Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulating the dispersal of hemlock woolly adelgid in the temperate forest understory

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), has spread rapidly across the eastern USA since its introduction from Japan 60 years ago, causing widespread mortality of both eastern hemlock [Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière] and Carolina hemlock [Tsuga caroliniana Engelm. (Pinaceae)]. Although HWA spread patterns have been repeatedly analyzed at regional scales, comparatively little is known about its dispersal potential within and between hemlock stands. As the small size and clonal nature of HWA make it nearly impossible to identify the source populations of dispersing individuals, we simulated intra‐stand HWA movement in the field by monitoring the movement of clumps of fluorescent powder that are slightly larger than HWA, but much easier to detect in the forest understory. Using three hemlock trees with three colors of fluorescent powder as source populations, we detected dispersal events at the farthest distances within our trapping array (400 m). However, more than 90% of dispersal events were <25 m. Dispersal patterns were similar from all three source trees and the distribution of dispersal distances in all cases could be described by lognormal probability density functions with mean dispersal distance of 12–14 m, suggesting that dispersal was relatively independent of location of source trees. In general, we documented tens of thousands of passive dispersal events in the forest understory despite the presence of a dense forest canopy. Thus, even under relatively light‐wind conditions, particles of similar dimensions to HWA are capable of intra‐stand movement, suggesting that a large population of HWA could rapidly infest other trees within several hundred meter radius, or beyond.
A novel power-bearing approach and asymptotically optimum estimator for target motion analysis

The problem of target motion analysis (TMA) has been extensively investigated based on bearing-only (BO), Doppler-bearing (DB), and other measurement data. For radio frequency (RF) emitters, signal powers follow the well-known path loss law that can be utilized to aid localization and tracking of targets in BO-TMA, leading to the novel power-bearing (PB) approach as proposed in this paper. We begin our study with the standard “errorin-variable” (EIV) model to which the total least-squares (TLS) solution is known to be the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE), if errors are normal and i.i. d. (identically and independently distributed). However the EIV model arising from the TMA problem has a special structure in that its error matrix is diagonal. Although the TLS algorithm is not an MLE for such a class of EIV models, we will show that it is an asymptotic MLE under some mild condition. The results are then applied to develop the novel PB-TMA approach that is shown to be effective via a simulation example. Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is employed to demonstrate the performance improvements of PB-TMA over the BO-TMA. Our work shows the promise of PB-TMA for RF signals.
The recovery of bacteria from the handpiece of a high school telephone.

The purpose of the experiment reported in this paper was to study the bacteria on the public telephones at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, to determine if there is a risk of infection to students who use the phones. Five phone handpieces from around the school--from four public phones and the principal's phone--were swabbed twice, at 7 a.m. and at 3 p.m. , on November 6,2000. Three sites on each handpiece were swabbed: the mouthpiece, the handle, and the earpiece. The swabs were streaked onto media supportive of aerobic-bacteria growth and incubated at 5 percent carbon dioxide for 24 and 48 hours at 37 degrees C. The plates were studied for quantitative and qualitative data. Microscopic examination of Gram-stain preparations and, in some cases, biochemical identification were performed on the bacterial isolates. Results showed an increase in the number of bacteria from morning to afternoon in specimens from 10 of the 15 observations (67 percent). Eight of these 10 observations found more than threefold increases in the number of bacteria. In the afternoon, more types of bacteria were found in eight of the 15 specimens. Only one specimen had decreases in the number and types of bacteria from morning to afternoon. None of the bacteria that were found, however, were known pathogens. The authors conclude that even though more bacteria were recovered from phones in the afternoon than in the morning, their study did not show a serious health risk to students who used the public telephones on the day of the experiment.
Deep Learning for Secure Mobile Edge Computing

Mobile edge computing (MEC) is a promising approach for enabling cloud-computing capabilities at the edge of cellular networks. Nonetheless, security is becoming an increasingly important issue in MEC-based applications. In this paper, we propose a deep-learning-based model to detect security threats. The model uses unsupervised learning to automate the detection process, and uses location information as an important feature to improve the performance of detection. Our proposed model can be used to detect malicious applications at the edge of a cellular network, which is a serious security threat. Extensive experiments are carried out with 10 different datasets, the results of which illustrate that our deep-learning-based model achieves an average gain of 6% accuracy compared with state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms.
Scale-dependent natural variation in larval nutritional reserves in a marine invertebrate: implications for recruitment and cross-ecosystem coupling

In species with complex life cycles, laboratory studies have shown that variations in the traits of settling larvae can affect post-settlement survival and influence recruitment and benthic− pelagic coupling. However, we still know little about the magnitude and spatial scale of natural trait variation. We studied spatial variation in body size and nutritional reserves (carbon, nitrogen and lipids) of settled cyprids of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides along the coast of West Scotland. We quantified variation among regions (north vs. south: range ~700 km), locations (~50 km), shores (~10 km) and within shores (~10 m). We also evaluated trait responses to gradients in chlorophyll and shore openness and compared swimming vs. settled cyprids in order to infer the likely influence of costs of substratum search on trait variation. Variability between regions was large, with higher trait values (e.g. carbon cyprid−1: 35 to 50% higher) in the north. Most traits correlated negatively with pelagic chlorophyll a (a proxy for larval/juvenile food availability); this counter-gradient pattern suggests an adaptive role of increased reserves, buffering benthic juveniles from low food availability during the critical early post-settlement period. Body size and nitrogen content correlated positively with shore openness; lower than expected carbon content suggest increased costs of substratum search on open shorelines. Higher nitrogen content but lower percent carbon was found in settled vs. swimming larvae, suggesting costs of sub - stratum search at the time of settlement. Overall, we uncovered the spatial scales at which trait variation, shaped by pelagic processes, can affect post-metamorphic survival, recruitment and benthic−pelagic coupling.
Increasing geographical distribution and density of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in central and northern Sweden.

The geographical distribution and density of Ixodes ricinus (L.) in the 2 northern regions, Svealand and Norrland, in Sweden were studied by using a questionnaire in Swedish magazines for house owners and dog owners, and in provincial newspapers. Analysis of the approximately 1,200 answers revealed that ticks are present in all parts of Svealand (except northern Värmland and northern and western Dalarna), the southeastern part of Norrland (i.e., Gästrikland and Hälsingland), and along the Baltic Sea coast of central and northern Norrland. The proportion of answers reporting ticks and the estimated tick density (i.e., the number of ticks infesting dogs and cats) decreased from south to north. The answers to the questionnaire and data from field sampling of ticks suggest that tick density decreased distinctly along a narrow boundary zone, coinciding with the biological limit of Norrland (Limes Norrlandicus), crossing Sweden through southern Värmland, southeastern Dalarna, and central Gästrikland. The results of the questionnaire suggest that I. ricinus ticks are more widespread today than in the early 1980s, especially in Värmland, western and central Dalarna, Hälsingland, and the coastal areas of Medelpad, Angermanland, and Västerbotten, and that the proportion of the human population at risk for tick-borne pathogens in Svealand and Norrland is increasing.
Reduction of twin pregnancy to singleton: does it improve pregnancy outcome?

Objective. To compare pregnancy complications, obstetrical and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies reduced to singleton, with both non-reduced twin pregnancies and singleton pregnancies. Methods. A retrospective case–control study was performed at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound unit of a tertiary referral medical center. Patient's population included 32 bi-chorionic bi-amniotic twin pregnancies reduced to singleton and 35 non-reduced twin pregnancies. Thirty-six patients with singleton pregnancies comprised the second control group. Main outcome measures were rates of pregnancy complications, preterm delivery (both before 37 weeks of gestation and before 34 weeks of gestation), late abortions, intra-uterine growth retardation, cesarean section, mean birth weights, and mean gestational age at delivery. Results. The reduced twin pregnancies group had similar rates of total pregnancy complications, preterm deliveries, and cesarean section as non-reduced twins. Gestational age at delivery and mean birth weight were also similar to non-reduced twins and significantly different compared with singletons. Preterm delivery and late abortion incidences were significantly higher when reduction was beyond 15 weeks gestation. Conclusions. Reduction of twin pregnancy to singleton does not change significantly pregnancy course and outcome. Favorable obstetrical and neonatal outcomes could be achieved by performing early, first trimester reductions.
BLOOD PARASITES OF AMPHIBIANS FROM ALGONQUIN PARK, ONTARIO

