Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Technogenic Pollution on the Pigments Concentration in the Black Poplar Leaves (Populus nigra L.) in Biiysk

The article presents the results of a study of the content of pigments in the leaves of black poplar growing along the auto roads in Biysk. The increase in technogenic pollution contributes to the change in the amount and ratio of basic and additional pigments. Compared with the control, a significant decrease in the content of chlorophyll a and the ratio of chlorophyll a/b, a significant increase in the content of chlorophyll b and carotenoids were revealed.
Locus suicide recombination actively occurs on the functionally rearranged IgH allele in B-cells from inflamed human lymphoid tissues

B-cell activation yields abundant cell death in parallel to clonal amplification and remodeling of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes by activation-induced deaminase (AID). AID promotes affinity maturation of Ig variable regions and class switch recombination (CSR) in mature B lymphocytes. In the IgH locus, these processes are under control by the 3’ regulatory region (3’RR) super-enhancer, a region demonstrated in the mouse to be both transcribed and itself targeted by AID-mediated recombination. Alternatively to CSR, IgH deletions joining Sμ to “like-switch” DNA repeats that flank the 3’ super-enhancer can thus accomplish so-called “locus suicide recombination” (LSR) in mouse B-cells. We now show that AID-mediated LSR also actively occurs in humans, and provides an activation-induced cell death pathway in multiple conditions of B-cell activation. LSR deletions either focus on the functional IgH allele or are bi-allelic, since they can only be detected when they are ongoing and their signature vanishes from fully differentiated plasma cells or from “resting” blood memory B-cells, but readily reappears when such memory B-cells are re-stimulated in vitro. Highly diversified breakpoints are distributed either within the upstream (3’RR1) or downstream (3’RR2) copies of the IgH 3’ super-enhancer and all conditions activating CSR in vitro also seem to trigger LSR. Author Summary Class switch recombination, initiated by the activation-induced deaminase enzyme rearranges immunoglobulin (Ig) genes in order to replace expression of IgM by IgG, IgA or IgE. A variant form of this event, locus suicide recombination (LSR), was previously reported in mouse B-lymphocytes and simply deletes all functional Ig constant genes, thus terminating B-cell function. This study first demonstrates that the structure of the human Ig heavy chain locus provides an ideal target for LSR, and is thus actively (but transiently) affected by this deletional process at the activated B-cell stage. LSR then yields recombined genes that do not support B-cell survival and which thus become undetectable among long-lived memory B-cells or plasma cells.
Test-retest reliability of functional brain network characteristics using resting-state EEG and graph theory

Metrics of brain network organization can be derived from neuroimaging data using graph theory. We explored the test-retest reliability of graph metrics of functional networks derived from resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Data were collected within two designs: (1) within sessions (WS) design where EEG data were collected from 18 healthy participants in four trials within a few hours and (2) between sessions (BS) design where EEG data were collected from 19 healthy participants in three trials on three different days at least one week apart. Electrophysiological source activity was reconstructed and functional connectivity between pairs of sensors or brain regions was determined in different frequency bands. We generated undirected binary graphs and used intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) to estimate reliability. We showed that reliabilities ranged from poor to good. Reliability at the sensor-level was significantly higher than source-level. The most reliable graph metric at the sensor-level was cost efficiency and at the source-level was global efficiency. At the sensor-level: WS reliability was significantly higher than BS reliability; high beta band in WS design had the highest reliability; in WS design reliability in gamma band was significantly lower than reliability in low and high beta bands. At the source-level: low beta band in BS design had the highest reliability; there was no significant main effect of frequency band on reliability; reliabilities of WS and BS designs were not significantly different. These results suggest that these graph metrics can provide reliable outcomes, depending on how the data were collected and analysed.
Continuous threshold models with two‐way interactions in survival analysis

