Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Negative Effects of the Neonicotinoid Clothianidin on Foraging Behavior and Antennal Sensitivity in Two Common Pollinator Species, Osmia bicornis and Bombus terrestris

Insect species richness and abundance has declined rapidly over the last few decades. Various stressors, such as the conversion of natural habitats, climate change, land-use intensification, agrochemicals and pathogens, are thought to be major factors in this decline. We treated female bees of two common pollinator species in Europe, Osmia bicornis and Bombus terrestris, with a field-realistic dose of the neonicotinoid clothianidin. We tested its effects on the foraging behavior of O. bicornis under semi-natural conditions and on the antennal sensitivity of both bee species to common floral volatiles by using electroantennography. Clothianidin negatively affected the foraging behavior in O. bicornis by decreasing the number of flowers visited per foraging flight and by increasing the time per flower visit and the searching time between two flowers. It also decreased the antennal sensitivity to 2-phenylethanol in the two bee species. Thus, clothianidin is clearly a threat for bees via its effects on their foraging behavior and antennal sensitivity and is hence probably detrimental for pollination and the reproductive success of bees.
Urinary Steroid Profile in Elite Female Athletes in Relation to Serum Androgens and in Comparison With Untrained Controls

Introduction In female athletes, the interpretation of doping tests is complex due to hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use, both influencing the urinary steroid profile. Exercise is suggested to affect circulating steroid hormone levels, and in women, the urinary steroid profile differs between in competition testing and out of competition testing. No previous study has investigated the relationship between amount of exercise and the urinary steroid profile in female elite athletes. Purpose To compare the urinary steroid profile between female Olympic athletes and age- and BMI-matched untrained controls, and to study the urinary steroid profile in relation to serum hormones and amount of exercise. Methods In this cross-sectional study conducted at the Women’s Health Research Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, 94 female elite athletes and 86 untrained controls were included. Serum estrogens and testosterone and the urinary steroid profile were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. Exercise hours/week were evaluated by questionnaire. Results Although serum steroid hormones were comparable between groups, the athletes demonstrated approximately 30% lower urinary steroid metabolites of testosterone, epitestosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, 5α-androstan-3α, 17β-diol, and 5β-androstan-3α, 17β-diol compared to the controls. The urinary steroid metabolites correlated positively with serum steroid hormones. In the athletes, urinary steroid metabolites: androsterone (rs = −0.28, p = 0.007), epitestosterone (rs = −0.22, p = 0.034), 5αAdiol (rs = −0.31, p = 0.002) and testosterone (rs = −0.24, p = 0.026), were negatively correlated with amount of training (hours per week). Conclusion The urinary concentrations of steroid metabolites were lower in elite athletes than in sedentary controls, although serum steroids were comparable between groups. Moreover, exercise time was negatively associated with the urinary concentrations. Our findings suggest alternative excretion routes of androgens in the athletes related to training.
Comparative Study on the Functional Connectivity of Amygdala and Hippocampal Neural Circuits in Patients With First-Episode Schizophrenia and Other High-Risk Populations

Objective: Cortical-limbic system neural circuit abnormalities are closely related to the onset of schizophrenia (SZ). The amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate, and prefrontal lobe are important components of the loop. In this study, we compared resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) between the amygdala/hippocampus and cingulate/prefrontal regions among patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FE-SZ), high risk populations with SZ (HR-SZ), and healthy controls (HCs). By discovering the abnormal pattern of the cortical-limbic system of SZ and HR-SZ, we attempted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanism of SZ. Method: This study collected seventy-five FE-SZ patients, 59 HR-SZ, and 64 HCs. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used to analyze their demographic data. Analysis of covariance and post-hoc analysis were performed on the functional connectivity of the three groups. Finally, correlation analysis between the significant brain functional connectivity value and the scale score was performed. Results: The results of the analysis of covariance showed that there were significant differences in rs-FC between the amygdala and the right middle cingulate and between the hippocampus and the bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus among the three groups (Gaussian random field (GRF)-corrected voxel p < 0.001, cluster p < 0.05). Post hoc comparisons showed that the rs-FC of the amygdala—right middle cingulate and the hippocampus—bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus in patients with SZ was significantly lower than that of HR-SZ and HC (Bonferroni corrected p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the HR-SZ and HC groups. The results of the correlation analysis showed that rs-FC of the hippocampus-medial frontal gyrus in patients with SZ was positively correlated with core depression factor scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale (P = 0.006, R = 0.357). Conclusion: There were different patterns of functional connectivity impairment in the amygdala and hippocampal neural circuits in the schizophrenic cortical-limbic system, and these patterns may be more useful than genetics as state-related imaging changes of the disease.
Leaf Shedding and Non-Stomatal Limitations of Photosynthesis Mitigate Hydraulic Conductance Losses in Scots Pine Saplings During Severe Drought Stress

During drought, trees reduce water loss and hydraulic failure by closing their stomata, which also limits photosynthesis. Under severe drought stress, other acclimation mechanisms are trigged to further reduce transpiration to prevent irreversible conductance loss. Here, we investigate two of them: the reversible impacts on the photosynthetic apparatus, lumped as non-stomatal limitations (NSL) of photosynthesis, and the irreversible effect of premature leaf shedding. We integrate NSL and leaf shedding with a state-of-the-art tree hydraulic simulation model (SOX+) and parameterize them with example field measurements to demonstrate the stress-mitigating impact of these processes. We measured xylem vulnerability, transpiration, and leaf litter fall dynamics in Pinus sylvestris (L.) saplings grown for 54 days under severe dry-down. The observations showed that, once transpiration stopped, the rate of leaf shedding strongly increased until about 30% of leaf area was lost on average. We trained the SOX+ model with the observations and simulated changes in root-to-canopy conductance with and without including NSL and leaf shedding. Accounting for NSL improved model representation of transpiration, while model projections about root-to-canopy conductance loss were reduced by an overall 6%. Together, NSL and observed leaf shedding reduced projected losses in conductance by about 13%. In summary, the results highlight the importance of other than purely stomatal conductance-driven adjustments of drought resistance in Scots pine. Accounting for acclimation responses to drought, such as morphological (leaf shedding) and physiological (NSL) adjustments, has the potential to improve tree hydraulic simulation models, particularly when applied in predicting drought-induced tree mortality.
Comprehensive Analysis of a Nine-Gene Signature Related to Tumor Microenvironment in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common malignancy, leading to more than 1 million related deaths each year. Due to low long-term survival rates, the exploration of molecular mechanisms underlying LUAD progression and novel prognostic predictors is urgently needed to improve LUAD treatment. In our study, cancer-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the robust rank aggregation (RRA) method between tumor and normal tissues from six Gene Expression Omnibus databases (GSE43458, GSE62949, GSE68465, GSE115002, GSE116959, and GSE118370), followed by a selection of prognostic modules using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied to identify nine hub genes (CBFA2T3, CR2, SEL1L3, TM6SF1, TSPAN32, ITGA6, MAPK11, RASA3, and TLR6) that constructed a prognostic risk model. The RNA expressions of nine hub genes were validated in tumor and normal tissues by RNA-sequencing and single-cell RNA-sequencing, while immunohistochemistry staining from the Human Protein Atlas database showed consistent results in the protein levels. The risk model revealed that high-risk patients were associated with poor prognoses, including advanced stages and low survival rates. Furthermore, a multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that the prognostic risk model could be an independent prognostic factor for LUAD patients. A nomogram that incorporated the signature and clinical features was additionally built for prognostic prediction. Moreover, the levels of hub genes were related to immune cell infiltration in LUAD microenvironments. A CMap analysis identified 13 small molecule drugs as potential agents based on the risk model for LUAD treatment. Thus, we identified a prognostic risk model including CBFA2T3, CR2, SEL1L3, TM6SF1, TSPAN32, ITGA6, MAPK11, RASA3, and TLR6 as novel biomarkers and validated their prognostic and predicted values for LUAD.
The First Chemically-Synthesised, Highly Immunogenic Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Peptides in DNA Genotyped Aotus Monkeys for Human Use

Thirty-five peptides selected from functionally-relevant SARS-CoV-2 spike (S), membrane (M), and envelope (E) proteins were suitably modified for immunising MHC class II (MHCII) DNA-genotyped Aotus monkeys and matched with HLA-DRβ1* molecules for use in humans. This was aimed at producing the first minimal subunit-based, chemically-synthesised, immunogenic molecules (COLSARSPROT) covering several HLA alleles. They were predicted to cover 48.25% of the world’s population for 6 weeks (short-term) and 33.65% for 15 weeks (long-lasting) as they induced very high immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) and ELISA titres against S, M and E parental native peptides, SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies and host cell infection. The same immunological methods that led to identifying new peptides for inclusion in the COLSARSPROT mixture were used for antigenicity studies. Peptides were analysed with serum samples from patients suffering mild or severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, thereby increasing chemically-synthesised peptides’ potential coverage for the world populations up to 62.9%. These peptides’ 3D structural analysis (by 1H-NMR acquired at 600 to 900 MHz) suggested structural-functional immunological association. This first multi-protein, multi-epitope, minimal subunit-based, chemically-synthesised, highly immunogenic peptide mixture highlights such chemical synthesis methodology’s potential for rapidly obtaining very pure, highly reproducible, stable, cheap, easily-modifiable peptides for inducing immune protection against COVID-19, covering a substantial percentage of the human population.
Improved Analytical Method for Longitudinal Strain Analysis of Buried Pipelines Subjected to Thaw Slumping Load

Thawing landslide is a common geological disaster in permafrost regions, which seriously threatens the structural safety of oil and gas pipelines crossing permafrost regions. Most of the analytical methods have been used to calculate the longitudinal stress of buried pipelines. These analytical methods are subjected to slope-thaw slumping load, and the elastic characteristic of the soil in a nonlinear interaction behavior is ignored. Also, these methods have not considered the real boundary at both ends of the slope. This study set out to introduce an improved analytical method to accurately analyze the longitudinal strain characteristics of buried pipelines subjected to slope-thaw slumping load. In this regard, an iterative algorithm was based on an ideal elastoplastic model in the pipeline-soil interaction. Based on field monitoring and previous finite element results, the accuracy of the proposed method was validated. Besides, a parametric analysis was conducted to study the effects of wall thickness, internal pressure, ultimate soil resistance, and slope angle on the maximum longitudinal strain of the pipeline. The results from the compression section showed that the pipeline is more likely to yield, indicating an actual situation in engineering. Moreover, the maximum longitudinal tensile and compression strain of pipelines decrease with increasing the wall thickness, internal pressure, ultimate resistance of soil, and slope angle. Finally, based on the pipeline limit state equations in CSA Z662-2007 and CRES which considered the critical compression factor comprehensively, the critical slumping displacements for both tensile and compressive strain failures were derived for reference. The research results attach great significance to the safety of pipeline under slope.
Pragmatic Prediction in the Processing of Referring Expressions Containing Scalar Quantifiers

Previous research in cognitive science and psycholinguistics has shown that language users are able to predict upcoming linguistic input probabilistically, pre-activating material on the basis of cues emerging from different levels of linguistic abstraction, from phonology to semantics. Current evidence suggests that linguistic prediction also operates at the level of pragmatics, where processing is strongly constrained by context. To test a specific theory of contextually-constrained processing, termed pragmatic surprisal theory here, we used a self-paced reading task where participants were asked to view visual scenes and then read descriptions of those same scenes. Crucially, we manipulated whether the visual context biased readers into specific pragmatic expectations about how the description might unfold word by word. Contrary to the predictions of pragmatic surprisal theory, we found that participants took longer reading the main critical term in scenarios where they were biased by context and pragmatic constraints to expect a given word, as opposed to scenarios where there was no pragmatic expectation for any particular referent.
Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Regulating Fetal-Maternal Immune Tolerance in Normal and Pathological Pregnancy

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is composed of three isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. TGF-β1 is a cytokine with multiple biological functions that has been studied extensively. It plays an important role in regulating the differentiation of immune cells and maintaining immune cell functions and immune homeostasis. Pregnancy is a carefully regulated process. Controlled invasion of trophoblasts, precise coordination of immune cells and cytokines, and crosstalk between trophoblasts and immune cells play vital roles in the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy. In this systematic review, we summarize the role of TGF-β1 in regulating fetal-maternal immune tolerance in healthy and pathological pregnancies. During healthy pregnancy, TGF-β1 induces the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs), maintains the immunosuppressive function of Tregs, mediates the balance of M1/M2 macrophages, and regulates the function of NK cells, thus participating in maintaining fetal-maternal immune tolerance. In addition, some studies have shown that TGF-β1 is dysregulated in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion or preeclampsia. TGF-β1 may play a role in the occurrence and development of these diseases and may be a potential target for the treatment of these diseases.
Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of the Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale

Background: Job stress of mental health professionals can have a negative impact on them, particularly their psychological health and mortality, and may also affect organizations' and institutions' ability to provide quality mental health services to patients. Aim: This study aimed to: (1) investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale (K-MHPSS), (2) develop K-MHPSS cut-off points to measure clinical depression and anxiety, and (3) examine whether specific stressors vary by area of expertise. Methodology: Data were collected via an online survey over 3 months, from August to October 2020. An online survey using a survey website was administered to volunteers who accessed the link and consented to participate. Data from 558 participants (200 clinical psychologists, 157 nurses, and 201 social workers) were included in the final analysis. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted to examine the factor structure of the K-MHPSS; concurrent validity of the scale was determined by analyzing correlation; internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In addition, ROC curve analysis and Youden's index were used to estimate optimal cut-off points for K-MHPSS; one-way ANOVA was performed to investigate the difference among the three groups. Results: The seven-factor model of the original scale did not be replicated by Korean mental health professionals. The K-MHPSS had the best fit with the six-factor model, which consists of 34 items. Concurrent validity was confirmed, and overall reliability was found to be good. The K-MHPSS cut-off points for depression and anxiety appeared to slightly different by professional groups. Furthermore, nurses and social workers showed significantly higher total scores compared to clinical psychologists, and there are significant differences in subscale scores among professionals. Conclusion: The Korean version of the MHPSS has appropriate psychometric properties and can be used to assess the occupational stress of mental health professionals. It can also serve as a reference point for screening clinical level of depression and anxiety in mental health professionals.
Quantitative 7-Tesla Imaging of Cortical Myelin Changes in Early Multiple Sclerosis

Cortical demyelination occurs early in multiple sclerosis (MS) and relates to disease outcome. The brain cortex has endogenous propensity for remyelination as proven from histopathology study. In this study, we aimed at characterizing cortical microstructural abnormalities related to myelin content by applying a novel quantitative MRI technique in early MS. A combined myelin estimation (CME) cortical map was obtained from quantitative 7-Tesla (7T) T2* and T1 acquisitions in 25 patients with early MS and 19 healthy volunteers. Cortical lesions in MS patients were classified based on their myelin content by comparison with CME values in healthy controls as demyelinated, partially demyelinated, or non-demyelinated. At follow-up, we registered changes in cortical lesions as increased, decreased, or stable CME. Vertex-wise analysis compared cortical CME in the normal-appearing cortex in 25 MS patients vs. 19 healthy controls at baseline and investigated longitudinal changes at 1 year in 10 MS patients. Measurements from the neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) diffusion model were obtained to account for cortical neurite/dendrite loss at baseline and follow-up. Finally, CME maps were correlated with clinical metrics. CME was overall low in cortical lesions (p = 0.03) and several normal-appearing cortical areas (p < 0.05) in the absence of NODDI abnormalities. Individual cortical lesion analysis revealed, however, heterogeneous CME patterns from extensive to partial or absent demyelination. At follow-up, CME overall decreased in cortical lesions and non-lesioned cortex, with few areas showing an increase (p < 0.05). Cortical CME maps correlated with processing speed in several areas across the cortex. In conclusion, CME allows detection of cortical microstructural changes related to coexisting demyelination and remyelination since the early phases of MS, and shows to be more sensitive than NODDI and relates to cognitive performance.
Relationships Between Teacher Feedback and Student Motivation: A Comparison Between Male and Female Students

This study aimed to investigate gender differences in teacher feedback and students’ motivation in learning and their relationship patterns. In total, 1,082 secondary students in China (538 male and 544 female students) participated in this study. The results of MANOVAs suggested that language teachers provided less directive feedback but more criticism to male than female students. Male students reported less intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and test anxiety than female students. The results of two-group structural equation modeling indicated that both male and female students’ motivation was best predicted by teachers’ scaffolding feedback and praise. Verification feedback had a negative correlation with female students’ extrinsic motivation and no significant correlation with male students’ motivation. Directive feedback had a negative correlation with male students’ intrinsic motivation and a positive correlation with female students’ extrinsic motivation. Further, teacher criticism only had a negative correlation with female students’ intrinsic motivation. Implications for future research as well as suggestions for teachers on how to improve male and female students’ motivation are discussed.
Thalamo-Habenular Connection Differences Between Patients With Major Depressive Disorder and Normal Controls

Background: The thalamus and habenula are thought to be key brain regions in the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, few studies have investigated the structural connection between them. We compared the number of white matter tracts between the thalamus and habenula between patient with MDD and normal controls (NCs). Methods: The habenula and thalamus region of interest masks were extracted from brain magnetic resonance imaging data and individual tractography analysis was performed. First, we compared the number of fiber connections from the habenula to the thalamus between the MDD (n = 34) and NC (n = 37) groups and also compared hemispherical differences to investigate possible asymmetries. Results: There was a significant difference in the number of tracts in the right habenula-left mediodorsal thalamus pair between the two groups. For hemispherical fiber connections, the waytotal ratio of the right ipsilateral tract between the thalamus and habenula was significantly higher than that of the left ipsilateral tract in both groups. Conclusion: The number of right habenula-left mediodorsal thalamus tracts was higher in patients with MDD than in NCs. These results indicate that MDD is related to the disintegration of the left thalamus-right habenula tract function with an increased number of tracts as a compensational mechanism.