sex. They were administered the Attitude Toward Physical Education Scale for Children. Factorial analysis of variance indicated that Grade 8 students' mean attitude scores were less positive than those of Grade 6 students, but the attitudes of boys and of sports participants were more positive than of girls and nonsports participants. Findings were similar regardless of the teacher's sex.
Conformal antenna array for 60 GHz applications

In this work, the design of a millimeter-wave conformal antenna array for cylindrical structure is developed. Antenna array consists of 4×4 elements and operates at 60 GHz. Different substrates and their properties are considered. Fiber Teflon substrate was chosen for the antenna structure due to its good flexibility properties and low losses. The performance of the antenna array is simulated with Ansoft HFSS™ software. Simulation results for planar structure and bent along a cylinder axis are presented. Conformal antenna array structure has wider beamwidth but the realized gain value decreases from 19.2 dB to 12.8 dB. Placing two antenna arrays on the cylindrical surface, which allows achieving high gain value and at the same time covering large angular region, are also presented.
Function and Regulation of SPLUNC1 Protein in Mycoplasma Infection and Allergic Inflammation1

Respiratory infections, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp), contribute to asthma pathobiology. To date, the mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of asthmatics to airway Mp infection remain unclear. Short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1) protein is a recently described large airway epithelial cell-derived molecule that was predicted to exert host defense activities. However, SPLUNC1 function and regulation in an infectious or allergic milieu are still unknown. We determined host defense and anti-inflammatory functions of SPLUNC1 protein in Mp infection and the regulation of SPLUNC1 by Mp and allergic inflammation (e.g., IL-13). SPLUNC1 function was examined in Mp or human airway epithelial cell cultures by using SPLUNC1 recombinant protein, overexpression and RNA interference. Human and mouse bronchial epithelial SPLUNC1 was examined using immunostaining, Western blotting, ELISA, laser capture microdissection, and real-time PCR. Mouse models of Mp infection and allergic inflammation and air-liquid interface cultures of normal human primary bronchial epithelial cells were used to study SPLUNC1 regulation by Mp and IL-13. We found that: 1) SPLUNC1 protein decreased Mp levels and inhibited epithelial IL-8 production induced by Mp-derived lipoproteins; 2) normal human and mouse large airway epithelial cells expressed high levels of SPLUNC1; and 3) although Mp infection increased SPLUNC1, IL-13 significantly decreased SPLUNC1 expression and Mp clearance. Our results suggest that SPLUNC1 serves as a novel host defense protein against Mp and that an allergic setting markedly reduces SPLUNC1 expression, which may in part contribute to the persistent nature of bacterial infections in allergic airways.
Keeping nurses working: development and psychometric testing of the Nurse-Work Instability Scale (Nurse-WIS).

AIM This paper reports a study to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Nurse-Work Instability Scale (Nurse-WIS). BACKGROUND Work Instability describes the extent of any mismatch among functional (in)capacity, work demands and its potential impact on efficiency/productivity at work. Recruitment, retention and migration of nurses are global issues influenced by many factors. It is well documented that musculoskeletal pain and subsequent disability account for a high proportion of sickness absence and premature retirement in the nursing workforce. The challenge to clinicians is to identify such problems early so that appropriate interventions can be targeted to facilitate job retention. METHOD Analyses of 48 qualitative interview transcripts conducted with nursing staff during 2003 were used to generate potential items for the Nurse-WIS. Analysis of the psychometric properties of the scale derived from these items was undertaken by using the Rasch model and data generated in postal surveys in 2004. The scale was validated against a gold standard of expert vocational assessment by occupational health physiotherapists/ergonomists. FINDINGS The resulting self-administered questionnaire consisting of 30 items not only measures the risk of job loss relating to musculoskeletal symptoms, but also captures relevant psychosocial issues. The scaling properties of this questionnaire meet the rigorous psychometric requirements of the Rasch model. CONCLUSIONS The Nurse-WIS is a psychometrically sound method for the early identification of nursing staff experiencing difficulties at work. It offers the prospect of positive proactive management to prevent or minimize sickness absence and potentially prevent loss of nursing staff from the workforce through long-term sickness absence and early retirement.
Dual-band mobile angle of arrival estimator

