Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prey Acceptability and Preference of Oenopia conglobata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a Candidate for Biological Control in Urban Green Areas

Oenopia conglobata is one of the most common ladybird species in urban green areas of the Mediterranean region. We have obtained data about its prey acceptability and prey preferences. In a laboratory experiment, we investigated the acceptability of seven aphid and one psyllid species as prey for this coccinellid: the aphids Chaitophorus populeti, Aphis gossypii, Aphis craccivora Monelliopsis caryae, Eucallipterus tiliae, Aphis nerii (on white poplar, pomegranate, false acacia, black walnut, lime, and oleander, respectively), and the psyllid Acizzia jamatonica on Persian silk tree. These species are abundant in urban green areas in the Mediterranean region. In addition, we tested the acceptability of Rhopalosiphum padi on barley, an aphid species easily reared in the laboratory. We also tested preferences of the predator in cafeteria experiments with three aphid species and one aphid and the psyllid. Adults and larvae of the coccinellid accepted all of the preys offered, except A. nerii, with a clear preference for M. caryae. The predator also showed preference for M. caryae when it was offered in a cafeteria experiment with other aphid species or with the psyllid. The aphid R. padi obtained a good acceptability and could be used for rearing O. conglobata in the laboratory.
Development of diagnostic SCAR markers for genomic DNA amplifications in breast carcinoma by DNA cloning of high-GC RAMP-PCR fragments

Cancer is genetically heterogeneous regarding to molecular genetic characteristics and pathogenic pathways. A wide spectrum of biomarkers, including DNA markers, is used in determining genomic instability, molecular subtype determination and disease prognosis, and estimating sensitivity to different drugs in clinical practice. In a previous study, we developed highly effective DNA markers using improved random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with high-GC primers, which is a valuable approach for the genetic authentication of medicinal plants. In this study, we applied this effective DNA marker technique to generate genetic fingerprints that detect genomic alterations in human breast cancer tissues and then developed sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. Three SCAR markers (BC10-1, BC13-4 and BC31-2) had high levels of genomic DNA amplification in breast cancer. The PHKG2 and RNF40 genes are either overlapping or close to the sequences of SCAR marker BC13-4, while SCAR marker BC10-1 is in the intron and overlap the DPEP1 gene, suggesting that alterations in the expression of these genes could contribute to cancer progression. Screening of breast cancer cell lines showed that the mRNA expression levels for the PHKG2 and DPEP1 were lower in non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cell MCF10A, but elevated in other cell lines. The DPEP1 mRNA level in invasive ductal carcinoma specimens was significantly higher than that of the adjacent normal tissues in women. Taken together, high-GC RAMP-PCR provides greater efficacy in measuring genomic DNA amplifications, deletion or copy number variations. Furthermore, SCAR markers BC10-1 and BC13-4 might be useful diagnostic markers for breast cancer carcinomas.
Effects of Mobility and Cognition on Risk of Mortality in Women in Late Life: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND This study examines the effects of mobility and cognition on mortality risk in women late in life. METHODS A prospective study was conducted among 1,495 women (mean age 87.6 years) participating in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Year 20 examination (2006-2008). Mobility (ascertained by Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) was categorized as poor (SPPB 0-3, n = 312), intermediate (SPPB 4-9, n = 799), or good (SPPB 10-12, n = 384). Cognitive status (adjudicated based on neuropsychological tests) was classified as normal (n = 873), mild cognitive impairment (n = 354), or dementia (n = 268). Deaths (n = 749) were identified from Year 20 through July 31, 2014 (average follow-up 4.9 years). RESULTS There was not strong evidence of an interaction between mobility and cognition for prediction of mortality risk (p interaction term .16). Compared to women with good mobility, mortality risks were increased among women with intermediate mobility (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.57) and those with poor mobility (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.24-2.16) after consideration of cognition and other mortality risk factors. Similarly, mortality risks were higher among women with mild cognitive impairment (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.21-1.76) and those with dementia (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.54-2.31) compared to women with normal cognition after consideration of mobility and other mortality risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Among women late in life, 5-year mortality risk was substantially increased among women with deficits in mobility even after accounting for cognition and traditional prognostic indicators. Similarly, deficits in cognition were associated with increased 5-year mortality despite consideration of mobility and conventional risk factors.
The Evolution of the WHI 80+ Cohort.

