Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Features Types and Personalized Assessment in Detecting Affective State Using Dry Electrode EEG

Assessing the human affective state using electroencephalography (EEG) have shown good potential but failed to demonstrate reliable performance in real-life applications. Especially if one applies a setup that might impact affective processing and relies on generalized models of affect. Additionally, using subjective assessment of ones affect as ground truth has often been disputed. To shed the light on the former challenge we explored the use of a convenient EEG system with 20 participants to capture their reaction to affective movie clips in a naturalistic setting. Employing state-of-the-art machine learning approach demonstrated that the highest performance is reached when combining linear features, namely symmetry features and single-channel features, with nonlinear ones derived by a multiscale entropy approach. Nevertheless, the best performance, reflected in the highest F1-score achieved in a binary classification task for valence was 0.71 and for arousal 0.62. The performance was 10–20% better compared to using ratings provided by 13 independent raters. We argue that affective self-assessment might be underrated and it is crucial to account for personal differences in both perception and physiological response to affective cues.
Comparison of Spatial Modelling Approaches on PM10 and NO2 Concentration Variations: A Case Study in Surabaya City, Indonesia

Because of fast-paced industrialization, urbanization, and population growth in Indonesia, there are serious health issues in the country resulting from air pollution. This study uses geospatial modelling technologies, namely land-use regression (LUR), geographically weighted regression (GWR), and geographic and temporal weighted regression (GTWR) models, to assess variations in particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in Surabaya City, Indonesia. This is the first study to implement spatiotemporal variability of air pollution concentrations in Surabaya City, Indonesia. To develop the prediction models, air pollution data collected from seven monitoring stations from 2010 to 2018 were used as dependent variables, while land-use/land cover allocations within a 250 m to 5000 m circular buffer range surrounding the monitoring stations were collected as independent variables. A supervised stepwise variable selection procedure was applied to identify the important predictor variables for developing the LUR, GWR, and GTWR models. The developed models of LUR, GWR, and GTWR accounted for 49%, 50%, and 51% of PM10 variations and 46%, 47%, and 48% of NO2 variations, respectively. The GTWR model performed better (R2 = 0.51 for PM10 and 0.48 for NO2) than the other two models (R2 = 0.49–0.50 for PM10 and 0.46–0.47 for NO2), LUR and GWR. In the PM10 model four predictor variables, public facility, industry and warehousing, paddy field, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were selected during the variable selection procedure. Meanwhile, paddy field, residential area, rainfall, and temperature played important roles in explaining NO2 variations. Because of biomass burning issues in South Asia, the paddy field, which has a positive correlation with PM10 and NO2, was selected as a predictor. By using long-term monitoring data to establish prediction models, this model may better depict PM10 and NO2 concentration variations within areas across Asia.
Molecular dynamics simulation of a glassy polymer surface

The free surface of glassy atactic polypropylene is studied by molecular dynamics computer simulation. A model film system exposed to vacuum on both sides is examined at a temperature 22°C below the Tg of the bulk polymer. The spatial dependence of the short-time dynamical properties of the model film is determined. Conformational transitions are analyzed. an average rate for conformational isomerization is calculated by constructing a hazard plot of first passage times.
Gas chromatographic analysis of alkylresorcinols in rye (Secale cereale L) grains

A method was established for fast and easy analysis of 5-n-alkylresorcinols in rye grains, considering effects of milling (intact grains versus flour), extraction solvent (ethyl acetate, methanol and acetone), extraction volume per gram of sample (20 and 40 ml) and extraction time (3, 6, 18 and 24h). For intact kernels, extraction of 1 g samples with ethyl acetate (40 ml, 24h) is recommended. The ease of extraction is consistent with the presence of alkylresorcinols in the outer layers of the kernel and their absence in the endosperm. The extracts were analysed (without further purification or derivatisation) by gas chromatography using methyl behenate (C22:0, fatty acid methyl ester) as internal standard. Alkylresorcinols were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and the major homologues were found to contain alkyl chains of C17:0, C19:0, C21:0, C23:0 and C25:0. The methodology was then applied to analyse the alkylresorcinol content in 15 rye cultivars grown at two locations in Sweden. Total alkylresorcinol contents varied within the range 549-1022 μg g -1 , and the average percentages of the different alkylresorcinols were: 17:0, 23%; 19:0, 32%; 21:0, 26%; 23:0, 11%; and 25:0, 8%. Une methode d'analyse rapide des 5-n-alkylresorcinols du grain de seigle est presentee. Elle est utilisee pour etudier les effet de la mouture, du solvant d'extraction, de la taille de l'echantillon et du temps d'extraction sur la composition. Pour les grains intacts, l'extraction a partir d'un echantillon d'un gramme avec de l'acetate d'ethyle est recommandee. L'extrait est analyse par chromatographie en phase gazeuse. Les chaines carbonees retrouvees majoritairement sont les C17:0, C19:0, C21:0, C23:0 et C25:0. L'analyse de 15 cultivars suedois donne une teneur en alkylresorcinol variant de 549 a 1022 μg/g.
Genome-Wide Association Analysis Identifies Resistance Loci for Bacterial Leaf Streak Resistance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Bacterial leaf streak (BLS) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) is one of the most devastating diseases in rice production areas, especially in humid tropical and subtropical zones throughout Asia and worldwide. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis conducted on a collection of 236 diverse rice accessions, mainly indica varieties, identified 12 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11, conferring resistance to five representative isolates of Thai Xoc. Of these, five QTLs conferred resistance to more than one Xoc isolates. Two QTLs, qBLS5.1 and qBLS2.3, were considered promising QTLs for broad-spectrum resistance to BLS. The xa5 gene was proposed as a potential candidate gene for qBLS5.1 and three genes, encoding pectinesterase inhibitor (OsPEI), eukaryotic zinc-binding protein (OsRAR1), and NDP epimerase function, were proposed as candidate genes for qBLS2.3. Results from this study provide an insight into the potential QTLs and candidate genes for BLS resistance in rice. The recessive xa5 gene is suggested as a potential candidate for strong influence on broad-spectrum resistance and as a focal target in rice breeding programs for BLS resistance.
Degree of Early Estrogen Response Predict Survival after Endocrine Therapy in Primary and Metastatic ER-Positive Breast Cancer

