Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Facial Behavior Revolves Around Neutral Facial Displays

With forty-six Action Units (AUs) forming the building blocks in the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), millions of facial configurations can be formed. Most research has focused on a subset of combinations to determine the link between facial configurations and emotions. Despite the value of this research for psychological and computational reasons, it is not clear what the most common combinations of AUs are to form the most commonly expressed facial configurations. We used three diverse corpora with human coded facial action units for a computational analysis. The analysis demonstrated that the largest portion of facial behavior consists of the absence of AU activations, yielding only one specific facial configuration, that of the neutral face. These results are important for cognitive scientists, computer graphics designers and virtual human developers alike. They suggest that only a relatively small number of AU combinations are initially needed for the creation of natural facial behavior in Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs).
ONC206, an Imipridone Derivative, Induces Cell Death Through Activation of the Integrated Stress Response in Serous Endometrial Cancer In Vitro

ONC206 (Oncoceutics) is an imipiridone with nanomolar potency and analogue of ONC201, a selective dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) antagonist currently being investigated in phase II clinical trials for serous endometrial cancer (SEC). This study investigated the anti-proliferative efficacy of ONC206 in SEC cell lines as well as its impact on cellular stress and adhesion/invasion. ONC206 inhibited cellular proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and was more potent than ONC201 in the ARK1 (IC50 = 0.33µM vs. IC50 = 1.59uM) and SPEC-2 (IC50 = 0.24uM vs. IC50 = 0.81uM) cell lines. Treatment with ONC206 resulted in induction of ROS production and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, accompanied by an increase in cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity (p < 0.01). ONC206 also significantly inhibited cellular adhesion and migration in both cell lines (p < 0.01). Pretreatment with the stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly attenuated the efficacy of ONC206 on cell proliferation, ROS production and cellular invasion. ONC206 demonstrates nanomolar potency for the inhibition of proliferation in SEC cells. Specifically, ONC206 utilizes ISR activation as a significant pathway in the propagation of its anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects. Thus, ONC206 may be a promising agent in future SEC clinical trials as was its predecessor ONC201.
Skill Assessment of Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction of Sea Level Anomaly in the North Pacific Based on the SINTEX-F Climate Model

Extreme sea level rise seriously impacts habitation and is indicative of changes in primary production in the North Pacific. Because of its rising trend associated with global warming, skillful seasonal-to-interannual predictions have become increasingly valuable to guide the introduction of suitable adaptation measures that help us reduce the risks of socioeconomic losses. Here, we have used a dynamical coupled ocean–atmosphere model called “SINTEX-F” to revisit the potential predictability of sea level anomalies at a lead of up to about 2 years. Skillful prediction is found mainly in the tropical Pacific as shown in previous work. Here, we found a new skillful prediction region in the North Pacific (30°–40°N, 180°–150°W) at about 2 years’ lead time. We also analyzed the co-variability among ensemble members and found the long-lasting ENSO/ENSO-Modoki in the tropical Pacific seems to contribute to the predictability source. The result may be useful to develop systematic and synergistic attempts to predict marine ecosystem responses to regional and global climate variations.
Clinical, neuroimaging, and molecular spectrum of TECPR2‐associated hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy with intellectual disability

Bi‐allelic TECPR2 variants have been associated with a complex syndrome with features of both a neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder. Here, we provide a comprehensive clinical description and variant interpretation framework for this genetic locus. Through international collaboration, we identified 17 individuals from 15 families with bi‐allelic TECPR2‐variants. We systemically reviewed clinical and molecular data from this cohort and 11 cases previously reported. Phenotypes were standardized using Human Phenotype Ontology terms. A cross‐sectional analysis revealed global developmental delay/intellectual disability, muscular hypotonia, ataxia, hyporeflexia, respiratory infections, and central/nocturnal hypopnea as core manifestations. A review of brain magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated a thin corpus callosum in 52%. We evaluated 17 distinct variants. Missense variants in TECPR2 are predominantly located in the N‐ and C‐terminal regions containing β‐propeller repeats. Despite constituting nearly half of disease‐associated TECPR2 variants, classifying missense variants as (likely) pathogenic according to ACMG criteria remains challenging. We estimate a pathogenic variant carrier frequency of 1/1221 in the general and 1/155 in the Jewish Ashkenazi populations. Based on clinical, neuroimaging, and genetic data, we provide recommendations for variant reporting, clinical assessment, and surveillance/treatment of individuals with TECPR2‐associated disorder. This sets the stage for future prospective natural history studies.
Framing the End: Analyzing Media and Meaning Making During Cape Town's Day Zero

In this paper, we analyze public discourses in 2018 about water-scarce Cape Town, SA. We investigated the discursive implications of apocalyptic rhetoric such as “Day Zero” by analyzing local and international news media talk (n = 111 newspaper articles) surrounding the Cape Town water crisis during pre-, height of, and post-crisis moments, complemented by 12 narrative problem-centered interviews in the height of the water crisis. The analysis led to a focus on the relationship between environmental and communicative developments with a high local impact, and mainly on examples of local engagement, social movements, or resistance as response to changing environmental scenarios and the evaluation of the role of (news) media in raising community concern and commitment. The findings show that the communication around the (twice-postponed) “Day Zero” in Cape Town is a very fruitful example of the digital disrupted, post-truth communication that happens with environmental issues today.
Efficacy of Adherence-Enhancing Interventions for Immunosuppressive Therapy in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Immunosuppressant non-adherence is a widespread problem among solid organ recipients. With the newly published clinical trials, the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based systematic review of adherence-enhancing interventions on immunosuppressant adherence in solid organ recipients has not been completed. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we compared the efficacy of adherence-enhancing interventions versus routine intervention, as performed with RCTs, on immunosuppressant adherence in solid organ transplantation recipients. Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL full text, and PsycINFO were searched from database inception to December 2019. This review was conducted following the PRISMA’s reporting guidelines and according to the principles recommended by Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review. Results The search yielded 10,479 articles. A total of 27 articles (26 studies) with 715 participants were included in our analysis. Results from the meta-analysis revealed that as compared with that of the routine intervention group, the rates of overall adherence, dosing adherence, and timing adherence were significantly increased within the adherence-enhancing intervention group, with the pooled risk ratio (RR) of overall adherence = 1.17, [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07 to 1.28; p = 0.0006]; RR of dosing adherence = 1.21 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.36, p = 0.001); RR of timing adherence = 1.16 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.29, p = 0.01). There was a significantly increased adherence score in the adherence-enhancing intervention group; however, no statistical significance on the immunosuppressant blood concentration was found between the two study groups. Results obtained from a subgroup analysis shown interventions led by a multidisciplinary team, both the assessment time at 6 months and 12 months demonstrated a significantly increased adherence rate in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions The findings of this report indicate that clinicians (doctors and nurses) should maintain a long-term intervention protocol to ensure immunosuppressant adherence within solid organ transplant recipients. To accomplish this goal, we recommend a multidisciplinary team-led, comprehensive intervention approach combined with mobile health monitoring for the administration of an effective immunosuppressive therapy regimen.
Ectomycorrhizal and Dark Septate Fungal Associations of Pinyon Pine Are Differentially Affected by Experimental Drought and Warming

