Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Filling in the gaps: Acoustic gradation increases in the vocal ontogeny of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Human vocal ontogeny is considered to be a process whereby a large repertoire of discrete sounds seemingly emerges from a smaller number of acoustically graded vocalizations. While adult chimpanzee vocal behavior is highly graded, its developmental trajectory is poorly understood. In the present study, we therefore examined the size and structure of the chimpanzee vocal repertoire at different stages of ontogeny. Audio recordings were collected on infant (N = 13) and juvenile (N = 13) semi‐wild chimpanzees at Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, Zambia, using focal and ad libitum sampling. All observed call types were acoustically measured. These were predominantly grunts, whimpers, laughs, screams, hoos, and barks and squeaks. A range of spectral and temporal acoustic parameters were extracted, and fuzzy c‐means clustering was used to quantify the size and structure of the repertoire. The infant and juvenile vocal repertoires were both best described with the same number of clusters. However, compared to infants, juvenile call clusters were less distinct from one another and could be extracted only when a low level of overlap between call clusters was permitted. Moreover, the acoustic overlap between call clusters was significantly higher for juveniles. Overall, this pattern shows greater acoustic overlap in juvenile vocalizations compared to infants, suggesting a trend toward increased acoustic gradation in chimpanzee vocal ontogeny. This may imply in contrast to humans, chimpanzees become increasingly proficient in using graded signals effectively rather than developing a larger repertoire of more discrete sounds in ontogeny.
T helper 17 cells in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic kidney disease

Both acute and chronic kidney disease have a strong underlying inflammatory component. This review focuses primarily on T helper 17 (Th17) cells as mediators of inflammation and their potential to modulate acute and chronic kidney disease. We provide updated information on factors and signaling pathways that promote Th17 cell differentiation with specific reference to kidney disease. We highlight numerous clinical studies that have investigated Th17 cells in the setting of human kidney disease and provide updated summaries from various experimental animal models of kidney disease indicating an important role for Th17 cells in renal fibrosis and hypertension. We focus on the pleiotropic effects of Th17 cells in different renal cell types as potentially relevant to the pathogenesis of kidney disease. Finally, we highlight studies that present contrasting roles for Th17 cells in kidney disease progression.
Systematic review of inframalleolar endovascular interventions and rates of limb salvage, wound healing, restenosis, rest pain, reintervention and complications

Objectives Peripheral artery disease is estimated to affect 237 million individuals worldwide. Critical limb ischaemia, also known as chronic limb threatening ischaemia is a consequence of the progression of peripheral artery disease which occurs in ∼21% of patients over a five-year period. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the use of additional below-the-ankle angioplasty in comparison to the use of above-the-ankle angioplasty alone, and the subsequent rates of amputation, wound healing, restenosis, rest pain, reintervention and complications. Methods This systematic review was undertaken in accordance with PRISMA guidelines following a registered protocol (CRD42019154893). Online databases were searched using a search strategy of 20 keywords. Included articles reported the outcome for inframalleolar (pedal artery, pedal arch, plantar arteries) angioplasty with additional proximal angioplasty in comparison to proximal angioplasty alone. GRADE assessment was applied to assess the quality of the evidence. Results After screening 1089 articles, 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. Comparative performance assessment of below-the-ankle with above-the-ankle versus above-the-ankle angioplasty alone was undertaken in 3 articles, with the remaining 7 articles reporting outcomes of below-the-ankle with above-the-ankle angioplasty with no distinct comparator group. Significant decrease in major lower limb amputation at the last follow-up in the below-the-ankle group when compared with the above-the-ankle angioplasty alone group was observed in a single study (3.45% vs. 14.9%, p < 0.05). Improved wound healing rate at follow-up in the below-the-ankle group versus above-the-ankle angioplasty alone group was also reported in a single study (59.3% vs. 38.1%, p < 0.05). Subsequent rate of amputation after below-the-ankle angioplasty has been estimated as 23.5%. Conclusion To date, there is a lack of studies assessing inframalleolar interventions and their use in improving limb salvage, wound healing and symptomatology. Prospective RCTs should be undertaken with adequate participant numbers to be sufficiently powered and report clinically important end-points.
Caricature Expression Extrapolation Based on Kendall Shape Space Theory

