Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wireless Communications through a Simplified Architecture Based on Time‐Domain Digital Coding Metasurface

Tailoring the electromagnetic responses by metasurface greatly expands one's capabilities to manipulate light in a controlled manner. Either amplitude or phase of the incident wave can be altered during the light–matter interaction, and thus opens the possibility of information modulation without conventional analog or digital circuits. A prototype of quadrature phase‐shift keying (QPSK) wireless communication based on time‐domain digital coding metasurface, whose reflection properties can be varied within different time slots by changing the biasing voltages of varactor diodes in specially designed meta‐atoms, is developed here. As the information is transformed into binary bit streams and mapped to pulse sequences of the biasing voltage, the baseband digital signal is directly modulated to the carrier wave through the digital coding metasurface. Compared to the earlier version of binary frequency‐shift keying architecture based on digital coding metasurface, the proposed QPSK system has a much higher data‐transmission rate for wireless communications. A proof‐of‐concept experiment is conducted to prove the real‐time transmission ability of this system, where a video is delivered between the transmitter and receiver with high accuracy and date rate. The presented work is promising in the development of next‐generation wireless communication technologies.
Cotton Leaf Curl Virus: Ionic Status of Leaves and Symptom Development

In the present study, the relationship between the nutritional status of leaves and the development of symptoms of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars (i.e. CIM-240 and S-12) was investigated. The incidence of disease attack was found to be 100% in the S-12 cultivar and 16% in the CIM-240 cultivar. Geminivirus particles in infected leaves were confirmed by transmission electron microscope examination of highly specific geminivirus coat protein antisera-treated cell sap. The CLCuV impaired the accumulation of different nutrients in both cultivars. A marked decrease in the accumulation of Ca2+ and K+ was observed in infected leaves. However, the disease had no effect on leaf concentrations of Na+, N, and P. It was observed that the curling of leaf margins in CLCuV-infected plants was associated with the leaf Ca2+ content; leaf curling was severe in plants with a significant reduction in Ca2+ content. Moreover, leaf K+ content was found to be associated with resistance/susceptibility to CLCuV infection. (Managing editor: Ping He)
The Genus Clusia L.: Molecular Evidence for Independent Evolution of Photosynthetic Flexibility

Members of the Clusiaceae genus Clusia (tropical trees and shrubs) belong to the small group of dicotyledonous trees which are able to perform crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Most of the species are able to switch between C 3 and CAM modes of photosynthesis and only a few are restricted to either C 3 or CAM. In order to discover possible phylogenetic re- lationships with regard to the mode of photosynthesis, we in- vestigated 17 species of the genus Clusia, and one species each of the Clusiaceae genera Oedematopus and Hypericum on the basis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences between the 1 8S and 26S coding regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Little length variation was detected in the ITS region of Clusia species. ITS1 sequences ranged from 255 to 260 bp and ITS2 sequences from 208 to 210 bp. Neighbour-joining and par simony analyses of these sequences resulted in considerable differences in clus- ter formation when compared to a classification based on mor- phological characteristics. The molecular data also give no indi- cation of a group-specific evolution of modes of photosynthesis, i.e., C 3 and CAM. We thus conclude that CAM has evolved inde- pendently several times within the genus Clusia.
Protéomique et auto-anticorps

Au cours d’une meme maladie auto-immune, la reponse B auto-immunitaire est diverse. Cette diversite n’est probablement pas presente a l’origine du processus auto-immun, mais semble plutot survenir durant l’evolution de la maladie. Elle est une consequence d’un processus d’extension epitopique au cours duquel l’immunite se developpe sequentiellement d’un determinant antigenique B a un autre. En outre, les anticorps specifiques d’un antigene donne peuvent reagir avec des structures moleculaires apparemment dissemblables, portant (reactivite croisee) ou ne portant pas (polyspecificite) un motif antigenique commun. Ces phenomenes participent a la constitution du repertoire des auto-anticorps au cours des maladies auto-immunes. Ils jouent un role important dans l’initiation et le maintien des reponses auto-immunes, ainsi que dans la pathogenie des maladies. Ils contribuent aussi a etablir un profil de reponse auto-anticorps caracteristique d’une meme maladie auto-immune ou d’un sous-groupe de maladie. Differentes strategies methodologiques ont ete recemment mises en oeuvre pour explorer le repertoire des auto-anticorps et proposer des approches diagnostiques fondees sur l’analyse non plus d’un seul couple auto-antigene/auto-anticorps, mais sur des profils de modification du repertoire.
MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED BARLEY AND WHEAT LINES

