Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of non-exercise activity thermogenesis in male collegiate athletes under real-life conditions

Athletes experience high total energy expenditure; therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics of the components contributing to this expenditure. To date, few studies have examined particularly the volume and activity intensity of non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) in athletes compared to non-athletes under real-life conditions. This study aimed to determine the volume and intensity of NEAT in collegiate athletes. Highly trained Japanese male collegiate athletes (n = 21) and healthy sedentary male students (n = 12) participated in this study. All measurements were obtained during the athletes' regular training season under real-life conditions. NEAT was calculated using metabolic equivalent (MET) data using an accelerometer. The participants were asked to wear a validated triaxial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Physical activity intensity in NEAT was classified into sedentary (1.0–1.5 METs), light (1.6–2.9 METs), moderate (3.0–5.9 METs), and vigorous (≥6 METs) intensity. NEAT was significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes (821 ± 185 kcal/day vs. 643 ± 164 kcal/day, p = 0.009). Although there was no significant difference in NEAT values relative to body weight (BW) between the groups (athletes: 10.5 ± 1.7 kcal/kg BW/day, non-athletes: 10.4 ± 2.2 kcal/kg BW/day, p = 0.939), NEAT to BW per hour was significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes (0.81 ± 0.16 kcal/kg BW/h vs. 0.66 ± 0.12 kcal/kg BW/h, p = 0.013). Athletes spent less time in sedentary and light-intensity activities and more time in vigorous-intensity activities than non-athletes (p < 0.001, p = 0.019, and p = 0.030, respectively). Athletes expended more energy on vigorous- and moderate-intensity activities than non-athletes (p = 0.009 and p = 0.011, respectively). This study suggests that athletes' NEAT relative to BW per day is similar to that of non-athletes, but athletes spend less time on NEAT, which makes them more active in their daily lives when not exercising and sleeping.
Diffusion of excellence: evaluating a system to identify, replicate, and spread promising innovative practices across the Veterans health administration

Introduction The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Diffusion of Excellence (DoE) program provides a system to identify, replicate, and spread promising practices across the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States. DoE identifies innovations that have been successfully implemented in the VHA through a Shark Tank style competition. VHA facility and regional directors bid resources needed to replicate promising practices. Winning facilities/regions receive external facilitation to aid in replication/implementation over the course of a year. DoE staff then support diffusion of successful practices across the nationwide VHA. Methods Organized around the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) Framework, we summarize results of an ongoing long-term mixed-methods implementation evaluation of DoE. Data sources include: Shark Tank application and bid details, tracking practice adoptions through a Diffusion Marketplace, characteristics of VHA facilities, focus groups with Shark Tank bidders, structured observations of DoE events, surveys of DoE program participants, and semi-structured interviews of national VHA program office leaders, VHA healthcare system/facility executives, practice developers, implementation teams and facilitators. Results In the first eight Shark Tanks (2016–2022), 3,280 Shark Tank applications were submitted; 88 were designated DoE Promising Practices (i.e., practices receive facilitated replication). DoE has effectively spread practices across the VHA, with 1,440 documented instances of adoption/replication of practices across the VHA. This includes 180 adoptions/replications in facilities located in rural areas. Leadership decisions to adopt innovations are often based on big picture considerations such as constituency support and linkage to organizational goals. DoE Promising Practices that have the greatest national spread have been successfully replicated at new sites during the facilitated replication process, have close partnerships with VHA national program offices, and tend to be less expensive to implement. Two indicators of sustainment indicate that 56 of the 88 Promising Practices are still being diffused across the VHA; 56% of facilities originally replicating the practices have sustained them, even up to 6 years after the first Shark Tank. Conclusion DoE has developed a sustainable process for the identification, replication, and spread of promising practices as part of a learning health system committed to providing equitable access to high quality care.
Phase locking between atmospheric convectively coupled equatorial Kelvin waves and the diurnal cycle of precipitation over the Maritime Continent

