Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptation to fluctuations in temperature by nine species of bacteria

Abstract Rapid environmental fluctuations are ubiquitous in the wild, yet majority of experimental studies mostly consider effects of slow fluctuations on organism. To test the evolutionary consequences of fast fluctuations, we conducted nine independent experimental evolution experiments with bacteria. Experimental conditions were same for all species, and we allowed them to evolve either in fluctuating temperature alternating rapidly between 20°C and 40°C or at constant 30°C temperature. After experimental evolution, we tested the performance of the clones in both rapid fluctuation and in constant environments (20°C, 30°C and 40°C). Results from experiments on these nine species were combined meta‐analytically. We found that overall the clones evolved in the fluctuating environment had evolved better efficiency in tolerating fluctuations (i.e., they had higher yield in fluctuating conditions) than the clones evolved in the constant environment. However, we did not find any evidence that fluctuation‐adapted clones would have evolved better tolerance to any measured constant environments (20°C, 30°C, and 40°C). Our results back up recent empirical findings reporting that it is hard to predict adaptations to fast fluctuations using tolerance curves.
Addressing agent loss in vehicle formations and sensor networks

In this paper, we address the problem of agent loss in vehicle formations and sensor networks via two separate approaches: (1) perform a ‘self‐repair’ operation in the event of agent loss to recover desirable information architecture properties or (2) introduce robustness into the information architecture a priori such that agent loss does not destroy desirable properties. We model the information architecture as a graph G(V, E), where V is a set of vertices representing the agents and E is a set of edges representing information flow amongst the agents. We focus on two properties of the graph called rigidity and global rigidity, which are required for formation shape maintenance and sensor network self‐localization, respectively. For the self‐repair approach, we show that while previous results permit local repair involving only neighbours of the lost agent, the repair cannot always be implemented using only local information. We present new results that can be applied to make the local repair using only local information. We describe implementation and illustrate with algorithms and examples. For the robustness approach, we investigate the structure of graphs with the property that rigidity or global rigidity is preserved after removing any single vertex (we call the property as 2‐vertex‐rigidity or 2‐vertex‐global‐rigidity, respectively). Information architectures with such properties would allow formation shape maintenance or self‐localization to be performed even in the event of agent failure. We review a characterization of a class of 2‐vertex‐rigidity and develop a separate class, making significant strides towards a complete characterization. We also present a characterization of a class of 2‐vertex‐global‐rigidity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wadi Howar: Paleoclimatic Evidence from an Extinct River System in the Southeastern Sahara

Field research into the climatic history and shifting of the East Saharan desert has furnished evidence that during Quaternary time the present extremely arid western part of Upper Nubia (northern Sudan)was temporarily linked to the Nile by way of a hitherto unknown 400 kilometer long tributary. From about 9500 to 4500 years ago, lower Wadi Howar flowed through an environment characterized by numerous ground water outlets and freshwater lakes. Savanna fauna and cattle-herders occupied this region, which today receives at most 25 millimeters of rainfall per year. At that period the southern edge of the eastern Sahara was some 500 kilometers further north than today and ground water resources were recharged for the last time.
Owning Up to Negative Ingroup Traits: How Personal Autonomy Promotes the Integration of Group Identity.

OBJECTIVE Our experiences, attributes, and behaviors are diverse, inconsistent, and often negative. Consequently, our capacity to assimilate divergent experiences-particularly negative aspects-is important to the development of a unified self. Whereas this process of integration has received attention at the level of personal identity, it has not been assessed at the level of group identity. OBJECTIVE We examined the mechanisms involved in integrating positive and negative ingroup identities, as well as related outcomes. METHOD In three experiments, participants (N = 332) high and low in autonomy identified either positive or negative aspects of their ingroup and then indicated the extent to which they integrated the attribute. RESULTS Those high in personal autonomy integrated both positive and negative identities, whereas those low in autonomy acknowledged only positive identities. Study 2 showed that, regardless of identity valence, those high in autonomy felt satisfied and close with their group. Conversely, those low in autonomy felt less close and more dissatisfied with their group after reflecting on negative identities. Finally, reflecting on a negative identity reduced prejudice, but only for those high in autonomy. CONCLUSIONS Owning up to negative group traits is facilitated by autonomy and demonstrates benefits for ingroup and intergroup processes.
The Mediterranean Sea under siege: spatial overlap between marine biodiversity, cumulative threats and marine reserves

Aim A large body of knowledge exists on individual anthropogenic threats that have an impact on marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea, although we know little about how these threats accumulate and interact to affect marine species and ecosystems. In this context, we aimed to identify the main areas where the interaction between marine biodiversity and threats is more pronounced and to assess their spatial overlap with current marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. Location Mediterranean Sea. Methods We first identified areas of high biodiversity of marine mammals, marine turtles, seabirds, fishes and commercial or well-documented invertebrates. We mapped potential areas of high threat where multiple threats are occurring simultaneously. Finally we quantified the areas of conservation concern for biodiversity by looking at the spatial overlap between high biodiversity and high cumulative threats, and we assessed the overlap with protected areas. Results Our results show that areas with high marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea are mainly located along the central and north shores, with lower values in the south-eastern regions. Areas of potential high cumulative threats are widespread in both the western and eastern basins, with fewer areas located in the south-eastern region. The interaction between areas of high biodiversity and threats for invertebrates, fishes and large animals in general (including large fishes, marine mammals, marine turtles and seabirds) is concentrated in the coastal areas of Spain, Gulf of Lions, north-eastern Ligurian Sea, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, south-eastern Turkey and regions surrounding the Nile Delta and north-west African coasts. Areas of concern are larger for marine mammal and seabird species. Main conclusions These areas may represent good candidates for further research, management and protection activities, since there is only a maximum 2% overlap between existing marine protected areas (which cover 5% of the Mediterranean Sea) and our predicted areas of conservation concern for biodiversity.
of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers and their applications

In recent decades, micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) have been investigated as an alternative to conventional piezocomposite ultrasonic transducers, primarily due to the advantages that microelectromechanical systems provide. Miniaturized ultrasonic systems require ultrasonic transducers integrated with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor circuits. Hence, piezoelectric MUTs (pMUTs) and capacitive MUTs (cMUTs) have been developed as the most favorable solutions. This paper reviews the basic equations to understand the characteristics of thin-film-based piezoelectric devices and presents recent research on pMUTs, including current approaches and limitations. Methods to improve the coupling coefficient of pMUTs are also investigated, such as device structure, materials, and fabrication techniques. The device structure improvements include multielectrode pMUTs, partially clamped boundary conditions, and 3D pMUTs (curved and domed types), where the latter can provide an electromechanical coupling coefficient of up to 45%. The piezoelectric coefficient (e31) can be increased by controlling the crystal texture (seed layer of γ-Al2O3), using single-crystal (PMN-PT) materials, or control of residual stresses (using SiO2 layer). Arrays of pMUTs can be implemented for various applications including intravascular ultrasound, fingerprint sensors, rangefinders in air, and wireless power supply systems. pMUTs are expected to be an ideal solution for applications such as mobile biometric security (fingerprint sensors) and rangefinders due to their superior power efficiency and compact size.
Automatic vertebra segmentation on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract. The automatic extraction of the vertebra’s shape from dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could improve understanding of clinical conditions and their diagnosis. It is hypothesized that the shape of the sacral curve is related to the development of some gynecological conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP). POP is a critical health condition for women and consists of pelvic organs dropping from their normal position. Dynamic MRI is used for assessing POP and to complement clinical examination. Studies have shown some evidence on the association between the shape of the sacral curve and the development of POP. However, the sacral curve is currently extracted manually limiting studies to small datasets and inconclusive evidence. A method composed of an adaptive shortest path algorithm that enhances edge detection and linking, and an improved curve fitting procedure is proposed to automate the identification and segmentation of the sacral curve on MRI. The proposed method uses predetermined pixels surrounding the sacral curve that are found through edge detection to decrease computation time compared to other model-based segmentation algorithms. Moreover, the proposed method is fully automatic and does not require user input or training. Experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately identify sacral curves for nearly 91% of dynamic MRI cases tested in this study. The proposed model is robust and can be used to effectively identify bone structures on MRI.
Changing Patterns of Colorectal Cancer in Hail Region

Background and Objectives: Colorectal carcinoma is increasing among both men and women worldwide. It has a multifactorial etiology including genetic factors, environmental factors and inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract. A clinicopathologic assessment of colorectal carcinoma in Hail region is done, considering any changing patterns in two 5-year periods from 2005-2009 (A) and from 2012 to 2017 (B). All data had been retrieved from histopathology files of King Khalid Hospital, Hail. Results: During period (A), 75 cases were diagnosed as colorectal carcinoma. Male patients comprised 56/75 (74.7%) of the study, with a mean age of 58.4 (36-97), while females were 19/75 (25.3%) with a mean age of 50.3(30-85) and the difference was significant (p = 0.05). M:F ratio was 2.9:1. Most common histological type was adenocarcioma in 68/75 (90.7%) patients mostly well differentiated in 44/68 (64.7%). Mucinous neoplasms comprised only 7/75 (9.3%) of cases and tended to have a higher stage (p = 0.04). During period (B), 115 cases were diagnosed with an increase of 53.3% in number of cases than period (A). Male to female ratio also decreased to 1.35:1, females being 44.83% more affected. Adenocarcinoma remained the prevalent type (93.9%), while mucinous type was still rare (5.2%). No distal metastases found at time of presentation. Localization of tumors was rectosigmoid in group (A) in 41.4%, which increased to 56.6% in group (B), with an increase of 15.2%. Iliocecal location also decreased from 8% to 3.5%, being 56.25% less. Other proximal areas of the colon were decreased by 25.75%, from 53.9% in group (A) to 40% in group (B). Conclusion: Colorectal carcinoma in Hail region has increased by 53.3% in the past 5 years, with more females being diagnosed. Localization has also shifted distally by 15.2%. These findings are different from Western world patterns which experienced a decrease in incidence and proximal shift of the colon cancer localization. This might be due to better diagnostic tools, population awareness of the disease, as well as changing of life style and/or food habits in the region. Keywords—Colorectal cancer, Hail Region, changing pattern, distal shift.
A Time-Motion Analysis of Turns Performed by Highly Ranked Viennese Waltz Dancers

Twenty-four dance couples performing at the 2011 IDSF (International DanceSport Federation) International Slovenia Open were divided into two groups: the first twelve placed couples (top ranked) and the last twelve placed couples (lower ranked). Video recordings were processed automatically using computer vision tracking algorithms under operator supervision to calculate movement parameters. Time and speed of movement were analysed during single natural (right) and reverse (left) turns performed during the Viennese waltz. Both top and lower ranked dancers tended to perform similar proportionate frequencies of reverse (≈ 35%) and natural (≈ 65%) turns. Analysis of reverse turns showed that the top ranked dancers performed less turns on a curved trajectory (16%) than the lower ranked dancers (33%). The top ranked couples performed all turns at similar speeds (F = 1.31, df = 3, p = 0.27; mean = 2.09m/s) all of which were significantly quicker than the lower ranked couples (mean = 1.94m/s), the greatest differences found for reverse turns (12.43% faster for curved trajectories, 8.42% for straight trajectories). This suggests that the ability to maintain a high speed in the more difficult turns, particularly the reverse turns on a curved trajectory, results in the overall dance appearing more fluent as the speed of movement does not fluctuate as much. This aspect of performance needs to be improved by lower ranked dancers if they wish to improve rating of their performance. Future research should determine which factors relate to the speed of turns.
Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Promotes Rhinovirus Replication in Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Suppressing the Innate Immune Response

Rhinovirus (RV) infection is a major cause of asthma exacerbations which may be due to a deficient innate immune response in the bronchial epithelium. We hypothesized that the pleiotropic cytokine, TGF-β, influences interferon (IFN) production by primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) following RV infection. Exogenous TGF-β2 increased RV replication and decreased IFN protein secretion in response to RV or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Conversely, neutralizing TGF-β antibodies decreased RV replication and increased IFN expression in response to RV or dsRNA. Endogenous TGF-β2 levels were higher in conditioned media of PBECs from asthmatic donors and the suppressive effect of anti-TGF-β on RV replication was significantly greater in these cells. Basal SMAD-2 activation was reduced when asthmatic PBECs were treated with anti-TGF-β and this was accompanied by suppression of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 expression. Our results suggest that endogenous TGF-β contributes to a suppressed IFN response to RV infection possibly via SOCS-1 and SOCS-3.
Fattening performance of crossbred (Polish Holstein-Friesian x Hereford, Limousin or Charolais) bulls and steers offered high-wilted grass silage-based rations

7 CHILEAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 76(1) JANUARY-MARCH 2016 3 ULY-SEPTEMBER In Poland beef cattle are usually fed high-wilted grass silage offered ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate, whereas ‘Limousin’, ‘Charolais’ and ‘Hereford’ bulls are the most frequently crossed with dairy cows to produce beef hybrids. The aim of this study was to determine the fattening performance of hybrids produced by crossing ‘Polish Holstein-Friesian’ (PHF) cows with ‘Hereford’ (HH), ‘Limousin’ (LM) and ‘Charolais’ (CH) bulls, fed silage made from high-wilted grass and supplemented with a small amount of concentrate, depending on sire breed and category. The experimental materials comprised 24 bulls and 24 steers, including 8 PHF × HH, 8 PHF × LM and 8 PHF × CH crosses with initial body weight of approximately 300 kg in each group. The animals were fed grass silage with a DM content of 417 g kg-1, supplemented with concentrate at 35 g DM kg-1 W0.75, for 250 d. Steers were characterized by higher total DM intake per unit of metabolic body weight (P < 0.05): 92.8 vs. 87.0 g; 94.1 vs. 84.6 g; 88.6 vs. 87.0 g (PHF × HH; PHF × LM; PHF × CH, respectively) and bulls – by higher average carcass weight gains (P < 0.01): 700 vs. 631 g; 654 vs. 579 g; 633 vs. 574 g and carcass dressing percentage (P < 0.01): 60.0 vs. 56.4%; 60.2 vs. 58.9%; 60.2 vs. 56.6% (PHF × HH; PHF × LM; PHF × CH, respectively) and better (P < 0.01) silage DM, total DM, crude protein, and net energy utilization. Sire breed had no significant effect on the analyzed parameters of fattening performance but numerically PHF × HH crosses had the highest productivity parameters.
Outcome of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with spontaneous PPROM before 24 weeks’ gestation

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the outcome in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 24 weeks’ gestation. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of fetal and neonatal outcomes in women with spontaneous PPROM before 24 weeks’ gestation that were treated at a single tertiary center. Results: Twenty-nine pregnancies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mean gestational age at the time of PPROM was 20.4 weeks. Two women opted for termination. The remaining 27 (93.1%) women elected for expectant management. Ten (37.0%) of these delivered before 24 + 0 weeks’ gestation. The median gestational age at the time of delivery in the remaining 17 (63%) cases was 26.4 weeks. In those patients that did not deliver within the first 5 days of PPROM, the chance of reaching 24 + 0 weeks was 85%. Co-twins that had PPROM compared with those without PPROM suffered more often from several neonatal complications. Overall, about 40% of the fetuses in the PPROM group and 70% of the non-PPROM group survived without major complications. Conclusion: Dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with PPROM prior to 24 + 0 weeks’ gestation have a 60% chance of delivering at >24 weeks. Survival rates without major complications in twins with and without PPROM are 40% and 70%, respectively.
Utility of 1% Tropicamide in Improving the Quality of Images for Tele-Screening of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Dark Irides

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the quality of fundus photographs taken before and after instillation of one drop of tropicamide. Methods: The 45º fundus photographs were taken with a non-mydriatic fundus camera in three conditions of the pupil; pre-mydriatic, 10 minutes after one drop of tropicamide, and fully dilated. Two photographs were taken in each condition; one centered on the macula and the other on the optic disc. Two vitreoretinal specialists graded the images. Results: A total of 1768 fundus photographs of 149 diabetic patients with dark irides were included. There were more ungradable images (38.1% and 50.3%, graders 1 and 2, respectively) in the non-mydriatic state than partially- (4.6% and 11.5%) or fully-dilated (15.4% and 10.0%) conditions (p < 0.001, both graders). Partially and fully dilated states had similar rates of ungradable images (p = 0.56 and p = 0.54, graders 1 and 2, respectively). Test–retest reliability (repeatability) was 92.5% and 74.3% for the two graders, respectively. Inter-grader agreement was moderate (Kappa = 0.50). Conclusion: Non-mydriatic fundus photographs have a high rate of ungradable images in patients with dark irides. Instillation of only one drop of tropicamide improves the quality of fundus photographs, which is not furthered by adding more drops. This strategy can be used in tele-ophthalmology programs.
Accelerated Progression to Type 1 Diabetes in the Presence of HLA-A*24 and -B*18 Is Restricted to Multiple Islet Autoantibody–Positive Individuals With Distinct HLA-DQ and Autoantibody Risk Profiles

OBJECTIVE We investigated the effect of HLA class I risk alleles on disease progression in various phases of subclinical islet autoimmunity in first-degree relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A registry-based group of siblings/offspring (aged 0–39 years) was monitored from single- to multiple-autoantibody positivity (n = 267) and from multiple-autoantibody positivity to clinical onset (n = 252) according to HLA-DQ, -A*24, -B*18, and -B*39 status. Genetic markers were determined by PCR sequence-specific oligotyping. RESULTS Unlike HLA-B*18 or -B*39, HLA-A*24 was associated with delayed progression from single- to multiple-autoantibody positivity (P = 0.009) but not to type 1 diabetes. This occurred independently from older age (P < 0.001) and absence of HLA-DQ2/DQ8 or -DQ8 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively), and only in the presence of GAD autoantibodies. In contrast, HLA-A*24 was associated with accelerated progression from multiple-autoantibody positivity to clinical onset (P = 0.006), but its effects were restricted to HLA-DQ8+ relatives with IA-2 or zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (P = 0.002). HLA-B*18, but not -B*39, was also associated with more rapid progression, but only in HLA-DQ2 carriers with double positivity for GAD and insulin autoantibodies (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS HLA-A*24 predisposes to a delayed antigen spreading of humoral autoimmunity, whereas HLA-A*24 and -B*18 are associated with accelerated progression of advanced subclinical autoimmunity in distinct risk groups. The relation of these alleles to the underlying disease process requires further investigation. Their typing should be relevant for the preparation and interpretation of observational and interventional studies in asymptomatic type 1 diabetes.
Hybrid Stage I Procedure as Initial Palliation for Neonate With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Right Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

During the past decade, a hybrid procedure has emerged and dramatically evolved as an alternative stage I palliation to the conventional Norwood procedure in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The hybrid approach avoids the need for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) utilizing stenting of the arterial duct and bilateral pulmonary artery banding. Cerebral and coronary perfusion pressure is maintained, and the pulmonary vasculature is protected from higher systemic pressure. Elimination of risks associated with CPB gains vital time to stabilize the patient and correct coexisting noncardiac anomalies and allows growth in preparation for the later stages of the Fontan pathway. The association of HLHS with right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is rare. We report performing a successful hybrid stage I palliation on a neonate with HLHS and severe right CDH.