Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of light intensity, alga concentration, and prey density on the feeding behavior of delta smelt larvae

Understanding how environmental factors influence first feeding success is critical for the conservation-oriented larval culture of delta smelt Hypomesus transpacificus, a threatened osmerid endemic to the San Francisco Estuary. We investigated the effects of light intensity, alga concentration, and prey (rotifer) density on feeding of cultured delta smelt larvae. In one experiment, first feeding larvae were exposed to three light intensities (0 .01, 0.3, and 1.9 MIDoles S-1 m-2) and three alga concentrations (0, 0.5, and 2 x 10 6 cells / mL). Intestinal contents were examined to determine the incidence of feeding and gut fillness. Maximum feeding responses (92% feeding; 4.8 rotifers/feeding larva in 2 h) were observed at the highest light intensity and alga concentrations; feeding sharply declined with a reduction of either factor. A second experiment was performed ed to study the effect of alga concentration (0, 1.5, 3, and 6 x 10 6 cells/mL) in more detail. Feeding responses were very low without algae (13% feeding; 2.1 rotifers / feeding larva in 2 h), but dramatically increased at high concentrations (83% feeding; 5.1 rotifers/ feeding larvae in 2 h). In a third experiment, the effect of prey (rotifer) density (0.1,1 , 10, and 100 rotifers / mL) was tested, which significantly enhanced feeding up to the 10 / mL treatment (84% feeding; 4.2 rotifers/ feeding larvae in 1 h). All three environmental factors significantly affected feeding success of larval delta smelt. Optimization of these factors has improved survival and growth during the sensitive larval period and has improved laboratory culture of delta smelt.
DSMC Simulation and Experimental Validation of Shock Interaction in Hypersonic Low Density Flow

Direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) of shock interaction in hypersonic low density flow is developed. Three collision molecular models, including hard sphere (HS), variable hard sphere (VHS), and variable soft sphere (VSS), are employed in the DSMC study. The simulations of double-cone and Edney's type IV hypersonic shock interactions in low density flow are performed. Comparisons between DSMC and experimental data are conducted. Investigation of the double-cone hypersonic flow shows that three collision molecular models can predict the trend of pressure coefficient and the Stanton number. HS model shows the best agreement between DSMC simulation and experiment among three collision molecular models. Also, it shows that the agreement between DSMC and experiment is generally good for HS and VHS models in Edney's type IV shock interaction. However, it fails in the VSS model. Both double-cone and Edney's type IV shock interaction simulations show that the DSMC errors depend on the Knudsen number and the models employed for intermolecular interaction. With the increase in the Knudsen number, the DSMC error is decreased. The error is the smallest in HS compared with those in the VHS and VSS models. When the Knudsen number is in the level of 10−4, the DSMC errors, for pressure coefficient, the Stanton number, and the scale of interaction region, are controlled within 10%.
Constraints on Upward Migration of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid and Brine

Recent increases in the use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) to aid extraction of oil and gas from black shales have raised concerns regarding potential environmental effects associated with predictions of upward migration of HF fluid and brine. Some recent studies have suggested that such upward migration can be large and that timescales for migration can be as short as a few years. In this article, we discuss the physical constraints on upward fluid migration from black shales (e.g., the Marcellus, Bakken, and Eagle Ford) to shallow aquifers, taking into account the potential changes to the subsurface brought about by HF. Our review of the literature indicates that HF affects a very limited portion of the entire thickness of the overlying bedrock and therefore, is unable to create direct hydraulic communication between black shales and shallow aquifers via induced fractures. As a result, upward migration of HF fluid and brine is controlled by preexisting hydraulic gradients and bedrock permeability. We show that in cases where there is an upward gradient, permeability is low, upward flow rates are low, and mean travel times are long (often >106 years). Consequently, the recently proposed rapid upward migration of brine and HF fluid, predicted to occur as a result of increased HF activity, does not appear to be physically plausible. Unrealistically high estimates of upward flow are the result of invalid assumptions about HF and the hydrogeology of sedimentary basins.
Biofilm Formation by Neisseria meningitidis

