Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oocyte development and polypeptide dynamics during ovarian maturation in the red-claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

Summary Ovarian development in the red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus is divided into two major phases, namely primary- and secondary-vitellogenesis. Two anatomically distinctive types of primary-vitellogenic ovary are present: one contains uniform milky white oocytes (in the chromatin, chromatin-nucleolus, early-perinuclear and late-perinuclear stages), while the other contains two diversely colored oocyte populations, the smallest oocytes being uniform milky white and the largest being yellow to orange (i.e., at the lipid stage). Secondary-vitellogenic ovaries are characterized by the presence of a synchronously growing large oocyte group together with oocytes of all the first four, primary-vitellogenic stages. The synchronous group develops from the yolk stage via the prematuration stage into the maturation stage. Polypeptides of relatively low molecular masses (65–95 kDa) are abundant in the primary-vitellogenic ovary containing chromatin to lipid-stage oocytes. Polypeptides of relatively higher molecular masses (<100kDa) were detected both in the secondary-vitellogenic ovary (composed mainly of yolk-stage oocytes) and in newly laid eggs. During secondary vitellogenesis, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction of the hemolymph contains four secondary vitellogenic-specific polypeptides (208, 196, 177 and 80 kDa) that are not present in the hemolymph of the primary vitellogenic female. In this study we have elucidated the relationship between the progress of gonad maturation, oocyte development and the sequence of appearance of specific polypeptides in the ovary and the hemolymph of C. quadricarinatus.
Analysis of Linguistic and Prosodic Features of Bilingual Arabic–English Speakers for Speech Emotion Recognition

Speech emotion recognition (SER) research has usually focused on the analysis of the native language of speakers, most commonly, targeting European and Asian languages. In the present study, a bilingual Arabic/English speech emotion database elicited from 16 male and 16 female Egyptian participants was created in order to investigate how the linguistic and prosodic features were affected by the anger, fear, happiness and sadness emotions across Arabic and English emotional speech. The results of the linguistic analysis indicated that the participants preferred to express their emotions indirectly, mainly using religious references, and that the female participants tended to use language that was more tentative and emotionally expressive, while the male participants tended to use language that was more assertive and independent. As for the prosodic analysis, statistical t-tests showed that the prosodic features of pitch, intensity and speech rate were more indicative of anger and happiness while less relevant to fear and scarcely significant for sadness. Furthermore, speech emotion recognition performed using linear support vector machine (SVM) with AdaBoost also supported these results. In regard to first and second language linguistic features, there was no significant difference in the choice of words and structures expressing the different emotions in the two languages, but in terms of prosodic features, the females’ speech showed higher pitch in Arabic in all cases while both genders showed close intensity values in the two languages and faster speech rate in Arabic than in English.
Culture and Differentiation of Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells in a Soft 3D Self-Assembling Peptide Scaffold

Hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) are a specialized cell population located in the bulge of the hair follicle with unique characteristics such as aggregative behavior and the ability to induce new hair follicle formation. However, when expanded in conventional 2D monolayer culture, their hair inductive potency is rapidly lost. Different 3D culture techniques, including cell spheroid formation, have been described to restore, at least partially, their original phenotype, and therefore, their hair inductive ability once transplanted into a recipient skin. Moreover, hair follicle dermal papilla cells have been shown to differentiate into all mesenchymal lineages, but their differentiation potential has only been tested in 2D cultures. In the present work, we have cultured HFDPC in the 3D self-assembling peptide scaffold RAD16-I to test two different tissue engineering scenarios: restoration of HFDPC original phenotype after cell expansion and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Experimental results showed that the 3D environment provided by RAD16-I allowed the restoration of HFDPC signature markers such as alkaline phosphatase, versican and corin. Moreover, RAD16-I supported, in the presence of chemical inductors, three-dimensional osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Altogether, this study suggests a potential 3D culture platform based on RAD16-I suitable for the culture, original phenotype recovery and differentiation of HFDPC.
Adaptive genetic diversity and evidence of population genetic structure in the endangered Sierra Madre Sparrow (Xenospiza baileyi)

