Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Adjuvant Therapies on Embryo Transfer Success

Background: Many adjuvant therapies are employed during IVF treatment in an attempt to improve outcomes. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of thirteen adjuvants (Intralipid, steroids, melatonin, coenzyme Q10, Filgrastim, testosterone, DHEA, growth hormone, antibiotics, hCG infusion, aspirin, enoxaparin/heparin and dopamine agonists) on the success of embryo transfers. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of all embryo transfers between January 2010 and April 2015 from a multi-site IVF clinic. To ensure data independence, random number was applied to each included transfer and used to pick an individual transfer for each patient (n=13,372). Outcomes were clinical pregnancy, live birth and pregnancy loss. Univariate comparison with Chi square testing and logistic regression analysis were used. The level of significance was p<0.05. Results: Steroid use was significantly associated with both reduced clinical pregnancy loss (aOR 0.39, CI 0.19–0.76) and improved live birth rates (aOR 1.40, CI 1.11–1.77). While aspirin was associated with improved live birth rates (aOR 1.48, CI 1.08–2.02), melatonin was linked with reduced rates (aOR 0.66, CI 0.45–0.96). Analyses for all other adjuvant therapies did not reach statistical significance after logistic regression. Conclusion: Many of the interventions investigated in this study fail to significantly demonstrate any effects on the success of embryo transfers. Our analysis results show negative effects with the use of melatonin; however, use of aspirin or steroids demonstrated promising, potentially beneficial outcomes. Additional exploration is needed to guide evidence-based practice.
Multitask Learning in Computational Biology

Computational Biology provides a wide range of applications for Multitask Learning (MTL) methods. As the generation of labels often is very costly in the biomedical domain, combining data from different related problems or tasks is a promising strategy to reduce label cost. In this paper, we present two problems from sequence biology, where MTL was successfully applied. For this, we use regularization-based MTL methods, with a special focus on the case of a hierarchical relationship between tasks. Furthermore, we propose strategies to refine the measure of task relatedness, which is of central importance in MTL and finally give some practical guidelines, when MTL strategies are likely to pay off.
'Yes' and 'No' in the Ethiopian Languages

Questions can be expressed in the Ethiopian languages in either an affirmative or a negative way, as is the case in other languages. In answer to an affirmative question ('Will you come tomorrow? '), the particle is 'yes' for an affirmative statement, and 'no' for a negative statement. The verb of the question is most often repeated either in the affirmative ('Yes, I will come') or in the negative ('No, I will not come'). In answer to a negative question ('Will you not come tomorrow? '), the Ethiopian languages have various ways of expressing the affirmative or the negative. The object of the present study is to illustrate the various ways of expressing 'yes' or 'no' as an answer to a negative question. The investigation was made with the help of informants in Amharic, Tigrinya, Harari, and Chaha and Soddol of the Gurage group. As already stated, the answer for 'yes' or 'no' to an affirmative question is 'yes' or 'no', accompanied by the verb of the question in the affirmative or negative. Thus, in AMHARIC: mdkina mandat yacalal 'Does he know how to drive a car? 'for 'yes': awon yacalal 'Yes, he knows'; for 'no': yallam aycalam 'No, he does not know. ' In TIGRINYA: sarah yabazhakka dayyu2 'Do you have too much work? 'for 'yes': 'awwa yabdzhanniyyu 'Yes, it is too much for me' (lit. 'it is too much for me, it is'); for 'no': ydlldn aybdzhiannan 'No, it is not too much for me. ' In HARARI: gqs tidzjnax3 'Will you come tomorrow? '-for 'yes': t idi4ax 'Yes, I will come'; for 'no': me' idigumex 'No, I will not come'. In CHAHA: ndgd gdbaya titan-sd we4 'Will you come tomorrow to the market? '-for 'yes': ank dtdn-sa 'Yes, I will come'; for 'no': bd an6cdn 'No, I will not come. ' In SODDO: ndgd tamdtaw 'Will you come tomorrow? '-for 'yes': z dmataw 'Yes, I will come'; for 'no': ydlld tdmdta 'No, I will not come. ' The answer for 'yes' or 'no' is different in the case of a negative question. Thus, in AMHARIC: mdkina mdndat attacalam 'Don't you know how to drive a car? 'for 'yes': yalldm acalalluh, lit. 'No, I know'; for 'no': awon aldceam, lit. 'Yes, I don't know'. It would seem that the answer particle to a negative question is a 'true' or 'false' statement: the affirmative answer to a negative question ('Don't you know how to drive a car? ') first states that the implication of the question is false; the real answer for 'yes' is then expressed by the affirmative form of the verb ocalalluh 'I know'. In the negative answer to a negative question the particle states that the implication of the question is true; the real answer is then expressed by the negative verb aldcalam 'I don't know'. But the answer 'No, I don't know' to a negative question 'Don't you know? ' is also expressed by ydlldm alac5abm 'No, I
Nuclear mRNA quality control in yeast is mediated by Nrd1 co-transcriptional recruitment, as revealed by the targeting of Rho-induced aberrant transcripts

