Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Draining Lymph Nodes and Organized Lymphoid Tissue Microarchitecture on Susceptibility to Intradermal Trypanosoma brucei Infection

Infection of the mammalian host with African trypanosomes begins when the tsetse fly vector injects the parasites into the skin dermis during blood feeding. After injection into the skin, trypanosomes first accumulate in the draining lymph node before disseminating systemically. Whether this early accumulation within the draining lymph node is important for the trypanosomes to establish infection was not known. Lymphotoxin-β-deficient mice (LTβ−/− mice) lack most secondary lymphoid tissues, but retain the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. These mice were used to test the hypothesis that the establishment of infection after intradermal (ID) T. brucei infection would be impeded in the absence of the skin draining lymph nodes. However, LTβ−/− mice revealed greater susceptibility to ID T. brucei infection than wild-type mice, indicating that the early accumulation of the trypanosomes in the draining lymph nodes was not essential to establish systemic infection. Although LTβ−/− mice were able to control the first parasitemia wave as effectively as wild-type mice, they were unable to control subsequent parasitemia waves. LTβ−/− mice also lack organized B cell follicles and germinal centers within their remaining secondary lymphoid tissues. As a consequence, LTβ−/− mice have impaired immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype class-switching responses. When the disturbed microarchitecture of the B cell follicles in the spleens of LTβ−/− mice was restored by reconstitution with wild-type bone marrow, their susceptibility to ID T. brucei infection was similar to that of wild-type control mice. This effect coincided with the ability to produce significant serum levels of Ig isotype class-switched parasite-specific antibodies. Thus, our data suggest that organized splenic microarchitecture and the production of parasite-specific Ig isotype class-switched antibodies are essential for the control of ID African trypanosome infections.
Bank Account Ownership and Access Among In-Patients in Psychiatric Care in Berlin, Germany—A Cross-Sectional Patient Survey

Background Access to a bank account is critical for overall participation in social life and an indicator for social integration. Worldwide about 1.7 billion people remain with no access to banking facilities as a form of financial exclusion which represents 31% of the world’s general population. In contrast, in Western countries like Germany, 99% of the general population use bank accounts. Methods We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional survey on bank account ownership and bank account access among psychiatric in-patients in a psychiatric hospital in Berlin. Out of 540 participants who were reached for an interview, 486 shared information about bank account ownership and 469 on access. Results Out of 486 participants 49 (10.1%) did not own a bank account. Among the remaining 420 participants owning a bank account, 36 (8.3%) did not have direct access to their bank account, but only, e.g., their legal guardian. Regression results found psychosis, intellectual disabilities, a longer treatment duration, as well as being of male gender and a more instable housing status to be significantly associated with a missing bank account or a missing access to one’s bank account. Conclusions The lack of bank account ownership and access among this population of psychiatric patients is concerning. The interrelationship between factors of financial exclusion and mental health should be further explored in longitudinal studies. More attention is needed to support people with severe mental illness to be able to access resources associated with financial inclusion.
Crop Resilience to Drought With and Without Response Diversity

In the face of increasingly frequent droughts threatening crop performance, ecological theory suggests that higher species diversity may help buffering productivity by making systems more resistant through resource complementarity and more resilient through higher response diversity. However, empirical evidence for these diversity effects under drought stress has remained patchy. In two pot experiments, we explored whether mixing two legume species with a contrasting response to water availability, alsike clover (AC) and black medic (BM), promotes resistance to cumulative drought stress, and resilience of aboveground crop biomass to a transient drought event. The mixture was more productive than the average of the sole crops, and this mixture effect was higher in the non-stressed than in the drought-stressed plants. However, with six levels of constant drought intensities, the mixture effect was not consistently affected by drought level. Response diversity was evident as asynchrony of growth in the two species after the drought event, with BM re-growing faster than AC. Significant resilience to drought was observed in sole AC, i.e., without response diversity. Resilience was larger in AC than in BM and increased from 44 to 72 days after sowing (DAS). The mixture was more resilient than the average resilience of the sole crops at 72 DAS, but it was never more resilient than AC, indicating that resilience is promoted by, but not dependent on response diversity. We conclude that crop diversity may contribute to drought resilience through growth asynchrony, but that species identity plays a crucial role in making systems more drought-resilient.
Comparison of Meconium Microbiome in Dizygotic and Monozygotic Twins Born by Caesarean Section (CS)

