Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Routing games

In large and complex networks such as the Internet and road networks, traffic routing is typically decentralized. Users in the network choose their routes independently to minimize their own delay, leading to complicated and nonintuitive outcomes that differ significantly from the outcome obtained if traffic is centrally routed. A widely used technique of analyzing traffic in these networks is to model traffic as a routing game between the users. Routing games are a popular tool to analyze traffic in complex networks since they naturally capture the competition that arises between users seeking to utilize network resources to minimize their own delay. We study equilibria in different models of routing games corresponding to different applications, and present a number of fundamental results about equilibria. We first study routing games where players control significant flow that is split along multiple paths, called atomic splittable routing games. We give the first examples of multiple equilibria in these games, and further give a topological characterization of atomic splittable routing games with unique equilibria. In contrast, in nonatomic routing games, where each player controls infinitesimal flow, the equilibrium is known to be essentially unique. Players in a routing game often form coalitions, and equilibria obtained in the presence of such coalitions can differ significantly from the equilibria obtained without coalitions. We study the impact such coalitions have on the total delay of the players in nonatomic routing games. In series-parallel graphs, we show that the formation of coalitions always reduces the total delay of the players at equilibrium. We then study a model of routing games where flows travel through the network over time, as compared to previous models where flow is assumed to be static. In this more realistic model, we give an efficiently computable Stackelberg strategy and show that the equilibrium under this strategy is no worse than a small constant times the optimal, for two natural measures of optimality.
α4β3δ GABAAReceptors Characterized by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-derived Measurements of Membrane Potential*

Selective modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid, type A (GABAA) receptors containing α4subunits may provide new treatments for epilepsy and premenstrual syndrome. Using mouse L(−tk) cells, we stably expressed the native GABAA receptor subunit combinations α3β3γ2,α4β3γ2, and, for the first time, α4β3δ and characterized their properties using a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay of GABA-evoked depolarizations. GABA evoked concentration-dependent decreases in fluorescence resonance energy transfer that were blocked by GABAA receptor antagonists and, for α3β3γ2and α4β3γ2 receptors, modulated by benzodiazepines with the expected subtype specificity. When combined with α4 and β3, δ subunits, compared with γ2, conferred greater sensitivity to the agonists GABA, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo-[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP), and muscimol and greater maximal efficacy to THIP. α4β3δ responses were markedly modulated by steroids and anesthetics. Alphaxalone, pentobarbital, and pregnanolone were all 3–7-fold more efficacious at α4β3δ compared with α4β3γ2. The fluorescence technique used in this study has proven valuable for extensive characterization of a novel GABAA receptor. For GABAA receptors containing α4 subunits, our experiments reveal that inclusion of δ instead of γ2subunits can increase the affinity and in some cases the efficacy of agonists and can increase the efficacy of allosteric modulators. Pregnanolone was a particularly efficacious modulator of α4β3δ receptors, consistent with a central role for this subunit combination in premenstrual syndrome.
Fungal community composition and function after long‐term exposure of northern forests to elevated atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3

The long‐term effects of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and tropospheric O3 concentrations on fungal communities in soil are not well understood. Here, we examine fungal community composition and the activities of cellobiohydrolase and N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) after 10 years of exposure to 1.5 times ambient levels of CO2 and O3 in aspen and aspen–birch forest ecosystems, and compare these results to earlier studies in the same long‐term experiment. The forest floor community was dominated by saprotrophic fungi, and differed slightly between plant community types, as did NAG activity. Elevated CO2 and O3 had small but significant effects on the distribution of fungal genotypes in this horizon, and elevated CO2 also lead to an increase in the proportion of Sistotrema spp. within the community. Yet, although cellobiohydrolase activity was lower in the forest floor under elevated O3, it was not affected by elevated CO2. NAG was also unaffected. The soil community was dominated by ectomycorrhizal species. Both CO2 and O3 had a minor effect on the distribution of genotypes; however, phylogenetic analysis indicated that under elevated O3Cortinarius and Inocybe spp. increased in abundance and Laccaria and Tomentella spp. declined. Although cellobiohydrolase activity in soil was unaffected by either CO2 or O3, NAG was higher (∼29%) under CO2 in aspen–birch, but lower (∼18%) under aspen. Time series analysis indicated that CO2 increased cellulolytic enzyme activity during the first 5 years of the experiment, but that the magnitude of this effect diminished over time. NAG activity also showed strong early stimulation by elevated CO2, but after 10 years this effect is no longer evident. Elevated O3 appears to have variable stimulatory and repressive effects depending on the soil horizon and time point examined.
STMS markers for genetic diversity of Gossypium hirsutum L. core collection.

