Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological and neuroanatomical features of patients with behavioral variant Alzheimer's disease (AD): a comparison to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and amnestic AD groups

An understudied non-amnestic variant of Alzheimer's disease (AD), behavioral variant AD (bvAD) is associated with progressive personality, behavior, or executive dysfunction and frontal atrophy. This study characterizes the neuropsychological and neuroanatomical features associated with bvAD by comparing it to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), amnestic AD (aAD), and subjects with normal cognition. Subjects included 16 bvAD, 67 bvFTD, and 18 aAD patients, and 26 healthy controls. Compared to bvFTD, bvAD showed more significant visuospatial impairments (Rey Figure copy and recall), more irritability (Neuropsychological Inventory), and equivalent verbal memory (Philadelphia Verbal Learning Test). Compared to aAD, bvAD indicated more executive dysfunction (F-letter fluency) and better visuospatial performance. Neuroimaging analysis found that bvAD showed cortical thinning relative to bvFTD posteriorly in left temporal-occipital regions; bvFTD had cortical thinning relative to bvAD in left inferior frontal cortex. bvAD had cortical thinning relative to aAD in prefrontal and anterior temporal regions. All patient groups had lower volumes than controls in both anterior and posterior hippocampus. However, bvAD patients had higher average volume than aAD patients in posterior hippocampus and higher volume than bvFTD patients in anterior hippocampus after adjustment for age and intracranial volume. Findings demonstrated that underlying pathology mediates disease presentation in bvAD and bvFTD.
T cell reactivity to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is preserved in most but not all prior infected and vaccinated individuals

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) contains mutations that mediate escape from infection and vaccine-induced antibody responses, although the extent to which these substitutions in spike and non-spike proteins affect T cell recognition is unknown. Here we show that T cell responses in individuals with prior infection, vaccination, both prior infection and vaccination, and boosted vaccination are largely preserved to Omicron spike and non-spike proteins. However, we also identify a subset of individuals (~21%) with a >50% reduction in T cell reactivity to the Omicron spike. Evaluation of functional CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cell responses confirmed these findings and reveal that reduced recognition to Omicron spike is primarily observed within the CD8+ T cell compartment. Booster vaccination substantially enhanced T cell responses to Omicron spike. In contrast to neutralizing immunity, these findings suggest preservation of T cell responses to the Omicron variant, although with reduced reactivity in some individuals.
Thermal Lie Superalgebras

We derive a general formulation for thermal Lie superalgebras motivated by thermofield dynamics formalism (TFD). Particularly, we construct the thermal Poincar\'e superalgebras. The operators in TFD are defined through the doubling of the degrees of freedom of the system and it can be related to Hopf algebras. In this way we explore the notion of quantum group associated with these superalgebras and we show the non-commutativity in this thermal scenario. Furthermore, the thermal M-superalgebra is also derived from TFD prescription.
Narrowing gap in regional and age-specific excess mortality in the first year and a half of COVID-19 in Hungary

In the first year and a half of the pandemic, the excess mortality in Hungary was 28,400, which was 1,700 lower than the official statistics on COVID-19 deaths. This discrepancy can be partly explained by protective measures instated during the COVID-19 pandemic that decreased the intensity of the seasonal flu outbreak, which caused on average 3,000 deaths per year. Compared to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the third wave showed a reduction in the differences in excess mortality between age groups and regions. The excess mortality rate for people aged 75+ fell significantly in the third wave, partly due to the vaccination schedule and the absence of a normal flu season. For people aged 40-77, the excess mortality rate rose slightly in the third wave. Between regions, excess mortality was highest in Northern Hungary and Western Transdanubia, and much lower in Central Hungary, where the capital is located. The excess mortality rate for men was almost twice as high as that for women in almost all age groups.
Geologic controls on phytoplankton elemental composition