Proportional hazards model with the biomarker–treatment interaction plays an important role in the survival analysis of the subset treatment effect. A threshold parameter for a continuous biomarker variable defines the subset of patients who can benefit or lose from a certain new treatment. In this article, we focus on a continuous threshold effect using the rectified linear unit and propose a gradient descent method to obtain the maximum likelihood estimation of the regression coefficients and the threshold parameter simultaneously. Under certain regularity conditions, we prove the consistency, asymptotic normality and provide a robust estimate of the covariance matrix when the model is misspecified. To illustrate the finite sample properties of the proposed methods, we simulate data to evaluate the empirical biases, the standard errors and the coverage probabilities for both the correctly specified models and misspecified models. The proposed continuous threshold model is applied to a prostate cancer data with serum prostatic acid phosphatase as a biomarker.
Effects of parental and nest-site characteristics on nestling quality in the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Natal environment and parental quality can influence offspring phenotype, including physiological and morphological traits. We investigated how offspring morphology and feather corticosterone (CORTf; a physiological index of allostatic load) may be related to nest environment and parental characteristics by cross-fostering 3-day-old nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) between quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and plywood nest boxes that differed in microclimate. We evaluated the relative importance of natal influences, common rearing environment, and nest-box environment on nestling quality. Nestlings raised in quaking aspen boxes tended to have lower CORTf, although this result only approached significance. Nestling body mass was best predicted by the biological mother’s mass and random effects of natal and rearing nest identity, wing length was best predicted by random effects of rearing nest, and head–bill length was best predicted by random effects of natal nest. Therefore, nest microclimate was more important than maternal characteristics in predicting nestling physiology (CORTf), while nestling morphology was influenced by maternal morphology, as well as natal and rearing nest environments. Our study provides important information about how environmental and parental influences affect nestling phenotype and will help future studies interpret similar morphological and physiological indices of nestling quality.
NECTAR PRODUCTION IN SEVERAL Campanula SPECIES (CAMPANULACEAE)

The flowering, nectar production and sugar content we re examined in 2012–2013 seasons for three Campanula species ( C. persicifolia L., C. glomerata L., C. trachelium L.). The flowers of all studied Campanula spp. are distinctly protandrous; most of them open ed between 10.00 and 14.00; only the flowers of C. glomerata continued the opening process until 16.00 (GMT + 2 h). The flower life-span differed between species and was the longest for C. persicifolia – ca. 5.5 days and lasted 3.0–3.5 days in C. glomerata and C. trachelium. The duration of the male phase was 2–3 fold shorte r (C. persicifolia and C. glomerata) than the female phase or was equal ( C. trachelium). Irrespective of the year of study and the specie s, the female-biased nectar production pattern was evidence d. The amount of nectar accumulated at the female phase reached 70–87% of the maximum nectar produced by a flower. The total sugar yield (0.4– 12.2 g/10 m) established for the studied species is low compared to other herbaceous meadow sp ecie . However, due to diverse insect visitors groups, the Campanula flowers can be recommended to support pollinators in home gardens or on idle lands.
A Putative Species Flock in the Diatom Genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyta: Gomphonemataceae) from Lake Baikal, Russia: Description of Six New Species Similar to G. ventricosum W. Gregory

Abstract We describe as new to science six new species of the diatom genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg from Lake Baikal, based on light and scanning electron microscope observations. The six species are morphologically similar to G. ventricosum, a northern European taxon known mostly from Scotland, Scandinavia and other Baltic countries, though it has been recognized also from North America. The six species are similar to G. ventricosum W. Gregory in the structure of the external occlusions over the areolae. The species also have prominent septa and pseudosepta, which distinguishes them from other species of the genus. They are distinguished from one another in the shapes and sizes of the valves. This group of closely related species may correspond to a species flock, a phenomenon in freshwater diatoms that is known from ancient lakes and flowing water systems. Further research is needed to confirm the monophyly of this group, and either support or challenge the idea of them representing a species flock.
Sufficient dimension reduction based on distance‐weighted discrimination

In this paper, we introduce a sufficient dimension reduction (SDR) algorithm based on distance‐weighted discrimination (DWD). Our methods is shown to be robust on the dimension p of the predictors in our problem, and it also utilizes some new computational results in the DWD literature to propose a computationally faster algorithm than previous classification‐based algorithms in the SDR literature. In addition to the theoretical results of similar methods we prove the consistency of our estimate for fixed p. Finally, we demonstrate the advantages of our algorithm using simulated and real datasets.
Yield stability and relationships among stability parameters in soybean genotypes across years

The search for productive and stable genotypes is the main goal of breeding programs. The Genotype × Environment interaction strongly influences genotype performance, and makes the selection of new cultivars difficult. One way to take advantage of this interaction is to identify genotypes with high grain yield (GY) and stability in different environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the consistency of correlation between GY and stability evaluation methods in multi-environment trials and identify which methods are more suitable for selecting genotypes. GY data from 11 soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivars conducted in Value for Cultivation and Use trials in 10 locations in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul states, Brazil, in the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 crop seasons. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Seven methods were applied to evaluate stability, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to compare methods. Positive associations were observed between GY and the harmonic mean of genotypic values (HMGV) across environments and genotype main effect + Genotype × Environment interaction effect by ideal genotype (GGE IG) methodologies, and between GY and the Lin and Binns method modified by Carneiro for general and unfavorable environments. The Eberhart and Russell, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI1), and GGE for stability (GGE STA) methods presented no positive associations with GY in any year. Positive associations were found between the Wricke, AMMI1, and Eberhart and Russell methods because they were related to the static stability concept. The HMGV and GGE IG methods can be used together because they are consistently associated with GY and based on the dynamic stability concept.
Effect of Foliar Application of Growth Regulators and Micronutrients on Fruit Yield Attributes of Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle)

Acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) is one of the most important fruit crop of India, is generally known as ‘Nimbu’. It is belongs to the family Rutaceae probably originated in India and then spread to the Middle East and other tropical and subtropical countries (Salunkhe and Desai, 1984). It is mainly cultivated for its multi fold nutritional and medicinal values, which made acid lime more important among the fruits. Its attractive appearance, penetrating aroma of peel and excellent taste gives a remarkable position to acid lime which is grown widely throughout the world (Babu, 2001). The genus Citrus is economically very important and is known for its juice and pulp throughout the world. In India, acid lime is grown in a variety of agroclimates comprising from the northern plains and central highlands having hot semi-arid eco-region with black and red soils. There is difficulty in fruit set because of incomplete pollination, hence plant growth regulators and micronutrients may be effectively used to increase fruit set as well increase fruit yield.
Resistance to Frogeye Leaf Spot in Selected Soybean Accessions in MG I through MG VI

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS) caused by Cercospora sojina Hara is a disease of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] that causes significant seed yield loss in warm, humid environments worldwide. The Rcs3 gene in soybean has been reported to condition resistance to all known races of C. sojina. The objectives of this study were to: (i) identify maturity group (MG) I to VI accessions resistant to C. sojina race 11 by field screening at two locations; and (ii) determine if the FLS resistance of the symptomless soybean accessions is likely to be conditioned by the Rcs3 allele. A total of 260 accessions including 12 differentials were evaluated for reaction to race 11 in field trials in Missouri and Illinois during 2009, and 20 accessions that did not develop symptoms were retested in 2010 to validate their resistance. The 20 accessions remained resistant and were tested for the potential presence of Rcs3 allele using molecular markers; and none was predicted to carry the Rcs3 allele. These accessions may contain novel loci for FLS resistance and may be used to broaden the base for developing soybean cultivars with frogeye leaf spot resistance.
Oncostatin M Induces Angiogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract—Neovascularization of the atherosclerotic plaque is responsible for its weakening and consequently for the complications of vascular disease. Macrophages are a source of growth factors that can modulate angiogenesis. In this study, we analyzed the effect of oncostatin M (OSM) on angiogenesis, as it could be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The effect of OSM was compared with those of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). On human dermal microvasculature endothelial cells (HMEC-1s), OSM (22.5 to 112.5 pmol/L) induced a dose-dependent increase in cell proliferation greater than that induced by the classic angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; 543 pmol/L) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; 1.1 nmol/L). LIF (19 to 475 pmol/L) induced only a 30% increase in cell proliferation, and IL-6 had no effect. Furthermore, in a modified Boyden-chamber model, OSM, LIF, and IL-6 were chemoattractant for HMEC-1s. In a tridimensional gel of fibrin, O.
Projected Changes of Precipitation Characteristics Depend on Downscaling Method and Training Data: MACA versus LOCA Using the U.S. Northeast as an Example

This study compares projected changes of precipitation characteristics in the U.S. Northeast in two analog-based climate downscaling products, Multivariate Adaptive Constructed Analogs (MACA) and Localized Constructed Analogs (LOCA). The level of similarity or differences between the two products varies with the type of precipitation metrics. For the total precipitation amount, the two products project significant annual increases that are similar in magnitude, spatial pattern, and seasonal distribution, with the largest increases in winter and spring. For the overall precipitation intensity or temporal aggregation of heavy precipitation (e.g., number of days with more than one inch of precipitation, the simple intensity index, and the fraction of annual precipitation accounted for by heavy events), both products project significant increases across the region with strong model consensus; the magnitude of absolute increases are similar between the two products, but the relative increases are larger in LOCA due to an underestimation of heavy precipitation in LOCA’s training data. For precipitation extremes such as the annual maximum 1-day precipitation, both products project significant increases in the long-term mean, but the magnitude of both the absolute and relative changes are much smaller in LOCA than in MACA, indicating that the extreme precipitation differences in the training data are amplified in future projections as a result of the analog-based downscaling algorithms. The two products differ the most in the intensity and frequency of rare extremes (e.g., 1-in-20-years events) for which MACA projects significant increases while the LOCA-projected changes are inconclusive over much of the study area.
A nonlinear spectral element model for the simulation of traffic speed deflectometer tests of asphalt pavements

ABSTRACT A non-destructive testing method suitable for network-level pavement structural evaluation is the traffic speed deflectometer (TSD) test. However, the analysis of TSD measurements still needs a proper parameter back-calculation procedure, which requires an accurate and efficient forward calculation model. As a first step to solving this issue, a nonlinear spectral element model which can simulate TSD tests of asphalt pavements is developed. The model is used to investigate the characteristics and parameter sensitivity of the response of asphalt pavements caused by the TSD loading. The results indicate that the vertical deflection curve along the direction of movement observed on the asphalt pavement surface is slightly asymmetric, and the maximum deflection appears behind the centre of the loading area. In addition, the slope curve of vertical deflection is highly sensitive to the magnitude of the applied force, the moduli of the base layer and subgrade, and the thicknesses of the asphalt layer and base layer. Furthermore, the slope curve is relatively sensitive to the glassy modulus of the asphalt layer. Because of its good predictive capability and high computational efficiency, the proposed model has the desired characteristics to be used as the computational kernel for parameter back-calculation procedures of TSD measurements.
Dopaminergic and frontal signals for decisions guided by sensory evidence and reward value

Making a decision often requires combining uncertain sensory evidence with learned reward values. It is not known how the brain performs this combination, and learns from the outcome of the resulting decisions. We trained mice in a decision task that requires combining visual evidence with recent reward values. Mice combined these factors efficiently: their decisions were guided by past rewards when visual stimuli provided uncertain evidence, but not when they were highly visible. The sequence of decisions was well described by a model that learns the values of stimulus-action pairs and combines them with sensory evidence. The model estimates how sensory evidence and reward value determine two key internal variables: the expected value of each decision and the prediction errors. We found that the first variable is explicitly represented in the activity of neuronal populations in prelimbic frontal cortex (PL), which occurred during choice execution. The second variable was explicitly represented in the activity of dopamine neurons of ventral tegmental area (VTA), which occurred after stimulus presentation and after choice outcome. As predicted by the model, optogenetic manipulations of dopamine neurons altered future choices mainly when the sensory evidence was weak, establishing the causal role of these neurons in guiding choices informed by combinations of rewards and sensory evidence. These results provide a unified, quantitative framework for how the brain makes efficient choices when challenged with internal and environmental uncertainty.
The Location of Maximum Emotion in Deceptive and Truthful Texts

Meta-analytic evidence suggests that verbal patterns of emotion betray deceit, but it is presently unclear whether the location of maximum emotion in lies and truths matters to reveal deception. We contribute to the deception literature by offering analyses at the sentence level to locate where emotion is most pronounced in deceptive versus truthful texts. Using two public data sets—news articles (Study 1) and hotel reviews (Study 2)—we found that maximum emotion occurs toward the beginning of deceptive texts while maximum emotion appears later for truthful texts. In addition to demonstrating the effect across diverse settings, we used two different measurements for emotion and separated the results by valence, replicating the maximum emotion effect each time. The predictive nature of maximum affect ranged from 54% to 56% across data sets, a rate consistent with most deception studies using 50-50 lie–truth base rates. Implications for future research and deception theory are discussed.
Understanding Personality through Patterns of Daily Socializing: Applying Recurrence Quantification Analysis to Naturalistically Observed Intensive Longitudinal Social Interaction Data

Ambulatory assessment methods provide a rich approach for studying daily behaviour. Too often, however, these data are analysed in terms of averages, neglecting patterning of this behaviour over time. This paper describes recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), a non–linear time series technique for analysing dynamic systems, as a method for analysing patterns of categorical, intensive longitudinal ambulatory assessment data. We apply RQA to objectively assessed social behaviour (e.g. talking to another person) coded from the Electronically Activated Recorder. Conceptual interpretations of RQA parameters, and an analysis of Electronically Activated Recorder data in adults going through a marital separation, are provided. Using machine learning techniques to avoid model overfitting, we find that adding RQA parameters to models that include just average amount of time spent talking (a static measure) improves prediction of four Big Five personality traits: extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness. Our strongest results suggest that a combination of average amount of time spent talking and four RQA parameters yield an R2 = . 09 for neuroticism. Neuroticism is shown to be associated with shorter periods of extended conversation (periods of at least 12 minutes), demonstrating the utility of RQA to identify new relationships between personality and patterns of daily behaviour. Materials: https://osf.io/5nkr9/. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology