Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Costly help of audiovisual bimodality for female mate choice in a nocturnal anuran (Hyla arborea)

In nocturnal anurans, females often have to choose a mate in a sensory-challenging situation--noisy background and high density of potential mates. Multimodality can help female choice by improving mate choice accuracy or reducing time to choose. Here, we conducted 2 choice experiments in the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) to test this question in 2 sensory conditions of large or reduced difference between potential targets, the latter being a discrimination challenge for females. We examined female choice (target, time to choose) in 3 conditions: unimodal conditions with varying acoustic signals, multimodal conditions with nondiscriminating acoustic signals and varying visual signals, and multimodal conditions with varying both acoustic and visual signals. We find that females are less accurate and take more time to choose when targets are more similar. The use of 2 varying sensory modalities reduces latency to choose when targets largely differ. It improves mate choice accuracy when targets are more similar. This improvement is associated to a longer time to choose, suggesting a speed--accuracy trade-off, which is shown for the first time in a mate choice context. We also find that the presence of nondiscriminating acoustic cues is not helpful for mate choice. Finally, we show that females choose the high-quality stimulus more quickly and suggest that this temporal gain may be reinforced when targets are more similar. We discuss our results in relation to female sampling tactics and to the benefits and costs of multimodality. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Models for Dynamic Exploration of the Statespaces of Autonomous Vehicles

We present multi-agent timed models, called MAPTs, where each agent is associated with a regular timed schema upon which all possible actions of the agent rely. MAPTs allow for a layered structure of the state space, so that it is possible to explore the latter dynamically and use heuristics to greatly reduce the computation time needed to address reachability problems. We then use an available tool for the Petri net implementation of MAPTs, to explore the state space of autonomous vehicle systems and compare this exploration with timed automata-based approaches in terms of ex- pressiveness of available queries and computation time.
Adversarial Control of Neural Network Policies

Neural Networks are beginning to control many safety critical systems with physical presence. However, evaluating the robustness of such physical systems is difficult, and requires significant time, space, resources, and a legal framework to allow for such tests. In this paper, we present a system to evaluate the robustness of a self-driving car within a simulated physical system. This approach shows the difficulty of adversarial control on such systems, as well as presenting an application off which future work may be built.
Inward Tension of Talin and Integrin-related Osmotic Pressure are involved Synergetically in the Invasion and Metastasis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

The integrin receptor protein talin plays vital roles in intracellular chemical and mechanical activities, and it is implicated in the high invasion and poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To better understand the mechanism underlying the function of talin in NSCLC invasion and metastasis, a few newly designed tension probe based on Förster resonance energy transfer was used for real-time observation of tension changes in A549 cells. High NSCLC cell aggressiveness was found to be accompanied with inward talin and outward glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) tensions, which are closely associated with microfilament (MF) force and intracellular osmotic potential. The increased osmotic pressure resulted from the production of intracellular protein nanoparticles and the related ion influx. Furthermore, integrin activation was found to adjust the talin and GFAP tensions. Disruption of the interaction between talin and MFs blocked the mechanical source of talin, reducing both talin tension and osmotic pressure and thus inhibiting NSCLC cell invasion and migration. Consequently, our study demonstrates that talin is involved in NSCLC invasion and migration via its inward tension and that the integrin pathway is correlated closely with protein-nanoparticle-induced outward osmotic pressure.
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AS MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR THE INTRACELLULAR AND CELL WALL DISTRIBUTION OF CARRAGEENAN EPITOPES IN KAPPAPHYCUS (RHODOPHYTA) DURING TISSUE DEVELOPMENT 1

Carrageenan, the major cell wall carbohydrate of certain red algae, is variable in structure and gelling properties. Sequence types include gelling (kappa and iota) and nongelling (lambda) types in addition to precursors, often in hybrid molecules containing more than one precursor and/or sequence type. Molecular markers to subunits were needed to study carrageenan synthesis, cell wall organization, and the relationship between structure and function. Monoclonal antibodies were produced to carrageenan, and their specificities were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Antibodies were identified with specificities related to kappa, iota, and lambda carrageenan. The patterns of immunofluorescence localization on Kappaphycus alvarezii = Eucheuma alvarezii var. tambalang (Doty) sections were distinctive for each antibody. The antibody to a kappa‐related epitope labeled mature tissue strongly; antibodies to an iota‐related epitope and a lambda‐related epitope labeled weakly, consistent with the kappa‐enriched carrageenan produced by this alga. Kappa‐related epitopes were distributed throughout the wall and matrix, whereas iota‐related epitopes were concentrated in the middle lamella. Lambda‐related epitopes were localized primarily at the plant cuticle where kappa and iota antigens were lacking. An antibody appeared to be specific for a precursor of the gelling subunits because it showed maximal wall and intracellular labeling at the youngest developmental stage. All antibodies labeled intracellular inclusions in the transition zone between the epidermis and medulla during the development of medullary cells from the peripheral meristem in young branches. The results demonstrate the intracellular synthesis of epitopes related to all major carrageenan subunits and their differential extracellular distribution.
Friction and wear behaviour of copper reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene based polymer composite developed by fused deposition modelling process

This paper focuses on the development of copper filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) composites by fused deposition modelling (FDM) and to characterize its friction and wear behaviour. Twin screw extrusion technique was employed to extract copper-ABS composite filament. Three different materials were tested, i.e. pure ABS, ABS+2.5wt% Cu and ABS+5wt% Cu. Friction and wear characteristics of pure ABS and copper filled ABS composites were tested under various loads and sliding velocities. Addition of Copper powder has significantly improved the friction and wear properties of the developed composites. Further, it is also observed that friction and wear behaviour increased with increase in copper content in ABS. Worn out surfaces were subjected to scanning electron microscopy studies to analyse and identify the possible wear mechanisms involved.
Does Investment Banks Going Public Influence their Underwriting Behavior? Evidence from Earnings Management of IPO Firms

We investigate how going public influences investment banks’ (IBs’) underwriting behavior from the perspective of earnings management of IPO firms. We find that IPO firms underwritten by listed IBs versus non-listed IBs have higher levels of earnings management. The IB listing effect is more pronounced when IBs have stronger economic incentive, face greater performance pressure, and have poorer corporate governance. In addition, IPO firms underwritten by listed IBs are more likely to pass IPO screening and obtain higher IPO prices when engaging in stronger earnings management. In addition, the market cannot credibly detect earnings management of IPO firms underwritten by listed IBs, which further strengthens the incentive of listed IBs to boost the earnings management of their IPO clients. Furthermore, IPO firms underwritten by listed IBs have worse post-IPO accounting performance reversal and lower stock returns. Our evidence documents that going public induces myopic behavior of IBs, which negatively affects the resource allocation efficiency of the IPO market.
The genus Ramalina in Brazil

Abstract Twenty-two species of Ramalina are reported from Brazil. Their taxonomy is discussed and a key is provided. Ramalina denticulata var. stephanophora is reduced to synonymy with R. aspera, R. flagellifera with R. camptospora, R. denticulata var. subolivacea and R. complanata f. reagens with R. complanata, R. dendriscoidella and R. tenella with R. dendroides, and R. bicolor with R. gracilis. Ramalina asahinae, R. calcarata, R. pusiola, R. sorediosa, and R. sprengelii are new to Brazil.
SDMtoolbox: a python‐based GIS toolkit for landscape genetic, biogeographic and species distribution model analyses

Species distribution models (SDMs) are broadly used in ecological and evolutionary studies. Almost all SDM methods require extensive data preparation in a geographic information system (GIS) prior to model building. Often, this step is cumbersome and, if not properly done, can lead to poorly parameterized models or in some cases, if too difficult, prevents the realization of SDMs. Further, for many studies, the creation of SDMs is not the final result and the post‐modelling processing can be equally arduous as other steps. SDMtoolbox is designed to facilitate many complicated pre‐ and post‐processing steps commonly required for species distribution modelling and other geospatial analyses. SDMtoolbox consists of 59 Python script‐based GIS tools developed and compiled into a single interface. A large set of the tools were created to complement SDMs generated in Maxent or to improve the predictive performance of SDMs created in Maxent. However, SDMtoolbox is not limited to analyses of Maxent models, and many tools are also available for additional analyses or general geospatial processing: for example, assessing landscape connectivity of haplotype networks (using least‐cost corridors or least‐cost paths); correcting SDM over‐prediction; quantifying distributional changes between current and future SDMs; or for calculating several biodiversity metrics, such as corrected weighted endemism. SDMtoolbox is a free comprehensive python‐based toolbox for macroecology, landscape genetic and evolutionary studies to be used in ArcGIS 10.1 (or higher) with the Spatial Analyst extension. The toolkit simplifies many GIS analyses required for species distribution modelling and other analyses, alleviating the need for repetitive and time‐consuming climate data pre‐processing and post‐SDM analyses.
IDENTIFICATION OF GENOMIC REGIONS AFFECTING VEGETATIVE PHASE CHANGE IN A SWEET CORN (Zea mays L.) POPULATION 1

Higher plants have two distinct vegetative phases of growth, juvenile and adult. These phases are characterized by morphological and biochemical differ- ences. In maize (Zea mays L.), an association has been described between timing of vegetative phase change and the heterochronic mutant Glossy 15 in several genetic backgrounds. The objective of this study was to identify QTL (quantitative trait loci) associated with vegetative phase change traits in a sweet corn population. One hun- dred and thirty S 3 families of population GM(21Bx11B) were evaluated for vegetative phase change traits, and were used as a mapping population for QTL detection. There were highly significant genotypic effects for all veg- etative phase change traits. A single QTL, associated with marker bnlg127, was significantly associated with each of the vegetative phase change traits evaluated in this popu- lation. This QTL mapped to the long arm of LG9, to a similar position as Gl15.
Natural variation in Arabidopsis root plasticity reveals a role for HKT1-mediated ion transport in lateral root formation

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Probabilistic Item Social Reputation Model for Recommender System

Recommender system has been quite popular in today’s commercial and entertainment business. With strong support of the recommender, a customer spends less time in searching for products that he/she desires. However, the final decision in selecting the one from available options sometimes is time-consuming? Enhancing current recommender system by influencing customers’ decision is more important to improve conversion rate in internet marking. Under such background, we proposed a new concept, namely, Item Social Reputation (ISR), which may influence customers’ buying decisions with social knowledge. We present a probabilistic model to generate ISR. At last, we compared our algorithms with other influential models in sentimental analysis domain, namely, JST, AUSM, and found that our model outperformed them.
Changes of antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and vitamin C contents during Rubus coreanus fruit ripening

Changes in antioxidant activity of Rubus coreanus fruit of 3 clones (S13, S14, and S16), which were selected from different sites, were studied at different ripening stages. Antioxidant activities (free radical scavenging activity and reducing power) were determined and their relationships to total phenolic contents and ascorbic acid were analyzed. The highest free radical scavenging activities of 3 clones (S13, S14, and S16) were 79.39, 75.80, and 81.16% at 125 μg/mL, respectively. In general, the antioxidant activity and the related parameters, including total phenolic content and vitamin C content decreased during fruit ripening. Total phenolic contents of the R. coreanus fruits (S13, S14, and S16) were correlated with free radical scavenging activity (R 2 =0.8114, 0.9186, and 0.9714). These results improve knowledge of the effect of ripening on the antioxidant activity and related compounds contents that could help to establish the optimum R. coreanus fruit harvest data for various usages.
An appraisal in pollen biology and fruit set of some ethnomedicinal angiosperms in Darjeeling Himalaya

The present paper deals with pollen biology in terms of pollen productivity, pollen sterility and pollen viability in the context of fruit set of eight selected ethnomedicinally important angiospermic taxa like Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. (Ranunculaceae); Aeschynanthus sikkimensis (Cl.) Stapf. (Gesneriaceae); Curcuma zeodaria Rosc. (Zingiberaceae); Nardostachys jatamansi DC. (Valerianaceae); Panax pseudoginseng Wall. (Araliaceae); Swertia pedicillata Ban. (Gentianaceae); Thalictrum foliolosum DC. (Ranunculaceae) and Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Edgew. (Rutaceae) growing in the vicinity of Darjeeling Himalaya. Among the investigated taxa, pollen productivity, sterility and viability were highest in Curcuma zeodaria and lowest in Swertia pedicillata. The variability and positive correlation of log values between pollen production, sterility, viability and fruit set of selected taxa were noticed. From present finding it is concluded that the pollen biology in terms of productivity, sterility, viability and fruit set showed significant variation and correlation with each other among different selected taxa and even within same taxon. The results are discussed in terms of evolutionary relationship and sexual fitness of selected ethnomedicinal plants.
OIS Risk Premiums

The finance industry adopts OIS rates as default-free benchmark and even interprets OIS rates as expectations of overnight rates, presuming no interest-rate risk premium. We present evidence of OIS risk premiums and, most importantly, identify the sources of risks. Exposure to FOMC meetings predicts the premiums during the financial crisis, demonstrating the pricing of monetary policy uncertainty. Interest-rate volatility predicts the premiums during and after the crisis, and counterparty credit spreads predict the premiums mainly before the crisis. Our results caution against the interpretation of OIS rates as expectations but support the post-crisis adoption of OIS rates as default-free benchmark.
SYSTEMATICS OF THE CORAL GENUS ACROPORA: Implications of New Biological Findings for Species Concepts

The large coral genus Acropora occurs throughout the world's reefs and is potentially a model for evolution and development of modem reef faunas. New research including breeding trials and genetic analyses of sympatric popula­ tions of Acropora and other corals is suggesting misalignments of breeding, morphological and genetic boundaries such that species limits may be some­ times narrower, sometimes broader, than presently perceived. Ongoing bio­ geographic and phylogenetic analyses are reexamining coral species in space and time and generating hypotheses about the origination of species. Synthesis of new findings from these research areas with preliminary insights from molecular data on species boundaries and phylogenies is allowing assessment of the current taxonomic framework of Acropora and of the order Scleractinia. The tacit assumption that currently defined coral species encompass biological, evolutionary, and phylogenetic species concepts may be unfounded.
Caste differentiation and seasonal changes in Vespa velutina (Hym.: Vespidae) colonies in its introduced range

Since its introduction in France 10 years ago, the yellow‐legged hornet, Vespa velutina, has rapidly spread to neighbouring countries (Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Germany). It showed efficient social traits facilitating its invasive success. Only scarce and incomplete natural history studies were known from its native distribution area. Studying the biology of this species in its invasive distribution range was thus a prerequisite to the implementation of efficient control methods in a near future. During a 3‐year field survey, we collected 77 nests to investigate several of the species' key colony characteristics. Our results enabled us to accurately quantify each of the castes and to better understand their synchronicity throughout the season. Our study showed that mature nests are able to produce up to 13 000 individuals and that the size of mature nests is correlated to the number of individuals produced. This correlation enables the inference of one characteristic from the other. Furthermore, each mature nest can produce up to several hundreds of potential founder queens, a crucial datum in the light of today's unregulated spring queen trapping control campaigns. In addition, nest dissections enabled to record the incidence of nest relocation for the first time in this species. Results are discussed with regards to what is known in other Vespidae species, with a focus on Vespula species that are known to be invasive in many other countries worldwide.
The Composite of Bone Marrow Concentrate and Nano-hydroxyapatite as an Alternative to Autologous Bone

The aim of this study was to examine the evidence behind the use of the composite of bone marrow concentrate and Nano-hydroxyapatite as an alternative to autologous bone graft in the repair of bony defects. The study was conducted on 14 residual surgical non-continuity defects resulting from enucleation of benign odontogenic cysts. The defects were randomly allocated into two groups according to defect filling as follows: Group A (n=7), the defects were grafted using a composite of bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and Nano-hydroxyapatite granules; Group B (n=7), the defects were grafted using autologous bone graft. Radiographic evaluation was done using Cone beam C. T. scan, immediate, six and twelve months post-operatively to assess the volumetric changes of the grafts along the follow-up period. The results of this study revealed that there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the two groups regarding the percentage of reduction of the graft volume along the follow-up period. In the light of the radiographic results of this study it can be concluded that the use of composite of bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and Nano-hydroxyapatite granules to reconstruct surgical defects is a reliable alternative to autogenous bone graft.
Early somatic embryogenesis in Heliconia chartacea Lane ex Barreiros cv. Sexy Pink ovary section explants

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a resposta de seccoes transversais de ovarios e o desenvolvimento de calos embriogenicos. O experimento constou de dois ensaios. No primeiro avaliou-se combinacoes entre AIA (0; 5.71; 8.56; 11.42; 14.27μM) e 2,4-D (0; 13.57; 18.10; 22.62μM) e no segundo avaliou-se as concentracoes de 2,4-D supracitadas, combinadas com concentracoes de BA (0; 4.43; 6.65; 8.87; 11.09μM). Os calos formados foram avaliados quanto a presenca de estruturas embriogenicas utilizando-se estereomicroscopio, microscopio eletronico de varredura, alem de analises citoquimicas e histologicas. Combinacoes entre 2,4-D e AIA induziram a formacao de calos friaveis com setores pro-embriogenicos, refletindo a aquisicao de competencia morfogenetica. Posteriormente foi observada a expressao do programa embriogenico quando massas pro-embriogencias desenvolveram-se formando embrioes somaticos. Esses resultados apresentam uma alternativa para a utilizacao de um tipo de explante que possibilita o cultivo in vitro de heliconia sem o desenvolvimento de bacterias endofiticas.
Management of Complicated Pneumonia in Children: Evidence Beyond Guidelines

What is already known? Complicated pneumonia is an area of debate, and a rapid diagnosis is essential for patient survival. Due to the importance of stage-adapted therapeutic decisions, different classification systems have been established. Depending on the stage of the disease, both antimicrobial and interventional approaches are indicated. Conservative management remains the mainstay for the management of parapneumonic effusion, and continuous pleural fluid drainage is not necessary in some children. However, an established consensus worldwide for the management of complicated pneumonia and thoracic empyema with different therapeutic algorithms lacks clear evidence to evaluate complex cases with minimally invasive intervention versus open decortication. Such controversy concerning the best surgical approach persists, especially for sick patients in intensive care who are not doing well despite chest tube or fibrinolytic agents. This article aimed to review current treatment standards for children with different phases of thoracic empyema and complicated pneumonia, this review article will discuss the usefulness of different diagnostic methods and most recent updates on management. 1. Outline the definition, pathophysiology and common causes 2. Review the diagnosis and current treatment standards for complicated pneumonia 3. Review different surgical approaches and their outcomes 4. Provide an update on the recent utilization of video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) 5. Review evidence regarding the best fibrinolytic agent 6. Review evidence concerning when to indicate decortication 7. Provide a simplified pathway for the management of complicated pneumonia (figure 9).