Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Micro-geographic population genetic structure within Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) in Beaufort Sea of Alaska

Many marine organisms show significant levels of genetic heterogeneity on local spatial scales despite exhibiting limited genetic structure at large geographic scales which can be produced through a variety of mechanisms. The Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) is a circumpolar species and is a vital species in Arctic food webs. To examine population genetic structure of Arctic cod at macro- and micro-geographic scales, we characterized variation at mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite loci among Arctic cod located in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas in Alaska. We found two distinct mtDNA haplotype clusters, although there was no underlying geographic pattern (FST = −0.001). Congruent with this finding, microsatellite loci suggested a panmictic population (FST = 0.001) across northern Alaskan marine waters at a large spatial scale. However, we found slight but significant micro-geographic partitioning of genetic variation in the southern shelf of the Beaufort Sea that appeared to be associated with the western reaches of the Mackenzie River plume. This fine-scale spatial pattern was not associated with kin-associated groups, suggesting larvae cohorts are not remaining together throughout development. We hypothesize that this pattern reflects the intermixing of Pacific and Arctic origin lineages of Arctic cod.
Use of dry powder inhalers in acute exacerbations of asthma and COPD

To investigate whether dry powder inhalers (DPIs) function in a constrained situation, a literature analysis was performed to evaluate the use of DPIs compared with established therapies in the treatment of acute asthma and COPD, irrespective of rapid-acting β2-agonist used. The external databases Medline, Embase, Biosis and Current Contents and AstraZeneca's internal literature database Planet were searched up to April 2008. Only publications or congress abstracts describing clinical trials in patients treated at EDs or hospitals were considered, and then only those in which exacerbation severity (measured as FEV1) were included. Fifteen clinical studies met these criteria; twelve in acute asthma and three in acute COPD. For acute asthma, eight studies were double-blind, randomised studies (six in adults and two in children), two were open-label studies (one in adults and one in children), and two were investigational (methacholine challenge) studies. For the acute COPD studies, one was double-blind and randomised, one was single-blind and randomised, and one was open-label. This review found that administration of fast-acting bronchodilators via DPIs, the majority of which were Turbuhaler, is effective during an asthma or COPD worsening. Our literature review finds that DPIs function in patients with acute asthma or COPD equally well as established therapies with other inhaler devices. Patients can therefore rely upon DPIs in the same way that they rely upon other inhaler devices.
Platform-Switching for Cemented Versus Screwed Fixed Dental Prostheses: Reliability and Failure Modes: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the probability of survival of cemented and screwed three-unit implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (ISFDP) using different implant-abutment horizontal matching configurations (regular vs switching platforms). METHODS One hundred and sixty-eight implants with internal hexagon connection (4 mm diameter, 10 mm length, Emfils; Colosso Evolution System, Itú, SP, Brazil) were selected for this study according to the horizontal implant-abutment matching configuration (regular or switching) and retention method and divided in four groups (n = 21 per group) as follows: 1) regular platform cemented (IRC); 2) or screw-retained (IRS); 3) switched-platform cemented (ISC); or 4) screw-retained (ISS). Regular and platform-switched abutments (Colosso evolution, 4 mm and 3.3 mm, respectively) were torqued, and 84 three-unit metal bridges were fabricated (first molar pontic). Implants were embedded in polymethyl-methacrylate resin and subjected to step-stress accelerated life testing in water. Weibull distribution was used to determine the probability of survival for a mission of 100,000 cycles at 400 N (90% two-sided confidence intervals). Polarized light and scanning electron microscopes were used for fractographic analysis. RESULTS The β values of 0.50, 1.19, 1.25, and 1.95 for groups IRC, IRS, ISC, and ISS respectively, indicated that fatigue accelerated the failure for all groups, except IRC. The cement-retained groups presented significantly higher probability of survival (IRC - 98%, ISC - 59%) than screw-retained groups (IRS - 23% and ISS - 0%). Screw-retained FDPs exclusively failed by abutment-screw fractures, whereas cement-retained presented implant/screw/abutment fractures. CONCLUSIONS The probability of survival of cement-retained ISFDP was higher than screw-retained, irrespective of implant-abutment horizontal configuration.
Differentially private data aggregation with optimal utility

