Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Planar Transformers Excited by Square Waves

This paper presents an analysis of found results in experiments developed with transformers built with planar coils, when they are excited by square waves, in comparison with transformers built with planar coils inner ring coils. The transformer was built joining two planar coils one over the other. In this kind of transformer, similar responses as analysis of transformers built with planar coil inner ring coil are found, as well the results of resonance. Because the low self-inductances and parasitic capacitances obtained in these configurations, although the coils resistance is low, which generates low exponential drops on responses. The resonance is found in higher frequencies, but satisfying conditions of sum of responses in resonance.
Will There Ever Be Cure for Chronic, Life-Changing Colistin-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Urinary Tract Infection?

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand, 2 Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 Interdisciplinary Program of Medical Microbiology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, Mae Fah Luang University Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand, 5 School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, 8 Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium of ODA Receiving Countries, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, 11 School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
Bacteriome of Moist Smokeless Tobacco Products Consumed in India With Emphasis on the Predictive Functional Potential

Smokeless tobacco products (STPs) carry assorted microbial population that contributes to carcinogens synthesis like tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Extensive exploration of microbiota-harboring STPs is required to understand their full carcinogenic potential. Here, we applied 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate bacteriome present in moist STPs immensely consumed in India (Khaini, Moist-snuff, Qiwam, and Snus). Further, the functional metagenome was speculated by PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) to assign the abundance of genes related to nitrogen metabolism, bacterial toxins, antibiotic drug resistance and other pro-inflammatory molecules. Highly diverse bacterial communities were observed in all moist STPs. Taxonomic analysis revealed a total of 549 genera belonging to four major phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. Overall, the core bacterial genera Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Prevotella, Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Paracoccus, Flavobacterium, and Bacteroides were significantly abundant in moist STPs. Elevated moisture-holding products like Moist-snuff and Qiwam harbor rich bacterial species diversity and showed similar bacteriome composition. Furthermore, Qiwam products showed the highest level of genes associated with nitrogen metabolism, antibiotic resistance, toxins, and pro-inflammation (predicted by PICRUSt) which can contribute to the synthesis of TSNAs and induction of oral cancer. The present broad investigation of moist STPs-associated bacteriome prevalence and their detailed metabolic potential will provide novel insight into the oral carcinogenesis induced by STPs.
AnDHN, a Dehydrin Protein From Ammopiptanthus nanus, Mitigates the Negative Effects of Drought Stress in Plants

Dehydrins (DHNs) play crucial roles in a broad spectrum of abiotic stresses in model plants. However, the evolutionary role of DHNs has not been explored, and the function of DHN proteins is largely unknown in Ammopiptanthus nanus (A. nanus), an ancient and endangered legume species from the deserts of northwestern China. In this study, we isolated a drought-response gene (c195333_g1_i1) from a drought-induced RNA-seq library of A. nanus. Evolutionary bioinformatics showed that c195333_g1_i1 is an ortholog of Arabidopsis DHN, and we renamed it AnDHN. Moreover, DHN proteins may define a class of proteins that are evolutionarily conserved in all angiosperms that have experienced a contraction during the evolution of legumes. Arabidopsis plants overexpressing AnDHN exhibited morpho-physiological changes, such as an increased germination rate, higher relative water content (RWC), higher proline (PRO) content, increased peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities, lower contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2 and O2–, and longer root length. Our results showed that the transgenic lines had improved drought resistance with deep root system architecture, excellent water retention, increased osmotic adjustment, and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Furthermore, the transgenic lines also had enhanced salt and cold tolerance. Our findings demonstrate that AnDHN may be a good candidate gene for improving abiotic stress tolerance in crops. Key Message: Using transcriptome analysis in Ammopiptanthus nanus, we isolated a drought-responsive gene, AnDHN, that plays a key role in enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in plants, with strong functional diversification in legumes.
Endophyte Infected Tall Fescue: Plant Symbiosis to Animal Toxicosis

Endophyte-infected fescue is a major cool season forage used for livestock production in the United States and through other areas of the world. A unique aspect of this forage resource is the symbiotic relationship with an endophytic fungus (Epichloë coenophiala) that has detrimental impact on herbivores due to toxic ergot alkaloids. Research over the past 50 years has unveiled details regarding this symbiotic relationship. This review focuses on the origin of tall fescue in the United States and the consequences of its wide-spread utilization as a livestock forage, along with the discovery and toxicodynamics of ergot alkaloids produced by E. coenophiala. The majority of past ergot alkaloid research has focused on observing phenotypic changes that occur in livestock affected by ergot alkaloids, but recent investigation of the metabolome, transcriptome, and proteome have shown that fescue toxicity-related illnesses are much more complex than previous research suggests.
Red Blood Cell Extracellular Vesicle-Based Drug Delivery: Challenges and Opportunities

Recently, red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles (RBCEVs) have attracted attention for clinical applications because of their safety and biocompatibility. RBCEVs can escape macrophages through the binding of CD47 to inhibitory receptor signal regulatory protein α. Furthermore, genetic materials such as siRNA, miRNA, mRNA, or single-stranded RNA can be encapsulated within RBCEVs and then released into target cells for precise treatment. However, their side effects, half-lives, target cell specificity, and limited large-scale production under good manufacturing practice remain challenging. In this review, we summarized the biogenesis and composition of RBCEVs, discussed the advantages and disadvantages of RBCEVs for drug delivery compared with synthetic nanovesicles and non-red blood cell-derived EVs, and provided perspectives for overcoming current limitations to the use of RBCEVs for clinical applications.
“Mine Works Better”: Examining the Influence of Embodiment in Virtual Reality on the Sense of Agency During a Binary Motor Imagery Task With a Brain-Computer Interface

Motor imagery-based brain-computer interfaces (MI-BCI) have been proposed as a means for stroke rehabilitation, which combined with virtual reality allows for introducing game-based interactions into rehabilitation. However, the control of the MI-BCI may be difficult to obtain and users may face poor performance which frustrates them and potentially affects their motivation to use the technology. Decreases in motivation could be reduced by increasing the users' sense of agency over the system. The aim of this study was to understand whether embodiment (ownership) of a hand depicted in virtual reality can enhance the sense of agency to reduce frustration in an MI-BCI task. Twenty-two healthy participants participated in a within-subject study where their sense of agency was compared in two different embodiment experiences: 1) avatar hand (with body), or 2) abstract blocks. Both representations closed with a similar motion for spatial congruency and popped a balloon as a result. The hand/blocks were controlled through an online MI-BCI. Each condition consisted of 30 trials of MI-activation of the avatar hand/blocks. After each condition a questionnaire probed the participants' sense of agency, ownership, and frustration. Afterwards, a semi-structured interview was performed where the participants elaborated on their ratings. Both conditions supported similar levels of MI-BCI performance. A significant correlation between ownership and agency was observed (r = 0.47, p = 0.001). As intended, the avatar hand yielded much higher ownership than the blocks. When controlling for performance, ownership increased sense of agency. In conclusion, designers of BCI-based rehabilitation applications can draw on anthropomorphic avatars for the visual mapping of the trained limb to improve ownership. While not While not reducing frustration ownership can improve perceived agency given sufficient BCI performance. In future studies the findings should be validated in stroke patients since they may perceive agency and ownership differently than able-bodied users.
Implications of RNA Viruses in the Male Reproductive Tract: An Outlook on SARS-CoV-2

Emerging viral infections continuously pose a threat to human wellbeing. Several RNA viruses have managed to establish access to the male reproductive tract and persist in human semen. The sexual transmission of the virus is of critical public concern. The epidemiological inferences are essential to understand its complexity, particularly the probability of viral transmission from asymptomatic patients or those in the incubation period or from the patient who was previously infected and now fully recovered. From the clinical perspective, negative impacts in the male reproductive tract associated with RNA virus infection have been described, including orchitis, epididymitis, impaired spermatogenesis, and a decrease in sperm quality, which can affect male fertility at different time intervals. The disruption of anatomical barriers due to inflammatory responses might enable the viral invasion into the testis, and the immune privilege status of testes might facilitate a sustained persistence of the virus in the semen. In this review, the current knowledge about other RNA viruses that affect male reproductive health provides the framework to discuss the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The molecular mechanisms, sexual transmission, and viral impacts for mumps, HIV, Zika, and Ebola viruses are explored. We discuss the currently available information on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and its sequelae in the male reproductive tract, particularly regarding presence in semen, its impact on sexual organs, and sperm quality. To date, no sexual transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported, whereas the identification of viral particles in semen remains conflicting. In the purview of the earlier conducted analyses, it is essential to investigate further the long-term health impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive tract.
DW-Net: Dynamic Multi-Hierarchical Weighting Segmentation Network for Joint Segmentation of Retina Layers With Choroid Neovascularization

Choroid neovascularization (CNV) is one of the blinding factors. The early detection and quantitative measurement of CNV are crucial for the establishment of subsequent treatment. Recently, many deep learning-based methods have been proposed for CNV segmentation. However, CNV is difficult to be segmented due to the complex structure of the surrounding retina. In this paper, we propose a novel dynamic multi-hierarchical weighting segmentation network (DW-Net) for the simultaneous segmentation of retinal layers and CNV. Specifically, the proposed network is composed of a residual aggregation encoder path for the selection of informative feature, a multi-hierarchical weighting connection for the fusion of detailed information and abstract information, and a dynamic decoder path. Comprehensive experimental results show that our proposed DW-Net achieves better performance than other state-of-the-art methods.
Semantic and Syntactic Processing During Comprehension: ERP Evidence From Chinese QING Structure

Previous studies used BA and BEI structures as stimuli to infer that syntax-first models seemed not applicable in Chinese. However, there were inconsistent results of both within same structures and between different structures. Since sentence structures of stimuli were non-canonical as well as lacking wide representativeness in Chinese, we examined the processing mechanism of a more representative structure in Chinese, QING (QING + NP1 + V + NP2) structure in the current study. Four conditions, including correct sentences (CORRECT), semantic-violated sentences (SEMANTIC), syntactic-violated sentences (SYNTACTIC), and combined violated sentences (COMBINED), were composed by manipulating the V between NP1 and NP2. Results with respect to three types of violation were as follows. In the initial phrase (100–300 ms), there existed an interaction between SEMANTIC consistency and the SYNTACTIC category. In the intermediate phrase (300–500 ms), the interaction continued with similar negative waves evoked by three types of violated sentences. In the final phrase (500–700 ms), both SYNTACTIC or COMBINED evoked obvious negative waves. The current research of Qing structure provided new evidence for the processing mechanism of Chinese sentence patterns. Specifically, we found that the interactive model rather than the syntax-first model may apply to the processing of this specific structure of Chinese sentences and compared the results with those reported in previous studies that examined other types of sentence structures.
Center-To-Periphery Arterial Stiffness Gradient Is Attenuated and/or Reversed in Pregnancy-Associated Hypertension

Background: Non-pregnant (NP) women have a progressive increase in arterial stiffness from central-to-peripheral arteries [“stiffness gradient” (SG)], which is of physiologic importance since excessive pulsatility is filtered by the creation of wave reflections. If the aorta gets stiff with minimal or no change in the periphery, the SG is dissipated transmitting pressure disturbances to the microcirculation. It remains unknown the status of the SG in both women with healthy pregnancies (HP) and complicated by pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH). Objective: To determine whether HP and PAH are associated with changes in SG. Secondarily, we aim at identifying potential differences between the subgroups of PAH (pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension). Methods: HP (n = 10), PAH (n = 16), and healthy NP women (n = 401, to be matched for age, and cardiovascular risk with the pregnant women) were included. Carotid-to-femoral (cfPWV) and carotid-to-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV), common carotid artery (CCA) and brachial artery (BA) diameters and elastic modulus (EM), and regional (cfPWV/crPWV or “PWV ratio”) and local (CCA EM/BA EM or “EM ratio”) SG were quantified. Results: HP showed no changes in PWV ratio compared with NP, in the presence of significantly lower cfPWV and crPWV. HP exhibited higher arterial diameters and lower CCA EM/BA EM compared to NP, without differences with PAH. PAH was associated with a significant increase in the PWV ratio that exceeded the levels of both NP and HP, explained by a lower (although significant) reduction of cfPWV with respect to that observed in HP with respect to NP, and a higher reduction in crPWV with respect to that observed between HP and NP. The blunted reduction in cfPWV observed in PAH coincided with an increase in the CCA EM. Conclusions: Compared with NP, HP was associated with unchanged PWV ratio but with a reduction in CCA EM/BA EM, in the setting of a generalized drop in arterial stiffness. Compared with NP and HP, PAH was associated with an “exaggerated rise” in the PWV ratio without changes in CCA EM/BA EM, in the setting of a blunt reduction in cfPWV but exaggerated crPWV drop. The SG attenuation/reversal in PAH was mainly driven by pre-eclampsia.
Targeted Genetic Reduction of Mutant Huntingtin Lessens Cardiac Pathology in the BACHD Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease

Individuals affected by Huntington's disease (HD) present with progressive degeneration that results in a wide range of symptoms, including cardiovascular (CV) dysfunction. The huntingtin gene (HTT) and its product are ubiquitously expressed, hence, the cardiomyopathy could also be driven by defects caused by its mutated form (mHTT) in the cardiomyocytes themselves. In the present study, we sought to determine the contribution of the mHTT expressed in the cardiomyocytes to CV symptoms. We utilized the BACHD mouse model, which exhibits many of the HD core symptoms, including CV dysfunction. This model allows the targeted genetic reduction of mHTT expression in the cardiomyocytes while maintaining the expression of the mHTT in the rest of the body. The BACHD line was crossed with a line of mice in which the expression of Cre recombinase is driven by the cardiac-specific alpha myosin-heavy chain (Myh6) promoter. The offspring of this cross (BMYO mice) exhibited a dramatic reduction in mHTT in the heart but not in the striatum. The BMYO mice were evaluated at 6 months old, as at this age, the BACHD line displays a strong CV phenotype. Echocardiogram measurements found improvement in the ejection fraction in the BMYO line compared to the BACHD, while hypertrophy was observed in both mutant lines. Next, we examined the expression of genes known to be upregulated during pathological cardiac hypertrophy. As measured by qPCR, the BMYO hearts exhibited significantly less expression of collagen1a as well as Gata4, and brain natriuretic peptide compared to the BACHD. Fibrosis in the hearts assessed by Masson's trichrome stain and the protein levels of fibronectin were reduced in the BMYO hearts compared to BACHD. Finally, we examined the performance of the mice on CV-sensitive motor tasks. Both the overall activity levels and grip strength were improved in the BMYO mice. Therefore, we conclude that the reduction of mHtt expression in the heart benefits CV function in the BACHD model, and suggest that cardiomyopathy should be considered in the treatment strategies for HD.
IgA Plasma Cells Are Long-Lived Residents of Gut and Bone Marrow That Express Isotype- and Tissue-Specific Gene Expression Patterns

Antibody secreting plasma cells are made in response to a variety of pathogenic and commensal microbes. While all plasma cells express a core gene transcription program that allows them to secrete large quantities of immunoglobulin, unique transcriptional profiles are linked to plasma cells expressing different antibody isotypes. IgA expressing plasma cells are generally thought of as short-lived in mucosal tissues and they have been understudied in systemic sites like the bone marrow. We find that IgA+ plasma cells in both the small intestine lamina propria and the bone marrow are long-lived and transcriptionally related compared to IgG and IgM expressing bone marrow plasma cells. IgA+ plasma cells show signs of shared clonality between the gut and bone marrow, but they do not recirculate at a significant rate and are found within bone marrow plasma cells niches. These data suggest that systemic and mucosal IgA+ plasma cells are from a common source, but they do not migrate between tissues. However, comparison of the plasma cells from the small intestine lamina propria to the bone marrow demonstrate a tissue specific gene transcription program. Understanding how these tissue specific gene networks are regulated in plasma cells could lead to increased understanding of the induction of mucosal versus systemic antibody responses and improve vaccine design.
Identifying Causes of Social Evolution: Contextual Analysis, the Price Approach, and Multilevel Selection

Kin selection theory and multilevel selection theory are distinct approaches to explaining the evolution of social traits. The latter claims that it is useful to regard selection as a process that can occur on multiple levels of organisation such as the level of individuals and the level of groups. This is reflected in a decomposition of fitness into an individual component and a group component. This multilevel view is central to understanding and characterising evolutionary transitions in individuality, e.g., from unicellular life to multicellular organisms, but currently suffers from the lack of a consistent, quantifiable measure. Specifically, the two major statistical tools to determine the coefficients of such a decomposition, the multilevel Price equation and contextual analysis, are inconsistent and may disagree on whether group selection is present. Here we show that the reason for the discrepancies is that underlying the multilevel Price equation and contextual analysis are two non-equivalent causal models for the generation of individual fitness effects (thus leaving different “remainders” explained by group effects). While the multilevel Price equation assumes that the individual effect of a trait determines an individual's relative success within a group, contextual analysis posits that the individual effect is context-independent. Since these different assumptions reflect claims about the causal structure of the system, the correct approach cannot be determined on general theoretical or statistical grounds but must be identified by experimental intervention. We outline interventions that reveal the underlying causal structure and thus facilitate choosing the appropriate approach. We note that kin selection theory with its focus on the individual is immune to such inconsistency because it does not address causal structure with respect to levels of organisation. In contrast, our analysis of the two approaches to measuring group selection demonstrates that multilevel selection theory adds meaningful (falsifiable) causal structure to explain the sources of individual fitness and thereby constitutes a proper refinement of kin selection theory. Taking such refined causal structure into account seems indispensable for studying evolutionary transitions in individuality because these transitions are characterised by changes in the selection pressures that act on the respective levels.