Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new species of Cotesia Cameron (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) reared from the hickory horned devil, Citheronia regalis, and luna moth, Actias luna, in east Texas

Abstract The braconid wasp parasitoid Cotesia nuellorum Whitfield, new species, is described from specimens reared from a caterpillar of the hickory horned devil, Citheronia regalis (F.), and from a caterpillar of the luna moth, Actias luna (L.), in eastern Texas. The species is diagnosed with respect to other species of Cotesia recorded from North American Saturniidae, and details of its biology are provided.
A distinct species, Dodona formosana, detected in the Dodona eugenes species complex: clarification of the taxonomic status of the Punch butterfly in Taiwan

Abstract The Tailed Punch, Dodona eugenes, is widely distributed in East Asia with seven subspecies currently recognized. However, two of them, namely ssp. formosana and ssp. esakii found in Taiwan, are hard to distinguish from each other due to ambiguous diagnostic characters. In this study, their taxonomic status is clarified by comparing genitalia characters and phylogenetic relationships based on mitochondrial sequences, COI and COII (total 2211 bps). Our results show that there is no reliable feature to separate these two subspecies. Surprisingly we found that Dodona in Taiwan is more closely related to the Orange Punch, D. egeon, than to other subspecies of D. eugenes. Therefore, the following nomenclatural changes are proposed: Dodona eugenes formosana is revised to specific status as Dodona formosana Matsumura, 1919, stat. rev, and ssp. esakii is sunk to a junior synonym of Dodona formosana syn. n.
Validity, Reliability and Convergent Analysis of Brazilian Version of Selection, Optimization and Compensation Questionnaire (QSOC)

Population aging is a major challenge for global companies. The Selection, Optimization and Compensation Model proposed by the team of Baltes, is a way to explain ways to adapt to the difficulties of everyday life and the late stage of development deficits (aging). The study, which enables a PhD Thesis, is derived from discussions carried out during construction, and aims to demonstrate the validity of measures, reliability and convergent analysis of the Brazilian version of the instrument. It is conducted with 319 elderly aged 60 and 99 years old (71.4 ± 8.1), with a predominance of women (70.8%), married (40.1%) or widowed (30.1%) using medications (81.5%), with at least one health problem (79.0%) and physically active (42.9%). Even if the psychometric tests need to be worked out with continuity, with satisfactory levels of validity, internal consistency and convergent analysis, it demonstrates that the SOC model is potentially helpful to understand how the Brazilian elderly adapt to their problems of the day-a-day and processed successfully aging.
Trends, drivers, and lessons from a long-term data series of the Asturian (northern Spain) gooseneck barnacle territorial use rights system

The Asturian gooseneck barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes Gmelin, 1790) fishery has been managed through territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) since its inception >20 yrs ago. As part of this agreement, fishers are allotted exclusive extraction rights and active participation in management strategies. In return for these rights, fishers are responsible for gathering data on effort and extraction in the fishery. We used the extensive time-series gathered by the fishers to assess the sustainability of the fishery. Additionally, we used survey techniques to explore the social-ecological drivers of this sustainability. The fishery has succeeded in maintaining or increasing catch per unit effort in all TURFs. Furthermore, the system has received public approval, where 73% of the stakeholders indicated that the only way to maintain a sustainable gooseneck barnacle fishery in Asturias is through the current management regime. The system has contributed to the sustainability of the fishery via: (1) creating a window of opportunity for management of the resource; (2) the continuous incorporation of scientific information and fishers' knowledge into management frameworks; (3) empowerment of the resource users; (4) embracing adaptive capacity through flexible management guidelines; and (5) matching management scales with the main life-history traits of the species. As in any dynamic system, the gooseneck barnacle fishery is currently faced with important challenges that might impact its sustainability, indicating that there are no simple recipes for fisheries management. Nonetheless, this system provides a set of basic principles for TURFs, which may be conducive to adaptive and sustainable fisheries.
Increase in CD 4 + T-Cell Count at the Time of HIV Diagnosis and Antiretroviral Treatment Initiation Among Persons With HIV in New York City

Background. Trends in CD4 T-cell count at human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation can be characterized using laboratory tests from surveillance. Methods. We used CD4 T-cell counts and viral loads from New York City for persons who received a diagnosis of HIV infection during 2006–2012. Results. From 2006 to 2012, the median CD4 T-cell count increased from 325 to 379 cells/μL at diagnosis and from 178 to 360 cells/μL at ART initiation. CD4 T-cell counts were consistently lower in women, blacks, Hispanics, persons who inject drugs, and heterosexuals. Discussion. Increases in CD4 T-cell count at diagnosis and ART initiation suggest that the time from HIV infection to ART initiation has been reduced substantially in New York City.
Competition vs. cooperation: A game-theoretic decision analysis for MIMO HetNets

This paper addresses the problem of competition vs. cooperation in the downlink, between base stations (BSs), of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) interference, heterogeneous wireless network (HetNet). This research presents a scenario where a macrocell base station (MBS) and a cochannel femtocell base station (FBS) each simultaneously serving their own user equipment (UE), has to choose to act as individual systems or to cooperate in coordinated multipoint transmission (CoMP). The paper employes both the theories of non-cooperative and cooperative games in a unified procedure to analyze the decision making process. The BSs of the competing system are assumed to operate at the maximum expected sum rate (MESR) correlated equilibrium (CE), which is compared against the value of CoMP to establish the stability of the coalition. It is proven that there exists a threshold geographical separation, dth, between the macrocell user equipment (MUE) and FBS, under which the region of coordination is non-empty. Theoretical results are verified through simulations.
Observations and modelling of soil slip-debris flow initiation processes in pyroclastic deposits: the Sarno 1998 event

Abstract. Pyroclastic soils mantling a wide area of the Campanian Apennines are subjected to recurrent instability phenomena. This study analyses the 5 and 6 May 1998 event which affected the Pizzo d’Alvano (Campania, southern Italy). More than 400 slides affecting shallow pyroclastic deposits were triggered by intense and prolonged but not extreme rainfall. Landslides affected the pyroclastic deposits that cover the steep calcareous ridges and are soil slip-debris flows and rapid mudflows. About 30 main channels were deeply scoured by flows which reached the alluvial fans depositing up to 400 000 m3 of material in the piedmont areas. About 75% of the landslides are associated with morphological discontinuities such as limestone cliffs and roads. The sliding surface is located within the pyroclastic cover, generally at the base of a pumice layer. Geotechnical characterisation of pyroclastic deposits has been accomplished by laboratory and in situ tests. Numerical modelling of seepage processes and stability analyses have been run on four simplified models representing different settings observed at the source areas. Seepage modelling showed the formation of pore pressure pulses in pumice layers and the localised increase of pore pressure in correspondence of stratigraphic discontinuities as response to the rainfall event registered between 28 April and 5 May. Numerical modelling provided pore pressure values for stability analyses and pointed out critical conditions where stratigraphic or morphological discontinuities occur. This study excludes the need of a groundwater flow from the underlying bedrock toward the pyroclastic cover for instabilities to occur.
From the Paper to the Tablet: On the Design of an AR-Based Tool for the Inspection of Pre-Fab Buildings. Preliminary Results of the SIRAE Project

Energy-efficient Buildings (EeB) are demanded in today’s constructions, fulfilling the requirements for green cities. Pre-fab buildings, which are modularly fully-built in factories, are a good example of this. Although this kind of building is quite new, the in situ inspection is documented using traditional tools, mainly based on paper annotations. Thus, the inspection process is not taking advantage of new technologies. In this paper, we present the preliminary results of the SIRAE project that aims to provide an Augmented Reality (AR) tool that can seamlessly aid in the regular processes of pre-fab building inspections to detect and eliminate the possible existing quality and energy efficiency deviations. In this regards, we show a description of the current inspection process and how an interactive tool can be designed and adapted to it. Our first results show the design and implementation of our tool, which is highly interactive and involves AR visualizations and 3D data-gathering, allowing the inspectors to quickly manage it without altering the way the inspection process is done. First trials on a real environment show that the tool is promising for massive inspection processes.
Data Inferred Multi-word Expressions for Statistical Machine Translation

This paper presents a strategy for detecting and using multi-word expressions in Statistical Machine Translation. Performance of the proposed strategy is evaluated in terms of alignment quality as well as translation accuracy. Evaluations are performed by using the Verbmobil corpus. Results from translation tasks from English-to-Spanish and from Spanish-to-English are presented and discussed.
MRI quantification of non‐Gaussian water diffusion by kurtosis analysis

Quantification of non‐Gaussianity for water diffusion in brain by means of diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) is reviewed. Diffusional non‐Gaussianity is a consequence of tissue structure that creates diffusion barriers and compartments. The degree of non‐Gaussianity is conveniently quantified by the diffusional kurtosis and derivative metrics, such as the mean, axial, and radial kurtoses. DKI is a diffusion‐weighted MRI technique that allows the diffusional kurtosis to be estimated with clinical scanners using standard diffusion‐weighted pulse sequences and relatively modest acquisition times. DKI is an extension of the widely used diffusion tensor imaging method, but requires the use of at least 3 b‐values and 15 diffusion directions. This review discusses the underlying theory of DKI as well as practical considerations related to data acquisition and post‐processing. It is argued that the diffusional kurtosis is sensitive to diffusional heterogeneity and suggested that DKI may be useful for investigating ischemic stroke and neuropathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Model of the Rat Central Nervous System

Central nervous system (CNS) drug disposition is dictated by a drug’s physicochemical properties and its ability to permeate physiological barriers. The blood–brain barrier (BBB), blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and centrally located drug transporter proteins influence drug disposition within the central nervous system. Attainment of adequate brain-to-plasma and cerebrospinal fluid-to-plasma partitioning is important in determining the efficacy of centrally acting therapeutics. We have developed a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model of the rat CNS which incorporates brain interstitial fluid (ISF), choroidal epithelial and total cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments and accurately predicts CNS pharmacokinetics. The model yielded reasonable predictions of unbound brain-to-plasma partition ratio (Kpuu,brain) and CSF:plasma ratio (CSF:Plasmau) using a series of in vitro permeability and unbound fraction parameters. When using in vitro permeability data obtained from L-mdr1a cells to estimate rat in vivo permeability, the model successfully predicted, to within 4-fold, Kpuu,brain and CSF:Plasmau for 81.5% of compounds simulated. The model presented allows for simultaneous simulation and analysis of both brain biophase and CSF to accurately predict CNS pharmacokinetics from preclinical drug parameters routinely available during discovery and development pathways.
Tumor necrosis factor- (cid:2) potentiates the effects of angiotensin II on subfornical organ neurons

the effects of angiotensin II on subfornical organ neurons. mation is thought to play a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of hypertension and heart failure, although the mechanisms for this remain unclear. Proinﬂammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor- (cid:2) (TNF- (cid:2) ), inﬂuence the subfornical organ (SFO) to modulate sympathetic activity and blood pressure. The pressor effects of TNF- (cid:2) in the SFO are partially mediated by angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor type 1 (AT 1 R), and TNF- (cid:2) is known to potentiate ANG II-induced hypertension. However, the cellular mechanism of the interaction between TNF- (cid:2) and ANG II/AT 1 R signaling remains unknown. In the present study, we performed Ca 2 (cid:3) imaging on dissociated SFO neurons in vitro from male Sprague-Dawley rats to determine whether TNF- (cid:2) modulates ANG II-induced increases in intracellular Ca 2 (cid:3) in SFO neurons. We ﬁrst established that a proportion of SFO neurons respond to ANG II, an effect that required AT 1 R signaling and extracellular Ca 2 (cid:3) . We then tested the hypothesis that TNF- (cid:2) may modulate the effects of ANG II on SFO neurons by examining the effects of TNF- (cid:2) treatment on the ANG II-induced rise in intracellular Ca 2 (cid:3) . We discovered that TNF- (cid:2) potentiated the ANG II-induced rise in intracellular Ca 2 (cid:3) , an effect that was dependent on the duration of TNF- (cid:2) treatment. Finally, we determined that this potentiation of ANG II-induced Ca 2 (cid:3) activity relied on tetrodotoxin-sensitive volt-age-gated Na (cid:3) (vgNa (cid:3) ) channels. These data suggest that the potentiation of ANG II/AT 1 R activity by TNF- (cid:2) in SFO neurons results from the previously demonstrated ability of this cytokine to modulate the activation threshold of vgNa (cid:3) currents.
Magnetic excitations in SrCu2O3: a Raman scattering study

We investigated temperature-dependent Raman spectra of the one-dimensional spin-ladder compound ${\mathrm{SrCu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}. $ At low temperatures a two-magnon peak is identified at $3160\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and its temperature dependence analyzed in terms of a thermal-expansion model. We find that the two-magnon peak position must include a cyclic ring exchange of ${J}_{\mathrm{cycl}}{/J}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=0.09\char21{}0.25$ with a coupling constant along the rungs of ${J}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}\ensuremath{\approx}1215{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (1750 K) in order to be consistent with other experiments and theoretical results.
Estudo Cristalográfico de Biofilmes de Kefir

O kefir é um líquido viscoso, com quantidades consideráveis de carbono na bebida láctea e pequenas porções de álcool [8]. Ele é uma bebida de ação probiótica que teve origem na região das montanhas do Cáucaso [16]. Os grãos de Kefir são compostos por microorganismo imobilizados com uma matriz de polissacarídeo e proteína [10]. Eles têm uma complexa composição microbiana, onde há predominância de bactéria do acido láctico, bactérias acéticas, leveduras e fungos [15]. Em 1982 [19] relatou a atividade antitumoral de um polissacarideo solúvel em agua (KGF-C) isolado de grãos de kefir. O kefir possui algumas propriedades terapêuticas, tais como: nutricional [6, 7, 17, 18], antitumoral [4, 11], antibacteriana e antifúngica [2, 20]. Pesquisas recentes estudaram a superfície [13] e a estrutura [5, 13] de biofilmes a base de kefir, os quais demonstraram, respectivamente, que os biofilmes podem ter aplicações distintas, tais como: farmacológicas, já que apresentam uma distribuição uniforme de bactérias nativas do kefir (que são os microrganismos que combatem outros através da competição) na sua superfície e na indústria de alimentos com a obtenção de filme impermeável para a embalagem. Nesta pesquisa, buscou-se estudar a cristalinidade de biofilmes de kefir produzidos com açúcar branco, que é refinado e ao contrário do açúcar mascavo, que possui muitos nutrientes, ele tem maior carga de sacarose e ainda retira minerais do organismo humano para poder ser digerido [1].
An Alternative Splicing Product of the Lamin A/C Gene Lacks Exon 10 (*)

Expression of the A-type lamins was studied in the lung adenocarcinoma cell line GLC-A1. A-type lamins, consisting of lamin A and C, are two products arising from the same gene by alternative splicing. Northern blotting showed in GLC-A1 a relatively low expression level of lamin C and an even lower expression level of lamin A as compared to other adenocarcinoma cell lines. Immunofluorescence studies revealed highly irregular nuclear inclusions of lamin A, suggesting protein or gene expression abnormalities. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-based cDNA analysis followed by sequencing indicated the presence of an as yet unidentified alternative splicing product of the lamin A/C gene. This product differs from lamin A by the absence of the 5′ part of exon 10 (90 nucleotides). Therefore we propose to designate this product lamin AΔ10. Deletion of the 30 amino acids encoded by exon 10 was predicted to result in a shift in pI of the protein from 7.4 to approximately 8.6, which was confirmed by two-dimensional immunoblotting. mRNA analysis in a variety of cell lines, normal colon tissue as well as carcinomas demonstrated the presence of lamin AΔ10 in all samples examined, suggesting its presence in a variety of cell types.
Comprehensive Halftoning of 3D Scenes

The display of images on binary output hardware requires a halftoning step. Conventional halftoning algorithms approximate image values independently from the image content and often introduce artificial texture that obscures fine details. The objective of this research is to adapt a halftoning technique to 3D scene information and thus to enhance the display of computer generated 3D scenes. Our approach is based on the control of halftoning texture by the combination of ordered dithering and error diffusion techniques. We extend our previous work and enable a user to specify the shape, scale, direction, and contrast of the halftoning texture using an external buffer. We control texture shape by constructing a dither matrix from an arbitrary image or a procedural texture. Texture direction and scale are adapted to the external information by the mapping function. Texture contrast and the accuracy of tone reproduction are varied across the image using the error diffusion process. We halftone images of 3D scenes by using the geometry, position, and illumination information to control the halftoning texture. Thus, the texture provides visual cues and can be used to enhance the viewer's comprehension of the display.
A Novel Actuator System Combining Mechanical Vibration and Magnetic Wheels Capable of Rotational Motion Using Shape Memory Alloy Coils

In every country, large steel bridges, such as cable-stayed bridges, are actively being constructed, and the number of such bridges has been progressively increasing. These bridges are often inspected using drones, but inspection techniques have not been established because of strong winds and thunder. Therefore, robots capable of working in difficult environments are desired. In the present study, a prototype of a rotary actuator system combining two iron disks and two electromagnetic-vibration-type actuators was fabricated. A new operation principle was developed that drives the system using the reaction force of the vibration-type actuator. Two shape memory alloy coils and two friction pads were integrated into the system to enable it to carry out turning operations, which were successfully demonstrated. The proposed actuator system can thus move in any direction. In addition, with this actuator system, both slide-on-ceiling and wall-climbing motions are possible.
MODELLING DISCRETE INPUT PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

Sometimes input probability distributions for stochastic models are not so simple that standard distributions suit. In this case, we model with weighted sums of standard distributions. These composed distributions may have many parameters which must be estimated. This is not easy with common estimation methods like maximum-likelihood. We use the genetic algorithm for that. The design of the composed distributions can be done such that the inverse tranformation method for the generation of random variates is feasible.
All APAPs Are Not Equivalent for the Treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing: A Bench Evaluation of Eleven Commercially Available Devices.

STUDY OBJECTIVES This study challenged on a bench-test the efficacy of auto-titrating positive airway pressure (APAP) devices for obstructive sleep disordered breathing treatment and evaluated the accuracy of the device reports. METHODS Our bench consisted of an active lung simulator and a Starling resistor. Eleven commercially available APAP devices were evaluated on their reactions to single-type SDB sequences (obstructive apnea and hypopnea, central apnea, and snoring), and to a long general breathing scenario (5.75 h) simulating various SDB during four sleep cycles and to a short scenario (95 min) simulating one sleep cycle. RESULTS In the single-type sequence of 30-minute repetitive obstructive apneas, only 5 devices normalized the airflow (> 70% of baseline breathing amplitude). Similarly, normalized breathing was recorded with 8 devices only for a 20-min obstructive hypopnea sequence. Five devices increased the pressure in response to snoring. Only 4 devices maintained a constant minimum pressure when subjected to repeated central apneas with an open upper airway. In the long general breathing scenario, the pressure responses and the treatment efficacy differed among devices: only 5 devices obtained a residual obstructive AHI < 5/h. During the short general breathing scenario, only 2 devices reached the same treatment efficacy (p < 0.001), and 3 devices underestimated the AHI by > 10% (p < 0.001). The long scenario led to more consistent device reports. CONCLUSION Large differences between APAP devices in the treatment efficacy and the accuracy of report were evidenced in the current study.