Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nudging accurate scientific communication

The recent replicability crisis in social and biomedical sciences has highlighted the need for improvement in the honest transmission of scientific content. We present the results of two studies investigating whether nudges and soft social incentives enhance participants’ readiness to transmit high-quality scientific news. In two online randomized experiments (Total N = 2425), participants had to imagine that they were science journalists who had to select scientific studies to report in their next article. They had to choose between studies reporting opposite results (for instance, confirming versus not confirming the effect of a treatment) and varying in traditional signs of research credibility (large versus small sample sizes, randomized versus non-randomized designs). In order to steer participants’ choices towards or against the trustworthy transmission of science, we used several soft framing nudges and social incentives. Overall, we find that, although participants show a strong preference for studies using high-sample sizes and randomized design, they are biased towards positive results, and express a preference for results in line with previous intuitions (evincing confirmation bias). Our soft framing nudges and social incentives did not help to counteract these biases. On the contrary, the social incentives against honest transmission of scientific content mildly exacerbated the expression of these biases.
Effect of Sofosbuvir on rats’ ovaries and the possible protective role of vitamin E: biochemical and immunohistochemical study

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem worldwide and its eradication is mandatory. Direct acting HCV polymerase inhibitors, such as Sofosbuvir (SOF), is an effective regimen. However, it has some side effects like mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and the impairment of testicular function. It is important to evaluate the safety of SOF on the ovary, as there are no studies yet. Increasing the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), causes oxidative stress, which affects ovulation process, female reproduction, and fertility. Accumulation of SOF in the cells was demonstrated to promote ROS generation. Vitamin E (Vit E) is an antioxidant agent that has an essential role in the female reproductive system, its deficiency can cause infertility. We explored the effect of SOF treatment alone and co-treated with Vit E on ovarian ROS level and ovarian morphology experimentally using biochemical and immunohistochemical studies. Significant changes in oxidative stress markers; nitric oxide and malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes; catalase, super oxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione, proliferating markers; proliferation cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 antigen and caspase 3 apoptotic marker were demonstrated. It was shown that where SOF induced oxidative stress, it also aggravated ovarian dysfunction. The essential role of Vit E as an antioxidant agent in protecting the ovarian tissue from the effect of oxidative stress markers and preserving its function was also displayed. This could be guidance to add Vit E supplements to SOF regimens to limit its injurious effect on ovarian function.
Predictors of performance and perceived fatigability in people with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Background and Objective Fatigability is a distinct construct from fatigue that has been reported to contribute to activity limitations in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Identifying predictors of performance and perceived fatigability may guide the development of interventions to mitigate fatigability. This study investigated predictors of performance and perceived fatigability among PwMS. Methods PwMS (N = 51) completed self-report measures of demographics, clinical history, symptoms severity (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), and functioning (PROMIS Physical Function and PROMIS Cognitive Function Abilities). Performance fatigability measures included Ambulatory Fatigue Index (AFI), Deceleration Index (DI), and Distance Walking Index (DWI). Perceived fatigability measures included Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS), Perceived Physical Exertion, and Perceived Fatigue Intensity. Performance and perceived fatigability measures were calculated based on the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test and the 6-Minute Walk Test. Results Multivariable linear regression analyses indicated that PROMIS Cognitive Function was a significant independent predictor of performance fatigability measured with AFI (β = -0.515, p = 0.007), DI (β = -0.511, p = 0.008), and DWI (β = -0.516, p = 0.007). Regarding perceived fatigability, PROMIS Pain Intensity predicted Perceived Fatigue Intensity (β = 0.325, p = 0.035). PROMIS Physical Function predicted PFS Mental fatigability (β = -0.503, p < 0.001). PROMIS Physical Function (β = -0.619, p < 0.001) and Cognitive Function (β = -0.249, p = 0.037) predicted PFS Physical fatigability. Conclusions Preliminary findings suggest that self-reported functioning levels, including physical and perceived cognitive function, are potential predictors of performance and perceived fatigability in MS. Notably, perceived fatigue impact showed no association with performance or perceived fatigability. Future studies are warranted to confirm and extend our findings.
Production of Foreslope Breccia by Differential Submarine Cementation and Downslope Displacement of Carbonate Sands Miette and Ancient Wall Buildups Devonian Canada

