Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Echolocating bats exhibit differential amplitude compensation for noise interference at a sub-call level

ABSTRACT Flexible vocal production control enables sound communication in both favorable and unfavorable conditions. The Lombard effect, which describes a rise in call amplitude with increasing ambient noise, is a widely exploited strategy by vertebrates to cope with interfering noise. In humans, the Lombard effect influences the lexical stress through differential amplitude modulation at a sub-call syllable level, which so far has not been documented in animals. Here, we bridge this knowledge gap with two species of Hipposideros bats, which produce echolocation calls consisting of two functionally well-defined units: the constant-frequency (CF) and frequency-modulated (FM) components. We show that ambient noise induced a strong, but differential, Lombard effect in the CF and FM components of the echolocation calls. We further report that the differential amplitude compensation occurred only in the spectrally overlapping noise conditions, suggesting a functional role in releasing masking. Lastly, we show that both species of bats exhibited a robust Lombard effect in the spectrally non-overlapping noise conditions, which contrasts sharply with the existing evidence. Our data highlight echolocating bats as a potential mammalian model for understanding vocal production control. Summary: Echolocating bats dynamically modulate vocalization amplitude in noise at a sub-call level, demonstrating a high degree of vocal flexibility.
Automated conservation assessment of the orchid family with deep learning

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments are essential for prioritizing conservation needs but are resource intensive and therefore available only for a fraction of global species richness. Automated conservation assessments based on digitally available geographic occurrence records can be a rapid alternative, but it is unclear how reliable these assessments are. We conducted automated conservation assessments for 13,910 species (47.3% of the known species in the family) of the diverse and globally distributed orchid family (Orchidaceae), for which most species (13,049) were previously unassessed by IUCN. We used a novel method based on a deep neural network (IUC‐NN). We identified 4,342 orchid species (31.2% of the evaluated species) as possibly threatened with extinction (equivalent to IUCN categories critically endangered [CR], endangered [EN], or vulnerable [VU]) and Madagascar, East Africa, Southeast Asia, and several oceanic islands as priority areas for orchid conservation. Orchidaceae provided a model with which to test the sensitivity of automated assessment methods to problems with data availability, data quality, and geographic sampling bias. The IUC‐NN identified possibly threatened species with an accuracy of 84.3%, with significantly lower geographic evaluation bias relative to the IUCN Red List and was robust even when data availability was low and there were geographic errors in the input data. Overall, our results demonstrate that automated assessments have an important role to play in identifying species at the greatest risk of extinction.
Transcriptome analysis and comparison reveal divergence between the Mediterranean and the greenhouse whiteflies

Both the Mediterranean (MED) species of the Bemisia tabaci whitefly complex and the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum, TV) are important agricultural pests. The two species of whiteflies differ in many aspects such as morphology, geographical distribution, host plant range, plant virus transmission, and resistance to insecticides. However, the molecular basis underlying their differences remains largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the genetic divergences between the transcriptomes of MED and TV. In total, 2,944 pairs of orthologous genes were identified. The average identity of amino acid sequences between the two species is 93.6%. The average nonsynonymous (Ka) and synonymous (Ks) substitution rates and the ratio of Ka/Ks of the orthologous genes are 0.0389, 2.23 and 0.0204, respectively. The low average Ka/Ks ratio indicates that orthologous genes tend to be under strong purified selection. The most divergent gene classes are related to the metabolisms of xenobiotics, cofactors, vitamins and amino acids, and this divergence may underlie the different biological characteristics between the two species of whiteflies. Genes of differential expression between the two species are enriched in carbohydrate metabolism and regulation of autophagy. These findings provide molecular clues to uncover the biological and molecular differences between the two species of whiteflies.
Preliminary Investigation of the Usability Characteristics Required for Wound Management Products by Semi-Structural Interview of Medical Staff

