Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The continuing discovery on the evidence for RNA editing in SARS-CoV-2

ABSTRACT Recent studies have presented strong evidence that C-to-U RNA editing is the driving force that fuels severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evolution. The findings finally ended the long-term debate on the evolutionary driving force behind SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Here, we would first acknowledge the breakthroughs made by the recent works, such as using the global SARS-CoV-2 data to demonstrate the major mutation source of this virus. Meanwhile, we would raise a few concerns on the accuracy of their interpretation on C-to-U RNA editing. By re-analysing the SARS-CoV-2 population data, we found that the editing frequency on C-to-U sites did not perfectly correlate with the binding motif of the editing enzyme APOBEC, suggesting that there might be false-positive sites among the C-to-U mutations or the original data did not fully represent the novel mutation rate. We hope our work could help people understand the molecular basis underlying SARS-CoV-2 mutation and also be useful to guide future studies on SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
Textured image segmentation by context enhanced clustering

An unsupervised textured image segmentation technique based on multidimensional feature vector clustering is described, where the features are the parameters of an autoregressive model, The benefits of incorporating spatial contextual information are demonstrated on both true cluster number estimation and actual image segmentation. A simple within-cluster distance is used for cluster validity analysis, where feature vectors are modified through local spatial dependency. This greatly reduces the dispersion in the raw feature data fed to the clustering process, and improves the true cluster number estimation. At the segmentation stage, three schemes incorporating contextual information at feature vector and label levels are proposed to enhance the segmentation accuracy. One is a development of a technique due to Mardia and Hainsworth (1988). The proposed approaches are tested on a four-class textured image.
Human body donors at academic institutions in the United States of America: An investigative study

Work with deceased human bodies to enhance anatomical education was first documented in the 3rd century BCE. However, the development of body donation programs provided many new opportunities for medical education. The aim of this study was to investigate the work supported by human body donors at academic institutions in the United States and to evaluate the ethical oversight process and the preparation methods used. A questionnaire was developed using Qualtrics and sent to 125 body donation programs in the United States. Representatives from a total of 69 institutions completed the questionnaire. The data showed that human body donations across the United States are used in teaching, clinical skills training, research, and educational outreach. Most institutions worked with hard‐fixed donors for teaching and some with soft‐preserved and unembalmed donors for clinical skills training. Among the participating programs, only 33 representatives reported an ethical approval process for conducting research involving human body donors. These findings raise ethical concerns related to the operation of body donation programs due to the lack of oversight. Furthermore, some institutions allowed faculty and staff to take photographs of donated bodies for educational purposes, which is often not disclosed on the consent form. The data also showed the need for more discussion on anatomical legacy collections housed at these institutions in the United States.
Major depressive episode and postpartum depression: A network analysis comparison on the IGEDEPP cohort

Abstract Introduction Major depression episode (MDE) and postpartum depression (PPD) have the same diagnosis criteria, but dissimilarities may be present regarding the frequency and structure of depressive symptoms. Methods We used data from the IGEDEPP Cohort (France) to examine DSM-5 depressive symptoms in two groups of women: 486 with PPD and 871 with a history of non-perinatal MDE. We compare (i) the frequency of each depressive symptom adjusted for the severity of depression, (ii) the global structure of depressive symptom networks, and (iii) the centrality of each symptom in the two networks. Results Women with PPD were significantly more likely to have appetite disturbance, psychomotor symptoms, and fatigue than those with MDE, while sadness, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, and suicidal ideation were significantly less common. There were no significant differences in the global structure of depressive symptoms of MDE and PPD. However, the most central criterion of the MDE network was “Sadness” while it was “Suicidal ideations” for the PPD network. “Sleep” and “Suicidal ideations” criteria were more central for PPD network, whereas “Culpability” was more important for MDE network than for PPD network. Conclusion We found differences in depressive symptoms expression between PPD and MDE, which justify continuing to clinically distinguish PPD from MDE.
B Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Development in Mice with Chronic Lung Exposure to Coccidioides Fungal Arthroconidia

