Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microarray Analysis of Gene Regulations and Potential Association with Acephate-Resistance and Fitness Cost in Lygus lineolaris

The tarnished plant bug has become increasingly resistant to organophosphates in recent years. To better understand acephate resistance mechanisms, biological, biochemical, and molecular experiments were systematically conducted with susceptible (LLS) and acephate-selected (LLR) strains. Selection of a field population with acephate significantly increased resistance ratio to 5.9-fold, coupled with a significant increase of esterase activities by 2-fold. Microarray analysis of 6,688 genes revealed 329 up- and 333 down-regulated (≥2-fold) genes in LLR. Six esterase, three P450, and one glutathione S-transferase genes were significantly up-regulated, and no such genes were down-regulated in LLR. All vitellogenin and eggshell protein genes were significantly down-regulated in LLR. Thirteen protease genes were significantly down-regulated and only 3 were up-regulated in LLR. More than twice the number of catalysis genes and more than 3.6-fold of metabolic genes were up-regulated, respectively, as compared to those down-regulated with the same molecular and biological functions. The large portion of metabolic or catalysis genes with significant up-regulations indicated a substantial increase of metabolic detoxification in LLR. Significant increase of acephate resistance, increases of esterase activities and gene expressions, and variable esterase sequences between LLS and LLR consistently demonstrated a major esterase-mediated resistance in LLR, which was functionally provable by abolishing the resistance with esterase inhibitors. In addition, significant elevation of P450 gene expression and reduced susceptibility to imidacloprid in LLR indicated a concurrent resistance risk that may impact other classes of insecticides. This study demonstrated the first association of down-regulation of reproductive- and digestive-related genes with resistance to conventional insecticides, suggesting potential fitness costs associated with resistance development. This study shed new light on the understanding of the molecular basis of insecticide resistance, and the information is highly valuable for development of chemical control guidelines and tactics to minimize resistance and cross-resistance risks.
The stromal‐vascular fraction of adipose tissue contributes to major differences between subcutaneous and visceral fat depots

Adipose tissue represents a complex tissue both in terms of its cellular composition, as it includes mature adipocytes and the various cell types comprising the stromal‐vascular fraction (SVF), and in relation to the distinct biochemical, morphological and functional characteristics according to its anatomical location. Herein, we have characterized the proteomic profile of both mature adipocyte and SVF from human visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) fat depots in order to unveil differences in the expression of proteins which may underlie the distinct association of VAT and SAT to several pathologies. Specifically, 24 proteins were observed to be differentially expressed between SAT SVF versus VAT SVF from lean individuals. Immunoblotting and RT‐PCR analysis confirmed the differential regulation of the nuclear envelope proteins lamin A/C, the membrane‐cytoskeletal linker ezrin and the enzyme involved in retinoic acid production, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A2, in the two fat depots. In sum, the observation that proteins with important cell functions are differentially distributed between VAT and SAT and their characterization as components of SVF or mature adipocytes pave the way for future research on the molecular basis underlying diverse adipose tissue‐related pathologies such as metabolic syndrome or lipodystrophy.
Population-based study of invasive disease due to beta-hemolytic streptococci of groups other than A and B.

BACKGROUND Beta-hemolytic streptococci of groups other than A and B (NABS) are increasingly recognized as causes of clinically significant disease, but precise information about this heterogeneous group is lacking. We report the incidence of NABS infection and describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics. METHODS Active, population-based surveillance for invasive NABS was performed over a 2-year period in the 8-county metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, area and the 3-county San Francisco Bay, California, area. Clinical records were reviewed, and available isolates were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta) for additional microbiologic characterization. Incidences were calculated using year-appropriate US Census Bureau data. RESULTS A total of 489 cases of invasive NABS infection were identified (3.2 cases per 100,000 population). The median age of patients was 55 years; 64% of patients were males, and 87% had underlying diseases. The incidence was higher among black persons than white persons (4.0 vs. 2.5 cases per 100,000 population; P < .01) and increased with age among all races. Infections were community acquired in 416 cases (85%). Among the 450 patients (94%) with NABS infection who were hospitalized, 55 (12%) died. Of 266 isolates (54%) speciated at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 212 (80%) were Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis; 46 (17%) were members of the Streptococcus anginosus group. S. dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis primarily presented as skin and soft-tissue infection in older patients, whereas individuals with invasive S. anginosus group infections were more likely to be younger patients with intra-abdominal infections. CONCLUSIONS NABS comprise multiple distinct species that cause a significant number of community-acquired invasive infections. Clinical manifestations differ by species. Thus, speciation of invasive NABS may be warranted in clinical settings.
Homological stability for mapping class groups of surfaces

We give a complete and detailed proof of Harer's stability theorem for the homology of mapping class groups of surfaces, with the best stability range presently known. This theorem and its proof have seen several improvements since Harer's original proof in the mid-80's, and our purpose here is to assemble these many additions.
Eight months of physical training in warm water improves physical and mental health in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of 8 months of supervised exercise therapy in warm water and its effects on the impact of fibromyalgia on physical and mental health and physical fitness in affected women. METHODS Thirty women with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to an exercise therapy group (n = 15) or a control group (inactive) (n = 15). The impact of fibromyalgia on physical and mental health was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the anxiety state with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physical fitness was measured using the following tests: Canadian Aerobic Fitness; hand-grip dynamometry; 10-metre walking; 10-step stair-climbing and blind 1-leg stance. RESULTS After 8 months of training, the exercise therapy group improved compared with the control group in terms of physical function (20%), pain (8%), stiffness (53%), anxiety (41%), depression (27%), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire total scores (18%), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score (22%), aerobic capacity (22%), balance (30%), functional capacity for walking (6%), stair-climbing with no extra weight (14%) and stair-climbing 10 kg-weighted (25%). CONCLUSION Eight months of supervised exercise in warm water was feasible and led to long-term improvements in physical and mental health in patients with fibromyalgia at a similar magnitude to those of shorter therapy programmes.
Multimodal Biometric System Using Rank-Level Fusion Approach

In many real-world applications, unimodal biometric systems often face significant limitations due to sensitivity to noise, intraclass variability, data quality, nonuniversality, and other factors. Attempting to improve the performance of individual matchers in such situations may not prove to be highly effective. Multibiometric systems seek to alleviate some of these problems by providing multiple pieces of evidence of the same identity. These systems help achieve an increase in performance that may not be possible using a single-biometric indicator. This paper presents an effective fusion scheme that combines information presented by multiple domain experts based on the rank-level fusion integration method. The developed multimodal biometric system possesses a number of unique qualities, starting from utilizing principal component analysis and Fisher's linear discriminant methods for individual matchers (face, ear, and signature) identity authentication and utilizing the novel rank-level fusion method in order to consolidate the results obtained from different biometric matchers. The ranks of individual matchers are combined using the highest rank, Borda count, and logistic regression approaches. The results indicate that fusion of individual modalities can improve the overall performance of the biometric system, even in the presence of low quality data. Insights on multibiometric design using rank-level fusion and its performance on a variety of biometric databases are discussed in the concluding section.
Impact of feedback and monitoring on colonoscopy withdrawal times and polyp detection rates

Background Previous studies have shown colonoscopy withdrawal time (WT) to be a reliable surrogate indicator for polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR) in colonoscopy. Our aim was to assess the impact of feedback and monitoring of WT on PDR in routine colonoscopies with long-term follow-up. Materials and methods A total of 307 colonoscopies were performed in three separate clinical scenarios. First, PDR and WT were recorded without the staff being aware of the specific objective of the study. Before the second scenario, the staff was given interventional information and feedback on WTs and PDRs from the first scenario and was encouraged to aim for a minimum WT of 8 min. Retention of knowledge gained was reassessed in the third scenario 1 year later. Results The PDR in the first two scenarios differed significantly (p<0.01), with a more than 90% increase in PDR after intervention from 22% to 42% (95% CI 1.44 to 4.95), although the mean WT did not change (6.8 vs 7.2 min; p>0.05). The increase in PDR between the first and second scenarios was retained in the third follow-up scenario 1 year later where the WT of both polyp-positive and polyp-negative colonoscopies was found to be longer. Conclusions PDR almost doubled from the first to the second scenario of a real-life colonoscopy setting, indicating that awareness of WT is crucial. The knowledge gained from this intervention in routine practice was even retained after a year.
Optimisation of a stochastic rock fracture model using Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation

The characterisation of rock fracture networks is an important component of rock engineering applications involving stability assessment or fluid flow analysis. However, the derivation of a reliable rock fracture model remains a very challenging problem in practice. This paper describes a Bayesian framework, in the form of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation, for the construction of such a model. Model conditioning using different data sources is discussed including seismic events recorded during hydraulic fracture stimulation, rock face fracture mapping data and downhole geophysical survey data. The freeware FracSim3D is used for the simulations.
Graphene FETs With Aluminum Bottom-Gate Electrodes and Its Natural Oxide as Dielectrics

In this paper, we present a fabrication process of graphene field effect transistors (GFETs) using natural oxidation of aluminum as dielectrics, which provide an alternative fabrication choice for future flexible electronics with the large scale and arbitrary substrates. The high-quality monolayer graphene is preserved by our process, and the mobility up to 3250 cm2/Vs is measured after whole device fabrication. GFETs with double bottom-gate structure varying from 300 to 100 nm in gate length have been characterized by both static and dynamic measurements. The total gate capacitances of our device structure are evaluated based on the measurement results of scattering parameters.We report an intrinsic current gain cutoff frequency ( ft-int) of 11 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency ( fmax) of 8 GHz in devices with 100 nm gate length. Moreover, both the values of ft-int and fmax for different gate lengths are also discussed. Our results indicate that the full process exhibits great potential, especially for graphene-based flexible electronics.
Cryptosporidium parvum infection of Caco-2 cell monolayers induces an apical monolayer defect, selectively increases transmonolayer permeability, and causes epithelial cell death

Caco-2 cells were grown on permeable filters and infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. Infection rates exceeded 50% of target cells with a sufficient inoculum dose of parasites. Infection induced a dose- and time-dependent fall in transmonolayer resistance, which was closely related to both the inoculum dose and the number of parasites detected by immunofluorescence. Caco-2a, MDBK, and MDBK subclone F5D2 evidenced similar declines in resistance when grown and infected under similar circumstances. Caco-2 monolayers became permeable to molecules of < or = 1,000 Da but continued to remain impermeable to exogenously added, or endogenously produced, proteins of > or = 1,881 Da. We found that infected monolayers released up to 50% of the total cellular lactase dehydrogenase into apical media, but not basal media, and that the vital dye propidium iodide avidly stained infected cells, and often parasites, when added to the apical reservoir. Cryptosporidium infection of Caco-2 monolayers increases transmonolayer permeability, induces an apical cellular and monolayer defect, and causes cell death.
Organizational Challenges in the Adoption of Building Applied Photovoltaics in the Swedish Tenant-Owner Housing Sector

Sweden has committed itself to comply with EU-directive 2009/28/EC on energy from renewable sources and 2012/27/EU on improvement in the efficiency of energy. Measures in the existing housing stock, such as installing photovoltaics (PV), provide a means of contributing to the goals above. The purpose of this paper is to study how the organization of property management and the decision-making structure in tenant-owner cooperatives (TOCs) in Sweden facilitates or hampers the adoption of large-scale residential building applied photovoltaics (BAPV) in this housing sector. Data collected through seven semi-structured interviews of executive board members in seven housing cooperatives were descriptively analyzed and the results indicate that the decision to adopt BAPV in TOCs does not follow the common frameworks of adoption of innovations. The choice by TOCs to adopt BAPV depends more on the wish to lower operating costs than on efforts to promote a sustainable environment and various principal-agency problems during the decision-making process, as well as during the implementation phase create challenges to the adoption of BAPV. There is a need to strengthen the quality and management of knowledge, as well as procurement proficiency in the TOCs in order to harness the potential for BAPV in the sector.
Considering driver behaviour in vehicular delay tolerant networks

A key component for vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANET) simulations is a realistic vehicular mobility model, as this ensures that the conclusions drawn from simulation experiments will carry through to the real deployments. Node mobility in a vehicular network is strongly affected by the driving behaviour such as route choices. While route choice models have been extensively studied in the transportation community, as far as we know, the effects of driver behaviour on vehicular network simulations have not been discussed much in the networking literature. In this work, we set out to understand the effects of destination selection vehicular network simulation. We also discuss how different destination selection models affect event broadcasting in ITS application. We conclude that selecting a sufficient level of detail in the simulations, such as modelling of destination selection, is critical for evaluating VANET protocol design.
Climate change hotspots in the United States

We use a multi‐model, multi‐scenario climate model ensemble to identify climate change hotspots in the continental United States. Our ensemble consists of the CMIP3 atmosphere‐ocean general circulation models, along with a high‐resolution nested climate modeling system. We test both high (A2) and low (B1) greenhouse gas emissions trajectories, as well as two different statistical metrics for identifying regional climate change hotspots. We find that the pattern of peak responsiveness in the CMIP3 ensemble is persistent across variations in GHG concentration, GHG trajectory, and identification method. Areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico are the most persistent hotspots. The high‐resolution climate modeling system produces highly localized hotspots within the basic GCM structure, but with a higher sensitivity to the identification method. Across the ensemble, the pattern of relative climate change hotspots is shaped primarily by changes in interannual variability of the contributing variables rather than by changes in the long‐term means.
ART outcome in young women with premature ovarian aging

Background: Young women with signs of ovarian aging are a matter of concern as far as their reproductive performance is concerned. With more women approaching infertility centers with this problem, it becomes necessary to understand what reproductive outcomes are possible in such cases. Female age and basal Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level, both are strong independent predictors of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome. Objective: To correlate age-related basal FSH with IVF outcome in women with premature ovarian aging in gonadotropins-induced cycles. Materials and Methods: Between January 2011 and October 2012, a total of 135 women undergoing IVF and ICSI cycles with antagonist protocol were included in this retrospective cohort study. Basal FSH concentrations were measured and the women's ages were calculated before they were undergoing pituitary desensitization and its correlation with assisted reproduction technique (ART) outcome was evaluated. Results: Increasing FSH was associated significantly with reduced number of oocytes retrieved, and embryos obtained. Young women with high FSH up to 20 produced less but good quality embryo's resulting in sound pregnancy rate. Conclusion: FSH is a quantitative and age is a qualitative measure of ovarian reserve. Both are equally important in predicting IVF outcome. Basal FSH concentration should be restricted to counseling of patients on probability of achieving pregnancy, but should not be used to exclude them from fertility treatment.
Photoluminescence and band gap modulation in graphene oxide

We report broadband visible photoluminescence from solid graphene oxide, and modifications of the emission spectrum by progressive chemical reduction. The data suggest a gapping of the two-dimensional electronic system by removal of π-electrons. We discuss possible gapping mechanisms, and propose that a Kekule pattern of bond distortions may account for the observed behavior.
Intrinsic Deflections, Local Excitation and Transmembrane Action Potentials

The steepest rise of the action potential obtained by an ultramicroelectrode from the most superficial subepicardial muscle fiber in situ of the tortoise was compared with the intrinsic deflection of the unipolar direct electrocardiogram and the surface electrocardiogram obtained from approximately the same region. No specific point on the intrinsic deflection, such as the highest or lowest point, could be regarded as indicating the arrival of excitation. Surface electrocardiograms obtained by the capillary ultramicroelectrode could not be regarded as simple second derivatives of the action potential, they resembled more unipolar direct electrocardiograms.
The importance of injecting vaccines into muscle

Most vaccines should be given via the intramuscular route into the deltoid or the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. This optimises the immunogenicity of the vaccine and minimises adverse reactions at the injection site. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of administering vaccines correctly.1–3 Clinical practice needs to reflect considerations about the right length and gauge of needles used to ensure that those vaccinated get the immunological benefit of the vaccines without local side effects. Injecting a vaccine into the layer of subcutaneous fat, where poor vascularity may result in slow mobilisation and processing of antigen, is a cause of vaccine failure1—for example in hepatitis B,2 rabies, and influenza vaccines.3 Compared with intramuscular administration, subcutaneous injection of hepatitis B vaccine leads to significantly lower seroconversion rates and more rapid decay of antibody response.1 Traditionally the buttocks were thought to be an appropriate site for vaccination, but …
Holocene Demographic Changes and the Emergence of Complex Societies in Prehistoric Australia

A continental-scale model of Holocene Australian hunter-gatherer demography and mobility is generated using radiocarbon data and geospatial techniques. Results show a delayed expansion and settlement of much of Australia following the termination of the late Pleistocene until after 9,000 years ago (or 9ka). The onset of the Holocene climatic optimum (9-6ka) coincides with rapid expansion, growth and establishment of regional populations across ~75% of Australia, including much of the arid zone. This diffusion from isolated Pleistocene refugia provides a mechanism for the synchronous spread of pan-continental archaeological and linguistic attributes at this time (e.g. Pama-Nyungan language, Panaramitee art style, backed artefacts). We argue longer patch residence times were possible at the end of the optimum, resulting in a shift to more sedentary lifestyles and establishment of low-level food production in some parts of the continent. The onset of El Niño - Southern Oscillation (ENSO; 4.5-2ka) restricted low-level food production, and resulted in population fragmentation, abandonment of marginal areas, and reduction in ranging territory of ~26%. Importantly, climate amelioration brought about by more pervasive La Niña conditions (post-2ka), resulted in an intensification of the mobility strategies and technological innovations that were developed in the early- to mid-Holocene. These changes resulted in population expansion and utilization of the entire continent. We propose that it was under these demographically packed conditions that the complex social and religious societies observed at colonial contact were formed.