Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of diurnal urea excretion in the mangrove killifish, Rivulus marmoratus

SUMMARY An unusual characteristic of nitrogen excretion in the ammoniotelic mangrove killifish Rivulus marmoratus is that urea is excreted (Jurea) in a distinct diurnal pattern, whereas ammonia is excreted (Jamm) at a steady rate. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the diurnal pattern in R. marmoratus is an endogenously generated pattern that is characterized as a circadian rhythm. This hypothesis was tested by measuring Jurea and Jamm following manipulation of feeding or lighting regimes. The diurnal Jurea pattern in food-deprived R. marmoratus had a 24 h periodicity under normal conditions of 12 h:12 h light:dark (12:12 L:D) with 72% more urea excreted during 12:00 h and 18:00 h. In contrast, there was no significant pattern in Jamm. Fed fish (12:12 L:D) demonstrated a diurnal pattern in both Jurea and Jamm with up to an eightfold increase in excretion rates compared with rates obtained from food-deprived fish. Patterns of Jurea were free running with a 24 h period under conditions of continuous darkness (0:24 L:D). Exposure to an inverse photoperiod (12:12 D:L) resulted in entrainment of the Jurea pattern to the new photoperiod, with the highest rates of excretion occurring during midday of the new photoperiod. In contrast to R. marmoratus, nitrogen excretion rates in the zebrafish Danio rerio remained constant over time. The results of this study show that Jurea in R. marmoratus demonstrates the characteristics of a circadian rhythm: a 24 h periodicity, a free-running rhythm in continuous conditions, and entrainment to new photoperiods.
Compressed Sensing Signal and Data Acquisition in Wireless Sensor Networks and Internet of Things

The emerging compressed sensing (CS) theory can significantly reduce the number of sampling points that directly corresponds to the volume of data collected, which means that part of the redundant data is never acquired. It makes it possible to create standalone and net-centric applications with fewer resources required in Internet of Things (IoT). CS-based signal and information acquisition/compression paradigm combines the nonlinear reconstruction algorithm and random sampling on a sparse basis that provides a promising approach to compress signal and data in information systems. This paper investigates how CS can provide new insights into data sampling and acquisition in wireless sensor networks and IoT. First, we briefly introduce the CS theory with respect to the sampling and transmission coordination during the network lifetime through providing a compressed sampling process with low computation costs. Then, a CS-based framework is proposed for IoT, in which the end nodes measure, transmit, and store the sampled data in the framework. Then, an efficient cluster-sparse reconstruction algorithm is proposed for in-network compression aiming at more accurate data reconstruction and lower energy efficiency. Performance is evaluated with respect to network size using datasets acquired by a real-life deployment.
STAT-3 Activation by Differential Cytokines Is Critical for Human In Vivo–Generated Plasma Cell Survival and Ig Secretion

Maturation and survival of plasma cells (PCs) depends on extrinsic factors provided in specialized niches. In addition, B lymphocyte differentiation into PCs requires the activation of the JAK–STAT-3 pathway. However, whether STAT-3 is needed only during the transition of B lymphocytes to PC, or it is also involved in the survival and function of PCs at different stages of maturation, has not been unequivocally clarified. This study analyzes the effect of IL-10, IL-21, and IL-6 on human in vivo–generated PCs isolated from secondary lymphoid organs, blood (circulating, recently Ag-induced PCs), and bone marrow. PCs from these different organs show specific profiles of receptors for, and responsiveness to, these cytokines required for their survival and sustained Ab secretion. However, IL-10, IL-21, and IL-6 commonly induce STAT-3 phosphorylation in the three PC subsets, and all of their effects are exerted strictly through the STAT-3 activation. The inhibition or nonactivation of this pathway in the three PC populations impairs not only the effect of STAT-3–activating cytokines, but also the action of other cytokines important at the PC level, including a proliferation-induced ligand, BAFF, insulin-like growth factor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and stromal cell–derived factor-1α. These results indicate that STAT-3 activation is critical for human PCs throughout their maturation.
Repository ISTITUZIONALE

In this paper, we deal with the problem of how to eﬀectively approximate the max ∗ operator when having n > 2 input values, with the aim of reducing implementation complexity of conventional Log-MAP turbo decoders. We show that, contrary to previous approaches, it is not necessary to apply the max ∗ operator recursively over pairs of values. Instead, a simple, yet eﬀective, solution for the max ∗ operator is revealed having the advantage of being in non-recursive form and thus, requiring less computational eﬀort. Hardware synthesis results for practical turbo decoders have shown implementation savings for the proposed method against the most recent published eﬃcient turbo decoding algorithms by providing near optimal bit error rate (BER) performance.
A least-squares finite element method for optimization and control problems

Optimization and control problems for systems governed by partial differential equations arise in many applications. Experimental studies of such problems go back 100 years [20]. Computational approaches have been applied since the advent of the computer age. Most of the efforts in the latter direction have employed elementary optimization strategies but, more recently, there has been considerable practical and theoretical interest in the application of sophisticated local and global optimization strategies, e.g., Lagrange multiplier methods, sensitivity or adjoint-based gradient methods, quasi-Newton methods, evolutionary algorithms, etc. The optimal control or optimization problems we consider consist of
The relationships between Chinese higher education students' epistemic beliefs and their judgmental standards of searching for literature online: undergraduate versus graduate comparisons

The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between Chinese higher education students' epistemic beliefs and their judgmental standards of searching for literature online. Data were collected from 449 higher education students (152 college students and 297 graduate students) in Beijing via two self-reported questionnaires: one was the Epistemic Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ), including four scales (Innate/Fixed Ability, Learning Effort/Process, Authority/Expert Knowledge, and Certainty of Knowledge); the other was the Online Judgmental Standards of Searching for Literature Questionnaire (OJSSLQ), consisting of six scales (Multiple sources, Authority, Content, Quantitative Indicators, Clarity, and Ease of Access). Through exploratory factor analyses, this study confirmed the reliability and validity of the EBQ and OJSSLQ. Further analyses indicated that there were significant differences between college and graduate students for the Content and Ease of Access judgmental standards of searching for literature online whereby graduate students had higher standards for these two factors, but there were no differences for the other factors. Correlation analysis between the EBQ and OJSSLQ was conducted for the college and graduate students. An interplay between the students' epistemic beliefs and their evaluative standards of searching for literature online was found. For example, the results indicated that both college and graduate students with the epistemic belief that learning requires great efforts and processes (Learning Effort/Process) had the tendency to judge the academic information by the standards of Authority and Content (i.e. checking the authority of literature or carefully reading the content). This study also found that epistemic beliefs might increasingly play a role in the students' judgmental standards of searching for literature online as they progressed into advanced study.
Ensemble methods for improving the performance of neighborhood-based collaborative filtering

Recommender systems provide consumers with ratings of items. These ratings are based on a set of ratings that were obtained from a wide scope of users. Predicting the ratings can be formulated as a regression problem. Ensemble regression methods are effective tools that improve the results of simple regression algorithms by iteratively applying the simple algorithm to a diverse set of inputs. The present paper describes a simple and effective ensemble regressor for the prediction of missing ratings in recommender systems. The ensemble method is an adaptation of the AdaBoost regression algorithm for recommendation tasks. In all iterations, interpolation weights for all nearest neighbors are simultaneously derived by minimizing the root mean squared error. From iteration to iteration instances that are hard to predict are reinforced by manipulating their weights in the goal function that needs to be minimized. The experimental evaluation demonstrates that the ensemble methodology significantly improves the predictive performance of single neighborhood-based collaborative filtering.
Morphogenetic Mechanisms in the Cyclic Regeneration of Hair Follicles and Deer Antlers from Stem Cells

We have made comparisons between hair follicles (HFs) and antler units (AUs)—two seemingly unrelated mammalian organs. HFs are tiny and concealed within skin, whereas AUs are gigantic and grown externally for visual display. However, these two organs share some striking similarities. Both consist of permanent and cyclic/temporary components and undergo stem-cell-based organogenesis and cyclic regeneration. Stem cells of both organs reside in the permanent part and the growth centres are located in the temporary part of each respective organ. Organogenesis and regeneration of both organs depend on epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Establishment of these interactions requires stem cells and reactive/niche cells (dermal papilla cells for HFs and epidermal cells for AUs) to be juxtaposed, which is achieved through destruction of the cyclic part to bring the reactive cells into close proximity to the respective stem cell niche. Developments of HFs and AUs are regulated by similar endocrine (particularly testosterone) and paracrine (particularly IGF1) factors. Interestingly, these two organs come to interplay during antlerogenesis. In conclusion, we believe that investigators from the fields of both HF and AU biology could greatly benefit from a comprehensive comparison between these two organs.
Anatomical Location of the Mesencephalic Locomotor Region and Its Possible Role in Locomotion, Posture, Cataplexy, and Parkinsonism

The mesencephalic (or midbrain) locomotor region (MLR) was first described in 1966 by Shik and colleagues, who demonstrated that electrical stimulation of this region induced locomotion in decerebrate (intercollicular transection) cats. The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) cholinergic neurons and midbrain extrapyramidal area (MEA) have been suggested to form the neuroanatomical basis for the MLR, but direct evidence for the role of these structures in locomotor behavior has been lacking. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the MLR is composed of non-cholinergic spinally projecting cells in the lateral pontine tegmentum. Our results showed that putative MLR neurons medial to the PPT and MEA in rats were non-cholinergic, glutamatergic, and express the orexin (hypocretin) type 2 receptors. Fos mapping correlated with motor behaviors revealed that the dorsal and ventral MLR are activated, respectively, in association with locomotion and an erect posture. Consistent with these findings, chemical stimulation of the dorsal MLR produced locomotion, whereas stimulation of the ventral MLR caused standing. Lesions of the MLR (dorsal and ventral regions together) resulted in cataplexy and episodic immobility of gait. Finally, trans-neuronal tracing with pseudorabies virus demonstrated disynaptic input to the MLR from the substantia nigra via the MEA. These findings offer a new perspective on the neuroanatomic basis of the MLR, and suggest that MLR dysfunction may contribute to the postural and gait abnormalities in Parkinsonism.
Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Shale Rock in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

An investigation into the mechanical properties of shale rock from Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia is presented in this paper. Uniaxial compression test, Schmidt hammer test and porosity estimation were carried out. Regarding the compression test, it was found that the strength ranged from 1.98MPa to 8MPa and the strain ranged from 0.53% to 2.5%. Regarding the Schmidt Hammer test, it was found that the rebound values ranged from 22.4 to 25. The measurements of volumetric porosity indicated that the porosity in the shale rock ranged between 19.12% and 24.31%. All the values determined in this project match well with the published values of other studies about shale rock.
Micro-RNA Regulation of the Mammalian lin-28 Gene during Neuronal Differentiation of Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

ABSTRACT Vertebrate genomes each encode hundreds of micro-RNAs (miRNAs), yet for few of these miRNAs is there empirical evidence as to which mRNA(s) they regulate. Here we report the identification of human lin-28 mRNA as a regulatory target of human miR-125b and its homolog miR-125a. Studies of miR-125b function in mouse P19 embryonal carcinoma cells induced to develop into neurons suggest a role for this regulatory miRNA in mammalian neuronal differentiation, since its increased concentration in these cells contributes to lin-28 downregulation. Within the lin-28 3′ untranslated region (UTR) are two conserved miRNA responsive elements (miREs) that mediate repression by miR-125b and miR-125a. Simultaneous deletion of both miREs renders the lin-28 3′ UTR almost completely insensitive to these miRNAs, indicating that these two miREs are the principal elements in the lin-28 3′ UTR that respond to miR-125. At the 3′ end of each element is an adenosine residue that makes a significant contribution to function irrespective of its complementarity to the 5′-terminal nucleotide of miR-125. By contrast to most earlier reports of gene repression by other miRNAs that are imperfectly complementary to their targets, lin-28 downregulation by miR-125 involves reductions in both translational efficiency and mRNA abundance. The decrease in the mRNA concentration is achieved by a posttranscriptional mechanism that is independent of the inhibitory effect on translation.
Multiscale methods for the valuation of American options with stochastic volatility

This paper deals with the efficient valuation of American options. We adopt Heston's approach for a model of stochastic volatility, leading to a generalized Black–Scholes equation called Heston's equation. Together with appropriate boundary conditions, this can be formulated as a parabolic boundary value problem with a free boundary, the optimal exercise price of the option. For its efficient numerical solution, we employ, among other multiscale methods, a monotone multigrid method based on linear finite elements in space and display corresponding numerical experiments.
Effect of the Chemical Constitution of Soaps upon their Germicidal Properties

Studies on the properties of soaps are of importance because of their common use as detergents, in the preparation of vaccines, in the treatment of disease, and because of their natural occurrence in the animal body where they may have some effect in determining the resistance of the animal organism to infection. Reichenbach (1908) studied the action of soaps on Escherichia coli and found that potassium stearate, pahmitate, and myristate were effective in killing this organism, while the oleate, erucate, and linoleate were inactive. Walker (1924-1926) showed that sodium and potassium soaps of the same acid did not vary greatly in their germicidal action. The lower members of the series such as the butyrate, valerate, caprylate, and caproate, had little or no germicidal effect. He found the pneumococcus to be very susceptible to laurates, oleates linoleates, and linolenates. Streptococci were killed much like the pneumococci but at higher concentrations of the soap. Escherichia coli, Eberthella typhi, Shigella paradysenteriae, Salmonella paratyphi were killed by moderate concentrations (N/20 to N/40) of the saturated soaps (laurates to stearates) but were very resistant to the unsaturated soaps. Eggerth (1926-1931) studied the germicidal action of alpha substituted soaps. He found that the soaps of the alpha bromo fatty acids were usually more germicidal than the unsubstituted. The alpha hydroxy soaps exhibited a high germicidal activity
Cognitive impairment in depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background This review aimed to address the question of whether cognitive impairment should be considered a core feature of depression that may be a valuable target for treatment. Method We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive function, assessed with a single neuropsychological test battery, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in patients with depression during symptomatic and remitted states. Inclusion of studies comparing patients remitted from depression and controls enabled us to investigate whether cognitive impairment persists beyond episodes of low mood in depression. Results Our meta-analysis revealed significant moderate cognitive deficits in executive function, memory and attention in patients with depression relative to controls (Cohen's d effect sizes ranging from −0.34 to −0.65). Significant moderate deficits in executive function and attention (Cohen's d ranging from −0.52 to −0.61) and non-significant small/moderate deficits in memory (Cohen's d ranging from −0.22 to −0.54) were found to persist in patients whose depressive symptoms had remitted, indicating that cognitive impairment occurs separately from episodes of low mood in depression. Conclusions Both low mood and cognitive impairment are associated with poor psychosocial functioning. Therefore, we argue that remediation of cognitive impairment and alleviation of depressive symptoms each play an important role in improving outcome for patients with depression. In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that cognitive impairment represents a core feature of depression that cannot be considered an epiphenomenon that is entirely secondary to symptoms of low mood and that may be a valuable target for future interventions.
Ray-tracing simulator for radar signals propagation in radar networks

In this work a ray tracer program to simulate radar waves propagation is proposed. The program is capable of, given a complete geometrical description of an ideal 3D scenario, simulating the propagation of the probing electromagnetic waves by means of ray tracing technique. After that the program can provide radar measurable parameters for targets, like range and Doppler frequency, in presence of multipath caused by reflection or scattering from obstacles. These results are useful for interpretation of measured results, radar software development, planning radar networks deployment and radar networks management.
Force Ripple Minimization of a Linear Vernier Permanent Magnet Machine for Direct-Drive Servo Applications

Linear vernier permanent magnet machines (LVPMMs) for direct-drive servo applications are attracting more and more attentions due to its high force density, easy maintenance, rapid dynamic response, and so on. This paper proposes an LVPMM structure, which has a similar secondary as that of a regular linear PM machine, while its primary mover is composed of three modules, and the modules are separated by flux barriers. Since high-precision servo systems have rigorous demands on the force ripple of the drive motors, two methods are introduced to minimize the force ripple of the LVPMM. One is to choose an optimal length of flux barriers; the other is to change the three-phase winding connection. The effectiveness of both methods is verified by time-stepping finite element analysis. It is found that the force ripple can be reduced from 10.6% to 2.4% by the proposed two methods.
Green spaces and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between proximity to green spaces and surrounding greenness and pregnancy outcomes, such as birth weight, low birth weight (LBW), very LBW (VLBW), gestational age, preterm deliveries (PTD) and very PTD (VPTD). Methods This study was based on 39 132 singleton live births from a registry birth cohort in Tel Aviv, Israel, during 2000–2006. Surrounding greenness was defined as the average of satellite-based Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in 250 m buffers and proximity to major green spaces was defined as residence within a buffer of 300 m from boundaries of a major green space (5000 m2), based on data constructed from OpenStreetMap. Linear regression (for birth weight and gestational age) and logistic regressions models (for LBW, VLBW, PTD and VPTD) were used with adjustment for relevant covariates. Results An increase in 1 interquartile range greenness was associated with a statistically significant increase in birth weight (19.2 g 95% CI 13.3 to 25.1) and decreased risk of LBW (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.90). Results for VLBW were in the same direction but were not statistically significant. In general, no associations were found for gestational age, PTD and VPTD. The findings were consistent with different buffer and green space sizes and stronger associations were observed among those of lower socioeconomic status. Conclusions This study confirms the results of a few previous studies demonstrating an association between maternal proximity to green spaces and birth weight. Further investigation is needed into the associations with VLBW and VPTD, which has never been studied before.
Functional Identification of Dendritic Cells in the Teleost Model, Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Dendritic cells are specialized antigen presenting cells that bridge innate and adaptive immunity in mammals. This link between the ancient innate immune system and the more evolutionarily recent adaptive immune system is of particular interest in fish, the oldest vertebrates to have both innate and adaptive immunity. It is unknown whether dendritic cells co-evolved with the adaptive response, or if the connection between innate and adaptive immunity relied on a fundamentally different cell type early in evolution. We approached this question using the teleost model organism, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), with the aim of identifying dendritic cells based on their ability to stimulate naïve T cells. Adapting mammalian protocols for the generation of dendritic cells, we established a method of culturing highly motile, non-adherent cells from trout hematopoietic tissue that had irregular membrane processes and expressed surface MHCII. When side-by-side mixed leukocyte reactions were performed, these cells stimulated greater proliferation than B cells or macrophages, demonstrating their specialized ability to present antigen and therefore their functional homology to mammalian dendritic cells. Trout dendritic cells were then further analyzed to determine if they exhibited other features of mammalian dendritic cells. Trout dendritic cells were found to have many of the hallmarks of mammalian DCs including tree-like morphology, the expression of dendritic cell markers, the ability to phagocytose small particles, activation by toll-like receptor-ligands, and the ability to migrate in vivo. As in mammals, trout dendritic cells could be isolated directly from the spleen, or larger numbers could be derived from hematopoietic tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro.