Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type 1 immunity enables neonatal thymic ILC1 production

Thymic atrophy occurs following type 1 inflammatory conditions like viral infection and sepsis, resulting in cell death and disruption of T-cell development. However, it remains undetermined whether the thymus actively contributes to the immune response. Thus, we cultured neonatal thymus ex vivo with the type 1 cytokines IL-12 plus IL-18, resulting in a rapid shift from steady-state T-cell development to the production, expansion, and thymic exit of CXCR6+CD62L- type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s). Single-cell RNA-sequencing and functional assays identified these cells as embryonic-wave-derived KLRG1+ ILC1s that mainly differentiated from immature neonatal thymic ILC1s. Confocal 3D imaging confirmed neonatal thymic ILC1 expansion during MCMV infection. Furthermore, thymic grafts revealed in vivo thymic ILC1 egress and type 1 inflammation-induced homing of thymus-derived KLRG1+ ILC1s to the liver and peritoneal cavity. Altogether, our data reveal a novel thymic function where type 1 immunity enables the production and peripheral homing of thymic-derived ILC1s.
A second-generation eIF4A RNA helicase inhibitor exploits translational reprogramming as a vulnerability in triple-negative breast cancer

Significance This study describes the development of a second-generation eIF4A RNA helicase inhibitor (MG-002), which potently inhibits the synthesis of tumor- and metastasis-promoting proteins. We show that MG-002 is superior to first-generation eIF4A inhibitors in eliciting tumoricidal effects in aggressive triple-negative breast cancers, which otherwise would be refractory to standard therapies.
Late-Stage Functionalization of Living Organisms: Rethinking Selectivity in Biology

With unlimited selectivity, full post-translational chemical control of biology would circumvent the dogma of genetic control. The resulting direct manipulation of organisms would enable atomic-level precision in “editing” of function. We argue that a key aspect that is still missing in our ability to do this (at least with a high degree of control) is the selectivity of a given chemical reaction in a living organism. In this Review, we systematize existing illustrative examples of chemical selectivity, as well as identify needed chemical selectivities set in a hierarchy of anatomical complexity: organismo- (selectivity for a given organism over another), tissuo- (selectivity for a given tissue type in a living organism), cellulo- (selectivity for a given cell type in an organism or tissue), and organelloselectivity (selectivity for a given organelle or discrete body within a cell). Finally, we analyze more traditional concepts such as regio-, chemo-, and stereoselective reactions where additionally appropriate. This survey of late-stage biomolecule methods emphasizes, where possible, functional consequences (i.e., biological function). In this way, we explore a concept of late-stage functionalization of living organisms (where “late” is taken to mean at a given state of an organism in time) in which programmed and selective chemical reactions take place in life. By building on precisely analyzed notions (e.g., mechanism and selectivity) we believe that the logic of chemical methodology might ultimately be applied to increasingly complex molecular constructs in biology. This could allow principles developed at the simple, small-molecule level to progress hierarchically even to manipulation of physiology.
Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Crocin in high-fat diet plus streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic rats

Objectives Crocin, the principal water-soluble active constituent of saffron, possesses numerous pharmacological activities. The present investigation examined the potential antidiabetic and antioxidant characteristics of Crocin in rats with type-2 diabetes by administering it orally and intraperitoneally (i.p.). Methods After 2 weeks of a high-fat diet, streptozotocin (STZ) (i.p., 40 mg/kg) was administered to male adult rats to induce type-2 diabetes mellitus. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured on days zero, weeks 1, and 2. At the end of 2 weeks of drug administration in their respective groups, fasting insulin and glucose levels were estimated, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined. Intraperitoneal glucose (IPGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were carried out. Histopathological investigation and biochemical parameters were estimated in pancreatic tissues. Results The Crocin (100 mg/kg) treatment has significantly improved body weight, abatement of FBG, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. Likewise, Crocin treatment significantly improved the glucose and insulin challenges. We observed a significantly marked elevation in endogenous antioxidant enzymes in Crocin-treated groups. Similarly, Crocin treatment reversed the histopathological changes and restored the normal integrity and function of the pancreas. Conclusion The overall finding indicates that intraperitoneal administration of Crocin demonstrated better control of glycemic level and body weight. Further, it has improved insulin levels in the serum and potentiated antioxidant properties.
AŞIKLI HÖYÜK OBSİDİYEN TEKNOLOJİSİ

Ic Anadolu Bolgesi Aksaray Ili 'nde, obsidiyen yataklarina yakin bir konumda bulunan Asikli Hoyuk'un yontmatas buluntu toplulugunda obsidiyen yogun olarak kullanilmistir. Bu yazi kapsaminda obsidiyen buluntular teknolojik ve tipolojik olarak incelenmistir. Bu baglamda Asikli obsidiyen teknolojisi dogrudan vurma yontemi ile baslica dilgi cikarimini (tekyonlu cikarimli, iki yonlu cikarimh) gostermektedir. Bu yazinin amaci Canak Comleksiz Neolitik Cag'da Asikli obsidiyen buluntu toplulugunun teknoloji ve tipolojisini tartismak, bununla birlikte Asikli toplulugunu daha iyi anlamaya calismaktir.
Model-free Adaptive Fuzzy Logic Control for a Half-car Active Suspension System

Recently, automobile suspension systems have drawn much attention from both the researchers and the car industry due to their impact on the chassis performance of vehicles. Better vehicle suspension should ever provide adequate comfort, proper handling, and ability to maintain roadholding (Wang et al., 2018a). Nowadays, to guarantee the ride comfort and driving safety, a significant numbers of automotive suspension models have been developed as well as controller design approaches (Hrovat, 1997, Savaresi et al., 2010, Song, J., Niu, Y. and Zou, Y., 2018). Moreover, the suspension systems have an extensive impact on the subjective impression of the car (Sun et al., 2014). Thus, all the forces between the car body and the surface of the road are pass and are filtered through the suspension systems, hence substantially controlling the comfort and safety of the ride. Among the common current modes of suspension systems, the active suspension system is widely accepted despite its high-power consumption, because the control of this suspension type can effectively improve the suspension performance over both conventional passive and semi-active suspension systems (Cao et al., 2008, Chen et al., 2015). Therefore, many control methods are designed to ensure the suspension systems stability and performance enhancement, such as linear quadratic-Gaussian control (Chen et al., 2012), adaptive control (Pan et al., 2017, Chen and Huang, 2005), sliding mode control (Yoshimura et al., 2001, Sam et al., 2004, Pusadkar et al., 2019), fuzzy logic control (Cao, J., Li, P. and Liu, H, 2010, Rao and Prahlad, 1997), backstepping control (Pang, H., Zhang, X., and Xu, Z, 2018, Yagiz and Hacioglu, 2008).
14C and 234U-Excess Dating of Groundwater in the Haifa Bay Region Israel

Radiocarbon activities and uranium isotopic disequilibria were measured in water samples from both the sandy Pleistocene coastal aquifer and within the upper Cretaceous Judea Group carbonate aquifer of northwestern Israel. The samples in both aquifers exhibit a decrease in 14C activity that is concomitant to the growth in 234U-excess. This suggests that under specific conditions, 234U-excess dating of groundwater can be used to corroborate 14C dates, while offering the possibility of extending the range of dating of groundwater beyond that of 14C.
Neuronal Excitability in the Medial Habenula and Ventral Tegmental Area Is Differentially Modulated by Nicotine Dosage and Menthol in a Sex-Specific Manner

The medial habenula (MHb) has been identified as the limiting factor for nicotine intake and facilitating nicotine withdrawal. However, few studies have assessed MHb neuronal excitability in response to nicotine, and, currently, a gap in knowledge is present for finding behavioral correlates to neuronal excitability in the region. Moreover, no study to date has evaluated sex or nicotine dosage as factors of excitability in the MHb. Here, we utilized an e-vape self-administration (EVSA) model to determine differences between sexes with different nicotine dosages ± menthol. Following this paradigm, we employed patch-clamp electrophysiology to assess key metrics of MHb neuronal excitability in relation to behavioral endpoints. We observed female mice self-administered significantly more than males, regardless of dosage. We also observed a direct correlation between self-administration behavior and MHb excitability with low-dose nicotine + menthol in males. Conversely, a high dose of nicotine ± menthol yields an inverse correlation between excitability and self-administration behavior in males only. In addition, intrinsic excitability in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) does not track with the amount of nicotine self-administered. Rather, they correlate to the active/inactive discrimination of mice. Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, we also observed that dopamine release dynamics are linked to reinforcement-related behavior in males and motivation-related behaviors in females. These results point to a sex-specific difference in the activity of the MHb and VTA leading to distinct differences in self-administration behavior. His could lend evidence to clinical observations of smoking and nicotine-use behavior differing between males and females.
Conical spiral antennas for the Square Kilometre Array - a feasibility study

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a next-generation radio telescope which is expected to operate at 70 – 450 MHz frequency in its lowest band (called SKAlow). SKA-low will consist of groups of beamformed aperture phased antennas, called stations, which produce inputs to the array correlator. This thesis first examines aspects of station designs, particularly a new and potentially cost-effective two-stage beamforming station for sparse aperture arrays. Typical two-stage beamforming stations were studied and it was found that randomised two-stage configurations produced acceptable station performance, at considerable cost savings relative to one-stage beamforming, based on simplified models. Some assumptions for these simplified station models relied on antenna characteristics which conformed to the SKA-low guidelines including stable impedance, restricted antenna footprint and low mutual coupling. With these guidelines in mind, antenna elements suitable for the SKA-low were examined and the conical log spiral was selected for further investigation in this thesis. Initial evaluation of the spiral showed that the standard single-polarised version has many characteristics favourable to SKA-low. However, a dual-polarised feed potentially suitable for the SKA-low, consisting of opposite-hand spirals wound on a single conical former, did not retain the single-polarised antenna advantages, and in particular exhibited poor isolation between the left and right hand circular polarisations. This low isolation was found to be caused by interactions between the surface current of one spiral and the E-field of the other. Analytical modelling of the dual-polarised spiral showed that making the opposite-hand wound spiral arms nearly co-planar reduced this interaction but the resultant antenna dimensions made it impractical for manufacturing and deployment. Consequently, an alternate design which used single-polarised conical spirals in an
Association between early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia and outcome after orthotopic heart transplantation

Abstract OBJECTIVES In patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTX), preoperative liver impairment and consecutive hypoalbuminaemia are associated with increased mortality. The role of early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia after HTX is unclear. This study investigated the association between early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia and 1-year mortality as well as ‘days alive and out of hospital’ (DAOH) after HTX. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent HTX at the University Hospital Duesseldorf, Germany, between 2010 and 2022. The main exposure was serum albumin concentration at intensive care unit (ICU) arrival. The primary endpoints were mortality and DAOH within 1 year after surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and logistic and quantile regression models with adjustment for 13 a priori defined clinical risk factors were conducted. RESULTS Out of 241 patients screened, 229 were included in the analysis (mean age 55 ± 11 years, 73% male). ROC analysis showed moderate discrimination for 1-year mortality by postoperative serum albumin after HTX [AUC = 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66–0.83]. The cutoff for serum albumin at ICU arrival was 3.0 g/dl. According to multivariate logistic and quantile regression, there were independent associations between hypoalbuminaemia and mortality/DAOH [odds ratio of 4.76 (95% CI: 1.94–11.67) and regression coefficient of −46.97 (95% CI: −83.81 to −10.13)]. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative hypoalbuminaemia <3.0 g/dl is associated with 1-year mortality and reduced DAOH after HTX and therefore might be used for early postoperative risk re-assessment in clinical practice.
Geologically driven 3D modelling of physical rock properties in support of interpreting the seismic response of the Lalor volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada

Abstract 3D lithofacies and physical rock property models were generated to interpret 3D seismic data acquired over the Lalor volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Manitoba, Canada. The lithofacies model revealed that strong seismic reflectivity is associated with ore–host rock and mafic–felsic lithofacies contacts, including their hydrothermally altered equivalents. Different physical rock property models were subjected to 3D seismic forward modelling using the SOFI3D finite difference code. Seismic synthetics from discrete and interpolated models in which kriging of P-wave velocity and density was conditioned by curvilinear grids conformable to the 3D-modelled geological structure showed a much better match to the seismic data in comparison with those generated by kriging in Cartesian space. Synthetics from these curvilinear grid models corroborate the origin of seismic reflectors, as qualitatively inferred from the lithofacies model. Seismic synthetics generated from physical rock property models in which physical rock properties were augmented by densely sampled secondary variables, such as FeO percentage, enhanced lateral continuity of seismic reflectivity, although these co-kriged petrophysical models were not more accurate than their kriged equivalents. The physical rock property modelling methodology was also useful for testing the utility of passive interferometric seismic surveys, as this highlighted the limitations of the discrete physical rock property model.
Ambient temperature effects on stress-induced hyperthermia in Svalbard ptarmigan

ABSTRACT Stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) is commonly observed during handling in homeotherms. However, in birds, handling in cold environments typically elicits hypothermia. It is unclear whether this indicates that SIH is differently regulated in this taxon or if it is due to size, because body temperature changes during handling in low temperatures have only been measured in small birds <0.03 kg (that are more likely to suffer high heat loss when handled). We have therefore studied thermal responses to handling stress in the intermediate-sized (0.5–1.0 kg) Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) in 0°C and −20°C, in winter and spring. Handling caused elevated core body temperature and peripheral vasoconstriction that reduced back skin temperature. Core temperature increased less, and back skin temperature decreased more, in −20°C than in 0°C, probably because of higher heat-loss rate at the lower temperature. Responses were qualitatively consistent between seasons, despite higher body condition/insulation in winter and dramatic seasonal changes in photoperiod, both of which could possibly affect stress responsiveness. Our study supports the notion that SIH is a general thermoregulatory reaction to acute stressors in endotherms, but also suggests that body size and thermal environment should be taken into account when evaluating this response in birds. Summary: Handling in severe cold causes hyperthermia in well-insulated Svalbard ptarmigan. Hence, pronounced cooling in cold-handled poorly insulated birds likely reflects high heat-loss rate rather than a different physiological response.
Interactions of obesity, body shape, diabetes and sex steroids with respect to prostate cancer risk in the UK Biobank cohort

Abstract Background Obesity and diabetes are associated inversely with low‐grade prostate cancer risk and affect steroid hormone synthesis but whether they modify each other's impact on prostate cancer risk remains unknown. Methods We examined the independent associations of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), ‘a body shape index’ (ABSI), hip index (HI), circulating testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (per one standard deviation increase) and oestradiol ≥175 pmol/L with total prostate cancer risk using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models for UK Biobank men. We evaluated multiplicative interactions (p MI) and additive interactions (relative excess risk from interaction (p RERI), attributable proportion (p AR), synergy index (p SI)) with obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and diabetes. Results During a mean follow‐up of 10.3 years, 9417 incident prostate cancers were diagnosed in 195,813 men. Diabetes and BMI were associated more strongly inversely with prostate cancer risk when occurring together (p MI = 0.0003, p RERI = 0.032, p AP = 0.020, p SI = 0.002). ABSI was associated positively in obese men (HR = 1.081; 95% CI = 1.030–1.135) and men with diabetes (HR = 1.114; 95% CI = 1.021–1.216). The inverse associations with obesity and diabetes were attenuated for high‐ABSI ≥79.8 (p MI = 0.022, p RERI = 0.008, p AP = 0.005, p SI <0.0001 obesity; p MI = 0.017, p RERI = 0.047, p AP = 0.025, p SI = 0.0005 diabetes). HI was associated inversely in men overall (HR = 0.967; 95% CI = 0.947–0.988). Free testosterone (FT) was associated most strongly positively in normal weight men (HR = 1.098; 95% CI = 1.045–1.153) and men with diabetes (HR = 1.189; 95% CI = 1.081–1.308). Oestradiol was associated inversely in obese men (HR = 0.805; 95% CI = 0.682–0.951). The inverse association with obesity was stronger for high‐FT ≥243 pmol/L (p RERI = 0.040, p AP = 0.031, p SI = 0.002) and high‐oestradiol (p RERI = 0.030, p AP = 0.012, p SI <0.0001). The inverse association with diabetes was attenuated for high‐FT (p MI = 0.008, p RERI = 0.015, p AP = 0.009, pSI = 0.0006). SHBG was associated inversely in men overall (HR = 0.918; 95% CI = 0.895–0.941), more strongly for high‐HI ≥49.1 (p MI = 0.024). Conclusions Obesity and diabetes showed synergistic inverse associations with prostate cancer risk, likely involving testosterone reduction for diabetes and oestrogen generation for obesity, which were attenuated for high‐ABSI. HI and SHBG showed synergistic inverse associations with prostate cancer risk.
Firefly Rats: Illuminating the Scientific Community in Transplantation Research

Fireflies produce light through luciferase-catalyzed reactions involving luciferin, oxygen, and adenosine triphosphate, distinct from other luminescent organisms. This unique feature has revolutionized molecular biology and physiology, serving as a valuable tool for cellular research. Luciferase-based bioluminescent imaging enabled the creation of transgenic animals, such as Firefly Rats. Firefly Rats, created in 2006, ubiquitously express luciferase and have become a critical asset in scientific investigations. These rats have significantly contributed to transplantation and tissue engineering studies. Their low immunogenicity reduces graft rejection risk, making them ideal for long-term tracking of organ/tissue/cellular engraftments. Importantly, in the islet transplantation setting, the ubiquitous luciferase expression in these rats does not alter islet morphology or function, ensuring accurate assessments of engrafted islets. Firefly Rats have illuminated the path of transplantation research worldwide for over a decade and continue accelerating scientific advancements in many fields.
Analyses of permeability and porosity of sedimentary rocks in terms of unconventional geothermal resource explorations in Poland

Abstract Petrophysical investigations are fundamental to natural resource exploration. In order to recognise the geothermal potential of sedimentary rocks in central Poland, 259 samples were collected from prospective deep-lying geothermal reservoirs. Parameters measured include bulk density, skeletal density, effective porosity, permeability, average pore diameter and specific surface. Results indicate that at great depths (mostly > 3,000 m below surface) sedimentary rocks show low values of porosity (mainly less than 5%) and permeability (only sporadically in excess of 1 md). These values call for a petrothermal use of reservoirs, for which an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) was developed. Reservoirs suited for the EGS are Carboniferous and Lower Triassic sandstones in the central part of Poland (Mogilno-Łódź Trough region and a small part of the Kujawy Swell and Fore-Sudetic regions). In addition, Carboniferous limestones in this area are potentially prospective.
Statistical properties of measures of association and the Kappa statistic for assessing the accuracy of remotely sensed data using double sampling

A Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the statistical properties of measures of association and the Kappa statistic under double sampling with replacement. Three error matrices representing three levels of classification accuracy of Landsat TM Data consisting of four forest cover types in North Carolina. The overall accuracy of the five indices ranged from 0.35% to 82.1% depending on the number of classes, the level of classification accuracy of satellite imagery, and the simulated sample sizes of reference plots. Statistical criteria used in the evaluation included: percent bias, mean squared error, relative error, ratio of the mean variance to the simulation variance, and 95% confidence coverage rates. Results of the simulation indicated that double sampling provided unbiased estimates of the overall accuracy of remotely sensed imagery irrespective of the number of classes in the image being analyzed, or sample size. While no one index was superior for all levels of accuracy, number of classes, or sample size, the Kappa statistic and Pearson's P provided the best estimates of the overall accuracy of the remotely sensed images. Results from previous studies suggest that increasing the sample size, or reducing the number of classification in the remotely sensed image may increase the accuracy and precision of the estimates. However, this was not the case in this study because the low accuracy of the aerial photos to ground data.