Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of Enhancement Techniques for 3-D Cellular Networks. (Analyse de la Performance des Techniques de transmission numérique en 3-D)

With the explosive growth of mobile data demand, cellular networks have experienced several major evolutions, from the first generation to the present the fifth generation new radio cellular networks. These networks can cover a larger geographical area, with high network capacity, and low power consumption. For the next generation, the cellular networks consist in deploying a big number of small cells, such as femto-cells and picocells, which offers a lager zone of radio coverage. In fact, cell densification presents a simple and efficient solution to increase the network capacity, which relies on densely reusing the spectrum across a geographical area and hence brings base stations closer to users. Thus, the 3-D modeling and the performance enhancement of the increasingly heterogeneous cellular networks become important issues. The current thesis focuses on the study and the enhancement of 3-D cellular networks. The research work introduced in this thesis has two main axes. First, we focus on three-dimensional modeling of wireless communication networks. These models, not only describe the system when the blockages effect are neglected, but also capable of modeling the obstacles (such as buildings) in order to study their effect and propose solution to overcome. Second, new transmission schemes are proposed to enhance the performances of the urban wireless communication systems.
Effects of spirulina diet on the oogenesis of zebrafish: morphological analysis and immunohistochemical determination of the vitellogenin

Abstract Morphological analysis and immunohistochemical determination of vitellogenin (Vtg) were carried out in zebrafish ovaries (Danio rerio). The goal was to determine the nutraceutical effect of Spirulina feed on ovarian maturation stages of adult zebrafish. After 30 d, in the stages of advanced maturation a prevalence of oocytes was found in the experimental group. Immunohistochemical investigations revealed a significant increase in Vtg, precursor of vitelline (Vn) in egg yolk, whose expression increased in the liver in relation to the stages of maturation. In the zebrafish liver, the expression of Vtg was extremely low before vitellogenesis, and then increased and it was maintained at a high level until the final stage of ovarian maturation. The results showed that food additives such as Spirulina can improve fertility in laboratory farmed fish. The data obtained from this study may be a contribution to wider research aimed at improving reproduction in all vertebrates, including humans. Graphical Abstract
Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis sp. nov., isolated from European domestic geese (Anser anser domesticus) with reproductive pathology.

In 1983, Mycoplasma sp. strain 1220 was isolated in Hungary from the phallus lymph of a gander with phallus inflammation. Between 1983 and 2017, Mycoplasma sp. 1220 was also identified and isolated from the respiratory tract, liver, ovary, testis, peritoneum and cloaca of diseased geese in several countries. Seventeen studied strains produced acid from glucose and fructose but did not hydrolyse arginine or urea, and all grew under aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions at 35 to 37 ˚C in either SP4 or pleuropneumonia-like organism medium supplemented with glucose and serum. Colonies on agar showed a typical fried-egg appearance and transmission electron microscopy revealed a typical mycoplasma cellular morphology. Molecular characterization included analysis of the following genetic loci: 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, 16S-23S rRNA ITS, rpoB, rpoC, rpoD, uvrA, parC, topA, dnaE, fusA and pyk. The genome was sequenced for type strain 1220T. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of studied strains of Mycoplasma sp. 1220 shared 99.02-99.19 % nucleotide similarity with M. anatis strains but demonstrated ≤95.00-96.70 % nucleotide similarity to the 16S rRNA genes of other species of the genus Mycoplasma. Phylogenetic, average nucleotide and amino acid identity analyses revealed that the novel species was most closely related to Mycoplasma anatis. Based on the genetic data, we propose a novel species of the genus Mycoplasma, for which the name Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain 1220T (=ATCC BAA-2147T=NCTC 13513T=DSM 23982T). The G+C content is 26.70 mol%, genome size is 959110 bp.
Dual Eigen-modules of Cis-Element Regulation Profiles and Selection of Cognition-Language Eigen-direction along Evolution in Hominidae