The early-life microbiota triggers life-long effects on physiological functions and health disorders. Previous studies in adult twins or animal models have revealed associations between host genetics and the harmonious microbiota. However, such associations may be obscured by the fact that each intra-pair of twins will continually encounter various environmental factors as they grow up. Here, we collected the meconium samples from nineteen dizygotic pairs (DZ, n = 38) and nine monozygotic pairs (MZ, n = 18) with cesarean delivery, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to profile the microbiome at birth. Diversity analysis showed that alpha diversity was not significantly different between two groups, whereas beta diversity of MZ twins was significantly lower than that of either DZ twins or unrelated individuals (i.e., randomly selected individual pairs of non-twinship) (p < 0.05). Two groups had very similar microbial classifications but different relative abundances of certain taxa including more Firmicutes (p = 0.05, Wilcoxon test) at the phylum level and lower abundances of five genera (p < 0.05) in DZ group compared to MZ group, including Rheinheimera, Proteus, SMB53, Sphingobium, and Megamonas. Co-occurrence analysis in each group showed slightly more complicated microbial interactions in DZ than MZ twins, although 22 shared bacterial genera co-existed in two groups, with both Rheinheimera and Megamonas having different centralities in their respective co-occurrence networks. Mean intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were also significantly higher for MZ (0.312) compared to DZ twins (0.138) (p < 0.05). The predicted microbial gene functions related to carbohydrate were higher in DZ group, whereas folding, sorting, degradation, cell motility pathways and energy metabolism were markedly over-represented in the microbiota of MZ group. In summary, our study uncovered that microbial diversity and components of the meconium microbiome between DZ and MZ twins were partially consistent with that in singleton neonates by cesarean delivery, but several distinctions related to the heritability supported genetic contributions to intestinal microbiome in early life.
Semantic Transfer in Programming Languages: Exploratory Study of Relative Novices

It is a natural part of a student's computing education to transfer from language to language, hence adopting to a new programming language (PL) quickly is a necessary skill. Prior work in computer science research mainly brings awareness of the success and difficulties that students face when learning new languages. In addition, work that directly relates to PL transfer mainly concerns experienced programmers problem solving in a new language, evidencing plan transfer. We could not find research attempting to devise a model of PL transfer based on code comprehension. We explore this phenomenon in the context of five university students transitioning from procedural Python to object-oriented Java, over a period of 10 weeks. We analyse the results through the lens of a model of second language acquisition using the notion of Semantic transfer and the Mindshift learning theory (MLT). The findings indicate that during the initial learning stages, learners relied mostly on their syntactic matching between Python and Java and subsequent semantic transfer which affected their learning positively on Carryover concepts and negatively on Changed concepts. Students could not transfer their semantic knowledge on concepts they perceived as Novel. An understanding of the transfer process learners go through during a shift can help inform our pedagogy on how to ease the transition process and achieve an effective learning process, and we provide pointers in this direction.
Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of three H. erinaceus mycelia (EAHE) capsules (350 mg/capsule; containing 5 mg/g erinacine A active ingredient) per day for the treatment of patients with mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Methods This study comprised a 3-week no-drug screening period, followed by a 49-week double-blind treatment period with 2-parallel groups in which eligible patients were randomized to either three 5 mg/g EAHE mycelia capsules per day or identical appearing placebo capsules. Cognitive assessments, ophthalmic examinations, biomarker collection, and neuroimaging were followed throughout the study period. Results After 49 weeks of EAHE intervention, a significant decrease in Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument score was noted in the placebo group, a significant improvement in Mini-Mental State Examination score was observed in the EAHE group and a significant Instrumental Activities of Daily Living score difference were found between the two groups. In addition, EAHE group achieved a significantly better contrast sensitivity when compared to the placebo group. Moreover, only the placebo group observed significantly lowered biomarkers such as calcium, albumin, apolipoprotein E4, hemoglobin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and significantly elevated alpha1-antichymotrypsin and amyloid-beta peptide 1–40 over the study period. Using diffusion tensor imaging, the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from the arcuate fasciculus region in the dominant hemisphere significantly increased in the placebo group while no significant difference was found in the EAHE group in comparison to their baselines. Moreover, ADC values from the parahippocampal cingulum region in the dominant hemisphere significantly decreased in the EAHE group whereas no significant difference was found in the placebo group when compared to their baselines. Lastly, except for four subjects who dropped out of the study due to abdominal discomfort, nausea, and skin rash, no other adverse events were reported. Conclusion Three 350 mg/g EAHE capsules intervention for 49 weeks demonstrated higher CASI, MMSE, and IADL scores and achieved a better contrast sensitivity in patients with mild AD when compared to the placebo group, suggesting that EAHE is safe, well-tolerated, and may be important in achieving neurocognitive benefits. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04065061.
A Deep-Learning-Based Real-Time Detector for Grape Leaf Diseases Using Improved Convolutional Neural Networks

