Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The NF‐Y‐PYR module integrates the abscisic acid signal pathway to regulate plant stress tolerance

Summary Drought and salt stresses impose major constraints on soybean production worldwide. However, improving agronomically valuable soybean traits under drought conditions can be challenging due to trait complexity and multiple factors that influence yield. Here, we identified a nuclear factor Y C subunit (NF‐YC) family transcription factor member, GmNF‐YC14, which formed a heterotrimer with GmNF‐YA16 and GmNF‐YB2 to activate the GmPYR1‐mediated abscisic acid (ABA) signalling pathway to regulate stress tolerance in soybean. Notably, we found that CRISPR/Cas9‐generated GmNF‐YC14 knockout mutants were more sensitive to drought than wild‐type soybean plants. Furthermore, field trials showed that overexpression of GmNF‐YC14 or GmPYR1 could increase yield per plant, grain plumpness, and stem base circumference, thus indicating improved adaptation of soybean plants to drought conditions. Taken together, our findings expand the known functional scope of the NF‐Y transcription factor functions and raise important questions about the integration of ABA signalling pathways in plants. Moreover, GmNF‐YC14 and GmPYR1 have potential for application in the improvement of drought tolerance in soybean plants.
Characterizing astigmatism in the United States

Rates of clinically significant astigmatism were found to increase between 1971 to 1975 and 1999 to 2008. Against-the-rule astigmatism was found to be associated with demographic factors of being male, White, and nonmyopic. Purpose: To study astigmatism and astigmatism rule by (1) determining changes in prevalence in the United States between 1971 to 1975 and 1999 to 2008 and (2) identifying associations with demographic factors. Setting: National survey. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Participants of the 1971 to 1975 and 1999 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) aged 20 to 74 years representing the U.S population were included. The 1971 to 1975 NHANES measured astigmatism in participants using an algorithm based on presenting visual acuity, lensometry, and objective refraction. Similar methods were implemented using the 1999 to 2008 NHANES data for comparison. Prevalence of clinically significant astigmatism (≥1.0 diopters [D]) was identified, and logistic regression models were used to assess demographic associations with rule of astigmatism. Results: A total of 3371 and 13 10 participants were included from the 1970s and 2000s NHANES. Main outcomes were prevalence estimates of astigmatism and odds ratios estimating associations with demographic characteristics. There was an increase in astigmatism from the 1970s to 2000s (14% [95% CI: 13.2-14.5] vs 24% [22.8-24.6], which was more pronounced in men (12% [10.8-12.7] vs 23% [21.9-24.2]) than in women (16% [14.9-16.8] vs 24% [23.0-25.7]). In adjusted analysis of the 2000s cohort, myopic patients had 8.34 (CI: 7.30-9.54) times greater odds of astigmatism than nonmyopic patients. In the 2000s, there was increased odds of against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism in men (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.8) compared with women, in nonmyopic patients (OR, 2.3; 95% CI: 1.7-3.1) compared with myopic patients, and in patients aged 60 to 74 years (OR, 3.7; 95% CI: 2.7-5.1) compared with those aged 20 to 39 years. Conclusions: There is greater prevalence of astigmatism and ATR astigmatism in 1999 to 2008 compared with 30 years before in the U.S. Factors associated with ATR astigmatism were being male, White, and nonmyopic.
Assessing the Healthcare Utilization of Youth Who Died by Suicide: A Case-Control Study

