Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the brainstem periaqueductal grey using spectral registration

Purpose Functional understanding of the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a clinically relevant brainstem region, can be advanced using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). However, the PAG’s small size and high levels of physiological noise are methodologically challenging. This study aimed to (1) improve 1H-MRS quality in the PAG using spectral registration for frequency and phase error correction, (2) investigate whether spectral registration is particularly useful in cases of greater head motion and (3) examine metabolite quantification using literature-based or individual-based water relaxation times. Methods Spectra were acquired in 33 healthy volunteers (50.1 years, SD=17.19, 18 females) on a 3T Philipps MR system using a point-resolved spectroscopy sequence optimized with very selective saturation pulses (OVERPRESS) and voxel-based flip angle calibration (effective volume of interest size: 8.8×10.2×12.2 mm3). Spectra were fitted using LCModel and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), N-acetylaspartate peak linewidths and Cramér-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) were measured after spectral registration and after minimal frequency alignment. Results Spectral registration improved SNR by 5 % (p=0.026, median value post-correction: 18.0) and spectral linewidth by 23 % (p<0.001, 4.3 Hz), and reduced the metabolites’ CRLBs by 1-15 % (p’s<0.026). Correlational analyses revealed smaller SNR improvements with greater head motion (p=0.010) recorded using a markerless motion tracking system. Higher metabolite concentrations were detected using individual-based compared to literature-based water relaxation times (p’s<0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates high-quality 1H-MRS acquisition in the PAG using spectral registration. This shows promise for future 1H-MRS studies in the PAG and possibly also other clinically relevant brain regions with similar methodological challenges.
The Domestication and Dispersal of Large-Fruiting Prunus spp.: A Metadata Analysis of Archaeobotanical Material

The Prunus genus contains many of the most economically significant arboreal crops, cultivated globally, today. Despite the economic significance of these domesticated species, the pre-cultivation ranges, processes of domestication, and routes of prehistoric dispersal for all of the economically significant species remain unresolved. Among the European plums, even the taxonomic classification has been heavily debated over the past several decades. In this manuscript, we compile archaeobotanical evidence for the most prominent large-fruiting members of Prunus, including peach, apricot, almonds, sloes, and the main plum types. By mapping out the chronology and geographic distributions of these species, we are able to discuss aspects of their domestication and dispersal more clearly, as well as identify gaps in the data and unanswered questions. We suggest that a clearer understanding of these processes will say a lot about ancient peoples, as the cultivation of delayed return crops is an indicator of a strong concept of land tenure and the specialization of these cultivation strategies seems to be tied to urbanism and reliable markets. Likewise, the evolution of domestication traits in long-generation perennials, especially within Rosaceae, represents awareness of grafting and cloning practices.
A Systematic Study on Zinc-Related Metabolism in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer worldwide. Despite the major advances made in the past few decades in the treatment of breast cancer using a combination of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and immunotherapy, the genesis, treatment, recurrence, and metastasis of this disease continue to pose significant difficulties. New treatment approaches are therefore urgently required. Zinc is an important trace element that is involved in regulating various enzymatic, metabolic, and cellular processes in the human body. Several studies have shown that abnormal zinc homeostasis can lead to the onset and progression of various diseases, including breast cancer. This review highlights the role played by zinc transporters in pathogenesis, apoptosis, signal transduction, and potential clinical applications in breast cancer. Additionally, the translation of the clinical applications of zinc and associated molecules in breast cancer, as well as the recent developments in the zinc-related drug targets for breast cancer treatment, is discussed. These developments offer novel insights into understanding the concepts and approaches that could be used for the diagnosis and management of breast cancer.
Distribution of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidade) species and human cases of leishmaniasis in the Province of Corrientes, Argentina

We updated the distribution of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) species and human cases of leishmaniasis in the Province of Corrientes, Argentina. Evandromyia correalimai (Martins, Coutinho & Lutz, 1970) is a new record for the province, reported in the urban area of Santo Tomé. We include the currently known distribution map of Phlebotominae sandfly species in Corrientes, and the localities where they were recorded, as well as a map of vector species and reported human cases of leishmaniases.
Cooperative Control for Stochastic Multiagent Systems With Deferred Dynamic Constraints via a Novel Universal Barrier Function Approach

This article investigates the cooperative control problem for stochastic multiagent systems (MASs) with dynamic constraints. A new universal barrier function is proposed, which is applicable to many systems with different types of constraint functions, even unconstrained systems. Several mapping functions are constructed to constrain the state variables directly without feasibility conditions, and the tracking control is achieved for stochastic MASs with deferred full-state constraints under the backstepping framework. In order to regulate the tracking error more precisely, the funnel error transformation is improved and the deferred funnel controller is developed by introducing a preassigned finite-time function. Based on the deferred funnel controller, the tracking error can be maintained within the predetermined funnel in the preassigned time. The convergence time can be defined according to the actual requirements, and it is independent of the design controller parameters and initial conditions. Finally, some simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.
In Vitro Investigation of the Interaction of Avian Metapneumovirus and Newcastle Disease Virus with Turkey Respiratory and Reproductive Tissue

In poultry, several respiratory viral infections lead to a drop in egg production associated with high economic losses. While the virus–host interactions at the respiratory epithelium are well studied, less is known about these interactions in the oviduct. To investigate possible differences between virus infections at these epithelial structures, we compared the interactions of two important poultry viruses on turkey organ cultures. Two members of the order Mononegavirales, the Avian Metapneumovirus (AMPV) and the Newcastle disease virus (NDV), were selected to conduct the in vitro experiments since these viruses can infect both the trachea and oviduct. In addition, we used different strains of these viruses, a subtype A and a subtype B strain for AMPV and the NDV strains Komarow and Herts’33, to detect possible differences not only between the tissues but also between different viral strains. Turkey tracheal and oviduct organ cultures (TOC and OOC) were prepared to investigate viral replication, antigen localisation, lesion development, and the expression pattern of interferon-λ and importin-α isoforms. All viruses replicated more efficiently in the oviduct than in the tracheal epithelium (p < 0.05). In addition, we observed higher expression levels of both, IFN-λ and importin-α in OOCs compared to TOCs. Our results indicated strain-dependent differences, with the AMPV-B- and Herts’33 strains being more virulent in organ cultures than the AMPV-A- and Komarow strains, based on the higher viral genome loads, more severe histological lesions, and higher upregulation of IFN-λ. Overall, our findings reveal tissue- and virus strain-dependent differences, which may have consequences for disease development in the host tissue and, subsequently, possible treatment strategies.
Kinetic Studies on the 2-Oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-Dependent Nucleic Acid Modifying Enzymes from the AlkB and TET Families

Nucleic acid methylations are important genetic and epigenetic biomarkers. The formation and removal of these markers is related to either methylation or demethylation. In this review, we focus on the demethylation or oxidative modification that is mediated by the 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG)/Fe(II)-dependent AlkB/TET family enzymes. In the catalytic process, most enzymes oxidize 2-OG to succinate, in the meantime oxidizing methyl to hydroxymethyl, leaving formaldehyde and generating demethylated base. The AlkB enzyme from Escherichia coli has nine human homologs (ALKBH1-8 and FTO) and the TET family includes three members, TET1 to 3. Among them, some enzymes have been carefully studied, but for certain enzymes, few studies have been carried out. This review focuses on the kinetic properties of those 2-OG/Fe(II)-dependent enzymes and their alkyl substrates. We also provide some discussions on the future directions of this field.
Semi‐analytical solution for a simplified 1D chemo‐hydro‐mechanical model in fluid‐saturated viscoelastic clay

In this paper, a simplified chemo‐hydro‐mechanics (CHM) model, in which only solute concentration is considered in the aspect of chemistry, is proposed to reflect the viscoelastic deformation of clay soil. By using the proposed model, the responses of the excess pore‐fluid pressure, solute concentration, and displacement of the viscoelastic clay soil are derived through the Laplace transform method. Then, semi‐analytical solutions, in the time domain, are obtained via the inverse Laplace transform numerically. The influences of viscosity on excess pore‐fluid pressure, solute concentration, and displacement are investigated through an illustrative example. The results show that: (1) the clay soil in low viscosity can be simplified as an elastic model; (2) the higher viscosity not only accelerates the dissipation of excess pore‐fluid pressure, but also slows down the deformation of the clay soil; (3) the viscosity of clay soil poses little impact on the distribution of solute concentration.
IC 5217 as a double-shell, point-symmetric planetary nebula with a very narrow waist

Aims. Identification of the structural components and analysis of the internal kinematics in the planetary nebula IC 5217. Methods. Narrow-band images and high resolution long-slit spectra in the Hα ,[ Nii ]a nd [Oiii] emission lines, and VLA 6 cm continuum data. Results. IC 5217 is composed of a very bright equatorial ring, open bipolar lobes, off-axis point-symmetric features, on-axis distant faint regions, and an off-axis very elongated bipolar structure. The ring, open lobes, point-symmetric features and distant faint regions appear as elements of a single point-symmetric bipolar shell with a very narrow waist. This shell presents an axis ratio of ∼37 and an aspect ratio of ∼5. The 6 cm data show that the ring is an extremely flat disk with a central hole. Expansion velocity in the ring ranges from ≤10 km s −1 in He ii up to � 27 km s −1 in [N ii], whereas a velocity of ∼460 km s −1 is estimated for the polar regions of the bipolar shell. Strong acceleration of the outer regions of the ring is observed. The elongated bipolar structure probably represents a highly collimated (aspect ratio ∼12), high velocity cylindrical-like shell. A collimated agent (wind or jet) would account for the shaping of the bipolar shell if this agent has operated in the direction perpendicular to the equatorial disk. The point-symmetric features and cylindrical shell are probably related to collimated ejections but that occurred when the basic nebular shape had already been established.
A comparison of regression models for ordinal data in an analysis of transplanted-kidney function

Three regression models for ordinal data, those of Fienberg, McCullagh, and Anderson, are applied to an analysis of kidney function among transplant recipients. The conclusions arising from each model are presented and contrasted. On applique trois modeles de regression pour des donnees ordinales afin d'analyser le fonctionnement du rein chez des personnes qui ont re¸u une greffe renale. Les trois modeles considered sont, respectivement, le modele de Fienberg, de McCullagh et de Anderson. Les conclusions auxquelles on arrive a partir de chaque modele sont presentees et comparees.
Effect of situational factors (control, convenience, time pressure, and order complexity) on customers’ self-service technology choices

ABSTRACT Despite the increase in the utilization of self-service technology (SST), which has become a significant trend in the service sectors, including food service, the factors affecting consumers’ acceptance of and resistance to SST must still be identified. Thus, this study investigated the reactions of SST users to situational factors, namely control, convenience, time pressure, and order complexity, when ordering, evaluating, and opting for or against the service. The results revealed that the four SST situational factors significantly affected the perceived benefits, while only three (control, convenience, and time pressure) affected the perceived costs. The perceived benefits and costs positively influenced the perceived efficiency, which significantly affected the users’ approach and avoidance behaviors afterward. This study contributes strategic managerial guidelines to service providers who aim to gain competitive advantages in the food service industry via SST.
On C*-Algebras Associated with Subshifts

We construct and study C*-algebras associated with subshifts in symbolic dynamics as a generalization of Cuntz–Krieger algebras for topological Markov shifts. We prove some universal properties for the C*-algebras and give a criterion for them to be simple and purely infinite. We also present an example of a C*-algebra coming from a subshift which is not conjugate to a Markov shift.
An Enhanced Prototypical Network Architecture for Few-Shot Handwritten Urdu Character Recognition

Few shot models have started to gain a lot of popularity in the past few years. This is mostly because these models grant the ability to structure the representation space (classes) using a very less amount of examples for each class. Such models are usually trained on a wide range of different classes and their examples, which allows them to form and learn a decision-based metric in the process. Non-Latin languages, especially languages such as Urdu, have a bi-linear direction of writing and are context-sensitive in nature, and are hard to recognize. Also, unlike traditional English, there is a very small amount of clean, collated, and usable data that is available for the Urdu language. In this paper, we explore a prototypical network for k-shot classification on handwritten Urdu characters. The prototypical network learns the Euclidean embeddings of the provided images and uses clusters to classify newer examples. Our improved method is able to outperform other methods of few-shot learning and is able to accurately classify both Urdu characters as well as numerals using a minimal number of examples. After comprehensive qualitative and quantitative evaluation and comparison of our proposed approach with other methods to classify handwritten text in few-shot settings, we found out that our proposed approach was typically able to beat other methods by a margin of $1\%-2\%$ while relying on a small training set.
Validation of a 3D RANS Solver With a State Equation of Thermally Perfect and Calorically Imperfect Gas on a Multi-Stage Low-Pressure Steam Turbine Flow

A state equation of thermally perfect and calorically imperfect gas is implemented in a 3D RANS solver for turbomachinery flow applications. The specific heats are assumed as linear functions of temperature. The model is validated on a five-stage low-pressure steam turbine. The computational results exhibit the process of expansion in the turbine
Gravity-driven draining of a thin rivulet with constant width down a slowly varying substrate

The locally unidirectional gravity-driven draining of a thin rivulet with constant width but slowly varying contact angle down a slowly varying substrate is considered. Specifically, the flow of a rivulet in the azimuthal direction from the top to the bottom of a large horizontal cylinder is investigated. In particular, it is shown that, despite behaving the same locally, this flow has qualitatively different global behaviour from that of a rivulet with constant contact angle but slowly varying width. For example, whereas in the case of constant contact angle there is always a rivulet that runs all the way from the top to the bottom of the cylinder, in the case of constant width this is possible only for sufficiently narrow rivulets. Wider rivulets with constant width are possible only between the top of the cylinder and a critical azimuthal angle on the lower half of the cylinder. Assuming that the contact lines de-pin at this critical angle (where the contact angle is zero) the rivulet runs from the critical angle to the bottom of the cylinder with zero contact angle, monotonically decreasing width and monotonically increasing maximum thickness. The total mass of fluid on the cylinder is found to be a monotonically increasing function of the value of the constant width.
Using difference‐based methods for inference in nonparametric regression with time series errors

Summary. We show that difference‐based methods can be used to construct simple and explicit estimators of error covariance and autoregressive parameters in nonparametric regression with time series errors. When the error process is Gaussian our estimators are efficient, but they are available well beyond the Gaussian case. As an illustration of their usefulness we show that difference‐based estimators can be used to produce a simplified version of time series cross‐validation. This new approach produces a bandwidth selector that is equivalent, to both first and second orders, to that given by the full time series cross‐validation algorithm. Other applications of difference‐based methods are to variance estimation and construction of confidence bands in nonparametric regression.
Antifungal Activity of Water-Based Adhesives Derived from Pineapple Stem Flour with Apple Cider Vinegar as an Additive

As a byproduct of bromelain extraction procedures, pineapple stem flour is underutilized. Since water glues derived from gelatinization typically have poor mold resistance, this study aims to produce flour-based value-added products, such as mold-resistant water-based adhesives. To address this issue, this study explored the use of apple cider vinegar (ACV) as a low-cost, non-toxic, commercially available antifungal agent to improve the mold resistance of adhesives. Furthermore, laurate flour was produced via a transesterification of the flour and methyl laurate using a K2CO3 catalyst. Both the unmodified flour and the functionalized flour were employed to prepare water-based adhesives. For both flour systems, adding ACV at concentrations of at least 2.0% v/v enhanced the mold resistance of the adhesives and completely inhibited the development of A. niger mycelia for up to 90 days of storage. The adhesives made from the transesterified flour exhibited a higher shear strength for the paper bonding (ca. 8%) than the unmodified ones. Additionally, the ACV additive had no negative effects on the shear strengths of the water-based adhesives. All of the flour-based adhesives developed in this study had a higher shear strength for paper substrates than two locally available commercial water glues.
Evidence for nonpolar emission regions in a new AM Herculis candidate

L'observation photometrique de l'etoile provisoirement nommee Grus V1 suggere qu'il s'agit probablement d'une etoile variable magnetique du type AM Her. D'un point de vue theorique, il semble qu'elle possede 2 regions d'emission cyclotron non diametralement opposees
Downstream Development in the Southern Hemisphere Monsoon during FGGE/WMONEX

Abstract Evidence is presented of a downstream development mechanism operating across the entire longitudinal span of the 1978/79 Southern Hemisphere monsoon. Observationally it is seen as progressive cyclonic and anticyclonic vorticity increases that develop eastward in the monsoon trough at a speed of approximately 5 m s−1. The process results in many tropical cyclone and tropical depression formations over northern Australia and the South Pacific. It is shown that the downstream development process is generally consistent with linearized barotropic dynamics, and that the Southern Hemisphere monsoon, because of an intrinsic westerly basic state, is a particularly suitable region for downstream events. It is also shown that some apparent contradictions in previous observational studies can be rationalized by the theory. The interactions between the regional components of the monsoon (Indonesian, Australian and South Pacific sectors) can also he better understood. We further suggest that the process has i.
WIENER-HOPF ANALYSIS OF PLANAR CANONICAL STRUCTURES LOADED WITH LONGITUDINALLY MAGNETIZED PLASMA BIASED NORMALLY TO THE EXTRA-ORDINARY WAVE PROPAGATION

The canonical problem of an extra-ordinary Transverse Electromagnetic wave propagating in a parallel plane waveguide with a semi-infinite upper conductor and loaded with magnetized plasma is considered. The homogeneous biasing constant magnetic field is assumed parallel to the substrate and normal to the wave propagation,which incidents normally on the truncated edge. The Wiener-Hopf technique is employed and the corresponding equations are formulated for the open-radiating structure as well as for a closed one resulting from the placement of a metallic shield parallel to the waveguide planes. Closed form field expressions are obtained for the shielded geometry,while the open geometry Kernel factorization is left for future extensions. Important non-reciprocal wave propagation phenomena are involved,which lend non-even function properties to the involved Kernels. Hence,their factorization becomes non-trivial requiring new mathematical approaches. Finally,a review of the involved non-reciprocal and/or unidirectional surface waves is given, which is related to the involved mathematical complexities.
Damage-Free Shortening of Telomeres Is a Potential Strategy Supporting Blind Mole-Rat Longevity

Telomere shortening or loss of shelterin components activates DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, leading to a replicative senescence that is usually coupled with a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Recent studies suggested that telomere aberration that activates DDR may occur, irrespective of telomere length or loss of shelterin complex. The blind mole-rat (Spalax) is a subterranean rodent with exceptional longevity, and its cells demonstrate an uncoupling of senescence and SASP inflammatory components. Herein, we evaluated Spalax relative telomere length, telomerase activity, and shelterin expression, along with telomere-associated DNA damage foci (TAFs) levels with cell passage. We show that telomeres shorten in Spalax fibroblasts similar to the process in rats, and that the telomerase activity is lower. Moreover, we found lower DNA damage foci at the telomeres and a decline in the mRNA expression of two shelterin proteins, known as ATM/ATR repressors. Although additional studies are required for understanding the underling mechanism, our present results imply that Spalax genome protection strategies include effective telomere maintenance, preventing early cellular senescence induced by persistent DDR, thereby contributing to its longevity and healthy aging.