Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alpha-Band Lateralization and Microsaccades Elicited by Exogenous Cues Do Not Track Attentional Orienting

We explore the world by constantly shifting our focus of attention towards salient stimuli, and then disengaging from them in search of new ones. The alpha rhythm (8-13 Hz) has been suggested as a pivotal neural substrate of these attentional shifts, due to its local synchronization and desynchronization that suppresses irrelevant cortical areas and facilitates relevant areas, a phenomenon called alpha lateralization. Whether alpha lateralization tracks the focus of attention from orienting toward a salient stimulus to disengaging from it is still an open question. In this study, we addressed this question by leveraging the well-established phenomenon of Inhibition of Return (IOR), consisting of an initial facilitation in response times (RTs) for target stimuli appearing at an exogenously cued location, followed by a suppression of that location. Our behavioral data showed a typical IOR effect with both early facilitation and subsequent inhibition. By contrast, alpha was lateralized only in the cued direction, but never re-lateralized in a manner compatible with the behavioral inhibition effect. Importantly, also the initial lateralization towards the cue ocurred too late to account for the behavioral facilitation effect. Furthermore, we analyzed the interaction between alpha lateralization and microsaccades: at the same time when alpha was lateralized towards the cued location, microsaccades were mostly oriented away from the cued location. Crucially, the two phenomena showed a significant positive correlation. These results indicate that alpha lateralization reflects primarily the processing of salient stimuli, challenging the view that alpha lateralization is directly involved in exogenous attentional orienting per se. We discuss the relevance of the present findings for an oculomotor account of alpha lateralization as a modulator of cortical excitability in preparation of a saccade.
Atmospheric hydrogen oxidation extends to the domain archaea

Diverse aerobic bacteria use atmospheric hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) as energy sources to support growth and survival. Though recently discovered, trace gas oxidation is now recognised as a globally significant process that serves as the main sink in the biogeochemical H2 cycle and sustains microbial biodiversity in oligotrophic ecosystems. While trace gas oxidation has been reported in nine phyla of bacteria, it was not known whether archaea also use atmospheric H2. Here we show that a thermoacidophilic archaeon, Acidianus brierleyi (Thermoproteota), constitutively consumes H2 and CO to sub-atmospheric levels. Oxidation occurred during both growth and survival across a wide range of temperatures (10 to 70°C). Genomic analysis demonstrated that A. brierleyi encodes a canonical carbon monoxide dehydrogenase and, unexpectedly, four distinct [NiFe]-hydrogenases from subgroups not known to mediate aerobic H2 uptake. Quantitative proteomic analyses showed that A. brierleyi differentially produced these enzymes in response to electron donor and acceptor availability. A previously unidentified group 1 [NiFe]-hydrogenase, with a unique genetic arrangement, is constitutively expressed and upregulated during stationary phase and aerobic hydrogenotrophic growth. Another archaeon, Metallosphaera sedula, was also found to oxidize atmospheric H2. These results suggest that trace gas oxidation is a common trait of aerobic archaea, which likely plays a role in their survival and niche expansion, including during dispersal through temperate environments. These findings also demonstrate that atmospheric H2 consumption is a cross-domain phenomenon, suggesting an ancient origin of this trait, and identify previously unknown microbial and enzymatic sinks of atmospheric H2 and CO.
Genomic evaluation of a case of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus endocarditis: comparison with commercial yogurt isolates and examination of global population structure

Probiotics, including yogurt commonly containing bacteria of the Lactobacillus group, are widely used to promote microbiome health and to prevent gastrointestinal or other infections, especially in the setting of antibiotic use. Rarely, however, Lactobacillus bacteria have caused invasive or severe infections in patients. In this report, we present a patient with fatal Lacticaseibacillus bacteremia and endocarditis who frequently consumed yogurt. Whole genome sequencing identified the patient’s bloodstream isolate as Lacticaseibacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) rhamnosus, and sequencing of Lactobacillus isolates from selected commercial yogurt preparations revealed one isolate nearly identical to the patient’s isolate, differing by only one nucleotide (adenine to guanine substitution leading to a M1A amino acid change in the start codon of the nrdR gene). To place these sequences into broader context of L. rhamnosus strains, we compared them to 602 L. rhamnosus genome sequences publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information repository. Both isolates belonged to a clade, identified in this report as clade YC, composed of mostly gastrointestinal isolates from healthy individuals, some of which also differed by only a single nucleotide from the patient’s isolate. Members of clade YC had only rarely been previously identified in invasive infections. In summary, the Lacticaseibacillus strain causing this patient’s infection may have originated from a commercial dairy product or from the commensal flora of his gastrointestinal tract. This study demonstrates that whole genome sequencing may be insufficient to reliably determine the source of invasive infections caused by L. rhamnosus. IMPORTANCE Active culture and probiotic foods and supplements are often used to promote gut health. Though largely considered safe for human consumption, there are rare reports of severe infections linked to bacterial species used in these products. Using whole genome sequencing, we examined a case of fatal infection with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus in the patient’s blood. By comparing the bacterial genome sequence from the patient to strains cultured from 4 commercial yogurt samples and 602 publicly available sequences of L. rhamnosus from around the world, we found that it was nearly identical to one of the yogurt strains and equally similar to other strains from both probiotics and healthy individuals’ gastrointestinal tracts. These findings show that even with whole genome sequencing it can be difficult to determine the source of an invasive L. rhamnosus infection, whether from recent consumption of a probiotic or dairy product versus from the gastrointestinal microbiome.
Human Airway Mucociliary Tissue Cultures Chronically Exposed to E-Cigarette Vapors Exhibit Altered Cell Populations and Increased Secretion of Immunomodulatory Cytokines

Vape-pens or electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are handheld battery powered devices that use a vape-liquid to produce a vapor that is inhaled by the user. The active ingredients in commercial vape-liquids are commonly nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabidiol. A consequence of the rise in e-cigarette usage was the 2019 emergence of a vaping-induced respiratory disease denoted ‘e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury’ (EVALI). One of the suspected causes of EVALI is Vitamin E Acetate (VEA), which was found to be a diluent in certain illicit tetrahydrocannabinol vape-pens, whereas nicotine is commonly diluted in equal parts propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin (PG:VG). The prevalent use of e-cigarettes by both adult and young adult populations and the emergence of a novel illness has made understanding how e-cigarette vapors affect our respiratory tissues a public health concern. We have designed and produced a simple device that can operate commercial e-cigarettes and deliver the vapor to a chamber containing a standard cell culture multi-well plate. Here we utilize our device to investigate how human airway mucociliary tissue cultures respond after chronic exposure to vapors produced from either PG:VG or VEA. We note several differences between how PG:VG and VEA vapors interact with and alter airway tissue cultures and suggest potential mechanisms for how VEA-vapors can exacerbate EVALI symptoms. Our device combined with primary human airway tissue cultures make an economical and compact model system that allows for animal-free investigations into the acute and chronic consequences of e-cigarette vapors on primary respiratory cells.
Linear Simulation of the Stationary Eddies in a General Circulation Model. Part I: The No-Mountain Model

Abstract The quantitative validity of linear stationary wave theory is examined by comparing the results from a linear primitive equation model on the sphere with the stationary eddies produced by a general circulation model (GCM). The GCM simulated has a flat lower boundary, so that the stationary eddies can be thought of as forced by heating (sensible. latent and radiative) and time-averaged transient eddy flux convergences. Orographic forcing is examined in the second part of this study. The distribution of the diabatic heating and transient eddy flux convergences and the zonally symmetric basic state are taken directly from the GCM's climatology for Northern winter (DJF). Strong Rayleigh friction is included in the linear model wherever the zonal mean wind is small, as well as near the surface. The linear model is found to simulate the stationary eddy pattern of the GCM with considerable skin in both midlatitudes and the tropics. Some deficiencies include the inaccurate simulation of the upper troposp.
Dual impacts of a glycan shield on the envelope glycoprotein B of HSV-1: evasion from human antibodies in vivo and neurovirulence

ABSTRACT Identification of the mechanisms of viral evasion from human antibodies is crucial both for understanding viral pathogenesis and for designing effective vaccines. Here we show in cell cultures that an N-glycan shield on the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) envelope glycoprotein B (gB) mediated evasion from neutralization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity due to pooled γ-globulins derived from human blood. We also demonstrated that the presence of human γ-globulins in mice and immunity to HSV-1 induced by viral infection in mice significantly reduced replication in their eyes of a mutant virus lacking the glycosylation site but had little effect on the replication of its repaired virus. These results suggest that an N-glycan shield on a specific site of HSV-1 envelope gB mediated evasion from human antibodies in vivo and from HSV-1 immunity induced by viral infection in vivo. Notably, we also found that an N-glycan shield on a specific site of HSV-1 gB was significant for HSV-1 neurovirulence and replication in the central nervous system of naïve mice. Thus, we have identified a critical N-glycan shield on HSV-1 gB that has dual impacts, namely evasion from human antibodies in vivo and viral neurovirulence. IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong latent and recurrent infections in humans. To produce recurrent infections that contribute to transmission of the virus to new human host(s), the virus must be able to evade the antibodies persisting in latently infected individuals. Here, we show that an N-glycan shield on the specific site of the envelope glycoprotein B (gB) of HSV-1 mediates evasion from pooled γ-globulins derived from human blood both in cell cultures and mice. Notably, the N-glycan shield on the specific site of gB was also significant for HSV-1 neurovirulence in naïve mice. Considering the clinical features of HSV-1 infection, these results suggest that the glycan shield not only facilitates recurrent HSV-1 infections in latently infected humans by evading antibodies but is also important for HSV-1 pathogenesis during the initial infection. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong latent and recurrent infections in humans. To produce recurrent infections that contribute to transmission of the virus to new human host(s), the virus must be able to evade the antibodies persisting in latently infected individuals. Here, we show that an N-glycan shield on the specific site of the envelope glycoprotein B (gB) of HSV-1 mediates evasion from pooled γ-globulins derived from human blood both in cell cultures and mice. Notably, the N-glycan shield on the specific site of gB was also significant for HSV-1 neurovirulence in naïve mice. Considering the clinical features of HSV-1 infection, these results suggest that the glycan shield not only facilitates recurrent HSV-1 infections in latently infected humans by evading antibodies but is also important for HSV-1 pathogenesis during the initial infection.
Mycorrhizal status impacts the genetic architecture of mineral accumulation in field grown maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbioses with major crop species, providing their hosts with greater access to mineral nutrients and promoting tolerance to heavy metal toxicity. There is considerable interest in AMF as biofertilizers and for their potential in breeding for greater nutrient efficiency and stress tolerance. However, it remains a challenge to estimate the nutritional benefits of AMF in the field, in part due to a lack of suitable AMF-free controls. Here we evaluated the impact of AMF on the concentration of 20 elements in the leaves and grain of field grown maize using a custom genetic mapping population in which half of the families carry the AMF-incompatibility mutation castor. By comparing AMF-compatible and AMF-incompatible families, we confirmed the benefits of AMF in increasing the concentration of essential mineral nutrients (e.g., P, Zn, and Cu) and reducing the concentration of toxic elements (e.g., Cd and As) in a medium-input subtropical field. We characterised the genetic architecture of element concentration using quantitative trait mapping and identified loci that were specific to AMF-compatible or AMF-incompatible families, consistent with their respective involvement in mycorrhizal or direct nutrient uptake. Patterns of element covariance changed depending on AMF status and could be used to predict variation in mycorrhizal colonisation. We comment on the potential of AMF to drive genotype-specific differences in the host ionome across fields and to impact the alignment of biofortification breeding targets. Our results highlight the benefits of AMF in improving plant access to micronutrients while protecting from heavy metals, and indicate the potential benefits of considering AMF in biofortification programs.
Sex and timing of gonadectomy relative to puberty interact to influence weight, body composition, and feeding behaviors in mice

Gonadal sex steroids are important regulators of energy balance in adult rodents, and gonadectomy (GDX) has opposing effects on weight gain in sexually mature males and females. Puberty is associated with the emergence of sex differences in weight, body composition, and feeding behaviors, yet the role of gonadal hormones at puberty remains unclear. To address this, we performed GDX or sham surgery in male and female C57Bl/6 mice at postnatal day (P)25 (prepubertal) or P60 (postpubertal) timepoints and measured weight and body composition for 35 days, after which ad libitum and operant food intake was measured using Feeding Experimentation Device 3 (FED3s) in the home cage. Consistent with previous studies, postpubertal GDX caused weight gain in females and weight loss in males and increased adiposity in both sexes. However, prepubertal GDX decreased weight gain and altered body composition across the adolescent transition (P25 to P60) in males but had no effect in females. Despite the varied effects on weight, GDX decreased food intake and motivation for food as assessed in operant tasks regardless of sex or timing of surgery relative to puberty. Our findings indicate that GDX interacts with both sex and age at surgery to influence weight, body composition, and feeding behavior. Highlights Gonadectomy had opposing effects on weight in males and females when performed in adulthood. Gonadectomy performed prior to puberty decreased weight gain in males but did not affect weight gain in females. Across sex and age at surgery, GDX decreased ad libitum food intake and reduced operant responding for food. Decreased food intake under effortful conditions was not explained by body weight in GDX mice.
ON LOCAL IONIZATION EQUILIBRIUM AND DISK WINDS IN QSOs

We present theoretical C iv λλ1548,1550 absorption line profiles for QSOs calculated assuming the accretion disk wind (ADW) scenario. The results suggest that the multiple absorption troughs seen in many QSOs may be due to the discontinuities in the ion balance of the wind (caused by X-rays), rather than discontinuities in the density/velocity structure. The profiles are calculated from a 2.5-dimensional time-dependent hydrodynamic simulation of a line-driven disk wind for a typical QSO black hole mass, a typical QSO luminosity, and for a standard Shakura–Sunyaev disk. We include the effects of ionizing X-rays originating from within the inner disk radius by assuming that the wind is shielded from the X-rays from a certain viewing angle up to 90° (“edge on”). In the shielded region, we assume constant ionization equilibrium, and thus constant line-force parameters. In the non-shielded region, we assume that both the line-force and the C iv populations are nonexistent. The model can account for P-Cygni absorption troughs (produced at edge on viewing angles), multiple absorption troughs (produced at viewing angles close to the angle that separates the shielded region and the non-shielded region), and for detached absorption troughs (produced at an angle in between the first two absorption line types); that is, the model can account for the general types of broad absorption lines seen in QSOs as a viewing angle effect. The steady nature of ADWs, in turn, may account for the steady nature of the absorption structure observed in multiple-trough broad absorption line QSOs. The model parameters are Mbh = 109 M☉ and Ldisk = 1047 erg s−1.
‘Reconfiguration and adaptation of a church in times of Covid-19 pandemic: A focus on selected churches in Harare and Marondera, Zimbabwe

