Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hibernation with Rhythmicity in the Retina, Brain, and Plasma but Not in the Liver of Hibernating Giant Spiny Frogs (Quasipaa spinosa)

Simple Summary Aquatic ectotherms experience hypoxia under water during hibernation, which enables them to move denoting some level of consciousness, unlike terrestrial hibernators. However, how aquatic ectotherms modulate their clocks and clock-controlled genes in different tissues and plasma melatonin and corticosterone in light-dark cycles under natural environments before and during hibernation, remains to be largely unexplored. To achieve these, in this study, we investigated circadian clock genes, circadian clock-controlled genes, antioxidant enzyme genes, and related hormones in giant spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa). Our results demonstrated that, despite the hypometabolic state of hibernation, the retina and the brain displayed some circadian rhythms of clock and antioxidant genes, as well as melatonin, while the liver was inactive. These novel findings may contribute to an understanding of how aquatic ectotherms use their circadian system differentially to modulate their physiology in escaping hypoxia during hibernation and preparing for arousal. Abstract Hibernation in ectotherms is well known, however, it is unclear how the circadian clock regulates endocrine and antioxidative defense systems of aquatic hibernators. Using the giant spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa), we studied mRNA expression levels of (1) circadian core clock (Bmal1, Clock, Cry1 and Per2), clock-controlled (Ror-α, Mel-1c and AANAT), and antioxidant enzyme (AOE) (SOD1, SOD2, CAT and GPx) genes in retina, brain, and liver; and (2) plasma melatonin (MT) and corticosterone (CORT) levels, over a 24-hour period at six intervals pre-hibernation and during hibernation. Our results showed that brain Bmal1, Cry1, Per2 and Mel-1c were rhythmic pre-hibernation and Clock and Ror-α during hibernation. However, the retina Bmal1, Clock and Mel-1c, and plasma MT became rhythmic during hibernation. All brain AOEs (SOD1, SOD2, CAT and GPx) were rhythmic pre-hibernation and became non-rhythmic but upregulated, except SOD1, during hibernation. However, plasma CORT and liver clocks and AOEs were non-rhythmic in both periods. The mRNA expression levels of AOEs closely resembled those of Ror-α but not plasma MT oscillations. In the hibernating aquatic frogs, these modulations of melatonin, as well as clock and clock-controlled genes and AOEs might be fundamental for them to remain relatively inactive, increase tolerance, and escape hypoxia, and to prepare for arousal.
An exploratory mixed method study on the measurements for purchasing K-Pop products

This paper investigates the reasons for purchasing K-pop products (products which K-pop bands presented or used) by Thai consumers. Also, the factors that most influence final consumers’ decisions in the Thai cultural context. This study also further explores how K-pop bands are symbolically important for Thai consumers’ self-image. The benefits of this research will affect K-pop as well as non-K-pop agencies, marketing managers, and production companies. Purchase intentions, without trust can be created due to many variables. Such results could establish appropriate marketing strategies in response to the issues corresponding to the new generation’s decision to purchase in the future. A total of 542 Thai people nationwide, whose age started from 21-44 years old who had purchased K-pop products at least once, completed the survey online, and are the target respondents. An exploratory mixed method designed by Creswell (2007) was applied to test all three hypotheses. One original contribution is about the relationship among trust in recommendation agents (RAs) and trust in RAs’ product recommendation towards the intention to purchase. The results show that customers trust in RAs’ product recommendations received by trust in RAs which have a positive effect on the intention to purchase based on RAs (K-pop bands) when consumers have trust in RAs. Moreover, K-pop products greatly affect the intention to purchase based on RAs. This result can explain that consumers pay intention in products which they want to purchase more than the recommendation agents of products. Trust in recommendation agents is the one of factors which makes consumers know about the products and can prove products’ quality by recommendation agents. The positive relationships between the proposed factors (trust in recommendation agents, trust in RAs’ product recommendations or products which RAs use) and the intention to purchase based on RAs have been confirmed. Still, consumers’ intention to purchase could be higher if marketers tried to increase the value of these factors. Such a strategy would be beneficial to improve consumer retention rates and could help companies sustain growth and profits. Moreover, we should analyze other more K-pop bands to prove this result in the future.
Infected Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in a Neonate: A Report of a Rare Case

