Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Fc-Engineering Approach to Define Functional Humoral Correlates of Immunity Against Ebola Virus

Monoclonal antibodies are emerging as effective therapies for viral infections, including for Ebola virus (EBOV). Protective EBOV antibodies have neutralizing activity and induction of Fc-mediated innate immune effector functions. Efforts to enhance Fc-effector functionality often focus on maximizing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, yet distinct combinations of functions may be critical for antibody-mediated protection. As neutralizing antibodies have been cloned from EBOV disease survivors, we sought to identify survivor Fc-effector profiles to help guide Fc-optimization strategies. Survivors developed a range of functional antibody responses; thus, we applied an Fc-engineering platform to define the most protective profiles. We generated a library of Fc-variants with identical Fabs from an EBOV neutralizing antibody. Fc-variants with antibody-mediated complement deposition and moderate NK cell activity demonstrated complete protective activity in vivo. These data highlight the importance of specific effector functions in antibody-mediated protection and provide a platform for rapid identification of correlates of immunity to guide therapeutic design.
Effective Collaborative Representation Learning for Multilabel Text Categorization

With the booming of deep learning, massive attention has been paid to developing neural models for multilabel text categorization (MLTC). Most of the works concentrate on disclosing word–label relationship, while less attention is taken in exploiting global clues, particularly with the relationship of document–label. To address this limitation, we propose an effective collaborative representation learning (CRL) model in this article. CRL consists of a factorization component for generating shallow representations of documents and a neural component for deep text-encoding and classification. We have developed strategies for jointly training those two components, including an alternating-least-squares-based approach for factorizing the pointwise mutual information (PMI) matrix of label–document and multitask learning (MTL) strategy for the neural component. According to the experimental results on six data sets, CRL can explicitly take advantage of the relationship of document–label and achieve competitive classification performance in comparison with some state-of-the-art deep methods.
Are Vowels Normalized After Maxillary Osteotomy? An Acoustic Study in Cleft Lip and Palate

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Background: Maxillary hypoplasia is a common skeletal condition in cleft lip and palate (CLP). Maxillary osteotomy is typically used to reposition the maxilla in CLP with maxillary hypoplasia. Previous studies have suggested that vowel articulations are adjusted postsurgically due to altered vocal tract configuration and articulatory reorganization. This acoustic study aims to investigate whether vowels are normalized postoperatively and to explore the nature of articulatory reorganization. Methods and Procedures: A prospective study was conducted to examine the vowel production of a group of individuals with CLP (N = 17) undergoing maxillary osteotomy and a group of normal controls (N = 20), using speech acoustic data. The data were collected at 0 to 3 months presurgery (T1), 3-months (T2), and 12-months (T3) postsurgery. General linear model repeated measures and independent t-tests were undertaken on F1, F2, and vowel space area. Results: General linear model repeated measures revealed no main effects of time for F1 (F [2, 22] = 1.094, P = 0.352), F2 (F [2, 22] = 1.269, P = 0.301), and vowel space area (F [2, 28] = 0.059, P = 0.943). Independent t-tests showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for all acoustic parameters and all vowels between the CLP and the normal groups at all time points. Conclusions: Vowels were not normalized after maxillary osteotomy despite positive anatomical changes within the oral cavity. Individuals with CLP tended to adjust their vowel articulatory gestures to match presurgical patterns. The nature of articulatory reorganization appears to be prompt, sensory-driven, complete, and permanent.
Improving care for thalassemia patients in line with best practice standards at a tertiary referral cancer care center

ABSTRACT Background: Beta-thalassemia major is a chronic hematological disorder that requires life-long management. This project aimed to improve thalassemia patients’ care through the implementation of best practice standards at a tertiary referral cancer care center. Methods: The current project utilized a clinical audit design. A pre and post-implementation audit was carried out following best practice standards for patients with thalassemia. Chart review of nine thalassemia patients was undertaken pre and post-implementation of staff education, local clinical guidelines, and an annual care plan to manage thalassemia to determine adherence to best practice standards. Data were collected between June 2019 and June 2020 at a specialist outpatient and day treatment unit located in inner Brisbane, Australia. Results: The pre-implementation audit results showed low compliance to the audit criteria, with the exception of nursing staff education. Following the implementation of strategies to align current care with evidence-based recommendations, the post-implementation audit showed improvement across all areas. Overall, implementation strategies were successful in improving patient care for thalassemia patients by 100%. Staff thalassemia education increased from 45 to 92%. Conclusion: Implementing an individualized treatment plan and thalassemia-specific nursing documentation as well as developing local clinical guidelines and providing targeted nurse education were effective strategies to improve care for thalassemia patients in line with best practice standards.
Interictal dysphoric disorder in people with and without epilepsy

Interictal dysphoric disorder (IDD) has been regarded as an affective disorder occurring only in people with epilepsy (PWE). Data showing similar characteristics and similar prevalence of IDD in patients with migraine and with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures question the epilepsy‐specific nature of IDD. The aim of the study was to investigate the nature of IDD in people with prevalent epilepsy with mood disorders and people with mood disorders who are free of neurological disease.
Synchronized and asynchronous modulation of seismicity by hydrological loading: A case study in Taiwan

Modulation of earthquakes by seasonal water cycle in Taiwan implies modestly higher seismic hazard during dry seasons. Delineation of physical factors that contribute to earthquake triggering is a challenging issue in seismology. We analyze hydrological modulation of seismicity in Taiwan using groundwater level data and GNSS time series. In western Taiwan, the seismicity rate reaches peak levels in February to April and drops to its lowest values in July to September, exhibiting a direct correlation with annual water unloading. The elastic hydrological load cycle may be the primary driving mechanism for the observed synchronized modulation of earthquakes, as also evidenced by deep earthquakes in eastern Taiwan. However, shallow earthquakes in eastern Taiwan (<18 km) are anticorrelated with water unloading, which is not well explained by either hydrological loading, fluid transport, or pore pressure changes and suggests other time-dependent processes. The moderate correlation between stacked monthly trends of large historic earthquakes and present-day seismicity implies a modestly higher seismic hazard during the time of low annual hydrological loading.
Hepatic blood flow in adult Göttingen minipigs and pre-pubertal Danish Landrace x Yorkshire pigs

The liver receives dual blood supply from the hepatic artery and portal vein. The pig is often used as an animal model in positron emission tomography (PET) and pharmacokinetic studies because of the possibility for extensive and direct blood sampling. In this study, we compared measurements of hepatic blood flow in 10 female adult Göttingen minipigs and 10 female pre-pubertal Danish Landrace x Yorkshire (DLY) pigs. Ultrasound transit time flow meter probes were placed around the hepatic artery and portal vein through open surgery, hepatic blood flow measurements were performed, and the liver was weighed. Total hepatic blood flow was on average 363 ± 131 mL blood/min in Göttingen minipigs and 988 ± 180 mL blood/min in DLY pigs (p < 0.001). The mean hepatic blood perfusion was 623 mL blood/min/mL liver tissue and 950 mL blood/min/mL liver tissue (p = 0.005), and the liver weight was 0.58 kg and 1.04 kg, respectively. The mean arterial flow fraction in Göttingen minipigs was 12 ± 7% and lower than in DLY pigs, where it was 24 ± 7% (p = 0.001). Using the gold standard for blood flow measurements, we found that both total hepatic blood flow and blood perfusion were significantly lower in Göttingen minipigs than in DLY pigs. The hepatic blood perfusion and arterial flow fraction in DLY pigs were comparable to normative values from humans. Differences in hepatic blood flow between adult Göttingen minipigs and humans should be considered when performing physiological liver studies in this model.
Healthwashing in high-sugar food advertising: the effect of prior information on healthwashing perceptions in Austria

Summary In the context of exceeding levels of sugar consumption, some food companies advertise high-sugar products using inappropriate and misleading health claims (i.e. healthwashing). To reduce sugar consumption, consumers need to recognize what these healthwashed claims are. This study investigates how prior sugar-related health information moderates the effect of exposure to healthwashed advertisements (ads) on healthwashing perceptions and how such perceptions are related to attitudes towards product consumption. We conducted a 2 × 2 online experiment with 292 adult participants in Austria. We manipulated the presence of healthwashing and participants’ prior sugar-related health information. The results indicated that exposure to healthwashed ads increased healthwashing perceptions only when the participants received additional health information prior to ad exposure, whereas no significant effect was found when the participants did not receive such prior health information. Healthwashing perceptions were then negatively related to individuals’ attitudes towards product consumption. Based on these results, the study suggests that public access to health-related information might play an important role in empowering consumers to detect inappropriate health claims and become more critical towards food companies’ underlying strategies in ads.
Interferon β‐1b for patients with moderate to severe COVID‐19 in the inflammatory phase of the disease

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID ‐ 19) disease has become a global pandemic and caused over a 120 million cases and 2.7 million deaths so far. There are not yet efficient antiviral agents available, and the only current approach which has proven effective in reducing mortality in patients with the severe disease has been the use of corticosteroids to control the hyperinflammatory response 1,2 Among immunomodulatory and antiviral agents, interferons (IFNs) are essential in the regulation of the activation and function of various immune cell populations and in restraining viral replication. 3 ‐ 5 Antiviral research during the last three coronavirus outbreaks resulted in the identification of IFNs as agents that may potentially target coronavirus replication directly, can modulate the immune response to coronavirus infection, and improve respiratory distress. 6,7 IFN dysregulation represents a key determinant of COVID ‐ 19 pathogenesis 3 and highlights its potential for therapeutic intervention. The present study evaluates the effect of interferon β ‐ 1b (IFN β ‐ 1b), administered in the hyperinflammatory phase, on mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission among moderate to severe hospitalized patients with COVID ‐ 19. The present work a multicenter, controlled, retrospective cohort study, all patients were 2020, In this line of research, our study shows that IFN β ‐ 1b, when administered in the inflammatory phase, is associated with reduced mortality and ICU admission in patients with moderate to severe
Plant rhizodeposition: A key factor for soil organic matter formation in stable fractions

Rhizodeposition and roots play opposite but complementary roles for building mineral-associated and particulate organic carbon. Soil organic carbon formation remains poorly understood despite its importance for human livelihoods. Uncertainties remain for the relative contributions of aboveground, root, and rhizodeposition inputs to particulate (POC) and mineral-associated (MAOC) organic carbon fractions. Combining a novel framework with isotope tracer studies, we quantified POC and MAOC formation efficiencies (% of C-inputs incorporated into each fraction). We found that rhizodeposition inputs have the highest MAOC formation efficiency (46%) as compared to roots (9%) or aboveground inputs (7%). In addition, rhizodeposition unexpectedly reduced POC formation, likely because it increased decomposition rates of new POC. Conversely, root biomass inputs have the highest POC formation efficiency (19%). Therefore, rhizodeposition and roots appear to play opposite but complementary roles for building MAOC and POC fractions.
Naringenin mitigates behavioral alterations and provides neuroprotection against 3-nitropropinoic acid-induced Huntington’s disease like symptoms in rats

ABSTRACT Background Naringenin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid which has been widely used as a therapeutic agent in various toxic models. However, few studies have clearly discussed the neuromodulatory effects of naringenin against different neurodegenerative disorders. Aim We investigated the neuroprotective efficacy of naringenin against 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-induced neurobehavioral, biochemical and histopathological alterations in rats. Methods Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups. Group 1, the vehicle administered group, received saline. Group 2 received 3-NP (20 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) for 4 consecutive days. Group 3 received naringenin (50 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) twice daily for a period of 4 days, 30 min before and 6 h after the 3-NP administration. On the 5th day, neurobehavioral experiments were performed to access the behavioral outcomes and the striatum tissue was used for analysis of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and serotonin (5-HT) levels. In addition, astrocytes activation was observed by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining. Results Our results showed that naringenin co-treatment provides neuroprotection against 3-NP-induced neurological disorders. Naringenin also increased the MAO activity and 5-HT levels in the striatum. Moreover, co-treatment with naringenin reduced the expression of GFAP protein in the striatal part and significantly attenuated the neuronal cell death. The findings of the present study suggest that naringenin provides neuroprotection and mitigates neurobehavioral alterations in experimental rats. Conclusion The results show that co-treatment with naringenin ameliorates 3-NP-induced HD-like symptoms in rats.
In situ synchrotron XRD measurements during solidification of a melt in the CaO–SiO2 system using an aerodynamic levitation system

Phase formation and evolution was investigated in the CaO–SiO2 system in the range of 70–80 mol% CaO. The samples were container-less processed in an aerodynamic levitation system and crystallization was followed in situ by synchrotron x-ray diffraction at the beamline P21.1 at the German electron synchrotron (DESY). Modification changes of di- and tricalcium silicate were observed and occurred at lower temperatures than under equilibrium conditions. Despite deep sample undercooling, no metastable phase formation was observed within the measurement timescale of 1 s. For the given cooling rates ranging from 300 K s−1 to about 1 K s−1, no decomposition of tricalcium silicate was observed. No differences in phase evolution were observed between reducing and oxidizing conditions imposed by the levitation gas (Ar and Ar + O2). We demonstrate that this setup has great potential to follow crystallization in refractory oxide liquids in situ. For sub-second primary phase formation faster detection and for polymorph detection adjustments in resolution have to be implemented.
Obesity alters the ovarian proteomic response to zearalenone exposure†

Abstract Zearalenone (ZEN), a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin, is detrimental to female reproduction. Altered chemical biotransformation, depleted primordial follicles and a blunted genotoxicant response have been discovered in obese female ovaries, thus, this study investigated the hypothesis that obesity would enhance ovarian sensitivity to ZEN exposure. Seven-week-old female wild-type nonagouti KK.Cg-a/a mice (lean) and agouti lethal yellow KK.Cg-Ay/J mice (obese) received food and water ad libitum, and either saline or ZEN (40 µg/kg) per os for 15 days. Body and organ weights, and estrous cyclicity were recorded, and ovaries collected posteuthanasia for protein analysis. Body and liver weights were increased (P < 0.05) in the obese mice, but obesity did not affect (P > 0.05) heart, kidney, spleen, uterus, or ovary weight and there was no impact (P > 0.05) of ZEN exposure on body or organ weight in lean or obese mice. Obese mice had shorter proestrus (P < 0.05) and a tendency (P = 0.055) for longer metestrus/diestrus. ZEN exposure in obese mice increased estrus but shortened metestrus/diestrus length. Neither obesity nor ZEN exposure impacted (P > 0.05) circulating progesterone, or ovarian abundance of EPHX1, GSTP1, CYP2E1, ATM, BRCA1, DNMT1, HDAC1, H4K16ac, or H3K9me3. Lean mice exposed to ZEN had a minor increase in γ H2AX abundance (P < 0.05). In lean and obese mice, LC–MS/MS identified alterations to proteins involved in chemical metabolism, DNA repair and reproduction. These data identify ZEN-induced adverse ovarian modes of action and suggest that obesity is additive to ZEN-induced ovotoxicity.
Optic Disc Features in Familial Retinal Arteriolar Tortuosity

Abstract Purpose Describing optic disc appearance in familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity (fRAT) using multimodal imaging and raising awareness of peripapillary arterial changes due to this disorder. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in four consecutive patients of two non-related families. Detailed ophthalmological examination was performed and supported by medical and family history and multimodal imaging. Results In all subjects, increased tortuosity of second- and third-order retinal arteries in superior and deeper vascular plexus was documented. Furthermore, tortuosity in the peripapillary circle of Zinn-Haller was found. In addition, retinal vessel oximetry confirmed tortuosity only of the arterial vessels. Conclusion The present data suggests that a blurry bordered, hyperemic optic disc in the presence of abnormally tortuous arteriolar vessels and asymptomatically or oligosymptomatically spontaneously resolved hemorrhages could be associated with a fRAT. This finding could be linked to peripapillary arterial vessel tortuosity.
A Pilot Study Delivering Physiotherapy Support for Rett Syndrome Using a Telehealth Framework Suitable for COVID-19 Lockdown

ABSTRACT Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetically caused neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe disability. We assessed the feasibility of a telehealth program supporting gross motor skills in RTT. Methods: Five girls with RTT were assessed and a home-based exercise program developed in response to functional goals. Families then participated in monthly Skype sessions for 6 months, guided by a physiotherapist to monitor progress and adjust the program as necessary. Goal Attainment Scaling was used to evaluate progress and a parental satisfaction questionnaire was administered. Results: Four goals were established for each participant and progress was greater than would be expected in 16 of 20 goals. Parents evaluated the program as feasible and useful for their daughters. Discussion: A telehealth model of home-based intervention supported individuals with RTT to achieve gross motor skills and was found to be feasible. This model is important at present times during COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown.
Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening in Three Arab American Women Subgroups

Introduction Arab American women (AAW) have significantly low mammography screening (MS) rates; religious and sociocultural factors may serve as facilitators or barriers to screening. Understanding associations with screening practices and attitudes is imperative. The purpose of this study was to examine associations of sociodemographic characteristics with perceived benefits and barriers to MS and explore relationships of MS with sociodemographics, and perceived benefits and barriers in Muslim and Christian AAW from three Arab countries, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. Method In this exploratory, cross sectional study, a convenience sample of 316 AAW completed a survey that combined sociodemographics and the Arab Specific-Culture Barriers instrument. Results Religion was significantly associated with perceived benefits and country of birth had a significant association with perceived barriers. Significant relationships were found between some variables and MS. Discussion This study provided insights into facilitators and barriers influencing behaviors and attitudes regarding MS in AAW. Additional efforts are to be made to overcome barriers within a religious and cultural context to empower these women.
SSVEP-Based Brain-Computer Interface With a Limited Number of Frequencies Based on Dual-Frequency Biased Coding

How to encode as many targets as possible with a limited-frequency resource is a difficult problem in the practical use of a steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) based brain-computer interface (BCI) speller. To solve this problem, this study developed a novel method called dual-frequency biased coding (DFBC) to tag targets in a SSVEP-based 48-character virtual speller, in which each target is encoded with a permutation sequence consisting of two permuted flickering periods that flash at different frequencies. The proposed paradigm was validated by 11 participants in an offline experiment and 7 participants in an online experiment. Three occipital channels (O1, Oz, and O2) were used to obtain the SSVEP signals for identifying the targets. Based on the coding characteristics of the DFBC method, the proposed approach has the ability of self-correction and thus achieves an accuracy of 76.6% and 79.3% for offline and online experiments, respectively, which outperforms the traditional multiple frequencies sequential coding (MFSC) method. This study demonstrates that DFBC is an efficient method for coding a high number of SSVEP targets with a small number of available frequencies.