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is an efficient modern method for transferring alleles or specific chromosome segments including important agronomic traits into elite cultivars. This approach makes genotypic selection possible, whereby the selection process is more effective. The Research Institute of Plant Production Piesťany uses genetic markers linked to important traits in the following pre-breeding programmes: 1. development of winter barley lines resistant to BaYMV/BaMMV, 2. development of spring barley lines resistant to BYDV, 3. development of winter wheat lines resistant to leaf rust (gene pyramiding), 4. improvement of wheat quality by new combination(s) of known HMW-GS and/or by introduction of novel HMW-GS alleles. Several hundreds of genotypes are usually analysed for the presence or absence of linked molecular markers and selected for use in breeding programmes.
Mycoparasitism of Trichoderma spp. in biocontrol of fusarial wilt of tomato

Wilt of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum is one of the most serious diseases posing a threat to its cultivation. As such a thorough search was made to evaluate the mycoparasitic potentiality of three species of Trichoderma, T. harzianum, T. viride and T. hamatum towards minimising the effect of the pathogen on ravages of the crop. All the experimental species of Trichoderma were able to produce lytic enzymes, β-1,3 glucanase and chitinase efficiently but their activity could be hastened up in the presence of cell wall material of the pathogen where T. harzianum was recorded to be the best in rank. Lysis of mycelium of the pathogen was achieved by treatment with metabolic filtrate of the antagonistic fungi. SEM micrographs correspondingly showed lysis of pathogenic mycelium due to overgrowth and penetration through hyphal pegs and coiling produced by T. harzianum. Application of the antagonistic fungi in the field showed their ability to reduce the incidence of the wilt disease to a reasonable extent where the performance of T. harzianum happened to be superior over the others.
Assessment of avian osteoporosis by a quantitative radiographic method.

Summary The aim of this study was to develop a quantitative radiographic method for assessment of experimental osteoporosis in Leghorn breed laying hens. Three groups of 24 Leghorn pullets were reared in cage and fed a ration containing different calcium levels, including 3.55, 2.075 and 0.6 percent (for groups 1-3, respectively). The hens were fed this diet from 17 weeks of age to the end of the experiment. At 20, 28 and 36 weeks of age, 8 hens from each group were selected randomly. Radiographs were obtained from the tibiotarsus and the humerus of each hen. Radiographs were digitized using a camera and assessed by “Image J” software. Bone radiopacities and bone cortex/diameter (C/D) ratios were measured. The hens were sacrificed and the bone ash and calcium contents were measured. Bone densities of the birds in different groups were significantly different at just 36 weeks of age; they were greater in the tibiotarsus bone of the control group than in the tibiotarsus bone of median (P=0.02) and with the low calcium (P=0.007) groups. Humerus densities were also greater in control group compared with that of median (P=0.04) and with low calcium (P=0.0004) diet group. Cortex/diameter index of the tibiotarsus bone was different in all three stages between control and the two other groups, while there were no significant differences between the humeri C/D indices and the three groups in the first stage. Humeri C/D indices of the second and third stages had significant differences between control and the two other groups (P≤0.05). This study showed that radiographic evaluation of bone density is valuable just in progressed osteoporosis, while C/D index can be used for diagnosis of osteoprotic bones in earlier stages.
Pathogenicity of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Hymenoscyphus albidus towards Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica

Summary The ash dieback pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus proved to be pathogenic in a stem wound inoculation experiment on Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica. In contrast, Hymenoscyphus albidus was proven non-pathogenic for this host species.
Synthesis of microbial protein in the rumen. III.The effect of dietary protein

Protein production in the rumen of sheep fed on a virtually protein-free diet supplemented with urea and higher volatile fatty acids (VFA) and yielding 600 g digestible organic matter per day amounted to 90 g/day. When gelatin was substituted for the higher VFA and 50% of the urea nitrogen, microbial protein production remained at a similar level (91 g/day); with casein, production increased to 101 g/day, and with zein to 104 g/day. Nitrogen balances increased from 4.1 g/day in sheep fed on the casein diet to 5.5 g/day in those fed on the zein diet (P < 0.05). These values were both significantly higher than those for the urea/VFA or gelatin-containing diets, reflecting the different levels of microbial protein production on the respective diets. In addition, 44 g un-degraded zein left the rumen daily, accounting for the increase in nitrogen balance on this diet above that on the casein diet. Negligible amounts of nitrogen were recycled on the urea/VFA, gelatin, and casein treatments, but at least 7.5 g recycled nitrogen was utilized in the rumen daily on the zein diet. This is equivalent to 47 g protein, sufficient in itself to satisfy the maintenance requirement of the sheep for protein. The yields of protein from ruminal fermentation on the three protein treatments suggest that the maximum possible yield may exceed 20 g/100 g organic matter digested in the rumen.
A comparative study of epiphytic algal communities on two common genera of sea‐grasses in eastern Australia

Fifty-seven epiphytic species were found to occur on the two sea-grass hosts Zostera and Posidonia in Botany Bay and Jervis Bay, N.S. W. Among the algal epiphytes on Posidonia australis several indicator species were identified and it was found that their relative frequency of occurrence can be used to differentiate sites within the two bays. These indicator species can be used also to classify a collection from an unknown site within the region, and their relative occurrences may provide a useful index for early detection of changes in the bay environments.
Formation of the B9-domain protein complex MKS1–B9D2–B9D1 is essential as a diffusion barrier for ciliary membrane proteins

Cilia are plasma membrane protrusions that act as cellular antennae and propellers in eukaryotes. To achieve their sensory and motile functions, cilia maintain protein and lipid compositions that are distinct from those of the cell body. The transition zone (TZ) is a specialized region located at the ciliary base, which functions as a barrier separating the interior and exterior of cilia. The TZ comprises a number of transmembrane and soluble proteins. Meckel syndrome (MKS)1, B9 domain (B9D)1/MKS9, and B9D2/MKS10 are soluble TZ proteins that are encoded by causative genes of MKS and have a B9D in common. We here demonstrate the interaction mode of these B9D proteins to be MKS1–B9D2–B9D1 and demonstrate their interdependent localization to the TZ. Phenotypic analyses of MKS1-knockout (KO) and B9D2-KO cells show that the B9D proteins are involved in, although not essential for, normal cilia biogenesis. Rescue experiments of these KO cells show that formation of the B9D protein complex is crucial for creating a diffusion barrier for ciliary membrane proteins.
Social, economic and cultural influences on adolescent nutrition and physical activity in Jimma, Ethiopia: perspectives from adolescents and their caregivers.

OBJECTIVE To explore influences on adolescent diet and physical activity, from the perspectives of adolescents and their caregivers, in Jimma, Ethiopia. DESIGN Qualitative design, using focus group discussions (FGD). SETTING A low-income setting in Jimma, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS Five FGD with adolescents aged 10-12 years and 15-17 years (n 41) and three FGD with parents (n 22) were conducted. RESULTS Adolescents displayed a holistic understanding of health comprising physical, social and psychological well-being. Social and cultural factors were perceived to be the main drivers of adolescent diet and physical activity. All participants indicated that caregivers dictated adolescents' diet, as families shared food from the same plate. Meals were primarily determined by caregivers, whose choices were driven by food affordability and accessibility. Older adolescents, particularly boys, had opportunities to make independent food choices outside of the home which were driven by taste and appearance, rather than nutritional value. Many felt that adolescent physical activity was heavily influenced by gender. Girls' activities included domestic work and family responsibilities, whereas boys had more free time to participate in outdoor games. Girls' safety was reported to be a concern to caregivers, who were fearful of permitting their daughters to share overcrowded outdoor spaces with strangers. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents and caregivers spoke a range of social, economic and cultural influences on adolescent diet and physical activity. Adolescents, parents and the wider community need to be involved in the development and delivery of effective interventions that will take into consideration these social, economic and cultural factors.
Biology of Glioblastoma Multiforme—Exploration of Mitotic Catastrophe as a Potential Treatment Modality

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents approximately 60% of all brain tumors in adults. This malignancy shows a high biological and genetic heterogeneity associated with exceptional aggressiveness, leading to a poor survival of patients. This review provides a summary of the basic biology of GBM cells with emphasis on cell cycle and cytoskeletal apparatus of these cells, in particular microtubules. Their involvement in the important oncosuppressive process called mitotic catastrophe will next be discussed along with select examples of microtubule-targeting agents, which are currently explored in this respect such as benzimidazole carbamate compounds. Select microtubule-targeting agents, in particular benzimidazole carbamates, induce G2/M cell cycle arrest and mitotic catastrophe in tumor cells including GBM, resulting in phenotypically variable cell fates such as mitotic death or mitotic slippage with subsequent cell demise or permanent arrest leading to senescence. Their effect is coupled with low toxicity in normal cells and not developed chemoresistance. Given the lack of efficient cytostatics or modern molecular target-specific compounds in the treatment of GBM, drugs inducing mitotic catastrophe might offer a new, efficient alternative to the existing clinical management of this at present incurable malignancy.
New Entities in Physcia aipolia—P. caesia Group (Physciaceae, Ascomycetes): An Analysis Based on mtSSU, ITS, Group I Intron and Betatubulin Sequences

We have revisited the phylogenetic evaluation of the Physcia aipolia—P. caesia lichen group (sect. Caesiae; Physciaceae, Lecanorales) in order to investigate whether new sequence data and extensive sampling can help us to understand the phylogenetic relationships in that group. We combined partial mtSSU DNA data with two previously used nuclear gene regions (betatubulin, ITS) and a group I intron. We also compared the resulting phylogenies with chemical and morphological characters. Altogether 52 specimens of the P. aipolia—P. caesia group were analysed. Direct optimization of the molecular data revealed several well-supported groups. Our results essentially agreed with those of the earlier studies, and we were able to confirm the independent taxonomic status of some controversial morphotaxa. We also discovered at least two distinct clades that potentially represent species new to science. A new nomenclatural combination, Physcia alnophila (Vain.) Loht. , Moberg, Myllys & Tehler, is proposed.
Breast Cancer Population Attributable Risk Proportions Associated with Body Mass Index and Breast Density by Race/Ethnicity and Menopausal Status

Background: Overweight/obesity and dense breasts are strong breast cancer risk factors whose prevalences vary by race/ethnicity. The breast cancer population attributable risk proportions (PARP) explained by these factors across racial/ethnic groups are unknown. Methods: We analyzed data collected from 3,786,802 mammography examinations (1,071,653 women) in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, associated with 21,253 invasive breast cancers during a median of 5.2 years follow-up. HRs for body mass index (BMI) and breast density, adjusted for age and registry were estimated using separate Cox regression models by race/ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian) and menopausal status. HRs were combined with observed risk-factor proportions to calculate PARPs for shifting overweight/obese to normal BMI and shifting heterogeneously/extremely dense to scattered fibroglandular densities. Results: The prevalences and HRs for overweight/obesity and heterogeneously/extremely dense breasts varied across races/ethnicities and menopausal status. BMI PARPs were larger for postmenopausal versus premenopausal women (12.0%–28.3% vs. 1.0%–9.9%) and nearly double among postmenopausal Black women (28.3%) than other races/ethnicities (12.0%–15.4%). Breast density PARPs were larger for premenopausal versus postmenopausal women (23.9%–35.0% vs. 13.0%–16.7%) and lower among premenopausal Black women (23.9%) than other races/ethnicities (30.4%–35.0%). Postmenopausal density PARPs were similar across races/ethnicities (13.0%–16.7%). Conclusions: Overweight/obesity and dense breasts account for large proportions of breast cancers in White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian women despite large differences in risk-factor distributions. Impact: Risk prediction models should consider how race/ethnicity interacts with BMI and breast density. Efforts to reduce BMI could have a large impact on breast cancer risk reduction, particularly among postmenopausal Black women.
Tibial Metaphysical Injection with Bone Marrow Concentrate to Treat Knee Arthritis

Study Design: This is a prospective non-randomized study of the one-year follow-up results of injecting bone marrow concentrate (BMC) into the knee joint and medial tibial metaphysis of patients with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (OA). This is a Class-2 consecutive cohort study. Methods: There were 23 patients in the BMC study. The 30-minute procedure involved aspirating 55ml of bone marrow from the iliac wing, concentrating this via centrifugation to a volume of 12ml and then injecting 6ml into the medial tibial metaphysis and 6ml into the medial knee joint compartment. All the patients had a pre-treatment standing radiograph and MRI. Clinical outcome was measured with a VAS and lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The average VAS improved 59% (p<0.001) and LEFS 47% (p<0.001). There were no injection complications and no patients were made worse. No patient had knee surgery during the study. Radiographs did not improve in any patient. MRI scans showed resolution of the medial tibial metaphyseal bone inflammation in 10/12 patients. Conclusions: These results indicate a BMC knee injection has safety and efficacy and may be a reasonable non-surgical option for patients with moderate to severe knee OA.
Targeting Epigenetic Modifications in Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM), the most common intraocular malignancy in adults, is a rare subset of melanoma. Despite effective primary therapy, around 50% of patients will develop the metastatic disease. Several clinical trials have been evaluated for patients with advanced UM, though outcomes remain dismal due to the lack of efficient therapies. Epigenetic dysregulation consisting of aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small non-coding RNA expression, silencing tumor suppressor genes, or activating oncogenes, have been shown to play a significant role in UM initiation and progression. Given that there is no evidence any approach improves results so far, adopting combination therapies, incorporating a new generation of epigenetic drugs targeting these alterations, may pave the way for novel promising therapeutic options. Furthermore, the fusion of effector enzymes with nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9) in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) associated protein 9 (Cas9) system equips a potent tool for locus-specific erasure or establishment of DNA methylation as well as histone modifications and, therefore, transcriptional regulation of specific genes. Both, CRISPR-dCas9 potential for driver epigenetic alterations discovery, and possibilities for their targeting in UM are highlighted in this review.
Neural Stem Cell Niche and Adult Neurogenesis

Adult neurogenesis is a process that generates new and functional neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs) in a specialized neurogenic niche throughout life. Misregulated neurogenesis is detrimental to normal brain functions. To ensure proper neurogenesis, the niche cells must respond to extrinsic cues while fulfilling the intrinsic requirements of the neurogenic program and adapting their roles accordingly to influence NSC behavior. Understanding how the neurogenic niche executes its functions may guide strategies to maintain its integrative process and provide a permissive milieu for neurogenesis. In this review, we summarize the recent discoveries of interactive regulation of NSCs and neurogenesis by neurogenic niche and its implications in functional integrity of adult brain and neurological disorders.
Radiomics and Deep Learning from Research to Clinical Workflow: Neuro-Oncologic Imaging

Imaging plays a key role in the management of brain tumors, including the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response assessment. Radiomics and deep learning approaches, along with various advanced physiologic imaging parameters, hold great potential for aiding radiological assessments in neuro-oncology. The ongoing development of new technology needs to be validated in clinical trials and incorporated into the clinical workflow. However, none of the potential neuro-oncological applications for radiomics and deep learning has yet been realized in clinical practice. In this review, we summarize the current applications of radiomics and deep learning in neuro-oncology and discuss challenges in relation to evidence-based medicine and reporting guidelines, as well as potential applications in clinical workflows and routine clinical practice.