Patient: Female, 3-week-old Final Diagnosis: Thyroglossal duct cyst Symptoms: Infection • neck mass • respiratory distress Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Incision and drainage • Sistrunk’s procedure Specialty: Otolaryngology • Pediatrics and Neonatology Objective: Congenital defects/diseases Background: Thyroglossal duct cysts are the most common congenital cervical anomalies, often presenting as midline neck cysts. The mean age of presentation of pediatric thyroglossal duct cysts varies between 5 and 9 years old, with rare cases younger than 1 year old. This case report details a rare case of an infected thyroglossal duct cyst presenting during the neonatal period as an upper airway obstruction. Case Report: A 3-week-old neonate born full-term with no complications during pregnancy or labor presented with a 5-day history of worsening nasal congestion and upper airway obstruction after an upper respiratory infection. Physical examination revealed a large midline neck mass measuring 3.1×4.2×3.2 cm abutting the hyoid with internal echogenicity consistent with a thyroglossal duct cyst, causing posterior tongue compression of the airway and airway distress. The patient was emergently taken to the operating room for incision and drainage, where she underwent a difficult intubation due to superior-posterior tongue displacement and global supraglottic edema. She was discharged on postoperative day 5 on a course of Augmentin after cultures grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The patient had no further complications, with successful excision using a Sistrunk procedure 6 months later. Conclusions: Pediatric thyroglossal duct cysts most often present as an asymptomatic midline neck mass, with rare sequel-ae of infection and upper airway obstruction. This case report highlights the pathophysiology and presenting symptomology of thyroglossal duct cysts, explores the rarity of infected thyroglossal duct cysts in neonates, and reviews the current literature on management strategies for these patients.
Highly Scaled High Dielectric Constant Oxides on III-V CMOS with Low Interface Trap and Low Leakage Densities

Author(s): Chobpattana, Varistha | Advisor(s): Stemmer, Susanne | Abstract: Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors are being aggressively scaled, reaching the fundamental limits of silicon. Due to their much higher electron mobilities, III-V semiconductors are being considered as alternative channel materials to potentially replace Si. This requires the integration of high dielectric constant (high-k) oxides with III-V semiconductor layers, which is the most significant challenge to achieve high performance of III-V metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Large interface trap densities, inherent to these interfaces, degrade the transistor performance.In this dissertation, we utilize in-situ atomic layer deposition (ALD) combined with surface passivation techniques to reduce the interface traps densities between high-k oxides and III-V semiconductors to obtain highly scaled, low defect density interfaces. Cycles of hydrogen and/or nitrogen plasmas and metal-organic precursors were applied directly onto n- and p type In0.53Ga0. 47As surfaces before high-k oxide ALD. The high-k oxides investigated include Al2O3, HfO2, ZrO2, and TiO2. We examined the electrical characteristics of MOS capacitors (MOSCAPs), surface morphology of the surface, and chemical components of the interface. High quality interfaces of high-k oxide and n-type In0.53Ga0. 47As with low interface trap densities (Dit) of 1012 eV-1 cm-2, low leakage current density, and high capacitance densities gate stacks (g5 uF/cm2) were achieved by the optimized cycles of nitrogen plasma+tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium (TDMAT) ALD surface cleaning. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the interface region indicates that the removing As-oxides, sub-oxides, and As-As bonding are responsible for decreasing frequency dispersion in the midgap region of the n-type In0:53Ga0:47As, reducing midgap Dit, and unpinning Fermi level. The modied interface chemistry from Al2O3 to TiO2 leads to lower frequency dispersion in accumulation. The highly polarized TiO2 layer produces dipole, which serves to increase barrier height between oxide and semiconductor, controlling leakage current issue. Optimized plasma condition to the specific III-V surface creates rapid and complete coverage interface layer on the III-V surface and increases nucleation density for the high quality surface, which allows for the growth of extremely scaled high-k oxide directly on III-V channels. High quality interface also prevents subcutaneous oxidation. Different conditions of p-type In0.53Ga0. 47As surface passivation were investigated. Unpinned Fermi level on p type In0.53Ga0. 47As surface was achieved. Comparison of electrical characteristics between n- and p-type In0.53Ga0. 47As MOSCAPs are presented. Different surface plasma treatment is needed for p-type In0.53Ga0. 47As for achieving high quality interface.
Differences in Attention Allocation in Relation to Music Teacher Experience and Expertise

To assess allocation of attention by music teachers with different levels of experience and expertise, we recruited five participant flautists: an artist teacher, two graduate students, and two undergraduates, all of whom observed nine brief video recordings of flute, clarinet, and saxophone players; a juggler; a baseball batter; and a ballerina. We tracked participants’ gaze using wearable eye-tracking hardware and software, and we analyzed the targets and durations of over 1,300 visual fixations and the paths of participants’ eye movements while observing the videos. The gaze behavior of the artist teacher and one of the graduate students, when they observed flute playing, was much like that of the experts in other domains of human experience. These two participants’ fixations were longer than those of the other three participants, and the sequence of fixation targets reflected a hierarchical prioritization of the fundamentals of flute playing. These same features were not apparent when these same two participants observed the other videos, and they were not observed in the gaze behavior of the other three participants in any of the videos observed. The results of this study demonstrate that allocation of attention, as indicated by gaze behavior, is reflective of expertise in music teaching as it is in other domains.
Pinus tabulaeformis Forests Have Higher Carbon Sequestration Potential Than Larix principis-rupprechtii Forests in a Dryland Mountain Ecosystem, Northwest China

Carbon sinks in terrestrial ecosystems can be significantly increased by afforestation, which will slow global warming. However, it is still unclear how different plantations influence the carbon sink and how they respond to environmental factors, especially in drylands. In this study, eddy correlation method (EC) was used to measure carbon and water fluxes and environmental factors of two artificial forests (Larix principis-rupprechtii and Pinus tabulaeformis) in the dryland of Northwest China, and the responses of evapotranspiration (ET), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (RECO) to environmental factors were also assessed. Results showed that the L. principis-rupprechtii forest ecosystem had higher water use efficiency (WUE), light use efficiency (LUE), GPP, and RECO than the P. tabulaeformis forest ecosystem. However, the proportion of net ecosystem production (NEP) to GPP in the P. tabulaeformis forest ecosystem (62.89%) was higher than that in the L. principis-rupprechtii forest ecosystem (47.49%), indicating that the P. tabulaeformis forest ecosystem had the higher carbon sequestration efficiency. In addition, the CO2 and H2O fluxes in the L. principis-rupprechtii forest ecosystem were more sensitive to environmental factors, compared with the P. tabulaeformis forest ecosystem. Further, the RECO of the L. principis-rupprechtii forest ecosystem was more sensitive to temperature changes, which implies that the L. principis-rupprechtii forest ecosystem will release more CO2 than the P. tabulaeformis forest ecosystem with a warming climate. Therefore, the P. tabulaeformis forest ecosystem may have better carbon sequestration potential. These results are important for understanding the effects of climate change on the CO2 and H2O cycles in coniferous plantation ecosystems in drylands.
Role of LI-RADS Indeterminate Observations in the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after HCV Eradication with Direct-Acting Antivirals

