Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Working memory as a factor mediating explicit and implicit knowledge of English grammar

Abstract This paper reports the findings of a study that investigated the relationship between phonological short-term memory (PSTM), working memory capacity (WMC), and the level of mastery of L2 grammar. Grammatical mastery was operationalized as the ability to produce and comprehend English passive voice with reference to explicit and implicit (or highly automatized) knowledge. Correlational analysis showed that PSTM was related to implicit productive knowledge while WMC was linked to explicit productive knowledge. However, regression analysis showed that those relationships were weak and mediated by overall mastery of target language grammar, operationalized as final grades in a grammar course.
A Near-Field-Focused Reflectarray for Highly Efficient Wireless Power Transfer Application: An NFF Reflectarray for Highly Efficient WPT

This paper provides a detailed research on near-field-focused (NFF) wireless power transfer (WPT) application using a reflectarray antenna. We apply an analytical model to explore detailed performances on the efficiency of near-field-focused wireless power transfer assuming a Cosine distribution of the E-field amplitude on the aperture. The performance curves are obtained for planar square arrays as a function of the receiving area and the position of the geometrical focal point. A reflectarray with area of 1.3 m2 comprises 60 × 60 units is proposed and simulated at 5.8 GHz. The full-wave simulation results are in a good agreement with the design curves. Full-wave simulations demonstrate that the proposed reflectarray actually forms a focused spot at a distance of 6.3 m, and possesses a high transfer efficiency of 45% at 10 meters away from the array when the receiving area is 0.26 m2, which proves our model possesses significant guideline value for designing WPT system with high efficiency.
Exploring Additional Personalized Support While Attempting Exercise Problems in Online Learning Platforms

In online asynchronous learning environments, students are assigned exercises, but it is not clear how to incorporate the kinds of actions an in-person tutor might take such as explaining, providing more practice, prompting for reflection, and motivating. We explore approaches to adding "Drop-Downs'' that appear after a student submits an answer and that contain additional information to support learning. We conducted randomized A/B experiments exploring the impact of these Drop-Downs on student learning in the online portion of a flipped CS1 course. The deployed Drop-Downs in this course provided explanations, reflective prompts, additional problems, and motivational messages. The results suggest that students benefit from various Drop-Downs in different contexts, indicating the possibility of personalizing content based on the student's state. We discuss the resulting design implications of Drop-Downs in online learning systems.
The Rab GTPase activating protein TBC-2 extends longevity by facilitating release of FOXO/DAF-16 from endosomes

FOXO transcription factors have been shown to regulate longevity in model organisms and are associated with longevity in humans. To gain insight into how FOXO functions to increase lifespan, we examined the subcellular localization of DAF-16 in C. elegans. We show that DAF-16 is localized to endosomes and that this endosomal localization is increased by the insulin-IGF signaling (IIS) pathway. Endosomal localization of DAF-16 is also increased by disrupting the Rab GTPase activating protein TBC-2, or decreased by inhibiting the RAB-5 or RAB-7 GTPases, key regulators of early to late endosome maturation. Importantly, the amount of DAF-16 that is localized to endosomes has functional consequences as increasing endosomal localization through mutations in tbc-2 decreased the lifespan of long-lived daf-2 IGFR mutants, depleted their fat stores, and DAF-16 target gene expression. Finally, we show that the ability of TBC-2 proteins, TBC1D2 and TBC1D2B, to regulate FOXO protein localization is conserved in human cells. Overall, this work identifies endosomal localization as a mechanism regulating FOXO/DAF-16, which is important for its functions in metabolism and aging.
Tricalbin proteins regulate plasma membrane phospholipid homeostasis

The extended synaptotagmin (E-Syt) family are conserved proteins that function at membrane contacts. This study reveals that yeast E-Syt family members regulate phospholipid homeostasis necessary for plasma membrane integrity. The evolutionarily conserved extended synaptotagmin (E-Syt) proteins are calcium-activated lipid transfer proteins that function at contacts between the ER and plasma membrane (ER-PM contacts). However, roles of the E-Syt family members in PM lipid organisation remain incomplete. Among the E-Syt family, the yeast tricalbin (Tcb) proteins are essential for PM integrity upon heat stress, but it is not known how they contribute to PM maintenance. Using quantitative lipidomics and microscopy, we find that the Tcb proteins regulate phosphatidylserine homeostasis at the PM. Moreover, upon heat-induced membrane stress, Tcb3 co-localises with the PM protein Sfk1 that is implicated in PM phospholipid asymmetry and integrity. The Tcb proteins also control the PM targeting of the known phosphatidylserine effector Pkc1 upon heat-induced stress. Phosphatidylserine has evolutionarily conserved roles in PM organisation, integrity, and repair. We propose that phospholipid regulation is an ancient essential function of E-Syt family members required for PM integrity.
Radiation-induced reprogramming drives glioma vascular transdifferentiation and tumor recurrence

Radiation-resistant glioma cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity leading to aggressive tumor recurrence. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we employed single-cell and whole transcriptomic analyses to discover that radiation induces a dynamic shift in proportions and functional states of glioma cells allowing for acquisition of vascular- and mesenchymal-like phenotypes. The primary phenotypic switch induced by radiation is transdifferentiation to endothelial-like and pericyte-like cells. In turn, the transdifferentiated cells promote proliferation of radiated tumor cells, and their selective depletion results in reduced tumor growth post-treatment. The acquisition of vascular-like phenotype is driven by increased chromatin accessibility in vascular genes, and blocking P300-mediated histone acetyltransferase activity prior to radiation inhibits vascular transdifferentiation and tumor growth. Our findings indicate that radiation reprograms glioma cells driving vascular transdifferentiation and tumor recurrence, and highlights P300 HAT inhibitor as a potential therapeutic target for preventing GBM relapse.
CRISPR-Cas systems are widespread accessory elements across bacterial and archaeal plasmids

Many prokaryotes encode CRISPR-Cas systems as immune protection against mobile genetic elements (MGEs), yet, a number of MGEs also harbor CRISPR-Cas components. With a few exceptions, CRISPR-Cas loci encoded on MGEs are uncharted and a comprehensive analysis of their distribution, prevalence, diversity, and function is lacking. Here, we systematically investigated CRISPR-Cas loci across the largest curated collection of natural bacterial and archaeal plasmids. CRISPR-Cas loci are widely but heterogeneously distributed across plasmids and, in comparison to host chromosomes, their mean prevalence per Mbp is higher and their distribution is markedly distinct. Furthermore, the spacer content of plasmid CRISPRs exhibits a strong targeting bias towards other plasmids, while chromosomal arrays are enriched with virus-targeting spacers. These contrasting targeting preferences dominate across the diversity of CRISPR-Cas subtypes and host taxa, highlighting the genetic independence of plasmids and suggesting a major role of CRISPR-Cas for mediating plasmid-plasmid conflicts. Altogether, CRISPR-Cas are frequent accessory components of many plasmids, which is an overlooked phenomenon that possibly facilitates their dissemination across microbiomes.
A Potential Role for Integrin-Linked Kinase in Colorectal Cancer Growth and Progression via Regulating Senescence and Immunity

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) has been implicated as a molecular driver and mediator in both inflammation and tumorigenesis of the colon. ILK functions as an adaptor and mediator protein linking the extracellular matrix with downstream signaling pathways. ILK is broadly expressed in many human tissues and cells. It is also overexpressed in many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Inflammation, as evidenced by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is one of the highest risk factors for initiating CRC. This has led to the hypothesis that targeting ILK therapeutically could have potential in CRC, as it regulates different cellular processes associated with CRC development and progression as well as inflammation in the colon. A number of studies have indicated an ILK function in senescence, a cellular process that arrests the cell cycle while maintaining active metabolism and transcription. Senescent cells produce different secretions collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP secretions influence infiltration of different immune cells, either positively for clearing senescent cells or negatively for promoting tumor growth, reflecting the dual role of senescence in cancer. However, a role for ILK in senescence and immunity in CRC remains to be determined. In this review, we discuss the possible role for ILK in senescence and immunity, paying particular attention to the relevance of ILK in CRC. We also examine how activating Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their agonists in CRC could trigger immune responses against cancer, as a combination therapy with ILK inhibition.
A Systematic Analysis of Hand Movement Functionality: Qualitative Classification and Quantitative Investigation of Hand Grasp Behavior

