Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue in relation to temporomandibular disorders—A SWEREG-TMD nationwide case-control study

Introduction Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are comprised by a heterogenous group of diagnoses with multifaceted and complex etiologies. Although diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (MSD) have been reported as risk factors for developing TMD, no nationwide population-based registry studies have been conducted to investigate this possible link. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MSD and TMD in a population-based sample using Swedish registry data, and to further investigate the difference in such association between patients diagnosed with TMD in a hospital setting and patients surgically treated for the condition. Materials and methods Population based case-control study using Swedish nationwide registry data. Data was collected between 1998 and 2016 from 33 315 incident cases and 333 122 controls aged ≥18, matched for sex, age, and living area. Cases were stratified into non-surgical (NS), surgically treated once (ST1) and surgically treated twice or more (ST2). Information on MSD exposure (ICD-10 M00-M99) was collected between 1964 and 2016. Odds ratios were calculated using conditional logistic regression, adjusted for country of birth, educational level, living area, and mental health comorbidity. Results A significant association between MSD and the development of TMD was found for all diagnostic categories: arthropathies (OR 2.0, CI 1.9–2.0); systemic connective tissue disorders (OR 2.3, CI 2.1–2.4); dorsopathies (OR 2.2, CI 2.1–2.2); soft tissue disorders (OR 2.2, CI 2.2–2.3); osteopathies and chondropathies (OR 1.7, CI 1.6–1.8); and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (OR 1.9, CI 1.8–2.1). The associations were generally much stronger for TMD requiring surgical treatment. The diagnostic group with the strongest association was inflammatory polyarthropathies, M05-M14 (OR 11.7, CI 8.6–15.9), which was seen in the ST2 group. Conclusions Patients with MSD diagnoses have a higher probability of being diagnosed with TMD, in comparison to individuals without MSD. This association is even stronger for TMD that requires surgery. The results are in line with earlier findings, but present new population-based evidence of a possible causal relationship between MSD and TMD, even after adjusting for known confounders. Both dentists and physicians should be aware of this association and be wary of early signs of painful TMD among patients with MSD, to make early referral and timely conservative treatment possible.
Haptophyte communities along the Kuroshio current reveal their geographical sources and ecological traits

Haptophytes are one of the most ecologically successful phytoplankton groups in the modern ocean and tend to maintain balanced and stable communities across various environments. However, little is known about the mechanisms that enable community stability and ecological success. To reveal the community characteristics and interactions among haptophytes, we conducted comprehensive observations from the upstream to downstream regions of the Kuroshio Current. Haptophyte abundance and taxonomy were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and metabarcoding of 18S rRNA sequences, respectively. The haptophyte community structure changed abruptly at sites on the shelf‐slope of the East China Sea, indicating the strong influence of shelf waters with high phytoplankton biomass on downstream communities. Correlation network analysis combined with the phylogeny suggested that haptophytes can coexist with their close relatives, possibly owing to their nutritional flexibility, thereby escaping from resource competition. Consistently, some noncalcifying haptophyte genera with high mixotrophic capacities such as Chrysochromulina constituted a major component of the co‐occurrence network, whereas coccolithophores such as Emiliania/Gephyrocapsa were rarely observed. Our study findings suggest that noncalcifying haptophytes play crucial roles in community diversity and stability, and in sustaining the food web structure in the Kuroshio ecosystems.
The Impact of Type Ia Supernova Ejecta on Binary Companions

We present adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) hydrodynamical simulations of the interaction between Type Ia supernovae and their companion stars within the context of the single‐degenerate model. Results for 3D red‐giant companions without binary evolution agree with previous 2D results by Marietta et al. We also consider evolved helium‐star companions in 2D. For a range of helium‐star masses and initial binary separations, we examine the mass unbound by the interaction and the kick velocity delivered to the companion star. We find that unbound mass versus separation obeys a power law with index between −3.1 and −4.0, consistent with previous results for hydrogen‐rich companions. Kick velocity also obeys a power‐law relationship with binary separation, but the slope differs from those found for hydrogen‐rich companions. Assuming accretion via Roche‐lobe overflow, we find that the unbound helium mass is consistent with observational limits. Ablation (shock heating) appears to be more important in removing gas .
Variability among commercial batches of normal pooled plasma in lupus anticoagulant testing

Lupus anticoagulant (LA) testing requires normal pooled plasma (NPP) in performing mixing studies and can be used for normalized ratios of clotting times (CTs). The aims were to demonstrate whether significant differences in clotting times between two batches of a same commercial NPP (CRYOcheck™) directly affect NPP‐based cut‐off values.
Phosphorylation of MSI-1 is implicated in the regulation of associative memory in Caenorhabditis elegans

The Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins controls several biological processes including stem cell maintenance, cell division and neural function. Previously, we demonstrated that the C. elegans Musashi ortholog, msi-1, regulates forgetting via translational repression of the Arp2/3 actin-branching complex. However, the mechanisms controlling MSI-1 activity during the regulation of forgetting are currently unknown. Here we investigated the effects of protein phosphorylation on MSI-1 activity. We showed that MSI-1 function is likely controlled by alterations of its activity rather than its expression levels. Furthermore, we found that MSI-1 is phosphorylated and using mass spectrometry we identified MSI-1 phosphorylation at three residues (T18, S19 and S34). CRISPR-based manipulations of MSI-1 phosphorylation sites revealed that phosphorylation is necessary for MSI-1 function in both short- and long-term aversive olfactory associative memory. Thus, our study provides insight into the mechanisms regulating memory-related MSI-1 activity and may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
CIMT 2022: Report on the 19th Annual Meeting of the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy

ABSTRACT The 19th Annual Meeting of the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMT), Europe’s cancer immunotherapy meeting, was the first in-person event organized by CIMT since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a hybrid event from May 10–12, the meeting attracted 920 academic and clinical professionals from over 40 countries, who met to discuss the latest advances in cancer immunology and immunotherapy research. This report summarizes the highlights of CIMT2022.
Coherent bremsstrahlung in a bent crystal

Coherent radiation spectrum from high energy e{sup {+-}}in a bent crystal with arbitrary curvature distribution along the longitudinal coordinate is evaluated, based on the stationary phase approximation. For a uniformly bent crystal a closed-form expression for the spectrum is derived. The spectrum features include a dip at its beginning and the sharp end, which may split into two breaks depending on the particle incidence angle. Estimates of nondipole radiation and multiple scattering effects are given. The value for the crystal bending angle at which the dipole coherent bremsstrahlung theory holds best appears to be {approx}10{sup -4} rad.
Topological Edge States and Gap Solitons in the Nonlinear Dirac Model

Topological photonics has emerged recently as a novel approach for realizing robust optical circuitry, and the study of nonlinear effects in topological photonics is expected to open the door for tunability of photonic structures with topological properties. Here, the topological edge states and topological gap solitons which reside in the same band gaps described by the nonlinear Dirac model are studied, in both one and two dimensions. Strong nonlinear interactions between these dissimilar topological modes, manifested in the efficient excitation of topological edge states by scattered traveling gap solitons are revealed. Nonlinear tunability of localized states is explicated with exact analytical solutions for the two‐component spinor wave function. Our studies are complemented by spatiotemporal numerical modeling of the nonlinear scattering in 1D and 2D photonic lattices.
Prospects for gravitational-wave detection and supermassive black hole astrophysics with pulsar timing arrays

Large-area sky surveys show that massive galaxies undergo at least one major merger in a Hubble time. Ongoing pulsar timing array (PTA) experiments are aimed at measuring the gravitational wave (GW) emission from binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs) at the centres of galaxy merger remnants. In this paper, using the latest observational estimates for a range of galaxy properties and scaling relations, we predict the amplitude of the GW background generated by the binary SMBH population. We also predict the numbers of individual binary SMBH GW sources. We predict the characteristic strain amplitude of the GW background to lie in the range $5.1\times10^{-16}<A_{\rm yr}<2.4\times10^{-15}$ at a frequency of $(1\,{\rm yr})^{-1}$, with 95% confidence. Higher values within this range, which correspond to the more commonly preferred choice of galaxy merger timescale, will fall within the expected sensitivity ranges of existing PTA projects in the next few years. In contrast, we find that a PTA consisting of at least 100 pulsars observed with next-generation radio telescopes will be required to detect continuous-wave GWs from binary SMBHs. We further suggest that GW memory bursts from coalescing SMBH pairs are not viable sources for PTAs. Both the GW background and individual GW source counts are dominated by binaries formed in mergers between early-type galaxies of masses $\gtrsim5\times10^{10}M_{\odot}$ at redshifts $\lesssim 1.5$. Uncertainties in the galaxy merger timescale and the SMBH mass - galaxy bulge mass relation dominate the uncertainty in our predictions.
Stem cell‐based strategies for skeletal muscle tissue engineering

Skeletal muscle tissue engineering has been a key area of focus over the years and has been of interest for developing regenerative strategies for injured or degenerative skeletal muscle tissue. Stem cells have gained increased attention as sources for developing skeletal muscle tissue for subsequent studies or potential treatments. Focus has been placed on understanding the molecular pathways that govern skeletal muscle formation in development to advance differentiation of stem cells towards skeletal muscle fates in vitro. Use of growth factors and transcription factors have long been the method for guiding skeletal muscle differentiation in vitro. However, further research in small molecule induced differentiation offers a xeno‐free option that could result from use of animal derived factors.
Herbivory modifies plant symbiont number and impact on host plant performance in the field