Simple Summary Over 70% of breast cancer patients in the US have estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors. A better predictive biomarker of endocrine therapy would be useful to improve patient compliance. We found that estrogen response early score generated by a GSEA algorithm was significantly associated with immune cell infiltrations, patient survival, and endocrine therapy response in ER-positive breast cancer. Furthermore, the score may be a useful tool to predict response to endocrine therapy in both primary and metastatic breast cancer compared to ER gene expression. This study demonstrates that the estrogen response early score may be a useful prognostic and predicative biomarker in patients with either primary or metastatic breast cancer. Abstract Endocrine therapy is the gold-standard treatment for ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. Although its clear benefit, patient compliance is poor (50–80%) due to its long administration period and adverse effects. Therefore, a predictive biomarker that can predict whether endocrine therapy is truly beneficial may improve patient compliance. In this study, we use estrogen response early gene sets of gene set enrichment assay algorithm as the score. We hypothesize that the score could predict the response to endocrine therapy and survival of breast cancer patients. A total of 6549 breast cancer from multiple patient cohorts were analyzed. The score was highest in ER-positive/HER2-negative compared to the other subtypes. Earlier AJCC stage, as well as lower Nottingham pathological grade, were associated with a high score. Low score tumors enriched only allograft rejection gene set, and was significantly infiltrated with immune cells, and high cytolytic activity score. A low score was significantly associated with a worse response to endocrine therapy and worse survival in both primary and metastatic breast cancer patients. The hazard ratio was double that of ESR1 expression. In conclusion, the estrogen response early score predicts response to endocrine therapy and is associated with survival in primary and metastatic breast cancer.
Self-Assembly CNTs@PANi Coffee Rings on Poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) Triblock Copolymer for Largely Stretchable Electronics

In this paper, CNTs@PANi nanocomposites were prepared by in-situ oxidation polymerization of aniline, and their structure, morphology and conductivity were characterized. A mixed solvent of toluene and tetrahydrofuran was used to prepare dispersions of CNTs@PANi and poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) (SEBS) triblock copolymer, and bilayer composite film was prepared. According to the solvent phase separation and uneven evaporation flux, CNTs@PANi self-assembled into the interconnected coffee ring structure on the SEBS matrix. The prepared bilayer composite film had excellent stretchability, and the conductivity of the functional layer was close to that of CNTs@PANi, which could light up an LED lamp under 100% strain and restore the topological structure. Electrochemical tests showed that the bilayer film had obvious heterogeneity. The impedance characteristics of the CNTs@PANi functional layer and the SEBS matrix were analyzed, and its heterogeneous corrosion resistance mechanism further discussed.
Social determinants of health and heart failure hospitalizations in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the relationship between social determinants of health and heart failure hospitalizations in Brazil. METHOD A retrospective ecological study, whose units of analysis were the cities of the Brazilian states. The outcome variable was heart failure hospitalization rate. The independent variables were Family Health Strategy coverager, federal transfer to Primary Care, expenditure on Primary Care, overlapping of the female population and age group above 60 years old. Regressive techniques were adopted for panel data, with estimation of weighted least squares by fixed effect. RESULTS Twenty-six cities were analyzed. Hospitalization rates showed a non-uniform distribution between the areas, with lower median in the North and higher in the South. The regression model identified a relationship between hospitalization rates and Family Health Strategy coverage, federal transfer to Primary Care, and overlapping of the female population. CONCLUSION Heart failure occurrence, a condition sensitive to Primary Care in Brazil, is influenced by social determinants of health represented by demographic, budgetary, and health service coverage factors.
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Are a Major Source of Wnt5A in the Melanoma Microenvironment and Depend on Wnt5A for Full Suppressive Activity

These findings demonstrate that myeloid cells provide a major source of Wnt5A to facilitate metastatic potential in melanoma cells and rely on Wnt5A for their immunosuppressive function. Metastatic dissemination remains a significant barrier to successful therapy for melanoma. Wnt5A is a potent driver of invasion in melanoma and is believed to be secreted from the tumor microenvironment (TME). Our data suggest that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the TME are a major source of Wnt5A and are reliant upon Wnt5A for multiple actions. Knockdown of Wnt5A specifically in the myeloid cells demonstrated a clear decrease in Wnt5A expression within the TME in vivo as well as a decrease in intratumoral MDSC and regulatory T cell (Treg). Wnt5A knockdown also decreased the immunosuppressive nature of MDSC and decreased expression of TGFβ1 and arginase 1. In the presence of Wnt5A-depleted MDSC, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expressed decreased PD-1 and LAG3, suggesting a less exhausted phenotype. Myeloid-specific Wnt5A knockdown also led to decreased lung metastasis. Tumor-infiltrating MDSC from control animals showed a strong positive correlation with Treg, which was completely ablated in animals with Wnt5A-negative MDSC. Overall, our data suggest that while MDSC contribute to an immunosuppressive and less immunogenic environment, they exhibit an additional function as the major source of Wnt5A in the TME. Significance: These findings demonstrate that myeloid cells provide a major source of Wnt5A to facilitate metastatic potential in melanoma cells and rely on Wnt5A for their immunosuppressive function.
Longitudinal Changes in Food Addiction Symptoms and Body Weight among Adults in a Behavioral Weight-Loss Program

Interest in food addiction (FA) has increased, but little is known about its clinical implications or potential treatments. Using secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the associations between changes in FA, body weight, and “problem food” consumption during a 22-month behavioral weight-loss program consisting of an initial four-month in-person intervention, 12-month extended-care, and six-month follow-up (n = 182). Food addiction was measured using the Yale Food Addiction Scale. “Problem foods” were identified from the literature and self-reporting. Multilevel modeling was used as the primary method of analysis. We hypothesized that reductions in problem food consumption during the initial treatment phase would be associated with long-term (22-month) FA reductions. As expected, we found that reductions in problem foods were associated with greater initial reductions in FA symptoms; however, they were also associated with a sharper rebound in symptoms over time (p = 0.016), resulting in no significant difference at Month 22 (p = 0.856). Next, we hypothesized that long-term changes in FA would be associated with long-term changes in body weight. Although both FA and weight decreased over time (ps < 0.05), month-to-month changes in FA were not associated with month-to-month changes in weight (p = 0.706). Instead, higher overall FA (i.e., mean scores over the course of the study) were associated with less weight loss (p = 0.008) over time. Finally, we hypothesized that initial reductions in problem food consumption would be associated with long-term reductions in weight, but this relationship was not significant (ps > 0.05). Given the complexity of the findings, more research is needed to identify interventions for long-term changes in FA and to elucidate the associations between problem foods, FA, and weight.
Adaptation Strategies of Halophytic Barley Hordeum marinum ssp. marinum to High Salinity and Osmotic Stress

The adaptation strategies of halophytic seaside barley Hordeum marinum to high salinity and osmotic stress were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, as well as ionomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic approaches. When compared with cultivated barley, seaside barley exhibited a better plant growth rate, higher relative plant water content, lower osmotic pressure, and sustained photosynthetic activity under high salinity, but not under osmotic stress. As seaside barley is capable of controlling Na+ and Cl− concentrations in leaves at high salinity, the roots appear to play the central role in salinity adaptation, ensured by the development of thinner and likely lignified roots, as well as fine-tuning of membrane transport for effective management of restriction of ion entry and sequestration, accumulation of osmolytes, and minimization of energy costs. By contrast, more resources and energy are required to overcome the consequences of osmotic stress, particularly the severity of reactive oxygen species production and nutritional disbalance which affect plant growth. Our results have identified specific mechanisms for adaptation to salinity in seaside barley which differ from those activated in response to osmotic stress. Increased knowledge around salt tolerance in halophytic wild relatives will provide a basis for improved breeding of salt-tolerant crops.
Relationships between Perceived Stress, Depression and Alcohol Use Disorders in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Socio-Economic Dimension

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of perceived stress on depression and subsequently to examine the effects of depression on alcohol use disorders. The data were obtained by an electronic questionnaire survey during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (n = 1523 Slovak university students). Descriptive, regression, and correlation analysis were used in the analytical processing, while the analyses included students’ scores in three diagnostic tools (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire for depression (PHQ 9), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)), as well as gender and income characteristics. The PSS identified an increased level of perceived stress in female students, while in contrast, the AUDIT showed an increased level of alcohol use disorders in male students. Differences in mental and behavioural disorders between the gender and income categories were significant in most of the analysed cases. In terms of gender-income characteristics, it was possible to confirm a significant positive effect of the PSS score on the PHQ 9 score, as well as a significant positive effect of the PHQ 9 score on the AUDIT score. As a result, efforts to reduce stress will be reflected in a reduction of depressive disorders as well as a reduction of excessive alcohol consumption among students.
Tree-Based QSAR Model for Drug Repurposing in the Discovery of New Antibacterial Compounds against Escherichia coli

Drug repurposing appears as an increasing popular tool in the search of new treatment options against bacteria. In this paper, a tree-based classification method using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and discrete indexes was used to create a QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) model to predict antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. The model consists on a hierarchical decision tree in which a discrete index is used to divide compounds into groups according to their values for said index in order to construct probability spaces. The second step consists in the calculation of a discriminant function which determines the prediction of the model. The model was used to screen the DrugBank database, identifying 134 drugs as possible antibacterial candidates. Out of these 134 drugs, 8 were antibacterial drugs, 67 were drugs approved for different pathologies and 55 were drugs in experimental stages. This methodology has proven to be a viable alternative to the traditional methods used to obtain prediction models based on LDA and its application provides interesting new drug candidates to be studied as repurposed antibacterial treatments. Furthermore, the topological indexes Nclass and Numhba have proven to have the ability to group active compounds effectively, which suggests a close relationship between them and the antibacterial activity of compounds against E. coli.
Computer-controlled liquid-nitrogen drizzling device for removing frost from cryopreserved crystals

Cryocrystallography, which is commonly used in macromolecular crystallography, may sometimes reduce the quality of diffraction data and the visibility of crystals owing to frost adhesion. A device has been developed to remove frost by drizzling liquid nitrogen over the crystals, which enabled noise reduction of diffraction images and the centering of crystals with low visibility owing to frost adhesion.
Targeting progesterone signaling prevents metastatic ovarian cancer

Significance Why women carrying a pathogenic germline BRCA1 mutation are predisposed to ovarian and breast cancer remains elusive. This study points to ovarian progesterone as a culprit. Generally, BRCA1-mutation carriers exhibit high yet individually varying levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle. Although not all BRCA1-mutation carriers develop these cancers, all of them are advised to undergo prophylactic surgeries at a young age (under 40 y to 45 y) to prevent ovarian and breast cancer. Insights from robust in vivo findings in this study offer a novel concept: Targeting progesterone signaling with antiprogestins could be an effective nonsurgical prophylactic option for ovarian and breast cancer prevention for these high-risk women. Effective cancer prevention requires the discovery and intervention of a factor critical to cancer development. Here we show that ovarian progesterone is a crucial endogenous factor inducing the development of primary tumors progressing to metastatic ovarian cancer in a mouse model of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most common and deadliest ovarian cancer type. Blocking progesterone signaling by the pharmacologic inhibitor mifepristone or by genetic deletion of the progesterone receptor (PR) effectively suppressed HGSC development and its peritoneal metastases. Strikingly, mifepristone treatment profoundly improved mouse survival (∼18 human years). Hence, targeting progesterone/PR signaling could offer an effective chemopreventive strategy, particularly in high-risk populations of women carrying a deleterious mutation in the BRCA gene.
Factors Associated with the Prescribing of High-Intensity Statins

In this study, we investigated the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle characteristics and the type of statin prescribed for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We conducted an observational study in workers who began statin treatment. Statin therapy was categorized as “high-intensity” or “low–moderate-intensity”. Workers were classified according to the alignment of their statin therapy with the recommended management practices. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the different variables studied and the probability of being prescribed high-intensity statins. The only variables associated with a higher probability of being treated with high-intensity statins were increased physical activity (>40 versus <20 METs (metabolic equivalent of task) h/wk; odds ratio (OR), 1.65; 95%CI, 1.08–2.50) and, in diabetics, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (≥155 mg/dL versus <155 mg/dL; OR, 4.96; 95%CI, 1.29–19.10). The model that best predicted treatment intensity included LDL-C, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and age (area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUC), 0.620; 95%CI, 0.574–0.666). The prescribing and type of statin used in primary CVD prevention did not correspond with the indications in current guidelines. The probability of receiving high-intensity statins was higher in diabetics with high LDL-C levels and in more physically active individuals. These findings underscore the great variability and uncertainty in the prescribing of statins.