BACKGROUND The Women's Health Initiative has collected data on the aging process of postmenopausal women for over two decades, including data on many women who have achieved age 80 years and older. However, there has not been any previous effort to characterize the 80+ cohort and to identify associated retention factors. METHODS We include all women at baseline of the Women's Health Initiative who would be at least 80 years of age as of September 17, 2012. We summarize retention rates during the study and across two re-enrollment campaigns as well as the demographic and health-related characteristics that predicted retention. Further, we describe the longitudinal change from baseline in the women identified as members of the 80+ cohort. RESULTS Retention rates were lower during each of two re-enrollment periods (74% and 83% retained during re-enrollment periods 1 and 2, respectively) than during the first and second data collection periods (90% each). Women who were retained were more likely to be white, educated, and healthier at baseline. Women age 80 and older saw modest changes in body mass index and depression burden, despite lower physical activity and increased cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of women who were retained in the 80+ cohort differ in significant ways compared with their peers at baseline. Identifying the characteristics associated with attrition in older cohorts is important because aging and worsening health has a negative impact on study attrition. Strategies should be implemented to improve retention rates among less healthy older adults.
Dissociating Landmark Stability from Orienting Value Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Retrosplenial cortex (RSC) plays a role in using environmental landmarks to help orientate oneself in space. It has also been consistently implicated in processing landmarks that remain fixed in a permanent location. However, it is not clear whether the RSC represents the permanent landmarks themselves or instead the orienting relevance of these landmarks. In previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, these features have been conflated—stable landmarks were always useful for orienting. Here, we dissociated these two key landmark attributes to investigate which one best reflects the function of the RSC. Before scanning, participants learned the features of novel landmarks about which they had no prior knowledge. During fMRI scanning, we found that the RSC was more engaged when people viewed permanent compared with transient landmarks and was not responsive to the orienting relevance of landmarks. Activity in RSC was also related to the amount of landmark permanence information a person had acquired and, as knowledge increased, the more the RSC drove responses in the anterior thalamus while viewing permanent landmarks. In contrast, the angular gyrus and the hippocampus were engaged by the orienting relevance of landmarks, but not their permanence, with the hippocampus also sensitive to the distance between relevant landmarks and target locations. We conclude that the coding of permanent landmarks in RSC may drive processing in regions like anterior thalamus, with possible implications for the efficacy of functions such as navigation.
Flexible Retrieval Mechanisms Supporting Successful Inference Produce False Memories in Younger but Not Older Adults

Episodic memory involves flexible retrieval processes that allow a person to link elements of distinct episodes in order to make novel inferences across events. In younger adults, we recently found that the same retrieval-related recombination mechanism that supports successful associative inference produces source misattributions as a consequence of erroneous binding of contextual elements from distinct episodes. In the current experiment, we found that older adults, in contrast to younger adults, did not show an increase in source misattributions following successful associative inference. We observed this pattern both when (a) younger and older adults were tested under identical experimental conditions and (b) younger and older adults were matched on associative inference accuracy and overall source memory errors. We suggest that the differing patterns of results are a consequence of age-related deficits in associative binding during successful inferential retrieval.
Reductions in dietary energy density are associated with weight loss in overweight and obese participants in the PREMIER trial.

BACKGROUND Dietary energy density (ED) reductions are associated with energy intake (EI) reductions. Little is known about influences on body weight (BW). OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of behavioral interventions on ED values and explored how 6-mo ED changes relate to BW. DESIGN Prehypertensive and hypertensive persons were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: the established group received an 18-session intervention implementing well-established hypertension recommendations (eg, weight loss, sodium reduction, and physical activity), the established+Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) group received an 18-session intervention also implementing the DASH diet, and the advice group received 1 session on these topics. Two 24-h dietary recalls were collected (n=658). RESULTS Each group had significant declines in EI, ED, and BW. The established and established+DASH groups had the greatest EI and BW reductions. The established+DASH group had the greatest ED reduction and the greatest increase in the weight of food consumed. When groups were combined and analyzed by ED change tertiles, participants in the highest tertile (ie, largest ED reduction) lost more weight (5.9 kg) than did those in the middle (4.0 kg) or lowest (2.4 kg) tertile. Participants in the highest and middle tertiles increased the weight of food they consumed (300 and 80 g/d, respectively) but decreased their EI (500 and 250 kcal/d). Conversely, those in the lowest tertile decreased the weight of food consumed (100 g/d), with little change in EI. The highest and middle tertiles had favorable changes in fruit, vegetable, vitamin, and mineral intakes. CONCLUSION Both large and modest ED reductions were associated with weight loss and improved diet quality.
Neural tube defects associated with maternal periconceptional dietary intake of simple sugars and glycemic index.

BACKGROUND Maternal diabetes, prepregnancy obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and intakes of sweets have been associated with increased risks of neural tube defects (NTDs). The interdependence of these factors suggests a common pathogenesis via altered glycemic control and insulin demand. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether maternal periconceptional dietary intakes of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and foods with higher glycemic index values influence the risk of having NTD-affected pregnancies. DESIGN In a population-based case-control study, all hospitals in 55 of the 58 counties in California participated. In-person interviews were conducted with the mothers of 454 NTD cases (including fetuses and infants who were electively terminated, stillborn, or born alive) and with the mothers of 462 nonmalformed controls within an average of 5 mo from the term delivery date. The risk of having an NTD-affected pregnancy was the main outcome measure. RESULTS Risks of having an NTD-affected pregnancy were not substantially elevated in relation to periconceptional intakes of glucose or fructose. Elevated risks of approximately 2-fold were observed for higher intakes of sucrose and foods with higher glycemic index values. Elevated risks were observed for high sucrose intake irrespective of whether adjustment was made for other covariates such as maternal folic acid intake. For higher glycemic index values, adjusted elevated risks of > or = 4-fold were observed in women whose body mass index (in kg/m(2)) was > 29. CONCLUSION Our observed associations support observations that potential problems in glucose control are associated with NTD risk even among nondiabetic women.
Nutritional factors and infectious disease contribute to anemia among pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus in Tanzania.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to identify risk factors for anemia among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Baseline data from 1064 women enrolled in a clinical trial on the effect of vitamin supplementation in HIV infection were examined to identify potential determinants of anemia. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) level was 94 g/L, and the prevalence of severe anemia (Hb < 85 g/L) was 28%; 83% of the women had Hb < 110 g/L. Iron deficiency and infectious disease appeared to be the predominant causes of anemia. Significant independent associations with severe anemia were observed for women with body mass index (BMI) < 19 kg/m(2) compared with women with BMI > 24 kg/m(2) [odds ratio (OR) 3.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1. 37-7.14); malaria parasite densities > 1000/mm(3) (OR 2.70, CI: 1. 58-4.61) compared with women with no parasites; eating soil during early pregnancy (OR 2.47, CI: 1.66-3.69); CD4+ cell count < 200/microL compared with CD4+ count > 500/microL (OR 2.70, CI: 1. 42-5.12); and serum retinol levels < 70 micromol/L (OR 2.45, CI: 1. 44-4.17) compared with women with retinol levels > 1.05 micromol/L. The most significant risk factors associated with severe anemia in this population are preventable. Public health recommendations include increasing the effectiveness of iron supplementation and malaria management during pregnancy, and providing health education messages that increase awareness of the potentially adverse nutritional consequences of eating soil during pregnancy.
Iron supplementation improves iron status and reduces morbidity in children with or without upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled study in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND Iron deficiency anemia and recurrent infections are common among children of low socioeconomic status. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the effects of iron supplementation on iron status and morbidity in children with or without infection. DESIGN Children aged 5-10 y were recruited for a randomized, controlled, double-blind study from outpatients attending the Children's Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Clinical, inflammatory, nutritional, and iron statuses were determined at baseline and after the intervention. Children with a history of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and with laboratory and clinical evidence of a current URTI constituted the infection group (n = 179), and children without infection constituted the control group (n = 184). Subjects in both groups were supplemented with ferrous sulfate (60 mg Fe) or placebo once daily for 8 wk. Morbidity from URTIs, the number of gastrointestinal infections, and compliance were recorded every 2 wk. RESULTS The overall prevalence of anemia was 52.6%. Iron supplementation significantly improved iron status by increasing hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and serum ferritin (P < 0.001) concentrations from baseline values in the children with or without infection. There was no significant improvement in iron status in the children who received placebo. In both the infection group and the control group, the mean number of URTI episodes and the total number of days sick with an URTI during the period of intervention were significantly lower (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively) in the children who received iron supplements than in those who received placebo. CONCLUSION Iron supplementation significantly improves iron status and reduces morbidity from URTIs in children with or without infection.
On-line liquid steel temperature control for the steelmaking-continuous casting process

In order to control liquid steel temperature accurately,forward and backward prediction models for liquid steel temperature in key strategic points of steelmaking process were proposed,based on the analysis of the main influencing factors and the control state of liquid steel temperature in actual steelmaking process. At the same time,to overcome the disadvantages of traditional prediction methods,a hybrid model method based ladle heat status and BP neural network was proposed. The method is based on the ladle heat status tracking model,and gives full consideration to the effects of ladle heat status on molten steel temperature,and combines with BP neural network,which can effectively improve the prediction precision.
Adiponectin and adiponectin receptor gene variants in relation to resting metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, and adiposity-related phenotypes in the Quebec Family Study.

BACKGROUND Despite adiponectin's presumed role in fatty acid oxidation and energy homeostasis, little is known about the effect of gene variants on substrate oxidation, energy expenditure, and adiposity-related phenotypes. OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of genetic variation in adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) on resting metabolic rate, respiratory quotient (RQ), and adiposity-related phenotypes. DESIGN We studied the associations of ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2 polymorphisms with resting metabolic rate, RQ, and body mass index, percentage body fat, sum of 6 skinfold thicknesses, waist circumference, and total, subcutaneous, and visceral fat in 759 participants in the Québec Family Study. RESULTS The ADIPOQ 45T-->G single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was significantly (P = 0.0002 to 0.04) associated with overall adiposity and abdominal adiposity; the rare homozygotes (G/G) had a leaner phenotype than did the carriers of the common allele. One SNP each in the putative promoter of ADIPOR1 (ie, -3882T-->C) and ADIPOR2 (ie, IVS1 -1352G-->A) was associated with RQ (P = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively), and the association was even stronger in nonobese persons (P = 0.02 and 0.003). Carriers of the common alleles (ADIPOR1 T and ADIPOR2 G alleles) had a lower RQ than did the rare homozygotes. A significant genotype-by-genotype interaction (P = 0.0002 to 0.02) was found between SNPs in the promoters of ADIPOQ (-3971A-->G) and ADIPOR1 (-3882T-->C). Subjects carrying the minor ADIPOQ allele (G allele) who were rare homozygotes (C/C) for the ADIPOR1 SNP had a higher RQ (P = 0.003) and greater overall (P < 0.03) and abdominal (P < 0.05) adiposity than did persons with other genotype combinations. CONCLUSIONS Previous findings that the ADIPOQ 45T-->G variant contributes to overall fatness and abdominal obesity are confirmed. Moreover, variants in the promoter region of both ADIPOR genes contribute to substrate oxidation.
TCL1A, a Novel Transcription Factor and a Coregulator of Nuclear Factor κB p65: Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Estrogen Dependence