Convectively coupled Kelvin waves (CCKWs) are a major component of the tropical atmospheric circulation, propagating eastward around the equatorial belt. Here we show that there are scale interactions between CCKWs and the diurnal cycle over the Maritime Continent. In particular, CCKW packets that pass a base point in the eastern Indian Ocean at 90°E between 0600 and 0900 UTC subsequently arrive over Sumatra in phase with the diurnal cycle of convection. As the distance between Sumatra and Borneo is equal to the distance traveled by a CCKW in 1 day, these waves are then also in phase with the diurnal cycle over Borneo. Consequently, this subset of CCKWs has a precipitation signal up to a factor of 3 larger than CCKWs that arrive at other times of the day and a 40% greater chance of successfully traversing the Maritime Continent.
The rs11568820 Variant in the Promoter Region of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Is Associated with Clinical Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors

The vitamin D receptor (VDR), binding to the active form of the vitamin, promotes the transcription of numerous genes involved in the proliferation of immune cells, cytokine production and lymphocyte activation. It is known that vitamin D deficiency can influence the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or modulate its disease activity. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between the rs11568820 (C > T) polymorphism in the promoter region of VDR gene and the response to therapy with anti-TNF drugs in patients with RA. A total of 178 consecutive Italian patients with RA treated with anti-TNF, naïve for biological therapy, were recruited. Disease activity data were evaluated using specific indices such as DAS28, CDAI and SDAI, measured at the start of therapy and subsequently at 22, 52, 104 and 240 weeks. A statistically significant association emerged between the rs11568820 variant allele of VDR gene and failure to remission assessed by CDAI and SDAI at 52 weeks, and by DAS28, CDAI and SDAI at 104 weeks of follow-up. Furthermore, the variant allele of this polymorphism was observed more frequently in patients who did not undergo sustained remission calculated by CDAI and SDAI. The variant T allele of rs11568820 in VDR gene is associated with a reduced remission rate with anti-TNFα drugs. These data suggest the role of VDR genetic variability in the response to therapy and in the achievement of remission.
Early Explorations using KNN to Classify Emotions in Virtual Reality based on Heart Rate (HR) and Electrodermography (EDG)

To detect multimodal emotions using Virtual Reality (VR), this research demonstrates the findings and results of using a KNN Classifier by merging Heart Rate and Electrodermography signals. The participants in the study were shown 360-degree videos using a VR headset to elicit their emotional reactions. A wearable that measures skin activity and pulse rate in real time was used to record their emotional response. The experiment had a total of 30 participants, and the KNN classifier was used to classify intra-subject data. With the HR combined with EDG signals paired with KNN as the classifier, the study’s 30 participants’ data went through intra-subject classification where 11 out of 30 participants achieved a peak accuracy of 100%. These findings show that by combining HR and EDG signals, KNN may be used as the classifier to produce highly accurate results. This study’s possible applications include VR rehabilitation, gaming, and entertainment.
Location Privacy with Probabilistic Co-Location Profiles [work in progress]

Data collected from location-based applications could have an impact on the location privacy of users. Several works concern protection privacy of users that share our own locations. As concern co-location information, some new studies start to show their implication in location privacy declining. This paper is a preliminary contribution in this direction and its purpose is to highlight a first result in our work. We quantify the impact of implicit co-location information by a simple algorithm able to improve the probability of inference of a base line algorithm.
Helenus and Ajax, Two Groups of Non-Autonomous LTR Retrotransposons, Represent a New Type of Small RNA Gene-Derived Mobile Elements

Simple Summary Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons and non-LTR retrotransposons are two major repetitive components of eukaryotic genomes. Short intersperse elements (SINEs) are non-autonomous non-LTR retrotransposons with a sequence similar to small RNAs such as tRNA and 5S rRNA. Cassandra is a non-autonomous LTR retrotransposon with a 5S rRNA-like sequence in its LTRs. This observation led me to investigate the presence of non-autonomous LTR retrotransposons containing other small RNA sequences in their LTRs. Here, I discover and describe non-autonomous LTR retrotransposons Helenus and Ajax, with LTR regions of respective tRNA and 5S rRNA origin. Helenus and Ajax are likely mobilized by autonomous LTR retrotransposons. Helenus or Ajax are unlikely to encode a functional RNA. The finding of Helenus and Ajax confirms that non-autonomous LTR retrotransposons can be a source of small RNA-like interspersed sequences in the eukaryotic genomes. An understanding of their biology could contribute to the more precise prediction of small RNA genes and cellular RNA components as well as to the understanding of their evolutionary impacts. Abstract Terminal repeat retrotransposons in miniature (TRIMs) are short non-autonomous long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons found from various eukaryotes. Cassandra is a unique TRIM lineage which contains a 5S rRNA-derived sequence in its LTRs. Here, two new groups of TRIMs, designated Helenus and Ajax, are reported based on bioinformatics analysis and the usage of Repbase. Helenus is found from fungi, animals, and plants, and its LTRs contain a tRNA-like sequence. It includes two LTRs and between them, a primer-binding site (PBS) and polypurine tract (PPT) exist. Fungal and plant Helenus generate 5 bp target site duplications (TSDs) upon integration, while animal Helenus generates 4 bp TSDs. Ajax includes a 5S rRNA-derived sequence in its LTR and is found from two nemertean genomes. Ajax generates 5 bp TSDs upon integration. These results suggest that despite their unique promoters, Helenus and Ajax are TRIMs whose transposition is dependent on autonomous LTR retrotransposon. These TRIMs can originate through an insertion of SINE in an LTR of TRIM. The discovery of Helenus and Ajax suggests the presence of TRIMs with a promoter for RNA polymerase III derived from a small RNA gene, which is here collectively termed TRIMp3.
Technological Adaptations at Dust Cave, Alabama (1LU496): An Evaluation of Organizational Strategies from the Late Paleoindian to the Middle Archaic

Stone tools are one of the most common and lasting classes of artifacts in the archaeological record. Through the application of appropriate theoretical frameworks to the study of lithic assemblages, we may seek invaluable insights into the nature of human behavior in the past. In this study, I present a detailed analysis of the chipped stone tool assemblage from Dust Cave (1LU496), a stratified rockshelter site in northwestern Alabama. This site has preserved a record of nearly 7,000 years of human occupation, spanning the PleistoceneHolocene transition, a period of great climatic and cultural change in North America. Through the application of the Technological Organization framework, I address changes in the lithic artifact assemblage that reflect shifting behavioral strategies in the context of a dynamic natural and social environment. This approach views technology as a set of behaviors that facilitate the interaction of people with their environments, allowing tool users to meet challenges and to take advantage of opportunities presented by the natural and social worlds. With its emphasis on efficiency and decision-making, I argue that Technological Organization articulates well with approaches within Behavioral Ecology. I therefore root my analysis of the lithic materials within the Behavioral Ecology-informed studies of subsistence behavior at Dust Cave presented by Hollenbach (2005) and Carmody (2009). Together, these subsistence and lithic studies provide insight into the decisions being made by foragers in the context of a changing natural and social environment. My technological and functional analyses reveal continuity in the range of activities represented in the toolkit, but profound changes in the position that Dust Cave occupied in the cultural system. My analysis of tool production strategies, toolkit diversity, and patterns of tool iii use and discard reveals a shift from a logistically provisioned central place within an overall more residentially mobile system in the earliest periods of occupation, to a logistical station in the Middle Archaic. The richness of the environment, even in the Late Pleistocene, and the ease of raw material availability in the region had profound effects on the nature of forager decisionmaking at Dust Cave.
Cellular functions of spermatogonial stem cells in relation to JAK/STAT signaling pathway

This manuscript comprehensively reviews the interrelationship between spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Spermatogonial stem cells in the testes of male mammals, characterized by their self-renewal and pluripotential differentiation capabilities, are essential for tissue regeneration, immunomodulation, and advancements in regenerative medicine. This review delves into the historical background and biological characteristics of SSCs, with a particular emphasis on the pivotal role of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in their proliferation, maturation, and differentiation processes. Research indicates that the JAK/STAT pathway extensively influences various functionalities of spermatogonial stem cells, encompassing immunomodulation, tissue differentiation, homing, and adaptation to the microenvironment. Herein, we collate and dissect related studies, shedding light on the intricate dynamics between SSCs and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, and examine the implications of these interactions on the biological attributes and functionalities of SSCs. Furthermore, the review discusses the profound implications of these findings for preclinical research and the domain of cellular engineering. It is acknowledged that, despite advancements in the research of SSCs and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, investigations in humans and larger mammals remain inadequate, necessitating more in-depth exploration to establish a comprehensive theoretical framework. Overall, this review offers an invaluable reference for deciphering the mechanisms of the spermatogonial stem cell signaling pathways and establishes a theoretical groundwork for related preclinical research.
Structured subauroral polarization streams and related auroral undulations occurring on the storm day of 21 January 2005

We investigate structured subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) and their impacts on the midlatitude trough and auroral regions during the 21–22 January 2005 geomagnetic storm. This was a storm with two sudden commencements occurring under varying interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions and three main phases, two of them unfolding during northward IMF. Its onset at ~1700 UT allowed us to investigate SAPS wave structures (WS) and their impacts during the local evening hours under both southward and northward IMF conditions in the American sector. Results suggest that during southward IMF, SAPS‐WS might be related with standing (toroidal) Alfven waves and structured most intensively the stagnation trough. During northward IMF, the trough was created by SAPS electric (E) field effects only and became less structured by SAPS‐WS that were of Alfvenic origin. Auroral wave structures and undulations occurred in the structured and unstructured oval regions, respectively, and triggered the subauroral region's response to produce SAPS‐WS. Spectrogram images (only one shown) confirmed ring current injections implying magnetotail reconnections during the four SAPS‐WS events investigated. Periodic tail connections are also evidenced by the periodic increases seen in both the solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling function (ε) and the energy input efficiency. Finally, we conclude for the time period investigated that (1) the nature of SAPS‐WS was informative of IMF orientation, (2) plasma stagnation enhanced SAPS E field and SAPS‐WS development, and (3) more efficient energy input into the magnetosphere contributed to the better development of auroral undulations and SAPS‐WS.
LINAC-based SBRT in treating early-stage NSCLC patients—single institution experience and survival data analysis

Aim: This single institute prospective study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of LINAC-based stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in treating patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSLSC). We focused on the survival data with the local and distant control profiles and the cancer- and non-cancer-specific survival. Treatment-related side effects were also collected and analyzed. Methods: Patients with early-stage NSCLC between January 2018 and October 2021 were included in our prospective study; a total of 77 patients receiving LINAC-based SBRT were analyzed. All patients had pretreatment multidisciplinary tumor board decisions on SBRT. The average patient age was 68.8 years (median: 70 years, range: 52–82); 70 patients were in ECOG 0 status (91%), while seven patients were in ECOG 1-2 status (9%). 52% of the patients (40) had histologically verified NSCLC, and the other 48% were verified based on PETCT results. We applied the SBRT scheme 8 x 7.5 Gy for central tumors (74%) or 4 x 12 Gy for peripheral tumors (26%). Results: The mean follow-up time was 25.4 months (median 23, range 18–50). The Kaplan-Meier estimation for overall survival in patients receiving LINAC-based SBRT was 41.67 months. Of the 77 patients treated by SBRT, death was reported for 17 patients (9 cases cancer-specific, 8 cases non-cancer specific reason). The mean local tumor control was 34.25 months (range 8.4–41), and the mean systemic control was 24.24 months (range 7–25). During the treatments, no Grade I-II were reported; in 30 cases, Grade I non-symptomatic treatment-related lung fibrosis and two asymptomatic rib fractures were reported. Conclusion: In the treatment of early-stage NSCLC, LINAC-based SBRT can be a feasible alternative to surgery. Although we reported worse OS data in our patient cohort compared to the literature, the higher older average age and the initial worse general condition (ECOG1-2) in our patient cohort appear to be the reason for this difference. With the comparable local control and survival data and the favorable side effect profile, SBRT might be preferable over surgery in selected cases.
Combined-flow ripple profiles A preliminary note

Combined-flow ripples were produced in a recirculating flume with wave-generator at the Osaka University. Waves propagate against the current direction in the flume. The combinedflow ripples in our flume show the characteristic profiles of rounded lee and stoss sides and rounded troughs. The roundness of ripple profiles decreases by the incresing of oscillatory velocity, and the symmetry changes weaker related to the increasing of unidirectional velocity. Ancient combined-flow ripples, which have been recognized as wave ripples, are also introduced from the shallow-marine stratigraphic record.
Meta-analysis of Montreal cognitive assessment diagnostic accuracy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Background The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is one of the most widely-used cognitive screening instruments and has been translated into several different languages and dialects. Although the original validation study suggested to use a cutoff of ≤26, subsequent studies have shown that lower cutoff values may yield fewer false-positive indications of cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to summarize the diagnostic accuracy and mean difference of the MoCA when comparing cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults to those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to 22 February 2022. Meta-analyses for area under the curve (AUC) and standardized mean difference (SMD) values were performed. Results Fifty-five observational studies that included 17,343 CU and 8,413 aMCI subjects were selected for inclusion. Thirty-nine studies were used in the AUC analysis while 44 were used in the SMD analysis. The overall AUC value was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.87) indicating good diagnostic accuracy and a large effect size was noted for the SMD analysis (Hedge’s g = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.33, 1.64). Both analyses had high levels of between-study heterogeneity. The median cutoff score for identifying aMCI was <24. Discussion and conclusion The MoCA has good diagnostic accuracy for detecting aMCI across several different languages. The findings of this meta-analysis also support the use of 24 as the optimal cutoff when the MoCA is used to screen for suspected cognitive impairment.
Songorine modulates macrophage polarization and metabolic reprogramming to alleviate inflammation in osteoarthritis

Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disorder characterized by multifaceted pathogenesis, with macrophage dysregulation playing a critical role in perpetuating inflammation and joint degeneration. Methods This study focuses on Songorine, derived from Aconitum soongaricum Stapf, aiming to unravel its therapeutic mechanisms in OA. Comprehensive analyses, including PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence, were employed to evaluate Songorine's impact on the joint microenvironment and macrophage polarization. RNA-seq analysis was conducted to unravel its anti-inflammatory mechanisms in macrophages. Metabolic alterations were explored through extracellular acidification rate monitoring, molecular docking simulations, and PCR assays. Oxygen consumption rate measurements were used to assess mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and Songorine's influence on macrophage oxidative stress was evaluated through gene expression and ROS assays. Results Songorine effectively shifted macrophage polarization from a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Notably, Songorine induced metabolic reprogramming, inhibiting glycolysis and promoting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This metabolic shift correlated with a reduction in macrophage oxidative stress, highlighting Songorine's potential as an oxidative stress inhibitor. Discussion In an in vivo rat model of OA, Songorine exhibited protective effects against cartilage damage and synovial inflammation, emphasizing its therapeutic potential. This comprehensive study elucidates Songorine's multifaceted impact on macrophage modulation, metabolic reprogramming, and the inflammatory microenvironment, providing a theoretical foundation for its therapeutic potential in OA.