Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autonomic regulation of the heart and arrhythmogenesis in trained breath-hold divers

Abstract Breath-hold divers are known to develop cardiac autonomic changes and brady-arrthymias during prolonged breath-holding (BH). The effects of BH-induced hypoxemia were investigated upon both cardiac autonomic status and arrhythmogenesis by comparing breath-hold divers (BHDs) to non-divers (NDs). Eighteen participants (9 BHDs, 9 NDs) performed a maximal voluntary BH with face immersion. BHDs were asked to perform an additional BH at water surface to increase the degree of hypoxemia. Beat-to-beat changes in heart rate (HR), short-term fractal scaling exponent (DFAα1), the number of arrhythmic events [premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), premature atrial contractions (PACs)] and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded during and immediately following BH. The corrected QT-intervals (QTc) were analyzed pre- and post-acute BH. A regression-based model was used to split BH into a normoxic (NX) and a hypoxemic phase (HX). During the HX phase of BH, BHDs showed a progressive decrease in DFAα1 during BH with face immersion (p < 0.01) and BH with whole-body immersion (p < 0.01) whereas NDs did not (p > 0.05). In addition, BHDs had more arrhythmic events during the HX of BH with whole-body immersion when compared to the corresponding NX phase (5.9 ± 6.7 vs 0.4 ± 1.3; p < 0.05; respectively). The number of PVCs was negatively correlated with SpO2 during BH with whole-body immersion (r = −0.72; p < 0.05). The hypoxemic stage of voluntary BH is concomitant with significant cardiac autonomic changes toward a synergistic sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation. Co-activation led ultimately to increased bradycardic response and cardiac electrophysiological disturbances.
Radiolabeled Human Monoclonal Antibody 067-213 has the Potential for Noninvasive Quantification of CD73 Expression

Background: CD73 is an ectonucleotidase regulating extracellular adenosine concentration and plays an important role in adenosine-mediated immunosuppressive pathways. The efficacy of CD73-targeted therapy depends on the expression levels of CD73; therefore, monitoring CD73 status in cancer patients would provide helpful information for selection of patients who would benefit from CD73-targeted therapy. Here, we evaluated the ability of 111In-labeled antibody 067-213, which has high affinity for human CD73, to act as a noninvasive imaging probe. Methods: Cell binding and competitive inhibition assays for 111In-labeled 067-213 were conducted using MIAPaCa-2 (high CD73 expression) and A431 (low CD73 expression) cells. For in vivo assessments, biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies were conducted in MIAPaCa-2 and A431 tumor-bearing mice. To estimate the absorbed dose in humans, biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies were conducted in healthy rats. Results: 111In-labeled 067-213 bound to MIAPaCa-2 and A431 cells in a CD73-dependent manner and the affinity loss after 111In-labeling was limited. Biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies with 111In-labeled 067-213 in mice showed high uptake in MIAPaCa-2 tumors and lower uptake in A431 tumors. In rats, the probe did not show high uptake in normal organs, including endogenously CD73-expressing organs. The estimated absorbed doses in humans were reasonably low. Conclusions: 111In-labeled 067-213 showed CD73-expression-dependent tumor uptake and low uptake in normal organs and tissues. Radiolabeled 067-213 holds promise as an imaging probe for noninvasive evaluation of CD73 expression levels in patients. Our data encourage further clinical studies to clarify a role for CD73 monitoring in patients receiving CD73-targeted immune therapy.
‘Empowering our people’ to address depression, violence, and sexual risk among Native Americans with recent binge alcohol use