Consideration of drug usability characteristics is important during the design process. Although many wound management products have been developed in recent years, there are few studies on their usability. We investigated the needs and characteristics of wound management products required by medical professionals, so as to consider these in future development projects. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a group of healthcare professionals. Interview responses were analyzed based on thematic analysis. Four themes common to all facilities were secondary wounds, adaptability of materials, convenience, and physicochemical properties. Economic efficiency of medical care was found to be considered only at the hospital, and quality of life of patients was found to be considered only at the home palliative care clinic. Requirements for wound management products can be affected by participants’ roles and their facility settings. However, there were needs common to all fields that all wound management products should aim to incorporate.
Insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake partly relies on p21‐activated kinase (PAK)2, but not PAK1, in mouse skeletal muscle

Muscle‐specific genetic ablation of p21‐activated kinase (PAK)2, but not whole‐body PAK1 knockout, impairs glucose tolerance in mice. Insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake partly relies on PAK2 in glycolytic extensor digitorum longus muscle By contrast to previous reports, PAK1 is dispensable for insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in mouse muscle.
Information and Communications Technology–Based Interventions Targeting Patient Empowerment: Framework Development

Background Empowerment of patients is often an explicit goal of various information and communications technology (ICT) (electronic, digital) interventions where the patients themselves use ICT tools via the internet. Although several models of empowerment exist, a comprehensive and pragmatic framework is lacking for the development of such interventions. Objective This study proposes a framework for digital interventions aiming to empower patients that includes a methodology that links objectives, strategies, and evaluation. Methods This study is based on a literature review and iterated expert discussions including a focus group to formulate the proposed model. Our model is based on a review of various models of empowerment and models of technology intervention. Results Our framework includes the core characteristics of the empowerment concept (control, psychological coping, self-efficacy, understanding, legitimacy, and support) as well as a set of empowerment consequences: expressed patient perceptions, behavior, clinical outcomes, and health systems effects. The framework for designing interventions includes strategies to achieve empowerment goals using different ICT services. Finally, the intervention model can be used to define project evaluations where the aim is to demonstrate empowerment. The study also included example indicators and associated measurement instruments. Conclusions This framework, which includes definitions, can be useful for the design and evaluation of digital interventions targeting patient empowerment and assist in the development of methods to measure results in this dimension. Further evaluation in the form of interventional studies will be needed to assess the generalizability of the model.
Exploring the impact of pain management programme attendance on complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients’ decision making regarding immunosuppressant treatment to manage their chronic pain condition

Abstract Objectives Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare chronic pain condition for which no curative treatment exists. Patients in tertiary centres are often required to make decisions about treatment options. This study was conducted to explore how prior attendance of a pain management program might alter patients’ decision making processes. Methods This qualitative study uses focus groups to gather patient views on an immunosuppressant drug treatment (mycophenolate) for the management of CRPS. Participants were allocated to one of three focus groups based on their treatment journey; Group 1 (n=3) were involved in a recent mycophenolate drug trial; Group 2 (n=5) were neither involved in the trial nor attended a Pain Management Programme (PMP); Group 3 (n=6) were not involved in the trial but had attended a PMP. Outcomes were considered within the framework of Leventhal’s Common Sense Model (CSM) in relation to the decision making process. Results Thematic analysis identified differing themes for each group. Group 1: (1) Medication as a positive form of treatment, (2) The trial/drug and (3) Pacing. Group 2: (1) Medication as form of treatment, (2) Other forms of support/treatment and (3) Side effects of mycophenolate. Group 3: (1) Varied view of medication, (2) Consideration of other forms of support and (3) Side effects. Conclusions Attendance on a PMP might provide patients with skills to better manage uncertainty when faced with various treatment options. Leventhal’s model goes some way to explaining this. The specific importance of, and benefit from understanding pacing when commencing an effective drug treatment for chronic pain became apparent.
Chlorinated Byproduct Formation during the Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Process at Magnéli Phase Ti4O7 Electrodes.

