Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single and Bi-Layer Polyacrylamide Hydrogel-Based Microcapsules for the Triggered Release of Loads, Logic Gate Operations and Intercommunication Between Microcapsules.

A method to assemble loaded stimuli-responsive DNA-polyacrylamide hydrogel-stabilized microcapsules is presented. The method involves the coating of substrate-loaded CaCO3 microparticles, functionalized with nucleic acid promoter units, and the crosslinking of DNA-modified polyacrylamide chains, on the microcapsules, using the hybridization chain reaction (HCR), to yield the DNA-crosslinked hydrogel coating. Dissolution of the CaCO3 particles generated the substrate-loaded hydrogel protected microcapsules. The microcapsule-hydrogel shells include engineered stimuli-responsive oligonucleotides crosslinkers that control the stiffness of the hydrogel shells, allowing the triggered release of the loads. One approach includes the incorporation of cofactor-dependent DNAzyme units into the crosslinked hydrogel layer (cofactor = Mg2+-ions, Zn2+-ions or histidine) as stimuli-responsive units. Cleavage of the crosslinking DNAzyme substrates by the respective cofactors yields hydrogel coatings of reduced stiffness and higher porosity, that allows the release of the loads. A further approach has involved the application of the HCR process to assemble the bi-layer hydrogel microcapsules being unlocked by two cooperative triggers. Bi-layer microcapsules consisting of a K+-ions stabilized G-quadruplex/18-crown-6-ether responsive layer and a Mg2+-ion DNAzyme responsive layer is presented. Unlocking and locking of the G-quadruplex crosslinked layer by 18-crown-6-ether and K+-ions, respectively, and in the presence of Mg2+-ions, allows switchable controlled release of the load. In addition, the intercommunication of two kinds of stimuli-responsive bi-layer hydrogel microcapsules carrying two different loads (Tetramethylrhodamine-dextran, TMR-D, and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots) is demonstrated. The intercommunication process involves the stimuli-triggered generation of "information transfer" strands from one microcapsule to another that activate the release of the loads.
Accumulation of Neurofascin at Nodes of Ranvier Is Regulated by a Paranodal Switch

The paranodal junctions flank mature nodes of Ranvier and provide a barrier between ion channels at the nodes and juxtaparanodes. These junctions also promote node assembly and maintenance by mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here, we examine their role in the accumulation of NF186, a key adhesion molecule of PNS and CNS nodes. We previously showed that NF186 is initially targeted/accumulates via its ectodomain to forming PNS (hemi)nodes by diffusion trapping, whereas it is later targeted to mature nodes by a transport-dependent mechanism mediated by its cytoplasmic segment. To address the role of the paranodes in this switch, we compared accumulation of NF186 ectodomain and cytoplasmic domain constructs in WT versus paranode defective (i.e., Caspr-null) mice. Both pathways are affected in the paranodal mutants. In the PNS of Caspr-null mice, diffusion trapping mediated by the NF186 ectodomain aberrantly persists into adulthood, whereas the cytoplasmic domain/transport-dependent targeting is impaired. In contrast, accumulation of NF186 at CNS nodes does not undergo a switch; it is predominantly targeted to both forming and mature CNS nodes via its cytoplasmic domain and requires intact paranodes. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis indicates that the paranodes provide a membrane diffusion barrier that normally precludes diffusion of NF186 to nodes. Linkage of paranodal proteins to the underlying cytoskeleton likely contributes to this diffusion barrier based on 4.1B and βII spectrin expression in Caspr-null mice. Together, these results implicate the paranodes as membrane diffusion barriers that regulate targeting to nodes and highlight differences in the assembly of PNS and CNS nodes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Nodes of Ranvier are essential for effective saltatory conduction along myelinated axons. A major question is how the various axonal proteins that comprise the multimeric nodal complex accumulate at this site. Here we examine how targeting of NF186, a key nodal adhesion molecule, is regulated by the flanking paranodal junctions. We show that the transition from diffusion-trapping to transport-dependent accumulation of NF186 requires the paranodal junctions. We also demonstrate that these junctions are a barrier to diffusion of axonal proteins into the node and highlight differences in PNS and CNS node assembly. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of node assembly and the pathophysiology of neurologic disorders in which impaired paranodal function contributes to clinical disability.
Winter Use of Senescent Herbaceous Plants by White-Tailed Deer in Minnesota

ABSTRACT During winter in northern North America, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have been reported to consume non-woody browse items such as dried leaves (of woody plants), lichens, and evergreen herbaceous plants. We report use of five species of senescent (dead) herbaceous perennial plants in winter by a high density white-tailed deer herd in south-central Minnesota during a winter of average snow depths and below average temperatures. While low in digestible energy, senescent herbaceous material may present deer with a forage item higher in digestible protein than larger diameter woody twigs during periods of nutritional stress.
Ecology and Pathogenicity of Anastomosis and Intraspecific Groups of Rhizoctonia Solani Kuhn

Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn and other Rhizoctonia spp. are widespread in the world and in both cultivated and noncultivated soils. Rhizoctonia spp. are readily isolated from diseased plants and soils, with isolates differing in pathogenicity and morphology, as well as cultural and physiological charac­ teristics. Based on these differences, many species and intraspecific groups (ISGs) have been described; however, identification of species and ISGs is sometimes very difficult, owing to the absence of the authentic cultures, which hinders mycological and pathological studies. Fortunately, this situa­ tion has been put in order through the efforts of many researchers through characterization of the genus Rhizoctonia, the species R. solani, and other Rhizoctonia spp. The introduction of the concept of anastomosis groups (AGs) or intraspecific groups, as this paper introduces, has also aided species and subspecies identification. Ecologically, Rhizoctonia spp. are diversified; they may be pathogens on many hosts, saprophytes in soils, or mycorrhizae of orchidiaceous plants. This paper outlines the present status of our knowledge of ecology and pathology of Rhizoctonia solani, especially of anastomosis groups or in­ traspecific groups.
Evaluation of the Cross-Border Activation of the Regulating Reserve with Dynamic Simulations

This paper discusses the cross-border activation of the Regulating Reserve (RR), whose aim is to activate the demand for balancing energy in neighboring Control Areas (CAs) with equal signs of interchange power variation. In this way, the efficiency of the balancing system should be enhanced. However, the cross-border activation of the RR includes a frequency contribution, thus, it impacts the frequency response. Therefore, the impact of the cross-border activation of the RR on frequency quality and provision of Load-Frequency Control (LFC) is shown comprehensively with dynamic simulations of a three CA testing system. The results confirm that the cross-border activation of the RR reduced balancing energy and decreased the unintended exchange of energy in CAs, which activated the demand for balancing energy in neighboring CAs. Consequently, LFC performance indicators were enhanced in this way. However, the impact of the cross-border activation of the RR on frequency quality was positive, as well as negative, depending in which CA the demand for balancing energy was activated.
AN ANTIPREDATION MECHANISM OF THE POLYCHAETE PHYLLODOCE MUCOSA WITH NOTES ON SIMILAR MECHANISMS IN OTHER POTENTIAL PREyl

2 ABSTRACT The polychaete Phyllodocemucosa exhibits an antipredation response via the extrusion ofa repulsive mucoid secretion. The mucus, secreted by large glandular regions of the dorsal and ventral parapodial cirri, prevents immediate ingestion of the worm by several species of small or juvenile fish. A sipunculid, Phascoleopsis gouldi; a nemertean, Lineus ruber; and a large flatworm, Stylochus zebra, are also distasteful to some potential predators. Antipredation responses found in some organisms may play an important role in regulating benthic community dynamics by mediating the feeding habits of certain predators during at least some stage of their development.
VARIATION IN MICROSATELLITES AND mtDNA ACROSS THE RANGE OF THE STELLER SEA LION, EUMETOPIAS JUBATUS

Abstract Genetic variation at 6 nuclear microsatellite loci with biparental inheritance and the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was studied at 3 geographic scales (rookeries, regions, and stocks) in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Genetic variation was high in both nuclear and mtDNA markers as revealed by a near range-wide survey of 21 rookeries. However, population structure was not well defined, and there was no obvious phylogeographic pattern to the distribution of microsatellite alleles. This contrasts with a clear phylogeographic pattern revealed by control-region sequences of mtDNA in which 2 well-differentiated stocks, eastern and western, are defined as well as 2 distinct groups, Asian and central, in the western stock. Effective migration estimates are consistently higher for the nuclear loci than for mtDNA. The difference in patterns between the biparentally and maternally inherited genetic markers can be explained by relatively high male dispersal rates and female philopatry, or else there has been insufficient time since populations have been isolated for the nuclear loci to have diverged. It is recommended that the presently accepted stock structure be retained for management purposes and that further studies be carried out to test the male dispersal hypothesis.
The germination of excreted kikuyu grass seed in cattle dung pats

SUMMARY The quantity of seed ingested and excreted by penned cattle from offerings of freshly cut kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum cv. Whittet) was measured during the autumn at Grafton, N.S. W. A mean 101·6 g of whole seed was ingested per head per day, of which 22·9% was excreted. During 18 weeks, seedlings emerged from every dung pat formed from collected faeces. The number of seedlings represented 3·45% of the whole seed ingested. The loss of covering structures from the seed during passage through the alimentary tract apparently reduced the 21–day germinability.
Infodemic: How an Epidemic of Misinformation Could Lead to a High Number of the Novel Corona Virus Disease Cases in Uganda

Misinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak has shaped our perception of the disease. Some people thinkthe disease is a bioweapon while others are convinced that it is a hoax. Heightened anxiety often producesfearful rumors, some of which are absurd while others seem plausible and are laced with some truths. But, how does misinformation affect disease spread? In this paper, we construct a mathematical model parameterized by Ugandan data, to study the effect of misinformation on community COVID-19 spread. The analysis shows that misinformation leads to high number of COVID-19 cases in a community, and the effect is highest in the rumour initiators and spreaders. This analysis underscores the importance of addressing misinformation in COVID risk communication.
IV. Notes on Chinese Lacconectus MOTSCHULSKY, 1855 with description of a new species from Hainan (Coleoptera)

The Chinese species of Lacconectus MOTSCHULSKY (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) arc reviewed. Lacconectus hainanensis sp.n. is described from Hainan (SW China). It is related to L. strigulifer ZIMMERMANN and L. punctipennis ZIMMERMANN. New Chinese records of L. formosanus (KAMIYA) and a modification to the key to the species of the genus are presented. Three species are known to occur in China, the record of a fourth species (L. laccophiloides ZIMMERMANN) is doubtful.
INTERSPECIFIC AND INTERSEXUAL VARIATION IN ROOST-SITE SELECTION OF NORTHERN LONG-EARED AND LITTLE BROWN BATS IN THE GREATER FUNDY NATIONAL PARK ECOSYSTEM

Abstract Although only 2 bat species are common in the Greater Fundy National Park Ecosystem of New Brunswick, Canada, 4 distinct groups occur in terms of roost-site selection due to sexual segregation. We found that female northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) roosted alone or as part of maternity colonies in mature, shade-tolerant deciduous stands. A roost site was 24 times more likely to be in a shade-tolerant deciduous tree than a coniferous tree, and trees in the mid-decay classes were 5.2 times more likely to be used than live or recently dead trees. Male northern long-eared bats roosted alone in coniferous stands or conifer-dominated mixedwood stands, and they selected roost trees that were in the mid-decay stages. Trees in mid-decay stages were selected more than twice as often as trees at the early or late stages of decay. For every 10% increase in the proportion of coniferous trees in the plot, the chances of a male northern long-eared bat roosting in the plot increased 1.5 times. Female little brown bats (M. lucifugus) in our study area were transients. Male little brown bats primarily roosted alone in coniferous stands, or conifer-dominated mixedwood stands. Their selection of roost sites was highly dependent on the number of snags in the vicinity. For every increase of 5 snags in a 0.1-ha plot, the odds of use for male little brown bats on that site increased by 2.5 times. The long-term availability of roost sites for males of both species in our study area may be linked to spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) epizootics, which is the major mortality factor for coniferous species in the region. Female northern long-eared bat roosts probably are more consistantly available because suitable sites are created by continuously occurring, individual-tree stressors in mature shade-tolerant forests.
A Customized Semantic Segmentation Network for the Fingerprint Singular Point Detection

As one of the most important and obvious global features for fingerprints, the singular point plays an essential role in fingerprint registration and fingerprint classification. To date, the singular point detection methods in the literature can be generally divided into two categories: methods based on traditional digital image processing and those on deep learning. Generally speaking, the former requires a high-precision fingerprint orientation field for singular point detection, while the latter just needs the original fingerprint image without preprocessing. Unfortunately, detection rates of these existing methods, either of the two categories above, are still unsatisfactory, especially for the low-quality fingerprint. Therefore, regarding singular point detection as a semantic segmentation of the small singular point area completely and directly, we propose a new customized convolutional neural network called SinNet for segmenting the accurate singular point area, followed by a simple and fast post-processing to locate the singular points quickly. The performance evaluation conducted on the publicly Singular Points Detection Competition 2010 (SPD2010) dataset confirms that the proposed method works best from the perspective of overall indexes. Especially, compared with the state-of-art algorithms, our proposal achieves an increase of 10% in the percentage of correctly detected fingerprints and more than 16% in the core detection rate.
Immersive visualization with bar graphics

ABSTRACT Augmented reality (AR) enables the creation of immersive situated visualizations. These visualizations blend with the real world so that the user perceives the virtual objects as physically present. We propose two novel immersive situated visualizations for geospatial quantitative point data that link AR bar graphics in the real environment with a virtual AR chart or map. The Egocentric Bar Chart combines virtual bars placed in a real landscape with a virtual 360° bar chart arranged around the user. The Circular Map with Bars combines bars in a real landscape with a 360° virtual map showing bar graphics. These visualizations are designed for inspecting the location and attributes of individual points, as well as understanding the spatial and non-spatial patterns of a set of points. We conducted a study with 12 participants to evaluate reading accuracy and efficiency of the two visualizations, with a view from a skyscraper at the center of the Melbourne metropolitan area. To better control confounding factors, the study used a virtual environment instead of an AR setup. We found that the two suggested visualizations performed better than bars placed in a landscape, and received positive feedback from study participants. The Egocentric Bar Chart visualization was most accurate when estimating and comparing values, and we identified promising improvements for the Circular Map with Bars visualization. Our results demonstrate the potential of AR technology for the communication of geospatial point data with immersive situated bar graphics in an outdoor environment.
Sex estimation from handprints in a Croatian population sample

Aim: To test if handprint measurements show sexual dimorphism in the Croatian population, and to develop population-specific sex estimation standards. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 adult volunteers from a Croatian population (50 males and 50 females) aged between 20 and 45 years. Using a fingerprint ink, we collected handprints of both hands on a paper sheet. We scanned handprints and took 13 measurements. Bilateral asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of the measurements was analyzed and sex estimation models were developed using linear discriminant analysis. Results: All measurements exhibited statistically significant sexual dimorphism (P<0.001). Univariate discriminant functions provided sexing accuracy from 75% to 92%. The highest accuracy rate (92%) and the lowest sexing bias (0%) was obtained using the handprint breadth. A multivariate discriminant function could estimate sex with 93% accuracy, but with more pronounced sexing bias (10%). Conclusion: We showed that handprint measurements could be used for sex estimation in the Croatian population with a high accuracy level. Therefore, they could serve as a valuable tool for biological profiling of perpetrators in criminal investigations when other evidence is not conclusive.
The private life of meaning - some implications for psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic research

ABSTRACT This article outlines differences between phenomenology and method, with implications for psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic research. Drawing on a study exploring how mental health nurses are therapeutic, we focus on how taking experience seriously is encouraged through being phenomenological. We look at how research method and theory – and fixed beliefs or ideas – tend to constrict language, so that personal (sensual) meaning is lost or curtailed. Being phenomenological instead ‘opens up’ language and consequently meaning, in an act of truthfulness through speaking one’s experience, which we see as both psychotherapeutic and a valid form of research.
On the influence of fishes on the evolution of benthic crustaceans

Though the interweavement of trophic chains in marine ecosystems of the past cannot be reconstructed, as the abundance, nutrition, reproductive rates and other aspects of the biology of fossil species are not known, it is possible to correlate trends in the evolution of single groups of animals, in the presented case the Crustacea, with the influence of other evolving organisms. The evolution of carnivorous, buoyant, well swimming modern fishes probably induced profound changes in marine ecosystems and influenced the evolution of crustaceans. Indications for these interactions are a. the absence or rare occurrence of defenseless archaic crustaceans in habitats, which are populated by teleostean fishes and the survival of some of these forms in refuges like caves and subterranean waters, and b. the reduction of the pleon in the course of the mesozoic evolution of the Decapoda, which occurs parallel to the radiation of the Teleostei, namely in the period between the early Jurassic and the Tertiary. The shortening of the pleon is interreted as a consequence of the stepwise change from a hyperbenthic to a more benthic Iife-stJe and the abandonment of the caridoid escape reaction. Other adaptations are also construed as results from the selective pressure produced by predators. Extant crustaceans which are able to coexist with fishes, among the macrozoobenthos especially the Decapoda and Peracarida, have a variety of protective adaptations, which help to reduce predation.
CONUT Score or/and Peripheral Blood CD4+/CD8+ Ratio-Based Web Dynamic Nomograms to Predict the Individualized Survival of Patients with Advanced Osteosarcoma

Background Nutritional and immune status is paramount for the overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced osteosarcoma. Comprehensive prognostic predictors based on the two indices are scarce. This study aimed to construct and validate individualized web dynamic nomograms based on CONUT score or/and peripheral blood CD4+/CD8+ ratio for OS in patients with advanced osteosarcoma. Materials and Methods The clinical data of 376 advanced osteosarcoma patients from January 2000 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. Data from the 301 patients (diagnosed in the first 15 years) were used as the development set and data from the remaining 75 patients were assigned as the validation set. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted and three prediction models were constructed, namely, CD4+/CD8+ ratio univariate model (model 1), CONUT score univariate model (model 2), and CD4+/CD8+ ratio plus CONUT score (model 3). These models were visualized by conventional nomograms and individualized web dynamic nomograms, and their performances were further evaluated by C-index, calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Results In multivariate Cox analysis, age, metastasis, ALP, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, chemotherapy, and CONUT score were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS. The calibration curves of the three models all showed good agreement between the actual observation and nomogram prediction for 1-year overall survival. In the development set, the C-index and area under the curve (AUC) of model 3 (0.837, 0.848) were higher than that of model 1 (0.765, 0.773) and model 2 (0.712, 0.749). Similar trends were observed in the validation set. The net benefits of model 3 were better than the other two models within the threshold probability of 36–80% in DCA. Conclusion CONUT score and peripheral CD4+/CD8+ ratio are easily available, reliable, and economical prognostic predictors for survival prediction and stratification in patients with advanced osteosarcoma, but the two predictors combined can establish a better prognosis prediction model.