Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological and Immunological Characterization of a Functional L-HN Derivative of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype F

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) can cause nerve paralysis syndrome in mammals and other vertebrates. BoNTs are the most toxic biotoxins known and are classified as Class A biological warfare agents. BoNTs are mainly divided into seven serotypes A-G and new neurotoxins BoNT/H and BoNT/X, which have similar functions. BoNT proteins are 150 kDa polypeptide consisting of two chains and three domains: the light chain (L, catalytic domain, 50 kDa) and the heavy chain (H, 100 kDa), which can be divided into an N-terminal membrane translocation domain (HN, 50 kDa) and a C-terminal receptor binding domain (Hc, 50 kDa). In current study, we explored the immunoprotective efficacy of each functional molecule of BoNT/F and the biological characteristics of the light chain-heavy N-terminal domain (FL-HN). The two structure forms of FL-HN (i.e., FL-HN-SC: single chain FL-HN and FL-HN-DC: di-chain FL-HN) were developed and identified. FL-HN-SC could cleave the vesicle associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) substrate protein in vitro as FL-HN-DC or FL. While only FL-HN-DC had neurotoxicity and could enter neuro-2a cells to cleave VAMP2. Our results showed that the FL-HN-SC had a better immune protection effect than the Hc of BoNT/F (FHc), which indicated that L-HN-SC, as an antigen, provided the strongest protective effects against BoNT/F among all the tested functional molecules. Further in-depth research on the different molecular forms of FL-HN suggested that there were some important antibody epitopes at the L-HN junction of BoNT/F. Thus, FL-HN-SC could be used as a subunit vaccine to replace the FHc subunit vaccine and/or toxoid vaccine, and to develop antibody immune molecules targeting L and HN domains rather than the FHc domain. FL-HN-DC could be used as a new functional molecule to evaluate and explore the structure and activity of toxin molecules. Further exploration of the biological activity and molecular mechanism of the functional FL-HN or BoNT/F is warranted.
The K-dwarf problem and the time-dependence of gaseous accretion to the Galactic disc

In this article we compare and contrast the predictions of models we have published previously, with the most recent observational data on the G-dwarf/K-dwarf metallicity distribution in the local Galaxy, as well as with up to date plots showing the relation between the Be and B abundances of local stars and their Fe abundances. We show how the data clearly support models in which infall to the plane has not declined secularly during the disc lifetime, and that the best fits are to models in which the accretion rate has tended to a slow increase. These models, devised to give the best possible account of the G-dwarf metallicity distribution, turn out to give an even better account of the K-dwarf distribution. They also do surprisingly well at predicting the observed plots of Be and B vs. Fe in the disc.
Rotational Velocities and Chromospheric Activity of M Dwarfs in the Hyades

We have obtained high-resolution spectra of 52 K and M dwarf members of the Hyades open cluster. We have used these spectra to derive radial velocities, rotational velocities, and Hα equivalent widths. Seven of the stars in our sample are double-lined spectroscopic binaries, and one is a spectroscopic triple. Of the apparently single stars, 13 have rotational velocities above our detection limit of 6 km s-1, with the maximum rotational velocity being about 25 km s-1. Given the relatively low mass for these stars, this modest spectroscopic rotational velocity of 25 km s-1 corresponds to a rotational period of order 17 hr, and thus the most rapidly rotating Hyades M dwarfs actually are quite rapid rotators. Somewhat surprisingly, the components of the spectroscopic binaries are, if anything, on average apparently more slowly rotating than the single stars. Forty-nine of the stars in our sample are M dwarfs. There is a good rotation-activity correlation for this sample, with stars with v sin i > 12 km s-1 having log (LX/LBol) ~ -3 and Hα equivalent widths saturating at ~4 Å. There appear to be two branches of the rotation-activity relation as one approaches saturation, however—one set of stars approaches the saturation level at a very slow rotation rate (v sin i ≤ 6 km s-1), whereas the second set does not reach saturation until about v sin i = 12 km s-1. The components of the double-lined spectroscopic binaries are generally members of the first set since they are quite active but generally slowly rotating.
Intensity and lag-time of non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 dynamics in German hospitals

