Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of lasalocid, narasin, or virginiamycin supplementation on rumen parameters and performance of beef cattle fed forage-based diet

Abstract Two experiments were designed to evaluate the impacts of supplementing lasalocid (LAS), narasin (NAR), or virginiamycin (VRM) on rumen fermentation parameters, apparent nutrient digestibility, and blood parameters (Exp. 1), as well as feed intake and performance (Exp. 2) of Nellore cattle consuming a forage-based diet. In Exp. 1, 32 rumen-fistulated Nellore steers (initial shrunk body weight [BW] = 355 ± 4.4 kg) were assigned to a randomized complete block design. Within block, animals were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) forage-based diet without feed additives (CON), 2) CON diet plus 13 mg/kg of dry matter (DM) of NAR, 3) CON diet plus 20 mg/kg of DM of sodium LAS, or 4) CON diet plus 20 mg/kg of DM of VRM. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.32) for intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients. Steers fed NAR had the lowest (P ≤ 0.01) molar proportion of acetate on day 28, 56, and 112 vs. CON, LAS, and VRM steers, whereas acetate did not differ (P ≥ 0.25) between LAS, VRM, and CON steers from day 28 to 84. On day 112, steers fed LAS had a lower (P < 0.02) molar proportion of acetate vs. VRM and CON, whereas it did not differ between CON and VRM (P > 0.33). Steers receiving NAR had a greater (P ≤ 0.04) ruminal propionate vs. CON, LAS, and VRM, whereas LAS steers had greater (P < 0.04) propionate vs. CON and VRM steers on day 28 and 112, and it did not differ (P > 0.22) between CON and VRM. In Exp. 2, 160 Nellore bulls were blocked by initial shrunk BW (212 ± 3.1 kg) in a 140-d feedlot trial. Diets contained the same treatments used in Exp. 1. Bulls fed NAR had greater (P < 0.02) average daily gain (ADG) vs. CON and VRM, and similar (P = 0.17) ADG between NAR and LAS, whereas ADG did not differ (P > 0.28) between LAS, VRM, and CON bulls. A treatment effect was detected (P = 0.03) for dry matter intake, being greater in NAR vs. CON, LAS, and VRM bulls, and similar (P > 0.48) between CON, LAS, and VRM bulls. A tendency was detected (P = 0.09) for feed efficiency, which was greater (P < 0.02) in NAR bulls vs. CON and VRM, and similar (P = 0.36) between NAR and LAS bulls. From day 112 to 140, bulls receiving NAR were heavier (P < 0.03) vs. CON, LAS, and VRM bulls, but no differences were observed (P > 0.51) between CON, LAS, and VRM bulls. Collectively, ruminal fermentation profile and intake were impacted by NAR supplementation, which partially contributed to the enhanced performance of Nellore bulls receiving a forage-based diet.
Circadian (re)colonisation dynamics of macroinvertebrates in an isolated karst spring

Freshwater ecosystems, especially springs, are highly sensitive to environmental changes. They are also excellent natural laboratories because of their stable conditions, reducing the number of variables to be considered in field studies. We examined the composition, dynamics and colonisation patterns of macroinvertebrates with respect to canopy coverage and time of day in which available areas are actively colonised. We used artificial substrates that mimicked the natural habitat structure at an isolated karst spring and recovered exposed substrates every 12 h. Physico-chemical parameters of water did not differ significantly regardless of canopy cover. The most numerous representatives and the pioneering champions were larvae of Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) and Chironomidae (Diptera). Simuliidae were also among the most successful pioneering species. Most observed groups more actively colonised substrates in the closed canopy area. Oligochaeta and Gammarus fossarum were more numerous on substrates in the open canopy area. Individuals of all analysed groups showed day-night migration patterns and were more active at night. Coleoptera (Elmis sp.) were the poorest (re)colonisers among the analysed taxa.
Perceptual Localization Performance of the Whole Hand Vibrotactile Funneling Illusion

Funneling illusion refers to a midway perceived illusory tactile sensation between multiple distant stimulations. Since haptic illusion provides guidelines to simplify tactile interfaces, funneling illusion has been explored on different parts of human skin. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptual localization performance of vibrotactile funneling illusion on palmar side of the hand. It is based on the idea of leveraging the vibrotactile funneling illusion to produce distributed vibrotactile stimuli across the entire hand using only a few vibration actuators. By designing a glove with actuators on five fingertips and the palm heel, we measured the localization density of funneling illusion on the whole hand in two experimental conditions [one-dimensional (1D) illusion along each finger and 2D illusion on palmar plane]. The results showed that the average correct rate of location discrimination was 97%, 82%, and 71% in 3-, 4-, and 5-location densities for 1D illusion and 85%, 70%, and 58% in 11-, 16-, and 21-location densities for 2D illusion, respectively. These findings confirmed the feasibility of simulating multi-location stimuli using only a few actuators. Also, perceptual guidelines were provided for the designing of vibrotactile gloves by leveraging the entire hand funneling illusion.
Effect of Previous Disease-Modifying Therapy on Treatment Effectiveness for Patients Treated With Ocrelizumab

