Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensor-based Evaluation of Maize (Zea mays) and Weed Response to Postemergence Herbicide Applications of Isoxaflutole and Cyprosulfamide Applied as Crop Seed Treatment or Herbicide Mixing Partner.

BACKGROUND Some maize post-emergence herbicides obtain their crop/weed se- lectivity only through the use of chemical crop safeners. Safeners improve the tolerance of maize to herbicidal active ingredients. In order to investigate the crop response to (cypro- sulfamide) spray application and seed treatment, greenhouse and field trials were con- ducted on three maize development stages (2-, 4-, and 6-leaf stage). Visual estimations on crop vitality were compared to ground-based and airborne hyperspectral and multispectral sensors. RESULTS The reduction of cyprosulfamide by 88% when applied as seed treatment did not significantly reduce maize biomass yields at the field. The crop deterioration in both trials was stronger in the cyprosulfamide seed treatments compared to the spray ap- plications but was found to be transient in the field trial. The hyperspectral sensor and multispectral camera data was correlated with R2 = 0.84 (CropSpec vegetation index) and R2 = 0.64 (Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). CONCLUSION The sensor-based collection of crop responses to treatments enables early, quantifiable and auditor-independent assessments. In particular, the airborne multi- spectral imagery assessment of field experiments provides more detailed and comprehen- sive information than visually collected data. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Sex hormone levels in drug-naïve, first-episode patients with psychosis

Abstract Aim: Sex differences have long been reported in schizophrenia leading to the hypothesis that sex hormones may be implicated in the pathophysiology of the disorder. We assessed gonadal hormones during the fasted state in drug-naïve patients with psychosis. Method: Fasting serum concentrations of follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, free-testosterone, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and oestradiol (E2) were compared between a group of 55 newly diagnosed, drug-naïve, first-episode men with psychosis and a group of 55 healthy controls, matched for age, smoking status and BMI. Testosterone, free-testosterone and SHBG were compared between a group of 32 drug-naïve, first-episode females with psychosis and a group of 32 healthy controls matched for age, smoking status and BMI. Results: Testosterone and free-testosterone levels were significantly lower in the patients’ group and SHBG levels significantly higher in the patients’ group compared to those in healthy controls. The two female groups had similar values in the hormones which were measured. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence of lower testosterone and free-testosterone levels and increased SHBG levels in drug-naïve, first-episode males with psychosis. KEY POINTS Reduced testosterone and free-testosterone levels in drug-naive, first-episode males with psychosis. Increased SHBG levels in drug-naive first-episode males with psychosis. No difference in FSH, LH and E2 levels between drug-naive first episode males with psychosis and controls. No difference in testosterone, free-testosterone and SHBG levels between drug-naive, first-episode women with psychosis and controls.
Conditional effects of the epigenetic regulator JUMONJI 14 in Arabidopsis root growth

ABSTRACT Methylation of lysine 4 in histone 3 (H3K4) is a post-translational modification that promotes gene expression. H3K4 methylation can be reversed by specific demethylases with an enzymatic Jumonji C domain. In Arabidopsis thaliana, H3K4-specific JUMONJI (JMJ) proteins distinguish themselves by the association with an F/Y-rich (FYR) domain. Here, we report that jmj14 mutations partially suppress reduced root meristem size and growth vigor of brevis radix (brx) mutants. Similar to its close homologs, JMJ15, JMJ16 and JMJ18, the JMJ14 promoter confers expression in mature root vasculature. Yet, unlike jmj14, neither jmj16 nor jmj18 mutation markedly suppresses brx phenotypes. Domain-swapping experiments suggest that the specificity of JMJ14 function resides in the FYR domain. Despite JMJ14 promoter activity in the mature vasculature, jmj14 mutation affects root meristem size. However, JMJ14 protein is observed throughout the meristem, suggesting that the JMJ14 transcript region contributes substantially to the spatial aspect of JMJ14 expression. In summary, our data reveal a role for JMJ14 in root growth in sensitized genetic backgrounds that depends on its FYR domain and regulatory input from the JMJ14 cistron. Summary: Sensitized genetic backgrounds of Arabidopsis thaliana reveal a role of JMJ14 in root growth, and ubiquitous JMJ14 gene expression depends on its transcript region, whereas specificity of the JMJ14 protein resides in its FYR domain.
Verification of a Rapidly Multiplexed Circuit for Scalable Action Potential Recording

