Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zinc absorption from low-phytate hybrids of maize and their wild-type isohybrids.

BACKGROUND Identification of allelic variants in a single gene that determine the phytate content of maize kernels and the subsequent breeding of low-phytate maize have facilitated studies designed to determine quantitatively the effects of maize phytate on the bioavailability of minerals in maize. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the relation between the fractional absorption of zinc (FAZ) and the phytate content and phytate:zinc molar ratios of maize tortillas prepared from hybrids with different phytate contents. DESIGN Six healthy adults were fed, as the only food for 2 d, maize tortillas prepared from 1 of 2 low-phytate mutants: lpa1-1 (lpa1-1-LP) or Nutridense Low Phytate (ND-LP), which have phytate reductions of approximately 60% and approximately 80%, respectively, compared with their respective wild-type isohybrids. Four additional subjects were fed tortillas prepared from the corresponding wild-type isohybrids (lpa1-1-WT and ND-WT) according to the same study design. Meals were extrinsically labeled with zinc stable isotopes, and FAZ was determined with a dual-isotope-tracer ratio technique. Overall FAZ values were examined in relation to dietary phytate and phytate:zinc molar ratios by using a mixed nonlinear regression model. RESULTS The mean (+/-SD) FAZ values from tortillas prepared from ND-LP, lpa1-1-LP, lpa1-1-WT, and ND-WT were 0.38 +/- 0.07, 0.28 +/- 0.04, 0.15 +/- 0.07, and 0.13 +/- 0.05, respectively. A negative relation (P < 0.001) was found between FAZ and both dietary phytate and the phytate:zinc molar ratio. The effect of dietary zinc (8-14 mg Zn/d) under these experimental conditions was not significant. CONCLUSIONS FAZ from maize tortillas is positively related to the extent of phytate reduction achieved with low-phytate hybrids.
Intake of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and fish and risk of community-acquired pneumonia in US men.

BACKGROUND Essential fatty acids modulate inflammation and glucose metabolism and may alter infection risk. OBJECTIVE We examined the association between intakes of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and fish and the risk of community-acquired pneumonia. DESIGN We prospectively evaluated 38,378 male US health professionals aged 44-79 y at the outset. We updated medical and lifestyle information biennially through questionnaires and diet every 4 y with the use of a validated food-frequency questionnaire. We excluded men who reported pneumonia, myocardial infarction, stroke, other heart disease, arterial surgery, cancer, or asthma before 1990 or those with incomplete dietary data. Community-acquired pneumonia was determined by blinded medical record review of chest radiographs. RESULTS During 10 y of follow-up, there were 441 new cases of nonfatal community-acquired pneumonia. Pneumonia risk was lower in men in the highest energy-adjusted quintiles of intake than in men in the lowest quintiles of intake of linoleic acid [multivariate relative risk (RR): 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.96; P for trend = 0.01] and alpha-linolenic acid (multivariate RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.93; P for trend = 0.01). Pneumonia risk decreased 4% for every 1-g/d increase in linoleic acid intake (multivariate RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.99). Pneumonia risk was reduced by 31% for every 1-g/d increase in alpha-linolenic acid intake (multivariate RR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.93). Intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were not significantly related to pneumonia risk. CONCLUSION Higher intakes of alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids and possibly of fish may reduce the risk of pneumonia.
The effects of vitamin E and indomethacin on blood creatine phosphokinase and fatty acid composition of tissues from young rabbits.