Background and Objectives B cell–depleting antibodies were proven as effective strategy for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab was approved in 2017 in the United States and in 2018 in the European Union, but despite proven efficacy in randomized, controlled clinical trials, its effectiveness in the real-world setting remains to be fully elucidated. In particular, most study patients were treatment naive or switched from injectable therapies, whereas oral substances or monoclonal antibodies made up >1% of previous treatments. Methods We evaluated ocrelizumab-treated patients with RMS enrolled in the prospective cohorts at the University Hospitals Duesseldorf and Essen, Germany. Epidemiologic data at baseline were compared, and Cox proportional hazard models were applied to evaluate outcomes. Results Two hundred eighty patients were included (median age: 37 years, 35% male patients). Compared with using ocrelizumab as a first-line treatment, its use as a third-line therapy increased hazard ratios (HRs) for relapse and disability progression, whereas differences between first- vs second-line and second- vs third-line remained smaller. We stratified patients according to their last previous disease-modifying treatment and here identified fingolimod (FTY) (45 patients, median age 40 years, 33% male patients) as a relevant risk factor for ongoing relapse activity despite 2nd-line (HR: 3.417 [1.007–11.600]) or 3rd-line (HR: 5.903 [2.489–13.999]) ocrelizumab treatment, disability worsening (2nd line: HR: 3.571 [1.013–12.589]; 3rd line: HR: 4.502 [1.728–11.729]), and occurrence of new/enlarging MRI lesions (2nd line: HR: 1.939 [0.604–6.228]; 3rd line: HR: 4.627 [1.982–10.802]). Effects were persistent throughout the whole follow-up. Neither peripheral B-cell repopulation nor immunoglobulin G levels were associated with rekindling disease activity. Discussion Our prospectively collected observational data suggest suboptimal effectiveness of ocrelizumab in patients switching from FTY compared with those switching from other substances or having been treatment naive. These findings support previous studies indicating abated effectiveness of immune cell–depleting therapies following FTY treatment in patients with RMS. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with RMS, previous treatment with FTY compared with previous treatment with other immunomodulating therapies decreases the effectiveness of ocrelizumab.
Silencing of dentate gyrus inhibits mossy fiber sprouting and prevents epileptogenesis through NDR2 kinase in pentylenetetrazole kindling rat model of TLE

Epileptogenesis is a potential process. Mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) contributes to epileptogenesis. Silencing of the dentate gyrus (DG) suppressed spontaneous seizures model of epilepsy and hyperactivity of granule cells resulted in MFS in vitro. However, the role of DG’s excitability in epileptogenesis have not yet been well explored, and underlying mechanisms has not been elucidated. Using chemical genetics, we studied whether MFS and epileptogenesis could be modulated by silencing of DG in the PTZ kindling rat model of epilepsy. MFS and protein expression was measured by Timm staining, Western blotting, and Immunofluorescence. Previous studies demonstrated that MFS and epileptogenesis could be modulated by a regulator of axonal growth (e.g. RGMa, PTEN). NDR2 kinase regulate neuronal polarity and prevents the formation of supernumerary axons in the hippocampus. We experimentally confirmed chemogenetic inhibition in DG resulted in decreased MFS and NDR2 expression, and alleviated epileptogenesis. Furthermore, our results showed that injection of AVV vector expressing NDR2 into DG induced upregulation of NDR2 in the hippocampus, and over expression of NDR2 in the hippocampus promote MFS and block protective effect of chemogenetic silencing of DG on epileptogenesis. Overall, we concluded that silencing of DG inhibits MFS and prevents epileptogenesis through NDR2 in the hippocampus in the PTZ kindling rat model of TLE, thereby providing a possible strategy to prevent epileptogenesis.
No Increased Risk of Cardiac Birth Defects in Infants of Mothers With Celiac Disease: A Population and Sibling Comparison

