Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemolymph ecdysteroids do not affect vitellogenesis in the lubber grasshopper.

The role of hemolymph ecdysteroids in the reproduction of non-dipteran insects is unclear. We examine the role(s) of hemolymph ecdysteroids during egg production in the lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera. In all individuals, hemolymph ecdysteroids rose to a sharp peak with similar maxima and then fell to undetectable levels. The time from the adult molt to the maximum ecdysteroid titer (E(max) titer) varied in response to food availability, whereas the time from E(max) titer to oviposition was unrelated to food availability. Because both the timing of egg production and the timing of E(max) responded similarly to environmental changes, ecdysteroids may be involved in egg production. We hypothesized that this role is the stimulation of vitellogenesis. Ovariectomized females had vitellogenin but no ecdysteroids, so ecdysteroids are not necessary for vitellogenin production. In addition, treatment of females with ecdysteroids altered neither Vg titers nor ovarian growth. Ovarian ecdysteriods increased at the same age in development as hemolymph ecdysteroids. In contrast to hemolymph ecdysteroids, ovarian ecdysteroids persisted until oviposition. Despite this, [(3)H]ecdysone injected into the hemolymph was detected later only at very low levels in the ovary, suggesting that hemolymph ecdysteroids are not sequestered by the ovary. In summary, our studies indicate that hemolymph ecdysteroids in adult females of the lubber grasshopper are associated with the timing of egg production, but they neither regulate vitellogenesis nor act as a source of ecdysteroids for the ovary.
Approximation and Streaming Algorithms for Projective Clustering via Random Projections

Let P be a set of n points in R d . In the projective clustering problem, given k;q and norm 2 [1;1], we have to compute a setF ofk q-dimensional ats such that ( P p2P d(p;F) ) 1= is minimized; here d(p;F) represents the (Euclidean) distance of p to the closest at in F. We let f q k (P; ) denote the minimal value and interpret f q k (P;1) to be maxr2P d(r;F). When = 1; 2 and1 and q = 0, the problem corresponds to the k-median, kmean and the k-center clustering problems respectively. For every 0 < " < 1, S P and 1, we show that the orthogonal projection of P onto a randomly chosen at of dimension O(((q + 1) 2 log(1=")=" 3 ) logn) will "approximate f q 1 (S; ). This result combines the concepts of geometric coresets and subspace embeddings based on the Johnson-Lindenstrauss Lemma. As a consequence, an orthogonal projection of P to an O(((q + 1) 2 log((q + 1)=")=" 3 ) logn) dimensional randomly chosen subspace "-approximates projective clusterings for every k and simultaneously. Note that the dimension of this subspace is independent of the number of clusters k. Using this dimension reduction result, we obtain new approximation and streaming algorithms for projective clustering problems. For example, given a stream of n points, we show how to compute an "-approximate projective clustering for every k and simultaneously using only O((n + d)((q + 1) 2 log((q + 1)="))=" 3 logn) space. Compared to standard streaming algorithms with ( kd) space requirement, our approach is a signicant improvement when the number of input points and their dimensions are of the same order of magnitude.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Soil Moisture and Optimal Sampling Design for Regional‐Scale Soil Moisture Estimation in a Tropical Watershed of India

Regional‐scale soil moisture estimates are essential for several hydrological applications and for validating remote sensing‐based soil moisture products. Characterization of the regional‐scale soil moisture variability requires a robust in situ monitoring strategy at point scale to balance between representativeness and minimization of monitoring cost. In this study an optimal sampling design was determined to capture the spatiotemporal variability of soil moisture at watershed scale. The study was conducted for the typical Indian conditions of extreme seasonal variability that leads to very wet (during monsoon) to dry (during hot summer) in the eastern India. Soil moisture monitoring was done at 83 locations in an agricultural watershed of 500 km2 for 56 days of field campaigns across a year. Based on the analyses of 41,832 measurements collected during field campaigns, it was found that maximum numbers of required locations necessary to estimate watershed‐mean soil moisture within ±2% accuracy are 30. Moreover, five randomly selected locations were found to be sufficient for capturing the temporal variability of watershed‐mean soil moisture with an accuracy of ±3%. In addition, five most representative locations identified through time stability analysis can provide robust estimate of watershed‐mean soil moisture with accuracy of ±2%. Further, soil properties and topography are identified as significant physical parameters that jointly control the spatiotemporal persistence and variability of soil moisture in the Indian watershed. These findings will be quite useful to provide guidelines for optimizing short‐term soil moisture campaigns by sampling at few selected points representative of the watershed‐mean behavior.
Impacts of Wintertime Extratropical Cyclones on Temperature and Precipitation Over Northeastern China During 1979–2016

