Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PRD-Class Homeobox Genes in Bovine Early Embryos: Function, Evolution, and Overlapping Roles

Abstract Eutherian Totipotent Cell Homeobox (ETCHbox) genes are mammalian-specific PRD-class homeobox genes with conserved expression in the preimplantation embryo but fast-evolving and highly divergent sequences. Here, we exploit an ectopic expression approach to examine the role of bovine ETCHbox genes and show that ARGFX and LEUTX homeodomain proteins upregulate genes normally expressed in the blastocyst; the identities of the regulated genes suggest that, in vivo, the ETCHbox genes play a role in coordinating the physical formation of the blastocyst structure. Both genes also downregulate genes expressed earlier during development and genes associated with an undifferentiated cell state, possibly via the JAK/STAT pathway. We find evidence that bovine ARGFX and LEUTX have overlapping functions, in contrast to their antagonistic roles in humans. Finally, we characterize a mutant bovine ARGFX allele which eliminates the homeodomain and show that homozygous mutants are viable. These data support the hypothesis of functional overlap between ETCHbox genes within a species, roles for ETCHbox genes in blastocyst formation and the change of their functions over evolutionary time.
Local Spin‐State Tuning of Iron Single‐Atom Electrocatalyst by S‐Coordinated Doping for Kinetics‐Boosted Ammonia Synthesis

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (e‐NRR) is envisaged as alternative technique to the Haber–Bosch process for NH3 synthesis. However, how to develop highly active e‐NRR catalysts faces daunting challenges. Herein, a viable strategy to manipulate local spin state of isolated iron sites through S‐coordinated doping (FeSA‐NSC) is reported. Incorporation of S in the coordination of FeSA‐NSC can induce the transition of spin‐polarization configuration with the formation of a medium‐spin‐state of Fe (t2g6 eg1), which is beneficial for facilitating eg electrons to penetrate the antibonding π‐orbital of nitrogen. As a consequence, a record‐high current density up to 10 mA cm−2 can be achieved, together with a high NH3 selectivity of ≈10% in a flow cell reactor. Both experimental and theoretical analyses indicate that the monovalent Fe(I) atomic center in the FeSA‐NSC after the S doping accelerates the N2 activation and protonation in the rate‐determining step of *N2 to *NNH.
Type I interferon regulates proteolysis by macrophages to prevent immunopathology following viral infection

The ability to treat severe viral infections is limited by our understanding of the mechanisms behind virus-induced immunopathology. While the role of type I interferons (IFNs) in early control of viral replication is clear, less is known about how IFNs can regulate the development of immunopathology and affect disease outcomes. Here, we report that absence of type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) is associated with extensive immunopathology following mucosal viral infection. This pathology occurred independent of viral load or type II immunity but required the presence of macrophages and IL-6. The depletion of macrophages and inhibition of IL-6 signaling significantly abrogated immunopathology. Tissue destruction was mediated by macrophage-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as MMP inhibition by doxycycline and Ro 28–2653 reduced the severity of tissue pathology. Analysis of post-mortem COVID-19 patient lungs also displayed significant upregulation of the expression of MMPs and accumulation of macrophages. Overall, we demonstrate that IFNs inhibit macrophage-mediated MMP production to prevent virus-induced immunopathology and uncover MMPs as a therapeutic target towards viral infections.
Examining longitudinal disparities in COVID-19 prevalence in the U.S.: a county level growth rate perspective

Abstract Background: The objectives of the present study are to understand the longitudinal variability in COVID-19 reported cases at the county level and to associate the observed rates of infection with the adoption and lifting of stay-home orders. Materials and Methods: The study uses the trajectory of the pandemic in a county and controls for social and economic risk factors, physical environment, and health behaviors to elucidate the social determinants contributing to the observed rates of infection. Results and conclusion: Results indicated that counties with higher percentages of young individuals, racial and ethnic minorities and, higher population densities experienced greater difficulty suppressing transmission.Except for Education and the Gini Index, all factors were influential on the rate of COVID-19 spread before and after stay-home orders. However, after lifting the orders, six of the factors were not influential on the rate of spread; these included: African-Americans, Population Density, Single Parent Households, Average Daily PM2.5, HIV Prevalence Rate, and Home Ownership. It was concluded that different factors from the ones controlling the initial spread of COVID-19 are at play after stay-home orders are lifted. KEY MESSAGES Observed rates of COVID-19 infection at the County level in the U.S. are not directly associated with adoption and lifting of stay-home orders. Disadvantages in sociodemographic determinants negatively influence the rate of COVID-19 spread. Counties with more young individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and higher population densities have greater difficulty suppressing transmission.
Chronic Stress, Coping, and Mental Health Among Older African Americans

Objectives African Americans experience relatively low rates of mental disorder despite being disproportionately exposed to psychosocial stressors. Coping is an understudied area that may help explain the mental health resilience among this population. Methods Using data from the National Survey of American Life, I use negative binomial logistic regression to investigate the relationships between stress exposure/appraisal, ten coping responses, and mental health among older African American adults. Results Seven of 10 coping responses were predictive of psychological distress. I also found evidence of moderation for six responses. Active coping, instrumental social support, looking for something good in what has happened, and two measures of acceptance were protective against psychological distress associated with high levels of stress. Substance use generally exacerbated the association between stress and psychological distress. Discussion Problem-focused coping and acceptance responses were effective coping strategies for older African Americans under high levels of stress exposure/appraisal.
Reference ranges of fetal cisterna magna volume measurements by three-dimensional ultrasonography in the late second trimester considering sonographic experience

Background Volume measurements of fetal cisterna magna (CM) by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography may have a role in the diagnosis of various posterior fossa abnormalities. Purpose To evaluate reference intervals and reliability of fetal CM volume values by virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) in structurally normal fetuses, considering experience of evaluators. Material and Methods Three operators with different 3D sonography experience levels measured CM volumes of 100 structurally normal fetuses at 18–27 weeks of gestation. Reference intervals for CM volumes were generated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. Results Mean fetal CM volume measurements by the three operators did not significantly (P = 0.49, P = 0.22, and P = 0.17, respectively) change through 20–23 weeks of gestation. Moderate degrees of inter-observer reliability were found with an ICC of 0.69 between novice and intermediate-level, ICC of 0.74 between experienced and intermediate-level, and ICC of 0.78 between experienced and novice observer, respectively. The novice sonographer generally overestimated CM measurements. Intra-observer reliability was good (ICC=0.85). Conclusion A reference chart for fetal CM volume by VOCAL was formed, revealing uniform mean values of 20–23 weeks of gestation. The inter-observer reliability is moderate, and biases seem relatively common for all experience categories.
Pioneers, Followers and Interaction Networks in New Technology Adoption

Organisation attitudes and individual roles have critical input to the technology adoption process. This paper is the first attempt to investigate construction technology adoption based on organisation attitude, structure and interaction networks. This study investigates how different roles interact to make adoption decisions. A semi-structured interview protocol is developed and used to collect rich data from seventeen pre-selected interviewees. The qualitative data is analysed using thematic analysis techniques. The quantitative data is analysed using the analytic hierarchical process (AHP). The analysis found three distinctions based on the attitude of organisations to new technology, their structure and the interaction networks inside the organisations that have an effect on the technology adoption process.
Agents' movement_towards the reformation of public space - Step 1: select | implement | observe crowd rules

In order to enable designers to envision the behaviour of pedestrians with reference to specific environments, computational models of crowds and their movement become indispensable tools of evaluation as well as tools of creativity. In this paper, the model under development constitutes a generic model which incorporates ideas about agent-based systems. The simulation program comprises a support system for the designer to place virtual users in a context that bears analogous environmental traits of the area under study. The design problem which is addressed by the implementation deals with public squares for which the programmatic demands involve a broad spectrum of users of diverse idiosyncrasies. Our study attempts to elucidate how the variation in preferences of pedestrian movement which depend on various personal, situational and environmental factors, may influence the current use of a selected public space and underpin qualitative alterations compared to its initial design. The intent of the methodology is not to create a predictive tool of naturalistic human movement but to explore how spatial configuration can be assessed and developed through a simulation model of pedestrian behaviour.
a Putative Cytoplasmic Inhibitory Sequenceby DAP12 Association That Is Not Influenced NKp44 Triggers NK Cell Activation through

NKp44 (NCR2) is a member of the natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) family that is expressed on activated human NK cells. We dissected structural attributes of NKp44 to determine their contributions to receptor function. Our results demonstrate that surface expression and NK cell activation by NKp44 is mediated through noncovalent association with the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-containing protein, DAP12. Physical linkage to DAP12 requires lysine-183 in the NKp44 transmembrane domain. Intriguingly, the cytoplasmic domain of NKp44 also contains a sequence that matches the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) consensus. By expressing a chimeric receptor in an NK-like cell line, we found that this ITIM-like motif from NKp44 lacks inhibitory capacity in a redirected cytotoxicity assay. The NKp44 cytoplasmic tyrosine was efﬁciently phosphorylated in the chimeric receptor upon treating the cells with pervanadate, but it was unable to recruit ITIM-binding negative effector phosphatases. We also generated NK-like cell lines expressing epitope-tagged wild-type or tyrosine to phenylalanine mutant (Y238F) versions of NKp44 and compared their capacities to induce activation marker expression, promote IFN- (cid:1) production, or stimulate target cell cytotoxicity. We did not detect any tyrosine-dependent reduction or enhancement of NK cell activation through wild-type vs. Y238F mutant NKp44. Finally, the cytoplasmic tyrosine-based sequence did not provide a docking site for the AP-2 clathrin adaptor, nor did it potentiate receptor internalization. In summary, all activating properties and surface expression of NKp44 are mediated through its association with DAP12, and the putative ITIM in the NKp44
Ambient RF-energy harvesting at 900 MHz

In this thesis a RF-energy harvesting system able to harvest ambient power at 900 MHz (GSM band) is simulated. Especially the efficiency at low power is of interest (-19 to -23 dBm rectifier input). A rectifier and a boost converter is simulated in Advanced Design System (ADS) to determine the efficiency and output voltage. A power managing circuit able to turn the load (nRF52 chip from Nordic Semiconductor) on when sufficient power is accumulated is also presented. Simulations show that a 3-stage rectifier is optimal to maximize efficiency. The efficiency is 32.4 % and 19.6 % at input powers of -19 dBm and -23 dBm. The output voltages are 435 mV and 184 mV respectively. The boost converter is simulated with input powers from -24 dBm to -30 dBm (output of rectifier). It is able to charge a capacitor to 2.5 V at all simulated input powers. The efficiency with 2 V output voltage is 61.7 % and 52.2 % with input powers of -24 dBm and -30 dBm. Since the loss in the oscillation network is not included these efficiencies are overestimated. The total efficiency is 20.0 % and 10.2 % at input powers of -19 dBm and -23 dBm. It is shown that the harvester can provide power to the nRF52 chip at input powers down to -21 dBm if the oscillation network consumes less than 733 nW. With this power consumption, estimates of the charge time reveal that the load can broadcast air temperatures at intervals of 84 seconds when the input power is -19 dBm. The interval is 188 seconds and 977 seconds (∼17 minutes) at input powers of -20 dBm and -21 dBm respectively. If the oscillation loss is less than 367 nW the harvester can operate down to -22 dBm.
Title: Equal modulation of endothelial cell function by four distinct tissue-specific mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can generate multiple end-stage mesenchymal cell types and constitute a promising population of cells for regenerative therapies. Additionally, there is increasing evidence supporting other trophic activities of MSCs, including the ability to enable formation of vasculature in vivo. Although MSCs were originally isolated from the bone marrow, the presence of these cells in the stromal vascular fraction of multiple adult tissues has been recently recognized. However, it is unknown whether the capacity to modulate vasculogenesis is ubiquitous to all MSCs regardless of their tissue of origin. Here, we demonstrated that tissue-resident MSCs isolated from four distinct tissues have equal capacity to modulate endothelial cell function, including formation of vascular networks in vivo. MSCs were isolated from four murine tissues, including bone marrow, white adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and myocardium. In culture, all four MSC populations secreted a plethora of pro-angiogenic factors that unequivocally induced proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). In vivo, co-implantation of MSCs with ECFCs into mice generated an extensive network of blood vessels with ECFCs specifically lining the lumens and MSCs occupying perivascular positions. Importantly, there were no differences among all four MSCs evaluated. Our studies suggest that the capacity to modulate the formation of vasculature is a ubiquitous property of all MSCs, irrespective of their original anatomical location. These results validate multiple tissues as potential sources of MSCs for future cell-based vascular therapies.
Sleep in Studio Based Courses: Outcomes for Creativity Task Performance

Good sleep quality is important to cognition, physical health, mental well–being, and creativity—factors critical to academic and professional success. But, undergraduate students often report engaging in short, irregular, and poor–quality sleep. Anecdotal and questionnaire data suggest that poor sleep habits might be prevalent in students who are in studio– or project–based majors that implicitly encourage consecutive nights of disrupted sleep to complete projects. We investigated sleep quantity and quality using both objective measures (wristband actigraphy monitoring) and subjective measures (sleep diary) in 28 interior design undergraduate students for a 7–day period. Our primary aim was to measure sleep quantity (total sleep time) and quality (e.g., nighttime awakenings) and to compare whether undergraduate interior design students’ objective measures of sleep (actigraphy) differed from their subjective measures (sleep diary). The secondary aim was to investigate detrimental outcomes of poor sleep habits on laboratory–based measures of cognitive function (symmetry span, prospective memory, Raven's progressive matrices, remote associates task) that were administered pre– and poststudy. We found that the interior design students in our study overestimated their total sleep time by 36 minutes, that 79% of students slept for fewer than 7 hours at least three nights per week, and that many students cycled between nights of restricted/short sleep and recovery/long sleep. Importantly, students who maintained short sleep durations, highly variable night–to–night sleep durations, or had fragmented sleep (i.e., waking after sleep onset) demonstrated pre– to poststudy declines on the laboratory measure of creativity (remote associates task). These findings suggest the need for further investigations, which may lead to a broader discussion of studio culture and the role of the “all–nighter,” both in professional practice and in design education.
A Not So Painless Journey : A qualitative case study investigating the complexity with best practice transfer from Sweden to China

The research regarding best practice transfer complexity is limited and mainly focused on a Western perspective. Thereby, it overlooks the emerging market context. Further, previous research has not examined the constraints affecting the transfer success from several dimensions. Therefore, this thesis aims at answering what the main constraints are to a successful best practice transfer from a Swedish multinational corporation headquarter to a Chinese subsidiary. Additionally, this thesis aims to examine how these constraints affect the transfer success from both a process and outcome perspective. In order to investigate this, the theoretical framework explains the potential internal and external constraints that can affect the transfer and defines success. This study was conducted through a qualitative case study based on a Swedish regional HQ’s transfer to its Chinese subsidiary. The data was mainly collected through semi-structured interviews with respondents from both Sweden and China. Conclusively, the findings showed that relational, organizational and contextual constraints were present. However, the qualitative research showed that there are often trade-offs between constraints and their effect on success, which previously have not been shown in quantitative research. In addition, the results suggest that the context is important to acknowledge when transferring best practices.
Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation in cholangiocarcinoma impairs tumor progression by sensitizing cells to ferroptosis

Abstract The present study intends to clarify the hypothesis that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation in cholangiocarcinoma impairs tumor progression by sensitizing cells to ferroptosis through the in vitro and in vivo experiments. Cholangiocarcinoma RBE cell line was transfected with IDH1 R132C mutation plasmids and treated with erastin to induce ferroptosis, which were then microscopically photographed. Cell viability rate was calculated by trypan blue staining. The lipid ROS level was determined by using flow cytometer. The BALB/c nude mice were injected subcutaneously with IDH1 knockout (KO), WT, or R132C mutation cell line, followed by injecting erastin intraperitoneally. The tumor tissue was surgically separated for the measurement of tumor volume and weight. The results showed that IDH1 mutant RBE cell line are sensitive to erastin-induced ferroptosis, evidenced by the increased number of propidium iodide-positive cells, the decreased cell viability, and increased lipid ROS level. However, current targeted inhibitors of IDH1 mutation (AG120 and IDH305) reversed these effects caused by IDH1 mutation. The in vivo experiment showed that IDH1 mutation in cholangiocarcinoma impairs tumor progression by sensitizing cells to erastin-induced ferroptosis. This study indicated that IDH1 mutation in cholangiocarcinoma impairs tumor progression by sensitizing cells to erastin-induced ferroptosis.
Osteogenesis capability of three-dimensionally printed poly(lactic acid)-halloysite nanotube scaffolds containing strontium ranelate

Abstract In this study, three-dimensional (3D) printing of 3D scaffolds containing halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and strontium ranelate (SrR) as a carrier for the promotion of bone regeneration is investigated. SrR acts as an anabolic bone-forming and anti-catabolic agent, while HNTs act as a carrier of SrR. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is used as a biodegradable matrix and carrier for HNTs and SrR. The effects of the SrR addition on the morphological, biological, and in vitro release properties of the scaffolds are evaluated. The morphological results show a homogeneous structure with a proper pore size (approximately 400 µm) suitable for osteogenesis. The contact angle is decreased after the addition of SrR to the scaffold to 67.99°, suitable for cell attachment. X-ray diffraction shows that the SrR is homogenously and molecularly distributed in the PLA matrix and reduces the crystallinity in the prepared scaffolds. The in vitro release results demonstrate that the release profile of the SrR is stable, relatively linear, and continuous within 21 days (504 h). A cumulative release of SrR of approximately 49% is obtained after a controlled release for 504 h (21 days) and a low primary burst release (12%). Human adipose stem cells cultured on the 3D-printed scaffolds demonstrate that the SrR can efficiently promote biocompatibility, alkaline phosphatase activity, and alizarin red staining.
Effects of Psychological Capital and Person-Job Fit on Hospitality Employees’ Work-Family Conflict, Family-Work Conflict and Job Performance: The Moderating Role of Marital Status

Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory and congruence theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of psychological capital (PsyCap) and person-job fit (PJ fit) on work–family conflict (WFC), family–work conflict (FWC) and job performance (JP), especially the moderating effect of marital status on hypothesized relationships between two directions of conflicts in the work-family interface and JP. Utilizing a two-stage design, this study surveyed 312 flight attendants employed by two international airline companies in Malaysia and used the structural equation modeling technique to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings showed that PsyCap could significantly alleviate two directions of WFC simultaneously and promote employees’ JP. PJ fit was also identified to be an effective mitigator of WFC and FWC; however, a significant association between PJ fit and JP has not been found in this study. The findings further suggested that both WFC and FWC could mediate the association between PsyCap and JP. In addition, the fact that marital status resulted in disparity in the formation of JP was also evidenced. Airline companies should pay more attention to the positive impact of individual psychological determinants, such as PsyCap and PJ fit, which can effectively alleviate various issues in the work–family interface, thereby improving employees’ JP.