Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermobiology, energetics and activity patterns of the Eastern tube-nosed bat (Nyctimene robinsoni) in the Australian tropics: effect of temperature and lunar cycle

SUMMARY Currently, there are no data on the thermal biology of free-ranging pteropodid bats (Chiroptera). Therefore, our aim was to investigate physiological and behavioural strategies employed by the fruit bat Nyctimene robinsoni (body mass ∼50 g) in winter in tropical Northern Queensland in relation to ambient temperature (Ta) and the lunar cycle. Daily body temperature (Tb) fluctuations in free-ranging bats were measured via radio-telemetry and metabolic rate was measured in captivity via open-flow respirometry (Ta, 15–30°C). Free-ranging bats showed a significant 24 h circadian cycle in Tb, with the lowest Tb at the end of the rest phase just after sunset and the highest Tb at the end of the activity phase just before sunrise. Average daily core Tb ranged from 34.7±0.6 to 37.3±0.8°C (mean ± s.d.) over an average daily Ta range of 17.1±1.1 to 23.5±1.8°C. Tb never fell below 30°C but Tb was significantly reduced during the full moon period compared with that during the new moon period. Tb was correlated with Ta during the second half of the rest phase (P<0.001) but not during the active phase. Resting metabolic rate of bats was significantly affected by Ta (P<0.001, R2=0.856). Our results show that tube-nosed bats exhibit reduced Tb on moonlit nights when they reduce foraging activity, but during our study torpor was not expressed. The energy constraints experienced here by tube-nosed bats with relatively moderate Ta fluctuations, short commuting distances between roosting and feeding locations, and high availability of food were probably not substantial enough to require use of torpor.
Megakaryocyte morphology and its impact in predicting response to steroid in immune thrombocytopenia

Abstract Pathogenetic mechanisms of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) include antibody-mediated destruction of platelets; cell-mediated destruction and suppressed thrombopoiesis. Various morphological changes in megakaryocytes are reported in ITP patients, but never these were correlated with the response to various forms of therapy. In the present study, we intended to find out the impact of megakaryocytic abnormalities on the response to steroid, the first line of treatment. The mean age of patients (n = 33) was 28.9 ± 7.6 years. Male/female ratio was 1/1.8. The mean platelet count at presentation was 5.6 ± 4.4 × 109/L. 63.6% (21/33) patients showed response to steroid. The non-responders were given 50 mg/d TPO-RA (eltrombopag) in addition to steroid, to which, 83.3% (10/12) responded. Two-third patients (66.7%, n = 22) had normal megakaryocyte morphology. Those with abnormal morphology commonly had hypolobated forms and micromegakaryocytes. Ninety-five percent of steroid responders had normal megakaryocytic morphology. Among steroid non-responders, most patients (n = 10, 83.3%) had abnormal megakaryocytic morphology. 80% steroid non-responders with abnormal morphology responded to the addition of eltrombopag. The findings suggest that the abnormal megakaryocyte morphology can be an evidence of dominant pathogenetic mechanism and thereby can help us in individualizing the treatment of ITP.
Inter-network bias: Impact on multi-network TDOA

The growth of applications relying on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) brings to light the need of verification and trustworthiness of AIS data. AIS data are vulnerable to false or missing declarations requiring the implementation of measures increasing the trustworthiness of AIS messages. One of the possible solution is the comparison between the reported vessel position and the position estimated using for example radiolocalization techniques. The usage of AIS signals for radi-olocalization has been already demonstrated, however the main limitation of this technique is the limited coverage. In order to extend the coverage area, data from different networks should be used. In this case an inter-network time bias has to be considered. This offset is due to the lack of standardization about the specific synchronization technique, hence each AIS receiver manufacturer can implement time extraction using different algorithms. If devices from the same manufacturer are employed, the offset between the receivers is negligible, whereas if dissimilar receivers are used, the offsets could prevent the correct outcome of the classical radiolocalization techniques. In order to fill in this gap, a “Multi-Network (MN) Time Difference Of Arrival (TDOA)” algorithm has been designed. The approach extends the traditional TDOA technique, by working out any synchronization problem. The algorithm has been tested in simulated scenarios. From the results, the effects of the inter-network bias have been investigated and the benefits of the inclusion of heterogeneous stations, either non-synchronized or with different accuracies, have been shown. Moreover, the maximum tolerable anachronism between the receivers included in the network has been evaluated.
Possible role for anisodamine in organophosphate poisoning