A simple dual-band mobile angle of arrival (AOA) estimator is designed to operate at 2.45 and 5.2 GHz. By using dual-band phased array of switched-beam elements as a dual-band switched-beam antenna, with power detector and microcontroller, the dual-band AoA is simply estimated by comparing the ratio of the measured path gains obtained from the two beams with the greatest path gain to the ratio of the antenna patterns corresponding to the same beams. The accurate results can be obtained and it is relevant that the proposed AOA estimator is useful for initialization of dual-band mobile adaptive antenna, dual-band channel modeling, etc., in dual-band wireless communications.
Heart Rate Variability During Head‐up Tilt Testing in Patients with Suspected Neurally Mediated Syncope

The relation between heart rate variability (HRV) and outcome of head‐up tilt testing (HUT) in patients with neurally mediated syncope (NMS) was studied in 30 patients with presumed NMS (33 ± 13 years) and in 11 age‐matched controls. After 15 minutes of baseline supine observation, patients were tilted to 60± for 45 minutes or until syncope occurred. HRV parameters included RR intervals, standard deviation of normal‐to‐normal RR intervals (SDNN), and root mean square successive differences (RMSSD). HRV analysis was performed during 5‐minute intervals in the supine position immediately after onset of HUT and before syncope or after 30–35 minutes of tilt in patients without syncope. Syncope occurred after a mean tilt duration of 32 minutes in 14 (47%) of 30 patients with presumed NMS, whereas all controls had an uneventful HUT. In the supine position, RR intervals and RMSSD were comparable among HUT‐positive patients, HUT‐negative patients, and controls (RR intervals: 799 ± 92, 854 ± 137, and 818 ± 128 ms, P = NS; RMSSD: 43 ± 40, 36 ± 34, and 53 ± 42 ms, P = NS). Baseline SDNN was also comparable in HUT‐positive patients versus HUT‐negative patients with presumed NMS (50 ± 26 vs 52 ± 20 ms, P = NS). Within 5 minutes preceding syncope or after 30–35 minutes of tilt, RR intervals and RMSSD were shorter in HUT‐positive patients compared to HUT‐negative patients, or to controls (RR intervals: 606 ± 86 vs 710 ± 117 and 739 ± 123 ms, P < 0.05; RMSSD: 12 ± 5 vs 23 ± 19 and 40 ± 32 ms, P < 0.05). Thus, HRV analysis in the baseline supine position was not a predictor of HUT outcome in patients with suspected NMS. Syncope during HUT seemed to be preceded by increased sympathetic activity manifested by an increase in heart rate and by a decreased parasympathetic tone manifested by a decrease in RMSSD measured for 5 minutes before the event, in comparison with HUT‐negative patients and with controls.
Effects of organic and conventional growth systems on the content of carotenoids in carrot roots, and on intake and plasma status of carotenoids in humans.

BACKGROUND The demand for organic food products has increased during the last decades due to their probable health effects, among others. A higher content of secondary metabolites such as carotenoids in organic food products has been claimed, though not documented, to contribute to increased health effects of organic foods. The aim was to study the impact of organic and conventional agricultural systems on the content of carotenoids in carrots and human diets. In addition, a human cross-over study was performed, measuring the plasma status of carotenoids in humans consuming diets made from crops from these agricultural systems. RESULTS The content of carotenoids in carrot roots and human diets was not significantly affected by the agricultural production system or year, despite differences in fertilisation strategy and levels. The plasma status of carotenoids increased significantly after consumption of the organic and conventional diets, but no systematic differences between the agricultural production systems were observed. CONCLUSION The expected higher content of presumed health-promoting carotenoids in organic food products was not documented in this study.