The production of mature export-competent transcripts is under the surveillance of quality control steps where aberrant mRNP molecules resulting from inappropriate or inefficient processing and packaging reactions are subject to exosome-mediated degradation. Previously, we have shown that the heterologous expression of bacterial Rho factor in yeast interferes in normal mRNP biogenesis leading to the production of full-length yet aberrant transcripts that are degraded by the nuclear exosome with ensuing growth defect. Here, we took advantage of this new tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which an integrated system recognizes aberrancies at each step of mRNP biogenesis and targets the defective molecules for destruction. We show that the targeting and degradation of Rho-induced aberrant transcripts is associated with a large increase of Nrd1 recruitment to the transcription complex via its CID and RRM domains and a concomitant enrichment of exosome component Rrp6 association. The targeting and degradation of the aberrant transcripts is suppressed by the overproduction of Pcf11 or its isolated CID domain, through a competition with Nrd1 for recruitment by the transcription complex. Altogether, our results support a model in which a stimulation of Nrd1 co-transcriptional recruitment coordinates the recognition and removal of aberrant transcripts by promoting the attachment of the nuclear mRNA degradation machinery.
The correlation between platelet activation markers and HMGB1 in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation and hematologic malignancy

To the editor Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) frequently complicates hematologic malignancy and infections [1]. Coagulation abnormalities and thrombocytopenia are common in DIC, and the extent of hemostatic disorders appears to correlate with disease severity [2]. In particular, low platelet count is predictive of poor outcome [3, 4]. In DIC patients, the thrombin generated may react with thrombin receptors (PAR-1) located on the platelets and result in platelet activation. On the other hand, high mobility group-B1 DNA binding protein (HMGB1) is a nuclear architectural chromatin binding protein released by necrotic cells that has been identified as a mediator of endotoxin-induced lethality, and acts at least in part as a proinflammatory cytokine [5–7]. Moreover, HMGB1 also plays a role in the pathogenesis of DIC because plasma HMGB1 levels correlate with DIC scores [8]. However, the significance of activated platelets related to HMGB1 in DIC patients is poorly understood. Here, we describe the correlation between platelet activation markers and HMGB1 in DIC patients with hematologic malignancy. In addition, we investigated the effect of recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM) on these markers. Patients with DIC associated with hematologic malignancy were recruited. DIC was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria established by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare [9]. In total, 45 patients comprised of 27 males and 18 females were enrolled. The median age was 54 years (range 21–78 years). Serum samples collected at baseline and 14 days after rTM therapy were tested by ELISA for antibodies against the markers. All ELISA kits were used according to the manufacture’s instructions. For DIC patients with hematologic malignancy, univariate analysis showed that prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), plateletderived microparticle (PDMP), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), interleukin (IL)-6, and tissue necrotizing factor (TNF)! regulated on activation of normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1) were significantly associated withHMGB1 (Table I). In addition, fibrinogen, CRP, PDMP, sCD40L, TNF! and RANTES were significant factors in the multivariate model with HMGB1 (Table I). DIC patients exhibited a significant decrease inHMGB1 levels after rTM therapy (before vs. after, 26.3! 8.4 vs. 12.1! 5.9 ng/ ml, p< 0.001). In addition, the levels of platelet activation markers and cytokines were significantly decreased after rTM therapy in DIC patients (before vs. after, PDMP: 19.9! 3.3 vs. 11.7! 2.9 U/ml, p< 0.001; sCD40L: 3.45! 1.18 vs. 2.00! 0.79 ng/ml, p< 0.001; RANTES: 92.6! 14.5 vs.
Tubulin constancy during morphological differentiation of mouse neuroblastoma cells

Clonal cell lines N18 and N103 of the mouse neuroblastoma C1300 possess an undifferentiated neuroblast morphology under optimal growth conditions; however, when deprived of serum, N18 can be induced to extend long neurites. Although initial neurite outgrowth is rapid, very long fibers are found only after several days. Both initial outgrowths and established neurites contain microtubules; however, the number and density of these polymerized tubules increase markedly during this time. Optimum conditions have been established for assessing the colchicine-binding activity of neuroblastoma sonicates. A time-decay colchicine-binding assay was used to make a comparative study of the tubulin content of both undifferentiated and differentiated N18 as well as the nondifferentiating N103 and the rat glioma C6. Both morphologies of clone N18 possessed similar concentrations of tubulin (130-140 pmol/10(6) cells). Although cells of clone N103 contain 20% less tubulin than N18 cells, this is considerably more tubulin than is present in the glioma C6 (30 pmol/10(6) cells) which has a similar generation time. Quantitative densitometry of neuroblastoma extracts electrophoresed on SDS-polyacrylamide gels confirmed the constancy of tubulin. Radiolabeled proteins from neuroblastoma cells subjected to both growth conditions show that neurite outgrowth does not create a disproportionate demand for tubulin synthesis. Thus, the morphological differentiation of neuroblastoma cells probably reflects the regulation of tubulin storage and microtubule polymerization.
The Reasoning Voter: Communication and Persuasion in Presidential Campaigns

"The Reasoning Voter" is an insider's look at campaigns, candidates, media, and voters that convincingly argues that voters make informed logical choices. Samuel L. Popkin analyzes three primary campaigns Carter in 1976; Bush and Reagan in 1980; and Hart, Mondale, and Jackson in 1984 to arrive at a new model of the way voters sort through commercials and sound bites to choose a candidate. Drawing on insights from economics and cognitive psychology, he convincingly demonstrates that, as trivial as campaigns often appear, they provide voters with a surprising amount of information on a candidate's views and skills. For all their shortcomings, campaigns "do" matter. "If you're preparing to run a presidential campaign, and only have time to read one book, make sure to read Sam Popkin's "The Reasoning Voter. " If you have time to read two books, read "The Reasoning Voter" twice. " James Carville, Senior Stategist, Clinton/Gore '92 "A fresh and subtle analysis of voter behavior. " Thomas Byrne Edsall, "New York Review of Books""Professor Popkin has brought V.O. Key's contention that voters are rational into the media age. This book is a useful rebuttal to the cynical view that politics is a wholly contrived business, in which unscrupulous operatives manipulate the emotions of distrustful but gullible citizens. The reality, he shows, is both more complex and more hopeful than that. " David S. Broder, "The Washington Post""
Neurotransmitter receptors in the proliferative zones of the developing primate occipital lobe

Film autoradiography was used to investigate the expression of several neurotransmitter receptor subtypes in the transient ventricular and subventricular proliferative zones of the developing occipital lobe in two groups of macaque monkey fetuses. The first group of fetuses were between 60 and 93 days after conception (E60‐E93), when the ventricular and subventricular zones of the monkey occipital lobe produce neurons destined for the visual cortex. In the second group, fetuses were between E107 and E128, after generation of cortical neurons has ceased. In the E60–E93 group of fetuses, ventricular and subventricular zones displayed high densities of 5‐HT1‐serotonergic, D1‐dopaminergic, α1‐and α2‐adrenergic and high affinity kainate receptors. The activation of these receptors has previously been shown to stimulate cell proliferation in other cell systems. The possible involvement of these receptors in regulation of neuronal production is also supported by their absence in the deep laminae of the embryonic cerebral wall after E107, after cortical neurogenesis has been completed. The only exception is a high density of α2‐adrenergic receptors maintained near the ventricular surface long after all cortical neurons have been generated. We also found that during neurogenesis, proliferative zones in E66–E90 fetuses displayed virtually no 5‐HT2‐serotonergic, D2‐dopaminergic, β‐adrenergic, M1‐muscarinic cholinergic, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)A, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA), or β‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐menthy‐4‐isoxazole proprionate (AMPA) sites; most of these receptor subtypes have been reported to mediate the suppression of cell proliferation. The present findings suggest that dividing and/or newly generated cortical neurons are capable of receiving specific signals from multiple neurotransmitters present in their environment. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coffee consumption and risk of colorectal cancer in a population‐based prospective cohort of Japanese men and women

We prospectively examined the association between coffee consumption and the risk of developing colorectal cancer in a large population‐based cohort study (the JPHC Study) of Japanese men and women. Data were analyzed from a population‐based cohort of 96,162 subjects (46,023 men and 50,139 women). A total of 1,163 incident colorectal cancers were identified during the follow‐up period, including 763 cases of colon cancer and 400 of rectal cancer. We observed a significant inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of developing invasive colon cancer among women. Compared with those who almost never consumed coffee, women who regularly consumed 3 or more cups of coffee per day had a RR of 0.44 (95% CI = 0.19–1.04; p for trend = 0.04) after adjustment for potential confounding factors. However, no significant association was found for rectal cancer in women. In men, no significant decrease was observed in any colorectal cancer site. Further, additional analyses on the association of green tea consumption with colorectal cancer risk found no significant association in men or women. These findings suggest that coffee consumption may lower the risk of colon cancer among Japanese women. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MITOCHONDRIAL‐DNA VARIATION IN THE CRESTED NEWT SUPERSPECIES: LIMITED CYTOPLASMIC GENE FLOW AMONG SPECIES

The crested newt has a widespread European distribution and encompasses four taxa recently elevated to full species: Triturus cristatus, T. carnifex, T. dobrogicus, and T. karelini. These are distinct on morphological, chromosomal, and isozymic grounds and have fairly sharp transition zones. A widespread survey (12 countries, 49 geographic sites, 210 individuals) of mtDNA variation (20–27 restriction enzyme sites mapped per individual) was made in order to 1) correlate mtDNA variation with morphological features defining the species, 2) determine the degree of differentiation within and among species, and 3) detect any introgression among species. The mtDNAs of these species were clearly differentiated (d = 3.9–7.1%). Additionally, geographic structuring was observed within T. carnifex and T. karelini, each displaying two divergent mitochondrial genome types (d = 3.5% and 4.7%, respectively). The other two (more northerly distributed) species were genetically homogeneous over most (T. cristatus) or all (T. dobrogicus) of their ranges. In the case of T. cristatus, one may infer bottlenecking as a result of Pleistocene glaciation events. This may also apply in part to T. dobrogicus, but high population connectedness and gene flow in this lowland river species may alone be sufficient for homogenization of mtDNA. Patterns of mtDNA variation were largely concordant with morphology; some interspecific mitochondrial gene flow was observed, but only close to or in the transition zones. Analyses of mapped restriction‐site data by UPGMA and parsimony methods (using the closely related T. marmoratus as an outgroup) produce very similar dendrograms. The levels of divergence found concur with the systematics of the group, but the differentiation within T. carnifex and T. karelini is notable.
Strategic Formation of Credit Networks : Preliminary Report ∗

Recent models of abstract credit networks capture the dynamics of trust and obligations among agents over a series of transactions. Such networks support desirable characteristics in a distributed credit model, including robustness to intrusion, bounded risk, and the ability to support wide distributions of transaction pairings even with sparse direct credit relationships. We consider the question of how such networks may be formed in the first place, from decisions of autonomous self-interested agents to grant credit to others. We perform a theoretical analysis of a network contribution game in this framework under a simple scenario, where agents in the network transact only with other agents that they directly trust. Under this restriction we show that at Nash equilibrium, agents allocate credit budgets in a socially optimal manner. We also investigate via simulation another version of the network formation game, where agents may transact along paths in the credit network. In a model where agents have common beliefs about the default risk of others, we find that in equilibrium of the empirical game everyone issues credit to the same agents, yielding a network exhibiting a small set of central currencies.
Wireless Networked Digital Devices: A New Paradigm for Computing and Communication

The proliferation of mobile computing devices including laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wearable computers has created a demand for wireless personal area networks (PANs). PANs allow proximal devices to share information and resources. The mobile nature of these devices places unique requirements on PANs, such as low power consumption, frequent make-and-break connections, resource discovery and utilization, and international regulations. This paper examines wireless technologies appropriate for PANs and reviews promising research in resource discovery and service utilization.
Insights on Antioxidant Assays for Biological Samples Based on the Reduction of Copper Complexes—The Importance of Analytical Conditions

Total antioxidant capacity assays are recognized as instrumental to establish antioxidant status of biological samples, however the varying experimental conditions result in conclusions that may not be transposable to other settings. After selection of the complexing agent, reagent addition order, buffer type and concentration, copper reducing assays were adapted to a high-throughput scheme and validated using model biological antioxidant compounds of ascorbic acid, Trolox (a soluble analogue of vitamin E), uric acid and glutathione. A critical comparison was made based on real samples including NIST-909c human serum certified sample, and five study samples. The validated method provided linear range up to 100 µM Trolox, (limit of detection 2.3 µM; limit of quantification 7.7 µM) with recovery results above 85% and precision <5%. The validated developed method with an increased sensitivity is a sound choice for assessment of TAC in serum samples.
Selling Schools: Marketing and Recruitment Strategies in New Orleans

Under new school-choice policies, schools feel increasing pressure to market their schools to parents and students. I examine how school leaders in New Orleans used different marketing strategies based on their positions in the market hierarchy and the ways in which they used formal and informal processes to recruit students. This study relied on qualitative interviews, observations of board meetings, and board-meeting minutes from a random sample of 30 schools in New Orleans. Findings indicate that marketing was a very common strategy. Yet even though choice policies were meant to give parents, not schools, power in selecting where their children attend school, some schools found ways to avoid enrolling disadvantaged students, often by not marketing. Faced with the pressure of accountability and charter renewal, these schools traded greater funding for potentially greater averages in student achievement. At the same time, some schools that were oversubscribed invested in marketing and recruitment anyway to draw less affluent parents to the school, who might not be aware of the open application and enrollment process. I discuss the implications of these marketing strategies.