In cases of organophosphate poisoning, patients are treated with a combination of antidotes. In addition to these poison‐directed antidotes, patients may require extra oxygen and artificial ventilation; other modalities may also be needed due to the wide range of toxic effects. Anisodamine is a belladonna alkaloid, and like other drugs from this family is non subtype‐selective muscarinic, and a nicotinic cholinoceptor antagonist, which has been employed in traditional Chinese medicine. As a muscarinic antagonist, it displays similar pharmacological effects to atropine and scopolamine. However, anisodamine is not only less potent than atropine and scopolamine but also less toxic. Current in vitro and animal model studies have demonstrated that anisodamine has protective effects in a variety of diseases. Organophosphate poisoning involves not only the central and peripheral nervous systems, but also the cardiac and respiratory systems, as well as activation of inflammatory processes and oxidative stress. Therefore, the anticholinergic and additional activities of anisodamine appear to be relevant and justify its consideration as an addition to the existing remedies. However, more research is needed, as at present data on the role of anisodamine in the management of organophosphate poisoning are limited. Here, we review the beneficial effects of anisodamine on processes relevant to organophosphate poisoning.
Mycobacterium avium Infection of Epithelial Cells Results in Inhibition or Delay in the Release of Interleukin-8 and RANTES

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium avium is an opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients, who acquire the infection mainly through the gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies in vitro have shown thatM. avium invades epithelial cells of both intestinal and laryngeal origin. In addition, M. avium enters the intestinal mucosa of healthy mice. Because M. aviuminvasion of the intestinal mucosa in vivo initially is not accompanied by significant influx of inflammatory cells, we sought to determine whether M. avium would trigger chemokine release upon entry into epithelial cells by using HT-29 intestinal and HEp-2 laryngeal epithelial cell lines. Chemokine synthesis was measured both by the presence of specific mRNA and protein secretion in the cell culture supernatant as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Infection of HT-29 intestinal cells with M. avium did not induce the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) or RANTES for up to 7 days postinfection. However, infection of HEp-2 cells resulted in the release of IL-8 and RANTES at 72 h. Similar findings were observed with other AIDS M. avium isolates belonging to different serovars. Secretion of IL-8 by HEp-2 cells was dependent upon bacterial uptake. In addition, prior infection with M. aviumsuppressed IL-8 production by HT-29 cells infected withSalmonella typhimurium. Our results suggest that M. avium infection of epithelial cells is associated with a delay in IL-8 and RANTES production which, in the case of HT-29, is prolonged up to 1 week. These findings may explain the weak inflammatory response after intestinal mucosa invasion in mice and are probably related with the ability of the bacterium to evade the host’s immune response.
Monitoring of global cerebral ischemia using wavelet entropy rate of change

In this paper, the subband wavelet entropy (SWE) and its time difference are proposed as two quantitative measures for analyzing and segmenting the electroencephalographic (EEG) signals. SWE for EEG subbands, namely Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, is calculated and segmented using wavelet analysis. In addition, a time difference entropy measure was calculated because it does not require a baseline and equals to zero in all clinical bands as the initial condition. Visual and quantitative results were obtained from 11 rodents that were subjected to 3, 5, and 7 min of global ischemic brain injury by asphyxic cardiac arrest. We found that the time difference of SWE is capable of amplifying the variations between clinical bands during the various stages of the recovery process and may serve as a novel analytical approach to grade and classify brain rhythms during global ischemic brain injury and recovery.
The challenges confronting clinicians in rural acute care settings: a participatory research project.

INTRODUCTION In Australia, as in many other developed countries, the current healthcare environment is characterised by increasing differentiation and patient acuity, aging of patients and workforce, staff shortages and a varied professional skills mix, and this is particularly so in rural areas. Rural healthcare clinicians are confronted with a broad range of challenges in their daily practice. Within this context, the challenges faced by rural acute care clinicians were explored and innovative strategies suggested. This article reports the findings of a study that explored these challenges across disciplines in acute healthcare facilities in rural New South Wales (NSW), Australia. METHODS A mixed method approach, involving a consultative, participatory 3 stage data collection process was employed to engage with a range of healthcare clinicians from rural acute care facilities in NSW. Participants were invited to complete a survey, followed by focus group discussions and finally facilitated workshops using nominal group technique. RESULTS The survey findings identified the respondents' top ranked challenges. These were organised into four categories: (1) workforce issues; (2) access, equity and opportunity; (3) resources; and (4) contextual issues. Participants in the focus groups were provided with a summary of the survey findings to prompt discussion about the challenges identified and impact of these on their professional and personal lives. The results of the final workshop stage of the study used nominal group process to focus the discussion on identifying strategies to address identified challenges. CONCLUSIONS This study builds on research conducted in a large metropolitan tertiary referral hospital. While it was found that rural clinicians share some of the challenges identified by their metropolitan counterparts, some identified challenges and solutions were unique to the rural context and require the innovative solutions suggested by the participants. This article provides insight into the working world of rural healthcare clinicians and offers practical solutions to some of the identified issues. The findings of this study may assist rurally based healthcare services to attract and retain clinical staff.
Properties of postural adjustments associated with rapid arm movements.

1. We have examined rapid postural adjustments associated with a class of voluntary movements that disturb postural equilibrium. In the text that follows, these motor activities are termed associated postural adjustments and voluntary focal movements, respectively. Standing human subjects performed a variety of movement tasks on a hand-held manipulandum, resulting in disturbances to their postural equilibrium. The experimental use of movements that interact with the subject's environment in a relatively simple was permitted a more precise comparison of the postural adjustments with their associated focal movements. 2. Subjects either pulled or pushed on a stiff interface (the handle) or they responded in a predetermined way to handle perturbations. These activities were carried out with various degrees of steady-state postural stability. Prior to and during these movements, support surface and handle forces, electromyographic (EMG) signals, and body sway were monitored. 3. In addition to previously shown postural adjustments associated with reaction-time armed movements, we have demonstrated these postural activities occur in concept with segmental stretch reflexes and self-initiated (untriggered) movements. Postural adjustments were initiated shortly before all focal movements tested except the short-latency component of the biceps stretch reflex (25- to 30-ms latency). However, this reflex component was rarely elicited by handle perturbations in free-standing subjects; therefore, postural adjustments usually preceded any biceps activity under this condition. 4. By varying the degree of steady-state postural equilibrium, a reciprocal gain/threshold relationship between postural and focal components was documented, i.e., when stability was high, postural activity was reduced or absent and focal activity enhanced. Conversely, the biceps stretch reflex was difficult to elicit under any condition where the subjects was not fully supported in the direction of movement and reaction times of focal movements were prolonged. 5. Postural activities associated with focal movements were found to share a number of organizational properties with automatic postural adjustments to support surface movements. Specifically, the postural muscle synergies were equivalent in muscle composition, relative activation magnitudes, and relative temporal sequencing. Furthermore, both types of postural adjustments were highly specific in locus and magnitude to the quality of steady-state postural equilibrium (e.g., postural "set"). 6. A conceptual model is proposed that suggests one simple way in which the reciprocal influence of postural set on postural and focal movement components and their temporal sequencing might be accomplished. Furthermore, we propose in this model a common central organization of postural adjustments associated with focal movements and those elicited by support-surface movements.
Conditional Systemic Risk with Penalized Copula

Financial contagion and systemic risk measures are commonly derived from conditional quantiles by using imposed model assumptions such as a linear parametrization. In this paper, we provide model free measures for contagion and systemic risk which are independent of the speci - cation of conditional quantiles and simple to interpret. The proposed systemic risk measure relies on the contagion measure, whose tail behavior is theoretically studied. To emphasize contagion from extreme events, conditional quantiles are speci ed via hierarchical Archimedean copula. The parameters and structure of this copula are simultaneously estimated by imposing a non-concave penalty on the structure. Asymptotic properties of this sparse estimator are derived and small sample properties illustrated using simulations. We apply the proposed framework to investigate the interconnectedness between American, European and Australasian stock market indices, providing new and interesting insights into the relationship between systemic risk and contagion. In particular, our ndings suggest that the systemic risk contribution from contagion in tail areas is typically lower during times of nancial turmoil, while it can be signi cantly higher during periods of low volatility.
Cortical stimulation mapping of language cortex by using a verb generation task: effects of learning and comparison to mapping based on object naming.

OBJECT Cortical stimulation mapping has traditionally relied on disruption of object naming to define essential language areas. In this study, the authors reviewed the use of a different language task, verb generation, in mapping language. This task has greater use in brain imaging studies and may be used to test aspects of language different from those of object naming. METHODS In 14 patients, cortical stimulation mapping performed using a verb generation task provided a map of language areas in the frontal and temporoparietal cortices. These verb generation maps often overlapped object naming ones and, in many patients, different areas of cortex were found to be involved in the two functions. In three patients, stimulation mapping was performed during the initial performance of the verb generation task and also during learned performance of the task. Parallel to findings of published neuroimaging studies, a larger area of stimulated cortex led to disruption of verb generation in response to stimulation during novel task performance than during learned performance. CONCLUSIONS Results of cortical stimulation mapping closely resemble those of functional neuroimaging when both implement the verb generation task. The precise map of the temporoparietal language cortex depends on the task used for mapping.
Bank Depositors' Role as a Disciplinary Force in Indian Banking: A Dynamic Panel Approach

The New Basel Capital Accord recognises that market discipline (Pillar III) has the potential to reinforce minimum capital standards (Pillar I) and the supervisory review process (Pillar II), and so promote safety and soundness in banks and financial systems. A number of studies in the context of developed financial system find support for this complementary relationship. However, one important question that can be raised in this context is the extent to which market can be relied upon to act as an effective disciplinary force in the immature financial markets dotting the developing economies, including India. This paper addresses this issue by examining the behaviour of the bank depositors in India. More specifically, it attempts to ascertain whether depositors respond to changes in bank fundamentals, both in terms of deposit held with a bank as well as interest received on it. Considering that a bank's ability to change interest rates (in addition to bank fundamentals) may also influence depositors' willingness to hold deposit with the concerned bank, a possibility arises that depositors' reaction and banks' response (in terms of interest rate payable on deposits) may be a jointly determined process. To account for this dynamic process, the Arellano-Bond dynamic panel generalised methods of moments (GMM) estimation method is employed. The results fail to find any significant evidence of discipline being exerted by the bank depositors. This highlights the limitations of relying on market forces as a disciplinary mechanism in cases of underdeveloped financial systems and the necessity to maintain a high capital standard as well as a vigilant and strong supervisory process.
Design and Optimization of Three-Dimensional Integrated Lens Antennas With Genetic Algorithm

A computer-aided design tool for the optimization of three-dimensional integrated lens antennas (ILAs) is described. The optimization procedure is based on a genetic algorithm (GA) coupled to the hybrid geometrical/physical optics (GO/PO) method of analysis. It is the first time that this global numerical search technique has been applied to design 3-D shaped ILAs. To validate the proposed methodology and the numerical algorithms, two single-material ILAs are optimized and fabricated at 28 GHz. They radiate a sectoral beam and an elliptical Gaussian beam, respectively. The lens prototypes are fed by an aperture-coupled microstrip patch antenna. The influence of the lens dimensions and internal reflections on the far-field radiation patterns is also highlighted when designing shaped lenses. Comparison between experiments and numerical predictions (GO/PO and finite-difference time-domain) successfully validates our design tool
Alphavirus spike-nucleocapsid interaction and network antibodies

Vaux et al. (D. J. T. Vaux, A. Helenius, and I. Mellman, Nature (London) 336:36-42, 1988) recently reported the production of network antibodies that were suggested to have reconstructed a specific interaction between the nucleocapsid of Semliki Forest virus and the cytoplasmic tail of the viral E2 spike protein. The F13 anti-idiotype antibody, which was raised against anti-E2 tail antibodies, was claimed to recognize the virus nucleocapsid. In this report, we have used recombinant SFV viruses to demonstrate that the F13 antibody is not nucleocapsid specific but instead most likely recognizes some component of the viral replication machinery.
Beaver Foraging Preferences and Impacts on Forest Structure in New York’s Adirondack Mountains

Beavers (Castor canadensis) are ecosystem engineers, causing changes at the landscape level due to a combination of their damming and foraging activities. As beaver dam streams, create ponds, and maintain canopy openings, the comprehensive impacts of beaver constitute a rare source of ongoing disturbance in the forests of northeastern North America. Though the behaviors and impacts of beaver on riparian communities have been well studied in several forest regions, they are poorly understood within forests of the northeastern United States, where beaver populations are still rebounding following regional extirpation, and beaver impacts to the forest potentially represent an important source of disturbance in a region where other drivers such as fire and timber cutting have been greatly reduced over the last century. Given the unique composition, management history, and disturbance regimes of forests within this region, there is a need for new research to quantify impacts in this region and to compare beaver foraging preferences and disturbance impacts to other regions. In this context, I conducted field surveys throughout New York’s Adirondack State Park in summer 2018 to assess beaver foraging preferences and the impacts of beaver activity on forest structure and composition. Across 19 sites distributed broadly across the Park, beavers preferentially harvested stems between 2 and 10 centimeters, with the 2 to 5 centimeter size class most preferred overall. Deciduous tree species were preferentially harvested, with typically disfavored species such as American beech (Fagus grandifolia) harvested at higher rates than in studies from other regions. Logistic regression models showed clear foraging preferences for stems closer to the impoundment of intermediate sizes for all modeled groupings and species. Impacts on forest structure generally resembled those found in other regions, while preferred species differed greatly. Understanding the impacts beavers will have on forests in the Northeast is crucially important as beaver continue to recolonize their historic range, creating new management challenges and opportunities in years to come. Table of