Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An efficient genomic prediction method without the direct inverse of the genomic relationship matrix

GBLUP, the most widely used genomic prediction (GP) method, consumes large and increasing amounts of computational resources as the training population size increases due to the inverse of the genomic relationship matrix (GRM). Therefore, in this study, we developed a new genomic prediction method (RHEPCG) that avoids the direct inverse of the GRM by combining randomized Haseman–Elston (HE) regression (RHE-reg) and a preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG). The simulation results demonstrate that RHEPCG, in most cases, not only achieves similar predictive accuracy with GBLUP but also significantly reduces computational time. As for the real data, RHEPCG shows similar or better predictive accuracy for seven traits of the Arabidopsis thaliana F2 population and four traits of the Sorghum bicolor RIL population compared with GBLUP. This indicates that RHEPCG is a practical alternative to GBLUP and has better computational efficiency.
Extreme precipitation over Southeastern Brazil in the austral summer and relations with the Southern Hemisphere annular mode

Southeastern Brazil is a highly industrialized and populated region which largely contributes to the country's economy. Extreme precipitation over this region can cause floods and landslides occurrences or lack of precipitation that can affect many sectors of economy. The objective of this work is to identify atmospheric characteristics associated with austral summer extreme precipitation over part of Southeastern Brazil. The atmospheric characteristics obtained from wet and dry composites suggest that extreme precipitation was associated with anomalous circulation over the region, forced by a PSA‐like wavetrain intensified by the Southern Annular Mode. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Incidence of atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation and its correlation with tricuspid valvular deformation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

Background With the growing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), concomitant atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is increasing. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the incidence of significant atrial FTR and its association with tricuspid valvular (TV) deformation in patients with persistent AF. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 344 patients (73.0 ± 9.3 years, 95 female) with persistent AF who underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography. We excluded patients with left-sided heart disease, pulmonary hypertension treated with pulmonary vasodilators, and congenital heart disease. We defined significant TR as having TR ≥ moderate; and tricuspid annulus (TA) diameter, tethering height, and area were measured in all patients. Results Among the study population, 80 (23.3%) patients had significant TR. TA diameter, tethering height, and area were significantly greater in the significant TR group (all p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, TA diameter was independently associated with significant TR (odds ratio 1.1 per mm, p = 0.03), whereas TV tethering height was not. Receiver operating characteristic curve for significant TR exhibited the best predictive value of TA diameter indexed for body surface area [23 mm/m2; area under the curve (AUC) = 0.87] compared with absolute TA diameter (39 mm; AUC = 0.74) and TA diameter indexed for height (0.22 mm/cm; AUC = 0.80). Conclusion Approximately 25% of patients with persistent AF had significant TR. The BSA-corrected TA diameter was strongly associated with significant TR, which might be helpful for predicting the development of significant TR and considering its therapeutic strategy in patients with persistent AF.
Performance analysis of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting

In the present paper, the output performances of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric (FGFP) energy harvesting subjected to an external harmonic excitation, considering the effect of piezoelectric polarization direction, are addressed. Based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam model and generalized Hamiltonian principle, the dynamic governing equations and the corresponding boundary conditions of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting are obtained. The natural frequency equation and the closed-form analytical expressions of electromechanical responses are further deduced. The numerical results show that the output performance of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting is dependent on the piezoelectric polarization direction, gradient index and structure size. At the nanoscale, the flexoelectric effect dominates the output performances; however, at the microscale, the gradient piezoelectric effect dominates the output performances. At transition scales, from nano to micro, the output performances are very small sometimes, where, in some case, the gradient piezoelectric effect and flexoelectric effect cancel each other. The present study reveals the importance of the piezoelectric polarization direction and gradient index on the output performance of the functionally graded flexoelectric-piezoelectric energy harvesting from nano to micro scales.
Spectral beam combining of fiber lasers with increased channel density

Incoherent spectral beam combining (SBC) by means of volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) has been shown to be a simple and robust technique for generating high-power laser radiation. Combination of laser radiation from multiple sources into a single near-diffraction-limited beam results in energy brightness increase, while spectral brightness is preserved. High-efficiency VBG recording in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass has been recently developed. While being photosensitive in the UV, PTR glass offers high transmittance in the near-IR and visible parts of spectrum. Moreover, this glass has excellent mechanical properties and refractive index independent of temperature. These features enable VBGs in PTR glass to withstand high-power laser radiation, making them ideal elements for high-power SBC. We present experimental results of successful 5-channel SBC with reflecting VBGs in PTR glass with small channel spacing (~0.43 nm around 1064 nm). Absolute system efficiency of 93.5% is demonstrated. Combined beam is shown to be near-diffraction-limited with M2=1.11. Behavior of narrow-band reflecting VBGs in high-power beams is studied. VBGs are shown to withstand 570 W CW radiation around 1064 nm with diffraction efficiency in excess of 92%. Pathway to near-diffraction-limited high-power laser systems via SBC with VBGs is shown. High-efficiency SBC system with 0.2 nm channel spacing is designed.
Osteocalcin is associated with triglyceride glucose index rather than HOMA-IR in men with type 2 diabetes

Introduction The involvement of osteocalcin in the regulation of glucose tolerance in humans is controversial. We utilized a novel and practical insulin resistance surrogate, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, to investigate the association between serum osteocalcin and insulin resistance in men with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that included 667 male patients suffering from T2D, with measurements of N-terminal mid-fragment of osteocalcin (N-MID), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and C-peptide collected on the same day. We used the TyG index and HOMA-IR as surrogate measures for insulin resistance. Binary logistic regression models that adjust the sociodemographic characteristics and metabolism-related factors were used to assess the associations between osteocalcin and insulin resistance. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was used to test the potential non-linear relationship between N-MID and the risk of severe insulin resistance. Subgroup analysis evaluated the robustness of the association. Results N-MID was correlated with the level of insulin resistance when quantified by the TyG index in unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regression models (all p < 0.05), but the relationship was not observed when assessed by HOMA-IR (all p > 0.05). RCS model further confirmed that the association between N-MID and the severe insulin resistance measured by the TyG index was non-linear (P = 0.047). Subgroup analysis showed that the association was detected only in younger patients with lower BMI and poorer glycemic control, without hypertension or smoking. Conclusions Osteocalcin was inversely associated with the TyG index in men with T2D.
Evaluating homogeneity and trends in extreme daily precipitation indices in a semiarid region of Brazil

A regional investigation of precipitation extremes could help the local authorities to develop strategies against potential climatic disasters, especially in regions of large climate vulnerability. In this context, this study focused on the homogeneity and trend analysis of eleven extreme precipitation indices from a daily rainfall dataset of rain gauges of the state of Ceará, located in the north of Northeast Brazil, from 1974 to 2018 at annual and seasonal time scales. The data were first submitted to gap-filling and quality control processes. Homogeneity, trend, and correlation coefficient were performed subsequently. Homogeneity results showed that most of the precipitation series were classified as “useful. ” Significant break years in the series agreed well with moderate and very strong El Niño and La Niña events, suggesting a further investigation of this possible connection. Wet and dry day precipitation indices mainly indicated a decrease in the rainfall regime and an increase in dry days, mainly in the central-eastern, northwestern, and southern regions of the Ceará, especially during the annual time scale and the rainy season. The Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing (LOWESS) curve showed changes in almost all series during the 1980s and 1990s, coinciding with the homogeneity breaks and years of severe droughts that strongly hit the region. Correlation coefficients were strong and significant between rainfall total index and the other precipitation indices.
The effect of exercise intention on exercise behavior in the post-epidemic era: The moderator role of openness personality and the mediated role of exercise-induced feeling

Objective Based on the theory of planned behavior, this study introduced personality traits and exercise-induced feelings and other third variables, aiming to explore the mechanism of personality traits and exercise-induced feelings between exercise intention and exercise behavior, and explore the internal mechanism of promoting exercise behavior of junior high school students. Methods This research adopts the Exercise Intention Questionnaire, Simple Big Five Personality Scale, Exercise-induced Feeling Inventory and Exercise Rating Scale, from the three cities of Anhui province 1,166 junior high school students selected from the group psychological measurement, and uses the SPSS23.0 and Process plug-in exercise intention in exercise behavior analysis of the direct and indirect effect. Results The results showed that: (1) Exercise intention significantly positively predicted exercise behavior (β = 0.265, t = 4.261, p < 0.01). (2) The moderating effect of openness personality between exercise intention and exercise behavior was significant (β = 0.093, t = 4.431, p < 0.01). (3) Exercise-induced feelings has a significant mediating effect on the relationship between exercise intention and exercise behavior regulated by openness personality. Conclusion Exercise intention can effectively predict exercise behavior, and the prediction level is affected by openness personality, and the moderating effect of openness personality is partially realized through the mediating variable of exercise-induced feelings.
Polyurethane biodegradation by Serratia sp. HY-72 isolated from the intestine of the Asian mantis Hierodula patellifera

Polyurethane (PU), currently replacing existing synthetic materials worldwide, is a synthetic polymer derived from polyols, isocyanates, and a chain extender added by condensation reactions. PU wastes which are difficult to recycle, are commonly discarded in landfills and flow into ecosystems, thereby causing serious environmental problems. In recent years, insect-associated microbes have become a promising, eco-friendly strategy as an alternative to plastic recycling. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Serratia sp. HY-72 strain isolated from the intestine of the Asian mantis (Hierodula patellifera) for PU degradation. The 65 kDa family I.3 lipase which degrades PU was identified and characterized, with a specific activity of 2,883 U mg−1. The bacterial filtrates and the recombinant lipase degraded Impranil (a colloidal polyester-PU dispersion, 100 g l−1) by 85.24 and 78.35% after 72 h incubation, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed changes in Impranil functional groups, with decreased C=O functional group and aliphatic chain signals, and increased N-H bending with C-N stretching and C-O stretching. The current study also revealed that the HY-72 strain biodegraded the commercial PU foams (polyester- and polyether- PU) with 23.95 and 10.95% weight loss after 2 weeks, respectively with changes in surface morphology and structure such as cracks, roughness, and surface roughening. Altogether, this is one of the few studies reporting biodegradation of PU by the insect-associated microbe. These findings suggest that the insect-associated microbe could be a promising resource for biodegradation and recycling of plastic waste.
The clinical application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in infectious diseases at a tertiary hospital in China

Background Compared with traditional diagnostic methods (TDMs), rapid diagnostic methods for infectious diseases (IDs) are urgently needed. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has emerged as a promising diagnostic technology for clinical infections. Methods This retrospective observational study was performed at a tertiary hospital in China between May 2019 and August 2022. The chi-square test was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of mNGS and TDMs. We also performed a subgroup analysis of the different pathogens and samples. Results A total of 435 patients with clinical suspicion of infection were enrolled and 372 (85.5%) patients were finally categorized as the ID group. The overall sensitivity of mNGS was significantly higher than that of the TDMs (59.7% vs. 30.1%, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the overall specificity between the two methods (83.3% vs. 89.6%, P = 0.37). In patients with identified pathogens, the positive rates of mNGS for detecting bacteria (88.7%), fungi (87.9%), viruses (96.9%), and Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM; 100%) were significantly higher than those of TDMs (P < 0.05). The positive rate of mNGS for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis was not superior to that of TDMs (77.3% vs. 54.5%, P = 0.11). The sensitivity rates of mNGS for pathogen identification in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, and tissue were 72.6%, 39.3%, 37.5%, 35.0% and 80.0%, respectively. Conclusion With the potential for screening multiple clinical samples, mNGS has an overall advantage over TDMs. It can effectively identify pathogens, especially those that are difficult to identify using TDMs, such as NTM, chlamydia, and parasites.
In silico characterization of Cnidarian’s antimicrobial peptides

The characterization of active compounds in Cnidaria sheds light on a large bank of substances against multiresistant bacteria related to diseases in humans, which makes it a cutting edge with a repertoire of antimicrobial molecules worthy of bioprospecting analysis. Thus, the main nabof this research was to characterize antimicrobial peptides (AMP) belonging to the defensin family in different species of Cnidarians through bioinformatic approaches. To this, an exhaustive search was carried out for sequences homologous to antimicrobial peptides belonging to the defensin family in genomes availables for Cnidarians. Also, 3D models of AMP were obtained by modeling based on homology, functional characterization of peptides found was performed with machine learning approaches. Characterization of twelve peptides derived from 11 Cnidarian species was possible due to 3D modeling, which showed structural similarity with defensins reported in several species such as Nasonia vitripennis, Pisum sativum, Solanum lycopersicum, and Aurelia aurita. Also, different physicochemical properties such as hydrophobic moment, hydrophobicity, net charge, amphiphilic index, and isoelectric point were evaluated. These peptides showed values that are ideal for AMP. Further, functional characterization showed a bactericidal potential of 20 peptides against multiresistant bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These peptides with action potential were found in 17 species from Cnidarians and obtained by homology through the defensin Aurelin, described in the Cnidarian Aurelia aurita, and Mus musculus’ Beta-defensin 7. Finally, a phylogenetic tree was performed, it showed that defensins are distributed in all Cnidarians regardless of the taxonomic group. Thus, the origin of defensins in the Phylum Cnidaria is not monophyletic. Our results show that Cnidaria has AMP with structural and physicochemical characteristics similar to those described in defensins of insects, mammals, and plants. The structural characteristics of these peptides, their physicochemical properties, and their functional potential outline them as promising templates for the discovery of new antibiotics.
Preserved visuoconstruction in patients with Alzheimer's pathology and anti-neural autoantibodies: A case control study

Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is seldom reported to be associated with neural autoantibodies apart from those involved in axonal neurodegeneration and amyloidopathy in prior studies. Nevertheless, this is an under-investigated aspect of AD. As we do not know whether additional screening for autoantibodies in AD patients has additional diagnostic and therapeutic value, this study aims to shed light on whether visuoconstructive or figural memory capacities might distinguish these patient populations. Methods In this pilot case series, we investigated eight patients suffering from cognitive impairment associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-based Alzheimer pathology (AP) and with verified anti-neural autoantibodies (AP Aab+) compared to eight AD patients presenting no autoantibodies (Aab–) (AD Aab–). Patients files were reviewed retrospectively regarding their neuropsychological profile assessed via the CERAD (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease) test battery and psychopathology measured by the AMDP (Manual for the Assessment and Documentation of Psychopathology in Psychiatry) system. We also relied on diagnostic parameters as in the CSF and magnetic resonance images. Results All patients shared the same pattern of dysfunctional word-list learning and word-list recall resembling a hippocampus-dependent memory dysfunction. Furthermore, both patient groups revealed a CSF profile concurring with Alzheimer's disease. However, visuoconstructive capacity, but not figure recall was preserved in AP Aab+ patients, but not in AD Ab-patients with the shared hippocampus-based memory dysfunction. We observed no relevant differences between the AP Aab+ and AD Aab– groups in CSF cell-counts or intrathecal IgG synthesis. The relative frequency of hippocampal and focal atrophy did not differ either between AP Aab+ and AD Aab– groups. Discussion Our pilot findings are encouraging us to conduct large-scale studies to replicate our discovery of preserved visuoconstruction in AP Aab+ patients with hippocampus-based memory dysfunction. The role of anti-neural autoantibodies is still not fully understood. The detection of these autoantibodies might imply another disease pathology that could be either neuroprotective or be affecting other brain regions, i.e., less pronounced disease activity in the right temporo-parietal regions mainly involved in visuoconstruction.
Factors associated with work volition among Chinese undergraduates

Based on the psychology of working theory, this study tested the relationships among work volition and the predictors of economic constraints, minzu (ethnic identity), Hukou and Zhongyong thinking, and determined how Hukou and Zhongyong thinking moderate the relationship between economic constraints and work volition with a sample of 2,995 undergraduates in China. The results showed that work volition was negatively associated with economic constraints but positively related to Zhongyong thinking. The results further revealed that Hukou and Zhongyong thinking were significant moderators in the link between economic constraints and work volition, while weaker negative associations were found between economic constraints and work volition for undergraduates who came from rural areas and had lower levels of Zhongyong thinking. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Damage protection in fruits: Comparative analysis of the functional morphology of the fruit peels of five Citrus species via quasi-static compression tests

Due to their special peel tissue, comprising a dense flavedo (exocarp), a less dense albedo (mesocarp), and a thin endocarp, most citrus fruits can withstand the drop from a tree or high shrub (relatively) undamaged. While most citrus fruit peels share this basic morphological setup, they differ in various structural and mechanical properties. This study analyzes how various properties in citrus peels of the pomelo, citron, lemon, grapefruit, and orange affect their compression behavior. We compare the structural and biomechanical properties (e.g., density, stress, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio) of these peels and analyze which properties they share. Therefore, the peels were quasi-statically compressed to 50% compression and analyzed with manual and digital image correlation methods. Furthermore, local deformations were visualized, illustrating the inhomogeneous local strain patterns of the peels. The lateral strain of the peels was characterized by strain ratios and the Poisson’s ratio, which were close to zero or slightly negative for nearly all tested peels. Our findings prove that—despite significant differences in stress, magnitude, distribution, and thickness - the tested peels share a low Poisson’s ratio meaning that the general peel structures of citrus species offer a promising inspiration for the development of energy dissipating cellular structure that can be used for damage protection.