Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An investigation into particle shape effects on the light scattering properties of mineral dust aerosol

Mineral dust aerosol plays an important role in determining the physical and chemical equilibrium of the atmosphere. The radiative balance of the Earth’s atmosphere can be affected by mineral dust through both direct and indirect means. Mineral dust can directly scatter or absorb incoming visible solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial IR radiation. Dust particles can also serve as cloud condensation nuclei, thereby increasing albedo, or provide sites for heterogeneous reactions with trace gas species, which are indirect effects. Unfortunately, many of these processes are poorly understood due to incomplete knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of the particles including dust concentration and global distribution, as well as aerosol composition, mixing state, and size and shape distributions. Much of the information about mineral dust aerosol loading and spatial distribution is obtained from remote sensing measurements which often rely on measuring the scattering or absorption of light from these particles and are thus subject to errors arising from an incomplete understanding of the scattering processes. The light scattering properties of several key mineral components of atmospheric dust have been measured at three different wavelengths in the visible. In addition, measurements of the scattering were performed for several authentic mineral dust aerosols, including Saharan sand, diatomaceous earth, Iowa loess soil, and palagonite. These samples include particles that are highly irregular in shape. Using known optical constants along with measured size distributions, simulations of the light scattering process were performed using both Mie and T-Matrix theories. Particle shapes were approximated as a distribution of spheroids for the T-Matrix calculations. It was found that the theoretical model simulations differed markedly from experimental measurements of the light scattering, particularly near the mid-range and near backscattering angles. In many cases, in the near backward direction, theoretical
Cross-NASA divisional relevance of an Ice Giant mission

Robotic space exploration to the outer solar system is difficult and expensive and the space science community works inventively and collaboratively to maximize the scientific return of missions. A mission to either of our solar system Ice Giants, Uranus and Neptune, will provide numerous opportunities to address high-level science objectives relevant to multiple disciplines and deliberate cross-disciplinary mission planning should ideally be woven in from the start. In this review, we recount past successes as well as (NASA-focused) challenges in performing cross-disciplinary science from robotic space exploration missions and detail the opportunities for broad-reaching science objectives from potential future missions to the Ice Giants. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Future exploration of ice giant systems’.
Detecting the Learner's Motivational State in Online Learning Situation Towards Adaptive Learning Environments

Learning platforms provide new learning opportunities. They are rich on techno-pedagogical tools, enabling learners to collaborate, interact and share resources easily and freely between them, based on their needs and preferences. But the limit of these platforms is that they do not take into consideration the learners' motivation. Detecting and understanding the learner motivational state requires a rigorous analysis of the interaction traces between the learner and his learning environment. This paper aims to propose and verify some indicators to facilitate the analysis of digital traces, in view to detect the learner's motivational state. Being able to understand the motivational state could help stakeholders (tutor, teacher, pedagogical designer, etc.) to facilitate the learning process, by creating personalized courses.
Epidermal Stem Cells in Hair Follicle Cycling and Skin Regeneration: A View From the Perspective of Inflammation

There are many studies devoted to the role of hair follicle stem cells in wound healing as well as in follicle self-restoration. At the same time, the influence of the inflammatory cells on the hair follicle cycling in both injured and intact skin is well established. Immune cells of all wound healing stages, including macrophages, γδT cells, and Tregs, may activate epidermal stem cells to provide re-epithelization and wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis. In addition to the ability of epidermal cells to maintain epidermal morphogenesis through differentiation program, they can undergo de-differentiation and acquire stem features under the influence of inflammatory milieu. Simultaneously, a stem cell compartment may undergo re-programming to adopt another fate. The proportion of skin resident immune cells and wound-attracted inflammatory cells (e.g., neutrophils and macrophages) in wound-induced hair follicle anagen and plucking-induced anagen is still under discussion to date. Experimental data suggesting the role of reactive oxygen species and prostaglandins, which are uncharacteristic of the intact skin, in the hair follicle cycling indicates the role of neutrophils in injury-induced conditions. In this review, we discuss some of the hair follicles stem cell activities, such as wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis, hair follicle cycling, and re-epithelization, through the prism of inflammation. The plasticity of epidermal stem cells under the influence of inflammatory microenvironment is considered. The relationship between inflammation, scarring, and follicle neogenesis as an indicator of complete wound healing is also highlighted. Taking into consideration the available data, we also conclude that there may exist a presumptive interlink between the stem cell activation, inflammation and the components of programmed cell death pathways.
Clinical Observation and Prognostic Analysis of Patients With Klebsiella pneumoniae Bloodstream Infection

Background and purpose The clinical prognosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae(K. pneumoniae) bloodstream infection is poor, and the prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria makes clinical anti-infective treatment more challenging. This retrospective study evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of patients with K. pneumoniae, the risk factors for drug-resistant bacterial infection and death, and analyzed treatment options. Methods Clinical data of 297 patients diagnosed with K. pneumoniae bacteremia between June 2014 and June 2019 were collected. Results Intensive care unit hospitalization history, operation history, recent antibiotic use history, mechanical ventilation, and number of days hospitalized before bloodstream infection were found to be independent risk factors for drug-resistant bacterial infection. The risk of death for carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae infection was 2.942 times higher than that for carbapenem-sensitive K. pneumoniae infection. For extensively drug-resistant K. pneumoniae bacteremia patients, the mortality rate of combined anti-infective therapy was lower. Conclusions Clinicians should pay attention to patients with high-risk drug-resistant bacteria infection and administer timely anti-infection treatment. The findings of this study may provide some suggestions for early identification and standardized treatment of patients with K. pneumoniae bacteremia.
In vivo Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Galleria mellonella

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen associated with life-threatening nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Antibiotic resistance is an immediate threat to public health and demands an urgent action to discovering new antimicrobial agents. One of the best alternatives for pre-clinical tests with animal models is the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella. Here, we evaluated the antipseudomonal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against P. aeruginosa strain UCBPP-PA14 using G. mellonella larvae. The AgNPs were synthesized through a non-toxic biogenic process involving microorganism fermentation. The effect of AgNPs was assessed through characterization and quantification of the hemocytic response, nodulation and phenoloxidase cascade. On average, 80% of the larvae infected with P. aeruginosa and prophylactically treated with nanoparticles survived. Both the specific and total larvae hemocyte counts were restored in the treated group. In addition, the nodulation process and the phenoloxidase cascade were less exacerbated when the larvae were exposed to the silver nanoparticles. AgNPs protect the larvae from P. aeruginosa infection by directly killing the bacteria and indirectly by preventing an exacerbated immunological response against the pathogen. Our results suggest that the prophylactic use of AgNPs has a strong protective activity against P. aeruginosa infection.
Expression of LhFT1, the Flowering Inducer of Asiatic Hybrid Lily, in the Bulb Scales

Asiatic hybrid lily leaves emerge from their bulbs in spring, after cold exposure in winter, and the plant then blooms in early summer. We identified four FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-like genes, LhFT1, LhFT4, LhFT6, and LhFT8, from an Asiatic hybrid lily. Floral bud differentiation initiated within bulbs before the emergence of leaves. LhFT genes were mainly expressed in bulb scales, and hardly in leaves, in which the FT-like genes of many plants are expressed in response to environmental signals. LhFT1 was expressed in bulb scales after vernalization and was correlated to flower bud initiation in two cultivars with different flowering behaviors. LhFT8 was upregulated in bulb scales after cold exposure and three alternative splicing variants with a nonsense codon were simultaneously expressed. LhFT6 was upregulated in bulb scales after flower initiation, whereas LhFT4 was expressed constantly in all organs. LhFT1 overexpression complemented the late-flowering phenotype of Arabidopsis ft-10, whereas that of LhFT8 did so partly. LhFT4 and LhFT6 overexpression could not complement. Yeast two-hybrid and in vitro analyses showed that the LhFT1 protein interacted with the LhFD protein. LhFT6 and LhFT8 proteins also interacted with LhFD, as observed in AlphaScreen assay. Based on these results, we revealed that LhFT1 acts as a floral activator during floral bud initiation in Asiatic hybrid lilies. However, the biological functions of LhFT4, LhFT6, and LhFT8 remain unclear.
Mitochondrial Dynamics in the Brain Are Associated With Feeding, Glucose Homeostasis, and Whole-Body Metabolism

The brain is responsible for maintaining whole-body energy homeostasis by changing energy input and availability. The hypothalamus and dorsal vagal complex (DVC) are the primary sites of metabolic control, able to sense both hormones and nutrients and adapt metabolism accordingly. The mitochondria respond to the level of nutrient availability by fusion or fission to maintain energy homeostasis; however, these processes can be disrupted by metabolic diseases including obesity and type II diabetes (T2D). Mitochondrial dynamics are crucial in the development and maintenance of obesity and T2D, playing a role in the control of glucose homeostasis and whole-body metabolism across neurons and glia in the hypothalamus and DVC.
Plasma Exosomal MiRNAs Expression Profile in Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy With Hippocampal Sclerosis: Case-Control Study and Analysis of Potential Functions

Background To explore an expression profile in plasma exosomal miRNAs of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE + HS) patients and investigate the associated clinical significance and putative pathways involved. Methods Plasma exosomal miRNAs were measured in six mTLE + HS patients who were confirmed with pre-surgical stereo-electroencephalography and six without hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE−HS) using Illumina HiSeq 2500. Then six dysregulated miRNAs were chosen for validation in an independent sample of 18 mTLE + HS patients and 18 mTLE−HS controls using RT-qPCR. Receiver operating characteristic curve was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic value of miRNAs in HS. Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to reveal in which pathways these miRNAs were involved. Results We revealed that a total of 42 exosomal miRNAs were differentially expressed in mTLE + HS. Among them, 25 were increased and 17 decreased. After validation, hsa-miR-129-5p, -214-3p, -219a-5p, and -34c-5p were confirmed as being upregulated, while hsa-miR-421 and -184 were significantly downregulated in mTLE + HS. Moreover, hsa-miR-184 had the best diagnostic value for discriminating mTLE + HS with 88.9% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity. These six miRNAs regulated several genes from neurotrophin-, hippo-, p53-, TGF- beta-, HIF- 1-, mTOR-related pathways. Conclusion Six miRNAs were dysregulated in mTLE + HS patients and targeted several genes. This result might facilitate pathological mechanistic studies of miRNAs in HS and represent potential diagnostic biomarkers. These provided the rationale for further confirmation studies in larger cohorts of prospective patients.
Model Gender Interacts With Expressed Emotion to Enhance Startle: Angry Male and Happy Female Faces Produce the Greatest Potentiation

Several studies have implied gender differences in startle reaction to emotional facial expressions. However, few studies have been designed to investigate the difference between responding to emotional female vs. male faces, nor gender differences in responses. The present experiment investigated startle EMG responses to a startle probe while viewing pictures of neutral, happy, angry, fearful, and sad facial expressions presented by female and male models. Participants were divided into female and male groups. Results showed that emotional facial expressions interact with model gender to produce startle potentiation to a probe: greater responses were found while viewing angry expressions by male models, and while viewing happy faces by female models. There were no differences in responses between male and female participants. We argue that these findings underline theimportance of controlling for model gender in research using facial expressions as stimuli.
Teachers' Emotion and Identity Work During a Pandemic

This piece is a conceptual analysis of the care involved on the part of teachers during the COVID-19 era and the relationship it has to teachers' identities. Using the authors' stories, we address how fatiguing care is on a normal day, not to mention what is involved during the COVID era. This care, and the emotions involved, is closely tied to teachers' identities, calling into question how teachers conceptualize their teacherhood during a pandemic. Our hope is that others will consider where they may have misunderstood teachers' work. We aim to raise awareness of the complexity of teaching and suggest how teacher education can address and support teachers' needs.
Role of α2-Adrenoceptors in Hypertension: Focus on Renal Sympathetic Neurotransmitter Release, Inflammation, and Sodium Homeostasis

The kidney is extensively innervated by sympathetic nerves playing an important role in the regulation of blood pressure homeostasis. Sympathetic nerve activity is ultimately controlled by the central nervous system (CNS). Norepinephrine, the main sympathetic neurotransmitter, is released at prejunctional neuroeffector junctions in the kidney and modulates renin release, renal vascular resistance, sodium and water handling, and immune cell response. Under physiological conditions, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) is modulated by peripheral mechanisms such as the renorenal reflex, a complex interaction between efferent sympathetic nerves, central mechanism, and afferent sensory nerves. RSNA is increased in hypertension and, therefore, critical for the perpetuation of hypertension and the development of hypertensive kidney disease. Renal sympathetic neurotransmission is not only regulated by RSNA but also by prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors. Prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors serve as autoreceptors which, when activated by norepinephrine, inhibit the subsequent release of norepinephrine induced by a sympathetic nerve impulse. Deletion of α2-adrenoceptors aggravates hypertension ultimately by modulating renal pressor response and sodium handling. α2-adrenoceptors are also expressed in the vasculature, renal tubules, and immune cells and exert thereby effects related to vascular tone, sodium excretion, and inflammation. In the present review, we highlight the role of α2-adrenoceptors on renal sympathetic neurotransmission and its impact on hypertension. Moreover, we focus on physiological and pathophysiological functions mediated by non-adrenergic α2-adrenoceptors. In detail, we discuss the effects of sympathetic norepinephrine release and α2-adrenoceptor activation on renal sodium transporters, on renal vascular tone, and on immune cells in the context of hypertension and kidney disease.
Comparative Effects of Intraduodenal Glucose and Fat Infusion on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Type 2 Diabetes

The interaction of nutrients with the small intestine modulates postprandial cardiovascular function. Rapid small intestinal nutrient delivery may reduce blood pressure markedly, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Postprandial hypotension occurs in ~30% of patients with longstanding T2DM, but there is little information about the cardiovascular effects of different macronutrients. We compared the blood pressure and heart rate responses to standardized intraduodenal glucose and fat infusions in T2DM. Two parallel groups, including 26 T2DM patients who received intraduodenal glucose infusion and 14 T2DM patients who received intraduodenal fat, both at 2 kcal/min over 120 min, were compared retrospectively. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at regular intervals. Systolic blood pressure was stable initially and increased slightly thereafter in both groups, without any difference between them. Diastolic blood pressure decreased in response to intraduodenal glucose, but remained unchanged in response to lipid, with a significant difference between the two infusions (P = 0.04). Heart rate increased during both intraduodenal glucose and lipid infusions (P < 0.001 each), and the increment was greater in response to intraduodenal fat than glucose (P = 0.004). In patients with T2DM, intraduodenal fat induced a greater increase in heart rate, associated with a diminished reduction in blood pressure, when compared with isocaloric glucose. The macronutrient composition of meals may be an important consideration in T2DM patients with symptomatic postprandial hypotension.
Phylogeny, Diversification Rate, and Divergence Time of Agave sensu lato (Asparagaceae), a Group of Recent Origin in the Process of Diversification

Agave sensu lato is one of the most diverse and complex genera of Asparagaceae, with more than 250 species. The morphological, ecological, and evolutionary diversity of the group has complicated its taxonomical study. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the Agave genus. We included 107 species of the Asparagaceae family from which 83 correspond to the Agave sensu lato clade (Agave sensu stricto + Polianthes + Manfreda and Prochnyanthes, which together represent 30% of the genus) and as outgroups the genera Dasylirion, Hesperoyucca, Chlorogalum, Camassia, Hesperaloe, Yucca, Beschorneria, and Furcraea, in order to estimate the age and propose the history of their diversification. Previous studies postulated the relevance of the Miocene in the speciation rates of the agaves, as well as the relevance of the type of inflorescence in its diversification. However, these assertions have not been well supported. The analysis of chloroplast regions resulted in low resolution, which could be the consequence of the few variable sites. On the other hand, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) implemented in our analysis ensued in higher resolution and better support values. Our phylogenetic analyses recovered five groups; one is the Striatae group, which is the sister group to Agave sensu stricto clade. Within this clade, we found three main groups with high support; these groups are not related with previous morphological proposals. We also analyzed the dates of origin and diversification rates. A Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures indicated two significant shifts; the first was identified at 6.18 Ma, where the speciation rate increased to 4.10 species/Mya, this shift occurred during the late Miocene period, characterized by the emergence of arid biomes in North America. The second was identified at a stem age of 2.68 Ma where the speciation rate increased to 6.04 species/Mya. Concerning the ancestral reconstruction state of the inflorescence type in the Agave sensu stricto clade, the spike inflorescence character was predominant in the early-diverging groups, whereas the late-diverging groups present panicle inflorescences as the predominant character and higher speciation rates.
Lower Cardiac Output Relates to Longitudinal Cognitive Decline in Aging Adults

Background Subclinical reductions in cardiac output correspond to lower cerebral blood flow (CBF), placing the brain at risk for functional changes. Objectives This study aims to establish the consequences of reduced cardiac output on longitudinal cognitive outcomes in aging adults. Methods Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project participants free of clinical dementia and heart failure (n = 306, 73 ± 7, 58% male) underwent baseline echocardiography to assess cardiac output (L/min) and longitudinal neuropsychological assessment at baseline, 18 months, 3 and 5 years. Linear mixed-effects regressions related cardiac output to trajectory for each longitudinal neuropsychological outcome, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, body surface area, Framingham Stroke Risk Profile score, apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status and follow-up time. Models were repeated, testing interactions with cognitive diagnosis and APOE-ε4 status. Results Lower baseline cardiac output related to faster declines in language (β = 0.11, p = 0.01), information processing speed (β = 0.31, p = 0.006), visuospatial skills (β = 0.09, p = 0.03), and episodic memory (β = 0.02, p = 0.001). No cardiac output x cognitive diagnosis interactions were observed (p > 0.26). APOE-ε4 status modified the association between cardiac output and longitudinal episodic memory (β = 0.03, p = 0.047) and information processing speed outcomes (β = 0.55, p = 0.02) with associations stronger in APOE-ε4 carriers. Conclusion The present study provides evidence that even subtle reductions in cardiac output may be associated with more adverse longitudinal cognitive health, including worse language, information processing speed, visuospatial skills, and episodic memory performances. Preservation of healthy cardiac functioning is important for maintaining optimal brain aging among older adults.
Revisiting Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: Reviewing Lessons Learned and Redefining Therapeutic Paradigms

Since the clinical use of digitalis as the first pharmacological therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) 235 years ago in 1785, antiarrhythmic drug therapy has advanced considerably and become a cornerstone of AF clinical management. Yet, a preventive or curative panacea for sustained AF does not exist despite the rise of AF global prevalence to epidemiological proportions. While multiple elevated risk factors for AF have been established, the natural history and etiology of AF remain incompletely understood. In the present article, the first section selectively highlights some disappointing shortcomings and current efforts in antiarrhythmic drug therapy to uncover reasons why AF is such a clinical challenge. The second section discusses some modern takes on the natural history of AF as a relentless, progressive fibro-inflammatory “atriomyopathy. ” The final section emphasizes the need to redefine therapeutic strategies on par with new insights of AF pathophysiology.