Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Chest X-Ray Images for the Recognition of COVID-19 Symptoms Using CNN

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) struck without warning, and existing medical screening and clinical management systems were unprepared, causing a high fatality rate. Given the virus’s ongoing evolution, there is still a potential for reemergence; earlier weak preparedness will not be accepted in such a situation. Therefore, it is vital to understand and rectify past diagnostic work’s flaws. RT-PCR and antigen tests, both widely used, have experienced problems in the past. They either were too sluggish or produced an excessive number of false negatives. Another issue was a lack of test kits. As a result, chest X-ray image-based disease classification has emerged. However, managing a variety of chest X-ray pictures for COVID-19 and pneumonia patients is complicated and error-prone. As a result, the only way to improve the current diagnosis is to apply deep learning algorithms that learn from radiography pictures and anticipate COVID-19 development. We constructed our own convolutional neural network (CNN) by incorporating transfer learning from the most popular ResNet, VGG, and InceptionNet models. The endeavor necessitated the creation of a sizable dataset that accurately depicted the patient population. Before importing the model, the images were enhanced to remove artifacts caused by noise, motion, or blurring that could impair the detection of infection. Preprocessing has a substantial impact on the model’s accuracy. The results indicated that the VGG16 architecture, with a detection accuracy of 95.29%, is optimal for COVID-19 identification from X-ray images. Furthermore, most generated models outperformed current state-of-the-art research in the same field.
Terabit Optical Wireless-Fiber Communication With Kramer-Kronig Receiver—Part II

A high speed optical wireless-fiber solution was proposed in part I of this research with applications such as network backhaul and data center links. The proposed system is based on the utilization of state-of-the-art modulation and multiplexing techniques in optical fiber and optical wireless communications, including multicore fibers (MCFs) and coherent detection based on Kramer-Kronig (KK) receivers. In this letter, we analyze the performance of the proposed system and compare it with an intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) system. Superior performance of the KK receiver is shown for various modulation formats and optical amplification schemes. We also consider the eye-safety constraint for the optical power as a practical design factor. It is demonstrated that the position of optical amplifiers affects the multiplexing gain and achievable data rate when eye-safety constraint is imposed. Further important challenges for the practical deployment of the system are discussed.
Genome-Wide Identification of MAPK, MAPKK, and MAPKKK Gene Families in Fagopyrum tataricum and Analysis of Their Expression Patterns Under Abiotic Stress

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is a highly conserved signal transduction pathway, ubiquitous in eukaryotes, such as animals and plants. The MAPK cascade has a dominant role in regulating plant adaptation to the environment, such as through stress responses, osmotic adjustment, and processes that modulate pathogenicity. In the present study, the MAPK cascade gene family was identified in Fagopyrum tataricum (Tartary buckwheat), based on complete genome sequence data. Using phylogenetic tree, conservative motif, and chromosome location analyses, a total of 65 FtMAPK cascade genes, distributed on five chromosomes, were classified into three families: MAPK (n = 8), MAPKK (n = 1), and MAPKKK (n = 56). Transcriptome data from Tartary buckwheat seedlings grown under different light conditions demonstrated that, under blue and red light, the expression levels of 18 and 36 FtMAPK cascade genes were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Through qRT-PCR experiments, it was observed that FtMAPK5, FtMAPKK1, FtMAPKKK8, FtMAPKKK10, and FtMAPKKK24 gene expression levels in the Tartary buckwheat seedlings increased under three types of abiotic stress: drought, salt, and high temperature. A co-expression network of FtMAPK cascade genes was constructed, based on gene expression levels under different light conditions, and co-expressed genes annotated by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses, which identified numerous transcription factors related to plant abiotic stress. The authors conclude that FtMAPK cascade genes have important roles in the growth and development of Tartary buckwheat, as well as its responses to abiotic stress.
Pharmacological Induction of Fetal Hemoglobin in β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease: An Updated Perspective

A significant amount of attention has recently been devoted to the mechanisms involved in hemoglobin (Hb) switching, as it has previously been established that the induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in significant amounts can reduce the severity of the clinical course in diseases such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). While the induction of HbF using lentiviral and genome-editing strategies has been made possible, they present limitations. Meanwhile, progress in the use of pharmacologic agents for HbF induction and the identification of novel HbF-inducing strategies has been made possible as a result of a better understanding of γ-globin regulation. In this review, we will provide an update on all current pharmacological inducer agents of HbF in β-thalassemia and SCD in addition to the ongoing research into other novel, and potentially therapeutic, HbF-inducing agents.
Quantitative Succinyl-Proteome Profiling of Turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) in Response to Cadmium Stress