Black rot, Black measles, Leaf blight and Mites of grape are four common grape leaf diseases that seriously affect grape yield. However, the existing research lacks a real-time detecting method for grape leaf diseases, which cannot guarantee the healthy growth of grape plants. In this article, a real-time detector for grape leaf diseases based on improved deep convolutional neural networks is proposed. This article first expands the grape leaf disease images through digital image processing technology, constructing the grape leaf disease dataset (GLDD). Based on GLDD and the Faster R-CNN detection algorithm, a deep-learning-based Faster DR-IACNN model with higher feature extraction capability is presented for detecting grape leaf diseases by introducing the Inception-v1 module, Inception-ResNet-v2 module and SE-blocks. The experimental results show that the detection model Faster DR-IACNN achieves a precision of 81.1% mAP on GLDD, and the detection speed reaches 15.01 FPS. This research indicates that the real-time detector Faster DR-IACNN based on deep learning provides a feasible solution for the diagnosis of grape leaf diseases and provides guidance for the detection of other plant diseases.
In vitro Alternatives to Acute Inhalation Toxicity Studies in Animal Models—A Perspective

When assessing the risk and hazard of a non-pharmaceutical compound, the first step is determining acute toxicity, including toxicity following inhalation. Inhalation is a major exposure route for humans, and the respiratory epithelium is the first tissue that inhaled substances directly interact with. Acute inhalation toxicity testing for regulatory purposes is currently performed only in rats and/or mice according to OECD TG403, TG436, and TG433 test guidelines. Such tests are biased by the differences in the respiratory tract architecture and function across species, making it difficult to draw conclusions on the potential hazard of inhaled compounds in humans. Research efforts have been therefore focused on developing alternative, human-relevant models, with emphasis on the creation of advanced In vitro models. To date, there is no In vitro model that has been accepted by regulatory agencies as a stand-alone replacement for inhalation toxicity testing in animals. Here, we provide a brief introduction to current OECD test guidelines for acute inhalation toxicity, the interspecies differences affecting the predictive value of such tests, and the current regulatory efforts to advance alternative approaches to animal-based inhalation toxicity studies. We then list the steps that should allow overcoming the current challenges in validating In vitro alternatives for the successful replacement of animal-based inhalation toxicity studies. These steps are inclusive and descriptive, and should be detailed when adopting in house-produced 3D cell models for inhalation tests. Hence, we provide a checklist of key parameters that should be reported in any future scientific publications for reproducibility and transparency.
The cryptogamic flora of an isolated rainforest fragment in Tasmania

The cryptogamic flora of a small isolated natural fragment of rainforest in south-eastern Tasmania has retained its rainforest character but has been modified in comparison to the flora of large, well-buffered rainforest stands. There is a high proportion of widespread wet forest species and many typical rainforest lichens and bryophytes are absent or represented only by depauperate and/or sterile individuals. The relative proportions of hepatics to mosses is reversed compared with that normally found in rainforest and there is a much lower diversity in the bryophyte flora. In spite of these modifications, the flora of the rainforest fragment is quite distinct from that of the surrounding sclerophyll vegetation. The community acts as a refuge for many species and contributes significantly to the overall biodiversity of the area. The site is very important for biological conservation but the data suggest that the ecosystem is extremely fragile and must be protected from future disturbance if its rainforest flora is to survive. The new combination, Bacidia vallatula (Jatta) Kantvilas, is proposed, and the lichen Byssoloma subdiscordans (Nyl.) P. James is recorded from Tasmania for the first time.
Assessing CS1 Design Skills with a String Manipulation Task

