Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lessons learned from women in leadership positions

BACKGROUND: Eileen Elias has decades of experience in leadership positions within government and nongovernmental organizations. As the first female Commissioner for Mental Health in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the US in the early 1990s, Elias gained experience on navigating gender-based challenges to attain recognized performance outcomes. OBJECTIVE: From lessons learned from women leaders, educate young women entering their careers on attaining leadership positions. METHODS: Comprehensive research of literature from 2012 through 2017 and interviews with women leaders representing non-Fortune 500 companies including academia, research, non-profit, for-profit, and primary and secondary education. Interviewees included:1. Gail Bassin, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, JBS International Inc.2. Jeri Epstein, Executive Director, The Ambit Foundation3. Valerie Fletcher, Executive Director, Institute for Human Centered Design4. Christine James-Brown, President and CEO, Child Welfare League of America5. Daria Mochly-Rosen, PhD, Professor and Fellow, Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine6. Eileen O’Keefe, MD, MPH, Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Boston University Health Sciences7. Jeri Shaw, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, JBS International Inc. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive understanding of key women leaders’ lessons learned and recommendations targeting young women as they assess leadership opportunities in the public or private sectors.
Coevolution of Contrary Choices in Host‐Parasitoid Systems

We investigate patch selection strategies of hosts and parasitoids in heterogeneous environments. Previous theoretical work showed that when host traits vary among patches, coevolved populations of hosts and parasitoids make congruent choices (i.e., hosts and parasitoids preferentially select the same patches) and exhibit direct density dependence in the distribution of percent parasitism. However, host‐parasitoid systems in the field show a range of patterns in percent parasitism, while behavioral studies indicate that hosts and parasitoids can exhibit contrary choices (i.e., hosts avoid patches favored by the parasitoid). We extend previous theory by permitting life‐history traits of the parasitoid as well as the host to vary among patches. Our analysis implies that in coevolutionarily stable populations, hosts preferentially select patches that intrinsically support higher host equilibrium numbers (i.e., the equilibrium number achieved by hosts when both populations are confined to a single patch) and that parasitoids preferentially select patches that intrinsically support higher parasitoid equilibrium numbers (i.e., the equilibrium number achieved by the parasitoids when both populations are confined to a patch). Using this result, we show how variation in life‐history traits among patches leads to contrary or congruent choices or leads to direct density dependence, inverse density dependence, or density independence in the distribution of percent parasitism. In addition, we determine when populations playing the coevolutionarily stable strategies are ecologically stable. Our analysis shows that heterogeneous environments containing patches where the intrinsic rate of growth of the host and the survivorship rate of the parasitoid are low result in the coevolved populations exhibiting contrary choices and, as a result, promote ecological stability.
A bayesian approach for driving behavior inference

Human drivers are endowed with an inborn ability to put themselves in the position of other drivers and reason about their behaviors and intended actions. State-of-the-art driving assistance systems, on the other hand, are generally limited to physical models and ad-hoc safety rules. In order to drive safely amongst humans, autonomous vehicles require a high-level description of the state of traffic participants. This paper presents a probabilistic model for estimating and predicting the behavior of drivers immersed in traffic. The model is defined within a stochastic filtering framework and estimation and prediction are carried out with statistical inference techniques. The approach is validated with real data from a fleet of mining vehicles.
The more, the better? Behavioral and neural correlates of frequent and infrequent vowel exposure

A central assumption in the perceptual attunement literature holds that exposure to a speech sound contrast leads to improvement in native speech sound processing. However, whether the amount of exposure matters for this process has not been put to a direct test. We elucidated indicators of frequency-dependent perceptual attunement by comparing 5-8-month-old Dutch infants' discrimination of tokens containing a highly frequent [hɪt-he:t] and a highly infrequent [hʏt-hø:t] native vowel contrast as well as a non-native [hɛt-haet] vowel contrast in a behavioral visual habituation paradigm (Experiment 1). Infants discriminated both native contrasts similarly well, but did not discriminate the non-native contrast. We sought further evidence for subtle differences in the processing of the two native contrasts using near-infrared spectroscopy and a within-participant design (Experiment 2). The neuroimaging data did not provide additional evidence that responses to native contrasts are modulated by frequency of exposure. These results suggest that even large differences in exposure to a native contrast may not directly translate to behavioral and neural indicators of perceptual attunement, raising the possibility that frequency of exposure does not influence improvements in discriminating native contrasts.
A Na(+)-dependent mechanism is involved in mucosal uptake of cinnamic acid across the jejunal brush border in rats.

