Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Saving lives: design and implementation of lifeline emergency ad hoc network

Purpose This paper aims to propose a system for automatically forming ad hoc networks using mobile phones and battery-powered wireless routers for emergency situations. The system also provides functions to send emergency messages and identify the location of victims based on the network topology information. Design/methodology/approach Optimized link state routing protocol is used to instantly form an ad hoc emergency network based on WiFi signals from mobile phones of the victims, backup battery-powered wireless routers preinstalled in buildings and mobile devices deployed by search and rescue teams. The proposed system is also designed to recover from partial crash of network and nodes lost. Findings Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in terms of battery life, transmission distance and noises. Originality/value A novel message routing schedule is proposed for conserving battery life. A novel function to estimate the location of a mobile device which sent an emergency message is proposed in this paper.
The Proteome of Pig Spermatozoa Is Remodeled During Ejaculation*

The present study identified and quantified using iTRAQ-based LC-MS/MS, 1,723 and 1,602 proteins, respectively, in mature boar spermatozoa retrieved from cauda epididymis and three distinct fractions of the ejaculate. A total of 974 of the identified and 960 of the quantified proteins belonged to the Sus scrofa taxonomy. An ANOVA test revealed that 32 Sus scrofa proteins implicated in sperm function showed quantitative differences among sperm sources. The findings demonstrated that the proteome of boar spermatozoa is remodeled during ejaculation. Graphical Abstract Highlights Proteome of mature boar spermatozoa from cauda epididymal and ejaculated sources were analyzed by iTRAQ-based LC-MS/MS. 1,723 sperm proteins identified (974 of Sus scrofa taxonomy). 1,602 sperm proteins quantified (960 of Sus scrofa taxonomy). 32 Sus scrofa sperm proteins were differentially expressed among sperm sources. The proteome of boar spermatozoa is remodelled during ejaculation. Proteins are essential for sperm function, including their fertilizing capacity. Pig spermatozoa, emitted in well-defined ejaculate fractions, vary in their functionality, which could be related to different sperm protein composition. This study aimed (i) to update the porcine sperm proteome and (ii) to identify proteins differentially expressed in mature spermatozoa from cauda epididymis and those delivered in separate ejaculate fractions. Ejaculates from nine mature and fertile boars were manually collected in three separate portions: the first 10 ml of the sperm-rich ejaculate fraction (SRF), the rest of the SRF and the post-SRF. The contents of cauda epididymides of the boars were collected post-mortem by retrograde duct perfusion, generating four different semen sources for each boar. Following centrifugation, the resulting pellets of each semen source were initially pooled and later split to generate two technical replicates per source. The resulting eight sperm samples (two per semen source) were subjected to iTRAQ-based 2D-LC-MS/MS for protein identification and quantification. A total of 1,723 proteins were identified (974 of Sus scrofa taxonomy) and 1,602 of them were also quantified (960 of Sus scrofa taxonomy). After an ANOVA test, 32 Sus scrofa proteins showed quantitative differences (p < 0.01) among semen sources, which was particularly relevant for sperm functionality in the post-SRF. The present study showed that the proteome of boar spermatozoa is remodeled during ejaculation involving proteins clearly implicated in sperm function. The findings provide valuable groundwork for further studies focused on identifying protein biomarkers of sperm fertility.
Early-onset psychosis in an adolescent with DiGeorge syndrome: A case report

DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) was first described in 1829 by Dr Angelo DiGeorge. DGS is a cluster of symptoms because of a defect in the development of the pharyngeal pouch. Evidence from cytogenetic studies has linked the pathogenesis of DGS with a deletion of a gene located in chromosome 22-band 22q11. In most affected individuals, the deletion is de novo; however, inheritance has been reported in 10% – 25% of patients. DGS commonly presents with a classical triad of conotruncal cardiac anomalies, hypoplastic thymus and hypocalcaemia. DGS may be of focus to a psychiatrist as it is associated with cognitive deficits, high rates of schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Patients may also present to mental health care workers with learning disabilities, developmental delay and behavioural disorders such as attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder. Mental health workers therefore play an invaluable role in the diagnosis and timely treatment of the disorder. In a resource-limited area such as Botswana, with scarce mental health professionals, paediatricians and neurologists, DGS may be frequently misdiagnosed with consequent inappropriate interventions that may increase morbidity. Herein, we present a case to raise awareness and demonstrate one of the varied ways the syndrome may present. The multifaceted nature of DGS presentation underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
Sterol methyltransferase is required for optimal mitochondrial function and virulence in Leishmania major

