Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogenomic Placement of American Southwest-Associated Clinical and Veterinary Isolates Expands Evidence for Distinct Cryptococcus gattii VGVI

Whole-genome sequencing has advanced our understanding of the population structure of the pathogenic species complex Cryptococcus gattii, which has allowed for the phylogenomic specification of previously described major molecular type groupings and novel lineages. Recently, isolates collected in Mexico in the 1960s were determined to be genetically distant from other known molecular types and were classified as VGVI. We sequenced four clinical isolates and one veterinary isolate collected in the southwestern United States and Argentina from 2012 to 2021. Phylogenomic analysis groups these genomes with those of the Mexican VGVI isolates, expanding VGVI into a clade and establishing this molecular type as a clinically important population. These findings also potentially expand the known Cryptococcus ecological range with a previously unrecognized endemic area.
Tumor-Specific Immunoenhancing Effects after Local Cryoablation for Metastatic Bone Tumor in a Mouse Model

We investigated the abscopal effect after cryoablation (CA) on bone metastasis using a mouse model. Breast cancer cells were implanted in the bilateral tibiae of mice. The left tumor was treated locally with CA, and the right abscopal tumor (AT) was left untreated. The mice were divided into four groups based on the combination of CA and intraperitoneal administration of anti-PD-1 antibody (PD) as treatment interventions (Control, CA, PD, and CA + PD). The reduction ratio of the size of AT, the quantitative immune effects at enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, and the intensity of infiltration of immune-related cells to AT were compared among the groups. CA alone showed a significant immunoenhancing effect on the volume change ratio of AT from day 0 to day 14 (Control-CA: p < 0.05), ELISPOT assay (Control-CA: p < 0.01), and CD4+ cell count in immunostaining (Control-CA: p < 0.05). CA alone showed no significant immunoenhancing effect on CD8+ and Foxp3+ cell counts in immunostaining, but the combination of CA and PD showed a significant immunoenhancing effect (Control-CA + PD: p < 0.01 [CD8, Foxp3]). The results suggested that the abscopal effect associated with the local cryotherapy of metastatic bone tumors was activated by CA and enhanced by its combination with PD.
Treatment Outcome of MDR/RR TB in a Resource-Constrained Setup: A Four-Year Retrospective Analysis

Introduction The emergence of drug resistance in TB treatment is a major public health threat. However, there are limited studies which are directed towards identifying factors that explain the gap in achieving treatment targets. Objective : This study aimed to assess the treatment outcome and its associated factors among patients with MDR/RR-TB in Dilchora Hospital Treatment Initiation Center from January 2014 to December 2018. Method : A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with MDR/RR TB who initiated treatment between January 2014 and December 2018. Data were extracted from patient medical charts using a structured questionnaire. SPSS version 26 was used for analysis. Reports are presented using percentages and frequency. Independently associated factors for unfavorable outcome were identified using binary logistic regression model. Adjusted and crude odds ratio with 95% CI was used. P-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Result : A total of 146 patients were included in this study. The overall prevalence of unfavorable outcomes in this study for those with known outcomes was 8.6%. People living with HIV had a 6.47 times (95% CI: 1.14–36.68) increased odds of death as compared to those who are HIV negative. For every 1kg/m2 increment in BMI, there was a 35.3% (AOR = 0.647; CI: 0.44–0.95) reduction in the odds of death as compared to those who had a 1kg/m2 lower BMI. Each additional month without culture conversion also increased the odds of death 2.24 times (95%CI: 1.08–4.66). Conclusion & Recommendation : The findings of our study showed an appreciably low poor treatment outcome for this outpatient program. HIV screening and early initiation of HAART, early identification and treatment of those who are underweight and a critical follow-up to the time of sputum culture conversion could help in further improving the outcomes.
Effective Recovery of Palladium(II) Ions using Chitosan-Based Adsorbent Material

Chitosan is one of the naturally abundant, biodegradable, and low-cost adsorbent materials for metal adsorption purposes. In this work, we evaluated the application of chitosan materials derived from seafood wastes in Depok beach, Yogyakarta, for an effective recovery of the palladium(II) ions. First of all, the seafood wastes were treated to obtain chitin and then followed by the deacetylation process to produce chitosan material with a deacetylation degree of 78.42%. The chitosan material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer. It was found that chitosan gave high adsorption percentage (90%) for palladium(II) ions due to the complexation with hydroxyl, amino and carbonyl functional groups. The palladium(II) adsorption onto chitosan material followed the pseudo-second-order (R2 = 0.9978) and Langmuir (R2 = 0.9979) models for kinetic and isotherm experiments, respectively, with a maximum adsorption capacity value of 0.70 mmol g-1. The palladium(II) ions could be easily desorbed in 90% percentage using 1.0 M HCl solution from metal-laden chitosan to regenerate the adsorbent material. The chitosan-based adsorbent material did not lose its adsorption capability after three consecutive cycles with no significant structural change as revealed from the FTIR data. These results showed the potential application of natural chitosan materials derived from seafood wastes for the effective recovery of palladium(II) ions.
Tumor suppressor role of RBM22 in prostate cancer acting as a dual-factor regulating alternative splicing and transcription of key oncogenic genes.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men. Consequently, the identification of novel molecular targets for treatment is urgently needed to improve patients' outcomes. Our group recently reported that some elements of the cellular machinery controlling alternative-splicing might be useful as potential novel therapeutic tools against advanced PCa. However, the presence and functional role of RBM22, a key spliceosome component, in PCa remains unknown. Therefore, RBM22 levels were firstly interrogated in three human cohorts and two preclinical mouse models (TRAMP/Pbsn-Myc). Results were validated in in silico using two additional cohorts. Then, functional effects in response to RBM22 overexpression (proliferation, migration, tumorspheres/colonies formation) were tested in PCa models in vitro (LNCaP, 22Rv1, and PC-3 cell-lines) and in vivo (xenograft). High throughput methods (i.e., RNA-seq, nCounter PanCancer Pathways Panel) were performed in RBM22 overexpressing cells and xenograft tumors. We found that RBM22 levels were down-regulated (mRNA and protein) in PCa samples, and were inversely associated with key clinical aggressiveness features. Consistently, a gradual reduction of RBM22 from non-tumor to poorly differentiated PCa samples was observed in transgenic models (TRAMP/Pbsn-Myc). Notably, RBM22 overexpression decreased aggressiveness features in vitro, and in vivo. These actions were associated with the splicing dysregulation of numerous genes and to the downregulation of critical upstream regulators of cell-cycle (i.e., CDK1/CCND1/EPAS1). Altogether, our data demonstrate that RBM22 plays a critical pathophysiological role in PCa and invites to suggest that targeting negative regulators of RBM22 expression/activity could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to tackle this disease.
Learning Token-Aligned Representations With Multimodel Transformers for Different-Resolution Change Detection

Different-resolution change detection (DRCD) is now becoming an urgent problem to be solved, which is of great potential in rapid monitoring, such as disaster assessment and urban expansion. In DRCD tasks, bitemporal inputs are given in the form of different resolutions, and thus, conventional change detection (CD) methods cannot be applied directly. Previous studies have attempted to deal with this problem by reconstructing the low-resolution (LR) image into a high-resolution (HR) one, including interpolation and super-resolution (SR). However, these solutions are limited by the availability of training data, making it hard to meet different kinds of needs. Besides, these image-level strategies have also ignored the interaction and alignment of high-level features. Therefore, we propose a new approach based on multimodel Transformers (MM-Trans), which solves the resolution gaps of bitemporal inputs in DRCD tasks from the perspective of feature alignment. In the MM-Trans, a weight-unshared feature extractor is first utilized to precisely capture the features of the different-resolution inputs. Then, a spatial-aligned Transformer (sp-Trans) is introduced to align the LR-image features to the same size of the HR-image ones, which can be optimized in a learnable way by an auxiliary token loss. After that, a semantic-aligned Transformer (se-Trans) is adopted, in which the bitemporal features can be further interacted and aligned semantically. Finally, a prediction head is employed to obtain fine-grained change results. Experiments conducted on three common CD datasets, CDD, S2Looking, and HTCD dataset, have shown the advancement of the MM-Trans and fully demonstrated its potential in DSCD tasks.
Argo Reveals the Scales and Provenance of Equatorial Island Upwelling Systems

Equatorial islands have distinct oceanographic signatures, including cool sea surface temperature and high productivity immediately to their west. It has long been hypothesized that topographic upwelling is responsible for such characteristics—upward deflection by the islands of the eastward‐flowing equatorial undercurrent (EUC). Using 22 years of in situ measurements by Argo, we provide the first direct observations of this process occurring with consistency at two prominent archipelagos in the equatorial Pacific. Argo measurements resolve a clear subsurface thermal fingerprint of vertical divergence at the depth of the EUC, confined to within 100 km of both the Gilbert (∼175°E) and Galápagos Islands (∼90°W). This signal at the Galápagos is well‐reproduced by a high‐resolution ocean reanalysis, enabling the estimation of vertical velocities balancing the zonal convergence of the EUC upon the islands. This sharpened view of the physics underpinning such important tropical ecosystems has implications for strategies to model and predict them.
Development of a Computer-Aided Education System Inspired by Face-to-Face Learning by Incorporating EEG-Based Neurofeedback Into Online Video Lectures

Owing to the rapid development of information and communication technologies, online or mobile learning content is widely available on the Internet. Unlike traditional face-to-face learning, online learning exhibits a critical limitation: real-time interactions between learners and teachers are generally not feasible in online learning. To overcome this issue, we implemented an online learning system based on electroencephalography (EEG)-based passive brain-computer interface technology referred to as the “adaptive neuro-learning system (ANLS). ” It monitors the current mental states of learners seamlessly using EEG signals. Then, it adaptively provides natural and interactive video feedback rather than simple alarms or pop quizzes following the current mental conditions of a learner. In this article, a total of 60 university students were assigned randomly to one of four groups: two experimental groups, for which either ANLS based on attention state estimation or ANLS based on both attention and comprehension states estimation was tested, and two control groups, the students in which were taught using either the conventional online lecture without feedback or an online course with randomized video feedbacks. Each member of these groups attended a 53 min open courseware video lecture. Then, the educational effects of the proposed system were evaluated quantitatively via a written examination. Our results revealed a significantly higher learning performance for the experimental group (average test score of the experimental groups = 83.83 and that of the control groups = 56.67), demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed education strategy.
Daily Environments During Emerging Adulthood and Gender Atypical Occupational Choices: The Role of Sexist Experiences

Past research on occupational choices often focuses on the role of personal attributes. Research is needed that examines whether daily environments and individuals’ reactivity to these environments contribute to occupational choices. This study utilizes experience sampling methodology to examine whether daily sexism and affective reactivity to sexism predict the gender typicality of desired occupations of emerging adults in male-dominated majors (MDMs). 40 women and 40 men college students in MDMs reported desired occupations and experiences of sexism and general mood during the past hour four times a day for 2 weeks – allowing for an examination of whether some individuals report a more negative mood when they recently experienced sexism (i.e., reactivity). Results indicated that higher reactivity to sexism (but not daily sexism) predicted women desiring more female-typed and men desiring more male-typed occupations. Results suggest that career counselors should consider the role of daily sexism in career development.
A Tesla Valve as a Micromixer for Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

A large number of microfluidic applications are based on effective mixing. In the application of water purification, the contaminated water needs to be effectively mixed with a solution that is loaded with nanoparticles. In this work, the Tesla valve was used as a micromixer device in order to evaluate the effect of this type of geometry on the mixing process of two streams. For this reason, several series of simulations were performed in order to achieve an effective mixing of iron oxide nanoparticles and contaminated water in a duct. In the present work, a stream loaded with Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a stream with contaminated water were numerically studied for various inlet velocity ratios and initial concentrations between the two streams. The Navier–Stokes equations were solved for the water flow and the discrete motion of particles was evaluated by the Lagrangian method. Results indicate that the Tesla valve can be used as a micromixer since mixing efficiency reached up to 63% for Vp/Vc = 20 under various inlet nanoparticles rates for the geometry of the valve that was used in this study.
A Novel Pole-Changing Permanent Magnet Vernier Motor

This article proposes a novel pole-changing (PC) permanent magnet (PM) Vernier machine (PC-PMVM), in which an unevenly distributed modulation tooth structure is adopted in the stator, and a set of three-phase PC-winding is installed in the stator slots. On the rotor, surface-mounted PMs are adopted to generate PM excitation field. First, the topology design principle of PC-PMVM is discussed for the purpose of PC, based on which a 12/34-pole PC-PMVM is proposed. The analytical analysis shows that there are a series of working harmonics in the air-gap and can be grouped into two different types with different phasor diagrams for realizing PC operation. Thus, the speed range can be widened greatly because of the different PM flux linkage and inductances before and after PC. Next, the electromagnetic performance of PC-PMVM is investigated by finite element analysis and compared with an interior PM motor and a PC induction motor. Finally, a prototype is manufactured and tested. The results verify the correctness of theoretical analysis, and show that the proposed motor owns both high torque density and excellent speed-widening capability benefiting from the PC design and PC operation.
Nonlinear analysis in soil mechanics : theory and implementation

Part I. FUNDAMENTALS. 1. Introduction. Characteristics of soil behavior.Idealizations and material modeling. Historical review of plasticity in soil mechanics. Nonlinear stress analyses in geotechnical engineering. Need, objectives and scope. References. 2. Basic Concept of Continuum Mechanics. Introduction. Notations. Stresses in three dimensions. Definitions and notations. Cauchy's formulas, index notation, and summation convention. Principal axes of stresses. Deviatoric stress. Geometrical representation of stresses. Strains in three dimensions. Definitions and notations. Deviatoric strain. Octahedral strains and principal shear strains. Equations of solid mechanics. Equations of equilibrium (or motion). Geometric (compatibility) conditions. Constitutive relations. Summary. References. Part II. MATERIAL MODELING-BASIC CONCEPTS. 3. Elasticity and Modeling . Introduction. Elastic models in geotechnical engineering. Linear elastic model (generalized Hooke's law). Cauchy elastic model. Hyperelastic model. Hypoelastic model. Uniqueness, stability, normality, and convexity for elastic materials. Uniqueness. Drucker's stability postulate. Existence of W and v. Restrictions - normality and convexity. Linear elastic stress-strain relations. Generalized Hooke's law. A plane of symmetry. Two planes of symmetry (orthotropic symmetry). Transverse and cubic isotropies. Full isotropy. Isotropic linear elastic stress-strain relations. Tensor forms. Three-dimensional matrix forms. Plane stress case. Plane strain case. Axisymmetric case. Isotropic nonlinear elastic stress-strain relations based on total formulation. Nonlinear elastic model with secant moduli. Cauchy elastic model. Hyperelastic (green) model. Isotropic nonlinear elastic stress-strain relations based on incremental formulation. Nonlinear elastic model with secant muduli. Cauchy elastic model. Hyerelastic model. Hypoelastic model. Summary. References. 4. Perfect Plasticity and Modeling. Introduction. Deformation theory. An illustrative example. Variable moduli models. Flow theory. Yield criteria. Flow rule. Basic requirements. Perfect plasticity models. Tresca and von Mises models. Coulomb model. Drucker-Prager model. Prandtl-Reuss stress-strain relations. Generalized stress-strain relations. Stiffness formulation. General description. Stiffness coefficients. Summary. References. 5. Hardening Plasticity and Modeling. Introduction. Flow theory. Loading function. Hardening rule. Flow rule. Drucker's postulate. Hardening plasticity models. Lade-Duncan model. Lade model. Nested yield surface models. Generalized multi-surface models. Bounding surface models. Prandtl-Reuss stress-strain relations. Prandtl-Reuss equations. Matrix form of Prandtl-Reuss equations. Generalized stress-strain relations. Incremental stress-strain relations. Isotropic hardening. Kinematic hardening. Mixed hardening. Stiffness formulation. General description. Stiffness coefficients. Summary. References. PART III.
Dose–Response Relationship of Resistance Training on Metabolic Phenotypes, Body Composition and Lipid Profile in Menopausal Women

The relationship between volume training of resistance training (RT), body composition and cardiometabolic profile in menopausal women is poorly understand. This study aimed to evaluate the dose–response relationship of RT on lipid profile, body composition and metabolic phenotypes in menopausal women. A total of 31 women were categorized according to different volume of RT. Body composition was evaluated by DEXA and the cardiometabolic risk by metabolic phenotypes and lipid profile. There was a higher frequency of metabolically unhealthy phenotype in women who practiced RT for less than two years and had a weekly frequency lower than three days a week (p > 0.05). Women with more than two years and a higher weekly frequency of RT had lower trunk fat mass than their counterparties (15.33 ± 7.56 versus 10.57 ± 4.87, p = 0.04; 16.31 ± 7.46 versus 10.98 ± 5.49, p = 0.03, respectively). There was an association between HDL-c and time of RT in years. A moderate correlation was identified between variables of body adiposity, time in years and weekly frequency of RT. The present study concludes that more time in years and weekly frequency of RT practice are associated with lower body adiposity in menopausal women, the first also being associated with HDL-c.
Impact of Hydropower Dam on Household Water Security: Evidence from Amerti-Neshe Reservoir in Northwestern Ethiopia

Understanding the impact of hydropower dam construction on adjacent local community water security is critical for identifying factors that influence water security as well as improving water supplies in rural areas. This study analyzes the impact of hydropower dam construction on the water security of households around the Amerti and Neshe dams in Northwestern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was followed to select 485 households (268 affected and 217 non-affected) for our analysis. A principal component analysis was applied to five dimensions of water security (access, utilization, affordability, quality, and quantity) and then the households water security index (HWSI) was constructed. An endogenous switching regression model was applied to analyze the impact of dam construction on the water security status at the household level in the study area. Our findings revealed that there is a significant mean difference in HWSI between affected and non-affected households regarding water access and quality. The average treatment effect indicates that the construction of the two dams has had a negative impact on household water security, reducing it by 12%. As a result, government and other stakeholders should consider relocating affected households to better areas in order to mitigate such negative effects on household water security.
Social Work and attention to the social dimension of eating disorders: an international systematic review

ABSTRACT Social Work addresses the social dimension of the person, which must be taken into account to promote a comprehensive approach to eating disorders. Under this consideration, we have tried to synthesise and analyze the available evidence of the role of Social Work and social intervention in eating disorders through an international systematic review. The systematic review followed the PRISMA standards, and a narrative synthesis analysis was generated. We searched the databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed y Cochchrane. 501 references were found, and a total of 19 articles that met the quality indicators were analyzed, in which the following categories related to eating disorders were found: types of interventions and Social Work in eating disorders, sociodemographic aspects to be considered, clinical particularities to be contemplated, attention to the family system and the support network, ethical aspects, and barriers and needs of the disease to be covered. The need for Social Work to delve into the particularities and consequences of eating disorders to make a social diagnosis and address the social dimension is highlighted. To date, the discipline has little specific literature on the subject, which is a professional challenge to be met.