Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus vallismortis Strain BL01, Isolated from Artemisia lerchiana Web. Roots

Some strains of Bacillus vallismortis have been reported to be efficient plant-growth-promoting bacteria as well as inducers of systemic resistance. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Bacillus vallismortis strain BL01, isolated from the roots of Artemisia lerchiana Web. ABSTRACT Some strains of Bacillus vallismortis have been reported to be efficient plant-growth-promoting bacteria as well as inducers of systemic resistance. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Bacillus vallismortis strain BL01, isolated from the roots of Artemisia lerchiana Web.
Predicting energy intake with an accelerometer-based intake-balance method

Abstract Nutritional interventions often rely on subjective assessments of energy intake (EI), but these are susceptible to measurement error. To introduce an accelerometer-based intake-balance method for assessing EI using data from a time-restricted eating (TRE) trial. Nineteen participants with overweight/obesity (25–63 years old; 16 females) completed a 12-week intervention (NCT03129581) in a control group (unrestricted feeding; n 8) or TRE group (n 11). At the start and end of the intervention, body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and daily energy expenditure (EE) was assessed for 2 weeks via wrist-worn accelerometer. EI was back-calculated as the sum of net energy storage (from DXA) and EE (from accelerometer). Accelerometer-derived EI estimates were compared against estimates from the body weight planner of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Mean EI for the control group declined by 138 and 435 kJ/day for the accelerometer and NIDDK methods, respectively (both P ≥ 0·38), v. 1255 and 1469 kJ/day, respectively, for the TRE group (both P < 0·01). At follow-up, the accelerometer and NIDDK methods showed excellent group-level agreement (mean bias of −297 kJ/day across arms; standard error of estimate 1054 kJ/day) but high variability at the individual level (limits of agreement from −2414 to +1824 kJ/day). The accelerometer-based intake-balance method showed plausible sensitivity to change, and EI estimates were biologically and behaviourally plausible. The method may be a viable alternative to self-report EI measures. Future studies should assess criterion validity using doubly labelled water.
A de novo variant in the keratin 1 gene (KRT1) in a Chinese shar-pei dog with severe congenital cornification disorder and non-epidermolytic ichthyosis

A 3-months old Chinese shar-pei puppy with ichthyosis was investigated. The dog showed generalized scaling, alopecia and footpad lesions. Histopathological examinations demonstrated a non-epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. The parents of the affected puppy did not show any skin lesions. A trio whole genome sequencing analysis identified a heterozygous de novo 3 bp deletion in the KRT1 gene in the affected dog. This variant, NM_001003392. 1:c. 567_569del, is predicted to delete a single asparagine from the conserved coil 1A motif within the rod domain of KRT1, NP_001003392. 1:p.(Asn190del). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated normal levels of KRT1 expression in the epidermis and follicular epithelia. This might indicate that the variant possibly interferes with keratin dimerization or another function of KRT1. Missense variants affecting the homologous asparagine residue of the human KRT1 cause epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. Histologically, the investigated Chinese shar-pei showed a non-epidermolytic ichthyosis. The finding of a de novo variant in an excellent functional candidate gene strongly suggests that KRT1:p.Asn190del caused the ichthyosis phenotype in the affected Chinese shar-pei. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a KRT1-related non-epidermolytic ichthyosis in domestic animals.
Dynamics of globular cluster systems in elliptical galaxies

One of the most promising avenues for exploring the dynamics of the outer parts of elliptical galaxies involves using bright discrete objects as kinematical tracers: globular clusters and planetary nebulae. As large data sets are becoming available, rigorous dynamical analyses are needed to interpret them. To this end, we have developed an extension of orbit modeling methods, which we apply to the dynamics of the giant ellipticals M87 and M49. We find that a sample of similar to 200 globular clusters velocities is effective at demonstrating the presence of a dark halo and providing hints about the detailed distribution of the dark matter.
Observations and models of star formation in the tidal features of interacting galaxies

Multi-color surface photometry (BVri) is presented for the tidal features in a sample of interacting galaxies. Large color variations are found between the morphological components and within the individual components. The blue colors in the primary and the tidal features are most dramatic in B-V, and not in V-i, indicating that star formation instead of metallicity or age dominates the colors. Color variations between components is larger in systems shortly after interaction begins and diminishes to a very low level in systems which are merged. Photometric models for interacting systems are presented which suggest that a weak burst of star formation in the tidal features could cause the observed color distributions. Dynamical models indicate that compression occurs during the development of tidal features causing an increase in the local density by a factor of between 1.5 and 5. Assuming this density increase can be related to the star formation rate by a Schmidt law, the density increases observed in the dynamical models may be responsible for the variations in color seen in some of the interacting systems. Limitations of the dynamical models are also discussed.
Numerical studies of variable-range hopping in one-dimensional systems

Hopping transport in a one-dimensional system is studied numerically. A fast algorithm is devised to find the lowest-resistance path at arbitrary electric field. Probability distribution functions of individual resistances on the path and the net resistance are calculated and fitted to compact analytic formulas. Qualitative differences between statistics of resistance fluctuations in Ohmic and non-Ohmic regimes are elucidated. The results are compared with prior theoretical and experimental work on the subject.
A DEEP STUDY OF THE DWARF SATELLITES ANDROMEDA XXVIII AND ANDROMEDA XXIX

We present the results of a deep study of the isolated dwarf galaxies Andromeda XXVIII and Andromeda XXIX with Gemini/GMOS and Keck/DEIMOS. Both galaxies are shown to host old, metal-poor stellar populations with no detectable recent star formation, conclusively identifying both of them as dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs). And XXVIII exhibits a complex horizontal branch morphology, which is suggestive of metallicity enrichment and thus an extended period of star formation in the past. Decomposing the horizontal branch into blue (metal-poor, assumed to be older) and red (relatively more metal-rich, assumed to be younger) populations shows that the metal-rich are also more spatially concentrated in the center of the galaxy. We use spectroscopic measurements of the calcium triplet, combined with the improved precision of the Gemini photometry, to measure the metallicity of the galaxies, confirming the metallicity spread and showing that they both lie on the luminosity–metallicity relation for dwarf satellites. Taken together, the galaxies exhibit largely typical properties for dSphs despite their significant distances from M31. These dwarfs thus place particularly significant constraints on models of dSph formation involving environmental processes such as tidal or ram pressure stripping. Such models must be able to completely transform the two galaxies into dSphs in no more than two pericentric passages around M31, while maintaining a significant stellar population gradient. Reproducing these features is a prime requirement for models of dSph formation to demonstrate not just the plausibility of environmental transformation but the capability of accurately recreating real dSphs.
Can a Video a Day Keep Stress Away? A Test of Media Prescriptions

ABSTRACT This research attempts to both replicate initial research on media prescriptions – the assignment of small doses of positively-valenced media for the purposes of reducing perceived stress – and, through the lens of the broaden-and-build theory, shed light on the process through which this effect might emerge. Two longitudinal data sets were collected, one with college students (N = 182) and one with U.S. adults (N = 197), in which participants were assigned to watch either comedic or inspiring media clips every day for 5 days. Findings indicated that both amusement and hope generated by media exposure reduced perceived stress over time. Specifically, inspiring media reduced perceived stress through its effect on felt hope for both samples, whereas comedic media reduced perceived stress via felt amusement for the general adult sample only. Further, as predicted, serial mediation through felt emotion and coping efficacy emerged for amusement in the student sample and for hope in the general sample. Given these data were collected during an inordinately stressful time in both the U.S. and the world with rising rates of COVID-19, a highly contentious political election, and tensions over racial inequity, these findings suggest that media, if harnessed appropriately, could be a useful tool in one’s coping arsenal. A call for better understanding of the process through which media prescriptions have effect and their boundary conditions is advanced.
Do the progression of experimentally induced gingivitis and peri-implant mucositis present common features? A systematic review of clinical human studies

Abstract This systematic review evaluated the features of the progression of experimentally induced gingivitis and peri-implant mucositis in humans. Included were studies that evaluated clinical, immunological, or microbiological responses between experimentally induced gingivitis and peri-implant mucositis in periodontally healthy patients. A total of 887 articles were initially identified, but only 12 were included in the final analysis. Implants accumulate less biofilm and suffer the most heterogeneous alterations in the microbiota, in the abstinence of oral hygiene, compared with the tooth. Interestingly, although dental implants presented less biofilm accumulation, the peri-implant mucosa showed a more exacerbated clinical response than the gingival tissue. The risk of bias of the selected studies was moderate to low, with one study presenting serious risk. The progression events of peri-implant mucositis were similar to those of experimental gingivitis but led to a different host response. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database CRD420201 123360.
Molecular and functional characterization of an evolutionarily conserved CREB‐binding protein in the Lymnaea CNS

In eukaryotes, CREB‐binding protein (CBP), a coactivator of CREB, functions both as a platform for recruiting other components of the transcriptional machinery and as a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) that alters chromatin structure. We previously showed that the transcriptional activity of cAMP‐responsive element binding protein (CREB) plays a crucial role in neuronal plasticity in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. However, there is no information on the molecular structure and HAT activity of CBP in the Lymnaea central nervous system (CNS), hindering an investigation of its postulated role in long‐term memory (LTM). Here, we characterize the Lymnaea CBP (LymCBP) gene and identify a conserved domain of LymCBP as a functional HAT. Like CBPs of other species, LymCBP possesses functional domains, such as the KIX domain, which is essential for interaction with CREB and was shown to regulate LTM. In‐situ hybridization showed that the staining patterns of LymCBP mRNA in CNS are very similar to those of Lymnaea CREB1. A particularly strong LymCBP mRNA signal was observed in the cerebral giant cell (CGC), an identified extrinsic modulatory interneuron of the feeding circuit, the key to both appetitive and aversive LTM for taste. Biochemical experiments using the recombinant protein of the LymCBP HAT domain showed that its enzymatic activity was blocked by classical HAT inhibitors. Preincubation of the CNS with such inhibitors blocked cAMP‐induced synaptic facilitation between the CGC and an identified follower motoneuron of the feeding system. Taken together, our findings suggest a role for the HAT activity of LymCBP in synaptic plasticity in the feeding circuitry.
Analytical solutions and genuine multipartite entanglement of the three-qubit Dicke model

We present analytical solutions to three qubits and a single-mode cavity coupling system beyond the rotating-wave approximation (RWA). The zero-th order approximation gives correct solutions when the qubits are far detuned from the cavity. The first order approximation, called generalized rotating-wave approximation (GRWA), produces an effective solvable Hamiltonian with the same form as the ordinary RWA one and exhibits substantial improvements of energy levels over the RWA even on resonance. Based on these analytical eigen-solutions, we study both the bipartite entanglement and genuine multipartite entanglement (GME). The dynamics of the concurrence and the GME using the GRWA are in consistent with the numerical ones. Interestingly, the well known sudden death of entanglement occurs in the bipartite entanglement dynamics but not in GME dynamics.
Matter fields in curved space-time

We study the geometry of a two-sheeted space-time within the framework of non-commutative geometry. As a prelude to the Standard Model in curved space-time, we present a model of a left- and a right- chiral field living on the two sheeted-space time and construct the action functionals that describe their interactions.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates with Antimicrobial Resistance Plasmids from a Homeless Community in Colombia

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a pathogenic bacterium causing sexually transmitted infections, and it is associated with high antibiotic resistance rates. Here, we describe the genome sequences of four isolates from a homeless community in Colombia. ABSTRACT Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a pathogenic bacterium causing sexually transmitted infections, and it is associated with high antibiotic resistance rates. Here, we describe the genome sequences of four isolates from a homeless community in Colombia.
Facility‐based HIV self‐testing strategies may substantially and cost‐effectively increase the number of men and youth tested for HIV in Malawi: results from an individual‐based mathematical model

Malawi is rapidly closing the gap in achieving the UNAIDS 95‐95‐95 targets, with 90% of people living with HIV in Malawi aware of their status. As we approach epidemic control, interventions to improve coverage will become more costly. There is, therefore, an urgent need to identify innovative and low‐cost strategies to maintain and increase testing coverage without diverting resources from other HIV services. The objective of this study is to model different combinations of facility‐based HIV testing modalities and determine the most cost‐effective strategy to increase the proportion of men and youth testing for HIV.
Pharmacotherapy of infertility in Ghana: Why do infertile patients discontinue their fertility treatment?

Background Globally, millions of people of reproductive age experience infertility. With that notwithstanding, most infertile patients undergoing pharmacotherapy withdraw from treatment before achieving the desired outcome. The reasons for their withdrawal, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, have not been well examined, hence the need for this study. Objectives The aim of the study was to examine why infertile patients discontinue pharmacotherapy prior to achieving conception. Methods The study employed an exploratory qualitative design. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit subjects into the study. Twenty infertile patients (fourteen females and six males) who discontinued their treatment, and eight attending health professionals who provided direct care to these patients were interviewed. Telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The data collected were transcribed, coded, and generated into themes using thematic content analysis. Results The major reasons for discontinuation of infertility treatment included lack of support from male partners, seeking alternative treatment, unmet outcome, poor medical services, distance, stigmatization, and relocation. Conclusions Patients and healthcare personnel shared both similar and diverse views on reasons for discontinuation of infertility treatment that reflect situations in a typical African setting, most of which are not reported in existing studies. The outcome of this study will provide insight for fertility therapists and policy makers in designing appropriate measures to facilitate maximum compliance and improvement in treatment outcome.
Tipping the balance toward stemness in trophoblast: Metabolic programming by Cox6B2

Metabolic effector(s) driving cell fate is an emerging concept in stem cell biology. Here we showed that Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit 6B2 (Cox6B2) is essential to maintain the stemness of trophoblast stem (TS) cells. RNA interference of Cox6b2 resulted in decreased mitochondrial Complex IV activity, ATP production, and oxygen consumption rate in TS cells. Furthermore, depletion of Cox6b2 in TS cells led to decreased self‐renewal capacity indicated by compromised BrdU incorporation, Ki67 staining, and decreased expression of TS cell genetic markers. As expected, the consequence of Cox6b2 knockdown was the induction of differentiation. TS cell stemness factor CDX2 transactivates Cox6b2 promoter in TS cells. In differentiated cells, Cox6b2 is post‐transcriptionally regulated by two microRNAs, miR‐322‐5p and miR‐503‐5p, leading to its downregulation as demonstrated by the gain‐in or loss of function of these miRNAs. Cox6b2 transcripts gradually rise in placental trophoblast gestation progresses in both mice and rats with predominant expression in labyrinthine trophoblast. Cox6b2 expression is compromised in the growth‐restricted placenta of rats with reciprocal up‐regulation of miR‐322‐5p and miR‐503‐5p. These data highlight the importance of Cox6B2 in the regulation of TS cell state and uncompromised placental growth.
Information‐based multivariate decoding reveals imprecise neural encoding in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during visual selective attention

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in school‐age children. Attentional orientation is a potential clinical diagnostic marker to aid in the early diagnosis of ADHD. However, the underlying pathophysiological substrates of impaired attentional orienting in childhood ADHD remain unclear. Electroencephalography (EEG) was measured in 135 school‐age children (70 with childhood ADHD and 65 matched typically developing children) to directly investigate target localization during spatial selective attention through univariate ERP analysis and information‐based multivariate pattern machine learning analysis. Compared with children with typical development, a smaller N2pc was found in the ADHD group through univariate ERP analysis. Children with ADHD showed a lower parieto‐occipital multivariate decoding accuracy approximately 240–340 ms after visual search onset, which predicts a slower reaction time and larger standard deviation of reaction time. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between N2pc and decoding accuracy in typically developing children but not in children with ADHD. These observations reveal that impaired attentional orienting in ADHD may be due to inefficient neural encoding responses. By using a personalized information‐based multivariate machine learning approach, we have advanced the understanding of cognitive deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders. Our study provides potential research directions for the early diagnosis and optimization of personalized intervention in children with ADHD.
Changes in Cost of Locomotion Are Higher after Endurance Cycling Than Running When Matched for Intensity and Duration

ABSTRACT Introduction Cost of locomotion (CL) has been shown to increase after endurance running and cycling bouts. The main purpose of this study was to compare, in the same participants, the effect of both modalities on CL when matched for relative intensity and duration. Methods Seventeen recreational athletes performed two incremental tests in running and cycling to determine the first ventilatory threshold then two 3-h bouts of exercise at 105% of threshold, with gas exchange measurements taken for 10 min at the start, middle and end of the 3 h to calculate CL. Neuromuscular fatigue during isometric knee extensor contractions and force–velocity profile on a cycle ergometer were assessed before and immediately after the 3-h trials. Results CL significantly increased at mid (+3.7%, P = 0.006) and end (+7.4%, P < 0.001) of exercise for cycling compared with start, whereas it did not change with time for running. Cardio-respiratory and metabolic variables changed similarly for cycling and running, therefore not explaining the time-course differences in CL between modalities. Changes in CL during cycling correlated significantly with loss of maximal force extrapolated from the force–velocity profile (r = 0.637, P = 0.006) and changes in cadence (r = 0.784, P < 0.001). Conclusions The type of locomotion influences the effects of exercise on energy cost because 3 h of exercise at the same relative intensity caused a significant increase of cycling CL, and no changes in running CL. The changes in CL in cycling are likely due, at least in part, to fatigue in the locomotor muscles.
Fractional revivals through Rényi uncertainty relations

We show that the R\'enyi uncertainty relations give a good description of the dynamical behavior of wave packets and constitute a sound approach to revival phenomena by analyzing three model systems: the simple harmonic oscillator, the infinite square well, and the quantum bouncer. We prove the usefulness of entropic uncertainty relations as a tool for identifying fractional revivals by providing a comparison in different contexts with the usual Heisenberg uncertainty relation and with the common approach in terms of the autocorrelation function.
Inside an evaporating two-dimensional charged black hole

We investigate the inner structure of an evaporating charged black hole, within the context of semiclassical dilaton gravity in two dimensions. The matter fields are charged, allowing the evaporation of both the mass and charge of the black hole. We find that the semiclassical effects cause the inner horizon to expand (by a finite factor), rather than to shrink to a point singularity. Although this expansion is a quantum phenomenon, the overall expansion factor is found to be independent of the magnitude of the quantum terms in the effective theory.
Tamoxifen Alters TGF‐β1/Smad Signaling in Vocal Fold Injury

Effective treatments for vocal fold fibrosis remain elusive. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and was recently reported to have antifibrotic actions. We hypothesized that TAM inhibits vocal fold fibrosis via altered transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) signaling. Both in vitro and in vivo approaches were employed to address this hypothesis.