Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive overlapped declustering: a highly available data-placement method balancing access load and space utilization

This paper proposes a new data-placement method named adaptive overlapped declustering, which can be applied to a parallel storage system using a value range partitioning-based distributed directory and primary-backup data replication, to improve the space utilization by balancing their access loads. The proposed method reduces data skews generated by data migration for balancing access load. While some data-placement methods capable of balancing access load or reducing data skew have been proposed, both requirements satisfied simultaneously. The proposed method also improves the reliability and availability of the system because it reduces recovery time for damaged backups after a disk failure. The method achieves this acceleration by reducing a large amount of network communications and disk I/O. Mathematical analysis shows the efficiency of space utilization under skewed access workloads. Queuing simulations demonstrated that the proposed method halves backup restoration time, compared with the traditional chained declustering method.
Epithelial monolayer culture system for real‐time single‐cell analyses

Many epithelial cells form polarized monolayers under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Typically, epithelial cells are cultured for differentiation on insert systems where cells are plated on a porous filter membrane. Although the cultured monolayers have been a standard system to study epithelial physiology, there are some limits: The epithelial cells growing inside the commercial inserts are not optimal to visualize directly through lenses on inverted microscopes. The cell images are optically distorted and background fluorescence is bright due to the filter membrane positioned between the cells and the lens. In addition, the cells are not easily accessible by electrodes due to the presence of tall side walls. Here, we present the design, fabrication, and practical applications of an improved system for analysis of polarized epithelial monolayers. This new system allows (1) direct imaging of cells without an interfering filter membrane, (2) electrophysiological measurements, and (3) detection of apical secretion with minimal dilution. Therefore, our culture method is optimized to study differentiated epithelial cells at the single‐cell and subcellular levels, and can be extended to other cell types with minor modifications.
Automorphisms of Transition Graphs for Elementary Cellular Automata

The transition graph of a cellular automaton (CA) is a graphical representation of the CA’s global dynamics. Studying automorphisms of transition graphs allows us to identify symmetries in this global dynamics. We conduct a computational study of numbers of automorphisms for the elementary cellular automata (ECAs) on finite lattices. The ECAs are partitioned into three classes, depending on how the number of automorphisms varies as a function of the number of cells in the lattice. While one of these classes contains the majority of the ECAs, and encompasses dynamical behaviour ranging from trivial to complex, the other two classes identify those ECAs whose local rule is a nontrivial linear function of its inputs, as well as those ECAs capable of producing chaotic dynamics from ordered initial configurations, and a small number of other “exceptional” ECAs.
Correlation of physical activity and fitness with arches of the foot in children

Summary Study aim: Physical activity is crucial for a child’s development, as well as for the development of the foot. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of the level of physical activity and physical fitness with the arches of the foot in children in non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing conditions. Material and methods: The study population consisted of 92 children aged 10 to 14 years. We assessed their physical fitness with a modified Zuchora test. The modification consisted in choosing three (speed, jumping ability, and flexibility) out of a total of six trials. To assess the physical activity, we used a screening test - the anonymous Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity questionnaire. To analyze the arches of the foot, we used computer equipment based on the Moiré projection method. Results: Pearson’s chi-squared test did not reveal any significant correlation between physical activity, physical fitness, and longitudinal and transversal arches in children. The percentage of normal and high foot arches increased with increasing levels of physical activity and physical fitness. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test analysis confirmed a statistically significant difference (with p < 0.001) in the longitudinal and transversal arches in measurements in non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing conditions. Conclusions: 1. In the examined group, there were functional lateral and longitudinal flat feet. 2. A lowered longitudinal arch foot might reduce physical activity and fitness in adolescents.
A new algorithm for mining frequent connected subgraphs based on adjacency matrices

Most of the Frequent Connected Subgraph Mining (FCSM) algorithms have been focused on detecting duplicate candidates using canonical form (CF) tests. CF tests have high computational complexity, which affects the efficiency of graph miners. In this paper, we introduce novel properties of the canonical adjacency matrices for reducing the number of CF tests in FCSM. Based on these properties, a new algorithm for frequent connected subgraph mining called grCAM is proposed. The experiments on real world datasets show the impact of the proposed properties in FCSM. Besides, the performance of our algorithm is compared against some other reported algorithms.
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus directly attacks Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Cystic fibrosis isolates

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predator bacterial species found in the environment and within the human gut, able to attack Gram-negative prey. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease which usually presents lung colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Here, we investigated the predatory behavior of B. bacteriovorus against these two pathogenic species with: (1) broth culture; (2) “static” biofilms; (3) field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM); (4) “flow” biofilms; (5) zymographic technique. We had the first evidence of B. bacteriovorus survival with a Gram-positive prey, revealing a direct cell-to-cell contact with S. aureus and a new “epibiotic” foraging strategy imaged with FESEM. Mean attaching time of HD100 to S. aureus cells was 185 s, while “static” and “flow” S. aureus biofilms were reduced by 74 (at 24 h) and 46% (at 20 h), respectively. Furthermore, zymograms showed a differential bacteriolytic activity exerted by the B. bacteriovorus lysates on P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The dual foraging system against Gram-negative (periplasmic) and Gram-positive (epibiotic) prey could suggest the use of B. bacteriovorus as a “living antibiotic” in CF, even if further studies are required to simulate its in vivo predatory behavior.
Erythropoietin-independent erythrocyte production: signals through gp130 and c-kit dramatically promote erythropoiesis from human CD34+ cells

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary humoral regulator of erythropoiesis and no other factor has previously been reported to support proliferation and terminal maturation of erythroid cells from hemopoietic stem cells. Here we show that stimulation of glycoprotein (gp130) by a combination of recombinant human soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL-6R) and IL-6 but not sIL-6R or IL-6 alone can support proliferation, differentiation, and terminal maturation of erythroid cells in the absence of EPO from purified human CD34+ cells in suspension culture containing stem cell factor (SCF). A number of erythroid bursts and mixed erythroid colonies also developed in methylcellulose culture under the same combination. The addition of anti-gp130 monoclonal antibodies but not anti-EPO antibody to the same culture completely abrogated the generation of erythroid cells. These results clearly demonstrate that mature erythroid cells can be emerged from hemopoietic progenitors without EPO in vitro. Together with the previous reports that human sera contain detectable levels of sIL-6R, IL-6, and SCF, current data suggest that gp130 signaling in association with c-kit activation may play a role in human erythropoiesis in vivo.
Formation of extrachromosomal circles from telomeric DNA in Xenopus laevis

Instability and plasticity of telomeric DNA, which includes extrachromosomal DNA, are usually correlated with the absence of telomerase and with abnormal growth of mammalian cells. Here, we show the formation of extrachromosomal circular DNA of telomeric repeats (tel‐eccDNA) during the development of Xenopus laevis. Tel‐eccDNA is double‐stranded relaxed circles composed of the vertebrate consensus telomeric repeats (TTAGGG)n. Its size varies from <2 to >20 kb and it comprises up to 10% of the total cellular telomere content of the early embryo (pre‐MBT stage). The amount of tel‐eccDNA is reduced in later developmental stages and in adult tissues. Using a cell‐free system derived from Xenopus egg extracts, we show that tel‐eccDNA can be formed de novo from the telomere chromosomal tracts of sperm nuclei and naked DNA in a replication‐independent manner. These results reveal an unusual plasticity of telomeric DNA during normal development of Xenopus.
Susceptibility of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) to Metarhizium brunneum F52 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) using Three Exposure Assays in the Laboratory

ABSTRACT An emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and granular (G) formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum strain F52 (formerly Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52) were tested against unfed adults and nymphs of Ixodes scapularis Say in the laboratory. Three exposure methods; dip, surface contact, and direct spray application, and three exposure time intervals (3, 30, and 300 min) were used to evaluate the EC formulation. Application rates ranged from 2.6 × 102 to 2.6 × 108 conidia/cm2. The surface treatment was used for granular formulation with concentrations ranging from 2.3 × 105 to 2.3 × 107 conidia/cm2 for same three exposure times. Both the EC and G formulations of this fungus were highly pathogenic against I. scapularis adults and nymphs. Logistic regression analysis found formulation, spore concentration, time of exposure, and observation period were significant or highly significant factors influencing tick mortality. For adult I. scapularis, the spray application with the EC formulation of M. brunneum F52 resulted in a lower LC50 (5.9 × 104 conidia/cm2) at 30 min than surface exposure to the EC (LC50 = 1.3 × 106 conidia/cm2) or G formulation (LC50 = 8.1 × 105 conidia/cm2). At higher concentrations, fungal activity was evident in adult I. scapularis held at 5°C suggesting the fungus may provide control in the cooler fall season. While the observed pathogenicity of a fungus against ticks can be dependent upon the bioassay assessment, we found nymphs and adults of I. scapularis to be highly susceptible to M. brunneum F52, regardless of the exposure method used.
Chronic Exposure to Low Doses of HgCl2 Avoids Calcium Handling Impairment in the Right Ventricle after Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Right ventricle systolic dysfunction is a major risk factor for death and heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI). Heavy metal exposure has been associated with the development of several cardiovascular diseases, such as MI. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic exposure to low doses of mercury chloride (HgCl2) enhances the functional deterioration of right ventricle strips after MI. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control (vehicle); HgCl2 (exposure during 4 weeks- 1st dose 4.6 µg/kg, subsequent dose 0.07 µg/kg/day, i.m. to cover daily loss); MI surgery induced and HgCl2-MI groups. One week after MI, the morphological and hemodynamic measurements and isometric tension of right ventricle strips were investigated. The chronic HgCl2 exposure did not worsen the injury compared with MI alone in the morphological or hemodynamic parameters evaluated. At basal conditions, despite similar maximum isometric force at L-max, relaxation time was increased in the MI group but unaffected in the HgCl2-MI compared to the Control group. Impairment of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function and reduction in the sarcolemmal calcium influx were observed in MI group associated with SERCA2a reduction and increased PLB protein expression. Induction of MI in chronic HgCl2 exposed rats did not cause any alteration in the developed force at L-max, lusitropic function or −dF/dt except for a tendency of a reduction SR function. These findings could be partially explained by the normalization in the sarcolemmal calcium influx and the increase in NCX protein expression observed only in this group. These results suggest that chronic exposure to low doses of HgCl2 prevents the impaired SR function and the reduced sarcolemmal calcium influx observed in MI likely by acting on NCX, PLB and SERCA2a protein expression.
Comparing the Clinical Outcomes Between Insulin-treated and Non-insulin-treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

