Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monoubiquitination by the Fanconi Anemia core complex locks FANCI:FANCD2 on DNA in filamentous arrays

FANCI:FANCD2 monoubiquitination is a critical event for replication fork stabilization by the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA repair pathway. It has been proposed that at stalled replication forks, monoubiquitinated-FANCD2 serves to recruit DNA repair proteins that contain ubiquitin-binding motifs. Here we have reconstituted the FA pathway in vitro to study functional consequences of FANCI:FANCD2 monoubiquitination. We report that monoubiquitination does not promote any specific exogenous protein:protein interactions, but instead stabilizes FANCI:FANCD2 heterodimers on dsDNA. This locking of FANCI:FANCD2 complex on DNA requires monoubiquitination of only the FANCD2 subunit. We further show that purified monoubiquitinated FANCI:FANCD2 forms filament-like arrays on long dsDNA using electron microscopy. Our results reveal how monoubiquitinated FANCI:FANCD2 is activated upon DNA binding and present new insights to potentially modulate monoubiquitinated FANCI:FANCD2/DNA filaments in FA cells.
The Effect of Change in Medi-Cal Dental Coverage on Dental Care Utilization Among Medi-Cal Beneficiaries

The Effect of Change in Medi-Cal Dental Coverage on Dental Care Utilization Among Medi-Cal Beneficiaries By Min He Zhang, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2019 Dissertation Committee Chairman: Tracey L. Gendron, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Gerontology One of the most important factors in accessing dental care is having dental insurance. For people with low incomes, Medicaid is the main source of health insurance. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Adult dental services were mostly eliminated in Medi-Cal in 2009 due to the economic downturn and partially restored in 2014. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of change in Medi-Cal dental coverage, specifically the partial restoration of adult dental coverage in 2014, on dental care utilization among Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The partial restoration significantly increased the utilization rates in dental clinics from 2014 to 2017 (22% in 2017 vs. 12% in 2013) for the overall population. However, the magnitude of increase differs in different age groups and ethnic groups. More statistically significant findings show greater utilization rates among beneficiaries of 19-64 than 65-74 and 75+ years old. Also, more significant findings show lower utilization among Black than White, Hispanic or Asian beneficiaries. The partial restoration significantly reduced the dental related ER visits among Medi-Cal beneficiaries from 2015 to 2017. However, the reduction is largely seen in beneficiaries of 19-64 years old in the ethnic groups of White and Black with reductions of 20 and 15 visits per 1,000 enrollees respectively in 2017 comparing to 2013. The dental related ER
Effect of Yttrium doping on structural, optical and transport properties of La2NiMnO6

We have prepared a series of double perovskites La2−xYxNiMnO6 (x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mol%) by sol-gel method. The structural, optical and transport properties of La2−xYxNiMnO6 have been characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultra-violet (UV) visible spectroscopy at room temperature whereas dielectric and electrical properties are calibrated in the temperature range of 293–473 K. The structural properties are discussed by rietveld refinement (JANA software) which gives monoclinic structure with space group P21/n for all series. FT-IR measurements give IR spectra which are fitted by using Lorentz oscillator model, optical conductivity, oscillator strength and damping factors. UV-visible spectroscopy gives optical band gaps, indicating the semiconducting behavior of observed series. The transport characteristics of La2−xYxNiMnO6 have been found by dielectric and electrical measurements. The dielectric constant, tangent losses and ac conductivities as function of frequency and temperature have been discussed in detail. The activation energies are calculated by Arrhenius plot which inveterate the semiconducting nature of all samples. It has been further confirmed that there is small polaron hopping (SPH) conduction mechanism in all samples.
Estradiol to testosterone ratio in metabolic syndrome men aged started 40 years above

Disruption of adipose tissue, an endocrine organ, could turn out into the so-called metabolic syndrome. Aging men with lowering testosterone were related to metabolic syndrome and excessive aromatase activity in adipose tissue would increase estradiol level. This study hypothesized that estradiol to testosterone ratio is increasedin aging, metabolic syndrome men. A total of 52 men were randomly recruited for this study. A blood samplewas drawn before 11.00 AM after 10 hoursof overnight fasting, then aliquot serum kept in -20°C pending the research. Subjects were divided evenly into the metabolic syndrome and nonmetabolicsyndrome group. The hormonal assaywas measured on the day of research. Then examined with student t-test. Estradiol level in metabolic syndrome group was increased, but insignificant differ to the other group. Testosterone level decreased and significantly different between groups. In conclusion, estradiol to testosterone ratio was increased in themetabolic syndrome group but insignificant.
Effect of ramie fibers on the mechanical and shrinkage properties of spray-free polypropylene composite

The high shrinkage of polypropylene (PP) and the poor interfacial bonding between polar ramie fibers (RF) and non-polar PP severely limits the application of RF reinforced PP composites. In this work, aluminum powder was employed as a colorant to prepare a spray-free matrix by mechanical blending. Silane coupling agent was employed to treat the surface of RF, resulting in significant improvement on the interfacial adhesion between RF and PP. RF increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PP by 15.7% and 158%, respectively. And the micro-structure of RF reinforced PP composites was studied systematically. In addition, RF greatly reduces the shrinkage of PP from 1.95% to 0.26%, resulting in a more stable size of the composite, which provides a reliable quality assurance for the application of the product.
Pupil Learning with Digital Tablet in Classroom

More and more schools are integrating digital tablets as an educational tool into the classroom. Although perceived by students and teachers as something positive, very few studies have evaluated their impacts on academic results. This gap is important given the significant cost of providing each student with a tablet. We study the case of a high school where the iPad was adopted as a classroom tool by some of its grade seven groups. We estimate the iPad's impact on grades by using a fixed-effect approach. Our results show that it has resulted in a general decline in educational achievement.
Dietary patterns in relation to major cardiovascular diseases risk factors

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of empirically derived dietary patterns with hypertension and hyperlipidemia among a large sample of Iranian industrial employees. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was done under the framework of Epidemiological Survey of Chronic Diseases on Manufacturing Employees. Major dietary patterns were derived based on a validated short form of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using exploratory factor analysis. Self-administered validated questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographic and job-related variables of participants. Multivariable logistic regression was applied for association analyses. Findings Higher levels of Western dietary pattern increased significantly the risk of hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, 95% CI [1.36-2.53], P trend <0.001) and hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.45, 95% CI [1.16-1.81], p = 0.001) even after controlling for confounding variables. The traditional dietary pattern was marginally associated with a significant increase in risk of hyperlipidemia ( = 1.14, 95% CI [0.92-1.41], p = 0.084) in the fully adjusted model. However, higher levels of healthy dietary pattern were significantly associated with a decreased risk of hyperlipidemia in the final model (OR 0.80, 95% CI [0.64-0.90], p = 0.025). Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, an association analysis between dietary patterns and major cardiovascular disease risk in workforce population over the world is scarce and has not yet been conducted among Iranian industrial employees. This study’s findings are especially relevant for the industrial workforce population because they are at high risk of other job-related risks that increase the CVD risk.
The effects of stretching on muscle morphometry of ovariectomized rats