The effects of vitamin E depletion and repletion and indomethacin treatment on blood creatine-phosphokinase (CPK) and fatty acid composition in phospholipids of the semiten- dinosus and gastrocnemius muscles, and in the heart, liver, kidney, and lung were studied in young rabbits. Male weanling New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into six treatments and fed a vitamin E-deficient diet. Treatment I was on the diet for 35 days; the second treatment was supplemented with 50 mg tocopherol acetate twice weekly; treatment 3 was on a deficient diet for 30 days and then supplemented with tocopherol acetate for another 30 days; the fourth treatment received vitamin E supplement for 60 days. Treatments 5 and 6 were the same as treatments 1 and 2, respectively, except for a daily addition of 25 mg indomethacin. Blood CPK was assayed in all treatments at 5-day intervals. Elevation of CPK was detected in the deficient animals as early as day 10 on the diet. Indomethacin-treated animals showed a consistently higher CPK values among all groups. Upon vitamin E refeeding, CPK value was lowered to the control level within 5 days. The phospholipids from both skeletal muscles showed significant decrease in 18-2 with a concurrent increase in 18-0, 20-3, and 20-4 in the vitamin E-deficient animals. The changes in the organs were less drastic. In the vitamin E-deficient, indomethacine-treated rabbits, fatty acid composition was similar to the E-deficient animals. After 30 days of vitamin E repletion, the changes in fatty acid composition had returned to the control values. The failure of indomethacin to prevent myopathy in the E-deficient rabbits suggests that either prostaglandin synthesis was not affected by the dosage used, or that prostaglandin synthesis is not directly involved in the etiology of nutritional muscular dystrophy. Am. I Clin. Nutr. 32: 1454-1461, 1979.
Genetic analysis of a Bison bison herd derived from the Yellowstone National Park population

The objective of this study is to inventory the current genetic diversity of the bison quarantine feasibility study (BQFS) herd originating from Yellowstone National Park (YNP) using previously described microsatellite, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers with the aim to determine the degree, if any, of cattle DNA introgression in this herd. This work can provide an important tool in monitoring and managing bison genetic diversity as brucellosis-free reintroduced herds are re-established throughout the US for conservation purposes. The BQFS composed of 89 Bison bison from YNP that were quarantined and tested to qualify as free of brucellosis in 2006–2007. Understanding genetic diversity of the herd is important to determine if any genetic characteristics such as cattle DNA introgression or low genetic diversity may threaten the herd's protected status. We evaluated genetic diversity at 42 microsatellite loci representing each of the nuclear chromosomes in the bison genome. We found no detectable evidence of cattle DNA introgression in this herd through nuclear markers and mitochondrial DNA analysis. Parentage analysis of the BQFS herd indicated that the majority of mature adults were actively breeding and contributing offspring. Genetic diversity levels in the quarantined herd were high and comparable to the YNP parent herd, suggesting a low risk of genetic loss in the near future. Based on these findings, the genetic diversity currently available within the BQFS herd will provide a strong foundation for bison reintroduced herds and for the preservation of the species.
The effects of abiotic factors and intraspecific versus interspecific competition on the diel activity patterns of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry

We conducted semi-natural experiments to measure the relative contribution of various environmental factors and intraspecific and interspecific competition with an exotic invader on the daytime and crepuscular activity levels of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry. We demonstrated that interspecific competition with the exotic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) significantly increases the daytime activity of Atlantic salmon. The effect of intraspecific competition on the daytime activity of salmon was half that of interspecific competition. This indicates that the effect of rainbow trout was a combination of increasing density and the identity of the competitor. We also demonstrated that the effect of rainbow trout was probably the result of territorial interference between species. Moreover, we showed that water temperature simultaneously played an important role in explaining daytime activity of Atlantic salmon. During twilight, we observed no effect of competition on salmon activity, but environmental c.
Decoys ‘R’ Us: A database of incorrect conformations to improve protein structure prediction

The development of an energy or scoring function for protein structure prediction is greatly enhanced by testing the func–tion on a set of computer–generated conformations (decoys) to determine whether it can readily distinguish native–like conforma–tions from nonnative ones. We have created “Decoys “R” Us,” a database containing many such sets of conformations, to provide a resource that allows scoring functions to be improved.
Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Compliance with conventional weight-management programs is notoriously poor, and a plethora of over-the-counter slimming aids are sold with claims of effectiveness. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to assess the evidence from rigorous clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on the effectiveness of dietary supplements in reducing body weight. DESIGN The study was a systematic review. Literature searches were conducted on Medline, Embase, Amed, Cinahl, and the Cochrane Library until March 2003. Hand searches of medical journals, the authors' own files, and bibliographies of identified articles were conducted. There were no restrictions regarding the language of publication. The screening of studies, selection, validation, data extraction, and the assessment of methodologic quality were performed independently by the 2 reviewers. To be included, trials were required to be randomized and double-blind. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of dietary supplements were included if they were based on the results of randomized, double-blind trials. RESULTS Five systematic reviews and meta-analyses and 25 additional trials were included and reviewed. Data on the following dietary supplements were identified: chitosan, chromium picolinate, Ephedra sinica, Garcinia cambogia, glucomannan, guar gum, hydroxy-methylbutyrate, plantago psyllium, pyruvate, yerba maté, and yohimbe. The reviewed studies provide some encouraging data but no evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that any specific dietary supplement is effective for reducing body weight. The only exceptions are E. sinica- and ephedrine-containing supplements, which have been associated with an increased risk of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS The evidence for most dietary supplements as aids in reducing body weight is not convincing. None of the reviewed dietary supplements can be recommended for over-the-counter use.
2018-00528-[ CORDIS 2018-ZENITH ] Learning models parameters at scale

A propos du centre ou de la direction fonctionnelle Le centre Inria Sophia Antipolis Méditerranée compte 37 équipes de recherche, ainsi que 9 services d’appui à la recherche. Le personnel du centre (600 personnes environ dont 400 salariés Inria) est composé de scientifiques de différentes nationalités (250 personnes étrangères sur 50 nationalités), d’Ingénieurs, de Techniciens et d’Administratifs. 1/3 du personnel est fonctionnaire, les autres sont contractuels. La majorité des équipes de recherche du centre sont localisées à Sophia Antipolis et Nice dans les Alpes-Maritimes. Six équipes sont implantées à Montpellier et une équipe est hébergée par le département d'informatique de l'université de Bologne en Italie. Le Centre est membre de la Communauté d’Université et d’Établissement (ComUE) « Université Côte d’Azur (UCA) ».
Running Head : AUTOMATIC IMITATION IN CHILDREN

19 By their fourth year children are expert imitators but it is unclear how this ability develops. 20 One approach suggests that certain types of experience might forge associations between the 21 sensory and motor representations of an action that might facilitate imitation at a later time. 22 Sensorimotor experience of this sort may occur when an infant’s action is imitated by a 23 caregiver or when socially synchronous action occurs. This learning approach therefore 24 predicts that the strength of sensory-motor associations should depend on the frequency and 25 quality of previous experience. Here, we tested this prediction by examining automatic 26 imitation; i.e., the tendency of an action stimulus to facilitate the performance of that action 27 and interfere with the performance of an incompatible action. We required children (aged 28 between 3:8 and 7:11) to respond to actions performed by an experimenter (e.g., two hands 29 clapping), with both compatible actions (i.e., two hands clapping) and incompatible actions 30 (i.e., two hands waving) at different stages in the experimental procedure. As predicted by a 31 learning account, actions thought to be performed in synchrony (i.e., clapping/waving) 32 produced stronger automatic imitation effects when compared to actions where previous 33 sensorimotor experience is likely to be more limited (e.g., pointing/hand closing). Furthermore, 34 these automatic imitation effects were not found to vary with age, as both compatible and 35 incompatible responses quickened with age. These findings suggest a role for sensorimotor 36 experience in the development of imitative ability. 37
Chronophin activation is necessary in Doxorubicin-induced actin cytoskeleton alteration