Computing aggregate statistics about user data is of vital importance for a variety of services and systems, but this practice has been shown to seriously undermine the privacy of users. Differential privacy has proved to be an effective tool to sanitize queries over a database, and various cryptographic protocols have been recently proposed to enforce differential privacy in a distributed setting, e.g., statical queries on sensitive data stored on the user's side. The widespread deployment of differential privacy techniques in real-life settings is, however, undermined by several limitations that existing constructions suffer from: they support only a limited class of queries, they pose a trade-off between privacy and utility of the query result, they are affected by the answer pollution problem, or they are inefficient. This paper presents PrivaDA, a novel design architecture for distributed differential privacy that leverages recent advances in secure multiparty computations on fixed and floating point arithmetics to overcome the previously mentioned limitations. In particular, PrivaDA supports a variety of perturbation mechanisms (e.g., the Laplace, discrete Laplace, and exponential mechanisms) and it constitutes the first generic technique to generate noise in a fully distributed manner while maintaining the optimal utility. Furthermore, PrivaDA does not suffer from the answer pollution problem. We demonstrate the efficiency of PrivaDA with a performance evaluation, and its expressiveness and flexibility by illustrating several application scenarios such as privacy-preserving web analytics.
Mutants and weather parameters affecting the population dynamics of three major insect pests of Mungbean

The study was conducted to know the abundance of aphid, flea beetle and pod borer on the mutants viz., MBM-07-Y-1, MBM-07-Y-2, MBM- 656-51-2, MBM-527-114, MBM-07-(S)-2, MBM-347-13, MBM-390-94-Y, MBM-427-87-3, MBM-80 (Local) and a variety BARI moog-6 and the role of weather parameters on the population dynamics of insects at the Agricultural Farm of Patuakhali Science and Technology University from April to June, 2015. Results revealed that the tested mutants did not show resistance against aphid, flea beetle and pod borer. Mutant MBM- 347-13 had the lowest number of flea beetle while mutant MBM-427-87- 3, MBM-80(LCAL) and MBM-527-114 had the highest number of flea beetle indicating higher susceptibility to flea beetle. Mutant MBM-390-94- Y had the lowest abundance of aphid while BARI moog-6 had highest aphid abundance. Mutant MBM-347-13 had lowest number of pod borer and MBM-427-87-3 had highest abundance of pod borer followed by MBM-07(S)-2 and BARI moog-6. Flea beetle abundance gradually increased with decreasing average temperature while aphid and pod borer abundance gradually increased with increasing average temperature. In case of humidity, flea beetle abundance increased very slightly with increasing average humidity but aphid abundance increased very slightly with increasing average humidity. Pod borer abundance was low with high average humidity and then increased slightly due to decrease of humidity and finally declined with increasing humidity. SAARC J. Agri. , 16(2): 1-12 (2018)
Bounding the Rate Region of Vector Gaussian Multiple Descriptions with Individual and Central Receivers

The problem of the rate region of the vector Gaussian multiple description with individual and central quadratic distortion constraints is studied. We have two main contributions. First, a lower bound on the rate region is derived. The bound is obtained by lower-bounding a weighted sum rate for each supporting hyperplane of the rate region. Second, the rate region for the scenario of the scalar Gaussian source is fully characterized by showing that the lower bound is tight. The optimal weighted sum rate for each supporting hyperplane is obtained by solving a single maximization problem. This is contrary to existing results, which require solving a min-max optimization problem.
Primary osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of parotid gland: A rare extraskeletal presentation with diagnostic challenges

Primary osteoclast-like giant cell tumor (OC-GCT) has been rarely described in extraskeletal sites. The diagnosis primarily hinges on the detection of giant cells. However, these giant cells are also seen in many giant cell lesions, thus creating diagnostic confusion and dilemma. Here, we describe a rare case of a 24-year-old male with primary extraskeletal, OC-GCT presenting as a swelling in the right parotid region and highlight its cytological, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics with diagnostic challenges.
Lunar Calibration and Performance for S-NPP VIIRS Reflective Solar Bands

The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) has successfully operated for more than three years since its launch in October 2011. Fifteen of the 22 VIIRS spectral bands are in the reflective solar spectral region, covering wavelengths from 0.41 to 2.3 μm. Similar to its heritage sensor, i.e., Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA Terra and Aqua spacecraft, the measurements of these spectral bands are routinely calibrated on orbit by a solar diffuser (SD) and an SD stability monitor (SDSM) system. In addition, lunar observations are regularly scheduled and implemented, allowing the reflective solar band (RSB) calibration stability to be independently monitored. This paper provides an overview of VIIRS RSB on-orbit calibration activities and methodologies, with a focus on the approaches and strategies developed for the lunar calibration. Results derived from VIIRS lunar observations are used to assess its RSB on-orbit performance and to compare with that derived from the SD measurements. Also discussed in this paper are issues identified since launch through comparisons of VIIRS SD and lunar calibration, remaining challenges, and future improvements. Specifically, potential impacts due to degradation caused by the telescope mirror coating contamination on both SD and lunar calibration are assessed. As demonstrated in this paper, VIIRS lunar calibration activities have been successfully planned and executed, in support of its RSB on-orbit calibration. Overall, the long-term response trending derived from lunar calibrations has been consistent with that derived from SD observations. In addition to small features in SD measurements, noticeable seasonal variations, on the order of 1%, between the lunar measurements and the model have been identified. These variations are likely due to the effect of different lunar viewing angles on the lunar irradiance reference model. Future improvements to the sensor's lunar response trending could be achieved with an improved lunar irradiance model.
Plastic and Genetic Variation in Wing Loading as a Function of Temperature Within and Among Parallel Clines in Drosophila subobscura1

Abstract Drosophila subobscura is a European (EU) species that was introduced into South America (SA) approximately 25 years ago. Previous studies have found rapid clinal evolution in wing size and in chromosome inversion frequency in the SA colonists, and these clines parallel those found among the ancestral EU populations. Here we examine thermoplastic changes in wing length in flies reared at 15, 20, and 25°C from 10 populations on each continent. Wings are plastically largest in flies reared at 15°C (the coldest temperature) and genetically largest from populations that experience cooler temperatures on both continents. We hypothesize that flies living in cold temperatures benefit from reduced wing loading: ectotherms with cold muscles generate less power per wing beat, and hence larger wings and/or a smaller mass would facilitate fight. We develop a simple null model, based on isometric growth, to test our hypothesis. We find that both EU and SA flies exhibit adaptive plasticity in wing loading: flies reared at 15°C generally have lower wing loadings than do flies reared at 20°C or 25°C. Clinal patterns, however, are strikingly different. The ancestral EU populations show adaptive clinal variation at rearing a temperature of 15°C: flies from cool climates have lower wing loadings. In the colonizing populations from SA, however, we cannot reject the null model: wing loading increases with decreasing clinal temperatures. Our data suggest that selective factors other than flight have favored the rapid evolution of large overall size at low environmental temperatures. However, selection for increased flight ability in such environments may secondarily favor reduced body mass.
Infrastructure procurement capacity gaps in Nigeria public sector institutions