Genetic diversity and molecular identity analyzed for forty core accessions of G. hirsutum (L.). Twentytwo polymorphic STMS primers produced a total of 118 alleles of which 82 were found to be polymorphic with an average of 4.21 alleles per locus, resulted in 73.51% polymorphism and the average numbers of polymorphic alleles per locus were observed to be 3.15. Different primers produced a different level of polymorphism among different core accessions. The similarity coefficient of dendrogram calculated by STMS markers was found to be in the range of 0.48-1.00. The UPGMA clustering pattern showed all forty core accessions could be grouped in two broad clusters, cluster I and cluster II with similarity coefficient of 0.48 and bootstrap support of 100%. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCA) based on genetic similarity matrices were used to visualize the genetic relationships among core accessions. Based on the clustering pattern, genetically distinct core accessions were identified that could be potentially important sources of accessions for further cotton improvement.
Composition of bat assemblages (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in tropical riparian forests

Various studies have focused on the richness and abundance of bats in tropical forests and how the composition of these forests affects bat assemblages, but there are few studies on the relationship of bats with riparian forests. The aim of this study was to ascertain the differences among bat assemblages of three riparian forest areas of the Tingua region, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These areas were: I) an agricultural area (Takume); II) a reforested area in primary succession (Canavarro); and III) an area with late secondary vegetation (Tingua Biological Reserve). Assessments of bat species composition in these areas may shed light on how anthropogenic modifications in riparian forests can influence local bat assemblages. Bats were captured with mist nets during 72 sampling nights. Total bat abundance was 1,511 individuals in 26 species. The three areas differed in their species composition. The Tingua Biological Reserve was the richest area, Canavarro presented the lowest diversity and the highest abundance of individuals, and the evenness index was highest in Takume. The differences found in the composition and ecological indices indicate that bat assemblages have distinct characteristics in the three areas studied, with varied degrees of transformation and anthropization.
Diet mixing enhances the performance of a generalist caterpillar, Platyprepia virginalis

1. Platyprepia virginalis caterpillars are dietary generalists and feed on multiple host species within a single day. We conducted field experiments to evaluate their performance on diets consisting of only their primary food, Lupinus arboreus, or diets consisting of L. arboreus plus other acceptable host species.
Effect of root-knot nematode and two species of crown gall on antioxidant activity of grape leaves

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium vitis significantly reduced the entire criteria (galls, embedded stages, final population, Pf/Pi and egg production) of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, when they were in concomitance with grape (Vitis vinifera var) superior roots. Greater suppression in such criteria was observed with high inoculum levels (5X10 7 cfu/pot) than with lower (2.5X10 7 cfu/pot) ones. All treatments resulted in the increase of leaves contents of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) dramatically, which were considered the most damaging stresses in plant cells. The contents of AsA, GSH, TPH and PAL specific activity increased as a strongly antioxidant defense compound against induced oxidative damage. In addition, the increase in the activity of various antioxidant defense specific enzymes (SOD, APX, CAT and GST) represented the protective activity used to counteract the oxidative injury promoted by nematode and nematode-bacteria infections. The rate of the chemical increase was significantly higher in interaction treatments than in the leaves of plants treated singly with M. incognita. Moreover, higher inoculum levels resulted in higher values of the measured chemicals. Symptoms appearance at low levels of nematode and bacterial treatments were significantly preceded by significant induction of AsA, GSH and TPH contents, and APX, CAT, SOD, GST and PAL activities in grape leaves. However, under high levels of nematode and bacteria, an obvious depletion at all non-antioxidants enzymes’ levels and antioxidants enzymes’ activities was observed. It is supposed that stimulated antioxidative processes contributed to the suppression of necrotic symptom development in grape leaves depending on the level of pathogen inoculum.
High-affinity potassium transport into wheat roots involves sodium - a role for HKT1?

When a high-affinity K + transporter, HKT1, was cloned from the roots of K + -starved wheat and characterized, it seemed that the wheat high-affinity K + -uptake mechanism had been found. We review the present status of HKT1 as a putative component of the wheat root high-affinity mechanism, concluding that its role remains unclear, as it also does in barley. We describe a new attempt to find its role. High-affinity K + transport in K + -starved wheat seedling roots was studied by measuring K + -evoked depolarization. A single dominant transport system was shown to carry K + , Rb + and Cs + , with a binding site selectivity of about 1:1:0.15, respectively. We showed that the small effect of 1 mM Na + on K + -evoked depolarization could be inhibition under some conditions and stimulation under others. We confirmed that the effect of 1 mM Na + was to raise the K + affinity and to reduce transport velocity. In 0 Na + , high pH greatly reduced the K + -affinity, but in 1 mM Na + , high pH had no effect. So, in a given test, the effect of Na + was to increase or decrease K + -evoked depolarization, depending on the test [K + r and the pH. We discuss simplified, but plausible, kinetic models for this interaction of pH and Na + . The simplest model includes a K + symporter driven by H + or Na + depending on their relative concentrations and affinities, with random binding order for the two possible driver ions. This symporter would differ from HKT1 in its selectivity for Rb + vs K + and in its inability to carry Na + alone. No role has been found for a symporter resembling HKT1 as it is presently characterized by heterologous expression.
Impulsive States and Impulsive Traits: A Study of the Multilevel Structure and Validity of a Multifaceted Measure of Impulsive States

Emerging evidence suggests impulsive states may be reliably measured in the moment using ecological momentary assessment (EMA); however, research has not investigated whether the multi-factor structure of impulsive traits also characterizes impulsive states. In two independent samples spanning adolescence through young adulthood (n = 211, n = 222), we adapted global self-report measures of impulsive traits to EMA and conducted multilevel confirmatory factor analyses to characterize the within- and between-person factor structure of five impulsive traits (negative urgency, planning, persistence, sensation seeking, and positive urgency). Across both studies, factor models with one factor for each UPPS-P facet fit the data well at both levels, though some latent factors were highly correlated. Aggregated impulsive states, especially negative urgency, predicted oppositional defiant disorder symptoms, emotional problems, alcohol problems, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Our results suggest that EMA measures can capture a range of impulsive states that mirrors the heterogeneity seen in the trait literature.
Solid-state membranes formed on natural menisci

We present a method to create robust, nanoscale solid-state membranes using the natural shape of a liquid meniscus as a template. A narrow, open channel is etched into a silicon substrate and then a photoresist polymer is introduced into the channel through spontaneous capillary action. The natural concave meniscus formed by the polymer is then covered by a thin chemical vapor deposited membrane. The polymer is removed by sacrificial etching, leaving behind a suspended membrane. Membranes as large as 20 μm by 9 mm can be fabricated with a thickness as low as 50 nm.
The Gintonin-Enriched Fraction of Ginseng Regulates Lipid Metabolism and Browning via the cAMP-Protein Kinase a Signaling Pathway in Mice White Adipocytes

Obesity is a major health concern and is becoming an increasingly serious societal problem worldwide. The browning of white adipocytes has received considerable attention because of its potential protective effect against obesity-related metabolic disease. The gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) is a non-saponin, glycolipoprotein component of ginseng that is known to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the anti-obesity and browning effects of GEF have not been explored to date. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether GEF has a preventive effect against obesity. We differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and mouse primary subcutaneous adipocytes for 8 days in the presence or absence of GEF, and then measured the expression of intermediates in signaling pathways that regulate triglyceride (TG) synthesis and browning by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. We found that GEF reduced lipid accumulation by reducing the expression of pro-adipogenic and lipogenic factors, and increased lipolysis and thermogenesis, which may be mediated by an increase in the phosphorylation of protein kinase A. These findings suggest that GEF may induce fat metabolism and energy expenditure in white adipocytes and therefore may represent a potential treatment for obesity.
Clinical, immunological and genetic findings in patients with UNC13D deficiency (FHL3): A systematic review

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is a rare autosomal recessive immune disorder that is caused by mutations in 6 different genes related to the formation and function of secretory lysosomes within cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. Thus, defect in these genes is associated with the accumulation of antigens due to defective cytotoxic function. FHL type 3 (FHL3) accounts for nearly 30‐40% of FHL, and its underlying reason is mutation in UNC13D gene which encodes Munc13‐4 protein.
Chalcogen‐Transfer Rearrangement: Exploring Inter‐ versus Intramolecular P−P Bond Activation

Abstract tert‐Butyl‐substituted diphospha[2]ferrocenophane has been used as a stereochemically confined diphosphane to explore the addition of O, S, Se and Te. Although the diphosphanylchalcogane has been obtained for tellurium, all other chalcogens give diphosphane monochalcogenides. The latter transform via chalcogen‐transfer rearrangement to the corresponding diphosphanylchalcoganes upon heating. The kinetics of this rearrangement has been followed with NMR spectroscopy supported by DFT calculations. Intermediates during rearrangement point to a disproportionation/synproportionation mechanism for the S and Se derivatives. Cyclic voltammetry together with DFT studies indicate ferrocene‐centred oxidation for most of the compounds presented.
Indoor Large-Scale MIMO-Based RSSI Localization with Low-Complexity RFID Infrastructure

Indoor localization based on unsynchronized, low-complexity, passive radio frequency identification (RFID) using the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) has a wide potential for a variety of internet of things (IoTs) applications due to their energy-harvesting capabilities and low complexity. However, conventional RSSI-based algorithms present inaccurate ranging, especially in indoor environments, mainly because of the multipath randomness effect. In this work, we propose RSSI-based localization with low-complexity, passive RFID infrastructure utilizing the potential benefits of large-scale MIMO technology operated in the millimeter-wave band, which offers channel hardening, in order to alleviate the effect of small-scale fading. Particularly, by investigating an indoor environment equipped with extremely simple dielectric resonator (DR) tags, we propose an efficient localization algorithm that enables a smart object equipped with large-scale MIMO exploiting the RSSI measurements obtained from the reference DR tags in order to improve the localization accuracy. In this context, we also derive Cramer–Rao lower bound of the proposed technique. Numerical results evidence the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms considering various arbitrary network topologies, and results are compared with an existing algorithm, where the proposed algorithms not only produce higher localization accuracy but also achieve a greater robustness against inaccuracies in channel modeling.
Nuclear Receptors, Ligands and the Mammalian B Cell

Questions concerning the influences of nuclear receptors and their ligands on mammalian B cells are vast in number. Here, we briefly review the effects of nuclear receptor ligands, including estrogen and vitamins, on immunoglobulin production and protection from infectious diseases. We describe nuclear receptor interactions with the B cell genome and the potential mechanisms of gene regulation. Attention to the nuclear receptor/ligand regulation of B cell function may help optimize B cell responses, improve pathogen clearance, and prevent damaging responses toward inert- and self-antigens.
Low Host Abundance and High Temperature Determine Switching from Lytic to Lysogenic Cycles in Planktonic Microbial Communities in a Tropical Sea (Red Sea)

The lytic and lysogenic life cycles of marine phages are influenced by environmental conditions such as solar radiation, temperature, and host abundance. Temperature can regulate phage infection, but its role is difficult to discern in oligotrophic waters where there is typically low host abundance and high temperatures. Here, we study the temporal variability of viral dynamics and the occurrence of lysogeny using mitomycin C in a eutrophic coastal lagoon in the oligotrophic Red Sea, which showed strong seasonality in terms of temperature (22.1–33.3 °C) and large phytoplankton blooms. Viral abundances ranged from 2.2 × 106 to 1.5 × 107 viruses mL−1 and were closely related to chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration. Observed high virus-to-bacterium ratio (VBR) (4–79; 16 ± 4 (SE)) suggests that phages exerted a tight control of their hosts as indicated by the significant decrease in bacterial abundance with increasing virus concentration. Heterotrophic bacterial abundance also showed a significant decrease with increasing temperature. However, viral abundance was not related to temperature changes and the interaction of water temperature, suggesting an indirect effect of temperature on decreased host abundance, which was observed at the end of the summertime. From the estimated burst size (BS), we observed lysogeny (undetectable to 29.1%) at low percentages of 5.0% ± 1.2 (SE) in half of the incubations with mitomycin C, while it increased to 23.9% ± 2.8 (SE) when the host abundance decreased. The results suggest that lytic phages predominate, switching to a moderate proportion of temperate phages when the host abundance reduces.
Freeze-Drying to Preserve Birds for Teaching Collections

Abstract Collections of bird specimens are an important resource for teaching bird identification, but acquiring suitable specimens can be problematic. Older collections tend to be preserved with a variety of potentially harmful chemicals; additionally, traditional methods for preparing specimens typically require extensive training. Freeze-drying is a method that involves removing water from specimens via sublimation, and may be an acceptable alternative to conventional taxidermy techniques for teaching collections. We freeze-dried 63 birds and 12 bird parts (i.e., talons and wings) of 44 species salvaged from throughout Pennsylvania since January 2008 using a Taxi-Dry Freeze-Dryer (Freeze-dry Specialties, Inc.). To determine the extent of water lost during the freeze-drying process, we measured the masses of birds and parts before and after preservation. Whole birds that were successfully freeze-dried lost 59.4% ± 0.9% (mean ± SE) of their initial mass, and unsuccessfully dried birds lost 46.9% ± 3.5% of their initial mass. Generally, birds with an initial mass >160 g did not lose enough water in the freeze-drying process to be effectively preserved. We conclude that if proper storage and maintenance conditions are met, freeze-drying can be an effective method for preserving small bird specimens for teaching collections.