Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 Genomes Are Enriched in Memory CD4+ T-Cells with Short Half-Lives

The design of future HIV-1 curative therapies requires a more thorough understanding of the distribution of genetically intact HIV-1 within T-cell subsets as well as the cellular mechanisms that maintain this reservoir. These genetically intact and presumably replication-competent proviruses make up the latent HIV-1 reservoir. ABSTRACT Future HIV-1 curative therapies require a thorough understanding of the distribution of genetically-intact HIV-1 within T-cell subsets during antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the cellular mechanisms that maintain this reservoir. Therefore, we sequenced near-full-length HIV-1 genomes and identified genetically-intact and genetically-defective genomes from resting naive, stem-cell memory, central memory, transitional memory, effector memory, and terminally-differentiated CD4+ T-cells with known cellular half-lives from 11 participants on ART. We find that a higher infection frequency with any HIV-1 genome was significantly associated with a shorter cellular half-life, such as transitional and effector memory cells. A similar enrichment of genetically-intact provirus was observed in these cells with relatively shorter half-lives. We found that effector memory and terminally-differentiated cells also had significantly higher levels of expansions of genetically-identical sequences, while only transitional and effector memory cells contained genetically-intact proviruses that were part of a cluster of identical sequences. Expansions of identical sequences were used to infer cellular proliferation from clonal expansion. Altogether, this indicates that specific cellular mechanisms such as short half-life and proliferative potential contribute to the persistence of genetically-intact HIV-1. IMPORTANCE The design of future HIV-1 curative therapies requires a more thorough understanding of the distribution of genetically-intact HIV-1 within T-cell subsets as well as the cellular mechanisms that maintain this reservoir. These genetically-intact and presumably replication-competent proviruses make up the latent HIV-1 reservoir. Our investigations into the possible cellular mechanisms maintaining the HIV-1 reservoir in different T-cell subsets have revealed a link between the half-lives of T-cells and the level of proviruses they contain. Taken together, we believe our study shows that more differentiated and proliferative cells, such as transitional and effector memory T-cells, contain the highest levels of genetically-intact proviruses, and the rapid turnover rate of these cells contributes to the expansion of genetically-intact proviruses within them. Therefore, our study delivers an in-depth assessment of the cellular mechanisms, such as cellular proliferation and half-life, that contribute to and maintain the latent HIV-1 reservoir.
Where Should I Look? Comparing Reference Frames for Spatial Tactile Cues

When designing tactile displays on the wrist for spatial cues, it is crucial to keep the natural movement of the body in mind. Depending on the movement of the wrist, different reference frames can influence the output of the wristband. In this paper, we compared two possible reference frames, one where spatial cues are fixed in a wrist-centered frame of reference, and an allocentric frame of reference which fixes spatial cues in the global coordinate system. We compared both conditions in terms of reaction time, achievable accuracy and cognitive load. Our study with 20 participants shows that utilizing the allocentric reference frame reduces cognitive load (avg. 38% reduction) and reaction time (avg. 240ms reduction), with no statistically significant difference in accuracy.
Evaluating the Impact of Decals on Driver Stereotype Perception and Exploration of Personalization of Automated Vehicles via Digital Decals

Traffic behavior and its perception is shaped by various factors such as vehicle color or size. Decals are used to express information about the owner’s beliefs or are intended to be funny. In the future, with external displays on (automated) vehicles, individualized customization could be even more pronounced. While some research looked at the messages these decals convey, it is unclear how these decals influence the perception of surrounding drivers on the operator of the vehicle. We gathered data on decals in 29 cities in 8 countries. A thematic analysis unveiled 17 dominant themes among decals. Subsequently, we investigated effects of decals of 9 supra-regional common themes in an online study (N=64) finding that participants attributed different characteristics to the driver of a vehicle with a decal based on the type of decal and the participants’ country of origin. Additionally, a Virtual Reality study (N=16) revealed diverse opinions on future usage of such personalization options.
Understanding User Strategies When Touching Arbitrary Shaped Objects

We investigate how users touch arbitrary shapes. First, we performed semi-structured interviews with a fifteen-shape set as prop to identify touch strategies. Results reveal four main potential touch strategies, from which we devised nine mathematical candidate models. We investigate the ability of these models to predict human behaviour in a controlled experiment. We found that the center of a shape’s bounding box best approximates a user’s target location when touching arbitrary shapes. Our findings not only invite designers to use a larger variety of shapes, but can also be used to design touch interaction adapted to user behaviour using our model. As an example, they are likely to be valuable for the creation of applications exposing shapes of various complexities, like drawing applications.
Understanding Bystanders’ Tendency to Shoulder Surf Smartphones Using 360-degree Videos in Virtual Reality