Species interactions are a unifying theme in ecology and evolution. Both fields are currently moving beyond their historical focus on isolated pairwise relationships to understand how ecological communities affect focal interactions. Additional species can modify both the number of interactions and the fitness consequences of each interaction (i.e., selection). Although only selection affects the evolution of the focal interaction, the two are often conflated, limiting our understanding of the evolution of multispecies interactions. We manipulated aboveground herbivory on the legume Medicago lupulina in the field and quantified its effect on number of symbionts and the per‐symbiont impact on plant performance in two belowground symbioses: mutualistic rhizobia bacteria (Ensifer meliloti) and parasitic root‐knot nematodes (Meloidogyne hapla). We found that herbivores modified the number of rhizobia nodules, as well as the benefit per nodule. However, each effect was specific to a distinct herbivory regime: natural herbivory affected nodule number, whereas leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) weakened the per nodule benefit. We did not detect any effect of herbivory on nematode gall number or the cost of infection. Our data demonstrate that distinguishing between symbiont number from the fitness consequences of symbiosis is crucial to accurately infer how pairwise interactions will evolve in a community.
Bias and Noise in the Hough Transform I. Theory

Abstract : The main results of this work are the following. 1. An approach to Hough Transforms (HT) based on a linear imaging model. The HT produces a peak in accumulators (Parameter) space corresponding to likely parameters of an interesting phenomenon in the image. It also produces background off-peak sidelobes, which are important because they can add significant variance and background bias to the accumulator space and make peak-finding a local and difficult process. 2. Definitions of bias and noise in the HT. 3. Analytical techniques for reasoning about sidelobe shapes, and some descriptions of sidelobes in practically important parameter spaces under continuous noise-free conditions. 4. The Chough method can eliminate sidelobe bias and decrease sidelobe variance. The peak height is then an unbiased estimator for the amount of evidence consistent with the peak parameter vector, and simple global techniques (such as global thresholding) will find peaks. Compared to traditional HT, CHough seems to have much better sidelobe bias properties, significantly better sidelobe variance properties, equal or worse quantization noise properties, and equal or better resistance to noise features in the image. (Author)
Intracerebral Hemorrhage Segmentation on Noncontrast Computed Tomography Using a Masked Loss Function U-Net Approach

Objective Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume is a strong predictor of outcome in patients presenting with acute hemorrhagic stroke. It is necessary to segment the hematoma for ICH volume estimation and for computerized extraction of features, such as spot sign, texture parameters, or extravasated iodine content at dual-energy computed tomography. Manual and semiautomatic segmentation methods to delineate the hematoma are tedious, user dependent, and require trained personnel. This article presents a convolutional neural network to automatically delineate ICH from noncontrast computed tomography scans of the head. Methods A model combining a U-Net architecture with a masked loss function was trained on standard noncontrast computed tomography images that were down sampled to 256 × 256 size. Data augmentation was applied to prevent overfitting, and the loss score was calculated using the soft Dice loss function. The Dice coefficient and the Hausdorff distance were computed to quantitatively evaluate the segmentation performance of the model, together with the sensitivity and specificity to determine the ICH detection accuracy. Results The results demonstrate a median Dice coefficient of 75.9% and Hausdorff distance of 2.65 pixels in segmentation performance, with a detection sensitivity of 77.0% and specificity of 96.2%. Conclusions The proposed masked loss U-Net is accurate in the automatic segmentation of ICH. Future research should focus on increasing the detection sensitivity of the model and comparing its performance with other model architectures.
Distributional Pattern of Bacteria, Protists, and Diatoms in Ocean according to Water Depth in the Northern South China Sea

Fine-scale analysis of ocean microbes provides insights into the dynamics and functions of the ocean microbiome community. Here, using amplicon and metagenome sequencing methods, we found that diatoms in the northern South China Sea displayed a potential water-depth pattern in species richness and community composition, which may be related to their biological characteristics. The potential effects of the differences in geographic sites mainly occurred in the diatom and bacterial communities. ABSTRACT Ocean microbiomes provide insightful details about the condition of water and the global impact of marine ecosystems. A fine-scale analysis of ocean microbes may shed light on the dynamics and function of the ocean microbiome community. In this study, we evaluated the changes in the community and function of marine bacteria, protists, and diatoms corresponding to different ocean depths using next-generation sequencing methods. We found that diatoms displayed a potential water-depth pattern in species richness (alpha diversity) and community composition (beta diversity). However, for bacteria and protists, there was no significant relationship between water depth and species richness. This may be related to the biological characteristics of diatoms. The photosynthesis of diatoms and their distribution may be associated with the fluctuating light regime in the underwater climate. Moreover, salinity displayed negative effects on the abundance of some diatom and bacterial groups, which indicates that salinity may be one of the factors restricting ocean microorganism diversity. In addition, compared to the global ocean microbiome composition, function, and antibiotic resistance genes, a water depth pattern due to the fine-scale region was not observed in this study. IMPORTANCE Fine-scale analysis of ocean microbes provides insights into the dynamics and functions of the ocean microbiome community. Here, using amplicon and metagenome sequencing methods, we found that diatoms in the northern South China Sea displayed a potential water-depth pattern in species richness and community composition, which may be related to their biological characteristics. The potential effects of the differences in geographic sites mainly occurred in the diatom and bacterial communities. Moreover, given the correlation between the environmental factors and relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), the study of ocean ARG distribution patterns should integrate the potential effects of environmental factors.
Transversal functional connectivity and scene-specific processing in the human entorhinal-hippocampal circuitry

Scene and object information reach the entorhinal-hippocampal circuitry in partly segregated cortical processing streams. Converging evidence suggests that such information-specific streams organize the cortical – entorhinal interaction and the circuitry’s inner communication along the transversal axis of hippocampal subiculum and CA1. Here, we leveraged ultra-high field functional imaging and advance Maass et al., 2015 who report two functional routes segregating the entorhinal cortex (EC) and the subiculum. We identify entorhinal subregions based on preferential functional connectivity with perirhinal Area 35 and 36, parahippocampal and retrosplenial cortical sources (referred to as ECArea35-based, ECArea36-based, ECPHC-based, ECRSC-based, respectively). Our data show specific scene processing in the functionally connected ECPHC-based and distal subiculum. Another route, that functionally connects the ECArea35-based and a newly identified ECRSC-based with the subiculum/CA1 border, however, shows no selectivity between object and scene conditions. Our results are consistent with transversal information-specific pathways in the human entorhinal-hippocampal circuitry, with anatomically organized convergence of cortical processing streams and a unique route for scene information. Our study thus further characterizes the functional organization of this circuitry and its information-specific role in memory function.
Perceived causes, diagnosis methods and treatment practices of mental illness among traditional healers of the Berta community in Assosa, Ethiopia

Introduction: Mental illness is a non-communicable disease that is increasingly contributing to the global burden of diseases and disability. It affects a person’s feelings, thinking, behavior, and daily life functioning. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore perceived causes of mental illness, techniques for identifying mental illness, and treatment methods used by traditional healers in the Berta community. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research method. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with seven traditional healers who were selected purposefully. We used thematic analysis to present and analyze the data. Results: The findings of this study indicated that witchcraft, supernatural power, hereditary, substance use, and food poising as the main perceived causes of mental illness among traditional healers in the Berta community. The traditional healers identify mental illness using different techniques such as patient observation, interviews with a patient’s family, use of religious books, and use of herbals. The traditional healers in the Berta community identify mental illness based on behavioral symptoms like talking about things that don’t make sense, laughing alone, taking off clothes in public places, collecting and carrying dirty materials, eating dirty foods, and harming or intention to harm others. Conclusions: The traditional healers in the Berta community use herbals, religious books, and bone divination to guide their treatment of persons with mental illnesses. Some of these traditional healing practices options are peculiar to the Berta Community that are used to diagnosize and treat mental illnesses. Recommendations: The traditional healing practices of the Berta community should be recognized, licensed, and supported by the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration and Control Authority.
THE CLUSTERING PROPERTIES OF THE FIRST GALAXIES

We study the clustering properties of the first galaxies formed in the universe. We find that, due to chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium by isolated Population III stars formed in mini-halos at redshift z ≳ 30, the (chronologically) first galaxies are composed of metal-poor Population II stars and are highly clustered on small scales. In contrast, chemically pristine galaxies in halos with mass M ∼ 108 M☉ may form at z < 20 in relatively underdense regions of the universe. This occurs once self-enrichment by Population III in mini-halos is quenched by the buildup of an H2 photodissociating radiative background in the Lyman–Werner bands. We find that these chemically pristine galaxies are spatially uncorrelated. Thus, we expect that deep fields with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) may detect clusters of chemically enriched galaxies but individual chemically pristine objects. We predict that metal-free galaxies at 10 ≲ z ≲ 15 have surface densities of about 80 arcmin−2 and per unit redshift but most of them will be too faint even for JWST. However, the predicted density makes these objects interesting targets for searches behind lensing clusters.