Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Male-driven reproductive and agonistic character displacement in darters and its implications for speciation in allopatry

Abstract Selection against hybridization can cause mating traits to diverge between species in sympatry via reproductive character displacement (RCD). Additionally, selection against interspecific fighting can cause aggressive traits to diverge between sympatric species via agonistic character displacement (ACD). By directly affecting conspecific recognition traits, RCD and ACD between species can also incidentally cause divergence in mating and fighting traits among populations within a species [termed cascade RCD (CRCD) and cascade ACD]. Here, we demonstrate patterns consistent with male-driven RCD and ACD in 2 groups of darters (orangethroat darter clade Ceasia and rainbow darter Etheostoma caeruleum). In both groups, males that occur in sympatry (between Ceasia and E. caeruleum) have higher levels of preference for mating and fighting with conspecifics over heterospecifics than do males from allopatry. This is consistent with RCD and ACD. We also found patterns consistent with CRCD and cascade ACD among species of Ceasia. Ceasia males that are sympatric to E. caeruleum (but allopatric to one another) also have heightened preferences for mating and fighting with conspecific versus heterospecific Ceasia. In contrast, Ceasia males that are allopatric to E. caeruleum readily mate and fight with heterospecific Ceasia. We suggest that RCD and ACD between Ceasia and E. caeruleum has incidentally led to divergence in mating and fighting traits among Ceasia species. This study is unique in that male preferences evolve via both RCD (male preference for conspecific females) and ACD (male preference to fight conspecific males) which leads to subsequent divergence among allopatric lineages.
Interleukin-7 Unveils Pathogen-Specific T Cells by Enhancing Antigen-Recall Responses

IL-7 supports host immunity in lymphopenic and immunosuppressed patients and expands tumor-reactive T cells for adoptive immunotherapy. Here, we report that IL-7 also enables the accumulation of clinically relevant pathogen-reactive T cells from TB-, CMV-, and Candida albicans-infected individuals.
Progression of Wound pH During the Course of Healing in Burns

The aim of this study was to measure the pH on the wound surface of 30 burn patients and test the hypothesis that wound surface pH is correlated to healing time and burn depth. Inclusion criteria were any adult outpatient with burn injury. Patient age was 17 to 75 years (mean, 44), burn depth ranged from superficial to full thickness with a TBSA of 0.4 to 4%. Cause of burn included scalds, flame burn, and contact burns. On admission, and at each dressing change, the pH on the wound surface was measured. The pH in both healing and nonhealing wounds was found to decrease with each dressing change. At the second dressing change, wounds that went on to heal were found to have a significantly lower pH of 7.32 in comparison with pH 7.73 in wounds that failed to heal and therefore required subsequent grafting (P = .004). Wound pH was also correlated to depth at the second dressing change (superficial = pH 6.05, full thickness = pH 8.0). The correlation between pH and wound outcome could be used as an additional diagnostic tool to predict poor healing in wounds. Early identification of a nonhealing wound may allow a more aggressive treatment regimen, including skin grafting, to bring about rapid wound healing.
Extended RF shimming: Sequence‐level parallel transmission optimization applied to steady‐state free precession MRI of the heart

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at high field presents challenges because of the high specific absorption rate and significant transmit field (B1+) inhomogeneities. Parallel transmission MRI offers the ability to correct for both issues at the level of individual radiofrequency (RF) pulses, but must operate within strict hardware and safety constraints. The constraints are themselves affected by sequence parameters, such as the RF pulse duration and TR, meaning that an overall optimal operating point exists for a given sequence. This work seeks to obtain optimal performance by performing a ‘sequence‐level’ optimization in which pulse sequence parameters are included as part of an RF shimming calculation. The method is applied to balanced steady‐state free precession cardiac MRI with the objective of minimizing TR, hence reducing the imaging duration. Results are demonstrated using an eight‐channel parallel transmit system operating at 3 T, with an in vivo study carried out on seven male subjects of varying body mass index (BMI). Compared with single‐channel operation, a mean‐squared‐error shimming approach leads to reduced imaging durations of 32 ± 3% with simultaneous improvement in flip angle homogeneity of 32 ± 8% within the myocardium.
Ubiquitin and Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1&agr; in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid After Burn and Inhalation Injury