Abstract To understand the genomic basis accounting for the phenotypic differences between human and apes, we compare the matrices consisting of the cis-element frequencies in the proximal regulatory regions of their genomes. One such frequency matrix is represented by a robust singular value decomposition. For each singular value, the negative and positive ends of the sorted motif eigenvector correspond to the dual ends of the sorted gene eigenvector, respectively, comprising a dual eigen-module defined by cis-regulatory element frequencies (CREF). The CREF eigen-modules at levels 1, 2, 3, and 6 are highly conserved across humans, chimpanzees, and orangutans. The key biological processes embedded in the top three CREF eigen-modules are reproduction versus embryogenesis, fetal maturation versus immune system, and stress responses versus mitosis. Although the divergence at the nucleotide level between the chimpanzee and human genome was small, their cis-element frequency matrices crossed a singularity point, at which the fourth and fifth singular values were identical. The CREF eigen-modules corresponding to the fourth and fifth singular values were reorganized along the evolution from apes to human. Interestingly, the fourth sorted gene eigenvector encodes the phenotypes unique to human such as long-term memory, language development, and social behavior. The number of motifs present on Alu elements increases substantially at the fourth level. The motif analysis together with the cases of human-specific Alu insertions suggests that mutations related to Alu elements play a critical role in the evolution of the human-phenotypic gene eigenvector.
Personal knowledge on novel coronavirus pneumonia

The epidemiological history of some patients infected with In contrast, other studies reported that short-term treatment novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is unclear, and the with corticosteroids may decrease the risk of ARDS and incubation period of the virus can last for 2 weeks, even longer. During the period of latent infection or the period of incubation following infection, the disease may be infectious. As in cases of influenza, some patients develop only upper respiratory tract infection, whereas others with a severe form of the disease develop pneumonia. Patients may not have fever, mild cough, or apparent respiratory symptoms, and headache or gastrointestinal symptoms may be present. Some patients show insidious onset and slow progression, and do not appear to be sick. Thus, they may not receive attention or be identified. Some patients with severe disease or critical illness may present with moderate-to-low-grade fever, but apparent fever may also be absent.
High SPINK1 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis and Promotes Cell Proliferation and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract Background Serine protease inhibitor Kazal type I (SPINK1) is highly expressed and promotes tumor progress in different cancers. This study aimed to evaluate SPINK1’s prognostic value and its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progress. Methods We use tissue micro-arrays containing 273 tumor and paired para-tumor tissues to evaluate SPINK1’s prognostic value in HCC. CCK8 cell proliferation assay, wound healing assays, transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to explore the effect of SPINIK1 on HCC cells. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to verify the prognosis value of SPINK1 in HCC and explore the underlying mechanisms. Results SPINK1 expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues than paired para-tumor tissues (P < 0.001). Higher SPINK1 expression in tumor was significantly associated with portal vein tumor thrombus formation (P = 0.019) and shorter overall survival (P = 0.029). SPINK1 expression in tumor tissue was an independent predictor for overall survival. SPINK1 increased proliferation (P < 0.001), enhanced migration and invasion ability of HCC cell lines (P < 0.001). GSEA revealed that glycine, serine, threonine and bile acid metabolism may be the underlying mechanism of SPINK1 in HCC. Conclusions In conclusion, high SPINK1 expression is associated with poor prognosis of HCC. SPINK1 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion ability of HCC cells.
Insect—Symbiont Gene Expression in the Midgut Bacteriocytes of a Blood-Sucking Parasite

Abstract Animals interact with a diverse array of both beneficial and detrimental microorganisms. In insects, these symbioses in many cases allow feeding on nutritionally unbalanced diets. It is, however, still not clear how are obligate symbioses maintained at the cellular level for up to several hundred million years. Exact mechanisms driving host–symbiont interactions are only understood for a handful of model species and data on blood-feeding hosts with intracellular bacteria are particularly scarce. Here, we analyzed interactions between an obligately blood-sucking parasite of sheep, the louse fly Melophagus ovinus, and its obligate endosymbiont, Arsenophonus melophagi. We assembled a reference transcriptome for the insect host and used dual RNA-Seq with five biological replicates to compare expression in the midgut cells specialized for housing symbiotic bacteria (bacteriocytes) to the rest of the gut (foregut–hindgut). We found strong evidence for the importance of zinc in the system likely caused by symbionts using zinc-dependent proteases when acquiring amino acids, and for different immunity mechanisms controlling the symbionts than in closely related tsetse flies. Our results show that cellular and nutritional interactions between this blood-sucking insect and its symbionts are less intimate than what was previously found in most plant-sap sucking insects. This finding is likely interconnected to several features observed in symbionts in blood-sucking arthropods, particularly their midgut intracellular localization, intracytoplasmic presence, less severe genome reduction, and relatively recent associations caused by frequent evolutionary losses and replacements.
Size-Dependent Pressure-Response of the Photoluminescence of CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals.

