Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of mature oak stands and spruce plantations on soil-dwelling click beetles in lowland plantation forests

Most European forests have been converted into forest plantations that are managed for timber production. The main goal of this paper was to determine the difference between mature native sessile oak (Quercus petraea) stands and non-indigenous Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations, with respect to communities of Athous click beetles in approximately 6,500 ha of lowland plantation forest area in the Czech Republic. Athous subfuscus was the most abundant and widespread species, followed by A. zebei and A. haemorrhoidalis, while A. vittatus was considered rare. Spatial analysis of environmental variables inside studied patches showed that the species composition of Athous beetles best responded to a 20 m radius surrounding traps. The species’ responses to the environment showed that A. vittatus and A. haemorrhoidalis preferred oak stands, while A. zebei and A. subfuscus were associated with spruce plantations. In addition, oak stands showed higher diversity of beetle communities. The studied species are important for their ecosystem services (e.g. predation on pests or bioturbation) and seem to tolerate certain degrees of human disturbances, which is especially beneficial for forest plantations managed for timber production.
LncRNA MALAT1 is dysregulated in diabetic nephropathy and involved in high glucose‐induced podocyte injury via its interplay with β‐catenin

Metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1(MALAT1) is a long non‐coding RNA, broadly expressed in mammalian tissues including kidney and up‐regulated in a variety of cancer cells. To date, its functions in podocytes are largely unknown. β‐catenin is a key mediator in the canonical and non‐canonical Wnt signalling pathway; its aberrant expression promotes podocyte malfunction and albuminuria, and contributes to kidney fibrosis. In this study, we found that MALAT1 levels were increased in kidney cortices from C57BL/6 mice with streptozocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic nephropathy, and dynamically regulated in cultured mouse podocytes stimulated with high glucose, which showed a trend from rise to decline. The decline of MALAT1 levels was accompanied with β‐catenin translocation to the nuclei and enhanced expression of serine/arginine splicing factor 1 (SRSF1), a MALAT1 RNA‐binding protein. Further we showed early interference with MALAT1 siRNA partially restored podocytes function and prohibited β‐catenin nuclear accumulation and SRSF1 overexpression. Intriguingly, we showed that β‐catenin was involved in MALAT1 transcription by binding to the promotor region of MALAT1; β‐catenin knock‐down also decreased MALAT1 levels, suggesting a novel feedback regulation between MALAT1 and β‐catenin. Notably, β‐catenin deletion had limited effects on SRSF1 expression, demonstrating β‐catenin might serve as a downstream signal of SRSF1. These findings provided evidence for a pivotal role of MALAT1 in diabetic nephropathy and high glucose‐induced podocyte damage.
The relationship between postoperative complications and outcomes after hip fracture surgery.

INTRODUCTION We studied the prevalence of postoperative complications in a series of consecutive patients who received surgery for hip fractures in a major public hospital in Singapore. We also studied the predictors for the occurrence of complications and the impact of these complications on patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients admitted with hip fracture, from March to November 2001, was carried out. Patients were classified as having postoperative complications if they developed any of the following conditions after surgery: dislocation of prosthesis, deep vein thrombosis, postoperative confusion, foot drop, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias or acute myocardial infarctions, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, wound infection and incident pressure sores. RESULTS Of the 180 patients studied, 60 developed postoperative complications. Significant predictors of complications after logistic regression included being of female gender [odds ratio (OR), 2.79; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13 to 6.89] and pre-fracture mobility status (OR for independent ambulators 0.45; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.87), but not the age of the patients. Postoperative complications significantly affected the length of stay within the acute hospital (beta coefficient, 6.42; 95% CI, 2.55 to 10.29), but were not associated with a decline in mobility status at 3 months post-fracture, eventual discharge destination or readmission within 1 year. CONCLUSION Postoperative complications are common after surgery for hip fractures and result in significantly longer hospitalisation periods. Significant predictors for such complications include being of female gender and pre-fracture mobility. Age, in itself, does not result in a higher risk of complications and should not preclude older hip fracture patients from surgical management.
Mechanistic contributions of FBXO7 to Parkinson disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is, without doubt, a burden on modern society as the prevalence increases significantly with age. Owing to this growing number of PD cases, it is more critical than ever to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying PD to identify therapeutic targets. The discovery of genetic mutations associated with PD and parkinsonism paves the way toward this goal. Even though, familial forms of the disease represent the minority of PD cases and some forms are so rare that there are only a few affected families, the research on the associated genes is invaluable. Recent additions to PARK mutations are those in PARK15 that encodes the F‐box protein O‐type 7 (FBXO7). In this review, we highlight the recent research on FBXO7, which advances our knowledge of the etiopathological pathways and fills unexpected gaps therein, justifying the dedicated study of rare variants of PD.
Using an index of consumer durables to investigate wealth accumulation by households in Ghana

The study uses an asset index of consumer durables to track changes in household wealth in Ghana during the recent period of strong growth. Using the Ghana Living Standards Survey of 1998 that contains both wealth data and consumer durable data, the authors demonstrate that the asset index approximate marketable wealth adequately. Although asset index estimates of wealth cannot match the precision of wealth surveys, this approach can provide useful information on marketable wealth in countries where more appropriate sources are not available. The asset index analysis with the three demographic and health surveys for 1993, 1998 and 2003 suggests that the solid economic growth seen over this period has been accompanied by a strong rise in the average asset index scores.
A Multivariate Analysis of Variance Investigation of School-Level RAMP Status Across Two States

Abstract Due to a dearth of research, authors conducted an ex post facto research design to investigate group differences in school-level student outcomes (e.g., achievement, suspension, and attendance rates) based on Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program (RAMP) status. Archival data were collected from publically accessible data provided by state Departments of Education. Authors included all RAMP schools in Georgia and Virginia (n = 70) over a 5-year period. Propensity score matching was used to construct a comparison group of non-RAMP schools (n = 70) matched by district, ethnicity, and free or reduced-price lunch status. The results of multivariate analyses of variance did not reveal statistically significant differences by RAMP status based on school-level student outcomes. Authors suggest further research methods to investigate the impact of RAMP status, including the use of an ecological framework for viewing such research.
Molecular Interaction and Functional Regulation of ClC-3 by Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) in Human Malignant Glioma*

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and lethal primary brain cancer in adults. Tumor cells diffusely infiltrate the brain making focal surgical and radiation treatment challenging. The invasion of glioma cells into normal brain is facilitated by the activity of ion channels aiding dynamic regulation of cell volume. Recent studies have specifically implicated ClC-3, a voltage-gated chloride channel, in this process. However, the interaction between ClC-3 activity and cell movement is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that ClC-3 is highly expressed on the plasma membrane of human glioma cells where its activity is regulated through phosphorylation via Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Intracellular infusion of autoactivated CaMKII via patch pipette enhanced chloride currents 3-fold, and this regulation was inhibited by autocamtide-2 related inhibitory peptide, a CaMKII-specific inhibitor. CaMKII modulation of chloride currents was also lost upon stable small hairpin RNA knockdown of ClC-3 channels indicating a specific interaction of ClC-3 and CaMKII. In ClC-3-expressing cells, inhibition of CaMKII reduced glioma invasion to the same extent as direct inhibition of ClC-3. The importance of the molecular interaction of ClC-3 and CaMKII is further supported by our finding that CaMKII co-localizes and co-immunoprecipitates with ClC-3. ClC-3 and CaMKII also co-immunoprecipitate in tissue biopsies from patients diagnosed with grade IV glioblastoma. These tumor samples show 10-fold higher ClC-3 protein expression than nonmalignant brain. These data suggest that CaMKII is a molecular link translating intracellular calcium changes, which are intrinsically associated with glioma migration, to changes in ClC-3 conductance required for cell movement.
A unifying perspective on linear continuum equations prevalent in physics. Part V: resolvents, their rapid computation; bounds on their spectrum; and their Stieltjes integral representations when the operator is not selfadjoint

We obtain rapidly convergent series expansions of operators taking the form A = Γ1BΓ1 where Γ1(k) is a projection that acts locally in Fourier space and B(x) is an operator that acts locally in real space. Such resolvents arise naturally when one wants to solve any of the large class of linear physical equations surveyed in Parts I, II, III, and IV that can be reformulated as problems in the extended abstract theory of composites. We review how Q∗convex operators can be used to bound the spectrum of A, and this information can be used to obtain even more rapidly converging series expansions. Finally, based on the Cherkaev-Gibiansky transformation and subsequent developments, we obtain a connection between resolvents with A = Γ1BΓ1 where B is not Hermitian, and inverses of associated Hermitian operators. Using this connection we obtain a Stieltjes type integral represention in the case where there exists an angle θ such that cI − [eB + e−iθB†] is positive definite (and coercive) for some constant c. The integral representation holds in the half plane Re(ez0) > c
Intraday Load Forecasts with Uncertainty

We provide a comprehensive framework for forecasting five minute load using Gaussian processes with a positive definite kernel specifically designed for load forecasts. Gaussian processes are probabilistic, enabling us to draw samples from a posterior distribution and provide rigorous uncertainty estimates to complement the point forecast, an important benefit for forecast consumers. As part of the modeling process, we discuss various methods for dimension reduction and explore their use in effectively incorporating weather data to the load forecast. We provide guidance for every step of the modeling process, from model construction through optimization and model combination. We provide results on data from the largest deregulated wholesale U.S. electricity market for various periods in 2018. The process is transparent, mathematically motivated, and reproducible. The resulting model provides a probability density of five minute forecasts for 24 h.
hild abuse : Betrayal and disclosure

Objective: The current study tested several hypotheses about disclosure of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse derived from Betrayal Trauma Theory [Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal trauma: The logic of forgetting childhood abuse. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press]. We predicted that the duration of time from abuse to its disclosure would vary as a function of victim–perpetrator closeness. Methods: Data collected from 202 undergraduate participants using a survey methodology were submitted to logistic regression analyses. The relative variance explained by other variables was also examined. Results: Compared to survivors of emotional abuse (EA) who were in not very close (NVC) victim–perpetrator relationships, EA survivors in very close (VC) victim–perpetrator relationships were significantly more likely to wait 1 or more years to disclose, or never to disclose, than to wait a period of time less than 1 year (OR = 2.65). Further, survivors of physical abuse (PA) in VC victim–perpetrator relationships were significantly more likely to wait 1 or more years to disclose their abuse, if it was disclosed at all, than PA survivors of NVC victim–perpetrator relationships (OR = 3.99). Results for sexual abuse were not significant. Conclusions: For EA and PA, VC victim–perpetrator relationships predicted longer durations of time from abuse to its disclosure than NVC victim–perpetrator relationships. Practice implications: Although delayed disclosure may support necessary (albeit abusive) attachments with caregivers, it may also prolong the abuse and prevent receipt of support. Increased awareness that VC victim–perpetrator relationships may predict longer durations of time from abuse to its disclosure, and that these delays may serve a functional purpose, can help guide supportive and empathic responses to traumatic disclosures. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Hermaphrodite Flower Induction by Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) Application and Possibility of Crossbreeding in Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.)

This study aimed to reveal the effect of silver nitrate on sex modification in dioecious pointed gourd ( Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) originated in South Asia, and to explore the possibility of crossing among female plants. Three concentrations (50, 100, and 200 ppm) of silver nitrate were applied as foliar spray on female vines of three pointed gourd accessions. Application of 50 ppm silver nitrate found as effect to induce maximum proportion of hermaphrodite flowers with expanded duration irrespective of genotypes. The percentage of hermaphrodite flower induction was decreased with the increase of silver nitrate concentration. Viability of pollen grain (92.6–94.0%) in 100 ppm silver nitrate induced hermaphrodite flowers were as similar as that of normal male flowers (95.3%). Crossing among different female genotypes with pollen taken from the induced hermaphrodite flowers, produced same size of fruits of normal crossing. Seeds obtained from such crossing germinated successfully and seedlings grew vigorously as that of normal seeds. This technique seems to be useful for crossings among female plants that have suitable characters and facilitate a breeding of new variety in pointed gourd.
Mechanisms of Protein-Protein Binding : Double-Mutant Cycle Analysis Using the ProteOn XPR 36 System

interactions. Schreiber and colleagues are using the multiplemutant cycle method to evaluate cooperativity of residue binding (Reichmann et al. 2005). With this method, the binding of two mutant proteins is measured individually and together; the interaction energy between the two proteins can then be determined by subtracting the free energy difference in the binding of a double-mutant protein from that of the two singlemutant proteins. The data presented in this tech note is in the context of this larger study.
Reliability assessment to large-scale power grid based on small-world topological model

Frequent occurrences of large-scale blackouts and the catastrophic damage have made the reliability of power grid much more concerned in the last few years. Considering the power system as an integrated unit, this paper calculates the topological characteristic parameters of the power grid, investigates the tolerance of power grid against random failures and targeted attacks, and proposes a methodology for the study of the relationship between small-world effects and the reliability of power grid. The failure simulation results of a practical large power grid show that the power grid is much robust facing random failures but becomes much vulnerable in front of attacks on selective nodes.
Norming of Student Evaluations of Instruction: Impact of Noninstructional Factors

Student Evaluations of Instruction (SEIs) from about 6,000 sections over 4 years representing over 100,000 students at the college of business at a large public university are analyzed, to study the impact of noninstructional factors on student ratings. Administrative factors like semester, time of day, location, and instructor attributes like gender and rank are studied. The combined impact of all the noninstructional factors studied is statistically significant. Our study has practical implications for administrators who use SEIs to evaluate faculty performance. SEI scores reflect some inherent biases due to noninstructional factors. Appropriate norming procedures can compensate for such biases, ensuring fair evaluations.
Revisiting Baranda: a multi-analytical approach in classifying sixteenth/seventeenth-century glass beads from northern Zimbabwe

Abstract The glass bead trade in southern Africa provides important evidence of interregional contact during the early modern period. Compositional analysis of a large assemblage of imported glass beads from the sixteenth- to seventeenth-century AD trading site of Baranda in northern Zimbabwe reveals a south Asian origin of the majority of the beads. Combining stratigraphic data and morphological analysis with innovative compositional XRF and Raman spectroscopy approaches, the research was able to assign the Baranda beads accurately to their correct chronological range. This coincides with the period of Portuguese dominance of Indian Ocean trade.
Intrusion Detection Based on Minimax Probability Machine with Immune Clonal Feature Optimized

This paper synthetically applied immune clonal feature optimized method and minimax probability machine to the intrusion detection. Minimax probability machines (MPMs) is a state-of-the-art classification algorithm and has higher performance than traditional methods. We use fusions of immune clonal algorithm and MPM to enhance the overall performance of MPM. Immune clonal algorithm is used to optimize the feature so as to generate newly features to boost MPMs. So a new classifier model based on MPMs with immune clonal feature optimized is proposed and is applied to intrusion detection. The dataset kddcup99 is our experiment data, the experimental results show that the new MPMs with immune clonal feature optimized can give higher recognition accuracy and need less training time than the general MPM.
Effects of Background Sounds on Annoyance Reaction to Foreground Sounds in Psychoacoustic Experiments in the Laboratory: Limits and Consequences

In a variety of applications, e.g., psychoacoustic experiments, virtual sound propagation demonstration, or synthesized noise production, noise samples are played back in laboratories. To simulate realistic scenes or to mask unwanted background sounds, it is sometimes preferable to add background ambient sounds to the noise. However, this can influence noise perception. It should be ensured that either background sounds do not affect, e.g., annoyance from foreground noise or that possible effects can be quantified. Two laboratory experiments are reported, in which effects of mixing background sounds to foreground helicopter samples were investigated. By means of partially balanced incomplete block designs, possible effects of three independent variables, i.e., helicopter’s sound exposure level, background type, and background sound pressure level were tested on the dependent variable annoyance, rated on the ICBEN 11-point numerical scale. The main predictor of annoyance was helicopter’s sound exposure level. Stimuli with eventful background sounds were found to be more annoying than those with less eventful background sounds. Furthermore, background type and level interacted significantly. For the major part of the background sound level range, increasing the background level was associated with increased or decreased annoyance for stimuli with eventful and less eventful background sounds, respectively.
Chrysomela scripta, Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Track Specific Leaf Developmental Stages

Abstract It is well recognized that host-specialized folivores prefer to feed on young in comparison to old leaves. However, the capacity of young leaf feeders to track specific leaf developmental stages has not been clearly demonstrated. Using three insect folivores and two plant species, we show that nitrogen (N) fertilization changes leaf development and that herbivores track these changes in leaf development. Nicotiana tabacum L. and Populus deltoides Bartram were fertilized at two and three rates of N addition, respectively. Plants with high rates of N supply had faster growth, greater leaf area, and faster leaf initiation rates than plants receiving low rates of N supply. Most important, all N addition treatments changed the position on the stem where leaves reached 95% full expansion; with leaves on plants receiving high rates of N addition reaching 95% full expansion further from the stem apex (e.g., leaf position 5 versus leaf position 3). Feeding assays with Trichoplusia ni Hubner on N. tabacum, and Plagiodera versicolora Laicharting and Chrysomela scripta F. on P. deltoides showed that these insect species preferred to feed on leaves at a specific degree of leaf expansion. This preference was exhibited independent of leaf position and N addition rate.