Breccia deposited seaward of the margins of Miette and Ancient Wall buildups Upper Devonian of Alberta records synsedimentary submarine cementation of carbonate sands The size shape and composition of breccia clasts indicates that their source rocks were differentially cemented nodular thinly bedded carbonate sands deposited high on the foreslopes close to the margins of the buildups Downslope movement of differentially cemented carbonate sand sequences mixed nodules with uncemented carbonate sands and resulted in deposition of breccia beds The breccia was transported downslope by hybrid sediment gravity flows in which upward movement of fluids grain grain interactions and possibly fluid turbulence supported the clasts Increased pore pressures necessary for initiating such flows on low slopes were the result of metastable packing of sand grains in thinly bedded sequences and or overriding currents carrying material from the buildups Rapid dissipation of excess pore pressures coupled with low slopes did not allow sustained flow and as a consequence deposition of the breccias occurred within a few kilometers of the buildups Carbonate breccia formed by differential submarine cementation and downslope displacement of carbonate sands has not previously been described One important facet of its origin is that it does not record periods of abrasional erosion of the buildups but formed at times when rate of sediment supply to the foreslope was relatively high
Whole genome sequencing of human Borrelia burgdorferi isolates reveals linked blocks of accessory genome elements located on plasmids and associated with human dissemination

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in North America and Europe. The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease vary based on the genospecies of the infecting Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, but the microbial genetic elements underlying these associations are not known. Here, we report the whole genome sequence (WGS) and analysis of 299 B. burgdorferi (Bb) isolates derived from patients in the Eastern and Midwestern US and Central Europe. We develop a WGS-based classification of Bb isolates, confirm and extend the findings of previous single- and multi-locus typing systems, define the plasmid profiles of human-infectious Bb isolates, annotate the core and strain-variable surface lipoproteome, and identify loci associated with disseminated infection. A core genome consisting of ~900 open reading frames and a core set of plasmids consisting of lp17, lp25, lp36, lp28-3, lp28-4, lp54, and cp26 are found in nearly all isolates. Strain-variable (accessory) plasmids and genes correlate strongly with phylogeny. Using genetic association study methods, we identify an accessory genome signature associated with dissemination in humans and define the individual plasmids and genes that make up this signature. Strains within the RST1/WGS A subgroup, particularly a subset marked by the OspC type A genotype, have increased rates of dissemination in humans. OspC type A strains possess a unique set of strongly linked genetic elements including the presence of lp56 and lp28-1 plasmids and a cluster of genes that may contribute to their enhanced virulence compared to other genotypes. These features of OspC type A strains reflect a broader paradigm across Bb isolates, in which near-clonal genotypes are defined by strain-specific clusters of linked genetic elements, particularly those encoding surface-exposed lipoproteins. These clusters of genes are maintained by strain-specific patterns of plasmid occupancy and are associated with the probability of invasive infection.
Exploring yeast‐based microbial interactions: The next frontier in postharvest biocontrol

Fresh fruits and vegetables are susceptible to a large variety of spoilage agents before and after harvest. Among these, fungi are mostly responsible for the microbiological deteriorations that lead to economically significant losses of fresh produce. Today, synthetic fungicides represent the first approach for controlling postharvest spoilage in fruits and vegetables worldwide. However, the emergence of fungicide‐resistant pathogen biotypes and the increasing awareness of consumers toward the health implications of hazardous chemicals imposed an urgent need to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides in the food supply; this phenomenon strengthened the search for alternative biocontrol strategies that are more effective, safer, nontoxic, low‐residue, environment friendly, and cost‐effective. In the last decade, biocontrol with antagonistic yeasts became a promising strategy to reduce chemical compounds during fruit and vegetable postharvest, and several yeast‐based biocontrol products have been commercialized. Biocontrol is a multipartite system that includes different microbial groups (spoilage mold, yeast, bacteria, and nonspoilage resident microorganisms), host fruit, vegetables, or plants, and the environment. The majority of biocontrol studies focused on yeast‐mold mechanisms, with little consideration for yeast–bacteria and yeast–yeast interactions. The current review focused mainly on the unexplored yeast‐based interactions and the mechanisms of actions in biocontrol systems as well as on the importance and advantages of using yeasts as biocontrol agents, improving antagonist efficiency, the commercialization process and associated challenges, and future perspectives.
Profiling Immigrant Poverty in Canada: A 2006 Census Statistical Portrait

This study uses 2006 Canadian census data to examine the incidence of poverty in immigrant communities in Canada, both at the national and Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) scales. Using before-tax Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) as a measure, this analysis dissects the impact of time of arrival, age, marital status, racialization, and geographic setting in describing the Canadian immigrant experience of poverty. More recent immigrants appear to face a comparatively difficult entry into the Canadian labour market, though other factors such as age and marital status complicate this conclusion. Racialization also plays a role in determining the likelihood of poverty among Canadian immigrants, though not across all categories and contexts. Geography is also a key consideration here, where poverty is usually an urban phenomenon, particularly in the major gateway cities. While the overall conclusion is immigrants are more likely to be in poverty than the Canadian-born, this study demonstrates that this is a complex phenomenon with a number of variables that need to be considered. Cette etude est fondee sur les donnees du recensement canadien de 2006. Elle vise a mesurer la pauvrete dans les communautes immigrantes au Canada, a la fois au niveau national et a l'echelle de la region metropolitaine de recensement (RMR). En s’appuyant sur le seuil de faible revenu (SFR) avant impots, elle analyse l'effet de la date d'arrivee, de l'âge, de la situation de famille, de la racialisation et du milieu geographique sur la pauvrete au sein des communautes immigrantes au Canada. Les immigrants qui sont arrives dernierement semblent s’integrer plus difficilement au sein du marche du travail canadien, meme si d'autres facteurs, tels que l'âge et la situation familiale, viennent nuancer cette conclusion. La racialisation joue egalement un role quand on cherche a determiner la probabilite qu’un immigrant au Canada devienne pauvre, meme si ce phenomene ne touche pas toutes les categories ni toutes les situations. La geographie constitue egalement un facteur essentiel : la pauvrete est en general un phenomene urbain, en particulier dans les principales villes carrefours. Meme si la conclusion generale semble indiquer que les immigrants sont plus enclins a devenir pauvres que les citoyens nes au Canada, cette etude demontre qu'il s'agit d'un phenomene complexe s'accompagnant de nombreuses variables qui doivent etre prises en compte.
Comparative Analysis of the Biomechanical Behavior of two different design metaphyseal-�tting short stems using digital image correlation

Background: The progressive evolution in hip replacement research is directed to follow the principles of bone and soft tissue sparing surgery. Regarding hip implants, a renewed interest has been raised towards short uncemented femoral implants. A heterogeneous group of short stems have been designed with the aim to approximate initial, post-implantation bone strain to the preoperative levels in order to minimize the effects of stress shielding. This study aims to investigate the biomechanical properties of two distinctly designed femoral implants, the TRI-LOCK Bone Preservation Stem, a shortened conventional stem and the Minima S Femoral Stem, an even shorter and anatomically shaped stem, based on experiments and numerical simulations. Furthermore, �nite element models of implant–bone constructs should be evaluated for their validity against mechanical tests wherever it is possible. In this work, the validation was performed via a direct comparison of the FE calculated strain �elds with their experimental equivalents obtained using the digital image correlation technique. Results: Design differences between Trilock BPS and Minima S femoral stems conditioned different strain pattern distributions. A distally shifting load distribution pattern as a result of implant insertion and also an obvious decrease of strain in the medial proximal aspect of the femur was noted for both stems. Strain changes induced after the implantation of the Trilock BPS stem at the lateral surface were greater compared to the non-implanted femur response, as opposed to those exhibited by the Minima S stem. Linear correlation analyses revealed a reasonable agreement between the numerical and experimental data in the majority of cases. Conclusion: The study �ndings support the use of DIC technique as a preclinical evaluation tool of the biomechanical behavior induced by different implants and also identify its potential for experimental FE model validation. Furthermore, a proximal stress shielding effect was noted after the implantation of both short stem designs. Design speci�c variations in short stems were su�cient to produce dissimilar biomechanical behaviors, although their clinical implication must be investigated through comparative clinical studies.
Modelling sediment transport and morphology during overwash and breaching events

Currently, morphodynamic models as XBeach show substantial overestimations of the erosion rates during breaching and overwash events at barrier islands. The presently used limitations on the Shields parameter and the sediment concentration do hinder erosion, but have undesirable side effects, e.g. the breaching process is suppressed. By implementing additional physics, e.g. the erosion hindering effect of dilatancy and a proper bed slope effect, substantial improvements are achieved for idealised cases. However, two hurricane case studies showed that these model improvements do not hinder erosion sufficiently to achieve reasonable results. A proper description of bed roughness, which is preferably depth dependent and accounts for vegetation, together with calibration of the wave skewness and asymmetry is found to be very important. If this knowledge is applied on a newly introduced case study of Fire Island (hurricane Sandy, 2012), both breaching and overwash are modelled much more in line with reality. However, the complexity of having various morphodynamic processes within one model domain makes calibration a challenging task, requiring a more advanced bed roughness formulation.
Microbial surfactants: characteristics, production and broader application prospects in environment and industry