ABSTRACT Biofilm formation by the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis was analyzed. Biofilm-forming meningococcal strains were identified and quantitated by crystal violet staining. Laser scanning confocal microscopy of the meningococcal biofilm revealed variable layers up to 90 μm in thickness. A total of 39 meningococcal isolates were studied; 23 were nasopharyngeal-carriage isolates, and 16 were invasive-disease isolates. Thirty percent of carriage isolates and 12.5% of invasive-disease isolates formed biofilms proficiently on a polystyrene surface. Generally, the strains that formed biofilms showed high-level cell surface hydrophobicity, characteristic of strains lacking a capsule. The inhibitory role of capsule in biofilm formation was further confirmed by comparing the biofilm-forming capabilities of a serogroup B wild-type strain of a disease-associated isolate to those of its capsule-deficient mutant (ctrA). Some strains of meningococci form biofilms, and this process is likely important in menigococcal colonization.
Volume-induced increase of anion permeability in human lymphocytes

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) readjust their volumes after swelling in hypotonic media. This regulatory volume decrease (RVD) is associated with a loss of cellular K+ and is thought to be promoted by an increased permeability to this ion. In contrast, no change in volume was observed when K+ permeability of PBM in isotonic media was increased to comparable or higher levels using valinomycin. Moreover, valinomycin-induced 86Rb+ loss in K+-free medium was considerably slower than in K+-rich medium. These results suggest that anion conductance limits net salt loss in isotonic media. Direct measurements of relative conductance confirmed that in volume-static cells, anion conductance is lower than that of K+. In volume-regulating cells depolarization occurred presumably as a result of increased anion conductance. Accordingly, the efflux of 36Cl from PBM was markedly increased by hypotonic stress. Since both membrane potential and intracellular 36Cl concentration are reduced in hypotonically swollen cells, the increased efflux is probably due to a change in Cl- permeability. Anions and cations seem to move independently through the volume-induced pathways: the initial rate of 86Rb uptake in swollen cells was not affected by replacement of external Cl- by SO=4; conversely, 36Cl fluxes were unaffected by substitution of K+ by Na+. The data indicate that anion conductance is rate-determining in salt and water loss from PBM. An increase in anion conductance is suggested to be the critical step of RVD of human PBM.
VLA Observations of H I in the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293)

We report the detection of 21 cm line emission from H I in the planetary nebula NGC 7293 (the Helix Nebula). The observations, made with the Very Large Array, show the presence of a ring of atomic hydrogen that is associated with the outer portion of the ionized nebula. This ring is most probably gas ejected in the asymptotic giant branch phase that has been subsequently photodissociated by radiation from the central star. The H I emission spreads over ~50 km s-1 in radial velocity. The mass in H I is ~0.07 M☉, about 3 times larger than the mass in molecular hydrogen and comparable to the mass in ionized hydrogen.
Codebook-based interference alignment for uplink MIMO interference channels

In this paper, we propose a codebook-based interference alignment (IA) scheme in the constant multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) interference channel especially for the uplink scenario. In our proposed scheme, we assume cooperation among base stations (BSs) through reliable backhaul links so that global channel knowledge is available for all BSs, which enables BS to compute the transmit preceder and inform its quantized index to the associated user via limited rate feedback link. We present an upper bound on the rate loss of the proposed scheme and derive the scaling law of the feedback load to maintain a constant rate loss relative to IA with perfect channel knowledge. Considering the impact of overhead due to training, cooperation, and feedback, we address the effective degrees of freedom (DOF) of the proposed scheme and derive the maximization of the effective DOF. From simulation results, we verify our analysis on the scaling law to preserve the multiplexing gain and confirm that the proposed scheme is more effective than the conventional IA scheme in terms of the effective DOF.
An Estimated Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Model of the Jordanian Economy

