Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Extracorporeal Photopheresis as an Add-On Therapy for Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Lung Transplant Recipients

Introduction: The diagnosis and treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after lung transplantation has recently gained recognition within the transplant community. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), currently used to treat chronic lung allograft dysfunction, modulates various pathways of the immune system known to be involved in AMR. We hypothesize that adding ECP to established AMR treatments could prevent the rebound of donor-specific antibodies (DSA). Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the role of ECP as an add-on therapy to prevent the rebound of DSA. Methods: Lung transplant recipients who received ECP as an add-on therapy for pulmonary AMR between January 2010 and January 2019 were included in this single-center retrospective analysis. Baseline demographics of the patients, as well as their immunological characteristics and long-term transplant outcomes, were analyzed. Results: A total of 41 patients developed clinical AMR during the study period. Sixteen patients received ECP as an add-on therapy after first-line AMR treatment. Among the 16 patients, 2 (13%) had pretransplant DSA, both against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I (B38, B13, and C06). Fifteen patients (94%) developed de novo DSA (dnDSA), i.e., 10 (63%) against class I and 14 (88%) against class II. The median time to dnDSA after lung transplantation was 361 days (range 25–2,548). According to the most recent International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) consensus report, 2 (13%) patients had definite clinical AMR, 6 (38%) had probable AMR, and 7 (44%) had possible AMR. The median mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of dnDSA at the time of clinical diagnosis was 4,220 (range 1,319–10,552) for anti-HLA class I and 10,953 (range 1,969–27,501) for anti-HLA class II antibodies. ECP was performed for a median of 14 cycles (range 1–64). MFI values of dnDSA against HLA classes I and II were significantly reduced over the treatment period (for anti-class I: 752; range 70–2,066; for anti-class II: 5,612; range 1,689–21,858). The 1-year survival rate was 55%. No adverse events related to ECP were reported in any of the patients. Conclusions: ECP is associated with a reduction of dnDSA in lung transplant recipients affected by AMR. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm the beneficial effects of ECP in the setting of AMR.
Intraordinal relationships of the Pelecaniformes and Cuculiformes: electrophoresis of feather keratins

Electrophoresis of soluble feather keratins was performed in Gradipore gels under two pH conditions. The taxa of two diverse orders, the Pelecaniformes and Cuculiformes, were compared. Dendograms based on identity indices and genetic distances were constructed by the Fitch-Margoliash and unweighed pair-group algorithms (UPGMA). Differences within taxa were influenced by both pH conditions and the algorithm used for analysis. Values of identity indices at each pH were compared within and between taxa. Dendograms for the Pelecaniform consistently group species within genera and placed families within the traditional arrangements. One notable exception was Nannopterum. The Cuculiformes, with many monotypic genera, were more resistant to constant clustering. The problems of relating genetic distance to phylogenies are discussed. The relationship of systematic, ecological and molecular diversity is still unresolved. Genetic distance of feather keratins consistently correlated with other estimates of divergence times. The values indicate the systematic equivalence of taxa within orders.
The effects of soil moisture and planting depth on emergence and seedling morphology of Astrebla lappacea (Lindl.) Domin

The effect of various wet and dry day sequences on emergence of seedlings of Astrebla lappacea (Mitchell grass) from both spikelets and caryopses was studied in a glasshouse experiment. Three wet days were required to obtain maximum emergence while periods of 2-4 dry days delayed emergence but did not affect final emergence, provided moisture was re-supplied. The soil reached a water potential of -6 MPa after 2 dry days, which was sufficient to prevent the germination processes from proceeding. Maximum emergence was reached in 8 days for the caryopses and 10 days for the spikelets, so long as each wet day in the period was separated by no more than 2 dry days. At least 40% of the A. lappacea caryopses sown emerged as seedlings from a sowing depth of 60 mm in a sand medium, and from a sowing depth of 45 mm in a clay medium. The maximum depth from which seedlings emerged was 60 mm in the clay medium, and from 80 mm in the sand medium. Both media were maintained at 90% of field capacity. The emergence from single caryopses in sand was greater and more rapid than from clay. Planting depth significantly affected the length of the subcoleoptile internode of A. lappacea during a glasshouse experiment. All seedlings initiated their secondary roots at the soil surface irrespective of sowing depth. Increasing sowing depth retarded the early development of the secondary root system, but by week five, there were no significant differences between the dry weights of secondary roots from plants sown at different depths.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect phytophagous insect specialism

The majority of phytophagous insects eat very few plant species, yet the ecological and evolutionary forces that have driven such specialism are not entirely understood. The hypothesis that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can determine phytophagous insect specialism, through differential effects on insect growth, was tested using examples from the British flora. In the UK, plant families and species in the family Lamiaceae that are strongly mycorrhizal have higher proportions of specialist insects feeding on them than those that are weakly mycorrhizal. We suggest that AM fungi can affect the composition of insect assemblages on plants and are a hitherto unconsidered factor in the evolution of insect specialism.
Success in Mathematics and Academic Wellbeing in Primary-School Students

The main aim of this study was to analyse possible differences in academic wellbeing on the basis of prior academic achievement in mathematics. We conceptualised wellbeing as a multidimensional construct covering both negative indicators, namely, anxiety and negative feelings, and positive indicators, namely, perceived competence, perceived utility, and mastery motivation. Success in mathematics is expected to be associated with better academic wellbeing. The sample consisted of 897 students from the fifth and sixth years of primary school (50.2% boys and 49.8% girls). Results suggested that success in mathematics is linked to a student’s academic wellbeing, in such a way that perceived competence in the subject, perception of usefulness of mathematical content, and mastery motivation was higher in students with better previous performance. Anxiety and negative feelings were also lower when success in mathematics increased. Considering the particular anxiety–self-efficacy interaction suggested by previous research, we concluded that a good way to change negative academic wellbeing would be to increase successful experiences to foster perceived competence, especially in students with high academic anxiety.
Calcium Ion-induced Structural Changes in Bacteriophage φ X174

Monoclinic P21 crystals of the bacteriophage φX174 have been incubated with calcium ions (Ca2+) and the induced structural conformational changes studied to 3 A resolution with X-ray crystallographic methods. Three different types of Ca2+ binding sites have been located within the asymmetric unit of the virion. Two sets of sites are associated with the F capsid protein. One set of sites associated with the F protein is in a general position near the icosahedral 3-fold axes of the virus, with the main-chain carbonyl oxygen atoms of residues Gly 1321, Asp1421, Met1424 and Ser1426, and the side-chains of Gln1004 and Asp1421 as ligands. The other set of sites associated with the F protein is on the icosahedral 3-fold axes, with the symmetry-related main-chain carbonyl oxygen atoms of Ser1001 and the side-chains of Asn1002 as ligands. The bound Ca2+ induce a conformational change of the amino-terminal residues of the F proteins. A third set of sites, consisting of a pair of Ca2+ on the icosahedral 5-fold axes, are associated with the G spike protein and are concurrently liganded by the symmetry-related carbonyl oxygen side-chains of Asp2117. Concomitant with the binding of Ca2+ to the phage is the rotation of the Asp1209 side-chain of the F protein towards some additional electron density that was not observed in the absence of Ca2+. This density is situated in a shallow depression near the icosahedral 2-fold axes of the virus, and has been tentatively interpreted as a bound glucose molecule that is ordered only in the presence of Ca2+. The putative glucose binding site may be related to the attachment of the virus to cell surface lipopolysaccharides in the initial stages of Esherichia coli infection.
Evaluation of total locomotor activity and oxidative markers daily rhythms in sheep

For our study, five clinically healthy Comisana sheep, housed individually in a soundproof light-tight box, were exposed to artificial photoperiod (12/12 light/dark). Locomotor activity was continuously recorded and blood samples were collected every 3 h over a 24 h period. On blood samples, reactive oxygen metabolites (dRoms), antioxidant barrier (Oxy-ads) and thiol-antioxydant barrier (SHp) were assessed. A one-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of time on all parameters studied. Locomotor activity was mostly diurnal, with acrophase in the middle of the photophase. Oxidative stress markers showed robust daily rhythms with nocturnal acrophase. In sheep, the circadian system maintains the balance between dRoms production and removal. These rhythms are not affected by locomotor activity.
Scope of double haploid production for inbred development in tropical maize

Maize is a predominantly cross-pollinated crop. Maximum exploitation of yield potential can be achieved by harnessing heterosis through hybrid development. Inbred development for the purpose requires a lot of time. However, inherent mechanisms do exist in temperate maize for parthenogenetic development of haploid embryos in the seed parent due to the influence of haploid inducer gene(s) in the pollen. In contrast, the tropical maize neither has such haploid inducer gene(s) for gynogenic haploid induction nor responds better to in vitro androgenesis (anther culture). Introgression of haploid induction to tropical maize can open up avenues for gynogenic haploid production. In addition, the resulting introgressed haploid inducer lines may be amenable for in vitro anther culture for production of haploids and follow-up recovery of double haploids by colchicines treatment.
Leveraging Blockchain for Sustainability and Open Innovation: A Cyber-Resilient Approach toward EU Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) member states identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be fulfilled by 2030. SDGs are an urgent global call for action to provide a blueprint for shared prosperity in a sustainable world. At a European level, in December 2019, the European Green Deal was presented, a roadmap to implement the UN 2030 agenda with a commitment to a growth strategy that will turn environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas. To achieve these SDGs, blockchain is one of the key enabling technologies that can help to create sustainable and secure solutions, since it is able to deliver accountability, transparency, traceability, and cyber-resilience, as well as to provide a higher operational efficiency in global partnerships. This chapter overviews the potential of blockchain to face sustainability challenges by describing several relevant applications. Finally, different open challenges and recommendations are enu-merated with the aim of guiding all the stakeholders committed to the development of cyber-resilient and high-impact sustainable solutions.
Extra-Pair Paternity in Birds: Causes, Correlates, and Conflict

▪ Abstract Extra-pair paternity (EPP) is extremely variable among species of birds, both in its frequency and in the behavioral events that produce it. A flood of field studies and comparative analyses has stimulated an array of novel ideas, but the results are limited in several ways. The prevailing view is that EPP is largely the product of a female strategy. We evaluate what is known about the behavioral events leading to EPP and find the justification for this view to be weak. Conflict theory (derived from selection theory) predicts that adaptations in all the players involved will influence the outcome of mating interactions, producing complex and often highly variable patterns of behavior and levels of EPP. Data support some of these predictions, but alternative hypotheses abound. Tests of predictions from conflict theory will require better information on how males and females encounter one another, behave once they have met, and influence fertilization once insemination has occurred.
Light and electron microscopical observations on the type species of Gymnodinium, G. fuscum (Dinophyceae)

Abstract Gymnodinium fuscum (Ehrenberg) Stein is the type species of Gymnodinium, one of the largest genera of dinoflagellates. It has the typical fine structure of dinoflagellates, but also possesses several unusual features. The nuclear envelope is specialized by having vesicular chambers in which the nuclear pores are located; the pusular complex includes an internal collectjon chamber; and a nuclear fibrous connective links the nucleus with the longitudinal microtubular root of the flagellar apparatus. A delicate horseshoe-shaped apical groove is visible by scanning electron microscopy. The same morphological features have been observed in a few other gymnodinioids, indicating a close phylogenetic relationship, and have recently been used, together with large subunit (LSU) rDNA data, in redefining the genus Gymnodinium [Daugbjerg et al. (2000) Phycologia 39: 302–317]. However, one of the most unusual features of G. fuscum is the absence of a transverse striated flagellar root, a feature presently known only in the zoospores of the otherwise very different genus Noctiluca. This feature, together with the lack of striated collars around the flagellar canals, suggests a phylogenetically more isolated position for G. fuscum. Future investigations may reveal the need for further ‘splitting’ of the genus Gymnodinium.
Noise shaping for direct binary search image halftoning

Abstract. Among image halftoning algorithms, direct binary search (DBS) minimizes the total squared perceived error instead of using heuristic approaches. Therefore, it can generate halftone output with the best quality. The limitation of DBS is that its halftone pattern is controlled by the autocorrelation filter, which corresponds to both the human visual system and the printer model. Because of the low-pass characteristics of the filter, DBS can only generate blue-noise-like halftone pattern and the only variation is the clustered-dot algorithm proposed in 2013. We use the results of theoretical bounds to show that halftone patterns in DBS can be controlled in both frequency and spatial domains through an approach called “noise shaping. ” This approach is achieved through an added term to the filtered error in DBS. We also show that DBS clustered-dot halftoning is a special case of this noise-shaping approach. Experimental results show that both the spatial-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of the generated halftone pattern can be manipulated freely using this approach.
Regulation of beta-cell development

The properties of transcriptional networks in late stage (branching morphogenesis) pancreatic bud precursor cells are inferred from the properties of well-studied networks in mouse models. In mice, committed but undifferentiated epithelial cells are organized into branching ductal structures. At a molecular level, expression of Pdx1, Nkx2.2, and Nkx6.1 is reduced while Hnf6 expression remains high. Hnf6 me-diates the continued expression of Onecut3 and Hnf1 beta and epithelial cell proliferation. As expression of Ngn3 (corresponds to human NEUROG3) rises, endocrine differentiation of the epithelial cells begins Mirmira Studies in mouse model systems indicate that the transcription factor neurogenin 3 plays a central role in the induction of endocrine differentiation in the developing pancreas (Servitja and Ferrer 2004; Chakrabarti and Mirmira 2003). In both mice and humans critical events in this induction process include the neurogenin 3 (NEUROG3)-dependent transcription of PAX4, NEUROD1, NKX2-2, and INSM1.
Effect of Salinity and Nitrogen Sources on the Leaf Quality, Biomass, and Metabolic Responses of Two Ecotypes of Portulaca oleracea

Halophytic plants are, by definition, well adapted to saline soils. However, even halophytes can face nutritional imbalance and the accumulation of high levels of compounds such as oxalic acid (OA), and nitrate (NO3−). These compounds compromise the potential nutritional health benefits associated with salt-tolerant plants such as Portulaca oleracea or Purslane. Purslane has long been known to be a highly nutritious leafy vegetable particularly with respect to high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, preventing the accumulation of non-nutritional compounds will allow plants to be grown in saline conditions as crops. Two ecotypes (ET and RN) of Portulaca oleracea plants were grown under growth room conditions with two levels of salinity (0, 50 mM NaCl) and three ratios of nitrate: ammonium (0:100%; 33:66%; 25:75% NO3−:NH4+). The results show that both ecotypes, when exposed to elevated NO3−, showed severe leaf chlorosis, high levels of OA, citric acid, and malic acid. Compared to ecotype RN, ecotype ET, exposed to elevated NH4+ concentrations (33% and 75%) and 50 mM NaCl, displayed a marked reduction in OA content, increased total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, crude protein content, total fatty acid (TFA) and α-Linolenic acid (ALA), enhancing leaf quality. This opens the potential to grow high biomass, low OA P. oleracae crops. Lastly, our experiments suggest that ecotype ET copes with saline conditions and elevated NH4+ through shifts in leaf metabolites.
Variation in the free amino acid concentrations of the supralittoral rockpool copepod crustacean Tigriopus brevicornis during osmotic stress

Changes in the intracellular free amino acid (FAA) concentrations of Tigriopus brevicornis when subjected to hypoosmotic (5 psu), normal seawater (35 psu) and hyperosmotic (70 psu) conditions for a three day acclimation period were investigated. Proline, alanine and lysine were the major contributors to the intracellular FAA pool. Under hypoosmotic conditions, alanine was the dominant osmolyte with proline concentration at its lowest. This trend was reversed under hyperosmotic conditions. However, the total FAA pool was at its highest concentration under normal seawater conditions, with the total FAA concentrations being reduced during hypo- and hyper-osmotic conditions.
FORMALIZAÇÃO DOS NÍVEIS DE REPRESENTAÇÃO FONOLÓGICOS NA PRODUÇÃO E NO
 RECONHECIMENTO DAS CONSOANTES PLOSIVAS EM CODA MEDIAL NO PE: UMA ANÁLISE
 BIDIRECIONAL

EnglishAbstract: The present study approaches the phenomenon of vowel epenthesis in European Portuguese from a phonetic-phonological approach. By presenting perception and production data, it shows the variability of vowel epenthesis in European Portuguese in word-mid contexts of heterosyllabic consonant clusters (‘p.n’ - apneia, ‘t.n’ - etnia), the study also considers the possible existence of a voiceless epenthetic vowel. The acoustic verification of the production data was carried out with PRAAT (Boersma e Weenink 2013). The instrument used to check the perception of epenthesis in Portuguese was designed on the TP software (Rauber et al. 2009) and applied to the same participants in the production task. Departing from this empirical framework, our aim is to propose a formalization for the vowel epenthesis phenomenon in the bidirectional processing model of L1 - BiPhon (Boersma 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010; Boersma e Hamann 2009), as we assume perception and production to be parts of the same grammar system. portuguesResumo: O estudo discute a epentese vocalica no portugues europeu (PE) em uma abordagem fonetico-fonologica. Com dados empiricos de producao e percepcao de falantes nativos do PE, evidencia que, em palavras com encontros consonantais heterossilabicos em contextos mediais, propicios ao aparecimento de segmento epentetico, a epentese vocalica e variavel, com a possibilidade da existencia de uma epentese surda. Os dados de producao, analisados acusticamente com osoftwarePRAAT (Boersma e Weenink 2013), foram relacionados aos dados de percepcao, obtidos por instrumento elaborado a partir dosoftwareTP (Rauberet al. 2009), aplicado aos mesmos informantes participantes do teste de producao. Com esse arcabouco empirico, o objetivo geral do estudo foi a proposicao de uma formalizacao para o fenomeno da epentese vocalica nos niveis fonologicos do Modelo de Processamento Bidirecional de L1 - BiPhon (Boersma 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010; Boersma e Hamann 2009), assumindo producao e percepcao como partes de uma unica gramatica.
A Method of Few-Shot Network Intrusion Detection Based on Meta-Learning Framework

Conventional intrusion detection systems based on supervised learning techniques require a large number of samples for training, while in some scenarios, such as zero-day attacks, security agencies can only intercept a limited number of shots of malicious samples. Therefore, there is a need for few-shot detection. In this paper, a detection method based on a meta-learning framework is proposed for this purpose. The proposed method can be used to distinguish and compare a pair of network traffic samples as a basic task of learning, including a normal unaffected sample and a malicious one. To accomplish this task, we design a deep neural network (DNN) named FC-Net, which mainly comprises two parts: feature extraction network and comparison network. FC-Net learns a pair of feature maps for classification from a pair of network traffic samples, then compares the obtained feature maps, and finally determines whether the pair of samples belongs to the same type. To evaluate the proposed detection method, we construct two datasets for few-shot network intrusion detection based on real network traffic data sources, using a specifically developed approach. The experimental results indicate that the proposed detection method is universal and is not limited to specific datasets or attack types. Training and testing on the same datasets demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve the average detection rate up to 98.88%. The outcome of training on one dataset and testing on the other one confirms that the proposed method can achieve better performance. In a few-shot scenario, malicious samples in an untrained dataset can be detected successfully, and the average detection rate is up to 99.62%.