Changing climates can cause shifts in temperature and precipitation, resulting in warming and drought in some regions. Although each of these factors has been shown to detrimentally affect forest ecosystems worldwide, information on the impacts of the combined effects of warming and drought is lacking. Forest trees rely on mutualistic root-associated fungi that contribute significantly to plant health and protection against climate stresses. We used a six-year, ecosystem-scale temperature and precipitation manipulation experiment targeted to simulate the climate in 2100 in the Southwestern United States to quantify the effects of drought, warming and combined drought and warming on the root colonization (abundance), species composition and diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF), and dark septate fungal endophytes in a widespread woodland tree, pinyon pine (Pinus edulis E.). Our results show that pinyon shoot growth after 6 years of these treatments was reduced more by drought than warming. The combined drought and warming treatment reduced the abundance and diversity of EMF more than either treatment alone. Individual ectomycorrhizal fungal taxa, including the drought tolerant Cenococcum geophilum, were present in all treatments but the combined drought and warming treatment. The combined drought and warming treatment also reduced the abundance of dark septate endophytes (DSE), but did not affect their diversity or species composition. The current year shoot growth of the trees correlated positively with ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity, highlighting the importance of diversity in mutualistic relationships to plant growth. Our results suggest that EMF may be more important than DSE to aboveground growth in P. edulis, but also more susceptible to the negative effects of combined climate stressors.
Multicenter Analysis of Liver Injury Patterns and Mortality in COVID-19

Background and Aim: Liver test abnormalities are common in COVID-19 patients. The aim of our study was to determine risk factors for different liver injury patterns and to evaluate the relationship between liver injury patterns and prognosis in patients with COVID-19. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted between January 1st to March 10th, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and followed them up to April 20th, 2020. Information of clinical features of patients was collected for analysis. Results: As a result, a total of 838 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19, including 48.8% (409/838) patients with normal liver function and 51.2% (429/838) patients with liver injury were analyzed. Abnormal liver function tests are associated with organ injuries, hypoxia, inflammation, and the use of antiviral drugs. Hepatocellular injury pattern was associated with hypoxia. The mortality of the hepatocellular injury pattern, cholestatic pattern and mixed pattern were 25, 28.2, and 22.3%, respectively, while the death rate was only 6.1% in the patients without liver injury. Multivariate analyses showed that liver injury with cholestatic pattern and mixed pattern were associated with increased mortality risk. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that hepatocellular injury pattern that may be induced by hypoxia was not risk factor for mortality in SARS-COV-2 infection, while liver injury with mixed pattern and cholestatic pattern that might be induced by SARS-CoV-2 directly might be potential risk factors for increased mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of diagnostic imaging methods for the diagnosis of ectopic ureters in the dog

Σκοπός της αναδρομικής αυτής μeλέτης eίναι η διeρeύνηση της eυαισθησίας, eιδικότητας και ακρίβeιας των απeικονιστικών μeθόδων που χρησιμοποιούνται για τη διάγνωση του έκτοπου ουρητήρα στο σκύλο. Μeλeτήθηκe αρχeιακό υλικό του νοσοκομeίου ζώων Queen Mother Hospital for animals του Royal Veterinary College της Μeγάλης Βρeτανίας από το Νοέμβριο του 1995 μέχρι τον Ιανουάριο του 2006. Μόνο σκύλοι μe τουλάχιστον μία ακτινολογική μeλέτη μe χρήση σκιαγραφικής ουσίας, υπeρηχογραφική eξέταση, eξέταση των ουρητήρων και χeιρουργική διάγνωση συμπeριeλήφθησαν. Πραγματοποιήθηκe συγκριτική αξιολόγηση της eνδοφλέβιας ουρογραφίας (EΟ), παλλίνδρομης ουρογραφίας (ΠΟ), υπeρηχογραφικής eξέτασης (ΥΠΟ) και χeιρουργικής διάγνωσης. Όλα τα πeριστατικά αξιολογήθηκαν ανά ουρητήρα ξeχωριστά, αλλά και μe βάση το πeριστατικό συνολικά ανeξάρτητα από την απόληξη του κάθe ουρητήρα. Η ΥΠΟ βρέθηκe να έχeι την υψηλότeρη eυαισθησία, eιδικότητα και ακρίβeια ανά πeριστατικό και μe βάση την τeλική διάγνωση, eνώ η EΟ eίχe υψηλότeρη eυαισθησία στην ανάλυση ανά ουρητήρα. Το κυριότeρο μeιονέκτημα της ΥΠΟ eίναι η μη eντόπιση της σωστής θέσης του έκτοπου ουρητήρα. Όταν η ανάλυση πραγματοποιήθηκe μe βάση την τeλική διάγνωση του πeριστατικού και ανeξάρτητα από την απόληξη του κάθe ουρητήρα, η ΥΠΟ eίχe τέλeια eυαισθησία, eιδικότητα και ακρίβeια. Η χαμηλότeρη eιδικότητα και ακρίβeια των μeθόδων EΟ και ΠΟ φαίνeται να σχeτίζeται μe τη δυσκολία αναγνώρισης της θέσης απόληξης των ουρητήρων.
Regioselective Radical Reaction of Monometallofullerene Y@C2v(9)-C82 With N-arylbenzamidine Mediated by Silver Carbonate

A novel radical reaction of monometallofullerene Y@C2v(9)-C82 with N-arylbezamidine (1) is successfully conducted through catalysis with silver carbonate. The high-performance liquid chromatographic and mass spectrum results demonstrate that the reaction is highly regioselective to afford only one monoadduct (2) with an imidazoline group added on C82 cage, and computations through density functional theory reveal the addition group is attached to a specific [5, 6]-bond (C20-C76) near the Y atom. Furthermore, the analysis of prymidalization angle of the carbon atoms demonstrates the geometry of carbon cage is in favor of the regioselective formation of isomer (20, 76).
Analysis of Chromosomal Copy Number in First-Trimester Pregnancy Loss Using Next-Generation Sequencing

Embryonic chromosomal abnormality is one of the significant causative factors of early pregnancy loss. Our goal was to evaluate the clinical utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology in identifying chromosomal anomalies associated with first-trimester pregnancy loss. In addition, we attempted to provide fertility guidance to couples anticipating a successful pregnancy. A total of 1,010 miscarriage specimens were collected between March 2016 and January 2019 from women who suffered first-trimester pregnancy loss. Total DNA was isolated from products of conception, and NGS analysis was carried out. We detected a total of 634 cases of chromosomal variants. Among the 634 cases, 462 (72.9%) displayed numerical variants including 383 (60.4%) aneuploidies, 44 (6.9%) polyploidies, and 34 (5.5%) mosaicisms. The other 172 (27.1%) cases showed structural variants including 19 (3.0%) benign copy number variations (CNVs), 52 (8.2%) pathogenic CNVs, and 101 (16%) variants of unknown significance (VOUS) CNVs. When maternal age was ≥ 35 years, the sporadic abortion (SA) group showed an increased frequency of chromosomal variants in comparison with the recurrent miscarriage (RM) group (90/121 vs. 64/104). It was evident that the groups with advanced maternal age had a sharply increased frequency of aneuploidy, whatever the frequency of pregnancy loss (71/121 vs. 155/432, 49/104 vs. 108/349). Our data suggest that NGS could be used for the successful detection of genetic anomalies in pregnancy loss. We recommend that fetal chromosome analysis be offered routinely for all pregnancy losses, regardless of their frequency.
Effect of Background Music on Attentional Control in Older and Young Adults

Healthy aging may be accompanied by cognitive decline that includes diminished attentional control, an executive function that allows us to focus our attention while inhibiting distractors. Previous studies have demonstrated that background music can enhance some executive functions in both young and older adults. According to the Arousal-Mood Theory, the beneficial influence of background music on cognitive performance would be related to its ability to increase the arousal level of the listeners and to improve their mood. Consequently, stimulating and pleasant music might enhance attentional control. Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to determine if the influence of background music, and more specifically its arousal level, might improve attentional control in older adults and (2) whether this effect is similar across older and young adults. Older and young adults performed a visuo-spatial flanker task during three auditory conditions: stimulating music, relaxing music, and silence. Participants had to indicate as fast and as accurately as possible the direction of a central arrow, which was flanked by congruent or incongruent arrows. As expected, reaction times were slower for the incongruent compared to congruent trials. Interestingly, this difference was significantly greater under the relaxing music condition compared to other auditory conditions. This effect was the same across both age groups. In conclusion, relaxing music seems to interfere with visuo-spatial attentional control compared to stimulating music and silence, regardless of age.
Preparing for Life: Plasma Proteome Changes and Immune System Development During the First Week of Human Life

Neonates have heightened susceptibility to infections. The biological mechanisms are incompletely understood but thought to be related to age-specific adaptations in immunity due to resource constraints during immune system development and growth. We present here an extended analysis of our proteomics study of peripheral blood-plasma from a study of healthy full-term newborns delivered vaginally, collected at the day of birth and on day of life (DOL) 1, 3, or 7, to cover the first week of life. The plasma proteome was characterized by LC-MS using our established 96-well plate format plasma proteomics platform. We found increasing acute phase proteins and a reduction of respective inhibitors on DOL1. Focusing on the complement system, we found increased plasma concentrations of all major components of the classical complement pathway and the membrane attack complex (MAC) from birth onward, except C7 which seems to have near adult levels at birth. In contrast, components of the lectin and alternative complement pathways mainly decreased. A comparison to whole blood messenger RNA (mRNA) levels enabled characterization of mRNA and protein levels in parallel, and for 23 of the 30 monitored complement proteins, the whole blood transcript information by itself was not reflective of the plasma protein levels or dynamics during the first week of life. Analysis of immunoglobulin (Ig) mRNA and protein levels revealed that IgM levels and synthesis increased, while the plasma concentrations of maternally transferred IgG1-4 decreased in accordance with their in vivo half-lives. The neonatal plasma ratio of IgG1 to IgG2-4 was increased compared to adult values, demonstrating a highly efficient IgG1 transplacental transfer process. Partial compensation for maternal IgG degradation was achieved by endogenous synthesis of the IgG1 subtype which increased with DOL. The findings were validated in a geographically distinct cohort, demonstrating a consistent developmental trajectory of the newborn’s immune system over the first week of human life across continents. Our findings indicate that the classical complement pathway is central for newborn immunity and our approach to characterize the plasma proteome in parallel with the transcriptome will provide crucial insight in immune ontogeny and inform new approaches to prevent and treat diseases.
Foraging Activity of Woodpeckers on Various forms of Artificially Created Deadwood

Abstract. Many woodpecker species rely on different forms of deadwood for nesting and foraging. However, the knowledge of the effect of enrichment of their habitat with different types on deadwood of this species group is lacking. Complex conservation-oriented management, including deadwood enrichment, was applied in a 20 ha even-aged oak-dominated woodland in Hungary. The foraging activities of woodpecker species were documented on selected treated trees over one, two and three years since these measures were implemented. The 109 individual oak trees examined represented five deadwood types: damaged-, girdled-, felled trees, and low- and tall stumps. We analysed the relationships between three variables (depth of foraging work, type of deadwood, and year) and foraging activity. Our results illustrated the prompt responses of woodpeckers to the treated trees. The woodpeckers used the five deadwood types in very different ways, and foraging activity was found to vary greatly in terms of depth of foraging and between years. More activity was carried out on both low- and tall stumps than on any other type one year after the treatment, whilst work on girdled trees and tall stumps predominated two and three years after the treatment. The utilisation of felled- and damaged trees by woodpeckers proceeded at a markedly slower pace than that of girdled trees and stumps, but the utilisation increased gradually. Most of the foraging activity was found to be on the outer bark, however, work on the inner bark and in the sapwood increased between the three years. The measures to conserve the woodpecker species should include the permanent creation and maintenance of various forms of deadwood to provide diverse and continuous foraging sites for woodpeckers.