Abstract Links between repeated microbial infections and B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) have been proposed but not tested directly. This study examines how prolonged exposure to a human fungal pathogen impacts B-CLL development in Eµ-hTCL1–transgenic mice. Monthly lung exposure to inactivated Coccidioides arthroconidia, agents of Valley fever, altered leukemia development in a species-specific manner, with Coccidioides posadasii hastening B-CLL diagnosis/progression in a fraction of mice and Coccidioides immitis delaying aggressive B-CLL development, despite fostering more rapid monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis. Overall survival did not differ significantly between control and C. posadasii–treated cohorts but was significantly extended in C. immitis–exposed mice. In vivo doubling time analyses of pooled B-CLL showed no difference in growth rates of early and late leukemias. However, within C. immitis–treated mice, B-CLL manifests longer doubling times, as compared with B-CLL in control or C. posadasii–treated mice, and/or evidence of clonal contraction over time. Through linear regression, positive relationships were noted between circulating levels of CD5+/B220low B cells and hematopoietic cells previously linked to B-CLL growth, albeit in a cohort-specific manner. Neutrophils were positively linked to accelerated growth in mice exposed to either Coccidioides species, but not in control mice. Conversely, only C. posadasii–exposed and control cohorts displayed positive links between CD5+/B220low B cell frequency and abundance of M2 anti-inflammatory monocytes and T cells. The current study provides evidence that chronic lung exposure to fungal arthroconidia affects B-CLL development in a manner dependent on fungal genotype. Correlative studies suggest that fungal species differences in the modulation of nonleukemic hematopoietic cells are involved.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Diurnal Cortisol Throughout Gestation

ABSTRACT Objective Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with negative prenatal and perinatal health outcomes and may, via these pathways, have intergenerational effects on child health and development. We examine the impact of ACEs on maternal salivary cortisol, a key measure of prenatal biology previously linked with pregnancy-related health outcomes. Methods Leveraging assessments across three trimesters, we used linear mixed-effects models to analyze the influence of ACEs on maternal prenatal diurnal cortisol patterns in a diverse cohort of pregnant women (analytic sample, n = 207). Covariates included comorbid prenatal depression, psychiatric medications, and sociodemographic factors. Results Maternal ACEs were significantly associated with flatter diurnal cortisol slopes (i.e., less steep decline), after adjusting for covariates, with effects consistent across gestation (estimate = 0.15, standard error = 0.06, p = .008). Conclusions ACEs experienced before pregnancy may have a robust and lasting influence on maternal prenatal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity throughout gestation, a key biological marker associated with perinatal and child health outcomes. The findings suggest one route of intergenerational transmission of early adverse experiences and underscore the potential value of assessing prepregnancy adverse experiences for promoting perinatal and maternal and child health.
LDA AND THE RELATION OF THE RELATIVE CONDITION NUMBER WITH SOME VARIABLES

Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is a well-known method for dimensionality reduction and classification. LDA finds a transformation matrix, which is readily computed by solving a generalized eigenvalue problem. The accuracy of LDA can be measured by the condition number of the generalized eigenvalue problem. In this paper, we find the relation of the maximum of relative condition numbers related to the generalized eigenvalue problem with some variables.
Skeletal muscle analysis of cancer patients reveals a potential role for carnosine in muscle wasting

Muscle wasting during cancer cachexia is mediated by protein degradation via autophagy and ubiquitin‐linked proteolysis. These processes are sensitive to changes in intracellular pH ([pH]i) and reactive oxygen species, which in skeletal muscle are partly regulated by histidyl dipeptides, such as carnosine. These dipeptides, synthesized by the enzyme carnosine synthase (CARNS), remove lipid peroxidation‐derived aldehydes, and buffer [pH]i. Nevertheless, their role in muscle wasting has not been studied.
Research on clutch position control based on backstepping method for small-sized tractors

Tractors installed automated manual transmission can avoid discomfort for the drivers because of excessive limbs intervention as well as improve shift quality. Automatic clutch control is critical for the performance of the automated manual transmissions. For a good operation, precise and fast control of clutch position is mandatory. In order to meet these requirements, an enhanced strategy focused on the clutch is presented adopting a simple tracking control method based on the detailed models in this study. Clutch models including DC motor model and mechanical actuator model are established and transformed to a controllable model. On the basis of the control model, a clutch position tracking control scheme is proposed composed of motor control circuit and motor angle tracking controller designed according to the backstepping method. Simulations are carried out in comparation with the internal model control method, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented control scheme by superior rapidity and accuracy of the controller response for the clutch position tracking system.
"Superluminal" Pulse Propagation Dynamics

With the recent rediscovery of slowand fast-light effects, there has been much interest in pulse propagation phenomena that lead to apparently superluminal pulse transmission. This raises immediate questions about causality and special relativity violations and elicits curiosity about the physical mechanisms responsible for these effects. This thesis will address these issues theoretically and experimentally by investigating two such effects. The first effect we consider is pulse propagation under conditions of negative group velocity in erbium-doped fiber. Predictions suggest that upon propagation through a region of negative group velocity the transmitted pulse exits the region before the peak of the incident pulse enters. In addition, theory predicts the presence of a peak within the region that propagates backwards, linking the incident and transmitted peaks. We determine the accuracy of these predictions experimentally and uncover the physical mechanism that leads to the effect. We also examine the saturation of photonic tunneling delays with barrier opacity, which is known as the Hartman effect. In particular we address the case of frustrated-total-internal-reflection, which is a two-dimensional tunneling effect. Theoretical treatments of this phenomenon have been limited to special cases in the past. We demonstrate a new method of decomposition that gives a continuous expression for the predicted delay, and present experimental measurements of that delay in a barrier structure constructed from glass prisms and a liquid crystal cell.
Time-Restricted Feeding Potentiates the Ability of Lacticaseibacillus casei to Enrich the Retina in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