ABSTRACT Background: This study was launched in response to an American Indian (AI) community’s concern regarding the comorbid occurrence of substance use, poor mental health, and other risk factors on sexual health. The purpose of this manuscript was to assess the relationship between alcohol use, violence, depression and STI/HIV risk behaviors on the frequency of unprotected sex acts and number of sexual partners among AI adults. Methods: Specifically, this analysis examines sociodemographic characteristics, experience of sexual and physical violence, binge drinking, depression, and sexual risk taking among n = 281 AI adults ages 18–55. Regression models examine associations between the aforementioned risk factors, number of sex partners and number of unprotected sex acts, by depression status and sex, among participants. Results: Frequent binge drinking predicted frequency of unprotected sex for both males and females; ever experiencing physical violence was a powerful predictor of unprotected sex for females, but not males. Ever experiencing physical violence strongly predicted having multiple sexual partners for females but was related to decreased number of sexual partners for males. Females ever experiencing sexual violence had more sexual partners; this was not observed for males. Binge drinking predicted frequency of unprotected sex acts, regardless of depression status. Discussion: Interventions for AI adults seeking to reduce sexual health risk should reflect past violence victimization in sexual decision making, primarily among women. The significant role of binge alcohol use for modifying sexual decisions should be of prime focus and interventions should be personalized to address individuals’ own alcohol use patterns. Additional research should explore how binge alcohol use moderates the relationship between depression and sexual risk.
SCNET: A Novel UGI Cancer Screening Framework Based on Semantic-Level Multimodal Data Fusion

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer has been identified as one of the ten most common causes of cancer deaths globally. UGI cancer screening is critical to improving the survival rate of UGI cancer patients. While many approaches to UGI cancer screening rely on single-modality data such as gastroscope imaging, limited studies have been dedicated to UGI cancer screening exploiting multisource and multimodal medical data, which could potentially lead to improved screening results. In this paper, we propose semantic-level cancer-screening network (SCNET), a framework for UGI cancer screening based on semantic-level multimodal upper gastrointestinal data fusion. Specifically, the proposed SCNET consists of a gastrointestinal image recognition flow and a textual medical record processing flow. High-level features of upper gastrointestinal data are extracted by identifying effective feature channels according to the correlation between the textual features and the spatial structure of the image features. The final screening results are obtained after the data fusion step. The experimental results show that the improvement of our approach over the state-of-the-art ones reached 4.01% in average. The source code of SCNET is available at https://github.com/netflymachine/SCNET.
Collagen, polycaprolactone and attapulgite composite scaffolds for in vivo bone repair in rabbit models

Although numerous materials have been explored as bone scaffolds, many of them are limited by their low osteoconductivity and high biodegradability. Therefore, new materials are desired to induce bone cell proliferation and facilitate bone formation. Attapulgite (ATP) is a hydrated silicate that exists in nature as a fibrillar clay mineral and is well known for its large specific surface area, high viscosity, and high absorption capacity, and therefore has the potential to be a new type of bone repair material due to its unique physicochemical properties. In this study, composite scaffolds composed of collagen/polycaprolactone/attapulgite (CPA) or collagen/polycaprolactone (CP) were fabricated through a salt-leaching method. The morphology, composition, microstructure, physical, and mechanical characteristics of the CPA and CP scaffolds were assessed. Cells from the mouse multipotent mesenchymal precursor cell line (D1 cells) were cocultured with the scaffolds, and cell adhesion, proliferation, and gene expression on the CPA and CP scaffolds were analyzed. Adult rabbits with radius defects were used to evaluate the performance of these scaffolds in repairing bone defects over 4–12 weeks. The experimental results showed that the cells demonstrated excellent attachment ability on the CPA scaffolds, as well as remarkable upregulation of the levels of osteoblastic markers such as Runx2, Osterix, collagen 1, osteopontin, and osteocalcin. Furthermore, results from radiography, micro-computed tomography, histological and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that abundant new bones were formed on the CPA scaffolds. Ultimately, these results demonstrated that CPA composite scaffolds show excellent potential in bone tissue engineering applications, with the capacity to be used as effective bone regeneration and repair scaffolds in clinical applications.
Sex-Related Differences of the Effect of Lipoproteins and Apolipoproteins on 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk; Insights from the ATTICA Study (2002–2012)