Significance The elemental composition of marine phytoplankton reflects their quality as a food source and regulates the flow of carbon, oxygen, and nutrients between the ocean, atmosphere, and rock reservoirs. Despite this importance, no systematic estimate exists of the geologic history of phytoplankton elemental composition, which is often regarded to have been constant through time, limiting our understanding of evolutionary patterns and global biogeochemistry. Here, using a biogeochemical model forced by geologic and evolutionary events (e.g., the colonization of the continents by plants), we find that the nutrient content of phytoplankton has increased over the last 550 million y of Earth history. This increase in the organic matter nutrient content has likely been important for the evolution of marine fauna. Planktonic organic matter forms the base of the marine food web, and its nutrient content (C:N:Porg) governs material and energy fluxes in the ocean. Over Earth history, C:N:Porg had a crucial role in marine metazoan evolution and global biogeochemical dynamics, but the geologic history of C:N:Porg is unknown, and it is often regarded constant at the “Redfield” ratio of ∼106:16:1. We calculated C:N:Porg through Phanerozoic time by including nutrient- and temperature-dependent C:N:Porg parameterizations in a model of the long-timescale biogeochemical cycles. We infer a decrease from high Paleozoic C:Porg and N:Porg to present-day ratios, which stems from a decrease in the global average temperature and an increase in seawater phosphate availability. These changes in the phytoplankton’s growth environment were driven by various Phanerozoic events: specifically, the middle to late Paleozoic expansion of land plants and the Triassic breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, which increased continental weatherability and the fluxes of weathering-derived phosphate to the oceans. The resulting increase in the nutrient content of planktonic organic matter likely impacted the evolution of marine fauna and global biogeochemistry.
On the frequency selection mechanism of the low-Re flow around rectangular cylinders

Abstract In the flow past elongated rectangular cylinders at moderate Reynolds numbers, vortices shedding from the leading- and trailing-edge corners are frequency locked by the impinging leading-edge vortex instability. The present work investigates how the chord-based Strouhal number varies with the aspect ratio of the cylinder at a Reynolds number (based on the cylinder thickness and the free-stream velocity) of $Re=400$, i.e. when locking is strong. Several two-dimensional, nonlinear simulations are run for rectangular and D-shaped cylinders, with the aspect ratio ranging from $1$ to $11$, and a global linear stability analysis of the flow is performed. The shedding frequency observed in the nonlinear simulations is predicted fairly well by the eigenfrequency of the leading eigenmode. The inspection of the structural sensitivity confirms the central role of the trailing-edge vortex shedding in the frequency locking, as already assumed by other authors. Surprisingly, however, the stepwise increase of the Strouhal number with the aspect ratio reported by several previous works is not fully reproduced. Indeed, with increasing aspect ratio, two distinct flow behaviours are observed, associated with two flow configurations where the interaction between the leading- and trailing-edge vortices is different. These two configurations are fully characterised, and the mechanism of selection of the flow configuration is discussed. Lastly, for aspect ratios close to the jump between two consecutive shedding modes, the Strouhal number is found to present hysteresis, implying the existence of multiple stable configurations. Continuing the lower shedding-mode branch by increasing the aspect ratio, we found that the periodic configuration loses stability via a Neimark–Sacker bifurcation leading to different Arnold tongues. This hysteresis can explain, at least partially, the significant scatter of existing experimental and numerical data.
Enhancement of the mechanical properties of HDPE mineral nanocomposites by filler particles modulation of the matrix plastic/elastic behavior

Abstract Two different nanosized mineral fillers (nano calcium carbonate and nanoclay) were used in the high density poly(ethylene) (HDPE) composites pilot plant production. Structural and mechanical properties of the prepared composites were examined in this study. The homogenous filler distribution was confirmed in the tested samples by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses. The fillers’ fortifying effect on polymer composites’ mechanical performance was confirmed as indicated by the increased elastic modulus and indentation modulus. Additionally, the possible modulation of the plastic-elastic mechanical behavior was confirmed by the type of the filler as well as its concentration used in the final composites testing articles.
Cystic fibrosis patient-derived bronchial organoids unveil druggable pathways against Mycobacterium abscessus infection

Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) drives life-shortening mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, primarily because of its resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Both our knowledge on and models to investigate the host and bacterial determinants that drive Mabs pathology in CF patients remain rudimentary. Here, we evaluated whether the lung organoid technology from CF patients is appropriate for modelling Mabs infection and whether antioxidant treatment is a candidate therapeutic approach in the context of CF disease. We derived airway organoids (AOs) from lung biopsy of a CF patient and characterized these AO by assessing CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function, mucus and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, and cell death. We microinjected smooth (S-) or rough (R-)Mabs in the lumen of AOs to evaluate its fitness, responses of AOs to infection, and treatment efficacy by colony forming unit assay, qPCR and microscopy. We show that CF patient-derived AOs exhibited low residual CFTR function, enhanced mucus accumulation, and increased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and cell death at basal state. While in AOs, S Mabs formed biofilm, R Mabs formed cord serpentines and displayed a higher virulence. S and R Mabs replicated more efficiently in CF AOs than in AOs derived from healthy lung. Pharmacological activation of antioxidant pathways resulted in better control of Mabs growth. In conclusion, we have established CF patient-derived AOs as a suitable human system to decipher mechanisms of CF-enhanced respiratory infection by Mabs and confirmed antioxidant approaches as a potential host-directed strategy to improve Mabs infection control.
Essential regulatory functions of CaMKII T286 phosphorylation in LTP and two distinct forms of LTD

The Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) mediates both long-term potentiation and depression (LTP and LTD) of excitatory synapses, two opposing forms of synaptic plasticity induced by strong versus weak stimulation of NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). NMDAR-dependent LTD is prevalent in juvenile hippocampus, but in mature hippocampus, LTD is still readily induced by stimulating metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Here we show that mGluR-dependent LTD also requires CaMKII and its T286 autophosphorylation that induces Ca2+-independent autonomous kinase activity. This autophosphorylation (i) accelerated CaMKII movement to excitatory synapses after LTP stimuli and (ii) was required for the movement to inhibitory synapses after NMDAR-LTD stimuli. Similar to NMDAR-LTD, the mGluR-LTD stimuli did not induce any CaMKII movement to excitatory synapses. However, in contrast to NMDAR-LTD, the mGluR-LTD did not involve CaMKII movement to inhibitory synapses and did not require additional T305/306 autophosphorylation. Taken together, even though CaMKII T286 autophosphorylation has a longstanding prominent role in LTP, it is also required for both major forms of LTD in hippocampal neurons, albeit with differential requirements for the heterosynaptic communication of excitatory signals to inhibitory synapses.
Symptomatic presentation and cognitive performance in autopsy‐confirmed, limbic‐predominant, age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy with comorbid Alzheimer’s disease

Transactive response DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) proteinopathy is the key biomarker in limbic‐predominant age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE‐NC). LATE‐NC is a common co‐pathology with Alzheimer’s Disease neuropathologic change (ADNC; plaques and tangles). We examined the symptomatic presentation and cognitive performance of autopsy‐confirmed ADNC, comparing cases with, versus without, comorbid LATE‐NC.
The Downsides of Managerial Oversight in Signaling Environments

This paper develops a class of signaling games with monitoring to study manipulation in principal-agent relationships. An agent has been assigned to a task and can use costly effort to either signal or hide his private ability. A principal uses the observed level of effort and private monitoring to form a belief about the agent's ability to decide whether or not to continue their relationship. When effort is productive (i.e., it affects the probability of success on the task), the agent can manipulate both the decision to monitor and to terminate the relationship if the principal is sufficiently uncertain about what type of agent she is facing. Separation can nonetheless arise as the unique equilibrium outcome. Despite the possibility of manipulation, the principal is generally indifferent or even better off when effort is observable but there might be cases in which hidden effort would be preferable.
TREM2‐induced activation of microglia contributes to synaptic resilience in non‐demented individuals with Alzheimer’s neuropathology

The existence of individuals who remain cognitively intact despite presenting histopathological signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), here referred to as “Non demented with AD neuropathology” (NDAN), suggests that some unknown mechanisms are triggered to resist cognitive impairment. Synaptic dysfunction has been identified as one of the major AD causes and it is established that microglia, attracted to plaques, engulf damaged synapses. In this context, exposed phosphatidylserine (ePS) represents a neuronal “eat‐me” signal involved in microglial‐mediated phagocytosis of damaged synapses. A possible candidate mediator of this process is represented by TREM2, a microglial surface receptor activated by ligands including PS. Based on TREM2 role in the scavenging function of microglia, we hypothesize that an efficient microglial phagocytosis of damaged synapses underlies synaptic resilience in NDAN, thus protecting from memory deficits.
Oligomeric tau disrupts nuclear envelope via binding to lamin proteins and lamin B receptor

Accumulating evidence indicates that the nucleocytoplasmic interface is greatly disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD). Many proteins that normally exist in the nucleus, such as RNA binding proteins, or in the nuclear membrane, such as nucleoporins, accumulate in the cytoplasm. Multiple studies also show dysmorphic nuclear membrane pathology in AD brain and in models of AD. However, the mechanism underlying changes in the nucleocytoplasmic interface are unknown. Because oligomeric tau (oTau) is the key toxic species in tauopathy, we hypothesized that interaction of oTau with nuclear membrane proteins might be responsible for the nuclear membrane pathology.
Cortical microstructural associations with CSF amyloid and pTau

