Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does preprocessing help in fast sequence comparisons?

We study edit distance computation with preprocessing: the preprocessing algorithm acts on each string separately, and then the query algorithm takes as input the two preprocessed strings. This model is inspired by scenarios where we would like to compute edit distance between many pairs in the same pool of strings. Our results include: Permutation-LCS: If the LCS between two permutations has length n−k, we can compute it exactly with O(n log(n)) preprocessing and O(k log(n)) query time. Small edit distance: For general strings, if their edit distance is at most k, we can compute it exactly with O(nlog(n)) preprocessing and O(k 2 log(n)) query time. Approximate edit distance: For the most general input, we can approximate the edit distance to within factor (7+o(1)) with preprocessing time Õ(n 2) and query time Õ(n 1.5+o(1)). All of these results significantly improve over the state of the art in edit distance computation without preprocessing. Interestingly, by combining ideas from our algorithms with preprocessing, we provide new improved results for approximating edit distance without preprocessing in subquadratic time.
Estimated Inactivation of Coronaviruses by Solar Radiation With Special Reference to COVID‐19

Using a model developed for estimating solar inactivation of viruses of biodefense concerns, we calculated the expected inactivation of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, cause of COVID‐19 pandemic, by artificial UVC and by solar ultraviolet radiation in several cities of the world during different times of the year. The UV sensitivity estimated here for SARS‐CoV‐2 is compared with those reported for other ssRNA viruses, including influenza A virus. The results indicate that SARS‐CoV‐2 aerosolized from infected patients and deposited on surfaces could remain infectious outdoors for considerable time during the winter in many temperate‐zone cities, with continued risk for re‐aerosolization and human infection. Conversely, the presented data indicate that SARS‐CoV‐2 should be inactivated relatively fast (faster than influenza A) during summer in many populous cities of the world, indicating that sunlight should have a role in the occurrence, spread rate and duration of coronavirus pandemics.
SEASONAL SURVIVAL OF GREATER SNOW GEESE AND EFFECT OF HUNTING UNDER DEPENDENCE IN SIGHTING PROBABILITY

Although much of life-history theory assumes increased mortality at certain stages (e.g., migration), survival rates are rarely estimated on a seasonal basis within the annual cycle of migratory species. We estimated variations in seasonal survival rates in a long-lived, hunted species in the presence of short-term (between consecutive seasons) and long-term (between years in the same season) dependence in sighting probabilities. We also tested the two contrasting hypotheses that hunting mortality is either compensatory or additive to natural mortality. This study was conducted on adult female Greater Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens atlantica) from 1990 to 1998, and is based on 3890 neck-banded birds and 13 657 resightings on the northern breeding grounds in summer, and southern staging areas in spring and autumn. Birds were 10-20% more likely to be seen in autumn and spring if they were seen on the previous occasion (summer and autumn, respectively). Birds were 30-40% more likely to be seen in autumn and spring if they were last seen in the same season in the previous year. Differences in behavior according to family status (pres- ence or absence of young) and heterogeneity in site fidelity may explain the dependence in sighting probabilities; failure to account for this may lead to biased survival estimates. Monthly survival rates from spring to summer (3-mo period) and summer to autumn (2.5- mo period) were equal (0.989 ? 0.003, mean ? 1 SE) and showed little variation over the years, even though the two lengthy migratory flights (3000 km each) and breeding occurred during these periods. In contrast, monthly winter survival (from autumn to spring, 6.5 mo) was lower than during the other seasons and varied significantly over the years (range 0.936 ? 0.021 to 0.993 ? 0.008). Mean survival of adult females (corrected for neck band loss) was 0.96 from spring to autumn, 0.86 during winter, and 0.83 ? 0.05 for the whole year. Natural mortality (i.e., excluding hunting) was equal among seasons and did not vary over the years, which suggests that mortality risk is not increased during migration or repro- duction. There was a significant inverse relationship between winter survival and the kill rate (b = -1.21 + 0.56), which suggests that hunting mortality was additive to natural mortality. This is probably a general feature of long-lived species because their low and relatively constant natural mortality rate does not allow them to compensate for an additional source of mortality such as hunting. Contrary to life-history theory, we did not find evidence that migration or reproduction entailed a survival cost in this long-distance migrant bird.
Administration of Human Non-Diabetic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to a Murine Model of Diabetic Fracture Repair: A Pilot Study