The sex-specific effect of lipid-related biomarkers on 10-year first fatal/non fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence was evaluated. ATTICA study was conducted during 2001–2012. n = 1514 men and n = 1528 women (>18 years) from greater Athens area, Greece were recruited. Follow-up (2011–2012) was achieved in n = 2020 participants. Baseline lipid profile was measured. Overall CVD event was 15.5% (n = 317) (19.7% in men and 11.7% in women, p < 0.001). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TAG) were independently associated with CVD in women; per 10 mg/dL HDL-C increase, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) (0.53, 1.00); and per 10 mg/dL TAG increase, HR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.00, 1.21). Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) (per 10 mg/dL increase, HR = 0.90, 95% CI (0.81, 0.99)) was inversely associated with CVD in women, while a positive association with apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) was observed only in men (per 10 mg/dL increase, HR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.00, 1.21)). Non-HDL-C was associated with CVD in the total sample (HR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.00, 1.21)) and in women (HR = 1.10, 95% CI (1.00, 1.21)); a steep increase in HR was observed for values >185 mg/dL in the total sample and in men, while in women, a raise in CVD risk was observed from lower values (>145 mg/dL). As for non-HDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios, similar trends were observed. Beyond the common cholesterol-adjusted risk scores, reclassifying total CVD risk according to other lipid markers may contribute to early CVD prevention. Biomarkers such as HDL-C, non-HDL-C, and TAG should be more closely monitored in women.
ncRFP: A Novel end-to-end Method for Non-Coding RNAs Family Prediction Based on Deep Learning

Evidence has accumulated enough to prove non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important roles in cellular biological processes and disease pathogenesis. High throughput techniques have produced a large number of ncRNAs whose function remains unknown. Since the accurate identification of ncRNAs family is helpful to the research of their function, it is of necessity and urgency to predict the family of each ncRNAs. Although several traditional excellent methods are applicable to predict the family of ncRNAs, their complex procedures or inaccurate performance remain major problems confronting us. The main idea of those methods is first to predict the secondary structure, and then identify ncRNAs family according to properties of the secondary structure. Unfortunately, the multi-step error superposition, especially the imperfection of RNA secondary structure prediction tools, maybe the cause of low accuracy. In this paper, a novel end-to-end method ‘ncRFP’ was proposed to complete the prediction task based on Deep Learning. Instead of predicting the secondary structure, ncRFP predicts the ncRNAs family by automatically extracting features from ncRNAs sequences. Compared with other methods, ncRFP not only simplifies the process but also improves accuracy. The source code of ncRFP can be available at https://github.com/linyuwangPHD/ncRFP.
Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach Report No . 16 / 2015 DOI : 10 . 4171 / OWR / 2015 / 16 Subfactors and Conformal Field Theory

Connections between subfactor theory and conformal field theory have been expected since the early days of the former in 1980’s, and recently we see more and more evidence for deeper relations. It was our aim to attract experts from a wide range of topics related to subfactors and CFT. Many of the participants met for the first time at Oberwolfach, and there were numerous very fruitful interactions. Mathematics Subject Classification (2010): 17B69, 18D10, 46L37, 46L60, 47L90, 81R15, 81T05,
Parentage analyses identify local dispersal events and sibling aggregations in a natural population of Millepora hydrocorals, a free‐spawning marine invertebrate