The objective of the study was to determine whether the CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR) 4 ligands ubiquitin and stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1&agr; are detectable in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after burn and inhalation injury and whether their concentrations in BALF are associated with injury severity, physiological variables, or clinical outcomes. BALF was obtained on hospital admission from 51 patients (48 ± 18 years) with burn (TBSA: 23 ± 24%) and inhalation injury (controls: 10 healthy volunteers, 42 ± 8 years). BALF was analyzed for total protein and for ubiquitin and SDF-1&agr; by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ubiquitin/SDF-1&agr; levels were normalized to total BALF protein content. The extent of inhalation injury was determined during bronchoscopy using a standardized scoring system. Percent TBSA, Baux scores, revised Baux scores, and clinical variables were documented. Ubiquitin and SDF-1&agr; were detectable in 40% of normal BALF specimens. After injury, ubiquitin was detectable in 90% (P < .01 vs control) and SDF-1&agr; in 10% of the specimens (P < .05 vs control). While SDF-1&agr; levels were reduced in patients (P < .01), ubiquitin levels were increased (P < .01). Ubiquitin concentrations correlated inversely with grade of inhalation injury, revised Baux scores, and resuscitation fluid requirements (Spearman correlation coefficients [r]: −.3, −.33, and −.45, respectively). Ubiquitin levels correlated positively with arterial oxygenation at the time of bronchoscopy (r: .35). BALF levels of CXCR4 agonists are differentially regulated after burn and inhalation injury. Increases in BALF ubiquitin after inhalation injury may maintain CXCR4-mediated lung protection and repair processes. The finding that BALF ubiquitin decreased with higher grades of inhalation injury may provide a biological correlate for an insufficient local inflammatory response after severe inhalation injury.
Representing the effects of stratosphere–troposphere exchange on 3-D O 3 distributions in chemistry transport models using a potential vorticity-based parameterization

Abstract. Downward transport of ozone (O3) from the stratosphere can be a significant contributor to tropospheric O3 background levels. However, this process often is not well represented in current regional models. In this study, we develop a seasonally and spatially varying potential vorticity (PV)-based function to parameterize upper tropospheric and/or lower stratospheric (UTLS) O3 in a chemistry transport model. This dynamic O3–PV function is developed based on 21-year ozonesonde records from World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre (WOUDC) with corresponding PV values from a 21-year Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulation across the Northern Hemisphere from 1990 to 2010. The result suggests strong spatial and seasonal variations of O3 ∕ PV ratios which exhibits large values in the upper layers and in high-latitude regions, with highest values in spring and the lowest values in autumn over an annual cycle. The newly developed O3 ∕ PV function was then applied in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model for an annual simulation of the year 2006. The simulated UTLS O3 agrees much better with observations in both magnitude and seasonality after the implementation of the new parameterization. Considerable impacts on surface O3 model performance were found in the comparison with observations from three observational networks, i.e., EMEP, CASTNET and WDCGG. With the new parameterization, the negative bias in spring is reduced from −20 to −15 % in the reference case to −9 to −1 %, while the positive bias in autumn is increased from 1 to 15 % in the reference case to 5 to 22 %. Therefore, the downward transport of O3 from upper layers has large impacts on surface concentration and needs to be properly represented in regional models.
THE SPIN L-FUNCTION ON GSp

We give a Rankin-Selberg integral representation for the Spin (degree eight) L-function on PGSp6 that applies to the cuspidal automorphic representations associated to Siegel modular forms. If π corresponds to a level one Siegel modular form f of even weight, and if f has a nonvanishing maximal Fourier coefficient (defined below), then we deduce the functional equation and finiteness of poles of the completed Spin L-function Λ(π, Spin, s) of π.
No Effect of Commercial Cognitive Training on Brain Activity, Choice Behavior, or Cognitive Performance

Increased preference for immediate over delayed rewards and for risky over certain rewards has been associated with unhealthy behavioral choices. Motivated by evidence that enhanced cognitive control can shift choice behavior away from immediate and risky rewards, we tested whether training executive cognitive function could influence choice behavior and brain responses. In this randomized controlled trial, 128 young adults (71 male, 57 female) participated in 10 weeks of training with either a commercial web-based cognitive training program or web-based video games that do not specifically target executive function or adapt the level of difficulty throughout training. Pretraining and post-training, participants completed cognitive assessments and functional magnetic resonance imaging during performance of the following validated decision-making tasks: delay discounting (choices between smaller rewards now vs larger rewards in the future) and risk sensitivity (choices between larger riskier rewards vs smaller certain rewards). Contrary to our hypothesis, we found no evidence that cognitive training influences neural activity during decision-making; nor did we find effects of cognitive training on measures of delay discounting or risk sensitivity. Participants in the commercial training condition improved with practice on the specific tasks they performed during training, but participants in both conditions showed similar improvement on standardized cognitive measures over time. Moreover, the degree of improvement was comparable to that observed in individuals who were reassessed without any training whatsoever. Commercial adaptive cognitive training appears to have no benefits in healthy young adults above those of standard video games for measures of brain activity, choice behavior, or cognitive performance. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Engagement of neural regions and circuits important in executive cognitive function can bias behavioral choices away from immediate rewards. Activity in these regions may be enhanced through adaptive cognitive training. Commercial brain training programs claim to improve a broad range of mental processes; however, evidence for transfer beyond trained tasks is mixed. We undertook the first randomized controlled trial of the effects of commercial adaptive cognitive training (Lumosity) on neural activity and decision-making in young adults (N = 128) compared with an active control (playing on-line video games). We found no evidence for relative benefits of cognitive training with respect to changes in decision-making behavior or brain response, or for cognitive task performance beyond those specifically trained.
Closed-Form Approximate Solutions of Window Barrier Options with Term-Structure Volatility and Interest Rates Using the Boundary Integral Method

In this study we propose an approach to solve a partial differential equation (PDE), the boundary integral method, for the valuation of both discrete and continuous window barrier options, as well as multi-window barrier options within a deterministic term structure of volatility and interest rates. Numerical results reveal that the proposed method yields rapid and highly accurate closed-form approximate solutions. In addition, the term structure will have a significant impact on the valuation.
Position and Orientation Insensitive Wireless Power Transmission for EnerCage-Homecage System

We have developed a new headstage architecture as part of a smart experimental arena, known as the EnerCage-HC2 system, which automatically delivers stimulation and collects behavioral data over extended periods with minimal small animal subject handling or personnel intervention in a standard rodent homecage. Equipped with a four-coil inductive link, the EnerCage-HC2 system wirelessly powers the receiver (Rx) headstage, irrespective of the subject's location or head orientation, eliminating the need for tethering or carrying bulky batteries. On the transmitter (Tx) side, a driver coil, five high-quality (Q) factor segmented resonators at different heights and orientations, and a closed-loop Tx power controller create a homogeneous electromagnetic (EM) field within the homecage 3-D space, and compensate for drops in power transfer efficiency (PTE) due to Rx misalignments. The headstage is equipped with four small slanted resonators, each covering a range of head orientations with respect to the Tx resonators, which direct the EM field toward the load coil at the bottom of the headstage. Moreover, data links based on Wi-Fi, UART, and Bluetooth low energy are utilized to enables remote communication and control of the Rx. The PTE varies within 23.6%–33.3% and 6.7%–10.1% at headstage heights of 8 and 20 cm, respectively, while continuously delivering >40 mW to the Rx electronics even at 90° rotation. As a proof of EnerCage-HC2 functionality in vivo, a previously documented on-demand electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus, eliciting consistent head rotation, is demonstrated in three freely behaving rats.
Differences in physical performance according to the competitive level in amateur handball players.

The aim of this study was to compare physical performance in amateur handball players of two different competitive levels. Thirty-four senior handball players were divided into two groups according to their competitive level (regional category: REG or national category: NAC). Although no significant differences were found between groups in any of the horizontal (HJ) or vertical jump (VJ) variables (p>0.05), NAC players obtained a better performance in the repeated sprint ability (RSA) test (RSABest [the best attempt] and RSATT [the total time in the total of sprints] in 15 m and 30 m), in change of direction ability (CODA) and in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test Level 1 (YYIR1) test (p<0.01, ES= -1.32-1.75, large). A significant association was observed between the body mass index (BMI) and the HJ or VJ capacity (r= -0.35 to -0.55, p<0.01), the RSA15mBest and RSA30mBest (r= 0.41 to 0.59, p<0.01) and YYIR1 distance (r= -0.54, p<0.05), and a also between the performance in the HJ or the VJ and the RSA15mBest and RSA30mBest, the CODA and the YYIR1 and between the RSA30mBest and the YYIR1 (r= -0.54, p<0.05). Specific strength and conditioning programs should aim toward improving RSA, CODA and YYIR1, as these abilities may be needed at higher levels of competition. The programs also should aim toward improved HJ and VJ abilities, given their association with RSA, CODA and YYIR1 performance. Moreover, maintaining an adequate BMI may aid players to sustain greater physical performance levels.
Demoiréing for screen-shot images with multi-channel layer decomposition

Moiré patterns on screen-shot images are mainly due to the aliasing of the grid of the display and the camera sensor, which heavily degenerated the image quality. This paper proposes an demoiréing method for screen-shot images via layer decomposition on polyphase components (LDPC). The layer decomposition model separates the image into a background layer and a moiré layer, which are both regularized by a patch-based Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) prior. To enhance the distinguishability between the image patches and moiré patches, the input image is first subsampled into four polyphase components, each of which is decomposed with the GMM-based layer decomposition model. The proposed model is applied on luminance (Y) channel to weaken the intensity of moiré patterns, and on red, green, blue channels respectively to further remove moiré patterns. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is able to efficiently remove moiré artifacts for screen-shot images and outperform several other methods.
Biosurfactant from a marine bacterium disrupts biofilms of pathogenic bacteria in a tropical aquaculture system

ABSTRACT Bacterial infections are major constraints in aquaculture farming. These pathogens often adapt to the biofilm mode of growth and resist antibiotic treatments. We have used a non‐toxic glycolipid biosurfactant (BS‐SLSZ2) derived from a marine epizootic bacterium Staphylococcus lentus to treat aquaculture associated infections in an eco‐friendly manner. We found that BS‐SLSZ2 contained threose, a four‐carbon sugar as the glycone component, and hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acids as the aglycone components. The critical micelle concentration of the purified glycolipid was 18 mg mL‐1. This biosurfactant displayed anti‐adhesive activity and inhibited biofilm formation by preventing initial attachment of cells onto surfaces. The biosurfactant (at a concentration of 20 &mgr;g) was able to inhibit Vibrio harveyi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by 80.33 ± 2.16 and 82 ± 2.03%, respectively. At this concentration, it was also able to disrupt mature biofilms of V. harveyi (78.7 ± 1.93%) and P. aeruginosa (81.7 ± 0.59%). The biosurfactant was non‐toxic towards Artemia salina. In vivo challenge experiments showed that the glycolipid was effective in protecting A. salina nauplii against V. harveyi and P. aeruginosa infections. This study highlights the significance of marine natural products in providing alternative biofilm controlling agents and decreasing the usage of antibiotics in aquaculture settings.
Coefficient-group level modeling for low complexity RDO in HEVC

In Video Coding, the Rate Distortion Optimization (RDO) is the key technique to choose the most efficient coded representation of raw video. Specifically, encoder selects an optimal combination of coding parameters from a fixed and discrete candidate set in the rate-distortion sense. As this process is computation intensive essentially, its practicality can be limited especially for real-time applications. Thus, it is worthwhile to reduce the complexity while still preserve its accuracy. To achieve this goal, we propose an efficient and low-complexity model to estimate the rate and distortion information. A CG level content-adaptive rate model is proposed to ensure the bit rate estimation is accurate and stable against the change of coding parameters and video content. For distortion modeling, an efficient quantization-free estimator is proposed. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that our method significantly reduces in average 34.6% of encoder complexity than existing works with marginal RD performance loss.
Prevalence and predictors of subclinical seizures during scalp video-EEG monitoring in patients with epilepsy

Objective: This study first aimed to establish the prevalence and predictors of subclinical seizures in patients with epilepsy undergoing video electroencephalographic monitoring, then to evaluate the relationship of sleep/wake and circadian pattern with subclinical seizures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 742 consecutive patients admitted to our epilepsy center between July 2012 and October 2014. Demographic, electro-clinical data and neuroimage were collected. Results: A total of 148 subclinical seizures were detected in 39 patients (5.3%) during video electroencephalographic monitoring. The mean duration of subclinical seizures was 47.18 s (range, 5–311). Pharmacoresistant epilepsy, abnormal MRI and the presence of interictal epileptiform discharges were independently associated with subclinical seizures in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Subclinical seizures helped localizing the presumed epileptogenic zone in 24 (61.5%) patients, and suggested multifocal epilepsy in five (12.8%). In addition, subclinical seizures occurred more frequently in sleep and night than wakefulness and daytime, respectively, and they were more likely seen between 21:00–03:00 h, and less likely seen between 09:00–12:00 h. Thirty patients (76.9%) had their first subclinical seizures within the first 24 h of monitoring while only 7.7% of patients had their first subclinical seizures detected within 20 min. Conclusion: Subclinical seizures are not uncommon in patients with epilepsy, particularly in those with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, abnormal MRI or interictal epileptiform discharges. Subclinical seizures occur in specific circadian patterns and in specific sleep/wake distributions. A 20-min VEEG monitoring might not be long enough to allow for their detection.
Juvenile- and adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: a comparative study in a large cohort from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Registry (RELESSER).

OBJECTIVES We aimed to describe juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) features and to establish its differences compared to adult-onset SLE (aSLE) from a large national database. METHODS Data from patients (≥4 ACR criteria) included in Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Registry (RELESSER) were analysed. Sociodemographic, clinical, serological, activity, treatment, cumulative damage, comorbidities and severity data were collected. Patients with disease onset <18 years were described and compared to those with disease onset ≥18 years. RESULTS We reviewed 3,428 aSLE patients (89.6% women) and 484 jSLE patients (89.8% girls), 93% Caucasian (both groups). Mean age at diagnosis was 38.1±14 and 16.6±6.3 years (p<0.001) and mean age at the end of follow-up was 48.8±14.3 and 31.5±30 years (p<0.001), respectively. jSLE showed significantly more clinical (including lymphadenopathy, fever, malar rash, mucosal ulcers, pericarditis, pleuritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, lupus nephritis, recurrent nephritis, histologic nephritis changes, thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, seizures, lupus headache and organic brain syndrome) and immunological (a-dsDNA and a-Sm antibodies, hypocomplementaemia) involvement than did aSLE, except for secondary Sjögren's syndrome, a-Ro antibodies, fibromyalgia and osteoporosis. jSLE also showed more SLE family history, longer diagnosis delay, higher SLEDAI and Katz scores, but lower Charlson scores than aSLE. Several specific domains were more frequently involved in SLICC/ACR DI in jSLE. jSLE patients more frequently underwent all SLE-related treatment and procedures, as well as dialysis and kidney transplantations. CONCLUSIONS jSLE shares many clinical and serological features with aSLE. However, jSLE patients typically manifested more activity, severity, cumulative damage in certain areas, than their aSLE counterparts.