Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anisotropy of the Taylor scale and the correlation scale in plasma sheet and solar wind magnetic field fluctuations

[1] Magnetic field data from nine spacecraft in the magnetospheric plasma sheet and the solar wind are employed to determine the correlation scale and the magnetic Taylor microscale from simultaneous multiple-point measurements for multiple intervals with a range of mean magnetic field directions. We have determined that in the solar wind the Taylor scale is independent of direction relative to the mean magnetic field, but the correlation scale along the mean magnetic field (2.7 × 106 ± 0.2 × 106 km) is longer than along the perpendicular direction (1.5 × 106 ± 0.1 × 106 km). Within the plasma sheet we found that the correlation scale varies from 16,400 ± 1000 km along the mean magnetic field direction to 9200 ± 600 km in the perpendicular direction. The Taylor scale is also longer parallel to the magnetic field (2900 ± 100 km) than perpendicular to it (1100 ± 100 km). In the solar wind the ratio of the parallel correlation scale to the perpendicular correlation scale is 2.62 ± 0.79; in the plasma sheet the ratio is 1.78 ± 0.16, which indicates that the turbulence in both regions is anisotropic. The correlation and Taylor scales may be used to estimate effective magnetic Reynolds numbers separately for each angular channel. Reynolds numbers were found to be approximately independent of the angle relative to the mean magnetic field. These results may be useful in magnetohydrodynamic modeling of the solar wind and the magnetosphere and can contribute to our understanding of solar and galactic cosmic ray diffusion in the heliosphere.
The combinatorics of CAT(0) cubical complexes

Given a reconfigurable system $X$, such as a robot moving on a grid or a set of particles traversing a graph without colliding, the possible positions of $X$ naturally form a cubical complex $\mathcal{S}(X)$. When $\mathcal{S}(X)$ is a CAT(0) space, we can explicitly construct the shortest path between any two points, for any of the four most natural metrics: distance, time, number of moves, and number of steps of simultaneous moves. CAT(0) cubical complexes are in correspondence with posets with inconsistent pairs (PIPs), so we can prove that a state complex $\mathcal{S}(X)$ is CAT(0) by identifying the corresponding PIP. We illustrate this very general strategy with one known and one new example: Abrams and Ghrist's ``positive robotic arm" on a square grid, and the robotic arm in a strip. We then use the PIP as a combinatorial ``remote control" to move these robots efficiently from one position to another.
Genetic variation and its evolutionary implications in a Mediterranean island endemic lizard

The peculiar bioclimatic and geographic features of Corso–Sardinian islands may provide an ideal scenario for investigating microevolutionary processes, given their large heterogeneity of environments, which could affect dispersal and gene flow among populations, as well as processes of local adaptation. The genetic variation and differentiation among populations of the endemic lizard Archaeolacerta bedriagae were studied by allozyme electrophoresis at 20 presumptive loci. The genetic structure of this species is characterized by relatively high levels of polymorphism and low differentiation among populations. The pattern of genetic differentiation cannot be explained by genetic drift as a function of geographic distance. Genetic distance data show that genetic variation is distributed into three geographically coherent population groups and suggest a recent (Late Pleistocene) origin for the observed geographic fragmentation. The analysis of environmental correlates of allozymic variation indicates a strong correlation of the Idh-1 locus with climatic variables. The frequency of the Idh-1 106 allele is negatively correlated with annual temperature, and positively correlated with annual precipitation. In addition, the observed heterozygosity at this locus decreases towards more arid climatic regimes. The results obtained support the assumption of differential selection acting on Idh-1 allozymes under diverse climates. An association between Idh-1 allozymes and local bioclimatic regimes was also observed for the sympatric lizard Podarcis tiliguerta, suggesting a key role for such selective agents on Idh-1 polymorphism in these two Corso–Sardinian lacertids. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98, 661–676. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: allozyme electrophoresis – Archaeolacerta bedriagae – Corsica – environmental correlates – Lacertidae – population differentiation – Sardinia.
Transport of Sulphur Dioxide by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

SUMMARY: Accumulation of label from a suspension (pH 4·0) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing 100 mm-glucose and 1 mm-[35S]sulphite was initially rapid. Net accumulation ceased after 5 min, but at this time [35S]sulphite was still transported by organisms, and could be washed out to an extent that depended on the wash volume. Pre-incubation in the absence of glucose, and omitting glucose from the reaction mixture, had no effect on initial velocity of sulphite accumulation, although it decreased the total amount accumulated. Initial velocity of accumulation was also unchanged when organisms were pre-incubated in the presence of 2-deoxy-d-glucose and this inhibitor was included in the reaction mixture. Initial velocity of sulphite accumulation decreased logarithmically as the pH value of the suspension was increased from 3·0 to 5·0; the decrease closely paralleled the decline in concentration of molecular SO2 over this pH range. Woolf–Hofstee plots for accumulation of SO2, at pH 3·0 or 4·0, gave near-vertical plots. Raising the temperature from 19 to 39°C increased the initial velocity of SO2 accumulation. The initial velocity of transport was not affected by pretreatment of organisms with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, DNP or iodoacetamide but pretreatment with 20 mm-uranyl nitrate increased the initial velocity almost threefold. It is concluded that SO2 is transported into S. cerevisiae by simple diffusion.
Differential hormonal regulation of estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ and androgen receptor expression in rat efferent ductules

