Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of miR-429 as a novel serum biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and analysis its tumor suppressor function and target genes.

OBJECTIVE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal types of cancer. Various microRNAs have been identified to play an important role in PDAC. The study aimed to explore the role of miR-429 in PDAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS The expression and prognostic value of miR-429 were first analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Next, miR-429 expression was evaluated in the tissues and serum of 90 patients with PDAC. CCK8, SRB, wound healing and transwell assays were used to determine the effect of miR-429 on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PDAC cells, respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), correlation analysis, TargetScan, and miRDB databases were used to screen and identify the target genes of miR-429. RESULTS The results revealed that the expression of miR-429 was downregulated in PDAC tissues and the serum compared with those in normal tissues and the serum of healthy volunteers, respectively. The decreased expression of miR-429 was significantly associated with shorter overall survival. The overexpression of miR-429 significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PDAC cells. Potential target genes of miR-429 were identified using WGCNA and bioinformatics analysis, and the results showed that cadherin 11 (CDH11), inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase type I (INPP4A), laminin gamma 1 (LAMC1), low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), and quaking (QKI) were potential target genes of miR-429 in PDAC. Lower expression of CDH11 and QKI was associated with a more favorable prognosis in patients with PDAC. The overexpression of miR-429 could inhibit the expression of CDH11 and QKI. A nomogram model, involving miR-429, CDH11, and QKI, was subsequently constructed to determine their ability to accurately predict overall and disease-free survival in patients with PDAC. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, miR-429 is involved in the development and progress of PDAC. MiR-429 could be recommended as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic indicator in PDAC diagnosis.
On the Durability of Terrorist Networks: Revealing the Hidden Connections between Jihadist Cells

Abstract This article conducts a social network analysis (SNA) on discrete groups of Australian-based jihadists across three time periods and then compares these groups to an aggregated network. The aim of this analysis is to potentially reveal hidden connections between seemingly separate groups that could facilitate the flow of information and resources. Results reveal the presence of a number of key actors who appear to connect groups across different geographic locations and time periods. By utilizing SNA to identify the presence of these critical individuals, this case study aims to contribute to our overall understanding regarding how terrorist networks manage to endure, evolve, and adapt over time.
Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of a Goals-of-Care Decision Aid for Surrogates of Patients With Severe Acute Brain Injury

Background and Objectives Breakdowns in clinician-family communication in neurologic intensive care units (neuroICUs) are common, particularly for goals-of-care decisions to continue or withdraw life-sustaining treatments while considering long-term prognoses. Shared decision-making interventions (decision aids [DAs]) may prevent this problem and increase patient-centered care, yet none are currently available. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived usefulness of a DA for goals-of-care communication with surrogate decision makers for critically ill patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) after hemispheric acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or traumatic brain injury. Methods We conducted a parallel-arm, unblinded, patient-level randomized, controlled pilot trial at 2 tertiary care US neuroICUs and randomized surrogate participants 1:1 to a tailored paper-based DA provided to surrogates before clinician-family goals-of-care meetings or usual care (no intervention before clinician-family meetings). The primary outcomes were feasibility of deploying the DA (recruitment, participation, and retention), acceptability, and perceived usefulness of the DA among surrogates. Exploratory outcomes included outcome of surrogate goals-of-care decision, code status changes during admission, patients' 3-month functional outcome, and surrogates' 3-month validated psychological outcomes. Results We approached 83 surrogates of 58 patients and enrolled 66 surrogates of 41 patients (80% consent rate). Of 66 surrogates, 45 remained in the study at 3 months (68% retention). Of the 33 surrogates randomized to intervention, 27 were able to receive the DA, and 25 subsequently read the DA (93% participation). Eighty-two percent rated the DA's acceptability as good or excellent (median acceptability score 2 [IQR 2–3]); 96% found it useful for goals-of-care decision making. In the DA group, there was a trend toward fewer comfort care decisions (27% vs 56%, p = 0.1) and fewer code status changes (no change, 73% vs 44%, p = 0.02). At 3 months, fewer patients in the DA group had died (33% vs 69%, p = 0.05; median Glasgow Outcome Scale 3 vs1, p = 0.05). Regardless of intervention, 3-month psychological outcomes were significantly worse among surrogates who had chosen continuation of care. Discussion A goals-of-care DA to support ICU shared decision making for patients with SABI is feasible to deploy and well perceived by surrogates. A larger trial is feasible to conduct, although surrogates who select continuation of care deserve additional psychosocial support. Clinical Trials Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03833375. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class IV evidence that the use of a DA explaining the goals-of-care decision and the treatment options is acceptable and useful to surrogates of incapacitated critically ill patients with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or traumatic brain injury.
To what extent naringenin binding and membrane depolarization shape mitoBK channel gating—A machine learning approach

