Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics, laboratories, and prognosis of severe COVID-19 in the Tokyo metropolitan area: A retrospective case series

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been immense, while the epidemiology and pathophysiology remain unclear. Despite many casualties in many countries, there have been less than 1,000 deaths in Japan as of end of June, 2020. In this study, we analyzed the cases of COVID-19 patients admitted to our institution located in the Tokyo metropolitan area where the survival rate is higher than those in other cities in the world. Medical records of COVID-19 patients that were admitted to a single Japanese tertiary university hospital in the Tokyo metropolitan area between March 10th and June 2nd, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The identified COVID-19 cases were subdivided into two groups (severe and mild) depending on the need for mechanical ventilation. Those in the severe group required mechanical ventilation as opposed to those in the mild group. The data were analyzed using nonparametric tests expressed by median [interquartile range (IQR)]. A total of 45 COVID-19 patients were included, consisting of 22 severe cases (Group S) and 23 mild cases (Group M). Male sex (Group S, 95.5% vs. Group M, 56.5%, p<0.01), high body mass index (Group S, 24.89 [22.44–27.15] vs. Group M, 21.43 [19.05–23.75], p<0.01), and hyperlipidemia (Group S, 36.4% vs. Group M, 0%, p<0.01) were more seen in Group S. Five (22.7%) cases in Group S underwent extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO). On admission, lymphopenia, decreased albumin, and elevated fibrinogen, lactate dehydrogenase, transaminases, creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were observed in Group S. The median ICU and hospital stay were 13.5 [10.3–22.3] days and 23.0 [16.3–30.5] days, respectively, in Group S. As of June 28th, 2020, in Group S, 19 (86.4%) patients have survived, of which 17 (77.3%) were discharged, and 2 are still in treatments. Three died of multiple organ failure. All 23 patients in Group M have recovered. Male sex, high body mass index, and hyperlipidemia can be risk factors for severe COVID-19 pneumonia, and its overall short-term survival rate was between 77.3% and 86.4% in this study.
Influence of Neuronal Morphology on the Shape of Extracellular Recordings With Microelectrode Arrays: A Finite Element Analysis

Objective: Measuring neuronal cell activity using microelectrode arrays reveals a great variety of derived signal shapes within extracellular recordings. However, possible mechanisms responsible for this variety have not yet been entirely determined, which might hamper any subsequent analysis of the recorded neuronal data. Methods: To investigate this issue, we propose a computational model based on the finite element method describing the electrical coupling between an electrically active neuron and an extracellular recording electrode in detail. This allows for a systematic study of possible parameters that may play an essential role in defining or altering the shape of the measured electrode potential. Results: Our results indicate that neuronal geometry, neurite structure, as well as the actual pathways of input potentials that evoke action potential generation, have a significant impact on the shape of the resulting extracellular electrode recording and explain most of the known variations of signal shapes. Conclusion: The presented models offer a comprehensive insight into the effect of geometrical and morphological factors on the resulting electrode signal. Significance: Computational modeling complemented with experimental measurements shows much promise to yield meaningful insights into the electrical activity of a neuronal network.
The Role of Specific Warm-up during Bench Press and Squat Exercises: A Novel Approach