This paper presents and estimates a small open economy dynamic stochastic general-equilibrium model (DSGE) for the Jordanian economy. The model features nominal and real rigidities, imperfect competition and habit formation in the consumer’s utility function. Oil imports are explicitly modeled in the consumption basket and domestic production. Bayesian estimation methods are employed on quarterly Jordanian data. The model’s properties are described by impulse response analysis of identified structural shocks pertinent to the economy. These properties assess the effectiveness of the pegged exchange rate regime in minimizing inflation and output trade-offs. The estimates of the structural parameters fall within plausible ranges, and simulation results suggest that while the peg amplifies output, consumption and (price and wage) inflation volatility, it offers a relatively low risk premium.
Belgium for Science and Arts EVOLVING BENCHMARKS

Genetic programming (GP) is used to evolve global optimisation test problems. These automatically generated performance metrics are used to show strengths and weaknesses of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Differential Evolution (DE). Knowledge gained will help when choosing maximisers (and their tuning parameters) and in research into new search tools (which might include hyperheuristics).
The Effectiveness of a Training Program on Reducing Needlestick Injuries/Sharp Object Injuries among Soon Graduate Vocational Nursing School Students in Southern Taiwan

The Effectiveness of a Training Program on Reducing Needlestick Injuries/Sharp Object Injuries among Soon Graduate Vocational Nursing School Students in Southern Taiwan: Ya‐Hui Yang, et al. Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan—Needlestick/ sharp injuries (NSIs/SIs) are a serious threat to medical/ nursing students in hospital internships. Education for preventing NSIs/SIs is important for healthcare workers but is rarely conducted and evaluated among vocational school nursing students. We conducted an educational intervention for such students after their internship rotations before graduation. This program consisted of a lecture to the students after the internship training and a self‐study brochure for them to study before their graduation. This study used the pre‐test questionnaires completed by all students and the post‐test questionnaires completed by 107 graduates after work experience as licensed nurses to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. After educational intervention, the incidence of NSIs/SIs decreased significantly from 50.5% pre‐test to 25.2% post‐test, and the report rate increased from 37.0% to 55.6%, respectively. In conclusion, this intervention significantly reduced the incidence of NSIs/SIs and increased the report rate of such events.
Depressive symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and in non-neurological medical illnesses

Background Patients with neurological and non-neurological medical illnesses very often complain of depressive symptoms that are associated with cognitive and functional impairments. We compared the profile of depressive symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with that of control subjects (CS) suffering from non-neurological medical illnesses. Methods One-hundred PD patients and 100 CS were submitted to a structured clinical interview for identification of major depressive disorder (MDD) and minor depressive disorder (MIND), according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR), criteria. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were also administered to measure depression severity. Results When considering the whole groups, there were no differences in depressive symptom frequency between PD and CS apart from worthlessness/guilt, and changes in appetite reduced rates in PD. Further, total scores and psychic and somatic subscores of HDRS and BDI did not differ between PD and CS. After we separated PD and CS in those with MDD, MIND, and no depression (NODEP), comparing total scores and psychic/somatic subscores of HDRS and BDI, we found increased total depression severity in NODEP PD and reduced severity of the psychic symptoms of depression in MDD PD, with no differences in MIND. However, the severity of individual symptom frequency of depression was not different between PD and CS in MDD, MIND, and NODEP groups. Conclusion Although MDD and MIND phenomenology in PD may be very similar to that of CS with non-neurological medical illnesses, neurological symptoms of PD may worsen (or confound) depression severity in patients with no formal/structured DSM-IV-TR, diagnosis of depressive mood disorders. Thus, a thorough assessment of depression in PD should take into consideration the different impacts of neurological manifestations on MDD, MIND, and NODEP.
Genre-Adaptive Semantic Computing and Audio-Based Modelling for Music Mood Annotation