Protein post-translational modification (PTM) is an efficient biological mechanism to regulate protein structure and function, but its role in plant responses to heavy metal stress is poorly understood. The present study performed quantitative succinyl-proteome profiling using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis to explore the potential roles of lysine succinylation modification in turnip seedlings in response to cadmium (Cd) stress (20 μM) under hydroponic conditions over a short time period (0–8 h). A total of 547 succinylated sites on 256 proteins were identified in the shoots of turnip seedlings. These succinylated proteins participated in various biological processes (e.g., photosynthesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism, and response to stimulation) that occurred in diverse cellular compartments according to the functional classification, subcellular localization, and protein interaction network analysis. Quantitative analysis showed that the intensities of nine succinylation sites on eight proteins were significantly altered (p < 0.05) in turnip shoots after 8 h of Cd stress. These differentially succinylated sites were highly conserved in Brassicaceae species and mostly located in the conserved domains of the proteins. Among them, a downregulated succinylation site (K150) in the glycolate oxidase protein (Gene0282600.1), an upregulated succinylation site (K396) in the catalase 3 protein (Gene0163880.1), and a downregulated succinylation site (K197) in the glutathione S-transferase protein (Gene0315380.1) may have contributed to the altered activity of the corresponding enzymes, which suggests that lysine succinylation affects the Cd detoxification process in turnip by regulating the H2O2 accumulation and glutathione metabolism. These results provide novel insights into understanding Cd response mechanisms in plants and important protein modification information for the molecular-assisted breeding of Brassica varieties with distinct Cd tolerance and accumulation capacities.
About the cavity fields in mean field spin glass models

We give the explicit expression of the infinite volume limit for the random overlap structures appearing in the mean field spin glass model. These structures have the expected factorization property for the cavity fields, and enjoy invariance with respect to a large class of random transformations. These properties are typical of the Parisi Ansatz.
Influence of Whipping on Long-term Vertical Bending Moment

This paper is concerned with estimating the response value corresponding to a long return period, say 20 years. Time domain simulation is required to obtain the nonlinear response, and long time series are required to limit the statistical uncertainty in the simulations. It is crucial to introduce ways to improve the efficiency in the calculation. A method to determine the long-term extremes by considering only a few short-term sea states is applied. Long-term extreme values are estimated using a set of sea states that have a certain probability of occurrence, known as the contour line approach. Effect of whipping is included by assuming that the whipping and wave-induced responses are independent, but the effect of correlation of the long-term extreme value is also studied. Numerical calculations are performed using a nonlinear, hydroelastic strip theory as suggested by Xia et al (1998). Results are presented for the S-175 containership (ITTC 1983) in head sea waves. The analysis shows that whipping increases the vertical bending moment and that the correlation is significant.
Balanced Fertilization in Rice-maize Cropping System to Enhance Productivity, Economics and Soil Fertility Status in North Coastal Zone, Andhra Pradesh

A study was conducted in 24 farmers fields during both kharif, rabi seasons in two successive years i.e., 2017-18 and 2018-19 in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh to demonstrate the importance of optimal fertilizers schedule in rice-maize cropping system. The seven treatments consist of control, N, NP, NK, NPK, NPK+ ZnSO4 and farmer practice. The results revealed that yield and yield components showing significantly higher with optimal fertilizers schedule of NPK (80-60-50 kg ha-1) along with ZnSO4 (50 kgha-1) to rice and recommended dose of NPK (200-80-80 kg ha-1) to maize. NPK+Zn combination in Rice-Maize cropping sequence noticed statistically superior higher mean grain yield (5338kg ha-1 and 7286kg ha-1) and straw yield (7335kg ha-1 and 9065kg ha-1) during both kharif and rabi seasons. Highest Rice equivalent yield(8814kg ha-1), higher gross returns (Rs 1,13,173 ha-1) and net returns (Rs 75,647 ha-1) is fallowed same trend with balanced nutrition during both the years of study. Higher sustainable yield index (0.81) and system productivity per day (55.50 kg ha-1day-1) were noticed with recommended dose of NPK+ ZnSO4 besides enhanced soil fertility.
The Production of Second-generation Bioethanol from Lignocellulosic Biomass using Two Strains of Sacharomyces cerevisiae

Concerns about first generation bioethanol's impact on the food chain and biodiversity have shifted research to second generation (2G) bioethanol technologies. The 2G-bioethanol is made from lignocellulosic biomass, which is more sustainable and does not harm food security or the environment. This production process uses non-food crops, food crop residues, wood or food wastes, such as wood chips, skins, or pulp from fruit pressing. The present study examines the bioethanol production potential of three lignocellulosic biomass residues: corn cob, corn husk, and corn stem, as well as their physiochemical and mineral composition before and after fermentation. Before fermentation, the corn waste samples were hydrolyzed into sugar monomer and the hydrolysate was fermented separately to produce bioethanol for five days at 282oC using two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains: typed yeast ATCC 3585 and Baker's yeast ATCC 204508/S288c. At one-day intervals, the pH, simple sugar and ethanol production were measured. ANOVA was used to find significant differences between the investigated organisms. The results showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 35858 produces more ethanol than the other strain (20.25±0.63). Corn cob also produced more ethanol than stem and husk. During fermentation, the typed yeasts outperformed the Baker's yeast in pH, reducing sugar, and specific gravity. Average dry yeast cell mass (ADM) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 35858 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 204508/S288c were 1.82±0.07 and 1.98±0.03, respectively. According to proximate composition, fermentation lost over 50% of the corn waste's nutrients (ash), while recovering over 50% of the minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). The ability of the two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to produce bioethanol was not significantly different at p value ≤ 0.05.
Why road safety is the need of the hour? A study among youth of District Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Background: Road traffic injuries are the eighth leading cause of death globally, and the leading cause of death for young people aged 15–29 years. Each year, almost 400,000 young people under 25 years old are killed in a road traffic crash - about 1049 youngsters every day. Aims and objectives: To find out the prevalence of road safety related health risk behaviours and its determinants amongst young males of District Dehradun. Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted over 12 months of duration. The study sample comprised of 1800 male youth aged 15-24years studying in various schools and colleges of District Dehradun. A pre-tested and pre-structured questionnaire (YRBSS) was used. The data was entered and analysed using SPSS-version 20.0. Results: Approximately three-fourth of youth reported never using seat-belt while driving and only 4.4% reported always using helmet whereas 24.0% accepted never use of helmet. Approximately one-fourth of the total 1168 at risk subjects in past 30 days, accepted driving a vehicle while drunk and 39.9% reported use of mobile phones while driving. Personality traits (extrovert, neuroticism and lack of direction) turned out to be the major factor in road safety related health risk behaviour. Conclusion: Although, road safety related health risk was found to be more among urban youth as compared to their rural counterparts, yet it was found alarmingly high for both rural and urban study population.
An Unusual U2AF2 Inhibits Splicing and Attenuates the Virulence of the Human Protozoan Parasite Entamoeba histolytica

E. histolytica is the etiological agent of intestinal amebiasis and liver abscesses, which still poses public health threat globally. Metronidazole is the drug of choice against amebiasis. However, metronidazole-resistant amoebic clinical isolates and strains have been reported recently, challenging the efforts for amebiasis eradication. In search of alternative treatments, E. histolytica transcriptomes have shown the association of genes involved in RNA metabolism with the virulence of the parasite. Among the upregulated genes in amoebic liver abscesses are the splicing factors EhU2AF2 and a paralog of EhSF3B1. For this reason and because EhU2AF2 contains unusual KH-QUA2 (84KQ) motifs in its lengthened C-terminus domain, here we investigated how the role of EhU2AF2 in pre-mRNA processing impacts the virulence of the parasite. We found that 84KQ is involved in splicing inhibition/intron retention of several virulence and non-virulence-related genes. The 84KQ domain interacts with the same domain of the constitutive splicing factor SF1 (SF1KQ), both in solution and when SF1KQ is bound to branchpoint signal RNA probes. The 84KQ–SF1KQ interaction prevents splicing complex E to A transition, thus inhibiting splicing. Surprisingly, the deletion of the 84KQ domain in EhU2AF2 amoeba transformants increased splicing and enhanced the in vitro and in vivo virulence phenotypes. We conclude that the interaction of the 84KQ and SF1KQ domains, probably involving additional factors, tunes down Entamoeba virulence by favoring intron retention.
Mobile Colistin Resistance (mcr) Genes in Cats and Dogs and Their Zoonotic Transmission Risks

Background: Pets, especially cats and dogs, represent a great potential for zoonotic transmission, leading to major health problems. The purpose of this systematic review was to present the latest developments concerning colistin resistance through mcr genes in pets. The current study also highlights the health risks of the transmission of colistin resistance between pets and humans. Methods: We conducted a systematic review on mcr-positive bacteria in pets and studies reporting their zoonotic transmission to humans. Bibliographic research queries were performed on the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Microsoft Academic, and Web of Science. Articles of interest were selected using the PRISMA guideline principles. Results: The analyzed articles from the investigated databases described the presence of mcr gene variants in pets including mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-4, mcr-5, mcr-8, mcr-9, and mcr-10. Among these articles, four studies reported potential zoonotic transmission of mcr genes between pets and humans. The epidemiological analysis revealed that dogs and cats can be colonized by mcr genes that are beginning to spread in different countries worldwide. Overall, reported articles on this subject highlight the high risk of zoonotic transmission of colistin resistance genes between pets and their owners. Conclusions: This review demonstrated the spread of mcr genes in pets and their transmission to humans, indicating the need for further measures to control this significant threat to public health. Therefore, we suggest here some strategies against this threat such as avoiding zoonotic transmission.
Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Physiological Response of Maize to Soil Salinity

Soil salinization is a global problem that causes huge losses in agricultural production. Salt can interfere with crop absorption and metabolism of nutrients and water, affect plant physiological responses and reduce plant biomass. Maize, a very important economic crop, can adapt to a certain degree of saline-alkali soil. It is essential to understand the physiological indexes of response to soil salinity concentrations and explore the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer treatments on maize growth. In this study, three soil salinity gradients (S1, S2 and S3 were with soil salt concentration, Ssc, of 0, 0.1% and 0.25%, respectively) and two nitrogen application rates (N0 and N1 were without and with nitrogen applied (13.2 g per pot), respectively) were set up. Plant growth and photosynthetic parameters were measured. Whether nitrogen was applied or not, with the increase in Ssc, leaf area, plant height, stem diameter, SPAD, leaf water potential, RuBP carboxylase, and PEP carboxylase activities, photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), the maximum stomatal conductance (gsmax), and the stomatal morphological parameters such as stomatal width and maximum stomatal area (amax), all showed a downward trend. Under the S1 and S2 treatments, compared with the N0, the N1 treatment alleviated the stress effect of the Ssc on these indicators. However, under S3 treatment, the stress degrees of leaf water potential, gs, gsmax and amax, were aggravated after nitrogen application. This indicated that under the high Ssc of S3, the interaction between nitrogen application and soil salinity should be considered. WUEin increased with the increase in Ssc. Moreover, under N1 treatments, the increase in WUEin with Ssc was greater than that with N0. With the increase in Ssc, whether nitrogen was applied or not, the dry weight of maize declined by 44.2% and 73.0%, respectively, for the S2 and S3 treatments. Under S2 treatment, N1 significantly improved the dry matter mass of maize compared with the N0 treatment. The results showed that soil salt stress can inhibit crop growth, physiology and dry matter accumulation, and that nitrogen application can alleviate this within a specific salinity range. Such results indicate that in saline-alkali areas, whether nitrogen fertilizer is applied or not should depend on the level of Ssc to improve plant growth.
Mitosis, Focus on Calcium

The transformation of a single fertilised egg into an adult human consisting of tens of trillions of highly diverse cell types is a marvel of biology. The expansion is largely achieved by cell duplication through the process of mitosis. Mitosis is essential for normal growth, development, and tissue repair and is one of the most tightly regulated biological processes studied. This regulation is designed to ensure accurate segregation of chromosomes into each new daughter cell since errors in this process can lead to genetic imbalances, aneuploidy, that can lead to diseases including cancer. Understanding how mitosis operates and the molecular mechanisms that ensure its fidelity are therefore not only of significant intellectual value but provide unique insights into disease pathology. The purpose of this review is to revisit historical evidence that mitosis can be influenced by the ubiquitous second messenger calcium and to discuss this in the context of new findings revealing exciting new information about its role in cell division.
Peptidomimetic Lipid-Nanoparticle-Mediated Knockdown of TLR4 in CNS Protects against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Ischemic stroke activates toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling, resulting in proinflammatory polarization of microglia and secondary neuronal damage. Herein, we report a novel lipid-nanoparticle (LNP)-mediated knockdown of TLR4 in microglia and amelioration of neuroinflammation in a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). siRNA against TLR4 (siTLR4) complexed to the novel LNP (siTLR4/DoGo310), which was based on a dioleoyl-conjugated short peptidomimetic (denote DoGo310), was readily internalized by the oxygen–glucose-deprived (OGD) mouse primary microglia, knocked-down TLR4, and polarized the cell to the anti-inflammatory phenotype in vitro. Systemic administration of siTLR4/DoGo310 LNPs in the tMCAO mice model resulted in the accumulation of siRNA mainly in the Iba1 positive cells in the peri-infarct. Analysis of the peri-infarct brain tissue revealed that a single injection of siTLR4/DoGo310 LNPs led to significant knockdown of TLR4 gene expression, reversing the pattern of cytokines expression, and improving the neurological functions in tMCAO model mice. Our data demonstrate that DoGo310 LNPs could be a promising nanocarrier for CNS-targeted siRNA delivery for the treatment of CNS disorders.