The current study aims to verify the effects of three specific warm-ups on squat and bench press resistance training. Forty resistance-trained males (19–30 years) performed 3 × 6 repetitions with 80% of maximal dynamic strength (designated as training load) after one of the following warm-ups (48 h between): (i) 2 × 6 repetitions with 40% and 80% of the training load (WU), (ii) 6 × 80% of training load (WU80), or (iii) 6 × 40% of the training load (WU40). Mean propulsive velocity (MPV), velocity loss (VL), peak velocity (PV), time to achieve PV, power, work, heart rates, and ratings of perceived exertion were analyzed. In squat exercises, higher MPV were found in WU80 compared with WU40 (2nd set: 0.69 ± 0.09 vs. 0.67 ± 0.06 m.s−1, p = 0.02, ES = 0.80; 3rd set: 0.68 ± 0.09 vs. 0.66 ± 0.07 m.s−1, p = 0.05, ES = 0.51). In bench press exercises, time to PV was lower in WU compared with WU40 (1st set: 574.77 ± 233.46 vs. 694.50 ± 211.71 m.s−1, p < 0.01, ES = 0.69; 2nd set: 533.19 ± 272.22 vs. 662.31 ± 257.51 m.s−1, p = 0.04, ES = 0.43) and total work was higher (4749.90 ± 1312.99 vs. 4631.80 ± 1355.01 j, p = 0.01, ES = 0.54). The results showed that force outputs were mainly optimized by WU80 in squat training and by WU in bench press training. Moreover, warming-up with few repetitions and low loads is not enough to optimize squat and bench press performances.
DOPAMINE-REGULATING GENES, EXECUTIVE CONTROL, AND THE NETWORK STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN BRAIN

Executive control processes, including working memory (WM), attention, and impulse control, rely on brain networks centered in the prefrontal cortex, and especially on dopaminergic signaling in these networks. The function of networks supporting executive processes may thus depend on genetic factors which influence dopaminergic signaling, such as polymorphisms in the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene. To investigate this possibility, this dissertation describes four studies conducted using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) to examine relationships between WM function, connectivity, DAT1 genotype, and other executive processes. The first study bridges the gap between studies of brain activation during WM and studies of network function at rest. This study demonstrated that networks delineated at rest were the same networks activated during WM, and that the degree of network activation predicted WM accuracy and reaction time. The second study investigated how these networks were persistently altered during WM performance. Results indicated that WM altered functional connectivity within the Task-positive network engaged by the task, as well as between this network and the Default network suppressed by the task. Further, altered connectivities persisted after task completion, suggesting a post-task period of recovery from cognitive effort, and this recovery period obscured relationships between Default connectivity and trait-level inattentiveness. The third study investigated how DAT1 genotype affected functional connectivities between striatum and the prefrontal cortex at rest. Results indicated that
Advances in the Development of Anti-Haemonchus contortus Vaccines: Challenges, Opportunities, and Perspectives

The gastrointestinal nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is a resident of tropical and subtropical regions worldwide that imposes significant production losses, economic losses, and animal health issues in the small ruminant industry, particularly sheep and goats. Considerable efforts have been made to understand how immunity is elicited against H. contortus infection. Various potential vaccine antigens have been tested by different methods and strategies applied in animal models, and significant progress has been made in the development of vaccines against H. contortus. This review highlighted and shared the knowledge about the current understanding of host immune responses to H. contortus and ongoing challenges in the development of a protective, effective, and long-lasting vaccine against H. contortus infection. We have also pinpointed some achievements and failures in the development and testing of vaccines, which will establish a road map for future research directions to explore new effective vaccine candidates for controlling and preventing H. contortus infection.
Molecular insights of NADPH oxidases and its pathological consequences

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), formed by the partial reduction of oxygen, were for a long time considered to be a byproduct of cellular metabolism. Since, increase in cellular levels of ROS results in oxidative stress leading to damage of nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids resulting in numerous pathological conditions; ROS was considered a bane for aerobic species. Hence, the discovery of NADPH oxidases (NOX), an enzyme family that specifically generates ROS as its prime product came as a surprise to redox biologists. NOX family proteins participate in various cellular functions including cell proliferation and differentiation, regulation of genes and protein expression, apoptosis, and host defence immunological response. Balanced expression and activation of NOX with subsequent production of ROS are critically important to regulate various genes and proteins to maintain homeostasis of the cell. However, dysregulation of NOX activation leading to enhanced ROS levels is associated with various pathophysiologies including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, ageing, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Although our current knowledge on NOX signifies its importance in the normal functioning of various cellular pathways; yet the choice of ROS producing enzymes which can tip the scale from homeostasis toward damage, as mediators of biological functions remain an oddity. Though the role of NOX in maintaining normal cellular functions is now deemed essential, yet its dysregulation leading to catastrophic events cannot be denied. Hence, this review focuses on the involvement of NOX enzymes in various pathological conditions imploring them as possible targets for therapies.
PSO-LSSVM Model for Hy-Line Brown Laying-Type Hens ‘Egg-Laying Rate Prediction Based on PCA

