Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of buprenorphine, norbuprenorphine, naloxone, and their glucuronides in urine by LC-MS/MS.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of buprenorphine (BUP), norbuprenorphine (NBUP), naloxone (NAL), and their glucuronide conjugates BUP-G, NBUP-G, and NAL-G in urine samples was developed. The method, omitting a hydrolysis step, involved non-polar solid-phase extraction, liquid chromatography on a C18 column, electrospray positive ionization, and mass analysis by multiple reaction monitoring. Quantification was based on the corresponding deuterium-labelled internal standards for each of the six analytes. The limit of quantification was 0.5 μg/L for BUP and NAL, 1 μg/L for NAL-G, and 3 μg/L for NBUP, BUP-G, and NBUP-G. Using the developed method, 72 urine samples from buprenorphine-dependent patients were analysed to cover the concentration ranges encountered in a clinical setting. The median (maximum) concentration was 4.2 μg/L (102 μg/L) for BUP, 74.7 μg/L (580 μg/L) for NBUP, 0.9 μg/L (85.5 μg/L) for NAL, 159.5 μg/L (1370 μg/L) for BUP-G, 307.5 μg/L (1970 μg/L) for NBUP-G, and 79.6 μg/L (2310 μg/L) for NAL-G.
High-efficiency solution-processed OLEDs based on cationic Ag6Cu heteroheptanuclear cluster complexes with aromatic acetylides

We report, herein, the use of phosphorescent copper(I)–silver(I) heterometallic complexes to achieve highly efficient electroluminescence. The trigonal prism arranged Ag6Cu heteroheptanuclear alkynyl cluster complexes show intense phosphorescence in a fluid solution, powder and thin film with quantum yields as high as 0.78. Complex 1 with 1-(tert-butyl)-4-ethynylbenzene (HCCC6H4But-4) shows reversible phosphorescence vaporchromism in respose to THF or CHCl3. The phosphorescent emission exhibits an obvious blue-shift from 580 nm to 530 nm for THF and to 538 nm for CHCl3 with a remarkable luminescence change from bright yellow to green. As demonstrated experimentally and theoretically, the phosphorescence originates from 3[π(aromatic acetylide) → s/p(Ag6Cu)]3LMCT and Ag6Cu cluster centered 3[d → s/p] triplet states. Taking advantage of the doped light-emitting layer of 57% TCTA:28% OXD-7:15% Ag6Cu complex with hole-transporting TCTA and electron-transporting OXD-7 as a blended host, solution-processed OLEDs gave highly efficient electroluminescence with a current efficiency (CE) of 42.5 cd A−1 and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 13.9% at low voltage (4.5 V) with a practical brightness of 184 cd m−2.
xLimb: Wearable Robot Arm with Storable and Extendable Mechanisms

To develop a wearable robot arm that can support our daily activities, we aim to propose a novel wearable device, xLimb, that can feature multiple functions of both storability and extendibility without obstruction to wearers. The proposed device will be mounted on the upper arm to ensure that the center of mass of the device will remain close to the wearer, whereby the exerted burden on the wearer and the servomotor can be decreased. Meanwhile, the folding state provided by the storable mechanism enables the proposed device to maintain a compact size, to avoid hindering the wearer’s main activities when not in use. We developed a prototype of our xLimb to verify the proposed mechanisms and conducted a user study with different usage scenarios for participants to experience. The evaluation results indicate that the proposed device can improve user experience as a wearable robot arm.
xBalloon: Animated Objects with Balloon Plastic Actuator

Shape-changing interfaces are promising for users to change the physical properties of common objects. However, prevailing approaches of actuation devices require either professional equipment or materials that are not commonly accessible to non-professional users. In this work, we focus on the controllable soft actuators with inflatable structures because they are soft thus safe for human computer interaction. We propose a soft actuator design, called xBalloon, that is workable, inexpensive and easy-to-fabricate. It consists of daily materials including balloons and plastics and can realize bending actuation very effectively. For characterization, we fabricated xBalloon samples with different geometrical parameters and tested them regarding the bending performance and found the analytical model describing the relationship between the shape and the bending width. We then used xBalloons to animate a series of common objects and all can work satisfactorily. We further verified the user experience about the the fabrication and found that even those with no prior robotic knowledge can fabricate xBalloons with ease and confidence. Given all these advantages, we believe that xBalloon is an ideal platform for interaction design and entertainment applications.
Manipulating Virtual Objects in Augmented Reality Using a New Ball-Shaped Input Device