INTRODUCTION: Several earlier studies have indicated an increased risk of cardiac birth defects among infants born to mothers with celiac disease (CeD). Through linking nationwide Swedish health care registries, we aimed to investigate maternal CeD and risk of any or cardiac birth defects in their offspring. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of infants born between 2002 and 2016 to women with biopsy-proven CeD (villous atrophy, Marsh III) matched to infants born to nonceliac women from the general population. Conditional logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to determine the association between maternal CeD and birth defects. To minimize the impact of intrafamilial confounding, we also compared infants born to mothers with CeD with infants born to their nonaffected sisters. RESULTS: A total of 6,990 infants were born to mothers with diagnosed CeD compared with 34,643 infants born to reference mothers. Any birth defect was seen in 234 (33 per 1,000 infants) and 1,244 (36/1,000) reference infants corresponding to an OR of 0.93 (95% CI 0.81–1.08). Cardiac birth defects were seen in 113 (16/1,000) vs 569 (16/1,000) infants (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.80–1.20). Similar OR for any and cardiac birth defects were also seen in sibling comparisons. DISCUSSION: We found no statistically significant risk of any or cardiac birth defects in infants born to mothers with diagnosed CeD compared with the general population and to their nonaffected sisters.
Gabor and Non-Gabor Neural Representations Are Shared between Visual Perception and Mental Imagery

Abstract Visual perception and mental imagery have been shown to share a hierarchical topological visual structure of neural representation, despite the existence of dissociation of neural substrate between them in function and structure. However, we have limited knowledge about how the visual hierarchical cortex is involved in visual perception and visual imagery in a unique and shared fashion. In this study, a data set including a visual perception and an imagery experiment with human participants was used to train 2 types of voxel-wise encoding models. These models were based on Gabor features and voxel activity patterns of high-level visual cortex (i.e., fusiform face area, parahippocampal place area, and lateral occipital complex) to predict activity in the early visual cortex (EVC, i.e., V1, V2, V3) during perception, and then tested with respect to the generalization of these models to mental imagery. Our results showed that during perception and imagery, activities in the EVC could be independently predicted by the Gabor features and activity of high-level visual cortex via voxel-wise encoding models, which suggested that perception and imagery might share neural representation in the EVC. We further found Gabor-specific and non-Gabor-specific patterns of neural response to stimuli in the EVC, which were shared by perception and imagery. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of how visual perception and imagery share representation in the EVC.
Interfacial water molecules contribute to antibody binding to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Abstract Antibodies that recognize the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), especially the neutralizing antibodies, carry great hope in the treatment and final elimination of COVID-19. Driven by a synchronized global effort, thousands of antibodies against the spike protein have been identified during the past two years, with the structural information available at atomistic detail for hundreds of these antibodies. We developed an improved molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) method including explicitly treated interfacial water to calculate the binding free energy between representative antibodies and the receptor binding domain (RBD) domain of SARS-COV-2 spike proteins. We discovered that explicit treatment of water molecules located at the interface between RBD and antibody effectively improves the results for the WT and variants of concern (VOC) systems. Interfacial water molecules, together with surface and internal water molecules, behave drastically from bulk water and exert peculiar impacts on protein dynamics and energy, and thus warrant explicit treatment to complement implicit solvent models. Our results illustrate the importance of including interfacial water molecules to approach efficient and reliable prediction of binding free energy. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
sInterBase: a comprehensive database of Escherichia coli sRNA–mRNA interactions

Abstract Summary sInterBase is a comprehensive and easy-to-operate web-based platform for mining experimentally identified sRNA–mRNA interactions in Escherichia coli. Interactions in the database are annotated with an interaction duplex and a set of descriptive features. sInterBase provides advanced functionality, such as flexible search based on various criteria, statistical analysis via charts, browsing, and downloading interactions for further use. Availability and implementation sInterBase is available at https://sinterbase.cs. bgu.ac. il/.
An exploration of trolling behaviours in Australian adolescents: An online survey

To understand why people “troll” (i.e., engage in disruptive online behaviour intended to provoke and distress for one’s own amusement), researchers have explored a range of individual differences. These studies have primarily been conducted in adult samples, despite adolescents being a particularly vulnerable group with regards to both being trolled and trolling others. In this study we aimed to (1) explore Australian adolescents’ experiences of trolling, and (2) replicate adult research that has constructed a psychological profile of the Internet troll by examining the utility of personality traits (psychopathy and sadism), self-esteem, empathy (cognitive and affective), and social rewards (negative social potency) to predict adolescents’ trolling behaviours. A sample of 157 Australian adolescents (40.8% male, 58% female, 0.6% non-binary) aged 13–18 years (M = 15.58, SD = 1.71) completed the Global Assessment of Internet Trolling-Revised, Adolescent Measure of Empathy and Sympathy, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Youth Psychopathy Traits Inventory-Short Version, Social Rewards Questionnaire, Short Sadistic Impulse Scale, and a series of questions related to the experience of trolling. Results showed in the past year, 24.2% of Australian adolescents reported being trolled and 13.4% reported having trolled others. Gender, psychopathy, sadism, self-esteem, cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and “negative social potency” (i.e., enjoyment of antisocial rewards) combined, explained 30.7% of variance in adolescents’ trolling behaviours (p < .001). When accounting for shared variance, gender (male), high psychopathy, and high negative social potency were significant predictors of trolling, aligning with findings of adult samples. Contrary to adult samples, sadism was not a unique predictor of adolescents’ trolling. For adolescents, the variance in trolling explained by sadism was nonsignificant when controlling for negative social potency. These similarities, and differences, in predictors of trolling across adult and adolescent samples may play a critical role in the development of targeted interventions to prevent or manage trolling.
The optical microscopy of colloidal suspensions

