Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in Varietal Diversity of Main Staple Crops in Asia and Africa and Implications for Sustainable Food Systems

Crop species and varietal diversity on farm have the potential to trigger multiple regulating and provisioning ecosystem services. The latter is commonly assessed through targeted studies covering a select number of geographies and crop species, precluding comparisons across crops and at scale. This study draws on a large dataset on the varietal release dynamics for 11 major food crops in 44 countries of Asia and Africa to assess trends in diversity across crops and regions with a 50-year perspective. Our results show an increasing reduction of crop varietal diversity linked to the spatial displacement of traditional landraces. This trend occurs at a faster rate in Asia than in Africa. So-called mega varieties tend to increasingly dominate agricultural landscapes, adding to spatial homogeneity. We further found a negative association between varietal richness and its relative abundance, challenging the relationship between crop improvement and varietal diversity. Our results show that among cereal, pulse, and root and tuber crops, varietal diversity is lowest for cereals in Asia and highest for root and tubers in Africa. The analysis contributes new information useful to prioritize crops for which increasing varietal diversity may lead to more sustainable food systems.
Neurodegeneration Upon Dysfunction of Endosomal/Lysosomal CLC Chloride Transporters

The regulation of luminal ion concentrations is critical for the function of, and transport between intracellular organelles. The importance of the acidic pH in the compartments of the endosomal-lysosomal pathway has been well-known for decades. Besides the V-ATPase, which pumps protons into their lumen, a variety of ion transporters and channels is involved in the regulation of the organelles' complex ion homeostasis. Amongst these are the intracellular members of the CLC family, ClC-3 through ClC-7. They localize to distinct but overlapping compartments of the endosomal-lysosomal pathway, partially with tissue-specific expression. Functioning as 2Cl−/H+ exchangers, they can support the vesicular acidification and accumulate luminal Cl−. Mutations in the encoding genes in patients and mouse models underlie severe phenotypes including kidney stones with CLCN5 and osteopetrosis or hypopigmentation with CLCN7. Dysfunction of those intracellular CLCs that are expressed in neurons lead to neuronal defects. Loss of endosomal ClC-3, which heteromerizes with ClC-4, results in neurodegeneration. Mutations in ClC-4 are associated with epileptic encephalopathy and intellectual disability. Mice lacking the late endosomal ClC-6 develop a lysosomal storage disease with reduced pain sensitivity. Human gene variants have been associated with epilepsy, and a gain-of-function mutation causes early-onset neurodegeneration. Dysfunction of the lysosomal ClC-7 leads to a lysosomal storage disease and neurodegeneration in mice and humans. Reduced luminal chloride, as well as altered calcium regulation, has been associated with lysosomal storage diseases in general. This review discusses the properties of endosomal and lysosomal Cl−/H+ exchange by CLCs and how various alterations of ion transport by CLCs impact organellar ion homeostasis and function in neurodegenerative disorders.
Conditional Neutral Reward Promotes Cooperation in the Spatial Prisoner’s Dilemma Game

Reward is an effective mechanism that promotes cooperation. However, an individual usually reward her opponents in certain cases. Inspired by this, a conditional neutral reward mechanism has been introduced. In detail, an individual will reward his or her neighbors with the same strategy when the payoff of the focal one is higher than that of his or her neighbors. And simulations are conducted to investigate the impact of our mechanism on the evolution of cooperation. Interestingly, cooperation can survive and dominate the system. Nominal antisocial reward that defectors reward each other is rarely because of the greed of defectors. By contrast, cooperators inside the cooperative clusters share the payoff with cooperators on the boundary so that the latter can form shields to protect cooperators.
Differential cross-sections and energy transfer quantities in azulene/argon collisions

Computational results on collisional energy transfer between excited and cold azulene and Ar are reported under initial conditions similar to those of crossed molecular beam experiments (Liu, Hsu, Lyu and Ni, J. Chem. Phys. 125 204309 (2006)). The in-plane scattering cross-section is asymmetric with a preference for positive angles. The out-of-plane scattering angle is symmetric in both positive and negative angles with a strong forward scattering peak. In both T → V/R dominates over V → R/T. The double differential cross-section shows a high probability for forward, then sideways and finally, backward scattering. The latter shows relatively high probability for supercollisions. Average energy transfer quantities and collisional energy transfer probability density functions, P(E,E′), are presented and results for Ar and Kr as colliders are compared. At low initial relative translational energies the up-collision branch of P(E,E′) shows a peak. This peak, which is absent at higher relative translational energies, is due to the formation of a collision complex. Special attention is paid to the role of rotational energy in the energy transfer process. Changing the rotational temperature from 0.5 K to 2000 K changes the percentage of up and down collisions as well as the values of the average energy transferred quantities. The effect of the translational energy on energy transfer is discussed. There is broad agreement between experiment and computation.
Stable Anatomy Detection in Multimodal Imaging Through Sparse Group Regularization: A Comparative Study of Iron Accumulation in the Aging Brain

Multimodal neuroimaging provides a rich source of data for identifying brain regions associated with disease progression and aging. However, present studies still typically analyze modalities separately or aggregate voxel-wise measurements and analyses to the structural level, thus reducing statistical power. As a central example, previous works have used two quantitative MRI parameters—R2* and quantitative susceptibility (QS)—to study changes in iron associated with aging in healthy and multiple sclerosis subjects, but failed to simultaneously account for both. In this article, we propose a unified framework that combines information from multiple imaging modalities and regularizes estimates for increased interpretability, generalizability, and stability. Our work focuses on joint region detection problems where overlap between effect supports across modalities is encouraged but not strictly enforced. To achieve this, we combine L1 (lasso), total variation (TV), and L2 group lasso penalties. While the TV penalty encourages geometric regularization by controlling estimate variability and support boundary geometry, the group lasso penalty accounts for similarities in the support between imaging modalities. We address the computational difficulty in this regularization scheme with an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) optimizer. In a neuroimaging application, we compare our method against independent sparse and joint sparse models using a dataset of R2* and QS maps derived from MRI scans of 113 healthy controls: our method produces clinically-interpretable regions where specific iron changes are associated with healthy aging. Together with results across multiple simulation studies, we conclude that our approach identifies regions that are more strongly associated with the variable of interest (e.g., age), more accurate, and more stable with respect to training data variability. This work makes progress toward a stable and interpretable multimodal imaging analysis framework for studying disease-related changes in brain structure and can be extended for classification and disease prediction tasks.
Long-Term Liver Expression of an Apolipoprotein A-I Mimetic Peptide Attenuates Interferon-Alpha-Induced Inflammation and Promotes Antiviral Activity

Apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptides are amphipathic alpha-helix peptides that display similar functions to apolipoprotein A-I. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptides in multiple indications associated with inflammatory processes. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the long-term expression of L37pA in the liver by an adeno-associated virus (AAV-L37pA) on the expression of an adeno-associated virus encoding interferon-alpha (AAV-IFNα). Long-term IFNα expression in the liver leads to lethal hematological toxicity one month after AAV administration. Concomitant administration of AAV-L37pA prevented the lethal toxicity since the IFNα expression was reduced one month after AAV administration. To identify the mechanism of action of L37pA, a genomic and proteomic analysis was performed 15 days after AAV administration when a similar level of IFNα and interferon-stimulated genes were observed in mice treated with AAV-IFNα alone and in mice treated with AAV-IFNα and AAV-L37pA. The coexpression of the apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide L37pA with IFNα modulated the gene expression program of IFNα, inducing a significant reduction in inflammatory pathways affecting pathogen-associated molecular patterns receptor, dendritic cells, NK cells and Th1 immune response. The proteomic analysis confirmed the impact of the L37pA activity on several inflammatory pathways and indicated an activation of LXR/RXR and PPPARα/γ nuclear receptors. Thus, long-term expression of L37pA induces an anti-inflammatory effect in the liver that allows silencing of IFNα expression mediated by an adeno-associated virus.
On Cellular Networks Supporting Healthcare Remote Monitoring in IoT Scenarios

In the next few years, fundamental technological transitions are expected both for wireless communications, soon resulting in the 5G era, and for the kind of pervasiveness that will be achieved thanks to the Internet of Things. The implementation of such new communication paradigms is expected to significantly revolutionize people’s lives, industry, commerce, and many daily activities. Healthcare applications are considered to be one of the most impacted industries. Sadly, in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic currently afflicting our society, health remote monitoring has become a fundamental and urgent application. The overcrowding of hospitals and medical facilities due to COVID-19, has unavoidably created delays and key issues in providing adequate medical assistance. In several cases, asymptomatic or light symptomatic COVID-19 patients have to be continuously monitored to prevent emergencies, and such an activity does not necessarily require hospitalization. Considering this research direction, this paper investigates the potentiality of cloud-based cellular networks to support remote healthcare monitoring applications implemented in accordance with the IoT paradigm, combined with future cellular systems. The idea is to conveniently replace the physical interaction between patients and doctors with a reliable virtual one, so that hospital services can be reserved for emergencies. Specifically, we investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of remote healthcare monitoring by evaluating its impact on the network performance. Furthermore, we discuss the potentiality of medical data compression and how it can be exploited to reduce the traffic load.
The Endothelium as a Therapeutic Target in Diabetes: A Narrative Review and Perspective

Diabetes has reached worldwide epidemic proportions, and threatens to be a significant economic burden to both patients and healthcare systems, and an important driver of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Improvement in lifestyle interventions (which includes increase in physical activity via exercise) can reduce diabetes and cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity. Encouraging a population to increase physical activity and exercise is not a simple feat particularly in individuals with co-morbidities (obesity, heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and those with cognitive and physical limitations). Translation of the physiological benefits of exercise within that vulnerable population would be an important step for improving physical activity goals and a stopgap measure to exercise. In large part many of the beneficial effects of exercise are due to the introduction of pulsatile shear stress (PSS) to the vascular endothelium. PSS is a well-known stimulus for endothelial homeostasis, and induction of a myriad of pathways which include vasoreactivity, paracrine/endocrine function, fibrinolysis, inflammation, barrier function, and vessel growth and formation. The endothelial cell mediates the balance between vasoconstriction and relaxation via the major vasodilator endothelial derived nitric oxide (eNO). eNO is critical for vasorelaxation, increasing blood flow, and an important signaling molecule that downregulates the inflammatory cascade. A salient feature of diabetes, is endothelial dysfunction which is characterized by a reduction of the bioavailability of vasodilators, particularly nitric oxide (NO). Cellular derangements in diabetes are also related to dysregulation in Ca2+ handling with increased intracellular Ca2+overload, and oxidative stress. PSS increases eNO bioavailability, reduces inflammatory phenotype, decreases intracellular Ca2+ overload, and increases antioxidant capacity. This narrative review and perspective will outline four methods to non-invasively increase PSS; Exercise (the prototype for increasing PSS), Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP), Whole Body Vibration (WBV), Passive Simulated Jogging and its predicate device Whole Body Periodic Acceleration, and will discuss current knowledge on their use in diabetes.
Countering Avoidance Strategies Used by Fishers to Avoid Detection During Illegal Fishing

Non-compliers typically avoid detection by authorities, benefiting from increased catch and income. While detection-avoidance strategies (e.g., secret compartments to hide illegal catch) are commonly used in the nature conservation context, they remain largely unstudied. We address this knowledge gap in three sections. First, we introduce and hypothesize the likelihood of non-compliers adopting detection-avoidance strategies in the broader conservation context. Second, we identify and categorize detection-avoidance strategies used by small-scale fishers. Third, we provide recommendations for countering detection-avoidance strategies (i.e., countermeasures). Because countermeasures are context-specific, they should be informed through systematic processes such as the intelligence cycle. If used properly, enforcement activities and countermeasures can help build voluntary compliance, particularly through procedural justice, or acting in a way that users perceive as fair and just.
Gut Microbial Profile Is Associated With Residential Settings and Not Nutritional Status in Adults in Karnataka, India

Undernutrition is a leading contributor to disease and disability in people of all ages. Several studies have reported significant association between nutritional status and gut microbiome composition but other factors such as demographic settings may also influence the adult microbiome. The relationship between undernourishment and gut microbiome in adults has not been described to date. In this study, we compared the gut microbiome in fecal samples of 48 individuals, from two demographic settings (rural and urban slum) in Karnataka, India using 16S rRNA sequencing. Nutritional status was assessed based on BMI, with a BMI of < 18.5 kg/m2 classified as undernourished, and a BMI in the range 18.5–25 kg/m2 as nourished. We analyzed 25 individuals from rural settings (12 undernourished and 13 nourished) and 23 individuals from urban slum settings (11 undernourished and 12 nourished). We found no significant difference in overall gut microbial diversity (Shannon and Unweighted UniFrac) between undernourished and nourished individuals in either geographical settings, however, microbial taxa at the phylum level (i.e., Firmicutes and Proteobacteria) and beta diversity (unweighted UniFrac) differed significantly between the rural and urban slum settings. By predicting microbial function from 16S data profiling we found significant differences in metabolic pathways present in the gut microbiota from people residing in different settings; specifically, those related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The weighted sum of the KEGG Orthologs associated with carbohydrate metabolism (Spearman's correlation coefficient, ρ = −0.707, p < 0.001), lipid metabolism (Spearman's correlation coefficient, ρ = −0.330, p < 0.022) and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (Spearman's correlation coefficient, ρ = −0.507, p < 0.001) were decreased in the urban slum group compared to the rural group. In conclusion, we report that the geographical location of residence is associated with differences in gut microbiome composition in adults. We found no significant differences in microbiome composition between nourished and undernourished adults from urban slum or rural settings in India.
Selective Sweeps Uncovering the Genetic Basis of Horn and Adaptability Traits on Fine-Wool Sheep in China

Long-term natural and artificial selection leads to change in certain regions of the genome, resulting in selection signatures that can reveal genes associated with selected traits, such as horns (i.e., polled/horned), high-quality wool traits, and high-altitude hypoxia adaptability. These are complex traits determined by multiple genes, regulatory pathways, and environmental factors. A list of genes with considerable effects on horn and adaptability traits has not been found, although multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been identified. Selection signatures could be identified using genetic differentiation (FST), polymorphism levels θπ, and Tajima’s D. This study aimed to identify selection signatures in fine-wool sheep and to investigate the genes annotated in these regions, as well as the biological pathways involved in horn and adaptability traits. For this purpose, the whole-genome sequence of 120 individuals from four breeds, which come from different elevations and habitats in China, was used to analyze selection signatures for horn and adaptability traits. Annotation of the consensus regions of FST and θπ ratios revealed a list of identified genes associated with polled/horned and high-altitude hypoxia adaptability traits, such as RXPF2, EERFC4, MSH6, PP1R12A, THBS1, ATP1B2, RYR2, and PLA2G2E. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis identified genes related primarily to mismatch repair, metabolism, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and cardiac muscle contraction. This is the first study to demonstrate that selection signatures play an important role in the polled/horned and high-altitude hypoxia adaptability traits of fine-wool sheep breeds that have undergone high-intensity selection and adapted to different ecological environments in China. Changes observed in the genome of fine-wool sheep may have acted on genomic regions that affect performance traits and provide a reference for genome design and breeding.
Whole-Cell Microbial Bioreporter for Soil Contaminants Detection

Anthropogenic activities have released various contaminants into soil that pose a serious threat to the ecosystem and human well-being. Compared to conventional analytical methodologies, microbial cell-based bioreporters are offering a flexible, rapid, and cost-effective strategy to assess the environmental risks. This review aims to summarize the recent progress in the application of bioreporters in soil contamination detection and provide insight into the challenges and current strategies. The biosensing principles and genetic circuit engineering are introduced. Developments of bioreporters to detect and quantify heavy metal and organic contaminants in soil are reviewed. Moreover, future opportunities of whole-cell bioreporters for soil contamination monitoring are discussed.
Effect of aqueous acetic, oxalic and carbonic acids on the adsorption of uranium(VI) onto α-alumina

The prediction of the migration for radionuclides in geologic media requires a quantitative knowledge of retardation phenomena. For this purpose, the sorption of U(VI) onto a model mineral-–α-alumina—is studied here, including the effects of groundwater chemistry: pH and concentrations of small organic ligands (acetate, oxalate and carbonate anions). This work presents experimental evidence for the synergic sorption of uranium(VI) and the small organic ligands, namely sorption of cationic complexes onto alumina. Conversely, since its neutral and anionic complexes were not sorbed, U(VI) cation could also be desorbed as a result of the formation of neutral or anionic complexes in the aqueous phase. By using the ion-exchange theory, and a corresponding restricted set of parameters—exchange capacities and thermodynamic equilibrium constants—the whole set of sorption experiments of U(VI) cationic species onto the α-alumina was modelled under various chemical conditions.
Kinetics of Radical Reactions in the Atmospheric Oxidation of CH4

today. The recognition that the Earth's atmosphere is being affected by human activity and that a large fraction of the chemistry in the atmosphere is due to free radicals stimulated laboratory studies on �tmospheric free radical reactions in the 1970s and 1980s. Free radical reactions in the oxidation of methane constitute one of the areas that has received a great deal of attention and, consequently, it is better understood than most. I have attempted to review the reactions taking place in the atmospheric oxidation of methane. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon and the most abundant hydro­ carbon in the Earth's atmosphere. Its concentration is at least a thousand times greater than the next most abundant hydrocarbon. Atmospheric methane concentration has been increasing since the onset of the industrial era (l a,b) and the growth has accelerated in the last two decades (2a,b). The reasons for the increase are not clear. The CH4 flux into the atmosphere may be increasing or its loss rate from the atmosphere may be decreasing. The oxidation of methane generates nearly 30% of the atmospheric CO 1 The US Government has the right to retain a nonexclusive, royalt y-free license in and to any copyright covering this paper.
Performance Analysis for Exact and Upper Bound Capacity in DF Energy Harvesting Full-Duplex with Hybrid TPSR Protocol

In this paper, we investigate the full-duplex (FD) decode-and-forward (DF) cooperative relaying system, whereas the relay node can harvest energy from radiofrequency (RF) signals of the source and then utilize the harvested energy to transfer the information to the destination. Specifically, a hybrid time-power switching-based relaying method is adopted, which leverages the benefits of time-switching relaying (TSR) and power-splitting relaying (PSR) protocols. While energy harvesting (EH) helps to reduce the limited energy at the relay, full-duplex is one of the most important techniques to enhance the spectrum efficiency by its capacity of transmitting and receiving signals simultaneously. Based on the proposed system model, the performance of the proposed relaying system in terms of the ergodic capacity (EC) is analyzed. Specifically, we derive the exact closed form for upper bound EC by applying some special function mathematics. Then, the Monte Carlo simulations are performed to validate the mathematical analysis and numerical results.