Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making it on their own: sperm-dependent hybrid fishes (Cobitis) switch the sexual hosts and expand beyond the ranges of their original sperm donors

Interspecific hybridization may result in asexual hybrid lineages that reproduce via parthenogenesis. Contrary to true parthenogens, sperm-dependent asexuals (gynogens and hybridogens) are restricted to the range of bisexual species, generally the parental taxa, by their need for a sperm donor. It has been documented that asexual lineages may rarely use sperm from a non-parental species or even switch a host. The available literature reports do not allow distinguishing, between whether such host switches arise by the expansion of asexuals out of their parental's range (and into that of another's) or by the local extinction of a parental population followed by a host switch. The present study combines new and previously collected data on the distribution and history of gynogenetic spined loaches (Cobitis) of hybrid origin. We identified at least three clonal lineages that have independently switched their sperm dependency to different non-parental Cobitis species, and in cases incorporated their genomes. Our current knowledge of European Cobitis species and their hybrids suggests that this pattern most probably results from the expansion of gynogenetic lineages into new areas. Such expansion was independent of the original parental species. This suggests that sperm dependence is not as restrictive to geographical expansion when compared with true parthenogenesis as previously thought.
Optimal Filter Designs for Separating and Enhancing Periodic Signals

In this paper, we consider the problem of separating and enhancing periodic signals from single-channel noisy mixtures. More specifically, the problem of designing filters for such tasks is treated. We propose a number of novel filter designs that 1) are specifically aimed at periodic signals, 2) are optimal given the observed signal and thus signal adaptive, 3) offer full parametrizations of periodic signals, and 4) reduce to well-known designs in special cases. The found filters can be used for a multitude of applications including processing of speech and audio signals. Some illustrative signal examples demonstrating its superior properties as compared to other related filters are given and the properties of the various designs are analyzed using synthetic signals in Monte Carlo simulations.
Comparison of the Epidemiology of Bacterial Resistance to Mecillinam and Ampicillin

Mecillinam is a new type of β-lactam antibiotic (an amidinopenicillanic acid) that is particularly active against Enterobacteriaceae and is taken orally as in the form of an ester, pivmecillinam. Assessment of any new antibiotic should include a survey of levels of bacterial resistance and investigation of its capacity to select resistant organisms or harm the commensal flora. Antibiotic resistance patterns of 2,000 Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the urine of patients with significant urinary tract infections were therefore determined. Mecillinam-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were found to be much less common than ampicillin-amoxycillin-resistant organisms both in the community and in hospital patients. Most ampicillin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from infected urines were susceptible to mecillinam, but the relatively rare mecillinam-resistant organisms were usually resistant to ampicillin and cephaloridine. The fecal flora of 26 healthy volunteers who served as controls or were given repeated courses of therapeutic doses of either ampicillin or pivmecillinam was studied. Pivmecillinam had only a transient effect on the aerobic fecal flora and in contrast to ampicillin did not increase populations of resistant Enterobacteriaceae, which would be a potential hazard to the patient and contaminate the environment.
Testing the robustness of Windows NT software

To date, most studies on the robustness of operating system software have focused on Unix based systems. The paper develops a methodology and architecture for performing intelligent black box analysis of software that runs on the Windows NT platform. The goals of the research are three fold: first, to develop intelligent robustness testing techniques for commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software; second, to benchmark the robustness of NT software in handling anomalous events; and finally, to identify robustness gaps to permit fortification for fault tolerance. The random and intelligent data design library environment (RIDDLE) is a tool for analyzing operating system software, system utilities, desktop applications, component based software, and network services. RIDDLE was used to assess the robustness of native Windows NT system utilities as well as Win32 ports of the GNU utilities. Experimental results comparing the relative performance of the ported utilities versus the native utilities are presented.
Salivary Cortisol Response During Exposure Treatment in Driving Phobics

Objective: Extensive research on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress has not clarified whether that axis is activated by phobic anxiety. We addressed this issue by measuring cortisol in situational phobics during exposure treatment. Methods: Salivary cortisol was measured in 11 driving phobics before and during three exposure sessions involving driving on crowded limited‐access highways and compared with levels measured in 13 healthy controls before and during two sessions of driving on the same highways. For each subject, data collected in the same time period on a comparison nondriving day served as an individual baseline from which cortisol response scores were calculated. Results: Cortisol levels of driving phobics and controls did not differ on the comparison day. Phobics also had normal cortisol response scores on awakening on the mornings of the exposures but these were already increased 1 hour before coming to the treatment sessions. Phobics had significantly greater cortisol response scores during driving exposure and during quiet sitting periods before and afterward. These greater responses generally paralleled increases in self‐reported anxiety. At the first exposure session, effect sizes for differences in cortisol response scores between the two groups were large. Initial exposure to driving in the first session evoked the largest responses. Conclusion: The data demonstrate that the HPA axis can be strongly activated by exposure to, and anticipation of, a phobic situation.
Identifying Critical Climate Periods for Vegetation Growth in the Northern Hemisphere

Vegetation‐climate relationships have been extensively investigated in previous studies, yet the critical seasons and corresponding climate factors influencing annual vegetation growth in a changing climate remain unclear. Relying on Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies NDVI3g data and climate data from 1982 to 2013, this study explored the responses of vegetation growth to climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), with an emphasis on vegetation changes and legacy effects during different seasons. We further identified the most critical season in terms of vegetation growth. We found an apparent seasonal shift in the influence of climate change on vegetation growth in the NH. In addition, we observed legacy effects of climate change on vegetation growth throughout the seasons. Winter temperatures exerted a positive impact on vegetation growth during the following spring in Europe and central North America. Spring precipitation was an important factor for summer vegetation growth in dry areas. Using partial least squares regression, the relative importance of seasonal climatic factors on annual vegetation growth conditions were determined. This study finds that the vegetation in more than 40% of the NH is controlled by temperature, especially spring temperatures (12.8%). Precipitation and solar radiation were the dominant climate factors influencing vegetation growth in 29.9% and 29.1% of vegetated regions, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the period from 1983 to 1997, the influence of seasonal solar radiation on vegetation growth increased in the NH during the period from 1998 to 2013. This phenomenon was accompanied by reductions in the influence of spring and summer temperatures.
Scaling policy preferences from coded political texts

Scholars estimating policy positions from political texts typically code words or sentences and then build left-right policy scales based on the relative frequencies of text units coded into different categories. Here we reexamine such scales and propose a theoretically and linguistically superior alternative based on the logarithm of odds-ratios. We contrast this scale with the current approach of the Comparative Manifesto Project (CMP), showing that our proposed logit scale avoids widely acknowledged flaws in previous approaches. We validate the new scale using independent expert surveys. Using existing CMP data, we show how to estimate more distinct policy dimensions, for more years, than has been possible before, and make this dataset publicly available. Finally, we draw some conclusions about the future design of coding schemes for political texts.
Different Location of Triaxial Accelerometer and Different Energy Expenditures

Purpose We performed a study to determine the best appropriate wearing site of a triaxial accelerometer at different exercise speeds. Materials and Methods We conducted an observational study with 66 healthy Korean adults (26 men and 40 women). Resting metabolic rate (RMR) before exercise, physical activity-related energy expenditure (PAEE) by cardiorespiratory gas analyzer and Signal Vector Magnitude (SVM) were measured while wearing four triaxial accelerometers on four different sites (wrist, waist, upper arm, and ankle) at exercise speeds from 2-10 km/h. Results The mean RMR was 4.03 mL/kg/min and Actual METs (oxygen consumption at different exercise speeds divided by individual RMR) compared with the calculated METs (oxygen consumption divided by 3.5 mL/kg/min) showed relatively low value. The overall correlation between PAEE and SVM was highest when the accelerometer was worn on the wrist at low exercise speed (r=0.751, p<0.001), waist at a moderate speed (r=0.821, p<0.001), and ankle at a high speed (r=0.559, p<0.001). Using regression analysis, it was shown that the ankle at a low speed (R2=0.564, p<0.001), high speed (R2=0.559, p<0.001), and the waist at a moderate speed (R2=0.821, p<0.001) were the best appropriate sites. Conclusion When measuring the PAEE and SVM at different exercise speeds, the ankle in low and high exercise speed, and waist in moderate speed are the most appropriate sites for an accelerometer.
Exploring tourists’ memorable food experiences: a study of visitors to Santa’s official hometown

Abstract The present study was undertaken with the purpose of understanding what makes a memorable food experience (MFE) for tourists. Twenty-two interviews were carried out with a sample of tourists who visited Rovaniemi, Finland. Using grounded theory as a data analytic approach, this paper proposes a conceptual framework of MFE, which is comprised of a number of key components: local specialities and food attributes (taste), authenticity, novelty, togetherness and social interaction, hospitality, and servicescape including food souvenirs. The implications for managers are that service providers should offer local specialities; give tasty, novel and authentic food experiences; encourage social interactions between tourists and the service provider; offer warm and welcoming hospitality; focus on the servicescape; and serve food (including food souvenirs) on wooden plates and in wooden cups.
Pericyte Antigens in Perivascular Soft Tissue Tumors

Introduction. Perivascular soft tissue tumors are relatively uncommon neoplasms of unclear line of differentiation, although most are presumed to originate from pericytes or modified perivascular cells. Among these, glomus tumor, myopericytoma, and angioleiomyoma share a spectrum of histologic findings and a perivascular growth pattern. In contrast, solitary fibrous tumor (previously termed hemangiopericytoma) was once hypothesized to have pericytic differentiation. Methods. Here, we systematically examine pericyte immunohistochemical markers among glomus tumor (including malignant glomus tumor), myopericytoma, angioleiomyoma, and solitary fibrous tumor. Immunohistochemical staining and semiquantification was performed using well-defined pericyte antigens, including αSMA, CD146, and PDGFRβ. Results. Glomus tumor and myopericytoma demonstrate diffuse staining for all pericyte markers, including immunohistochemical reactivity for αSMA, CD146, and PDGFRβ. Malignant glomus tumors all showed some degree of pericyte marker immunoreactivity, although it was significantly reduced. Angioleiomyoma shared a similar αSMA + CD146 + PDGFRβ+ immunophenotype; however, this was predominantly seen in the areas of perivascular tumor growth. Solitary fibrous tumors showed patchy PDGFRβ immunoreactivity only. Discussion. In summary, pericyte marker expression is a ubiquitous finding in glomus tumor, myopericytoma, and angioleiomyoma. Malignant glomus tumor shows a comparative reduction in pericyte marker expression, which may represent partial loss of pericytic differentiation. Pericyte markers are essentially not seen in solitary fibrous tumor. The combination of αSMA, CD146, and PDGFRβ immunohistochemical stainings may be of utility for the evaluation of pericytic differentiation in soft tissue tumors.
Numerical Modeling of the Active Layer Thickness and Permafrost Thermal State Across Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

The dynamics of permafrost (including the permafrost thermal state and active layer thicknesses (ALT)) across the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) have not been well understood on a large scale. Here we simulate the ALT and permafrost thermal state using the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab version 2 (GIPL2) model across the QTP. Based on the single‐point simulations, the model is upscaled to the entire QTP. The upscaled model is validated with five investigated regions (IRs), including Wenquan (WQIR), Gaize (GZIR), Aerjin (AEJIR), Xikunlun (XKLIR), and Qinghai‐Tibetan Highway (G109IR). The results show that the modified GIPL2 model improves the accuracy of the permafrost thermal state simulations. Due to our simulated results on the QTP, the average ALT is of 2.30 m (2.21–2.40 m). The ALT decreases with an increase in the altitude and decreases from the southeast to the northwest. The ALT is thin in the central QTP, but it is thick in the high‐elevation mountain areas and some areas surrounding glaciers and lakes. The largest ALT is found in the border areas between permafrost and seasonally frozen ground regions. The simulated results of the MAGT (the mean annual ground temperature) indicate that most of the permafrost is substable, which is sensitive to climate warming. The simulated results would be of great significance on assessing the impacts of permafrost dynamics on local hydrology, ecology, and engineering construction.
Crystal facet dependence of water oxidation on BiVO4 sheets under visible light irradiation.

Monoclinic BiVO(4) crystals with preferentially exposed (040) facets were hydrothermally synthesized by using a trace amount of TiCl(3) as the directing agent; this function was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The effects of the directing agent TiCl(3) and the pH values applied during synthesis have been studied, and the optimized BiVO(4) sample with highly exposed (040) facet could be obtained by using 1.2 at. % of TiCl(3) as the directing agent at a pH value of 2. Some complementary techniques were also applied to exclude the effects of the structural and physical property changes, such as surface area and hydrophilicity. The photocatalytic activity of oxygen evolution on BiVO(4) is found to be proportionally correlated with the exposed surfaces of the (040) facet. It is assumed that the active sites with a BiV(4) structure on the exposed (040) facet is assigned to be responsible for the high activity of O(2) evolution.
Small-sided games for young athletes: is game specificity influential?

Abstract This study aimed to quantify and compare the physiological, physical and technical demands of a sport-specific and non-sport-specific small-sided game (SSG) in young athletes. Ten male soccer players (mean ± SD: age, 13.0 ± 0.3 years, O2peak, 54.4 ± 4.9 ml · kg−1 · min−1) completed 3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6 soccer and “bucketball” SSGs twice. Games lasted for 16 min and were performed in a randomised order, at least 48 h apart. Movement patterns and heart rate were measured using 4 Hz global positioning systems. Technical skill executions were assessed by video analysis and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) using the Borg scale (RPEs, 6–20). Total distance (4.9 ± 4.1% and 8.3 ± 6.6%), distance at 7–12.9 km · h−1 (14.5 ± 12.5% and 14.9 ± 16.1%), total possessions (14.7 ± 18.0% and 12.9 ± 18.9%) and percentage of successful passes (24.1 ± 11.7% and 30.1 ± 17.6%) were higher for bucketball compared to soccer (3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6, respectively). Total distance at 13–17.9 km · h−1 was higher for 6 vs. 6 than 3 vs. 3 bucketball (32.3 ± 21.2%). There was likely substantial difference for %HRpeak (89.5 ± 3.1 vs. 87.4 ± 2.8 b · min−1) and time above 90% HRpeak (570 ± 288 s vs. 361 ± 288 s) between bucketball and soccer (3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6, respectively). Young players travelled further at higher overall speeds, experienced higher physiological workloads and performed more successful technical executions during the non-sport-specific SSG.
Meta-analysis of the prevalence of tooth wear in primary dentition.

AIM To conduct a meta-analysis of all the studies published in literature over the past three decades on the prevalence of dental erosion in preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Pubmed data base revealed only one systematic review on the prevalence of tooth wear in children up to 5 years old. The search included works published from January 1982 to September 2012, using the following combinations of keywords: 1) "dental erosion" AND "children"; 2) "dental erosion in primary dentition"; 3) "dental" AND "attrition" AND "prevalence". The inclusion criteria for papers on tooth wear were the deciduous dentition observed only on the palatal and buccal sides with the distinction of erosion, attrition and abrasion. We took into consideration only randomized control trials. We excluded articles not written in English, case reports, historical and forensic studies, in vitro and in vivo studies. In case of doubt and/or when an abstract was not available, the full text copy of the article was examined. The first search on Pubmed revealed 29 articles, the same found in the study of Kreulen [2010], however we selected only multicentric studies focused on children of age below 5 years old, in which only the primary dentition (D) and only anterior teeth (incisors) were considered. RESULTS Both forest plot and scatter plot showed the prevalence of dental erosion in primary dentition, and that older children had a more severe dental erosion. CONCLUSION Dental erosion should be considered a paediatric dentistry pathological entity as well as dental caries, and it can be related to more severe systemic diseases such as Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In addition, taking care of these little patients is important because they might suffer persentiveness, and also pulpal pathology caused by the typical structure of deciduous teeth, where the pulp cavity is wide and close to the dentine and the enamel.
Hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance reveals early- and late-onset changes to in vivo pyruvate metabolism in the failing heart

Impaired energy metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance (MR), in which 13C‐labelled metabolites are followed using MR imaging (MRI) or spectroscopy (MRS), has enabled non‐invasive assessment of pyruvate metabolism. We investigated the hypothesis that if we serially examined a model of heart failure using non‐invasive hyperpolarized [13C]pyruvate with MR, the profile of in vivo pyruvate oxidation would change throughout the course of the disease.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Allogeneic Islet Engraftment in Nonhuman Primates

OBJECTIVE To test the graft-promoting effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a cynomolgus monkey model of islet/bone marrow transplantation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Cynomolgus MSCs were obtained from iliac crest aspirate and characterized through passage 11 for phenotype, gene expression, differentiation potential, and karyotype. Allogeneic donor MSCs were cotransplanted intraportally with islets on postoperative day (POD) 0 and intravenously with donor marrow on PODs 5 and 11. Recipients were followed for stabilization of blood glucose levels, reduction of exogenous insulin requirement (EIR), C-peptide levels, changes in peripheral blood T regulatory cells, and chimerism. Destabilization of glycemia and increases in EIR were used as signs of rejection; additional intravenous MSCs were administered to test the effect on reversal of rejection. RESULTS MSC phenotype and a normal karyotype were observed through passage 11. IL-6, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, TGF-β, hepatocyte growth factor, and galectin-1 gene expression levels varied among donors. MSC treatment significantly enhanced islet engraftment and function at 1 month posttransplant (n = 8), as compared with animals that received islets without MSCs (n = 3). Additional infusions of donor or third-party MSCs resulted in reversal of rejection episodes and prolongation of islet function in two animals. Stable islet allograft function was associated with increased numbers of regulatory T-cells in peripheral blood. CONCLUSIONS MSCs may provide an important approach for enhancement of islet engraftment, thereby decreasing the numbers of islets needed to achieve insulin independence. Furthermore, MSCs may serve as a new, safe, and effective antirejection therapy.
Low complexity iterative receiver for multiuser STBC block transmission systems

In this paper, a low complexity space-frequency iterative detection and decoding scheme is developed for multiuser space-time block-coded (STBC) block transmission systems, such as the cyclic prefix based single-carrier block transmission (CP-SCBT) system and OFDM system. Using the algebraic properties of such systems, the MMSE-based turbo detection algorithm can be implemented in the frequency domain and then the complexity of the matrix inversion can be reduced greatly. The performance of the iterative receiver for multiuser STBC block transmission systems with bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) is evaluated in mobile multipath frequency selective channels through computer simulations. It has been shown that the proposed receiver significantly outperforms the conventional noniterative receiver. Moreover, at high signal-to-noise ratio, the detrimental effects of multiple-access interference (MAI) and intersymbol interference (ISI) in the channel can almost be completely overcome by the turbo processing, and the performance is very close to that of BICM in a Gaussian channel.