Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ice2 promotes ER membrane biogenesis in yeast by inhibiting the conserved lipin phosphatase complex

Cells dynamically adapt organelle size to current physiological demand. Organelle growth requires membrane biogenesis and therefore needs to be coordinated with lipid metabolism. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can undergo massive expansion, but the regulatory mechanisms that govern ER membrane biogenesis are largely unclear. Here, we conduct a genetic screen for factors involved in ER membrane expansion in budding yeast and identify the ER transmembrane protein Ice2 as a strong hit. We show that Ice2 promotes ER membrane biogenesis by opposing the phosphatidic acid phosphatase Pah1, which is called lipin in metazoa. Ice2 inhibits the conserved Nem1-Spo7 complex, which dephosphorylates and thus activates Pah1. Furthermore, Ice2 cooperates with the transcriptional regulation of lipid synthesis genes and helps to maintain ER homeostasis during ER stress. These findings establish inhibition of the lipin phosphatase complex as an important mechanism for controlling ER membrane biogenesis.
New Method of Wood Impregnation with Inorganic Compounds Using Ethyl Methylimidazolium Chloride as Carrier

In this paper, a novel method for wood surface impregnation with inorganic compounds, such as titanium dioxide, wolfram trioxide, and calcium metasilicate, using an alkylimidazolium ionic liquid as solvent-carrier is presented. The aforementioned compounds are able to diffuse into the wood surface and form an even coating that provides higher dimensional stability in wood as well as higher Brinell hardness as compared to non-impregnated materials. The main advantage of the proposed method of impregnation is the use of an eco-friendly ionic liquid, avoiding volatile organic compounds. In addition, the process saves time and energy, as it is faster and requires considerably lower temperatures (40°C as compared to 100–200°C with conventional processes of impregnation).
Comparison of the monomer structure of the FMN-binding protein from Desulfovibrio vulgaris obtained by NMR and molecular dynamics simulation approaches

Flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-binding proteins (FBPs) play an important role in the electron transport process in bacteria. In this study, the structures of the FBP from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (DvFBP) (Miyazaki F) were compared between those obtained experimentally by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and those derived from molecular dynamics simulations (MDSs). A high-residue root of mean square deviation (RMSD) was observed in residues located at both sides of the wings (Gly22, Glu23, Asp24, Ala59, Arg60, Asp61, Glu62, Gly75, Arg76, Asn77, Gly78 and Pro79), while a low-residue RMSD was found in residues located in a hollow of the structure (Asn12, Glu13, Gly14, Val15, Val16, Asn30, Thr31, Trp32, Asn33, Ser34, Gly69, Ser70, Arg71 and Lys72). Inter-planar angles between the Phe7 and Iso and between the Phe7 and Trp106 residues were remarkably different between the MDS- and NMR-derived DvFBP structures. Distribution of the torsion angles around the covalent bonds in the aliphatic chain of FMN was similar in the MDS- and NMR-derived structures, except for those around the C1′–C2′ and C5′–O5′ bonds. Hydrogen bond formation between IsoO2 and the Gly49 or Gly50 peptide NH was formed in both the NMR- and MDS-derived structures. Overall, the MDS-derived structures were found to be considerably different from the NMR-derived structures, which must be considered when the photoinduced electron transfer in flavoproteins is analysed with MDS-derived structures.
Associations of Childhood Maltreatment and Attachment Styles with Romantic Breakup Grief Severity: The Role of Emotional Suppression

Childhood maltreatment (CM) and insecure attachment styles may partly explain grief severity following romantic breakup. Empirical studies examining the factors that could possibly explain this association, however, remain sparse. The present study tested whether the relations among CM, attachment styles, and romantic breakup grief severity could be explained by emotional suppression in Iranian college students. In a cross-sectional study, 239 Iranian college students (ages 18–45; M = 24.11, SD = 15.29; 50.6% women) with a recent romantic breakup experience were recruited from University of Tabriz. Participants completed a diagnostic interview and self-report battery, including the Persian version of the Child Abuse Self-Reported Scale, Revised Adult Attachment Scale, Romantic Breakup Grief Inventory, and Weinberger Adjustment Inventory. Structural equation modeling was used to empirically explore the relations among variables. Results indicated that those who reported higher levels of CM also reported higher levels of romantic breakup grief. Attachment closeness showed a significant negative and direct effect on romantic breakup grief severity. However, attachment anxiety was positively associated with greater levels of romantic breakup grief. Bootstrapping results showed that CM might affect romantic breakup grief severity via emotional suppression. Furthermore, attachment closeness and attachment anxiety exerted indirect effects on romantic breakup grief severity through emotional suppression. Clinical and empirical implications are discussed.
Solving problems is smart, preventing them is wise: Lessons learned from the 2nd International DKFZ Conference on Cancer Prevention

The 2nd International DKFZ Conference on Cancer Prevention (CCP2020) organized by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) was held as a virtual event on 17‐18 September 2020. The event gathered experts on cancer prevention from around the world with the aim of generating a stimulating interchange of opinions between clinicians and basic researchers working in the field. The talks and posters of the conference fueled exciting discussions and debates about the state of the art of cancer prevention and provided a comprehensive outlook on the many aspects of the field. The program was divided into three main sessions, illustrating the most recent methodological approaches and interventions in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, enriched by introductory lectures depicting the most relevant aspects of each session. The key concepts covered in this meeting were risk factors, early detection, improving life after cancer, cancer prevention in Europe and personalized prevention. The importance of the latter was expressly highlighted, many presentations emphasizing that in the era of personalized medicine, prevention also needs to be based on the unique genetic, epigenetic, social and behavioral characteristics of the individual to achieve maximal efficacy. In this article, we summarize the key messages emerging from each section, with particular attention on the most important challenges yet to be met in the field of cancer prevention.
Structural brain alterations in young adult males with narcissistic personality disorder: a diffusion tensor imaging study

Abstract Purposes 1. To find a difference in white matter (WM) between young adult males with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and healthy controls (HCs). 2. To find some correlations between white matter in the abnormal regions of NPD group and the pathological narcissism inventory (PNI). Materials and methods Eighteen male participants with NPD (age M = 18.39, SD = 0.164; education M = 12.33, SD = 0.14) were included in our experiment. NPD participants met the DSM-IV criteria for NPD and without other personality disorders evaluated by trained clinical psychiatrists using the Structured Clinical Interview of DSM-IV for Personality Disorders (SCID-II). Moreover, healthy controls were also confirmed to be free of any axis I or II disorders and matched with education level, age and handedness (age M = 18.83 years, SD = 0.246; education M = 12.56, SD = 0.202; all participants were right handed). Those who have had major life events in the last six months, mental and physical illnesses, claustrophobia and oral implants have been excluded. We used tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) on diffusion tensor images (DTI) and analysis of Pearson correlation between abnormal brain regions of white matter fibers and the pathological narcissism inventory. Results There was no significant difference in age and education level between NPD and HCs (p > 0.05). There were significant differences in PNI score and its subscales between NPD group and HCs (p < 0.01). Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were found decreased mainly in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus and the bilateral posterior thalamic radiation (include optic radiation). Lower axial diffusivity (AD) values were identified mostly in the left retrolenticular part of internal capsule and the left posterior thalamic radiation (include optic radiation). There existed a significant correlation between DTI data and pathological narcissism inventory. Conclusions The decreased brain white matter microstructures among three clusters were found in the association, projection/thalamic and connection pathways of white matter in young adult males with NPD. The abnormal white matter brain regions may be one of the neuropathological basis of the pathogenesis of young males with NPD, and it may be related to white matter development in early adulthood.
Bioinspired Scene Classification by Deep Active Learning With Remote Sensing Applications

Accurately classifying sceneries with different spatial configurations is an indispensable technique in computer vision and intelligent systems, for example, scene parsing, robot motion planning, and autonomous driving. Remarkable performance has been achieved by the deep recognition models in the past decade. As far as we know, however, these deep architectures are incapable of explicitly encoding the human visual perception, that is, the sequence of gaze movements and the subsequent cognitive processes. In this article, a biologically inspired deep model is proposed for scene classification, where the human gaze behaviors are robustly discovered and represented by a unified deep active learning (UDAL) framework. More specifically, to characterize objects’ components with varied sizes, an objectness measure is employed to decompose each scenery into a set of semantically aware object patches. To represent each region at a low level, a local–global feature fusion scheme is developed which optimally integrates multimodal features by automatically calculating each feature’s weight. To mimic the human visual perception of various sceneries, we develop the UDAL that hierarchically represents the human gaze behavior by recognizing semantically important regions within the scenery. Importantly, UDAL combines the semantically salient region detection and the deep gaze shifting path (GSP) representation learning into a principled framework, where only the partial semantic tags are required. Meanwhile, by incorporating the sparsity penalty, the contaminated/redundant low-level regional features can be intelligently avoided. Finally, the learned deep GSP features from the entire scene images are integrated to form an image kernel machine, which is subsequently fed into a kernel SVM to classify different sceneries. Experimental evaluations on six well-known scenery sets (including remote sensing images) have shown the competitiveness of our approach.
The Predictability of Routine Activity Theory for Cyberbullying Victimization Among Children and Youth: Risk and Protective Factors

Cyberbullying has been pervading worldwide with negative implications for victims. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand this phenomenon and the factors that predict it, as the basis for effective prevention and intervention efforts. The current research aims to examine routine activity theory (RAT) as a theoretical framework predictive of cyberbullying victimization (CV) among children and youth. It was hypothesized that each of the RAT measures and the convergence of all measures predict CV. Data were collected from 5,719 primary, middle, and high school Israeli students (51.9% females) during the 2019–2020 school year via online questionnaires. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted to assess the predictability of CV from RAT measures, separately and converged. All RAT measures, separately and converged, predict CV. While off-line trust negatively predicts CV, other control variables, that is, online trust, educational institution phase, and gender, do not. Implications for school programs and guidelines for parents address the risk and protective factors of CV found. This study provides support for the predictability of CV from RAT and expands the knowledge of risk and protective factors predictive of CV.
Assessment of bone marrow fat fractions in the mandibular condyle head using the iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL-IQ) method

The prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is gradually increasing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming increasingly common as a modality used to diagnose TMD. Edema and osteonecrosis in the bone marrow of the mandibular condyle have been considered to be precursors of osteoarthritis, but these changes are not evaluated accurately and quantitatively on routine MRI. The iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL-IQ) method, as a cutting-edge MRI technique, can separate fat and water using three asymmetric echo times and the three-point Dixon method. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quantitative fat fraction (FF) in the mandibular condyle head using the IDEAL-IQ method. Seventy-nine people who underwent MRI using IDEAL-IQ were investigated and divided into 1) the control group, without TMD symptoms, and 2) the TMD group, with unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. In both groups, the FF of the condyle head in the TMJ was analyzed by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists. In the TMD group, 29 people underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the presence or absence of bony changes in the condylar head was evaluated. The FF measurements of the condyle head using IDEAL-IQ showed excellent inter-observer and intra-observer agreement. The average FF of the TMD group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). In the TMD group, the average FF values of joints with pain and joints with bony changes were significantly lower than those of joints without pain or bony changes, respectively (p < 0.05). The FF using IDEAL-IQ in the TMJ can be helpful for the quantitative diagnosis of TMD.
Fuzzy Adaptive Cooperative Consensus Tracking of High-Order Nonlinear Multiagent Networks With Guaranteed Performances

This work addresses the distributed consensus tracking problem for an extended class of high-order nonlinear multiagent networks with guaranteed performances over a directed graph. The adding one power integrator methodology is skillfully incorporated into the distributed protocol so as to tackle high powers in a distributed fashion. The distinguishing feature of the proposed design, besides guaranteeing closed-loop stability, is that some transient-state and steady-state metrics (e.g., maximum overshoot and convergence rate) can be preselected a priori by devising a novel performance function. More precisely, as opposed to conventional prescribed performance functions, a new asymmetry local tracking error-transformed variable is designed to circumvent the singularity problem and alleviate the computational burden caused by the conventional transformation function and its inverse function, and to solve the nondifferentiability issue that exists in most existing designs. Furthermore, the consensus tracking error is shown to converge to a residual set, whose size can be adjusted as small as desired through selecting proper parameters, while ensuring closed-loop stability and preassigned performances. One numerical and one practical example have been conducted to highlight the superiority of the proposed strategy.
Retrospective study of late radiation-induced damages after focal radiotherapy for childhood brain tumors

Purpose To study a robust and reproducible procedure to investigate a relation between focal brain radiotherapy (RT) low doses, neurocognitive impairment and late White Matter and Gray Matter alterations, as shown by Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), in children. Methods and materials Forty-five patients (23 males and 22 females, median age at RT 6.2 years, median age at evaluations 11.1 years) who had received focal RT for brain tumors were recruited for DTI exams and neurocognitive tests. Patients’ brains were parceled in 116 regions of interest (ROIs) using an available segmented atlas. After the development of an ad hoc, home-made, multimodal and highly deformable registration framework, we collected mean RT doses and DTI metrics values for each ROI. The pattern of association between cognitive scores or domains and dose or DTI values was assessed in each ROI through both considering and excluding ROIs with mean doses higher than 75% of the prescription. Subsequently, a preliminary threshold value of dose discriminating patients with and without neurocognitive impairment was selected for the most relevant associations. Results The workflow allowed us to identify 10 ROIs where RT dose and DTI metrics were significantly associated with cognitive tests results (p<0.05). In 5/10 ROIs, RT dose and cognitive tests were associated with p<0.01 and preliminary RT threshold dose values, implying a possible cognitive or neuropsychological damage, were calculated. The analysis of domains showed that the most involved one was the “school-related activities”. Conclusion This analysis, despite being conducted on a retrospective cohort of children, shows that the identification of critical brain structures and respective radiation dose thresholds is achievable by combining, with appropriate methodological tools, the large amount of data arising from different sources. This supported the design of a prospective study to gain stronger evidence.
Noradrenergic Suppression of Persistent Firing in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Cells through cAMP-PKA Pathway

