Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Valproic Acid in Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia; a Narrative Review

Abstract Loads of new therapeutic regimes have been turned up to manage Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in elderly patients who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Despite accumulating research, the best MDS and AML management approach is indeterminate. Myelodysplastic syndrome implies a group of various hematopoietic stem cell disorders that may progress to acute myeloid leukemia. These disorders are more frequent in older adults. To the high rate of morbidity and abundant toxicities related to the therapeutic approaches, also, the treatment would be challenging. The clinical effectiveness of valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in MDS and AML patients is unknown, even though it has demonstrated positive activities to promote differentiation and apoptosis in cancer cells. We investigated the clinical research on the effects of valproic acid in conjunction with various drugs, including low-dose cytarabine, all-trans retinoic acid, DNA-hypomethylating agents, hydrazine, and theophylline. We conclude that VPA is a safe and effective treatment option for MDS and AML patients, particularly when used in conjunction with all-trans retinoic acid, DNA-hypomethylating drugs, and hydralazine. However, more randomized clinical studies are required to identify an ideal regimen.
Early successional habitat supports unique avian communities dominated by wintering migrants in a premontane tropical forest

Abstract Forest succession drives concomitant changes in associated faunal communities. Thus, maintaining landscapes with high successional diversity can be an important consideration in habitat management. We sought to describe avian community characteristics across a successional gradient created by reforestation efforts in a tropical premontane wet forest in Costa Rica. Specifically, we examined the effects of successional stage on overall abundance, species richness, diet niche, migratory status, and community composition. We hypothesised that these metrics of bird abundance, diversity and community composition would differ across successional stages. Using data from transects conducted in 2018, we found that several metrics of avian abundance, diversity and community composition varied as a function of successional stage. Surprisingly, the earliest successional stage exhibited the greatest abundance, species richness and proportion of migrant species. We suggest that an ephemeral vegetation structure present for only a short period (early in succession) creates a unique habitat that results in a distinct avian community. This highlights the potential importance of early successional forests for avian communities, especially neotropical migrants.
Beliefs about illness: comparing foreign- and native-born persons with type 2 diabetes living in Sweden in a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Aim: Based on previous qualitative studies, it was hypothesised that dissimilarities in beliefs about illness, which influence healthcare-seeking behaviour, exist between foreign- and native-born persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes living in Sweden (in the following termed ‘Swedish-born’). Background: Beliefs about illness are individual, culturally related, based on knowledge, and guide health-related behaviour, and thus have an impact on health. The question is whether beliefs differ between foreign- and native-born persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. No previous comparative studies have been found on this. Based on previous qualitative studies, it was hypothesised that dissimilarities in beliefs about illness, which influence healthcare-seeking behaviour, exist between foreign- and native-born (Swedish) persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes living in Sweden. Methods: Cross-sectional survey, 138 participants, comprising 69 foreign- and 69 Swedish-born persons aged 33–90 vs 48–91 years. Data were analysed with descriptive and analytic statistics. Findings: Beliefs about illness differed between foreign- and Swedish-born persons concerning causes of diabetes and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Foreign-born persons more often than Swedish-born persons reported uncertainty or lack of knowledge about whether heredity (67% vs 90%, P = 0.002) and pancreatic disease (40% vs 62%, P = 0.037) could cause diabetes. To a higher extent than Swedish-born persons, they reported that emotional stress and anxiety could cause the disease. Furthermore, they claimed they had sought care due to diabetes during the last 6 months to a higher extent than Swedish-born persons (30% vs 4%, P = 0.000). The findings confirmed that dissimilarities in beliefs about illness, including the causes of diabetes and healthcare-seeking behaviour, exist between foreign- and Swedish-born persons with type 2 diabetes.
Revision of the Gondwanan genus Chilepyris Evans, 1964 (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae)

The Gondwanan genus Chilepyris Evans, 1964 (Scleroderminae) is studied and revised. A new species from Oceanian region (New Caledonia) is described and illustrated, Chilepyris kanak sp. nov., and compared with the other two species of this genus, C. herbsti Evans, 1964 from Chile and C. platythelys Sorg & Walker, 1989 from New Zealand, based on an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological characters and molecular analyses. An emended diagnosis and a deep discussion about the morphological diagnostic characters of this genus and comments about the Gondwana distribution of Chilepyris are also presented. Additionally, a taxonomic key to the three species is provided.
Applying Machine Learning to Gaze Data in Software Development: a Mapping Study

Eye tracking has been used as part of software engineering and computer science research for a long time, and during this time new techniques for machine learning (ML) have emerged. Some of those techniques are applicable to the analysis of eye-tracking data, and to some extent have been applied. However, there is no structured summary available on which ML techniques are used for analysis in different types of eye-tracking research studies. In this paper, our objective is to summarize the research literature with respect to the application of ML techniques to gaze data in the field of software engineering. To this end, we have conducted a systematic mapping study, where research articles are identified through a search in academic databases and analyzed qualitatively. After identifying 10 relevant articles, we found that the most common software development activity studied so far with eye-tracking and ML is program comprehension, and Support Vector Machines and Decision Trees are the most commonly used ML techniques. We further report on limitations and challenges reported in the literature and opportunities for future work.
Comparing Visual Search Patterns in Chest X-Ray Diagnostics

Radiologists are trained professionals who use medical images to obtain clinically relevant information. However, little is known about visual search patterns and strategies radiologists employ during medical image analysis. Thus, there is a current need for guidelines to specify optimal visual search routines commonly used by radiologists. Identifying these features could improve radiologist training and assist radiologists in their work. Our study found that during the moments in which radiologists view chest X-ray images in silence before verbalizing the analysis, they exhibit unique search patterns regardless of the type of disease depicted. Our findings suggest that radiologists’ search behaviors can be identified at this stage. However, when radiologists verbally interpret the X-rays, the gaze patterns appear noisy and arbitrary. Current deep-learning approaches train their systems using this noisy and arbitrary gaze data. This may explain why previous research still needs to show the superiority of deep-learning models that use eye tracking for disease classification. Our paper investigates these patterns and attempts to uncover the eye-gaze configurations during the different analysis phases.
Hit polynomials and conjugation in the dual Steenrod algebra

Let [Ascr ]* be the mod-2 Steenrod algebra of cohomology operations and χ its canonical antiautomorphism. For all positive integers f and k, we show that the excess of the element χ[Sq (2k−1f)· Sq (2k−2f)… Sq (2f)·Sq (f)] is (2k−1)μ(f), where μ(f) denotes the minimal number of summands in any representation of f as a sum of numbers of the form 2i−1. We also interpret this result in purely combinatorial terms. In so doing, we express the Milnor basis representation of the products Sq (a1)…Sq (an) and χ[Sq (a1)…Sq (an)] in terms of the cardinalities of certain sets of matrices. For s[ges ]1, let ℙs=[ ]2= [x1, …, xs] be the mod-2 cohomology of the s-fold product of ℝP∞ with itself, with its usual structure as an [Ascr ]*-module. A polynomial P∈ℙs is hit if it is in the image of the action [Ascr ]*×ℙs→ℙs, where [Ascr ]* is the augmentation ideal of [Ascr ]*. We prove that if the integers e, f, and k satisfy e<(2k−1)μ(f), then for any polynomials E and F of degrees e and f respectively, the product E·F2k is hit. This generalizes a result of Wood conjectured by Peterson, and proves a conjecture of Singer and Silverman.
Visual Center Biasing in a Stimulus-Free Laboratory Setting

Looking at nothing has recently become of particular interest as it may reveal insights into the nature of spatial cognition in terms of integrated mental representations from visual and auditory input. The current study applies individual time sensitive and emotional ideas to quantify visuo-spatial biases in a stimulus-free laboratory setting. We observe a strong visual bias across all experimental conditions supporting earlier assumptions of a screen center or motor bias. The tendency towards the center was particular evident during trials that lack any specific assignment. A time-sensitive differentiation of eye movements with regards to memory and anticipation tasks could not be recorded. Also, pupil diameter indicated no relationship between changes in bodily arousal and spontaneous fixation behavior. In addition, we replicate a strong left side gaze asymmetry that is interwoven with the center bias featuring spontaneous fixations to mainly cluster left from the screen center.
Using Eye Tracking to detect Faking Intentions

Recent studies of eye movements in faking behaviours are reviewed. The best candidates to reveal deceptive intentions are the number and duration of fixations, while saccade amplitudes and pupil size show great potential. Special consideration about experimental design and individual abilities that could impact the physiological responses should be taken when studying faking intentions.
Multiplexed volumetric CLEM enabled by antibody derivatives provides new insights into the cytology of the mouse cerebellar cortex

Mapping neuronal networks that underlie behavior has become a central focus in neuroscience. While serial section electron microscopy (ssEM) can reveal the fine structure of neuronal networks (connectomics), it does not provide the molecular information that helps identify cell types or their functional properties. Volumetric correlated light and electron microscopy (vCLEM) combines ssEM and volumetric fluorescence microscopy to incorporate molecular labeling into ssEM datasets. We developed an approach that uses small fluorescent single-chain variable fragment (scFv) immuno-probes to perform multiplexed detergent-free immuno-labeling and ssEM on the same samples. We generated eight such fluorescent scFvs that targeted useful markers for brain studies (green fluorescent protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, calbindin, parvalbumin, voltage-gated potassium channel subfamily A member 2, vesicular glutamate transporter 1, postsynaptic density protein 95, and neuropeptide Y). To test the vCLEM approach, six different fluorescent probes were imaged in a sample of the cortex of a cerebellar lobule (Crus 1), using confocal microscopy with spectral unmixing, followed by ssEM imaging of the same sample. The results show excellent ultrastructure with superimposition of the multiple fluorescence channels. Using this approach we could document a poorly described cell type in the cerebellum, two types of mossy fiber terminals, and the subcellular localization of one type of ion channel. Because scFvs can be derived from existing monoclonal antibodies, hundreds of such probes can be generated to enable molecular overlays for connectomic studies.
Molecular Evolution and Interaction of 14-3-3 Proteins with H+-ATPases in Plant Abiotic Stresses

Environmental stresses severely affect plant growth and crop productivity. Regulated by 14-3-3 proteins (14-3-3s), H+-ATPases (AHA) are important proton pumps that can induce diverse secondary transport via channels and co-transporters for the abiotic stress response of plants. Many studies demonstrated the roles of 14-3-3s and AHAs in coordinating the processes of plant growth, phytohormone signaling, and stress responses. However, the molecular evolution of 14-3-3s and AHAs has not been summarized in parallel with insights across multiple plant species. Here, we review the roles of 14-3-3s and AHAs in cell signaling to enhance plant responses to diverse environmental stresses. We analyzed the molecular evolution of key proteins that are associated with 14-3-3s and AHAs in plant growth and hormone signaling. The results revealed evolution, duplication, contraction, and expansion of 14-3-3s and AHAs in green plants. We also discussed the stress-specific expression of those 14-3-3s and AHAs in a eudicot (Arabidopsis thaliana), a monocot (Hordeum vulgare) and a moss (Physcomitrium patens) under abiotic stresses. We propose that 14-3-3s and H+-ATPases respond to abiotic stresses through many important targets and signaling components of phytohormones, which could be promising to improve plant tolerance to single or multiple environmental stresses. Highlight We review the response and adaptation of 14-3-3s and AHAs to diverse environmental stimuli and we analyze the evolutionary features and molecular functions of 14-3-3s and AHAs.
Distinct axo-protective and axo-destructive roles for Schwann cells after injury in a novel compartmentalised mouse myelinating coculture system

Myelinating Schwann cell (SC)– dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron cocultures have been an important technique over the last four decades in understanding cell-cell signalling and interactions during peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelination, injury, and regeneration. While methods using rat SCs and rat DRG neurons are commonplace, there are no established protocols in the field describing the use of mouse SCs with mouse DRG neurons in dissociated myelinating cocultures. There is a great need for such a protocol as this would allow the use of cells from many different transgenic mouse lines. Here we describe a protocol to coculture dissociated mouse SCs and DRG neurons and induce robust myelination. Use of microfluidic chambers permits fluidic isolation for drug treatments, allows cultures to be axotomised to study injury responses, and cells can readily be transfected with lentiviruses to permit live imaging. We used this model to quantify the rate of degeneration after traumatic axotomy in the presence and absence of myelinating SCs and axon aligned SCs that were not induced to myelinate. We find that SCs, irrespective of myelination status, are axo-protective and delay axon degeneration early on. At later time points after injury, we use live imaging of cocultures to show that once axonal degeneration has commenced SCs break up, ingest, and clear axonal debris. Summary statement A novel compartmentalised dissociated mouse myelinating SC-DRG coculture system reveals distinct axo-protective and axo-destructive phases of Schwann cells on axon integrity after trauma.
SNAP25 disease mutations change the energy landscape for synaptic exocytosis due to aberrant SNARE interactions

SNAP25 is one of three neuronal SNAREs driving synaptic vesicle exocytosis. We studied three mutations in SNAP25 that cause epileptic encephalopathy: V48F, and D166Y in the Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) binding interface, and I67N, which destabilizes the SNARE-complex. All three mutations reduced Syt1-dependent vesicle docking to SNARE-carrying liposomes and Ca2+-stimulated membrane fusion in vitro and in neurons. The V48F and D166Y mutants (with potency D166Y > V48F) led to reduced Readily Releasable Pool (RRP) size, due to increased spontaneous (mEPSC) release and decreased priming rates. These mutations lowered the energy barrier for fusion and increased the release probability, which are gain-of-function features not found in Syt1 knockout (KO) neurons; normalized mEPSC release rates were higher (potency D166Y>V48F) than in the Syt1 KO. These mutations (potency D166Y > V48F) increased spontaneous association to partner SNAREs, resulting in unregulated membrane fusion. In contrast, the I67N mutant decreased mEPSC frequency and evoked EPSC amplitudes due to an increase in the apparent height of the energy barrier for fusion, whereas the RRP size was unaffected. This could be partly compensated by positive charges lowering the energy barrier. Overall, pathogenic mutations in SNAP25 cause complex changes in the energy landscape for priming and fusion.
Epitranscriptomics m6A analyses reveal distinct m6A marks under tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-induced apoptotic conditions in HeLa cells

TNF-α is a ligand that induces both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in HeLa cells by modulating complex gene regulatory mechanisms. However, the full spectrum of TNF-α-modulated epitranscriptomic m6A marks is unknown. We employed a genomewide approach to examine the extent of m6A RNA modifications under TNF-α-modulated apoptotic conditions in HeLa cells. miCLIP-seq analyses revealed a plethora of m6A marks on 632 target mRNAs with an enrichment on 99 mRNAs associated with apoptosis. Interestingly, the m6A RNA modification patterns were quite different under cisplatin- and TNF-α-mediated apoptotic conditions. We then examined the abundance and translational efficiencies of several mRNAs under METTL3 knockdown and/or TNF-α treatment conditions. Our analyses showed changes in the translational efficiency of TP53INP1 mRNA based on the polysome profile analyses. Additionally, TP53INP1 protein amount was modulated by METTL3 knockdown upon TNF-α treatment but not CP treatment, suggesting the existence of a pathway-specific METTL3-TP53INP1 axis. Congruently, METLL3 knockdown sensitized HeLa cells to TNF-α-mediated apoptosis, which was also validated in a zebrafish larval xenograft model. These results suggest that apoptotic pathway-specific m6A methylation marks exist in cells and TNF-α-METTL3-TP53INP1 axis modulates TNF-α-mediated apoptosis in HeLa cells.
Mind the Gap: A Call to Action

Abstract In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, findings indicate a significant gap exists in learning and social norms amongst students of all ages, backgrounds, and academic levels. This gap transpires despite teacher’s and academic leader’s best efforts to minimize disparities from the 1.5 years of virtual or atypical learning. Nevertheless, schools must now acknowledge this recent data and identify how they will address it moving forward. This Call to Action urges educational leaders, teachers, coaches and decision makers to put students first and #MindTheGap.
‘What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger’: women human rights defenders: trajectories in activism in the context of challenging migration enforcement policies in Mexico and the United States

ABSTRACT The role of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) is not sufficiently studied in the dynamics of social movements nor are the actions of civil society organisations. Nevertheless, WHRDs of migrants in Mexico are essential in defence of human rights and in providing psycho-legal assistance, especially for the most unprotected populations, such as migrants in immigration detention and people who have been victims of crime in transit through Mexico. Moreover, WHRDs’ work contexts and activist trajectories are closely related to migration policies. Mexico has historically been a point of origin for migration to the United States. However, it has become a country of transit, return, and destination in the last 20 years. Therefore, there is a great diversity of origins and trajectories of WHRDs. We analyse the life trajectories of five migrant WHRDs to show how the process of becoming an activist and the distinct forms of activism in the migrant’s rights movement in Mexico are highly influenced by the growing criminalisation and restrictive immigration policies both in Mexico and the United States.
Black Lives Experiencing Homelessness Matter: A Critical Conceptual Framework for Understanding How Policing Drives System Avoidance among Vulnerable Populations

Abstract This paper examines racialized encounters with the police from the perspectives of people experiencing homelessness in San Diego, California in 2020. By some estimates, homelessness doubled in San Diego during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a survey of (n = 244) and interviews with (n = 57) homeless San Diegans during initial shelter-in-place orders, oversampling for Black respondents, whose voices are often under-represented despite high rates of homelessness nationally. Our respondents reported high rates of police contact, frequent lack of respect; overt racism, sexism, and homophobia; and a failure to offer basic services during these encounters. Centering our Black respondents’ experiences of criminalization and racism in what Clair calls “criminalized subjectivity,” we develop a conceptual framework that brings together critical theoretical perspectives on the role of race in the governance of poverty and crime. When people experiencing extreme poverty face apathy, disrespect, and discrimination from police—as our data show—the result is a reluctance to seek services and to engage with outreach when offered. This reinforces stereotypes of unhoused people as not “wanting” help or “choosing” to be homeless. We reflect on these findings and our framework for envisioning a system of public safety that supports and cares for—rather than punishes—the most vulnerable members of our society.
Talking the talk but not leading the walk: A study of ICA presidential addresses

ABSTRACT Each year, the president of the International Communication Association speaks to the plenary session of its annual conference. Conceptualizing the speeches as disciplinary talk, we examined them using a combination of qualitative content analysis and bibliometric study. The results show how presidential addresses either aimed to present a metaview of the field or to offer targeted reflections revolving around individual interests. Both types reiterate common topics—that is, they talk the talk—but they receive scant attention and thus cannot respond to calls for more integration of the field. Moreover, the speeches do not lead the walk—they remain ambivalent about how to respond to its pluralization and do not steer communication studies in a particular direction.