Abstract Microbial surfactants are green molecules with high surface activities having the most promising advantages over chemical surfactants including their ability to efficiently reducing surface and interfacial tension, nontoxic emulsion-based formulations, biocompatibility, biodegradability, simplicity of preparation from low cost materials such as residual by-products and renewable resources at large scales, effectiveness and stabilization under extreme conditions and broad spectrum antagonism of pathogens to be part of the biocontrol strategy. Thus, biosurfactants are universal tools of great current interest. The present work describes the major types and microbial origin of surfactants and their production optimization from agro-industrial wastes in the batch shake-flasks and bioreactor systems through solid-state and submerged fermentation industries. Various downstream strategies that had been developed to extract and purify biosurfactants are discussed. Further, the physicochemical properties and functional characteristics of biosurfactants open new future prospects for the development of efficient and eco-friendly commercially successful biotechnological product compounds with diverse potential applications in environment, industry, biomedicine, nanotechnology and energy-saving technology as well. Highlights Biosurfactants are important biotechnological products with unique superior potentials over their synthetic counterparts. Physiological roles of biosurfactants in survival of the producing microorganisms under unfavorable conditions. Classification of biosurfactants. Biosurfactant types produced by yeasts, fungi and bacteria. Production efficiency optimization of biosurfactants. Utilization of agro-industrial wastes as economic renewable substrates for biosurfactants production. Production of biosurfactants by solid-state and submerged fermentation industries. Potential applications of biosurfactants in environment. Glycolipid biosurfactants efficiently control pathogens causing their membrane disruption. Potential application of biosurfactants in the oil industry. Natural surfactants are novel capping and stabilizing agents for nanoparticles synthesis.
Postural Responses to Achilles Tendon Vibration Depend on Feet Positioning

Mechanical vibration of the Achilles tendon is widely used to analyze the role of proprioception in postural control. The response to this tendon vibration (TV) has been analyzed in the upright posture, but the feet positions have varied in past research. Moreover, investigators have addressed only temporal parameters of the center of pressure (CoP). We investigated the effect of TV on both temporal and spectral characteristics of the CoP motion. Eighteen healthy young adults, stood barefoot, with one foot on each side of a dual platform, wearing glasses with opaque lenses. We applied 20 seconds of Achilles TV (bilaterally with inertial vibrators at a frequency of 80 Hz and an amplitude of .2–.5 mm). We analyzed CoP signals pre-vibration (PRE,4-seconds), during vibration (VIB,20 seconds), and after vibration cessation (REC,20 seconds). We repeated this protocol in natural and standardized positions (15° feet angular opening). For determining CoP amplitude and velocity, we divided the 20 seconds into five phases of four seconds each and calculated spectral parameters for the whole 20-second signals. There was an adaptation process in the speed of the CoP mediolateral (p < .01) and anteroposterior (p < .01) and in the displacement of the CoP anteroposterior (p < .01), with higher values in the VIB condition. Velocity and displacement decreased progressively in the REC condition. Median and peak frequencies were higher in the VIB condition when compared to the REC condition, but only in the mediolateral direction (p = .01). The standardized foot position led to increased speed in CoP mediolateral, anteroposterior, and mediolateral displacement (p < .01). CoP spectral characteristics were not affected by foot positioning. We concluded that adaptation of CoP motion in the presence of TV and after its cessation are observable both in time and frequency domains. Feet positioning influenced CoP motion in the presence of TV and after its cessation but it did not affect its spectral characteristics.
CCR7 acts as both a sensor and a sink for CCL19 to coordinate collective leukocyte migration

Immune responses rely on the rapid and coordinated migration of leukocytes. Whereas it is well established that single-cell migration is often guided by gradients of chemokines and other chemoattractants, it remains poorly understood how these gradients are generated, maintained, and modulated. By combining experimental data with theory on leukocyte chemotaxis guided by the G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) CCR7, we demonstrate that in addition to its role as the sensory receptor that steers migration, CCR7 also acts as a generator and a modulator of chemotactic gradients. Upon exposure to the CCR7 ligand CCL19, dendritic cells (DCs) effectively internalize the receptor and ligand as part of the canonical GPCR desensitization response. We show that CCR7 internalization also acts as an effective sink for the chemoattractant, dynamically shaping the spatiotemporal distribution of the chemokine. This mechanism drives complex collective migration patterns, enabling DCs to create or sharpen chemotactic gradients. We further show that these self-generated gradients can sustain the long-range guidance of DCs, adapt collective migration patterns to the size and geometry of the environment, and provide a guidance cue for other comigrating cells. Such a dual role of CCR7 as a GPCR that both senses and consumes its ligand can thus provide a novel mode of cellular self-organization. Description Dendritic cells modulate local chemokine gradients resulting in robust self-organizing patterns of collective migration. Editor’s summary Dendritic cells (DCs) migrate over long distances to shuttle antigen from peripheral tissues to lymph nodes. Immune cell trafficking is mediated by chemotactic gradients, but whether DCs can modulate these gradients is unknown. Using a combination of live cell imaging and mathematical modeling, Alanko et al. identify a dual role for the GPCR CCR7 in controlling DC migration. In addition to sensing CCL19 through CCR7, DCs were able to modulate local chemokine concentration via Lfc-mediated endocytosis of CCR7, “sinking” CCL19 from the environment. This self-shaping of chemokine gradients facilitated the accurate migration of DCs, and these gradients could also be sensed by T cells. Together these findings demonstrate that CCR7 can function as both a sensor and a sink for CCL19, facilitating collective leukocyte migration. – Hannah Isles