Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Larval Fish Swimming Behavior Alters Dispersal Patterns From Marine Protected Areas in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea

Most demersal fishes undergo a dispersal phase as larvae, which strongly influences the connectivity among adult populations and, consequently, their genetic structure and replenishment opportunities. Because this phase is difficult to observe directly, it is frequently simulated through numerical models, most of which consider larvae as passive or only vertically migrating. However, in several locations, including the Mediterranean Sea, many species have been shown to swim fast and orient. Here we use a Lagrangian model to study connectivity patterns among three Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and compare simulations in which virtual larvae are passive to simulations in which oriented swimming is implemented. The parameterization of behavior is based on observations for two groups of species of the family Sparidae: species with small larvae (i.e. 9-11 mm), displaying a maximum swimming speed of 6 cm s-1 and a pelagic larval duration of 13-19 days (e.g. Diplodus annularis L., Oblada melanura L.) and species with large larvae (i.e. 14-16 mm), displaying a maximum swimming speed of 10 cm s-1 and a PLD of 28-38 days (e.g. Spondyliosoma cantharus L.). Including larval behavior in the model i) increased the overall proportion of successful settlers, ii) enhanced self-recruitment within the MPAs, but also iii) increased the intensity and iv) widened the export of eggs and larvae (recruitment subsidy) from the MPAs; overall, it significantly changed connectivity patterns. These results highlight the need to gather the observational data that are required to correctly parameterize connectivity models.
CHARACTERIZATION OF MAGNETIC PARTICLES AND MICROSPHERES AND THEIR MAGNETOPHORETIC MOBILITY USING A DIGITAL MICROSCOPY METHOD

CHARACTERIZATION OF MAGNETIC PARTICLES AND MICROSPHERES AND THEIR MAGNETOPHORETIC MOBILITY USING A DIGITAL MICROSCOPY METHOD U. O. Hafeli , R. Ciocan, J.P. Dailey 1 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave. T28, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA, University of Akron, Electrical Engineering Department, Akron, OH 44325, Division of Ophthalmology, Hamot Medical Center, 300 State Street, Suite 200A, Erie, PA 16507
Efficacy of beta‐hydroxy‐beta‐methylbutyrate supplementation in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients suffer from a number of co‐morbidities including declines in muscle mass and physical function. Beta‐hydroxy‐beta‐methylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine that has been shown to improve lean mass and physical function in elderly and clinical populations, but had not been studied in MHD patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of HMB in this population. Methods: We performed a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial to assess the effects of daily HMB supplementation on co‐morbidities in MHD patients. MHD patients were recruited and assigned to either daily supplementation with HMB (n = 16) or placebo (n = 17) for 6 months. Measurements of body composition, bone density, strength, physical function, fall risk, quality of life, and blood parameters were measured at baseline and 6 months. Blood was drawn at baseline, 3, and 6 months to measure compliance. Findings: No significant effects of HMB on body composition, bone density, strength, physical function, fall risk, quality of life, or blood parameters were observed. On analysis of plasma HMB concentrations, 5 of 16 patients (31%) in the HMB group were found to be noncompliant at 3 or 6 months. Therefore, we performed a per‐protocol analysis with compliant participants only and observed no significant differences in our outcomes of interest. Discussion: These results do not support the efficacy of HMB to attenuate co‐morbid conditions in MHD patients. Moreover, this highlights the need for future interventions targeted at reducing pill burden and improving pill compliance in this population.
Disentangling Bias and Variance in Election Polls

ABSTRACT It is well known among researchers and practitioners that election polls suffer from a variety of sampling and nonsampling errors, often collectively referred to as total survey error. Reported margins of error typically only capture sampling variability, and in particular, generally ignore nonsampling errors in defining the target population (e.g., errors due to uncertainty in who will vote). Here, we empirically analyze 4221 polls for 608 state-level presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial elections between 1998 and 2014, all of which were conducted during the final three weeks of the campaigns. Comparing to the actual election outcomes, we find that average survey error as measured by root mean square error is approximately 3.5 percentage points, about twice as large as that implied by most reported margins of error. We decompose survey error into election-level bias and variance terms. We find that average absolute election-level bias is about 2 percentage points, indicating that polls for a given election often share a common component of error. This shared error may stem from the fact that polling organizations often face similar difficulties in reaching various subgroups of the population, and that they rely on similar screening rules when estimating who will vote. We also find that average election-level variance is higher than implied by simple random sampling, in part because polling organizations often use complex sampling designs and adjustment procedures. We conclude by discussing how these results help explain polling failures in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and offer recommendations to improve polling practice.
Intercropping of sugarcane with common bean in no-tillage and different nitrogen rates

The no-tillage of crop rotation and intercropping are sustainable practices to reduce the impact of sugarcane to produce bioethanol on food safety. The objective of this research was to study the effect of side dressing nitrogen application on dry bean (IAC-Alvorada) grown as intercropped crop with green harvested sugarcane ratoon in no-tillage, named “sweet common bean system”. Field experiment was carried out in a commercial area (Oxisol), at Sao Jose Farm (Sertaozinho, Sao Paulo State, Brazil), planted with genotype RB865536, on the 3 rd ratoon. Five treatments of side dressing nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg/ha of N, as Urea) were arranged in a complete randomized block, with 6 replications. Evaluations (dry matter, LAI) were done from 30 to 90 days after planting (DAS). A quadratic response was observed for dry biomass and grain yield, with 120 and 80 kg/ha, respectively the best N-rate. LAI increasing with N-rates until the maximum of 5.5 at 75 DAS IAC-Alvorada can be considered responsive (12.8 kg of grains per kg of N) to increasing N-rates.
Effectiveness of vegetated buffer strips in reducing pesticide transport in simulated runoff

Several processes take place within vegetated buffer strips that affect their performance. To better understand these processes, a runoff study was conducted to evaluate vegetated buffer strips performance in reducing atrazine, metolachlor, and chlorpyrifos transport as affected by the drainage area to buffer strip area ratio. The simulated runoff water mixed with pesticide–treated soil was distributed onto six vegetated buffer strips, each 1.52 m wide . 20.12 m long, located downslope of the inflow distribution tank in a well established vegetated grassed waterway. These strips provided for three replications of two inflow rates designated as “drainage area/buffer strip area ratio treatments” of 15:1 and 30:1. Infiltration for the 15:1 treatment averaged 38.8% of the inflow volume, whereas it averaged 30.4% for the 30:1 treatment. Sediment retention efficiencies averaged 90.1% and 86.8% for the 15:1 and 30:1 treatments, respectively. Concentrations of atrazine and metolachlor associated with sediment outflows from the strips were larger than their respective inflow concentrations, while the results were opposite for chlorpyrifos. Concentrations in runoff water for both atrazine and metolachlor in outflow from the strips were smaller than the inflow concentrations; again, the results were opposite for chlorpyrifos. The 15:1 treatment retained an average of 52.5% of the total input of atrazine, 54.4% of metolachlor, and 83.1% of chlorpyrifos. Corresponding numbers for the 30:1 treatment were 46.8% for atrazine, 48.1% for metolachlor, and 76.9% for chlorpyrifos. Analysis of variance using the randomized block design showed that differences of percent retention of pesticide between treatments were not significant for any of the three pesticides at the 10% significance level. A lack of significant difference indicates either a need for more than three replications and/or larger area ratio treatments to be studied. The results of this study indicate that a 30:1 area ratio buffer strip could perform equally as well as a 15:1 area ratio buffer strip. Thus, less land would be required under buffer strips to get the desired results.
Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Probiotic (Problend) on Immune Status, Biochemical Profile and E. coli Counts in Commercial Broiler Chicken

An experiment was conducted to study the influence of dietary supplementation, of graded level of probiotics on the immune response, serum biochemical (total protein, cholesterol), and E.coli counts in commercial broiler chicken. A total of 240 unsexed broiler chicks were distributed randomly in to six dietary treatments and reared commercial broiler chicks under uniform management conditions from day old to six weeks of age to evaluate the immune response (Cell mediated immunity (CMI) to phyto heamagglutinin-P(PHA-P), Humoral immunity (HI) to new castle disease vaccine(NDV), serum biochemical (total protein, cholesterol), and E.coli counts. The humoral immune response to Sheep-Red blood cells (SRBC) as studied at 42 days old indicated insignificant (P>0.05) influence due to dietary treatments, while CMI response to PHA-P was significantly (P<0.05) affected, but no specific trend could be attributed. The relative weights of bursa were significantly (P<0.05) higher in probiotic group compared to control. The concentration of serum cholesterol and total protein were not affected due to treatments. At 42 days of age, significantly (P<0.05) reduced E. coli counts were observed in small intestine and excreta of broilers, supplemented with dietary probiotics. It was concluded that commercial broilers can be reared profitably to improve immunity and reducing harmful bacterial load in the intestine and excreta by supplementation of probiotics at graded levels.
Temporal variation in brain transcriptome is associated with the expression of female mimicry as a sequential male alternative reproductive tactic in fish

Distinct patterns of gene expression often underlie intra‐ and intersexual differences, and the study of this set of coregulated genes is essential to understand the emergence of complex behavioural phenotypes. Here, we describe the development of a de novo transcriptome and brain gene expression profiles of wild‐caught peacock blenny, Salaria pavo, an intertidal fish with sex‐role reversal in courtship behaviour (i.e., females are the courting sex) and sequential alternative reproductive tactics in males (i.e., larger and older nest‐holder males and smaller and younger sneaker males occur). Sneakers mimic both female's courtship behaviour and nuptial coloration to get access to nests and sneak fertilizations, and later in life transition into nest‐holder males. Thus, this species offers the unique opportunity to study how the regulation of gene expression can contribute to intersex phenotypes and to the sequential expression of male and female behavioural phenotypes by the same individual. We found that at the whole brain level, expression of the sneaker tactic was paralleled by broader and divergent gene expression when compared to either females or nest‐holder males, which were more similar between themselves. When looking at sex‐biased transcripts, sneaker males are intersex rather than being either nest‐holder or female‐like, and their transcriptome is simultaneously demasculinized for nest‐holder‐biased transcripts and feminized for female‐biased transcripts. These results indicate that evolutionary changes in reproductive plasticity can be achieved through regulation of gene expression, and in particular by varying the magnitude of expression of sex‐biased genes, throughout the lifetime of the same individual.
Femtosecond Laser Fabricated Ag@Au and Cu@Au Alloy Nanoparticles for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Based Trace Explosives Detection

Herein we present results from our detailed studies on the fabrication of Ag@Au and Cu@Au alloy nanoparticles (NPs) using the femtosecond laser ablation in liquid technique. The NPs were obtained by ablating the pure Ag, Cu targets (bulk) in HAuCl4 (5 mM) solution. The absorption properties of the obtained NPs colloids were characterized using UV-Visible absorption spectrometer and their size, shape, and crystallinity were investigated using the XRD, FESEM and TEM techniques. The fabricated NPs were utilized for sensing of explosive molecules such as 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (PA), 2, 4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) and a common dye methylene blue (MB) using the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique. The detection limit in terms of weight was as low as few nano-grams in the case of nitroaromatic explosive compounds (PA, DNT) and few picograms in the case of a common dye molecule (MB). Typical enhancement factors achieved were estimated to be ~104, ~105 and ~107, respectively, for PA, DNT, and MB. The significance of the present work lies in exploring the performance of the prepared NPs being used as SERS substrates for explosives detection using a portable Raman instrument. Such capability enables one to carry the spectrometer to the point of interest in the field and evaluate any hazardous samples within a short period of time.
Western Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health Learning Curves for Direct Laryngoscopy and GlideScope® Video Laryngoscopy in an Emergency Medicine Residency

Introduction: Our objective is to evaluate the resident learning curves for direct laryngoscopy (DL) and GlideScope® video laryngoscopy (GVL) over the course of an emergency medicine (EM) residency training program. Methods: This was an analysis of intubations performed in the emergency department (ED) by EM residents over a seven-year period from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2014 at an academic ED with 70,000 annual visits. After EM residents perform an intubation in the ED they complete a continuous quality improvement (CQI) form. Data collected includes patient demographics, operator post- graduate year (PGY), difficult airway characteristics (DACs), method of intubation, device used for intubation and outcome of each attempt. We included in this analysis only adult intubations performed by EM residents using a DL or a standard reusable GVL. The primary outcome was first pass success, defined as a successful intubation with a single laryngoscope insertion. First pass success was evaluated for each PGY of training for DL and GVL. Logistic mixed-effects models were constructed for each device to determine the effect of PGY level on first pass success, after adjusting for important confounders. Results: Over the seven-year period, the DL was used as the initial device on 1,035 patients and the GVL was used as the initial device on 578 patients by EM residents. When using the DL the first past success of PGY-1 residents was 69.9%
Molecular and physiological responses to titanium dioxide and cerium oxide nanoparticles in Arabidopsis

Changes in tissue transcriptomes and productivity of Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated during exposure of plants to 2 widely used engineered metal oxide nanoparticles, titanium dioxide (nano‐titania) and cerium dioxide (nano‐ceria). Microarray analyses confirmed that exposure to either nanoparticle altered the transcriptomes of rosette leaves and roots, with comparatively larger numbers of differentially expressed genes found under nano‐titania exposure. Nano‐titania induced more differentially expressed genes in rosette leaves, whereas roots had more differentially expressed genes under nano‐ceria exposure. MapMan analyses indicated that although nano‐titania up‐regulated overall metabolism in both tissues, metabolic processes under nano‐ceria remained mostly unchanged. Gene enrichment analysis indicated that both nanoparticles mainly enriched ontology groups such as responses to stress (abiotic and biotic), and defense responses (pathogens), and responses to endogenous stimuli (hormones). Nano‐titania specifically induced genes associated with photosynthesis, whereas nano‐ceria induced expression of genes related to activating transcription factors, most notably those belonging to the ethylene responsive element binding protein family. Interestingly, there were also increased numbers of rosette leaves and plant biomass under nano‐ceria exposure, but not under nano‐titania. Other transcriptomic responses did not clearly relate to responses observed at the organism level, possibly because of functional and genomic redundancy in Arabidopsis, which may mask expression of morphological changes, despite discernable responses at the transcriptome level. In addition, transcriptomic changes often relate to transgenerational phenotypic development, and hence it may be productive to direct further experimental work to integrate high‐throughput genomic results with longer term changes in subsequent generations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:71–82. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
A novel HT-TBD detection approach for near-space target

Near-space target detection is usually difficult for radar due to this kind of target's characteristics of hypersonic velocity and weak echoes. A novel detection approach is proposed by employing Hough transform track-before-detect (HT-TBD) technique based on grading and dimensionality reduction mechanism. Firstly, in order to solve huge computational load problem of traditional three-dimensional Hough transform, three-dimensional points are mapped into range-time plane, azimuth-time plane and elevation-time plane successively for three corresponding two-dimensional Hough transforms. Then, a new double integration means of noncoherent integration and binary integration is adopted in parameter space to select points in every stage orderly, which could make full use of energy information and decrease impact from strong interference at the same time. Finally, motion constraints and trajectory merging are introduced to further reduce detected false trajectories after sequence association for detected points. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed approach.
Multi-Modal Detection and Mapping of Static and Dynamic Obstacles in Agriculture for Process Evaluation

Today, agricultural vehicles are available that can automatically perform tasks such as weed detection and spraying, mowing, and sowing while being steered automatically. However, for such systems to be fully autonomous and self-driven, not only their specific agricultural tasks must be automated. An accurate and robust perception system automatically detecting and avoiding all obstacles must also be realized to ensure safety of humans, animals, and other surroundings. In this paper, we present a multi-modal obstacle and environment detection and recognition approach for process evaluation in agricultural fields. The proposed pipeline detects and maps static and dynamic obstacles globally, while providing process-relevant information along the traversed trajectory. Detection algorithms are introduced for a variety of sensor technologies, including range sensors (lidar and radar) and cameras (stereo and thermal). Detection information is mapped globally into semantical occupancy grid maps and fused across all sensors with late fusion, resulting in accurate traversability assessment and semantical mapping of process-relevant categories (e.g., crop, ground, and obstacles). Finally, a decoding step uses a Hidden Markov model to extract relevant process-specific parameters along the trajectory of the vehicle, thus informing a potential control system of unexpected structures in the planned path. The method is evaluated on a public dataset for multi-modal obstacle detection in agricultural fields. Results show that a combination of multiple sensor modalities increases detection performance and that different fusion strategies must be applied between algorithms detecting similar and dissimilar classes.
Air Quality Measurements at a Laying Hen House: Particulate Matter Concentrations and Emissions

Particulate matter (PM) was measured in the ventilation exhaust air of a caged layer house using three tapered element oscillating microbalances (TEOMs). Diurnal patterns of PM concentration and emission were observed during 6 days in June 2002. The average daily mean (±95% c.i.) concentrations and emissions were 39±8.0, 518±74, and 1887±563 . g/m3 and 1.1±0.3, 16±3.4, and 63±15 g/d-AU for PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particulates (TSP), respectively. Daytime (lights on) PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentrations were 151, 108, and 136% higher (P<0.05) than at night. Emissions peaked during the day when birds were most active and ventilation rates were the highest. Wide diurnal variations in PM concentration and ventilation were observed. PM emission was correlated to ventilation, ambient and exhaust temperatures, and relative humidity (P<0.05).
High‐intensity interval training improves insulin sensitivity in older individuals

Metabolic health may deteriorate with age as a result of altered body composition and decreased physical activity. Endurance exercise is known to counter these changes delaying or even preventing onset of metabolic diseases. High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time efficient alternative to regular endurance exercise, and the aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic benefit of HIIT in older subjects.
On body characterization for on-body radio propagation channel using wearable textile monopole antenna

This paper presents the experimental investigation of the characterization of the narrowband on-body radio propagation channel at 2.45 GHz. Wearable planar textile monopole antennas (TM) were used in this measurement campaign. The measurements were conducted in the RFshielded room environment, considering eight on-body radio links. A statistical analysis was conducted on the spectral parameters of the channel to enable the prediction and modeling of dynamic on-body radio propagation characteristics. The empirical data were fitted to several wellknown statistical models to determine the model that provided the best fit for the data. The results showed that the path loss exponent was consistent with the results of previous studies. The results also demonstrated that lognormal distribution was found to be the best fit for path loss in dynamic on-body radio propagation channel.