Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lizards speed up visual displays in noisy motion habitats

Extensive research over the last few decades has revealed that many acoustically communicating animals compensate for the masking effect of background noise by changing the structure of their signals. Familiar examples include birds using acoustic properties that enhance the transmission of vocalizations in noisy habitats. Here, we show that the effects of background noise on communication signals are not limited to the acoustic modality, and that visual noise from windblown vegetation has an equally important influence on the production of dynamic visual displays. We found that two species of Puerto Rican lizard, Anolis cristatellus and A. gundlachi, increase the speed of body movements used in territorial signalling to apparently improve communication in visually ‘noisy’ environments of rapidly moving vegetation. This is the first evidence that animals change how they produce dynamic visual signals when communicating in noisy motion habitats. Taken together with previous work on acoustic communication, our results show that animals with very different sensory ecologies can face similar environmental constraints and adopt remarkably similar strategies to overcome these constraints.
Dynamics of Surface‐Water Connectivity in a Low‐Gradient Meandering River Floodplain

High‐resolution topography reveals that floodplains along meandering rivers in Indiana commonly contain intermittently flowing channel networks. We investigated how the presence of floodplain channels affects lateral surface‐water connectivity between a river and floodplain (specifically exchange flux and timescales of transport) as a function of flow stage in a low‐gradient river‐floodplain system. We constructed a two‐dimensional, surface‐water hydrodynamic model using Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System (HEC‐RAS) 2D along 32 km of floodplain (56 km along the river) of the East Fork White River near Seymour, Indiana, USA, using lidar elevation data and surveyed river bathymetry. The model was calibrated using land‐cover specific roughness to elevation‐discharge data from a U.S. Geological Survey gage and validated against high‐water marks, an aerial photo showing the spatial extent of floodplain inundation, and measured flow velocities. Using the model results, we analyzed the flow in the river, spatial patterns of inundation, flow pathways, river‐floodplain exchange, and water residence time on the floodplain. Our results highlight that bankfull flow is an oversimplified concept for explaining river‐floodplain connectivity because some stream banks are overtopped and major low‐lying floodplain channels are inundated roughly 19 days per year. As flow increased, inundation of floodplain channels at higher elevations dissected the floodplain, until the floodplain channels became fully inundated. Additionally, we found that river‐floodplain exchange was driven by bank height or channel orientation depending on flow conditions. We propose a conceptual model of river‐floodplain connectivity dynamics and developed metrics to analyze quantitatively complex river‐floodplain systems.
Effect of an Acute Bout of Whole Body Vibration Exercise on Muscle Force Output and Motor Neuron Excitability

McBride, JM, Nuzzo, JL, Dayne, AM, Israetel, MA, Nieman, DC, and Triplett, NT. Effect of an acute bout of whole body vibration exercise on muscle force output and motor neuron excitability. J Strength Cond Res 24(1): 184-189, 2010-The purpose of the current investigation was to assess the effect of an acute bout of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise on muscle force output and motor neuron excitability. Nineteen recreationally trained college-aged males were randomly assigned to a WBV (n = 10) or a sham (S, n = 9) group. The WBV group completed a series of static, body weight squats on a vibrating platform at 30 Hz and an amplitude of ~3.5 mm (vertical), whereas the S group performed the same series of exercises but without vibration. Measurements were performed before (Pre) and then immediately post-exercise (Imm Post), 8 minutes post-exercise (8-Min Post), or 16 minutes post-exercise (16-Min Post) during 3 different testing sessions. The measurements involved a ballistic isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the triceps surae muscle complex and electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve for assessment of motor neuron excitability by analyzing H-reflex and M-wave responses (Hmax/Mmax ratio). Electromyography was also obtained from the triceps surae muscle complex during the MVCs. The WBV group significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased peak force at Imm Post (9.4%) and 8-Min Post (10.4%). No significant change in peak force was observed in the S group. No significant changes were observed in either group for average integrated EMG, Hmax/Mmax ratio, or rate of force development at Imm Post, 8-Min Post, or 16-Min Post. The results from this investigation indicate that an acute bout of static, body weight squat exercises, combined with WBV, increases muscle force output up to 8 minutes post-exercise. However, this increase in muscle force is not accompanied by a significant increase in motor neuron excitability or muscle activation. Thus, it is plausible to use WBV as a method for acute increase in muscle force output for athletes immediately before competition.
Gradient phonological acceptability as a grammatical effect