This report presents characterizations of in vivo neural recordings performed with a CMOS multichannel neural recording chip that uses rapid multiplexing directly at the electrodes, without any pre-amplification or buffering. Neural recordings were taken from a 16-channel microwire array implanted in rodent cortex, with comparison to a gold-standard commercial bench-top recording system. We were able to record well-isolated threshold crossings from 10 multiplexed electrodes and typical local field potential waveforms from 16, with strong agreement with the standard system (average SNR = 2.59 and 3.07 respectively). For 10 electrodes, the circuit achieves an effective area per channel of 0.0077 mm2, which is >5x smaller than typical multichannel chips. Extensive characterizations of noise and signal quality are presented and compared to fundamental theory, as well as results from in vivo and in vitro experiments. By demonstrating the validation of rapid multiplexing directly at the electrodes, this report confirms it as a promising approach for reducing circuit area in massively-multichannel neural recording systems, which is crucial for scaling recording site density and achieving large-scale sensing of brain activity with high spatiotemporal resolution.
Extracting Individual Neural Fingerprint Encoded in Functional Connectivity by Silencing Indirect Effects

Objective: The possibility of subject discriminability based on whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) has been demonstrated. To extract more accurate “fingerprint” encoded in FC, we speculated that the indirect effects in FC might be unfavorable information for subject discriminability, then the remaining component of FC (referred as direct FC (dFC)) may constitute a better “fingerprint. ” Methods: We adopted the silencing method to infer dFC from experimentally accessible FC and explained the superiority of dFC in subject discriminability from the perspective of test-retest reliability. Results: We showed that the subject discriminability of dFC (even with much shorter fMRI data) is significantly greater than that of FC (calculated from the whole available fMRI data) in three public datasets. Furthermore, we elucidated that the silencing method improved subject discriminability by increasing the test-retest reliability of reliable edges (i.e., edges with high intra-class correlation coefficient) and the reliable edges dominated the subject discriminability of functional brain networks. After silencing, the reliable edges were distributed throughout the brain, especially in the Fronto-parietal Task Control, Salience, Ventral Attention, and Dorsal Attention subnetworks. Finally, the subject discriminability of functional brain networks calculated from task-fMRI data outperformed that calculated from resting-state fMRI data, and the silencing method could significantly improve the subject discriminability of each task-fMRI data, respectively. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that the dFC estimated by the silencing method from FC might constitute an accurate “fingerprint” for subject discriminability. Significance: This study made a step forward to the personalized neuroscience with fMRI-based brain “fingerprint. ”
Advances in influenza virus-like particles bioprocesses

ABSTRACT Introduction: Influenza Virus-like Particles (VLPs) are one of the most promising vaccine strategies to complement traditional egg-based processes and contribute to shortening the response time when facing future pandemics. Research programs have taken advantage of the potential of this approach to produce influenza VLPs on a variety of cellular platforms, reaching the industrial level of development and recent commercialization. Area covered: This review aims to give an overview of available strategies for influenza-VLP production and their respective stages of development, from small-scale preclinical studies to large-scale industrial processes. Recent trends and fulfillments in purification schemes of influenza VLP were also reviewed with regards to quality and potency requirements that go along with influenza vaccine manufacturing. Expert opinion: In the next five years, it is expected that there will be licensing of new influenza vaccine products based on VLP strategy. Few VLP upstream processes are mature enough and close to fully complement or seriously concurrence the ovoculture process. Nevertheless, many improvements have yet to be achieved in downstream processes. In the next few years, research efforts in this field are expected to provide purification strategies and tools to achieve higher recovery yields and improve the cost-effectiveness of VLP processes.
A Targetron-Recombinase System for Large-Scale Genome Engineering of Clostridia

Clostridia are anaerobic bacteria with important roles in intestinal and soil microbiomes. The inability to experimentally modify the genomes of clostridia has limited their study and application in biotechnology. Here, we developed a targetron-recombinase system to efficiently make large targeted genomic deletions and insertions using the model Clostridium phytofermentans. We applied this approach to reveal the importance of a prophage to host fitness and introduce an inducible reporter by recombination-mediated cassette exchange. ABSTRACT Clostridia are a group of Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria of medical and industrial importance for which limited genetic methods are available. Here, we demonstrate an approach to make large genomic deletions and insertions in the model Clostridium phytofermentans by combining designed group II introns (targetrons) and Cre recombinase. We apply these methods to delete a 50-gene prophage island by programming targetrons to position markerless lox66 and lox71 sites, which mediate deletion of the intervening 39-kb DNA region using Cre recombinase. Gene expression and growth of the deletion strain showed that the prophage genes contribute to fitness on nonpreferred carbon sources. We also inserted an inducible fluorescent reporter gene into a neutral genomic site by recombination-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) between genomic and plasmid-based tandem lox sites bearing heterospecific spacers to prevent intracassette recombination. These approaches generally enable facile markerless genome engineering in clostridia to study their genome structure and regulation. IMPORTANCE Clostridia are anaerobic bacteria with important roles in intestinal and soil microbiomes. The inability to experimentally modify the genomes of clostridia has limited their study and application in biotechnology. Here, we developed a targetron-recombinase system to efficiently make large targeted genomic deletions and insertions using the model Clostridium phytofermentans. We applied this approach to reveal the importance of a prophage to host fitness and introduce an inducible reporter by recombination-mediated cassette exchange.
Targeted next-generation sequencing panels in the diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels in achieving a molecular diagnosis in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and related disorders in a clinical setting. Methods We prospectively enrolled 220 patients from 2 tertiary referral centers, one in London, United Kingdom (n = 120), and one in Iowa (n = 100), in whom a targeted CMT NGS panel had been requested as a diagnostic test. PMP22 duplication/deletion was previously excluded in demyelinating cases. We reviewed the genetic and clinical data upon completion of the diagnostic process. Results After targeted NGS sequencing, a definite molecular diagnosis, defined as a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant, was reached in 30% of cases (n = 67). The diagnostic rate was similar in London (32%) and Iowa (29%). Variants of unknown significance were found in an additional 33% of cases. Mutations in GJB1, MFN2, and MPZ accounted for 39% of cases that received genetic confirmation, while the remainder of positive cases had mutations in diverse genes, including SH3TC2, GDAP1, IGHMBP2, LRSAM1, FDG4, and GARS, and another 12 less common genes. Copy number changes in PMP22, MPZ, MFN2, SH3TC2, and FDG4 were also accurately detected. A definite genetic diagnosis was more likely in cases with an early onset, a positive family history of neuropathy or consanguinity, and a demyelinating neuropathy. Conclusions NGS panels are effective tools in the diagnosis of CMT, leading to genetic confirmation in one-third of cases negative for PMP22 duplication/deletion, thus highlighting how rarer and previously undiagnosed subtypes represent a relevant part of the genetic landscape of CMT.
Testing treatment‐by‐period interaction in four‐period crossover trials

Statistical analyses of crossover clinical trials have mainly focused on assessing the treatment effect, carryover effect, and period effect. When a treatment‐by‐period interaction is plausible, it is important to test such interaction first before making inferences on differences among individual treatments. Considerably less attention has been paid to the treatment‐by‐period interaction, which has historically been aliased with the carryover effect in two‐period or three‐period designs. In this article, from the data of a newly developed four‐period crossover design, we propose a statistical method to compare the effects of two active drugs with respect to two response variables. We study estimation and hypothesis testing considering the treatment‐by‐period interaction. Constrained least squares is used to estimate the treatment effect, period effect, and treatment‐by‐period interaction. For hypothesis testing, we extend a general multivariate method for analyzing the crossover design with multiple responses. Results from simulation studies have shown that this method performs very well. We also illustrate how to apply our method to the real data problem.
Conditional disease-free survival in high-risk renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib

Background: Disease-free survival (DFS) did not reflect accurate individual prognosis after initial diagnosis. As conditional DFS (CDFS) could provide dynamic prognostic information, we evaluated CDFS in these patients treated with or without sunitinib. Results: A total of 1329 patients with median follow-up 6.54 years were enrolled. CDFS improved continuously with disease-free survivorship increasing in both sunitinib and placebo group with minimal difference. In placebo arm, the CDFS of surviving to five year after living 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 65%, 78%, 87%, and 95% (observed 5-year DFS: 51%). Dynamic changes of HR showed adjuvant sunitinib decrease relapse risks during the first 1.5 years after surgery (P < 0.03). Conclusions: Our study provided contemporary data of CDFS and change of relapse HR in high-risk ccRCC patients after adjuvant sunitinib or placebo. The remarkable improvement in CDFS highlighted the importance of disease-free interval as a strong indicator in patient counseling and surveillance planning. Materials and Methods: The primary end point was CDFS and the second end point was smooth hazard ratios (HR) for the prediction of relapses. The differences of conditional survival were compared with the calculation of d value.
Evaluation of digital vaccine card in nursing practice in vaccination room*

Objective: develop and evaluate a vaccine application for mobile devices, with update integrated with the National Immunization Program Information System, for care in vaccination rooms. Method: methodological research based on the Pressman System Development Life Cycle theory developed in three stages: integrative literature review, computational development, and application evaluation. The product was evaluated as to satisfaction, using a validated questionnaire, and as to usability by the System Usability Scale. Results: the application functionalities were based on the survey of technological Innovations on immunization, published in the scientific literature. It displays user vaccines directly from the National Immunization Program Information System, notifies about upcoming vaccines, and enables the inclusion of vaccine cards of dependents. The evaluation resulted in users’ mean score of 90.5 ± 11.1 and health professionals’ mean score of 84.2 ± 19.4. Conclusion: the application is a technological tool with potential to improve the work process in vaccination rooms and to reach the goals of vaccine coverage. It synchronizes data with the National Immunization Program Information System, thus enabling the maintenance of people’s vaccination history.
Measuring individual differences in cognitive abilities in the lab and on the web

The present study compared lab-based and web-based versions of cognitive individual difference measures widely used in second language research (working memory and declarative memory). Our objective was to validate web-based versions of these tests for future research and to make these measures available for the wider second language research community, thus contributing to the study of individual differences in language learning. The establishment of measurement equivalence of the two administration modes is important because web-based testing allows researchers to address methodological challenges such as restricted population sampling, low statistical power, and small sample sizes. Our results indicate that the lab-based and web-based versions of the tests were equivalent, i.e., scores of the two test modes correlated. The strength of the relationships, however, varied as a function of the kind of measure, with equivalence appearing to be stronger in both the working memory and the verbal declarative memory tests, and less so in the nonverbal declarative memory test. Overall, the study provides evidence that web-based testing of cognitive abilities can produce similar performance scores as in the lab.
Exploring Self-Compassion and Versions of Masculinity in Men Athletes.

Despite a growing emphasis on self-compassion in sport, little research has focused exclusively on men athletes. The purpose of this research was to explore the interaction of self-compassion and diverse versions of masculinity on the psychosocial well-being of men athletes. The authors sampled 172 men athletes (Mage = 22.8 yr) from a variety of sports, using descriptive methodology with self-report questionnaires. Self-compassion was related to most variables (e.g., psychological well-being, fear of negative evaluation, state self-criticism, internalized shame, reactions to a hypothetical sport-specific scenario) in hypothesized directions and predicted unique variance beyond self-esteem across most of those variables, as well as moderated relationships between masculinity and both autonomy and attitudes toward gay men. In addition, self-compassion was differentially related to inclusive and hegemonic masculinity. Our findings support self-compassion as a promising resource for men athletes to buffer emotionally difficult sport experiences.
Clinical insights gained through metabolomic analysis of human breast milk

ABSTRACT Introduction: Among the OMICS technologies, that have emerged in recent years, metabolomics has allowed relevant step forwards in clinical research. Several improvements in disease diagnosis and clinical management have been permitted, even in neonatology. Among potentially evaluable biofluids, breast milk (BM) results are highly interesting, representing a fluid of conjunction between mothers newborns, describing their interaction. Areas covered: in this review, updating a previous review article, we discuss research articles and reviews on BM metabolomics and found in MEDLINE using metabolomics, breast milk, neonatal nutrition, breastfeeding, human milk composition, and preterm neonates as keywords. Expert opinion: Our research group has a profound interest in metabolomics research. In 2012, we published the first metabolomic analysis on BM samples, reporting interesting data on its composition and relevant differences with formula milk (FM), useful to improve FM composition. As confirmed by successive studies, such technology can detect the specific BM composition and its dependence on several variables, including lactation stage, gestational age, maternal or environmental conditions. Moreover, since BM contaminants or drug levels can be detected, metabolomics also results useful to determine BM safety. These are only a few practical applications of BM analysis, which will be reviewed in this paper.
Differences between individuals with schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive disorder and healthy controls in social cognition and mindfulness skills: A controlled study

The study of social cognition (SC) has emerged as a key domain of mental health, supporting the notion that poorer performance in SC tasks is linked to psychopathology, although most studies have primarily addressed only schizophrenia (SZ). Some recent studies have also shown deficits of SC in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients; however, little is known about how individuals with OCD may differ on SC performance from individuals with SZ. Moreover, initial research in this field suggests that mindfulness skills may be related to SC abilities such as theory of mind (ToM), emotion processing and empathy. Given the potential benefits of mindfulness for treating OCD and SZ, further efforts are needed to understand the association between mindfulness and SC in these populations. The main objective of this study was to compare samples of patients with SZ and OCD to healthy controls (HCs) on several social cognition (SC) domains and mindfulness measures. In total, 30 outpatients diagnosed with SZ, 31 outpatients diagnosed with OCD and 30 healthy controls were assessed in emotion recognition (the Eyes Test), ToM (the Hinting Task), attributional style (the Ambiguous Intentions and Hostility Questionnaire), empathy (the Interpersonal Reactivity Index) and dispositional mindfulness (the MAAS and the FFMQ). Both clinical groups showed poorer performance in emotion recognition and ToM than the HCs. The OCD and SZ patients did not significantly differ in impairment in SC, but the OCD group had higher scores in attributional style (intentionality and anger bias). With regard to mindfulness, the results found lower levels of acting with awareness for the HCs than for either clinical group and higher non-reactivity to inner experience for the HCs than for the individuals with OCD; the results also yielded significant correlations between SC and mindfulness. In conclusion, these findings revealed that SC abilities were impaired in the SZ and OCD groups compared to the HC group, suggesting a similar disrupted pattern in both clinical groups. Aspects of dispositional mindfulness were differentially associated with SC, which may suggest their potential role in novel transdiagnostic interventions.