Individuals living with type 1 diabetes mellitus may experience an increased risk of long bone fracture. These fractures are often slow to heal, resulting in delayed reunion or non-union. It is reasonable to theorize that the underlying cause of these diabetes-associated osteopathies is faulty repair dynamics as a result of compromised bone marrow progenitor cell function. Here it was hypothesized that the administration of non-diabetic, human adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) would enhance diabetic fracture healing. Human MSCs were locally introduced to femur fractures in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, and the quality of de novo bone was assessed eight weeks later. Biodistribution analysis demonstrated that the cells remained in situ for three days following administration. Bone bridging was evident in all animals. However, a large reparative callus was retained, indicating non-union. µCT analysis elucidated comparable callus dimensions, bone mineral density, bone volume/total volume, and volume of mature bone in all groups that received cells as compared to the saline-treated controls. Four-point bending evaluation of flexural strength, flexural modulus, and total energy to re-fracture did not indicate a statistically significant change as a result of cellular administration. An ex vivo lymphocytic proliferation recall assay indicated that the xenogeneic administration of human cells did not result in an immune response by the murine recipient. Due to this dataset, the administration of non-diabetic bone marrow-derived MSCs did not support fracture healing in this pilot study.
Sympathetically-mediated increases in cardiac output, not restraint of peripheral vasodilation, contribute to blood pressure maintenance during hyperinsulinemia.

Vasodilatory effects of insulin support the delivery of insulin and glucose to skeletal muscle. Concurrently, insulin exerts central effects that increase sympathetic nervous system activity (SNA), which is required for the acute maintenance of blood pressure (BP). Indeed, in a cohort of young healthy adults, herein we show that intravenous infusion of insulin increases muscle SNA while BP is maintained. We next tested the hypothesis that sympathoexcitation evoked by hyperinsulinemia restrains insulin-stimulated peripheral vasodilation and contributes to sustaining BP. To address this, a separate cohort of participants were subjected to 5-s pulses of neck suction (NS) to simulate carotid hypertension and elicit a reflex-mediated reduction in SNA. NS was conducted prior to and 60 min following intravenous infusion of insulin. Insulin infusion caused an increase in leg vascular conductance and cardiac output (CO) (p<0.050), with maintenance of BP (p=0.540). As expected, following NS, decreases in BP were greater in the presence of hyperinsulinemia compared to control (p=0.045). However, the effect of NS on leg vascular conductance did not differ between insulin and control conditions (p=0.898). Instead, the greater decreases in BP following NS in the setting of insulin infusion paralleled with greater decreases in CO (p=0.009). These findings support that, during hyperinsulinemia, SNA-mediated increases in CO, rather than restraint of leg vascular conductance, is the principal contributor to the maintenance of BP. Demonstration in isolated arteries that insulin suppresses α-adrenergic vasoconstriction suggests that the observed lack of restraint of leg vascular conductance may be attributed to sympatholytic actions of insulin.
The impact of exercise on patients with dementia

Abstract The current absence of a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer disease highlights the necessity for the benefits of nonpharmacological approaches. We aimed to investigate the effect of exercise in older patients with Alzheimer dementia. This is an observational, prospective cohort study in medical center. Eighty older patients with Alzheimer dementia, including 54 with mild dementia and 26 with moderate dementia, were followed up over 2 years. Patients were divided into exercise and no-exercise groups according to their weekly exercise habit. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and senior fitness test were checked initially. We defined death and unexpected hospitalization as the outcomes. Age, sex, education years, and MMSE showed no significant differences between the groups (P > .05) in all patients. All the patients of the exercise group had significantly better left upper body strength, higher aerobic endurance, and left and right balance maintenance time than those of the no-exercise group (P < .05). There were no changes in hospitalization and mortality between the exercise and non-exercise groups during the 2-year follow-ups in all participants. However, in the mild and moderate dementia subgroups, age, sex, education years, and MMSE showed no significant differences between the groups (P > .05). The exercise group had significantly better lower body strength, left upper body strength, aerobic endurance, right upper body flexibility, lower body flexibility, balance maintenance, and agility than the no-exercise group in patients with mild dementia (P < .05). Moreover, the exercise group had significantly lesser unexpected hospitalization than the no-exercise group in the patients with mild dementia (P = .037). Despite the similarity in the status of dementia, exercise habit was found to be associated with a better senior fitness test score status. Hence, exercise can decrease unexpected hospitalization in patients with mild dementia but not those with total dementia.
Uric acid and uric acid to creatinine ratio in the assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Potential biomarkers in multicomponent models comprising IL-1beta

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous disease, with oxidative stress and inflammation implicated in its development. Uric acid (UA) could exert anti-oxidative, pro-oxidative or pro-inflammatory effects, depending on the specific context. It was recently shown that soluble UA, and not just its crystals, could activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, leading to interleukin (IL)-1β secretion. We aimed to assess the differences in blood levels of UA and its ratio with creatinine (UCR) between COPD patients and healthy subjects, as well as their association with disease severity, smoking status, common COPD comorbidities and therapy regimes. The diagnostic characteristics of UA and UCR were also explored. This study included 109 stable COPD patients and 95 controls and measured white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (Fbg), IL-1β, creatinine (CREAT) and UA. All of the parameters were increased in COPD patients, except for CREAT. UA and UCR were positively associated with WBC, CRP and IL-1β. COPD smokers had lower UA and UCR values. Common COPD therapy did not affect UA or UCR, while patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) had higher UA, but not UCR, levels. Patients with higher UCR values showed worse disease-related outcomes (lung function, symptoms, quality of life, history of exacerbations, BODCAT and BODEx). Also, UCR differentiated patients with different severity of airflow limitation as well as symptoms and exacerbations. The great individual predictive potential of UCR and IL-1β was observed with their odds ratios (OR) being 2.09 and 5.53, respectively. Multiparameter models of UA and UCR that included IL-1β were able to correctly classify 86% and 90% of cases, respectively. We suggest that UA might be a useful biomarker when combined with IL-1β, while UCR might be even more informative and useful in overall COPD assessments.
Pre-sarcopenia is the prognostic factor of overall survival in early-stage hepatoma patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation

Abstract Sarcopenia might have impact on the outcome of patients with hepatoma carcinoma (HCC). This study was to determine whether pre-sarcopenia is associated with the outcome of HCC patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Patients with newly diagnosed HCC undergoing RFA were enrolled. We excluded patients without pre-RFA abdominal computed tomography or with incomplete ablation. Psoas muscle area index was calculated at the mid-lumbar 3 level of computed tomography images with the manual trace method. Pre-sarcopenia was defined as psoas muscle area index less than 4.24 and 2.50 cm2/m2 for males and females respectively. The demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded before RFA. All patients were followed regularly until death or end of 2018. A total of 136 patients, including – BCLC stage 0 (n = 44, 32.4%) and – stage A (n = 92, 67.6%), were enrolled (males/females: 78/58, age: 65.4 years) with a mean follow-up period of 3.84 years. There were 75 patients (55.1%) with HCC recurrence and 47 patients (34.6%) with mortality during follow-up. Twenty-two (16.2%) patients were diagnosed with pre-sarcopenia. Multivariate analysis showed pre-sarcopenia (HR: 2.110 (1.092–4.078); P = . 026) was the only factor significantly associated with overall survival (OS); however, there were no factors associated with HCC recurrence. For patients without and with pre-sarcopenia, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 92.0%, 77.6%, 68.9%, and 81.8%, 54.5%, 44.1% respectively (P = .007). For early-stage HCC patients undergoing RFA, pre-sarcopenia is the prognostic factor of OS, but not of recurrence, with a worse 5-year OS rate of 44.1%.
Cellulase activity in the freshwater amphipod Gammarus lacustris

