Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energetic constraints on electric signalling in wave-type weakly electric fishes

SUMMARY Gymnotiform weakly electric fishes generate electric organ discharges (EODs) and sense perturbations of the resulting electric field for purposes of orientation, prey detection and communication. Some species produce oscillatory (‘wave-type’) EODs at very high frequencies (up to 2 kHz) that have been proposed to be energetically expensive. If high-frequency EODs are expensive, then fish may modulate their EOD frequency and/or amplitude in response to low-oxygen (hypoxic) stress and/or compensate for costs of signalling through other adaptations that maximize oxygen uptake efficiency. To test for evidence of an energetic cost of signalling, we recorded EOD in conjunction with metabolic rates, critical oxygen tension and aquatic surface respiration (ASR90) thresholds in Apteronotus leptorhynchus, a species found in high-oxygen habitats, and Eigenmannia virescens, a species more typically found in low-oxygen waters. Eigenmannia virescens had a lower mean ASR90 threshold and critical oxygen tension compared with A. leptorhynchus, consistent with field distributions. Within each species, there was no evidence for a relationship between metabolic rate and either EOD frequency or amplitude under normoxia, suggesting that there is no significant direct metabolic cost associated with producing a higher frequency EOD. However, when exposed to progressive hypoxia, fish generally responded by reducing EOD amplitude, which may reduce energetic costs. The threshold at which fish reduced EOD amplitude tended to be lower in E. virescens, a pattern consistent with higher tolerance to hypoxic stress. The results of this study suggest that wave-type fish reduce their EOD amplitude to reduce direct energetic costs without reducing metabolic rate under hypoxia.
Web dynamics as a random walk: how and why power laws occur

We investigate the general conditions under which power laws emerge in networks for the degree distributions (the number of links a node has). Our study is based on a new and versatile random-walk network model (the exciton model) that includes all processes of link creation, link removal, node creation and node loss. From the principle of detailed balance simple 'litmus' test criteria for the emergence of power laws are derived. Results are compared with existing models in the network science literature, and we show how they can be generalized. An important result is that there is a very broad set of conditions under which power laws will emerge, among them nonlinearity in network formation. We show that power laws may be explained purely as a mesoscopic statistical phenomenon, on the basis of the scale-free network statistics assumption of equiprobability of existing nodes plus links. Hence, explanations rooted in making (microscopic) assumptions about individual preferences or behaviour can be avoided. The causal mechanism underlying this scale-free network statistics is, we suggest, the social and self-reinforcing mechanism of information feedback to network actors about structure and status of the network itself.
Impact of peer-to-peer traffic on the efficiency of optical packet rings

This paper addresses the impact of traffic profiles on the efficiency and performance of synchronous optical packet rings. Synchronous optical packet rings are developed to replace the currently deployed circuit based MAN architectures. The studied system differs from the well known resilient packet ring in the sense that optical packets are not electronically processed when transiting through nodes; on the other hand, a wavelength is used as a control channel and is used by the station to identify the packets to be extracted from the data channels. The performance of the optical packet ring is studied both analytically and by simulation. Simulations have been carried out by developing a new MAC model for the network simulator (ns-2) package. Analytical modeling is based on a simple Geo/Geo/1 queueing model, in which the parameters are computed to take account of different traffic scenarios under study. In particular, we model both client/server (CS) and peer to peer (P2P) traffic, which allows the analysis of the impact of traffic profiles on the performance of the system. Traffic bottlenecks are identified in different scenarios. We show that CS traffic is penalized by P2P traffic. However, if P2P traffic is handled at the metro level, the optical packet ring can carry much more traffic than if P2P traffic transits via the backbone network, mimicking CS traffic.
Pemetrexed-Erlotinib, Pemetrexed Alone, or Erlotinib Alone as Second-Line Treatment for East Asian and Non-East Asian Never-Smokers with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Nonsquamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Exploratory Subgroup Analysis of a Phase II Trial

Purpose This subgroup analysis of a phase II trial was conducted to assess possible ethnicity-based trends in efficacy and safety in East Asian (EA) and non-EA populations with nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods Never-smoker patients (n=240) with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC included 133 EA patients randomized to pemetrexed supplemented with dexamethasone, folic acid, and vitamin B12 plus erlotinib (pemetrexed-erlotinib) (n=41), erlotinib (n=49), or pemetrexed (n=43), and 107 non-EA patients randomized to pemetrexed-erlotinib (n=37), erlotinib (n=33), or pemetrexed (n=37). The primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS), was analyzed using a multivariate Cox model. Results Consistent with the results of the overall study, a statistically significant difference in PFS among the three arms was noted in the EA population favoring pemetrexed-erlotinib (overall p=0.003) as compared with either single-agent arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 0.79; p=0.004 vs. erlotinib; HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.70; p=0.001 vs. pemetrexed). The EA patients treated with pemetrexed-erlotinib achieved a longer median PFS (7.4 months) compared with erlotinib (4.5 months) and pemetrexed (4.0 months). The PFS results also numerically favored pemetrexed-erlotinib in the non-EA population (overall p=0.210) (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.37 to 1.05; p=0.078 vs. erlotinib; HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.32; p=0.320 vs. pemetrexed) (median PFS: pemetrexed-erlotinib, 6.7 months; erlotinib, 3.0 months; pemetrexed, 4.4 months). Conclusion The PFS results from this subset analysis in both EA and non-EA populations are consistent with the results in the overall population. The PFS advantage for pemetrexed-erlotinib is significant compared with the single agents in EA patients.
The method of iterated commutators for ordinary differential equations on Lie groups

We construct numerical methods to integrate ordinary diierential equations that evolve on Lie groups. These schemes are based on exponentials and iterated com-mutators, they are explicit and their order analysis is relatively simple. Thus we can construct group-invariant integrators of arbitrarily high order. Among other applications we show that this approach can be used to obtain new symplectic schemes when applied to Hamiltonian problems. Some numerical experiments are presented.
Small nucleolar RNP scleroderma autoantigens associate with phosphorylated serine/arginine splicing factors during apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE Proteins that are phosphorylated during apoptosis are commonly precipitated by autoantibodies found in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. We sought to determine whether scleroderma autoantigens such as small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNP) also associate with phosphoproteins in response to various cellular stressors. METHODS We screened a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from mice exposed to mercury, a well-characterized murine model of the anti-snoRNP autoimmune response, for the ability to selectively precipitate phosphoproteins from radiolabeled lysates prepared from Jurkat T cells subjected to stressful stimuli. RESULTS Monoclonal antibodies reactive with snoRNPs precipitated a phosphoprotein complex (pp42, pp34, and pp23) from lysates prepared from apoptotic cells. Several novel phosphoproteins (pp62 and pp18) were also observed. The phosphorylation and/or recruitment of these proteins to the snoRNP complex is induced by multiple apoptotic stimuli (e.g., Fas ligation, anisomycin, or ultraviolet irradiation), an effect that is blocked by overexpression of Bcl-2. We were unable to demonstrate an association of the phosphoprotein complex with snoRNPs in cells treated with the xenobiotic agent mercury. The snoRNP-associated phosphoprotein complex is composed of serine/arginine (SR) splicing factors, including SRp40. CONCLUSION The association of phosphorylated SR proteins with snoRNPs in cells undergoing apoptosis suggests that the immune response to fibrillarin that characterizes a subset of patients with scleroderma may be related to cell death induced by apoptotic stimuli (e.g., Fas ligation, irradiation, or chemical toxins), or by exposure to mercury.
Will They Adopt? Effects of Privacy and Accuracy

National policy decisions about reducing the cost of health care are fueling the movement of patient-care information systems into hospitals and doctors' offices. Will health care workers willingly adopt these systems? We investigated whether accuracy and privacy issues affect self-efficacy and attitudes towards a patient-care information system just prior to adoption in a regional hospital. We surveyed the nurses, doctors, clinicians and technicians and found that the largest predictor of attitudes towards the system was the perception of data accuracy. The perceptions of accuracy of both the data and the system also influenced the workers' self-efficacy, or confidence, that the worker can use the system. In an environment where inaccuracy can literally be a life-or-death matter, a focus on accuracy may help the hospital and the nation achieve successful health care systems. Privacy concerns did not have a significant association with either self-efficacy or attitudes towards the system.
A centralized research data repository enhances retrospective outcomes research capacity: a case report

This paper describes our considerations and methods for implementing an open-source centralized research data repository (CRDR) and reports its impact on retrospective outcomes research capacity in the urology department at Columbia University. We performed retrospective pretest and post-test analyses of user acceptance, workflow efficiency, and publication quantity and quality (measured by journal impact factor) before and after the implementation. The CRDR transformed the research workflow and enabled a new research model. During the pre- and post-test periods, the department's average annual retrospective study publication rate was 11.5 and 25.6, respectively; the average publication impact score was 1.7 and 3.1, respectively. The new model was adopted by 62.5% (5/8) of the clinical scientists within the department. Additionally, four basic science researchers outside the department took advantage of the implemented model. The average proximate time required to complete a retrospective study decreased from 12 months before the implementation to <6 months after the implementation. Implementing a CRDR appears to be effective in enhancing the outcomes research capacity for one academic department.
El Mindfulness como Intervención en Psicología del Deporte – Revisión sistemática

The purpose of this paper is to review the available studies on use of mindfulness in athletes. For this, the EBSCO, Dialnet, WOS, and Google academic databases were used, and 14 representative articles on the topic published between 2000 and 2018 were selected. The results of the reports analyzed show that while there are different types of mindfulness interventions in athletes, the Mindfulness-Acceptance (MAC) and Mindfulness Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) programs offer the most comprehensive empirical validation. Among the benefits of use of mindfulness, special mention should be made of reduction of anxiety, improvement in attentional cognitive skills and awareness, and increased commitment and goal orientation. Impact on sports performance is still unclear, although it generates positive attitudes and improvements in the quality of life of athletes. It is concluded that mindfulness may be an intervention strategy to be considered by psychologists for training attention to the currently arising mental events, promoting improvement of certain attentional and cognitive competences and athlete well-being, while also generating adaptive attitudes in sport contexts.
Effect of Galacto-Oligosaccharides: Maltodextrin Matrices on the Recovery of Lactobacillus plantarum after Spray-Drying

In this work maltodextrins were added to commercial galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in a 1:1 ratio and their thermophysical characteristics were analyzed. GOS:MD solutions were then used as matrices during spray-drying of Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114. The obtained powders were equilibrated at different relative humidities (RH) and stored at 5 and 20°C for 12 weeks, or at 30°C for 6 weeks. The Tgs of GOS:MD matrices were about 20–30°C higher than those of GOS at RH within 11 and 52%. A linear relation between the spin-spin relaxation time (T2) and T-Tg parameter was observed for GOS:MD matrices equilibrated at 11, 22, 33, and 44% RH at 5, 20, and 30°C. Spray-drying of L. plantarum CIDCA 83114 in GOS:MD matrices allowed the recovery of 93% microorganisms. In contrast, only 64% microorganisms were recovered when no GOS were included in the dehydration medium. Survival of L. plantarum CIDCA 83114 during storage showed the best performance for bacteria stored at 5°C. In a further step, the slopes of the linear regressions provided information about the rate of microbial inactivation for each storage condition (k values). This information can be useful to calculate the shelf-life of spray-dried starters stored at different temperatures and RH. Using GOS:MD matrices as a dehydration medium enhanced the recovery of L. plantarum CIDCA 83114 after spray-drying. This strategy allowed for the first time the spray-drying stabilization of a potentially probiotic strain in the presence of GOS.
Towards a new paradigm of global development? Beyond the limits of international development

An international development framing is increasingly ill-fitting to a 21st century characterized by interconnected globalized capitalism, the challenge of sustainable development, as well as the blurring of North–South boundaries. While the term global development is increasingly employed, and appears more suited, it is used with different implicit meanings and is often conflated with international development. This article explores the potential of an emerging paradigm of global development as applicable to the whole world. A relational global development approach is advocated here, acknowledging the need for critical attention to the enduring tensions between universalization and geographic variation.
Survival and growth of seedlings of rudraksh (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) under varied canopy conditions after transplant

An experiment was carried out to study the survival and growth of the nursery seedlings of Rudraksh (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) transplanted in the forest stands having dense, sparse and open canopy. The transplants exhibited better growth in terms of shoot length, collar diameter, leaf number and leaf area and survival in dense than in sparse and open canopy. The pathogen attack on seedlings was more in open canopy whereas spider webs were more in sparse canopy. The damage by herbivory was more in open and dense canopy as compared to sparse canopy. Based on the present observations, it is suggested that plantation of Rudraksh should be raised as understory under the established forests/plantations with small canopy gaps or in slightly shaded localities for better success.
T2DM Self-Management via Smartphone Applications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Mobile health interventions (mHealth) based on smartphone applications (apps) are promising tools to help improve diabetes care and self-management; however, more evidence on the efficacy of mHealth in diabetes care is needed. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of mHealth apps on changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose, blood pressure, serum lipids, and body weight in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods Two independent reviewers searched three online databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) to identify relevant studies published between January 2005 and June 2016. Of the 2,596 articles retrieved, 13 RCTs were included. We used random effects model to estimate the pooled results. Results Thirteen studies were selected for the systematic review, six of which with data available containing 1,022 patients were included for the meta-analysis. There was a moderate effect on glycemic control after the mHealth app-based interventions. The overall effect on HbA1c shown as mean difference (MD) was -0.40% (-4.37 mmol/mol) (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.69 to -0.11% [-7.54 to -1.20 mmol/mol]; p = 0.007) and standardized mean differences (SMD) was -0.40% (-4.37 mmol/mol) (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.69 to -0.10% [-7.54 to -1.09 mmol/mol]; p = 0.008). A subgroup analysis showed a similar effect with -0.33% (-3.61 mmol/mol) (95% CI -0.59 to -0.06% [-6.45 to -0.66 mmol/mol]; p = 0.02) in MD and -0.38% (-4.15 mmol/mol) (95% CI -0.71 to -0.05% [-7.76 to -0.55 mmol/mol]; p = 0.02) in SMD in studies where patients’ baseline HbA1c levels were less than 8.0%. No effects of mHealth app interventions were found on blood pressure, serum lipids, or weight. Assessment of overall study quality and publication bias demonstrated a low risk of bias among the six studies. Conclusions Smartphone apps offered moderate benefits for T2DM self-management. However, more research with valid study designs and longer follow-up is needed to evaluate the impact of mHealth apps for diabetes care and self-management.
Macroeconomic News Announcements, Financial Market Volatility and Jumps

A rocker arm with a roller made with a metal plate and utilized in a valve actuating system of an engine is provided. The roller mounting rocker arm includes a rocker arm body (11) having a pair of side walls (11c) and a connecting portion 12 for connecting the side walls (11c), a roller (7) mounted between the side walls (11c), a pivot engageable recess (12a) formed on the connecting portion by drawing, and a valve stem receiving portion (14) formed at the other end of the side walls (11c). This roller mounting rocker arm has a high rigidity and is suitable for mass-production, and low cost is realized.
Depressive Symptoms as a Predictor of Men’s Relationship Satisfaction

Research supports an association between depressive symptoms and reduced relationship satisfaction. Yet the etiology of this relationship is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine individual and partner influence on relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms. We assessed whether romantic partners (N = 84) reported similar depressive states and whether relationship satisfaction was influenced by partner and/or individual depressive symptoms. Partners had similar levels of depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction. Actor–partner interdependence models demonstrated no partner effects of depressive symptoms on relationship satisfaction. However, there was an actor effect such that men’s depressive symptoms predicted their own relationship satisfaction; thus, how they perceive the romantic relationship. Couples counseling may be an effective form of treatment for individuals suffering from depressive symptoms to include partner support and to unravel how depressive symptoms may interfere with relationship perceptions.
A Novel Autosomal Recessive GJA1 Missense Mutation Linked to Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) is a rare sclerosing skeletal disorder with progressive hyperostosis of craniofacial bones. CMD can be inherited in an autosomal dominant (AD) trait or occur after de novo mutations in the pyrophosphate transporter ANKH. Although the autosomal recessive (AR) form of CMD had been mapped to 6q21-22 the mutation has been elusive. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing for one subject with AR CMD and identified a novel missense mutation (c.716G>A, p.Arg239Gln) in the C-terminus of the gap junction protein alpha-1 (GJA1) coding for connexin 43 (Cx43). We confirmed this mutation in 6 individuals from 3 additional families. The homozygous mutation cosegregated only with affected family members. Connexin 43 is a major component of gap junctions in osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts and chondrocytes. Gap junctions are responsible for the diffusion of low molecular weight molecules between cells. Mutations in Cx43 cause several dominant and recessive disorders involving developmental abnormalities of bone such as dominant and recessive oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD; MIM #164200, 257850) and isolated syndactyly type III (MIM #186100), the characteristic digital anomaly in ODDD. However, characteristic ocular and dental features of ODDD as well as syndactyly are absent in patients with the recessive Arg239Gln Cx43 mutation. Bone remodeling mechanisms disrupted by this novel Cx43 mutation remain to be elucidated.
Perceptions and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Background Men and women’s perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV) within crisis-affected populations are not well understood. This mixed-methods study examined the frequency of IPV against women in urban Cote d’Ivoire, and qualitatively explored how men and women perceive the impact of various forms of IPV on health, everyday activities, and feelings of shame. Methods A survey was administered to Ivorian women (N = 80) to measure the frequency of IPV, and ten focus group discussions were conducted with women (n = 46) and men (n = 45) to explore perceptions of different forms of IPV, including its impacts on disruptions to health, everyday activities, and experiences of shame. Results Half of all surveyed women (53.6%) reported past year exposure to physical, sexual, or emotional IPV. Of the multiple types of violence, emotional IPV was most common (46.4%), followed by sexual IPV (21.7%) and physical IPV (17.4%). Focus group participants identified additional forms of violence including economic IPV and community discrimination. Lack of financial resources and unemployment were common problems among crisis-affected women and were described as an underlying source of IPV. Both women and men reported that shame and stigma play a large role in how women experience the repercussions of IPV, regardless of the form of violence, with public episodes of IPV almost always seen as more detrimental than private episodes of IPV. Conclusions These results underscore the need for increased social support mechanisms for women to reduce the shame, stigma, and isolation associated with their experiences. The creation of safe and supportive spaces for women to talk about and challenge social norms may be an important first step in reducing community shaming and the secrecy that often surrounds IPV. Safe spaces along with broader societal outreach, including challenging men’s social positions and creating opportunities for increasing economic resources can, in turn potentially decrease the frequency of IPV and its deleterious impacts on a woman’s well-being