This study explores novice programmers' abilities to design and code a string manipulation task in C after one semester of tertiary instruction. String manipulation is an important skill for novice programmers to master as most applications deal with text and/or interact with the user. The analysis shows most novice programmers (88%) were able to sketch their own programming plan to print a word in pyramid style. 53% of students chose to control the printing letter by letter (character level) and 32% updated and printed the word as a whole (string level). However only 6% used string functions, apart from strlen() and strcmp(), to implement their plan. This indicated a low level of transfer from their most recent class activity which focused on the C string library. As expected, not all succeeded to correctly implement their plan: 56% were correct at character level and 63% at string level, resulting in 49% of the whole cohort completing the task. Their code has been thoroughly analysed to identify implementation issues, and logical, syntax and plan errors are reported and discussed.
Open-Ended Exercises in CS1: The Impact on Female, Non-Major and Inexperienced Computer Science Students

Introductory Computer Science (CS1) is difficult for many (the course is notorious for its low student performance and retention rates), but some groups of students are especially disadvantaged such as female students (as CS is largely male-dominated), non-CS majors and students without prior programming experience. This poster discusses an attempt at engaging these disadvantaged subgroups through creative, open-ended exercises. Data was collected from a CS1 course with 284 students, where roughly half of the students completed exercises which included an open-ended aspect that allowed them to make their own decisions about their projects. The other half completed similar exercises but with a specifically defined, closed-ended checklist of requirements. The data analysis revealed several patterns that suggest the use of open-ended exercises can lead to higher levels of satisfaction and confidence among the different groups of traditionally disadvantaged students.
Research on Head-Mounted Virtual Reality and Computational Thinking Experiments to Improve the Learning Effect of AIoT Maker Course: Case of Earthquake Relief Scenes

In this study, the head-mounted virtual reality (VR) technology is adpoted for computational thinking teaching in the AIoT Maker course teaching. The earthquake relief situation is designed in the VR in the course scenario, because in the context of situational thinking, pre-emptive training in the face of emergency disasters has been conducted through observation meetings or training courses. Through listening to lecturers or experienced personnel to share experiences, students often have a harder time thinking about real scenes and it is harder to think creatively how to design with the emergency disaster response. In view of this, this research will combine the development and evaluation of earthquake relief training courses for head-mounted VR and computational thinking experiments to explore the use of VR and computational thinking experiments to drive students to create ideas for real disaster relief scenarios. Through computational thinking, students think about different script situations and discuss in each scene to find a suitable maker design of the AIoT project. Finally, this study combined with its modular space program training to develop students’ programming skills. According to the experiment, this study is able to strength students’ practical learning motivation, and follow-up employ ability training for course learning.
Future Time Perspective and the Achievement of Optimal Best: Reflections, Conceptualizations, and Future Directions for Development

Time is an interesting concept. For some cultural groups, time is an entity that exists only in the here and now, whereas for others it can be linear, emphasizing a person’s past, present, and future. Many of us, while living in the “present moment,” may also anticipate and project future goals, dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Indeed, from a positive point of view, future orientations are healthy and may direct one’s focus, instill motivation and persistence, and mobilize the expenditure of effort. Existing research has provided empirical evidence to support the promotion and encouragement of a positive future time orientation. From an educational point of view, the study of time may be useful for calculating achievement, given that a student may use future time orientation to guide and direct his/her academic and/or non-academic future. One notable question for consideration, in this case, relates to the importance of timespan – that is, how far into the future should one project? There may be a significant difference between, say, a timespan that scopes a 6-month period as opposed to a timespan that scopes a 2-year period. By the same token, over the past few years we have delved into an interesting line of inquiry, namely, the nature of optimal best – for example, what facilitates and/or causes a person to achieve an optimal level of best practice in particular subject matter? Our theory of human optimization, consolidated and recently published in Frontiers in Psychology, provides an in-depth theoretical account of an underlying process, which we postulate could help explain the achievement of optimal best. Optimization, in this case, is intimately linked to a person’s achievement of optimal best. We rationalize that within the context of academic learning, cognitive complexity of particular subject matter could serve as an important source of motivation in the anticipation and projection a student’s extended future timespan. In this analysis, the extremely complex nature of a learning task or a suite of tasks may compel a student to consider a longer future timespan for successful completion. We also argue, in contrast, that the specific duration of a future timespan (for e.g., 6 months vs. 2 years) could play a significant role in the successful optimization of a student’s state of cognitive functioning.