Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-canonical Wnt signalling in craniofacial skeletogenesis: role of wls, gpc4, wnt5b and wnt9a

Craniofacial development requires progressive morphologic change, proliferation, differentiation and organization of chondrocytes preceding osteogenesis. The Wnt signalling pathway has been involved in regulating bone development and maintenance. As they are fated to become bone, chondrocytes require Wnt to polarize and orientate appropriately to initiate the endochondral ossification program. Although the canonical Wnt signalling has been studied in the context of bone development, the effects of non-canonical Wnt signalling in regulating the timing of cartilage maturation and subsequent bone formation in shaping ventral craniofacial structure is not well understood. In this thesis, I examined the role of the non-canonical Wnt signalling pathway (through the study of the role of wls, gpc4, wnt5b and wnt9a) in regulating zebrafish Meckel’s cartilage maturation to the onset of osteogenic differentiation. First, I show that disruption of wls resulted in a significant loss of craniofacial bone, whereas lack of gpc4, wnt5b and wnt9a resulted in severely delayed endochondral ossification. This demonstrates the importance of the non-canonical Wnt pathway in regulating coordinated ventral cartilage morphogenesis by directing chondrocyte polarity. Second, I found distinct cellular requirements within the body and midzone of the mandible. Without non-canonical Wnt signalling, chondrocytes within the midzone appear to remain in their prehypertrophic state and fail to elongate and stack. This may suggest the importance of Wnt signalling in determining jaw length and size. Third, I generated a double transgenic zebrabow line to allow cellular studies on dynamic cell behaviour during development. Finally, to further interrogate the role of Wnt signalling during chondrocyte maturation, I studied the role of intracellular Wnt trafficking. More recently, there has been increasing evidence that Wnt activity is not only regulated in the receiving cells but also on the level of its secretion (Gross and Boutros, 2013). By studying wntless (wls), a multi-transmembrane protein that shuttles Wnts from the Golgi to the plasma membrane, I found that wls trafficking through coat protein vesicles (COP) is key in neural crest specification and differentiation. These works provide important insights into the non-canonical Wnt signalling during endochondral bone formation and craniofacial lower jaw development.
Stochastic economic dispatch of power system with multiple wind farms and pumped‐storage hydro stations using approximate dynamic programming

: The stochastic economic dispatch problem of power system with multiple wind farms and pumped-storage hydro stations is formulated as a specific stochastic dynamic programming (DP) model, i.e. stochastic storage model, it is impossible to obtain an accurate solution due to the curse of dimensionality. Based on the approximate DP (ADP) method, the stochastic storage model can be transformed into a series of mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models by describing the approximate value functions (AVFs) as convex piecewise linear functions in post-decision states. The AVFs are first initialised using the results of the deterministic model under a forecast scenario of wind farm output and then trained by scanning stochastic sampling scenarios consecutively with the successive projective approximation routine algorithm. To obtain a near-optimal day-ahead dispatch scheme, the forecast scenario is substituted into the MILP models expressed by the trained AVFs and is solved forward through each time interval. The network constraints are incorporated by the while-loop detection of critical lines. Test results on an actual provincial power system and the modified IEEE 39-bus system, including the comparison among the ADP, DP, scenario-based and chance-constrained programming methods, demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed model and algorithm.
Calibrank: Effective Lidar-Camera Extrinsic Calibration By Multi-Modal Learning To Rank

Precise and online LiDAR-camera extrinsic calibration is one of the prerequisites of multi-modal data fusion for autonomous perception. The existing 6-DoF pose regression networks take majority effort on coarse-to-fine training strategy to gradually approach the global minimum. However, with limited computing resources, the optimal pose parameters seem unreachable. Moreover, recent research on neural network interpretability reveals that learning-based pose regression is nothing but the interpolation with most relevant samples. Motivated by this notion, we propose to solve the calibration problem in a retrieval way. Concretely, the learning-to-rank pipeline is introduced for ranking the top n relevant poses in the gallery set, which is then fused in to the final prediction. To better explore the pose relevance between ground truth samples, we further propose an exponential mapping from parametric space to the relevance space. The superiority of the proposed method is validated and demonstrated in the comparative and ablative experimental analysis.
An Information-Theoretic Framework for Joint CS-ICA Recovery of Sparse Biosignals

The aim of this study is to propose an information-theoretic framework for compressed sensing (CS)-independentcomponent analysis (ICA) algorithms that can be used for the joint recovery of sparse biosignals. The proposed framework supports real-time patient monitoring systems that enhance the detection, tracking, and monitoring of vital signs remotely via wearable biosensors. Specifically, we address the problem of sparse signal recovery and acquisition in wearable biosensor networks, where wepresent a new analysis of CS-ICA algorithms from an information theory perspective to compute the sampling rate required to recover sparse biosignals corrupted by motion artifacts and interference, which to the best of our knowledge, has not been studied before. Our analysis and examples indicate that the proposed approach helps to develop low-cost, low-power edge computing devices whileimproving data quality and accuracy for a given measurement. We also show that, under noisy measurement conditions, the CS-ICA algorithm can outperform the standard CS method, where a biosignal can be retrieved in only a few measurements. By implementingthe sensing framework, the error in reconstructing biosignals is reduced, and a digital-to-analog converter operates at low-speed and low-resolution.
Characterization of Sludge from Single-Stage Nitrogen Removal Using Anammox and Partial Nitritation (SNAP)

Single-stage Nitrogen removal using Anammox and Partial nitritation (SNAP) was demonstrated under continuous-treatment conditions to be reliable and stable. An average ammonium conversion of . ± . % and a nitrogen removal of . ± . % were obtained for days of continuous operation under operational conditions of °C, pH . ~ . , and . ~ . vvm aeration rate at a loading of . kg‒N/m /d using a simulated landfi ll leachate as infl uent. The observed sludge yield of the SNAP process was calculated to be as low as . mg‒VSS/mg‒N removed. The SNAP sludge had a particle size distribution of ~ μm and showed a tendency to form aggregates inside void spaces of the net-type acryl-resin biomass carrier. Specifi c ammonium oxidizing activities of the sludge ranged from to mg‒N/g‒VSS/d and to mg‒N/g‒VSS/d under total aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Levels of ammonium oxidizers and nitrite oxidizers were determined to be ~ MPN/g‒VSS and MPN/g‒VSS, respectively. DNA analysis of the SNAP biomass revealed the existence of three dominant groups of bacteria including ammonium oxidizers closely related to Nitrosomonas europaea, nitrite oxidizers closely related to Nitrospira sp. ; and anammox bacteria closely related to strains KU and KSU‒ . These bacteria were suggested to exist in a dynamic equilibrium.
“I’ll stop talking now”: Decreased interaction length in mixed-sex interpersonal interactions as response to objectification

This experiment explored behavioral consequences of interpersonal objectification. In an actual interaction with an objectifying man, women (N = 91) perceived the interaction as less pleasant, reducing the amount of time they spent interacting with the male objectifier compared to a neutral interaction. Moreover, the effect of the objectifying behavior on women’s unpleasant perceptions of the interaction was mediated by the feeling of being treated as a sex object. This work demonstrates the consequences of an objectifying interaction at an interpersonal level.
Filamentous calcareous alga provides a substrate for coral-competitive macroalgae in the degraded lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, Taiwan

Background The chemically-rich seaweed Galaxaura is not only highly competitive with corals, but also provides substrate for other macroalgae. Its ecology and associated epiphytes remain largely unexplored. To fill this knowledge gap, we herein undertook an ecological assessment to explore the spatial variation, temporal dynamics, and epiphytic macroalgae of G. divaricata on patch reefs in the lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, a shallow coral reef ecosystem in the northern South China Sea, repeatedly impacted by mass coral bleaching events. Methods Twelve spatially independent patch reefs in the Dongsha lagoon were first surveyed to assess the benthic composition in April 2016, and then revisited to determine G. divaricata percent cover in September 2017, with one additional Galaxaura-dominated reef (site 9). Four surveys over a period of 17 months were carried out on a degraded patch reef (site 7) to assess the temporal variation in G. divaricata cover. Epiphytic macroalgae associated with G. divaricata were quantified and identified through the aid of DNA barcoding. Results Patch reefs in the Dongsha lagoon were degraded, exhibiting relatively low live coral cover (5-43%), but high proportions of macroalgae (13-58%) and other substrates (rubble and dead corals; 23-69%). The distribution of G. divaricata was heterogeneous across the lagoon, with highest abundance (16-41%) in the southeast area. Temporal surveys from site 7 and photo-evidence from site 9 suggested that an overgrowth by G. divaricata was still present to a similar extend after 17 months and 3.5 years. Yet, G. divaricata provides a suitable substrate some allelopathic macroalgae (e.g., Lobophora sp.). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that an allelopathic seaweed, such as G. divaricata, can overgrow degraded coral reefs for extended periods of time. By providing habitat for harmful macroalgae, a prolonged Galaxaura overgrowth could strengthen negative feedback loops on degraded coral reefs, further decreasing their recovery potential.
Spontaneous Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memories in Individuals Experiencing Depression

Listening to music often triggers strong memories of events from our past, which influence how we affectively experience music listening and can therefore contribute to music’s therapeutic capacity. The aim of this study was to examine the valence and content of spontaneous music-evoked autobiographical memories (MEAMs) in listeners with self-reported depression, who typically demonstrate negatively biased autobiographical memory. Eighteen depressed and 21 controls participated in a music-listening experiment where they listened to a personalized music stimulus, described their memories, and thereafter rated the valence of these memories and of their induced affect. Participants’ ratings were statistically analysed, while the memory content was analysed with the use of a computerized text-analysis method and with a qualitative thematic analysis. Quantitative ratings of valence revealed a significant difference between groups: half of the depressed, compared to none of the controls, recalled a negative memory, and these were experienced with negative induced affect. The qualitative thematic analysis of the memory descriptions revealed that both depressed and control participants’ memories could be categorized into three first-level themes: (1) personal, (2) relationships, and (3) activities. Depressed participants’ negative memories were mainly located in the ‘relationships’ theme and included memories about loss and dysfunctional relationships, such as bullying, and in the ‘personal’ theme, including memories of mental health struggles and coping with music. Approximately a third of depressed participants recalled positive memories, and these were either related to loving family relationships or to activities. Limitations concerning the small sample size and implications regarding the function of music listening for depressed individuals are discussed.
Integrating DNA damage response and autophagy signalling axis in ultraviolet-B induced skin photo-damage: a positive association in protecting cells against genotoxic stress

The skin acts as both physical as well as an immunological barrier against hazardous agents from the outside environment and protects the internal organs against damage. Skin ageing is a dynamic process caused by the influence of various external factors, including damage from ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation, which is known as photo-ageing, and due to internal chronological mechanisms. A normal ageing process requires several orchestrated defense mechanisms to diverse types of stress responses, the concomitant renewal of cellular characteristics, and the homeostasis of different cell types that directly or indirectly protect the integrity of skin. Cumulative oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses and their adverse impact on biological systems in the skin are a common mechanism of the ageing process, negatively impacting DNA by causing mutations that lead to many physiological, functional, and aesthetic changes in the skin, culminating in the development of many diseases, including photo-damage and photo-carcinogenesis. Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet-(B) elicits the activation of signal transduction pathways, including DNA damage response, autophagy, and checkpoint signal adaptations associated with clearing radiation-induced DNA damage. Recent experimental reports suggest that autophagy is involved in maintaining skin homeostasis upon encountering different stresses, notably genotoxic stress. It has also been revealed that autophagy positively regulates the recognition of DNA damage by nucleotide excision repair and that skin ageing is associated with defects in the autophagy process. Moreover, autophagy is constitutively active in the skin epithelium, imparting protection to skin cells against a diverse range of outside insults, thus increasing resistance to environmental stressors. It has also been found that the stress-induced suppression of the autophagy response in experimental settings leads to enhanced apoptosis during photo-ageing upon UV-B exposure and that the maintenance of homeostasis depends on cellular autophagy levels. More recent reports in this domain claim that relieving the oxidative-stress-mediated induction of the ER stress response upon UV-B irradiation protects skin cells from photo-damage effects. The integration of autophagy and the DNA damage response under genotoxic stress is being considered as a meaningful partnership for finding novel molecular targets and devising suitable therapeutic strategies against photo-ageing disorders. Here, we summarize and review the current understanding of the mechanisms governing the intricate interplay between autophagy and the DNA damage response and its regulation by UV-B, the roles of autophagy in regulating the cellular response to UV-B-induced photodamage, and the implications of the modulation of autophagy as a meaningful partnership in the treatment and prevention of photoaging disorders.
Identification and characterization of the fungus Dothiorella sarmentorum on necrotic shoots of declining ash in Slovakia

Abstract Formerly, before the current Hymenoscyphus fraxineus epidemic, symptomatic ash twigs were habitually colonized by fungi occurring occasionally in the early stages of ash diseases. Some of these fungi are endophytes or facultative parasites. The segments of diseased shoots of the studied trees were collected from a seed orchard situated in southwest Slovakia. The frequently isolated fungus Dothiorella sarmentorum was identified microscopically and characterized with the aid of morphological keys. The disease symptoms comprise wood cankers, bud necrosis, and shoot and branch dieback displayed through bleached, necrotic or discoloured canes in infected trees. Despite the Dothiorella species has not yet been recognized to have significant economic consequences, the cumulative effects of various stressful biotic and abiotic factors may induce disorder and decline of ash trees in Slovakia.
Investigation of Health Socialization Status in Iran: A Qualitative Study in 2020

Background: There are significant differences in the health status of different social groups, despite governments' commitment to improving health indicators, which can be avoided by intervening appropriately. In this regard, it can be mentioned that the formation of the social deputy in the Ministry of Health of Iran in 2016, which was dissolved in 1998, and the socialization of health were ignored. Due to the ambiguity in the new process of socialization of health, this study aimed to investigate the status of health socialization in the current structure of the country. Method: The present study as a qualitative study carried out through documentation analysis and two in-depth semi-structured interviews with social deputies of two medical universities of Iran. Data were analyzed using the contractual content analysis method. Two in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with the social deputies of the universities of Tehran and Ilam, who were selected using convenience sampling to complete the findings. Result: According to the results of content analysis and 23 extracted codes, the socialization of health in Iran is debatable in two main areas, namely strategies and pillars of socializing health which consisted of three and five sub-themes, respectively. At present, the structure and pillars of socializing health and coordination among these pillars are vague and uncertain due to the distribution of responsibilities of the social deputy in other departments of the Ministry of Health and universities. Conclusion: For achieving equity in the socialization of health goals, it is better to clarify the socialization of health stewardship, strategies, and policies in the whole country concerning social issues and dimensions of the health system.
Effect of aluminium phosphide (ALP) gas inhalation exposure on adipose tissue characteristics and histological toxicity in male rats

ABSTRACT Considering the increasing incidence of fatal aluminium phosphide (ALP) poisoning and its toxicological aspects and also the paucity of our knowledge concerning the ALP effect on adipose tissue and adipokines, the present study aimed to assess the effect of acute and sub-chronic ALP inhalation exposure on adipose tissue characteristics and histological alterations in rats. This experimental study was performed on 40 male Wistar rats weighing 150–200 g. They were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) including inhalation exposure groups to 5.67 mg/m3 (2.4 ppm) ALP for 6 h, one week and four weeks, respectively, and a control group. At the beginning and end of the study, body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) of animals were determined. Then, the animals were anaesthetized. The specimens of perirenal and visceral (perigonadal) adipose tissues by the routine histological process for haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were determined. The results showed that the histopathological alteration of adipose tissue was significantly different between the study groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the numbers of adipocytes in perirenal area were dramatically increased in 6 h ALP exposure(p < 0.001). In agreement with the cell number changes, cell size in the perirenal area in the 6h-ALP group was markedly lower than control group (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, there was no statistically difference in the cell number of adipocytes in gonadal area between control and 6h-ALP groups(p = 0.071). Final FBS increased significantly in 6-h and 4 weeks compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased significantly in 4 weeks and 6h-ALP exposure in comparison with the control group (p < 0.0001) also, LDL and HDL levels in 6 h and 4 weeks’ ALP exposure and in 4 weeks ALP exposure had a significant decrease compared with the control group, respectively (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001). ALP poisoning had a significant association with alterations in physiological and histological parameters.
Population Genetic Structure of the Blood Clam, Tegillarca granosa, Along the Pacific Coast of Asia: Isolation by Distance in the Sea

ABSTRACT The blood clam, Tegillarca granosa, is widely distributed along the coasts of the Indo-Pacific region, providing an excellent opportunity to study gene flow in sessile marine mollusks. In the present study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) DNA markers were used to analyze the genetic structure of five blood clam populations. Genetic differentiation (Gst) and Nei's genetic distances between population pairs were found to range from 0.0245 to 0.0785 and 0.0398 to 0.1125, respectively. An AMOVA analysis showed that 89.09% of the genetic variation occurred within populations and only 10.92% occurred among populations, indicating a high degree of genetic homogeneity, probably due to considerable gene flow (average Nm = 7.1853) among populations. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pair group method average (UPGMA) showed that geographically closer populations were clustered, suggesting isolation by distance, which was further supported by a significant positive correlation between Gst and logit transformed geographic distance through a Mantel test and reduced major axis regression (r = 0.77, p < 0.05). The evident isolation by distance observed among blood clam populations along the Pacific coast of Asia is likely to be a consequence of both the passive larval dispersal carried by the South China Sea Warm Current and the genetic homogeneity caused by aquaculture-associated human activities.
Clonal Variation in Acorn Production and its Effect on the Effective Population Size in a Quercus acutissima Seed Orchard

Abstract Acorn production was surveyed for eight consecutive years (2000-2007) in a 94-clone Sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) seed orchard established in 1992. Acorn production commenced in 2000 and peaked in 2005 and was characterized by a 3-4 years interval. Sixty out of the orchard’s 94 clones were consistent producers across the study period. Acorn production’s Pearson productmoment and Spearman rank correlation coefficients were significant and consistently positive over the eight years study period. Parental cumulative reproductive output, represented by parental balance curves, slightly varied among mast years and showed steady improvement (less distortion) over years. Effective population size (Np) was high in moderate and good acorn production years; however, departure from clonal equal contribution was observed throughout the study period. Parental effective population size was estimated under various scenarios of male fecundity (pollen production is: 1) proportional to clone size, 2) equal to female contribution, and 3) equal across all clones) resulted in high Np and low group co-ancestry under equal male fecundity scenario while moderate Np size and group co-ancestry were observed when male fecundity was assumed to be proportional to clone size (i.e., ramet number).