Purpose The achievement of sustainable development goals is linked to the procurement of public infrastructure in a manner that meets key procurement objectives, such as sustainability, value-for-money, transparency and accountability. At the heart of achieving these procurement objectives and others is the capacity of public procurement institutions. Whereas previous reports have hinted that there are deficiencies in procurement capacity in Nigeria, insights regarding critical aspects of organisational capacity deficiencies among different tiers of government agencies is limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical gaps in the procurement capacity of state and local government agencies involved in the procurement of public infrastructure in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a survey of public infrastructure procurement personnel which yielded 288 responses. Findings Among 23 operationalised items that are related to organisational procurement capacity, none is perceived to be adequate by the procurement personnel. Additionally, among 14 procurement objectives only 1 is perceived as being attained to at least a high extent. Originality/value The findings underscore the acuteness of organisational procurement capacity weaknesses among public procurement institutions within Nigeria’s governance structure. It is, thus, imperative for policy makers within state and local government to formulate, resource and implement procurement capacity building initiatives/programmes to address these deficiencies. Additionally, the organisational procurement capacity items operationalised in this study could serve as a useful blueprint for studying capacity deficiencies among public infrastructure procurement agencies in other developing countries, especially within sub-Saharan Africa where several countries have been implementing public procurement reforms.
Randomized controlled trial comparing the McGrath MAC video laryngoscope with the King Vision video laryngoscope in adult patients.

BACKGROUND This study compares the performance of the McGrath MAC and King Vision laryngoscope systems for endotracheal intubation in adult patients with predicted normal airways when used by experienced laryngoscopists with limited prior video laryngoscopy experience. METHODS The study is a randomized controlled trial in a general adult operating suite at an academic medical center in the South Eastern United States. Sixty-six adult surgical patients with predicted easy intubation were enrolled and randomized to undergo endotracheal intubation with either the McGrath MAC video laryngoscope or the King Vision video laryngoscope using the channeled blade attachment. The primary outcomes were success on first attempt and time of intubation. The laryngoscopic view, lowest observed oxygen saturation, number of attempts, assist maneuvers, and documented airway trauma events were also recorded. RESULTS The median time for successful intubation was shorter in the McGrath MAC group compared to the King Vision group (17 vs. 38 seconds; P<0.001). There was a higher first attempt success rate in the McGrath MAC group compared to the King Vision group (100% vs. 89%, P<0.01). Also, more patients in the King Vision group had an oxygen desaturation below 90% compared to the McGrath MAC group (3 vs. 0; P<0.034). There were no significant differences between groups in laryngoscopic view, number of attempts, need for assist maneuvers, or airway trauma. CONCLUSION The McGrath MAC video laryngoscope allowed for significantly shorter times to endotracheal intubation, higher success rates on first attempt, and fewer desaturations compared to the King Vision video laryngoscope when used by experienced laryngoscopists with limited prior video laryngoscopy experience.
PRODUÇÃO E COMPOSIÇÃO BROMATOLÓGICA DA SILAGEM DE HÍBRIDOS DE MILHO SOB DUAS ALTURAS DE CORTE

Objetivou-se avaliar a produção e composição químico-bromatológica da matéria original e da silagem de cinco híbridos de milho em duas alturas de corte. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos completos casualisados em esquema fatorial 5x2, cinco híbridos de milho (AGN30A95H, DKB399Y, DKB390Y, P3862H e TRUCK) e duas alturas de corte (0,25 e 0,50 m) com três repetições. As plantas foram cortadas, picadas na ensiladeira e ensiladas em tubos de PVC. Para altura das plantas, os híbridos DKB399Y e P3862H diferiram (P<0,05) dos demais, apresentando maior altura (2,35 m). De forma geral, a composição bromatológica do material original e da silagem dos híbridos estudados esteve dentro dos parâmetros recomendados de silagem de qualidade. Todos os híbridos de milho apresentaram características favoráveis ao processo de ensilagem e as alturas de corte não interferiram na qualidade.
Case study: evaluation of streamflow partitioning methods.