This study investigates whether taking genre into account is beneficial for automatic music mood annotation in terms of core affects valence, arousal, and tension, as well as several other mood scales. Novel techniques employing genre-adaptive semantic computing and audio-based modelling are proposed. A technique called the ACTwg employs genre-adaptive semantic computing of mood-related social tags, whereas ACTwg-SLPwg combines semantic computing and audio-based modelling, both in a genre-adaptive manner. The proposed techniques are experimentally evaluated at predicting listener ratings related to a set of 600 popular music tracks spanning multiple genres. The results show that ACTwg outperforms a semantic computing technique that does not exploit genre information, and ACTwg-SLPwg outperforms conventional techniques and other genre-adaptive alternatives. In particular, improvements in the prediction rates are obtained for the valence dimension which is typically the most challenging core affect dimension for audio-based annotation. The specificity of genre categories is not crucial for the performance of ACTwg-SLPwg. The study also presents analytical insights into inferring a concise tag-based genre representation for genre-adaptive music mood analysis.
Musculoskeletal pain at multiple sites and its effects on work ability in a general working population

Objectives Musculoskeletal pain often occurs at multiple sites concurrently. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between multi-site pain and self-rated work ability and retirement plans among actively working people. Methods The Health 2000 Survey was carried among a representative sample of Finnish adults. Musculoskeletal pain during the preceding month in the lower back, neck or shoulders, upper extremities, hips and lower extremities, and work ability and intentions to retire early were assessed. Subjects were also clinically examined. Analyses were restricted to 30–64-year-old subjects actively working during the preceding 12 months who provided information on work ability outcomes (population-weighted number of subjects=4087). Log-binomial regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios of reduced work ability. Results Single-site pain was reported by 33% of subjects, 20%, 9% and 4% reported pain in two, three and four sites, respectively, and 8%–15% reported poor work ability. Every fifth person had thought about retiring early. Age- and gender-adjusted risks of poor physical work ability and own prognosis of poor future work ability increased from 2 for single-site pain to 8 for pain at four sites. Risks remained considerably elevated after adjustment for various covariates, including clinical musculoskeletal disorders and functional capacity. Poor current work ability was most affected by multi-site pain at older age (50–64 years) and intentions to retire early at age 40–49 years. Conclusions Co-occurring pain is a considerable threat to work ability. Workers with multi-site pain may benefit from targeted preventive measures to sustain their work ability. Future studies should also consider multi-site pain as an important risk factor for reduced work ability.
Synergistic Antivascular and Antitumor Efficacy with Combined Cediranib and SC6889 in Intracranial Mouse Glioma

Prognosis remains extremely poor for malignant glioma. Targeted therapeutic approaches, including single agent anti-angiogenic and proteasome inhibition strategies, have not resulted in sustained anti-glioma clinical efficacy. We tested the anti-glioma efficacy of the anti-angiogenic receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor cediranib and the novel proteasome inhibitor SC68896, in combination and as single agents. To assess anti-angiogenic effects and evaluate efficacy we employed 4C8 intracranial mouse glioma and a dual-bolus perfusion MRI approach to measure Ktrans, relative cerebral blood flow and volume (rCBF, rCBV), and relative mean transit time (rMTT) in combination with anatomical MRI measurements of tumor growth. While single agent cediranib or SC68896 treatment did not alter tumor growth or survival, combined cediranib/SC68896 significantly delayed tumor growth and increased median survival by 2-fold, compared to untreated. This was accompanied by substantially increased tumor necrosis in the cediranib/SC68896 group (p<0.01), not observed with single agent treatments. Mean vessel density was significantly lower, and mean vessel lumen area was significantly higher, for the combined cediranib/SC68896 group versus untreated. Consistent with our previous findings, cediranib alone did not significantly alter mean tumor rCBF, rCBV, rMTT, or Ktrans. In contrast, SC68896 reduced rCBF in comparison to untreated, but without concomitant reductions in rCBV, rMTT, or Ktrans. Importantly, combined cediranib/SC68896 substantially reduced rCBF, rCBV. rMTT, and Ktrans. A novel analysis of Ktrans/rCBV suggests that changes in Ktrans with time and/or treatment are related to altered total vascular surface area. The data suggest that combined cediranib/SC68896 induced potent anti-angiogenic effects, resulting in increased vascular efficiency and reduced extravasation, consistent with a process of vascular normalization. The study represents the first demonstration that the combination of cediranib with a proteasome inhibitor substantially increases the anti-angiogenic efficacy produced from either agent alone, and synergistically slows glioma tumor growth and extends survival, suggesting a promising treatment which warrants further investigation.
An Efficient Method to Derive Explicit KLT Kernel for First-Order Autoregressive Discrete Process

Signal dependent Karhunen-Loève transform (KLT), also called factor analysis or principal component analysis (PCA), has been of great interest in applied mathematics and various engineering disciplines due to optimal performance. However, implementation of KLT has always been the main concern. Therefore, fixed transforms like discrete Fourier (DFT) and discrete cosine (DCT) with efficient algorithms have been successfully used as good approximations to KLT for popular applications spanning from source coding to digital communications. In this paper, we propose a simple method to derive explicit KLT kernel, or to perform PCA, in closed-form for first-order autoregressive, AR (1), discrete process. It is a widely used approximation to many real world signals. The merit of the proposed technique is shown. The novel method introduced in this paper is expected to make real-time and data-intensive applications of KLT, and PCA, more feasible.
Measurement of optical seeing on the high antarctic plateau

Results from the 1995 season of site-testing experiments at the South Pole are presented, in which the seeing was measured using balloon-borne microthermal probes. Our analysis shows a marked division of the atmosphere into two characteristic regions: (i) a highly turbulent boundary layer (0-220 m) associated with a strong temperature inversion and wind shear, and (ii) a very stable free atmosphere. The mean seeing, averaged over 15 balloon flights, was measured to be 1.86″, of which the free atmosphere component was only 0.37″. The seeing from ~200 m upward is superior to the leading mid-latitude sites (e.g. Fuchs 1995; Roddier et al. 1990) by almost a factor of two. The results are in good agreement with optical seeing data obtained by a differential image motion monitor on three of the five occasions when the two measurements were performed simultaneously. The boundary layer winds are of katabatic origin, and so we may consider the possibility of exceptional seeing conditions from surface level at other locations on the plateau such as Domes A and C, where there is little or no katabatic wind. In addition, the proximity of the optical turbulence to the focus of a telescope situated at ground level is a highly favourable situation for the use of adaptive optics, since the wavefront spatial coherence scale is related to the altitude of the turbulent layers producing the image distortion. Some comparisons are made between the relevant adaptive optics parameters measured at the South Pole and Cerro Paranal, one of the best mid-latitude sites.
Toric embedded resolutions of quasi-ordinary hypersurface singularities

A germ of a complex analytic variety is quasi-ordinary if there exists a finite projection to the complex affine space with discriminant locus contained in a normal crossing divisor. Some properties of complex analytic curve singularities generalize to quasi-ordinary singularities in higher dimensions, for example the existence of fractional power series parametrization, as well as the existence of some distinguished, characteristic monomials in the parametrization. The paper gives two different affirmative solutions to a problem of Lipman: do the characteristic monomials of a reduced hypersurface quasi-ordinary singularity determine a procedure of embedded resolution of the singularity? The first procedure builds a sequence of toric morphisms depending only on the characteristic monomials. Along the way characteristic monomials are defined for toric quasi-ordinary hypersurface singularities, and their properties are studied. The second procedure generalizes a method of Goldin and Tessier for plane branches. A key step is the re-embedding of the germ in a larger affine space using certain approximate roots of a Weierstrass polynomial. In the last two sections the two procedures are compared and a detailed example is worked out.