Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumer Acceptance of Gene-Edited versus Genetically Modified Foods in Korea

Food made with gene-editing has received considerable attention in recent years because it is claimed to be a little different from traditional genetically modified breeding methods concerning safety. However, consumer acceptance of these novel foods and their potential market uptake remains to be answered. This study aims to assess differences in the acceptance of gene-edited and genetically modified foods in Korea. The choice-based conjoint analysis is adopted to estimate part-worth functions for the soybean oil attributes with 200 surveyed samples. The estimated part-worth values reveal how much each attribute affects consumers’ decision-making. Estimated results suggest that consumers tend to accept gene-editing more than genetically modified foods. The acceptance of novel technology is shown to correspond closely to the degree of consumers’ scientific knowledge, highlighting the importance of revealing relevant information regarding the technology. Results also show that country of origin is a significant food-specific attitudinal factor in shaping consumer preferences.
Hemi- and Homozygous Loss-of-Function Mutations in DSG2 (Desmoglein-2) Cause Recessive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with an Early Onset

About 50% of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in the desmosomal genes. However, there is a significant number of patients without positive familial anamnesis. Therefore, the molecular reasons for ACM in these patients are frequently unknown and a genetic contribution might be underestimated. Here, we used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach and in addition single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP) arrays for the genetic analysis of two independent index patients without familial medical history. Of note, this genetic strategy revealed a homozygous splice site mutation (DSG2–c.378+1G>T) in the first patient and a nonsense mutation (DSG2–p.L772X) in combination with a large deletion in DSG2 in the second one. In conclusion, a recessive inheritance pattern is likely for both cases, which might contribute to the hidden medical history in both families. This is the first report about these novel loss-of-function mutations in DSG2 that have not been previously identi-fied. Therefore, we suggest performing deep genetic analyses using NGS in combination with SNP arrays also for ACM index patients without obvious familial medical history. In the future, this finding might has relevance for the genetic counseling of similar cases.
Myc-Related Mitochondrial Activity as a Novel Target for Multiple Myeloma

Simple Summary Multiple myeloma represents the cancer with the 21st highest global incidence. The rapid acquisition of drug resistance to proteasome inhibitors requires a deep knowledge on the mechanisms involved in proliferation in order to provide novel targets for the disease. The aim of our study was to characterize the mitochondrial activity in primary multiple myeloma (MM) cells along the course of the disease and to provide a therapeutic alternative to inhibit Myc function by blocking OXPHOS metabolism. We confirmed MM patients show enhanced mitochondrial activity linked to c-Myc expression. The use of tigecycline provides evidence for a novel strategy addressing c-Myc functionality by mitochondrial activity inhibition. Abstract Mitochondria are involved in the development and acquisition of a malignant phenotype in hematological cancers. Recently, their role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM) has been suggested to be therapeutically explored. MYC is a master regulator of b-cell malignancies such as multiple myeloma, and its activation is known to deregulate mitochondrial function. We investigated the impact of mitochondrial activity on the distinct entities of the disease and tested the efficacy of the mitochondrial inhibitor, tigecycline, to overcome MM proliferation. COXII expression, COX activity, mitochondrial mass, and mitochondrial membrane potential demonstrated a progressive increase of mitochondrial features as the disease progresses. In vitro and in vivo therapeutic targeting using the mitochondrial inhibitor tigecycline showed promising efficacy and cytotoxicity in monotherapy and combination with the MM frontline treatment bortezomib. Overall, our findings demonstrate how mitochondrial activity emerges in MM transformation and disease progression and the efficacy of therapies targeting these novel vulnerabilities.
Creation of Ionically Crosslinked Tri-Layered Chitosan Membranes to Simulate Different Human Skin Properties

In 2023, new legislation will ban the use of animals in the cosmetic industry worldwide. This fact, together with ethical considerations concerning the use of animals or humans in scientific research, highlights the need to propose new alternatives for replacing their use. The aim of this study is to create a tri-layered chitosan membrane ionically crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) in order to simulate the number of layers in human skin. The current article highlights the creation of a membrane where pores were induced by a novel method. Swelling index, pore creation, and mechanical property measurements revealed that the swelling index of chitosan membranes decreased and, their pore formation and elasticity increased with an increase in the Deacetylation Grade (DDA). Additionally, the results demonstrate that chitosan’s origin can influence the elastic modulus value and reproducibility, with higher values being obtained with seashell than snow crab or shrimp shells. Furthermore, the data show that the addition of each layer, until reaching three layers, increases the elastic modulus. Moreover, if layers are crosslinked, the elastic modulus increases to a much greater extent. The characterization of three kinds of chitosan membranes was performed to find the most suitable material for studying different human skin properties.
Autonomous Mission of Multi-UAV for Optimal Area Coverage

This study proposes an entire hardware and software architecture from operator input to motor command for the autonomous area coverage mission using multiple unmanned aerial vehicles. Despite the rapid growth of commercial drone services, there are many limitations on operations, such as a low decision-making autonomy and the need for experienced operators to intervene in the whole process. For performing the area coverage mission more efficiently and autonomously, this study newly designs an optimization problem that allocates waypoints created to cover that area to unmanned aerial vehicles. With an optimized list of waypoints, unmanned aerial vehicles can fill the given areas with their footprints in a minimal amount of time and do not overlap each other during the mission. In addition, this study performs both various simulations for quantitative analysis and an outdoor experiment through real hardware implementation in order to verify the performance sufficiently. The methodologies developed in this study could be applied to endless applications using unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with mission-specific sensors.
Flecainide How and When: A Practical Guide in Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Transcatheter ablation was increasingly and successfully used to treat symptomatic drug refractory patients affected by supraventricular arrhythmias. Antiarrhythmic drug treatment still plays a major role in patient management, alone or combined with non-pharmacological therapies. Flecainide is an IC antiarrhythmic drug approved in 1984 from the Food and Drug Administration for the suppression of sustained ventricular tachycardia and later for acute cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and for sinus rhythm maintenance. Currently, flecainide is mostly used for sinus rhythm maintenance in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients without structural cardiomyopathy although recent studies enrolling different patient populations have demonstrated a good effectiveness and safety profile. How should we interpret the results of the CAST after the latest evidence? Is it possible to expand the indications of flecainide, and therefore, its use? This review aims to highlight the main characteristics of flecainide, as well as its optimal clinical use, delineating drug indications and contraindications and appropriate monitoring, based on the most recent evidence.
Active Mapping and Robot Exploration: A Survey

Simultaneous localization and mapping responds to the problem of building a map of the environment without any prior information and based on the data obtained from one or more sensors. In most situations, the robot is driven by a human operator, but some systems are capable of navigating autonomously while mapping, which is called native simultaneous localization and mapping. This strategy focuses on actively calculating the trajectories to explore the environment while building a map with a minimum error. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the research work developed in this field is provided, targeting the most relevant contributions in indoor mobile robotics.
Surface EMG-Based Instantaneous Hand Gesture Recognition Using Convolutional Neural Network with the Transfer Learning Method

In recent years, surface electromyography (sEMG)-based human–computer interaction has been developed to improve the quality of life for people. Gesture recognition based on the instantaneous values of sEMG has the advantages of accurate prediction and low latency. However, the low generalization ability of the hand gesture recognition method limits its application to new subjects and new hand gestures, and brings a heavy training burden. For this reason, based on a convolutional neural network, a transfer learning (TL) strategy for instantaneous gesture recognition is proposed to improve the generalization performance of the target network. CapgMyo and NinaPro DB1 are used to evaluate the validity of our proposed strategy. Compared with the non-transfer learning (non-TL) strategy, our proposed strategy improves the average accuracy of new subject and new gesture recognition by 18.7% and 8.74%, respectively, when up to three repeated gestures are employed. The TL strategy reduces the training time by a factor of three. Experiments verify the transferability of spatial features and the validity of the proposed strategy in improving the recognition accuracy of new subjects and new gestures, and reducing the training burden. The proposed TL strategy provides an effective way of improving the generalization ability of the gesture recognition system.
Traumatic Stress, Chronic Ethanol Exposure, or the Combination, Alter Cannabinoid System Components in Reward and Limbic Regions of the Mouse Brain

The cannabinoid system is independently affected by stress and chronic ethanol exposure. However, the extent to which co-occurrence of traumatic stress and chronic ethanol exposure modulates the cannabinoid system remains unclear. We examined levels of cannabinoid system components, anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, fatty acid amide hydrolase, and monoacylglycerol lipase after mouse single-prolonged stress (mSPS) or non-mSPS (Control) exposure, with chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor or without CIE vapor (Air) across several brain regions using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry or immunoblotting. Compared to mSPS-Air mice, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol levels in the anterior striatum were increased in mSPS-CIE mice. In the dorsal hippocampus, anandamide content was increased in Control-CIE mice compared to Control-Air, mSPS-Air, or mSPS-CIE mice. Finally, amygdalar anandamide content was increased in Control-CIE mice compared to Control-Air, or mSPS-CIE mice, but the anandamide content was decreased in mSPS-CIE compared to mSPS-Air mice. Based on these data we conclude that the effects of combined traumatic stress and chronic ethanol exposure on the cannabinoid system in reward pathway regions are driven by CIE exposure and that traumatic stress affects the cannabinoid components in limbic regions, warranting future investigation of neurotherapeutic treatment to attenuate these effects.
Arsenic Exposure, Arsenic Metabolism, and Glycemia: Results from a Clinical Population in New York City

Little information is available regarding the glycemic effects of inorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure in urban populations. We evaluated the association of total arsenic and the relative proportions of arsenic metabolites in urine with glycemia as measured by glycated blood hemoglobin (HbA1c) among 45 participants with prediabetes (HbA1c ≥ 5.7–6.4%), 65 with diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%), and 36 controls (HbA1c < 5.7%) recruited from an academic medical center in New York City. Each 10% increase in the proportion of urinary dimethylarsinic acid (DMA%) was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.59 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28–1.26) for prediabetes, 0.46 (0.22–0.94) for diabetes, and 0.51 (0.26–0.99) for prediabetes and diabetes combined. Each 10% increase in the proportion of urinary monomethylarsonic acid (MMA%) was associated with a 1.13% (0.39, 1.88) increase in HbA1c. In contrast, each 10% increase in DMA% was associated with a 0.76% (0.24, 1.29) decrease in HbA1c. There was no evidence of an association of total urinary arsenic with prediabetes, diabetes, or HbA1c. These data suggest that a lower arsenic methylation capacity indicated by higher MMA% and lower DMA% in urine is associated with worse glycemic control and diabetes. Prospective, longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the glycemic effects of low-level iAs exposure in urban populations.
Skin Pigmentation Abnormalities and Their Possible Relationship with Skin Aging

Skin disorders showing abnormal pigmentation are often difficult to manage because of their uncertain etiology or pathogenesis. Abnormal pigmentation is a common symptom accompanying aging skin. The association between skin aging and skin pigmentation abnormalities can be attributed to certain inherited disorders characterized by premature aging and abnormal pigmentation in the skin and some therapeutic modalities effective for both. Several molecular mechanisms, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA mutations, DNA damage, telomere shortening, hormonal changes, and autophagy impairment, have been identified as involved in skin aging. Although each of these skin aging-related mechanisms are interconnected, this review examined the role of each mechanism in skin hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation to propose the possible association between skin aging and pigmentation abnormalities.
Recent Perspectives on Sex Differences in Compulsion-Like and Binge Alcohol Drinking

Alcohol use disorder remains a substantial social, health, and economic problem and problem drinking levels in women have been increasing in recent years. Understanding whether and how the underlying mechanisms that drive drinking vary by sex is critical and could provide novel, more targeted therapeutic treatments. Here, we examine recent results from our laboratories and others which we believe provide useful insights into similarities and differences in alcohol drinking patterns across the sexes. Findings for binge intake and aversion-resistant, compulsion-like alcohol drinking are considered, since both are likely significant contributors to alcohol problems in humans. We also describe studies regarding mechanisms that may underlie sex differences in maladaptive alcohol drinking, with some focus on the importance of nucleus accumbens (NAcb) core and shell regions, several receptor types (dopamine, orexin, AMPA-type glutamate), and possible contributions of sex hormones. Finally, we discuss how stressors such as early life stress and anxiety-like states may interact with sex differences to contribute to alcohol drinking. Together, these findings underscore the importance and critical relevance of studying female and male mechanisms for alcohol and co-morbid conditions to gain a true and clinically useful understanding of addiction and neuropsychiatric mechanisms and treatment.
The Quality of Infrared Rotary Dried Terebinth (Pistacia atlantica L.)-Optimization and Prediction Approach Using Response Surface Methodology

Most agricultural products are harvested with a moisture content that is not suitable for storage. Therefore, the products are subjected to a drying process to prevent spoilage. This study evaluates an infrared rotary dryer (IRRD) with three levels of infrared power (250, 500, and 750 W) and three levels of rotation speed (5, 10, and 15 rpm) to dry terebinth. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to illustrate and optimize the interaction between the independent variables (infrared power and rotation speed) and the response variables (drying time, moisture diffusivity, shrinkage, color change, rehydration rate, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity). As infrared power and rotation speed increased, drying time, rehydration rate, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content decreased, while the other parameters were increased. According to the results, the optimum drying conditions of terebinth were determined in the IRRD at an infrared power of 250 W and drum rotation speed of 5 rpm. The optimum values of the response variables were 49.5 min for drying time, 8.27 × 10−9 m2/s for effective moisture diffusivity, 2.26 for lightness, 21.60 for total color changes, 34.75% for shrinkage, 2.4 for rehydration rate, 124.76 mg GAE/g d.m. for total phenolic content and 81% for antioxidant activity.
Wikstroemiaganpi Extract Improved Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions via Suppression of Interleukin-4 in 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced SKH-1 Hairless Mice

Plants of the genus Wikstroemia are used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The present study was designed to determine whether Wikstroemia ganpi (Siebold and Zucc.) Maxim. offers a potential means of treating 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. Symptoms such as redness, edema, and keratinization in AD mice induced by DNCB were alleviated by the co-application of an ethanolic extract of W. ganpi for 2 weeks. The severity of skin barrier function damage was evaluated by measuring TEWL (transepidermal water loss). TEWLs of DNCB sensitized mouse dorsal skin were reduced by the application of a W. ganpi ethanolic extract, and skin hydration was increased. In addition, the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the dermis was significantly reduced, as were blood levels of IgE and IL-4, which play an important role in the expression of AD. The results of this experiment suggest that W. ganpi is a potential therapeutic agent for AD.
The Impact of Lockdown on Couples’ Sex Lives

Background: the aim of this study was to perform an Italian telematics survey analysis on the changes in couples’ sex lives during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Methods: a multicenter cross sectional study was conducted on people sexually active and in stable relationships for at least 6 months. To evaluate male and female sexual dysfunctions, we used the international index of erectile function (IIEF-15) and the female sexual function index (FSFI), respectively; marital quality and stability were evaluated by the marital adjustment test (items 10–15); to evaluate the severity of anxiety symptoms, we used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The effects of the quarantine on couples’ relationships was assessed with questions created in-house. Results: we included 2149 participants. The sex lives improved for 49% of participants, particularly those in cohabitation; for 29% it deteriorated, while for 22% of participants it did not change. Women who responded that their sex lives deteriorated had no sexual dysfunction, but they had anxiety, tension, fear, and insomnia. Contrarily, men who reported deteriorating sex lives had erectile dysfunctions and orgasmic disorders. In both genders, being unemployed or smart working, or having sons were risk factors for worsening the couples’ sex lives. Conclusion: this study should encourage evaluation of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the sex lives of couples.
Manmade Electromagnetic Fields and Oxidative Stress—Biological Effects and Consequences for Health

Concomitant with the ever-expanding use of electrical appliances and mobile communication systems, public and occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the extremely-low-frequency and radiofrequency range has become a widely debated environmental risk factor for health. Radiofrequency (RF) EMF and extremely-low-frequency (ELF) MF have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially leading to cellular or systemic oxidative stress, was frequently found to be influenced by EMF exposure in animals and cells. In this review, we summarize key experimental findings on oxidative stress related to EMF exposure from animal and cell studies of the last decade. The observations are discussed in the context of molecular mechanisms and functionalities relevant to health such as neurological function, genome stability, immune response, and reproduction. Most animal and many cell studies showed increased oxidative stress caused by RF-EMF and ELF-MF. In order to estimate the risk for human health by manmade exposure, experimental studies in humans and epidemiological studies need to be considered as well.
Aurora Kinase B Inhibition: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer

Aurora kinase B (AURKB) is a mitotic serine/threonine protein kinase that belongs to the aurora kinase family along with aurora kinase A (AURKA) and aurora kinase C (AURKC). AURKB is a member of the chromosomal passenger protein complex and plays a role in cell cycle progression. Deregulation of AURKB is observed in several tumors and its overexpression is frequently linked to tumor cell invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. AURKB has emerged as an attractive drug target leading to the development of small molecule inhibitors. This review summarizes recent findings pertaining to the role of AURKB in tumor development, therapy related drug resistance, and its inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer. We discuss AURKB inhibitors that are in preclinical and clinical development and combination studies of AURKB inhibition with other therapeutic strategies.
UTBB MOSFETs Thermal Coupling Analysis in Technological Node Level

Digital Object Identifier 10.29292/jics.v15i2. 194 Abstract—The main goal of this work is to perform a firsttime analysis of the thermal cross-coupling in a system composed by some devices in an integration node degree composed by advanced UTBB SOI MOSFETs through numerical simulations, validated with experimental data from the literature. In this analysis, it could be observed that devices located on the channel length direction provoke a reduced thermal coupling and devices with their drain region next to each other suffer of an increased thermal coupling due to the lumped thermal energy. It also could be observed a degradation in some electrical parameters and in the thermal properties of a device under the influence of surrounded devices biased.