Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Auxin and cytokinin control fate determination of cotyledons in the one-leaf plant Monophyllaea glabra

One-leaf plants in the Gesneriaceae family initially have two cotyledons of identical size; one cotyledon stops growing shortly after germination, whereas the other continues indeterminate growth. Factors involved in the unequal growth have been investigated, and a competitive relationship between the two cotyledons was previously proposed. However, questions regarding the fate determination of the two cotyledons remain: Why does only one cotyledon grow indeterminately while the other stops; is the fate of the cotyledons reversible; and what role does light quality play in the fate determination of the cotyledons? In this study, physiological experiments using the one-leaf plant species Monophyllaea glabra suggest that a biased auxin concentration between the two cotyledons and subsequent cytokinin levels may determine the fate of the cotyledons. In addition, observation of relatively mature individuals without hormone treatment and younger individuals with cytokinin treatment under laboratory growth conditions revealed that the fate determination of the microcotyledon is reversible. Although light quality has been suggested to be important for the determination of cotyledon fate in Streptocarpus rexii, an anisocotylous species, we conclude that light quality is not important in M. glabra.
“There and back again” - Ultrastructural changes in the gills of Bathymodiolus vent-mussels during symbiont loss: Back to a regular filter-feeding epidermis

Deep-sea mussels Bathymodiolus azoricus, from Azorean hydrothermal vents, house two types of symbionts in their fleshy gills: methane-oxidizing (MOX) and sulfide-oxidizing (SOX) Gamma-proteobacteria. As soon as the mussels are collected, their symbionts are deprived from their environmental nutrient flux, and cannot rely on their usual metabolism. Recent studies have shown that the gill cells undergo high rates of apoptosis, as well as regionalized cell proliferation. This study follows the fate of the symbionts and of the hosting bacteriocytes at the ultrastructural level, during an extended starvation period. Just upon collection, we evidenced an apico-basal journey of the symbionts in the bacteriocytes, starting with (1) apical single symbiont endocytosis, (2) symbiont division, (3) symbiont storage, (4) and symbiont digestion within lysosomes, above the basal lamina. After 4-9 days starvation, endocytosis occurred with (5) empty blebbing, (6) the lysosomes increased in size, and the bacteriocytes lost their apical membrane, resulting in (7) a baso-apical return of the symbiont-containing lysosomes outside the gills, while the nucleus showed condensed chromatin, characteristic of apoptosis/necroptosis (8). Between the bacteriocytes, narrow intercalary cells appear to divide (9). Our hypothesis is that intercalary cells are stem cells that replace lost bacteriocytes. After 61 days there was no symbiont left, and the epidermis resembled those of the non-symbiotic filter-feeding mussel Mytilus edulis.
Auditory stream segregation of amplitude-modulated narrowband noise in cochlear implant users and individuals with normal hearing

Voluntary stream segregation was investigated in cochlear implant (CI) users and normal-hearing (NH) listeners using a segregation-promoting objective approach which evaluated the role of spectral and amplitude-modulation (AM) rate separations on stream segregation and its build-up. Sequences of 9 or 3 pairs of A and B narrowband noise (NBN) bursts were presented which differed in either center frequency of the noise band, the AM-rate, or both. In some sequences (delayed sequences), the last B burst was delayed by 35 ms from their otherwise-steady temporal position. In the other sequences (no-delay sequences), the last B bursts were temporally advanced from 0 to 10 ms. A single interval yes/no procedure was utilized to measure participants’ sensitivity ( d ′ ) in identifying delayed vs. no-delay sequences. A higher d ′ value showed the higher ability to segregate the A and B subsequences. For NH listeners, performance improved with each spectral separation. However, for CI users, performance was only significantly better for the condition with the largest spectral separation. Additionally, performance was significantly poorer for the largest AM-rate separation than for the condition with no AM-rate separation for both groups. The significant effect of sequence duration in both groups indicated that listeners made more improvement with lengthening the duration of stimulus sequences, supporting the build-up effect. The results of this study suggest that CI users are less able than NH listeners to segregate NBN bursts into different auditory streams when they are moderately separated in the spectral domain. Contrary to our hypothesis, our results indicate that AM-rate separation may interfere with the segregation of streams of NBN. Additionally, our results add evidence to the literature that CI users build up stream segregation at a rate comparable to NH listeners, when the inter-stream spectral separations are adequately large.
Changes in dietary intake, chronotype and sleep pattern upon Ramadan among healthy adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A prospective study

Background Notable lifestyle changes can occur in Ramadan due to the sudden shift in eating routine with fasting during daylight hours. This study aimed to examine the changes in dietary intakes, chronotype, sleep pattern, and physical activity level before and during Ramadan in healthy adults. Methods This study was conducted in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia, and convenience sampling was used. To compare dietary, chronotype and sleep pattern changes before and during Ramadan, data were collected in two separate periods: the first period was 2 months before Ramadan, and the second period was during the last 3 weeks of Ramadan. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h food recall and chronotype using Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Daytime sleepiness and sleep duration were assessed using the Epworth sleepiness scale and a sleep diary for seven consecutive days, respectively. Anthropometric measurements were also taken across the study periods. Results A total of 115 adults (96 females and 19 males) were included in the study. Significant increases in daily calorie and carbohydrate intakes during Ramadan than before Ramadan were noted (calorie intake: 1,482.9 ± 536.4 kcal/day before Ramdan vs. 1,635.5 ± 635.1 kcal/day during Ramadan; carbohydrate intake: 180.8 ± 72.1 g/day before Ramadan vs. 202.6 ± 88.7 g/day during Ramadan; p < 0.05). Chronotypes and daytime sleepiness were also associated significantly with Ramadan fasting. A significant slight reduction in body weight during Ramadan was observed (66.4 ± 18.1 kg before Ramdan vs. 66.1 ± 17.8 kg before Ramadan and during Ramadan, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusion This study indicates that Ramadan diurnal fasting was associated with greater calorie and carbohydrate intake, changes in chronotype, and daytime sleepiness. The study also suggests that Ramadan diurnal fasting model may be a promising weight loss strategy.
Evaluation of immune responses to Brucella vaccines in mouse models: A systematic review

Introduction Despite the accessibility of several live attenuated vaccines for animals, currently, there is no licensed vaccine for brucellosis in human populations. Available and confirmed animal vaccines may be harmful and considered inappropriate for humans. Thus, human vaccines for brucellosis are required. We aimed to evaluate the effects of Brucella vaccines on mouse models and discuss the potential mechanisms of these vaccines for the design of the appropriate human vaccines. Materials and methods A systematic search was carried out in Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed/Medline databases. The following MeSH terms were applied: brucellosis, vaccine, Brucella, and vaccination. The original manuscripts describing the Brucella vaccines on mouse models were included. The review articles, editorials, correspondences, case reports, case series, duplicate publications, and articles with insufficient data were excluded. Results Of the 163 full texts that were screened, 17 articles reached to inclusion criteria. Combining the results of these trials revealed a reduction in bacterial load and colonization rate of Brucella in the spleen, an increase in inflammatory markers, especially IFN-γ and IL-4, and the highest levels of antibody classes in vaccinated animals compared to animals challenged with various virulent strains of Brucella. The majority of studies found that different anti-Brucella vaccines induced a significant protective effect in animals challenged with Brucella strains. Additionally, mice were given the highest level of Brucella vaccine protection and significant clearance of Brucella strains when the immunization was delivered via the IP (intraperitoneal) or IP-IN (intranasal) routes. Conclusion Brucella is responsible for half-million new cases globally annually, and the lack of a proper human vaccine poses the risk of brucellosis. A variety of vaccines are used to prevent brucellosis. Subunit vaccines and recombinant human vaccines have higher safety and protective properties. Although vaccination helps brucellosis control, it does not eradicate the disease. Thus, we recommend the following strategies. (a) establishment of a registration system; (b) close monitoring of slaughterhouses, markets, and herds; (c) training veterinarians; (d) legal protection of the consequences of non-compliance with preventive measures.
Available online at Journal Website Comparison between Cutting Diathermy and Surgical Scalpel for Skin Incision during Cesarean Section

MR. Comparison between Cutting Diathermy and Surgical Scalpel for Skin Incision ABSTRACT Introduction and aim: Caesarean section (C-section) is one of the commonest surgeries accomplished all over the world, and it has several surgical methods. This work aimed to study the safety and efficacy of cutting diathermy for skin incision during C-section in comparison to surgical scalpel. Methodology: This was a prospective randomized comparative study that was performed in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, Al-Azhar university hospitals (New Damietta) in the interval between September 2019 to October 2020. Results: The visual analogue scale (VAS) score in the diathermy-group was statistically significantly lower as in comparison to the scalpel-group at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h post-operative. Also, there was an increase in the VAS score in the two groups at 2, 6, and 12 hours’ post-operative as in comparison to the first hour post-operative. This difference didn’t achieve a statistically significant difference except at 12 hours (0.005 and 0.001) in the diathermy-group and scalpel-group respectively. Conclusion: The utilization of diathermy for skin incision in C-section in this work was accompanying with decreased incisional bleeding, incisional period, surgical period and post-operative pains. It had no impact on wound closures (epithelialization) and wasn’t accompanied with any postponement in wounds healing. It was pronounced safely in this work if performed in the suitable way and method with slight or no side-effects. numbers and percentages. Quantitative data have been introduced as median (minimum and maximum) for nonparametric data and mean, SD for parametric data afterward test of normality via Kolmogorov-Smirnov testing. Significance of the results was considered at 0.05 level. Qualitative data: Chi-Square testing for comparing of two or more groups. Monte Carlo testing as correction for Chi-Square testing when >25% of cells have count <5 in tables (>2*2). Fischer Exact testing has been utilized as correction for Chi-Square testing when >25% of cells have count <5 in 2*2tables. Non-Parametric tests: Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for comparing 2 independent groups.
Running head: DUCHENNE MARKER IN SMILES AND SAD FACES (40 char, max=40)

The Duchenne marker—crow’s feet wrinkles at the corner of the eyes—has a reputation for signaling genuine positive emotion in smiles. Here, we test whether this facial action might be better conceptualized as a marker of emotional intensity, rather than genuineness per se, and examine its perceptual outcomes beyond smiling, in sad expressions. For smiles, we found ratings of emotional intensity (how happy a face is) were unable to fully account for the effect of Duchenne status (present vs absent) on ratings of emotion genuineness. The Duchenne marker made a unique direct contribution to the perceived genuineness of smiles, supporting its reputation for signaling genuine emotion in smiling. In contrast, across four experiments, we found Duchenne sad expressions were not rated as any more genuine nor sincere than non-Duchenne ones. The Duchenne marker did however make sad expressions look sadder and more negative, just like it made smiles look happier and more positive. Together, these findings argue the Duchenne marker has an important role in sad as well as smiling expressions, but is interpreted differently in sad expressions (contributions to intensity only) compared to smiles (emotion genuineness independently of intensity).
Postacute sequelae and adaptive immune responses in people with HIV recovering from SARS-COV-2 infection

Background: Limited data are available on the long-term clinical and immunologic consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with HIV (PWH). Methods: We measured SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular responses in people with and without HIV recovering from COVID-19 (n = 39 and n = 43, respectively) using binding antibody, surrogate virus neutralization, intracellular cytokine staining, and inflammatory marker assays. We identified individuals experiencing postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) and evaluated immunologic parameters. We used linear regression and generalized linear models to examine differences by HIV status in the magnitude of inflammatory and virus-specific antibody and T-cell responses, as well as differences in the prevalence of PASC. Results: Among PWH, we found broadly similar SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and T-cell responses as compared with a well matched group of HIV-negative individuals. PWH had 70% lower relative levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory CD8+ T cells (P = 0.007) and 53% higher relative levels of PD-1+ SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells (P = 0.007). Higher CD4+/CD8+ ratio was associated with lower PD-1 expression on SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells (0.34-fold effect, P = 0.02). HIV status was strongly associated with PASC (odds ratio 4.01, P = 0.008), and levels of certain inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IP-10) were associated with persistent symptoms. Conclusion: We identified potentially important differences in SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in PWH and HIV-negative participants that might have implications for long-term immunity conferred by natural infection. HIV status strongly predicted the presence of PASC. Larger and more detailed studies of PASC in PWH are urgently needed.
Comparison between cuff-based and invasive systolic blood pressure amplification

Objective: Accurate measurement of central blood pressure (BP) using upper arm cuff-based methods is associated with several factors, including determining the level of systolic BP (SBP) amplification. This study aimed to determine the agreement between cuff-based and invasively measured SBP amplification. Methods: Patients undergoing coronary angiography had invasive SBP amplification (brachial SBP – central SBP) measured simultaneously with cuff-based SBP amplification using a commercially available central BP device (device 1: Sphygmocor Xcel; n = 171, 70% men, 60 ± 10 years) and a now superseded model of a central BP device (device 2: Uscom BP+; n = 52, 83% men, 62 ± 10 years). Results: Mean difference (±2SD, limits of agreement) between cuff-based and invasive SBP amplification was 4 mmHg (−12, +20 mmHg, P < 0.001) for device 1 and −2 mmHg (−14, +10 mmHg, P = 0.10) for device 2. Both devices systematically overestimated SBP amplification at lower levels and underestimated at higher levels of invasive SBP amplification, but with stronger bias for device 1 (r = −0.68 vs. r = −0.52; Z = 2.72; P = 0.008). Concordance of cuff-based and invasive SBP amplification across quartiles of invasive SBP amplification was low, particularly in the lowest and highest quartiles. The root mean square errors from regression between cuff-based central SBP and brachial SBP were significantly lower (indicating less variability) than from invasive regression models (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Irrespective of the difference from invasive measurements, cuff-based estimates of SBP amplification showed evidence of proportional systematic bias and had less individual variability. These observations could provide insights on how to improve the performance of cuff-based central BP.
Shapes and Geometries: Metrics, Analysis, Differential Calculus, and Optimization

This considerably enriched new edition provides a self-contained presentation of the mathematical foundations, constructions, and tools necessary for studying problems where the modeling, optimization, or control variable is the shape or the structure of a geometric object. Shapes and Geometries: Metrics, Analysis, Differential Calculus, and Optimization, Second Edition presents the latest ground-breaking theoretical foundation to shape optimization in a form that can be used by the engineering and scientific communities. It also clearly explains the state-of-the-art developments in a mathematical language that will attract mathematicians to open questions in this important field. A series of generic examples has been added to the introduction and special emphasis has been put on the construction of important metrics. Advanced engineers in various application areas use basic ideas of shape optimization, but often encounter difficulties due to the sophisticated mathematical foundations for the field. This new version of the book challenges these difficulties by showing how the mathematics community has made extraordinary progress in establishing a rational foundation for shape optimization. This area of research is very broad, rich, and fascinating from both theoretical and numerical standpoints. It is applicable in many different areas such as fluid mechanics, elasticity theory, modern theories of optimal design, free and moving boundary problems, shape and geometric identification, image processing, and design of endoprotheses in interventional cardiology. Audience: This book is intended for applied mathematicians and advanced engineers and scientists, but the book is also structured as an initiation to shape analysis and calculus techniques for a broader audience of mathematicians. Some chapters are self-contained and can be used as lecture notes for a minicourse. The material at the beginning of each chapter is accessible to a broad audience, while the subsequent sections may sometimes require more mathematical maturity. Contents: List of Figures; Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction: Examples, Background, and Perspectives; Chapter 2: Classical Descriptions of Geometries and Their Properties; Chapter 3: Courant Metrics on Images of a Set; Chapter 4: Transformations Generated by Velocities; Chapter 5: Metrics via Characteristic Functions; Chapter 6: Metrics via Distance Functions; Chapter 7: Metrics via Oriented Distance Functions; Chapter 8: Shape Continuity and Optimization; Chapter 9: Shape and Tangential Differential Calculuses; Chapter 10: Shape Gradients under a State Equation Constraint; Elements of Bibliography; Index of Notation; Index.
People-related TQM practices: the role of metaperceptions

Purpose – The authors investigate the role of people-related Total Quality Management (TQM) practices, specifically metaperceptions, in hearing care students ’ vocational decision-making. In Italy, audiologists are health professionals and must hold a degree in hearing care. They operate according to clinical principles but must also develop marketing and commercial skills. While employers take these aspects for granted, the expectations of hearing care students often differ from reality. Thus, the authors aim to investigate the vocational expectations of hearing care students. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was distributed to 600 hearing care students. Multiple regression analysis with bootstrapped confidence intervals was employed to test the hypotheses. Findings – Studentswhoperceivedaudiologyastheircallingweremoreinterestedintheclinicalaspectsthan the marketing and commercial aspects of audiology. Moreover, those desiring a meaningful career path in audiology were more interested in becoming a store owner or franchisee. Social implications – Universities and recruiters should consider the influence of relevant others ’ metaperceptionsonstudents ’ self-perceptionsoftheiraptitudesfordifferentcareers.Universitiesshouldassist studentstoidentifyaptitudesthatarerelevanttocareer-relateddecision-making.Inthiscontext,people-relatedTQMcanhelpstudentsavoidincorrectaspirationsandexpectations. Originality/value – This study is the first to investigate the role of metaperceptions from a people-related TQM perspective. Metaperceptions play a crucial role in determining the correct course of study as well as job satisfaction and expectations.
Opinions and knowledge of veterinary students relating to exotic non-mammal pet animals and their welfare

This study aimed to identify the opinions and knowledge of Croatian veterinarians-to-be relating to exotic pet birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, and their welfare. A total of 589 (87%) veterinary students from all six years of the integrated undergraduate and graduate study programme were surveyed in the 2019-2020 academic year. Student opinions and knowledge were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale and the following statements: the level of cognition, sentience and welfare compromise in pet animals observed; the importance of biological functioning, emotional states and natural living for their welfare; their acceptability as pets and owner awareness; the level of risk posed by these pet animals to other animals, public health and safety, and the environment; and the level of knowledge students considered themselves to have about their feeding, housing, health and behaviour. Students provided neutral responses to or disagreement with most of the statements, in particular for animals other than birds, with no significant differences between study years. Accordingly, the study results point to the need for additional student education on exotic non-mammal pets, and can serve for the upgrading of the veterinary curriculum in the field, having implications not only for the welfare of these animals but also for other animals, public health and safety, and environmental protection.