Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atypically Shaped Setae in Gall Mites (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) and Mitogenomics of the Genus Leipothrix Keifer (Eriophyidae)

Simple Summary Eriophyoidea (gall mites) are a megadiverse lineage of worm-like mites that feed on vascular plants. The setae of these mites are sometimes distinctive because of their atypical shape, either bifurcated, angled or swollen, but never many-branched. Our study of eriophyoid setae revealed that bifurcated and angled setae are widely distributed across Eriophyoidea. The group of worm-like soil mites (Nematalycidae) with which they are affiliated have bifurcated and trifurcated setae. The plesiomorphic and also most common state of all mites is hyper-furcating setae (more than three branches), which are almost always represented in rows (seri-furcating). The likely explanation for the filiform and unbranched setae of Eriophyoidea is the gradual loss of branches, one by one, with the bifurcated state that is shared with Nematalycidae being an ancestral state. Angled setae are an intermediary state because they probably represent a bifurcating seta with only a single branch; the other one is completely diminished. Accordingly, hypo-furcating setae (three or fewer branches) are a synapomorphy that unites Eriophyoidea with Nematalycidae. Our phylogenetic analyses also showed that Leipothrix, the largest genus with a bifurcated seta on the palps, is monophyletic once Cereusacarus juniperensis is excluded and five species of Epitrimerus have been transferred into this genus. Abstract The setae in Eriophyoidea are filiform, slightly bent and thickened near the base. Confocal microscopy indicates that their proximal and distal parts differ in light reflection and autofluorescence. Approximately 50 genera have atypically shaped setae: bifurcated, angled or swollen. These modifications are known in the basal part of prosomal setae u′, ft′, ft″, d, v, bv, ve, sc and caudal setae h2. We assessed the distribution of atypically shaped setae in Eriophyoidea and showed that they are scattered in different phylogenetic lineages. We hypothesized that the ancestral setae of eriophyoid mites were bifurcated before later simplifying into filiform setae. We also proposed that hypo-furcating setae are a synapomorphy that unites Eriophyoidea with Nematalycidae. We analyzed four new mitochondrial genomes of Leipothrix, the largest genus with bifurcated d, and showed that it is monophyletic and has a unique mitochondrial gene order with translocated trnK. We exclude Cereusacarus juniperensis n. comb. Xue and Yin, 2020 from Leipothrix and transfer five Epitrimerus spp. to Leipothrix: L. aegopodii (Liro 1941) n. comb. , L. femoralis (Liro 1941) n. comb. , L. geranii (Liro 1941) n. comb. , L. ranunculi (Liro 1941) n. comb. , and L. triquetra (Meyer 1990) n. comb.
TNF-α Preconditioning Improves the Therapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an Experimental Model of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory disease involving multiple factors in its initiation and development. In recent years, the potential application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating AS has been investigated. This study examined the effect of TNF-α preconditioning on MSCs’ therapeutic efficacy in treating AS in ApoE KO mice. TNF-α-treated MSCs were administered to high-fat diet-treated ApoE KO mice. Cytokine and serum lipid levels were measured before and after treatment. Cryosections of the atherosclerotic aorta were stained with Oil-Red-O, and the relative areas of atherosclerotic lesions were measured. The level of Tregs were increased in TNF-α-MSC-treated animals compared to the MSCs group. In addition, the systemic administration of TNF-α-MSCs to ApoE KO mice reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IFN-γ and increased the level of the immunosuppressive IL-10 in the blood serum. Total cholesterol and LDL levels were decreased, and HDL levels were increased in the TNF-α-MSCs group of ApoE KO mice. A histological analysis showed that TNF-α-MSCs decreased the size of the atherosclerotic lesion in the aorta of ApoE KO mice by 38%, although there was no significant difference when compared with untreated MSCs. Thus, our data demonstrate that TNF-α-MSCs are more effective at treating AS than untreated MSCs.
Demonstration of a Modular Prototype End-to-End Simulator for Aquatic Remote Sensing Applications

This study introduces a prototype end-to-end Simulator software tool for simulating two-dimensional satellite multispectral imagery for a variety of satellite instrument models in aquatic environments. Using case studies, the impact of variable sensor configurations on the performance of value-added products for challenging applications, such as coral reefs and cyanobacterial algal blooms, is assessed. This demonstrates how decisions regarding satellite sensor design, driven by cost constraints, directly influence the quality of value-added remote sensing products. Furthermore, the Simulator is used to identify situations where retrieval algorithms require further parameterization before application to unsimulated satellite data, where error sources cannot always be identified or isolated. The application of the Simulator can verify whether a given instrument design meets the performance requirements of end-users before build and launch, critically allowing for the justification of the cost and specifications for planned and future sensors. It is hoped that the Simulator will enable engineers and scientists to understand important design trade-offs in phase 0/A studies easily, quickly, reliably, and accurately in future Earth observation satellites and systems.
On orientational order in nematic and twist-bend nematic phases: a 2H-NMR study of binary mixtures of the odd dimer,1″,9″-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yl) nonane, (CB9CB), and the monomer, 4-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl, (5CB-d2)

ABSTRACT In this article, we explore those factors that influence the orientational order in both nematic and twist-bend nematic phases. The systems used for our NMR experiments are binary mixtures of a dimer and a related monomer thus enabling its behaviour to be controlled continuously, through its composition rather than chemical structure. Earlier studies have revealed that as the temperature is lowered in the nematic phase, the orientational order frequently passes through a maximum prior to the formation of the NTB phase. A confirmative indication of this unusual behaviour is that the Haller function cannot fit this dependence over the entire nematic range; such behaviour is intriguing. In the NTB phase, the measured order parameter is often insensitive to decreasing temperature for systems with strong NTB–N transitions often associated with a narrow nematic range. For those mesogens with longer nematic ranges and hence weaker NTB–N transitions, the order parameter decreases more markedly with temperature. As expected for the weak transitions, the behaviour of the order parameter is observed to be essentially continuous across the transition. Associated with the orientational order in the NTB phase is the conical angle and an off-diagonal element of the Saupe ordering matrix. Graphical Abstract
Planar Printed Wideband Filtering Quasi-Yagi Antenna and Its Notch-Band Design Using Parasitic Elements for Vehicular Communication

A compact planar printed wideband filtering quasi-Yagi antenna without any extra external filtering circuit for vehicular communication is proposed in this article. It consists of a microstrip-to-slotline transition (MST), a coplanar stripline (CPS), driven elements and parasitic elements which act as directors and filtering elements simultaneously. The MST can inherently introduce four radiation nulls on the lower and upper stopband, and by adding a pair of exponential curved branch elements symmetrically, two radiation nulls are generated on the upper stopband. Moreover, four parasitic elements are placed around the director to enhance the end-fire radiation and the rejection levels of three radiation nulls on the upper stopband. Therefore, a wideband filtering quasi-Yagi antenna with a good endfire characteristics with the measured bandwidth of 4.46 to 11.31 GHz (∼86.9%), a peak gain of 8.3 dBi, and the out-of-band suppression larger than 14 dB is achieved, without any additional external filtering circuits. When a pair of L-shaped parasitic elements are symmetrically placed on the top layer, a notch with −20.5 dBi measured gain rejection in the working frequency band can be introduced, which guarantees good interference suppression ability. The measured results show good agreement with the simulation. The proposed antennas are good candidates for in-vehicle Wi-Fi 6E, in-vehicle satellite communication, mobile-service, V2V communication applications.
Generalized Risley Prism for Beam-Steering Transmit Arrays With Reduced Grating Lobes

