Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Responses of Calcifying and Non-Calcifying Epibionts of a Brown Macroalga to Present-Day and Future Upwelling pCO2

Seaweeds are key species of the Baltic Sea benthic ecosystems. They are the substratum of numerous fouling epibionts like bryozoans and tubeworms. Several of these epibionts bear calcified structures and could be impacted by the high pCO2 events of the late summer upwellings in the Baltic nearshores. Those events are expected to increase in strength and duration with global change and ocean acidification. If calcifying epibionts are impacted by transient acidification as driven by upwelling events, their increasing prevalence could cause a shift of the fouling communities toward fleshy species. The aim of the present study was to test the sensitivity of selected seaweed macrofoulers to transient elevation of pCO2 in their natural microenvironment, i.e. the boundary layer covering the thallus surface of brown seaweeds. Fragments of the macroalga Fucus serratus bearing an epibiotic community composed of the calcifiers Spirorbis spirorbis (Annelida) and Electra pilosa (Bryozoa) and the non-calcifier Alcyonidium hirsutum (Bryozoa) were maintained for 30 days under three pCO2 conditions: natural 460±59 µatm, present-day upwelling1193±166 µatm and future upwelling 3150±446 µatm. Only the highest pCO2 caused a significant reduction of growth rates and settlement of S. spirorbis individuals. Additionally, S. spirorbis settled juveniles exhibited enhanced calcification of 40% during daylight hours compared to dark hours, possibly reflecting a day-night alternation of an acidification-modulating effect by algal photosynthesis as opposed to an acidification-enhancing effect of algal respiration. E. pilosa colonies showed significantly increased growth rates at intermediate pCO2 (1193 µatm) but no response to higher pCO2. No effect of acidification on A. hirsutum colonies growth rates was observed. The results suggest a remarkable resistance of the algal macro-epibionts to levels of acidification occurring at present day upwellings in the Baltic. Only extreme future upwelling conditions impacted the tubeworm S. spirorbis, but not the bryozoans.
A Novel 700 V Monolithically Integrated Si-GaN Cascoded Field Effect Transistor

In this letter, a novel monolithically integrated Si-GaN cascoded FET is designed and experimentally demonstrated for high-voltage power switching applications. The device is formed by monolithically connecting a low-voltage Si MOSFET and a high-voltage normally-on GaN MIS-HEMT on the same substrate in the cascode configuration. The interconnection distance is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$50~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> which is only 2.5% of that of the conventional two-chip co-package approach (~2 mm). The fabricated cascoded FET features normally-off functionalities with a threshold voltage of 3.2 V, a drive current of 1850 A/cm<sup>2</sup> (630 mA/mm) at the gate bias of 15 V, a gate swing of 20 V, a specific on-resistance of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3.3\;\text {m}\Omega \cdot \text {cm}^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and a breakdown voltage of 696 V.
An Experimental Investigation of a Bound Vortex Surface Impingement Method for the Removal of Adhered Dust Particles

Dust mitigation is an integral issue faced by many manufacturing and aerospace activities. This problem is particularly challenging in Lunar and Martian environments which produce electrically charged particles that easily adhere to exposed surfaces. This work experimentally investigates the operation of the computational design reported by Vachon and Hitt in a recent numerical study. The e ectiveness of vortex-induced ow conditions is evaluated using a combination of high speed ow visualization and particle image velocimetry techniques. In addition, a convective cooling method is used to provide a visualization of surface shear stress. Current experimental results are compared to previous computational results in order to con rm the existence of a bond vortex ow condition. Experimental evaluation of particle removal behavior and bound vortex formation are found to be in good agreement with numerical predictions.
Physical and biogeochemical forcing of oxygen and nitrate changes during El Niño/El Viejo and La Niña/La Vieja upper-ocean phases in the tropical eastern South Pacific along 86° W

Temporal changes in the water mass distribution and biogeochemical signals in the tropical eastern South Pacific are investigated with the help of an extended optimum multi-parameter (OMP) analysis, a technique for inverse modeling of mixing and biogeochemical processes through a multidimensional least-square fit. Two ship occupations of a meridional section along 85°50' W from 14° S to 1° N are analysed during relatively warm (El Nino/El Viejo, March 1993) and cold (La Nina/La Vieja, February 2009) upper-ocean phases. The largest El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impact was found in the water properties and water mass distribution in the upper 200 m north of 10° S. ENSO promotes the vertical motion of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) associated with the hypoxic equatorial subsurface water (ESSW). During a cold phase the core of the ESSW is found at shallower layers, replacing shallow (top 200 m) subtropical surface water (STW). The heave of isopycnals due to ENSO partially explains the intrusion of oxygen-rich and nutrient-poor antarctic intermediate water (AAIW) into the depth range of 150–500 m. The other cause of the AAIW increase at shallower depths is that this water mass flowed along shallower isopycnals in 2009. The shift in the vertical location of AAIW reaching the OMZ induces changes in the amount of oxygen advected and respired inside the OMZ: the larger the oxygen supply, the greater the respiration and the lower the nitrate loss through denitrification. Variations in the intensity of the zonal currents in the equatorial current system, which ventilates the OMZ from the west, are used to explain the patchy latitudinal changes of seawater properties observed along the repeated section. Significant changes reach down to 800 m, suggesting that decadal variability (Pacific decadal oscillation) is also a potential driver in the observed variability.
Coverage-based constraints for IMRT optimization

Radiation therapy treatment planning requires an incorporation of uncertainties in order to guarantee an adequate irradiation of the tumor volumes. In current clinical practice, uncertainties are accounted for implicitly with an expansion of the target volume according to generic margin recipes. Alternatively, it is possible to account for uncertainties by explicit minimization of objectives that describe worst-case treatment scenarios, the expectation value of the treatment or the coverage probability of the target volumes during treatment planning. In this note we show that approaches relying on objectives to induce a specific coverage of the clinical target volumes are inevitably sensitive to variation of the relative weighting of the objectives. To address this issue, we introduce coverage-based constraints for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment planning. Our implementation follows the concept of coverage-optimized planning that considers explicit error scenarios to calculate and optimize patient-specific probabilities q(d^,v^) of covering a specific target volume fraction v^ with a certain dose d^. Using a constraint-based reformulation of coverage-based objectives we eliminate the trade-off between coverage and competing objectives during treatment planning. In-depth convergence tests including 324 treatment plan optimizations demonstrate the reliability of coverage-based constraints for varying levels of probability, dose and volume. General clinical applicability of coverage-based constraints is demonstrated for two cases. A sensitivity analysis regarding penalty variations within this planing study based on IMRT treatment planning using (1) coverage-based constraints, (2) coverage-based objectives, (3) probabilistic optimization, (4) robust optimization and (5) conventional margins illustrates the potential benefit of coverage-based constraints that do not require tedious adjustment of target volume objectives.
Interface between 40S exit channel protein uS7/Rps5 and eIF2α modulates start codon recognition in vivo

The eukaryotic pre-initiation complex (PIC) bearing the eIF2·GTP·Met-tRNAiMet ternary complex (TC) scans the mRNA for an AUG codon in favorable context. AUG recognition evokes rearrangement of the PIC from an open, scanning to a closed, arrested conformation. Cryo-EM reconstructions of yeast PICs suggest remodeling of the interface between 40S protein Rps5/uS7 and eIF2α between open and closed states; however, its importance was unknown. uS7 substitutions disrupting eIF2α contacts favored in the open complex increase initiation at suboptimal sites, and uS7-S223D stabilizes TC binding to PICs reconstituted with a UUG start codon, indicating inappropriate rearrangement to the closed state. Conversely, uS7-D215 substitutions, perturbing uS7-eIF2α interaction in the closed state, confer the opposite phenotypes of hyperaccuracy and (for D215L) accelerated TC dissociation from reconstituted PICs. Thus, remodeling of the uS7/eIF2α interface appears to stabilize first the open, and then the closed state of the PIC to promote accurate AUG selection in vivo. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.22572. 001
Variable step size Perturb and observe MPPT algorithm for standalone solar photovoltaic system

The maximum power obtained from a solar photovoltaic system varies due to the variation in the atmospheric condition. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller is implemented to track the maximum power with respect to the changes in the weather conditions to efficiently operate the solar Photovoltaic (PV) system. In this paper, a comparative study between different P&O algorithms such as conventional Perturbation & Observation (P&O) MPPT and variable step size Perturb & Observe (VSS P&O) MPPT are presented. The performance study of standalone solar PV system is carried out under various weather conditions with different MPPT controller. DC-DC boost converter is adopted as power conditioning unit.
Nature and Science of Sleep Dovepress Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Psychomotor Vigilance Task Performance

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder with considerable morbidity and mortality. Vigilance and attentiveness are often impaired in OSA patients. In occupational medicine settings, subjective reports of sleepiness are notoriously inaccurate, making the identification of objective measures of vigilance potentially important for risk assessments of fitness for duty. In order to evaluate the effects of OSA on attentiveness and vigilance, we conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between OSA and psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) performance. Methods: Patients attending sleep clinics for evaluation of possible sleep apnea were recruited. The subjects underwent either a standard overnight laboratory polysomnography or home sleep study. Subjective daytime sleepiness was assessed by Epworth sleepiness scale, and vigilance was tested using a portable device. The participants were asked to respond to the PVT signals using their dominant hand. Each PVT administration lasted 10 minutes, with stimuli signals appearing randomly at variable intervals of 2–10 seconds. Results: Mean age of the participants was 46±15 years, and mean body mass index was 34.3±9.8 kg/m 2. Participants with higher Epworth scores had worse PVT performance (P,0.05). In multivariate analyses, age, body mass index, and poor sleep efficiency (measured by Pittsburgh sleep quality index score) were associated with worse PVT performance (P,0.05). In contrast, PVT performance did not differ significantly across categories of apnea hypopnea index severity. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that women had worse performance on all PVT measures (P,0.05). Conclusion: PVT performance can be utilized for risk assessments of sleepiness and may be particularly useful among populations where subjective reports are unreliable.
Effects of a national smoking ban on hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases: a time-series analysis in Taiwan

ABSTRACT On January 11, 2009, a comprehensive smoking ban was implemented in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of this ban on hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Trends in the country-level monthly hospital admission rates for IHD were determined and frequency compared to other conditions such as control conditions cholecystitis, bowel obstruction, and appendicitis from January 1997 (1 year before the first phase of smoke-free laws was implemented) to December 2012 (3 years after the second phase of the ban). Poisson regression with a monthly time-series model was used to determine alterations in the trend of admission rates for IHD with comparison to rates of other disorders after the ban. Hospital admissions for IHD decreased by 0.8% (incidence rate ratio [RR]: 0.992; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.991–0.994) and 1.1% (incidence RR: 0.989; 95% CI = 0.988–0.991) following the first (September 19, 1997 to January 10, 2009) and second (January 11, 2009 to December 31, 2012) phases of the ban, respectively, compared with those prior to the pre-ban period, the corresponding values for the control conditions were 0.6% (95% CI = 0.5%–0.7%) and 0.7% (95% CI = 0.6%–0.9%). The admission rates significantly fell for both men and women and for all examined age categories after both first and second phases of the ban. The present findings provide evidence of a significant reduction in hospital admissions for IHD in Taiwan following smoking bans.
The clustering and morphology of chondrocytes in normal and mildly degenerate human femoral head cartilage studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy

Chondrocytes are the major cell type present in hyaline cartilage and they play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical resilience of the tissue through a balance of the synthesis and breakdown of extracellular matrix macromolecules. Histological assessment of cartilage suggests that articular chondrocytes in situ typically occur singly and demonstrate a rounded/elliptical morphology. However, there are suggestions that their grouping and fine shape is more complex and that these change with cartilage degeneration as occurs in osteoarthritis. In the present study we have used confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescently labelled in situ human chondrocytes and advanced imaging software to visualise chondrocyte clustering and detailed morphology within grade‐0 (non‐degenerate) and grade‐1 (mildly degenerate) cartilage from human femoral heads. Graded human cartilage explants were incubated with 5‐chloromethylfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide to identify the morphology and viability, respectively, of in situ chondrocytes within superficial, mid‐ and deep zones. In grade‐0 cartilage, the analysis of confocal microscope images showed that although the majority of chondrocytes were single and morphologically normal, clusters (i.e. three or more chondrocytes within the enclosed lacunar space) were occasionally observed in the superficial zone, and 15–25% of the cell population exhibited at least one cytoplasmic process of ~ 5 μm in length. With degeneration, cluster number increased (~ 50%) but not significantly; however, the number of cells/cluster (P < 0.001) and the percentage of cells forming clusters increased (P = 0.0013). In the superficial zone but not the mid‐ or deep zones, the volume of clusters and average volume of chondrocytes in clusters increased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). The percentage of chondrocytes with processes, the number of processes/cell and the length of processes/cell increased in the superficial zone of grade‐1 cartilage (P = 0.0098, P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Processes were categorised based on length (L0 – no cytoplasmic processes; L1 < 5 μm; 5 < L2 ≤ 10 μm; 10 < L3 ≤ 15 μm; L4 > 15 μm). With cartilage degeneration, for chondrocytes in all zones, there was a significant decrease (P = 0.015) in the percentage of chondrocytes with ‘normal’ morphology (i.e. L0), with no change in the percentage of cells with L1 processes; however, there were significant increases in the other categories. In grade‐0 cartilage, chondrocyte clustering and morphological abnormalities occurred and with degeneration these were exacerbated, particularly in the superficial zone. Chondrocyte clustering and abnormal morphology are associated with aberrant matrix metabolism, suggesting that these early changes to chondrocyte properties may be associated with cartilage degeneration.
Differentiating Defect and Basal Plane Contributions to the Surface Energy of Graphite Using Inverse Gas Chromatography

Historically, reported values for the surface energy of graphite have covered a very wide range. Here, we use finite-dilution inverse gas chromatography (FD-IGC) to show that the dispersive component of the surface energy of graphite has contributions from edge and basal plane defects as well as from the hexagonal carbon lattice. The surface energy associated with the defect-free hexagonal lattice is measured at high probe-coverage to be 63 ± 7 mJ/m2, independent of graphite type. However, the surface energy measured at low probe coverage varied from 125 to 175 mJ/m2 depending on the graphite type. Simulation of the FD-IGC output for different binding site distributions allows us to associate this low-coverage surface energy with the binding of probe molecules to high energy defect sites. Importantly, we find the rate of decay of surface energy with probe coverage to carry information about the defect density. By analyzing the dependence of these properties on flake size, it is possible to separate out th.
Occurrence of invasive alien plant species in the floodplain forests along the Mura River in Slovenia

Background and purpose: The objectives of our study were to identify invasive alien plant species (IAS) in the main Natura 2000 forest habitat types (FHT) along the Mura River in Slovenia, and to estimate their abundance and cover. The aim of our study was to find out a) What kinds of IAS appear in the research forests? b) What is their frequency and cover percentage? c) Are individual IAS more attached to some FHT than others? d) What is the correlation between the cover of IAS and the tree layer cover? Materials and methods: We analysed the fidelity of invasive plant species to individual FHT. The studied FHTs along the Mura River were following: 91E0* (Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior), 91F0 (Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers) and 91L0 (Illyrian oak-hornbeam forests). Two forest areas of about 600 ha were studied in total.Results: 16 IAS were recorded in studied FHTs. Some species, like Robinia pseudacacia, Impatiens glandulifera, I. parviflora, Fallopia japonica (incl. F. x bohemica), Erigeron annuus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Amorpha fruticosa, Conyza canadensis and Juncus tenuis occur only in one or two FHTs, while some species can be found in all studied FHTs (like Solidago sp.). We have found that the most threatened forests are those with prevailing Salix alba, Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus angustifolia and Ulmus laevis, tree species, which grow closest to the river and on the wettest sites.Conclusions: The increasing presence of IAS in the study areas seriously affect natural regeneration, stability, and continuity of floodplain FHTs. Therefore, some measures and guidelines for managing of these forests are suggested in this study.
Exercise self-efficacy in older adults: Social, affective, and behavioral influences

A 6-month randomized controlled trial examined the effect of walking and stretching/toning activity on changes in self-efficacy to overcome barriers and engage in incremental periods of activity in older, formerly sedentary adults (N = 174, Mage = 65.5 years). Additionally, we were interested in the extent to which social, affective, and behavioral influences contributed to self-efficacy at the end of the 6-month program. Multiple sample latent growth curve analyses revealed a nonsignificant curvilinear growth pattern for barriers efficacy with increases in efficacy occurring from base-line to 2 months and then declining at 4 and 6 months. In the case of efficacy related to continued activity participation, there was a significant growth pattern demonstrating declines in efficacy over the 4 time points. Structural modeling analyses revealed significant direct effects of physical activity, affect experienced during activity, and exercise social support on both types of self-efficacy. These relationships were not significantly different between modes of activity. The findings are discussed in terms of the need to target sources of efficacy information prior to program end and the implications that such an approach might have for long-term maintenance of physical activity in older adults.
Histopathologic Analysis of Retrieved Thrombi Associated With Successful Reperfusion After Acute Stroke Thrombectomy

Background and Purpose— Histopathologic evaluation of occlusive thrombi retrieved from cerebral arteries using endovascular therapy is possible. We investigated the relationship between successful reperfusion after thrombectomy and histopathologic characteristics of retrieved thrombi. Methods— Among consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular therapy at our institute from December 2010 to July 2015, we retrospectively reviewed those with acute major arterial occlusion from which retrieved thrombi were evaluated histopathologically. Obtained thrombi were assessed for the existence of atheromatous gruel, organization, and the ratios of erythrocyte and fibrin/platelet components. Successful reperfusion was defined as the modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia grade of 2b to 3. Results— Of 83 patients studied, 58 (70%) underwent successful reperfusion. Atheromatous gruel was less frequently identified (3% versus 20%; P=0.024), and the proportion of erythrocyte components was higher (57±23% versus 47±24%; P=0.042) in thrombi retrieved from the reperfused than the unreperfused group. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, atheromatous gruel was inversely related (odds ratio, 0.062; 95% confidence interval, 0.002–0.864), and >64% erythrocyte components (cutoff obtained from receiver operating characteristic curve) were positively related (odds ratio, 4.352; 95% confidence interval, 1.185–19.363) to successful reperfusion. Conclusions— Successful reperfusion could be associated with the histopathology of occlusive thrombi, including the existence of atheromatous gruel and proportion of erythrocyte components. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT02251665.
A forecast-based biologically-plausible STDP learning rule

Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP) is a well known paradigm for learning in neural networks. In this paper we propose a new approach to this problem based on the standard STDP algorithm, with modifications and approximations, that relate the membrane potential with the LTP (Long Term Potentiation) part of the basic STDP rule. On the other side we use the standard STDP rule for the LTD (Long Term Depression) part of the algorithm. We show that on the basis of the membrane potential [5] it is possible to make a statistical prediction of the time needed by the neuron to reach the threshold, and therefore the LTP part of the STDP algorithm can be triggered when the neuron receives a spike.We present results that show the efficacy of this algorithm using one or more input patterns repeated over the whole time of the simulation. Through the approximations we suggest in this paper we introduce a learning rule that is easy to implement in simulators and reduces the execution time if compared with the standard STDP rule.