Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Grassland Resistance and Resilience after Drought Depends on Management Intensity and Species Richness

The degree to which biodiversity may promote the stability of grasslands in the light of climatic variability, such as prolonged summer drought, has attracted considerable interest. Studies so far yielded inconsistent results and in addition, the effect of different grassland management practices on their response to drought remains an open question. We experimentally combined the manipulation of prolonged summer drought (sheltered vs. unsheltered sites), plant species loss (6 levels of 60 down to 1 species) and management intensity (4 levels varying in mowing frequency and amount of fertilizer application). Stability was measured as resistance and resilience of aboveground biomass production in grasslands against decreased summer precipitation, where resistance is the difference between drought treatments directly after drought induction and resilience is the difference between drought treatments in spring of the following year. We hypothesized that (i) management intensification amplifies biomass decrease under drought, (ii) resistance decreases with increasing species richness and with management intensification and (iii) resilience increases with increasing species richness and with management intensification. We found that resistance and resilience of grasslands to summer drought are highly dependent on management intensity and partly on species richness. Frequent mowing reduced the resistance of grasslands against drought and increasing species richness decreased resistance in one of our two study years. Resilience was positively related to species richness only under the highest management treatment. We conclude that low mowing frequency is more important for high resistance against drought than species richness. Nevertheless, species richness increased aboveground productivity in all management treatments both under drought and ambient conditions and should therefore be maintained under future climates.
PREMEDICATION WITH LORAZEPAM FOR BRONCHOSCOPY

Lorazepam 3 or 4 mg i.m. was given to 100 patients as premedication before bronchoscopy under thiopentone-suxamethonium anaesthesia. Forty-nine of the patients assessed as anxious received oral lorazepam as preoperative night sedation also. Lorazepam was an effective night sedative. Forty-two of the 49 patients slept well and were calm and co-operative in the morning. Following the i.m. injection of lorazepam, 64% of patients had complete lack of recall for 4-10 h following premedication. Only 5% recalled correctly a simple objective test of memory initiated in the anaesthetic room. The frequency of recall was higher in those who consumed alcohol regularly and in females. There was one case of awareness during bronchoscopy in a patient who received only a small dose of lorazepam (2.8 mg per 70 kg). Side-effects were minimal and patient acceptance was impressive. These results show an advance on previous studies using pethidine and diazepam. Further improvement is needed, particularly in adjusting the dose of lorazepam to body weight and to factors such as age, sex and alcohol intake.
Tendon Is Covered by a Basement Membrane Epithelium That Is Required for Cell Retention and the Prevention of Adhesion Formation

The ability of tendons to glide smoothly during muscle contraction is impaired after injury by fibrous adhesions that form between the damaged tendon surface and surrounding tissues. To understand how adhesions form we incubated excised tendons in fibrin gels (to mimic the homeostatic environment at the injury site) and assessed cell migration. We noticed cells exiting the tendon from only the cut ends. Furthermore, treatment of the tendon with trypsin resulted in cell extravagation from the shaft of the tendons. Electron microscopy and immunolocalisation studies showed that the tendons are covered by a novel cell layer in which a collagen type IV/laminin basement membrane (BM) overlies a keratinised epithelium. PCR and western blot analyses confirmed the expression of laminin β1 in surface cells, only. To evaluate the cell retentive properties of the BM in vivo we examined the tendons of the Col4a1+/Svc mouse that is heterozygous for a G-to-A transition in the Col4a1 gene that produces a G1064D substitution in the α1(IV) chain of collagen IV. The flexor tendons had a discontinuous BM, developed fibrous adhesions with overlying tissues, and were acellular at sites of adhesion formation. In further experiments, tenotomy of wild-type mice resulted in expression of laminin throughout the adhesion. In conclusion, we show the existence of a novel tendon BM-epithelium that is required to prevent adhesion formation. The Col4a1+/Svc mouse is an effective animal model for studying adhesion formation because of the presence of a structurally-defective collagen type IV-containing BM.
Inhibitory effects of sulfonylureas and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on in vitro metabolism of canagliflozin in human liver microsomes

Canagliflozin, used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is commonly co‐administered with sulfonylureas. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible inhibitory effect of sulfonylureas and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on canagliflozin metabolism in vitro. Three sulfonylurea derivatives were evaluated as inhibitors: chlorpropamide, glimepiride and gliclazide. Two other NSAIDs were used as positive control inhibitors: niflumic acid and diclofenac. The rate of formation of canagliflozin metabolites was determined by HPLC analysis of in vitro incubations of canagliflozin as a substrate with and without inhibitors, using human liver microsomes (HLMs). Among sulfonylureas, glimepiride showed the most potent inhibitory effect against canagliflozin M7 metabolite formation, with an IC50 value of 88 μm, compared to chlorpropamide and gliclazide with IC50 values of more than 500 μm. Diclofenac inhibited M5 metabolite formation more than M7, with IC50 values of 32 μm for M5 and 80 μm for M7. Niflumic acid showed no inhibition activity against M5 formation, but had relatively selective inhibitory potency against M7 formation, which is catalysed by UGT1A9, with an IC50 value of 1.9 μm and an inhibition constant value of 0.8 μm. A clinical pharmacokinetic interaction between canagliflozin and sulfonylureas is unlikely. However, a possible clinically important drug interaction between niflumic acid and canagliflozin has been identified.
A Goal-Oriented Meaning-based Statistical Multi-Step Math Word Problem Solver with Understanding, Reasoning and Explanation

A goal-oriented meaning-based statistical framework is presented in this paper to solve the math word problem that requires multiple arithmetic operations with understanding, reasoning and explanation. It first analyzes and transforms sentences into their meaning-based logical forms, which represent the associated context of each quantity with role-tags (e.g., nsubj, verb, etc.). Logic forms with role-tags provide a flexible and simple way to specify the physical meaning of a quantity. Afterwards, the main-goal of the problem is decomposed recursively into its associated sub-goals. For each given sub-goal, the associated operator and operands are selected with statistical models. Lastly, it performs inference on logic expressions to get the answer and explains how the answer is obtained in a human comprehensible way. This process thus resembles the human cognitive understanding of the problem and produces a more meaningful problem solving interpretation.
Pozo et al . : Phenology of Calakmul Butterflies 407 SEASONALITY AND PHENOLOGY OF THE BUTTERFLIES ( LEPIDOPTERA : PAPILIONOIDEA AND HESPERIOIDEA ) OF MEXICO ’ S CALAKMUL REGION

The phenology of butterflies was analyzed in the Calakmul Region (CR) in the state of Campeche, México, over the course of 3 years. Altogether, 60,662 individuals were recorded, consisting of 359 species in 207 genera, 18 subfamilies, 5 families, and 2 superfamilies. Greatest species diversity was recorded during Oct and Nov. Monthly fluctuation in diversity was defined by rare species. Hesperiidae (135 species) and Nymphalidae (111 species) were the most diverse families, and showed the greatest variation with respect to distribution of species richness throughout the year. Papilionidae showed the greatest species richness during the dry season. Pieridae, Nymphalidae, and Lycaenidae showed peaks of greatest species richness and relative abundance during the rainy season. Results were compared to faunal studies of the Sierra de Atoyac de Álvarez, in the state of Guerrero, and of the Sierra de Manantlán, in Jalisco and Colima. Important similarities were observed among phenological patterns in the butterfly fauna of the 3 regions, especially between CR and Manantlán. The phenology of species with greater relative abundance was analyzed in relation to wingspan as a parameter of adult size. The small and medium-sized groups, taken together, showed variations in species richness. An analysis of species seasonality was conducted with NMDS, ANOSIM and SIMPER, in the program PRIMER 4.0. Differences among the composition of butterfly communities with respect to the seasons were found.
X-inactivation by chromosomal pairing events.

X-inactivation is the coordinated silencing of nearly all genes on one of the two X chromosomes in female mammals. X-inactivation requires the cis-acting Xist gene. The highly unusual properties of Xist and the extremely long distances over which Xist acts have made it difficult to reconcile X-inactivation with other examples of gene regulation. This paper presents new findings that suggest that X-inactivation involves transvection and harnesses heterochromatin association.
Dynamically Tunable Plasmon-Induced Transparency Based on an H-Shaped Graphene Resonator

We propose a dynamically adjustable plasmon-induced transparent (PIT) plane device consisting of a periodic H-shaped graphene resonator (HSGR). For the symmetrical pattern, only dipole resonance is observed at a normal incidence excited with electric field along the $x$ -direction. Once the asymmetry is introduced into the structure, the magnetic dipole mode that is not accessible in the symmetric structure can be excited, and the interference between the continuum and the leaky modes in HSGR forms a PIT window in original dipole resonance absorption band. The spectrum responses of HSGR can be flexibly regulated by transforming geometric parameters of U-shaped cavity as well as the Fermi energy of graphene. Besides, an optical delay time more than 0.04 ps and a figure-of-merit value 17.78 are obtained in our design structure. Our studies may open up avenues for fabricating compact equipment in appealing bio-chemical sensors and slow-light devices.
Competition-Colonization Trade-Offs, Competitive Uncertainty, and the Evolutionary Assembly of Species

We utilize a standard competition-colonization metapopulation model in order to study the evolutionary assembly of species. Based on earlier work showing how models assuming strict competitive hierarchies will likely lead to runaway evolution and self-extinction for all species, we adopt a continuous competition function that allows for levels of uncertainty in the outcome of competition. We then, by extending the standard patch-dynamic metapopulation model in order to include evolutionary dynamics, allow for the coevolution of species into stable communities composed of species with distinct limiting similarities. Runaway evolution towards stochastic extinction then becomes a limiting case controlled by the level of competitive uncertainty. We demonstrate how intermediate competitive uncertainty maximizes the equilibrium species richness as well as maximizes the adaptive radiation and self-assembly of species under adaptive dynamics with mutations of non-negligible size. By reconciling competition-colonization tradeoff theory with co-evolutionary dynamics, our results reveal the importance of intermediate levels of competitive uncertainty for the evolutionary assembly of species.
Elements of a Workplace Culture of Health, Perceived Organizational Support for Health, and Lifestyle Risk

Purpose: We investigated the impact of elements of a workplace culture of health (COH) on employees’ perceptions of employer support for health and lifestyle risk. Design: We used 2013 and 2015 survey data from the National Healthy Worksite Program, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led initiative to help workplaces implement health-promoting interventions. Setting: Forty-one employers completed the CDC Worksite Health Scorecard to document organizational changes. Participants: Eight hundred twenty-five employees provided data to evaluate changes in their health and attitudes. Measures: We defined elements of a COH as environmental, policy, and programmatic supports; leadership and coworker support; employee engagement (motivational interventions); and strategic communication. Outcomes included scores of employees’ perceptions of employer support for health and lifestyle risk derived from self-reported physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco use. Analysis: We estimated effects using multilevel regression models. Results: At the employee level and across time, regression coefficients show positive associations between leadership support, coworker support, employee engagement, and perceived support for health (P < .05). Coefficients suggest a marginally significant negative association between lifestyle risk and the presence of environmental and policy supports (P < .10) and significant associations with leadership support in 2015 only (P < .05). Conclusion: Relational elements of COH (leadership and coworker support) tend to be associated with perceived support for health, while workplace elements (environmental and policy supports) are more associated with lifestyle risk. Employers need to confront relational and workplace elements together to build a COH.
Concepts and applications of rigidity in non-crystalline solids: a review on new developments and directions

Abstract We present the most recent developments and applications of Rigidity Theory in atomic-scale disordered materials such as glasses, liquids or amorphous solids. While the framework of rigidity, elastic phase transitions and topological constraint counting has been extensively used in glass science, its potentially wide applicability has remained difficult because of some inherent limitations of the theory. Here, we review promising methods that have been recently introduced, and which allow to overcome such limitations, and to extend these methods to the case of densified liquids or partially ordered solids, and also to the non-mean-field case. We introduce and describe a several methods based on an explicit account of temperature effects. In addition, the calculation of bond length and bond angle standard deviations is presented, accessed from molecular simulations, which allows to estimate atomic stretching and bending topological constraints as a function of pressure or temperature. These new methods are illustrated through a set of applications ranging from several archetypal glass-forming liquids (SiO2, GexSe1−x, …) to semiconductors (Si-C:H), phase change materials (Ge-Te) and cement, while also emphasizing the role of isostatic composition for the design of stable glasses with reduced ageing. Results furthermore reveal that in certain situations, adaptive isostatic phases appear, and these lead to remarkable physical properties over a finite interval in composition defining an intermediate phase. These features do not seem to be restricted to glasses, and, instead, connect to universal features found in disordered networks.
Visualisation and Identification of the Interaction between STIM1s in Resting Cells

Store-operated Ca2+ channels are a major Ca2+ entry pathway in nonexcitable cells, which drive various essential cellular functions. Recently, STIM1 and Orai proteins have been identified as the major molecular components of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel. As the key subunit of the CRAC channel, STIM1 is the ER Ca2+ sensor and is essential for the recruitment and activation of Orai1. However, the mechanisms in transmission of information of STIM1 to Orai1 still need further investigation. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) is one of the most advanced and powerful tools for studying and visualising protein-protein interactions in living cells. We utilised BiFC and acceptor photobleaching fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments to visualise and determine the state of STIM1 in the living cells in resting state. Our results demonstrate that STIM1 exists in an oligomeric form in resting cells and that rather than the SAM motif, it is the C-terminus (residues 233–474) of STIM1 that is the key domain for the interaction between STIM1s. The STIM1 oligomers (BiFC-STIM1) and wild-type STIM1 colocalised and had a fibrillar distribution in resting conditions. Depletion of ER Ca2+ stores induced BiFC-STIM1 distribution to become punctate, an effect that could be prevented or reversed by 2-APB. After depletion of the Ca2+ stores, BiFC-STIM1 has the ability to form puncta that colocalise with wild-type STIM1 or Orai1 near the plasma membrane. Our data also indicate that the function of BiFC-STIM1 was not altered compared with that of wild-type STIM1.
A mathematical model for the two-learners problem

Objective. We present the first generic theoretical formulation of the co-adaptive learning problem and give a simple example of two interacting linear learning systems, a human and a machine. Approach. After the description of the training protocol of the two learning systems, we define a simple linear model where the two learning agents are coupled by a joint loss function. The simplicity of the model allows us to find learning rules for both human and machine that permit computing theoretical simulations. Main results. As seen in simulations, an astonishingly rich structure is found for this eco-system of learners. While the co-adaptive learners are shown to easily stall or get out of sync for some parameter settings, we can find a broad sweet spot of parameters where the learning system can converge quickly. It is defined by mid-range learning rates on the side of the learning machine, quite independent of the human in the loop. Despite its simplistic assumptions the theoretical study could be confirmed by a real-world experimental study where human and machine co-adapt to perform cursor control under distortion. Also in this practical setting the mid-range learning rates yield the best performance and behavioral ratings. Significance. The results presented in this mathematical study allow the computation of simple theoretical simulations and performance of real experimental paradigms. Additionally, they are nicely in line with previous results in the BCI literature.
High‐order sensitivity invariants

The aim of the research reported in this paper is to extend the notion of invariant sensitivity sum, widely known for electrical networks, from first‐order sensitivities to high‐order sensitivities. The results are high‐order invariant sums of sensitivities of the first and the second kind, formulated for nonlinear lumped circuit, which consists of one‐port and two‐ports only. One‐ports are generalized resistances, capacitances, inductances, voltages, and current sources, whereas two‐ports are nonlinear generalizations of four types of controlled sources. It is observed that the invariant sums actually found for nonlinear lumped networks are generalizations of sums given earlier by authors for linear lumped networks. The article is illustrated by numerical sensitivity analysis of simple linear and nonlinear circuits. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
INSL5 activates multiple signalling pathways and regulates GLP-1 secretion in NCI-H716 cells.

Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a newly discovered gut hormone expressed in colonic enteroendocrine L-cells but little is known about its biological function. Here, we show using RT-qPCR and in situ hybridisation that Insl5 mRNA is highly expressed in the mouse colonic mucosa, colocalised with proglucagon immunoreactivity. In comparison, mRNA for RXFP4 (the cognate receptor for INSL5) is expressed in various mouse tissues, including the intestinal tract. We show that the human enteroendocrine L-cell model NCI-H716 cell line, and goblet-like colorectal cell lines SW1463 and LS513 endogenously express RXFP4. Stimulation of NCI-H716 cells with INSL5 produced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204), AKT (Thr308 and Ser473) and S6RP (Ser235/236) and inhibited cAMP production but did not stimulate Ca2+ release. Acute INSL5 treatment had no effect on GLP-1 secretion mediated by carbachol or insulin, but modestly inhibited forskolin-stimulated GLP-1 secretion in NCI-H716 cells. However, chronic INSL5 pre-treatment (18 h) increased basal GLP-1 secretion and prevented the inhibitory effect of acute INSL5 administration. LS513 cells were found to be unresponsive to INSL5 despite expressing RXFP4 Another enteroendocrine L-cell model, mouse GLUTag cells did not express detectable levels of Rxfp4 and were unresponsive to INSL5. This study provides novel insights into possible autocrine/paracrine roles of INSL5 in the intestinal tract.
Controlling and Evaluating the Structure and Morphology of Polymers on Multiple Scales

Crystalline polymers spontaneously form hierarchical structures although the precise manner in which these scales of structure are interconnected especially terms of the formation and evolution of the complete structure remains unclear. We have set out to control these scales of structure by introducing additional components which self-assemble in to nano-scale units which then direct the crystallisation of the polymer matrix. In other words, we first assemble a low concentration top-level structure which is designed to template or direct the sub-sequent crystallisation of the matrix polymer. This top level structure takes on the role of controlling the structure. We have set out to both establish the design principles of such structures and to develop experimental procedures which allow us to follow the formation of such complex hierarchical polymer structures. In particular we focus of the relationships between these different levels of structure and time sequence of events required for the structure to evolve in the targeted manner. In this programme, we have exploited time-resolving small-angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy together with neutron scattering to probe and quantify the different scales of structure and their evolution. We highlight new neutron scattering instrumentation which we believe have great potential in the growing field of hierarchical structures in polymers. The addition of small quantities of nanoparticles to conventional and sustainable thermoplastics leads to property enhancements with considerable potential in a number of areas Most engineered nano-particles are highly stable and these exist as nano-particles prior to compounding with the polymer resin, they remain as nano- particles during the active use as well as in the subsequent waste and recycling streams. In this work we also explore the potential for constructing nano-particles within the polymer matrix during processing from organic compounds selected to provide nanoparticles which can effectively control the subsequent crystallization process. Typically these nano-particles are rod-like in shape.