The large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channels from the inner mitochondrial membrane (mitoBK) are modulated by a number of factors. Among them flavanones, including naringenin (Nar), arise as a promising group of mitoBK channel regulators from a pharmacological point of view. It is well known that in the presence of Nar the open state probability (pop) of mitoBK channels significantly increases. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism of the mitoBK-Nar interactions remains still unrevealed. It is also not known whether the effects of naringenin administration on conformational dynamics can resemble those which are exerted by the other channel-activating stimuli. In aim to answer this question, we examine whether the dwell-time series of mitoBK channels which were obtained at different voltages and Nar concentrations (yet allowing to reach comparable pops) are discernible by means of artificial intelligence methods, including k-NN and shapelet learning. The obtained results suggest that the structural complexity of the gating dynamics is shaped both by the interaction of channel gate with the voltage sensor (VSD) and the Nar-binding site. For a majority of data one can observe stimulus-specific patterns of channel gating. Shapelet algorithm allows to obtain better prediction accuracy in most cases. Probably, because it takes into account the complexity of local features of a given signal. About 30% of the analyzed time series do not sufficiently differ to unambiguously distinguish them from each other, which can be interpreted in terms of the existence of the common features of mitoBK channel gating regardless of the type of activating stimulus. There exist long-range mutual interactions between VSD and the Nar-coordination site that are responsible for higher levels of Nar-activation (Δpop) at deeply depolarized membranes. These intra-sensor interactions are anticipated to have an allosteric nature.
Recent progress in coherent optical communication technologies

High-speed and high-capacity optical transmission systems are being intensively investigated toward the future costeffective optical transport networks (OTN) needed to meet the huge traffic demand expected. Coherent detection with digital signal processing (DSP) is very promising to realize such systems. DSP-based linear equalizers can effectively eliminate the signal distortion caused by chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion which are the main factors limiting the attainable distance of high speed channels over 40 Gb/s. Moreover, their combination with advanced modulation and polarization multiplexing techniques has yielded large capacity and spectrally-efficient transmission experiments. This paper reviews recent progress in coherent communication technologies, with special focus on higher order multi-level modulation such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), and discusses higher speed transmission based on optical multiplexing techniques such as optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) toward 400G or 1T channel transport.
Blood tests in primary care: A qualitative study of communication and decision‐making between doctors and patients

Blood tests are commonly used in primary care as a tool to aid diagnosis, and to offer reassurance and validation for patients. If doctors and patients do not have a shared understanding of the reasons for testing and the meaning of results, these aims may not be fulfilled. Shared decision‐making is widely advocated; yet, most research focusses on treatment decisions rather than diagnostic decisions. The aim of this study was to explore communication and decision‐making around diagnostic blood tests in primary care.
An MRI Compatible RF MEMs Controlled Wireless Power Transfer System

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), wearable wireless receive coil arrays are a key technology goal. An MRI compatible wireless power transfer (WPT) system will be needed to realize this technology. An MRI WPT system must withstand the extreme electromagnetic environment of the scanner and cannot degrade MRI image quality. Here, a WPT system is developed for operation in MRI scanners using new microelectromechanical RF (RF MEMs) switch technology. The WPT system includes a class-E power amplifier, RF MEMs automated impedance matching, a primary coil array employing RF MEMs power steering, and a flexible secondary coil with class-E rectification. To adapt WPT technology to MRI, techniques are developed for operation at high magnetic field, and to mitigate the RF interactions between the scanner and WPT system. A major challenge was the identification and suppression of noise and harmonic interference, by gating, filtering, and rectifier topologies. The system can achieve 63% efficiency while exceeding 13-W delivery over a coil distance of 3.5 cm. For continuous WPT beyond 5 W, added filters and full-wave class-E rectification lower harmonic generation at some cost to efficiency, while image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) reaches about 32% of the ideal. RF-gated WPT, which interrupts power transfer in the MRI signal acquisition interval, achieves SNR performance to within 1 dB of the ideal. With further refinement, the inclusion of WPT technology in MRI scanners appears completely feasible.
Quantitative microbiological risk assessment of nontyphoidal Salmonella in ground pork in households in Chengdu, China

Foodborne disease caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is one of the most important food safety issues worldwide. The objectives of this study were to carry out microbial monitoring on the prevalence of NTS in commercial ground pork, investigate consumption patterns, and conduct a quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) that considers cross‐contamination to determine the risk caused by consuming ground pork and ready‐to‐eat food contaminated during food handling in the kitchen in Chengdu, China. The food pathway of ground pork was simplified and assumed to be several units according to the actual situation and our survey data, which were collected from our research or references and substituted into the QMRA model for simulation. The results showed that the prevalence of NTS in ground pork purchased in Chengdu was 69.64% (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.2–78.0), with a mean contamination level of −0.164 log CFU/g. After general cooking, NTS in ground pork could be eliminated (contamination level of zero). The estimated probability of causing salmonellosis per day was 9.43E‐06 (95% CI: 8.82E‐06–1.00E‐05), while the estimated salmonellosis cases per million people per year were 3442 (95% CI: 3218–3666). According to the sensitivity analysis, the occurrence of cross‐contamination was the most important factor affecting the probability of salmonellosis. To reduce the risk of salmonellosis caused by NTS through ground pork consumption, reasonable hygiene prevention and control measures should be adopted during food preparation to reduce cross‐contamination. This study provides valuable information for household cooking and food safety management in China.
First Measurement of the Neutral Current Excitation of the Delta Resonance on a Proton Target

AbstractThe parity-violating asymmetry arising from inelastic electron-nucleon scattering at backward angle (∼ 95 ◦ ) near the∆(1232) resonance has been measured using a hydrogen target. From this asymmetry, we extracted the axial transitionform factor G AN∆ , a function of the axial Adler form factors C Ai . Though G AN∆ has been previously studied using chargedcurrent reactions, this is the ﬁrst measurement of the weak neutral current excitation of the ∆ using a proton target.For Q 2 = 0.34 (GeV/c) 2 and W = 1.18 GeV, the asymmetry was measured to be −33.4±(5.3) stat ±(5.1) sys ppm. Thevalue of G AN∆ determined from the hydrogen asymmetry was −0.05±(0.35) stat ±(0.34) sys ±(0.06) theory . These ﬁndingsagree within errors with theoretical predictions for both the total asymmetry and the form factor. In addition to thehydrogen measurement, the asymmetry was measured at the same kinematics using a deuterium target. The asymmetryfor deuterium was determined to be −43.6±(14.6) stat ±(6.2)
Cooperative learning, student characteristics, and persistence: an experimental study in an engineering physics course

ABSTRACT The dropout rate of university engineering studies is correlated with the absence of retention of freshman in the basic subjects. The aim of this work is to determine the effect of cooperative learning and the characteristics of students on learning, persistence, and academic performance. We have performed a study of learning, persistence and academic performance in an engineering physics course, comparing two groups with different teaching, one traditional and the other through cooperative learning. In addition, we have analysed the influence of the characteristics of the students on the results and the perceptions of the students regarding the teaching. The students of the cooperative learning group had a normalised average gain in the Force Concept Inventory that was 72.7% higher, a significantly higher persistence, and a final grade similar to that of the group receiving traditional teaching. The previous education and the size of the community of origin of the students had a significant effect on the persistence of the students. The perceptions of the subject and lecturer were similar in both groups.
Descriptive analysis of cornea and anterior segment fellowship program directors in 2020

We analyzed demographic and academic qualities of cornea and external disease and anterior segment fellowship program directors. We aimed to determine how these qualities reflect wider trends in academic ophthalmology. Purpose: To investigate demographic characteristics, educational backgrounds, and academic achievements among program directors (PDs) of cornea and external disease and anterior segment fellowships in the United States in 2020. Setting: Database study of U.S. fellowship programs. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: PDs of cornea and external disease and anterior segment fellowships were identified using the San Francisco Match website. Fellowship program features reviewed included academic or private practice type, number of cornea faculty, and sex of chairperson. PD demographic characteristics, educational and training background, and academic productivity were analyzed using publicly available profiles and databases. Results: 76 cornea and external disease and 10 anterior segment fellowships were reviewed. Of 86 reviewed programs, 55 (64.0%) were considered academic, 30 (34.9%) were private practice, and 1 (1.2%) was hybrid. 76 cornea and external disease PDs and 12 anterior segment PDs were identified. Overall, 21 (23.9%) of PDs were women, and the mean age for all PDs was 52.6 ± 11.5 years. Of the 88 PDs, the average number of publications was 45.1 ± 55.9. The mean h-index was 16.7 ± 15.4 and was higher among cornea and external disease than anterior segment PDs (18.2 ± 15.5 vs 7.1 ± 11.4, P = .008) and also higher among academic than private practice PDs (19.9 ± 15.1 vs 11.2 ± 14.7, P = .011). More female PDs were in departments with a female chairperson compared with male PDs (6 [28.6%] vs 4 [6.0%], P = .011). Conclusions: Cornea and external disease and anterior segment fellowship PDs represent a wide array of backgrounds and scholarly achievements. Female PDs remain in the minority and are more common in departments with female chairpersons.
An outcomes research perspective on medical education: Has anything changed in the last 18 years?

Abstract Purpose Medical education research focused on patient-centered outcomes holds the promise of improved decision-making by medical educators. In 2001, Prystowsky and Bordage demonstrated that patient-centered outcomes were evaluated in fewer than one percent of studies published in a survey of major medical education journals. Though many have called for increased inclusion of patient-centered outcomes in medical education literature, it remains uncertain to what degree this need has been addressed systematically. Methods Using the same data sources as in the original report (Academic Medicine, Medical Education, and Teaching and Learning in Medicine), we sought to replicate Prystowsky and Bordage’s study. We extracted data from original empirical research reports from these three journal sources for the years 2014–2016. We selected 652 articles that met the inclusion criteria for further analysis. Results Study participants were largely trainees (64% of studies) or faculty (25% of studies). Only 2% of studies included patients as active or passive participants. Study outcomes reported were satisfaction (40% of studies), performance (39%), professionalism (20%), and cost (1%). Conclusions These results do not differ significantly from the original 2001 study. The medical education literature as represented in these three prominent journals has made little progress in placing a greater focus on patient-centered outcomes.
Algorithms for dna restriction mapping

Restriction mapping is the process of determining the approximate positions of restriction sites along a target DNA molecule. Multiple complete digest (MCD) mapping is a protocol for constructing such maps in support of DNA sequencing. In the MCD mapping protocol, a clone library is generated which covers the region of interest with high redundancy. Each clone in the library is then completely digested multiple times, each time with a different restriction enzyme, and the lengths of the resulting fragments are measured via gel electrophoresis. This thesis describes an algorithmic method for constructing restriction maps from MCD data. The process is broken into two major steps. The first, clone ordering, is responsible for determining the order of the clone endpoints while simultaneously identifying bad data. The second, fragment identification, is responsible for determining equivalence classes of fragment measurements. The result of these two steps can be transformed into a final map in a relatively straightforward fashion. These procedures are shown to be effective on real MCD data from the University of Washington Genome Center when used in conjunction with a graphical user interface that allows the user to visualize and manipulate the output.
Exploring the Transient Microbe Population on Citrus Butterfly Wings

This is a first study reporting the presence of culturable microbes on an unusual ecological niche such as butterfly wings. Our findings also establish that microbes inhabit these niches before the butterfly has contact with the environment. The findings in this report have opened up a new area of research which will not only help understand the microbiome of insect wings but might prove beneficial in other specialized studies. ABSTRACT Microbes carve out dwelling niches in unusual environments. Insects, in general, have been hosts to microbes in different ways. Some insects incorporate microbes as endosymbionts that help with metabolic functions, while some vector pathogenic microbes that cause serious plant and animal diseases, including humans. Microbes isolated from insect sources have been beneficial and a huge information repository. The fascinating and evolutionarily successful insect community has survived mass extinctions as a result of their unique biological traits. Wings have been one of the most important factors contributing to the evolutionary success of insects. In the current study, wings of Papilio polytes, a citrus butterfly, were investigated for the presence of ecologically significant microbes within hours of eclosing under aseptic conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of bacteria dwelling in crevices created by a specific arrangement of scales on the butterfly wing. A total of 38 bacterial isolates were obtained from the patched wings of the citrus butterfly, and Bacillus spp. were predominant among them. We probed the occurrence of these microbes to assess their significance to the insect. Many of the isolates displayed antibacterial, antifungal, and biosurfactant properties. Interestingly, one of the isolates displayed entomopathogenic potential toward the notorious agricultural pest mealybug. All the wing isolates were seen to cluster together consistently in a phylogenetic analysis, except for one isolate of Bacillus zhangzhouensis (Papilio polytes isolate [Pp] no. 28), suggesting they are distinct strains. IMPORTANCE This is a first study reporting the presence of culturable microbes on an unusual ecological niche such as butterfly wings. Our findings also establish that microbes inhabit these niches before the butterfly has contact with the environment. The findings in this report have opened up a new area of research which will not only help understand the microbiome of insect wings but might prove beneficial in other specialized studies.