Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Protective Behaviors Are Forms of Prosocial and Unselfish Behaviors

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of prosocial and antisocial personality tendencies and context-related state factors on compliance with protective behaviors to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections. Six types of prosocial tendencies (altruism, dire, compliant, emotional, public, and anonymous) and selfishness as the antisocial tendency were included as personality factors, while fear related to the pandemic and empathy toward vulnerable groups (i.e., those in forced isolation) were context-related factors. Furthermore, mediation effect of empathy and moderation effect of fear were explored in relations between personality factors and protective behaviors. The sample included 581 participants (78.3% females). The data were collected from March 28 to April 6, 2020, during the emergency state and curfew in Serbia. The results showed that tendency to help anonymously had a positive effect and selfishness had a negative effect on protective behaviors, over and above demographic characteristics and context-related factors. Among context-related factors, only fear related to the pandemic had a significant unique positive effect on protective behaviors, but it had no moderator effect in the relationship between personality traits and protective behaviors. However, empathy acted as a mediator and partly accounted for the negative effect of selfishness and positive effect of tendency to help anonymously on protective behaviors. The results revealed that compliance with protective measures could be seen as prosocial and unselfish form of behavior. Furthermore, these findings have practical implications for shaping public messages and they can help effectively promote health-responsible behaviors.
An R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor Positively Regulates the Glandular Secretory Trichome Initiation in Artemisia annua L.

Artemisia annua L. is known for its specific product “artemisinin” which is an active ingredient for curing malaria. Artemisinin is secreted and accumulated in the glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) on A. annua leaves. Earlier studies have shown that increasing GST density is effective in increasing artemisinin content. However, the mechanism of GST initiation is not fully understood. To this end, we isolated and characterized an R2R3-MYB gene, AaMYB17, which is expressed specifically in the GSTs of shoot tips. Overexpression of AaMYB17 in A. annua increased GST density and enhanced the artemisinin content, whereas RNA interference of AaMYB17 resulted in the reduction of GST density and artemisinin content. Additionally, neither overexpression lines nor RNAi lines showed an abnormal phenotype in plant growth and the morphology of GSTs. Our study demonstrates that AaMYB17 is a positive regulator of GSTs’ initiation, without influencing the trichome morphology.
Neural Representation of the English Vowel Feature [High]: Evidence From /ε/ vs. /ɪ/

Many studies have observed modulation of the amplitude of the neural index mismatch negativity (MMN) related to which member of a phoneme contrast [phoneme A, phoneme B] serves as the frequent (standard) and which serves as the infrequent (deviant) stimulus (i.e., AAAB vs. BBBA) in an oddball paradigm. Explanations for this amplitude modulation range from acoustic to linguistic factors. We tested whether exchanging the role of the mid vowel /ε/ vs. high vowel /ɪ/ of English modulated MMN amplitude and whether the pattern of modulation was compatible with an underspecification account, in which the underspecified height values are [−high] and [−low]. MMN was larger for /ε/ as the deviant, but only when compared across conditions to itself as the standard. For the within-condition comparison, MMN was larger to /ɪ/ deviant minus /ε/ standard than to the reverse. A condition order effect was also observed. MMN amplitude was smaller to the deviant stimulus if it had previously served as the standard. In addition, the amplitudes of late discriminative negativity (LDN) showed similar asymmetry. LDN was larger for deviant /ε/ than deviant /ɪ/ when compared to themselves as the standard. These findings were compatible with an underspecification account, but also with other accounts, such as the Natural Referent Vowel model and a prototype model; we also suggest that non-linguistic factors need to be carefully considered as additional sources of speech processing asymmetries.
Biofilm-Innate Immune Interface: Contribution to Chronic Wound Formation

Delayed wound healing can cause significant issues for immobile and ageing individuals as well as those living with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. These delays increase a patient’s risk for infection and, in severe cases, can result in the formation of chronic, non-healing ulcers (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers, surgical site infections, pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers). Chronic wounds are very difficult and expensive to treat and there is an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutics that restore healing processes. Sustained innate immune activation and inflammation are common features observed across most chronic wound types. However, the factors driving this activation remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that the composition and structure of the wound microbiome may play a central role in driving this dysregulated activation but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these processes require further investigation. In this review, we will discuss the current literature on: 1) how bacterial populations and biofilms contribute to chronic wound formation, 2) the role of bacteria and biofilms in driving dysfunctional innate immune responses in chronic wounds, and 3) therapeutics currently available (or underdevelopment) that target bacteria-innate immune interactions to improve healing. We will also discuss potential issues in studying the complexity of immune-biofilm interactions in chronic wounds and explore future areas of investigation for the field.
Can Robots Earn Our Trust the Same Way Humans Do? A Systematic Exploration of Competence, Warmth, and Anthropomorphism as Determinants of Trust Development in HRI

Robots increasingly act as our social counterparts in domains such as healthcare and retail. For these human-robot interactions (HRI) to be effective, a question arises on whether we trust robots the same way we trust humans. We investigated whether the determinants competence and warmth, known to influence interpersonal trust development, influence trust development in HRI, and what role anthropomorphism plays in this interrelation. In two online studies with 2 × 2 between-subjects design, we investigated the role of robot competence (Study 1) and robot warmth (Study 2) in trust development in HRI. Each study explored the role of robot anthropomorphism in the respective interrelation. Videos showing an HRI were used for manipulations of robot competence (through varying gameplay competence) and robot anthropomorphism (through verbal and non-verbal design cues and the robot's presentation within the study introduction) in Study 1 (n = 155) as well as robot warmth (through varying compatibility of intentions with the human player) and robot anthropomorphism (same as Study 1) in Study 2 (n = 157). Results show a positive effect of robot competence (Study 1) and robot warmth (Study 2) on trust development in robots regarding anticipated trust and attributed trustworthiness. Subjective perceptions of competence (Study 1) and warmth (Study 2) mediated the interrelations in question. Considering applied manipulations, robot anthropomorphism neither moderated interrelations of robot competence and trust (Study 1) nor robot warmth and trust (Study 2). Considering subjective perceptions, perceived anthropomorphism moderated the effect of perceived competence (Study 1) and perceived warmth (Study 2) on trust on an attributional level. Overall results support the importance of robot competence and warmth for trust development in HRI and imply transferability regarding determinants of trust development in interpersonal interaction to HRI. Results indicate a possible role of perceived anthropomorphism in these interrelations and support a combined consideration of these variables in future studies. Insights deepen the understanding of key variables and their interaction in trust dynamics in HRI and suggest possibly relevant design factors to enable appropriate trust levels and a resulting desirable HRI. Methodological and conceptual limitations underline benefits of a rather robot-specific approach for future research.
Crowdsourced Identification of Potential Target Genes for CTV Induced Gene Silencing for Controlling the Citrus Greening Vector Diaphorina citri

Citrus Greening or Huanglongbing (HLB) is a disease of citrus, causing high reduction in citrus production and is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama vectoring a phloem-limited bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter sp. We report research results using crowdsourcing challenge strategy identifying potential gene targets in D. citri to control the insect using RNA interference (RNAi). From 63 submitted sequences, 43 were selected and tested by feeding them to D. citri using artificial diet assays. After feeding on artificial diet, the three most effective dsRNAs causing 30% mortality above control silenced genes expressing iron-sulfur cluster subunit of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex (Rieske), heme iron-binding terminal oxidase enzyme (Cytochrome P450) and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) pathway enzyme (Pterin 4α-Carbinolamine Dehydratase). These sequences were cloned into a citrus phloem-limited virus (Citrus tristeza virus, CTV T36) expressing dsRNA against these target genes in citrus. The use of a viral mediated “para-transgenic” citrus plant system caused higher mortality to adult D. citri than what was observed using artificial diet, reaching 100% when detached citrus leaves with the engineered CTV expressing dsRNA were fed to adult D. citri. Using this approach, a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) can be used to test future transgenic cultivars before genetically engineering citrus. RNA Seq analysis after feeding D. citri CTV-RIE on infected leaves identified transcriptionally modified genes located upstream and downstream of the targeted RIE gene. These genes were annotated showing that many are associated with the primary function of the Rieske gene that was targeted by VIGS.
Modeling of Thermal-Hydrological-Chemical (THC) Processes During Waste Rock Weathering Under Permafrost Conditions

The oxidation of sulfide minerals such as pyrite present in waste rock results in elevated sulfate, enhanced metal loadings and in many cases low pH conditions. Recently, many mines have opened in remote areas, including regions subject to permafrost conditions. In these regions, freeze-thaw cycles and the possible development of permafrost in mine waste add to the complexity of weathering processes, drainage volumes and mass loadings. To assess weathering in these waste rock piles, the reactive transport code MIN3P-HPC has been enhanced by implementing constitutive relationships related to freeze-thaw cycles that control flow patterns, solute transport, generation and transport of heat, as well as geochemical reactions and their rates. Simulations of a hypothetical pyrite-rich waste rock pile placed onto natural permafrost were conducted under reference climate conditions. Additionally, the effect of a warming climate was also studied through a sensitivity analysis. The simulation results indicate a potentially strong coupled effect of sulfide mineral weathering rates and a warming climate on the evolution and persistence of permafrost within waste rock piles and the release of acidic drainage. For relatively low sulfide mineral oxidation rates, the simulations indicate that permafrost can develop within waste rock piles, even under warming climate conditions. However, the results for low reactivity also show that mass loadings can increase by >50% in response to a slight warming of climate (3°C), relative to reference climate conditions. For the chosen reference reaction rates, permafrost develops under reference climate conditions in the simulated waste rock pile; however, permafrost cannot be maintained for a marginally warmer climate, leading to internal heating of the pile and substantially increased production of acidic drainage (>550%). For high reaction rates, the simulations suggest that internal heating takes place irrespective of climate conditions. Evaluation of thermal covers indicates that significant reductions of mass loadings can be achieved for piles with low and reference reactivity (91–99% in comparison to uncovered piles), but also suggest that thermal covers can be ineffective for piles with high sulfide content and reactivity. Together, these simulations provide insights into the complex interactions controlling waste rock weathering in cold-region climates.
Temperature Fluctuation Attenuates the Effects of Warming in Estuarine Microbial Plankton Communities

Sea surface warming has the potential to alter the diversity, trophic organization and productivity of marine communities. However, it is unknown if temperature fluctuations that ecosystems naturally experience can alter the predicted impacts of warming. We address this uncertainty by exposing a natural marine plankton community to warming conditions (+3°C) under a constant vs. fluctuating (±3°C) temperature regime using an experimental mesocosm approach. We evaluated changes in stoichiometry, biomass, nutrient uptake, taxonomic composition, species richness and diversity, photosynthetic performance, and community metabolic balance. Overall, warming had a stronger impact than fluctuating temperature on all biological organization levels considered. As the ecological succession progressed toward post-bloom, the effects of warming on phytoplankton biomass, species richness, and net community productivity intensified, likely due to a stimulated microzooplankton grazing, and the community metabolic balance shifted toward a CO2 source. However, fluctuating temperatures reduced the negative effects of warming on photosynthetic performance and net community productivity by 40%. Our results demonstrate that temperature fluctuations may temper the negative effect of warming on marine net productivity. These findings highlight the need to consider short-term thermal fluctuations in experimental and modeling approaches because the use of constant warming conditions could lead to an overestimation of the real magnitude of climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
Insights Into Students’ Experiences and Perceptions of Remote Learning Methods: From the COVID-19 Pandemic to Best Practice for the Future

This spring, students across the globe transitioned from in-person classes to remote learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This unprecedented change to undergraduate education saw institutions adopting multiple online teaching modalities and instructional platforms. We sought to understand students’ experiences with and perspectives on those methods of remote instruction in order to inform pedagogical decisions during the current pandemic and in future development of online courses and virtual learning experiences. Our survey gathered quantitative and qualitative data regarding students’ experiences with synchronous and asynchronous methods of remote learning and specific pedagogical techniques associated with each. A total of 4,789 undergraduate participants representing institutions across 95 countries were recruited via Instagram. We find that most students prefer synchronous online classes, and students whose primary mode of remote instruction has been synchronous report being more engaged and motivated. Our qualitative data show that students miss the social aspects of learning on campus, and it is possible that synchronous learning helps to mitigate some feelings of isolation. Students whose synchronous classes include active-learning techniques (which are inherently more social) report significantly higher levels of engagement, motivation, enjoyment, and satisfaction with instruction. Respondents’ recommendations for changes emphasize increased engagement, interaction, and student participation. We conclude that active-learning methods, which are known to increase motivation, engagement, and learning in traditional classrooms, also have a positive impact in the remote-learning environment. Integrating these elements into online courses will improve the student experience.
Rock-Hosted Subsurface Biofilms: Mineral Selectivity Drives Hotspots for Intraterrestrial Life

The continental deep subsurface is likely the largest reservoir of biofilm-based microbial biomass on Earth, but the role of mineral selectivity in regulating its distribution and diversity is unclear. Minerals can produce hotspots for intraterrestrial life by locally enhancing biofilm biomass. Metabolic transformations of minerals by subsurface biofilms may occur widely with the potential to significantly impact subsurface biogeochemical cycles. However, the degree of impact depends upon the amount of biofilm biomass and its relationship to host rock mineralogy, estimates that are currently loosely constrained to non-existent. Here, we use in situ cultivation of biofilms on native rocks and coupled microscopy/spectroscopy to constrain mineral selectivity by biofilms in a deep continental subsurface setting: the Deep Mine Microbial Observatory (DeMMO). Through hotspot analysis and spatial modeling approaches we find that mineral distributions, particularly those putatively metabolized by microbes, indeed drive biofilm distribution at DeMMO, and that bioleaching of pyrite may be a volumetrically important process influencing fluid geochemistry at this site when considered at the kilometer scale. Given the ubiquity of iron-bearing minerals at this site and globally, and the amount of biomass they can support, we posit that rock-hosted biofilms likely contribute significantly to subsurface biogeochemical cycles. As more data becomes available, future efforts to estimate biomass in the continental subsurface should incorporate host rock mineralogy.
CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein-Based Genome Editing Methodology in the Marine Protozoan Parasite Perkinsus marinus

Perkinsus marinus (Perkinsozoa), a close relative of apicomplexans, is an osmotrophic facultative intracellular marine protozoan parasite responsible for “Dermo” disease in oysters and clams. Although there is no clinical evidence of this parasite infecting humans, HLA-DR40 transgenic mice studies strongly suggest the parasite as a natural adjuvant in oral vaccines. P. marinus is being developed as a heterologous gene expression platform for pathogens of medical and veterinary relevance and a novel platform for delivering vaccines. We previously reported the transient expression of two rodent malaria genes Plasmodium berghei HAP2 and MSP8. In this study, we optimized the original electroporation-based protocol to establish a stable heterologous expression method. Using 20 μg of pPmMOE[MOE1]:GFP and 25.0 × 106 P. marinus cells resulted in 98% GFP-positive cells. Furthermore, using the optimized protocol, we report for the first time the successful knock-in of GFP at the C-terminus of the PmMOE1 using ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing methodology. The GFP was expressed 18 h post-transfection, and expression was observed for 8 months post-transfection, making it a robust and stable knock-in system.
Horizontal Local Governance and Social Inclusion: The Case of Municipality-Civil Society Engagement During Refugee Reception in Malmö, Sweden

This study takes its departure from literature on the far-reaching engagements from civil society during the 2015 “refugee crisis” in Europe as it seeks to understand the status of collaborative governance at the local level. It takes an in-depth look of Malmö, a city in Sweden which in 2015 became the centre for the Swedish refugee reception and solidarity initiatives. The study identifies challenges and opportunities of horizontal collaborations to develop the social dimension of city resilience. It includes eleven interviews with key actors from the civil society sector as well as from the municipality and utilizes theory on solidarities in the “refugee crisis” together with social cohesion and inclusion as a framework for analyzing data. This allows for a comprehensive appraisal of the (spatially produced) responses to migration from the city's horizontal alliances. The findings suggest that there are diverse conclusions to be made about the long-term potential of horizontal collaborations in bringing about social resilience. On the one side it is discovered that short-term project collaborations may only serve to “fill the gap” left by neo-liberal local governments and not bring about the structural change needed. On the other side, it is found that horizontal collaborations can be a strategy for civil society actors to influence more inclusive alternatives by bringing the realities of refugees into local policy making, particularly those refugees otherwise rendered invisible due to legal categorizations. Lastly, there are suggestions made for how to enhance the opportunities of horizontal collaborations in creating a socially cohesive, inclusive and resilient city.
Calcium State-Dependent Regulation of Epithelial Cell Quiescence by Stanniocalcin 1a

The molecular mechanisms regulating cell quiescence-proliferation balance are not well defined. Using a zebrafish model, we report that Stc1a, a secreted glycoprotein, plays a key role in regulating the quiescence-proliferation balance of Ca2+ transporting epithelial cells (ionocytes). Zebrafish stc1a, but not the other stc genes, is expressed in a Ca2+ state-dependent manner. Genetic deletion of stc1a, but not stc2b, increased ionocyte proliferation, leading to elevated body Ca2+ levels, cardiac edema, body swelling, and premature death. The increased ionocyte proliferation was accompanied by an increase in the IGF1 receptor-mediated PI3 kinase-Akt-Tor signaling activity in ionocytes. Inhibition of the IGF1 receptor, PI3 kinase, Akt, and Tor signaling reduced ionocyte proliferation and rescued the edema and premature death in stc1a–/– fish, suggesting that Stc1a promotes ionocyte quiescence by suppressing local IGF signaling activity. Mechanistically, Stc1 acts by inhibiting Papp-aa, a zinc metalloproteinase degrading Igfbp5a. Inhibition of Papp-aa proteinase activity restored ionocyte quiescence-proliferation balance. Genetic deletion of papp-aa or its substrate igfbp5a in the stc1a–/– background reduced ionocyte proliferation and rescued the edema and premature death. These findings uncover a novel and Ca2+ state-dependent pathway regulating cell quiescence. Our findings also provide new insights into the importance of ionocyte quiescent-proliferation balance in organismal Ca2+ homeostasis and survival.