Abstract The explosion of COVID-19 pandemic on the global scene has redefined human interaction in a manner that is unprecedented. Religious practices have also been challenged globally as the new norm of social distancing and lockdown become the new normal strictly enforced by state apparatus. Freedom of association that underpins the hallmark of worshipping has thus been put to a halt. Churches then have to negotiate and create a new norm under such unchartered territories. This paper raises the key question around the new forms of exclusivity that is being brought by the pandemic in the operations of the church and how the church is attempting to deal with this. Using mostly virtual interviews with different representatives of selected churches in Harare and Marondera, the researchers investigated how the churches are adapting to the new social order. The paper demonstrated how COVID-19 lockdown has affected the operations of churches in Zimbabwe. Key policy pronunciations of social distancing and staying at home had direct and indirect implications on church members as well the administration of the church. Though the paper showed that adoption of digital platforms to communicate emerged as the most obvious option, there are some challenges that were highlighted. The paper also concludes that the church regrets the way it was “side-lined” in the promulgation of the policy position on Covid-19. There was a strong sentiment that the state could have engaged the church more as they also had the capacity to provide solutions to the problem.
What are the impacts of water deficit, cultivars, and years on the dynamics of nutrient uptake by common bean? Part II: Ca, Mg, and S

Abstract We aimed to explain and compare Ca, Mg, and S uptake dynamics by two common bean cultivars with contrasting growth habits as a function of water deficit severity in two years to generate more specific information for their fertilization management. A field study was set up using the cultivars IAC Imperador, with a determinate growth habit and early cycle, and IPR Campos Gerais, with an indeterminate growth habit and intermediate cycle. These cultivars were maintained under three irrigation levels, that is, severe (54% ETc), moderate (77% ETc), and no water deficit (100% ETc). The absorption order was Ca > Mg > S, regardless of the treatment. For the IAC Imperador, the Ca uptake ranged from 72 to 127 kg ha−1, Mg from 17.2 to 39.1 kg ha−1 and S from 7.9 to 16.5 kg ha−1, while for the IPR Campos Gerais it ranged from 92 to 156 kg ha−1, 21.0 to 36.5 kg ha−1 and 14.6 to 33.7 kg ha−1, respectively. Overall, severe water deficit reduced Ca, Mg, and S absorption by more than 25%. The IPR Campos Gerais presents, on average, 64% higher S accumulation, while the highest Ca and Mg accumulation order depends on the year. Compared to the IAC Imperador, this cultivar showed a later S absorption peak (up to +23 days), and higher interannual variability in the growth and nutrient absorption due to its indeterminate growth habit. These differences evidence the importance of specific fertilizer management practices for Ca, Mg and S in common bean, assisting in optimizing nutrient use.
Sparse based recurrent neural network long short term memory (rnn-lstm) model for the classification of ecg signals

ABSTRACT In recent years, with the advancement of classical signal processing approaches, numerous works have been performed on the automatic ECG detection schemes for the enhancement of the effectiveness of the identification of the type of ECG heartbeats. One common issue faced by the previous works is the complexity of signal processing. In order to resolve the computational and complexity issues of existing techniques of signal processing, this research work introduces Sparse representation technique for extracting feature. In this study, adaptive thresholding technique combined with Sparse-based Recurrent Neural Network – Long Short Term Memory (RNN-LSTM) model is employed for the classification of ECG signals. P-QRS-T peaks are identified by employing Adaptive thresholding technique. Statistical features are obtained for each signal and are employed in the process of dictionary learning of sparse decomposition. Sparse representations of the incoming ECG signals are used in training the RNN-LSTM network. The trained classifier will give a classified result on giving a test ECG input signal. The performance indices for the process of classification such as accuracy, precision, error rate, sensitivity, and F-score are calculated. The performance of the proposed Sparse based RNN-LSTM classifier is found to be better in comparison with the existing RNN classifier, K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN) classifier, and Decision Tree (DT) classifier. Furthermore, for validating the performance of the proposed framework, this approach is tested experimentally with real-world raw ECG data acquired using the AD8232 single-lead ECG sensor. The performance of the proposed experimental setup is compared with the existing state-of-the-art approaches.