Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution of the dorsal branch of the accessory nerve to the innervation of the trapezius muscle in the pig – a retrograde tracing study

Dudek, A. , Sienkiewicz, W. and Kaleczyc, J. 2014. Contribution of the dorsal branch of the accessory nerve to the innervation of the trapezius muscle in the pig – ar etrograde tracing study —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 000–000. The study was aimed to establish the contribution of the dorsal branch of the accessory nerve (DBXI) to the innervation of the porcine trapezius muscle (TRAP). Combined retrograde tracing using fluorescent tracer Fast blue (FB) and surgical denervation procedure (excision of DBXI segment) were applied. FB+ neurons supplying the cervical (c-TRAP) and thoracic part (th-TRAP) of TRAP were localized in following nerve centres: the ipsilateral ventral horn of the grey matter of cervical neuromers, ipsilateral spinal ganglia and bilateral sympathetic chain ganglia. After the excision of DBXI segment, no FB+ motoneurons supplying c-TRAP were found while the mean number of those supplying th-TRAP was significantly decreased. A slight decrease in average numbers of sensory and autonomic neurons implemented in the innervation of both parts of TRAP was also observed. This study has revealed that in the pig DBXI is the only motor pathway to c-TRAP while the vast majority of motoneurons supplying porcine th-TRAP send their axons via DBXI.
Dark control: The default mode network as a reinforcement learning agent

The default mode network (DMN) is believed to subserve the baseline mental activity in humans. Its higher energy consumption compared to other brain networks and its intimate coupling with conscious awareness are both pointing to an unknown overarching function. Many research streams speak in favor of an evolutionarily adaptive role in envisioning experience to anticipate the future. In the present work, we propose a process model that tries to explain how the DMN may implement continuous evaluation and prediction of the environment to guide behavior. The main purpose of DMN activity, we argue, may be described by Markov decision processes that optimize action policies via value estimates through vicarious trial and error. Our formal perspective on DMN function naturally accommodates as special cases previous interpretations based on (a) predictive coding, (b) semantic associations, and (c) a sentinel role. Moreover, this process model for the neural optimization of complex behavior in the DMN offers parsimonious explanations for recent experimental findings in animals and humans.
Machine learning for learner English

This paper discusses machine learning techniques for the prediction of Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels in a learner corpus. We summarise the CAp 2018 Machine Learning (ML) competition, a classification task of the six CEFR levels, which map linguistic competence in a foreign language onto six reference levels. The goal of this competition was to produce a machine learning system to predict learners’ competence levels from written productions comprising between 20 and 300 words and a set of characteristics computed for each text extracted from the French component of the EFCAMDAT data (Geertzen et al., 2013). Together with the description of the competition, we provide an analysis of the results and methods proposed by the participants and discuss the benefits of this kind of competition for the learner corpus research (LCR) community. The main findings address the methods used and lexical bias introduced by the task.
Structure–activity relationships of methyl-lysine reader antagonists

The interaction between methyl-lysine binding proteins and methylated histones plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression. Herein we describe the development of structure–activity relationships (SAR) surrounding UNC669, the first reported small molecule ligand for a methyl-lysine binding domain, using multiple assay formats. These studies revealed the key features required for successful inhibition of the L3MBTL1-methylated histone protein-protein interaction, while the selectivity of designed compounds against a panel of related methyl-lysine readers was also evaluated. Additionally, an optimized compound was demonstrated to successfully inhibit the recognition of H4K20me1 by L3MBTL1 in the context of an affinity pull down assay.
Carcass characteristics and meat quality of broilers fed on earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) meal

The aim of the research was to evaluate the carcass characteristics and meat quality from chickens fed on diets in which fish meal was substituted with raw earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) or earthworm meal. In the trial which lasted 42-days, 100 one-day-old Hybro broilers were divided into the control and three experimental groups. The control group was fed on standard broiler feed, the first (E-I) and the second experimental groups (E-II) were fed a diet in which 50% or 100% of fish meal was substituted with earthworm meal, respectively, whilst the third group (E-III) consumed feed without fish meal, but was given raw chopped earthworms ad libitum from day 1 to day 42. The replacement of fish meal with fresh earthworms resulted in significantly lower carcass weights in the E-III group in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The differences in drumstick, thigh and breast meat share relative to the carcass mass were not significant (p>0.05). The lowest fat content in thigh and breast meat was in the group in which fish meal was replaced with earthworm meal. The lightness (L*) of thigh and breast meat was highest in the broilers fed fresh earthworms ad libitum. No significant differences in pH value were detected between the experimental groups (p>0.05). The most consumer acceptable were drumstick samples from E-II group and the least acceptable samples from the control group. Earthworm meal may be considered an adequate substitute for fish meal in broiler chickens’ diet since it does not impair the production performance, carcass yield and meat quality.
A community‐based hierarchical user authentication scheme for Industry 4.0

The vision of Industry 4.0 is characterized by the amalgamation of cyber‐physical systems and industrial Internet of Things. Such a complex ecosystem urges for the requirement of novel security protocol and mechanisms for access control so as to allow the smart devices to authorize external entities and granting them access rights without depending on centralized authentication entities. The work proposed in this article aims to utilize a community‐based hierarchical approach to define the procedure for obtaining access rights in the Industry 4.0 ecosystem. The proposed scheme considers a hierarchy of authorizing devices that work in collaboration for providing access control of the smart end devices to the users. The adoption of hierarchical structure ensures that the access rights are eventually given to only those users that have passed multiple levels of successful authorization. The proposed scheme also combats any infringement of users identity since the authorizing entities involved in the proposed system work in close collaboration for user authentication. The proposed user authentication scheme has been validated using burrows‐abadi‐needham (BAN)‐logic and is proved to be secure against a variety of security attacks.
An alternative to conventional insect marking procedures: detection of a protein mark on pink bollworm by ELISA*

Four experiments were conducted to examine the feasibility of marking pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) with rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein for mark‐release‐recapture studies. Pink bollworm were internally marked by feeding larvae an enriched rabbit IgG diet or externally marked by submerging pupae and spraying adults. Individuals were then assayed for the presence of rabbit IgG by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using anti‐rabbit IgG. The internal marker was retained in larvae and retained in prepupae and pupae, but not in adults. A second experiment showed that rabbit IgG was retained on adults that were externally marked as pupae. A third series of tests examined the feasibility of externally marking adults with rabbit IgG. Rabbit IgG was retained on externally marked adults for six days in the field. Protein was retained on marked moths in the laboratory after they were captured on and removed from sticky traps. Finally, laboratory tests showed that large groups of externally marked moths transferred rabbit IgG to unmarked moths, but individual males do not readily transfer the protein to unmarked females in small vials.
The response of the diatom flora of St Lucia Lake and estuary, South Africa, to a severe drought

Lake St. Lucia, South Africa's largest estuarine system, was isolated from the sea by a beach berm throughout a severe drought from 2002 to 2007, with the lake water level being extremely low over much of its total area. A reverse salinity gradient resulted, with the lowest salinity in the south near the sea and the highest in the northern lakes. Cholnoky (1968), the first to examine the diatoms of St Lucia and the streams flowing into it, identified 159 diatoms, of which 79 taxa were from the freshwater streams and 80 from the saline lakes. A further study between 1973 and 1975 by Johnson (1976) showed the presence of neritic diatoms as the dominant group in the phytoplankton. During the present survey carried out during 2004 and 2006 only a few taxa from the 1965 survey, and no taxa from the 1976 survey, were recorded. Raphid diatoms were found to survive for months in dry lake bed sediments, in salinity up to five times that of seawater. Species richness increased with depth into the dry sediment, leading to the hypothesis that, when the rains return, the diatom flora would regain species richness and diversity within weeks. Species composition was different at the same sites at different times, indicating that water circulation is responsible for distributing species around the lake, especially during shallow-water, hypersaline drought conditions. No centric diatom taxa were found in the water column, suggesting that there was no true phytoplankton community, only resuspended benthic taxa, in St Lucia at the time of the study.
The effects of situational leadership and self-efficacy on the improvement of teachers’ work productivity using correlation analysis and SITOREM

This research aimed to determine the positive correlation of situational leadership and self-efficacy with the improvement of teacher work productivity. The quantitative method with correlation analysis were employed, furthermore the Scientific Identification Theory to Conduct Operation Research in Education Management (SITOREM) was applied to determine the priorities. The population includes all the elementary school teachers which are civil servants (PNS) in Bogor, Indonesia while 105 were selected as samples. The findings showed there is a positive correlation between situational leadership and teacher work productivity with a correlation coefficient of 0.783, and between self-efficacy and teacher work productivity with 0.782. This, therefore, means these two factors are influential in increasing the productivity of teachers. The novelty of this research was the use of SITOREM to highlight 7 indicators prioritized to be improved including leader behavior, delegation, direction, teacher achievement, facility use, efficiency, and managerial ability.
BmNPV chitinase gene deletion enhances foreign gene expression in a BmN cell system

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is extensively being studied as an expression vector for heterologous gene expression in silkworm‐derived cells as well as in the host larvae or pupae. BmNPV chitinase is necessary for liquefaction of the virus‐infected host insect. The influence of chitinase on the efficiency of foreign gene expression was studied to provide a scientific basis for improving the BmNPV expression system. The BmNPV chitinase gene (chiA) was deleted and the expression level of the polyhedrin promoter controlling the lacZ gene in BmN cells was determined. Sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) showed that β‐galactosidase accounted for approximately 6.9 and 7.7% of the total protein in BmN cells infected with the chiA deficient BmlacZ+chiA− at 3 and 4 days post infection, while the total protein was 3.2 and 4.2% in cells infected with BmlacZ+. The relative β‐galactosidase activities in BmlacZ+chiA−‐infected cells improved 2.33‐ and 1.56‐fold compared to those of BmlacZ+‐infected cells at 3 and 4 days post infection. The results of the present study suggest that chitinase deletion could improve the lacZ expression level in the BmNPV‐BmN cell expression system.
Teaching an Old Drug New Tricks: Dexamethasone as an In Vivo Inhibitor of Glioblastoma Dispersal

Identifying drugs that can mitigate dispersal of glioblastoma cells, particularly after patients undergo radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy, may increase the length of time to recurrence and improve overall survival. Previous studies have shown that dexamethasone (Dex), a drug currently used to treat brain tumor-related edema, which is tapered immediately after the edema has resolved, induces fibronectin matrix assembly (FNMA) and reduces dispersal of primary human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells in vitro and ex vivo. Here, we utilized an in vivo mouse retina dispersal assay to demonstrate that Dex also inhibits dispersal in vivo. We show that 1) Dex significantly reduces z-axis penetration of glioblastoma cells into mouse retina; 2) treatment alters the morphology of dispersal; 3) without Dex, the presence of fibronectin increases dispersal; 4) treatment activates in vivo FNMA by glioblastoma cells, leading to the containment of the tumor mass; and 5) Dex-mediated activation of FNMA is fibronectin dose-dependent. Dispersal inhibition could be achieved at human equivalent doses as low as 1 mg/day, a dose significantly lower than currently used to reduce edema. This is the first step towards future studies in which patients can be potentially maintained on low-dose dexamethasone therapy with the aim of increasing the time between initial resection and recurrence.
Minimizing the Diagnostic Delay in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Role of Nonneurologist Practitioners

Introduction Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), usually fatal in a few years, is a neurodegenerative disorder where the diagnostic delay, although variable according to the studies, remains too long. The main objective of this study was to determine the average time to diagnose ALS and the role of each physician, general practitioner (GP), or specialist (neurologist or not) involved in the management of these patients. The secondary objective was to propose some simple schemes to quickly identify an ALS suspicion with the aim to reduce this delay. Patients and Methods. This retrospective study evaluated the diagnostic delay (and other intermediate delays) of 90 ALS patients registered in the ALS Center of Bordeaux (France) in 2013. The main clinical signs encountered (and their order of appearance) were studied. Results The average diagnostic delay was 17 months, with a median diagnostic delay of 12 months. The average diagnostic delay was 2.7 months between the first symptoms and the first complaint to GP, followed by an additional 6.5 month delay before the patient's first visit to a neurologist. This period could be shortened, especially if GP performed additional tests quickly (p=0.01), as the time spent consulting various specialists often extends this crucial step. Overall, diagnostic delay accounted for 40% of the total duration of the disease progression. Conclusion In relation to total survival time, the diagnostic delay of ALS appears to be proportionately very long, sometimes longer than that observed in previous studies (because it also included the total delay to diagnostic or treatment initiation). The rapid execution of useful additional tests by the first medical doctor, often GP (with the help of a neurologist), considerably reduces the diagnostic delay. The central role of GP seems to be crucial in the management of patients with ALS. The main objective is, of course, to initiate appropriate treatment and care as soon as possible. Finally, based on our results, we also provide a short practical diagram to help nonneurologist practitioners to quickly discuss the diagnosis of ALS in case of some specific symptoms (“red flags”).
Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma to the Maxillary Sinus: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Metastasis of the thyroid carcinoma to the paranasal sinuses is rarely reported. Among these sinuses, metastasis to the maxillary sinus alone has been reported only in a few cases. This is the first reported case in a 76-year-old woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the maxillary sinus alone and resected through endoscopic sinonasal surgery. When patients have sinus lesions and a history of malignancy, metastasis should be included in the differential diagnosis. If they have an isolated metastatic lesion to the paranasal sinus, ESS, either palliative or radical, can be a useful treatment option.
Dinutuximab Synergistically Enhances the Cytotoxicity of Natural Killer Cells to Retinoblastoma Through the Perforin-Granzyme B Pathway

Purpose Conventional chemotherapy and enucleation usually fail to cure advanced retinoblastoma. We investigated the retinoblastoma immune microenvironment and the efficacy of the combination of dinutuximab and CD16-expressing NK-92MI (NK-92MIhCD16-GFP) cells on retinoblastoma cells in this study. Patients and Methods Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry (FC) were performed to assess the expression level of GD2 in retinoblastoma tissues and cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), immunohistochemisrztry and immunocytochemistry were conducted to assess the retinoblastoma immune microenvironment and the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB). After overexpressing CD16 in NK-92MI cells, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was applied to select the positive subpopulation. LDH assays and FC were used to detect LDH release and apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells subjected to a combination of dinutuximab and NK-92MIhCD16-GFP cells. Finally, the release of perforin-granzyme B and the expression of CD107a in NK-92MIhCD16-GFP stimulated by retinoblastoma cells were assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and FC in the presence of dinutuximab or an isotype control. Results GD2 was heterogeneously expressed in retinoblastoma tissues and cell lines and positively correlated with proliferation and staging. GSEA revealed the immunosuppressive status of retinoblastoma microenvironment. The immune cell profile of retinoblastoma tissues and vitreous bodies suggested BRB destruction. LDH release and apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells caused by NK-92MIhCD16-GFP cells were significantly enhanced by dinutuximab. Finally, the release of perforin-granzyme B and the expression of CD107a in NK-92MIhCD16-GFP cells stimulated by retinoblastoma cells were obviously increased by dinutuximab. Conclusion This study indicates that retinoblastoma impairs the integrity of the BRB and contributes to dysregulated immune cell infiltrates. GD2 is a specific target for natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy and that the combination of dinutuximab and NK-92MIhCD16-GFP cells exerts potent antitumor effects through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
The Extent and Role of Seed Dormancy in Alpine Plants

Seed dormancy is an adaptive mechanism of growth cessation which often confers upon some species a selective advantage in distribution and abundance. Although relatively few alpine species exhibit seed dormancy, the dominant or abundant species of most communities do so. The causes of seed dormancy in alpine plants appear to be as diverse and typical as for any other ecologic group. Seed coat inhibition is probably the most common cause of alpine seed dormancy. A requirement for pregermination chilling (stratification) or for after-ripening account for very little alpine seed dormancy. Of some 60 species investigated which set viable seed, 8 require scarification of the seed coat for germination, 3 require pregermination chilling, 2 require after-ripening, and 6 exhibit weak or vague photosensitivity. Data are inconclusive and fragmentary respecting the viability, germinability, and ripening of alpine seeds, primarily because of variation in latitude, altitude, and variable dates of collection. Consequently, natural germination requirements are known for relatively few alpine species. Significant correlations exist between type of seed dormancy in alpine plants and certain environmental factor. Soil disturbance is the most characteristic feature of the alpine environment. Seed coat inhibition appears correlated with most frequent occurrence of species exhibiting seed dormancy on sites of severe soil disturbance. As an ecologic phenomenon, seed dormancy appears to be represented in at least one species in each major alpine community type. It is proposed that seed dormancy may account for the relative abundance and successional success of the dominant species. With regard to the nature and extend of seed dormancy, intraspecific variations among ecotypes occur, and may contribute to the relative abundance and success of a species in different communities.
Effect of Origanum vulgare Essential Oil Supplementation on the Advanced Parameters of Mobility and on the Integrity of Human Sperm DNA

The reduced sperm mobility is one of the most important causes of male infertility. Several reports have indicated that the treatment of subnormal sperm samples with certain agents prior to artificial insemination significantly improves the fertilizing potential of sperm. We have among others some stimulants such as pentoxifylline, relaxin, prostaglandin E, and diltiazem. In our precedent work, we had tested the effect of supplementation with three essential oils, namely, sage (Salvia officinalis), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), on sperm cell mobility and vitality. Oregano oil had shown interesting biological properties by giving the best values of progressive mobility and vitality. In this study, we aim to verify the effect of oregano oil supplementation on the advanced parameters of mobility and on the integrity of the sperm DNA of 25 male infertile volunteers. Our results showed that oregano oil over an incubation period of 5 to 10 min of exposure significantly improves the advanced parameters of mobility, namely, curvilinear velocity (VCL), linear velocity (VSL), the mean velocity of the path (VAP), and the amplitude of the displacement (ALH). The effect of the increase in the VCL decreased the linearity (LIN), the mean line (STR), and the mean wobble (WOB). Oregano oil at 5 min had no significant effect on the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm decondensation index (SDI). However, at 10 min, it had a significant effect on both DFI and SDI. The analysis of our results showed that this plant oil rich in terpenoids and phenolic antioxidants could be a quite good in vitro additive with high potential for the world of medically assisted reproduction.