kit, Perkin Elmer, USA) 10 min at 70°C at 250 rpm in Multi-Therm (Benchmark Scientific, USA) and 5 min at 95°C. Tubes were centrifuged 5 min at 14,000 rpm at 4°C and supernatants were transferred in a deepwell on the nucleic acid workstation Chemagic STAR (Hamilton, Perkin Elmer, USA). The extraction protocol was performed with Chemagic STAR DNA BTS kit (Perkin Elmer, USA) according to manufacturer instructions.
Recent advances in nanotechnology for the treatment of fungal keratitis

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious pathogenic disease usually associated with serious ocular complications. The current mainstay of treatment for FK is topical eye drops; however, poor corneal penetration, low bioavailability of the drug and the need to administer high and frequent doses due to the presence of an effective clearance mechanism in the eye result in poor patient compliance. Nanocarriers can extend the duration of drug action through sustained and controlled release of the drug, protect the drug from ocular enzymes and help overcome ocular barriers. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of action of antifungal drugs, the theoretical basis for the treatment of FK, and recent advances in the clinical treatment of FK. We have summarized the results of research into the most promising nanocarriers for ocular drug delivery and highlight their efficacy and safety in the therapy.
Evaluation of stability and antitumor activity of two-dimensional black phosphorus modified with positively charged protein

Two-dimensional black phosphorus (2D BP), a novel 2D photoelectric material with excellent near-infrared optical absorption, biocompatibility, and degradability, has shown enormous potential in biomedical field. However, under the action of light, oxygen and water, 2D BP is easily degraded to phosphate and phosphonate. In this work, trastuzumab (Tmab) as a positively charged protein was used to modify 2D BP through electrostatic interaction to form BP-Tmab. The Tmab layer on the surface of 2D BP can effectively protect BP from water, which significantly enhanced the water stability of BP. PEGylated 2D BP (BP-PEG) as a control was also prepared. After 7 days in air-exposed water, the attenuation value of BP-Tmab was only 6.62 ± 2.72% at room temperature, which was much lower than that of naked 2D BP (52.47 ± 2.26%) and BP-PEG (25.84 ± 2.80%) under the same conditions. The result was further confirmed by the temperature changes at different time points under laser irradiation, suggesting that the degradation of BP was effectively reduced by Tmab modification. In addition, BP-Tmab displayed satisfactory biocompatibility and can effectively destroy cancer cells under laser irradiation, showing an excellent photothermal therapy effect.
High Fidelity Numerical Simulations for the Characterization of Plasma Plume Interaction Effects on Geostationary Satellites

The most recent addition to Orbital ATK’s line of communications satellites is the GEOStar-3 bus, the most distinctive design feature of which is the replacement of heritage Improved Electrothermal Hydrazine Thrusters (ImpEHTs) by Hall Effect Thrusters (HETs). In this regard and as with any spacecraft propulsion device (chemical or electrical) there is always a need for accurate understanding and evaluation of the different spacecraft-plume interaction effects which for electric propulsion (EP) include erosion and sputtering, contamination, induced forces and moments, spacecraft charging and telecommunications interference. To this end, a thorough and extensive test campaign was planned and executed, and a rigorous high fidelity modeling and simulation effort was undertaken. This paper specifically discusses the part of the modeling and simulation work that deals with the analysis of plasma plume physical and mechanical effects and was carried out using AFRL’s COLISEUM suite. During this effort the collected experimental data was used to generate total sputter yield models and to validate the mechanism selected in COLISEUM for particle injection. In an attempt to find the sputter model coefficients that best fit the empirical total sputter yields, a novel approach was developed using a genetic algorithm for optimal search. Also, a new total sputter yield model was formulated that better represents the amount of sputter product resulted from the bombardment of magnesium fluoride (MgF2). Finally, once all the models were validated and uncertainties established, erosion and sputtering, contamination, and induced forces and moments were computed for the entire spacecraft at representative flight conditions.
The Shift of Convection from the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific Ocean during a 30–60 Day Oscillation