Understanding water flow and its relative quantities through different pathways is vital for watershed management. Like many problems in hydrology, numbers of methods have been proposed for streamflow partitioning. Five methods were identified as being the most relevant and least input intensive. This study tested performance of these methods against separately measured surface and subsurface flow data from the coastal plain physiographic region of the southeastern United States. Separately measured surface and subsurface flow were collected for 12 years (1970-1981) in a field scale watershed by the Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service. Results of comparative analysis indicated that Method IV performed the best. Results also indicated that accuracy of this method is highly dependent upon the proper estimation of the "fraction coefficient" that is based on many physical and hydrologic characteristics of the watershed. This study concluded that deterministic/empirical methods such as Boughton's Method IV, require proper parameter value for increased accuracy.
Simplified Fluorometric Assay of Total Selenium in Plasma and Urine

We describehere a single-tube assay that may be applied to the whole range of selenium status in adult and pediatric patients, including depletion during parenteral or other nutrition. A specimen or aqueous standard, 100 p.L, is digested with 0.5 mL of HNO3/HCIO4 (4/1 by vol, at 190 #{176}C for 90 mm), reduced with 0.5 mL of concentrated HCI (150 #{176}C, 30 mm), and complexed with 0.5 mL of 6.3 mmol/L 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) reagent in the presence of EDTA (60 #{176}C, 30 mm). The resulting fluorophore is extracted into cyclohexane and its fluorescence measured (excitation at 366 nm; emission at 544 nm). It is not necessary to control pH during the complexing step or to protect the DAN from light. The limit of detectionofseleniumis10 jg/L (0.126.Lrnol/L); linearity of results extends to 2000 p.g/L (25.3 moI/L). Between-batch precision is 5%, analytical recovery 90%-96%. Performance is good as tested against Reference Materials and by participation in a National Quality Assurance Scheme.
In VivoHypoxia-Induced Neuronal Damage with an Enhancement of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Immunoreactivity in Hippocampus

Although it is well known that brain ischemia is dominantly caused by hypoxia and hypoglycemia, it is still unclear how hypoxia participates in ischemia. We studied the changes in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and the effect of the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) on hypoxia. In vivo hypoxia (5% O2/95% N2 for 30 min) induced mild degenerative neuronal changes (shrunken and eosinophilic somata with picnotic nuclei) in neurons of the CA3, the hilus of the dentate gyrus (DG) and the DG, but not in the CA1. At 3 and 7 days after hypoxia, levels of nNOS protein were significantly enhanced to 153 and 209%, but iNOS protein could not be detected. The numbers of nNOS-immunopositive neurons were significantly enhanced to 145 and 191% in the CA3, 145 and 178% in the hilus of the DG, and 243 and 387% in the DG after 3 and 7 days, respectively. In contrast, no statistical difference was determined in the CA1. We further examined the effect of NNA administered at 5 min and 3, 6, and 24 h after hypoxia. Administration of NNA (0.1 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased the number of damaged neurons in the hilus of the DG and the DG. However, higher doses of NNA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not prevent damage. These results suggest that hypoxia alone induces enhancement of nNOS protein and nNOS immunoreactivity in neurons of the hippocampus and that NNA has biphasic effects against hypoxia-induced neuronal damage in the hilus of the DG and the DG.
An Unusual Cause of Orthostatic Hypotension in an Older Person

To the Editor: The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is withdrawing the abstract (A31) of Paper Presentation, ‘‘Fondaparinux is superior to enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prevention in major orthopedic surgery irrespective of patient characteristics,’’ presented at its 2003 Annual Scientific Meeting by Turpie AG, Bauer KA, Eriksson BI et al. A synopsis of the same abstract was also published in J Am Geriatr Soc 2003; 51(suppl 4):S37. This abstract is being withdrawn after a review by the AGS Research and Executive Committees identified violations of AGS submission guidelines. The results reported in this presentation were not original, previously unpublished, research. In addition, the authors were not directly involved with the conduct of the research that was presented.