Statistical models for predicting potential laying pattern were important for economically optimal breeding strategy of egg production in a poultry flock. The aim of this study was to establish an optimal model for describing egg production using room temperature, feed consumption, layer weight, and age during the production period. The following mathematical models were used PSO-LSSVM (Particle swarm optimization-Least squares support vector machines) and PCA (Principal component analysis). The daily recorded of egg production data from 19,666 laying-type hens was used. Hen-daily egg production was described using egg-laying rate during successive days after reaching sexual maturity (120 days of age) and daily recorded room temperature, feed consumption, layer weight, and age. Then present study used PCA to study the correlation between this data. Using the Pearson correlation coefficient of the five factors (maximum and minimum shed temperatures, layer weight, feed consumption, and age) and egg-laying rate, the present study weighted each factor according to its influence on the egg-laying rate. In addition, LSSVM was used to create a regression model of the weighted data, and PSO was to optimize parameters (penalty coefficient c and kernel parameter g) in the LSSVM. Our experimental results showed that the goodness-of-fit criteria value (MSE) was small, lower than that of existing prediction models. The PSO-LSSVM model was able to fit well egg-laying rate of the whole Hy-Line Brown laying-type hens’ flock.
Multivariate Performance and Power Prediction of Algorithms on Simulation-Based Hardware Models

Power-aware computing has become increasingly important while considering the selection of computer systems to run the software. Several computer systems can have similar performance profiles with different power consumption for a given software. By accurately predicting the performance and power consumption of a software execution on different hardware systems, computer systems can be selected, which is a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a novel multivariate prediction framework that predicts both performance and power consumption for a given software on unknown hardware identified by key hardware features. To measure the performance of our model, we have selected different software workloads according to their computation and memory access patterns consisting of kernels and benchmarks used in real-world applications. We have build 475 simulation-based hardware models with different instruction-set-architectures (ISAs) in the Gem5 simulator that represents computer systems of present times. We have trained our multivariate model on 60% of simulation-based hardware models, and the remaining 40% of hardware models used for prediction. Our result shows a prediction accuracy of greater than 95% for all the software workload for both performance and power consumption.
RoadRouter: Multi-Task Learning of Road Network Extraction with Graph Representation

Since most state-of-the-art road mappers pose the road network extraction as a binary segmentation trained on the RGB dataset, our proposed ‘RoadRouter’ system pushes the frontier by classifying the roads into seven categories based on the SpaceNet annotations. Our system is built with the Red/Near-Infrared dataset, making use of the asphalt’s spectral signature to differentiate roads from other influential noises. For addressing the disconnected road gaps problem, we propose the stacked hourglass network with dual supervision. Inspired by the human behavior of tracing the road networks via a constant orientation, incorporating the orientation learning as auxiliary loss leads to more robust and synergistic representations favorable for road connectivity refinement. The intermediate supervision provided by stacking the hourglass modules successively also serves as a connectivity refinement mechanism. In the case of modeling the long-range interaction among the per-pixel predictions, the traditional color-based appearance kernel is not useful in CRF post-processing. We propose the pixel-wise orientation CRF specific for bridging the fragmented road segments. We also formalize an image transformation protocol to parse the topology from the road segmentation. The undirected closed graphs can thereby be constructed from probabilistic inferences. Various graph-based algorithms, e.g., the shortest path searching, can be implemented on the road graph representations.
Analysis of the Arabidopsis NAC gene superfamily in plant development