Phonological judgments are often gradient: blick > ? bwick> *bnick. The theoretical interpretation of gradient acceptability remains controversial, however, with some authors maintaining that it is a performance/task effect based on similarity to the lexicon ( neighborhood effects), and others attributing it to a probabilistic grammar regulating possible sequences ( phonotactics). In a study that directly compared the predictions of similarity-based and sequential models against experimental ratings of non-words, Bailey and Hahn (2001) argued that both types of knowledge are needed, though the relative contribution of sequential models was quite small. In this paper, additional phonotactic models are considered, including the widely used positional phonotactic probability model of Vitevitch and Luce (2004), and a model based on phonological features and natural classes. The performance of all models is tested against Bailey and Hahn’s data and against data from Albright and Hayes (2003). The results show that probabilistic phonotactic models do not play a minor role; in fact, they may actually account for the bulk of gradient phonological acceptability judgments.
Nutrient piracy: evidence for the role of litter-trapping fungi in forest nutrient cycles in Sabah, Malaysia

Litter-trapping fungi are abundant in forest canopies across the tropics. By intercepting litter fall, these fungal systems have been shown to be important in supporting the diverse arthropod community in lowland forest. These fungal litter-trapping systems are also likely to influence nutrient cycling. This study, carried at the Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah, Malaysia, compares the decomposition of litter within these fungal systems with litter on the forest floor. Results show that while decomposition was lower in the canopy there was a significant increase in mass loss with fungal attachment to the litter.
Risk Factors for Severe Diverticulitis in Computed Tomography-Confirmed Acute Diverticulitis in Korea

Background/Aims Acute complicated diverticulitis can be subdivided into moderate diverticulitis and severe diverticulitis. Although there have been numerous studies on the risk factors for complicated diverticulitis, little research has focused on severe diverticulitis. This study was designed to identify the risk factors for severe diverticulitis in an acute diverticulitis attack using the modified Hinchey classification. Methods Patients were included if they had any evidence of acute diverticulitis detected by computed tomography. The patients were subdivided into severe diverticulitis (Hinchey class ≥Ib; abscesses or peritonitis) and moderate diverticulitis (Hinchey class Ia; pericolic inflammation) groups. Results Of the 128 patients, 25 exhibited severe diverticulitis, and 103 exhibited moderate diverticulitis. In a multivariate analysis, age >50 years (odds ratio [OR], 5.27; p=0.017), smoking (OR, 3.61; p=0.044), comorbidity (OR, 4.98; p=0.045), leukocytosis (OR, 7.70; p=0.003), recurrence (OR, 4.95; p=0.032), and left-sided diverticulitis (OR, 6.92; p=0.006) were significantly associated with severe diverticulitis. Conclusions This study suggests that the risk factors for severe diverticulitis are age >50 years, smoking, comorbidity, leukocytosis, recurrent episodes, and left-sided diverticulitis.
Physiologic Effects of Open and Closed Tracheostomy Tubes on the Pharyngeal Swallow

Studies linking aspiration and dysphagia to an open tracheostomy tube exemplify the possibility that the larynx may have an influence on oropharyngeal swallow function. Experiments addressing the effects of tracheostomy tube occlusion during the swallow have looked at the presence and severity of aspiration, but few have included measurements that capture the changes in swallowing physiology. Also, hypotheses for the importance of near-normal subglottic air pressure during the swallow have not been offered to date. As such, the aim of this study was to compare the depth of laryngeal penetration, bolus speed, and duration of pharyngeal muscle contraction during the swallow in individuals with tracheostomy tubes while their tubes were open and closed. The results of this series of experiments indicate that within the same tracheostomized patient, pharyngeal swallowing physiology is measurably different in the absence of subglottic air pressure (open tube) as compared to the closed tube condition.
Identification of distinct quantitative trait loci associated with defence against the closely related aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum and A. kondoi in Medicago truncatula

Aphids are a major family of plant insect pests. Medicago truncatula and Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid, PA) are model species with a suite of resources available to help dissect the mechanism underlying plant–aphid interactions. A previous study focused on monogenic and relatively strong resistance in M. truncatula to PA and other aphid species. In this study a moderate resistance to PA was characterized in detail in the M. truncatula line A17 and compared with the highly susceptible line A20 and the more resistant line Jester. The results show that PA resistance in A17 involves both antibiosis and tolerance, and that resistance is phloem based. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (n=114) from a cross between A17 and A20 revealed that one locus, which co-segregated with AIN (Acyrthosiphon-induced necrosis) on chromosome 3, is responsible for the reduction of aphid biomass (indicator of antibiosis) for both PA and bluegreen aphid (BGA, A. kondoi), albeit to a lesser degree for PA than BGA. Interestingly, two independent loci on chromosomes 5 and 3 were identified for the plant biomass reduction (indicator of plant tolerance) by PA and BGA, respectively, demonstrating that the plant’s tolerance response to these two closely related aphid species is distinct. Together with previously identified major resistant (R) genes, the QTLs identified in this study are powerful tools to understand fully the spectrum of plant defence against sap-sucking insects and provide opportunities for breeders to generate effective and sustainable strategies for aphid control.
Exploring the role of Transactive Memory Systems in virtual teams: Review and synthesis of literature

Although virtual teams are increasingly common in organizations, research on the formation of Transactive Memory Systems (TMS) in virtual teams and its effect on team performance is relatively rare. Previous studies have reported that TMS quality influences team performance in face-to-face teams. However, the effect of TMS quality on the performance of virtual teams has not been adequately researched in past studies. This paper systematically reviews and syntheses previous literature on TMS, virtual teams and team performance towards providing with a better comprehension explanation on TMS formation process that affects virtual teams performance.
Theoretical and experimental considerations of the critical current density of DI-BiSCCO superconducting tapes as a function of magnetic field, field orientation, temperature and strain

The critical current density (Jc) of DI-BiSCCO superconducting tapes was measured as a function of magnetic field (B), field orientation (θ), temperature (T) and strain (e) in a 15 T split-pair horizontal superconducting magnet using probes designed and built in-house. Strain was applied to samples using a modified bending beam apparatus with a copper beryllium springboard-shaped sample holder, which is capable of applying uniaxial strains of -1.4% < e < 1.0%. The temperature of the sample was controlled with the use of an inverted insulating cup with a temperature stability of +/-80 mK to +/-200 mK. The vapour-cooled brass critical-current leads (incorporating high-temperature superconducting tapes) were optimised to minimise helium consumption. Optimisation includes consideration of the maximum safe temperature of the current leads and the effects of duty cycle and static helium boil-off. The optimised helium consumption of the leads is a factor of two lower than standard current leads optimised for magnets. Jc(B,T,θ,e) data of the DI-BiSCCO tapes were characterised based on the superconducting-normal-superconducting Josephson junction model where Jc is determined by flux flow along the grain boundaries (or the normal junctions). It was found that grain boundaries in the DI-BiSCCO tapes are thick (several tens of nanometre) and exhibit semiconducting behaviour. The degree of misalignment has been included into the anisotropy analysis of Jc and the correlation between the effective anisotropy and texturing of the sample obtained. Analysis of three different samples (Nb3Sn, YBCO and BiSCCO) is presented where the average local properties of the grain boundaries were extracted from magnetisation and the transport Jc data.
Relative Efficacy of Antithrombin Compared With Antiplatelet Agents in Accelerating Coronary Thrombolysis and Preventing Early Reocclusion

BackgroundOptimal coronary thrombolysis should be prompt and persistent. Although activation of platelets and increased thrombin activity have been associated with clinical thrombolysis, the role of each in delaying thrombolysis or inducing early coronary reocclusion has been difficult to define. Methods and ResultsIn conscious dogs with coronary thrombosis induced by electrical current, we assessed the impact on the rapidity of thrombolysis and the incidence of reocclusion of two types of adjunctive treatment given concomitantly with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA): 1) inhibition of platelet function with a peptide mimetic antagonist of platelet glycoprotein lIb/llla receptors or with lysine acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and 2) inhibition of thrombin activity with recombinant hirudin or with heparin. ASA but not the receptor antagonist shortened the time to thrombolysis with t-PA (20 ± 13 [mean ± SD] minutes with ASA, 36 ± 15 minutes with receptor antagonist, and 43 ± 16 minutes with the saline control). Reocclusion occurred promptly after completion of the infusion of t-PA in all seven dogs given saline. Reocclusion was delayed and prevented in some dogs within 90 minutes after the end of the infusion of t-PA by both antiplatelet agents but still occurred in 42% despite continued inhibition of platelet function (i.e., three of six dogs given ASA and two of six given receptor antagonist). In contrast, inhibition of thrombin activity with recombinant hirudin in a dose that prolonged the partial thromboplastin time modestly (1.5-2-fold) resulted in accelerated lysis (19±10 minutes) and prevention of reocclusion in each of six dogs. Heparin given in doses that elicited similar prolongation of the partial thromboplastin time did not accelerate lysis nor prevent reocclusion, which occurred in five of six dogs. ConclusionsInhibition of thrombin by recombinant hirudin facilitates thrombolysis and maintains patency of coronary arteries recanalized with t-PA particularly effectively. The benefit conferred may reflect direct anticoagulant effects plus diminished activation of platelets secondary to decreased thrombin activity. (Circulation 1991;83:1048–1056)
PANDA: Extreme Scale Parallel K-Nearest Neighbor on Distributed Architectures

Computing k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) is one of the core kernels used in many machine learning, data mining and scientific computing applications. Although kd-tree based O(log n) algorithms have been proposed for computing KNN, due to its inherent sequentiality, linear algorithms are being used in practice. This limits the applicability of such methods to millions of data points, with limited scalability for Big Data analytics challenges in the scientific domain. In this paper, we present parallel and highly optimized kd*tree based KNN algorithms (both construction and querying) suitable for distributed architectures. Our algorithm includes novel approaches for pruning search space and improving load balancing and partitioning among nodes and threads. Using TB-sized datasets from three science applications: astrophysics, plasma physics, and particle physics, we show that our implementation can construct kd-tree of 189 billion particles in 48 seconds on utilizing ~50,000 cores. We also demonstrate computation of KNN of 19 billion queries in 12 seconds. We demonstrate almost linear speedup both for shared and distributed memory computers. Our algorithms outperforms earlier implementations by more than order of magnitude, thereby radically improving the applicability of our implementation to state-of-the-art Big Data analytics problems.
Safety and efficacy of recombinant human alpha-galactosidase a replacement therapy in Fabry ' s disease

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Evidence for Functional Networks within the Human Brain's White Matter

Investigation of the functional macro-scale organization of the human cortex is fundamental in modern neuroscience. Although numerous studies have identified networks of interacting functional modules in the gray-matter, limited research was directed to the functional organization of the white-matter. Recent studies have demonstrated that the white-matter exhibits blood oxygen level-dependent signal fluctuations similar to those of the gray-matter. Here we used these signal fluctuations to investigate whether the white-matter is organized as functional networks by applying a clustering analysis on resting-state functional MRI (RSfMRI) data from white-matter voxels, in 176 subjects (of both sexes). This analysis indicated the existence of 12 symmetrical white-matter functional networks, corresponding to combinations of white-matter tracts identified by diffusion tensor imaging. Six of the networks included interhemispheric commissural bridges traversing the corpus callosum. Signals in white-matter networks correlated with signals from functional gray-matter networks, providing missing knowledge on how these distributed networks communicate across large distances. These findings were replicated in an independent subject group and were corroborated by seed-based analysis in small groups and individual subjects. The identified white-matter functional atlases and analysis codes are available at http://mind.huji. ac.il/white-matter.aspx. Our results demonstrate that the white-matter manifests an intrinsic functional organization as interacting networks of functional modules, similarly to the gray-matter, which can be investigated using RSfMRI. The discovery of functional networks within the white-matter may open new avenues of research in cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychiatry. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In recent years, functional MRI (fMRI) has revolutionized all fields of neuroscience, enabling identifications of functional modules and networks in the human brain. However, most fMRI studies ignored a major part of the brain, the white-matter, discarding signals from it as arising from noise. Here we use resting-state fMRI data from 176 subjects to show that signals from the human white-matter contain meaningful information. We identify 12 functional networks composed of interacting long-distance white-matter tracts. Moreover, we show that these networks are highly correlated to resting-state gray-matter networks, highlighting their functional role. Our findings enable reinterpretation of many existing fMRI datasets, and suggest a new way to explore the white-matter role in cognition and its disturbances in neuropsychiatric disorders.
On the Role of Dust‐Climate Feedbacks During the Mid‐Holocene

A reduction in dust over North Africa during the mid‐Holocene “Green Sahara” period could have amplified precipitation, helping reconcile climate model simulations with paleo‐precipitation reconstructions. Here we test this using general circulation model simulations including interactive dust. We calculate a dust‐precipitation amplification factor using three different dust configurations to evaluate the sensitivity to dust optical properties and particle size range. The resultant amplification ranges from −20% to 50%. With more absorbing dust properties, there is a large negative net radiative effect and hence a larger impact on the hydrological cycle. With the inclusion of particles greater than 1 μm in radius, the precipitation amplification is reversed. Based on the simulations which best match observed Saharan dust properties, we conclude that there was a limited enhancement of precipitation due to reduced dust during the mid‐Holocene, meaning other aspects of the climate system should be the focus of future research.