Estrogen receptors, in addition to the androgen receptor (AR), are expressed at high levels in efferent ductules of the male reproductive tract and it is now well recognized that estrogen receptor (ER) alpha is required for the maintenance of normal structure and function of the ductules. However, little is known regarding the hormonal regulation of the receptors themselves in the male. In the present study, efferent ductule ligation and castration, followed by replacement with testosterone, dihydro-testosterone (DHT) or estradiol was used to investigate the relative importance of circulating and luminal sources of steroid for the modulation of ERalpha, ERbeta and AR in rat efferent ductules. Uni- or bilateral castration and ligation did not affect the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta, but bilateral castration caused down-regulation of AR. Replacement with DHT and testosterone alone or in combination with estradiol caused the recovery of AR expression to control levels. A slight recovery of AR was also observed after estrogen replacement. ERalpha expression was decreased to nearly undetectable levels after estrogen replacement. On the other hand, ERbeta did not show evident effects following any of the treatments, suggesting a constitutive expression of this receptor. This differential modulation of the steroid hormone receptors highlights the importance of maintaining a physiological androgen-estrogen balance to regulate the structure and function of efferent ductules in the male.
Governance of Alteration of the Deformation Field of Fractal Quasi-Two-Dimensional Structures in Nanosystems

A model nanosystem is investigated: a sample in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped of finite size with volumetric discrete lattice. It is shown that a separate nodal plane of a model nanosystem can be in different structural states: stochastic state of the deformation field on the whole rectangular lattice; the state with the linear fractal dislocation of different orientations; quasi-two-dimensional structures of the type of fractal elliptical, hyperbolic dislocations and fractal quantum dot. Using the numerical modelling method, the behaviour of the deformation field and a possibility of the alteration of these structures is investigated. The analysis of the behavior of the averaged functions allows to determine the critical values of the governing parameters.
Examination of Reaction Times of Elite Physically Disabled Badminton Players

The aim of this study was to determine the reaction times of physically disabled International badminton players, and to analyze the effects of badminton on their reaction times. The study was based on physically handicapped badminton players from different countries (Turkey, France, Spain, Russia, Poland, Thailand, India, Bulgaria, and England) who attended 3rd International Enes-Cup Physically Disabled Badminton Tournament (experiment, n=39, 15 females-24 males), and physically handicapped individuals who do not deal with any sports (control, n=21, 9 females-12 males), totally 60 participants. Forming the research group, the players were divided into two groups according to the disability classification of the International Paralympic Committee, SL-3, SL-4, SU-5 (playing on foot, n=23), and WH-1, WH-2 (playing on wheelchairs, n=12). At the end of the study, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in between the visual-audial reaction times of the male players compared to male control group, and in between visual reaction times of the female players compared to female control group (p<0.05). As a conclusion, it was detected that the reaction times of both male and female players were lower (better) than the control group.
A Y -BAND LOOK OF THE SKY WITH 1-M CLASS TELESCOPES

Y -band is a broad passband that is centered at �1 µm. It is becoming a new, popular window for extragalactic study especially for observations of red objects thanks to recent CCD technology developments. In order to better understand the general characteristics of objects in Y -band, and to investigate the promise of Y -band observations with small telescopes, we carried out imaging observations of several extragalactic fields, brown dwarfs, and high redshift quasars with Y -band filter at the Mt. Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory and the Maidanak observatory. From our observations, we constrain the bright end of the galaxy and the stellar number counts in Y -band. We also test the usefulness of high redshift quasar (z >6) selection via i z Y color-color diagram, to demonstrate that the i z Y color-color diagram is effective for the selection of high redshift quasars even with a conventional optical CCD camera installed at a 1-m class telescope.
International price discrimination in the European car market : An econometric model of oligopoly behavior with product differentiation

Why are car prices so different across European countries? I construct and estimate an oligopoly model to analyze whether international price discrimination can explain the puzzle. Three sources of international price discrimination are considered: price elasticities, import quota constraints, and collusion. The data reveal that international price discrimination accounts for an important part of the observed price differences. Low price elasticities (or domestic market power) are present in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and especially Italy. Binding import quota constraints on Japanese cars exist in France and Italy. The possibility of collusion cannot be rejected in Germany and the United Kingdom.
Excess nitrogen as a marker of intense dinitrogen fixation in the Western Tropical South Pacific Ocean: impact on the thermocline waters of the South Pacific

Abstract. As part of the Oligotrophy to UlTra-oligotrophy PACiﬁc Experiment cruise, which took place in the Western Tropical South Paciﬁc during the austral summer (March–April 2015), we present data on nitrate, phosphate and on particulate and dissolved organic matter. The stoichiometric nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios of the inorganic and organic material and the tracer N* are described. N* allows to trace changes in the proportion of fixed nitrogen due to diazotrophy and/or denitrification. Our results showed that the Melanesian archipelago waters between 160° E and 170° W are characterized by a deficit of nitrate and phosphate in the productive layer, significant dinitrogen fixation rates and an excess of particulate organic nitrogen compared to the canonical ratio of Redfield. A positive N* anomaly was observed in the productive layer reflecting the combined effect of phosphate uptake by diazotrophic organisms and remineralization of excess particulate organic nitrogen. The South Pacific Gyre waters between 170° W and 160° W were depleted in nitrate but rich in phosphate. Surface waters exhibited very low dinitrogen fixation rates, an absence of excess particulate organic nitrogen and a N* signal close to zero. The higher iron availability coupled with an absence of nitrate in the suface water of the Melanesian archipelago could stimulate the diazotrophic activity, which in turn will introduce excess nitrogen, deplete the surface waters in phosphate and be the explanation for the positive N* anomaly in the Melanesian archipelago waters. In the thermocline waters, the N* tracer revealed its full complexity, with notably the cumulative effect of the remineralization of particulate organic nitrogen and the effects of the mixing of water masses. At the global ocean scale, calculation of N* signal from the new Global Ocean Data Analysis Project version 2 database showed a strong spatial decoupling between the thermocline waters of the Eastern Tropical South Pacific and those of the Western Tropical South Paciﬁc. A strongly positive N* anomaly was observed in the thermocline waters of the Western Tropical South Paciﬁc in the Coral/Tasman Seas and in the southern part of the subtropical gyre between latitude 23° S and 32° S. A strong negative N* signal was observed in the waters of the Eestern Tropical South Paciﬁc between latitude 5° S and 20° S–23° S. We hypothesise that the nitrogen excess observed in the thermocline waters of the Western Tropical South Paciﬁc is transported eastward and then northward by the circulation of the South Pacific subtropical gyre and could influence positively the thermocline waters of the South Pacific being thus at the origin of the westward increase of the strongly negative N* signal transported by the South Equatorial Current.
Zebrafish Mutants Carrying Leptin a (lepa) Gene Deficiency Display Obesity, Anxiety, Less Aggression and Fear, and Circadian Rhythm and Color Preference Dysregulation

Leptin, a hormone secreted by peripheral adipose tissues, regulates the appetite in animals. Recently, evidence has shown that leptin also plays roles in behavioral response in addition to controlling appetite. In this study, we examined the potential function of leptin on non-appetite behaviors in zebrafish model. By using genome editing tool of Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), we successfully knocked out leptin a (lepa) gene by deleting 4 bp within coding region to create a premature-translation stop. Morphological and appetite analysis showed the lepa KO fish display a phenotype with obese, good appetite and elevation of Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and Ghrelin hormones, consistent with the canonical function of leptin in controlling food intake. By multiple behavior endpoint analyses, including novel tank, mirror biting, predator avoidance, social interaction, shoaling, circadian rhythm, and color preference assay, we found the lepa KO fish display an anxiogenic phenotype showing hyperactivity with rapid swimming, less freezing time, less fear to predator, loose shoaling area forming, and circadian rhythm and color preference dysregulations. Using biochemical assays, melatonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and serotonin levels in the brain were found to be significantly reduced in lepa KO fish, while the levels of dopamine, glycine and cortisol in the brain were significantly elevated. In addition, the brain ROS level was elevated, and the anti-oxidative enzyme catalase level was reduced. Taken together, by performing loss-of-function multiple behavior endpoint testing and biochemical analysis, we provide strong evidence for a critical role of lepa gene in modulating anxiety, aggression, fear, and circadian rhythm behaviors in zebrafish for the first time.
CURRENT STATUS OF LYNX LYNX (L. 1758) IN THE OSSOLA VALLEY (WESTERN ITALIAN ALPS)

European Alps are currently inhabited by a meta-population of Lynx lynx (L. 1758) well below the optimum level. The aim of the present study was to update and discuss the information available on the species in the study area. Two methods of field research were applied: the naturalistic and the photo-capturing. The naturalistic method was implemented in two sub-periods, 03.2009-03.2011 (58 transects, with 440.1 km walked) and 02.2013-03.2015 (78 transects with 569.9 km walked) with a total sampling effort of 1010 km distributed in a study area of 136.5 km2. For the photo-trapping method, 4 different cameras and 2014 with a sampling effort of 152 trap-days, both on crossroads or along trails, without the use of any attractant or were placed at two sites in 2013 lure. Nat-meth produced 18 signs of the presence clusters (each cluster contains the evidences attributable to the same subject); by photo-meth we obtained 7 captures. The data obtained reveal the presence of the two adult males, concolor bigger and spotted smaller, in the study area between 2013 and 2015 without any evidence of reproductive activity (presence of adult females and kitten or non-emancipated young). The comparison between the present and previous studies leads to statistically nonsignificant differences between the relative abundances of the lynx in the study area. However, it is important to emphasize that in the 2009-11 its presence considerably declined while an increase has been recorded in the following sub-period (2013-15). Finally, it is possible to guess that the small deme present in the Ossola Valley is founded by individuals from the south-western Swiss Alps. The hypothesis that there is a flow of individuals between the two areas seems to be confirmed by the considerable numerical oscillation observed in the two sub-periods investigated in this study.
Analysis of Profitability and Operational Efficiencies of Cocoa Marketing: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract This study examines empirically profitability and operational efficiencies of cocoa marketing in Nigeria. Using primary data, the result of the analysis revealed that for every N 100 invested in the cocoa trading in the study area, licensed buying agents (LBAs), Exporters and Warehousing Agents realized profit of N 3, N 7 and N 44.9, respectively . This positive and size of profit obtained for each cocoa marketing institutions is an indication that these institutions were able to recover their operating expenses, hence post-deregulation cocoa marketing era is profitable and efficient.
Therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Pediatric Patients With Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: Data From the INSPPIRE (INternational Study group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) Study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize utilization and benefit of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS From August 2012 to February 2015, 301 children with ARP or CP were enrolled in the INSPPIRE (INternational Study group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) study. Physicians reported utilization and benefit of therapeutic ERCP at enrollment. Differences were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS One hundred seventeen children (38.9%) underwent at least 1 therapeutic ERCP. The procedure was more commonly performed in children with CP compared with those with ARP (65.8% vs 13.5%, P < 0.0001). Utility of therapeutic ERCP was reported to be similar between ARP and CP (53% vs 56%, P = 0.81) and was found to be helpful for at least 1 indication in both groups (53/99 patients [53.5%]). Predictors for undergoing therapeutic ERCP were presence of obstructive factors in ARP and CP, Hispanic ethnicity, or white race in CP. CONCLUSIONS Therapeutic ERCP is frequently utilized in children with ARP or CP and may offer benefit in selected cases, specifically if ductal obstruction is present. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of therapeutic ERCP and to explore subgroups that might have increased benefit from such intervention.
Fecal corticosterone excretion in captive healthy and feather picking African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

behavior, and serious psychological conflicts can play a pivotal role in the initiation of this self-defeating and self-punishing behaviour. Even though ethological distress is difficult to study, the monitoring of fecal corticoids is a useful non-invasive tool that can be used to assess stress in animals. The purpose of the present study was to compare the fecal corticosterone levels of companion African grey parrots kept as wild-type parrots (WT), healthy pet parrots (HP) and feather picking pet parrots (FPP) during the breeding season and out of the breeding season. An African grey parrot group, composed of 82 individuals, has been studied; these birds were divided into three sub-groups: 1) WT, parrots that were reared by their biological parents, kept in couples and with a regular reproduction activity; 2) HP, parrots that were hand-reared, but did not show any FP symptoms; 3) FPP, parrots that were hand-reared and that showed signs of FP. Fecal samples were collected in the morning on alternate days, during the breeding seasons and out of the breeding season. The fecal corticosterone and immunoreactive corticosterone metabolites were determined using a pan-specific corticosterone enzyme immunoassay kit (K014; Arbor Assays®, Ann Arbor, MI) validated for dried fecal extracts. Analysis of Variance was used to examine any variations due to the breeding season and among the groups of parrots. WT and HP parrots showed lower corticosterone levels than FPP parrots. The fecal corticosterone concentration showed an average (sum of the two seasons) of 74.10 ± 16.89 ng/g in the WT parrots; 79.56 ± 21.23 ng/g in the HP parrots and 185.53 ± 34.83 in the FPP parrots. A statistical trend between fecal corticosterone concentration in the different seasons for the WT parrots (P=0.085) was observed, but not for the other groups. The results suggest that 1) the highest levels of fecal corticosterone are excreted by birds affected by FP; 2) the observed highest level of corticosterone in FPP parrot suggests a role of stress in this selfinjuring stereotypic behavior.
Association of Baseline Peptidylarginine Deiminase 4 Autoantibodies With Favorable Response to Treatment Escalation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

To determine if the baseline presence of autoantibodies to peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) predicts therapeutic response to biologic and conventional disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in whom methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy was unsuccessful.