Abstract Introduction: Ageing is responsible for structural alterations, declining of all physiological variables, including range of motion and skeletal muscle function, known as sarcopenia. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of stretching on muscle morphometry in ovariectomized rats. Method: 21 female Wistar rats (12 weeks, 218 ± 22 g) were divided into 4 groups: control (CONTROL, n = 3) intact; ovariectomized and hysterectomized (OH, n = 6); Stretching (STRET, n = 6); ovariectomized and hysterectomized and stretching (OHS, n = 6). The rats were subjected to ovariectomy and hysterectomy. The stretching protocol of the soleus muscle lasted 10 repetitions of 1 minute with 45s interval between each repetition performed 3 times a week for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, the rats were weighed and the muscles of both hind limbs were removed weighed and analyzed at muscle length; serial sarcomere number; sarcomere length; muscle fiber cross-sectional area (MFCSA) and percentage of connective tissue. Results: The final body weight increased in all groups. The serial sarcomere number of STRET was greater than the OH. The muscle fibers’ cross-sectional area of OHS was higher than CONTROL. Conclusion: It can be concluded that ovariectomy and hysterectomy prevented sarcomerogenesis even when stretching was applied. However, the stretching protocol enhanced muscle trophismof ovariectomized and hysterectomized rats. It might be suggested that longitudinal growth (serial sarcomeres) and radial (ASTFM) are differently regulated by stretching in intact and/or estrogen depleted (ovariectomy and hysterectomy) skeletal muscle.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of left bundle branch block and its correlation with left ventricular functions: a prospective observational study

Background: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) indicates organic heart disease. It is commonly associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD), cardiomyopathies, intrinsic disease of conduction system, hypertensive heart disease and acute myocardial infarction can present as new onset LBBB. Purpose of the study was to find out the etiology, outcome in patients having LBBB with respect to left ventricular function coming to our hospital. Methods: All patients coming to our hospital as inpatient or outpatient basis with ECG suggestive of LBBB were studied. Their detailed history was taken and examination was done. 2D-Echocardiography (2D ECHO) was done in all patients and coronary angiogram (CAG) when indicated. Results: Total of 116 patients who had LBBB were studied. Mean age was 62.25±13.75 years. 62 of them were male (53.45%) and 54 were female (46.55%). On presentation 41 patients had dyspnea (35.34%) and 37 had chest pain (31.89%). 24 patients were asymptomatic (20.68%). 59 patients had hypertension (50.86%) and 35 patients had diabetes (30.17%). On 2D ECHO, 39 patients (33.6%) had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), with 29 having diastolic and 10 systolic dysfunctions. 26 patients (22.41%) had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 30 patients had evidence of myocardial infarction (25.86%). 17 patients had normal echocardiography (14.05%). In total 62 patients had systolic dysfunction (53.44%). Conclusions: Commonest clinical presentation was dyspnoea followed by chest pain in patients with LBBB. Most of them had hypertension. LVH was the commonest 2D ECHO finding followed by global hypokinesia and regional wall motion abnormality. Ventricular systolic dysfunction was present in more than 50% patients. CAG revealed coronary artery diseases in majority of cases in whom CAG was indicated.
Utility of Ultrasound vs. Gene Expression Classifier in Thyroid Noduleswith Atypia of Undetermined Significance

Introduction: Thyroid nodules with fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology categorized as atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) often undergo additional diagnostic analysis with the Afirma Gene Expression Classifier (GEC) which classifies these as either high probability of being benign (GEC-B) or suspicious for malignancy (GEC-S). Our goal was to assess the clinical validity and utility of GEC in the evaluation of AUS cytology and evaluate the performance of ultrasonography (USG) for predicting malignancy in this subset. Methods: We conducted a study with a retrospective cohort of patients from January 2012- January 2014 who had FNA of thyroid nodules >1 cm in size with AUS cytology. Results: Cleveland Clinic Florida has an overall incidence of AUS of 5%. 119 cases with nodules >1 cm in size were reported as AUS. 48 (40.3%) had a GEC performed after the first FNA (AUS-1) and 27 of these were GEC-S. Of those 27, 21 went for surgery and 14 (66.6%) had thyroid cancer on histopathology. The remaining 71 with AUS-1 were sent for a 2nd FNA:19 nodules were benign and did not undergo further evaluation while the remaining 52 were reported as AUS for the second consecutive time (AUS-2). AUS-2 samples were sent for GEC. Of these 52 AUS-2, 38 (73.1%) were reported as GEC-S. 35 went for surgery and 32 (91.4%) had confirmed malignancy on histopathology. Positive Predictive Value (PPV) was 91.4% for AUS-2 vs. 66.6% for AUS -1. Moreover, AUS-2 nodules that were hypoechoic and solid on USG showed a PPV of 92% for malignancy. Conclusion: In our practice, the diagnostic accuracy to predict malignancy with GEC for AUS-1 nodules was poor (PPV 66.6%). The PPV of GEC testing was markedly higher at 91.4% performed after 2 consecutive AUS cytologies. AUS-2 nodules that were solid and hypoechoic on USG also had a high probability to be malignant (PPV 92%). We recommend repeat FNA on AUS-1 nodules rather than proceeding directly to GEC testing. Also, we suggest that among AUS-2 nodules, surgery can be recommended when USG shows solid and hypoechoic features with GEC testing reserved for the remainder.
Falla cardíaca crónica etapa C

Introduction: Congestive heart failure is classically defined as a clinical syndrome. Early detection of patients at high risk and of those with asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction, which by definition do not meet the criteria, has become an effective treatment strategy. For that reason they have been included in the classification and the clinical practice guidelines. Methodology: In order to create the clinical practice guideline based on evidence, we followed the steps defined in the Methodological Guide for the Preparation of Clinical Practice Guidelines and Economic Evaluation in the General System of Social Security of the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection. Results: In this issue we present the recommendations to treat heart failure with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. Conclusion: Some therapeutic strategies change the prognosis of patients with heart failure stage B. Early detection and treatment are important in patients at high risk.
Combined MEMS spectrometer based on Michelson interferometer and tunable filter for wideband selective operation

In this work we report on combining MEMS Michelson interferometer core engine cascaded with a low finesse Fabry-Perot (FP) tunable filter to enhance the spectral resolution over a wide spectral range. In this scheme, the different FP longitudinal modes within the FTIR spectrometer range are utilized simultaneously to scan the spectrum of the measured material by tuning the filter, while the FTIR engine discriminates between the contributions of the different FP modes; given that the spectral resolution of the FTIR engine is smaller than the FSR of the FP. The presented scheme is implemented experimentally using a FP cavity which is finely tuned using piezo actuator, with a scanning MEMS Michelson interferometer achieving a resolution of 16 nm at 1550 nm. The system is used to resolve two laser lines at 1548 nm and 1552 nm achieving a resolution of 4 nm at 1550 nm leading to four times enhancement. We also measured the absorption lines of a references material in the wavelength range of 1450 nm to 1750 nm and compared it to the measurement of a bench top spectrometer and the two results are in close agreement
Deep recurrent-convolutional neural network for classification of simultaneous EEG-fNIRS signals

Brain–computer interface (BCI) is a powerful system for communicating between the brain and outside world. Traditional BCI systems work based on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals only. Recently, researchers have used a combination of EEG signals with other signals to improve the performance of BCI systems. Among these signals, the combination of EEG with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has achieved favourable results. In most studies, only EEGs or fNIRs have been considered as chain-like sequences, and do not consider complex correlations between adjacent signals, neither in time nor channel location. In this study, a deep neural network model has been introduced to identify the exact objectives of the human brain by introducing temporal and spatial features. The proposed model incorporates the spatial relationship between EEG and fNIRS signals. This could be implemented by transforming the sequences of these chain-like signals into hierarchical three-rank tensors. The tests show that the proposed model has a precision of 99.6%.
Vitamin D and Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is weakly to moderately expressed in normal ovarian cell, but is more strongly expressed in ovarian cancer line and tumor tissue. In vitro studies have reported that vitamin D administration inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in both animal and human ovarian cancer cell lines.With available literature in the background, there is an urgent need to conduct a large case control trial to evaluate the association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism Fok1 with the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. Also, we need to evaluate the levels of serum vitamin D in epithelial ovarian cancer patients. ISSN: 2577-2015
Clasificación de enfermedades del tórax usando aprendizaje profundo y aumento de datos de calidad en el conjunto de datos ChestX-ray8

Resumen. Presentamos un método novedoso para la clasificación de enfermedades del tórax en el conjunto de datos estándar y ampliamente utilizado ChestX-ray8, el cual contiene más de 100,000 imágenes de vista frontal con 8 enfermedades. Las principales contribuciones de este artículo son tres: 1. La introducción de una evaluación de la calidad de la imagen para el pre-filtrado del conjunto de datos, ya que ha sido demostrado que los ejemplos de entrenamiento de baja calidad afectan el rendimiento de las soluciones basadas en aprendizaje profundo. 2. Un enfoque de aumento de datos basados en la calidad de la imagen, y 3. Una arquitectura simplificada de red convolucional basada en AlexNet con solamente 200,000 parámetros. Con estas modificaciones estructurales a la arquitectura de la red y el aumento de datos basados en calidad, fuimos capaces de obtener resultados comparables con otras propuestas del estado del arte que usan el mismo conjunto de datos ChestX-ray8 en 4 de 8 categorías y logramos superar los resultados en las otras 4 categorías o enfermedades, tal como lo demuestran los resultados experimentales, todas usando una red convolucional que puede ejecutarse
Explaining Peaceful Change without Democracy: The Case of the Sino-Soviet Security Community

Some scholars have claimed that democratic regime type needs to be treated as a necessary precondition for the formation of a pluralistic security community. This essay argues that one should not overestimate the explanatory power of linking the democratic peace proposition to the study of security communities. Democratic values, norms, institutions, and practices may certainly facilitate the formation of a security community, but it is by no means the only or even most plausible path to assure dependable expectations of peaceful change. While a number of authors have of late made similar claims, what is not settled is why non-democracies can form security communities. The findings in this essay advance scholarship on this issue by showing that the same causal logics commonly attributed exclusively to democratic security community formation are also present in the formation of non-democratic security communities. The study adds empirical evidence to this argument by developing a historical case study of the Sino-Soviet relationship. In sum, the findings demonstrate that (1) democracy is not a necessary (though facilitating) precondition for the development of a pluralistic security community and (2) a pluralistic security community may form between autocratic regimes based on the causal logical nexus of non-democratic norm externalization, ideological coherence, a common Other (normative logic) and autocratic domestic institutional constraints (institutional logic).
Multiple Factors Act Differently in Decision Making in the East Asian Region: Assessing Methods of Self-Construal Using Classification Tree Analysis

Cultural resemblance between Japan and Korea has been assumed, because both East Asian cultures are generally characterized by collectivism. However, subsequent investigations suggest a contrast between the two cultures in the decision-making process, concurrent with a growing call for a more elaborate model of self-construal. This study compares the diverse ways of self-construal underlying decisions regarding invitations between Japan and Korea. We conducted a scenario-based questionnaire in which 377 Japanese and Korean college students made decisions regarding whether to invite someone to an activity, to do the activity alone, or to not do the activity. Utilizing classification tree modeling to analyze multivariate categorical data, we examined the participants’ selected actions according to two factors: interpersonal relations (i.e., whether the other was a friend or an unfamiliar but favored classmate) and the locus of interest in a given situation (i.e., whether the event was of interest to the speaker, hearer, or both parties). The results revealed cultural variations in invitations. Japanese students seem to be interdependent, in that they hesitate to invite others unless they have an assured interpersonal relationship, and tend to wait until they are sure of the other’s interest, even when interested themselves. In contrast, Korean students appear more independent in considering the other’s interest and pursuing their own interest. This study highlights the complex ways of self-construal within the alleged collectivist East Asian region, and also demonstrates the applicability of classification tree analysis in differentiating rank orders of multiple factors influencing people’s decision making across cultures.