Dispersal is a critical process for the persistence and productivity of marine populations. For many reef species, there is increasing evidence that local demography and self‐recruitment have major consequences on their genetic diversity and adaptation to environmental change. Yet empirical data of dispersal patterns in reef‐building species remain scarce. Here, we document the first genetic estimates of self‐recruitment and dispersal distances in a free‐spawning marine invertebrate, the hydrocoral Millepora cf. platyphylla. Using twelve microsatellite markers, we gathered genotypic information from 3,160 georeferenced colonies collected over 27,000 m2 of a single reef in three adjacent habitats in Moorea, French Polynesia; the mid slope, upper slope, and back reef. Although the adult population was predominantly clonal (85% were clones), our parentage analysis revealed a moderate self‐recruitment rate with a minimum of 8% of sexual propagules produced locally. Assigned offspring often settled at <10 m from their parents and dispersal events decrease with increasing geographic distance. There were no discrepancies between the dispersal distances of offspring assigned to parents belonging to clonal versus nonclonal genotypes. Interhabitat dispersal events via cross‐reef transport were also detected for sexual and asexual propagules. Sibship analysis showed that full siblings recruit nearby on the reef (more than 40% settled at <30 m), resulting in sibling aggregations. Our findings highlight the importance of self‐recruitment together with clonality in stabilizing population dynamics, which may ultimately enhance local sustainability and resilience to disturbance.
Prognostic value of non-invasive fibrosis indices post-curative resection in hepatitis-B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients

The occurrence and acuteness of liver cirrhosis were strongly associated with the hepatocarcinogenesis and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study compared the prognostic significance of non-invasive fibrosis panel containing 15 indices in hepatitis-B-associated HCC patients’ post-curative resection. Four hundred and five consecutive hepatitis-B-related HCC patients who went through curative hepatectomy were investigated retrospectively. The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). The accuracy in diagnosis of each non-invasive fibrosis index in cirrhosis detection was determined by the area under receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve. Preoperative AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), Goteburg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI), and King Score all exhibited a superior performance in diagnosis of cirrhosis detection with AUC > 0.7. APRI and Fibro-α Score were the risk factors that behaved independently in predicting the OS of HCC patients, with an hazard ratio (HR) value of 1.550 (P = 0.012) and 1.420 (P = 0.033), respectively. Preoperative APRI was a relatively accurate predictor of cirrhotic status and prognosis in HCC due to hepatitis-B among the 15 non-invasive fibrosis indices. Impact statement Non-invasive fibrosis indices, according to regular laboratory and clinical data, could be useful in assessing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis patients. However, the role of these biomarkers remains unclear in predicting the outcome of HBV-associated HCC in patients. This study was carried out retrospectively and included a relatively large sample size (n = 405) with a heterogeneous population of HBV infected patients and longer duration of prospective follow-up. Our study suggested that APRI and Fibro-α Scores are inversely correlated with overall survival in HBV-associated HCC patients. Meanwhile, GUCI, King Score, and APRI were highly correlated with cirrhosis status. Also, in subgroups of cirrhosis or non-cirrhosis, Fibro-α Scores could differentiate patients with good prognosis from those with poor outcome. This result would aid clinicians in acquiring preventive and therapeutic methods in patients with high risk.
Risk perception towards healthcare waste among community people in Kathmandu, Nepal

Background Healthcare waste management is a serious issue in context of developing countries. Better assessment of both risks and effects of exposure would permit improvements in the management of healthcare waste. However, there is not yet clear understanding of risks, and as consequences, inadequate management practices are often implemented. Objectives This study primarily aims to assess risk perception towards healthcare waste and secondly to assess knowledge, attitude and identify the factors associated with risk perception. Results A cross-sectional community based study was carried out among 270 respondents selected through multistage sampling technique. Face-to-face interview was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. Risk perception was classified as good and poor based on mean score. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to determine the associates of risk perception. More than half, 52% of the sampled population had a poor risk perception towards healthcare waste. More than a quarter 26.3% had inadequate knowledge and forty percent (40%) had a negative attitude towards health care waste management. Having knowledge (OR = 3.31; CI = 1.67–6.58) was a strong predictor of risk perception towards healthcare waste. The perception of risk towards healthcare waste among community people was poor. This highlights the need for extensive awareness programs. Promoting knowledge on healthcare waste is a way to change the perception in Nepal. Community engaged research approach is needed to address environmental health concerns among public residents.
Acoustic Properties of Porous Lead Zirconate Titanate Backing for Ultrasonic Transducers