Abstract Objective Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth ten years old or older. Healthcare utilization prior to death by suicide is high in adults, but there is conflicting evidence in youth. The objective of this study was to compare healthcare utilization in youth who died by suicide to youth who died in a motor vehicle accident (MVC) to determine whether healthcare utilization is associated with death by suicide in youth. Methods This retrospective case-control study used death records from Coroners/Medical Examiners (C/MEs) for children 11–17 years old who died by suicide (case) and MVC (control) between October 2013 and October 2018 were obtained. Data from the electronic medical record (EMR) at a healthcare system was reviewed. The primary outcome was healthcare utilization. Secondary outcomes included mental health diagnosis. Data was analyzed using Fisher’s Exact Test and considered significant if p < 0.05. Results The analysis included 60 youth who died by suicide and 14 youth who died by MVC. Most decedents were male (68%) and white (80%). Mean age at death was 16 years old. Only 25 decedents had a corresponding record in the EMR, with no significant difference based on manner of death (35% suicide vs 29% MVC, p = 0.8). Fourteen decedents had a known mental health diagnosis in their EMR with no difference based on manner of death (p = 0.5). Conclusions There was no difference in healthcare utilization or mental health diagnosis in youth who died by suicide compared to youth who died by MVC. Strict reliance on both of these factors when considering youth who may be at risk of suicide is inadequate. Expanding universal suicide screening to other settings, including schools or primary care, can help identify youth at risk for suicide and may prevent unnecessary deaths. HIGHLIGHTS Little is known regarding the healthcare utilization of youth who died by suicide prior to their death. This study uses a case-control design to investigation healthcare utilization of youth who died by suicide versus youth who died in a motor vehicle crash. We did not find a significant difference in healthcare utilization between cases and controls. These findings suggest that non-clinical interventions would be useful in detecting suicide risk.
Genotype-Phenotype of Isolated Foveal Hypoplasia in a Large Cohort: Minor Iris Changes as an Indicator of PAX6 Involvement

Purpose Foveal hypoplasia (FVH) is defined as the lack of fovea with a relatively preserved neuroretina, occurring either as an isolated FVH (IFVH) condition or associated with other diseases. This study aimed to systemically molecularly characterize IFVH. Methods Genetic defects in 33 families with IFVH were analyzed by exome sequencing. Variants in three genes (PAX6, SLC38A8, and AHR) were selected and evaluated with multistep bioinformatic tools. Results Mutations in the three genes were identified in 69.7% (23/33) of families with IFVH and infantile nystagmus, including 18 families with PAX6 mutations, 5 with SLC38A8 mutations, but none with AHR mutations. Clinical data from 32 patients in the 23 families showed FVH, infantile nystagmus, and full iris. Careful follow-up visits revealed subtle changes in iris in 9 of 14 patients with PAX6 variants. The PAX6 variants of the 18 families (15 missense and one stop-loss) were mostly located in the C-terminal region of the paired box domain. Variants in AHR, SLC38A8, and PAX6 contributed to IFVH in one (2%), 25 (45%), and 30 (53%) families with identified genetic defects (23 families in this study and 33 reported previously), respectively. Conclusions PAX6 and SLC38A8 mutations are the main cause of IFVH based on our data and a systematic review. IFVH-associated PAX6 variants are mostly missense with a specific location, indicating a specific correlation of these variants with IFVH but not with typical aniridia. Full iris with subtle structural abnormalities is more common in patients with PAX6-associated IFVH, suggesting a potential diagnostic indicator.
A dynamic electrically driven soft valve for control of soft hydraulic actuators

Significance Soft actuators have advantages over traditional rigid robots in various applications due to their robustness, low mechanical stiffness, and low weight. Thus far, conventional rigid valves are the most common approach to control hydraulic soft actuators. Although soft valves have been designed in various forms, they have not achieved the pressure or flow rate conditions as required by many existing hydraulic actuators. In this paper, we introduce an electrically driven soft valve using dynamic dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). These soft valves have a fast response time and are able to control fluidic pressure and flow rates that match the needs of hydraulic actuators with mesoscale channels. The DEA valves enable possibilities for soft onboard controls for future fluidic soft robots. Regulation systems for fluid-driven soft robots predominantly consist of inflexible and bulky components. These rigid structures considerably limit the adaptability and mobility of these robots. Soft valves in various forms for fluidic actuators have been developed, primarily fluidically or electrically driven. However, fluidic soft valves require external pressure sources that limit robot locomotion. State-of-the-art electrostatic valves are unable to modulate pressure beyond 3.5 kPa with a sufficient flow rate (>6 mL⋅min−1). In this work, we present an electrically powered soft valve for hydraulic actuators with mesoscale channels based on a different class of ultrahigh-power density dynamic dielectric elastomer actuators. The dynamic dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are actuated at 500 Hz or above. These DEAs generate 300% higher blocked force compared with the dynamic DEAs in previous works and their loaded power density reaches 290 W⋅kg−1 at operating conditions. The soft valves are developed with compact (7 mm tall) and lightweight (0.35 g) dynamic DEAs, and they allow effective control of up to 51 kPa of pressure and a 40 mL⋅min−1 flow rate with a response time less than 0.1 s. The valves can also tune flow rates based on their driving voltages. Using the DEA soft valves, we demonstrate control of hydraulic actuators of different volumes and achieve independent control of multiple actuators powered by a single pressure source. This compact and lightweight DEA valve is capable of unprecedented electrical control of hydraulic actuators, showing the potential for future onboard motion control of soft fluid-driven robots.
On randomly changing conformity bias in cultural transmission

Significance Animals, from humans to Drosophila, display conformity and anticonformity. Population dynamics under (anti)conformity may explain emergent properties of groups including fads, norms, and collective behavior. Although empirical evidence suggests that a population’s level of conformity can vary over time, most mathematical models have not included time-varying conformity coefficients. To potentially improve applicability to real-world systems, we allow conformity coefficients, numbers of sampled “role models,” and weak selection to vary stochastically in an established conformity model. Novel dynamics are possible, including simultaneous stochastic local stability of monomorphisms and polymorphism. Interpreting real-world population differences in terms of (anti)conformity may therefore not be straightforward. Under some conditions, however, the deterministic model provides a useful approximation to the stochastic model. Humans and nonhuman animals display conformist as well as anticonformist biases in cultural transmission. Whereas many previous mathematical models have incorporated constant conformity coefficients, empirical research suggests that the extent of (anti)conformity in populations can change over time. We incorporate stochastic time-varying conformity coefficients into a widely used conformity model, which assumes a fixed number n of “role models” sampled by each individual. We also allow the number of role models to vary over time (nt). Under anticonformity, nonconvergence can occur in deterministic and stochastic models with different parameter values. Even if strong anticonformity may occur, if conformity or random copying (i.e., neither conformity nor anticonformity) is expected, there is convergence to one of the three equilibria seen in previous deterministic models of conformity. Moreover, this result is robust to stochastic variation in nt. However, dynamic properties of these equilibria may be different from those in deterministic models. For example, with random conformity coefficients, all equilibria can be stochastically locally stable simultaneously. Finally, we study the effect of randomly changing weak selection. Allowing the level of conformity, the number of role models, and selection to vary stochastically may produce a more realistic representation of the wide range of group-level properties that can emerge under (anti)conformist biases. This promises to make interpretation of the effect of conformity on differences between populations, for example those connected by migration, rather difficult. Future research incorporating finite population sizes and migration would contribute added realism to these models.
Methodologies for evaluating exoskeletons with industrial applications

Abstract Industrial exoskeletons are globally developed, explored, and increasingly implemented in industrial workplaces. Multiple technical, physical, and psychological aspects should be assessed prior to their daily application in various occupational environments. The methodology for evaluating these aspects is not standardised and differs in terms of focussed research objectives, used types of analyses, applied testing procedures, and use cases. The aim of this paper is to provide a matrix comparing the prevalence of different types of analyses combined with their respective research objective(s). A systematic review in the database ‘Web of Science’ identified 74 studies, mainly in laboratory settings, with a focus on short-term effects as well as with male-dominated samples being low representative for industrial workforces. The conducted evaluation methodologies are further discussed and compared in terms of testing procedure, sample, and research objectives. Finally, relevant aspects for prospectively evaluating industrial exoskeletons in a more harmonised and comprehensive way are suggested. Practitioner summary: Industrial exoskeletons are still inconsistently and insufficiently evaluated in scientific studies, which might hamper the comparability of systems, threaten the human health, and block an iterative system optimisation. Thus, a comprehensive evaluation methodology is needed with harmonised and multicriteria types of analyses.
Loss of HER2‐positivity following neoadjuvant targeted therapy for breast cancer is not associated with inferior oncologic outcomes

Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer are treated with trastuzumab‐based neoadjuvant therapy (NAT); some patients with residual disease post‐NAT show loss of HER2 amplification and has been inconsistently associated with oncologic outcomes.
DISCOVERING THE ROLE OF AUTOINHIBITION IN KINETICS HETEROGENEITY OF EVOKED DOPAMINE RESPONSES

Dopamine (DA) contributes to critical functions in the central nervous system. By introducing electrical stimulation in vivo at the rat’s medial forebrain bundle, evoked DA signals can be measured at a carbon fiber electrode with fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in rat’s dorsal striatum. Previously, evidence suggested that the heterogeneity in evoked DA responses reflects the difference in inherent kinetics, which might play an important role physiologically. A restricted diffusion based numerical model produced great fit between simulations and observed responses for stimulation lengths no longer than 3 seconds, using 4 or sometimes 3 adjustable parameters. A study was designed to explore different supra-physiological stimuli and examine these evoked responses in the dorsal striatum after raclopride, a D2 antagonist drug, was given. The effects of raclopride were different based on the kinetic heterogeneity, and a refined DA kinetic model was used to model the responses up to stimulation lengths of 10 seconds. Based on the new model, it seems that the domains are different in autoinhibitory tone, which derives from different basal DA concentration required to activate the D2 receptors. The parameters can be used to generate delivery and clearance curves that represent the DA being delivered to and cleared from the electrode at each time point. Often, multiple parameters sets will produce good fits to individual evoked responses. In these cases, however, the multiple parameter sets generate similar delivery and clearance curves. For this reason, we conclude that delivery and clearance curves provide an effective tool for investigating the kinetic properties of DA systems.
Catalytic Deoxygenation of Hexadecyl Palmitate as a Model Compound of Euglena Oil in H2 and N2 Atmospheres

Hexadecyl palmitate (C15H31COOC16H33, used as a model compound for Euglena oil) was deoxygenated to hydrocarbons over various solid catalysts in autoclave reactors. In a H2 atmosphere, 1 wt. % of Pd/Mg(Al)O catalyst, derived from a hydrotalcite precursor, yielded a C15H31COOC16H33 conversion close to 100%, and a C10‒C16 (aviation fuel range) hydrocarbon yield of 90.2% for the deoxygenation of C15H31COOC16H33 at 300 °C for 2 h. In a N2 atmosphere, 1 wt. % of Pd/Mg(Al)O catalyst yielded a C10‒C16 hydrocarbon yield of 63.5%, which was much higher than those obtained with Mg(Al)O (15.1%), H-ZSM-5 (8.3%), and 1 wt. % Pd/C (26.2%) for the deoxygenation of C15H31COOC16H33 at 300 °C for 2 h. The Pd metal site and the solid base site in Mg(Al)O had a synergetic effect on the deoxygenation of C15H31COOC16H33 in N2 atmosphere over the Pd/Mg(Al)O catalyst. By prolonging the reaction time to 5 h for reaction at 300 °C in N2 atmosphere, the yield of C10‒C16 hydrocarbons increased to 80.4% with a C15H31COOC16H33 conversion of 99.1% over the 1 wt. % Pd/Mg(Al)O catalyst.
Epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of incident tuberculosis in children in Canada in 2013–2016: results of a national surveillance study

Purpose Childhood tuberculosis disease is difficult to diagnose and manage and is an under-recognised cause of morbidity and mortality. Reported data from Canada do not focus on childhood tuberculosis or capture key epidemiologic, clinical and microbiologic details. The purpose of this study was to assess demographics, presentation and clinical features of childhood tuberculosis in Canada. Methods We conducted prospective surveillance from 2013 to 2016 of over 2700 paediatricians plus vertical tuberculosis programmes for incident tuberculosis disease in children younger than 15 years in Canada using the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP). Results In total, 200 cases are included in this study. Tuberculosis was intrathoracic in 183 patients of whom 86% had exclusively intrathoracic involvement. Central nervous system tuberculosis occurred in 16 cases (8%). Fifty-one per cent of cases were hospitalised and 11 (5.5%) admitted to an intensive care unit. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 9% of cases. The source case, most often a first-degree relative, was known in 73% of cases. Fifty-eight per cent of reported cases were Canadian-born Indigenous children. Estimated study rates of reported cases (per 100 000 children per year) were 1.2 overall, 8.6 for all Indigenous children and 54.3 for Inuit children. Conclusion Childhood tuberculosis may cause significant morbidity and resource utilisation. Key geographies and groups have very high incidence rates. Elimination of childhood tuberculosis in Canada will require well-resourced community-based efforts that focus on these highest risk groups. Information gleaned from a national surveillance network in Canada which identified 200 cases of childhood tuberculosis over three years finds that indigenous children are disproportionately infected.
A Cadaveric Study of Dye Spreading: Determining the Ideal Injection Pattern for Masseter Hypertrophy

BACKGROUND Masseter hypertrophy is the main cause of an asymmetrical and squared lower facial contour in the Asian community. Botulinum toxin injection technique is crucial to treat this condition. OBJECTIVE To improve injection techniques for masseter hypertrophy by elucidating the distribution of the injections within the masseter. METHODS Thirty masseter muscles were divided into 6 groups of 5 muscles each. Each group received one 0.2- or 0.3-mL injection at Point A, B, or C according to a three-point technique. Muscle dimensions and dye of the primary and secondary dye spreading were measured. RESULTS The average muscle length, width, and thickness were 69.87, 33.50, and 11.23 mm, respectively. The average primary longitudinal and horizontal spreading was 36.56 and 15.60 mm, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between 0.2- and 0.3-mL injections at each point. CONCLUSION The three-point technique best fits in the safe zone and should be the standard injection technique for masseter hypertrophy. Injection at Points B and C may create secondary spreading that affect the risorius muscle and the parotid gland which are the cause of asymmetrical smiling and xerostomia, respectively. The dosage should be adjusted according to the muscle volume and not only the thickness.
Immunologic and Survival Benefits of Combined Heart-liver Transplantation in Children

C heart-liver transplant (CHLT) in adults has been increasingly reported in the United States, with long-term outcomes that match liver or heart transplant alone (HTA). In pediatrics, a tiny experience has proven feasibility, with short-term outcomes that demonstrate the potential for excellent long-term survival, particularly in patients with univentricular congenital heart disease (CHD). In the face of continued challenges managing pediatric patients with failed palliation for CHD, transplant centers are increasingly considering CHLT in children in whom HTA is not expected to be successful. Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) has emerged as an important comorbidity in this population, with nearly a universal histologic presence of liver fibrosis by adolescence. There is much discussion about the severity of chronic liver disease and the potential for disease regression in FALD following HTA, especially in children. In parallel, these patients have the potential for high levels of preexisting alloantibody due to prior surgeries and transfusion. Up to 60% of HTA recipients experience rejection across a positive crossmatch, with reduced graft survival. Listing highly sensitized patients for HTA is futile given the rarity of compatible donors. It has long been recognized that multivisceral transplants that include livers result in lower rates of rejection. Indeed, low rates of rejection have been observed in adult CHLT, even in the presence of preexisting allosensitization and positive crossmatch. Thus, multiple factors suggest that a subset of pediatric patients with CHD and FALD may benefit from CHLT. To explore CHLT outcomes in children, we analyzed the US Scientific Registry Transplant Recipients (SRTR). Fourteen pediatric CHLT were performed through December 2019, with only 1 case occurring before 2006 (Table 1). Most patients had CHD and a primary liver diagnosis likely related to FALD (“cardiac cirrhosis,” “cardiogenic liver failure,” and “protein-losing enteropathy”), with familial lipid disorders representing the underlying pathology in the remaining patients. All but 1 patient was listed status 1A or 1B for heart transplant, and the median MELD/PELD was 10 (IQR 8–12). The median waiting time was 79.5 d. Most patients received either nondepleting (anti-IL2R, N = 6) or depleting (ATG, N = 6) induction immunosuppression. The median peak PRA was 11%, and only 1 patient had an acute rejection episode (heart and liver), followed by the development of PTLD within the first 2 y posttransplant. The only reported death occurred in the first case from 1997, in a patient with CHD and biliary atresia who died from a brain hemorrhage and sepsis at 1-mo posttransplant. The overall patient survival was 92.9% with a median follow-up of 7.1 y, which compares favorably with outcomes for heart or liver transplant alone in children.