This research investigated chlorinated byproduct formation at Ti4O7 anodes. Resorcinol was used as a model organic compound representative of reactive phenolic groups in natural organic matter and industrial phenolic contaminants and was oxidized in the presence of NaCl (0-5 mM). Resorcinol mineralization was >68% in the presence and absence of NaCl at 3.1 V/SHE (residence time = 13 s). Results indicated that ~4.3% of the initial chloride was converted to inorganic byproducts (free Cl2, ClO2-, ClO3-) in the absence of resorcinol and this value decreased to < 0.8% in the presence of resorcinol. Perchlorate formation rates from chlorate oxidation were 115-371 μmol m-2 h-1, approximately two orders of magnitude lower than reported values for boron-doped diamond anodes. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy detected two chlorinated organic products. A multi-chlorinated alcohol compounds (C3H2Cl4O and C3H4Cl4O) at 2.5 V/SHE and a mono-chlorinated phenolic compound (C8H7O4Cl) at 3.1 V/SHE were proposed as possible structures. Density functional theory calculations estimated that the proposed alcohol products were resistant to direct oxidation at 2.5 V/SHE and the C8H7O4Cl compound was likely a transient intermediate. Chlorinated byproducts should be carefully monitored during EAOPs and multi-barrier treatment approaches are likely necessary to prevent halogenated byproducts in the treated water.
The Role of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Study of Primary Tumor and Pelvic Lymph Node Metastasis in Stage IB1–IIA1 Cervical Cancer

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in demonstrating the metastatic potential of primary tumor and differentiating metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) from nonmetastatic lymph nodes (non-MLNs) in stage IB1–IIA1 cervical cancer. Methods Fifty-seven stage IB1–IIA1 subjects were included. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) parameters of primary tumors and lymph nodes and the conventional imaging features of the lymph nodes were measured and analyzed. Mann-Whitney test and χ2 test were used to analyze statistically significant parameters, logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to compare the diagnostic performance of the MLNs. Results Nineteen subjects had lymph node metastasis. A total of 94 lymph nodes were evaluated, including 30 MLNs and 64 non-MLNs. There were no significant difference in ADC and DCE-MRI parameters between metastatic and nonmetastatic primary tumors. The heterogeneous signal was more commonly seen in MLNs than in non-MLNs (P = 0.001). The values of ADCmean, ADCmin, and ADCmax of MLNs were lower than those of non-MLNs (P < 0.001). The values of short-axis diameter, Ktrans, Kep, and Ve of MLNs were higher than those of non-MLNs (P < 0.05). Compared with individual MRI parameters, the combined evaluation of short-axis diameter, ADCmean, and Ktrans showed the highest area under the curve of 0.930. Conclusions Diffusion-weighted imaging and DCE-MRI could not demonstrate the metastatic potential of primary tumor in stage IB1–IIA1 cervical cancer. Compared with individual MRI parameters, the combination of multiparametric MRI could improve the diagnostic performance of lymph node metastasis.
Supplementation‐induced increase in circulating omega‐3 serum levels is not associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms: Results from the MooDFOOD depression prevention trial

There is ambiguity on how omega‐3 (n‐3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with depression, and what the temporality of the association might be. The present study aimed to examine whether (intervention‐induced changes in) n‐3 PUFA levels were associated with (changes in) depressive symptoms.
The effect of religiosity on violence: Results from a Brazilian population-based representative survey of 4,607 individuals

Although there is a wide array of evidence showing the beneficial effect of religiosity on violence among adolescents, nationwide studies in the general population are scarce. This study aims to explore whether religiosity is associated or not with diminishing violence in a Brazilian population-based representative sample. This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011–2012 using face-to-face interviews and included 4,608 individuals 14 years and older. The survey included measures of religiosity (religious affiliation and importance of religion), violence (involvement in fights, domestic violence and police detention), depression, social support and alcohol dependence. We used logistic regression models and mediation analyses. In the total sample analyses, after adjustments, having a religious affiliation was inversely associated with lower involvement in fights (OR = 0.60,CI95%:0.37–0.98) and less police detention (OR = 0.37,CI95%:0.20–0.70), whereas the importance of religion was only associated with less fights (OR = 0.60,CI95%:0.36–0.99). Subanalyses revealed different associations depending on the age group evaluated. Mediation tests showed that the association of religious affiliation on violence outcomes was mediated by alcohol use. In conclusion, religiosity seems to be an important factor associated with lower levels of violence in this nationwide representative survey and alcohol dependence seems to mediate this relationship. Health professionals should be aware of these findings in their clinical practice.
Colonic Mucosal Microbiota and Association of Bacterial Taxa with the Expression of Host Antimicrobial Peptides in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), are chronic debilitating disorders of unknown etiology. Over 200 genetic risk loci are associated with IBD, highlighting a key role for immunological and epithelial barrier functions. Environmental factors account for the growing incidence of IBD, and microbiota are considered as an important contributor. Microbiota dysbiosis can lead to a loss of tolerogenic immune effects and initiate or exacerbate inflammation. We aimed to study colonic mucosal microbiota and the expression of selected host genes in pediatric UC. We used high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing to profile microbiota in colonic biopsies of pediatric UC patients (n = 26) and non-IBD controls (n = 27). The expression of 13 genes, including five for antimicrobial peptides, in parallel biopsies was assessed with qRT-PCR. The composition of microbiota between UC and non-IBD differed significantly (PCoA, p = 0.001). UC children had a decrease in Bacteroidetes and an increase in several family-level taxa including Peptostreptococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, which correlated negatively with the expression of antimicrobial peptides REG3G and DEFB1, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae correlated positively with the expression siderophore binding protein LCN2 and Betaproteobacteria negatively with DEFB4A expression. The results indicate that reciprocal interaction of epithelial microbiota and defense mechanisms play a role in UC.
PIK3CA Mutation in the ShortHER Randomized Adjuvant Trial for Patients with Early HER2+ Breast Cancer: Association with Prognosis and Integration with PAM50 Subtype

Purpose: We explored the prognostic effect of PIK3CA mutation in HER2+ patients enrolled in the ShortHER trial. Patients and Methods: The ShortHER trial randomized 1,253 patients with HER2+ breast cancer to 9 weeks or 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy. PIK3CA hotspot mutations in exon 9 and 20 were analyzed by pyrosequencing. Expression of 60 genes, including PAM50 genes was measured using the nCounter platform. Results: A mutation of the PIK3CA gene was detected in 21.7% of the 803 genotyped tumors. At a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 90.6% for PIK3CA mutated and 86.2% for PIK3CA wild-type tumors [HR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56–1.27; P = 0.417]. PIK3CA mutation showed a favorable prognostic impact in the PAM50 HER2-enriched subtype (n = 232): 5-year DFS 91.8% versus 76.1% (log-rank P = 0.049; HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.21–1.02). HER2-enriched/PIK3CA mutated versus wild-type tumors showed numerically higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and significant upregulation of immune-related genes (including CD8A, CD274, PDCD1, and MYBL2, a proliferation gene involved in immune processes). High TILs as well as the upregulation of PDCD1 and MYBL2 were associated with a significant DFS improvement within the HER2-enriched subtype (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68–0.99; P = 0.039 for 10% TILs increment; HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.65–0.99; P = 0.049 for PDCD1 expression; HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53–0.99; P = 0.042 for MYBL2 expression). Conclusions: PIK3CA mutation showed no prognostic impact in the ShortHER trial. Within the HER2-enriched molecular subtype, patients with PIK3CA mutated tumors showed better DFS versus PIK3CA wild-type, which may be partly explained by upregulation of immune-related genes.
Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi of Huperzia Serrata

Objective: The research aimed to provided the foundation for seeking the endophytic fungi of the medicinal value in Huperzia serrata. Methods: A stem segment from Huperzia serrata was surface sterilized by successive submersion in 70% ethanol, 10% mercuric chloride, and then was placed on a potato dextrose agar (PDA) plate to isolate endophytic fungi. The outgrowing fungi strains were successive subcultured to obtain pure cultures. The purified strains were identified by morphology together with similarity of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence. Results: A total of 4 endophytic fungi strains were isolated from Huperzia serrata. StrainⅠ was compared with Cladosporium cladosporioides(Fres.)de Vries with the similar morphological character and ITS region. The results indicated that this endophyte was identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides(Fres.)de Vries. StrainⅡ was identified as Penicillium chrysogenum Thom based on the analyses of morphological character and ITS region. Strain Ⅲ was identified as Fusarium oxysporum Schlechte. emend. Snyd. Hans based on the analyses of morphological character and ITS region. StrainⅣ was identified as Coniothyrium sporulosum (W. Gams Domsch) van der Aa based on the analyses of morphological character and ITS region. Conclusion: A total of 4 endophytic fungi were isolated from Huperzia serrata. The further molecular and morphological identification indicated that these fungal isolates belonged to Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fres.) de Vries、Penicillium chrysogenum Thom、Fusarium oxysporum Schlechte. emend. Snyd. Hans and Coniothyrium sporulosum (W. Gams Domsch) van der Aa respectively.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA ND4 GENE SEQUENCES VARIATION OF TWO PELTEOBAGRUS SPECIES

Species of Pelteobagrus nitidus and Pelteobagrus eupogon are endemic to East Asia,which are the specimens in the present study.MtDNA ND4(plus three 3′ flanking tRNAs:histidine tRNA,serine tRNA and partial leucme tRNA) gene sequence variations of these two species from different drainages were studied in the present study.About 772 base pair sequences were obtained through PCR amplification.Sequence analysis was conducted using MEGA2.1 software.Hemibagrus macropterus was selected as out-group.The Kimura's 2-parameter distances were calculated.The genetic distances among P.nitidus were from 0.000 to 0.012,and the genetic distances among P.eupogon were from 0.000 to 0.003. The genetic distances between P.nitidus from different drainages and P.eupogon were from 0.099 to 0.108,which suggest that P.nitidus and P.eupogon are two valid species.The genetic distances among P.nitidus from different drainages were small,the same as P.nitidus in the same drainages.The possible reasons are the following:(i) there are frequent gene flow among P.nitidus samples from different drainages;(ii) the evolution rate of the East Asian bagrid mitochondrial DNA is relatively slow;(iii) the human economic activities have probably caused change of genetic population structure of P.nitidus.
Chemical and biological studies of Sinapis arvensis growing in Egypt

From the Et acetate fraction of the alc. ext. of the flowers of Sinapis arvensis L. a new compd. given the name: (2,​2'-​diacetyloxy-​3,​3'-​dihydroxy)​-​1,​1'-​dipropylether. In addn. , three flavonoidal glycosides were also isolated and identified as: kaempferol-​3-​O-​β-​glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin-​3,​7-​O-​β-​diglucopyranoside and isorhamnetin-​3-​O-​β-​glucopyranoside-​7-​O-​α-​rhamnopyranoside. Meanwhile the chloroform fraction of the alc. ext. of the seeds afforded β-​amyrin, β-​sitosterol, β-​sitosterol-​3-​O-​β-​glucopyranoside and syringin. The GC​/MS anal. of the fixed oil of the seeds revealed the presence of 14 fatty acids including a high percent (11.56​%) of harmful erucic acid. The identification of the isolated compds. was based on different methods of phys., chem. and spectral anal. Moreover the biol. screening showed that the alc. ext. of the leaf, the flavonoids of the flower and to a lesser extent the oil of the seed possesses a significant antimicrobial activity, while the flavonoids of the flower showed a significant anti-​inflammatory activity. In addn. , the oil of the seed showed insignificant diuretic activity.