The magnitude and distribution of genetic diversity through space and time can provide useful information relating to evolutionary potential and conservation status in threatened species. In assessing genetic diversity in species that are of conservation concern, several studies have focused on the use of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs are innate immune genes related to pathogen resistance, and polymorphisms may reflect not only levels of functional diversity, but may also be used to assess genetic diversity within and among populations. Here, we combined four potentially adaptive markers (TLRs) with one mitochondrial (COI) marker to evaluate genetic variation in the endangered Sierra Madre Sparrow (Xenospiza baileyi). This species offers an ideal model to investigate population and evolutionary genetic processes that may be occurring in a habitat restricted endangered species with disjunct populations (Mexico City and Durango), the census sizes of which differ by an order of magnitude. TLRs diversity in the Sierra Madre Sparrow was relatively high, which was not expected given its two small, geographically isolated populations. Genetic diversity was different (but not significantly so) between the two populations, with less diversity seen in the smaller Durango population. Population genetic structure between populations was due to isolation and different selective forces acting on different TLRs; population structure was also evident in COI. Reduction of genetic diversity in COI was observed over 20 years in the Durango population, a result likely caused by habitat loss, a factor which may be the main cause of diversity decline generally. Our results provide information related to the ways in which adaptive variation can be altered by demographic changes due to human-mediated habitat alterations. Furthermore, our findings may help to guide conservation schemes for both populations and their restricted habitat.
Gene Expression Patterns Distinguish Mortality Risk in Patients with Postsurgical Shock

Nowadays, mortality rates in intensive care units are the highest of all hospital units. However, there is not a reliable prognostic system to predict the likelihood of death in patients with postsurgical shock. Thus, the aim of the present work is to obtain a gene expression signature to distinguish the low and high risk of death in postsurgical shock patients. In this sense, mRNA levels were evaluated by microarray on a discovery cohort to select the most differentially expressed genes between surviving and non-surviving groups 30 days after the operation. Selected genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in a validation cohort to validate the reliability of data. A receiver-operating characteristic analysis with the area under the curve was performed to quantify the sensitivity and specificity for gene expression levels, which were compared with predictions by established risk scales, such as acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). IL1R2, CD177, RETN, and OLFM4 genes were upregulated in the non-surviving group of the discovery cohort, and their predictive power was confirmed in the validation cohort. This work offers new biomarkers based on transcriptional patterns to classify the postsurgical shock patients according to low and high risk of death. The results present more accuracy than other mortality risk scores.
Prymnesium parvum and P. patelliferum (Haptophyta)—one species

Abstract The majority of the species belonging to the Haptophyta have cells that are surrounded by organic scales, which are important characters for taxonomy at the species level. Prymnesium parvum N. Carter and P. patelliferum Green, Hibberd et Pienaar are identical when viewed by light microscopy, but their organic scales are slightly different. Growth characteristics, toxicity, ITS1 nucleotide sequences, and CaM-l banding patterns suggest that separation of the two taxa at the species level is not warranted. Moreover, flow cytometric analyses indicate that P. parvum and P. patelliferum represent different generations rather than separate gene pools. It is proposed, therefore, that P. patelliferum be given the rank of form: Prymnesium parvum f. patelliferum (Green, Hibberd et Pienaar) A. Larsen stat. nov. with scale morphology as described for P. patelliferum, leaving Prymnesium parvum N. Carter f. parvum with the scale morphology described by Manton & Leedale. Future research may elucidate the signifi.
A Bibliometric Study on Mobile Applications for PTSD Treatment : The Period of 2010-2019

The role of mobile applications viewed as a promising opportunity to provide support for patients suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The current bibliometric study aimed to explore and synthesize the publication data related to the use of mobile applications for PTSD treatment published in highly ranked and cited by the journals which indexed and ranked in Web of Science Core Collection, in the period of 2010 to 2019. The authors analyzed papers in order to find out the patterns of research domains in mobile applications-technologies and PTSD treatment. The findings showed that use of mobile applications as a supportive tool in psychological treatment of PTSD has been explored from various researcher’s studies.
Longitudinal Vehicle Dynamics: A Comparison of Physical and Data-Driven Models Under Large-Scale Real-World Driving Conditions

Mathematical models of vehicle dynamics will form essential components of future autonomous vehicles. They may be used within inverse or forward control loops, or within predictive learning systems. Often, nonlinear physical models are used in this context, which, though conceptually simple (especially for decoupled, longitudinal dynamics), may be computationally costly to parameterise and also inaccurate if they omit vehicle-specific dynamics. In this study we sought to determine the relative merits of a commonly used nonlinear physical model of vehicle dynamics versus data-driven models in large-scale real-world driving conditions. To this end, we compared the performance of a standard nonlinear physical model with a linear state-space model and a neural network model. The large-scale experimental data was obtained from two vehicles; a Lancia Delta car and a Jeep Renegade sport utility vehicle. The vehicles were driven on regular, public roads, during normal human driving, across a range of road gradients. Both data-driven models outperformed the physical model. The neural network model performed best for both vehicles; the state-space model performed almost as well as the neural network for the Lancia Delta, but fell short for the Jeep Renegade whose dynamics were more strongly nonlinear. Our results suggest that the linear data-driven model gives a good trade-off in accuracy and simplicity, whilst the neural network model is most accurate and is extensible to more nonlinear operating conditions, and finally that the widely used physical model may not be the best choice for control design.
Usability Evaluation of Indicators of Energy-Related Problems in Commercial Airline Flight Decks

A series of pilot-in-the-loop flight simulation studies were conducted at NASA Langley Research Center to evaluate indicators aimed at supporting the flight crew's awareness of problems related to energy states. Indicators were evaluated utilizing state-of-the-art flight deck systems such as on commercial air transport aircraft. This paper presents results for four technologies: (1) conventional primary flight display speed cues, (2) an enhanced airspeed control indicator, (3) a synthetic vision baseline that provides a flight path vector, speed error, and an acceleration cue, and (4) an aural airspeed alert that triggers when current airspeed deviates beyond a specified threshold from the selected airspeed. Full-mission high-fidelity flight simulation studies were conducted using commercial airline crews. Crews were paired by airline for common crew resource management procedures and protocols. Scenarios spanned a range of complex conditions while emulating several causal factors reported in recent accidents involving loss of energy state awareness by pilots. Data collection included questionnaires administered at the completion of flight scenarios, aircraft state data, audio/video recordings of flight crew, eye tracking, pilot control inputs, and researcher observations. Questionnaire response data included subjective measures of workload, situation awareness, complexity, usability, and acceptability. This paper reports relevant findings derived from subjective measures as well as quantitative measures.
Insect parasitoids : a Canadian perspective on their use for biological control of forest insect pests

Nous presentons un survol des programmes de lutte biologique envers les insectes forestiers en mettant l'accent sur des cas canadiens. Ces travaux de recherche sont examines dans le contexte de la conservation, de l'introduction et de l'augmentation (par manipulation de l'environnement et lâchers inoculants et massifs) des ennemis naturels, et plus specifiquement des parasitoides. Historiquement les etudes ont porte sur l'introduction de parasitoides exotiques pour la lutte aux insectes nuisibles introduits, un certain nombre de ces travaux ayant ete fructueux. Des travaux plus recents ont consiste en des lâchers inoculants et massifs de parasitoides contre des insectes indigenes afin d'etablir de nouvelles relations hote-parasitoide dans le but de reduire les populations d'insectes indesirables. Ces nouvelles techniques n'ont demontre que des resultats limites et les recherches se poursuivent dans cette voie. Les strategies actuelles d'utilisation d'ennemis naturels sont le lâcher massif d'especes indigenes contre des especes nuisibles indigenes et la conservation des parasitoides indigenes par des applications selectives d'herbicides et la gestion des forets. Les prochaines avenues pour les programmes de lutte biologique incluront ces approches en placant l'accent sur les biotechnologies et la selection genetique ou la manipulation de lignees recherchees pour les lâchers. Des etudes ecologiques continues seront essentielles a l'obtention d'une meilleure comprehension des interactions entre ces parasitoides selectionnes et les donnees foret-arbre qui influenceront leur succes (interaction tritrophique). Ces donnees, a savoir la vigueur de l'arbre (resistance aux insectes), distribution spatiale et diversite, seront aussi visees pour la selection afin d'ameliorer l'impact des ennemis naturels des parasites dans l'environnement forestier.
Corticosteroids for Radicular Pain in Bannwarth's Syndrome A Double‐blind, Randomized, Placebo‐controlled Trial

Severe radicular pain that usually does not respond to analgesics and nonsteroidal antiphlogistics is the clinical hallmark of Bannwarth’s syndrome (BS). Some case reports and our own experience demonstrated the prompt and sufficient improvement of pain after corticosteroid therapy. In order to assess the efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of radicular pain in acute BS, we performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Yield and components of yield in diallel crosses between inbred lines of winter beans (Viciafaba)