Understanding human hand movement functionality is fundamental in neuroscience, robotics, prosthetics, and rehabilitation. People are used to investigate movement functionality separately from qualitative or quantitative perspectives. However, it is still limited to providing an integral framework from both perspectives in a logical manner. In this paper, we provide a systematic framework to qualitatively classify hand movement functionality, build prehensile taxonomy to explore the general influence factors of human prehension, and accordingly design a behavioral experiment to quantitatively understand the hand grasp. In qualitative analysis, two facts are explicitly proposed: (1) the arm and wrist make a vital contribution to hand movement functionality; (2) the relative position (relative position in this paper is defined as the distance between the center of the human wrist and the object center of gravity) is a general influence factor significantly impacting human prehension. In quantitative analysis, the significant influence of three factors, object shape, size, and relative position, is quantitatively demonstrated. Simultaneously considering the impact of relative position, object shape, and size, the prehensile taxonomy and behavioral experiment results presented here should be more representative and complete to understand human grasp functionality. The systematic framework presented here is general and applicable to other body parts, such as wrist, arm, etc. Finally, many potential applications and the limitations are clarified.
The Impact of Post-contrast Acute Kidney Injury on In-hospital Mortality After Endovascular Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Clinical outcome and mortality after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with ischemic stroke are commonly assessed after 3 months. In patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), unfavorable results for 3-month mortality have been reported. However, data on the in-hospital mortality after EVT in this population are sparse. In the present study, we assessed whether AKI impacts in-hospital and 3-month mortality in patients undergoing EVT. Materials and Methods: From a prospectively recruiting database, consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients receiving EVT between 2010 and 2018 due to acute large vessel occlusion were included. Post-contrast AKI (PC-AKI) was defined as an increase of baseline creatinine of ≥0.5 mg/dL or >25% within 48 h after the first measurement at admission. Adjusting for potential confounders, associations between PC-AKI and mortality after stroke were tested in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: One thousand one hundred sixty-nine patients were included; 166 of them (14.2%) died during the acute hospital stay. Criteria for PC-AKI were met by 29 patients (2.5%). Presence of PC-AKI was associated with a significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality in multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR) = 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16–7.13, p = 0.023]. Furthermore, factors associated with in-hospital mortality encompassed higher age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.04, p = 0.002), stroke severity (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03–1.08, p < 0.001), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.69–6.04, p < 0.001), posterior circulation stroke (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.72–4.71, p < 0.001), and failed recanalization (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.35–3.00, p = 0.001). Conclusion: PC-AKI is rare after EVT but represents an important risk factor for in-hospital mortality and for mortality within 3 months after hospital discharge. Preventing PC-AKI after EVT may represent an important and potentially lifesaving effort in future daily clinical practice.
Compound Hot and Dry Events in Europe: Variability and Large-Scale Drivers

An important aspect of inevitable surprises, for the climate system, is the potential of occurrence of compound extreme events. These can be events that occur at the same time over the same geographic location or at multiple locations within a given country or around the world. In this study, we investigate the spatio-temporal variability of summer compound hot and dry (CHD) events at European level and we quantify the relationship between the occurrence of CHDs and the large-scale atmospheric circulation. Here we show that summer 1955 stands out as the year with the largest spatial extent characterized by hot and dry conditions (~21.2% at European level), followed by 2015 (~20.3%), 1959 (~19.4%), and 1950 (~16.9%). By employing an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis we show that there are three preferred centers of action of CHDs over Europe: Fennoscandia, the central part of Europe, and the south-eastern part of Europe. Overall, hot and dry summers are, in general, associated with persistent high-pressure systems over the regions affected by CHDs, which in turn reduces the zonal flow and diverts the storm tracks southward. The high-pressure systems associated with each mode of variability largely suppresses ascending motions, reduces water vapor condensation and precipitation formation, leading to drought conditions below this atmospheric system. This study may help improve our understanding of the spatio-temporal variability of hot and dry summers, at European level, as well as their driving mechanisms.
Next-Generation Sequencing for Whole-Genome Characterization of Weissella cibaria UTNGt21O Strain Originated From Wild Solanum quitoense Lam. Fruits: An Atlas of Metabolites With Biotechnological Significance

The whole genome of Weissella cibaria strain UTNGt21O isolated from wild fruits of Solanum quitoense (naranjilla) shrub was sequenced and annotated. The similarity proportions based on the genus level, as a result of the best hits for the entire contig, were 54.84% with Weissella, 6.45% with Leuconostoc, 3.23% with Lactococcus, and 35.48% no match. The closest genome was W. cibaria SP7 (GCF_004521965.1) with 86.21% average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 3.2% alignment coverage. The genome contains 1,867 protein-coding genes, among which 1,620 were assigned with the EggNOG database. On the basis of the results, 438 proteins were classified with unknown function from which 247 new hypothetical proteins have no match in the nucleotide Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLASTN) database. It also contains 78 tRNAs, six copies of 5S rRNA, one copy of 16S rRNA, one copy of 23S rRNA, and one copy of tmRNA. The W. cibaria UTNGt21O strain harbors several genes responsible for carbohydrate metabolism, cellular process, general stress responses, cofactors, and vitamins, conferring probiotic features. A pangenome analysis indicated the presence of various strain-specific genes encoded for proteins responsible for the defense mechanisms as well as gene encoded for enzymes with biotechnological value, such as penicillin acylase and folates; thus, W. cibaria exhibited high genetic diversity. The genome characterization indicated the presence of a putative CRISPR-Cas array and five prophage regions and the absence of acquired antibiotic resistance genes, virulence, and pathogenic factors; thus, UTNGt21O might be considered a safe strain. Besides, the interaction between the peptide extracts from UTNGt21O and Staphylococcus aureus results in cell death caused by the target cell integrity loss and the release of aromatic molecules from the cytoplasm. The results indicated that W. cibaria UTNGt21O can be considered a beneficial strain to be further exploited for developing novel antimicrobials and probiotic products with improved technological characteristics.
The Impact of 68Gallium DOTA PET/CT in Managing Patients With Sporadic and Familial Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours

Objective Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (panNETs) arise sporadically or as part of a genetic predisposition syndrome. CT/MRI, endoscopic ultrasonography and functional imaging using Octreoscan localise and stage disease. This study aimed to evaluate the complementary role of 68Gallium (68Ga)-DOTA PET/CT in managing patients with panNETs. Design A retrospective study conducted across three tertiary UK NET referral centres. Methods Demographic, clinical, biochemical, cross-sectional and functional imaging data were collected from patients who had undergone a 68Ga-DOTA PET/CT scan for a suspected panNET. Results We collected data for 183 patients (97 male): median (SD) age 63 (14.9) years, 89.1 vs. 9.3% (n=163 vs. 17) alive vs. dead (3 data missing), 141 sporadic vs. 42 familial (MEN1, n=36; 85.7%) panNETs. Non-functional vs. functional tumours comprised 73.2 vs. 21.3% (n=134 vs. 39) (10 missing). Histological confirmation was available in 89% of individuals (n=163) but tumour grading (Ki67 classiifcation) was technically possible only in a smaller cohort (n=143): grade 1, 50.3% (n=72); grade 2, 46.2% (n=66) and grade 3, 3.5% (n=5) (40 histopathological classification either not technically feasible or biopsy not perfomed). 60.1% (n=110) were localised, 14.2% (n=26) locally advanced and 23.5% (n=43) metastatic (4 missing). 224 68Ga-DOTA PET/CT scans were performed in total for: diagnosis/staging 40% (n=88), post-operative assessment/clinical surveillance 53% (n=117) and consideration of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) 8% (n=17) (2 missing). PET/CT results confirmed other imaging findings (53%), identified new disease sites (28.5%) and excluded suspected disease (5%). Overall, 68Ga-DOTA PET/CT imaging findings provided additional information in 119 (54%) patients and influenced management in 85 (39%) cases. Conclusion 68Ga-DOTA PET/CT imaging more accurately stages and guides treatment in patients with sporadic/familial panNETs with newly diagnosed/recurrent disease.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Willingness Toward Kidney Donation Among Health Sciences Students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University

Background: End-stage renal disease, as one of the most serious and major health problems, does not have many treatment options available. One of the best treatment modalities used to cure this debilitating disease is kidney transplantation. However, with the continuous increase in number of patients diagnosed with it, there is not enough supply of the organ. The aim of our study is to assess knowledge about, attitude toward, and willingness to donate kidney among health science students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University in comparison to the general population in Jeddah and to investigate the factors that play a role on their willingness. Methods: This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study design conducted in 2019. Two target populations were included: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences students and the general population in Jeddah. Data were collected via a self-administered, close-ended, structured, and previously validated questionnaire that contained 39 items divided into four sections. SPSS program version 22 was used in data analysis. Results: Out of 685 surveyed participants, 179 (26.1%) were willing to donate their kidney, with students showing a higher rate of willingness (N = 101; 32.3%) than the general population (N = 78; 21%). However, only 46 (6.7%) out of the total population hold an organ donor card. In bivariate analysis, it was found that knowledge significantly associated with a higher rate of willingness among the student population than the general population, while positive beliefs were associated with increased willingness in the general population than students. Positive attitude appeared to play a role in higher willingness among the general population and student population. Conclusion: There is a low perception of awareness regarding kidney donation in both populations of this study. The willingness rate of health science students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University and the general population was low when compared with other studies conducted internationally.
A Norm-Based Conditional Process Model of the Negative Impact of Optimistic Bias on Self-Protection Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Three Chinese Cities

Data were collected from 896 participants in three Chinese cities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to varying degrees through an online survey platform. A conditional process model was then proposed for the impact of optimistic bias on self-protection behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of social norms. Statistical analysis demonstrates that optimistic bias has a negative impact on self-protection behaviors through message acceptance. Perceived social norms moderate this relationship in the following ways: (1) The higher the perceptions of social norms, the smaller the negative impact of optimistic bias on message acceptance, and the smaller the positive impact of message acceptance on self-protection behaviors. (2) Within a certain range, the higher the perceptions of social norms, the smaller the negative impact, both direct and indirect, of optimistic bias on self-protection behaviors. (3) The direct and indirect effects of optimistic bias on self-protection behaviors become insignificant when perceptions of social norms are very strong. Comparing the data of the three cities shows that higher risk is associated with a stronger role of social norms in moderating the relationship between optimistic bias and self-protection behaviors. The above results suggest that there may be both internal (optimistic bias) and external (social norms) reference points in individual decision-making regarding health behaviors. The theoretical and practical significance of the dual reference points are discussed.