Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strong absorption by interstellar hydrogen fluoride: Herschel/HIFI observations of the sight-line to G10.6-0.4 (W31C)

We report the detection of strong absorption by interstellar hydrogen fluoride along the sight-line to the submillimeter continuum source G10.6-0.4 (W31C). We have used Herschel's HIFI instrument, in dual beam switch mode, to observe the 1232.4763 GHz J=1-0 HF transition in the upper sideband of the Band 5a receiver. The resultant spectrum shows weak HF emission from G10.6-0.4 at LSR velocities in the range -10 to -3 km/s, accompanied by strong absorption by foreground material at LSR velocities in the range 15 to 50 km/s. The spectrum is similar to that of the 1113.3430 GHz 1(11)-0(00) transition of para-water, although at some frequencies the HF (hydrogen fluoride) optical depth clearly exceeds that of para-H2O. The optically-thick HF absorption that we have observed places a conservative lower limit of 1.6E+14 cm-2 on the HF column density along the sight-line to G10.6-0.4. Our lower limit on the HF abundance, 6E-9 relative to hydrogen nuclei, implies that hydrogen fluoride accounts for between ~ 30 and 100% of the fluorine nuclei in the gas phase along this sight-line. This observation corroborates theoretical predictions that - because the unique thermochemistry of fluorine permits the exothermic reaction of F atoms with molecular hydrogen - HF will be the dominant reservoir of interstellar fluorine under a wide range of conditions.
Perspectives on Current and Novel Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

New therapeutic strategies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have shifted from symptom control towards treat-to-target algorithms in order to optimize treatment results. The treatment of IBD has evolved with the development of tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors beyond the conventional therapies. In spite of their long-term effectiveness, many patients do not respond to or cannot sustain treatment with these drugs, which have various side effects. Therefore, the development of new drugs targeting specific pathways in the pathogenesis of IBD has become necessary. Some novel biologics and small molecule drugs have shown potential in IBD clinical trials, providing safe and effective results. In addition, clinicians are now trying to target the dysbiotic microbiome of patients with IBD using fecal microbiota transplantation. New tools such as stem cells have also been developed. The available therapeutic options for IBD are expanding rapidly. In the next few years, physicians will face an unprecedented number of options when choosing the best treatments for patients with IBD. This review provides an overview of recent advances in IBD treatment options.
Treg-mediated prolonged survival of skin allografts without immunosuppression

Significance The use of specific IL-2/anti–IL-2 complexes (IL-2 cplxs) has shown great potency in the prevention of allograft rejection in mice. While long-term tolerance could be achieved toward islet allografts, clinically relevant skin graft models have remained elusive so far. Using a new protocol, this study documents that IL-2 cplxs can greatly prolong the survival of skin allografts and prevent sensitization of the recipient. The data provide support for the importance of regulatory mechanisms and organ-specific approaches when targeting allograft rejection. Injection of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) complexed with a particular anti–IL-2 monoclonal antibody (mab) JES6-1 has been shown to selectively expand CD4+Foxp3+ T regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vivo. Although the potency of this approach with regard to transplantation has already been proven in an islet transplantation model, skin graft survival could not be prolonged. Since the latter is relevant to human allograft survival, we sought to improve the efficiency of IL-2 complex (cplx) treatment for skin allograft survival in a stringent murine skin graft model. Here, we show that combining low doses of IL-2 cplxs with rapamycin and blockade of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 leads to long-term (>75 d) survival of major histocompatibility complex-different skin allografts without the need for immunosuppression. Allograft survival was critically dependent on CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs and was not accompanied by impaired responsiveness toward donor alloantigens in vitro after IL-2 cplx treatment was stopped. Furthermore, second donor-type skin grafts were rejected and provoked rejection of the primary graft, suggesting that operational tolerance is not systemic but restricted to the graft. These findings plus the lack of donor-specific antibody formation imply that prolonged graft survival was largely a reflection of immunological ignorance. The results may represent a potentially clinically translatable strategy for the development of protocols for tolerance induction.
Caries Trends in the Primary Dentition of 6- to 7-Year-old Schoolchildren in Germany from 1994 to 2016: Results from the German National Oral Health Surveys in Children

Long-term nationally representative caries data in the primary dentition are rare, but nonetheless central to assess needs in caries prevention and treatment. This study evaluated the prevalence and trends of caries levels in the primary dentition of 6- to 7-year-olds in Germany as a whole and its federal states individually. In 2016, employing a randomized cluster selection, 6- to 7-year-old first graders were included in the National German Oral Health Survey performed regularly since 1994/95. Children were examined by 482 calibrated dentists in all 17 German regions using the WHO criteria for the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) including the assessment of initial carious lesions (it). In total, 151,555 6- to 7-year-olds were examined. Caries prevalence in the primary dentition dropped from 65% in 1994 to 44% in 2016, while the mean caries experience dropped from 2.89 to 1.73 dmft (dt = 0.74, mt = 0.19, ft = 0.80). When initial lesions were included, the mean caries experience increased to idmft = 2.12 (it = 0.38). In 2016, 49.7% of the examined 6- to 7-year-olds were caries-free including initial lesions. The Care Index at the tooth level was 57.5%, and the Significant Caries Index was 4.84 dmft. Depending on the German region, the mean dmft varied considerably, ranging from 1.37 to 2.31. In conclusion, despite the overall caries decline in 6- to 7-year-olds in Germany, only minor caries reductions were observed over the last decade, with a still existing high proportion of untreated dental decay. This calls for more effective preventive and restorative efforts with focus on the primary dentition in Germany.
Analysis of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA and TP53 mutations in a large prospective series of locally advanced rectal cancer patients

Little information is available on the clinical significance of cancer‐related genes such as KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA and TP53 in nonmetastatic rectal cancer. We investigated mutations of these genes in a large prospective series of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who were recruited into two phase II trials. Mutational analyses were performed with diagnostically validated methods including polymerase chain reaction, capillary electrophoresis single‐strand conformational analysis, Sanger sequencing and next‐generation sequencing. Associations between single or multiple gene mutations and clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes were explored. Of these 269, 210 (78%) patients were assessable. Mutations of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA and TP53 occurred in 43, 9, 4, 9 and 60% of patients, respectively. Concordance between paired biopsy and resection specimens was 82% for KRAS, 95% for NRAS, 99% for BRAF, 96% for PIK3CA and 63% for TP53. TP53 mutations were associated with extramural venous invasion on baseline MRI (78% vs. 65%, p = 0.04), poor pathological tumour regression (23% vs. 36%, p = 0.05) and a trend toward a worse 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS; 60% vs. 74%, HR 1.59, p = 0.06). Patients with tumours harbouring mutation of TP53 and either KRAS or NRAS (32%) had a worse 5‐year PFS than those with TP53/KRAS/NRAS wild‐type tumours (54% vs. 72%, HR 1.75, p = 0.02). In univariate analysis, BRAF mutation predicted poor 5‐year overall survival only among patients treated without cetuximab (20% vs. 73%, HR 3.29, p = 0.03). This is one of the largest biomarker studies in a prospective, largely homogeneous, LARC population. Our findings are hypothesis generating and require validation in independent series.
F-GAMMA: variability Doppler factors of blazars from multiwavelength monitoring

Recent population studies have shown that the variability Doppler factors can adequately describe blazars as a population. We use the flux density variations found within the extensive radio multi-wavelength datasets of the F-GAMMA program, a total of 10 frequencies from 2.64 up to 142.33 GHz, in order to estimate the variability Doppler factors for 58 $\gamma$-ray bright sources, for 20 of which no variability Doppler factor has been estimated before. We employ specifically designed algorithms in order to obtain a model for each flare at each frequency. We then identify each event and track its evolution through all the available frequencies for each source. This approach allows us to distinguish significant events producing flares from stochastic variability in blazar jets. It also allows us to effectively constrain the variability brightness temperature and hence the variability Doppler factor as well as provide error estimates. Our method can produce the most accurate (16\% error on average) estimates in the literature to date.
Fluid structure interaction design development of passive adaptive composite international moth foil

The International Moth is a single-handed ultra-lightweight foiling development class boat, and it follows open class rules. Therefore, the designer and builder have full liberty to develop and produce the fastest boat [1]. It is possible to adapt the internal structure of the fixed foil to achieve a tailored twist angle for a given load. Exploring the possibility of using Passive Adaptive Composite (PAC) on the moth hydrofoil to control its pitch angle enables the boat to achieve a stable flight in a wide range of weather conditions whilst reducing the induced drag, passively decreasing the angle of attack in increased boat speed. Using PAC in a multi-element foil, such as the International Moth one, will allow the structure to achieve a constant lift force with speeds higher than the design take-off speed with less need to constantly modifying the rear foil section. Toward the development of a PAC moth fixed foil, experimental and numerical results for a single element aerofoil, able to achieve a linear decrease in lift coefficient with increase in wind speed, are presented and discussed. The results present the aero-elastic response of the foil explaining the complexity involved in fluid-structure interaction problems.
Evaluation of chloroplast genome annotation tools and application to analysis of the evolution of coffee species

Chloroplast sequences are widely used for phylogenetic analysis due to their high degree of conservation in plants. Whole chloroplast genomes can now be readily obtained for plant species using new sequencing methods, giving invaluable data for plant evolution However new annotation methods are required for the efficient analysis of this data to deliver high quality phylogenetic analyses. In this study, the two main tools for chloroplast genome annotation were compared. More consistent detection and annotation of genes were produced with GeSeq when compared to the currently used Dogma. This suggests that the annotation of most of the previously annotated chloroplast genomes should now be updated. GeSeq was applied to species related to coffee, including 16 species of the Coffea and Psilanthus genera to reconstruct the ancestral chloroplast genomes and to evaluate their phylogenetic relationships. Eight genes in the plant chloroplast pan genome (consisting of 92 genes) were always absent in the coffee species analyzed. Notably, the two main cultivated coffee species (i.e. Arabica and Robusta) did not group into the same clade and differ in their pattern of gene evolution. While Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) belongs to the Coffea genus, Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) is associated with the Psilanthus genus. A more extensive survey of related species is required to determine if this is a unique attribute of Robusta coffee or a more widespread feature of coffee tree species.
Lithium for suicide and readmission prevention after electroconvulsive therapy for unipolar depression: population-based register study

Background Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for unipolar depression but relapse and suicide are significant challenges. Lithium could potentially lower these risks, but is used only in a minority of patients. Aims This study quantifies the effect of lithium on risk of suicide and readmission and identifies factors that are associate with readmission and suicide. Method This population-based register study used data from the Swedish National Quality Register for ECT and other Swedish national registers. Patients who have received ECT for unipolar depression as in-patients between 2011 and 2016 were followed until death, readmission to hospital or the termination of the study at the end of 2016. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of readmission and suicide in adjusted models. Results Out of 7350 patients, 56 died by suicide and 4203 were readmitted. Lithium was prescribed to 638 (9%) patients. Mean follow-up was 1.4 years. Lithium was significantly associated with lower risk of suicide (P = 0.014) and readmission (HR 0.84 95% CI 0.75–0.93). The number needed to be treated with lithium to prevent one readmission was 16. In addition, the following factors were statistically associated with suicide: male gender, being a widow, substance use disorder and a history of suicide attempts. Readmission was associated with young age, being divorced or unemployed, comorbid anxiety disorder, nonpsychotic depression, more severe symptoms before ECT, no improvement with ECT, not receiving continuation ECT or antidepressants, usage of antipsychotics, anxiolytics or benzodiazepines, severity of medication resistance and number of previous admissions. Conclusions More patients could benefit from lithium treatment. Declaration of interest None.
Polarography as a technique of choice for the evaluation of total antioxidant activity: The case study of selected Coprinus Comatus extracts and quinic acid, their antidiabetic ingredient

Abstract This study was focused on in vitro screening of the total antioxidant activity of the selected extracts of the mushroom Coprinus comatus and quinic acid, one of their antidiabetic ingredients, by an uncommon electrochemical assay. Indeed, direct current (DC) polarographic HydroxoPerhydroxo Mercury(II) Complex (HPMC) assay based on decrease of anodic limiting current originating from HPMC formation in alkaline solutions of hydrogen peroxide at potential of mercury dissolution, observed upon gradual addition of antioxidants, was applied herein for the estimation of the natural products' antioxidativity. Quinic acid was found to exhibit most promising antioxidant potential (4.0 ± 0.2%µL−1) being ≈ 2-fold more active than the screened C. comatus extract samples. Actually, such a finding puts some light on the antioxidativity of cyclic polyols, well understimated class of organic compounds, compared to aromatic (poly)phenolics. As a low cost, easy-to handle and accurate this polarographic assay may be thoroughly recommended for much broader use.
The Ventral Visual Pathway Represents Animal Appearance over Animacy, Unlike Human Behavior and Deep Neural Networks

Recent studies showed agreement between how the human brain and neural networks represent objects, suggesting that we might start to understand the underlying computations. However, we know that the human brain is prone to biases at many perceptual and cognitive levels, often shaped by learning history and evolutionary constraints. Here, we explore one such perceptual phenomenon, perceiving animacy, and use the performance of neural networks as a benchmark. We performed an fMRI study that dissociated object appearance (what an object looks like) from object category (animate or inanimate) by constructing a stimulus set that includes animate objects (e.g., a cow), typical inanimate objects (e.g., a mug), and, crucially, inanimate objects that look like the animate objects (e.g., a cow mug). Behavioral judgments and deep neural networks categorized images mainly by animacy, setting all objects (lookalike and inanimate) apart from the animate ones. In contrast, activity patterns in ventral occipitotemporal cortex (VTC) were better explained by object appearance: animals and lookalikes were similarly represented and separated from the inanimate objects. Furthermore, the appearance of an object interfered with proper object identification, such as failing to signal that a cow mug is a mug. The preference in VTC to represent a lookalike as animate was even present when participants performed a task requiring them to report the lookalikes as inanimate. In conclusion, VTC representations, in contrast to neural networks, fail to represent objects when visual appearance is dissociated from animacy, probably due to a preferred processing of visual features typical of animate objects. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT How does the brain represent objects that we perceive around us? Recent advances in artificial intelligence have suggested that object categorization and its neural correlates have now been approximated by neural networks. Here, we show that neural networks can predict animacy according to human behavior but do not explain visual cortex representations. In ventral occipitotemporal cortex, neural activity patterns were strongly biased toward object appearance, to the extent that objects with visual features resembling animals were represented closely to real animals and separated from other objects from the same category. This organization that privileges animals and their features over objects might be the result of learning history and evolutionary constraints.
Numerical Modeling of Short-Pulse Laser Interactions with Multi-Layered Thin Metal Films

Multi-layered thin metal film subjected to a short-pulse laser heating is considered. Mathematical description of the process discussed bases on the equation in which there appear the relaxation time and the thermalization time (dualphase-lag-model). In this study we develop a three level implicit finite difference scheme for numerical modelling of heat transfer in non-homogeneous metal film. At the interfaces an ideal contact between successive layers is assumed. At the stage of computations a solution of only one three-diagonal linear system corresponds to transition from time t to t +∆t. The mathematical model, numerical algorithm and examples of computations are presented in the paper.
Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for loin muscle area and loin muscle depth in two Duroc pig populations

Loin muscle area (LMA) and loin muscle depth (LMD) are important traits influencing the production performance of breeding pigs. However, the genetic architecture of these two traits is still poorly understood. To discern the genetic architecture of LMA and LMD, a material consisting of 6043 Duroc pigs belonging to two populations with different genetic backgrounds was collected and applied in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with a genome-wide distributed panel of 50K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To improve the power of detection for common SNPs, we conducted a meta-analysis in these two pig populations and uncovered additional significant SNPs. As a result, we identified 75 significant SNPs for LMA and LMD on SSC6, 7, 12, 16, and 18. Among them, 25 common SNPs were associated with LMA and LMD. One pleiotropic quantitative trait locus (QTL), which was located on SSC7 with a 283 kb interval, was identified to affect LMA and LMD. Marker ALGA0040260 is a key SNP for this QTL, explained 1.77% and 2.48% of the phenotypic variance for LMA and LMD, respectively. Another genetic region on SSC16 (709 kb) was detected and displayed prominent association with LMA and the peak SNP, WU_10. 2_16_35829257, contributed 1.83% of the phenotypic variance for LMA. Further bioinformatics analysis determined eight promising candidate genes (GCLC, GPX8, DAXX, FGF21, TAF11, SPDEF, NUDT3, and PACSIN1) with functions in glutathione metabolism, adipose and muscle tissues development and lipid metabolism. This study provides the first GWAS for the LMA and LMD of Duroc breed to analyze the underlying genetic variants through a large sample size. The findings further advance our understanding and help elucidate the genetic architecture of LMA, LMD and growth-related traits in pigs.
Quantification of Sedimentary Organic Carbon Storage and Turnover of Tidal Mangrove Stands in Southern China Based on Carbon Isotopic Measurements

Mangrove ecosystems are highly productive and play an important role in tropical and global coastal carbon (C) budgets. However, sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) storage and turnover in mangrove forests are still poorly understood. Based on C isotopic measurements of sediment cores of 2 mangrove stands in southern China, SOC density was 431.77 Mg ha−1 at site 1 (a Aegiceras corniculatum-dominated high tidal stand) and 243.65 Mg ha−1 in site 2 (a Bruguiera gymnorrhiza + Kandelia candel-dominated middle tidal stand). SOC δ13C values at both mangrove sites ranged from -29.4% to −26.0%. SOC δ13C was enriched with depth at 20–50 cm at site 1, which possibly resulted from preferential microbial decomposition. SOC δ13C at site 2 experienced frequent tidal flushing, and presented relatively stable values with depth. A bomb-14C-based SOC turnover model indicated that turnover times of SOC at 20–50 cm at site 1 were 4.44–26.04 yr. Modern C input from abundant roots might account for the very short SOC turnover times at these subsurface layers. As a result, our study suggested that tidal processes had a great influence on SOC storage and turnover in mangrove forests.
Migration of Penicillium spinulosum from Paperboard Packaging to Extended Shelf Life Milk

Research was conducted to elucidate the cause of past fungal contamination experienced by local dairy processors in ultra-pasteurized, extended shelf life (ESL) fluid dairy products. Previous research at the Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology indicated paperboard packaging as a potential source of fungi found spoiling the product. Preliminary research to isolate naturally occurring fungi from paperboard containers produced by various manufacturers found fungi to occur infrequently and sporadically. Migration of Penicillium spinulosum from paperboard to milk during an extended shelf life, 60 days, was investigated through the inoculation of condia (spores) into paperboard test-squares created from gable-top carton flats designed for extended shelf life milk. These 57.2 by 57.2 mm (2 1⁄4 by 2 1⁄4 in.) test squares were sealed on three sides with melted paraffin wax, inserted with a steel pin at 3.2, 6.4, 9.5 and 12.7 mm from the uncoated edge (unskived edge) and sterilized by gamma-irradiation. A stock solution of P. spinulosum was injected at these four distances and the injection site sealed with melted paraffin wax. The squares were then incubated at 7°C in ultra-pasteurized skim milk for 60 days, allowing wicking of the milk to occur. An inverse relationship was seen between distance from the uncoated edge and presence of the organism in the surrounding milk. The percentage of milk samples containing P. spinulosum was 84% at 3.2 mm, 72% at 6.4 mm, 50% at 9.5 mm, and 28% at 12.7 mm from the uncoated edge. Survival of P. spinulosum in paperboard was investigated in two different studies. First, a study of survival over time used paperboard test-squares, which were inoculated, sealed on all four sides with paraffin wax and incubated as in the migration study in ultra-