For transducer design, it is essential to know the acoustic properties of the materials in their operating conditions. At frequencies over 15 MHz, standard methods are not well adapted because layers are very thin and backings have very high attenuation. In this article, we report on an original method for measuring the acoustic properties in the 15–25 MHz frequency range, corresponding to typical skin-imaging applications, using a backing/piezoelectric multilayer structure. Onto a porous Pb(Zr<sub>0.53</sub>Ti<sub>0.47</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (PZT) substrate, a piezoelectric PZT-based layer with a thickness of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sim 20~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> was deposited and directly used to excite an acoustic signal into water. Herein, the measured signal corresponds to the wave that is first reflected on a target in water, then propagates back to the multilayer structure, and is transmitted through the thick film and further to the rear face of the porous backing, where it is again reflected and returns to the piezoelectric thick film, thus avoiding overlap with the electrical excitation signal. Two types of PZT backings with similar porosity of ~20% and spherical pores with size of 1.5 and 10 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> were processed. The ultrasound group velocities were measured at ~3500 m/s for both samples. The acoustic attenuation of the backings with pore size of 1.5 and 10 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> were 12 and 33 dB/mm, respectively, measured at 19 MHz. This advanced measuring technique demonstrated potential for the simple measurements of acoustic properties of backing at high frequencies in operating conditions. Importantly, this method also enables rapid determination of the minimum required thickness of the backing to act as a semi-infinite medium, for high-frequency transducer applications.
Review of the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale, Second Edition

Forms, groups to which applicable: The Piers-Harris 2 is the latest revision of the preceding instruments, which replicates the original title (Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale published in 1963) (Buckroyd & Flitton, 2004) and contains interchangeable self-concept and validity scales (Kelley, 2004). Three revisions exist from 1984, 1996 and lastly in 2002. The Piers-Harris 2 comprises improvements over earlier versions in that there are fewer items, availability of computer scoring, and of most importance according to Kelley, “the scale has been standardized on a national sample in contrast to the use of a homogeneous, rural sample collected in the 1960s” (p 5). The instrument evaluates perceptions of self-concept for children and adolescents (Western Psychological Services, n.d.). The authors recommend reading and comprehension to be at a second grade level (Kelley).
Impact of a Women in STEM Conference on Two Indicators of Career Persistence: Evaluation Design and Results

Introduction Workshops and conferences are common venues for dissemination of information and are often cast as interventions aimed at a specific outcome for the target audience, e.g., gaining knowledge in a particular field, or developing a particular skill. While the outcomes of very focused training sessions can be tested using traditional means, the effectiveness of broader-topic, short-duration events (e.g., conferences for: women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), aboriginal educational leadership, men in nursing) to change outcomes for participants is not well documented. Without measurable proof of an intervention’s impact, it is difficult to create sponsor and participant buy-in for future activities. Measurement, therefore, is an important yet neglected component of these types of interventions. In the past few decades, studies have presented the business case for gender diversity, citing benefits for organisations including better economic performance (Council of Canadian Academies, 2012; Catalyst, 2004, 2007, 2011; Adler, 1999, 2009; Orser, 2000), improved governance (Mateos de Cabo et al., 2012; Brown et al., 2002; Boulanta, 2013), increased innovation (Woolley and Malone, 2011; Torchia et al., 2011; Diaz-Garcia et al., 2013), and recruiting from a wider talent pool (Grosvold, 2011). Many traditional workplaces currently emphasise linear career paths, a large amount of in-person time at the workplace, and long hours; characteristics that do not reflect the challenges of many highly qualified women, 60% of whom have non-linear careers (Hewlett, 2007). Engineering, specifically, has a highly competitive culture which can increase stress levels for women, (Dryburgh, 1999), dissuade employees from taking advantage of inclusive policies (Lee et al., 2010), and does not promote inclusivity for women in the industry (Cheryan, 2012; Diekman et al., 2010). Shifting traditional workplace