This study examines the synoptic impacts of wintertime extratropical cyclones on northeastern China. The 181 analyzed cyclones mainly originate from eastern Mongolia and dissipate over the North Pacific Ocean. Precursor negative geopotential height anomalies for these cyclones emerge over continental areas near the Barents and Kara Seas. Baroclinic instability and midlatitude westerly winds are the dominant factors driving the development and movement of these cyclones from their precursor signals. Owing to the southeastward migration of the cyclones, temperature over northeastern China first increases and then decreases, resulting in a significant increase in the frequency of extreme weather. These cyclones contribute about 70.6% of the extreme precipitation days over northeastern China. Relative moisture contributions from the East China Sea, the Sea of Japan, and East Asia are all anomalously large during cyclones associated with extreme precipitation days, with moisture from these regions entering northeastern China mainly through its southern and western boundaries. Temperature variations over northeastern China play a critical role in the accumulation of moisture for extreme precipitation and the timing of that precipitation. Moisture transport initially contributes to an increase in precipitable water due to warm temperature anomalies. The added precipitable water is then released as extreme precipitation when the atmosphere over northeastern China starts to cool.
Osmoregulation in Streptomyces coelicolor: modulation of SigB activity by OsaC

As free‐living non‐motile saprophytes, Streptomyces need to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions and this is reflected by an enormous diversity of regulatory proteins encoded by, for example, the genome of the model streptomycete Streptomyces coelicolor. In this organism, we have identified a new osmoregulation gene, osaC, encoding a member of a novel family of regulatory proteins. Members of the family have a predicted domain composition consisting of an N‐terminal kinase domain related to anti‐sigma factors, sensory Pas and Gaf domains, and a C‐terminal phosphatase domain. osaC is linked to the response regulator gene osaB; expression analysis of the latter revealed that it is induced after osmotic stress in a σB‐dependent manner. OsaC is required to return osaB and sigB expression back to constitutive levels after osmotic stress. From analysis of the activities of OsaCΔPho, lacking the C‐terminal phosphatase domain, and OsaCN92A, with a substitution of a critical asparagine residue in the kinase domain, we infer that this N‐terminal domain functions as a σB anti‐sigma factor. Indeed, co‐purification experiments indicate association of OsaC and σB. These results support a model for post‐osmotic stress modulation of σB activity by OsaC.
The FLUSH trial--flushing with lipiodol for unexplained (and endometriosis-related) subfertility by hysterosalpingography: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND To assess the effectiveness of flushing with the oil-soluble contrast medium lipiodol in women with unexplained infertility. METHODS An open randomized controlled trial design in a single centre secondary and tertiary level infertility service setting. A total of 158 women with unexplained infertility were stratified into two populations: 96 women without confirmed endometriosis and 62 women with endometriosis who had normal Fallopian tubes and ovaries. Randomization was computer-generated, with allocation concealment by opaque sequentially numbered envelopes. Lipiodol flushing was tested versus no intervention. The main outcome measures were clinical pregnancy (assessed at 6 months following randomization) and live birth. RESULTS Lipiodol flushing resulted in a significant increase in pregnancy [48.0 versus 10.8%, relative risk (RR) 4.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61-12.21] and live birth (40.0 versus 10.8%, RR 3.70, 95% CI 1.30-10.50) rates versus no intervention for women with endometriosis, although there was no significant difference in pregnancy (33.3 versus 20.8%, RR 1.60, 95% CI 0.81-3.16) or live birth (27.1 versus 14.6%, RR 1.86, 95% CI 0.81-4.25) rates for women with unexplained infertility without confirmed endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS Lipiodol flushing is an effective treatment for couples with unexplained infertility (based on meta-analysis data), but is particularly effective for women with endometriosis who have normal Fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Experimental Study of a TET System for Implantable Biomedical Devices

Time-varying magnetic fields can be used to transfer power across the skin to drive implantable biomedical devices without the use of percutaneous wires. However, the main challenges of a transcutanoues energy transfer (TET) system are the temperature rise caused by power loss in the implanted circuitry and the changes in positioning between the external and internal coils due to fitting and changes in posture. This study presents a TET system with a closed-loop frequency-based power regulation method to deliver the right amount of power to the load under variable coil coupling conditions. After implanting a TET system into adult sheep, the temperature rise in the internal and external coils of a TET system was measured for power delivery in the range of 5 W to 15 W. The sheep was housed in a temperature controlled (16 plusmn1degC, humidity 50plusmn10%) room, in accordance with the standard protocols implemented at the University of Auckland for sheep studies. A power-loss analysis for the overall system was performed. The system was capable of regulating power for axially aligned separations of up to 16 mm. The maximum power efficiency of the overall system was 82.1% and a maximum temperature rise of 2.7degC was observed on the implanted secondary coil.
Whole-exome sequencing identifies variants in invasive pituitary adenomas

Pituitary adenomas exhibit a wide range of behaviors. The prediction of invasion or malignant behavior in pituitary adenomas remains challenging. The objective of the present study was to identify the genetic abnormalities associated with invasion in sporadic pituitary adenomas. In the present study, the exomes of six invasive pituitary adenomas (IPA) and six non-invasive pituitary adenomas (nIPA) were sequenced by whole-exome sequencing. Variants were confirmed by dideoxynucleotide sequencing, and candidate driver genes were assessed in an additional 28 pituitary adenomas. A total of 15 identified variants were mainly associated with angiogenesis, metabolism, cell cycle phase, cellular component organization, cytoskeleton and biogenesis immune at a cellular level, including 13 variants that occurred as single nucleotide variants and 2 that comprised of insertions. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of diffuse panbronchiolitis critical region 1 (DPCR1), KIAA0226, myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance, proline-rich protein BstNI subfamily 3, PR domain containing 2, with ZNF domain, RIZ1 (PRDM2), PR domain containing 8 (PRDM8), SPANX family member N2 (SPANXN2), TRIO and F-actin binding protein and zinc finger protein 717 in IPA specimens were 50% decreased compared with nIPA specimens. In particular, DPCR1, PRDM2, PRDM8 and SPANXN2 mRNA levels in IPA specimens were approximately four-fold lower compared with nIPA specimens (P=0.003, 0.007, 0.009 and 0.004, respectively). By contrast, the mRNA levels of dentin sialophospho protein, EGF like domain, multiple 7 (EGFL7), low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1B and dynein, axonemal, assembly factor 1 (LRRC50) were increased in IPA compared with nIPA specimens (P=0.041, 0.037, 0.022 and 0.013, respectively). Furthermore, decreased PRDM2 expression was associated with tumor recurrence. The findings of the present study indicate that DPCR1, EGFL7, the PRDM family and LRRC50 in pituitary adenomas are modifiers of tumorigenesis, and most likely contribute to the development of oncocytic change and to the invasive tumor phenotype.
Re-examining the concept of sustainable development in light of climate change

This article provides a critical appraisal of the concept of sustainable development in light of climate change. As the latest climate change science indicates strong effects of anthropogenic activity on global warming, we review the pros and the cons of prioritizing development over environmental protection. The methodology used consists in critically discussing the arguments of scientists and academic researchers in the environmental economics field to put a greater emphasis on the preservation of the environment vs. urging development issues. We show that the debate over prioritization does not make sense insomuch as the wider consequences of climate change are envisioned, i.e. it does not appear conceptually appropriate to think about environment and development issues in separate spheres. Our main contribution consists in embracing a holistic approach to discuss sustainable development issues within the new international framework of climate change policy and anthropogenic global warming concerns.
Movement, growth, and mortality of American lobsters, Homarus americanus, tagged along the coast of Maine

During the spring of 1975, 2,882 American lobsters, Homarus americanus , were tagged at three locations off Maine. Four months after release 650/0 of the lobsters had been returned and by the completion of the study in September 1977,2,188 (75.9%) lobsters had been recaptured. Most returns (88%) occurred within as n.mi. (9.3 km) radius of the release site and only about 1 % of the recaptured lobsters had moved more than 10 n.mi. (18.5 km). Movement and catch ability did not vary significantly by sex nor size. The majority of lobsters traveled shoreward or along the coast on a west to southwesterly course with minimal easterly movement. All long distance migrants (> 20 n.mi. or 37.0 km) followed a south to southwesterly course. Extremely high annual instantaneous fishing mortality rates (4.0-7.3) estimated for each release area confirm the overexploitation of the Maine inshore lobster fishery.
Validation of Heart Rate Monitor Polar RS800 for Heart Rate Variability Analysis During Exercise

Abstract Hernando, D, Garatachea, N, Almeida, R, Casajús, JA, and Bailón, R. Validation of heart rate monitor Polar RS800 for heart rate variability analysis during exercise. J Strength Cond Res 32(3): 716–725, 2018—Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis during exercise is an interesting noninvasive tool to measure the cardiovascular response to the stress of exercise. Wearable heart rate monitors are a comfortable option to measure interbeat (RR) intervals while doing physical activities. It is necessary to evaluate the agreement between HRV parameters derived from the RR series recorded by wearable devices and those derived from an electrocardiogram (ECG) during dynamic exercise of low to high intensity. Twenty-three male volunteers performed an exercise stress test on a cycle ergometer. Subjects wore a Polar RS800 device, whereas ECG was also recorded simultaneously to extract the reference RR intervals. A time–frequency spectral analysis was performed to extract the instantaneous mean heart rate (HRM), and the power of low-frequency (PLF) and high-frequency (PHF) components, the latter centered on the respiratory frequency. Analysis was done in intervals of different exercise intensity based on oxygen consumption. Linear correlation, reliability, and agreement were computed in each interval. The agreement between the RR series obtained from the Polar device and from the ECG is high throughout the whole test although the shorter the RR is, the more differences there are. Both methods are interchangeable when analyzing HRV at rest. At high exercise intensity, HRM and PLF still presented a high correlation (&rgr; > 0.8) and excellent reliability and agreement indices (above 0.9). However, the PHF measurements from the Polar showed reliability and agreement coefficients around 0.5 or lower when the level of the exercise increases (for levels of O2 above 60%).
Case definitions integrating empiric and consensus perspectives

