Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Too much folate: a risk factor for cancer and cardiovascular disease?

Purpose of reviewThe intent of this evidence-based review is to analyze the role of folate in chronic diseases, focusing on cancer and cardiovascular disease. Recent findingsLow folate status has been shown to be a risk factor for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Although epidemiological data suggest an inverse association between folate status and disease risk, intervention studies give equivocal results, suggesting the response to folate intake does not follow a linear continuum. Moreover, recent folate intervention trials raise concern about possible adverse effects of folate supplementation and suggest that too much folate in inopportune settings may be potentially harmful in individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer. SummaryAlthough folate intake at sufficient levels appears to be an effective cancer chemopreventive strategy, high-dose supplementation of folate has generally not been effective in reducing recurrence of cardiovascular events or colorectal adenomas in clinical intervention trials. Although controversial, high folate status achieved through folate fortification or supplementation may increase the risk of certain chronic diseases among certain individuals, possibly by interfering with the homeostasis of one-carbon metabolism. Further research is urgently needed to accurately define the relationship between supraphysiological intake of folate and chronic diseases.
A Real-Time Analysis Method for Pulse Rate Variability Based on Improved Basic Scale Entropy

Base scale entropy analysis (BSEA) is a nonlinear method to analyze heart rate variability (HRV) signal. However, the time consumption of BSEA is too long, and it is unknown whether the BSEA is suitable for analyzing pulse rate variability (PRV) signal. Therefore, we proposed a method named sliding window iterative base scale entropy analysis (SWIBSEA) by combining BSEA and sliding window iterative theory. The blood pressure signals of healthy young and old subjects are chosen from the authoritative international database MIT/PhysioNet/Fantasia to generate PRV signals as the experimental data. Then, the BSEA and the SWIBSEA are used to analyze the experimental data; the results show that the SWIBSEA reduces the time consumption and the buffer cache space while it gets the same entropy as BSEA. Meanwhile, the changes of base scale entropy (BSE) for healthy young and old subjects are the same as that of HRV signal. Therefore, the SWIBSEA can be used for deriving some information from long-term and short-term PRV signals in real time, which has the potential for dynamic PRV signal analysis in some portable and wearable medical devices.
Profiles of Maternal Care Observed in a Group of Brazilian Mothers: an Exploratory Study

The aim of this study is to characterize profiles of maternal care in a sample of Brazilian mothers, using a culturalbiological perspective. Participants were 315 women who had at least one child younger than six years-old. They were selected from six Brazilian states. In each state, two groups of mothers were studied, one from the capital and one from a small city. They were interviewed and answered scales on allocentrism, social support, adult attachment, and practices of childcare. Mothers' characteristics, the type of context (capital vs. small city), and reported childcare practices were used in a Tree analysis. A Correspondence analysis was performed using the four clusters obtained and mothers' answers regarding their youngest child. Univariate GLM analyses were performed to compare mothers in the four clusters in terms of their scores on the different scales. Four maternal profiles presenting distinctive patterns of association between mothers' characteristics and care practices displayed to the youngest child were identified. We conclude that maternal care is a multi-determined phenomenon and that the method employed in this study can give insights into how the combination of diverse social-biological factors can result in a set of childcare practices. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar los perfiles de atención materna en una muestra de madres brasileñas, desde una perspectiva cultural-biológica. Las participantes fueron 315 mujeres que tenían al menos un hijo menor de seis años. Fueron seleccionadas en seis estados brasileños. En cada estado, se estudiaron dos grupos de madres, uno de la capital y otro de una ciudad pequeña. Fueron entrevistadas y se les administró la escala de alocentrismo, la de apoyo social, la de apego en adultos, y la de prácticas de cuidado en niños. Las características maternas, el tipo de contexto (la capital vs. ciudad pequeña), y la información aportada sobre prácticas de cuidado en niños, fueron utilizados en un árbol de decisión. Utilizando los cuatro grupos obtenidos y las respuestas de las madres sobre sus hijos más pequeños, se realizó un análisis de correspondencias. Para comparar a las madres en los cuatro grupos, en función de sus puntuaciones en las diferentes escalas, se utilizaron análisis univariados mediante el procedimiento GLM. Fueron identificados cuatro perfiles maternos que presentan patrones distintivos de asociación entre las características maternas y las prácticas de cuidado que se dispensan a los niños más pequeños. Llegamos a la conclusión de que la atención materna es un fenómeno multi-determinado y que el método empleado en este estudio puede proporcionarnos mayor información sobre cómo puede resultar la combinación de diversos factores sociobiológicos, en un conjunto de prácticas de cuidado infantil.
Influence of Work-Interval Intensity and Duration on Time Spent at a High Percentage of &OV0312;O2max During Intermittent Supramaximal Exercise

Wakefield, BR and Glaister, M. Influence of work-interval intensity and duration on time spent at a high percentage of &OV0312;O2max during intermittent supramaximal exercise. J Strength Cond Res 23(9): 2548-2554, 2009-The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of work-interval duration (WID) and intensity on the time spent at, or above, 95% &OV0312;O2max (T95 &OV0312;O2max) during intermittent bouts of supramaximal exercise. Over a 5-week period, 7 physically active men with a mean (±SD) age, height, body mass, and &OV0312;O2max of 22 ± 5 years, 181.5 ± 5.6 cm, 86.4 ± 11.4 kg, and 51.5 ± 1.5 ml·kg−1·min−1, respectively, attended 7 testing sessions. After completing a submaximal incremental test on a treadmill to identify individual oxygen uptake/running velocity relationships, subjects completed a maximal incremental test to exhaustion to establish &OV0312;O2max and subsequently (from the aforementioned relationship) the minimum velocity required to elicit &OV0312;O2max (v&OV0312;O2max). In a random order, subjects then carried out 3 intermittent runs to exhaustion at both 105% and 115% v&OV0312;O2max. Each test used a different WID (20 s, 25 s, or 30 s) interspersed with 20-second passive recovery periods. Results revealed no significant difference in T95 v&OV0312;O2max for intermittent runs at 105% versus 115% v&OV0312;O2max (p = 0.142). There was, however, a significant effect (p < 0.001) of WID on T95 &OV0312;O2max, with WIDs of 30 seconds enabling more time relative to WIDs of 20 seconds (p = 0.018) and 25 seconds (p = 0.009). Moreover, there was an interaction between intensity and duration such that the effect of WID was magnified at the lower exercise intensity (p = 0.046). In conclusion, despite a number of limitations, the results of this investigation suggest that exercise intensities of approximately 105% v&OV0312;O2max combined with WIDs greater than 25 seconds provide the best way of optimizing T95 &OV0312;O2max when using fixed 20-second stationary rest periods.
Effect analysis of emotions on driving intention in two-lane environment

Driving emotion plays an important role in intention generation and behavior decision. It is an important premise to understand the influencing mechanism of driving emotion on intention correctly for the realization of driving intention identification, active vehicle security warning, and intelligent driving. In the case of two-lane, multi-source dynamic data of human–vehicle–environment under drivers’ different emotional states is obtained through actual and virtual driving experiment in this article. Considering the influence of emotion on intention, the probability distributions of the driving intention in different emotions are obtained by means of the immune algorithm. And the priming effect of vehicle driving emotion on intention was analyzed deeply. The research results can provide theoretical foundation for the research of driving intention identification, active vehicle security warning system, and intelligent driving command system under the condition of Internet of things.
Phosphorylation of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E Contributes to Its Transformation and mRNA Transport Activities

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E is dysregulated in a wide variety of human cancers. In the cytoplasm, eIF4E acts in the rate-limiting step of translation initiation whereas in the nucleus, eIF4E forms nuclear bodies and promotes the nucleo-cytoplasmic export of a subset of growth-promoting mRNAs including cyclin D1. The only known post-translational modification of eIF4E is its phosphorylation at S209. Many studies have examined the role of phosphorylation on cap-dependent translation. However, no studies to date have explored the role of phosphorylation on the ability of eIF4E to transform cells. Using mutagenesis and separately a small molecular inhibitor of eIF4E phosphorylation, we show that eIF4E phosphorylation enhances both its mRNA transport function and its transformation activity in cell culture. Thus, phosphorylation of nuclear eIF4E seems to be an important step in control of the mRNA transport and thus the transforming properties of eIF4E.
Das Bundestagswahlrecht aus Perspektive der Social Choice-Theorie

Abstract The current system to elect the German Bundestag (i.e. German Federal Parliament) has a major defect: more votes for one party can lead to less seats in the parliament for that same party - the so called negative voting weight. The German Federal Constitution Court has requested the Parliament to modify the electoral system in order to avoid this malfunction. There are lots of possible solutions to that problem. In this paper we attempt to evaluate several possible modifications from a Social Choice perspective. We introduce a simple system of conditions for electoral systems by which we classify possible modifications. It follows that there cannot exist an electoral system that satisfies all of these conditions. There are solutions, however, which satisfy more conditions than other possible modifications.
The genetic basis for the association of the 8.1 ancestral haplotype (A1, B8, DR3) with multiple immunopathological diseases

Summary: An individual's major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ancestral haplotype (AH) is the dearest single determinant of susceptibility to MHC associated immunopathological disease, as it defines the alleles carried at all loci in the MHC. However, the direct effects of any of the 150–200 genes that constitute the MHC are difficult to determine since recombination only occurs at defined hotspots. This review concerns the 8.1 AH (HLA‐A1, C7, B8, C4AQ0, C4B1, DR3, DQ2), which is carried by most Caucasians with HLA‐B8. It is associated with accelerated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, and susceptibility to insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitns (IDDM), systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatitis herpetiformis, common variable immunodeficiency and IgA deficiency, myasthenia gravis and several other conditions. We have mapped susceptibility genes for HIV, IDDM and myasthenia gravis co the central MHC between HLA‐B and the tumour necrosis factor or complement genes. Here we consider which of the remaining 8.1‐associated diseases are more closely associated with HLA‐DR3 and/or DQ2. Several candidate genes in the central MHC have the potential to modulate immune or inflammatory responses in an antigen‐independent manner, as is seen in studies of cultured cells from healthy carriers of the 8.1 AH. Hence these genes may act as a common co‐factor in the diverse immunopathological conditions associated with the 8.1 AH.
Integrating a Problem and Project-Based Learning Approach into a Process of Thinking and Problem-Solving Course

According to the governmental policy, Thailand must change the educational system and strategies to encourage Thai students to have three main skills to live and work in the 21st Century. The aim of this paper was to illustrate the process and results achieved from the integration of a problem-based and project-based learning into a process of thinking and problem-solving course. Overall, 40 engineer students took part in an online questionnaire which measured their satisfaction towards this course and 17 engineer students participated in the paper questionnaires which assessed their learning process during this course. It was found that all students had done 10 projects successfully which based on their project work, reports, the community participation and reflection, peer assessment, lecturer evaluation, and students’ satisfaction and reflection and most of them were satisfied in this course (the teaching, an instructional media, a lecturer evaluation, and a classroom management). In addition, more than half of those students perceived that PPBL could enhance their thinking process and problem-solving skill. These findings provide crucial information for Thai lecturers who are willing to apply the Problem- and Project Based Learning Approach (PPBL) in their courses. They also present vital information for Thai lecturers to develop the new curriculums to improve their students’ learning skills via the actual community problems. Keywords: problem- and project-based learning; problem-solving skill; thinking process; general education course; university students.
Wave power extraction with constrained power take-off: Single capture vs. double capture point absorbers

This paper aims at quantifying how the power extraction assessment of a point absorber with an all-electric Power Take-Off (PTO) is affected by taking into account the real constraints due to the limited rating of the PTO. The two different cases of single-capture and double-capture point absorbers are analysed and directly compared, which are both relevant for practical applications in the wave energy industry. Moreover, a simplified control strategy is considered for the point absorber, which is based on a constant torque reference. The performance of the considered wave energy converter (WEC) is first evaluated in selected sea states and then the analysis is extended to assess the impact of the different solutions on the expected yearly wave energy production of the point absorber, when deployed at a specific location. The European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) is selected as a target site for such analysis.
A bi-directional free-space optical communication system with MEMS spatial light modulator for aglie data link

We report a free space optical (FSO) communication system for bi-directional passive optical network (PON) based on a MEMS spatial light modulator (SLM). A piezoelectric PZT scanner is used to display a marker image to invite a passive optical terminal (POT) and to keep the optical link even when the POT moves. Unlike wireless network that broadcasts radio signals, the FSO system in this work provides high security data transmission.
Evaluation of 5-fluorouracil applicability by the collagen gel droplet embedded drug sensitivity test with area under the curve analysis

We have evaluated the 5-fluorouracil sensitivity of cancer cells from colorectal cancer patients using the collagen gel droplet embedded drug sensitivity test under multiple drug concentrations and contact durations. After converting drug concentration and contact time to the area under the curve (AUC) and plotting against the growth inhibition rate, the correlation between AUC and the growth inhibition rates was approximated to the logarithmic regression curve. In this study, to further validate the reliability of the regression curve, the growth inhibition rate was calculated from the regression curve and the actual growth inhibition rate was compared at AUC of 48 μg h/ml. No significant difference was observed in the growth inhibition rates between the two groups by paired t-test (P=0.590). A strong positive correlation was found between the two groups by regression analysis (y=0.7555x+10.514, R2=0.8236). This result strongly suggests that in-vitro antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil depends on the AUC in colorectal cancer and the AUC–inhibition rate curve is reliable. We can obtain the inhibition rate from AUC and vice versa using the AUC–inhibition rate curve. We can also calculate the individualized AUCIR50, AUC value that gives 50% growth inhibition, using the AUC–inhibition rate curve. This could be useful to establish individualized chemotherapy using the collagen gel droplet embedded drug sensitivity test.
Is there an online public sphere? : a critical analysis of three British mainstream news online comment forums

This study focuses on reader comments within three British mainstream news online comment forums, the BBC’s World Have your Say, The Daily Mail’s RightMinds and The Guardian’s Comment is Free, to assess whether, and to what extent, these virtual spaces can be viewed as hosting an online public sphere. The sample includes 9,424 comments drawn from 78 forums between 1st May 2011 and 31st May 2012. Two theoretical frameworks are applied during data analysis comprising an initial small-scale content analysis complemented by a larger sociological discourse analysis. First, data are analysed against three of Dahlberg’s (2001a) online public sphere criteria: ‘autonomy’, ‘discursive inclusion and equality’ and ‘exchange and critique’. Second, analytical tools drawn from Bakhtinian (1986) notions of utterance, speech genres and heteroglossia are applied to the data. Key themes arising include the different levels of autonomy commenters achieve across the three news comment forums, abuse as a catalyst for participating in debates, and the importance of commenter-to-commenter deliberations. Moreover, in contrast to the rational-critical demands of public sphere discourse, intonation and more specifically Bakhtin’s (1984) notion of emotional-volitional content, demonstrates a significant presence within debates.
Skin Cancers in Organ Transplant Recipients

Long‐term utilization of immunosuppression in organ transplant recipients (OTRs) leads to decreased immune‐mediated tumor surveillance and development of malignant tumors. A delicate balance needs to be maintained in the intensity of immunosuppression to keep the risk of malignancy low without jeopardizing life‐saving graft function. OTRs are prone to developing skin cancers that exhibit unique epidemiologic, pathophysiologic, and prognostic characteristics. In this review, we discuss the most commonly reported skin cancers in OTRs: squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Kaposi sarcoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma (MM). Tumors in this high‐risk population are aggressive and may respond poorly to standard therapies; however, new targeted therapies are promising. Checkpoint inhibitor antibodies have been used for treatment of cutaneous SCC, Merkel cell carcinoma, and MM; epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors have been used for cutaneous SCC; hedgehog pathway inhibitors have been used for BCC; and BRAF and MEK inhibitors are being used increasingly in the management of MM. Guidelines for dermatologic screening are variable and primarily based on expert opinion. Prospective evidence‐based trials by multidisciplinary groups are needed to better define surveillance schedules for pre‐ and posttransplant cutaneous malignancies.
No evidence that major mtDNA European haplogroups confer risk to schizophrenia

Previous studies suggest that genetic factors could be involved in mitochondrial dysfunction observed in schizophrenia (SZ), some of them claiming a role of mtDNA common variants (mtSNPs) and/or haplogroups (hgs) in developing this disorder. These studies, however, have mainly been undertaken on relatively small cohorts of patients and control individuals and most have not yet been replicated. To further analyze the role of mtSNPs in SZ risk, we have carried out the largest genotyping effort to date using two Spanish case–control samples comprising a total of 942 schizophrenic patients and 1,231 unrelated controls: 454 patients and 616 controls from Santiago de Compostela (Galicia) and 488 patients and 615 controls from Reus (Catalonia). A set of 25 mtSNPs representing main branches of the European mtDNA phylogeny were genotyped in the Galician cohort and a subset of 16 out of these 25 mtSNPs was genotyped in the Catalan cohort. These 16 common variants characterize the most common European branches of the mtDNA phylogeny. We did not observe any positive association of mtSNPs and hgs with SZ. We discuss several deficiencies of previous studies that might explain the false positive nature of previous findings, including the confounding effect of population sub‐structure and deficient statistical methodologies. It is unlikely that mtSNPs defining the most common European mtDNA haplogroups are related to SZ. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simple and Mixed Acid‐Base Disorders: A Practical Approach

Metabolic and respiratory acid-base disorders occur as single and mixed entities. When induced perturbations in PCO2, HCO3(-), pH, and serum electrolytes are interpreted in the light of sound physiologic principles, even the most complicated mixed disorders may be easily diagnosed. The pathophysiology underlying the simple disturbances is defined and used as a framework for discussion of the mixed metabolic, respiratory acid-base derangements. Formulae are presented which allow one to predict what the appropriate degree of metabolic compensation should be for any primary respiratory disorder, or what the PCO2 should be for any given degree of primary metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. The various clinical settings in which mixed acid-base disorders occur most commonly are discussed.