Limited knowledge on the exact functions of ergostane‐based sterols has hampered the application of sterol synthesis inhibitors against trypanosomatid parasites. Sterol methyltransferase (SMT) is directly involved in the synthesis of parasite‐specific C24‐methylated sterols, including ergosterol and 5‐dehydroepisterol. While pharmacological studies hint at its potential as a drug target against trypanosomatids, direct evidence for the cellular function and essentiality of SMT is lacking. Here, we characterized the SMT knockout mutants and their complemented strains in Leishmania major, the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Deletion of SMT alleles led to a complete loss of C24‐methylated sterols, which were replaced by cholestane‐based sterols. SMT‐null mutants were fully viable and replicative in culture but showed increased sensitivity to sphingolipid synthesis inhibition. They were not particularly vulnerable to heat, acidic pH, nitrosative or oxidative stress, yet exhibited high mitochondrial membrane potential and increased superoxide generation indicating altered physiology of the mitochondria. Despite possessing high levels of GPI‐anchored glycoconjugates, SMT‐null mutants showed significantly attenuated virulence in mice. In total, our study reveals that the biosynthesis of ergostane‐based sterols is crucial for the proper function of mitochondria and the proliferation of Leishmania parasites in mammals.
Robust Shape Estimation for 3D Deformable Object Manipulation

Existing shape estimation methods for deformable object manipulation suffer from the drawbacks of being off-line, model dependent, noise-sensitive or occlusion-sensitive, and thus are not appropriate for manipulation tasks requiring high precision. In this paper, we present a real-time shape estimation approach for autonomous robotic manipulation of 3D deformable objects. Our method fulfills all the requirements necessary for the high-quality deformable object manipulation in terms of being real-time, model-free and robust to noise and occlusion. These advantages are accomplished using a joint tracking and reconstruction framework, in which we track the object deformation by aligning a reference shape model with the stream input from the RGB-D camera, and simultaneously upgrade the reference shape model according to the newly captured RGB-D data. We have evaluated the quality and robustness of our real-time shape estimation pipeline on a set of deformable manipulation tasks implemented on physical robots. Videos are available at this https URL
FXR modulators for enterohepatic and metabolic diseases

ABSTRACT Introduction: Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor mainly expressed in enterohepatic tissues, is a master for bile acid, lipid and glucose homeostasis. Additionally, it acts as a cell protector with unclear mechanism but may be implicated in combating against inflammation, fibrosis and cancers. FXR is thus accepted as a promising target particularly for the enterohepatic diseases, and numerous FXR modulators have been patented and developed. Areas covered: This review provides an update on the development of FXR modulators for enterohepatic diseases and offers an in-depth perspective on new strategies for the development of novel FXR modulators. Expert opinion: Despite the development of numerous FXR modulators, which culminated in the successful launch of obeticholic acid (OCA), it remains a matter of debate on how the function of FXR should be exploited for therapeutic purposes. The improvement for obesity achieved by either FXR agonists or antagonists is still in confusion. Whether the side effect of pruritus induced by OCA could be exempted for non-steroidal FXR agonists needs further validation. Apart from the development of conventional FXR ligands, emerging evidence support that restoration of FXR protein level may represent a new strategy in targeting FXR for enterohepatic and metabolic diseases.
Weakness of visual working memory in autism

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often supported in daily life by visual presentations such as picture cards or illustrations. Therefore, they are considered to have visual strength. However, whether people with ASD are cognitively superior in visual processing and what causes the difference between visual and other sensory processing remain unknown. Thus, we compared visual and auditory processing from an aspect of memory in people with ASD and controls. We conducted the Wechsler Memory Scale‐Revised (WMS‐R) with 64 adults with ASD and 30 controls matched for gender, age, and Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FIQ). Our results showed that participants with ASD were inferior in visual working memory (P < .01), on a task in which a visual target was pointed every second. Another visual memory, namely, Visual Reproduction in which four geometric figures were presented each by 10 sec, and auditory memory, including working memory, revealed no significant differences between groups. Other visual memory, namely, Visual Paired Associates in which paired presentations were shown every 3 sec, had weak differences (P = .019). Thus, people with ASD might have difficulties processing rapid visual information. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1245–1252. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Personalization of injection protocols to the individual patient’s blood volume and automated tube voltage selection (ATVS) in coronary CTA

Purpose The aim was to assess personalised contrast media (CM) protocols—based on patient’s blood volume (BV) and automated tube voltage selection (ATVS)—in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods A total of 114 consecutive patients received an ECG-triggered or ECG-gated helical scan on a 3rd-generation dual-source CT with 70-120kV (ATVS) and 330mAsqual.ref. CM was adapted to BV, scan time (s) and kV. Image quality (IQ) was assessed in a 17-segment coronary model using attenuation values (HU), contrast-to-noise (CNR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (objective IQ) and a Likert scale (subjective IQ: 1 = poor/2 = sufficient/3 = good/4 = excellent). ig Results Patient distribution was: n = 60 for 70kV, n = 37 80kV and n = 17 90kV. Mean BV was 5.4±0.6L for men and 4.1±0.6L for women. Mean CM volume (300 mg I/mL) and flow rate were: 30.9±6.4mL and 3.3±0.5mL/s (70kV); 40.8±7.1mL and 4.5±0.6mL/s (80kV); 53.6±8.6mL and 5.7±0.6mL/s (90kV). Overall mean HU was >300HU in 98.2% (112/114) of patients. Overall mean attenuation was below 300HU in two scans (70kV) due to late scan timing. Of 1.661 segments, 95.4% was assessable. Mean CNR was 14±4(70kV), 13±3(80kV) and 14±4(90kV); mean SNR was 10±2(both 70kV+80kV) and 9±2(90kV). Objective IQ was comparable between kV settings, protocols and sex. Subjective IQ was diagnostic in all scans and excellent-sufficient in 95.4% of segments. Conclusions Personalisation of CCTA CM injection protocols to BV and ATVS is a promising technique to tailor CM administration to the individual patient, while maintaining diagnostic IQ.
Spatio–temporal patterns of cognitive control revealed with simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging

Optimal performance depends in part on the ability to inhibit the automatic processing of irrelevant information and also on the adjusting the level of control from one trial to the next. In this study, we investigated the spatio–temporal neural correlates of cognitive control using simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography, while 22 participants (10 women) performed a numerical Stroop task. We investigated the spatial and temporal dynamic of the conflict adaptation effects (i.e., reduced interference on items that follow an incongruent stimulus compared to after a congruent stimulus). Joint independent component analysis linked the N200 component to activation of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the conflict slow potential to widespread activations within the fronto–parietal executive control network. Connectivity analyses with psychophysiological interactions and dynamic causal modeling demonstrated coordinated engagement of the cognitive control network after the processing of an incongruent item, and this was correlated with better behavioral performance. Our results combined high spatial and temporal resolution to propose the following network of conflict adaptation effect and specify the time course of activation within this model: first, the anterior insula and inferior frontal gyrus are activated when incongruence is detected. These regions then signal the need for higher control to the ACC, which in turn activates the fronto–parietal executive control network to improve the performance on the next trial.
Emotional distress mediates the relationship between cognitive failures, dysfunctional coping, and life satisfaction in older people living in sheltered housing: A structural equation modelling approach

Little is known about the relationship between cognitive failures, emotional distress, and life satisfaction in late life. Experiencing cognitive failures is a known risk for declining life satisfaction in older people, although the mechanisms that may explain cognitive failures remain unclear. This study investigated the associations between psychosocial factors, cognitive failures, and coping strategies and their influence on life satisfaction in older people living in sheltered housing.
The functioning and behaviour of biological parents of children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, attending the outpatient department at Weskoppies Hospital, Pretoria

Background ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is gradually being acknowledged as a functionally impairing disorder across the lifespan, underscored by heritability. Nonetheless, lack of ADHD (adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) data from South Africa is alarming which could be due to either the unawareness of ADHD symptoms or underutilisation of available screening measures. Undiagnosed ADHD may influence family- and working lives unpleasantly. Parenting a child with ADHD may intensify parental stress through functional impairment notwithstanding the diagnosis of ADHD. Methods Eighty-one biological parents of children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were screened using self-reporting measurements. ADHD self-report scale (ASRS-V 1.1) identified either positive or negative subgroups; the Weiss functional impairment rating scale (WFIR-S) for functional impairment and the Jerome driving questionnaire (JDQ) for risk-taking behaviour specifically driving. Results Of the 39 (48%) parents who experienced impairment in all seven areas of functioning, 23 (59%) screened negative for ADHD, while 16 (41%) screened positive. A significant association was found between parents who screened either positive or negative for ADHD and functional impairment across five of the seven individual categories namely family, work, self-concept, life-skills and social functioning. Conclusion This study emphasised the high incidence of functional impairment in parents of ADHD children. Although a substantial number of parents screened negative for ADHD, they still reported impairment in functioning; probably due to undiagnosed ADHD with comorbid psychiatric disorders, and/or parental stress due to the complex behaviour of the child. Parents of children diagnosed with ADHD should be screened for functional impairment followed by referral for psychiatric assessment and parent management training to achieve better clinical outcomes.
Lower Subcutaneous or Visceral Adiposity Assessed by Abdominal Computed Tomography Could Predict Adverse Outcome in Patients With Crohn’s Disease

Background and Aims Changes in body composition have been described in patients with Crohn's disease, but their predictive performances on disease evolution remain undefined. The aims of our study were to assess, in patients with Crohn's disease requiring abdominal computed tomography, body composition by computed tomography, and to study the outcome according to various body composition parameters at the time of the computed tomography. Methods Patients with Crohn's disease who underwent abdominal computed tomography for suspected complications were retrospectively included. The definition of adverse outcome included death or need for surgery within 6 months of the computed tomography. Skeletal muscle index and visceral and subcutaneous adiposity indexes were calculated from tissue surface areas measured at the third lumbar vertebra, divided by the height squared. Results The prevalence of underweight was 26.8% and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 33.6%. After gender adjustment, skeletal muscle index tended to be reduced in patients with adverse outcome, compared with patients without surgery or death [p = 0.07]. Moreover, subcutaneous adiposity index and visceral adiposity index were significantly lower in patients with surgery or death [p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively]. These differences were almost equivalent in both genders for the subcutaneous adiposity index but were clearly stronger in men for the visceral adiposity index. Conclusions Subcutaneous and visceral adiposity indexes correlate inversely with adverse outcome in patients with Crohn's disease. Alteration of body composition assessed by computed tomography in these patients appears to be a marker of disease severity.
PD-1 up-regulation on CD4+ T cells promotes pulmonary fibrosis through STAT3-mediated IL-17A and TGF-β1 production

PD-1+TH17 cells enhance collagen-1 production from human lung fibroblasts. PD-1–expressing T cells prompt pulmonary fibrosis Although T cells expressing programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) are sometimes described as exhausted, they are not too tuckered out to wreak havoc in a variety of settings. Celada et al. examined cells from patients with sarcoidosis or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and saw an increase in PD-1+CD4+ T cells relative to healthy controls. These cells were mostly TH17 cells and were able to induce fibroblasts to produce collagen in vitro. Blocking PD-1 in the coculture system prevented this induction and associated cytokine production from the T cells. The authors then demonstrated that blocking PD-1 in a mouse bleomycin model reduced fibrosis symptoms. Putting these cells to sleep may be a way to help patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive inflammatory disease with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Previous genetic and immunologic investigations suggest common intersections between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), sarcoidosis, and murine models of pulmonary fibrosis. To identify immune responses that precede collagen deposition, we conducted molecular, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometric analysis of human and murine specimens. Immunohistochemistry revealed programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) up-regulation on IPF lymphocytes. PD-1+CD4+ T cells with reduced proliferative capacity and increased transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β)/interleukin-17A (IL-17A) expression were detected in IPF, sarcoidosis, and bleomycin CD4+ T cells. PD-1+ T helper 17 cells are the predominant CD4+ T cell subset expressing TGF-β. Coculture of PD-1+CD4+ T cells with human lung fibroblasts induced collagen-1 production. Strikingly, ex vivo PD-1 pathway blockade resulted in reductions in TGF-β and IL-17A expression from CD4+ T cells, with concomitant declines in collagen-1 production from fibroblasts. Molecular analysis demonstrated PD-1 regulation of the transcription factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). Chemical blockade of STAT3, using the inhibitor STATTIC, inhibited collagen-1 production. Both bleomycin administration to PD-1 null mice or use of antibody against programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) demonstrated significantly reduced fibrosis compared to controls. This work identifies a critical, previously unrecognized role for PD-1+CD4+ T cells in pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the use of readily available therapeutics that directly address interstitial lung disease pathophysiology.
Chromosomal-level assembly of yellow catfish genome using third-generation DNA sequencing and Hi-C analysis

Abstract Background The yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, belonging to the Siluriformes order, is an economically important freshwater aquaculture fish species in Asia, especially in Southern China. The aquaculture industry has recently been facing tremendous challenges in germplasm degeneration and poor disease resistance. As the yellow catfish exhibits notable sex dimorphism in growth, with adult males about two- to three-fold bigger than females, the way in which the aquaculture industry takes advantage of such sex dimorphism is another challenge. To address these issues, a high-quality reference genome of the yellow catfish would be a very useful resource. Findings To construct a high-quality reference genome for the yellow catfish, we generated 51.2 Gb short reads and 38.9 Gb long reads using Illumina and Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) sequencing platforms, respectively. The sequencing data were assembled into a 732.8 Mb genome assembly with a contig N50 length of 1.1 Mb. Additionally, we applied Hi-C technology to identify contacts among contigs, which were then used to assemble contigs into scaffolds, resulting in a genome assembly with 26 chromosomes and a scaffold N50 length of 25.8 Mb. Using 24,552 protein-coding genes annotated in the yellow catfish genome, the phylogenetic relationships of the yellow catfish with other teleosts showed that yellow catfish separated from the common ancestor of channel catfish ∼81.9 million years ago. We identified 1,717 gene families to be expanded in the yellow catfish, and those gene families are mainly enriched in the immune system, signal transduction, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Conclusions Taking advantage of Illumina, PacBio, and Hi-C technologies, we constructed the first high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for the yellow catfish P. fulvidraco. The genomic resources generated in this work not only offer a valuable reference genome for functional genomics studies of yellow catfish to decipher the economic traits and sex determination but also provide important chromosome information for genome comparisons in the wider evolutionary research community.