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) can be used to probe microstructural properties of brain tissue and holds great promise as a means to non-invasively map Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Few studies have evaluated multi-shell dMRI models such as neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and mean apparent propagator (MAP)-MRI in cortical gray matter where many of the earliest histopathological changes occur in AD. Here, we investigated the relationship between CSF pTau_181 and Aβ_1–42 burden and regional cortical NODDI and MAP-MRI indices in 46 cognitively unimpaired individuals, 18 with mild cognitive impairment, and two with dementia (mean age: 71.8 ± 6.2 years) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. We compared findings to more conventional cortical thickness measures. Lower CSF Aβ_1–42 and higher pTau_181 were associated with cortical dMRI measures reflecting less hindered or restricted diffusion and greater diffusivity. Cortical dMRI measures, but not cortical thickness measures, were more widely associated with Aβ_1–42 than pTau_181 and better distinguished Aβ+ from Aβ- participants than pTau+ from pTau- participants. dMRI associations mediated the relationship between CSF markers and delayed logical memory performance, commonly impaired in early AD. dMRI metrics sensitive to early AD pathogenesis and microstructural damage may be better measures of subtle neurodegeneration in comparison to standard cortical thickness and help to elucidate mechanisms underlying cognitive decline.
LPPA: A Lightweight Privacy-Preserving Authentication Scheme for the Internet of Drones

Drones are widely used in the Internet of Things (IoT). Among them, the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to the vehicular ad-hoc network (V ANET) has attracted attention from all fields of life. The main challenges include protecting the transmission of sensitive information in the wireless channel and reducing UA V consumption to maintain long-term operation. In this paper, firstly, we propose a lightweight dynamic membership authentication and key management scheme to ensure the sensors of the trusted network. Secondly, we compare our scheme with other protocols in terms of security functions to prove privacy superiority. Further, simulation results show that our scheme achieves minimal time overhead and communication consumption. Finally, we prove the security and efficiency of our scheme.
A Systematic Literature Review on Test Case Prioritization in Combinatorial Testing

In recent years, regression testing is widely used and performed in industries during the maintenance phase of software system development. The increases of software regression test cases resulted in a higher complexity of the software system, due to the rapid change in the software development. Thus, many researchers had proposed the test cases prioritisation technique to overcome the raised issues. However, most of the applications needed the combinatorial testing due to the enormous size of the software inputs. The problem arises when the small t-way values were selected in combinatorial testing, which resulted in the ineffectiveness of the fault detection ability. This work presents the results of a systematic literature review on the test case prioritisation and combinatorial testing that report the main approach, problems, and evaluation metric that were being used from existing studies. This paper aims to identify the aspects of the test case prioritisation and combinatorial testing that have been studied before, provide a basis for the improvement, and evaluate the current trends of this research area. Apart from the recent works that were published in the last ten years, 20 papers were selected for further study in the systematic literature review. The results show that this area of study is open for improvement especially to efficiently generate the test cases, which minimise the number of test cases generated, and effectively prioritise the test cases that increase the fault detection ability in software testing. However, the use of both techniques still needs more enhancements for the existing proposed approach that could result in the increasing of the fault detection ability.
A Self-Adaptive Load Balancing Approach for Software-Defined Networks in IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is gaining popularity as it offers to connect billions of devices and exchange data over the internet. However, the large-scale and heterogeneous IoT network environment brings serious challenges to assuring the quality of service of IoT-based services. In this context, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) shows promise in improving the performance of IoT services by decoupling the control plane from the data plane. However, existing SDN-based distributed architectures are able to address the scalability and management issues in static IoT scenarios only. In this paper, we utilize multiple M/M/1 queues to model and optimize the service-level and system-level objectives in dynamic IoT scenarios, where the network switches and/or their request rates could change dynamically over time. We propose several heuristic-based solutions including a genetic algorithm, a simulated annealing algorithm and a modified greedy algorithm with the goal of minimizing the queuing and processing times of the requests from switches at the controllers and balancing the controller loads while also incorporating the switch migration costs. Empirical studies using Mininet-based simulations show that our algorithms offer effective self-adaptation and self-healing in dynamic network conditions.
Chronic Kidney Disease Detection from Clinical Data using CNN

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a concerning health issue worldwide as it affects a huge population with a high mortality rate. CKD patients are at increased risk of developing adverse effects such as anemia, bone diseases, cardiac disorders and hormonal problems. Since the loss of renal function occurs gradually and its symptoms are devoid, advanced technologies are needed to find the patterns and relationships in medical data for early diagnosis. This work aims to focus on detecting CKD from clinical data using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and comparing their findings with various machine learning algorithms. As the data available has some missing values, numerical data are imputed using k-nearest neighbor and categorical data are imputed with the most frequently occurring category. Hence, this article exposes the best method to automatically diagnose CKD from clinical data. The empirical results indicated that CNN outperforms other classifiers, with a promising accuracy of 99.12%.