Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The crowns have eyes: Multiple opsins found in the eyes of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Acanthaster planci including the first r-opsin utilized by a deuterostome eye

Opsins are G protein-coupled receptors used for both visual and non-visual photoreception, and these proteins evolutionarily date back to the base of the bilaterians. In the current sequencing age, phylogenomic analysis has proven to be a powerful tool, facilitating the increase in knowledge about diversity within the opsin subclasses and, so far, nine paralogs have been identified. Within echinoderms, opsins have been studied in Echinoidea and Ophiuroidea, which do not possess proper image forming eyes, but rather widely dispersed dermal photoreceptors. However, most species of Asteroidea, the starfish, possess true eyes and studying them will shed light on the diversity of opsin usage within echinoderms and help resolve the evolutionary history of opsins. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing, we have sequenced and analyzed the transcriptomes of different Acanthaster planci tissue samples: eyes, radial nerve, tube feet and a mixture of tissues from other organs. At least ten opsins were identified, and eight of them were found significantly differentially expressed in both eyes and radial nerve, providing new important insight into the involvement of opsins in visual and nonvisual photoreception. Of relevance, we found the first evidence of an r-opsin photopigment expressed in a well developed visual eye in a deuterostome animal.
Bacterias simbióticas asociadas a Prosthechea citrina, una orquídea endémica de México

Along the process of in vitro plant tissue culture, potential plant pathogenic and/or apparent contaminant microorganisms occur, which eventually cause loss of plant material. The objective of this research was to identify endophytic bacteria in Prosthechea citrina , an endemic Mexican orchid, by isolating, in vitro culturing, and sequencing the 16S gen from ribosomal RNA of the bacterial isolates. Aeromonas hydrophila and Enterobacter sp. were identified as symbionts, non-pathogenic, from the bulb and the lower part of the leaf, and A. hydrophila in the middle and top of the leaf. Four antibiotics were evaluated for their in vitro control using the disc-plate method, quantifying the colony diameter growth. The highest statistically significant inhibition halos were obtained with Oxytetracycline for A. hydrophila , and with ampicillin for Enterobacter sp. The presence of endophytic bacteria is demonstrated, with tissue specificity location, as well as the corresponding inhibitory antibiotic.
The Hidden Pandemic of Family Violence During COVID-19: Unsupervised Learning of Tweets

Background Family violence (including intimate partner violence/domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse) is a hidden pandemic happening alongside COVID-19. The rates of family violence are rising fast, and women and children are disproportionately affected and vulnerable during this time. Objective This study aims to provide a large-scale analysis of public discourse on family violence and the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter. Methods We analyzed over 1 million tweets related to family violence and COVID-19 from April 12 to July 16, 2020. We used the machine learning approach Latent Dirichlet Allocation and identified salient themes, topics, and representative tweets. Results We extracted 9 themes from 1,015,874 tweets on family violence and the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) increased vulnerability: COVID-19 and family violence (eg, rising rates, increases in hotline calls, homicide); (2) types of family violence (eg, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse); (3) forms of family violence (eg, physical aggression, coercive control); (4) risk factors linked to family violence (eg, alcohol abuse, financial constraints, guns, quarantine); (5) victims of family violence (eg, the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning] community, women, women of color, children); (6) social services for family violence (eg, hotlines, social workers, confidential services, shelters, funding); (7) law enforcement response (eg, 911 calls, police arrest, protective orders, abuse reports); (8) social movements and awareness (eg, support victims, raise awareness); and (9) domestic violence–related news (eg, Tara Reade, Melissa DeRosa). Conclusions This study overcomes limitations in the existing scholarship where data on the consequences of COVID-19 on family violence are lacking. We contribute to understanding family violence during the pandemic by providing surveillance via tweets. This is essential for identifying potentially useful policy programs that can offer targeted support for victims and survivors as we prepare for future outbreaks.
Surgical clip occlusion of the V3 segment to prevent recurrent cerebral infarction associated with extracranial vertebral artery dissection: A case report

Background: Recurrent cerebral infarction caused by traumatic extracranial vertebral artery dissection (EVAD) is treated medically and surgically. We report a case of EVAD that was treated using surgical clip occlusion of the V3 segment to prevent recurrent cerebral infarction. Case Description: A 48-year-old man was admitted for a cerebral infarction caused by EVAD and was treated using 200 mg/day cilostazol. Afterward, the cerebral infarction recurred. Digital subtraction angiography revealed that initial severe stenosis of the VA ostium resulted in the final occlusion and that collateral vessels to the VA remained. We continued antiplatelet therapy, but the cerebral infarction recurred due to thromboembolism of the collateral vessels. Parent artery occlusion was planned. We exposed the V3 segment of the VA and clipped it to prevent the recurrence of cerebral infarction. Conclusion: Surgical clip occlusion of the V3 segment was effective for treating recurrent cerebral infarction caused by traumatic EVAD that had remained an issue despite continuing medical therapy.
The creation of novel humanized mouse models for the assessment of innovative immunotherapies and vaccine evaluation

Animal models play critical roles in pre-clinical researches, while there are still several limitations. The physiological and immunological states in murine and non-human primates are radically district from those of mankind, especially the MHC restriction, which cannot eliminate the influence of species specificity in pre-clinical experiments.The aim of our work was to generate a higher level of “humanized” transgenic mice which could mimic human immune responses with more accuracy and reliability; furthermore, to apply the novel models in the evaluation of human transplantation, the identification of new epitopes, and the evaluation of candidate vaccines and drugs.In the first part of the study, novel immuno-deficient HLA transgenic mice "HUMAMICE" (HLA-A2+/+/DR1+/+/ H-2-β2m-/-/IAβ-/-/Rag2-/-/IL-2rγ-/-/Perf-/- mice) were established, which expressed human HLA molecules instead of murine H-2 and present no murine lymphocytes. This immuno-deficient status was reversed by transferring the functional HLA-matched hPBMCs and then producing mice with an immuno-competent status with a functional human immune system, led to high lymphocytes engraftment rates without GvHD. Immunization of HBsAg vaccine resulted in robust and reproducible production of specific antibodies. Inconclusion, these results indicated that the hPBMCs-HUMAMICE model represents a promising model to dissect human immune responses towards human diseases.In the second part of this study, the Chinese/East Asian HLA dominated HLA-A11/DR1(HLA-A11+/+/DR1+/+/H-2-β2m-/-/IAβ-/-) transgenic mouse strain was established. This novel mouse strain possesses HLA-restricted characteristic and a normal ability to respond to antigens. Immunization of mice with a recombinant HBV vaccine or a recombinant HIV-1 protein resulted in the generation of IFN-γ-producing cytotoxic T lymphocytes and specific antibodies. Furthermore, we identified two HLA-A11 restricted epitopes of EBOV GP protein and four of MERS-CoV S protein. Above all, HLA-A11/DR1 mice could facilitate the identification of Chinese dominant HLA-restricted CTL and Th epitopes and provide a new promising technical tool to understand immunological mechanisms and new vaccines.Taken together, we created two novel and promising humanize mouse models carrying human HLA restriction which could apply as pathogen infection models, and study tumors, transplantation mechanism, and the invention and evaluation of vaccines and drugs.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Attenuate Acute Lung Injury Induced by Ischemia Reperfusion via Suppressing the High Mobility Group Box-1

