Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implications for Emotion: Using Anatomically Based Facial Coding to Compare Emoji Faces Across Platforms

Emoji faces, which are ubiquitous in our everyday communication, are thought to resemble human faces and aid emotional communication. Yet, few studies examine whether emojis are perceived as a particular emotion and whether that perception changes based on rendering differences across electronic platforms. The current paper draws upon emotion theory to evaluate whether emoji faces depict anatomical differences that are proposed to differentiate human depictions of emotion (hereafter, “facial expressions”). We modified the existing Facial Action Coding System (FACS) (Ekman and Rosenberg, 1997) to apply to emoji faces. An equivalent “emoji FACS” rubric allowed us to evaluate two important questions: First, Anatomically, does the same emoji face “look” the same across platforms and versions? Second, Do emoji faces perceived as a particular emotion category resemble the proposed human facial expression for that emotion? To answer these questions, we compared the anatomically based codes for 31 emoji faces across three platforms and two version updates. We then compared those codes to the proposed human facial expression prototype for the emotion perceived within the emoji face. Overall, emoji faces across platforms and versions were not anatomically equivalent. Moreover, the majority of emoji faces did not conform to human facial expressions for an emotion, although the basic anatomical codes were shared among human and emoji faces. Some emotion categories were better predicted by the assortment of anatomical codes than others, with some individual differences among platforms. We discuss theories of emotion that help explain how emoji faces are perceived as an emotion, even when anatomical differences are not always consistent or specific to an emotion.
Autobiographical Meaning Making Protects the Sense of Self-Continuity Past Forced Migration

Forced migration changes people’s lives and their sense of self-continuity fundamentally. One memory-based mechanism to protect the sense of self-continuity and psychological well-being is autobiographical meaning making, enabling individuals to explain change in personality and life by connecting personal experiences and other distant parts of life to the self and its development. Aiming to replicate and extend prior research, the current study investigated whether autobiographical meaning making has the potential to support the sense of self-continuity in refugees. We therefore collected life narratives from 31 refugees that were coded for autobiographical reasoning, self-event connections, and global narrative coherence. In line with prior research, results suggest that autobiographical meaning making relates to a higher sense of self-continuity and less psychological distress. Yet, if refugees experienced many continuing postdisplacement stressors in addition to their forced displacement, autobiographical meaning making was associated with higher self-discontinuity and greater psychological distress, especially with trauma-related symptoms such as memory intrusion and hyperarousal. Altogether, results indicate that autobiographical meaning making helps to compensate the effects of extreme biographical disruptions on the sense of self-continuity, as long as the stress caused by the biographical change is not overwhelming or too protracted.
Direct and Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma bovis in Bovine Milk Samples by Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assays

This study aimed to detetct Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) in bovine milk quickly and directly by developing and validating isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assays. Targeting the uvrC gene of M. bovis, an RPA assay based on the fluorescence monitoring (real-time RPA) and an RPA assay combined with a lateral flow strip (LFS RPA) were conducted. It took 20 min for the real-time RPA to finish in a Genie III at 39°C, and 15 min were required to perform the LFS RPA in an incubator block at 39°C, followed by the visualization of the products on the lateral flow strip within 5 min. Both of the two assays showed high specificity for M. bovis without any cross-reaction with the other tested pathogens. With the standard recombinant plasmid pMbovis-uvrC serving as a template, both RPA assays had a limit of detcion of 1.0 × 101 copies per reaction, equivalent to that of a real-time PCR assay. In the 65 milk samples collected from cattle with mastitis, the M. bovis genomic DNA was detected in 24 samples by both the real-time RPA and the LFS RPA assays. The developed RPA assays could detect M. bovis in bovine milk in an efficient, convenient, and credible manner as attractive and promising tools, and the assays would be helpful in the rapid response to M. bovis infection causing bovine mastitis.
Therapeutic Targeting of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Improves Primary and Secondary Intention Wound Healing in Mice