The colloidal state has long been of interest to physicists, both in its own right and as a model for atomic systems. In particular, colloidal suspensions with low size-polydispersity have been widely used as model hard spheres. Optical microscopy can resolve detail at the larger end of the colloidal length scale, and to image suspensions at an individual particle level of resolution would allow the investigation of local behaviour in a way denied to the established techniques of light-scattering. To achieve high-contrast single-particle resolution in dense suspensions that are thick enough to show behaviour the same as would be expected in the bulk is not a trivial exercise, however. This work builds on established advanced techniques of the light microscopy of phase objects, to develop an effective method of achieving this aim, addressing issues of imaging technique, suspension mounting and the interpretation of image data. The usefulness of this newly developed experimental protocol is demonstrated by, amongst other results, a detailed study of the structure of the colloidal crystals found in hardsphere suspensions and an investigation of the nucleation of such crystals from the metastable colloidal fluid.
L1CAM immunocapture generates a unique extracellular vesicle population with a reproducible miRNA fingerprint

ABSTRACT Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs with significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. However, a lack of reproducibility across studies has hindered their introduction into clinical settings. Inconsistencies between studies include a lack of consensus on the miRNAs associated with a specific disease and the direction of regulation. These differences may reflect the heterogenous nature of pathologies with multiple phenotypes, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is also possible that discrepancies are due to different sampling, processing, and analysis protocols across labs. Using miRNA extracted from L1CAM immunoaffinity purified extracellular vesicles (neural-enriched extracellular vesicles or NEE), we thrice replicated an 8-miRNA fingerprint diagnostic of ALS, which includes the miRNA species and direction of regulation. We aimed to determine if the extra purification steps required to generate NEE created a unique extracellular vesicle (EV) fraction that might contribute to the robustness and replicability of our assay. We compared three fractions from control human plasma: 1) total heterogenous EVs (T), 2) L1CAM/neural enriched EVs (NEE), and 3) the remaining total-minus-NEE fraction (T-N). Each fraction was characterized for size, total protein content, and protein markers, then total RNA was extracted, and qPCR was run on 20 miRNAs. We report that the miRNA expression within NEE was different enough compared to T and T-N to justify the extra steps required to generate this fraction. We conclude that L1CAM immunocapture generates a unique fraction of EVs that consistently and robustly replicates a miRNA fingerprint which differentiates ALS patients from controls.
Dynamics of Interacting Galaxies

Interacting galaxies encompass a tremendous range of phenomena­ indeed, if events during galaxy formation are counted, there are probably few galaxies that were not shaped by interactions or even outright mergers (e.g. Toomre 1977, Efstathiou 1990). In order to keep our subject from completely overrunning the bounds of a single article we focus on the dynamics of interacting galaxies as observed in our own epoch. Even within this focus, there are many interrelated topics-including star formation, nuclear activity, and galactic morphology-which continually tempt reviewers to depart on inviting tangents. While exploring some of these byways, this article makes no pretense at a complete coverage of the subject. A more observationally oriented review of galactic collisions has been presented by Schweizer (J986), while earlier numerical work has been summarized by White (1983b). Galactic interactions have featured prominently in recent conferences-the proceedings edited by Wielen (1990) and by Sulentic et al (1990) together present a wider range of viewpoints on this subject than we could hope to encompass here. It is fortunate that excellent reviews of some related topics have recently
Persistent Anomalies, Blocking and Variations in Atmospheric Predictability

Abstract We consider regimes of low-frequency variability in large-scale atmospheric dynamics. The model used for the study of these regimes is the fully-nonlinear, equivalent-barotropic vorticity equation on the sphere, with simplified forcing, dissipation and topography. Twenty-five modes are retained in a spherical harmonics expansion of the streamfunction. Solutions are studied as a function of the nondimensional intensity of the forcing and dissipation. Multiple stationary solutions are obtained as a result of nonlinear interaction between waves, mean flow and orography. The number of modes retained in the analysis permits these multiple equilibria to appear for realistic values of the forcing. The equilibria exhibit blocked and zonal flow patterns bearing a marked resemblance to synoptically defined zonal and blocked Northern Hemisphere midlatitude flows. Wave-wave interactions influence strongly the stability properties of the equilibria and the time evolution of nonequilibrium solutions. Time-depe.