We report the size-dependent pressure response for CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals in the size range 5.7 nm - 10.9 nm using photoluminescence spectroscopy in a diamond anvil cell. As the nanocrystal size decreases below ca. 7.5 nm, we observe a decrease in the transition pressure at which there is a change in the mode of deformation concomitant with an isostructural phase transition. We hypothesize that surface fluctuations regarding the tilt and distortion of surface PbBr6 octahedra facilitate the change in the mode of deformation and phase transition at lower pressures for smaller nanocrystals.
A Toll-receptor map underlies structural brain plasticity

Experience alters brain structure, but the underlying mechanism remained unknown. Structural plasticity reveals that brain function is encoded in generative changes to cells that compete with destructive processes driving neurodegeneration. At an adult critical period, experience increases fiber number and brain size in Drosophila. Here, we asked if Toll receptors are involved. Tolls demarcate a map of brain anatomical domains. Focusing on Toll-2, loss of function caused apoptosis, neurite atrophy and impaired behaviour. Toll-2 gain of function and neuronal activity at the critical period increased cell number. Toll-2 induced cycling of adult progenitor cells via a novel pathway, that antagonized MyD88-dependent quiescence, and engaged Weckle and Yorkie downstream. Constant knock-down of multiple Tolls synergistically reduced brain size. Conditional over-expression of Toll-2 and wek at the adult critical period increased brain size. Through their topographic distribution, Toll receptors regulate neuronal number and brain size, modulating structural plasticity in the adult brain.
Conscious contents: Their unanalyzable, arbitrary, and unarbitrary properties

Regarding m-consciousness, Nagel (1974) claimed that an organism possesses this extra essence (that is, subjectivity) if there is something it is like to be that organism—something it is like, for example, to be human and experience pain or yellow afterimages. Similarly, Block (2007) claimed, “the phenomenally conscious aspect of a state is what it is like to be in that state” (p. 227). As noted by Graziano and colleagues, scientists operating from the traditional perspective have been incapable of having an inkling regarding, not only how something like subjectivity could arise from something like the brain, but how subjectivity could ever emerge from any set of real or hypothetical circumstances. Shallice (1972) concludes, “The problem of consciousness occupies an analogous position for cognitive psychology as the problem of language behaviour does for behaviourism, namely, an unsolved anomaly within the domain of the approach” (p. 383). Graziano and colleagues propose that, from their untraditional perspective, the problem of m-consciousness can be explained. It is worth reiterating that most theories of consciousness do not attempt to explain m-consciousness. The fact that AST not only attempts to tackle this daunting puzzle but also provides a possible answer to it is a momentous achievement. We believe that AST—with its untraditional standpoint, explanatory power, and unique insights—might also explain two longstanding questions concerning m-consciousness. Before posing the two questions, we must first define some terms and concepts. The entirety of one’s subjective experience, also called the conscious field (Freeman, 2004; Köhler, 1947; Searle, 2000), is composed of all that one is aware of at onemoment in time. Each thing in the conscious field is a conscious content (e.g., nausea, pain, the colour white, the smell of lavender, the urge to sneeze; Merker, 2007). As noted in AST, conscious contents do not exist in the physical world, at least not in the way that we experience them: “. the visual system models white light as brightness without any contaminating colors—a simplification of a more complex physical reality. ” Conscious contents are as contrived as the icons that, on a radar screen, represent a cloud versus a plane. Basic percepts such as the colour white, the smell of coffee, and pitch (e.g., the lowest note on a piano) are constructions that are simplified, caricature-like representations of the physical things they represent (Levitin, 2007). (Levitin [2007] proposes that, in the auditory system, the perception of pitch is a construction—similar to the perception of the colour white—that is far different in nature from the physical stimulus it represents.) As noted by Lashley (1923), the simplest forms of conscious contents (e.g., hue) are unanalyzable:
Differentiation strategies of soil rare and abundant microbial taxa in response to changing climatic regimes.

Despite the important roles of soil microbes, especially the most diverse rare taxa in maintaining community diversity and multifunctionality, how different climate regimes alter the stability and functions of the rare microbial biosphere remains unknown. We reciprocally transplanted field soils across a latitudinal gradient to simulate climate change, and sampled the soils annually after harvesting the maize over the following six years (from 2005 to 2011). By sequencing microbial 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons, we found that changing climate regimes significantly altered the composition and dynamics of soil microbial communities. Continuous succession of the rare and abundant communities was observed. Rare microbial communities were more stable under changing climatic regimes, with lower variations in temporal dynamics, and higher stability and constancy of diversity. More nitrogen cycling gene was detected in the rare members than in the abundant members, including amoA, napA, nifH, nirK, nirS, norB, and nrfA. Random forest analysis and receiver operating characteristics analysis showed that rare taxa may act as potential contributors to maize yield under changing climatics. The study indicates that the taxonomically and functionally diverse rare biosphere has the potential to increase functional redundancy and enhance the ability of soil communities to counteract environmental disturbances. With ongoing global climate change, exploring the succession process and functional changes of rare taxa may be important in elucidating the ecosystem stability and multifunctionality that are mediated by microbial communities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Strategies for targeting the cardiac sarcomere: avenues for novel drug discovery

ABSTRACT Introduction: Heart failure remains one of the largest clinical challenges in the United States. Researchers have continually searched for more effective heart failure treatments that target the cardiac sarcomere but have found few successes despite numerous expensive cardiovascular clinical trials. Among many reasons, the high failure rate of cardiovascular clinical trials may be partly due to incomplete characterization of a drug candidate’s complex interaction with cardiac physiology. Areas covered: In this review, the authors address the issue of preclinical cardiovascular studies of sarcomere-targeting heart failure therapies. The authors consider inherent tradeoffs made between mechanistic transparency and physiological fidelity for several relevant preclinical techniques at the atomic, molecular, heart muscle fiber, whole heart, and whole-organism levels. Thus, the authors suggest a comprehensive, bottom-up approach to preclinical cardiovascular studies that fosters scientific rigor and hypothesis-driven drug discovery. Expert opinion: In the authors’ opinion, the implementation of hypothesis-driven drug discovery practices, such as the bottom-up approach to preclinical cardiovascular studies, will be imperative for the successful development of novel heart failure treatments. However, additional changes to clinical definitions of heart failure and current drug discovery culture must accompany the bottom-up approach to maximize the effectiveness of hypothesis-driven drug discovery.
Genetic analysis of the Arabidopsis TIR1/AFB auxin receptors reveals both overlapping and specialized functions

The TIR1/AFB auxin co-receptors mediate diverse responses to the plant hormone auxin. The Arabidopsis genome encodes six TIR1/AFB proteins representing three of the four clades that were established prior to angiosperm radiation. To determine the role of these proteins in plant development we performed an extensive genetic analysis involving the generation and characterization of all possible multiply mutant lines. We find that loss of all six TIR1/AFB proteins results in defects in embryogenesis as early as the 8-cell stage, and possibly earlier. Mutant embryos progress but exhibit frequent cell division errors followed by proliferation of the suspensor, and eventually seed abortion. Despite this dramatic phenotype, a single wild-type allele of TIR1 or AFB2 is sufficient to support growth throughout plant development. Further, gametophytic expression of the TIR1/AFB genes is not essential for development of the male or female gametophyte. Our analysis reveals extensive functional overlap between even the most distantly related TIR1/AFB genes except for AFB1. Surprisingly, the AFB1 protein has a specialized function in rapid auxin-dependent inhibition of root growth and early phase of root gravitropism. This activity may be related to a difference in subcellular localization compared to the other members of the family.
How Accurately Do Patients and Their Care Partners Report Results of Amyloid-β PET Scans for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment?

BACKGROUND Amyloid-β PET scans will likely become an integral part of the diagnostic evaluation for Alzheimer's disease if Medicare approves reimbursement for the scans. However, little is known about patients' and their care partners' interpretation of scan results. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to understand how accurately patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia and their care partners report results of amyloid-β PET scans and factors related to correct reporting. METHODS A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze survey data from 1,845 patient-care partner dyads and responses to open-ended questions about interpretation of scan results from a sub-sample of 200 dyads. RESULTS Eighty-three percent of patients and 85% of care partners correctly reported amyloid-β PET scan results. Patients' higher cognitive function was associated with a small but significant decrease in the predicted probability of not only patients accurately reporting scan results (ME: -0.004, 95% CI: -0.007, -0.000), but also care partners accurately reporting scan results (ME: -0.006, 95% CI: -0.007, -0.001), as well as decreased concordance between patient and care partner reports (ME: -0.004, 95% CI: -0.007, -0.001). Content analysis of open-ended responses found that participants who reported the scan results incorrectly exhibited more confusion about diagnostic terminology than those who correctly reported the scan results. CONCLUSION Overall, patients with MCI or dementia showed high rates of accurate reporting of amyloid-β PET scan results. However, responses to questions about the meaning of the scan results highlight the need for improved provider communication, including providing written explanations and better prognostic information.
Progression of Alzheimer's disease and effect of scFv‐h3D6 immunotherapy in the 3xTg‐AD mouse model: An in vivo longitudinal study using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable disease that affects most of the 47 million people estimated as living with dementia worldwide. The main histopathological hallmarks of AD are extracellular β‐amyloid (Aβ) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein.