Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LncRNA RUS shapes the gene expression program towards neurogenesis

The chromatin-associated lncRNA RUS binds in the vicinity to neural differentiation-associated genes and regulates them in a context-dependent manner to enable proper neuron development. The evolution of brain complexity correlates with an increased expression of long, noncoding (lnc) RNAs in neural tissues. Although prominent examples illustrate the potential of lncRNAs to scaffold and target epigenetic regulators to chromatin loci, only few cases have been described to function during brain development. We present a first functional characterization of the lncRNA LINC01322, which we term RUS for “RNA upstream of Slitrk3. ” The RUS gene is well conserved in mammals by sequence and synteny next to the neurodevelopmental gene Slitrk3. RUS is exclusively expressed in neural cells and its expression increases during neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic cortical neural stem cells. Depletion of RUS locks neuronal precursors in an intermediate state towards neuronal differentiation resulting in arrested cell cycle and increased apoptosis. RUS associates with chromatin in the vicinity of genes involved in neurogenesis, most of which change their expression upon RUS depletion. The identification of a range of epigenetic regulators as specific RUS interactors suggests that the lncRNA may mediate gene activation and repression in a highly context-dependent manner.
Copepod reproductive effort and oxidative status as responses to warming in the marine environment

Abstract The marine ecosystems are under severe climate change‐induced stress globally. The Baltic Sea is especially vulnerable to ongoing changes, such as warming. The aim of this study was to measure eco‐physiological responses of a key copepod species to elevated temperature in an experiment, and by collecting field samples in the western Gulf of Finland. The potential trade‐off between reproductive output and oxidative balance in copepods during thermal stress was studied by incubating female Acartia sp. for reproduction rate and oxidative stress measurements in ambient and elevated temperatures. Our field observations show that the glutathione cycle had a clear response in increasing stress and possibly had an important role in preventing oxidative damage: Lipid peroxidation and ratio of reduced and oxidized glutathione were negatively correlated throughout the study. Moreover, glutathione‐s‐transferase activated in late July when the sea water temperature was exceptionally high and Acartia sp. experienced high oxidative stress. The combined effect of a heatwave, increased cyanobacteria, and decreased dinoflagellate abundance may have caused larger variability in reproductive output in the field. An increase of 7°C had a negative effect on egg production rate in the experiment. However, the effect on reproduction was relatively small, implying that Acartia sp. can tolerate warming at least within the temperature range of 9–16°C. However, our data from the experiment suggest a link between reproductive success and oxidative stress during warming, shown as a significant combined effect of temperature and catalase on egg production rate.
A superpixel-histogram method to analyze retinal, optic nerve, and choroidal blood flow using laser speckle flowgraphy

Laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) is a non-invasive imaging technology for quantifying microvascular blood flow. In the eye, LSFG quantifies the relative dynamics of blood flow of the retina, choroid and optic nerve head on a continuous scale. Currently, LSFG analysis requires the placement of “rubber bands” (defining regions of interest) to measure blood flow at desired locations. However, the placement of rubber bands requires knowledge of which regions are likely to be affected by disease. Here, we demonstrate a fully automated superpixel-histogram method without rubber band placement to determine regional blood flow abnormalities. Regional blood flow patterns were quantified via superpixel distributions of mean blur rate (MBR, linearly proportional to blood flow) and percentages of total superpixels at five pre-defined ranges of blood flow. We applied the proposed method to help diagnose acute arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AAION) and found that compared to normal eyes, acute AAION eyes showed a significant blood flow reduction of the choroid due to the effect of giant cell arteritis on the posterior ciliary arteries (supplying the choroid and optic nerve circulation). The proposed method demonstrated a novel approach for quantifying abnormal regions of blood flow in different vascular beds caused by disease.
Unleashing the ‘undergraduate monster’? The second-order policy effects of the 1988 Education Reform Act for higher education in England

ABSTRACT What impact did the 1988 Education Reform Act (1988 ERA) have on higher education from the perspectives of professors working in the sector at the time? How did it reshape the sector's structures? How did it contribute to the conditions that have unleashed the so called ‘undergraduate monster’? These questions are addressed in this paper. I draw on semi-structured interviews with 14 professors working in universities in England to explore their perceptions of the changes from a system of polytechnics/universities to pre- and post-1992 universities. In doing so, this paper provides unique insights into second order policy effects created by the 1988 ERA for the sector. The data lead me to argue that the 1988 ERA made the introduction and increases in higher education tuition fees possible, further entrenching inequality in the composition of the student body in different types of Higher Education Institution (HEI).
mRNA 5′ terminal sequences drive 200-fold differences in expression through effects on synthesis, translation and decay

mRNA regulatory sequences control gene expression at multiple levels including translation initiation and mRNA decay. The 5′ terminal sequences of mRNAs have unique regulatory potential because of their proximity to key post-transcriptional regulators. Here we have systematically probed the function of 5′ terminal sequences in gene expression in human cells. Using a library of reporter mRNAs initiating with all possible 7-mer sequences at their 5′ ends, we find an unexpected impact on transcription that underlies 200-fold differences in mRNA expression. Library sequences that promote high levels of transcription mirrored those found in native mRNAs and define two basic classes with similarities to classic Initiator (Inr) and TCT core promoter motifs. By comparing transcription, translation and decay rates, we identify sequences that are optimized for both efficient transcription and growth-regulated translation and stability, including variants of terminal oligopyrimidine (TOP) motifs. We further show that 5′ sequences of endogenous mRNAs are enriched for multi-functional TCT/TOP hybrid sequences. Together, our results reveal how 5′ sequences define two general classes of mRNAs with distinct growth-responsive profiles of expression across synthesis, translation and decay.
A Field-Deployable Insulated Isothermal PCR (iiPCR) for the Global Surveillance of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cetaceans

Simple Summary Since high trophic levels marine mammal species share the coastal environments and diets with humans, cetaceans provide an indication of contaminant bioaccumulation in humans and may serve as sentinels for public health problems. Parasite monitoring in marine sentinels can assist in evaluating the quality of the aquatic ecosystem’s health. T. gondii infection in cetaceans is an indicator of land-to-sea coastal pollution. Although T. gondii infection cases in cetaceans have been reported in several countries, an information gap still exists in some areas. The present study employs a portable insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) with an automatic extraction device as a rapid, affordable, user-friendly, and field-deployable platform to rapidly detect nucleic acid of T. gondii in stranded cetaceans. The platform utilizes duplex iiPCR designed to simultaneously detect T. gondii and a housekeeping gene of cetacean on the samples, which can prevent the false-negative results of pathogen detection and improve the accuracy of surveillance. This study would contribute to improving the environment through the warning of the sentinel animals and building new strategies by detecting the occurrence of land-based biological pollution. Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease with veterinary and public health importance worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection in cetaceans is an indicator of land-to-sea oocyst pollution. However, there is a critical knowledge gap within the distribution of the T. gondii infection in cetaceans. To facilitate the global surveillance of this important zoonotic pathogen, we developed a field-deployable duplex insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) with automated magnetic bead-based DNA extraction for the on-site detection of T. gondii in stranded cetaceans. It targets the B1 gene of T. gondii combined with β2-microglobulin (B2M) gene of cetaceans as an internal control. Compared with the conventional qPCR assay, B1/B2M duplex iiPCR assay showed comparable sensitivity (21~86 bradyzoites in 25 mg of tissue) to detect spike-in standard of T. gondii DNA in cerebrum, cerebellum, skeletal muscle and myocardium tissues. Moreover, the overall agreement between the duplex iiPCR and qPCR was in almost perfect agreement (92%; 95% CI: 0.78–0.90; κ = 0.84) in detecting a synthetic spike-in standards. The B1/B2M iiPCR assay coupled with a field-deployable system provides a prompt (~1.5 h), feasible, highly sensitive and specific on-site diagnostic tool for T. gondii in stranded cetaceans. This platform provides one approach to evaluating aquatic ecosystem health and developing early warnings about negative impacts on humans and marine animals.
An Essential Role for Alzheimer’s-Linked Amyloid Beta Oligomers in Neurodevelopment: Transient Expression of Multiple Proteoforms during Retina Histogenesis

Human amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) is a brain catabolite that at nanomolar concentrations can form neurotoxic oligomers (AβOs), which are known to accumulate in Alzheimer’s disease. Because a predisposition to form neurotoxins seems surprising, we have investigated whether circumstances might exist where AβO accumulation may in fact be beneficial. Our investigation focused on the embryonic chick retina, which expresses the same Aβ as humans. Using conformation-selective antibodies, immunoblots, mass spectrometry, and fluorescence microscopy, we discovered that AβOs are indeed present in the developing retina, where multiple proteoforms are expressed in a highly regulated cell-specific manner. The expression of the AβO proteoforms was selectively associated with transiently expressed phosphorylated Tau (pTau) proteoforms that, like AβOs, are linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To test whether the AβOs were functional in development, embryos were cultured ex ovo and then injected intravitreally with either a beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) inhibitor or an AβO-selective antibody to prematurely lower the levels of AβOs. The consequence was disrupted histogenesis resulting in dysplasia resembling that seen in various retina pathologies. We suggest the hypothesis that embryonic AβOs are a new type of short-lived peptidergic hormone with a role in neural development. Such a role could help explain why a peptide that manifests deleterious gain-of-function activity when it oligomerizes in the aging brain has been evolutionarily conserved.
Oblique Incidence Ionospheric Sounding: A Bibliometric Research

The ionosphere is one of the layers of Earth’s atmosphere and is of special interest for telecommunications that pass through it or are reflected by it. Among other factors, it is specially affected by the Sun, causing variations in the layer height, ionization, electron density, and total electron content. As a result of these variations, the critical frequency also varies as well as propagation properties. The precise positioning of global navigation satellite systems is also affected by ionospheric properties. For those reasons, there are numerous high-frequency radars (ionosondes) worldwide dedicated to making the vertical sounding of the ionosphere (local measurements of its properties). Due to cost and complexity, there is a limited number of observatories, and a global ionospheric map requires modeling and inference for global coverage. Thus, oblique incidence sounding has the potential of contributing to further expand local readings without the need of establishing additional stations, being in theory an optimized way to improve existing ionospheric mapping and prediction. To advance toward that goal, a bibliometric research was conducted to retrieve, present, and analyze the metrics of existing publications on the topic. As a result, 862 unique papers were identified, ranging from 1936 to 2021, with evidence of increasing research interest in the past 15 years. In addition, a network analysis of coauthorship and co-occurrence is presented.
Decentralized Volt/Var Control Based on Variable Gradient Projection for PMSG-Based Wind Farm

This paper proposes a decentralized Volt/Var control method based on variable gradient projection (VGP) for the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)-based wind farm (WF). The aim is to achieve a fast Var response of each wind turbine (WT) to depress voltage fluctuations inside the WF caused by the stochastic wind and voltage disturbance of external girds. The gradient projection (GP) method is used in the PMSG-based WF to regulate terminal bus voltage within a feasible range in a fully decentralized manner while the dynamic characteristics of the PMSGs and grid side converters (GSCs) are taken into consideration. Moreover, according to the difference of the available power distribution among the WTs inside the WF, the adaptive and variable gain method is designed for the GP method, which can achieve maximum Var margin of each local WTs during the real-time operation of the WF. With the proposed control method, the PMSG-based WTs are coordinated to achieve near-global optimal performance only with local measurements. The voltage fluctuations of buses are reduced while the Var margin of WT converters is maximized. The WF with $24 \times 5$ MW WTs is tested in Matlab/Simulink with the real-time fully nonlinear AC power flow environment.
A Review on Plasma Gasification of Solid Residues: Recent Advances and Developments

The increase in production and consumption of goods has generated a surplus of waste, which destination is commonly the landfilling sites. This represents a major bottleneck in the production chain and creates new challenges for sustainable development. Due to the environmental and economic benefits, the use of renewable and ecological fuels derived from waste has received global attention. Plasma is one of the techniques that enable achieving renewable energy from solid residues, contributing to landfill avoidance and resource reutilization in line with the circular economy principles and supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 13 (climate action). This article presents a review and analysis of literature related to the use of plasma gasification of solid waste as a method of waste recovery. This article portrays the efforts that have been made in this direction and the barriers to the dissemination of technology for commercial applications. The focus of this article comprises (a) extracting valuable aspects from various studies, including laboratory and field studies, (b) summarizing the work done so far, and (c) compiling studies and findings on plasma gasifiers and recent developments.
Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2) Regulates the Stability of Regulatory T Cells

Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a cytosolic dsDNA sensor that has been broadly studied for its role in inflammasome assembly. However, little is known about the function of AIM2 in adaptive immune cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AIM2 has a cell-intrinsic role in CD4+ T cell differentiation or function. We found that AIM2 is expressed in both human and mouse CD4+ T cells and that its expression is affected by T cell receptor (TCR) activation. Naïve CD4+ T cells from AIM2-deficient (Aim2−/−) mice showed higher ability to maintain forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression in vitro, while their capacity to differentiate into T helper (Th)1, Th2 or Th17 cells remained unaltered. Transcriptional profiling by RNA sequencing showed that AIM2 might affect regulatory T cell (Treg) stability not by controlling the expression of Treg signature genes, but through the regulation of the cell’s metabolism. In addition, in a T cell transfer model of colitis, Aim2−/−-naïve T cells induced less severe body weight loss and displayed a higher ability to differentiate into FOXP3+ cells in vivo. In conclusion, we show that AIM2 function is not confined to innate immune cells but is also important in CD4+ T cells. Our data identify AIM2 as a regulator of FOXP3+ Treg cell differentiation and as a potential intervention target for restoring T cell homeostasis.
A Hybrid Model for Water Quality Prediction Based on an Artificial Neural Network, Wavelet Transform, and Long Short-Term Memory

Clean water is an indispensable essential resource on which humans and other living beings depend. Therefore, the establishment of a water quality prediction model to predict future water quality conditions has a significant social and economic value. In this study, a model based on an artificial neural network (ANN), discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and long short-term memory (LSTM) was constructed to predict the water quality of the Jinjiang River. Firstly, a multi-layer perceptron neural network was used to process the missing values based on the time series in the water quality dataset used in this research. Secondly, the Daubechies 5 (Db5) wavelet was used to divide the water quality data into low-frequency signals and high-frequency signals. Then, the signals were used as the input of LSTM, and LSTM was used for training, testing, and prediction. Finally, the prediction results were compared with the nonlinear auto regression (NAR) neural network model, the ANN-LSTM model, the ARIMA model, multi-layer perceptron neural networks, the LSTM model, and the CNN-LSTM model. The outcome indicated that the ANN-WT-LSTM model proposed in this study performed better than previous models in many evaluation indices. Therefore, the research methods of this study can provide technical support and practical reference for water quality monitoring and the management of the Jinjiang River and other basins.
Impact of the North Atlantic sea surface temperature tripole on the Northwestern Pacific weak tropical cyclone Frequency

Previous studies focused on the intense TCs in the central-southeastern western North Pacific (WNP), whose variability is intimately linked to El Niño-Southern Oscillation and extratropical sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the Pacific. Compared with them, weak TCs (WTCs) are more numerous and form further northwestward. The great number of WTCs and thereby the landfall cases may also cause huge damage to countries in Southeast Asia. However, their modulators are far from fully understood. Our research emphasizes the delayed impact of the early spring North Atlantic tripole SSTA (NAT) on the WTC formation frequency through the “capacitor” effect of sea ice (SIC) and SST in the Barents Sea. Detailed analysis indicates that a positive NAT may modulate an anomalous high in the Barents Sea-North Europe and decrease the local low cloud cover. Thus, more downward solar radiation tends to heat the local SST and decrease the SIC. This warmer Barents Sea could maintain through the typhoon season and excite a significant southeastward wave train, with several centers in the Arctic, Central Asia, and East Asia. The abnormal easterly to the south of the anticyclone in East Asia facilitates the cyclonic anomaly in the South China Sea, the Philippines, and the subtropical WNP, which reinforces the monsoon trough and favors the WTC formation there. A physical-based empirical model is developed for the WTC frequency, and hindcast is performed from 1979 to 2018. It shows the early spring NAT effectively improves the prediction skill for the WTC frequency, which can be considered as a crucial source of predictability for WTCs.
Biohydrogenation Pathway of α-Linolenic Acid in Rumen of Dairy Cow In Vitro

Simple Summary Few studies have investigated a relationship between t9,c12,c15-C18:3 and ALA, an α-Linolenic acid c9,c12,c15-C18:3 in the rumen. These results indicated that t9,c12,c15-C18:3 was an intermediate of the α-linolenic acid shifted rumen biohydrogenation pathway. This study hypothesized a pathway for α-linolenic acid biohydrogenation in rumen. Abstract The t9,c12,c15-C18:3 as an isomer of α-linolenic acid (c9,c12,c15-C18:3; ALA), has been recently detected in milk, but has not been found in the rumen. This study hypothesized that it may be a biohydrogenation product of ALA in rumen and aimed to explore whether it was present in the rumen and help to understand the rumen biohydrogenation mechanisms of ALA. The in vitro experiment included two treatments, a control check (CK group) with 50 µL ethanol added, and ALA group with 50 µL ethanol and 2.6 mg ALA (ALA addition calculated by 1.30% of dry matter base of diet); each sample of fermentation fluid had the composition of C18 fatty acids analyzed at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h. The results showed that no t9,c12,c15-C18:3 was detected in the CK group, but ALA addition increased the concentration of t9,c12,c15-C18:3 in fermentation fluid. The content of t9,c12,c15-C18:3 peaked 1 h after fermentation, then declined gradually. At 1 h, no t9c12c15-C18:3 was detected in the fermentation fluid of the CK treatment. The results suggested that ALA converted to the isomer t9,c12,c15-C18:3 through biohydrogenation in the rumen. The addition of ALA can also increase the concentration of t9,c12-C18:2, c9,t11-C18:2, c12-C18:1, t11-C18:1, t9-C18:1, and c6-C18:1 in fermentation fluid. It was concluded using an in vitro experiment that t9,c12,c15-C18:3 was a product of rumen biohydrogenation of ALA.
ZU GAST BEI OFFIZIEREN IN VINDONISSA

Die vorliegende Untersuchung behandelt eine grossflächige Ausgrabung im Ostteil des Legionslagers von Vindonissa, die antike Siedlungsbefunde aus einer Zeitspanne von rund 500 Jahren erbracht hat. – Die spätlatènezeitliche Siedlung von Vindonissa war mit einem 20 m breiten Graben und einer rund 5 m hohen Pfostenschlitzmauer inklusive Toranlage befestigt. – Spätestens um 20 n. Chr. war die Befestigung aufgelassen und mit Fachwerkgebäuden des 1. Lagers der 13. Legion überbaut. – Im letzten Drittel des 1. Jhs. bestand auf dem untersuchten Areal ein Wohngebäude eines hohen Offiziers der 11. Legion, das über 700 m² Grundfläche aufwies. – Als Hauptbefund dieses Peristylgebäudes ist eine Grossküche mit fast 10 m² grossem Herd zu nennen. – Die naturwissenschaftliche Auswertung des Befundes erbrachte äusserst vielfältige und detaillierte Einblicke in die qualitativ hochstehenden Koch- und Konsumaktivitäten dieses deutlich über zehn Personen umfassenden Haushaltes.
APPLICATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA OF CONCRETE FILLED STEEL TUBULAR STRUCTURE

Because of its higher load bearing, better plasticity and toughness, faster construction progress as well as its apparent economic profitability, technology of concrete filled steel tubular structure experienced a rapid development in engineering construction of China. A number of world level largest and highest buildings have been built in China. There are unique advantages and apparently comprehensive profitability for steel tube covered concrete used in high-rise buildings and arch bridges. It must have desirable development prospective in the new millennium.