Shoulder surfing is an omnipresent risk for smartphone users. However, investigating these attacks in the wild is difficult because of either privacy concerns, lack of consent, or the fact that asking for consent would influence people’s behavior (e.g., they could try to avoid looking at smartphones). Thus, we propose utilizing 360-degree videos in Virtual Reality (VR), recorded in staged real-life situations on public transport. Despite differences between perceiving videos in VR and experiencing real-world situations, we believe this approach to allow novel insights on observers’ tendency to shoulder surf another person’s phone authentication and interaction to be gained. By conducting a study (N=16), we demonstrate that a better understanding of shoulder surfers’ behavior can be obtained by analyzing gaze data during video watching and comparing it to post-hoc interview responses. On average, participants looked at the phone for about 11% of the time it was visible and could remember half of the applications used.
Queasy Rider: How Head Movements Influence Motion Sickness in Passenger Use of Head-Mounted Displays

In autonomous cars, drivers will spend more time on non-driving-related activities. Getting their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road, the driver, similar to a rear-seat passenger today, can use multiple built-in displays for such activities or even mobile head-mounted displays (HMDs) in virtual reality (VR). A wider motion range is known to increase engagement, but might also amplify the risk of motion sickness while switching between displays. In a rear-seat VR field study (N=21) on a city highway, we found a head movement range of ± 50° with a speed of 1.95m/s to provide the best trade-off between motion sickness and engagement. Compared to the pitch (Y) axis, movement around the yaw (X) axis induced less discomfort and more engagement with less motion sickness. Our work provides a concrete starting point for future research on self-driving carsickness, starting from today’s rear-seat passengers.
Towards Scalable eHMIs: Designing for AV-VRU Communication Beyond One Pedestrian

Current research on external Human-Machine Interfaces (eHMIs) in facilitating interactions between automated vehicles (AVs) and pedestrians have largely focused on one-to-one encounters. In order for eHMIs to be viable in reality, they need to be scalable, i.e., facilitate interaction with more than one pedestrian with clarity and unambiguity. We conducted a virtual-reality-based empirical study to evaluate four eHMI designs with two pedestrians. Results show that even in this minimum criteria of scalability, traditional eHMI designs struggle to communicate effectively whom the AV intends to yield to. Road-projection-based eHMIs show promise in clarifying the specific yielding intention of an AV, although it may still not be an ideal solution. The findings point towards the need to consider the element of scalability early in the design process, and potentially the need to reconsider the current paradigm of eHMI design.
Towards Transparent Behavior of Automated Vehicles: Design and Evaluation of HUD Concepts to Support System Predictability Through Motion Intent Communication

In automated vehicles, it is essential to feedforward motion intentions to users so that they understand the vehicle’s actions. Otherwise, non-transparency limits situation awareness and leads to mistrust. In this work, we are communicating the vehicle’s actions to the user either by displaying icons (planar HUD) or through augmented reality (contact-analog HUD) to increase transparency. We developed both concepts in a user-centered design process. Further, we evaluated them in two subsequent user studies (N = 27). In the first study, we focused on UX and trust in higher automation levels (cf. SAE level 3-5). In the second study, we focused on safety and error prevention in lower automation levels (cf. SAE levels 1-2). Our results show that both visualizations increase UX and trust in an automated system. Nevertheless, the AR approach outperforms the icon-based approach by achieving higher user experience as well as faster and less error-prone take-overs of participants.
Energy availability during training camp is associated with signs of overreaching and changes in performance in young female cross-country skiers

Abstract Study aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate if young female skiers meet their energy and macronutrient requirements, and how energy availability (EA) and macronutrient intake affects their performance during an intensive training camp. Material and methods: 19 female cross-country skiers (age 16.7 ± 0.7) filled in 48-hour food and training logs during a 5-day training camp. Fasting concentrations of hemoglobin, leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and glucose were measured before (PRE) and after (POST) the camp. Blood lactate (LA), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) from a submaximal treadmill running test, jump height from counter movement jump (CMJ), and power from a reactive jump test (RJ) were also measured PRE and POST. Results: Mean EA was 40.3 ± 17.3 kcal · kgFFM–1 · d–1. 58% of the participants had suboptimal EA, 37% had low EA, and 53% had suboptimal carbohydrate intake. HR, HR/RPE ratio, LA/RPE ratio, CMJ, hemoglobin, leptin, T3, and insulin decreased from PRE to POST. RPE and glucose increased from PRE to POST. EA during the camp correlated with changes in LA (r = 0.54, p = 0.018), LA/RPE (r = 0.65, p = 0.003), and RJ (r = 0.47, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Many athletes had difficulties in meeting their energy and carbohydrate requirements during a training camp. Furthermore, sufficient EA may help to avoid overreaching and to maintain performance during an intensive training period.
Phytochemical profile, in vitro antioxidant, and anti-protein denaturation activities of Curcuma longa L. rhizome and leaves

Abstract Curcuma longa L. is a famous spice cultivated in many countries with significant variations reported in its phytochemical contents and biological potential. For the first time, the present work is aimed to identify the major phytochemicals present in methanol:chloroform (MC) and petroleum ether (PE) extracts of Curcuma longa rhizome and leaves (by determining polyphenols and GC/MS analysis), and their in-vitro antioxidant and anti-protein denaturation potential. Results showed that the highest value (P < 0.05) of polyphenolic content was in MC extract of rhizome (51.46 ± 0.46 mg GAE/g) followed by 31.20 ± 0.53 mg GAE/g in MC leaves extract. The strong antiradical activity was evaluated in MC extract of rhizome with IC50 value of 92 ± 0.02 µg/mL. MC extracts of both the rhizome and leaves exerted a potent inhibitory effect against protein denaturation with IC50 values of 106.21 ± 0.53 and 108.06 ± 4.67 μg/mL (P > 0.5), respectively. GC/MS analysis showed that α-tumerone was the main component in the rhizome oil (32.44%), whereas in the leaf oil, palmitic acid was the prominent constituent (28.33%) and α-phellandrene recorded a comparable percentage (7.29). In conclusion, C. longa is a valuable source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory constituents, as indicated by its high polyphenolic content and by its considerable in vitro antiradical and anti-protein denaturation potential.
Versatile and non-versatile occupational back-support exoskeletons: A comparison in laboratory and field studies

Abstract Assistive strategies for occupational back-support exoskeletons have focused, mostly, on lifting tasks. However, in occupational scenarios, it is important to account not only for lifting but also for other activities. This can be done exploiting human activity recognition algorithms that can identify which task the user is performing and trigger the appropriate assistive strategy. We refer to this ability as exoskeleton versatility. To evaluate versatility, we propose to focus both on the ability of the device to reduce muscle activation (efficacy) and on its interaction with the user (dynamic fit). To this end, we performed an experimental study involving $ 10 $ healthy subjects replicating the working activities of a manufacturing plant. To compare versatile and non-versatile exoskeletons, our device, XoTrunk, was controlled with two different strategies. Correspondingly, we collected muscle activity, kinematic variables and users’ subjective feedbacks. Also, we evaluated the task recognition performance of the device. The results show that XoTrunk is capable of reducing muscle activation by up to $ 40\% $ in lifting and $ 30\% $ in carrying. However, the non-versatile control strategy hindered the users’ natural gait (e.g., $ -24\% $ reduction of hip flexion), which could potentially lower the exoskeleton acceptance. Detecting carrying activities and adapting the control strategy, resulted in a more natural gait (e.g., $ +9\% $ increase of hip flexion). The classifier analyzed in this work, showed promising performance (online accuracy > 91%). Finally, we conducted 9 hours of field testing, involving four users. Initial subjective feedbacks on the exoskeleton versatility, are presented at the end of this work.
Wall-induced translation of a rotating particle in a shear-thinning fluid

Abstract Particle–wall interactions have broad biological and technological applications. In particular, some artificial microswimmers capitalize on their translation–rotation coupling near a wall to generate directed propulsion. Emerging biomedical applications of these microswimmers in complex biological fluids prompt questions on the impact of non-Newtonian rheology on their propulsion. In this work, we report some intriguing effects of shear-thinning rheology, a ubiquitous non-Newtonian behaviour of biological fluids, on the translation–rotation coupling of a particle near a wall. One particularly interesting feature revealed here is that the wall-induced translation by rotation can occur in a direction opposite to what might be intuitively expected for an object rolling on a solid substrate. We elucidate the underlying physical mechanism and discuss its implications on the design of micromachines and bacterial motion near walls in complex fluids.
The ARF GAPs ELMOD1 and ELMOD3 act at the Golgi and Cilia to Regulate Ciliogenesis and Ciliary Protein Traffic