Background Neutrophils are the first responders in wound healing after injury that mediate pro- and anti-inflammatory activities i.a. through the formation of extracellular traps (NETs). However, excessive NETs presence in wound tissue can cause local hyperinflammation and -coagulation resulting in delayed wound healing. To improve wound healing, we aimed to examine the role of NETs and DNase1 on primary and secondary wound healing. Methods The study included 93 C57BL/6 mice, with 3 different genotypes: wildtype, Pad4-, and DNase1-Knockout (KO). Pad4-KO mice show limited NETs formation, while DNase1-KO mice cannot disintegrate them. All 3 genotypes were included in (1) a laparotomy group and (2) a thermal injury group. Animals in both groups either received DNase1 or a vehicle i.p. post wound induction and wound assessment and euthanasia were conducted. Laparotomy and burn scars were assessed using the stony brook scar evaluation scale and modified Yeong scale respectively. Tissue was analyzed histologically using H&E staining. Ly6g, Collagen I and III, SMA, and Fibrinogen were visualized and neutrophils activation (NE, MPO) and NETs (H3cit) formation assessed. Results All animals survived with no complications. DNase1 treatment led to a significantly improved scar appearance in both groups, which was also seen in Pad4-KO mice. In the laparotomy group DNase1 improved collagen deposition and fibrin concentration was significantly reduced by DNase1 treatment. Markers of neutrophil activation were significantly reduced in the treatment and Pad4-KO group. In the thermal injury group wound closure time was significantly reduced after DNase1 treatment and in the Pad4-KO group. Even though inflammation remained high in the thermal injury model over time, neutrophil activation and NETs formation were significantly reduced by DNase1 treatment compared to controls. Discussion Primary and secondary intention wound healing is improved by targeting NETs through DNase1 treatment or genetic KO, as assessed by wound closure time and scar appearances. Additionally, wound stability was not affected by DNASE treatment. The results suggest that overall wound healing is accelerated and DNase1 appears to be a promising option to reduce scar formation; which should be evaluated in humans.
Case Report: Clinical Description of a Patient Carrying a 12.48 Mb Microdeletion Involving the 10p13–15.3 Region

Partial deletion of 10p chromosome is a rare chromosomal aberration. Submicroscopic deletion of 10p15.3 is mainly related to cognitive deficits, speech disorders, motor delay, and hypotonia with the deleted region ranging from 0.15 to 4 Mb. The clinical phenotype is mainly determined by the ZMYND11 and DIP2C genes. Here, we report a rare case of feeding difficulties, hypocalcemia, and psychomotor retardation. Our patient has a 12.48 Mb deletion in 10p15.3–10p13, which is the second case of large 10p deletion among reported cases thus far.
Modulatory Effects of Prediction Accuracy on Electroencephalographic Brain Activity During Prediction

Prediction is essential for the efficiency of many cognitive processes; however, this process is not always perfect. Predictive coding theory suggests that the brain generates and updates a prediction to respond to an upcoming event. Although an electrophysiological index of prediction, the stimulus preceding negativity (SPN), has been reported, it remains unknown whether the SPN reflects the prediction accuracy, or whether it is associated with the prediction error, which corresponds to a mismatch between a prediction and an actual input. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate this question using electroencephalography (EEG). Participants were asked to predict the original pictures from pictures that had undergone different levels of pixelation. The SPN amplitude was affected by the level of pixelation and correlated with the subjective evaluation of the prediction accuracy. Furthermore, late positive components (LPC) were negatively correlated with SPN. These results suggest that the amplitude of SPN reflects the prediction accuracy; more accurate prediction increases the SPN and reduces the prediction error, resulting in reduced LPC amplitudes.
Atmospheric and Oceanographic Forcing Impact Particle Flux Composition and Carbon Sequestration in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea: A Three-Year Time-Series Study in the Deep Ierapetra Basin

Sinking particles are a critical conduit for the export of organic material from surface waters to the deep ocean. Despite their importance in oceanic carbon cycling, little is known about the biotic composition and seasonal variability of sinking particles reaching abyssal depths. Herein, sinking particle flux data, collected in the deep Ierapetra Basin for a three-year period (June 2010 to June 2013), have been examined at the light of atmospheric and oceanographic parameters and main mass components (lithogenic, opal, carbonates, nitrogen, and organic carbon), stable isotopes of particulate organic carbon (POC) and source-specific lipid biomarkers. Our aim is to improve the current understanding of the dynamics of particle fluxes and the linkages between atmospheric dynamics and ocean biogeochemistry shaping the export of organic matter in the deep Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Overall, particle fluxes showed seasonality and interannual variability over the studied period. POC fluxes peaked in spring April–May 2012 (12.2 mg m−2 d−1) related with extreme atmospheric forcing. Summer export was approximately fourfold higher than mean wintertime, fall and springtime (except for the episodic event of spring 2012), fueling efficient organic carbon sequestration. Lipid biomarkers indicate a high relative contribution of natural and anthropogenic, marine- and land-derived POC during both spring (April–May) and summer (June–July) reaching the deep-sea floor. Moreover, our results highlight that both seasonal and episodic pulses are crucial for POC export, while the coupling of extreme weather events and atmospheric deposition can trigger the influx of both marine labile carbon and anthropogenic compounds to the deep Levantine Sea. Finally, the comparison of time series data of sinking particulate flux with the corresponding biogeochemical parameters data previously reported for surface sediment samples from the deep-sea shed light on the benthic–pelagic coupling in the study area. Thus, this study underscores that accounting the seasonal and episodic pulses of organic carbon into the deep sea is critical in modeling the depth and intensity of natural and anthropogenic POC sequestration, and for a better understanding of the global carbon cycle.
PD-L1 siRNA Theranostics With a Dextran Nanoparticle Highlights the Importance of Nanoparticle Delivery for Effective Tumor PD-L1 Downregulation

Purpose The inhibition of immune checkpoints such as programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1/CD274) with antibodies is providing novel opportunities to expose cancer cells to the immune system. Antibody based checkpoint blockade can, however, result in serious autoimmune complications because normal tissues also express immune checkpoints. As sequence-specific gene-silencing agents, the availability of siRNA has significantly expanded the specificity and range of “druggable” targets making them promising agents for precision medicine in cancer. Here, we have demonstrated the ability of a novel biodegradable dextran based theranostic nanoparticle (NP) to deliver siRNA downregulating PD-L1 in tumors. Optical imaging highlighted the importance of NP delivery and accumulation in tumors to achieve effective downregulation with siRNA NPs, and demonstrated low delivery and accumulation in several PD-L1 expressing normal tissues. Methods The dextran scaffold was functionalized with small molecules containing amine groups through acetal bonds. The NP was decorated with a Cy5.5 NIR probe allowing visualization of NP delivery, accumulation, and biodistribution. MDA-MB-231 triple negative human breast cancer cells were inoculated orthotopically or subcutaneously to achieve differences in vascular delivery in the tumors. Molecular characterization of PD-L1 mRNA and protein expression in cancer cells and tumors was performed with qRT-PCR and immunoblot analysis. Results The PD-L1 siRNA dextran NPs effectively downregulated PD-L1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. We identified a significant correlation between NP delivery and accumulation, and the extent of PD-L1 downregulation, with in vivo imaging. The size of the NP of ~ 20 nm allowed delivery through leaky tumor vasculature but not through the vasculature of high PD-L1 expressing normal tissue such as the spleen and lungs. Conclusions Here we have demonstrated, for the first time, the feasibility of downregulating PD-L1 in tumors using siRNA delivered with a biodegradable dextran polymer that was decorated with an imaging reporter. Our data demonstrate the importance of tumor NP delivery and accumulation in achieving effective downregulation, highlighting the importance of imaging in siRNA NP delivery. Effective delivery of these siRNA carrying NPs in the tumor but not in normal tissues may mitigate some of the side-effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors by sparing PD-L1 inhibition in these tissues.
Deoxygenation in Marginal Seas of the Indian Ocean

This article describes oxygen distributions and recent deoxygenation trends in three marginal seas – Persian Gulf and Red Sea in the Northwestern Indian Ocean (NWIO) and Andaman Sea in the Northeastern Indian Ocean (NEIO). Vertically mixed water column in the shallow Persian Gulf is generally well-oxygenated, especially in winter. Biogeochemistry and ecosystems of Persian Gulf are being subjected to enormous anthropogenic stresses including large loading of nutrients and organic matter, enhancing oxygen demand and causing hypoxia (oxygen < 1.4 ml l–1) in central and southern Gulf in summer. The larger and deeper Red Sea is relatively less affected by human activities. Despite its deep water having remarkably uniform thermohaline characteristics, the central and southern Red Sea has a well-developed perennial oxygen minimum at mid-depths. The available data point to ongoing deoxygenation in the northern Red Sea. Model simulations show that an amplified warming in the marginal seas of the NWIO may cause an intensification of the Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Increases in particulate organic carbon and decreases in oxygen contents of the outflows may also have a similar effect. In the Andaman Sea, waters above the sill depth (∼1.4 km) have characteristics similar to those in the Bay of Bengal, including an intense OMZ. As in the case of the Bay of Bengal, oxygen concentrations within the Andaman Sea OMZ appear to have declined slightly but significantly between early 1960s and 1995. The exceedingly isothermal and isohaline water that fills the deep Andaman Basin is also remarkably homogenous in terms of its oxygen content. A very slight but statistically significant decrease in oxygen content of this water also seems to have occurred over three decades preceding 1995. New information is badly needed to assess the extent of further change that may have occurred over the past 25 years. There have been some reports of coastal “dead zones” having developed in the Indian Ocean marginal seas, but they are probably under-reported and the effects of hypoxia on the rich and diverse tropical ecosystems – coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves – in these seas remain to be investigated.
Effects of Detached Seaweeds on Structure and Function of Arctic Intertidal Soft-Bottom Communities

Expected lower sea-ice cover and increased storm frequency have led to projections of an increase in seaweed detritus in Arctic marine systems in the near future. To assess whether detached seaweed affects structural and functional traits of species assemblages in soft-bottom habitats, comparable experiments were run in two intertidal sites (Longyearbyen and Thiisbukta) on Svalbard. At each site, we fixed nets containing the locally dominating seaweeds Saccharina latissima and Desmarestia aculeata (Thiisbukta) or Fucus sp. (Longyearbyen) to intertidal mud flats. Empty nets were fixed as procedural controls at both sites. After 2.5 months, one sediment core was taken from each manipulated plot and the number of individuals, dry mass, and average length of each encountered animal taxon were recorded. The same measurements were taken from cores collected from unmanipulated areas at each site, both at the start and end of the experiment. Abundance data were used to calculate estimates of diversity (Shannon-index, evenness, and taxon richness), while initial and final average length measurements were used to estimate taxon-specific growth. Log response ratios of initial and final abundance in unmanipulated areas were used to estimate magnitude and direction of the effect of change in community traits over time, serving as a reference to log response ratios estimating manipulated seaweed effects. In Longyearbyen, the presence of detached seaweeds reduced abundance and dry mass by, on average, 46 and 70%, respectively, compared to unmanipulated benthic communities. In Thiisbukta, the presence of seaweeds enhanced evenness, on average by 16%, but reduced abundance and growth of benthic fauna by, on average, 31 and 86%, respectively. Seaweed effects were generally smaller in Thiisbukta than in Longyearbyen. At both sites, time effects were generally opposite in direction to those caused by the seaweed treatments, yet of similar or larger magnitude. Through reversing temporal dynamics of several of the tested community traits, detached seaweeds strongly modified the structure and functioning of soft-bottom species assemblages at both intertidal sites. We suggest that the detected effects possibly result from seaweed-induced changes in environmental conditions and/or physical disturbance as underlying processes.
A Wild Allele of Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Synthase1 Leads to Proline Accumulation in Spikes and Leaves of Barley Contributing to Improved Performance Under Reduced Water Availability

Water stress (WS) during spike development strongly affects final grain yield and grain quality in cereals. Proline, an osmoprotectant amino-acid, may contribute to alleviating the effects of cell and tissue dehydration. We studied five spring barley genotypes contrasting in their drought response, including two introgression lines, S42IL-143 and S42IL-141, harboring a Pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase1- P5cs1 allele originating from the wild barley accession ISR42-8. We tested the hypothesis that barley genotypes harboring a wild allele at P5cs1 locus are comparatively more drought-tolerant at the reproductive stage by inducing proline accumulation in their immature spikes. At the booting stage, we subjected plants to well-watered and WS treatments until physiological maturity. Several morpho-physiological traits had significant genotype by treatment interaction and reduction under WS. Varying levels of genotypic proline accumulation and differences in WS tolerance were observed. Spike proline accumulation was higher than leaf proline accumulation for all genotypes under WS. Also, introgression lines carrying a wild allele at P5cs1 locus had a markedly higher spike and leaf proline content compared with the other genotypes. These introgression lines showed milder drought symptoms compared with elite genotypes, remained photosynthetically active under WS, and maintained their intrinsic water use efficiency. These combined responses contributed to the achievement of higher final seed productivity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of whole spikes at the soft dough stage showed an increase in seed abortion among the elite genotypes compared with the introgression lines 15 days after WS treatment. Our results suggest that proline accumulation at the reproductive stage contributes to the maintenance of grain formation under water shortage.
Associations of P Score With Real-World Survival Improvement Offered by Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage II Colon Cancer: A Large Population-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study

Background Based on a prognostic scoring system (P score) proposed by us recently, this retrospective large population-based and propensity score-matched (PSM) study focused on predicting the survival benefit of adjuvant CT in stage II disease. Methods Patients diagnosed with stage II colon cancer (N = 73397) were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 2005 and divided into the CT and non-CT groups. PSM balanced the patient characteristics between the CT and non-CT groups. Results The magnitude of CSS improvement among patients treated with adjuvant CT was significantly associated with the P score, score 8 [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.580, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.323–1.040, P = 0.067] was associated with a much higher increased CSS benefit among patients treated with adjuvant CT as compared to score 2* (*, including scores 0, 1, and 2; HR = 1.338, 95% CI = 1.089–1.644, P = 0.006). Conclusions High P scores were demonstrated to be associated with superior survival benefit of adjuvant CT. Therapy decisions of adjuvant CT in stage II colon cancer could be tailored on the basis of tumor biology, patient characteristics and the P score.