Introduction Evaluating the potential effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 dynamics is challenging and controversially discussed in the literature. The reasons are manifold, and some of them are as follows. First, interventions are strongly correlated, making a specific contribution difficult to disentangle; second, time trends (including SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccination coverage and seasonality) influence the potential effects; third, interventions influence the different populations and dynamics with a time delay. Methods In this article, we apply a distributed lag linear model on COVID-19 data from Germany from January 2020 to June 2022 to study intensity and lag time effects on the number of hospital patients and the number of prevalent intensive care patients diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction tests. We further discuss how the findings depend on the complexity of accounting for the seasonal trends. Results and discussion Our findings show that the first reducing effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the number of prevalent intensive care patients before vaccination can be expected not before a time lag of 5 days; the main effect is after a time lag of 10–15 days. In general, we denote that the number of hospital and prevalent intensive care patients decrease with an increase in the overall non-pharmaceutical interventions intensity with a time lag of 9 and 10 days. Finally, we emphasize a clear interpretation of the findings noting that a causal conclusion is challenging due to the lack of a suitable experimental study design.
Submillimetre and near-infrared observations of L1448: a curving ${\rm H}_2$ jet with multiple bow shocks

A high-resolution (0.6 arcsec pixel −1 ), narrow-band, H 2 v=1-0 S(1) image of the high-velocity CO outflow in L1448 reveals a remarkable jet-like structure. The coincidence of this H 2 jet with the CO bipolar outflow implies a close association between the two phenomena. The H 2 jet comprises a series of knots, and three bow-shaped features equally spaced along the jet length, which we associate with the sporadic nature of this outflow. K-band imaging of the source also shows a conical reflection nebula extending towards the H 2 jet structure, whilst maps in HCO + J=3-2 and CS J=5-4 show two peaks, one towards the source of the H 2 jet and CO outflow, and the other towards the infrared source IRS 3 situated to the north of this region
A Nursery of Young Objects: Intergalactic H II Regions in Stephan’s Quintet

We have discovered four intergalactic H II regions in Stephan's quintet, which is more than a 25 kpc projected distance from the center of the nearest group galaxy, with no apparent optical connection to it. They have MB ranging from -11.9 to -12.5 mag, colors B-R = 0.7-1.1 mag, radial velocities from 6565 to 6651 km s-1, and they are superposed onto the H I tail east of NGC 7319, with a mean radial velocity of 6610 km s-1. In addition, they have metallicities of the order of 12 + log(O/H) = 8.58 ± 0.25, which suggests that they were formed from preenriched material. We derive a mean age of 4.6 ± 0.6 Myr and a mean stellar mass of (2.9 ± 1.4) × 104 M☉ for the four objects. The masses, ages, colors, velocities, metallicities, and location of the objects suggest that they are H II regions that were formed far away from the galaxies through compression of the intergalactic H I gas by galaxy collisions.
Conformal hybrid finite difference time domain and finite volume time domain

A hybrid method that combines the finite difference time domain (FDTD) and the finite volume time domain (FVTD) methods is presented. The FVTD, based on a conformal and unstructured grid is used in the near vicinity of the surface of a scatterer, and the FDTD is used to model the fields in the surrounding area. The two are coupled together through interpolation. The vertex-based FVTD allows for more convenient and accurate interpolations than a conformal FDTD method. The hybrid method is validated through two examples-the scattering by a PEC cube and sphere-by comparison with the direct FDTD solution, and with an exact Mei series solution for the spherical case. >
Lurasidone Augmentation of Clozapine in Schizophrenia—Retrospective Chart Review

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lurasidone augmentation of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (SZ) in a retrospective chart review. From the medical records of 916 SZ patients, we identified 16 individuals treated with a combination of clozapine and lurasidone. The detailed clinical data are described separately for each patient. We compared the Clinical Global Impression—Severity (CGI-S) scores between three points of observation: before the treatment and one month and two months after its initiation. CGI Improvement (CGI-I) scores were used to evaluate the treatment response between the first and last points of observation. The vast majority of patients (14/16, 87.5%) responded to lurasidone augmentation of clozapine (CGI-I scores 1 or 2). Therapeutic effects were observable after 3–12 weeks of treatment (median 6 (4–6)). A reduction in CGI-S scores was observed after the first month of observation. There was an observable reduction in positive, depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as an improvement in psychosocial functioning. Two patients discontinued treatment due to side effects. Our study suggests that lurasidone augmentation of clozapine may lead to improvements in a broad range of SZ symptom dimensions.
Drinking alcohol to cope with hyperactive ADHD? Self-reports vs. continuous performance test in patients with ADHD and/or alcohol use disorder

Rationale Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Continuous performance tests (CPTs) allow to measure ADHD related deficits in a laboratory setting. Most studies on this topic focused on CPTs measuring inattention or impulsivity, disregarding hyperactivity as one of the core symptoms of ADHD. Methods We examined N = 47 in three groups (ADHD N = 19; AUD N = 16; ADHD + AUD N = 12) with questionnaires on ADHD core symptoms, executive functioning (EF), mind wandering, and quality of life (QoL). N = 46 (ADHD N = 16; AUD N = 16; ADHD + AUD N = 14) were examined with a CPT (QbTest®) that also measures motor activity objectively. Results Inattention and impulsivity were significantly increased in AUD vs. ADHD and in AUD vs. ADHD + AUD. Hyperactivity was significantly higher in ADHD + AUD vs. ADHD and ADHD + AUD vs. AUD, but not in ADHD vs. AUD. EF was lower in both ADHD groups vs. AUD. Mind wandering was increased in both ADHD groups vs. AUD. QoL was significantly lower in ADHD + AUD compared to AUD. In contrast, results of the QbTest were not significantly different between groups. Conclusion Questionnaires are more useful in assessing ADHD core symptoms than the QbTest®. Hyperactivity appears to be a relevant symptom in ADHD + AUD, suggesting a possible pathway from ADHD to AUD. The lower QoL in ADHD + AUD emphasizes the need for routine screening, diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies for this patient group.
Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium Rydberg atoms: I. Experiment for nS and nD atoms with n = 8–20

Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium nS and nD Rydberg atoms with n = 8–20 has been studied. The experiments were performed using a two-step pulsed laser excitation in an effusive atomic beam at atom density of about 2 × 1010 cm−3. Molecular and atomic ions from associative, Penning and thermal ionization processes were detected. It was found that the atomic ions were created mainly due to photoionization of Rydberg atoms by photons of blackbody radiation at the ambient temperature of 300 K. Blackbody ionization rates and effective lifetimes of Rydberg states of interest were determined. The molecular ions were found to be from associative ionization in Na(nL) + Na(3S) collisions. Rate constants of associative ionization have been measured using an original method based on relative measurements of Na+2 and Na+ ion signals.
Propagation and scattering of spin waves in curved magnonic waveguides

We report a continuous medium theory of dispersion and scattering of spin waves propagating in thin nanowire magnonic waveguides with curved regions. Assuming that the static magnetization is aligned along the waveguide, the curvature leads to a “geometrical” effective magnetic field term that is proportional to the square of the ratio of the exchange length to the radius of curvature of the waveguide. The term is small enough to favor the use of bended nanowire waveguides in planar magnonic data architectures. However, a stronger (multiple) winding (e.g., within helical structures) could enable design of magnonic waveguides with desired properties.
Detecting Grapevine Virus Infections in Red and White Winegrape Canopies Using Proximal Hyperspectral Sensing

Grapevine virus-associated disease such as grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) affects grapevine health worldwide. Current diagnostic methods are either highly costly (laboratory-based diagnostics) or can be unreliable (visual assessments). Hyperspectral sensing technology is capable of measuring leaf reflectance spectra that can be used for the non-destructive and rapid detection of plant diseases. The present study used proximal hyperspectral sensing to detect virus infection in Pinot Noir (red-berried winegrape cultivar) and Chardonnay (white-berried winegrape cultivar) grapevines. Spectral data were collected throughout the grape growing season at six timepoints per cultivar. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to build a predictive model of the presence or absence of GLD. The temporal change of canopy spectral reflectance showed that the harvest timepoint had the best prediction result. Prediction accuracies of 96% and 76% were achieved for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, respectively. Our results provide valuable information on the optimal time for GLD detection. This hyperspectral method can also be deployed on mobile platforms including ground-based vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for large-scale disease surveillance in vineyards.
Erastin inhibits porcine epidemic diarrhea virus replication in Vero cells

Background Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), an intestinal pathogenic coronavirus, has caused significant economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. At present, there are several treatment methods, but there is still a lack of clinically effective targeted drugs, new antiviral mechanisms and drugs need to be explored. Methods In this study, we established a model of erastin versus ferrostatin-1 treatment of Vero cells, and then detected virus proliferation and gene expression by RT-qPCR through PEDV infection experiments. Results We demonstrated for the first time that erastin significantly inhibited the replication of PEDV upon entry into cells; Vero treated with erastin significantly regulated the expression of three genes, NRF2, ACSL4 and GPX4, notably erastin regulated the expression of these three genes negatively correlated with the expression induced by PEDV virus infection. Conclusions Since NRF2, ACSL4 and GPX4 are classical Ferroptosis genes, this study speculates that erastin may inhibit the replication of PEDV in Vero cells in part through the regulation of ferroptosis pathway, and erastin may be a potential drug for the treatment of PEDV infection.
Taylor's (1935) dissipation surrogate reinterpreted

New results from direct numerical simulation of decaying isotropic turbulence show that Taylor’s expression for the viscous dissipation rate e=CeU3/L is more appropriately interpreted as a surrogate for the inertial energy flux. As a consequence, the well known dependence of the Taylor prefactor Ce on Reynolds number Ce(RL)→Ce,∞ can be understood as corresponding to the onset of an inertial range.
Transfersome Encapsulated with the R-carvedilol Enantiomer for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention

The R-carvedilol enantiomer, present in the racemic mixture of the chiral drug carvedilol, does not bind to the β-adrenergic receptors, but exhibits skin cancer preventive activity. For skin delivery, R-carvedilol-loaded transfersomes were prepared using various ratios of drug, lipids, and surfactants, and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, stability, and morphology. Transfersomes were compared for in vitro drug release and ex vivo skin penetration and retention. Skin irritation was evaluated by viability assay on murine epidermal cells and reconstructed human skin culture. Single-dose and repeated-dose dermal toxicity was determined in SKH-1 hairless mice. Efficacy was evaluated in SKH-1 mice exposed to single or multiple ultraviolet (UV) radiations. Transfersomes released the drug at a slower rate, but significantly increased skin drug permeation and retention compared with the free drug. The transfersome with a drug–lipid–surfactant ratio of 1:3:0.5 (T-RCAR-3) demonstrated the highest skin drug retention and was selected for further studies. T-RCAR-3 at 100 µM did not induce skin irritation in vitro and in vivo. Topical treatment with T-RCAR-3 at 10 µM effectively attenuated acute UV-induced skin inflammation and chronic UV-induced skin carcinogenesis. This study demonstrates feasibility of using R-carvedilol transfersome for preventing UV-induced skin inflammation and cancer.
Who posted #MeToo, why, and what happened: A mixed methods examination

Objectives The #MeToo social media campaign raised awareness about sexual harassment. The purpose of the current study was to address three unexplored research questions. First, what factors influenced whether a person posted #MeToo? Second, how did posting (or not) influence participants' wellbeing? Finally, what motivated participants' posting (or not) #MeToo? Method This mixed-methods study explores how #MeToo was experienced by full-time employees (N = 395) who could have posted #MeToo (i.e., experienced a sexual harassment event), whether or not they did so. Participants completed surveys in July of 2018 assessing social media use, sexual harassment history, relational variables such as relative power and social support, and job and life satisfaction. Participants also responded to open-ended survey questions about the context of and decisions about #MeToo posting. Results Quantitative results indicated that sexual harassment history was the most powerful predictor of #MeToo posting, while power and interpersonal contact also contributed. Qualitative analyses (N = 74) using a grounded theory approach indicated themes associated with decisions to disclose, including feeling a responsibility to post, need for support, and affective benefits. Decisions not to disclose were event-related negative affect, posting-related negative affect, timing of the event, fit with the #MeToo movement, privacy concerns, and fear of consequences. Conclusion This study contributes to the literature on sexual harassment disclosure by focusing on informal means of disclosure and drawing on comparisons to formal reporting and implications for workplaces. Online sexual harassment disclosure, in many ways, reflects the impediments to formal reporting procedures. Given the increased use of social media for purposes of disclosure, these findings suggests that organizations should recognize the legitimacy of sexual harassment reports made online and consider the possible failings of their formal reporting systems as reasons for online disclosure.
Considerations for Optimizing Warfighter Psychological Health with a Research-Based Flavonoid Approach: A Review

Optimal nutrition is imperative for psychological health. Oxidative stress and inflammation are underlying etiologies for alterations in psychological health. Warfighters are at risk of health concerns such as depression due to increased stress in austere environments and family separation while deployed. Over the last decade, research has demonstrated the health benefits of flavonoids found in fruits and berries. Berry flavonoids have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. In this review, the promising effects of various berries rich in bioactive flavonoids are examined. By inhibiting oxidative stress, berry flavonoids have the potential to modulate brain, cardiovascular, and intestinal health. There is a critical need for targeted interventions to address psychological health concerns within the warfighter population, and a berry flavonoid-rich diet and/or berry flavonoid dietary supplement intervention may prove beneficial as an adjunctive therapy. Structured searches of the literature were performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases using predetermined keywords. This review focuses on berry flavonoids’ critical and fundamental bioactive properties and their potential effects on psychological health in investigations utilizing cell, animal, and human model systems.
Initial Evidence for Positive Effects of a Psychological Preparation Program for MRI “iMReady” in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type I and Brain Tumors—How to Meet the Patients’ Needs Best

To provide an effective alternative to sedation during MRI examinations in pediatric cancer and NF1 patients, the aims of the present study were to (1) exploratively evaluate a behavioral MRI training program, to (2) investigate potential moderators, as well as to (3) assess the patients’ well-being over the course of the intervention. A total of n = 87 patients of the neuro-oncology unit (mean age: 6.83 years) underwent a two-step MRI preparation program, including training inside the scanner, and were recorded using a process-oriented screening. In addition to the retrospective analysis of all data, a subset of 17 patients were also analyzed prospectively. Overall, 80% of the children receiving MRI preparation underwent the MRI scan without sedation, making the success rate almost five times higher than that of a group of 18 children that opted out of the training program. Memory, attentional difficulties, and hyperactivity were significant neuropsychological moderators for successful scanning. The training was associated with favorable psychological well-being. These findings suggest that our MRI preparation could present an alternative to sedation of young patients undergoing MRI examinations as well as a promising tool for improving patients’ treatment-related well-being.
Comparison of Scatterometer and Radiometer Wind Vector Measurements

Abstract Coincident measurements with a 37-GHz polarimetric radiometer and a 10-GHz scatterometer during the Coastal Ocean Probing Experiment (COPE) in September and October of 1995 offered a unique opportunity to compare their relative sensitivity and performance in observing sea surface winds. The scatterometer cross section σo and the radiometer's second and third Stokes parameters, Q and U, were measured. The dependence of the angular signature of the radiometer on friction velocity was investigated by combining the COPE data with data collected in the Labrador Sea in February and March of 1997 at higher wind speeds than were encountered during COPE. The results of these experiments showed that the first harmonics of the radiometer azimuthal response were relatively insensitive to the friction velocity but that their second harmonics increased rapidly in amplitude with increasing friction velocity, with approximately the same sensitivity as a scatterometer cross section. The sensitivity of the radar a.