Phenolic acids are present in all plant-derived foods and in most diets. Indirect evidence indicates substantial absorption of phenolic monomers from the gastrointestinal tract. However, the mechanisms involved in the absorptive process are unknown. The present study investigates mucosal uptake of radioactively labeled cinnamic acid as a model substance for monomeric cinnamic acid derivatives (e.g., cinnamic, ferulic or caffeic acid) in the rat jejunum using an in vitro mucosal uptake technique. The results indicate the existence of a Na(+)-dependent saturable transport mechanism for uptake of cinnamic acid across the jejunal brush border membrane. The observed Na+ dependence of jejunal cinnamate uptake seems not to be related to the activity of the Na+,H+ exchanger. Lowering the pH of the incubation medium resulted in a pronounced increase in mucosal cinnamate uptake that can be only partially explained by an increase in nonionic diffusion of cinnamic acid. Furthermore, jejunal uptake of cinnamate seems to be influenced by intracellular HCO3- and/or pH, since the addition of methazolamide to a HCO3(-)- and CO2-free incubation medium significantly inhibited mucosal cinnamate uptake, whereas methazolamide was without an effect in the presence of HCO3- and CO2 in the incubation medium. Unlabeled cinnamic and ferulic acid as well as short-chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic and butyric acid) significantly inhibited Na(+)-dependent uptake of radioactivity labeled cinnamic acid. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pregnancy and lactation: physiological adjustments, nutritional requirements and the role of dietary supplements.

Nutritional needs are increased during pregnancy and lactation for support of fetal and infant growth and development along with alterations in maternal tissues and metabolism. Total nutrient needs are not necessarily the sum of those accumulated in maternal tissues, products of pregnancy and lactation and those attributable to the maintenance of nonreproducing women. Maternal metabolism is adjusted through the elaboration of hormones that serve as mediators, redirecting nutrients to highly specialized maternal tissues specific to reproduction (i.e., placenta and mammary gland). It is most unlikely that the heightened nutrient needs for successful reproduction can always be met from the maternal diet. Requirements for energy-yielding macronutrients increase modestly compared with several micronutrients that are unevenly distributed among foods. Altered nutrient utilization and mobilization of reserves often offset enhanced needs but sometimes nutrient deficiencies are precipitated by reproduction. There are only limited data from well-controlled intervention studies with dietary supplements and with few exceptions (iron during pregnancy and folate during the periconceptional period), the evidence is not strong that nutrient supplements confer measurable benefit. More research is needed and in future studies attention must be given to subject characteristics that may influence ability to meet maternal and infant demands (genetic and environmental), nutrient-nutrient interactions, sensitivity and selectivity of measured outcomes and proper use of proxy measures. Consideration of these factors in future studies of pregnancy and lactation are necessary to provide an understanding of the links among maternal diet; nutritional supplementation; and fetal, infant and maternal health.
Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation rescues premature ovarian insufficiency induced by chemotherapy

Abstract Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an important cause of infertility and also cause menopausal symptoms, which greatly reduced the quality of life for women. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), as an important strategy, improved the quality of life for patients, however, the role of HRT in promoting fertility remains controversial. Therefore, seeking an optimal regime for POI becomes more urgent. In this study, we established POI model induced by CTX and BUS and utilized bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) transplantation to treat the POI. We found that the decrease of estrogen and the increase of FSH induced by administration of CTX and BUS were rescued by BM-MSC transplantation. H&E staining and TUNEL assay showed that there were more healthy ovarian follicles and less apoptosis of ovarian cells after treatment with BM-MSCs. Further studies showed that there was an obvious decrease of Bax, p53, and p21 after transplantation, however, CyclinD2 was increased. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that BM-MSCs could restore injured ovarian function. Inhibiting apoptosis and promoting residual ovarian cell proliferation may contribute to the process.
Long‐Term Experimental Evolution in Escherichia coli. VIII. Dynamics of a Balanced Polymorphism