Abstract Persistent firing is believed to be a cellular correlate of working memory. While the effects of noradrenaline (NA) on working memory have widely been described, its effect on the cellular mechanisms of persistent firing remains largely unknown. Using in vitro intracellular recordings, we demonstrate that persistent firing is supported by individual neurons in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells through cholinergic receptor activation, but is dramatically attenuated by NA. In contrast to the classical theory that recurrent synaptic excitation supports persistent firing, suppression of persistent firing by NA was independent of synaptic transmission, indicating that the mechanism is intrinsic to individual cells. In agreement with detrimental effects of cAMP on working memory, we demonstrate that the suppressive effect of NA was through cAMP-PKA pathway. In addition, activation of β1 and/or β3 adrenergic receptors, which increases cAMP levels, suppressed persistent firing. These results are in line with working memory decline observed during high levels of NA and cAMP, which are implicated in high stress, aging, and schizophrenia.
Measuring impacts of continuing professional development (CPD): The development of the CPD impacts survey (CPDIS)

Abstract Introduction Evaluating continuing professional development (CPD) programs is essential to demonstrate their value to participants and their institutions, and to inform the improvement and quality of CPD programs. Existing surveys measure a narrow range of impacts. This study developed a survey that can measure a broad range of impacts of CPD programs, not just those that are easily measured such as knowledge, skills, attitudes and confidence. Method The development of the CPD Impacts Survey (CPDIS) was informed by best practice guidelines. A systematic scoping review, qualitative interviews, and existing survey instruments were used to develop the initial survey items. Past participants from two international health professions education institutes completed the survey (n = 292). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to refine the survey. Results The PCA provided a three-component solution. Component 1 (learnings and self-efficacy), Component 2 (networking and building community), and Component 3 (achievement and validation) comprising 47, 14, and 13 items, respectively. The three components had high internal consistency (α = .98, α = .95, α = .92, respectively). Conclusion The CPDIS is the first survey to assess a broader range of impacts of CPD programs. Given the substantial financial and opportunity costs of participation in CPD, the CPDIS will allow more efficient and accurate evaluation of the utility and value of CPD programs.
Three founding ancestral genomes involved in the origin of sugarcane

Abstract Background and Aims Modern sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp.) are high polyploids, aneuploids (2n = ~12x = ~120) derived from interspecific hybridizations between the domesticated sweet species Saccharum officinarum and the wild species S. spontaneum. Methods To analyse the architecture and origin of such a complex genome, we analysed the sequences of all 12 hom(oe)ologous haplotypes (BAC clones) from two distinct genomic regions of a typical modern cultivar, as well as the corresponding sequence in Miscanthus sinense and Sorghum bicolor, and monitored their distribution among representatives of the Saccharum genus. Key Results The diversity observed among haplotypes suggested the existence of three founding genomes (A, B, C) in modern cultivars, which diverged between 0.8 and 1.3 Mya. Two genomes (A, B) were contributed by S. officinarum; these were also found in its wild presumed ancestor S. robustum, and one genome (C) was contributed by S. spontaneum. These results suggest that S. officinarum and S. robustum are derived from interspecific hybridization between two unknown ancestors (A and B genomes). The A genome contributed most haplotypes (nine or ten) while the B and C genomes contributed one or two haplotypes in the regions analysed of this typical modern cultivar. Interspecific hybridizations likely involved accessions or gametes with distinct ploidy levels and/or were followed by a series of backcrosses with the A genome. The three founding genomes were found in all S. barberi, S. sinense and modern cultivars analysed. None of the analysed accessions contained only the A genome or the B genome, suggesting that representatives of these founding genomes remain to be discovered. Conclusions This evolutionary model, which combines interspecificity and high polyploidy, can explain the variable chromosome pairing affinity observed in Saccharum. It represents a major revision of the understanding of Saccharum diversity.
Supercritical carbon dioxide and polymers: an interplay of science and technology

The increasing use of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) as a green solvent for polymer synthesis and processing reflects a still growing interest at academic and industrial level. The peculiar characteristics of scCO(2), namely its plasticizing effect on polymeric structures and the enhanced chain mobility, render it an ideal medium for polymer synthesis and processing. The broad range of processes as well as of the polymeric structures often requires a deeper understanding of the effect of scCO(2) on polymeric structures at microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic levels. The aim of the present paper is to offer a perspective on this topic by outlining current and future challenges in this field. (C) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry