Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Challenge Accepted? Individual Performance Gains for Motor Imagery Practice with Humanoid Robotic EEG Neurofeedback

Optimizing neurofeedback (NF) and brain–computer interface (BCI) implementations constitutes a challenge across many fields and has so far been addressed by, among others, advancing signal processing methods or predicting the user’s control ability from neurophysiological or psychological measures. In comparison, how context factors influence NF/BCI performance is largely unexplored. We here investigate whether a competitive multi-user condition leads to better NF/BCI performance than a single-user condition. We implemented a foot motor imagery (MI) NF with mobile electroencephalography (EEG). Twenty-five healthy, young participants steered a humanoid robot in a single-user condition and in a competitive multi-user race condition using a second humanoid robot and a pseudo competitor. NF was based on 8–30 Hz relative event-related desynchronization (ERD) over sensorimotor areas. There was no significant difference between the ERD during the competitive multi-user condition and the single-user condition but considerable inter-individual differences regarding which condition yielded a stronger ERD. Notably, the stronger condition could be predicted from the participants’ MI-induced ERD obtained before the NF blocks. Our findings may contribute to enhance the performance of NF/BCI implementations and highlight the necessity of individualizing context factors.
pH-Induced Changes in Polypeptide Conformation: Force-Field Comparison with Experimental Validation

Microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, circular dichroism, laser Doppler velocimetry, and dynamic light-scattering techniques have been used to investigate pH-induced changes in the secondary structure, charge, and conformation of poly l-lysine (PLL) and poly l-glutamic acid (PGA). The employed combination of the experimental methods reveals for both PLL and PGA a narrow pH range at which they are charged enough to form stable colloidal suspensions, maintaining their α-helix content above 60%; an elevated charge state of the peptides required for colloidal stability promotes the peptide solvation as a random coil. To obtain a more microscopic view on the conformations and to verify the modeling performance, peptide secondary structure and conformations rising in MD simulations are also examined using three different force fields, i.e., OPLS-AA, CHARMM27, and AMBER99SB*-ILDNP. Ramachandran plots reveal that in the examined setup the α-helix content is systematically overestimated in CHARMM27, while OPLS-AA overestimates the β-sheet fraction at lower ionization degrees. At high ionization degrees, the OPLS-AA force-field-predicted secondary structure fractions match the experimentally measured distribution most closely. However, the pH-induced changes in PLL and PGA secondary structure are reasonably captured only by the AMBER99SB*-ILDNP force field, with the exception of the fully charged PGA in which the α-helix content is overestimated. The comparison to simulations results shows that the examined force fields involve significant deviations in their predictions for charged homopolypeptides. The detailed mapping of secondary structure dependency on pH for the polypeptides, especially finding the stable colloidal α-helical regime for both examined peptides, has significant potential for practical applications of the charged homopolypeptides. The findings raise attention especially to the pH fine tuning as an underappreciated control factor in surface modification and self-assembly.
Human papillomavirus type 16 infection activates the host serine arginine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1) – splicing factor axis

The infectious life cycle of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is tightly linked to keratinocyte differentiation. Evidence suggests a sophisticated interplay between host gene regulation and virus replication. Alternative splicing is an essential process for host and viral gene expression, and is generally upregulated by serine arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSFs). SRSF activity can be positively or negatively controlled by cycles of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Here we show that HPV16 infection leads to accumulation of the paradigm SRSF protein, SRSF1, in the cytoplasm in a keratinocyte differentiation-specific manner. Moreover, HPV16 infection leads to increased levels of cytoplasmic and nuclear phosphorylated SRSF1. SR protein kinase 1 (SRPK1) phosphorylates SRSF1. Similar to HPV upregulation of SRSF1, we demonstrate HPV upregulation of SRPK1 via the viral E2 protein. SRPK1 depletion or drug inhibition of SRPK1 kinase activity resulted in reduced levels of SRSF1, suggesting that phosphorylation stabilizes the protein in differentiated HPV-infected keratinocytes. Together, these data indicate HPV infection stimulates the SRPK1–SRSF axis in keratinocytes.
The Oral Health Status of Chinese Elderly People with and without Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the caries, periodontal status, and toothbrushing practices of Chinese elderly people with and without dementia. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited Chinese people aged 65 years or over attending daycare centers in Hong Kong. The participants’ dementia status was identified from their medical record. Their demographic information and toothbrushing practices were obtained through a questionnaire survey. Caries experience, periodontal status, and oral hygiene were measured using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index, Community Periodontal Index, and Visible Plaque Index (VPI), respectively. The case matching process, using the propensity score, was conducted to match the participants in dementia and nondementia groups. The chi-square test and t-test were conducted for analysis. Results: A total of 341 elderly people participated in this study. After case matching by gender and age, 129 participants with dementia were matched with 99 participants without dementia. The mean age and mean DMFT of the dementia group versus the nondementia group were 80.9 ± 7.5 vs. 79.4 ± 6.7 (p = 0.428) and 22.5 ± 7.9 vs. 19.2 ± 9.3 (p = 0.041), respectively. There was no significant difference of periodontal status observed. The VPI of dementia and nondementia groups were 77% and 63%, respectively (p = 0.027). Though they had no difference in frequency of toothbrushing, more dementia participants encountered difficulties in toothbrushing than those without dementia (57% vs. 8%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with elderly people without dementia, Chinese elderly people with dementia had more caries experience and poorer oral hygiene in Hong Kong. They were more likely to have difficulty in performing toothbrushing.
Relationships between Severity of Internet Gaming Disorder, Severity of Problematic Social Media Use, Sleep Quality and Psychological Distress

Internet gaming and social media use are prevalent and integral to many people’s lives. However, excessive engagement in either could lead to negative health impacts. This study aimed to investigate relationships between severities of internet gaming disorder (IGD) and problematic social media use (operationalized as social media addiction; SMA) with sleep quality and psychological distress among young adults. A cross-sectional study with snowball sampling was conducted among Hong Kong university students in 2019. All participants (n = 300; mean (SD) age = 20.89 (1.48); 122 males (40.67%)) responded to an online survey that included Chinese versions of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multiple linear regressions demonstrated that IGDS-SF9 scores demonstrated associations with psychological distress measures (standardized coefficient (β) = 0.295 for depression, 0.325 for anxiety, 0.339 for stress, all p < 0.001). BSMAS scores showed similar albeit numerically less robust associations (β = 0.235 for depression, p < 0.001; 0.219 for anxiety, p = 0.001; 0.262 for stress, p < 0.001). BSMAS scores demonstrated associations with poorer sleep quality (β = 0.292; p < 0.001) and IGDS9-SF scores (β = 0.157; p = 0.024) showed a significantly less robust association (p = 0.01 for comparing the two βs). These findings suggest that both severities of IGD and SMA associate with more psychological distress and poorer sleep quality, although the strengths of associations may differ.
A 3D Cell Death Assay to Quantitatively Determine Ferroptosis in Spheroids

The failure of drug efficacy in clinical trials remains a big issue in cancer research. This is largely due to the limitations of two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, the most used tool in drug screening. Nowadays, three-dimensional (3D) cultures, including spheroids, are acknowledged to be a better model of the in vivo environment, but detailed cell death assays for 3D cultures (including those for ferroptosis) are scarce. In this work, we show that a new cell death analysis method, named 3D Cell Death Assay (3DELTA), can efficiently determine different cell death types including ferroptosis and quantitatively assess cell death in tumour spheroids. Our method uses Sytox dyes as a cell death marker and Triton X-100, which efficiently permeabilizes all cells in spheroids, was used to establish 100% cell death. After optimization of Sytox concentration, Triton X-100 concentration and timing, we showed that the 3DELTA method was able to detect signals from all cells without the need to disaggregate spheroids. Moreover, in this work we demonstrated that 2D experiments cannot be extrapolated to 3D cultures as 3D cultures are less sensitive to cell death induction. In conclusion, 3DELTA is a more cost-effective way to identify and measure cell death type in 3D cultures, including spheroids.
Investigation on an Absorbing Layer Suitable for a Noise-Reducing Two-Layer Pavement

A polyurethane-based rubber-modified layer within a road superstructure leads to absorption of traffic emissions. Noise emissions have quite a negative effect on society, as they lead to high stress levels and health risks for people. Therefore, constructional methods of noise-reducing road layers have been developed before. This research paper focuses on the questions whether the existing noise-reducing road constructions, which have a low durability, can be optimized in terms of a longer duration while simultaneously maintaining the noise-reducing effects. Within this research, a large parametric study contributed to an optimal solution of a noise-reducing and durable layer. We found that noise absorption is mainly dependent of the void content of the pavement and its flexibility. Also, a result is that the durability of a road layer is based on the properties of the binder as well as the composition of the mixture, i.e., the grading curve. As we used polyurethane binders within our mixtures, which have a low dependency on regular environmental temperatures after their complete chemical reaction, we can imply a low temperature dependence of the entire polyurethane asphalt mixture. Based on these results, the construction of a noise-reducing and durable road layer is a great solution. The application of such road layers leads to lower traffic emissions at major hotspots. These might be urban highways, where the infrastructure is too tight to build noise barriers, enclosures or tunnels.
PTPN22 phosphorylation acts as a molecular rheostat for the inhibition of TCR signaling

Phosphorylation of PTPN22 at Ser751 balances phosphatase degradation and plasma membrane recruitment. A switch for stability and function The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22 limits T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, and polymorphisms in the PTPN22 locus are associated with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases. Yang et al. showed that phosphorylation of Ser751 protected PTPN22 from degradation by preventing its ubiquitination. Phosphorylation of this site limited the ability of PTPN22 to inhibit TCR signaling by keeping it away from the plasma membrane (where active TCR is located). Phosphorylation of Ser751 enhanced the interaction of PTPN22 with the kinase CSK, and disruption of this interaction promotes the plasma membrane localization of the phosphatase. These results demonstrate how a single phosphorylation event is a switch for the stability and function of PTPN22, an important brake on TCR signaling. The hematopoietic-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) is encoded by a major autoimmunity risk gene. PTPN22 inhibits T cell activation by dephosphorylating substrates involved in proximal T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Here, we found by mass spectrometry that PTPN22 was phosphorylated at Ser751 by PKCα in Jurkat and primary human T cells activated with phorbol ester/ionomycin or antibodies against CD3/CD28. The phosphorylation of PTPN22 at Ser751 prolonged its half-life by inhibiting K48-linked ubiquitination and impairing recruitment of the phosphatase to the plasma membrane, which is necessary to inhibit proximal TCR signaling. Additionally, the phosphorylation of PTPN22 at Ser751 enhanced the interaction of PTPN22 with the carboxyl-terminal Src kinase (CSK), an interaction that is impaired by the PTPN22 R620W variant associated with autoimmune disease. The phosphorylation of Ser751 did not affect the recruitment of PTPN22 R620W to the plasma membrane but protected this mutant from degradation. Together, out data indicate that phosphorylation at Ser751 mediates a reciprocal regulation of PTPN22 stability versus translocation to TCR signaling complexes by CSK-dependent and CSK-independent mechanisms.
Biological characteristics associated with virulence in Clostridioides difficile ribotype 002 in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea and can sometimes lead to pseudo-membranous colitis and toxic megacolon. We previously reported that the PCR ribotype 002 was a common C. difficile ribotype in Hong Kong that was associated with increased mortality. In this study, we assessed in vitro bacteriological characteristics and in vivo virulence of ribotype 002 compared to other common ribotypes, including ribotypes 012, 014 and 046. We observed significantly higher toxin A (p < 0.05) and toxin B (p < 0.05) production, sporulation (p < 0.001) and germination rates (p < 0.0001) in ribotype 002 than other common ribotypes. In a murine model of C. difficile infection, ribotype 002 caused significantly more weight loss (p < 0.001) and histological damage (p < 0.001) than other common ribotypes. These findings may have contributed to the higher prevalence and mortality observed, and provided mechanistic insights that can help public surveillance and develop novel therapeutics to combat against this infection.
Heritability of cervical spinal cord structure

Objective Measures of spinal cord structure can be a useful phenotype to track disease severity and development; this observational study measures the hereditability of cervical spinal cord anatomy and its correlates in healthy human beings. Methods Twin data from the Human Connectome Project were analyzed with semiautomated spinal cord segmentation, evaluating test-retest reliability and broad-sense heritability with an AE model. Relationships between spinal cord metrics, general physical measures, regional brain structural measures, and motor function were assessed. Results We found that the spinal cord C2 cross-sectional area (CSA), left-right width (LRW), and anterior-posterior width (APW) are highly heritable (85%–91%). All measures were highly correlated with the brain volume, and CSA only was positively correlated with thalamic volumes (p = 0.005) but negatively correlated with the occipital cortex area (p = 0.001). LRW was correlated with the participant's height (p = 0.00027). The subjects' sex significantly influenced these metrics. Analyses of a test-retest data set confirmed validity of the approach. Conclusions This study provides the evidence of genetic influence on spinal cord structure. MRI metrics of cervical spinal cord anatomy are robust and not easily influenced by nonpathological environmental factors, providing a useful metric for monitoring normal development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders affecting the spinal cord, including—but not limited to—spinal cord injury and MS.
Newly Developed ADAMTS13 Antigen Assay Reveals Marked Ethnic Differences and Depletion in Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

ADAMTS13 is a metalloprotease that cleaves the A2-domain of von Willebrand factor, resulting in a normal processed protein. A defective or blocked enzyme causes a severe disorder, called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). The need for research tools, both clinical and fundamental, hence is urgent. To bypass the need for substantial amounts of highly purified antigen in order to produce monoclonal antibodies, we used genetic immunisation and an ADAMTS13 specific screening assay. Using this assay, high affinity hybridoma clones were selected and allowed us to set up a sensitive and reproducible sandwich ELISA. This antigen test is specific, as (i) plasma from a patient with acquired TTP but presenting without inhibitor, did not contain antigen and (ii) the binding of recombinant ADAMTS13 was inhibited by increasing amounts of ADAMTS13 in normal plasma. Antigen levels were measured relative to a standard of pooled normal human Caucasian plasma ( n =20) that was arbitrarily set to 1 U/mL. Antigen levels in congenital TTP samples (34 ± 21 mU/mL, n =2) (mean ± SD) as well as in samples from patients with acquired TTP (231 ± 287 mU/mL, n =11) were clearly reduced when compared to normal Caucasian donors (951 ± 206 mU/mL, n =16). The samples from the above mentioned acquired TTP patients were taken before plasma exchange (PE). We found that antigen levels (513 ± 223, n = 11) raised significantly after PE therapy. Hence, ADAMTS13 antigen is severely reduced ( n = 9) from non-carriers (668 ± 208 mU/mL, n = 11) within a genotyped family of a congenital Chinese TTP patient. We also found that normal Chinese donors have a significantly lower antigen titre (601 ± 129 mU/mL, n =15) than Caucasian normals. The consequences of this finding, on the molecular level, are however not clear.
Latent Toxoplasmosis Effects on Rodents and Humans: How Much is Real and How Much is Media Hype?

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, intracellular protozoan parasite with a broad range of intermediate hosts, including humans and rodents. In many hosts, T. gondii establishes a latent long-term infection by converting from its rapidly dividing or lytic form to its slowly replicating and encysting form. In humans and rodents, the major organ for encystment is the central nervous system (CNS), which has led many to investigate how this persistent CNS infection might influence rodent and human behavior and, more recently, neurodegenerative diseases. ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, intracellular protozoan parasite with a broad range of intermediate hosts, including humans and rodents. In many hosts, T. gondii establishes a latent long-term infection by converting from its rapidly dividing or lytic form to its slowly replicating and encysting form. In humans and rodents, the major organ for encystment is the central nervous system (CNS), which has led many to investigate how this persistent CNS infection might influence rodent and human behavior and, more recently, neurodegenerative diseases. Given the interest in this topic, here we seek to take a global approach to the data for and against the effects of latent T. gondii on behavior and neurodegeneration and the proposed mechanisms that might underlie behavior modifications.
Homeless clients’ perspectives on recovery in the Washington, DC, dual diagnosis project

Ernest Quimby is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Howard University (P.O. Box 987, Washington, DC 20059). He is currently the principal investigator of the federally funded Drug Abuse Research Technical Assistance Project (DAR TAP) for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and is a co-investigator on a project to assess the effectiveness of integrating clinical treatment with supported employment for the mentally disabled.
Functional Connectivity Changes in Retired Rugby League Players: A Data-Driven, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

There is considerable interest in the long-term brain health of retired contact and collision sport athletes; however little is known about possible underlying changes in functional brain connectivity in this group. We evaluated whole-brain functional connectivity patterns using multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to determine whether alterations in functional connectivity distinguish retired professional athletes from a matched group of healthy, community control subjects. Thirty-two retired athletes with a history of multiple self-reported sport-related concussions and thirty-six healthy community control subjects, who were similar in age and education, completed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We identified brain regions with abnormal functional connectivity patterns using whole-brain multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) as implemented in the Conn toolbox. First level MVPA was performed using 64 PCA components. Second level F test was performed using the first 3 MVPA components for retired athletes > controls group contrast. Post-hoc seed-to-voxel analyses using the MVPA cluster results as seeds were performed to characterize functional connectivity abnormalities from brain regions identified by MVPA. MVPA revealed one cluster of abnormal functional connectivity located in cerebellar lobule V. This region of lobule V corresponded to the ventral attention network. Post-hoc seed-to-voxel analysis using the cerebellar MVPA cluster as a seed revealed multiple areas of cerebral cortical hyperconnectivity and hypoconnectivity in retired athletes when compared to controls. This initial report suggests that cerebellar dysfunction might be present and clinically important in some retired athletes.
A comparison of submaximal exercise verses aerobic interval training on

1 This form should be used for both quantitative and qualitative dissertations. The descriptors associated with both quantitative and qualitative dissertations should be referred to by both students and markers. 2 There is scope within qualitative dissertations for the RESULTS and DISCUSSION sections to be presented as a combined section followed by an appropriate CONCLUSION. The mark distribution and criteria across these two sections should be aggregated in those circumstances. Student name: Student ID: