Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of different current-intensity transcranial alternating current stimulation on the eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state electroencephalography

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applies a sinusoidal oscillating current to modulate intrinsic oscillatory activity. Relevant studies of tACS have indicated that tACS can increase spontaneous brain activity in the occipital area. However, few studies have compared the effects of tACS with different current intensities on spontaneous brain activity in the occipital region. In this study, 10-Hz tACS was delivered to the occipital region at different current intensities (i.e., 1 and 2 mA). We investigated the effect of the tACS on both eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). A total of 20 subjects and fifteen subjects were recruited to participate in the 1-mA tACS experiment and the 2-mA tACS experiment, respectively. Ten subjects participated in both experiments. The experimental results demonstrated that both 1-mA tACS and 2-mA tACS could increase occipital resting-state EEG activities. For the eyes-open condition, alpha activity elicited by 2-mA tACS increased significantly greater than that elicited by 1-mA tACS, while 1-mA tACS could produce greater alpha activity compared to 2 mA for the eyes-closed condition. These results suggested that the optimal current intensity might be different for the eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state conditions, laying a foundation for the subsequent study of occipital tACS on task-state EEG activities.
Search for emission line galaxies towards nearby voids

We present the observational results of our search for emission-line galaxies (ELG) towards nearby voids. In order to find ELG, we started a survey using the IIIa-J objective prism plates from the Hamburg QSO Survey. The plates are digitized and an automatic procedure was applied to select the candidates. Digitized direct plates were used to determine coordinates and to reject overlaps between spectra. A total area of 1248 square degrees was scanned, distributed in four different regions. All the selected objects were observed with follow-up spectroscopy. We have obtained a final sample of 203 objects, of which 196 are emission-line galaxies, four are galaxies with absorption lines and three are QSOs. Almost half of our objects are newly discovered ones and three quarters of the given redshifts are new. Our sample contains mainly high ionization galaxies and is less sensitive in the detection of low-ionization objects. The apparent magnitudes, as derived from the objective prism plates, range between 15.0
Gut metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide induces aging-associated phenotype of midbrain organoids for the induced pluripotent stem cell-based modeling of late-onset disease

Brain organoids are valuable research models for human development and disease since they mimic the various cell compositions and structures of the human brain; however, they have challenges in presenting aging phenotypes for degenerative diseases. This study analyzed the association between aging and the gut metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is highly found in the midbrain of elderly and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. TMAO treatment in midbrain organoid induced aging-associated molecular changes, including increased senescence marker expression (P21, P16), p53 accumulation, and epigenetic alterations. In addition, TMAO-treated midbrain organoids have shown parts of neurodegeneration phenotypes, including impaired brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, loss of dopaminergic neurons, astrocyte activation, and neuromelanin accumulation. Moreover, we found TMAO treatment-induced pathophysiological phosphorylation of α-synuclein protein at Ser-129 residues and Tau protein at Ser202/Thr205. These results suggest a role of TMAO in the aging and pathogenesis of the midbrain and provide insight into how intestinal dysfunction increases the risk of PD. Furthermore, this system can be utilized as a novel aging model for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based modeling of late-onset diseases.
Thermal traits govern the response of microbial community dynamics and ecosystem functioning to warming

Understanding the ecological processes that underpin the dynamics of community turnover in response to environmental change is critical to predicting how warming will influence ecosystem functioning. Here, we quantify the effect of changing temperature on community composition and ecosystem functioning via the action of ecological selection on population-level thermal traits. To achieve this, we use microbes isolated from a network of geothermal streams in Iceland where in situ temperatures span 8–38°C within a single catchment. We first quantified variability in thermal tolerance between taxa, and then assembled synthetic communities along a broad thermal gradient to explore how temperature-driven selection on thermal tolerance traits shaped the emergent community structures and functions. We found marked changes in community structure and composition with temperature, such that communities exposed to extreme temperatures (10, 35°C) had highly asymmetric biomass distributions and low taxonomic richness. Thermal optima were a good predictor of the presence and relative abundance of taxa in the high-temperature treatments. We also found that the evenness of the abundance distribution was related to ecosystem production, such that communities with more equitable abundance distribution were also the most productive. Our results highlight the utility of using a multi-level approach that links population-level traits with community structure and ecosystem functioning to better understand how ecological communities will respond to global warming.
Role of FaSOC1 and FaCO in the seasonal control of reproductive and vegetative development in the perennial crop Fragaria × ananassa

The diploid woodland strawberry (F. vesca) represents an important model for the genus Fragaria. Significant advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating seasonal alternance of flower induction and vegetative reproduction has been made in this species. However, this research area has received little attention on the cultivated octoploid strawberry (F. × ananassa) despite its enormous agronomical and economic importance. To advance in the characterization of this intricated molecular network, expression analysis of key flowering time genes was performed both in short and long days and in cultivars with seasonal and perpetual flowering. Analysis of overexpression of FaCO and FaSOC1 in the seasonal flowering ‘Camarosa’ allowed functional validation of a number of responses already observed in F. vesca while uncovered differences related to the regulation of FaFTs expression and gibberellins (GAs) biosynthesis. While FvCO has been shown to promote flowering and inhibit runner development in the perpetual flowering H4 accession of F. vesca, our study showed that FaCO responds to LD photoperiods as in F. vesca but delayed flowering to some extent, possibly by induction of the strong FaTFL1 repressor in crowns. A contrasting effect on runnering was observed in FaCO transgenic plants, some lines showing reduced runner number whereas in others runnering was slightly accelerated. We demonstrate that the role of the MADS-box transcription factor FaSOC1 as a strong repressor of flowering and promoter of vegetative growth is conserved in woodland and cultivated strawberry. Our study further indicates an important role of FaSOC1 in the photoperiodic repression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes FaFT2 and FaFT3 while FaTFL1 upregulation was less prominent than that observed in F. vesca. In our experimental conditions, FaSOC1 promotion of vegetative growth do not require induction of GA biosynthesis, despite GA biosynthesis genes showed a marked photoperiodic upregulation in response to long days, supporting GA requirement for the promotion of vegetative growth. Our results also provided insights into additional factors, such as FaTEM, associated with the vegetative developmental phase that deserve further characterization in the future.
Stem-like T cells and niches: Implications in human health and disease

Recently, accumulating evidence has elucidated the important role of T cells with stem-like characteristics in long-term maintenance of T cell responses and better patient outcomes after immunotherapy. The fate of TSL cells has been correlated with many physiological and pathological human processes. In this review, we described present advances demonstrating that stem-like T (TSL) cells are central players in human health and disease. We interpreted the evolutionary characteristics, mechanism and functions of TSL cells. Moreover, we discuss the import role of distinct niches and how they affect the stemness of TSL cells. Furthermore, we also outlined currently available strategies to generate TSL cells and associated affecting factors. Moreover, we summarized implication of TSL cells in therapies in two areas: stemness enhancement for vaccines, ICB, and adoptive T cell therapies, and stemness disruption for autoimmune disorders.
Cardiac immune cell infiltration associates with abnormal lipid metabolism

CD36 mediates the uptake of long-chain fatty acids (FAs), a major energy substrate for the myocardium. Under excessive FA supply, CD36 can cause cardiac lipid accumulation and inflammation while its deletion reduces heart FA uptake and lipid content and increases glucose utilization. As a result, CD36 was proposed as a therapeutic target for obesity-associated heart disease. However, more recent reports have shown that CD36 deficiency suppresses myocardial flexibility in fuel preference between glucose and FAs, impairing tissue energy balance, while CD36 absence in tissue macrophages reduces efferocytosis and myocardial repair after injury. In line with the latter homeostatic functions, we had previously reported that CD36–/– mice have chronic subclinical inflammation. Lipids are important for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and there is limited information on heart lipid metabolism in CD36 deficiency. Here, we document in the hearts of unchallenged CD36–/– mice abnormalities in the metabolism of triglycerides, plasmalogens, cardiolipins, acylcarnitines, and arachidonic acid, and the altered remodeling of these lipids in response to an overnight fast. The hearts were examined for evidence of inflammation by monitoring the presence of neutrophils and pro-inflammatory monocytes/macrophages using the respective positron emission tomography (PET) tracers, 64Cu-AMD3100 and 68Ga-DOTA-ECL1i. We detected significant immune cell infiltration in unchallenged CD36–/– hearts as compared with controls and immune infiltration was also observed in hearts of mice with cardiomyocyte-specific CD36 deficiency. Together, the data show that the CD36–/– heart is in a non-homeostatic state that could compromise its stress response. Non-invasive immune cell monitoring in humans with partial or total CD36 deficiency could help evaluate the risk of impaired heart remodeling and disease.
Mass spectrometry-based N-glycosylation analysis in kidney disease

Kidney disease is a global health concern with an enormous expense. It is estimated that more than 10% of the population worldwide is affected by kidney disease and millions of patients would progress to death prematurely and unnecessarily. Although creatinine detection and renal biopsy are well-established tools for kidney disease diagnosis, they are limited by several inevitable defects. Therefore, diagnostic tools need to be upgraded, especially for the early stage of the disease and possible progression. As one of the most common post-translational modifications of proteins, N-glycosylation plays a vital role in renal structure and function. Deepening research on N-glycosylation in kidney disease provides new insights into the pathophysiology and paves the way for clinical application. In this study, we reviewed recent N-glycosylation studies on several kidney diseases. We also summarized the development of mass spectrometric methods in the field of N-glycoproteomics and N-glycomics.
The role of cell-mediated immunity against influenza and its implications for vaccine evaluation

Influenza vaccines remain the most effective tools to prevent flu and its complications. Trivalent or quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines primarily elicit antibodies towards haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. These vaccines fail to induce high protective efficacy, in particular in older adults and immunocompromised individuals and require annual updates to keep up with evolving influenza strains (antigenic drift). Vaccine efficacy declines when there is a mismatch between its content and circulating strains. Current correlates of protection are merely based on serological parameters determined by haemagglutination inhibition or single radial haemolysis assays. However, there is ample evidence showing that these serological correlates of protection can both over- or underestimate the protective efficacy of influenza vaccines. Next-generation universal influenza vaccines that induce cross-reactive cellular immune responses (CD4+ and/or CD8+ T-cell responses) against conserved epitopes may overcome some of the shortcomings of the current inactivated vaccines by eliciting broader protection that lasts for several influenza seasons and potentially enhances pandemic preparedness. Assessment of cellular immune responses in clinical trials that evaluate the immunogenicity of these new generation vaccines is thus of utmost importance. Moreover, studies are needed to examine whether these cross-reactive cellular immune responses can be considered as new or complementary correlates of protection in the evaluation of traditional and next-generation influenza vaccines. An overview of the assays that can be applied to measure cell-mediated immune responses to influenza with their strengths and weaknesses is provided here.
Continuous time series analysis on the effects of induced running fatigue on leg symmetry using kinematics and kinetic variables: Implications for knee joint injury during a countermovement jump

This study investigates the symmetry change in joint angle and joint moment of knee joints following a Running-Induced Fatigue counter movement Jump. Twelve amateur runners volunteered to participate in the study. A prolonged running protocol was used to induce fatigue. Joint angle and moment were recorded during the push and flexion phase of the CMJ before and immediately after fatigue. Borg scale (RPE>17) and real-time heart rate monitoring (HR>90%HRmax) were used to confirm running fatigue. Symmetry function (SF) was used to assess the symmetry of the knee Angle and moment variation parameters over the entire push-off and landing phases based on time series analysis. Paired sample t-test was used to examine changes in SF before and after acute fatigue. The Angle and moment of the knee are asymmetrical in all planes (SF > 0.05), with SF ranging from 5 to 130% in angle and 5–110% in moment. There was a significant increase in knee joint angle asymmetry in the horizontal plane during the push-off and landing stage following the prolonged - Running Protocol implementation. These increases in asymmetry are mainly caused by excessive external rotation of the dominant knee joint. These findings indicate that fatigue-induced changes during CMJ may progress knee movement pattern asymmetry in the horizontal plane.
Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Port yard storage optimization Port yard storage optimization

— The port yard storage optimization problem (PYSOP) originates from space allocation needs at the Port of Singapore. Space allocated to cargo is to be minimized in a designated yard within a time interval. The problem is akin to a packing problem in space and time, but where shapes packed and constraints are particular to port operations. Further, space requests can change within the time interval in which it is requested. This basic problem is generic to port operations and may find applications elsewhere. The PYSOP is NP-hard, but we propose a number of metaheuristics. Extensive experiments were conducted and good results obtained. Note to Practitioners —The Port of Singapore is one of the busisest ports in the world where competing pressures for land use and competition from other regional and international ports force port planners to make best use of available land. Factors that impact storage capacity include stacking heights, net storage area available, storage density (containers per acre), dwell times for empty containers and breakbulk cargo. In studying its operations to find better ways to utilize storage space within the dynamic environment of the port, we narrowed storage problems down and focused on the central allocation process in storage-operations improvement which would allow for better utilization of space. In this process, requests are made from an operations unit which coordinates ship berthing and ship-to-apron loading as well as apron-to-yard transportation. Each request is for a set of spaces within a yard required in a single time interval. If any space is allocated to the request, this space cannot be freed (released) until the request is completed, that is, until the end time point of the time interval. The problem is akin to a packing problem in space and time, but where shapes packed and constraints are particular to port operations. Further, space requests can change within the time interval in which it is requested. This basic problem is generic to port operations and may find applications elsewhere. The PYSOP is NP-hard for which we propose a number of metaheuristics. Extensive experiments were conducted and good results obtained.
Coronary CTA-specific Definitions of High-Risk Plaque Features Improve Detection of ACS: Results from the ROMICAT II Trial

Background— High-risk plaque features (HRP) as detected by coronary CT angiography (CTA) predict acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We sought to determine whether coronary CTA-specific definitions of HRP improve discrimination of patients with ACS as compared to definitions from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Methods and Results— In patients with suspected ACS, randomized to coronary CTA in the ROMICAT II trial, we retrospectively performed semi-automated quantitative analysis of HRP (including remodeling index, plaque burden as derived by plaque area, low CT attenuation plaque volume) and degree of luminal stenosis and analyzed the performance of traditional IVUS thresholds to detect ACS. Further, we derived CTA-specific thresholds in ACS patients to detect culprit lesions, and applied those to all patients to calculate the discriminatory ability to detect ACS in comparison to IVUS thresholds. Out of 472 patients, 255 patients (56±7.8 years; 63% men) had coronary plaque. In 32 patients (6.8%) with ACS, culprit plaques (n=35) differed from non-culprit plaques (n=172) with significantly greater values for all HRP features except minimal luminal area (significantly lower) (all p<0.01). IVUS definitions showed good performance while minimal luminal area (OR: 6.82; p=0.014) and plaque burden (OR: 5.71, p=0.008) were independently associated with ACS, but not remodeling index (OR: 0.78; p=0.673). Optimized CTA-specific thresholds for plaque burden (AUC: 0.832 vs. 0.676) and degree of stenosis (AUC: 0.826 vs. 0.721) showed significantly higher diagnostic performance for ACS as compared to IVUS based thresholds (all p<0.05) with borderline significance for minimal luminal area (AUC: 0.817 vs. 0.742; p=0.066). Conclusions— CTA-specific definitions of high-risk plaque features may improve the discrimination of patients with ACS as compared to IVUS based definitions.
University of Birmingham Syncytial basis for diversity in spike shapes and their propagation in detrusor smooth muscle

Syncytial tissues, such as the smooth muscle of the urinary bladder wall, are known to produce action potentials (spikes) with marked differences in their shapes and sizes. The need for this diversity is currently unknown, and neither is their origin understood. The small size of the cells, their syncytial arrangement, and the complex nature of innervation poses significant challenges for the experimental investigation of such tissues. To obtain better insight, we present here a three-dimensional electrical model of smooth muscle syncytium, developed using the compartmental modeling technique, with each cell possessing active channel mechanisms capable of producing an action potential. This enables investigation of the syncytial effect on action potential shapes and their propagation. We show how a single spike shape could undergo modulation, resulting in diverse shapes, owing to the syncytial nature of the tissue. Differences in the action potential features could impact their capacity to propagate through a syncytium. This is illustrated through comparison of two distinct action potential mechanisms. A better understanding of the origin of the various spike shapes would have significant implications in pathology, assisting in evaluating the underlying cause and directing their treatment.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering

- An adhoc network is a group of wireless mobile computers (or nodes), in which individual nodes cooperate by forwarding packets for each other to allow nodes to communicate beyond direct wireless transmission range. Prior research in ad hoc networking has generally studied the routing problem in a non-adversarial setting, assuming a trusted environment. In this paper, we present attacks against routing in ad hoc networks, and we present the design and performance evaluation of a new secure on-demand ad hoc network routing protocol, called Ariadne. Ariadne prevents attackers or compromised nodes from tampering with uncompromised routes consisting of uncompromised nodes, and also prevents many types of Denial-of-Service attacks. In addition, Ariadne is efficient, using only highly efficient symmetric cryptographic primitives
Comparison of BLDC Motor Control with Fuzzy Tuning by Solar Power Input and Zeta Converter

The importance of brushless DC (BLDC) motor along with its control is enhancing in present days due to its wide applications in sophisticated equipments. In this paper various parameters of the BLDC Motor was observed using open loop and closed feedback loop with Fuzzy and PI control. With the help of observed parameters, better controlling techniques are applied to BLDC Motor control. Solar power is used with Zeta converter in boost mode to give the power supply to the Motor. Using DC Generator the electrical loading is applied on BLDC Motor. The effect of closed loop control on Zeta converter was also analyzed. In present days the BLDC Motor drives are widely using in aviation, defense, etc due to absence of commutator sparks. So high priority for better control of BLDC Motor in coordination with embedded designs is given due to its increasing utilization.