Purpose: To assess whether HCC (LR-5) occurrence may be associated with the presence of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) indeterminate observations in patients with hepatitis C virus infection treated with direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included patients with HCV-related cirrhosis who achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) after DAA therapy between 2015 and 2019 and submitted to CT/MRI follow-ups with a minimum interval time of six months before and after DAA. Two blinded readers reviewed CT/MRI to categorize observations according to LI-RADS version 2018. Differences in rate of LI-RADS 5 observations (i.e., LR-5) before and after SVR were assessed. Time to LR-5 occurrence and risk factors for HCC after DAAs were evaluated by using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model, respectively. Results: Our final study population comprised 115 patients (median age 72 years) with a median CT/MRI follow-up of 47 months (IQR 26–77 months). Twenty-nine (25.2%) patients were diagnosed with LR-5 after DAA. The incidence of LR-5 after DAAs was 10.4% (12/115) at one year and 17.4% (20/115) at two years. LR-5 occurrence after DAA was significantly higher in patients with Child Pugh class B (log-rank p = 0.048) and with LR-3 or LR-4 observations (log-rank p = 0.024). At multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh class B (hazard ratio 2.62, p = 0.023) and presence of LR-3 or LR-4 observations (hazard ratio 2.40, p = 0.048) were independent risk factors for LR-5 occurrence after DAA therapy. Conclusions: The presence of LR-3 and LR-4 observations significantly increases HCC risk following the eradication of HCV infection.
The Physics of DNA Folding: Polymer Models and Phase-Separation

Within cell nuclei, several biophysical processes occur in order to allow the correct activities of the genome such as transcription and gene regulation. To quantitatively investigate such processes, polymer physics models have been developed to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying genome functions. Among these, phase-separation plays a key role since it controls gene activity and shapes chromatin spatial structure. In this paper, we review some recent experimental and theoretical progress in the field and show that polymer physics in synergy with numerical simulations can be helpful for several purposes, including the study of molecular condensates, gene-enhancer dynamics, and the three-dimensional reconstruction of real genomic regions.
A Preliminary Investigation of Embedding In Vitro HepaRG Spheroids into Recombinant Human Collagen Type I for the Promotion of Liver Differentiation

Background: In vitro three-dimensional (3D) hepatic spheroid culture has shown great promise in toxicity testing because it better mimics the cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions found in in vivo conditions than that of the traditional two-dimensional (2D) culture. Despite embedding HepaRG spheroids with collagen type I (collagen I) extracellular matrix (ECM) revealed a much better differentiation capability, almost all the collagen utilized in in vitro hepatocytes cultures is animal-derived collagen that may limit its use in human toxicity testing. Method: Here, a preliminary investigation of HepaRG cells cultured in different dimensionalities and with the addition of ECM was performed. Comparisons of conventional 2D culture with 3D spheroid culture were performed based on their functional or structural differences over 7 days. Rat tail collagen (rtCollagen) I and recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen) I were investigated for their ability in promoting HepaRG spheroid differentiation. Results: An immunofluorescence analysis of the hepatocyte-specific functional protein albumin suggested that HepaRG spheroids demonstrated better hepatic function than spheroids from 2D culture, and the function of HepaRG spheroids improved in a time-dependent manner. The fluorescence intensities per unit area of spheroids formed by 1000 cells on days 7 and 10 were 25.41 and 45.38, respectively, whereas almost undetectable fluorescence was obtained with 2D cells. In addition, the embedding of HepaRG spheroids into rtCollagen and rhCollagen I showed that HepaRG differentiation can be accelerated relative to the differentiation of spheroids grown in suspension, demonstrating the great promise of HepaRG spheroids. Conclusions: The culture conditions established in this study provide a potentially novel alternative for promoting the differentiation of HepaRG spheroids into mature hepatocytes through a collagen-embedded in vitro liver spheroid model. This culture method is envisioned to provide insights for future drug toxicology.
ESR2 gene variants (rs1256049, rs4986938, and rs1256030) and their association with breast cancer risk

Background Variants of the estrogen receptor b (ESR2) gene have been associated with different types of cancer. However, these associations have been inconsistent. We genotyped the ESR2 variants (rs1256049, rs4986938, and rs1256030) in breast cancer (BC) patients and in healthy women. Results The variants rs1256049 and rs4986938 in the ESR2 gene were not associated with risk susceptibility in BC patients. However, the rs1256030 variant had an association as a risk factor for BC patients when compared with controls and BC patients for the TT genotype (odds ratio (OR) 1.86, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [1.05–3.28], p = 0.042). In addition, differences were observed in patients and controls carrying the TT genotype under 50 years of age (OR 1.85, 95% CI [1.05–3.27], p = 0.043). Thus, evident differences showed the rs1256030 variant in patients with TT, TC, and TC+TT genotypes with: (1) Stage IV (OR 1.60, 95% CI [1.06–2.54], p = 0.033), and (2) Luminal A (OR 1.60, 95% CI [0.47–0.21], p = 0.041), as well as in BC carriers of the TT genotype with indices of cellular proliferative (Ki-67) elevated (>20%) and overweight (OR 1.67, 95% CI [0.85–3.28], p = 0.041), respectively. In BC HER2 with lymph node metastasis, the TT genotype was a protective factor (OR 0.38, 95% CI [0.18–0.78], p = 0.005). The identification of haplotypes included two common GAT as risk factors (OR 3.1, 95% CI [1.31–7.72], p = 0.011) and GGC as a protective factor (OR 0.7, 95% CI [0.60–0.97], p = 0.034). The haplogenotype GGGATC was a risk factor (OR 2.5, 95% CI [1.28–5.0], p = 0.008). Conclusion The variant rs1256030 (TT) of the ESR2 gene and haplotype GAT were associated with susceptibility to BC as risk factors in this sample from the Mexican population.
Deep Subsurface Hypersaline Environment as a Source of Novel Species of Halophilic Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria

The sulfur cycle participates significantly in life evolution. Some facultatively autotrophic microorganisms are able to thrive in extreme environments with limited nutrient availability where they specialize in obtaining energy by oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds. In our experiments focused on the characterization of halophilic bacteria from a former salt mine in Solivar (Presov, Slovakia), a high diversity of cultivable bacteria was observed. Based on ARDRA (Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis), at least six groups of strains were identified with four of them showing similarity levels of 16S rRNA gene sequences lower than 98.5% when compared against the GenBank rRNA/ITS database. Heterotrophic sulfur oxidizers represented ~34% of strains and were dominated by Halomonas and Marinobacter genera. Autotrophic sulfur oxidizers represented ~66% and were dominated by Guyparkeria and Hydrogenovibrio genera. Overall, our results indicate that the spatially isolated hypersaline deep subsurface habitat in Solivar harbors novel and diverse extremophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
Ray Tracing versus Thin-Lens Formulas for IOL Power Calculation Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Biometry

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the ray tracing method's accuracy employing Okulix ray tracing software and thin-lens formulas to calculate intraocular lens (IOL) power using a swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) biometer (OA2000). Methods A total of 188 eyes from 180 patients were included in this study. An OA-2000 optical biometer was used to collect biometric data. The predicted postoperative refraction based on thin-lens formulas including SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and Haigis formulas and the ray tracing method utilizing the OKULIX software was determined for each patient. To compare the accuracy of approaches, the prediction error and the absolute prediction error were determined. Results The mean axial length (AL) was 23.66 mm (range: 19–35). In subgroup analysis based on AL, in all ranges of ALs the ray tracing method had the lowest mean absolute error (0.56), the lowest standard deviation (SD; 0.55), and the greatest proportion of patients within 1 diopter of predicted refraction (87.43%) and the lowest absolute prediction error compared to the other formulas (except to SRK/T) in the AL range between 22 and 24 mm (all P < 0.05). In addition, the OKULIX and Haigis formulas had the least variance (variability) in the prediction error in different ranges of AL. Conclusion The ray tracing method had the lowest mean absolute error, the lowest standard deviation, and the greatest proportion of patients within 1 diopter of predicted refraction. So, the OKULIX software in combination with SS-OCT biometry (OA2000) performed on par with the third-generation and Haigis formulas, notwithstanding the potential for increased accuracy in the normal range and more consistent results in different ranges of AL.