During a 5 wk period beginning May 25, 1983, 329 amphibians, which included specimens of Rana catesbeiana Shaw, Rana clamitans Latreille, Rana septentrionalis Baird, Rana sylvatica LeConte, Hyla crucifer Wied, Bufo americanus Holbrook, and Plethodon cinereus Green, from Lake Sasajewun, Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada were examined for blood parasites. The prevalences of species of Trypanosoma, Haemogregarina, Lankesterella, Babesiasoma, and Thrombocytozoons in these amphibians were determined. Two species of microfilaria (probably Foleyella spp.) and two intraerythrocytic forms, inclusions of an icosahedral cytoplasmic DNA virus (ICDV) and groups of rickettsial organisms, were also observed. The following are new host records: Trypanosoma ranarum (Lankester, 1871) in B. americanus; Trypanosoma ranarum (Lankester, 1871) in R. sylvatica; Trypanosoma pipientis Diamond, 1950, Babesiasoma stableri Schmittner and McGhee, 1961 and Thrombocytozoons ranarum Tchacarof, 1963 in R. septentrionalis. The aquatic frogs generally showed a much higher prevalence of infection with blood parasites than the terrestrial frogs, toads and salamanders, which is suggestive of an aquatic vector. The leech Batracobdella picta Verrill, 1872, which was found on many of the aquatic frogs, is the most likely vector in the study area. Also, an increasing prevalence of parasites was noted with increasing sizes (ages) of Rana clamitans and R. catesbeiana suggesting that longer exposure to water makes these species more likely to acquire blood parasites. The presence of Trypanosoma ranarum in B. americanus appeared to coincide with their attainment of sexual maturity.
[Comparative study of transvaginal sonography and outpatient hysteroscopy for detection of pathologic endometrial lesions in postmenopausal women].

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficiency of transvaginal sonography and outpatient hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology in postmenopausal women. METHODS Two-hundred and forty-three postmenopausal women were selected. All women had undergone outpatient hysteroscopy in the year 2006. These women were referred from the Basic Healthcare Units in Campinas, where they underwent ultrasonography for the evaluation of the endometrial cavity. RESULTS The mean age of these women was 61+/-9.4 years. These women were menopausal for 11+/-8.3 years. We observed 6.6% cases of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. The ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 95.6%, a specificity of 7.4%, a positive predictive value of 53.3% and a negative predictive value of 60%, while the hysteroscopy had 95.7%, 83%, 82.2% and 95.9% respectively. CONCLUSION Hysteroscopy was a more accurate method for the detection of intrauterine pathology than ultrasonography.
A viewdata system for poisons information.

A viewdata system for poisons information G Volans, MD, and others . 1574 Angiography and carotid endarterectomy for transient ischaemic attacks N L Browse, MD; R Peto, PHD.1575 Health problems of ethnic minorities A G Davison, MRCP, and others; S J Watkins, Ma.1575 Video medicine D Clarke, PHD; J L Graham, and others 1576 Effect of metformin on insulin receptor binding and diabetic control N A Khokher, msc, and others.1576 Hypothyroidism presenting with hyperprolactinaemia P B S Fowler, FRCP, and others; C W Burke, FRCP, and J S Bevan, MRCP.1576 First dose hypotensive effect of captopril Judith A Whitworth, FRACP, and Priscilla Kincaid-Smith, FRACP.1577 Medical education on Wednesday afternoons E A Williams, FRCOG . 1577 Letters to a young doctor Anne M Johnson, MRCGP, and Penny Schofield, MRCGP . 1577 Method of healing diabetic forefoot ulcers J Bourne, FRCGP . 1577 Treatment of bacterial meningitis C S Nanayakkara, MRCP . 1578 Intraperitoneal hydrocortisone in eosinophilic peritonitis A Katirtzoglou, MD, and others 1578 Smoking, lung function, and body weight T Khosla, PHD, and C R Lowe, MD. 1578 Smoking in Papua New Guinea P Garner, DCH . 1579 Medical sense and nonsense in biography J A Muir Gray, DPH; A E H Emery, FRCP 1579 Cost of anaesthesia J M Cundy, FFARCS; D Humphrey, MB, and others . 1580 Digital vascular imaging in renal transplant recipients S J Jachuck, MRCGP . 1580 Plight of ophthalmic medical practitioners J L Reis, DOMS . 1580 Points In search of Alfred Wallis (M H Pappworth); "Poorly informed cognition" might be misunderstood (R W Nutton); Cold comfort for hot children (J P Osborne); Unusual case of peripheral venous occlusion (R M Watkins); Postcoital contraception (Elizabeth M Elliott); A guinea's worth (C T Andrews); Unilateral somatic symptoms due to hyperventilation (B G R Neville); Chest pain: heart or gullet? (G R Youngs, and M A Smith); General practice in the university medical school (M Kljakovic) . 1581
In vivo blockade of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: longterm effects after repeated infusion of chimeric monoclonal antibody cA2.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the longterm consequences of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockade in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to compare changes after repeated infusion of cA2 monoclonal antibody with those occurring after the initial treatment, and to investigate significant correlations of cellular or serological changes to the duration of clinical benefit for each patient. METHODS A clinical trial testing TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody cA2 in treatment of RA showed this therapeutic agent is highly effective. A dosage of 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg cA2, given in a single infusion, was compared to placebo. After clinical relapse all patients were (re)treated with 3 or 10 mg/kg cA2. In parallel to this clinical study, we investigated cellular and molecular changes induced by in vivo blockade of TNF-alpha. RESULTS After an initial transient increase, T lymphocyte counts were not significantly different from starting values throughout the observation period. Monocyte counts as well as serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) concentrations remained decreased for several weeks after infusion. After a repeated infusion, increases in numbers of T cells and decreases in monocytes and IL-6 and sICAM-1 concentrations were evident again. Changes in cell counts, however, were smaller, especially in the group initially treated with the low dose (1 mg/kg), despite a higher retreatment dosage of 3 or 10 mg/kg cA2. Similarly, in this group decrease of IL-6 and sICAM-1 concentrations was less pronounced, was delayed to Day 7 after infusion, and lasted for a shorter period than seen after initial treatment. CONCLUSION We conclude that in vivo TNF-alpha blockade leads to prolonged cellular and serological changes. This effect appears to be less pronounced after repeated infusion of cA2 compared to the initial treatment, mainly in the low dose group.
Value Co-Creation Through Multiple Shopping Channels: The Interconnections with Social Exclusion and Well-Being

ABSTRACT This study examines consumers’ value co-creation via several shopping channels including a traditional out-of-home shopping channel and “smart” channels where consumers use a computer, a mobile phone, or social media. It focuses on the effect that value co-creation has on consumers’ shopping behavior as well as on the perceived contribution of a shopping channel to their well-being, with a focus on individuals who perceive themselves as being socially excluded, particularly by mobility disability. The project was carried out in the United States using an online survey (n = 1,220). Social exclusion has a positive statistically significant effect on respondents’ self-connection with all channels; for many socially excluded respondents the shopping channel has an important role in their lives. Self-connection with the channel has a positive effect on value co-creation and there is a positive relationship between value co-creation and the perceived contribution of the channel on well-being. When consumers help other individuals in their decision making they not only create value for the retailer and for other customers but also contribute positively to their own well-being. Importantly, for smart shopping channels where consumers use a computer or a mobile phone, the effects of value co-creation on the perceived contribution of these channels to consumer well-being are stronger for shoppers with a mobility disability than for those without such a disability.
FAKTOR RISIKO KEJADIAN STUNTING PADA ANAK USIA 2-3 TAHUN (Studi di Kecamatan Semarang Timur)

Latar Belakang: Stunting merupakan kondisi kronis yang menggambarkan terhambatnya pertumbuhan karena malnutrisi jangka panjang, ditunjukkan dengan nilai z-score TB/U kurang dari -2SD. Prevalensi stunting pada balita di Indonesia masih tinggi terutama pada usia 2-3 tahun. Faktor risko stunting antara lain panjang badan lahir, asupan, penyakit dan infeksi, genetik, dan status sosial ekonomi keluarga. Stunting terutama pada anak usia diatas 2 tahun sulit diatasi, sehingga penelitian mengenai faktor risiko stunting pada anak usia diatas 2 tahun diperlukan. Metode: Penelitian observasional dengan desain case-control pada balita usia 2-3 tahun di wilayah kecamatan Semarang Timur. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan consecutive sampling, 36 subjek pada tiap kelompok. Stunting dikategorikan berdasarkan nilai z-score tinggi badan menurut umur (TB/U). Data identitas subjek dan responden, panjang badan lahir, pendidikan orang tua, pekerjaan orang tua, pendapatan keluarga dan jumlah anggota keluarga diperoleh melalui wawancara dengan kuesioner. Data tinggi badan anak dan tinggi badan orang tua diukur menggunakan microtoise. Analisis bivariat menggunakan Chi-Square dengan melihat Odds Ratio (OR) dan multivariat dengan regresi logistik ganda. Hasil: Hasil analisis multivariat menunjukkan bahwa faktor risiko stunting pada balita usia 2-3 tahun adalah status ekonomi keluarga yang rendah (P = 0,032; OR = 4,13), sedangkan panjang badan lahir, tinggi badan orangtua, dan pendidikan orang tua bukan merupakan faktor risiko stunting. Kesimpulan: Status ekonomi keluarga yang rendah merupakan faktor risiko yang bermakna terhadap kejadian stunting pada balita usia 2-3 tahun. Anak dengan status ekonomi keluarga yang rendah lebih berisiko 4,13 kali mengalami stunting.
Runoff modeling of the Mara River using satellite observed soil moisture and rainfall

Hydrological models are essential in water resources management. However modeling in poorly gauged catchments is a big challenge. Recent studies have shown that satellite based hydrological and meteorological data has the potential of being part of the solution towards overcoming this challenge. In this study, we modify the conceptual lumped rainfall-runoff model by Meier et al. (2011) to simulate the runoff of the Mara River basin. The model is developed based on the relationships found between satellite observed soil moisture and rainfall and the measured runoff. It uses the satellite observed rainfall as the prime forcing, and the soil moisture to separate the fast surface runoff and slow base flow contributions. The soil moisture and rainfall products used in this research are the Advanced Scatterometer Soil Water Index (ASCAT SWI) and Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) 3B42 v7 respectively. The performance of the model is evaluated for three sub-catchments defined by the Mara mines, Nyangores and Amala gauging stations along the Mara River. The Pearson correlation (r) for Mara mines Nyangores and Amala during calibration and (validation) were 0.54 (0.77), 0.67 (0.74), 0.125 (0.48) respectively. The model showed great potential for simulating dry season runoff, but needs further improvement to be able to reliably simulate wet season runoff. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates the potential role operational satellite based soil moisture and rainfall products can play in quantifying the available water resources particularly in the many un-gauged river basins across Africa. Keywords —ASCAT SWI, hydrological modeling, rainfall, runoff, soil moisture, TRMM 3B42 v7
Effect of Lotus Posture on Acupuncture Meridian Energies: A Controlled Trial

Background: Many studies have assessed Yoga practices using instruments such as AcuGraph, which measures conductances at Jing-Well points of acupuncture meridians. Such studies find that participation in Yoga programs ranging from a weekend to many months systematically increases subtle energy. Here, we report comparison of Jing-Well point conductances before and after sitting in Lotus Posture with those before and after sitting in a chair. Methods: This was a controlled study conducted on 52 male Yoga practitioners (mean age in years 23.03 ± 3.23), all with >1 year experience of Yoga practices. Participants were alternately assigned into two groups, sitting in Lotus Posture and sitting in a chair. Each was measured on 3 successive days, before and after sitting as instructed for 10 min on the 1st day, 20 min on the 2nd day, and 30 min on the 3rd day. Results: The two groups yielded completely different results: those sitting in Lotus Posture for 30 min showed increases in subtle energy levels (E_Ls) in all acupuncture meridians; those sitting in chair produced universal decreases. Results for 10 and 20 min showed how these changes in energy values took time to build up with increasing time. Conclusions: Sitting in Lotus Posture is held to strongly stimulate subtle E_Ls, so results agreed with the experimental hypothesis. Nevertheless, decreases in E_Ls of those sitting in a chair were surprising since the rest might be expected to have no effect.