Deciduous leaves provide a major allochthonous source of energy to stream food webs, particularly in small, shaded headwater streams. To digest cellulose and other structural carbohydrates in plants, invertebrates must use enzymes that degrade these polymers. Our research focused on the digestion of cellulose by the freshwater amphipod Gammarus lacustris. We used a feeding experiment and laboratory enzyme assays to investigate 3 potential sources of cellulase in G. lacustris: 1) tissue-level production of cellulase by G. lacustris, 2) cellulase activity by gut endosymbionts living in G. lacustris, and 3) ingestion of fungal cellulase exoenzymes that remain active after ingestion by G. lacustris. We determined that G. lacustris possessed endoglucanase and β–glucosidase enzymes that are active on soluble cellulose derivatives. We did not detect cellobiohydrolase activity toward crystalline cellulose in G. lacustris. Endoglucanase and β–glucosidase activity appeared to originate from amphipod tissues; in this experiment microbial enzymes did not contribute to cellulase activity. These results are consistent with other studies indicating that many invertebrates produce endoglucanases and β–glucosidases but very few, if any, produce cellobiohydrolase endogenously.
A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis

Background: Although robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy (RADP) has been successfully performed since 2003, its advantages over open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) are still uncertain. The objective of this meta-analysis is to compare the clinical and oncologic safety and efficacy of RADP vs ODP. Methods: Multiple databases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched to identify studies that compare the outcomes of RADP and ODP (up to February, 2020). Fixed and random effects models were applied according to different conditions. Results: A total of 7 studies from high-volume robotic surgery centers comprising 2264 patients were included finally. Compared with ODP, RADP was associated with lower estimated blood loss, lower blood transfusion rate, lower postoperative mortality rate, and shorter length of hospital stay. No significant difference was observed in operating time, the number of lymph nodes harvested, positive margin rate, spleen preservation rate, rate of severe morbidity, incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula, and severe postoperative pancreatic fistula (grade B and C) between the 2 groups. Conclusions:With regard to perioperative outcomes, RADP is a safe and feasible alternative to ODP in centers with expertise in robotic surgery. However, the evidence is limited and more randomized controlled trials are needed to further clearly define this role. Abbreviations: CIs = confidence intervals, LDP = laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, ODP = open distal pancreatectomy, ORs = odds ratios, PPF = postoperative pancreatic fistula, PRISMA = Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses, RADP = robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy, WMD = weighted mean difference.
Relationships between vegetation structure and breeding bird densities in fallow cereal steppes in Castro Verde, Portugal

Fallow fields represent a large proportion of cereal steppes in southern Portugal. A study of the bird populations using fallows in the Castro Verde region during the breeding season was made during spring 1996, with the objective of characterizing the bird community and describing relationships between bird density and vegetation structure, for selected species. For each of 50 transects, birds were counted once and variables related to vegetation structure were measured. Multivariate analyses were used to explore the relationships between bird density and habitat characteristics. The bird community of fallows was characterized by the numerical abundance of two species – Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra (8.5 birds/km) and Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax (4.5 birds/km) – which represented 60% of the total number of birds detected. Of the 28 bird species observed, only four others reached average relative densities greater than 1 bird/km: Great Bustard Otis tarda, Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, Corn Bunting M.
Sponge Communities in Three Submarine Caves of the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean): Adaptations and Faunistic Composition

Abstract. The sponge fauna of three neighbouring submarine caves of the Island of Majorca (Balcaric Islands) is studied along a light gradient; 45 species have been recorded and systematic data are given for those showing morphological, pigmentary, or spicule differences. Adaptation to darkness and precarious trophic conditions is also discussed.
Sudden death due to ruptured oesophageal varices – autopsy-based case report

Acute haemorrhage from ruptured oesophageal varices is a serious consequence of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. It represents a medical emergency with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Studies over the years have shown a direct link with chronic alcoholism in the development of such complications. Although the gastrointestinal system accounts for a few numbers of sudden deaths, bleeding through ruptured varices represent a life-threatening condition. The role of forensic pathologist is vital in dealing with sudden deaths. Here, we report a case of a 46-year-old man who died suddenly following the rupture of oesophageal varices.
The origins of crown group birds: molecules and fossils

Knowledge of the evolutionary history of crown group birds (Neornithes) has significantly improved through emerging congruence among phylogenetic hypotheses and the description of numerous new Palaeogene stem group representatives. However, controversies still persist about the precise interrelationships of many extant and fossil taxa and about the timing of the diversification of the neornithine crown group. Using the example of Phaethontiformes (tropicbirds) and Psittaciformes (parrots), it is shown how new sequence‐based phylogenies may shed light on the relationships of fossils with an unexpected character mosaic, and how such fossils can improve our understanding of character evolution in morphologically disparate avian taxa. The earliest occurrences of neornithine birds are plotted on a current phylogeny. As noted by previous authors, an extensive diversification of neornithine birds before the latest Cretaceous is not supported by the fossil record, and the existence of essentially modern‐type representatives of Telluraves (the clade including most arboreal birds) in the Cretaceous, such as suggested from molecular calibrations, is highly unlikely.
How Managers’ Job Crafting Reduces Turnover Intention: The Mediating Roles of Role Ambiguity and Emotional Exhaustion

Despite the increasing body of research on job crafting, the relationship between managers’ job crafting and their turnover intention, as well as its intermediary mechanisms, has received relatively little attention from researchers. This study examined how managers’ job crafting negatively affected their turnover intention, focusing on role ambiguity and emotional exhaustion as underlying mediators. Data were collected from 235 store managers in South Korean food franchises. All study hypotheses were supported by regression-based path modeling. Controlling for role conflict and role ambiguity, we found a negative relationship between job crafting and role ambiguity, a positive relationship between role ambiguity and emotional exhaustion, and a positive relationship between emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. Our mediation analyses further revealed that controlling for role conflict and role overload, role ambiguity and emotional exhaustion partially and sequentially mediated the relationship between managers’ job crafting and their turnover intention. These findings have several implications for theory and practice.
Soil labile organic carbon and microbial activity changes with age in citrus (Citrus sinensis Osb.) plantations in China

Summary Soil labile organic carbon fractions are important in ensuring soil productivity and improving soil quality. Plantations offer an opportunity to sequester carbon (C), but fundamental information is needed on labile fraction dynamics in soils over long periods. Two replicate sites of three stand ages (10, 20 or 30 y) of citrus in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China were studied. The results showed that soil organic C (SOC) concentration and storage, and readily oxidisable C (ROC) content increased in the surface soil with stand age, but dissolved organic C (DOC) and the proportion of the SOC present as ROC and DOC showed no such significant difference. The microbial biomass C (MBC) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSCh) increased gradually, and tended to be highest in the 20-y-old stand; thereafter MBC decreased again and WSCh became constant. Basal soil respiration (BSR) measured over a 24-h period at 25°C was lower under mature stands (after 20 y) than under younger (10 y) stands. BSR and qCO2 (expressed as BSR per unit microbial biomass) were negatively correlated with SOC fractions except DOC. The rate increase with age was highest in WSCh among the labile fractions measured and it was closely correlated with stand age, SOC and other labile organic C fractions; this suggested that WSCh could be the most sensitive fraction for detecting changes in organic C due to the long-term growth of citrus.