Today’s Augmented Reality (AR) technology allows users to explore the real world enriched with digital artifacts, learn from it, or shape it (i.e., creating your own virtual objects). To properly use virtual objects in AR space, users must be able to manipulate them (i.e., rotate or move them). The prerequisite for manipulation is an intuitive interaction technique controlled by an input device. To explore novel AR interaction techniques, a new ball-shaped input device called BIRDY is combined with the HoloLens for the first time. This paper presents findings regarding this combination of devices. Four new interaction techniques were designed that benefit from BIRDY’s orientation invariance. Aiming to identify promising interaction rules, a prototype was developed to evaluate these interaction techniques. Results indicate that using gravity as a placement tool and separating the degrees of freedom when manipulating virtual objects provides the best experience for users. Findings further confirm the potential of using ball-shaped devices for interaction in AR.
Increased complement activation is a distinctive feature of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection

Complement activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, it remains to be determined whether increased complement activation is a broad indicator of critical illness (and thus, no different in COVID-19). It is also unclear which pathways are contributing to complement activation in COVID-19, and if complement activation is associated with certain features of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as endothelial injury and hypercoagulability. To address these questions, we investigated complement activation in the plasma from patients with COVID-19 prospectively enrolled at two tertiary care centers: Washington University School of Medicine (n=134) and Yale School of Medicine (n=49). We compared our patients to two non-COVID cohorts: (a) patients hospitalized with influenza (n=54), and (b) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV, n=22). We demonstrate that circulating markers of complement activation are elevated in patients with COVID-19 compared to those with influenza and to patients with non-COVID-19 respiratory failure. Further, the results facilitate distinguishing those who are at higher risk of worse outcomes such as requiring ICU admission, or IMV. Moreover, the results indicate enhanced activation of the alternative complement pathway is most prevalent in patients with severe COVID-19 and is associated with markers of endothelial injury (i.e., angiopoietin-2) as well as hypercoagulability (i.e., thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor). Our findings identify complement activation to be a distinctive feature of COVID-19, and provide specific targets that may be utilized for risk prognostication, drug discovery and personalized clinical trials. Increased complement activation is observed in COVID-19 compared to non-COVID respiratory illness, and is a key marker of organ failure.
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Double Perovskites Nd2MgIrO6

We have studied the electronic and magnetic properties of double perovskites Nd 2 MgIrO 6 by means of full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method based on density-functional theory (DFT). For the exchange-correlation potential, generalized gradient approximation (GGA) has been used. Based on our DFT calculations, Nd 2 MgIrO 6 is found to have an antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state. The material shows Mott-Hubbard type insulator, which is observed to occur due to strong correlation in Nd-4f and Ir-5d states in addition to large crystal distortion, observed in the system. Strong hybridization between O-2p, Ir-5d and Nd-4f electrons are observed from the density of states findings. Our results shows that the 5d electrons of Ir hybridize strongly with O-2p states close to the Fermi level giving rise to the insulating state with a Mott-gap of ~0.9 eV in Nd 2 MgIrO 6 . Our study suggests that the total magnetic moment reduces to 5.0 μ B per formula unit as a result of itinerant super-exchange rather than the exchange interaction involving individual ions of Nd and Ir atoms. Journal of Nepal Physical Society Vol.3(1) 2015: 50-54
Effect of Fracture on ESR Intensity Using a Low-Velocity Rotary Shear Apparatus

Abstract We sheared simulated-quartz gouges using a low-velocity rotary shear apparatus and evaluated the relationship between electron spin resonance (ESR) intensity and displacement quantitatively considering problems of contaminants. ESR intensity of E1’ centre increased while OHC and peroxy centre kept constant with the increasing displacement up to 1.4 m. Microstructural analysis showed grain size reduction and fracture of starting gouges; hence, the fracture can affect the change in ESR intensity. ESR measurements were also conducted for starting gouges with variable amounts of contaminants, and it was confirmed that the effect of contaminants on the change in ESR intensity was negligible. Moreover, we estimated the temperature rise by the frictional heating on the surface and between particles, and it was shown that the effect of frictional heating on ESR intensity was also negligible in our experimental condition. Therefore, we could clarify the relationship between ESR intensity and fracturing with various displacements separately from contaminants and frictional heating. The results imply that the zero-setting of ESR signals cannot occur by the fracture with low frictional heating at the shallow depth.
Pseudomorphic 9-line silician ferrihydrite and Fe-rich serpentine-group minerals in FeTi oxide-rich ferroan peridotite, Laramie anorthosite complex, Wyoming, U.S.A

Abstract Low-temperature hydrous alteration of FeTi oxide-rich ferroan peridotite, Laramie anorthosite complex, Wyoming, produced silician ferrihydrite, cronstedtite, greenalite, hisingerite, and talc. Ferrihydrite occurs as nanocrystals in ~50 nm diameter granules that form monomineralic masses up to 300 μm across. It is inferred to have formed by the replacement of an igneous sulfide such as pyrrhotite. Electron diffraction shows the ferrihydrite to be a 9-line variety. Si-rich cronstedtite formed thin rims around the ferrihydrite, and talc grew patchily around the cronstedtite. Greenalite formed in ~10 μm cracks through all the above minerals and olivine, and hisingerite microveinlets partially replaced olivine. Igneous minerals remaining include olivine Fa46, magnetite, ilmenite, hornblende, biotite, and trace clinopyroxene. Correlations among the constituents of ferrihydrite determined by electron microprobe, including anhydrous totals, indicate progress during the growth of two charge-balanced exchanges involving silica enrichment: an inverse cronstedtite substitution (MgFe2+,Si) (Fe3+Mn3+)–2 and an inverse hydrogarnet substitution SiH–4. The cronstedtite exchange requires charge and size balance across nearest-neighbor T and O crystal sites, suggesting crystal-interior rather than crystal-surface control. Ferrihydrite’s composition reflects time- and space-related variations in the chemical potentials of components in the hydrous fluid at the site of alteration. An upper limit for SiO2 of 14–15 wt%, or ≈1.0 Si per 5-cation formula unit, would seem to correspond to the limit of availability in ferrihydrite of tetrahedral sites open to the entry of Si. Our EPMA data, projected to zero SiO2, indicate an anhydrous total of ≈83 wt% for end-member ferrihydrite, a number that matches the formula: Fe10O15.9H2O. The geochemical properties of Laramie ferrihydrite are shared by some samples of altered chondritic and Martian meteorites. Ferrihydrite on Earth commonly occurs as a surface deposit; unlike the Laramie occurrence, these lack the microspatial coherence of replacements/ pseudomorphs to show systematic, structure-related element variations. The superior crystal quality of the Laramie ferrihydrite likely contributed to its unique compositional variability.
Bi-phasic effect of gelatin in myogenesis and skeletal muscle regeneration

Skeletal muscle regeneration requires extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling including an acute and transient breakdown of collagen that produces gelatin. However, the physiological function of such a remodeling process on muscle tissue repair is unclear. Here we elaborate on a bi-phasic effect of gelatin in skeletal muscle regeneration, mediated by hormetic effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Low-dose gelatin stimulates ROS production from NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and simultaneously upregulates antioxidant system for cellular defense, reminiscent of the adaptive compensatory process during mild stress. This response triggers the release of myokine IL-6 which stimulates myogenesis and facilitates muscle regeneration. By contrast, high-dose gelatin stimulates ROS overproduction from NOX2 and mitochondrial chain complex, and ROS accumulation by suppressing antioxidant system, triggering release of TNFα, which inhibits myogenesis and regeneration. Our findings reveal gelatin-ROS-IL-6/TNFα signaling cascades underlying a hormetic response of myogenic cells to gelatin.
Quadratic and adaptive computations yield an efficient representation of song in Drosophila auditory receptor neurons

Sensory neurons encode information using multiple nonlinear and dynamical transformations. For instance, auditory receptor neurons in Drosophila adapt to the mean and the intensity of the stimulus, change their frequency tuning with sound intensity, and employ a quadratic nonlinearity. While these computations are considered advantageous in isolation, their combination can lead to a highly ambiguous and complex code that is hard to decode. Combining electrophysiological recordings and computational modelling, we investigate how the different computations found in auditory receptor neurons in Drosophila combine to encode behaviorally-relevant acoustic signals like the courtship song. The computational model consists of a quadratic filter followed by a divisive normalization stage and reproduces population neural responses to artificial and natural sounds. For general classes of sounds, like band-limited noise, the representation resulting from these highly nonlinear computations is highly ambiguous and does not allow for a recovery of information about the frequency content and amplitude pattern. However, for courtship song, the code is simple and efficient: The quadratic filter improves the representation of the song envelope while preserving information about the song’s fine structure across intensities. Divisive normalization renders the presentation of the song envelope robust to the relatively slow fluctuations in intensity that arise during social interactions, while preserving information about the species-specific fast fluctuations of the envelope. Overall, we demonstrate how a sensory system can benefit from adaptive and nonlinear computations while minimizing concomitant costs arising from ambiguity and complexity of readouts by adapting the code for behaviorally-relevant signals.
EVL and MIM/MTSS1 regulate actin cytoskeletal remodeling to promote dendritic filopodia in developing neurons

Dendritic spines are the postsynaptic compartment of a functional neuronal synapse, and are critical for synaptic connectivity and plasticity. The developmental precursor to dendritic spines, dendritic filopodia, are highly motile protrusions that facilitate synapse formation by sampling the environment for suitable axon partners during development and learning. Despite the significance of the actin cytoskeleton in driving these protrusions, the actin remodeling factors involved in this process are not fully characterized. In this work, we identify a critical function for the Ena/VASP protein EVL in the regulation of dendritic filopodia. Amongst the Ena/VASP proteins, EVL is uniquely required for the characteristic morphology and dynamics of dendritic filopodia. Using a combination of genetic and optogenetic manipulations, we demonstrate that EVL promotes protrusive motility through membrane-direct actin polymerization at dendritic filopodia tips. EVL forms a complex at nascent protrusions and dendritic filopodia tips with MIM/MTSS1, an I-BAR protein recently discovered to be important for initiation of dendritic filopodia. We propose a model in which EVL cooperates with MIM to elongate and coalesce branched actin filaments, establishing the dynamic lamellipodia-like architecture of dendritic filopodia in developing neurons.
Towards increased shading potential: a combined phenotypic and genetic analysis of rice shoot architecture

Rice feeds more than half of the world’s human population. In modern rice farming, a major constraint for productivity is weed proliferation and the ecological impact of herbicide application. Increased weed competitiveness of commercial rice varieties requires enhanced shade casting to limit growth of shade-sensitive weeds and the need for herbicide. We aimed to identify traits that enhance rice shading capacity based on the canopy architecture and the underlying genetic components. We performed a phenotypic screen of a rice diversity panel comprised of 344 varieties, examining 13 canopy architecture traits linked with shading capacity in 4-week-old plants. The analysis revealed a vast range of phenotypic variation across the diversity panel. We used trait correlation and clustering to identify core traits that define shading capacity to be shoot area, number of leaves, culm and solidity (the compactness of the shoot). To simplify the complex canopy architecture, these traits were combined into a Shading Rank metric that is indicative of a plant’s ability to cast shade. Genome wide association study (GWAS) revealed genetic loci underlying canopy architecture traits, out of which five loci were substantially contributing to shading potential. Subsequent haplotype analysis further explored allelic variation and identified seven haplotypes associated with increased shading. Identification of traits contributing to shading capacity and underlying allelic variation presented in this study will serve future genomic assisted breeding programmes. The investigated diversity panel, including widely grown varieties, shows that there is big potential and genetic resources for improvement of elite breeding lines. Implementing increased shading in rice breeding will make its farming less dependent on herbicides and contribute towards more environmentally sustainable agriculture. One sentence summary Through screening a rice diversity panel for variation in shoot architecture, we identified traits corresponding to plant shading potential and their genetic constituents.
Gaining or cutting SLAC: the evolution of plant guard cell signalling pathways

The evolution of adjustable plant pores (stomata), enabling CO2 acquisition in cuticle wax-sealed tissues was one of the most significant events in the development of life on land. But how did the guard cell signalling pathways that regulate stomatal movements evolve? We investigate this through comparison of fern and angiosperm guard cell transcriptomes. We find that these divergent plant groups share expression of similar genes in guard cells including biosynthesis and signalling genes for the drought stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA). However, despite conserved expression in guard cells, S-type anion channels from the SLAC/SLAH family – known for ABA-mediated stomatal closure in angiosperms – are not activated by the same pathways in ferns, highlighting likely differences in functionality. Examination of other land plant channels revealed a complex evolutionary history, featuring multiple gains or losses of SLAC activation mechanisms, as these channels were recruited to a role in stomatal closure. Taken together, the guard cells of flowering and non-flowering plants share similar core features, but also show lineage-specific and ecological niche-related adaptations, likely underlying differences in behaviour.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Cr(VI) Adaptation Mechanisms in Klebsiella sp. Strain AqSCr

Klebsiella sp. strain AqSCr, isolated from Cr(VI)-polluted groundwater, reduces Cr(VI) both aerobically and anaerobically and resists up 34 mM Cr(VI); this resistance is independent of the ChrA efflux transporter. In this study, we report the whole genome sequence and the transcriptional profile by RNA-Seq of strain AqSCr under Cr(VI)-adapted conditions and found 255 upregulated and 240 downregulated genes compared to controls without Cr(VI) supplementation. Genes differentially transcribed were mostly associated with oxidative stress response, DNA repair and replication, sulfur starvation response, envelope-osmotic stress response, fatty acid (FA) metabolism, ribosomal subunits, and energy metabolism. Among them, genes not previously associated with chromium resistance, for example, cybB, encoding a putative superoxide oxidase (SOO), gltA2, encoding an alternative citrate synthase, and des, encoding a FA desaturase, were upregulated. The sodA gene encoding a manganese superoxide dismutase was upregulated in the presence of Cr(VI), whereas sodB encoding an iron superoxide dismutase was downregulated. Cr(VI) resistance mechanisms in strain AqSCr seem to be orchestrated by the alternative sigma factors fecl, rpoE, and rpoS (all of them upregulated). Membrane lipid analysis of the Cr(IV)-adapted strain showed a lower proportion of unsaturated lipids with respect to the control, which we hypothesized could result from unsaturated lipid peroxidation followed by degradation, together with de novo synthesis mediated by the upregulated FA desaturase-encoding gene, des. This report helps to elucidate both Cr(VI) toxicity targets and global bacterial response to Cr(VI).