Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gait-Based Identification Using Deep Recurrent Neural Networks and Acceleration Patterns

This manuscript presents an approach to the challenge of biometric identification based on the acceleration patterns generated by a user while walking. The proposed approach uses the data captured by a smartphone’s accelerometer and gyroscope sensors while the users perform the gait activity and optimizes the design of a recurrent neural network (RNN) to optimally learn the features that better characterize each individual. The database is composed of 15 users, and the acceleration data provided has a tri-axial format in the X-Y-Z axes. Data are pre-processed to estimate the vertical acceleration (in the direction of the gravity force). A deep recurrent neural network model consisting of LSTM cells divided into several layers and dense output layers is used for user recognition. The precision results obtained by the final architecture are above 97% in most executions. The proposed deep neural network-based architecture is tested in different scenarios to check its efficiency and robustness.
Mycotoxins in food: a review on liquid chromatographic methods coupled to mass spectrometry and their experimental designs

Abstract The development of a multi-mycotoxins method using LC-MS/MS is necessary and it is clear that the development of such method involves many compromises in the choice of the different parameters. This review summarizes applications using conventional experimental designs and some recent studies using response surface methodology (RSM) as a mathematical modeling tool for the optimization of extraction procedures. The authors also discuss pros and cons of the different procedures. To our knowledge, it is the first review on experimental design for the development of multi-mycotoxin methods. This review could be useful in the development and optimization of LC-MS/MS methods with the aim of describing experimental design and variables (factors) that are likely to affect sensitivity and specificity.
State of Artemisinin and Partner Drug Susceptibility in Plasmodium falciparum Clinical Isolates from Colombia.

Delayed parasite clearance time observed in Southeast Asia provided the first evidence of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinins. The ex vivo ring-stage survival assay (RSA) mimics parasite exposure to pharmacologically relevant artemisinin concentrations. Mutations in the C-terminal propeller domain of the putative kelch protein Pf3D7_1343700 (K13) are associated with artemisinin resistance. Variations in the pfmdr1 gene are associated with reduced susceptibility to the artemisinin partner drugs mefloquine (MQ) and lumefantrine (LF). To clarify the unknown landscape of artemisinin resistance in Colombia, 71 patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were enrolled in a non-randomized observational study in three endemic localities in 2014-2015. Each patient's parasite isolate was assessed for ex vivo RSA, K13-propeller mutations, pfmdr1 copy number, and pfmdr1 mutations at codons 86, 184, 1034, 1042, and 1246, associated with reduced susceptibility, and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) for other antimalarial drugs. Ex vivo RSAs were successful in 56% (40/71) of samples, and nine isolates showed survival rates > 1%. All isolates had wild-type K13-propeller sequences. All isolates harbored either of two pfmdr1 haplotypes, NFSDD (79.3%) and NFSDY (20.7%), and 7.1% of isolates had > 1 pfmdr1 gene. In vitro IC50 assays showed that variable proportions of isolates had decreased susceptibility to chloroquine (52.4%, > 100 nM), amodiaquine (31.2%, > 30 nM), MQ (34.3%, > 30 nM), and LF (3.2%, > 10 nM). In this study, we reported ex vivo RSA correlated with K13 data on P. falciparum isolates from Colombia. The identification of isolates with increased ex vivo RSA rates in the absence of K13-propeller mutations and no positivity at day three requires further investigation.
Investigation of Dracunculiasis Transmission among Humans, Chad, 2013–2017

Abstract. Dracunculiasis, slated for global eradication, typically is acquired by drinking stagnant water containing microscopic crustaceans (copepods) infected with Dracunculus medinensis larvae, causing clusters of case persons with worms emerging from the skin. Following a 10-year absence of reported cases, 9–26 sporadic human cases with few epidemiologic links have been reported annually in Chad since 2010; dog infections have also been reported since 2012. We conducted an investigation of human cases in Chad to identify risk factors. We conducted a case–control study using a standardized questionnaire to assess water and aquatic animal consumption, and links to dog infections. Case persons had laboratory-confirmed D. medinensis during 2013–2017. Each case person was matched to one to three controls without history of disease by age, gender, and residency in the village where the case person was likely infected. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) using simple conditional logistic regression. We enrolled 25 case persons with 63 matched controls. Dracunculiasis was associated with consumption of untreated water from hand-dug wells (OR: 13.4; 95% CI: 1.7–108.6), but neither with consumption of aquatic animals nor presence of infected dogs in villages. Unsafe water consumption remains associated with dracunculiasis. Education of populations about consuming safe water and using copepod filters to strain unsafe water should continue and expand, as should efforts to develop and maintain safe drinking water sources. Nevertheless, the peculiar epidemiology in Chad remains incompletely explained. Future studies of dogs might identify other risk factors.
Influence of Cation Size on the Curvature of Serpentine Minerals: HRTEM-AEM Study and Elastic Theory

The influence of cation size on the misfit between the tetrahedral and the octahedral sheets of serpentine layers, and thus on the curvature of serpentine minerals, has been studied using an experimental approach, based on scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies (SEM and HRTEM, respectively) coupled with analytical electron microscopy (AEM), and a theoretical approach, based on the elastic theory of thin plates and the surface stress concept.Various Ni3(Si,Ge)2O5(OH)4 serpentine syntheses were prepared, with progressive tetrahedral substitution for Si by the larger Ge ion, the ratio Ge/(Si + Ge) ranging from 0 to 100%. Other parameters (temperature, time duration, water pressure) were fixed. From SEM-HRTEM observations and AEM analyses of all samples, two types of serpentine minerals were characterized: (1) curved structures of tubular or ‘roman-tile’ shape (curvature radius of 10 nm for 0% Ge, increasing with the Ge content), when the Ge tetrahedral content is <25%; (2) perfectly plane structures, with hexagonal or triangular shape (view normal to the layers), for greater Ge contents. These results prove the direct influence of cation size on the crystal curvature.From a theoretical point of view, a single serpentine layer with a misfit between its tetrahedral and octahedral sheets can be considered as an elastic thin plate subjected to two different surface stresses, σ+ and σ−, on its two faces. The difference σ+ − σ− between these two surface stresses was calculated from the above geometrical misfit, and the curvature of the serpentine layer was related to σ+ − σ−, according to the elastic theory of thin plates. The calculated curvature radii, and the Ge content of transition from curved to plane structures, are in agreement with the above observed values. Curved serpentine crystals may then be considered as a stacking of such elastically curved single serpentine layers.
BAM1/2 receptor kinase signaling drives CLE peptide-mediated formative cell divisions in Arabidopsis roots

Significance Proper elaboration of the plant body plan requires that cell division patterns are coordinated during development in complex tissues. Activation of cell cycle machinery is critical for this process, but it is not clear how or if this links to cell-to-cell communication networks that are important during development. Here we show that key cell divisions that generate the plant root are controlled by cell-to-cell signaling peptides which act through plant-specific receptor kinases to control expression of a specific cyclinD cell cycle regulatory gene. We show that cyclinD gene expression depends on both receptor signaling and the SHORT-ROOT transcription factor to ensure timely and robust cell division patterns.
Health promotion and preventive health care service guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida

Individuals with Spina Bifida (SB) have unique lifelong medical and social needs. Thus, when considering how to promote health and offer preventive care, providers must adapt general healthcare screening and counseling recommendations to their patients’ physical and cognitive impairments along with discerning how to monitor secondary or chronic conditions common to the population. This article provides an update on the health promotion and preventive health care guidelines developed as part of the Spina Bifida Association’s fourth edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida. The guidelines highlight accommodations needed to promote general preventive health, common secondary/chronic conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, and considerations for preventing acute care utilization for the SB population throughout the lifespan. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of preventive care interventions in promoting positive health outcomes and mitigating potentially preventable acute care utilization.
Protein corona formed in the gastrointestinal tract and its impacts on oral delivery of nanoparticles

The interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with proteins and the formation of protein corona in the biological fluids are of great interest and significance for drug delivery. In the past decade, the corona formation in the blood and its impacts on the in vitro and in vivo fate of NPs has been well investigated and reviewed. Recently, more and more attention is paid to the nano–protein interactions taking place in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) between the orally administered NPs and the digestive enzymes. The enzyme corona formed in the GIT can significantly affect the properties, gastrointestinal transit, and oral absorption of NPs. Since oral delivery is the most preferred delivery route, comprehensively understanding the corona formation in the GIT and its impacts on oral delivery NPs are of great importance. Herein, we aim to summarize the recent updates on the nano–protein interactions between NPs and digestive enzymes, and launch an interesting discussion on the potentials of using the digestive enzyme corona for the colon targeted delivery.
EVALUATION OF NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF PLANT SPECIES OF SOONE VALLEY IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

The key component for global sustainability is plant diversity, an essential for living sources on this planet. An investigation was carried out in the Soone Valley, Punjab, Pakistan to determine the nutritional value of plant diversity in relation to requirements of grazing ruminants therein. Various parameters such as moisture content, crude protein, mineral matter, fat fiber content, dry matter, nitrogen free extractable substances, and net energy were evaluated in this investigation. Results showed that various plant species studied exhibited fluctuation in all parameters in this valley. Correlation studies also indicated that various parameters showed negative as well as positive significant relationships with various parameters of soil in this valley. The information will be useful in further conservation program. A. farnesiana was negatively correlated (−0.335) with protein and mineral matter (−0.048). Significant correlations of different plant species regarding nitrogen- phosphorus- potassium (NPK) were recorded with net energy. Various variables studied in this investigation demonstrated their importance to be used in further conservation, research, and grazing livestock programs.
Constitutive role of the Fanconi anemia D2 gene in the replication stress response