AbstractSeveral studies have shown coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) to be beneficial in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and multivessel coronary artery diseases. Patients with insulin-treated T2DM (ITDM) are usually patients with poor glycemic control and are expected to suffer more complications compared with patients with non-insulin-treated T2DM (NITDM). However, the adverse clinical outcomes in patients with ITDM and NITDM after CABG are still not very clear. Hence, to solve this issue, we aim to compare the short-and long-term adverse clinical outcomes in a larger number of patients with ITDM and NITDM after CABG, respectively.Randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing the adverse clinical outcomes such as mortality, major adverse events (MAEs), stroke, myocardial infarction, and repeated revascularization in patients with ITDM and NITDM after CABG have been searched from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. A short-term follow-up (⩽30 days) and a long-term follow-up (≥1 year) were considered. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to express the pooled effect on discontinuous variables and the pooled analyses were performed with RevMan 5.3. Eleven studies involving a total of 64,152 patients with T2DM (23,781 patients with ITDM and 40,371 patients with NITDM) have been included in this meta-analysis. During the short-term follow-up period, patients with ITDM had a significantly higher mortality (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.33–1.61, P < 0.00001) and MAEs (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.48–1.87, P < 0.00001). During the long-term follow-up period, patients with ITDM still had a significantly higher rate of mortality, MAEs, and stroke (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02–1.49, P = 0.03; OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.07–2.12, P = 0.02; OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.22–1.59, P < 0.00001, respectively) after CABG. However, our results showed similar repeated revascularization rate between the ITDM and NITDM groups after CABG (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.81–2.12, P = 0.27). According to this study, patients with ITDM had a significantly higher rate of mortality and MAEs compared with patients with NITDM after CABG. Stroke was also significantly higher in patients with ITDM during a long-term follow-up period. However, since the result for the long-term mortality had a higher heterogeneity as compared with the other subgroups, and because a similar revascularization rate was observed between the ITDM and NITDM groups after CABG maybe because of a limited number of patients analyzed, further studies still need to be conducted to completely solve this issue.
Epidemiology of Emergent Madariaga Encephalitis in a Region with Endemic Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis: Initial Host Studies and Human Cross-Sectional Study in Darien, Panama

Background Neurotropic arboviral infections are an important cause of encephalitis. A zoonotic, vector-borne alphavirus, Madariaga virus (MADV; formerly known as South American eastern equine encephalitis virus), caused its first documented human outbreak in 2010 in Darien, Panama, where the genetically similar Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is endemic. We report the results of a seroprevalence survey of animals and humans, illustrating contrasting features of MADV and VEEV ecology and epidemiology. Methods Small mammals were trapped in 42 sites in Darien, Panama, using Sherman traps, Tomahawk traps, and mist nets for bats. Blood was tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies to MADV and VEEV. In addition, bird sera collected in 2007 in Chagres, Panama, were tested for MADV and VEEV neutralizing antibodies. Viremia was ascertained by RT-PCR. Human exposure to these two viruses was determined by IgG ELISA, followed by plaque reduction neutralization tests. To identify relevant risk factors for MADV or VEEV exposure, logistic regression analysis was performed, and the most parsimonious model was selected based on the Akaike information criterion. Results The animal survey yielded 32 bats (16 species), 556 rodents (12 species), and 20 opossums (4 species). The short-tailed cane mouse (Zygodontomys brevicauda) found abundantly in pasture and farms, had the highest MADV seroprevalence (8.3%). For VEEV, the shrub and forest-dwelling long-whiskered rice rat (Transandinomys bolivaris) had the highest seroprevalence (19.0%). Viremia was detected in one animal (Z. brevicauda). Of the 159 bird sera (50 species) tested, none were positive for either virus. In humans (n = 770), neutralizing antibodies to MADV and VEEV were present in 4.8% and 31.5%, respectively. MADV seropositivity was positively associated with cattle ranching, farming, and fishing. Having VEEV antibodies and shrubs near the house diminished risk. Age, forest work, farming and fishing were risk factors for VEEV, while having MADV antibodies, glazed windows, waste pick-up and piped water were protective. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the short-tailed cane mouse and the long-whiskered rice rat serve as hosts for MADV and VEEV, respectively. The preferred habitat of these rodent species coincides with areas associated with human infection risk. Our findings also indicate that MADV emerged recently in humans, and that the transmission cycles of these two sympatric alphaviruses differ spatially and in host utilization.
Constructing the Team: The Antecedents and Effects of Membership Model Divergence

Scholars have established that team membership has wide-ranging effects on cognition, dynamics, processes, and performance. Underlying that scholarship is the assumption that team membership—who is and who is not a team member—is straightforward, unambiguous, and agreed upon by all members. Contrary to this assumption, I posit that mental models of membership increasingly diverge within teams as a result of changing environmental conditions. I build on the literatures on membership and on shared mental models to explore such “membership model divergence. ” In a study of 38 formally defined software and product development teams, I test a model of structural and emergent drivers of membership model divergence and examine its effect on performance operating through team-level cognition. I use the findings of this study to explore its implications for both management theory and managerial practice.
Inactivation and Unfolding of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase from Thermus thermophilus HB27 during Urea and Guanidine Hydrochloride Denaturation

The effects of urea and guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) on the activity, conformation and unfolding process of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase), a thermostable low molecular weight protein from Thermus thermophilus HB27, have been studied. Enzymatic activity assays showed both urea and GdnHCl resulted in the inactivation of PTPase in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Inactivation kinetics analysis suggested that the inactivation of PTPase induced by urea and GdnHCl were both monophasic and reversible processes, and the effects of urea and GdnHCl on PTPase were similar to that of mixed-type reversible inhibitors. Far-ultraviolet (UV) circular dichroism (CD), Tryptophan and 1-anilinonaphthalene -8-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence spectral analyses indicated the existence of a partially active and an inactive molten globule-like intermediate during the unfolding processes induced by urea and GdnHCl, respectively. Based on the sequence alignment and the homolog Tt1001 protein structure, we discussed the possible conformational transitions of PTPase induced by urea and GdnHCl and compared the conformations of these unfolding intermediates with the transient states in bovine PTPase and its complex structures in detail. Our results may be able to provide some valuable clues to reveal the relationship between the structure and enzymatic activity, and the unfolding pathway and mechanism of PTPase.
Remote Sensing Target Recognition Based on Contourlet and Kernel Fisher Discriminant

An efficient feature extraction method for remote sensing target recognition was proposed in this paper, which was based on contourlet and kernel Fisher discriminant (KFD). After the contourlet decomposition, the contourlet features are fused (the weight for fusion is chosen by cross validation), and then KFD was used for further feature extraction, finally k-nearest-neighbor (KNN) was used for classification. Experimental results show that the proposed feature extraction method reach a higher correct rate than KFD and the method which use KFD on the lowpass filtered images. Moreover, when dealing with large scale images our method achieves a lower computation complexity than KFD
Climate change threatens European conservation areas

Europe has the world's most extensive network of conservation areas. Conservation areas are selected without taking into account the effects of climate change. How effectively would such areas conserve biodiversity under climate change? We assess the effectiveness of protected areas and the Natura 2000 network in conserving a large proportion of European plant and terrestrial vertebrate species under climate change. We found that by 2080, 58 ± 2.6% of the species would lose suitable climate in protected areas, whereas losses affected 63 ± 2.1% of the species of European concern occurring in Natura 2000 areas. Protected areas are expected to retain climatic suitability for species better than unprotected areas (P<0.001), but Natura 2000 areas retain climate suitability for species no better and sometimes less effectively than unprotected areas. The risk is high that ongoing efforts to conserve Europe's biodiversity are jeopardized by climate change. New policies are required to avert this risk.