Wide-angle beam steering is a fundamental requisite for the new generation of millimeter-wave communication systems. Mechanical scanning using two transmit arrays (TAs) with independent axial rotation movements—known as the Risley prism approach—is being considered as a potential enabling technology for many cost-driven applications. There is an ongoing research effort to improve this solution, and however, grating lobes are still a main limitation for the operation of these antennas. Herein, we show that this vestigial effect can be overcome by a codesign of the phase correction of the two rotating surfaces, instead of considering each TA as a separate “prism” (the conventional approach). The proposed generalized phase correction is compared with the conventional counterpart using a design example based on fully dielectric TAs. Experimental results confirm that the predicted grating lobes of the conventional design can be mitigated, corresponding to a significant reduction of the sidelobe level (SLL) in the complete scanning plane. For the given full-dielectric Ka-band design example, it is possible to scan up to 55° with SLL $ < -8.3$ dB and scan loss of −3.6 dB, whereas, with the conventional approach, the same scan implies SLL $ < -4.4$ dB and a scan loss of −6.1 dB.
Theoretical Study of Memristor and \\ 
 Time Reversal based\\ 
 Nonlinear Elastic Wave Spectroscopy

Principle of memristor presented by Leon Chua and time reversal based non-linear elastic wave spectroscopy (TR-NEWS) which can be applied to acoustic tomography are reviewed. Correlation of acoustic or electromagnetic nonlinear waves and its time reversed wave can produce strong signal. Materials like transducer or biological skin can be assumed to be composed of a large number of small elastic unit: hysteretic elementary unit (HEU), and one can take a HEU as a memristor whose operation depends on time. Relation between TR-NEWS and solitonic wave in fluid, and relation between decomposition of time reversal operator (DORT) and chaotic oscillation are discussed.
Role of the vaginal microbiome in miscarriage: exploring the relationship

Miscarriage is a devastating pregnancy loss that affects many women worldwide. It is characterized as a spontaneous miscarriage that occurs before 20 weeks of gestation which affects more than 25% of pregnancies. While the causes of miscarriage are complex and multifactorial, recent research has suggested a potential role of the vaginal microbiota. The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem of microbes that are essential for preserving vaginal health and avoiding infections. Vaginal dysbiosis has been accompanied with numerous adverse pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth. However, the effect of the vaginal microbiome in miscarriage is not fully understood. This review aims to investigate the link between vaginal microbiota and miscarriage. Also, we investigate the various mechanisms through which the vaginal microbiota may affect miscarriage. Additionally, we examine the implications of these research findings, specifically the possibility of vaginal microbiome screening and targeted interventions to prevent miscarriage.
Observatorio de la Calidad de la Información en Televisión. A Research and Teaching Project: ‘Cloud’ Analysis of Contents.Collaborative and Interactive Learning

The Observatorio de la Calidad de la Informacion en Television (Observatory for the Quality of Information on Television) of the School of Media & Communications Science of the Complutense University of Madrid is a project for the innovation and enhancement of teaching quality. The project seeks to use the course titled Information on Television to forge links between research and training, between theory and practice. Using a special-purpose online platform for collaborative and interactive work, students engage in the analysis of the contents of news programs in the five nationwide TV networks active in Spain. Throughout the project, students acquire, in addition to other skills and further knowledge, academic and professional competencies around the topic of television information. Participants recognize this teaching and learning initiative as highly satisfactory and beneficial.
Brevibacillus brevis HNCS-1: a biocontrol bacterium against tea plant diseases

As a biocontrol bacteria, Brevibacillus has been the subject of extensive research for agricultural applications. Antibacterial peptides (AMPs) are the main antibacterial products of Brevibacillus. This study isolated a strain of Br. brevis HNCS-1 from tea garden soil, and the strain has an antagonistic effect against five types of pathogens of tea diseases, namely Gloeosporium theae-sinensis, Elsinoe leucospira, Phyllosticta theaefolia, Fusarium sp. , and Cercospora theae. To determine the genetic characteristics implicated in the biocontrol mechanism, the genome sequence of the HNCS-1 strain was obtained and analyzed further, and the data are deposited in the GenBank repository (No. CP128411). Comparative genomics analyses revealed that the HNCS-1 strain and 17 public Br. brevis share a core genome composed of 3,742 genes. Interestingly, only one non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene cluster annotated as edeine is present in the core genome. And UHPLC-MS/MS detection results showd that edeine B and edeine A were the principal antibacterial peptides in the HNCS-1 strain. This study proves that edeine is the main antibacterial peptide of Br. brevis, and provides a new strategy for the identification of antibacterial products from other biocontrol bacteria.
Associations between Dengue Incidence, Ecological Factors, and Anthropogenic Factors in Singapore

Singapore experiences endemic dengue. Vector control remains the primary means to reduce transmission due to the lack of available therapeutics. Resource limitations mean that vector-control tools need to be optimized, which can be achieved by studying risk factors related to disease transmission. We developed a statistical modelling framework which can account for a high-resolution and high-dimensional set of covariates to delineate spatio-temporal characteristics that are associated with dengue transmission from 2014 to 2020 in Singapore. We applied the proposed framework to two distinct datasets, stratified based on the primary type of housing within each spatial unit. Generalized additive models reveal non-linear exposure responses between a large range of ecological and anthropogenic factors as well as dengue incidence rates. At values below their mean, lesser mean total daily rainfall (Incidence rate ratio (IRR): 3.75, 95% CI: 1.00–14.05, Mean: 4.40 mm), decreased mean windspeed (IRR: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.87–7.10, Mean: 4.53 km/h), and lower building heights (IRR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.44–4.77, Mean: 6.5 m) displayed positive associations, while higher than average annual NO2 concentrations (IRR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18–0.66, Mean: 13.8 ppb) were estimated to be negatively associated with dengue incidence rates. Our study provides an understanding of associations between ecological and anthropogenic characteristics with dengue transmission. These findings help us understand high-risk areas of dengue transmission, and allows for land-use planning and formulation of vector control policies.
Defining of Normalized Load Profile Curves for Domestic Customer Groups to Estimate Feeder Power Loss

In a country, domestic electricity customer percentage is higher in number wise, but energy usage of one customer is lower compared to other categories. Therefore, installing a load profile recording meter for each domestic customer is not worthwhile and impractical. In this research, a methodology is proposed to estimate domestic customer load profile by using customer information to avoid the use of advanced costly energy meter. In methodology, the domestic customers were divided into several groups by clustering their daily load profiles according to differences of patterns. Representative normalized load profile is defined for each group. Same customers were interviewed for collecting family member information and electric equipment usage information. Relationships between load profile and customer information were investigated. Then a methodology was developed to estimate load profile of another new customer. These load profiles were used for calculation of low voltage feeder power loss estimation. As outcome of this research, MATLAB GUI software interface was developed to input customer information and selection of relevant load profile of a new customer depending on customer information. An algorithm is proposed to estimate hourly LV feeder power loss variation by using preestimated customer load profiles.
Investigation of lncRNA in Bos taurus Mammary Tissue during Dry and Lactation Periods

This study aims to collect RNA-Seq data from Bos taurus samples representing dry and lactating mammary tissue, identify lncRNA transcripts, and analyze findings for their features and functional annotation. This allows for connections to be drawn between lncRNA and the lactation process. RNA-Seq data from 103 samples of Bos taurus mammary tissue were gathered from publicly available databases (60 dry, 43 lactating). The samples were filtered to reveal 214 dry mammary lncRNA transcripts and 517 lactating mammary lncRNA transcripts. The lncRNAs met common lncRNA characteristics such as shorter length, fewer exons, lower expression levels, and less sequence conservation when compared to the genome. Interestingly, several lncRNAs showed sequence similarity to genes associated with strong hair keratin intermediate filaments. Human breast cancer research has associated strong hair keratin filaments with mammary tissue cellular resilience. The lncRNAs were also associated with several genes/proteins that linked to pregnancy using expression correlation and gene ontology. Such findings indicate that there are crucial relationships between the lncRNAs found in mammary tissue and the development of the tissue, to meet both the animal’s needs and our own production needs; these relationships should be further investigated to ensure that we continue to breed the most resilient, efficient dairy cattle.
Aerial Infrared Target Tracking in Complex Background Based on Combined Tracking and Detecting

Aerial infrared target tracking is the basis of many weapon systems, especially the air-to-air missile. Till now, it is still challenging research to track the aircraft in the event of complex background. In this paper, we focus on developing an algorithm that could track the aircraft fast and accurately based on infrared image sequence. We proposed a framework composed of a tracker T based on correlation filter and a detector D based on deep learning, which we call combined tracking and detecting (CTAD). With such collaboration, the algorithm enjoys both the high efficiency provided by correlation filter and the strong discriminative power provided by deep learning. Finally, we performed experiments on three representative infrared image sequences and two sequences from VOT-TIR2016 dataset to quantitatively evaluate the performance of our algorithm. To evaluate our algorithm scientifically, we present the experiments performed on two sequences from AMCOM FLIR dataset of the proposed algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm could track the infrared target reliably, which shows comparable performance with the deep tracker, while running at a fast speed of about 18.1 fps.
Clinical Performance of the Gore Septal Occluder in Patent Foramen Ovale Closure in Different Septal Anatomies: 1-Year Results from a Single-Center Experience

Background: PFO (Patent foramen ovale) is a common defect that affects about 25% of the population. Although its presence is asymptomatic in the majority of the cases, the remaining part becomes overt with different symptoms, including cryptogenic stroke. PFO closure is currently a widely available procedure in complex anatomy, with Amplatzer PFO Occluder (APO) being the most commonly used tool. However, the performance of another device, the GORE Septal Occluder (GSO), has not been completely explored with regard to different septal anatomies. Methods: From March 2012 to June 2020, 118 consecutive patients with an indication of PFO closure were treated using the GSO system, included in a prospective analysis, and followed. After 12 months, every patient underwent transcranial Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Results: Of 111 patients evaluated, 107 showed effective PFO closure (96.4%), and 4 showed a residual shunt (3.6%). To better evaluate the device performance, the overall population was sorted into two clusters based on the echocardiographic characteristics. The main difference between groups was for PFO width (4.85 ± 1.8 vs. 2.9 ± 1 mm, p < 0.001) and PFO tunnel length (12.6 ± 3.8 vs. 7.2 ± 2, p < 0.001), allowing complex and simple anatomies to be identified, respectively. Regardless of the aforementioned cluster, the GSO performance required to reach an effective closure was independent of anatomy type and the chosen device size. Conclusion: The GSO device showed a high closure rate at 1-year follow-up in patients, with at least one anatomical factor of complexity of PFO irrespective of the level of complexity itself.
Efficacy and Safety of Respiratory Telerehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this review was to identify, map, and synthesize the extent and nature of research activity on the use of telerehabilitation to support Long COVID-19 rehabilitation and examine the efficacy and safety of respiratory telerehabilitation in patients with Long COVID-19. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed. We included controlled trials that tested the effect of respiratory telerehabilitation interventions in patients with Long COVID-19 versus no intervention, usual care, placebo, or face-to-face intervention. The data were pooled, and a meta-analysis was completed for quality of life, dyspnea, lung function, anxiety and depression, respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and lower limb strength. Finally, 10 studies were included. The meta-analysis results show significant differences in favor of respiratory telerehabilitation in quality of life (p = 0.02), dyspnea (p < 0.00001), respiratory muscle strength (p < 0.001), functional capacity (p < 0.0001), and lower limb strength (p = 0.01) but not in lung function (p = 0.28) and anxiety and depression (p = 0.55). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects (p = 0.06) between the telerehabilitation and comparator groups. The results suggest that these interventions can improve quality of life, reduce dyspnea, and increase respiratory and lower extremity muscle strength as well as functional capacity in patients with Long COVID-19.