We describe the short‐ and long‐term dynamics of a phenotypic polymorphism that arose in a population of Escherichia coli while it was serially propagated for almost 20,000 generations in a glucose‐limited minimal medium. The two types, designated L and S, differ conspicuously in the size of the colonies they form on agar plates as well as the size of their individual cells, and these differences are heritable. The S type reached a detectable frequency (>1%) at generation 6,000, and it remained above that frequency throughout the subsequent generations. In addition to morphological differences, L and S diverged in important ecological properties. With clones isolated at 18,000 generations, L has a maximal growth rate in fresh medium that is ∼20% higher than that of S. However, experiments with conditioned media demonstrate that L and S secrete one or more metabolites that promote the growth of S but not of L. The death rate of L during stationary phase also increases when S is abundant, which suggests that S may either secrete a metabolite that is toxic to L or remove some factor that enables the survival of L. One‐day competition experiments with the clones isolated at generation 18,000 show that their relative fitness is frequency dependent, with each type having an advantage when rare. When these two types are grown together for a period of several weeks, they converge on an equilibrium frequency that is consistent with the 1‐d competition experiments. Over the entire 14,000‐generation period of coexistence, however, the frequency of the S type fluctuated between approximately 10% and 85%. We offer several hypotheses that may explain the fluctuations in this balanced polymorphism, including the possibility of coevolution between the two types.
Orlistat and weight loss.

Davidson points out that the achievements of the orlistat trials must be weighed within the context of each experiment. I agree. Yet in the JAMA trial in which he is lead author, only a 3% difference in percentage of initial weight lost over 1 y separated the orlistat group (10%) and the placebo group (7%). This difference was produced under experimental conditions of high-intensity (monthly or less) dietary education and surveillance of all subjects, a procedure that goes beyond the typical standard of care for obesity management in most medical practices (1). In the trial published in the Journal (2), the bias was in selection of subjects who already had proven their ability to lose weight with diet restriction; diets were then prescribed for the 1-y drug trial that met the realistic conditions required to maintain metabolic balance according to each subject’s individual needs. In response to Davidson as well as to Anderson and Konz, the central point of my editorial remains (3). Specifically, if 24% of subjects in the trial published in this journal either stabilized or continued to lose weight while receiving 120 mg orlistat 3 times daily, the overwhelming majority, 76%, regained weight despite this—hardly a ringing endorsement of the drug (2). Whether long-term use of orlistat will have a salutary effect on lifestyle is purely conjectural. Blackburn objects to my notes of caution on the long-term safety of orlistat, yet many of his arguments reinforce my points. First, the available drug trials are of relatively short duration compared with the long-term use that doubtless will be made of orlistat by a target population of predominantly preand postmenopausal obese women already at risk for bone depletion. It is hardly likely that orlistat will be “used as directed,” because a cursory Internet search identifies > 4000 web sites from which orlistat can be purchased without a physician evaluation, personal prescription, or physician surveillance. Albeit an imperfect simile, the cited study on bone disease associated with long-term steatorrhea in chronic pancreatitis provides a cautionary model for the potential risks of iatrogenic orlistat-induced pancreatic insufficiency and steatorrhea (4). Second, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for arthritis treatment provide an excellent example of a class of drugs for which a very common side effect—unexpected and potentially lifethreatening gastrointestinal bleeding—only became apparent after millions of prescriptions were filled and patients took the medication for many years (5). Third, I would be remiss in my editorial responsibilities if I failed to question the opinions of my colleagues, whether or not they carry the same specialty card. Finally, my editorial’s conclusion should reinforce the fact that I am as profoundly concerned as any other clinical nutrition specialist over the very real health consequences of obesity. All of these concerns reinforce the continued and frustrating problem of finding a reliable, safe, and effective means for prevention and treatment of obesity (3).
The 2017 international classification of the Ehlers–Danlos syndromes

The Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders (HCTDs) characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. Over the past two decades, the Villefranche Nosology, which delineated six subtypes, has been widely used as the standard for clinical diagnosis of EDS. For most of these subtypes, mutations had been identified in collagen‐encoding genes, or in genes encoding collagen‐modifying enzymes. Since its publication in 1998, a whole spectrum of novel EDS subtypes has been described, and mutations have been identified in an array of novel genes. The International EDS Consortium proposes a revised EDS classification, which recognizes 13 subtypes. For each of the subtypes, we propose a set of clinical criteria that are suggestive for the diagnosis. However, in view of the vast genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic variability of the EDS subtypes, and the clinical overlap between EDS subtypes, but also with other HCTDs, the definite diagnosis of all EDS subtypes, except for the hypermobile type, relies on molecular confirmation with identification of (a) causative genetic variant(s). We also revised the clinical criteria for hypermobile EDS in order to allow for a better distinction from other joint hypermobility disorders. To satisfy research needs, we also propose a pathogenetic scheme, that regroups EDS subtypes for which the causative proteins function within the same pathway. We hope that the revised International EDS Classification will serve as a new standard for the diagnosis of EDS and will provide a framework for future research purposes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of fiber length and coarseness on the burst strength of paper

Theoretical models that predict burst strength give an invariant expression in which burst is proportional to the product of average tensile strength and the square root of machine-direction strain to failure, both measured in uniaxial tension. We have demonstrated the validity of this expression in randomly oriented handsheets, but a correction factor is required to prevent this model from underpredicting burst. A plausible explanation for the correction factor is the biaxial nature of the burst test. Earlier studies have shown that biaxial testing results in a highest tensile strength than uniaxial testing. The present study demonstrates that the correction factor varies with furnish. The fiber properties that affect the correction factor are fiber length and fiber coarseness : fiber length increases it and coarseness decreases it. Application : burst strength can be calculated from tensile index, strain to failure, fiber length, and fiber coarseness.
Soft brain-machine interfaces for assistive robotics: A novel control approach

Robotic systems offer the possibility of improving the life quality of people with severe motor disabilities, enhancing the individual's degree of independence and interaction with the external environment. In this direction, the operator's residual functions must be exploited for the control of the robot movements and the underlying dynamic interaction through intuitive and effective human-robot interfaces. Towards this end, this work aims at exploring the potential of a novel Soft Brain-Machine Interface (BMI), suitable for dynamic execution of remote manipulation tasks for a wide range of patients. The interface is composed of an eye-tracking system, for an intuitive and reliable control of a robotic arm system's trajectories, and a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) unit, for the control of the robot Cartesian stiffness, which determines the interaction forces between the robot and environment. The latter control is achieved by estimating in real-time a unidimensional index from user's electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, which provides the probability of a neutral or active state. This estimated state is then translated into a stiffness value for the robotic arm, allowing a reliable modulation of the robot's impedance. A preliminary evaluation of this hybrid interface concept provided evidence on the effective execution of tasks with dynamic uncertainties, demonstrating the great potential of this control method in BMI applications for self-service and clinical care.
Targeting Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR) for Vaccine Adjuvantation: From Synthetic PRR Agonists to the Potential of Defective Interfering Particles of Viruses

Modern vaccinology has increasingly focused on non-living vaccines, which are more stable than live-attenuated vaccines but often show limited immunogenicity. Immunostimulatory substances, known as adjuvants, are traditionally used to increase the magnitude of protective adaptive immunity in response to a pathogen-associated antigen. Recently developed adjuvants often include substances that stimulate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), essential components of innate immunity required for the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which serve as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Nearly all PRRs are potential targets for adjuvants. Given the recent success of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists in vaccine development, molecules with similar, but additional, immunostimulatory activity, such as defective interfering particles (DIPs) of viruses, represent attractive candidates for vaccine adjuvants. This review outlines some of the recent advances in vaccine development related to the use of TLR agonists, summarizes the current knowledge regarding DIP immunogenicity, and discusses the potential applications of DIPs in vaccine adjuvantation.
Folic acid supplementation lowers blood arsenic.

BACKGROUND Chronic arsenic exposure currently affects >100 million persons worldwide. Methylation of ingested inorganic arsenic (InAs) to monomethylarsonic (MMAs) and dimethylarsinic (DMAs) acids relies on folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism and facilitates urinary arsenic elimination. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that folic acid supplementation to arsenic-exposed Bangladeshi adults would increase arsenic methylation and thereby lower total blood arsenic. DESIGN In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we evaluated blood concentrations of total arsenic, InAs, MMAs, and DMAs in 130 participants with low plasma folate (<9 nmol/L) before and after 12 wk of supplementation with folic acid (400 microg/d) or placebo. RESULTS MMAs in blood was reduced by a mean +/- SE of 22.24 +/- 2.86% in the folic acid supplementation group and by 1.24 +/- 3.59% in the placebe group (P < 0.0001). There was no change in DMAs in blood; DMAs is rapidly excreted in urine as evidenced by an increase in urinary DMAs (P = 0.0099). Total blood arsenic was reduced by 13.62% in the folic acid supplementation group and by 2.49% in the placebo group (P = 0.0199). CONCLUSIONS Folic acid supplementation to participants with low plasma concentrations of folate lowered blood arsenic concentrations, primarily by decreasing blood MMAs and increasing urinary DMAs. Therapeutic strategies to facilitate arsenic methylation, particularly in populations with folate deficiency or hyperhomocysteinemia or both, may lower blood arsenic concentrations and thereby contribute to the prevention of arsenic-induced illnesses.