In response to DNA cross-linking damage, the Fanconi anemia (FA) core complex activates the FA pathway by monoubiquitinating Fanconi anemia complementation group D2 (FANCD2) for the initiation of the nucleolytic processing of the DNA cross-links and stabilization of stalled replication forks. Given that all the classic FA proteins coordinately monoubiquitinate FANCD2, it is unclear why losses of individual classic FA genes yield varying cellular sensitivities to cross-linking damage. To address this question, we generated cellular knock-out models of FA core complex components and FANCD2 and found that FANCD2-null mutants display higher levels of spontaneous chromosomal damage and hypersensitivity to replication-blocking lesions than Fanconi anemia complementation group L (FANCL)-null mutants, suggesting that FANCD2 provides a basal level of DNA protection countering endogenous lesions in the absence of monoubiquitination. FANCD2's ubiquitination-independent function is likely involved in optimized recruitment of nucleolytic activities for the processing and protection of stressed replication forks. Our results reveal that FANCD2 has a ubiquitination-independent role in countering endogenous levels of replication stress, a function that is critical for the maintenance of genomic stability.
Predicting the outcome of non-pharmacological treatment for patients with dementia-related mild cognitive impairment

Dementia is a progressive cognitive syndrome, with few effective pharmacological treatments that can slow its progress. Hence, non-pharmacological treatments (NPTs) play an important role in improving patient symptoms and quality of life. Designing the optimal personalised NPT strategy relies on objectively and quantitatively predicting the treatment outcome. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) findings can reflect the cognitive status of patients with dementia, and thus potentially predict NPT outcome. In the present study, 16 participants with cognitive impairment underwent NPT for several months. Their cognitive performance was evaluated based on the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive at the beginning and end of the NPT period, while resting-state brain activity was evaluated using MEG during the NPT period. Our results showed that the spectral properties of MEG signals predicted the changes in cognitive performance scores. High frequency oscillatory intensity at the right superior frontal gyrus medial segment, opercular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, post central gyrus, and angular gyrus predicted the changes in cognitive performance scores. Thus, resting-state brain activity may be a powerful tool in designing personalised NPT.
Neural induction: Historical views and application to pluripotent stem cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a useful experimental material to recapitulate the differentiation steps of early embryos, which are usually invisible and inaccessible from outside of the body, especially in mammals. ES cells have greatly facilitated the analyses of gene expression profiles and cell characteristics. In addition, understanding the mechanisms during neural differentiation is important for clinical purposes, such as developing new therapeutic methods or regenerative medicine. As neurons have very limited regenerative ability, neurodegenerative diseases are usually intractable, and patients suffer from the disease throughout their lifetimes. The functional cells generated from ES cells in vitro could replace degenerative areas by transplantation. In this review, we will first demonstrate the historical views and widely accepted concepts regarding the molecular mechanisms of neural induction and positional information to produce the specific types of neurons in model animals. Next, we will describe how these concepts have recently been applied to the research in the establishment of the methodology of neural differentiation from mammalian ES cells. Finally, we will focus on examples of the applications of differentiation systems to clinical purposes. Overall, the discussion will focus on how historical developmental studies are applied to state‐of‐the‐art stem cell research.
Slow Exchange of Bidentate Ligands between Rhodium(I) Complexes: Evidence of Both Neutral and Anionic Ligand Exchange

The phosphine double exchange process involving [RhCl(COD)(TPP)] and [Rh(acac)(CO)(TMOPP)] (TPP = PPh3, TMOPP = P(C6H4-4-OMe)3) to yield [RhCl(COD)(TMOPP)] and [Rh(acac)(CO)(TPP)] is very rapid but is followed by a much slower process where the bidentate ligands are exchanged to yield [Rh(acac)(COD)] and a mixture of [RhCl(CO)(TPP)2], [RhCl(CO)(TMOPP)2], and [RhCl(CO)(TPP)(TMOPP)]. The exchange involving [RhCl(COD)(L)] and [Rh(acac)(CO)(L)] yields [Rh(acac)(COD)] and [RhCl(CO)(L)2], where the reaction is much faster when L = TPP than when L = TMOPP. The mixed-metal system comprising [IrCl(COD)(TPP)] and [Rh(acac)(CO)(TPP)] yields all four complexes [M(acac)(COD)] and [MCl(CO)(TPP)2], where M = Rh and Ir. This illustrates that both a neutral ligand exchange and an anionic ligand exchange occur. Possible pathways for these processes are discussed.
Reconstructing orogens without biostratigraphy: The Saharides and continental growth during the final assembly of Gondwana-Land.

A hitherto unknown Neoproterozoic orogenic system, the Saharides, is described in North Africa. It formed during the 900-500-Ma interval. The Saharides involved large subduction accretion complexes occupying almost the entire Arabian Shield and much of Egypt and parts of the small Precambrian inliers in the Sahara including the Ahaggar mountains. These complexes consist of, at least by half, juvenile material forming some 5 million km2 new continental crust. Contrary to conventional wisdom in the areas they occupy, evolution of the Saharides involved no continental collisions until the end of their development. They formed by subduction and strike-slip stacking of arc material mostly by precollisional coastwise transport of arc fragments rifted from the Congo/Tanzania cratonic nucleus in a manner very similar to the development of the Nipponides in east Asia, parts of the North American Cordillera and the Altaids. The Sahara appears to be underlain by a double orocline similar to the Hercynian double orocline in western Europe and northwestern Africa and not by an hypothetical "Saharan Metacraton. " The method we develop here may be useful to reconstruct the structure of some of the Precambrian orogenic belts before biostratigraphy became possible.
Weather Woes? Exploring Potential Links between Precipitation and Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Rain, snow, or ice may discourage older adults from leaving their homes with potential consequences for social isolation, decreased physical activity, and cognitive decline. This study is the first to examine potential links between annual precipitation exposure and cognitive function in a large population-based cohort of older Americans. We examined the association between precipitation (percent of days with snow or rain in the past year) and cognitive function in 25,320 individuals aged 45+ from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study. Linear mixed models assessed the relationship between precipitation and cognitive function, as well as rates of change in cognitive function with age. We found a non-linear relationship between precipitation and cognitive function. Compared to those exposed to infrequent precipitation (less than 20% of days with rain/snow in the past year), cognitive function was higher among older adults experiencing moderately frequent precipitation (20–40% of annual days with precipitation). However, beyond more than about 45% of days with precipitation in the past year, there was a negative association between precipitation and cognitive function, with faster rates of cognitive decline with age. These exploratory findings motivate further research to better understand the complex role of precipitation for late-life cognitive function.
A new toolbox to distinguish the sources of spatial memory error

Studying the sources of errors in memory recall has proven invaluable for understanding the mechanisms of working memory (WM). While one-dimensional memory features (e.g., color, orientation) can be analyzed using existing mixture modeling toolboxes to separate the influence of imprecision, guessing, and misbinding (the tendency to confuse features that belong to different memoranda), such toolboxes are not currently available for two-dimensional spatial WM tasks. Here we present a method to isolate sources of spatial error in tasks where participants have to report the spatial location of an item in memory, using two-dimensional mixture models. The method recovers simulated parameters well and is robust to the influence of response distributions and biases, as well as number of nontargets and trials. To demonstrate the model, we fit data from a complex spatial WM task and show the recovered parameters correspond well with previous spatial WM findings and with recovered parameters on a one-dimensional analogue of this task, suggesting convergent validity for this two-dimensional modeling approach. Because the extra dimension allows greater separation of memoranda and responses, spatial tasks turn out to be much better for separating misbinding from imprecision and guessing than one-dimensional tasks. Code for these models is freely available in the MemToolbox2D package and is integrated to work with the commonly used MATLAB package MemToolbox.
Cellulose Modification for Improved Compatibility with the Polymer Matrix: Mechanical Characterization of the Composite Material

The following article is the presentation attempt of cellulose hybrid chemical modification approach as a useful tool in improving the mechanical properties of plant fiber-filled polymer materials. The treatment process is a prolonged method of the cellulose maleinization and consists of two steps: 1. solvent exchange (altering fiber structure); 2. maleic anhydride (MA) chemical grafting (surface modification). Thanks to the incorporated treatment method, the created ethylene–norbornene copolymer composite specimen exhibited an improved performance, tensile strength at the level of (38.8 ± 0.8) MPa and (510 ± 20)% elongation at break, which is higher than for neat polymer matrix and could not be achieved in the case of regular MA treatment. Moreover, both the Payne effect and filler efficiency factor indicate a possibility of the fiber reinforcing nature that is not a common result. Additionally, the polymer matrix employed in this research is widely known for its excellent resistance to aqueous and polar organic media, good biocompatibility, and the ability to reproduce fine structures which makes it an interesting material regarding healthcare applications. Therefore, plant fiber-based polymer materials described in this research might be potentially applied in this area, e.g., medical devices, drug delivery, wearables, pharmaceutical blisters, and trays.