1. Diallel crosses between six inbred lines of winter beans, the selfed parent lines and two commercial varieties were grown in a field trial in two years and records made of yield, number of steins, podded nodes, pods, weight of seed, plant height and width and flowering date. From these data four quotients representing components of yield were obtained.
Studying physiology within a flipped classroom - The importance of on-campus activities for nursing students' experiences of mastery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore the on-campus activities of the flipped classroom and their role in nursing students' experiences of mastering physiology. BACKGROUND A nurse must be confident in their knowledge of physiology to feel confident as a nurse. However, many nursing students do not believe in their ability to master physiology. The flipped classroom design could facilitate active learning and promote students' confidence and competence in physiology. DESIGN A design-based research design was employed. METHODS Twenty-three nursing students enrolled in an anatomy and physiology course participated in two focus group interviews and wrote two individual reflective notes. The data were analysed by means of systematic text condensation and activity theory. Reporting was guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ). RESULTS The study findings underscore the importance of careful design of on-campus activities within the flipped classroom to support students' experiences of mastery in physiology. Four themes were identified: (1) preparation which builds a foundation for learning; (2) the use of digital tools; (3) learning through dialogue with peers; and (4) experience of the expected learning outcomes. CONCLUSIONS On-campus learning activities within a flipped classroom design could support students' experiences of confidence in and mastery of physiology. However, the study participants found learner-centred activities challenging and described feeling doubtful of their ability to master physiology. A didactic framework could take into account the circumstance that students perceive educational technology differently. When designing on-campus activities, emphasis should be placed on collaboration rather than competition to help students develop confidence in their knowledge of physiology. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE It is important to support nursing students' knowledge acquisition in bioscience and their development of confidence as these skills could enhance their clinical judgment in practice. Comprehension of bioscience is necessary to provide safe patient care and competent nursing.
Near extinction of a highly fecund fish: The one that nearly got away

It is widely assumed that commercial fisheries of highly fecund species are particularly resilient to exploitation, and that, should populations become seriously diminished, economic constraints will force fishing to cease before biological extinction can occur. Indeed, among commercially exploited marine fishes there is not one confirmed global extinction. Here we document, using nonconventional means, a story that not only questions such assumptions but that should also alert us to how little we know about significant fisheries in some parts of the world. Our case study is that of the highly threatened Chinese bahaba, Bahaba taipingensis, a member of the Sciaenidae (the drums or croakers), and an example of a fecund and commercially important group of fishes that appears to be especially vulnerable to fishing. We also demonstrate that the careful use of informal, or traditional, information can provide a powerful, sometimes unique, means of identifying and assessing the status and history of species that might be quietly slipping away before we learn anything about them.
RNA Interference Screening Identifies Novel Roles for RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB3 in Membrane Trafficking Events in Mammalian Cells

In the endomembrane system of mammalian cells, membrane traffic processes require a high degree of regulation in order to ensure their specificity. The range of molecules that participate in trafficking events is truly vast, and much attention to date has been given to the Rab family of small GTPases. However, in recent years, a role in membrane traffic for members of the Rho GTPase family, in particular Cdc42, has emerged. This prompted us to develop and apply an image-based high-content screen, initially focussing on the Golgi complex, using RNA interference to systematically perturb each of the 21 Rho family members and assess their importance to the overall organisation of this organelle. Analysis of our data revealed previously unreported roles for two atypical Rho family members, RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB3, in membrane traffic events. We find that depletion of RhoBTB3 affects the morphology of the Golgi complex and causes changes in the trafficking speeds of carriers operating at the interface of the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, RhoBTB3 was found to be present on these carriers. Depletion of RhoBTB1 was also found to cause a disturbance to the Golgi architecture, however, this phenotype seems to be linked to endocytosis and retrograde traffic pathways. RhoBTB1 was found to be associated with early endosomal intermediates, and changes in the levels of RhoBTB1 not only caused profound changes to the organisation and distribution of endosomes and lysosomes, but also resulted in defects in the delivery of two different classes of cargo molecules to downstream compartments. Together, our data reveal new roles for these atypical Rho family members in the endomembrane system.
Investigation on Nonlinear Electromechanical Behavior of Conductive Polymer Composites-based Flexible Strain Sensor

Flexible electronics that have significant potential applications on medical care, human motion detection and human-machine interaction have attracted large amount attentions in the emerging electronics field. Particularly, flexible sensors exhibiting perception capability of natural physical signals while sustaining flexible and stretchable properties play a critical role in flexible electronics. In literature, lots of work focus on nanomaterials develop and structure design to promote the applications of variety of flexible electronics. In this paper, a strain sensor based on conductive polymer composites (CPCs) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was prepared. Specifically, different weight percentage of CNTs was mixed in the Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. In addition, silicone fluid was introduced into the CPCs to understand the influence on electromechanical performance. Besides, silicone fluid can adjust the flexibility and electrical conductivity of prepared CPCs-based strain sensors. Furthermore, cyclic electromechanical test was deployed to investigate the reliability and dynamical mechanical properties of presented strain sensors. Interestingly, strong nonlinear behavior between electrical resistance and applied strain was presented for strain sensors with different wt% CNTs and whether silicone fluid or not. To understand the mechanism behind this nonlinear behavior, conductive networks competition and time-dependent material mechanical property were discussed to support the presented experimental results. It was believed that the fundamental understanding on the nonlinear behavior of prepared CPCs based strain sensors could pave a way for the wide applications of flexible sensors on variety of areas.