Analysis of the Arabidopsis NAC Gene Superfamily in Plant Development. (December 2007) Veria Alvarado Chavez, B.S. UNALM, Peru; M.S., University of California Davis Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Terry L. Thomas There are a vast number of transcription factors that regulate plant growth and development. The NAC gene superfamily is one of the largest families of transcription factors in the plant kingdom. NAC gene expression profiles using Affymetrix ATH1 gene chips were obtained for different plant organs: heart embryo, mature embryo, leaf, root and flower. NAC gene expression profiles proved to be very complex, except for one NAC gene detected only in floral tissue, At1g61110. At1g61110 was shown to be specifically expressed in the anther tapetum of Arabidospis; therefore, its name was changed to TAPNAC. TAPNAC became the focus of our studies. We identified a tapnac T-DNA knockout (KO) line, SALK_069450. A molecular phenotype was observed. Several oligopeptide, sugar and metal transporters were differentially expressed. Coincidentally, a wheat NAC gene, named TaNAM-B1 for its high sequence similarity to ATNAM, TAPNAC and At3g15510 was found to be involved in nutrient remobilization. PHOSPHOLIPASE Dα1 (PLDα1) was also found to be down-regulated in the tapnac KO. PLDα1 is an enzyme which hydrolyzes phospholipids that are part of tapetal cell membranes and tapetal lipid bodies. Once these tapetal cell structures are disrupted, the
Timing Metabolic Depression: Predicting Thermal Stress in Extreme Intertidal Environments

Anticipatory changes in organismal responses, triggered by reliable environmental cues for future conditions, are key to species’ persistence in temporally variable environments. Such responses were tested by measuring the physiological performance of a tropical high-shore oyster in tandem with the temporal predictability of environmental temperature. Heart rate of the oyster increased with environmental temperatures until body temperature reached ∼37°C, when a substantial depression occurred (∼60%) before recovery between ∼42° and 47°C, after which cardiac function collapsed. The sequential increase, depression, and recovery in cardiac performance aligned with temporal patterns in rock surface temperatures, where the risk of reaching temperatures close to the oysters’ lethal limit accelerates if the rock heats up beyond ∼37°C, coinciding closely with the body temperature at which the oysters initiate metabolic depression. The increase in body temperature over a critical threshold serves as an early-warning cue to initiate anticipatory shifts in physiology and energy conservation before severe thermal stress occurs on the shore. Cross-correlating the onset of physiological mechanisms and temporal structures in environmental temperatures, therefore, reveals the potential role of reliable real-time environmental cues for future conditions in driving the evolution of anticipatory responses.
Ferritin Nanocage: A Versatile Nanocarrier Utilized in the Field of Food, Nutrition, and Medicine

Compared with other nanocarriers such as liposomes, mesoporous silica, and cyclodextrin, ferritin as a typical protein nanocage has received considerable attention in the field of food, nutrition, and medicine owing to its inherent cavity size, excellent water solubility, and biocompatibility. Additionally, ferritin nanocage also serves as a versatile bio-template for the synthesis of a variety of nanoparticles. Recently, scientists have explored the ferritin nanocage structure for encapsulation and delivery of guest molecules such as nutrients, bioactive molecules, anticancer drugs, and mineral metal ions by taking advantage of its unique reversible disassembly and reassembly property and biomineralization. In this review, we mainly focus on the preparation and structure of ferritin-based nanocarriers, and regulation of their self-assembly. Moreover, the recent advances of their applications in food nutrient delivery and medical diagnostics are highlighted. Finally, the main challenges and future development in ferritin-directed nanoparticles’ synthesis and multifunctional applications are discussed.
Comparison of Identified and SimScape Model of Human Leg Motion

This article describes the study on simulation model of exoskeleton robot based on real dataset acquired through human gait dynamic identification. Analysis of kinematic chain with emphasis on proper mapping of joints movement regarding to swing phase of gait has been conducted. Simulation model of proposed conceptual mechanism was developed using MATLAB SimScape MultiBody. The results of simulation studies were compared with the experimental one. Developed model is the starting point for further research on automatic exoskeleton and bipedal robot.
Lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Is there a place for novel antidiabetics in the therapeutic management of this underappreciated “enemy”?

Corresponding author : Dimitrios Patoulias Second Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Konstantinoupoleos 49, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece Tel: +30-6946900777, Fax: +30-2310225083 E-mail: dipatoulias@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6899-684X Abbreviations: GLP-1RAs, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists; NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NHANES, the National Health and Nutrition Survey; SGLT-2, sodiumglucose co-transporter-2
Butyrate and propionate, short chain fatty acids, attenuate myocardial damages by inhibition of apoptosis in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion

Dietary fiber (DF) and resistant starch (RS) in the grains of cereals are fermented into short chain fatty acids (SCFA), including butyrate, propionate, and acetate, in the large intestine, and are absorbed into the blood. Effectiveness of SCFA in reducing myocardial damage was evaluated in a rat model of 30 min ischemia and 3 h reperfusion with administration of SCFA (10 mg/kg) by peritoneal injection 1 h before occlusion. Butyrate and propionate significantly attenuated infarct size, an indicator of myocardial damage, when assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, reduced apoptosis in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining, and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a determinant of cell survival in the apoptotic pathway. In addition, butyrate significantly attenuated the level of caspase-3, an executioner caspase, in an immunohistochemical assay. These results demonstrate that butyrate and propionate, produced by fermentation of DF and RS in the large intestine, could prevent myocardial infarction by attenuating apoptosis, possibly through inhibition of histone deacetylases. Thus, varieties of cereals or diets that produce a large amount of butyrate and propionate by fermentation could be beneficial in reducing myocardial infarction.
2 × 2 Slot Spiral Cavity-Backed Antenna Array Fed by Printed Gap Waveguide

A wideband circularly polarized slot spiral antenna array excited by a printed gap waveguide (PGW) feeding network is presented in this paper. The equiangular slot spiral is etched on the top wall of the substrate integrated cavity (SIC) in which TE120 mode is excited. Due to excitation of this mode, electric field distribution in two halves of the substrate integrated cavity is the same in magnitude and 180° out of phase. Therefore, the slot spirals are fed differentially by this cavity and become independent of the complex vertical balun structures. The sequential feeding is implemented by PGW technology, which results in high efficiency of the array structure. Moreover, by employing SIC and PGW technologies, this antenna is compatible with low cost printed circuit board (PCB) technology. A prototype of the proposed antenna was fabricated and measured to evaluate the antenna performance. The fabricated antenna array shows the -10 dB impedance bandwidth of 23.7% and the 3 dB AR of 22.5% with the measured RHCP gain of 12.3 dBic.
Phospholipase D1 and D2 Synergistically Regulate Thrombus Formation

Previously, we reported that phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and PLD2 inhibition by selective PLD1 and PLD2 inhibitors could prevent platelet aggregation in humans, but not in mice. Moreover, only the PLD1 inhibitor, but not PLD2 inhibitor, could effectively prevent thrombus formation in mice, indicating that PLD might play different roles in platelet function in humans and mice. Although PLD1 and PLD2 were reported to be implicated in thrombotic events, the role of PLD in mice remains not completely clear. Here, we investigated the role of PLD1 and PLD2 in acute pulmonary thrombosis and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced brain injury in mice. The data revealed that inhibition of PLD1, but not of PLD2, could partially prevent pulmonary thrombosis-induced death. Moreover, concurrent PLD1 and PLD2 inhibition could considerably increase survival rate. Likewise, inhibition of PLD1, but not PLD2, partially improved ischemic stroke and concurrent inhibition of PLD1, and PLD2 exhibited a relatively better protection against ischemic stroke, as evidenced by the infarct size, brain edema, modified neurological severity score, rotarod test, and the open field test. In conclusion, PLD1 might play a more important role than PLD2, and both PLD1 and PLD2 could act synergistically or have partially redundant functions in regulating thrombosis-relevant events.