Background: There has been considerable controversy regarding how to name and define the illnesses known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report has proposed new clinical criteria and a new name for this illness, but aspects of these recommendations have been scrutinized by patients and scientists. Purpose: It is possible that both empiric and consensus approaches could be used to help settle some of these diagnostic challenges. Using patient samples collected in the USA, Great Britain, and Norway (N = 556), the current study attempted to categorize patients using more general as well as more restricted case definitions. Results: Overall, the outcomes suggest that there might be four groupings of patients, with the broadest category involving those with chronic fatigue (N = 62), defined by six or more months of fatigue which cannot be explained by medical or psychiatric conditions. A second category involves those patients who have chronic fatigue that can be explained by a medical or psychiatric condition (N = 47). A third category involves more specific criteria that have been posited both by the IOM report, Canadian Clinical Case criteria, ME-ICC criteria and a more empiric approach. These efforts have specified domains of substantial reductions of activity, post-exertional malaise, neurocognitive impairment, and sleep dysfunction (N = 346). Patients with these characteristics were more functionally impaired than those meeting just chronic fatigue criteria, p < . 05. Finally, those meeting even more restrictive ME criteria proposed by Ramsay, identified a smaller and even more impaired group, p < . 05. Conclusion: It is important that scientists world-wide develop consensus on how to identify and classify patients using clinical and research criteria, and ultimately develop subtypes within such categories.
Mismatched decoding and the multiple-access channel

An achievable region is derived for the multiple-access channel under decoding mismatch conditions. It is shown that achievable rates higher than the random coding capacity of the single-user mismatched channel can sometimes be demonstrated by treating the single-user channel as a multiple-access channel. Refining these ideas we derive a lower bound on the capacity of the mismatched single-user channel, which is tighter than previously published bounds. Using this bound, we are able to answer in the negative the question raised by Csiszar and Narayan (see ibid., vol.41, no.1, p.35, 1995) as to whether equality between the mismatch capacity and the matched capacity implies that the random coding lower bound to the mismatch capacity is tight.
A Killing tensor for higher dimensional Kerr-AdS black holes with NUT charge

In this paper, we study the recently discovered family of higher dimensional Kerr-AdS black holes with an extra NUT-like parameter. We show that the inverse metric is additively separable after multiplication by a simple function. This allows us to separate the Hamilton–Jacobi equation, showing that geodesic motion is integrable on this background. The separation of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation is intimately linked to the existence of an irreducible Killing tensor, which provides an extra constant of motion. We also demonstrate that the Klein–Gordon equation for this background is separable.
Xylitol Gum Chewing to Achieve Early Postoperative Restoration of Bowel Motility After Laparoscopic Surgery

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of postoperative xylitol gum chewing on gastrointestinal functional recovery after laparoscopy. Altogether, 120 patients undergoing elective gynecologic laparoscopy were randomly divided into 2 groups of 60 each (final numbers: 53 controls, 56 patients). Controls underwent a routine postoperative regimen. Starting 6 hour after surgery, study patients chewed mint-flavored, sugarless xylitol gum until flatus occurred thrice a day. Other postoperative management was routine. First bowel sounds, first flatus, first bowel movement, and discharge times were recorded. Symptoms included abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. First flatus and first bowel sounds occurred significantly (P<0.001) earlier in the study patients. No significant differences were found for first defecation time, hospitalization duration, or mild/severe intestinal obstruction (all P>0.05). Thus, xylitol gum chewing after laparoscopy can effectively shorten the time to first flatus and helps with postoperative gastrointestinal functional recovery. It is simple, convenient, and well tolerated.
Anisotropic selection in cellular genetic algorithms

In this paper we introduce a new selection scheme in cellular genetic algorithms (cGAs). Anisotropic Selection (AS) promotes diversity and allows accurate control of the selective pressure. First we compare this new scheme with the classical rectangular grid shapes solution according to the selective pressure: we can obtain the same takeover time with the two techniques although the spreading of the best individual is different. We then give experimental results that show to what extent AS promotes the emergence of niches that support low coupling and high cohesion. Finally, using a cGA with anisotropic selection on a Quadratic Assignment Problem we show the existence of an anisotropic optimal value for which the best average performance is observed. Further work will focus on the selective pressure self-adjustment ability provided by this new selection scheme.