Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discerning Influence Patterns with Beta-Poisson Factorization in Microblogging Environments

Social influence analysis in microblogging services has attracted much attention in recent years. However, most previous studies were focused on measuring users’ (topical) influence. Little effort has been made to discern and quantify how a user is influenced. Specifically, the fact that user <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$i$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>i</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="guan-ieq1-2897932.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> retweets a tweet from author <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$j$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>j</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="guan-ieq2-2897932.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> could be either because <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$i$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>i</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="guan-ieq3-2897932.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> is influenced by <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$j$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>j</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="guan-ieq4-2897932.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> (i.e., <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$j$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>j</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="guan-ieq5-2897932.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> is a topical authority), or simply because he is “influenced” by the content (interested in the content). To mine such influence patterns, we propose a novel Bayesian factorization model, dubbed Influence Beta-Poisson Factorization (IBPF). IBPF jointly factorizes the retweet data and tweet content to quantify latent topical factors of user preference, author influence and content influence. It generates every retweet record according to the sum of two causing terms: one representing author influence, and the other one derived from content influence. To control the impact of the two terms, for each user IBPF generates a probability for each latent topic by Beta distribution, indicating how strongly the user cares about the topical authority of the author. We develop an efficient variational inference algorithm for IBPF. We demonstrate the efficacy of IBPF on two public microblogging datasets.
Fetal expression of genes related to metabolic function is impacted by supplementation of ground beef and sucrose during gestation in a swine model.

To determine the effects of maternal supplementation on the mRNA abundance of genes associated with metabolic function in fetal muscle and liver, pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; initial body weight (BW) 221.58 ± 33.26 kg; n = 21) fed a complete gestation diet (corn soybean meal-based, CSM) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 isocaloric supplementation treatments: control (CON, 378 g/d CSM, n = 5); sucrose (SUGAR, 255 g/d crystalized sugar, n = 5); cooked ground beef (BEEF, 330 g/d n = 6); or BEEF + SUGAR (B+S, 165 g/d cooked ground beef and 129 g/d crystalized sugar, n = 5), from d 40 to 110 of gestation. Sows were euthanized on d 111 of gestation. Two male and two female fetuses of median body weight were selected from each litter, and samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle and liver were collected. Relative transcript level was quantified via qPCR with HPRT1 as the reference gene for both muscle and liver samples. The following genes were selected and analyzed in the muscle: IGF1R, IGF2, IGF2R, GYS-1, IRS-1, INSR, SREBP-1C, and LEPR; while the following were analyzed in the liver: IGF2, IGF2R, FBFase, G6PC, PC, PCK1, FGF21, and LIPC. No effect of fetal sex by maternal treatment interaction was observed in mRNA abundance of any of the genes evaluated (P > 0.11). In muscle, the maternal nutritional treatment influenced (P = 0.02) IGF2 mRNA abundance, with B+S and SUGAR fetuses having lower abundance than CON, which was not different from BEEF. Additionally, SREBP-1 mRNA abundance was greater (P < 0.01) for B+S compared with CON, BEEF, or SUGAR fetuses; and females tended (P = 0.06) to have an increased abundance of SREBP-1 than males. In fetal liver, IGF2R mRNA abundance was greater (P = 0.01) for CON and BEEF than SUGAR and B+S; while FBPase mRNA abundance was greater (P = 0.03) for B+S compared with the other groups. In addition, maternal nutritional tended (P = 0.06) to influence LIPC mRNA abundance, with increased abundance in CON compared with SUGAR and B+S. These data indicate limited changes in transcript abundance due to substitution of supplemental sugar by ground beef during mid to late gestation. However, the differential expression of FBPase and SREBP-1c in response to the simultaneous supplementation of sucrose and ground beef warrants further investigations, since these genes may play important roles in determining the offspring susceptibility to metabolic diseases.
Impact of network‐targeted multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation on intrinsic and network‐to‐network functional connectivity

Dynamics within and between functional resting‐state networks have a crucial role in determining both healthy and pathological brain functioning in humans. The possibility to noninvasively interact and selectively modulate the activity of networks would open to relevant applications in neuroscience. Here we tested a novel approach for multichannel, network‐targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (net‐tDCS), optimized to increase excitability of the sensorimotor network (SMN) while inducing cathodal inhibitory modulation over prefrontal and parietal brain regions negatively correlated with the SMN. Using an MRI‐compatible multichannel transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) device, 20 healthy participants underwent real and sham tDCS while at rest in the MRI scanner. Changes in functional connectivity (FC) during and after stimulation were evaluated, looking at the intrinsic FC of the SMN and the strength of the negative connectivity between SMN and the rest of the brain. Standard, bifocal tDCS targeting left motor cortex (electrode ~C3) and right frontopolar (~Fp2) regions was tested as a control condition in a separate sample of healthy subjects to investigate network specificity of multichannel stimulation effects. Net‐tDCS induced greater FC increase over the SMN compared to bifocal tDCS, during and after stimulation. Moreover, exploratory analysis of the impact of net‐tDCS on negatively correlated networks showed an increase in the negative connectivity between SMN and prefrontal/parietal areas targeted by cathodal stimulation both during and after real net‐tDCS. Results suggest preliminary evidence of the possibility of manipulating distributed network connectivity patterns through net‐tDCS, with potential relevance for the development of cognitive enhancement and therapeutic tES solutions.
Dose discordance of direct acting oral anticoagulants using different equations for estimating GFR: a literature review

ABSTRACT Introduction Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely prescribed nowadays. Available DOACs are renally eliminated to some extent and need dose adjustment in patients with kidney dysfunction. Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula has been used to estimate creatinine clearance in DOACs trials. Nowadays, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) are preferred equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We reviewed studies that simulated DOACs dosing in patients with atrial fibrillation by MDRD, CKD-EPI, and CG. Areas covered DOACs dose discordance varies from 28.8% underdosing to 59.2% overdosing when MDRD or CKD-EPI equations are substituted for CG. MDRD and CKD-EPI overestimate the GFR in lower thresholds of kidney function especially in elderly and females and result in overestimation of DOACs dosing or misclassifying the patients to be eligible for receiving DOACs when they are contraindicated. Compared with CG, MDRD and CKD-EPI underestimate the level of kidney function in higher GFR extremes and in these patients suggest DOACs when they are not recommended or suggest lower doses. Expert opinion Until running large clinical studies on efficacy/safety of DOACs dosing using MDRD or CKD-EPI equations, use of CG method for DOACs dosing is recommended in real practice.
Ventricular tachyarrhythmia detection by implantable loop recording in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: the VIP‐HF study

The primary aim of the VIP‐HF study was to examine the incidence of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) in heart failure (HF) with mid‐range (HFmrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Secondary aims were to examine the incidence of non‐sustained VTs, bradyarrhythmias, HF hospitalizations and mortality.
Single-molecule live-cell imaging reveals RecB-dependent function of DNA polymerase IV in double strand break repair

Abstract Several functions have been proposed for the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase IV (pol IV). Although much research has focused on a potential role for pol IV in assisting pol III replisomes in the bypass of lesions, pol IV is rarely found at the replication fork in vivo. Pol IV is expressed at increased levels in E. coli cells exposed to exogenous DNA damaging agents, including many commonly used antibiotics. Here we present live-cell single-molecule microscopy measurements indicating that double-strand breaks induced by antibiotics strongly stimulate pol IV activity. Exposure to the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim leads to the formation of double strand breaks in E. coli cells. RecA and pol IV foci increase after treatment and exhibit strong colocalization. The induction of the SOS response, the appearance of RecA foci, the appearance of pol IV foci and RecA-pol IV colocalization are all dependent on RecB function. The positioning of pol IV foci likely reflects a physical interaction with the RecA* nucleoprotein filaments that has been detected previously in vitro. Our observations provide an in vivo substantiation of a direct role for pol IV in double strand break repair in cells treated with double strand break-inducing antibiotics.
Phenotypic analysis and antibiotic susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Kiambu County, Kenya.

INTRODUCTION Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes illness to people and can be picked up from both healthcare facilities and the environment leading to high morbidity and mortality. The study was aimed at identifying phenotypic characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of clinical samples isolated from patients attending or admitted in two health facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. METHODOLOGY One hundred and thirty-eight (138) clinical samples were collected from patients attending Thika and Kiambu Level-5 Hospitals. The isolates were obtained using standard bacteriological techniques. Methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus was determined using the cefoxitin disk diffusion test. RESULTS Out of 138 samples, 54 (39.1%) were found to have Staphylococcus aureus of which 22 (40.7%) were shown to be MRSA using the cefoxitin- based susceptibility test. Antibiotic susceptibility testing using Kirby-Bauer technique was performed on all 54 isolates. The highest sensitivity was found in chloramphenicol 46 (85.2%) and lowest in penicillin-G 8 (14.8%). Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) was reported in 35 (64.8%) of the 54 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. All 22 MRSA strains were found to be MDR. CONCLUSIONS the data obtained revealed that there is presence of MRSA in healthcare settings in Kiambu County, Kenya with varying antibiotic sensitivity patterns as well as multidrug resistance. The findings will help healthcare workers in the county to develop preventive strategy as well as institute policy for antibiotic usage, infection control and surveillance.
Wild‐type and mutant SOD1 localizes to RNA‐rich structures in cells and mice but does not bind RNA

Many of the genes whose mutation causes Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are RNA‐binding proteins which localize to stress granules, while others impact the assembly, stability, and elimination of stress granules. This has led to the hypothesis that alterations in the dynamics of stress granules and RNA biology cause ALS. Genetic mutations in Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) also cause ALS. Evidence demonstrates that SOD1 harboring ALS‐linked mutations is recruited to stress granules, induces changes in alternative splicing, and could be an RNA‐binding protein. Whether SOD1 inclusions contain RNA in disease models and whether SOD1 directly binds RNA remains uncertain. We applied methods including cross‐linking immunoprecipitation and in vitro gel shift assays to detect binding of SOD1 to RNA in vitro, in cells with and without stress granules, and in mice expressing human SOD1 G93A. We find that SOD1 localizes to RNA‐rich structures including stress granules, and SOD1 inclusions in mice contain mRNA. However, we find no evidence that SOD1 directly binds RNA. This suggests that SOD1 may impact stress granules, alternative splicing and RNA biology without binding directly to RNA.
The genetic architecture of the association between eating behaviors and obesity: combining genetic twin modeling and polygenic risk scores

ABSTRACT Background Obesity susceptibility genes are highly expressed in the brain suggesting that they might exert their influence on body weight through eating-related behaviors. Objectives To examine whether the genetic susceptibility to obesity is mediated by eating behavior patterns. Methods Participants were 3977 twins (33% monozygotic, 56% females), aged 31–37 y, from wave 5 of the FinnTwin16 study. They self-reported their height and weight, eating behaviors (15 items), diet quality, and self-measured their waist circumference (WC). For 1055 twins with genome-wide data, we constructed a polygenic risk score for BMI (PRSBMI) using almost 1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms. We used principal component analyses to identify eating behavior patterns, twin modeling to decompose correlations into genetic and environmental components, and structural equation modeling to test mediation models between the PRSBMI, eating behavior patterns, and obesity measures. Results We identified 4 moderately heritable (h2 = 36–48%) eating behavior patterns labeled “snacking,” “infrequent and unhealthy eating,” “avoidant eating,” and “emotional and external eating. ” The highest phenotypic correlation with obesity measures was found for the snacking behavior pattern (r = 0.35 for BMI and r = 0.32 for WC; P < 0.001 for both), largely due to genetic factors in common (bivariate h2 > 70%). The snacking behavior pattern partially mediated the association between the PRSBMI and obesity measures (βindirect = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.09; P = 0.002 for BMI; and βindirect = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.08; P = 0.003 for WC). Conclusions Eating behavior patterns share a common genetic liability with obesity measures and are moderately heritable. Genetic susceptibility to obesity can be partly mediated by an eating pattern characterized by frequent snacking. Obesity prevention efforts might therefore benefit from focusing on eating behavior change, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals.
Differential functional dysconnectivity of caudate nucleus subdivisions in Parkinson’s disease

Caudate dopaminergic dysfunction is implied in the pathophysiology of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Still, connectivity specificities of the caudate nucleus (CN) subdivisions and the effect of dopamine are poorly understood. We collected MRI and neuropsychological data from 34 PD patients and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy elderly individuals (HEs) in this study. Resting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed that compared to the other CN subdivisions, the CN head was more strongly connected to the default mode network (DMN), the CN body to the frontoparietal network (FPN), and the CN tail to the visual network in HEs. PD patients off medication showed reduced connectivity within all these subdivision networks. In PD patients on medication, functional connectivity in the CN head network was significantly improved in the medial prefrontal cortex and in the body network it was improved in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These improvements contributed to ameliorated motivation and cognitive function in PD patients. Our results highlighted the specific alterations and dopamine modulation in these CN subdivision networks in PD, which may provide insight into the pathophysiology and therapeutics of this disease.
Research on a nonlinear quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator with a vibration absorber

A negative stiffness mechanism consisting of a spring and cylinder is proposed, and a grounded dynamic vibration absorber is designed based on a quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator to constitute the vibration isolator with a vibration absorber system. The range of parameters for attaining zero stiffness is derived from static analysis. The dynamic analysis of the vibration isolator with a vibration absorber system is carried out by a multiscale method, and the amplitude–frequency response equation of the system is obtained. The influence of different system parameters on the amplitude–frequency response is analyzed. The amplitude–frequency response of the quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator is compared with that of the vibration isolator with a vibration absorber, and the linear and nonlinear analytical solutions of the vibration isolator with a vibration absorber system are also compared. The results show that the designed vibration isolator with a vibration absorber is an ideal choice for low-frequency vibration isolation, with no large resonance peak throughout the system and significantly improved reliability of the system.
Multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Canada, 2012–2016

Background Neisseria gonorrhoeae have acquired resistance to many antimicrobials, including third generation cephalosporins and azithromycin, which are the current gonococcal combination therapy recommended by the Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections. Objective To describe antimicrobial susceptibilities for N. gonorrhoeae circulating in Canada between 2012 and 2016. Methods Antimicrobial resistance profiles were determined using agar dilution of N. gonorrhoeae isolated in Canada 2012–2016 (n=10,167) following Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Data were analyzed by applying multidrug-resistant gonococci (MDR-GC) and extensively drug-resistant gonococci (XDR-GC) definitions. Results Between 2012 and 2016, the proportion of MDR-GC increased from 6.2% to 8.9% and a total of 19 cases of XDR-GC were identified in Canada (0.1%, 19/18,768). The proportion of isolates with decreased susceptibility to cephalosporins declined between 2012 and 2016 from 5.9% to 2.0% while azithromycin resistance increased from 0.8% to 7.2% in the same period. Conclusion While XDR-GC are currently rare in Canada, MDR-GC have increased over the last five years. Azithromycin resistance in N. gonorrhoeae is established and spreading in Canada, exceeding the 5% level at which the World Health Organization states an antimicrobial should be reviewed as an appropriate treatment. Continued surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibilities of N. gonorrhoeae is necessary to inform treatment guidelines and mitigate the impact of resistant gonorrhea.
Environmental signals modulate the expression of an indole-3-acetic acid biosynthetic gene in Erwinia herbicola

The ipdC gene of Erwinia herbicola strain 299R encodes an indolepyruvate decarboxylase involved in the biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Transcriptional fusions of ipdC to an ice nucleation reporter gene (inaZ) were used to study the expression of ipdC in vitro and in situ on plants. ipdC was expressed only at low levels in liquid media and independently of factors such as richness of the medium, pH, nitrogen availability, the presence of l-tryptophan or oxygen, and growth phase of the culture. However, the transcriptional activity of ipdC increased approximately 18-fold under low solute and matric potentials in culture. ipdC was also induced 32-fold on leaves of bean and tobacco and 1,000-fold on pear flowers. This is the first report of the plant-inducible transcription of a bacterial IAA biosynthetic gene. It strongly supports the role of ipdC, and thus that of the indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway, in IAA biosynthesis by strain 299R in situ. The plant induction and apparent regulation of ipdC by.
The µ-opioid system in midline thalamic nuclei modulates defence strategies towards a conditioned fear stimulus in male mice

Background: Nuclei located in the dorsal midline thalamus, such as the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), are crucial to modulate fear and aversive behaviour. In addition, the PVT shows a dense expression of µ-opioid receptors (MORs) and could mediate the anxiolytic effects of opioids. Methods: We analysed the contribution of MORs in the dorsal midline thalamus (i.e. the PVT) to the performance of mice in a classical fear conditioning paradigm. We locally injected a specific agonist (DAMGO), an antagonist (CTAP) of MOR or saline as a control into the dorsal midline thalamus of male mice, prior to fear extinction training. We assessed freezing as a typical measure of fear and extended our analysis by evaluation of aversive, non-aversive and neutral behavioural features using compositional data analysis. Results: Pharmacological blockade of MORs through CTAP in the dorsal midline thalamus induced a fear memory extinction deficit, as evidenced by maintained freezing during extinction sessions. Stimulation of MORs by DAMGO resulted in an overall increase in locomotor activity, associated with decreased freezing during recall of extinction. Compositional data analysis confirmed the freezing-related pharmacological effects and revealed specific differences in basic behavioural states. CTAP-treated mice remained in an aversive state, whereas DAMGO-treated mice displayed predominantly neutral behaviour. Conclusions: Fear extinction requires the integrity of the µ-opioid system in the dorsal midline thalamus. Pharmacological stimulation of MOR and associated facilitation of fear extinction recall suggest a potential therapeutic avenue for stress-related or anxiety disorders.
Recent Progress in High‐Strength and Robust Regenerated Cellulose Materials

High‐strength petroleum‐based materials like plastics have been widely used in various fields, but their nonbiodegradability has caused serious pollution problems. Cellulose, as the most abundant sustainable polymer, has a great chance to act as the ideal substitute for plastics due to its low cost, wide availability, biodegradability, etc. Herein, the recent achievements for developing cellulose “green” solvents and regenerated cellulose materials with high strength via the “bottom‐up” route are presented. Cellulose can be regenerated to produce films/membranes, hydrogels/aerogels, filaments/fibers, microspheres/beads, bioplastics, etc., which show potential applications in textiles, biomedicine, energy storage, packaging, etc. Importantly, these cellulose‐based materials can be biodegraded in soil and oceans, reducing environmental pollution. The cellulose solvents, dissolving mechanism, and strategies for constructing the regenerated cellulose functional materials with high strength and performances, together with the current achievements and urgent challenges are summarized, and some perspectives are also proposed. The near future will be an exciting era for high‐strength biodegradable and renewable materials. The hope is that many environmentally friendly materials with good properties and low cost will be produced for commercial use, which will be beneficial for sustainable development in the world.