Although doxorubicin (Dox)-induced oxidative stress is known to be associated with cytotoxicity, the precise mechanism remains unclear. Genotoxic stress not only generates free radicals, but also affects actin cytoskeleton stability. We showed that Dox-induced RhoA signaling stimulated actin cytoskeleton alterations, resulting in central stress fiber disruption at early time points and cell periphery cortical actin formation at a later stage, in HeLa cells. Interestingly, activation of a cofilin phosphatase, chronophin (CIN), was initially evoked by Dox-induced RhoA signaling, resulting in a rapid phosphorylated cofilin turnover leading to actin cytoskeleton remodeling. In addition, a novel interaction between CIN and 14-3-3ζ was detected in the absence of Dox treatment. We demonstrated that CIN activity is quite contrary to 14-3-3ζ binding, and the interaction leads to enhanced phosphorylated cofilin levels. Therefore, initial CIN activation regulation could be critical in Dox-induced actin cytoskeleton remodeling through RhoA/cofilin signaling.
Statin use and non-melanoma skin cancer risk: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies

Background Existing evidence of the association between statin use and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) risk has been inconsistent. Objective To maximize statistical power to synthesize prospective evidence on this relationship. Materials and Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrial.gov were systematically searched up to December 11, 2016. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate summary estimates. Results Our meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 63,157 subjects showed no significant association between statin use and NMSC risk (RR = 1.09, 95%CI = 0.85–1.39). However, meta-analysis of four observational studies including 1,528,215 participants showed significantly increased risk of NMSC among statin users compared to non-users (RR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.02–1.22). Furthermore, ever using lipophilic statins (RR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.04–1.24) or lower-potency statins (RR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.03–1.26), as well as usage of any statin longer than one year (RR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.09–1.18) were significantly associated with increased NMSC risk based on observational studies. Conclusions Evidence from observational studies supported an association between statin use and increased NMSC risk. This finding should be interpreted with caution due to modest number of included studies, possible between-study heterogeneity and inherent limitations of observational studies.
Novel methodology to examine cognitive and experiential factors in language development: combining eye-tracking and LENA technology

Developmental systems theory posits that development cannot be segmented by influences acting in isolation, but should be studied through a scientific lens that highlights the complex interactions between these forces over time (Overton, 2013a). This poses a unique challenge for developmental psychologists studying complex processes like language development. In this paper, we advocate for the combining of highly sophisticated data collection technologies in an effort to move toward a more systemic approach to studying language development. We investigate the efficiency and appropriateness of combining eye-tracking technology and the LENA (Language Environment Analysis) system, an automated language analysis tool, in an effort to explore the relation between language processing in early development, and external dynamic influences like parent and educator language input in the home and school environments. Eye-tracking allows us to study language processing via eye movement analysis; these eye movements have been linked to both conscious and unconscious cognitive processing, and thus provide one means of evaluating cognitive processes underlying language development that does not require the use of subjective parent reports or checklists. The LENA system, on the other hand, provides automated language output that describes a child’s language-rich environment. In combination, these technologies provide critical information not only about a child’s language processing abilities but also about the complexity of the child’s language environment. Thus, when used in conjunction these technologies allow researchers to explore the nature of interacting systems involved in language development.
Dual-Angle Protocol for Doppler Optical Coherence Tomography to Improve Retinal Blood Flow Measurement

Methods: In the ‘‘single-angle’’ protocol, five Doppler scans were acquired at a single beam angle. In the ‘‘dual-angle’’ protocol, three scans were obtained with the OCT beam passing through the supranasal portion of the pupil and three through the infranasal portion. The data were analyzed using a custom software termed ‘‘Doppler OCT of Retinal Circulation’’ (DOCTORC) to generate TRBF measurements. In DOCTORC, the measurement of a vein was considered unreliable if the Doppler angle was less than 38 or the coefficient of variation of Doppler angle was more than 50%. If the summated area of unreliable veins was larger than 50% of total venous area, the measurement of TRBF was considered not acceptable. Results: Ten subjects were scanned with both protocols. The Doppler angle (P � 0.003, paired t-test) and Doppler shift (P� 0.035) were significantly higher in the dualangle protocol. The yield rate, percent of eyes with valid TRBF measurement, was 80% using the dual-angle protocol and 60% from single-angle protocol. An additional 42 subjects were scanned with the single-angle protocol while 84 subjects with the dualangle protocol. Unpaired tests also showed significantly better yield rate (P¼ 0.03). Conclusions: The dual-angle protocol improved Doppler shift level in OCT. This resulted in a greater percentage of cases in which TRBF could be reliably measured. Translational Relevance: The new scan protocol improved the practicality of TRBF measurement with Doppler OCT.
Influence of nonlinear constitutive relations in unimorphs piezoelectric harvesters