Abstract A strong 30–60 day oscillation during November/December 1981 is studied using analyzed winds from the National Meteorological Center, outgoing longwave radiation, and satellite low-level moisture data. The outgoing longwave radiation and 150 mb velocity potential for five adjacent events are also examined. Consistent features include the slow (5 m s−1) propagation of convective energy over the Indian Ocean-western Pacific Ocean and the fast (15 m s−1) propagation of 150 mb tropical velocity potential in regions remote from the oceanic warm pool. The individual events have characteristics of the seasonal and anomalous base state within which they are embedded. For the November/December 1981 event, we concentrate on the details of the shift of convection from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific Ocean. An intense cold surge and accompanying convective increase near 110°E precede the shift cast by about 12 days. The regional 150 mb circulation responds to the enhanced convection with an i.
Outcomes after intensive chemotherapy for secondary and myeloid-related changes acute myeloid leukemia patients aged 60 to 75 years old: a retrospective analysis from the PETHEMA registry

Treatment options for patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) and AML with myeloid-related changes (AML-MRC) aged 60 to 75 years are scarce and unsuitable. A pivotal trial showed that CPX-351 improved complete remission with/without incomplete recovery (CR/CRi) and overall survival (OS) as compared with standard "3+7" regimens. We retrospectively analyze outcomes of 765 patients with sAML and AML-MRC aged 60 to 75 years treated with intensive chemotherapy, reported to the PETHEMA registry before CPX-351 became available. The CR/CRi rate was 48%, median OS was 7.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7-8.5) and event-free survival (EFS) 2.7 months (95% CI: 2-3.3), without differences between intensive chemotherapy regimens and AML type. Multivariate analyses identified age ≥70 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥1 as independent adverse prognostic factors for CR/CRi and OS, while favorable/intermediate cytogenetic risk and NPM1 were favorable prognostic factors. Patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplant (HSCT), autologous HSCT, and those who completed more consolidation cycles showed improved OS. This large study suggests that classical intensive chemotherapy could lead to similar CR/CRi rates with slightly shorter median OS than CPX-351.
The CathPilot: Performance Validation and Preclinical Safety and Feasibility Assessment

Objectives: Peripheral endovascular revascularization procedures often fail due to technical limitations of guidewire support, steering, and visualization. The novel CathPilot catheter aims to address these challenges. This study assesses the safety and feasibility of the CathPilot and compares its performance to conventional catheters for peripheral vascular interventions. Methods: The study compared the CathPilot to non-steerable and steerable catheters. The success rates and access times for a relevant target inside a tortuous vessel phantom model were assessed. The reachable workspace within the vessel and the guidewire's force delivery capabilities were also evaluated. To validate the technology, chronic total occlusion tissue samples were used ex vivo to compare crossing success rates with conventional catheters. Finally, in vivo experiments in a porcine aorta were conducted to evaluate safety and feasibility. Results: The success rates for reaching the set targets were 31%, 69%, and 100% with the non-steerable catheter, the steerable catheter, and the CathPilot, respectively. CathPilot had a significantly larger reachable workspace, and allowed for up to four times higher force delivery and pushability. In crossing of chronic total occlusion samples, the CathPilot achieved a success rate of 83% and 100%, for fresh and fixed lesions respectively, which was also significantly higher than conventional catheters. The device was fully functional in the in vivo study, and there were no signs of coagulation or damage to the vessel wall. Conclusion: This study shows the safety and feasibility of the CathPilot system and its potential to reduce failure and complication rates in peripheral vascular interventions. The novel catheter outperformed conventional catheters in all defined metrics. This technology can potentially improve the success rate and outcome of peripheral endovascular revascularization procedures.
Congenital Heart Disease Illustrated

In the modern era of cardiac imaging, there is increasing use of cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance for visualization of congenital heart disease (CHD). Advanced visualization techniques such as virtual dissection, 3-dimensional modeling, and 4-dimensional flow are also commonly used in clinical practice. This review highlights such methods in five common forms of CHD, including double outlet right ventricle, common arterial trunk, sinus venosus defects, Tetralogy of Fallot variants, and heterotaxy, providing visualizations of pathology in both conventional and novel formats.
Measurement Invariance in a Grid-Based Measure of Academic Self-Concept

Grid-based measures, where item stems are rated across diverse domains or subjects, represent an economic measure to assess multifaceted constructs such as academic self-concept. Although testing for measurement invariance between groups (e.g., based on gender or age) and within subjects over time (e.g., in longitudinal research) is common practice, research on invariance across domains is still lacking. We examine measurement invariance across selected self-concept domains in the Differentiated School Self-Concept (DISC) Grid as an example of grid-based self-concept measures. Using a highly diverse student sample, we assessed invariance of the DISC grid across three academic domains (German, English, and mathematics). Based on adequate model fit within each domain, the DISC grid proved to be strictly invariant across the three subject-specific self-concepts (German, English, and mathematics). Implications for theory (e.g., Möller and Marsh’s Dimensional Comparison Theory), empirical research (e.g., on the Internal/External Frame of Reference model), assessment (e.g., regarding other measures using similarly worded items across domains, such as the Self-Description Questionnaires [SDQ]), and practice (e.g., academic counseling) are discussed.