Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Microornamentation of Demosponge Sterraster Spicules, Phylogenetic and Paleontological Implications

Siliceous spicules in demosponges exist in a variety of shapes, some of which look like minute spheres of glass. They are called “sterrasters” when they belong to the Geodiidae family (Tetractinellida order) and “selenasters” when they belong to the Placospongiidae family (Clionaida order). Today, the Geodiidae represent a highly diverse sponge family with more than 340 species, occurring in shallow to deep waters worldwide, except for the Antarctic. The molecular phylogeny of Geodiidae is currently difficult to interpret because we are lacking morphological characters to support most of its clades. To fill this knowledge gap, the surface microornamentations of sterrasters were compared in different genera. Observations with scanning electron microscopy revealed four types of surfaces, which remarkably matched some of the Geodiidae genera: type I characteristic of Geodia, type II characteristic of Pachymatisma, Caminus, and some Erylus; type III characteristic of other Erylus; type IV characteristic of Caminella. Two subtypes were identified in Geodia species: warty vs. smooth rosettes. These different microornamentations were mapped on new Geodiidae COI (Folmer fragment) and 28S (C1–D2) phylogenetic trees. The monophyly of the Geodiidae was once again challenged, thereby suggesting that sterrasters have evolved independently at least three times: in the Geodiinae, in the Erylinae and in Caminella. Surface microornamentations were used to review the fossil record of sterrasters and selenasters through the paleontology literature and examination of fossils. It was concluded that “rhaxes” in the literature may represent mixes of sterrasters and selenasters: while Rhaxella spicules may belong to the Placospongiidae, Rhaxelloides spicules belong to the Geodiidae. The putative Geodiidae fossil genera, Geoditesia, and Geodiopsis, are reallocated to Tetractinellida incertae sedis. Isolated Miocene-Pliocene fossil sterrasters Hataina (Huang, 1967), Silicosphaera (Hughes, 1985) and Conciliaspongia (Robinson and Haslett, 1995) become junior synonyms of Geodia (Lamarck, 1815). Overall, the fossil record suggested that Geodiidae was present at least since the Middle Jurassic (163–166 Mya), while Geodia sterrasters were present since the Santonian/Campanian boundary, Late Cretaceous (83.6 Mya). ZooBank Article Registration urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:91B1B3AC-8862-4751-B272-8A3BDF4DEE77.
How Political and Social Trust Can Impact Social Distancing Practices During COVID-19 in Unexpected Ways

In times of the coronavirus, complying with public health policies is essential to save lives. Understanding the factors that influence compliance with social distancing measures is therefore an urgent issue. The present research investigated the role of political and social trust for social distancing using a variety of methods. In Study 1 (N = 301), conducted with a sample from the United Kingdom in the midst of the virus outbreak (i.e., the first wave), neither political nor social trust had main associations with self-reported social distancing tendencies. However, both factors interacted such that social trust was associated with lower social distancing tendencies among participants with low levels of political trust. In Study 2, using an experimental longitudinal design and again conducted with a sample collected from the UK (N = 268) during the first wave of the pandemic, social distancing practices increased over time, independent of an experimental manipulation of political trust. Moreover, while the interaction between political and social trust from the first study could not be conceptually replicated, social trust was positively related to social distancing intentions. Moving from the individual to the country level and assessing actual behavior at both the first and second wave of the pandemic, in Study 3 (N = 65 countries), country-level political trust was related to less social distancing during the first wave. Social trust was related to a higher growth rate of infections. Against the background of these inconsistent findings, we discuss the potential positive and unexpected negative effects of social trust for social distancing.
Revisiting Stem Cell-Based Clinical Trials for Ischemic Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability, significantly reducing mobility in almost half of the affected patients aged 65 years and older. There are currently no proven neurorestorative treatments for chronic stroke. To address the complex problem of restoring function in ischemic brain tissue, stem cell transplantation-based therapies have emerged as potential restorative therapies. Aligning with the major cell types found within the ischemic brain, stem-cell-based clinical trials for ischemic stroke have fallen under three broad cell lineages: hematopoietic, mesenchymal, and neural. In this review article, we will discuss the scientific rationale for transplanting cells from each of these lineages and provide an overview of published and ongoing trials using this framework.
Facile solvothermal synthesis of CaMn2O4 nanorods for electrochemical oxygen reduction

Electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are of pivotal importance in various fuel cells and metal–air batteries. In this study, we report a facile synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) CaMn2O4 nanostructures and their applications as cheap and active electrocatalysts for the ORR. Marokite CaMn2O4 nanorods with post-spinel phase were prepared by a solvothermal route at mild temperatures, using potassium manganese oxide hydrate and calcium nitrate as the precursors and ethanol as the solvent. The as-prepared nanorods adopted the orthorhombic structure and possessed diameters of 150–300 nm and lengths of 2–4 μm, with preferentially exposed (023) planes on surfaces. In alkaline electrolytes, CaMn2O4 nanorods exhibited considerable catalytic performance and enabled an apparent quasi-four-electron transfer in the ORR, as evidenced by rotating disk electrode and rotating ring-disk electrode studies. The determined Tafel slop and the chronoamperometry stability of CaMn2O4 nanorod electrocatalysts were comparable to the counterpart Pt nanoparticles supported on carbon.
Physiology Responses and Players’ Stay on the Court During a Futsal Match: A Case Study With Professional Players

Physiological responses in futsal have not been studied together with temporal information about the players’ stay on the court. The aim of this study was to compare heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration ([La−]) responses between 1-H and 2-H considering the time of permanency of the players on the court at each substitution in a futsal match. HR was recorded during entire match and [La−] was analyzed after each substitution of seven players. %HRmean (89.61 ± 2.31 vs. 88.03 ± 4.98 %HRmax) and [La−] mean (8.46 ± 3.01 vs. 8.17 ± 2.91 mmol·L−1) did not differ between 1-H and 2-H (ES, trivial-small). Time in intensity zones of 50–100 %HRmax differed only in 60–70 %HRmax (ES, moderate). HR coefficient of variation throughout the match was low (7%) and among the four outfield players on the court (quartets, 5%). Substitutions (2 player’s participation in each half), time of permanence on the court (7.15 ± 2.39 vs. 9.49 ± 3.80 min), ratio between time in- and out-ratio on the court (In:Outcourt = 1:1.30 ± 1:0.48 vs. 1:1.05 ± 1:0.55 min) also were similar between 1-H and 2-H (ES, moderate and small, respectively). Balancing the number of substitutions, and the In:Outcourt ratio of players in both halves of the match, playing lower time at 1-H, ~8 min for each participation in the match, made it possible to maintain intensity of the match in 2-H similar to the 1H. These results are a good guidance to coaches and for application in future studies.
Detection of Adulteration in Saffron Samples Using Electronic Nose

Saffron is the commercial name of the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. flower. Due to the high cost of saffron, adulteration sometimes occurs in the local market. In this study, the aroma fingerprints of saffron, saffron with yellow styles, safflower, and dyed corn stigma were detected by an electronic nose system. The features of the obtained signals from electronic nose system were extracted and used for data analysis. In this work, principal component analysis was used and the results were confirmed by back propagation artificial neural networks. The results revealed that the system can recognize the saffron adulteration satisfactorily. As a conclusion, it was found that the electronic nose could provide good separation of the saffron and adulterated one (safflower and other adulteration) as 100 and 86.87% classification accuracy, respectively, by means of artificial neural networks. The electronic nose was able to differentiate non-adulterated and adulterated saffron at higher than 10% adulteration level successfully.
Direct Imaging of Device Characteristics In a Focused ion Beam System

A great deal can be learned about integrated circuits (ICs) and microelectronic structures simply by imaging them in a focused ion beam (FIB) system. FIB systems have evolved during the past decade from something of a curiosity to absolutely essential tools for microelectronics design verification and failure analysis. FIB system capabilities include localized material removal, localized deposition of conductors and insulators, and imaging. A major commercial driver for FIB systems is their usefulness in the design debugging cycle by (1) rewiring ICs quickly to test design changes and (2) making connection to deep conductors to facilitate electrical probing of complex ICs. FIB milling is also used for making precision cross sections and for TEM sample preparation of microelectronic structures for failure analysis and yield enhancement applications.
Plasma-bonding of poly(dimethylsiloxane) to glass

Abstract For the purpose of bonding poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) to glass, both components’ surfaces were treated with low-pressure oxygen plasma, indirect corona or simply with an oxygen-rich butane gas flame. In the case of low-pressure oxygen plasma treatment, the process parameters were varied and optimized with the consequence that the achieved adhesion between PDMS and the glass substrate was so strong that the PDMS could not be peeled off the glass slide without damaging the elastomer.
İlk Tunç Çağı’nda Batı Anadolu’da Üç Ayaklı Mutfak Kabının Yayılımı ve Gelişimi

Bati Anadolu’da Ilk Tunc Cagi’nin onemli kap bicimlerinden bir tanesi olan uc ayakli mutfak kaplari pisirme gelenegi ile ilgi onemli bilgiler vermesinin yani sira bolgede yer alan Ilk Tunc Cagi yerlesimlerinin stratigrafilerinin cakistirilmasinda anahtar kap bicimleri arasinda yer alir. Uc ayakli mutfak kaplari Ilk Tunc Cagi’nin basindan itibaren Bati Anadolu’nun sahil kesiminde yayginken Ic Kuzeybati Anadolu’da ilk kez Ilk Tunc Cagi II’nin son evresinde ortaya cikar ve Erken Ilk Tunc Cagi III’de tum Bati Anadolu’da yaygin bir sekilde devam eder. Ocak kullanimina bagli olarak Bati Anadolu’nun sahil kesiminde Gec Ilk Tunc Cagi III ile birlikte, pisirme kabi olarak kullanimi neredeyse ortadan kalkan bu kap bicimi, yerini duz dipli kuresel govdeli comleklere birakmistir. Ancak pisirmede farkli bicimlerde uc ayaklarin kullanimi devam etmistir ve gunumuzde bile ornekleri soz konusudur.
Estimation of the seismic moment from tsunami heights : application to historical events.

Okal et al. (2014) developed an algorithm, named TS formula, to estimate teleseismic tsunami amplitudes from the seismic moment of the parent earthquake, the azimuth between its fault strike and the receiver, and the epicentral distance; this method was based on least-square regressions over a large data set of numerical simulations (4650), using 10 source regions located in the main subduction zones of the Pacific Basin, and a range of four orders of magnitudes of seismic moment.
Phospholipid:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase1 Overexpression Delays Senescence and Enhances Post-heat and Cold Exposure Fitness

In an alternative pathway to acyl-CoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT)-mediated triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis from diacylglycerol, phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) utilizes not acyl-CoA but an acyl group from sn-2 position of a phospholipid, to form TAG. The enzyme’s activity in vitro matches DGAT’s in a number of plant species, however its main function in plants (especially in vegetative tissue) is debatable. In the presented study, we cultivated PDAT1-overexpressing, pdat1 knockout and wild-type lines of Arabidopsis thaliana through their whole lifecycle. PDAT1 overexpression prolonged Arabidopsis lifespan in comparison to wild-type plants, whereas knocking out pdat1 accelerated the plant’s senescence. After subjecting the 3-week old seedlings of the studied lines (grown in vitro) to 2-h heat stress (40°C) and then growing them for one more week in standard conditions, the difference in weight between wild-type and PDAT1-overexpressing lines increased in comparison to the difference between plants grown only in optimal conditions. In another experiment all lines exposed to 2-week cold stress experienced loss of pigment, except for PDAT1-overexpressing lines, which green rosettes additionally weighed 4 times more than wild-type. Our results indicate that plants depleted of PDAT1 are more susceptible to cold exposure, while PDAT1 overexpression grants plants a certain heat and cold resilience. Since it was shown, that lysophospholipids may be intertwined with stress response, we decided to also conduct in vitro assays of acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) and acylCoA:lysophosphatidylethanolamine acyltransferase (LPEAT) activity in microsomal fractions from the PDAT1-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines in standard conditions. The results show significant increase in LPEAT and LPCAT activity in comparison to wild-type plants. PDAT1-overexpressing lines’ rosettes also present twice as high expression of LPCAT2 in comparison to control. The presented study shows how much heightened expression of PDAT1 augments plant condition after stress and extends its lifespan.
Specific Evolution and Gene Family Expansion of Complement 3 and Regulatory Factor H in Fish

The complement system comprises a large family of plasma proteins that play a central role in innate and adaptive immunity. To better understand the evolution of the complement system in vertebrates and the contribution of complement to fish immunity comprehensive in silico and expression analysis of the gene repertoire was made. Particular attention was given to C3 and the evolutionary related proteins C4 and C5 and to one of the main regulatory factors of C3b, factor H (Cfh). Phylogenetic and gene linkage analysis confirmed the standing hypothesis that the ancestral c3/c4/c5 gene duplicated early. The duplication of C3 (C3.1 and C3.2) and C4 (C4.1 and C4.2) was likely a consequence of the (1R and 2R) genome tetraploidization events at the origin of the vertebrates. In fish, gene number was not conserved and multiple c3 and cfh sequence related genes were encountered, and phylogenetic analysis of each gene generated two main clusters. Duplication of c3 and cfh genes occurred across the teleosts in a species-specific manner. In common, with other immune gene families the c3 gene expansion in fish emerged through a process of tandem gene duplication. Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), had nine c3 gene transcripts highly expressed in liver although as reported in other fish, extra-hepatic expression also occurs. Differences in the sequence and protein domains of the nine deduced C3 proteins in the gilthead sea bream and the presence of specific cysteine and N-glycosylation residues within each isoform was indicative of functional diversity associated with structure. The diversity of C3 and other complement proteins as well as Cfh in teleosts suggests they may have an enhanced capacity to activate complement through direct interaction of C3 isoforms with pathogenic agents.
Endothelial Barrier Integrity Is Disrupted In Vitro by Heme and by Serum From Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Free extracellular heme has been shown to activate several compartments of innate immunity, acting as a danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) in hemolytic diseases. Although localized endothelial barrier (EB) disruption is an important part of inflammation that allows circulating leukocytes to reach inflamed tissues, non-localized/deregulated disruption of the EB can lead to widespread microvascular hyperpermeability and secondary tissue damage. In mouse models of sickle cell disease (SCD), EB disruption has been associated with the development of a form of acute lung injury that closely resembles acute chest syndrome (ACS), and that can be elicited by acute heme infusion. Here we explored the effect of heme on EB integrity using human endothelial cell monolayers, in experimental conditions that include elements that more closely resemble in vivo conditions. EB integrity was assessed by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing in the presence of varying concentrations of heme and sera from SCD patients or healthy volunteers. Heme caused a dose-dependent decrease of the electrical resistance of cell monolayers, consistent with EB disruption, which was confirmed by staining of junction protein VE-cadherin. In addition, sera from SCD patients, but not from healthy volunteers, were also capable to induce EB disruption. Interestingly, these effects were not associated with total heme levels in serum. However, when heme was added to sera from SCD patients, but not from healthy volunteers, EB disruption could be elicited, and this effect was associated with hemopexin serum levels. Together our in vitro studies provide additional support to the concept of heme as a DAMP in hemolytic conditions.
Identification of Immune-Related Genes MSR1 and TLR7 in Relation to Macrophage and Type-2 T-Helper Cells in Osteosarcoma Tumor Micro-Environments as Anti-metastasis Signatures

Metastasis of osteosarcoma (OS) is an essential factor affecting the prognosis and survival of patients. The tumor microenvironment, including tumor immune-infiltrating cells (TIIC), is closely related to tumor progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between metastatic and non-metastatic immune-infiltrating cells in OS and to identify key immune-related genes. The differences in immune infiltration in OS metastasis were calculated based on the ssGSEA algorithm of 28 immuno-infiltrating cells. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and intersection analysis were used to screen immune-related modules and hubgenes. Univariate/multivariate/Lasso Cox regressions were used for models construction and signatures screening. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan–Meier (K–M) curves were constructed to observe the metastases of different groups. Both internal and external data were verified. We found that macrophages and Type-2 T-helper cells were significantly decreased in patients with OS metastases. The high-risk groups obtained from multivariate/Lasso Cox models constructed with 11 immune-related hubgenes almost all underwent distant metastases within 5 years. Interestingly and importantly, two genes, MSR1 and TLR7, appeared in various models and various hubgenes, which play an anti-metastasis role and may prolong overall survival in OS. Our study may help elucidate the impact of TIIC on OS metastasis outcomes and to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Integrated Analysis of lncRNA-Mediated ceRNA Network Reveals a Prognostic Signature for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of malignancy and is associated with high mortality. Prior research suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the development of HCC. Therefore, it is necessary to identify lncRNA-associated therapeutic biomarkers to improve the accuracy of HCC prognosis. Transcriptomic data of HCC obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used in the present study. Differentially expressed RNAs (DERNAs), including 74 lncRNAs, 16 miRNAs, and 35 mRNAs, were identified using bioinformatics analysis. The DERNAs were subsequently used to reconstruct a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. A lncRNA signature was revealed using Cox regression analysis, including LINC00200, MIR137HG, LINC00462, AP002478.1, and HTR2A-AS1. Kaplan-Meier plot demonstrated that the lncRNA signature is highly accurate in discriminating high- and low-risk patients (P < 0.05). The area under curve (AUC) value exceeded 0.7 in both training and validation cohort, suggesting a high prognostic potential of the signature. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that both the TNM stage and the lncRNA signature could serve as independent prognostic factors for HCC (P < 0.05). Then, a nomogram comprising the TNM stage and the lncRNA signature was determined to raise the accuracy in predicting the survival of HCC patients. In the present study, we have introduced a ceRNA network that could contribute to provide a new insight into the identification of potential regulation mechanisms for the development of HCC. The five-lncRNA signature could serve as a reliable biosignature for HCC prognosis, while the nomogram possesses strong potential in clinical applications.
Comparison of Brownian dynamics with photon correlation spectroscopy of strongly interacting colloidal particles

The Brownian dynamics computer simulation method is applied to a dilute system of charged spheres dispersed in a very dilute electrolyte. The parameters of this model system are chosen to match those of an aqueous dispersion of highly charged and strongly interacting polystyrene spheres, on which a number of photon correlation spectroscopy studies have recently been made. The structure factor and the electric field autocorrelation functions calculated by the Brownian dynamics method agree with the experimental data provided that allowances are made for the effects of polydispersity and multiple scattering. A few commonly used approximations for analyzing the dynamic properties of many particle systems are also examined.
Sensitive elemental analysis of aqueous colloids by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy

Highly sensitive elemental analysis of lead carbonate colloids was demonstrated by two-pulse laser-induced plasma spectroscopy. The first laser pulse created a vapor plume with the particulates concentrated in space because of their slower propagation. They were then ablated by an ArF laser pulse that efficiently atomized and excited the lead analyte. The lead emissions were much enhanced, while the background continuum interference was minimized. The detection limit for lead was shown to be 14.2 ppb, compared with 13 ppm achieved by conventional laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of lead ions in water and 210 ppb for lead aerosols.