This paper presents the influence of nonlinear terms of a previously proposed constitutive piezoelectric equation on the dynamics of a cantilever aluminium beam with a piezoelectric unimorph PZT (MIDE QP16N) attached to it. The system is subjected to different levels of base acceleration with the intention to evidence the limits of the linear model. To carry out the analysis, a one-dimensional model is applied and solved employing a single-term solution of the harmonic balance method to compare with the experiments. A model identification of linear and nonlinear parameters such as dissipation, stiffness, and electromechanical coupling were then performed. From the results, it is possible to observe the departure of the linear model even for very low acceleration levels (0.1G). It can be concluded that the nonlinearity plays an unavoidable roll in predicting electric generation for the considered systems.
The surface of the geometric characteristics analysis for rice endosperm starch granules by using Image J

Based on the optical microscope and scanning electron microscope images of rice starch granules,the image analysis software Image J was introduced in analysis of starch granules of surface features.Image analysis Presented in two ways: outline and ellipse fitting.Analysis of indicators chosen area,perimeter,major,minor,circularity and Feret.Finally,the particle image acquisition and image pre-treatment were discussed.
Mapping the Genetic Variation of Regional Brain Volumes as Explained by All Common SNPs from the ADNI Study

Typically twin studies are used to investigate the aggregate effects of genetic and environmental influences on brain phenotypic measures. Although some phenotypic measures are highly heritable in twin studies, SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) account for only a small fraction of the heritability of these measures. We mapped the genetic variation (the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by variation among SNPs) of volumes of pre-defined regions across the whole brain, as explained by 512,905 SNPs genotyped on 747 adult participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). We found that 85% of the variance of intracranial volume (ICV) (p = 0.04) was explained by considering all SNPs simultaneously, and after adjusting for ICV, total grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes had genetic variation estimates near zero (p = 0.5). We found varying estimates of genetic variation across 93 non-overlapping regions, with asymmetry in estimates between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. Several regions reported in previous studies to be related to Alzheimer's disease progression were estimated to have a large proportion of volumetric variance explained by the SNPs.
The Function of Personality in Suicidal Ideation from the Perspective of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide

The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) has been increasingly studied over the last years, responding to the demand for a valid framework addressing suicidality. Yet, only a few studies have explored the function of personality in the IPTS and none with clinical patients. We aimed to contribute to fill this gap in investigating the relationship between personality as conceptualized by the Five-Factor Model, the IPTS constructs, and a dimensional measure of current suicidal ideation. We conducted correlation, multiple linear regression, and path analyses based on a trait-interpersonal framework in a sample of 201 individuals visiting the psychiatric emergency room of a general hospital with current suicidal ideation. Neuroticism (positively) and openness (negatively) predicted perceived burdensomeness, while neuroticism (positively) and extraversion (negatively) predicted thwarted belongingness. Higher conscientiousness and lower extraversion were both predictors of the acquired capability for suicide. However, none of the models involving path analyses with IPTS variables as mediators of the relationship between personality traits and suicidal ideation was adequately adjusted to the data. Thus, it appears that personality plays a significant albeit modest role in suicidality when considered from an IPTS perspective. As personality is frequently assessed in the clinical routine, health professionals should consider it as complementary to detect individuals at risk of or presenting suicidal ideation.