Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motivational, reduction and usual care interventions for smokers who are not ready to quit: a randomized controlled trial

AIMS To test whether, in comparison to usual care, brief motivational or reduction interventions increase quit attempts (QA) or abstinence among smokers who are not ready to quit. DESIGN A parallel-group randomized controlled trial of brief motivational (n = 185), reduction (n = 186) or usual care (n = 189) telephone interventions delivered over the course of 4 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. No medication was provided. SETTING United States. PARTICIPANTS A total of 560 adult smokers of ≥ 10 cigarettes per day who were not ready to quit in the next 30 days. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcomes were whether participants made a QA that lasted ≥ 24 hours and whether they made a QA of any length between baseline and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at 6 and 12 months. The 12-month follow-up was added after the study began. FINDINGS A priori-defined comparisons were between motivational versus usual care and reduction versus usual care conditions. The probability of making a QA that lasted ≥ 24 hours was not significantly different between the motivational (38%) or the reduction (31%) conditions and the usual care (34%) condition [motivational versus usual care odds ratio (OR) = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.78-1.82; reduction versus usual care OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.57-1.36]. Bayes factors ranged from 0.13 to 0.18. Findings regarding a QA of any length were similar. At 6 months, the motivational condition had marginally more abstinence than usual care (11 versus 5%, OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.99-4.77), but the reduction condition was not significantly different from usual care (8 versus 5%, OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 0.69-3.59). At 12 months, the motivational condition had significantly more abstinence than usual care (10 versus 4%, OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.14-6.88) and the reduction condition had marginally more abstinence than usual care (9 versus 4%, OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 0.98-6.09). CONCLUSIONS Among adult smokers who are not ready to quit, both logistic regression and Bayesian analysis indicate that neither motivational nor reduction-based telephone interventions increased the odds of making a quit attempt in comparison to usual care at 6 months. The motivational intervention appeared to increase abstinence at 6 months and did increase abstinence at 12 months. The reduction intervention did not increase abstinence at 6 months but appeared to increase abstinence at 12 months.
The inflammatory response to stress and angiogenesis in liver resection for colorectal liver metastases: a randomized controlled trial comparing open versus laparoscopic approach

Abstract Background: This study evaluates the surgical stress response following laparoscopic and open liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). Methods: Patients with CRLM were prospectively randomized to receive open or laparoscopic liver resection (NCT03131778). Blood samples were drawn preoperatively and 24 h after resection. The serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 levels were measured. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of angiogenesis-related factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and HIF-1) and inflammation-related factors (COX-2 and MMP-9) in both tumor tissue and normal liver parenchyma were detected. Results: Twenty patients for each arm were included. Size of metastasis, type of resection, and neoadjuvant therapy were comparable between groups. Postoperative stay was shorter in the laparoscopic group. Higher levels of IL-6 were observed after the operation in both open and laparoscopic groups, although no differences in the post-operative levels between the groups was noted. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of VEGF, HIF-1, MMP-9, and COX-2 between the treatment groups. No differences were observed in terms of overall survival and disease free survival. Conclusions: The immunological effects of treatment were similar between the groups. Thus, the laparoscopic approach does not seem to significantly influence the surgical stress and tumor related factors in patients suffering from colorectal liver metastases.
Airborne contaminants during controlled residential fires

ABSTRACT In this study, we characterize the area and personal air concentrations of combustion byproducts produced during controlled residential fires with furnishings common in 21st century single family structures. Area air measurements were collected from the structure during active fire and overhaul (post suppression) and on the fireground where personnel were operating without any respiratory protection. Personal air measurements were collected from firefighters assigned to fire attack, victim search, overhaul, outside ventilation, and command/pump operator positions. Two different fire attack tactics were conducted for the fires (6 interior and 6 transitional) and exposures were compared between the tactics. For each of the 12 fires, firefighters were paired up to conduct each job assignment, except for overhaul that was conducted by 4 firefighters. Sampled compounds included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs, e.g., benzene), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and particulate (area air sampling only). Median personal air concentrations for the attack and search firefighters were generally well above applicable short-term occupational exposure limits, with the exception of HCN measured from search firefighters. Area air concentrations of all measured compounds decreased after suppression. Personal air concentrations of total PAHs and benzene measured from some overhaul firefighters exceeded exposure limits. Median personal air concentrations of HCN (16,300 ppb) exceeded the exposure limit for outside vent firefighters, with maximum levels (72,900 ppb) higher than the immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) level. Median air concentrations on the fireground (including particle count) were above background levels and highest when collected downwind of the structure and when ground-level smoke was the heaviest. No statistically significant differences in personal air concentrations were found between the 2 attack tactics. The results underscore the importance of wearing self-contained breathing apparatus when conducting overhaul or outside ventilation activities. Firefighters should also try to establish command upwind of the structure fire, and if this cannot be done, respiratory protection should be considered.
Genetic characterization of stress responsiveness in Japanese quail. 1. Analyses of line effects and combining abilities by diallel crosses.

The inheritance of stress responsiveness (line effects and combining abilities) was phenotypically studied in progeny from diallel crosses of randombred (RB) quail and quail selected for exaggerated (high stress, HS) or reduced (low stress, LS) plasma corticosterone (CS) response to brief immobilization. The three genotypes were crossed in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments that allowed all possible crosses between RB, LS, and HS males with RB, LS, and HS females. The nine crosses produced 479 progeny. At 28 d of age, quail of each cross were stressed by immobilization, and blood was sampled. Plasma CS was used to estimate stress responsiveness in the progeny of each cross. Estimates of the following genetic effects were made: average post-immobilization plasma CS response within each cross, general combining ability (GCA), and specific combining ability (SCA). Differences (P < 0.05) in plasma CS response to immobilization between crosses involving the LS and HS lines (HS crosses > LS crosses) were commonly observed. There were no significant differences in the means of plasma CS responses between males and females within each of the crosses except for the marginal (P = 0.07) sex difference (male > female) found within the LL cross (LS male with LS female). The GCA estimates were -1.23, -2.89, and 5.08 for the RB, LS, and HS quail, respectively. The SCA was not significant for any diallel mating except HH (P < 0.007). Line effects on plasma CS response were different from zero for the LS and HS lines.
In vivo tomographic imaging of red-shifted fluorescent proteins

We have developed a spectral inversion method for three-dimensional tomography of far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins in animals. The method was developed in particular to address the steep light absorption transition of hemoglobin from the visible to the far-red occurring around 600 nm. Using an orthotopic mouse model of brain tumors expressing the red-shifted fluorescent protein mCherry, we demonstrate significant improvements in imaging accuracy over single-wavelength whole body reconstructions. Furthermore, we show an improvement in sensitivity of at least an order of magnitude over green fluorescent protein (GFP) for whole body imaging. We discuss how additional sensitivity gains are expected with the use of further red-shifted fluorescent proteins and we explain the differences and potential advantages of this approach over two-dimensional planar imaging methods.
Biochemical and Functional Characterization of Orai Proteins*

Stimulation of immune cells triggers Ca2+ entry through store-operated Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels, promoting nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFAT. Through genome-wide RNA interference screens in Drosophila, we and others identified olf186-F (Drosophila Orai, dOrai) and dStim as critical components of store-operated Ca2+ entry and showed that dOrai and its human homologue Orai1 are pore subunits of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel. Here we report that Orai1 is predominantly responsible for store-operated Ca2+ influx in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and human T cells and fibroblasts, although its paralogue Orai3 can partly compensate in the absence of functional Orai1. All three mammalian Orai are widely expressed at the mRNA level, and all three are incorporated into the plasma membrane. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells, Orai1 is glycosylated at an asparagine residue in the predicted second extracellular loop, but mutation of the residue does not compromise function. STIM1 and Orai1 colocalize after store depletion, but Orai1 does not associate detectably with STIM1 in glycerol gradient centrifugation or coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Glutamine substitutions in two conserved glutamate residues, located within predicted transmembrane helices of Drosophila Orai and human Orai1, greatly diminish store-operated Ca2+ influx, and primary T cells ectopically expressing mutant E106Q and E190Q Orai1 proteins show reduced proliferation and cytokine secretion. Together, these data establish Orai1 as a predominant mediator of store-operated calcium entry, proliferation, and cytokine production in T cells.
Performance of broiler breeder males given low protein feed.

One hundred and eight 24-wk-old broiler breeder males were arranged into 18 groups of six birds of equal average BW. Six groups were killed for carcass evaluation at 24 wk of age; the other 12 groups were divided between two dietary treatments. One treatment was a typical breeder-recommended male broiler breeder ration (standard, or ST; 12% CP, 3,160 kcal ME/kg), whereas the other was a low-protein, corn-based diet (all corn, or AC; 8% CP, 3,220 kcal ME/kg) formulated to approximate minimum amino acid requirements for positive nitrogen balance. All birds were fed at a rate of 325 kcal ME/day per bird to 68 wk of age. Body weight, semen volume, and sperm concentration were evaluated weekly. All birds remaining at 68 wk were killed for carcass evaluation. Feed and age effects on BW were highly significant (P less than .001). However, birds did not respond similarly to treatments with increasing age. Birds fed ST were heavier and surpassed breeder-recommended BW by 38 wk of age, whereas birds given AC were lighter and remained below breeder-recommended weights throughout the study. Semen production was measured by semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm yield, and proportion of males producing semen; values were similar for treatments at all ages. Birds given the AC feed had more carcass fat than ST-fed birds at 68 wk of age, but ST-fed birds had the same proportion of fat at 68 wk as birds killed at 24 wk. Results suggest that the amino acid levels provided by the AC diet were less than adequate for optimal BW gain, but adequate for semen production.
Caterpillar: A Blockchain-Based Business Process Management System

This demonstration introduces Caterpillar, an open-source Business Process Management System (BPMS) that runs on top of the Ethereum blockchain. Like any BPMS, Caterpillar supports the creation of instances of a process model (captured in the Business Process Model and Notation – BPMN) and allows users to track the state of process instances and to execute tasks thereof. The specificity of Caterpillar is that the state of each process instance is maintained on the Ethereum blockchain, and the workflow routing is performed by smart contracts generated by a BPMN-to-Solidity compiler. The compiler supports a wide array of BPMN constructs, including user, script and service tasks, parallel and exclusive gateways, subprocesses, multi-instance activities and event handlers. The target audience of this demonstration includes researchers in the area of business process management and blockchain technology.
Regulation of Osteoclast Differentiation by Cytokine Networks

Cytokines play a pivotal role in maintaining bone homeostasis. Osteoclasts (OCs), the sole bone resorbing cells, are regulated by numerous cytokines. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand play a central role in OC differentiation, which is also termed osteoclastogenesis. Osteoclastogenic cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-11, IL-15, IL-17, IL-23, and IL-34, promote OC differentiation, whereas anti-osteoclastogenic cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, IL-3, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-27, and IL-33, downregulate OC differentiation. Therefore, dynamic regulation of osteoclastogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic cytokines is important in maintaining the balance between bone-resorbing OCs and bone-forming osteoblasts (OBs), which eventually affects bone integrity. This review outlines the osteoclastogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic properties of cytokines with regard to osteoimmunology, and summarizes our current understanding of the roles these cytokines play in osteoclastogenesis.
The link between the Barents Sea and ENSO events simulated by NEMO model

Abstract. An analysis of observational data in the Barents Sea along a meridian at 33°30' E between 70°30' and 72°30' N has reported a negative correlation between El Nino/La Nina Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and water temperature in the top 200 m: the temperature drops about 0.5 °C during warm ENSO events while during cold ENSO events the top 200 m layer of the Barents Sea is warmer. Results from 1 and 1/4-degree global NEMO models show a similar response for the whole Barents Sea. During the strong warm ENSO event in 1997–1998 an anomalous anticyclonic atmospheric circulation over the Barents Sea enhances heat loses, as well as substantially influencing the Barents Sea inflow from the North Atlantic, via changes in ocean currents. Under normal conditions along the Scandinavian peninsula there is a warm current entering the Barents Sea from the North Atlantic, however after the 1997–1998 event this current is weakened. During 1997–1998 the model annual mean temperature in the Barents Sea is decreased by about 0.8 °C, also resulting in a higher sea ice volume. In contrast during the cold ENSO events in 1999–2000 and 2007–2008, the model shows a lower sea ice volume, and higher annual mean temperatures in the upper layer of the Barents Sea of about 0.7 °C. An analysis of model data shows that the strength of the Atlantic inflow in the Barents Sea is the main cause of heat content variability, and is forced by changing pressure and winds in the North Atlantic. However, surface heat-exchange with the atmosphere provides the means by which the Barents sea heat budget relaxes to normal in the subsequent year after the ENSO events.
Characterization of 3G Data-Plane Traffic and Application towards Centralized Control and Management for Software Defined Networking

With the wide deployment of 3G/4G cellular data networks there is a tremendous growth of mobile Internet access worldwide. We conduct a detailed measurement study about user behaviors, application usage and location patterns of users. We present a methodology that correlates different network attributes and user information together. For user behaviors we classify all users into four groups by time division and investigate the behaviors of different types of users. For example, we find that midnight users consume tremendous network bandwidth. We categorize applications into several groups and provide insights of each type of application usage about up/down flow user numbers and user request times. We also analyze the location information of users that reveal the relationship between network usages with user mobility. Our study successfully provides network operational insights with the details of network usage or the user remarkable behaviors that can help network planners and operators to plan and adaptively adjust network capacity assignment and flow or application management. Most importantly it will help service providers to reduce their operating cost and offer more flexible and variety of services to meet the needs of today's mobile clients without the need of increasing capacity in congested areas. Finally, our analysis will enable much more efficient routing and resource allocation management applications in the recent endeavor for software defined networking that will put such responsibility into the logically centralized controllers.
Energy-Efficient D2D Communications Underlaying NOMA-Based Networks With Energy Harvesting

This letter investigates the resource allocation problem in device-to-device (D2D) communications underlaying a nonorthogonal multiple access based cellular network, where both cellular users (CUs) and D2D users harvest energy from the hybrid access point in the downlink and transmit information in the uplink. We propose a low-complexity iterative algorithm to maximize the energy efficiency of the D2D pair while guaranteeing the quality of service of CUs. In each iteration, by analyzing the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions, the globally optimal solution can be derived in the closed form despite the nonconvexity. Simulation results validate the superiority of the proposed scheme over the existing schemes.
Characterization of Promiscuous Binding of Phosphor Ligands to Breast-Cancer-Gene 1 (BRCA1) C-Terminal (BRCT): Molecular Dynamics, Free Energy, Entropy and Inhibitor Design

Inhibition of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) mediated by breast-cancer-gene 1 C-terminal (BRCT) is an attractive strategy to sensitize breast and ovarian cancers to chemotherapeutic agents that induce DNA damage. Such inhibitors could also be used for studies to understand the role of this PPI in DNA damage response. However, design of BRCT inhibitors is challenging because of the inherent flexibility associated with this domain. Several studies identified short phosphopeptides as tight BRCT binders. Here we investigated the thermodynamic properties of 18 phosphopeptides or peptide with phosphate mimic and three compounds with phosphate groups binding to BRCT to understand promiscuous molecular recognition and guide inhibitor design. We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the interactions between inhibitors and BRCT and their dynamic behavior in the free and bound states. MD simulations revealed the key role of loops in altering the shape and size of the binding site to fit various ligands. The mining minima (M2) method was used for calculating binding free energy to explore the driving forces and the fine balance between configuration entropy loss and enthalpy gain. We designed a rigidified ligand, which showed unfavorable experimental binding affinity due to weakened enthalpy. This was because it lacked the ability to rearrange itself upon binding. Investigation of another phosphate group containing compound, C1, suggested that the entropy loss can be reduced by preventing significant narrowing of the energy well and introducing multiple new compound conformations in the bound states. From our computations, we designed an analog of C1 that introduced new intermolecular interactions to strengthen attractions while maintaining small entropic penalty. This study shows that flexible compounds do not always encounter larger entropy penalty, compared with other more rigid binders, and highlights a new strategy for inhibitor design.
Development of humanoid hand with cover integrated link mechanism for daily life work

Many people are expecting for robots to support home work. However, in order to actually do such work, it is necessary for the robot to acquire the complex functions of human hands. Therefore, we developed a humanoid type hand that can be used for humanoid robot and prosthetic hand, and verified various actions of daily life to prove its function. As a result, this robot hand could grab eggs and vegetables, pour water into the cup, grasp the plastic wrap and cover the dishes.
Global Risk Assessment to Guide Blood Pressure Management in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Epidemiological analyses have established the graded and continuous association between higher BP and CVD. Moreover, randomized clinical trials among individuals with hypertension have demonstrated, in aggregate, a reduction in CVD events by 20%, coronary heart disease (CHD) by 17%, stroke by 27%, and heart failure by 28% for every 10 mm Hg systolic BP (SBP) lowering with medical therapy.1 Therefore, prevention, detection, treatment, and control of elevated BP, and its clinical correlate hypertension, is an important public health priority and a primary target for CVD prevention. Although national health surveys have demonstrated improvements in hypertension awareness and treatment, strategic opportunities to improve the efficiency and efficacy of applying BP-lowering therapy in patients most likely to benefit remain.2 Global CVD risk assessment, using multivariable prediction models that estimate absolute CVD risk from routinely measured clinical variables, has been promulgated in several CVD prevention guidelines for cholesterol management to target the most intensive preventive therapies to those at highest absolute CVD risk.3–5 Hypertension guidelines, however, have instead relied solely on isolated BP thresholds and BP goals to guide treatment initiation and intensity. In this review, we provide a rationale for incorporating global CVD risk assessment in BP treatment decision-making and propose a framework to guide its implementation in future CVD prevention guidelines. Epidemiological analyses have firmly established that CVD is a multifactorial condition and that modest increases of several CVD risk factors can often lead to greater overall risk than a severe elevation of a …