Pulmonary endothelial cell injury is a hallmark of acute lung injury. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) can modulate the inflammatory response via endothelial cell activation and release of inflammatory molecules. Thus, we tested whether induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can alleviate ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced lung injury, and, if so, whether HMGB1 mediates the effect in a male C57BL/6 mouse model. Intravenously injected iPSCs into mice 2 h after I/R showed a significant attenuation of lung injury (assessed by lung mechanics, edema, and histology) 24 h after reperfusion (compared with controls), along with decreases in HMGB1, phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB, inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)1β, IL6 and tumor necrosis factor-α], and the activation of endothelial cells. Furthermore, these effects of iPSCs can be mimicked by blocking HMGB1 with an inhibitor in vivo and in vitro. We conclude that iPSCs can be a potential therapy for I/R-induced lung injury. These cells may exert therapeutic effects through blocking HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines.
Acute Exercise-Induced Set Shifting Benefits in Healthy Adults and Its Moderators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Positive effects of acute exercise on cognitive performances in general inspired research that investigated the effects of acute exercise on specific cognitive subdomains. Many existing studies examined beneficial effects of acute exercise on subsequent set shifting performance in healthy adults. Set shifting, a subdomain of executive function, is the ability to switch between different cognitive sets. The results of existing studies are inconsistent. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted that pooled available effect sizes. Additionally, moderator analyses were carried out to identify covariates that determine the magnitude of exercise-induced set shifting benefits. Methods: Medline, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus were searched for eligible studies. Hedges' g corrected standardized mean difference values were used for analyses. Random-effects weights were applied to pool effects. Potential moderation of the effect of acute exercise on subsequent set shifting performance by exercise intensity, type of exercise, participants' age, and type of control group were examined. Results: Twenty-two studies (N = 1,900) were included into analysis. All aggregated effect sizes ranged from small to moderate. Overall, a small significant beneficial effect was revealed (g = −0.32, 95 % CI −0.45 to −0.18). Heterogeneity of included effect sizes was moderate and significant (T2 = 0.0715, I2 = 46.4%, (p < 0.0016). Moderator analyses revealed a larger average effect in older adults than for studies examining younger adults (−0.42 vs. −0.29). Light exercise (−0.51) led to larger effects than moderate (−0.24) or vigorous exercise (−0.29). Studies testing acute exercise against active control groups showed a noticeably smaller average effect (−0.13) than studies that used passive (−0.38) or cognitive engaging control groups (−0.34). Interestingly, application of resistance or aerobic exercise led to no different average effect sizes (−0.30 vs. −0.32). However, none of the tested covariates reached statistical significance. Conclusion: Acute exercise improves subsequent set shifting performance. However, effect sizes are small, making the relevance for everyday life questionable. The results indicate that older adults benefit more from acute exercise than younger adults do. Light intensity exercise seems most effective while the type of exercise does not seem to influence the magnitude of effects. Research designs with active control groups show the smallest average effect, raising concerns about placebo effects. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019138799
Multilocus sequence analysis of phytoplasmas detected in cherry trees in Poland

During 2010–2013 and 2016, shoot samples were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic 85 sour cherry and 80 sweet cherry trees grown in 16 orchards located in major cherry cultivation areas in Central and Western Poland. Some sour cherry trees showed shoot proliferation, whereas dieback symptoms and leaf roll and yellowing were observed on some sweet cherry trees. The universal phytoplasma‐specific primer pairs P1 and P7 derived from the ribosomal sequence within the 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequences and intergenic spacer region were used in direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by universal primers F1/B6 and primers R16(I)F1/R1 and R16(X)F1/R1 specific for 16SrI and 16SrX groups, respectively. Phytoplasmas were detected in two sweet cherry (‘Trzebnica’ and ‘Kordia II.14’) and one sour cherry (‘cherry XVI.12’) trees. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses conducted after digestion of F1/B6 products (~1.65 kb) with HhaI, RsaI, SspI and MseI enzymes indicated that sweet cherry trees were infected with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ (16SrX-B). The restriction profiles for sour ‘cherry XVI.12’ sample were indistinguishable from those of the reference strain AY-1 of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (16SrI-B). Multilocus sequence analysis of 16S DNA plus spacer region, secY and ribosomal protein (rp) operons confirmed the genetic diversity of phytoplasmas infecting cherry trees and showed the closest relationships ‘Trzebnica’ and ‘Kordia II.14’ isolates found in sweet cherry trees to the reference strains of ‘Ca. Ph. prunorum’ (16SrX-B). Depending on analysed sequenced region, the phytoplasma infecting sour ‘cherry XVI.12’ revealed close genetic relationship to phytoplasmas assigned to the different subgroups of aster yellows group (16SrI). SecY gene was the more informative marker for finer differentiation of the strains of phytoplasmas within 16SrI group and showed the highest genetic similarity of ‘cherry XVI.12’ isolate with ‘Ca. Ph. asteris’-related strains.
Molecular identification of Lavendula dentata L., Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. and Mentha × piperita L. by DNA barcodes

Five DNA barcodes were tested for identification and discrimination of Lavendula dentata L. , Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. and Mentha × piperita L. New DNA barcodes have been registered for L. dentata from Taif, Saudi Arabia. The separate clading of L. dentata and M. longifolia through the phylogenic analyses proved their endemism to Saudi Arabia. The phylogenetic trees revealed from the ITS2, matK and trnH data demonstrated that all Mentha species formed monophyletic clusters except hybrid M. × piperita from Taif which formed separate clades distinguishing it from the two parents; M. aquatica L. and M. spicata L. DNA barcoding could be considered as a good approach for distinguishing and identifying the mint plants, though it was not possible to confirm the relationship between hybrids and their putative parents.
Detection of femtosecond spin voltage pulses in a thin iron film

We present experimental evidence of a spin voltage—a difference between the chemical potentials of the two spin directions—in a thin iron film based on spin- and time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. This voltage is the driving force for a spin current during the ultrafast demagnetization of the sample. The observed magnitude is on the order of 50 mV, a value that is quite consistent with predictions based on particle conservation and persists for approximately 100 fs.
Local reciprocal release of GABA from dendritic spines of olfactory bulb granule cells

In the rodent olfactory bulb the smooth dendrites of the principal glutamatergic mitral cells 13 (MCs) engage in reciprocal dendrodendritic interactions with the large spines of GABAergic 14 granule cells (GC), giving rise to local postsynaptic activation of voltage-gated Na + channels 15 (Na v ) within the spines. It is not known yet whether individual MC inputs can also trigger the 16 reciprocal release machinery. Here we show that local activation via two-photon uncaging of 17 glutamate causes GC spines to release GABA both synchronously and asynchronously onto 18 MC dendrites, detected as uncaging-evoked reciprocal IPSCs at the MC soma. This local 19 recurrent inhibition requires GC Na v activation, indicating that individual spine spikes can 20 induce release from the reciprocal spine. Interestingly, NMDA receptors also play a major, 21 probably cooperative, role for GABA release. Finally, we demonstrate prolonged postsynaptic 22 elevations of both [Ca 2+ ] i and [Na + ] i within the GC spine head, on the same time scale as 23 asynchronous release.
Risk factors affecting the difficulty of fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation

Background The success rate of intubation under direct laryngoscopy is greatly influenced by laryngoscopic grade using the Cormack-Lehane classification. However, it is not known whether grade under direct laryngoscopy can also affects the success rate of nasotracheal intubation using a fiberoptic bronchoscpe, so this study investigated the same. In addition, we investigated other factors that influence the success rate of fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation (FNI). Methods FNI was performed by 18 anesthesiology residents under general anesthesia in patients over 15 years of age who underwent elective oral and maxillofacial operations. In all patients, the Mallampati grade was measured. Laryngeal view grade under direct laryngoscopy, and the degree of secretion and bleeding in the oral cavity was measured and divided into 3 grades. The time required for successful FNI was measured. If the intubation time was > 5 minutes, it was evaluated as a failure and the airway was managed by another method. The failure rate was evaluated using appropriate statistical method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were also measured. Results A total of 650 patients were included in the study, and the failure rate of FNI was 4.5%. The patient's sex, age, height, weight, Mallampati, and laryngoscopic view grade did not affect the success rate of FNI (P > 0.05). BMI, the number of FNI performed by residents (P = 0.03), secretion (P < 0.001), and bleeding (P < 0.001) grades influenced the success rate. The AUCs of bleeding and secretion were 0.864 and 0.798, respectively, but the AUC of BMI, the number of FNI performed by residents, Mallampati, and laryngoscopic view grade were 0.527, 0.616, 0.614, and 0.544, respectively. Conclusion Unlike in intubation under direct laryngoscopy, in the case of FNI, oral secretion and nasal bleeding had a significant effect on FNI difficulty than Mallampati grade or Laryngeal view grade.
Experimental study of ion-molecule reactions of aromatic hydrocarbons

This thesis presents experimental studies, based on guided ion beam mass spectrometric techniques and coupled to theoretical interpretations by quantum chemistry, on ionic mechanisms for the molecular growth of aromatic hydrocarbons with a particular relevance for understanding the formation of large molecules in ionized gases such as planetary iono-spheres, plasmas and combustion systems. The starting point of this dissertation is a study of the reactivity of naphthyl cation C10H7+ with benzene. Ion-molecule reactions leading to hydrocarbon growth via the formation of new C-C bond are studied with special reference to the association product C16H13+. Another experiment in this dissertation concerns the reactivity of the C12H9+ ion with benzene. The growth of hydrocarbon ions up to C18H15+ species via C–C bond forming reactions is observed. The adduct formation route is found to be exothermic and barrierless, while other products are found to have energy barriers. The last topic addressed in this thesis is the experimental investigation of the possible formation mechanisms of the ion C12H10O+, observed in benzene/air plasma corona discharges at atmospheric pressure.
Observing Language Pedagogy (OLP) : developing and piloting a contexualised video-based measure of early childhood teachers' pedagogical language knowledge

To support responsive decision-making in the classroom, teachers need flexible access to rich, well-organised and integrated pedagogical knowledge (Koehler & Mishra, 2009). The design of teacher programmes which effectively foster such knowledge rests on its successful measurement, so that relationships between teachers’ learning experiences and their knowledge growth can be established. However, existing questionnaire-based assessments have thus far failed to capture dynamic pedagogical knowledge in a manner which allows relationships with practice and child outcomes to be established. This study develops and pilots a contextualised tool for assessing the dynamic pedagogical knowledge of early childhood teachers, in relation to oral language development. Respondents watch three short videos of a practitioner interacting with children, and identify the strategies used which may support children’s language skills. This use of ‘teacher noticing’ as a proxy for pedagogical knowledge is based on the premise that expert and novice teachers perceive classroom events differently (Berliner, 1992), and that noticing effective strategies in others is a precursor to successful application in personal practice (Jamil, Sabol, Hamre & Pianta, 2015; van Es & Sherin, 2002, 2006). The tool is piloted in the context of a wider randomised controlled trial in 117 schools, designed to evaluate an oral language professional development intervention for preschool teachers. Responses from 104 teachers (n=72 schools) are used to explore its psychometric properties. Findings indicate that the tool provides a reliable measure of pedagogical knowledge, and that scores significantly predict observed quality of practice. Teachers with greater explicit procedural knowledge, and those who provided interpretations of the interactions they identified, led classrooms with higher-quality language-supporting practice. Teachers who participated in the intervention showed greater procedural knowledge of language-supporting strategies than teachers in the control group. Implications for the understanding and assessment of pedagogical knowledge, and for the design of relevant professional development, are considered.
Activated Expression of PHT Genes Contributes to Osmotic Stress Resistance under Low Phosphorus Levels in Malus

Osmotic adjustments play a fundamental role in plant responses to water deficit. For apple (Malus domestica) trees growing in the primary production areas of China, drought and low phosphorus (P) levels are the main sources of abiotic stress. Although tolerance to drought and low P are important breeding goals for cultivar improvement, there is little information on natural variation within Malus for these traits or the molecular mechanisms that may mediate tolerance. In this study, it was found that in plants grown under conditions of osmotic and low P stress, electrolyte leakage and photosynthetic parameters were significantly higher, but chlorophyll concentrations were lower compared with nonstressed plants. These physiological indicators revealed that, under low P condition, the order of osmotic stress resistance (high to low) was Malus sieversii (Ms) → Malus prunifolia (Mp) → Malus hupehensis (Mh). Expression of the phosphorus transporter genes PHT1;7, PHT1;12, and PHT2;1 in the roots and PHT1;12 and PHT4;5 in the leaves was positively correlated with plant osmotic resistance. It is proposed that the highly expressed PHT genes might improve P absorption and transport efficiency, resulting in the high osmotic stress resistance under low P level conditions in Malus species.