ELMODs are a family of three mammalian paralogs that display GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity towards a uniquely broad array of ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family GTPases that includes ARF-like (ARL) proteins. ELMODs are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues, highly conserved across eukaryotes, and ancient in origin, being present in the last eukaryotic common ancestor. We described functions of ELMOD2 in immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in the regulation of cell division, microtubules, ciliogenesis, and mitochondrial fusion. Here, using similar strategies with the paralogs ELMOD1 and ELMOD3, we identify novel functions and locations of these cell regulators and compare them to those of ELMOD2, allowing determination of functional redundancy among the family members. We found strong similarities in phenotypes resulting from deletion of either Elmod1 or Elmod3 and marked differences from those arising in Elmod2 deletion lines. Deletion of either Elmod1 or Elmod3 results in the decreased ability of cells to form primary cilia, loss of a subset of proteins from cilia, and accumulation of some ciliary proteins at the Golgi, predicted to result from compromised traffic from the Golgi to cilia. These phenotypes are reversed upon expression of activating mutants of either ARL3 or ARL16, linking their roles to ELMOD1/3 actions. Thus, we believe that ELMOD1 and ELMOD3 perform multiple functions in cells, most prominently linked to ciliary biology and Golgi-ciliary traffic, and likely acting from more than one cellular location.
Pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours are preserved in Drosophila melanogaster infected with bacteria

Reproduction and immunity are crucial traits that determine an animal’s fitness. Terminal investment hypothesis predicts that reproductive investment should increase in the face of a mortality risk caused by infection. However, due to competitive allocation of energetic resources, individuals fighting infections are expected to decrease reproductive efforts. While there is evidence for both hypotheses, the factors that determine the choice between these strategies are poorly understood. Here, we assess the impact of bacterial infection on pre-copulatory behaviours in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We found that male flies infected with six different bacteria, including pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains, show no significant differences in courtship intensity and mating success. Similarly, bacterial infections did not affect sexual receptivity in female flies. Our data suggest that pre-copulatory reproductive behaviours remain preserved in infected animals, despite the huge metabolic cost of infection.
Innovative soil management for sustainable pomegranate cultivation on skeletal soils

An innovative planting technique for pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Bhagwa in gravelly, shallow soils was standardized. Trapezoidal pits were dug in skeletal soils and filled with various types of soils, namely, gravelly, loamy, clayey, clayey mixed with sand and weathered rock. The clayey soil had the highest capacity to supply macronutrients (available N: 376.1, P: 47.1 and K: 761.6 kg/ha), and the loamy soil had the highest capacity to supply micronutrients (available Fe: 19.2, Cu: 8.1 and Zn: 1.83 ppm). The highest Mn (41.2 ppm), Zn (22.4 ppm), Cu (80.1 ppm) and chlorophyll (61.8) contents were observed in the leaves of plants grown in loamy soil. The highest number of hermaphrodite flowers was observed in loamy soil. Higher fruit quality in terms of higher juice content (49.3%), total soluble solids (TSS) in fruit juice (15.7°B) and TSS:acid ratio (37.8) was produced in light‐textured soil. The highest fruit yield (4.28 t/ha) and cost‐benefit ratio (3.85) were obtained in clayey soil up to 0.60 m depth. This produced a 90.2% increase in yield, while total income was 147.4% higher than that obtained with weathered rock. However, when the pits were filled with clayey soils up to 1.20 m depth, disease prevalence increased, and yield was markedly reduced, to 2.25 t/ha. Thus, it may be concluded that skeletal soils could be used for pomegranate cultivation by refilling rhizosphere soil strata with clayey or loamy soil material up to 0.60 m depth.
Zika Virus Infection of Murine and Human Neutrophils and their Function as Trojan Horses to the Placenta

ZIKV is a 11Kb positive stranded flavivirus transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti and by sexual intercourse. After a short period of viremia of 5-7 days, the virus is cleared, and infection resolved in 80% of individuals. However, around 27% of the fetuses from pregnant infected mothers may develop several fetal brain and ocular pathology. Here we show that murine and peripheral blood human neutrophils support ZIKV infection and replication both in vitro and in vivo, which may correlate to the facilitation of vertical transmission. ZIKV did not interfere with cell viability, neither induced ROS production nor the release of NETs by infected neutrophils. Also, ZIKV infection of neutrophils did not trigger a pro-inflammatory profile, as evidenced by qPCR and proteomic analysis. Interestingly, ZIKV-infected neutrophils were isolated from the placenta were highly infected. The transference of in vitro ZIKV-infected neutrophils to pregnant female mice favored the transference of viral particles to the fetus. Conversely, neutrophil depletion with monoclonal antibodies reduced fetal viral loads whereas the treatment with recombinant G-CSF has the opposite effect. In summary, although it has already been shown that circulating monocytes harbor ZIKV, to our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the role of neutrophils during ZIKV infection, and most important, that it may act as a trojan horse to placental tissue directly impacting the pathogenesis of congenital syndrome.