Facial expression editing plays a fundamental role in facial expression generation and has been widely applied in modern film productions and computer games. While the existing 2-D caricature facial expression editing methods are mostly realized by expression interpolation from the original image to the target image, expression extrapolation has rarely been studied before. In this article, we propose a novel expression extrapolation method for caricature facial expressions based on the Kendall shape space, in which the key idea is to introduce a representation for the 3-D expression model to remove rigid transformations, such as translation, scaling, and rotation, from the Kendall shape space. Built upon the proposed representation, the 2-D caricature expression extrapolation process can be controlled by the 3-D model reconstructed from the input 2-D caricature image and the exaggerated expressions of the caricature images generated based on the extrapolated expression of a 3-D model that is robust to facial poses in the Kendall shape space; this 3-D model can be calculated with tools such as exponential mapping in Riemannian space. The experimental results demonstrate that our method can effectively and automatically extrapolate facial expressions in caricatures with high consistency and fidelity. In addition, we derive 3-D facial models with diverse expressions and expand the scale of the original FaceWarehouse database. Furthermore, compared with the deep learning method, our approach is based on standard face datasets and avoids the construction of complicated 3-D caricature training sets.
Nonlinear dynamic control of GaAs nanomechanical resonators using lasers

The ability to control, manipulate, and read out nanomechanical resonators is of great significance for many applications. In this work, we start by constructing a nonlinear dynamic model that is deduced from the fundamental beam-photon–electron interaction and energy band theories, with the aim of describing a complicated cavity-free optomechanical coupling process. Based on the model established, we first reveal the manipulation of a resonator’s response, including softening and hardening effects due to laser injection. By driving the laser parametrically, we comprehensively investigate the control of the resonator’s dynamics, in particular, in the nonlinear regime. It is found that both the laser power and frequency can be used to directly manipulate the NEMS resonator’s dynamics, e.g., by amplitude amplification, periodicity changes, and periodic–chaotic state conversion. We then provide bifurcation diagrams, which evidence a deterministic evolution of dynamics. Finally, we perform a special study of the control of chaotic states of the nanomechanical resonator using laser parametric driving. The maximal Lyapunov exponents together with time series calculation show that the chaotic states can be controlled at a few specific frequency points of the injecting laser. This work not only provides guidance for using lasers to control nanoscale resonators, but also sheds light on the exploration of novel applications based on nonlinear NEMS resonators.
Structural and Spectroscopic Studies of Hydroxyapatite Nanorods Formed via Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis Route

In the present investigation Hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2:(HAp)] nanorods were synthesized using microwave irradiation technique taking ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid as a complexing reagent. Hydroxyapatite precursor obtained using microwave irradiation was subjected to differential thermal analysis. Later it was calcined in the temperature range 450°C–900°C. The crystal, grain, and bonding structures of resulting HAp were characterized structurally using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques and spectroscopically using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman techniques. The structural and spectroscopic characterizations of precursor revealed the formation of hydrated HAp. SEM images of the specimens calcined at 600°C and 900°C are presented. This study clearly reveals that nanorods are not formed below 700°C and nanorods are formed only after heat treatment of HAp precursor at 700°C and above. The diameter of nanorods was estimated to be ~200 nm. No nanostructures were found to be formed if the precursor is calcined below 700°C. FT-IR and Raman spectra of HAp samples obtained after calcinations at 700°C and above further confirm the formation of HAp nanorods.
Arf1 orchestrates Rab GTPase conversion at the trans-Golgi network

Rab family GTPases are key organizers of membrane trafficking and function as markers of organelle identity. Accordingly, Rab GTPases often occupy specific membrane domains, and mechanisms exist to prevent the inappropriate mixing of distinct Rab domains. The yeast Golgi complex can be divided into two broad Rab domains: Ypt1 (Rab1) and Ypt6 (Rab6) are present at the early/medial Golgi and sharply transition to Ypt31/32 (Rab11) at the late Golgi/trans-Golgi network (TGN). This Rab conversion has been attributed to GTPase-activating protein (GAP) cascades in which Ypt31/32 recruits the Rab-GAPs Gyp1 and Gyp6 to inactivate Ypt1 and Ypt6, respectively. Here we report that Rab transition at the TGN involves additional layers of regulation. We provide new evidence confirming the TRAPPII complex as an important regulator of Ypt6 inactivation and uncover an unexpected role of the Arf1 GTPase in recruiting Gyp1 to drive Ypt1 inactivation at the TGN. Given its established role in directly recruiting TRAPPII to the TGN, Arf1 is therefore a master regulator of Rab conversion on maturing Golgi compartments.
NEUROMETABOLIC DISORDER A Novel Mutation in PEX 11 β Gene

Peroxisomes are membrane-enclosed organelles involved in a variety of metabolic pathways including αand β-oxidation of fatty acids and synthesis of bile acids, cholesterol, and plasmalogens (1). Mutations in genes encoding peroxisomal proteins are associated with two different groups of peroxisomal disorders: isolated enzyme deficiencies affecting specific metabolic pathways and peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) causing a defect in the assembly and maintenance of peroxisomes (2). PBDs, including Zellweger spectrum disorders and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctuate, are mainly caused by mutations in PEX proteins. These proteins, also known as peroxins, are encoded by 16 different PEX genes (3). The phenotypic presentation can range NEUROMETABOLIC DISORDER
A Novel Three-Choice Touchscreen Task to Examine Spatial Attention and Orienting Responses in Rodents

Abstract Mammalian orienting behavior consists of coordinated movements of the eyes, head, pinnae, vibrissae, or body to attend to an external stimulus. The present study aimed to develop a novel operant task using a touch-screen system to measure spatial attention. In this task, rats were trained to nose-poke a light stimulus presented in one of three locations. The stimulus was presented more frequently in the center location to develop spatial attention bias toward the center stimulus. Changes in orienting responses were detected by measuring the animals’ response accuracy and latency to stimuli at the lateral locations, following reversible unilateral chemogenetic inactivation of the superior colliculus (SC). Additionally, spontaneous turning and rotation behavior was measured using an open-field test (OFT). Our results show that right SC inactivation significantly increased the whole body turn angle in the OFT, in line with previous literature that indicated an ipsiversive orientating bias and the presence of contralateral neglect following unilateral SC lesions. In the touch screen orienting task, unilateral SC inactivation significantly increased bias toward the ipsilateral side, as measured by response frequency in various experimental conditions, and a very large left-shift of a respective psychometric function. Our results demonstrate that this novel touchscreen task is able to detect changes in spatial attention and orienting responses because of e.g. experimental manipulations or injury with very high sensitivity, while taking advantage of the touch screen technology that allows for high transferability of the task between labs and for open-source data sharing through https://www.mousebytes. ca.
The detection of circulating plasma cells may improve the Revised International Staging System (R‐ISS) risk stratification of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

The Revised International Staging System (R‐ISS) stratifies patients affected by Multiple Myeloma (MM) into three distinct risk groups: R‐ISS I [ISS Stage I, Standard‐Risk cytogenetics and normal Lactase DeHydrogenase (LDH)], R‐ISS III (ISS stage III and either high‐risk cytogenetics or high LDH) and R‐ISS II (any other characteristics). With the aim to verify whether the three R‐ISS groups could be divided into subgroups with different prognostic factors based on the detection of Circulating Plasma Cells (CPCs) at diagnosis, in this retrospective analysis, we evaluated 161 patients with MM treated at our centre between 2005 and 2017. In all, 57 patients (33·9%) were staged as R‐ISS III, 98 (58·3%) as R‐ISS II and six (3·6%) as R‐ISS I. CPCs were detected in 125 patients (74·4%), while in 43 patients (25·6%) no CPCs were seen. Our analysis revealed that Overall Survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) rates in R‐ISS II patients were higher in the subgroup without CPCs compared to the subgroup with ≥1 CPCs (OS: 44·7% vs. 16·3%, P = 0·0089; PFS: 27·8% vs. 8·1%, P = 0·0118). Our present findings suggest that the detection of CPCs at diagnosis may be used as a further prognostic biomarker to improve the risk stratification of patients with MM staged as R‐ISS II.
Endogenous Mas‐related G‐protein‐coupled receptor X1 activates and sensitizes TRPA1 in a human model of peripheral nerves

Mas‐related G‐protein‐coupled receptor X1 (MrgprX1) is a human‐specific Mrgpr and its expression is restricted to primary sensory neurons. However, its role in nociception and pain signaling pathways is largely unknown. This study aims to investigate a role for MrgprX1 in nociception via interaction with the pain receptor, Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), using in‐vitro and in‐vivo human neuronal models. MrgprX1 protein expression in human trigeminal nociceptors was investigated by the immunolabeling of the dental pulp and cultured peripheral neuronal equivalent (PNE) cells. MrgprX1 receptor signaling was monitored by Fura‐2‐based Ca2+ imaging using PNEs and membrane potential responses were measured using FluoVoltTM. Immunofluorescent staining revealed MrgprX1 expression in‐vivo in dental afferents, which was more intense in inflamed compared to healthy dental pulps. Endogenous MrgprX1 protein expression was confirmed in the in‐vitro human PNE model. MrgprX1 receptor signaling and the mechanisms through which it couples to TRPA1 were studied by Ca2+ imaging. Results showed that MrgprX1 activates TRPA1 and induces membrane depolarization in a TRPA1 dependent manner. In addition, MrgprX1 sensitizes TRPA1 to agonist stimulation via Protein Kinase C (PKC). The activation and sensitization of TRPA1 by MrgprX1 in a model of human nerves suggests an important role for this receptor in the modulation of nociception.
Connection Between CDC20 Expression and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs frequently in China, with high morbidity and mortality. Cell division cycle 20 homolog (CDC20) is reportedly related to many cancers. In this study, we discuss a potential link of CDC20 expression to HCC patients’ prognoses. Material/Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to assess CDC20 expression in HCC and the paired noncancerous tissues. Chi-square analysis was used to assess potential association of CDC20 expression with clinicopathologic profiles among HCC patients. The overall survival for HCC patients with different CDC20 expressions was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. To evaluate the prognostic value for HCC patients, Cox regression analyses were performed. Results The expression of CDC20 was elevated among HCC specimens compared with adjacent noncancerous ones (P<0.05). The expression of CDC20 was significantly related to differentiation (P<0.001), tumor node metastasis stage (P<0.001), and lymphatic metastasis (P<0.001). Moreover, HCC patients with high CDC20 expression had dismal overall survival rates compared with low CDC20 expression (P<0.05). CDC20 alone could forecast HCC prognoses according to multivariable Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio=2.354, 95% confidence interval=1.177–4.709, P=0.016). Conclusions Overexpressed CDC20 may act as a reliable biomarker for dismal prognoses among HCC patients.
Antioxidant phenolic esters with potential anticancer activity: solution equilibria studied by Raman spectroscopy

The solution Raman pattern of a series of structurally related hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoicesters (caffeates and gallates) with potential antioxidant/anticancer activity was studied, for different biologically significant concentrations. The spectra were assigned with the help of theoretical calculations in the light of previously reported experimental data for these compounds in the solid state. Evidence of the formation of dimeric entities in solution, via (C) O ·· ·H(O) and/or (C) O ·· ·H(C) intermolecular hydrogen bonds, was obtained. The dimer-to-monomer equilibrium, which influences the antioxidant activity of this kind of systems, was monitored through Raman titration experiments. Copyright c � 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hierarchical Semantic Graph Reasoning for Train Component Detection

Recently, deep learning-based approaches have achieved superior performance on object detection applications. However, object detection for industrial scenarios, where the objects may also have some structures and the structured patterns are normally presented in a hierarchical way, is not well investigated yet. In this work, we propose a novel deep learning-based method, hierarchical graphical reasoning (HGR), which utilizes the hierarchical structures of trains for train component detection. HGR contains multiple graphical reasoning branches, each of which is utilized to conduct graphical reasoning for one cluster of train components based on their sizes. In each branch, the visual appearances and structures of train components are considered jointly with our proposed novel densely connected dual-gated recurrent units (Dense-DGRUs). To the best of our knowledge, HGR is the first kind of framework that explores hierarchical structures among objects for object detection. We have collected a data set of 1130 images captured from moving trains, in which 17 334 train components are manually annotated with bounding boxes. Based on this data set, we carry out extensive experiments that have demonstrated our proposed HGR outperforms the existing state-of-the-art baselines significantly. The data set and the source code can be downloaded online at https://github.com/ChengZY/HGR.
Deficits in saccadic eye movements differ between subtypes of patients with mild cognitive impairment

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is known to be heterogeneous in its cognitive features and course of progression. Whilst memory impairment is characteristic of amnestic MCI (aMCI), cognitive deficits other than memory can occur in both aMCI and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) and accurate assessment of the subtypes of MCI is difficult for clinicians without the application of extensive neuropsychological testing. In this study, we examine metrics derived from recording of reflexive and voluntary saccadic eye movements as a potential alternative method for discriminating between subtypes and assessing cognitive functions in MCI. Method: A total of 29 MCI patients and 29 age- and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) participated in the cross-sectional study. We recorded horizonta l and vertical pro-saccades and anti-saccade responses. All the participants also completed a comprehensive neuropsychological tests battery. Results: Significant differences in saccadic eye movement were found between the subtypes of MCI and HCs. Patients with aMCI had a higher percentage of short latency “express” saccades than HCs. We found strong associations between saccadic reaction times and cognitive domains, including executive functions and attention. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was also found to correlate with uncorrected errors in the anti-saccade task. Conclusions: The increased proportion of saccades in the express latency range in aMCI may be indicative of problems with cognitive inhibitory control in these patients. A focus on this and other saccade metrics in the preclinical and prodromal stages of dementia may help to predict the clinical progression of the disease and direct interventions for the management of MCI. The clinical significance of saccadic eye movement impairments in MCI is not yet fully understood and should be investigated in further studies using larger samples.
Thermal diffusivity measurements in liquids using signal common-mode-rejection demodulation in a thermal-wave cavity

A recently developed signal common-mode rejection demodulation signal methodology [Mandelis et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 71, 2440 (2000)] has been used to make direct absolute thermal diffusivity measurements in liquids using a thermal-wave cavity. This methodology combines the precision of the thermal-wave cavity scan and the flexibility of modulation-frequency scan modes, along with baseline suppression, yielding a high-resolution technique for thermal diffusivity measurements in liquids. The thermal diffusivity of two pure liquids (distilled water and ethylene glycol) has been measured and good agreement has been obtained with values reported in the literature.
Thalamic shape abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Thalamus plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis-related fatigue (MSrF). However, the thalamus is a heterogeneous structure and the specific thalamic subregions that are involved in this condition are unclear. Here, we used thalamic shape analysis for the detailed localization of thalamic abnormalities in MSrF. Using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, we measured fatigue in 42 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The thalamic shape was extracted from T1w images using an automated pipeline. We investigated the association of thalamic surface deviations with the severity of global fatigue and its cognitive, physical and psychosocial subdomains. Cognitive fatigue was correlated with an inward deformity of the left anteromedial thalamic surface, but no other localized shape deviation was observed in correlation with global, physical or psychosocial fatigue. Our findings indicate that the left anteromedial thalamic subregions are implicated in cognitive fatigue, possibly through their role in reward processing and cognitive and executive functions.