Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GALL MORPHOLOGY IN AUSTRALIAN GALL THRIPS: THE EVOLUTION OF EXTENDED PHENOTYPES

We used a combination of morphometric, phylogenetic, and life‐history information to analyze the evolution and possible adaptive significance of gall morphology in a clade of 24 species of gall‐inducing thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) on Australian Acacia trees. Principal components analysis revealed that galls varied in morphology along two main axes, spherical versus elongate (PC1) and general size (PC2). A high degree of conservation of gall shape on an independently derived phylogeny of the insects and the presence of nine species of Acacia each bearing two or three morphologically disparate gall forms induced by different thrips species indicate that interspecific variation in gall form is determined predominantly by the insects. Character optimization of PC1 on the phylogeny of gall thrips suggested that the ancestral gall form was a simple roll or curl. The diversification of gall form involved four main processes: (1) the convergent evolution of relatively spherical galls in two clades; (2) the evolution of small elongate and hemispherical galls in one clade; (3) the evolution of a lobed interior in a species with a spherical gall and multiple within‐gall generations; and (4) the evolution of intraspecific gall polymorphism in a clade of apparent sibling species. Comparative analyses indicated that gall sphericity was associated with the presence of physogastry (foundress hyperfecundity) and that small elongate and hemispherical forms may be associated with the presence of multiple generations in a gall and, perhaps, with the presence of soldier castes. The evolution of a lobed interior in one species, which greatly increases inner surface area, coincided with the evolution of multiple generations. In the clade with intraspecific gall polymorphism in some species, patterns of intraspecific variation mirror patterns of interspecific variation within the clade as a whole. This is the first study to analyze the evolution of gall size and shape in a phylogenetic context and to investigate the life‐history correlates of evolutionary changes in gall form. Taken together, our findings indicate that the main selective pressures driving the evolution of gall form in Australian gall thrips on Acacia involve inner surface area to volume relationships, which change in concert with foundress fecundity and the number of within‐gall generations.
Esophageal Foreign Bodies

Summary Background: The removal of an impacted foreign body in the esophagus is still a common practice in the Thoracic Department of the Medical City Hospital . The objective of this study is to cast a light on this rather a common phenomenon in our country , its risks and its management. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 120 patients with foreign bodies in the esophagus managed successfully in our department during five years period 1998 – 2002 inclusive . The study included 65 males and 55 females . Their ages range between I year and 75 years. The most common age group was less than 10 years , which constitutes about 30% of our patients . Varieties of foreign bodies were encountered ,their ways of presentation , clinical findings and radiological appearances will be prescribe . Results: Successful removal of the foreign bodies was done in most of the cases . In 4patients esophageal dilatation was done for an area of stricture on which the foreign body was impacted. Surgery was necessary in two patients for the removal of foreign bodies which were impossible to be removed endoscopically . Conclusion: Rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia is the procedure of choice for foreign body removal and nearly all the cases could be considered preventable.
A New Expression for the 3-D Dyadic FDTD-Compatible Green's Function Based on Multidimensional Z-Transform

In this letter, a new analytic expression for the time-domain discrete Green's function (DGF) is derived for the 3-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) grid. The derivation employs the multidimensional Z-transform and the impulse response of the discretized scalar wave equation (i.e., scalar DGF). The derived DGF expression involves elementary functions only and requires the implementation of a single function in the multiple-precision arithmetic. For its verification, antennas were simulated in the DGF formulation of the FDTD method with the use of the derived expression demonstrating the correctness of the derivation.
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis—Where Are We? and Where Are We Going?

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is estimated to affect 3 million people worldwide making it an under recognised, but significant health problem across the globe, conferring significant morbidity and mortality. With variable disease forms, high levels of associated respiratory co-morbidity, limited therapeutic options and prolonged treatment strategies, CPA is a challenging disease for both patients and healthcare professionals. CPA can mimic smear-negative tuberculosis (TB), pulmonary histoplasmosis or coccidioidomycosis. Cultures for Aspergillus are usually negative, however, the detection of Aspergillus IgG is a simple and sensitive test widely used in diagnosis. When a fungal ball/aspergilloma is visible radiologically, the diagnosis has been made late. Sometimes weight loss and fatigue are predominant symptoms; pyrexia is rare. Despite the efforts of the mycology community, and significant strides being taken in optimising the care of these patients, much remains to be learnt about this patient population, the disease itself and the best use of available therapies, with the development of new therapies being a key priority. Here, current knowledge and practices are reviewed, and areas of research priority highlighted.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Whole genome re-sequencing identifies a mutation in an ABC transporter (mdr2) in a Plasmodium chabaudi clone with altered susceptibility to antifolate drugs

In malaria parasites, mutations in twogenes of folate biosynthesis encoding dihydrofolate reductase ( dhfr ) anddihydropteroate synthase( dhps )modifyresponsestoantifolatetherapieswhichtargettheseenzymes. However, the involvement of other genes which modify the availability of exogenous folate, for example, has been proposed. Here, we used short-read whole-genome re-sequencing to determine the mutations in a clone of the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi , which has altered susceptibility to both sulphadoxine and pyrimethamine. This clone bears a previously identiﬁed S106N mutation in dhfr and nomutationin dhps . Instead,threeadditionalpoint mutations ingenes on chromosomes 2,13 and14 were identiﬁed. The mutated gene on chromosome 13 ( mdr2 K392Q) encodes an ABC transporter. Because Quantitative Trait Locus analysis previously indicated an association of genetic markers on chromosome 13 with responses to individual and combined antifolates, MDR2 is proposed to modulate antifolate responses, possibly mediated by the transport of folate intermediates. (cid:2) 2010 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Macrobenthic Biomass and Secondary Production in the Northern East China Sea and the Relative Importance of Environmental Variables1

Abstract Studies on secondary production can lead to a better understanding of the functions of the macrobenthic ecosystem. To determine the secondary productionand production-to-biomass ratio(P/B) of the macrobenthic community in the northern East China Sea, we conducted annual investigations in the northern East China Sea from 2012 to 2016. In this study, the secondary production and P/B values of the macrobenthic community in the northern East China Sea, China, were described and analysed using PCA and Spearman rank correlation analysis. A total of 61 species were collected and identified, and the results showed that Polychaeta was the most speciose group. The polychaete Sternaspis scutata and holothurian Acaudina molpadioides were found to be the most important contributors to the total abundance and total biomass across all sampling areas and years. The Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated that community abundance was positively correlated with depth but negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO) and suspended solids (SS). The P/B was much lower than that found in previous reports from this area, mainly due to the collection of large individuals of A. molpadioides from Sanmen Bay. The low P/B value also indicated that more effort and time are needed to rehabilitate the benthic marine ecosystem in this area.
Calculation of the Thermal Properties (and Their Uncertainties) of Strawberry During Its Cooling Under Natural Convection

Many times, the thermal properties of a product are determined but their uncertainties (and, mainly, the covariance matrix) are not provided. Thus, in the simulations, it is not possible to establish a confidence band for a transient state described through the values obtained for these properties. In this article, a model was proposed to determine thermal diffusivity and convective heat transfer coefficient, providing the above-mentioned lack of information, for a product with spherical geometry during its cooling. The proposed model involved: 1) an experimental data set of the cooling kinetics in a point within the product; 2) a one-dimensional numerical solution of the heat conduction equation; 3) an optimizer based on the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm to determine the thermal properties, their uncertainties, and the covariance between the parameters. Model was applied for determining thermal properties of strawberries, using an equivalent sphere to represent the geometry of the product, and the obtained results were compatible with the literature results.
A new Arietellidae (Copepoda: Calanoida) from the Red Sea

ABSTRACT A new species of the calanoid copepod genus Paramisophria T. Scott, 1897 is described from the Egyptian sublittoral zone of the Red Sea. Paramisophria aegypti sp. nov. appears to be closely related to the species Paramisophria ammophila and Paramisophria platysoma. Paramisophria aegypti differs from P. ammophila in having two unequal lateral setae plus one long terminal process and two tiny equal lateral setae plus one long terminal process on the third exopodal segment on the male right and left fifth legs (vs three terminal processes increasing in size inward on both male fifth legs). Paramisophria aegypti can be distinguished from P. platysoma in the following characters: prosome symmetrical (vs extreme asymmetry); third exopod segment of the right leg completely separated from the second segment and bears two unequal lateral setae plus one long terminal process (vs partially fused to the second segment and bears four terminal processes increasing in size inward); third exopod segment of the left leg with two lateral setules and one long terminal process (vs two lateral setules, one short outer medial process and one long terminal process); endopodal lobes of the female legs 5 bear one long plumose seta (vs setae are lacking). http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C0A92BF9-2306-4A35-AA39-CE3B5865A396
Identification of RNF213 as a Susceptibility Gene for Moyamoya Disease and Its Possible Role in Vascular Development

Background Moyamoya disease is an idiopathic vascular disorder of intracranial arteries. Its susceptibility locus has been mapped to 17q25.3 in Japanese families, but the susceptibility gene is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Genome-wide linkage analysis in eight three-generation families with moyamoya disease revealed linkage to 17q25.3 (P<10-4). Fine mapping demonstrated a 1.5-Mb disease locus bounded by D17S1806 and rs2280147. We conducted exome analysis of the eight index cases in these families, with results filtered through Ng criteria. There was a variant of p.N321S in PCMTD1 and p.R4810K in RNF213 in the 1.5-Mb locus of the eight index cases. The p.N321S variant in PCMTD1 could not be confirmed by the Sanger method. Sequencing RNF213 in 42 index cases confirmed p.R4810K and revealed it to be the only unregistered variant. Genotyping 39 SNPs around RNF213 revealed a founder haplotype transmitted in 42 families. Sequencing the 260-kb region covering the founder haplotype in one index case did not show any coding variants except p.R4810K. A case-control study demonstrated strong association of p.R4810K with moyamoya disease in East Asian populations (251 cases and 707 controls) with an odds ratio of 111.8 (P = 10−119). Sequencing of RNF213 in East Asian cases revealed additional novel variants: p.D4863N, p.E4950D, p.A5021V, p.D5160E, and p.E5176G. Among Caucasian cases, variants p.N3962D, p.D4013N, p.R4062Q and p.P4608S were identified. RNF213 encodes a 591-kDa cytosolic protein that possesses two functional domains: a Walker motif and a RING finger domain. These exhibit ATPase and ubiquitin ligase activities. Although the mutant alleles (p.R4810K or p.D4013N in the RING domain) did not affect transcription levels or ubiquitination activity, knockdown of RNF213 in zebrafish caused irregular wall formation in trunk arteries and abnormal sprouting vessels. Conclusions/Significance We provide evidence suggesting, for the first time, the involvement of RNF213 in genetic susceptibility to moyamoya disease.
A Comparative Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Antiplaque Efficacy of Citrus Sinesis Mouthwash and Chlorhexidine Mouthwash

Background: Citrus sinesis belongs to Rutaceae family is an enriched source of vitamin C, flavonoid compounds and antioxidants are helpful in reducing inflammation. Few in-vitro studies the ethanolic extract of orange peels has successfully reduced periodontal pathogens which has influenced us to prepare a mouth wash with ethanolic extract of orange peel. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of indigenously prepared 4% ethanolic extract of Citrus sinseis (Orange peel) mouthwash to commercially available 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash as an anti-plaque agent. Materials and Methods: Twenty subjects in the age group of 18-60 years with moderate to severe gingivitis were divided into two equal groups. Clinical parameters like Plaque Index, Sulcus Bleeding Index and Gingival Index were recorded at baseline, 7th and 14th day respectively. Following oral prophylaxis Group-I (n= 10) subjects were instructed to rinse twice daily with 10ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash and Group-II (n= 10) subjects were instructed to rinse twice daily with 10ml of 4% ethanolic extract of Citrus sinesis mouthwash for 14 days. All the subjects were recalled on the 7th and 14th day for follow up to record the clinical parameters. Results: Citrus sinesis 4% mouthwash was seen to be as efficient as 0.2% Chlorhexidine in reducing Plaque Index and more effectively reducing gingival inflammation and gingival bleeding index. Conclusion: Citrus sinesis 4% mouthwash can be used for short term purpose without any potential side effects as an alternative to 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash in reducing plaque and gingival inflammation.
Who are the Mobile Phone Have-Nots?

Grounded in the diffusion of innovations theoretical framework, this study focuses on examining who the mobile telephone have-nots are and what are the factors at work. Results of a telephone survey with a probability sample of 834 respondents show that the have-nots tended to be older females with lower household income and education attainment. They had pagers as an alternative and subscribed to no caller ID display service at home. This study also found a polarizing phenomenon in owning new telecommunications technologies. With the poor becoming poorer, the gap between haves and have-nots is widening. A hierarchy of relative influences on the intention to adopt a mobile phone suggests that the effects of age and social differences far outweigh that of the technological differences.
Caspofungin: Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical uses and treatment outcomes

Abstract Over the past decade, echinocandins have emerged as first-line antifungal agents for many Candida infections. The echinocandins have a unique mechanism of action, inhibiting the synthesis of β-1,3-d-glucan polymers, key components of the cell wall in pathogenic fungi. Caspofungin was the first echinocandin antifungal agent to become licensed for use. The objectives of this review are to summarize the existing published data on caspofungin, under the subject headings of chemistry and mechanism of action, spectrum of activity, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical studies, safety, drug interactions, dosing, and an overview of the drug’s current place in therapy.
Ureteral drainage by double-J-catheters during pregnancy.

PURPOSE To access the safety and effectiveness of Double-J-stents in treating symptomatic hydronephrosis during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS From 1994 to 1999, 21 women were hospitalized in the Urology Clinic at the University Hospital of Crete. Fourteen patients presented acute pyelonephritis, six painful hydronephrosis and one spontaneous renal rupture. In four cases the hydronephrosis was caused by calculus in the upper 3rd quadrant of the ureters. In 13 out of 14 cases of urinary febrile infection and one with spontaneous renal rupture, the dilatation resulted from direct compression of the ureters by the gravid uterus. Using ultrasound guidance, 21 ureteral stents were successfully placed under local ane- sthesia. RESULTS In 14 out of 21 patients with urinary infection, we observed remission of fever during the first 24 hours after the placement of the ureteral stents. In the patient with spontaneous renal rupture the remission of symptoms was observed a few hours after the ureteral drainage. Complications were reported in six cases, such as, voiding symptoms and discomfort. CONCLUSION Double-J-ureteral stenting is an effective, simple and safe method in treating symptomatic hydronephrosis during pregnancy.
Analytical evaluation of bit error rates for hard detection of optical differential phase amplitude shift keying (DPASK)

Recently introduced extensions of differential phase-shift keying (DPSK), referred to here as optical differential phase amplitude shift keying (DPASK), explore an increase in the data throughput for a given bandwidth by effectively multiplexing differential phase encoding and amplitude modulation onto the same fiber link. The DPASK systems proposed and demonstrated so far apply phase and amplitude modulation in tandem, jumping between either two or four equispaced phase values as well as independently selecting between two amplitude levels. In this paper, closed-form expressions for the quantum limits of bit error rate (BER) for such DPASK optical transmission systems are derived for the first time, verifying the analytic expressions by numerical multicanonical Monte Carlo simulations. The resulting quantum-limit sensitivities indicate that the two-level binary phase DPASK incurs a considerable photonic sensitivity penalty in return for its improved spectral efficiency. On the positive side, the more complex quaternary phase DPASK format exceeds the performance of its 8-ary DPSK scheme counterpart.
Interference Exploitation Precoding for Multi-level Modulations

In this paper, we investigate the interference exploitation precoding for multi-level modulations in the downlink multi-antenna systems. We mathematically derive the optimal precoding structures based on the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions. Furthermore, by formulating the dual problem, the precoding problem for multi-level modulations can be transformed into a pre-scaling operation using quadratic programming (QP) optimization. Compared to the original second-order cone programming (SOCP) formulation, this transformation that finally leads to a QP optimization allows a considerable complexity reduction. Simulation results validate our derivations on the optimal precoding structure, and demonstrate significant performance improvements for interference exploitation precoding over traditional precoding methods for multi-level modulations.
Effects of Functional Fascial Taping on pain and function in patients with non-specific low back pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To compare the short-term and medium-term effect of Functional Fascial Taping to placebo taping on pain and function in people with non-specific low back pain. Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial with a 2-week intervention, and 2-, 6- and 12-week follow-up. Setting: Individuals with non-specific low back pain recruited from local communities. Participants: Forty-three participants with non-specific low back pain for more than 6 weeks were randomized into either Functional Fascial Taping group (n = 21) or placebo group (n = 22). Interventions: The intervention group was treated with Functional Fascial Taping while the control group was treated with placebo taping. Both groups received four treatments over 2 weeks. Main outcome measures: Worst and average pain and function were assessed at baseline, after the 2-week intervention, and at 6 and 12 weeks follow-up. Results: The Functional Fascial Taping group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in worst pain compared to placebo group after the 2-week intervention (P = 0.02, effect size = 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.11–1.34). A higher proportion of participants in Functional Fascial Taping group attained the minimal clinically important difference in worst pain (P = 0.007) and function (P = 0.007) than those in placebo group after the 2-week intervention. There were no significant differences in either group’s disability rating or clinically important difference in average pain at any time. Conclusions: Functional Fascial Taping reduced worst pain in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain during the treatment phase. No medium-term differences in pain or function were observed.
Connectivity and Information Dissemination in Large-Scale Wireless Networks with Dynamic Links

We investigate the problem of disseminating broadcast mess ag in wireless networks with time-varying links from a percolation-based perspective. Using a model of wire less networks based on random geometric graphs with dynamic on-off links, we show that the delay for disseminati g broadcast information exhibits two behavioral regimes, corresponding to the phase transition of the under lying network connectivity. When the dynamic network is in the subcritical phase, ignoring propagation delays, t he delay scales linearly with the Euclidean distance between the sender and the receiver. When the dynamic networ k is in the supercritical phase, the delay scales sublinearly with the distance. Finally, we show that in the pres ence of a non-negligible propagation delay, the delay for information dissemination scales linearly with the Euc lidean distance in both the subcritical and supercritical regimes, with the rates for the linear scaling being differe nt in the two regimes.