Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new case definition of Neuro-Inflammatory and Oxidative Fatigue (NIOF), a neuroprogressive disorder, formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: results of multivariate pattern recognition methods and external validation by neuro-immune biomarkers.

BACKGROUND Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is characterized by neuro-psychiatric (e.g. depression, irritability, sleep disorders, autonomic symptoms and neurocognitive defects) and physio-somatic (fatigue, a flu-like malaise, hyperalgesia, irritable bowel, muscle pain and tension) symptoms. New ME/CFS case definitions based on consensus criteria among experts are largely inadequate, e.g. those of the US Institute of Medicine . OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to delineate a new case definition of ME/CFS based on pattern recognition methods and using neuro-immune, inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress (neuro-IO&NS) biomarkers as external validating criteria. METHODS We measured the 12-item Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Rating (FF) Scale in 196 subjects with CFS (CDC criteria) and 83 with chronic fatigue. The "Neuro-IO&NS" biomarkers were: IgM / IgA responses against LPS of gut commensal bacteria (leaky gut), IgM responses to O&NS modified neoepitopes, autoimmunity to serotonin, plasma interleukin-1 (IL-1) and serum neopterin. RESULTS Cluster analysis showed the presence of two well-separated clusters with highly significant differences in symptoms and biomarkers. The cluster with higher scores on all FF items was externally validated against all IO&NS biomarkers and therefore this diagnostic group was labeled "Neuro-IO&NS Fatigue" or "Neuro-Inflammatory and Oxidative Fatigue" (NIOF). An algorithm was constructed which defined NIOF as chronic fatigue and 4 or more of the following 6 symptoms: muscle tension, memory disturbances, sleep disorders, irritable bowel, headache or a flu-like malaise. There was a significant overlap between NIOF and CFS although NIOF criteria were much more restrictive. Factor analysis showed two factors, the first a fatigue-hyperalgesia (fibromyalgic complaints) and the second a fatigue-depression factor.
Tourniquet modification of the associating liver partition and portal ligation for staged hepatectomy procedure

In staged liver resections, associating liver partition and portal ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) achieves sufficient hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR) in 7 days. This is based on portal vein ligation and transection, and on occlusion of intrahepatic collaterals. This article presents a new surgical technique for achieving rapid hypertrophy of the FLR, which also involves adding intrahepatic collateral occlusion to portal vein transection.
Enhancing Resilience to Rayleigh Crosstalk by Means of Line Coding and Electrical Filtering

We demonstrate a technique that ameliorates the performance of bidirectional systems impaired by in-band Rayleigh crosstalk, which is common in passive optical access networks based on centralized remote wavelength feeding. The technique is based on the combined use of a suitable line coding and ad hoc postdetection electrical filtering. Therefore, it can be seamless implemented in optical access systems and it is easily scalable with the data rate. We experimentally assess the technique by using a 8B10B coded 1.25-Gb/s signal. We report an increased tolerance to the signal-to-crosstalk ratio by about 5 dB.
Reliable Classification of Functional Profiles and Movement Disorders of Children with Cerebral Palsy

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the inter-rater reliability of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Bimanual Fine Motor Function (BFMF), Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) classification tree, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and periventricular white matter injury (PWMI) aged 4–11 years. Method: Twenty children were assessed by two raters using the four tools, in addition parents undertook ratings on the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). Kappa statistics were used to calculate the level of agreement between raters’ classifications. Results: Participants comprised 12 males and 8 females with CP and PWMI, mean age 8 years 1 month (standard deviation 2 years 3 months). Inter-rater reliability across the four tools was 0.98 (CFCS, BFMF, and GMFCS) and 0.84 (SCPE). Implications: These findings suggest that these four tools are reasonably robust to inter-rater variability supporting their routine use along with the MACS in clinical and research applications.
Nest-Like Features in Bladder, Simulating the Nested Variant of Urothelial Carcinoma

Nest-like structures are the cardinal lesion of different benign and malignant bladder entities. These entities emphasize the biological relevance of the subtle morphological nest plasticity. The authors present 25 benign and malignant neoplasms, sharing the presence of florid nest-like growth and the scarcity or absence of superficial papillary components. Differential diagnostic clues are discussed.
Collaboration, Awareness, and Communication in Real-Life Escape Rooms

Real-life escape rooms involve players being locked in a room where they have to solve puzzles in order to escape. We conducted an observational and interview study with 38 escape room players to understand how groups of people collaborate in escape rooms, what opportunities escape rooms present as learning environments for improving collaboration, and how the design of escape rooms affects collaboration. Our results show that escape rooms provide people with opportunities to practice a range of collaboration skills, yet not all generalize to real world collaborative situations outside of the escape room. Thus, people may have an opportunity to practice communicating and maintaining an awareness of others, but the design of the room restricts such behaviors. These findings raise design opportunities for future escape rooms related to team dynamics and roles, the acquisition of situational and workspace awareness, and the teaching of conflict resolution techniques.
A phallus for free? Quantitative genetics of sexual trade‐offs in the snail Bulinus truncatus

Abstract Resource allocation is thought to play a key role in the coexistence of different sexual morphs within hermaphroditic species. Indeed, most models assume that sexual functions are subject to a balance between reproductive advantage and energetic cost. Various types of cost (e.g. organ construction, maintenance and utilization) and levels of trade‐off (physiological and genetic) may be considered. We here examine physiological and genetic costs of phallus construction and maintenance in Bulinus truncatus, a snail species in which aphallic individuals (without phallus) coexist with regular hermaphrodites. We use a quantitative genetic design involving 37 inbred lines (four populations) known to produce different proportions of aphallics, to test for the existence of genetic and nongenetic correlations between aphally and a range of life‐history traits over the totality of the life cycle. Our results show that aphallic and euphallic individuals of the same line do not show consistent differences in either growth, fecundity (including offspring survival), or longevity. Furthermore, none of these traits is genetically correlated across lines with the frequency of the aphallic morph. We conclude that the cost of the construction and maintenance of the phallus must be very low in this species. Future studies should investigate the cost associated with using the phallus (i.e. male outcrossing behaviour) to explain the maintenance of high frequencies of aphallic individuals in natural populations.
Voting in the Council of the European Union: Explaining Vote Choice 1995 to 2004

This paper explores patterns of voting in the Council of the European Union (EU) by analyzing the full set of voting records for this institution between 1995 and 2004. It uses ordered probit regression to explain the propensity of EU member states to vote ‘yes’, abstain from voting, or vote ‘no’ in formal Council voting procedures, treating vote decisions as panel data and accordingly, adjusting standard errors for country-based clusters. The paper explains voting behavior on the basis of a range of independent variables, including governments' positions on the left-right policy scale, pro-integration sentiments within domestic publics, governments’ position as either net beneficiary or net payer into the EU budget, and number of votes in the Council. The analysis reveals that, rather systematically, the more a state is a ‘net payer’ into the EU budget, the more likely it is to oppose the majority in Council voting. In addition, holding the presidency in a given year, and a low level of Euroskepticism in domestic public opinion, decrease the propensity of an EU state to formally oppose the Council majority. Finally, a governments’ distance from the Council majority on the left-right policy scale makes it more likely to either abstain or cast a negative vote in Council voting procedures.
Coxiella burnetii Phase I and II Variants Replicate with Similar Kinetics in Degradative Phagolysosome-Like Compartments of Human Macrophages

ABSTRACT Coxiella burnetii infects mononuclear phagocytes, where it directs biogenesis of a vacuolar niche termed the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). Owing to its lumenal pH (∼5) and fusion with endolysosomal vesicles, the PV is considered phagolysosome-like. However, the degradative properties of the mature PV are unknown, and there are conflicting reports on the maturation state and growth permissiveness of PV harboring virulent phase I or avirulent phase II C. burnetii variants in human mononuclear phagocytes. Here, we employed infection of primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) and THP-1 cells as host cells to directly compare the PV maturation kinetics and pathogen growth in cells infected with the Nine Mile phase I variant (NMI) or phase II variant (NMII) of C. burnetii. In both cell types, phase variants replicated with similar kinetics, achieving roughly 2 to 3 log units of growth before they reached stationary phase. HMDMs infected by either phase variant secreted similar amounts of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. In infected THP-1 cells, equal percentages of NMI and NMII PVs decorate with the early endosomal marker Rab5, the late endosomal/lysosomal markers Rab7 and CD63, and the lysosomal marker cathepsin D at early (8 h) and late (72 h) time points postinfection (p.i.). Mature PVs (2 to 4 days p.i.) harboring NMI or NMII contained proteolytically active cathepsins and quickly degraded Escherichia coli. These data suggest that C. burnetii does not actively inhibit phagolysosome function as a survival mechanism. Instead, NMI and NMII resist degradation to replicate in indistinguishable digestive PVs that fully mature through the endolysosomal pathway.
Avalanches mediate crystallization in a hard-sphere glass

Significance Glasses are formed from the supercooled liquid state when motion is arrested on the scale of the particle diameter. Such states are thermodynamically unstable: An apparently deeply arrested amorphous material can transform into a crystal (devitrification) without large-scale particle motion. The prediction and avoidance of devitrification represent major formulation issues in materials science, hence the importance of understanding its mechanism. Using molecular-dynamics simulations, we study the crystallization of the simplest glass-forming system, a hard-sphere glass. We find that crystallization is caused by a subset of particles cooperatively undergoing large rearrangements in an intermittent stochastic fashion (avalanches). Particles involved in an avalanche are not themselves crystallizing, but they induce crystallization in nearby regions that already show incipient local order. By molecular-dynamics simulations, we have studied the devitrification (or crystallization) of aged hard-sphere glasses. First, we find that the dynamics of the particles are intermittent: Quiescent periods, when the particles simply “rattle” in their nearest-neighbor cages, are interrupted by abrupt “avalanches,” where a subset of particles undergo large rearrangements. Second, we find that crystallization is associated with these avalanches but that the connection is not straightforward. The amount of crystal in the system increases during an avalanche, but most of the particles that become crystalline are different from those involved in the avalanche. Third, the occurrence of the avalanches is a largely stochastic process. Randomizing the velocities of the particles at any time during the simulation leads to a different subsequent series of avalanches. The spatial distribution of avalanching particles appears random, although correlations are found among avalanche initiation events. By contrast, we find that crystallization tends to take place in regions that already show incipient local order.
An Analysis on Secure Communication in Millimeter/Micro-Wave Hybrid Networks

The secrecy outage of millimeter wave (mmWave) overlaid micro-wave (μWave) networks under the impact of blockages is analyzed, and closed form as well as integral expressions are provided. Specifically, using a network model that accounts for uncertainties both in node locations and blockages, we characterize the conditional connection outage probability and the secrecy outage probability of hybrid networks with multiple eavesdroppers under basic factors, such as density of eavesdropping nodes, antenna gain, and blockage density. The upper and lower bounds of the conditional secrecy outage probability for both the line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight links are derived. As a desirable side effect, certain factors, such as blockages and reduced antenna gain, can decrease the secrecy outage probability in mmWave networks. This can be considered as a tradeoff between outage capacity and secrecy outage capacity with respect to blockages. Hence, blockages that have been proved to be detrimental to achieving higher data rates in mmWave systems, can be helpful for systems with secrecy constraints. Finally, we have shown the coexistence of mmWave and μWave networks from a secrecy perspective.
Rapid Heteromerization and Phosphorylation of Ligand-activated Plant Transmembrane Receptors and Their Associated Kinase BAK1*

In plants leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR-RKs) located at the plasma membrane play a pivotal role in the perception of extracellular signals. For two of these LRR-RKs, the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 and the flagellin receptor FLS2, interaction with the LRR receptor-like kinase BAK1 (BRI1-associated receptor kinase 1) was shown to be required for signal transduction. Here we report that FLS2·BAK1 heteromerization occurs almost instantaneously after perception of the ligand, the flagellin-derived peptide flg22. Flg22 can induce formation of a stable FLS2·BAK1 complex in microsomal membrane preparations in vitro, and the kinase inhibitor K-252a does not prevent complex formation. A kinase dead version of BAK1 associates with FLS2 in a flg22-dependent manner but does not restore responsiveness to flg22 in cells of bak1 plants, demonstrating that kinase activity of BAK1 is essential for FLS2 signaling. Furthermore, using in vivo phospholabeling, we are able to detect de novo phosphorylation of both FLS2 and BAK1 within 15 s of stimulation with flg22. Similarly, brassinolide induces BAK1 phosphorylation within seconds. Other triggers of plant defense, such as bacterial EF-Tu and the endogenous AtPep1 likewise induce rapid formation of heterocomplexes consisting of de novo phosphorylated BAK1 and proteins representing the ligand-specific binding receptors EF-Tu receptor and Pep1 receptor 1, respectively. Thus, we propose that several LRR-RKs form tight complexes with BAK1 almost instantaneously after ligand binding and that the subsequent phosphorylation events are key initial steps in signal transduction.
Treadmill training with partial body weight support and physiotherapy in stroke patients: a preliminary comparison

Treadmill training with partial body weight support can restore the gait ability of chronic non‐ambulatory hemiparetic subjects. A combination of physiotherapy and treadmill training may accelerate the rate of recovery. Therefore a randomized study was planned. Twenty‐eight non‐ambulatory hemiparetic patients were randomly assigned to group A or B. A 3‐week baseline of conventional therapy was followed by 15 sessions of physiotherapy and treadmill training in patients of group A and by 15 sessions of treadmill training in patients of group B over a period of 3 weeks. Follow‐up was 4 months later. The major outcome variables were gait ability and ground level walking velocity. Gait ability and velocity did not change during the baseline. In group B, five patients became independent walkers after the specific intervention, whereas 10 patients of group A regained independent walking ability in the same period (P < 0.05). Four months later group differences had waned. Three weeks of treadmill training plus physiotherapy accelerated the restoration of gait ability in hemiparetic subjects, however, the double amount of therapy in group A does not exclude a simple dose–response phenomenon.
Predicting the spread of marine species introduced by global shipping

Significance Predicting the arrival of alien species remains a big challenge, which is assumed to be a consequence of the complexity of the invasion process. Here, we demonstrate that spreading of alien marine species can be predicted by a simple model using only global shipping intensities, environmental variables, and species occurrence data. We provide species lists of the next potentially invading species in a local habitat or species causing harmful algal blooms with their associated probability of invasion. This will help to improve mitigation strategies to reduce the further introduction of alien species. Although this study focuses on marine algae, the model approach can be easily adopted to other taxonomic groups and their respective drivers of invasion. The human-mediated translocation of species poses a distinct threat to nature, human health, and economy. Although existing models calculate the invasion probability of any species, frameworks for species-specific forecasts are still missing. Here, we developed a model approach using global ship movements and environmental conditions to simulate the successive global spread of marine alien species that allows predicting the identity of those species likely to arrive next in a given habitat. In a first step, we simulated the historical stepping-stone spreading dynamics of 40 marine alien species and compared predicted and observed alien species ranges. With an accuracy of 77%, the model correctly predicted the presence/absence of an alien species in an ecoregion. Spreading dynamics followed a common pattern with an initial invasion of most suitable habitats worldwide and a subsequent spread into neighboring habitats. In a second step, we used the reported distribution of 97 marine algal species with a known invasion history, and six species causing harmful algal blooms, to determine the ecoregions most likely to be invaded next under climate warming. Cluster analysis revealed that species can be classified according to three characteristic spreading profiles: emerging species, high-risk species, and widespread species. For the North Sea, the model predictions could be confirmed because two of the predicted high-risk species have recently invaded the North Sea. This study highlights that even simple models considering only shipping intensities and habitat matches are able to correctly predict the identity of the next invading marine species.
Local government transnational networking in Europe: a study of 14 local authorities in England and France

Local authorities play a key role in European Union (EU) governance. They are no longer simply ‘passive receivers’ of EU policy, but proactively engage at the European level. This active engagement includes participation in local government transnational networking (LGTN), an activity which sees local authorities form links with their counterparts in other countries. The contemporary prevalence of LGTN presents an interesting empirical puzzle. Local authorities lack the formal competence to engage beyond their territories. Furthermore, since the financial crisis councils’ budgets have been restricted. Why, then, are local authorities participating in LGTN when they lack both the formal competence and the financial resources? This thesis tackles this puzzle. In particular it explores three broad questions relating to LGTN: - What is the extent of LGTN? - Why do local authorities participate? - What determines effective participation? By focusing on the local authorities within transnational networks, this thesis makes an empirical contribution to knowledge and informs a body of literature which has until now overlooked the perceptions of local actors in EU governance. It further informs conceptual debates surrounding multi-level governance and local level Europeanization. This focus is achieved through a cross-national analysis of 14 local authorities in south-east England and northern France, and adopting a qualitative empirical approach which draws data from semi-structured interviews, document analysis and participant observation. The findings show that LGTN continues to be a prevalent phenomenon and is therefore an important feature of the EU’s multi-level system of governance. However, engagement is not uniform. While all local authorities are involved, variation is present in the number of links councils engage in, the type of networks they target and their motivations for participation. In all cases, however, engagement in LGTN is driven by a rationalist logic, as councils seek to achieve individual pre-determined strategic aims and improve their relative positions. A number of local and external factors are shown to impact how effectively councils engage in LGTN and, ultimately, explains why the process of local level Europeanization is marked by differentiation rather than convergence.
Genes involved in self-protection against the lantibiotic subtilin produced by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633

Subtilin is a ribosomally synthesized peptide antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. Recently, we reported regarding genes spaB, spaT, and spaC (C. Klein, C. Kaletta, N. Schnell, and K.-D. Entian, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 58:132-142, 1992) which are involved in the biosynthesis of subtilin, and genes spaR and spaK (C. Klein, C. Kaletta, and K.-D. Entian, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 59:296-303, 1993), which regulate subtilin biosynthesis via a histidine kinase/response regulator system. Further sequence analysis revealed the presence of three additional open reading frames, spaI, spaF, and spaG, downstream of the structural gene spaS. The spaI gene encodes a hydrophilic 19.3-kDa lipoprotein containing a consensus signal sequence, indicating that this protein might be membrane anchored. A similar gene, nisI, has been identified in the nisin producer. SpaF shows strong homology to members of the family of ABC transporters. spaG encodes a hydrophobic protein which might form the active transporter together with SpaF. Gene disruption mutants in all three genes were still able to produce subtilin; however, these mutants were more sensitive to subtilin than the wild-type strain. These results show that these genes are involved in the immunity mechanism of the producer strain. A similar involvement of an ABC transporter in the self-protection mechanism has been described for the McbE and McbF transporter, which confers immunity against microcin B17 in Escherichia coli. Mutants containing mutations in the genes spaR and spaK, which are responsible for regulation of subtilin biosynthesis, also became more sensitive to subtilin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)