Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ingested particles reduce susceptibility of insect larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis

Susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis of mosquito and lepidopteran larvae is affected by feeding behaviour and nutritional value of the available food. Reduced mortality is attributed to feeding inhibition and dilution of the pathogen in the presence of nutritional and inert particles, which limit the amount of ingested toxin. These reasons are, however, not sufficient to explain the data presented here. Values of LC50 (the concentration that kills 50% of exposed population) of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Berliner) against Aedes aegypti (L.) larvae and of B. thuringiensis subsp. kenyae (Berliner) against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae were about 20–217 and 2.3–44‐fold higher, respectively, in the presence of nutritional or biologically inert (non‐nutritional) particles than without. The number of B. thuringiensis spores in carcasses of B. thuringiensis ‐killed A. aegypti and S. littoralis larvae were between 1.9 and 5.6‐fold and between 8.5 and 12‐fold higher, respectively, in the presence of particles than without. In all cases, non‐nutritional particles better protected the exposed larvae than nutritious particles. We propose that another basic mechanism exists, that ingested particles protect midgut epithelial cells by covering their surface and thus preventing availability of the toxin to the gut receptors. Understanding the defence mechanisms of insects against B. thuringiensis toxicity may lead to improved pest management methods.
CARD15 Gene 3020insC Mutation with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Patients in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Abstract BACKGROUND: The role of the CARD15 gene 3020insC frameshift mutation in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) investigated without a definitive conclusion. The incidence of this mutation in Turkish patients with Crohn’s disease is not known. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether the CARD15/NOD2 3020insC frameshift mutation is a risk factor for patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Black Sea Region population in Turkey. METHODS: We studied 3020insC mutation of CARD15/NOD2 gene by allele-specific multiplex PCR in 69 patients with IBD (18 Crohn’s disease [CD] and 51 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 101 ethnically matched healthy controls. RESULTS: CARD15/NOD2 3020insC frameshift mutation was positive in 7/18 (38.8 %), 13/51 (25.5 %), and 4/101 (4 %) of CD, UC, and healthy control groups, respectively. None of the controls or patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis was homozygous for this mutations. CONCLUSION: This study is to investigate a relation between CARD15/NOD2 3020insC frameshift mutation and in patients with IBD in the Turkish Population. C-insertion frameshift mutation is a major contributor to the susceptibility to both CD and UC, but it is not specific to patients with CD in Turkish population
Smoking and Endogenous Mortality: Does Heterogeneity in Life Expectancy Explain Differences in Smoking Behavior?

This paper proposes a joint model of tobacco consumption and mortality over the life-cycle. The decision to smoke is a trade off between current utility derived from smoking and a mortality risk increasing with age. Individuals with a longer potential life expectancy have more incentive to cut back on smoking and thus self select out of smoking. Using detailed data on mortality, morbidity and smoking we are able to identify this selection effect. We empirically evaluate its importance in explaining heterogeneity in smoking behaviour among adults. We find that heterogeneity in potential life expectancy explains part of the heterogeneity in smoking behaviour, even when conditioning on sex, education and occupation and information on other risky behaviour. When we embed heterogeneous potential life expectancies within a rational addiction model of smoking, we find that the model is able to match the life cycle profiles of smoking.
Traveling wave solutions in delayed reaction diffusion systems with applications to multi-species models

This paper is concerned with the existence of traveling wave solutions in delayed reaction diffusion systems which at least contain multi-species competition, cooperation and predator-prey models with diffusion and delays. By introducing the mixed quasimonotone condition and the exponentially mixed quasimonotone condition, we reduce the existence of traveling wave solutions to the existence of a pair of admissible upper-lower solutions. To illustrate our main results, the existence of traveling wave solutions of multi-species competition, cooperation and predator-prey Lotka-Volterra systems with delays is considered. In particular, we show the precisely asymptotic behavior of the traveling wave solutions of these Lotka-Volterra systems.
The Cryosphere Measured and modelled sublimation on the tropical Glaciar

Sublimation plays a decisive role in the surface energy and mass balance of tropical glaciers. During the dry season (May–September) low specific humidity and high surface roughness favour the direct transition from ice to vapour and drastically reduce the energy available for melting. However, field measurements are scarce and little is known about the performance of sublimation parameterisations in glacier mass balance and runoff models. During 15 days in August 2005 sublimation was measured on the tongue of Glaciar Artesonraju (8 58 S, 7738 W) in the Cordillera Blanca, Per ú, using simple lysimeters. Indicating a strong dependence on surface roughness, daily totals of sublimation range from 1–3 kg m −2 for smooth to 2– 5 kg m−2 for rough conditions. (The 15-day means at that time of wind speed and specific humidity were 4.3 m s −1 and 3.8 g kg−1, respectively.) Measured sublimation was related to characteristic surface roughness lengths for momentum ( zm) and for the scalar quantities of temperature and water vapour ( zs), using a process-based mass balance model. Input data were provided by automatic weather stations, situated on the glacier tongue at 4750 m a.s. l. and 4810 m a.s. l. , respectively. Under smooth conditions the combination zm=2.0 mm and zs=1.0 mm appeared to be most appropriate, for rough conditionszm=20.0 mm andzs=10.0 mm fitted best. Extending the sublimation record from April 2004 to December 2005 with the process-based model confirms, that sublimation shows a clear seasonality. 60–90% of the energy available for ablation is consumed by sublimation in the dry season, but only 10–15% in the wet season (October–April). Correspondence to: M. Winkler (michael.winkler@uibk.ac.at) The findings are finally used to evaluate the parameterisation of sublimation in the lower-complexity mass balance model ITGG, which has the advantage of requiring precipitation and air temperature as only input data. It turns out that the implementation of mean wind speed is a possible improvement for the representation of sublimation in the ITGG model.
Relationship Velocity: Toward a Theory of Relationship Dynamics

The dynamic components of relational constructs should play an important role in driving performance. To take an initial step toward a theory of relationship dynamics, the authors introduce the construct of commitment velocity—or the rate and direction of change in commitment—and articulate its important role in understanding relationships. In two studies, the authors demonstrate that commitment velocity has a strong impact on performance, beyond the impact of the level of commitment. In Study 1, modeling six years of longitudinal data in a latent growth curve analysis, the authors empirically demonstrate the significance of commitment velocity as a predictor of performance. In Study 2, the authors use matched multiple-source data to investigate the drivers of commitment velocity. Both customer trust and dynamic capabilities for creating value through exchange relationships (i.e., communication capabilities for exploring and investment capabilities for exploiting opportunities) affect commitment velocity. However, trust and communication capabilities become less impactful as a relationship ages, while investment capabilities grow more important. The authors offer three post hoc tenets that represent initial components of a theory of relationship dynamics that integrates two streams of relationship marketing research into a unified perspective.
Comment-Based Discussion Communities in the Russian LiveJournal and Their Topical Coherence

We study the structure of online discussions in order to uncover latent communities of socially important debate. Our research reveals that discussion communities defined by mutual commenting in the Russian language blogosphere are centered mainly around blog authors as opinion leaders and, to a lesser extent, around a shared topic or topics. We have derived these conclusions from the dataset of 17386 full text posts written by top 2000 LiveJournal bloggers and over 520,000 comments that result in about 4.5 million edges in the network of co-commenting.
Myasthenia gravis in dogswith an emphasis on treatment and critical caremanagement

Objective – To review the human and veterinary literature on the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis (MG) and describe treatment options for clinical use in people and animals. Data Sources – Human and veterinary clinical reports, studies and reviews, textbooks, and recent research findings in MG from 1996 present, with a focus on treatment and patient management. Human Data Synthesis – MG is a well-described condition in people with new research and treatment options available. Many of the newest therapeutic options available in veterinary medicine for MG are based on current strategies used in people with this condition. Seronegative MG is well described in people and provides insight to clinical cases encountered in veterinary medicine when the index of suspicion is high though serologic tests are negative. Veterinary Data Synthesis – Previous studies in veterinary medicine focused on the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as the main form of treatment in canine MG. Recent studies, mainly case series and case reports, emphasize the use of immunomodulatory treatments as an alternative for long-term treatment. However, there are no randomized, controlled studies on treatment with immunomodulatory therapy for MG in dogs available to assess the efficacy of this treatment strategy. Conclusions – Although early recognition of clinical signs is most important in the outcome of patients with MG, further understanding the pathophysiology of MG may lead to earlier diagnosis and novel treatment strategies. The discovery of additional autoantibodies against striated muscle proteins in dogs, should enhance our understanding of diseases affecting the neuromuscular junction. In addition, clinical data for canine MG could be applied to other autoimmune disorders. (J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2011; 21(3): 193–208) doi: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2011. 00636.x
Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) and the specialist Plutella xylostella

14 Quantitative differences in plant defence metabolites, such as glucosinolates, may 15 directly affect herbivore preference and performance, and indirectly affect natural 16 enemy pressure. By assessing insect abundance and leaf damage rate, we studied the 17 responses of insect herbivores to six genotypes of Brassica oleracea var. acephala, 18 selected from the same cultivar for having high or low foliar content of sinigrin, 19 glucoiberin and glucobrassicin. We also investigated whether the natural parasitism rate 20 was affected by glucosinolates. Finally, we assessed the relative importance of plant 21 chemistry (bottom-up control) and natural enemy performance (top-down control) in 22 shaping insect abundance, the ratio of generalist/specialist herbivores and levels of leaf 23 damage. We found that high sinigrin content decreased the abundance of the generalist 24 Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) and the specialist Plutella xylostella 25 (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae), but increased the load of the specialist Eurydema 26 ornatum (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae). Plants with high sinigrin content suffered less leaf 27 injuries. The specialist Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) increased in 28 plants with low glucobrassicin content, whereas the specialists Pieris rapae 29 (Lepidoptera, Pieridae), Aleyrodes brassicae (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) and Phyllotreta 30 cruciferae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) were not affected by the plant genotype. 31 Parasitism rates of M. brassicae larvae and E. ornatum eggs were affected by plant 32 genotype. The ratio of generalist/specialist herbivores was positively correlated with 33 parasitism rate. Although both top-down and bottom-up forces were seen to be 34 contributing, the key factor in shaping both herbivore performance and parasitism rate 35 was the glucosinolate concentration, which highlights the impact of bottom-up forces on 36 the trophic cascades in crop habitats. 37 Key-words: Brassicaceae, herbivory, glucosinolates, parasitoids, tritrophic interactions 38
3D LBM NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF MIXED SAND SORTING UNDER OSCILLATORY FLOWS AND PROGRESSIVE WAVES

A 3D numerical model based on Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) has been developed to investigate the particle behavior of mixed-grain-size sediments under oscillatory flows and progressive waves. The model considers both particle-particle interaction and particle-fluid interaction with free surface flow and SGS turbulence model. By applying the present model, simulations of mixed-grain-size sediments with different influence factors (i.e., Shields parameters, periods, bottom layer thicknesses) under symmetric oscillatory flows as well as under progressive cnoidal wave are performed to understand the vertical sorting process of graded sands. The results of mixed sands under symmetric oscillatory flows show that the water particle semi-excursion is a key influence factor on the armoring effect. For the cnoidal wave, the vertical sorting proceeds until the wave crest passes by and it fully develops in a complete period. The concentration centroid of large particles becomes higher landward within 2 periods.
A Survey of Rollback-Recovery Protocols

This survey covers rollback-recovery techniques that do not require special language constructs. In the first part of the survey we classify rollback-recovery protocols into checkpoint-based and log-based. Checkpoint-based protocols rely solely on checkpointing for system state restoration. Checkpointing can be coordinated, uncoordinated, or communication-induced. Log-based protocols combine checkpointing with logging of nondeterministic events, encoded in tuples called determinants. Depending on how determinants are logged, log-based protocols can be pessimistic, optimistic, or causal. Throughout the survey, we highlight the research issues that are at the core of rollback recovery and present the solutions that currently address them. We also compare the performance of different rollback-recovery protocols with respect to a series of desirable properties and discuss the issues that arise in the practical implementations of these protocols.
Dimensional model reduction for flow through fractures in poroelastic media

We study the interaction between a poroelastic medium and a fracture filled with fluid. The flow in the fracture is described by the Brinkman equations for an incompressible fluid and the poroelastic medium by the quasi-static Biot model. The two models are fully coupled via the kinematic and dynamic conditions. The Brinkman equations are then averaged over the cross-sections, giving rise to a reduced flow model on the fracture midline. We derive suitable interface and closure conditions between the Biot system and the dimensionally reduced Brinkman model that guarantee solvability of the resulting coupled problem. We design and analyze a numerical discretization scheme based on finite elements in space and the Backward Euler in time, and perform numerical experiments to compare the behavior of the reduced model to the full-dimensional formulation and study the response of the model with respect to its parameters.
The Spectrum of T-cell and Natural Killer – Large Granular Lymphocytic Proliferations

Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) proliferations comprise a spectrum of conditions ranging from reactive non-clonal and self-limited LGL expansions to asymptomatic or frank leukaemic clonal LGL disease. They are defined by the polyclonal, oligoclonal and/or clonal expansion in the blood and bone marrow or, rarely, in other tissues of a lymphocyte with a distinct morphology for this designated LGL. Polyclonal expansions of LGL are usually transient and due to a viral infection such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), solid tumours, connective tissue disease, etc., or develop post-splenectomy. This is in contrast to clonal LGL proliferations, which are sustained whether the patients are symptomatic or not. Oligoclonal and clonal expansions of T-cell LGL have been reported in patients with B-cell neoplasms following allogeneic bone marrow transplant or rituximab treatment for a B-cell lymphoma. These latter likely are the result of a profound B-cell depletion and a disturbance of the immunity.
Two Criteria for Good Measurements In Research: Validity and Reliability

Reliability and validity are the two most important and fundamental features in the evaluation of any measurement instrument or tool for a good research. The purpose of this research is to discuss the validity and reliability of measurement instruments that are used in research. Validity concerns what an instrument measures, and how well it does so. Reliability concerns the faith that one can have in the data obtained from the use of an instrument, that is, the degree to which any measuring tool controls for random error. An attempt has been taken here to review the reliability and validity, and threat to them in some details.
BMAP/G/1 Queue Under D-Policy: Queue Length Analysis

ABSTRACT We study the queue length distribution of a queueing system with BMAP arrivals under D-policy. The idle server begins to serve the customers only when the sum of the service times of all waiting customers exceeds some fixed threshold D. We derive the vector generating functions of the queue lengths both at a departure and at an arbitrary point of time. Mean queue lengths are derived and a numerical example is presented.
Validation of the short posttraumatic stress disorder rating interview (SPRINT-E) in a sample of people affected by F-27 Chilean earthquake and tsunami

On February 27, 2010 (27-F) there was an earthquake and a tsunami in Chile that has caused a great impact on the mental health of the population of this country, specifically in the increase of cases of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In view of better instruments to measure PTSD was applied for the first time since it was created, the SPRINT-E scale in a population other than the U.S., specifically in 291 people who experienced the 27-F. The analysis of reliability (a =. 916), concurrent validity (all items significantly correlated with the scale used as a criterion DST) and construct validity (CMIN = 3,366, RMSEA =. 090, NFI =. 918, CFI =. 940 and PNFI =. 718 for two-factor model) indicate that SPRINT-E is a valid and reliable scale to measure PTSD in this population. Finally, some reflections about new factor structure discovered in this analysis, which is consistent with the meaning of items and with theoretical models such as covert stimuli. It also reflects on the usefulness of a brief scale, proven valid and very good psychometric characteristics in a Spanish-speaking population prone to natural disasters such as the Chilean F-27, the Japanese March 11, 2011 or the spainish May 11, 2011.
Information Quality - Crucial Aspect of E-Commerce

In the absence of an opportunity to physically interaction with products in the online environment, online information plays a critical role in enabling e-Commerce consumers purchase decisions. Thus, it is critical to understand what leads to consumer satisfaction with online information quality. This paper investigates how the quality of certain attributes of e-commerce systems ― such as information quality, system quality, and service quality ― can be leveraged to enhance business benefits as indicated by customer commitment and customer retention. This study argues that relationship quality, a concept encapsulating the ideas of both trust and satisfaction, is crucial for transferring attributes of e-commerce systems into business benefits. A research model of relationship quality in e-commerce was built, drawing upon information systems and marketing literature. This model was then examined using a survey of 140 online auction sellers at uBid.com. The empirical results confirmed the research model. Information quality, system quality, and service quality affect relationship quality significantly. Relationship quality in turn has significant impact on customer commitment and customer retention.
X-ray study of a sample of FR0 radio galaxies: unveiling the nature of the central engine

FR0s are compact radio sources that represent the bulk of the Radio-Loud (RL) AGN population, but they are still poorly understood. Pilot studies on these sources have been already performed at radio and optical wavelengths: here we present the first X-ray study of a sample of 19 FR0 radio galaxies selected from the SDSS/NVSS/FIRST sample of Best & Heckman (2012), with redshift $\leq$ 0.15, radio size $\leq$ 10 kpc and optically classified as low-excitation galaxies (LEG). The X-ray spectra are modeled with a power-law component absorbed by Galactic column density with, in some cases, a contribution from thermal extended gas. The X-ray photons are likely produced by the jet as attested by the observed correlation between X-ray (2-10 keV) and radio (5 GHz) luminosities, similar to FRIs. The estimated Eddington-scaled luminosities indicate a low accretion rate. Overall, we find that the X-ray properties of FR0s are indistinguishable from those of FRIs, thus adding another similarity between AGN associated with compact and extended radio sources. A comparison between FR0s and low luminosity BL Lacs, rules out important beaming effects in the X-ray emission of the compact radio galaxies. FR0s have different X-ray properties with respect to young radio sources (e.g. GPS/CSS sources), generally characterized by higher X-ray luminosities and more complex spectra. In conclusion, the paucity of extended radio emission in FR0s is probably related to the intrinsic properties of their jets that prevent the formation of extended structures, and/or to intermittent activity of their engines.
The-Female Gap in Physician Earnings: Evidence from a Public Health Insurance System

Empirical evidence from U.S. studies suggests that, on average, female physicians earn less than their male counterparts. This gap in earnings does not disappear when individual and market characteristics are controlled for. This paper investigates whether a gender earnings difference can also be observed in a health care system predominantly financed by public insurance companies. Using a unique data set of physicians’ earnings recorded by a public social security agency in an Austrian province between 2000 and 2004, we find a gender gap in average earnings of about 32 percent. A substantial share of this gap (20 to 47 percent) cannot be explained by individual and market characteristics, leaving labor market discrimination as one possible explanation for the observed gender earnings difference of physicians. JEL classification: I11, I18, J31, J71