T-cell leukemia 1A (TCL1A) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal adverse events. We previously demonstrated that TCL1A is inducible by estradiol (E2) and plays a critical role in the regulation of cytokines, chemokines, and Toll-like receptors in a TCL1A SNP genotype and estrogen-dependent fashion. Furthermore, TCLIA SNP-dependent expression phenotypes can be “reversed” by exposure to selective estrogen receptor modulators such as 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OH-TAM). The present study was designed to comprehensively characterize the role of TCL1A in transcriptional regulation across the genome by performing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) assays with lymphoblastoid cell lines. RNA-seq identified 357 genes that were regulated in a TCL1A SNP- and E2-dependent fashion with expression patterns that were 4OH-TAM reversible. ChIP-seq for the same cells identified 57 TCL1A binding sites that could be regulated by E2 in a SNP-dependent fashion. Even more striking, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 bound to those same DNA regions. In summary, TCL1A is a novel transcription factor with expression that is regulated in a SNP- and E2-dependent fashion—a pattern of expression that can be reversed by 4OH-TAM. Integrated RNA-seq and ChIP-seq results suggest that TCL1A also acts as a transcriptional coregulator with NF-κB p65, an important immune system transcription factor.
A novel chemical inducer of Streptococcus quorum sensing acts by inhibiting the pheromone-degrading endopeptidase PepO

Bacteria produce chemical signals (pheromones) to coordinate behaviors across a population in a process termed quorum sensing (QS). QS systems comprising peptide pheromones and their corresponding Rgg receptors are widespread among Firmicutes and may be useful targets for manipulating microbial behaviors, like suppressing virulence. The Rgg2/3 QS circuit of the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes controls genes affecting resistance to host lysozyme in response to short hydrophobic pheromones (SHPs). Considering that artificial activation of a QS pathway may be as useful in the objective of manipulating bacteria as inhibiting it, we sought to identify small-molecule inducers of the Rgg2/3 QS system. We report the identification of a small molecule, P516-0475, that specifically induced expression of Rgg2/3-regulated genes in the presence of SHP pheromones at concentrations lower than typically required for QS induction. In searching for the mode of action of P516-0475, we discovered that an S. pyogenes mutant deficient in pepO, a neprilysin-like metalloendopeptidase that degrades SHP pheromones, was unresponsive to the compound. P516-0475 directly inhibited recombinant PepO in vitro as an uncompetitive inhibitor. We conclude that this compound induces QS by stabilizing SHP pheromones in culture. Our study indicates the usefulness of cell-based screens that modulate pathway activities to identify unanticipated therapeutic targets contributing to QS signaling.
A real-time warning system for rear-end collision based on random forest classifier

Rear-end collision warning system has a great role to enhance the driving safety. In this system some measures are used to estimate the dangers and the system warns drivers to be more cautious. The real-time processes should be executed in such system, to remain enough time and distance to avoid collision with the front vehicle. To this end, in this paper a new system is developed by using random forest classifier. To evaluate the performance of the proposed system, vehicles trajectory data of 100 car's database from Virginia tech transportation institute are used and the methods are compared based on their accuracy and their processing time. By using TOPSIS multi-criteria selection method, we show that the results of the implemented classifier is better than the results of different classifiers including Bayesian network, naive Bayes, MLP neural network, support vector machine, nearest neighbor, rule-based methods and decision tree. The presented experiments reveals that the random forest is an acceptable algorithm for the proposed driver assistant system with 88.4% accuracy for detecting warning situations and 94.7% for detecting safe situations.