Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From a cell model to a fish trial: Immunomodulatory effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a functional ingredient in aquafeeds for salmonids

Paraprobiotics (dead/inactivated probiotics) are promising candidates in functional feeds to promote growth performance, modulate intestinal microbiota and enhance immune response of fish. During industrial production, fish are exposed to several stressful conditions such as handling, sub-optimal nutrition and diseases that can lead to reduced growth, increased mortalities and large economical losses. Such problems can be mitigated by use of functional feeds, leading to more-sustainable aquaculture and improved animal welfare. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain L-137 is a common bacterium found in fermented Southeast Asian dish made from fish and rice. The benefits of its heat-killed form (HK L-137) related to growth performance and immunomodulation have been studied in farmed fish such as Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and bighead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus). To study if such benefits can also be observed in salmonids, we worked both at in vitro level using an intestinal epithelium cell line from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; RTgutGC) stimulated with HK L-137 (Feed LP20™) and at in vivo level with pre-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed HK L-137 at different inclusion levels (20, 100 and 500 mg of Feed LP20™ kg-1 feed). In RTgutGC, the results showed that the barrier function of the cell monolayer was strengthened along with an increased production of IL-1β and a decreased production of Anxa1, indicating a modulation of the immune response. Interestingly, a similar trend was detected at the in vivo level in distal intestine from fish fed the highest inclusion level of HK L-137. Here, a lower production of Anxa1 was also detected (after a 61-day feeding period) in addition to an increase of total plasma IgM in the same group. Furthermore, the RNA-seq analysis showed that HK L-137 was able to modulate the gene expression of pathways related to molecular function, biological process and cellular component in distal intestine, without compromising fish performance and gut microbiota. Taken together, our study has shown that HK L-137 can modulate physiological response of Atlantic salmon, making fish more robust against stressful conditions during production.
The C-14(alpha, gamma)O-18 reaction at astrophysical energies

Le taux de reaction de 14 C(α,γ) 18 O, a des temperatures importantes pour le flashs d'helium dans les naines blanches et pour la nucleosynthese d'un big bang inhomogene, est estime. Les contributions de resonance et de capture directe sont etudiees
Measurements of the Weak Warm Beam Instability

Experiments are described on the interaction of a weak warm beam with a broad spectrum of unstable waves on a traveling wave tube. The wave–particle interactions are similar to those in beam–plasma systems, and are traditionally described by quasilinear theory. The precise wave evolution is obtained by launching a specified waveform, allowing it to interact with the beam, and analyzing the received waveform. Significant mode coupling is observed, resulting in saturated waves correlated less than 0.5 with their launch values. Experimentally, each wave is separated into a component proportional to the launch amplitude and a component due solely to mode coupling. The measured properties of these separate components agree quantitatively with a four‐wave coupling model. Strongest coupling is observed between waves whose wave numbers match within about an inverse turbulent trapping length. In the linear growth regime, the measured ensemble‐averaged wave growth rates and beam velocity diffusion rates agree reaso.
DERIVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INFLOW/OUTFLOW CONDITIONS FOR AEROACOUSTIC PROBLEMS WITH SWIRLING FLOWS

Inflow/outflow boundary conditions are derived from the normal mode expansion for time-harmonic waves in a nonuniform swirling mean flow. These conditions are implemented in a computational scheme using the linearized Euler equations for an annular duct geometry to study the propagation of acoustic and vortical disturbances. Solutions are presented for uniform and nonuniform swirling flows and compared with analytical solutions for validation. The computational results are in good agreement with the theory. The accuracy and convergence of the numerical solutions depend on the correct values of the normal modes eigenvalues, used in the inflow/outflow conditions.
Occupational stress and burnout among intensive care unit nurses during the pandemic: A prospective longitudinal study of nurses in COVID and non-COVID units

Background Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses are highly prone to occupational stress and burnout, affecting their physical and mental health. The occurrence of the pandemic and related events increased nurses’ workload and further exacerbated their stress and burnout. This work investigates occupational stress and burnout experienced by ICU nurses working with COVID and non-COVID patients. Method A prospective longitudinal mixed-methods study was conducted with a cohort of ICU nurses working in medical ICU (COVID unit; n = 14) and cardiovascular ICU (non-COVID unit; n = 5). Each participant was followed for six 12-h shifts. Data on occupational stress and burnout prevalence were collected using validated questionnaires. Physiological indices of stress were collected using wrist-worn wearable technologies. Participants elaborated on the causes of stress experienced each shift by completing open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using statistical and qualitative methods. Results Participants caring for COVID patients at the COVID unit were 3.71 times more likely to experience stress (p < 0.001) in comparison to non-COVID unit participants. No differences in stress levels were found when the same participants worked with COVID and non-COVID patients at different shifts (p = 0.58) at the COVID unit. The cohorts expressed similar contributors to stress, based in communication tasks, patient acuity, clinical procedures, admission processes, proning, labs, and assisting coworkers. Conclusion Nurses in COVID units, irrespective of whether they care for a COVID patient, experience occupational stress and burnout.
Joint estimation of DOA and delay using TST-MUSIC in a wireless channel

A multiple signal classification (MUSIC)-based approach, time-space-time MUSIC (TST-MUSIC), is proposed to jointly estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) and the propagation delays of a wireless channel. The MUSIC for the DOA and the propagation delay estimation are referred to as the S-MUSIC and the T-MUSIC, respectively. Using the space-time characteristics of the multiray channel, the proposed algorithm in a tree structure combines the temporal filtering techniques and the spatial beamforming techniques with one S-MUSIC and two T-MUSICs. The incoming rays are thus grouped, isolated, and estimated.
On the guided propagation of electromagnetic wave beams

Any field in a half-space can be described by a continuous spectrum of cylindrical waves. If this spectrum comprises substantially only waves whose propagation constant is very close to the plane wave propagation constant, the field can be resolved into a set of elementary wave beams which are characterized by Laguerre polynomials. They satisfy orthogonality relations like the wave modes in a waveguide. The elementary beams or "beam modes" can be reiterated and guided by reconstituting the cross-sectional phase distribution at certain intervals. Reiterative beams are utilized in the beam waveguide. The finite size of the phase resetting devices effects a modification of the reiterative beam modes and causes diffraction losses. These losses decrease very rapidly with increasing diameter of the phasing devices.
Solving the Collaborative Problem in the Process of Dual-Arm Robot Assembly Based on Fully Constrained Synchronous Collaboration Mode

In this paper, a fully constrained collaboration synchronization model is proposed to solve the cooperative problem in the dual-arm assembly process. Compared with the single-arm robot, the dual-arm robot has higher flexibility and larger working space, but it is more difficult to control. It has its inherent constraint relationship during movement. The dual-arm cooperation constraint is the basis of the dual-arm motion planning. The paper first analyzes the constraint relationship between the two arms when the rigid body is transported by the two arms and the assembly of the shaft hole respectively. The study finds that there are many common points between the two movements: during the movement process, the two manipulators always maintain a constraint relationship with the object. On this basis, the full constraint is proposed to solve the position and pose constraints of the tool hands when the arms are moved. Finally, the simulation experiment of dual-arm handling rigid body and shaft-hole assembly is carried out to verify that the proposed dual-arm cooperation mode can effectively realize the dual-arm cooperative motion.
CRK41 Modulates Microtubule Depolymerization in Response to Salt Stress in Arabidopsis

The pivotal role of cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) in modulating growth, development, and responses to stress has been widely acknowledged in Arabidopsis. However, the function and regulation of CRK41 has remained unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that CRK41 is critical for modulating microtubule depolymerization in response to salt stress. The crk41 mutant exhibited increased tolerance, while overexpression of CRK41 led to hypersensitivity to salt. Further analysis revealed that CRK41 interacts directly with the MAP kinase3 (MPK3), but not with MPK6. Inactivation of either MPK3 or MPK6 could abrogate the salt tolerance of the crk41 mutant. Upon NaCl treatment, microtubule depolymerization was heightened in the crk41 mutant, yet alleviated in the crk41mpk3 and crk41mpk6 double mutants, indicating that CRK41 suppresses MAPK-mediated microtubule depolymerizations. Collectively, these results reveal that CRK41 plays a crucial role in regulating microtubule depolymerization triggered by salt stress through coordination with MPK3/MPK6 signalling pathways, which are key factors in maintaining microtubule stability and conferring salt stress resistance in plants.
Multibody Dynamics with Unilateral Contacts

Unilateral Contact - Problem Formulation (A. Curnier). - Scalar Force Potentials in Rigid Multibody Systems (Ch. Glocker). - Contact, Friction and Discrete Mechanical Structures: Analogies and Dynamic Problems (A. Klarbring). - Non-smooth Dynamical Systems (T. Kupper). - Unilateral Problems of Dynamics (F. Pfeiffer).
Exosomal PD‑L1 promotes the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in gastric diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma

Gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GDLBCL) is a common disease with an increasing incidence. However, the regulatory effect of exosomal programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on the immune microenvironment in GDLBCL is unclear. In the present study, the protein expression levels of exosomal PD-L1 in the supernatants of cultured diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells and the plasma of patients with GDLBCL was assessed using immunoblotting. Exosomes derived from DLBCL cells were cocultured with T lymphocytes or injected into tumor xenograft mice by tail vein injection. The relationship between the protein expression level of exosomal PD-L1 in the plasma and the clinical characteristics and immune microenvironmental parameters of GDLBCL was evaluated using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. High levels of exosomal PD-L1 were found in the supernatants of cultured DLBCL cells. Exosomes with high levels of PD-L1 promoted growth of tumors formed by DLBCL cells in vivo and inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes. Notably, the protein expression level of PD-L1 in plasma exosomes derived from GDLBCL patients was significantly higher than that of healthy individuals. High levels of PD-L1 in plasma exosomes were significantly associated with international prognostic index score, pathological type and advanced Lugano stage, which might lead to the poor prognosis of GDLBCL. Moreover, a high level of PD-L1 in plasma exosomes was significantly associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment in GDLBCL. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that exosomal PD-L1 inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes and promoted the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in GDLBCL. High expression of exosomal PD-L1 may suggest a poor prognosis of GDLBCL, and exosomal PD-L1 in plasma may be a new diagnostic indicator for GDLBCL.
Quality control procedures and metrics for resting-state functional MRI

The monitoring and assessment of data quality is an essential step in the acquisition and analysis of functional MRI (fMRI) data. Ideally data quality monitoring is performed while the data are being acquired and the subject is still in the MRI scanner so that any errors can be caught early and addressed. It is also important to perform data quality assessments at multiple points in the processing pipeline. This is particularly true when analyzing datasets with large numbers of subjects, coming from multiple investigators and/or institutions. These quality control procedures should monitor not only the quality of the original and processed data, but also the accuracy and consistency of acquisition parameters. Between-site differences in acquisition parameters can guide the choice of certain processing steps (e.g., resampling from oblique orientations, spatial smoothing). Various quality control metrics can determine what subjects to exclude from the group analyses, and can also guide additional processing steps that may be necessary. This paper describes a combination of qualitative and quantitative assessments to determine the quality of fMRI data. Processing is performed using the AFNI data analysis package. Qualitative assessments include visual inspection of the structural T1-weighted and fMRI echo-planar images, functional connectivity maps, functional connectivity strength, and temporal signal-to-noise maps concatenated from all subjects into a movie format. Quantitative metrics include the acquisition parameters, statistics about the level of subject motion, temporal signal-to-noise ratio, smoothness of the data, and the average functional connectivity strength. These measures are evaluated at different steps in the processing pipeline to catch gross abnormalities in the data, and to determine deviations in acquisition parameters, the alignment to template space, the level of head motion, and other sources of noise. We also evaluate the effect of different quantitative QC cutoffs, specifically the motion censoring threshold, and the impact of bandpass filtering. These qualitative and quantitative metrics can then provide information about what subjects to exclude and what subjects to examine more closely in the analysis of large datasets.
Lane-Change Intention Prediction of Surrounding Vehicles Using BiLSTM-CRF Models with Rule Embedding

Predicting lane-change intentions of surrounding vehicles can effectively help autonomous vehicles reduce collisions caused by lane changes and ensure driving safety. Because prediction methods based on black-box models will lead to passengers’ distrust of machine prediction, the intention prediction methods used to autonomous driving need to be interpretable and trustworthy. This paper presents a method for intention prediction of surrounding vehicles by using a bidirectional long short term memory network (BiLSTM) with a conditional random field (CRF) layer above it. Compared with intention prediction methods using deep network, the proposed method can find the features that contribute most to the prediction, thereby improving the interpretability and ensuring the prediction performance. In addition, by employing the transfer characteristic of the CRF layer, traffic rules and the experience of skilled drivers can be embedded to the prediction in the form of rules. Use rules to constrain the intention prediction, thereby improving the trustworthiness of prediction results. Test results on naturalistic driving dataset show that the proposed method can predict the lane-change intention with an accuracy of 97.22%, which is higher than that of Bi-LSTM.
Influence of Storage Conditions on Decellularized Porcine Conjunctiva

Porcine decellularized conjunctiva (PDC) represents a promising alternative source for conjunctival reconstruction. Methods of its re-epithelialization in vitro with primary human conjunctival epithelial cells (HCEC) have already been established. However, a long-term storage method is required for a simplified clinical use of PDC. This study investigates the influence of several storage variants on PDC. PDC were stored in (1) phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) at 4 °C, (2) in glycerol-containing epithelial cell medium (EM/gly) at −80 °C and (3) in dimethyl sulfoxide-containing epithelial cell medium (EM/DMSO) at −196 °C in liquid nitrogen for two and six months, respectively. Fresh PDC served as control. Histological structure, biomechanical parameters, the content of collagen and elastin and the potential of re-epithelialization with primary HCEC under cultivation for 14 days were compared (n = 4–10). In all groups, PDC showed a well-preserved extracellular matrix without structural disruptions and with comparable fiber density (p ≥ 0.74). Collagen and elastin content were not significantly different between the groups (p ≥ 0.18; p ≥ 0.13, respectively). With the exception of the significantly reduced tensile strength of PDC after storage at −196 °C in EM/DMSO for six months (0.46 ± 0.21 MPa, p = 0.02), no differences were seen regarding the elastic modulus, tensile strength and extensibility compared to control (0.87 ± 0.25 MPa; p ≥ 0.06). The mean values of the epithelialized PDC surface ranged from 51.9 ± 8.8% (−196 °C) to 78.3 ± 4.4% (−80 °C) and did not differ significantly (p ≥ 0.35). In conclusion, all examined storage methods were suitable for storing PDC for at least six months. All PDC were able to re-epithelialize, which rules out cytotoxic influences of the storage conditions and suggests preserved biocompatibility for in vivo application.
Ice wedge polygon stability on steep slopes in West Greenland related to temperature and moisture dynamics of the active layer

Ice wedge polygons on steep slopes have generally been described as being covered by periglacial sediments and, typically, the active layer on slopes becomes mobile during thaw periods, which can lead to solifluction. In West Greenland close to the ice margin, however, the active layer and ice wedge polygons are stable despite their occurrence on steep slopes with inclinations of ≥30°. We conducted a soil survey (including sampling for soil analyses and radiocarbon dating) in the Umimmalissuaq valley and installed a field station ~4 km east of the current ice margin to monitor soil temperature and water tension at depths of 10, 20 and 35 cm of the active layer on a steep, north‐facing slope in the middle of an ice wedge polygon from 2009 to 2015. Thawing and freezing periods lasted between 2 and 3 months and the active layer was usually completely frozen from November to April. We observed simultaneous and complete water saturation at all three depths of the active layer in one summer for 1 day. The amount of water in the active layer apparently was not enough to trigger solifluction during the summer thaw, even at slope inclinations above 30°. In addition, the dense shrub tundra absorbs most of the water during periods between thawing and freezing, which further stabilizes the slope. This process, together with the dry and continental climate caused by katabatic winds combined with no or limited frost heave, plays a crucial role in determining the stability of these slopes and can explain the presence of large‐scale stable ice wedge polygon networks in organic matter‐rich permafrost, which is about 5,000 years old. This study underlines the importance of soil hydrodynamics and local climate regime for landscape stability and differing intensities of solifluction processes in areas with strong geomorphological gradients and rising air temperatures.
FAT10 Silencing Prevents Liver Fibrosis through Regulating SIRT1 Expression in Hepatic Stellate Cells

Background and objectives: Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is the cardinal factor due to the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins during the development of liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to find new targets for developing drugs to treat liver fibrosis, by screening the key genes involved in the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Methods: Differentially expressed genes were identified through TCGA database. RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, western blot, and ELISA were performed to evaluate the expression levels of FAT10 and fibrotic molecules. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the signaling pathways and biological functions of FAT10 in LX-2 cell lines. Results: In the present study, expression profiles obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were used to explore the different genes expression between HSCs treated with or without carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-F adjacent transcript 10 (FAT10) was selected for further investigations. In animal model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis, the expression of FAT10 on activated HSCs is upregulated. In vitro, silencing FAT10 reduced TGF-β1-induced ECM activation and accumulation in LX-2 cells, and also suppressed the inflammatory response of LX-2 cells. Further Transwell results suggested that knockdown of FAT10 could inhibit TGF-β1-induced LX-2 cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, FAT10 promotes its fibrotic activity through regulating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), with a concomitant activation of ECM. Conclusions: These findings indicated an unexpected role of FAT10 in liver fibrosis development, suggesting that silencing FAT10 might represent a new strategy for the treatment of fibrotic liver diseases.
A Trust Management Framework for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) enable road users and public infrastructure to share information that improves the operation of roads and driver experience. However, these are vulnerable to poorly behaved authorized users. Trust management is used to address attacks from authorized users in accordance with their trust score. By removing the dissemination of trust metrics in the validation process, communication overhead and response time are lowered. In this paper, we propose a new Tamper-Proof Device (TPD) based trust management framework for controlling trust at the sender side vehicle that regulates driver behaviour. Moreover, the dissemination of feedback is only required when there is conflicting information in the VANET. If a conflict arises, the Road-Side Unit (RSU) decides, using the weighted voting system, whether the originator is to be believed, or not. The framework is evaluated against a centralized reputation approach and the results demonstrate that it outperforms the latter.