Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does prey encounter and nutrient content affect prey selection in wolf spiders inhabiting Bt cotton fields?

Wolf spiders are abundant and voracious predators at the soil-plant interface in cotton crops. Among other prey, they attack late-instar larvae of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa spp. , an economically important pest. Consequently, wolf spiders in transgenic Bt cotton could provide significant biological control of Bt-resistant Helicoverpa larvae that descend to the soil to pupate. The predator-prey interactions between wolf spiders and Helicoverpa could, however, be constrained by the presence of alternative prey and intraguild predators. This study used laboratory enclosures to analyse the effect of alternative prey on predatory selection of the wolf spider Tasmanicosa leuckartii Thorell. The prey included another wolf spider Hogna crispipes Koch (potential intraguild predator), the ground cricket Teleogryllus commodus Walker (minor pest), and Helicoverpa armigera larvae (major pest). We tested if encounter rates, prey vulnerability, and prey nutritional content influenced the likelihood that a prey was attacked. In three-way food webs, Tasmanicosa encountered and attacked Teleogryllus and Helicoverpa in similar frequencies. However, in the presence of a competing intraguild predator and potential prey (Hogna) in a four-way food web, Tasmanicosa did not always attack Teleogryllus at first encounter, but still attacked Helicoverpa at each encounter. Helicoverpa (protein-poor) and Hogna (protein-rich) were consumed by Tasmanicosa in similar proportions, suggesting that Tasmanicosa might benefit from nutrient balance as an outcome of diverse prey in this food web. As Teleogryllus (protein rich) escapes quicker than Helicoverpa and Hogna, Hogna may be an easier protein-rich option than Teleogryllus. Field surveys showed that while Teleogryllus was the most common prey, wolf spiders feed on diverse insect taxa, as well as other spiders. That Tasmanicosa readily attacked Helicoverpa larvae in the presence of alternative prey is an encouraging result that supports the potential of Tasmanicosa predation to assist in the control of Bt-resistant Helicoverpa larvae and thereby inhibit the proliferation and spread of resistance.
Development of online classification system for construction waste based on industrial camera and hyperspectral camera

Construction waste is a serious problem that should be addressed to protect environment and save resources, some of which have a high recovery value. To efficiently recover construction waste, an online classification system is developed using an industrial near-infrared hyperspectral camera. This system uses the industrial camera to capture a region of interest and a hyperspectral camera to obtain the spectral information about objects corresponding to the region of interest. The spectral information is then used to build classification models based on extreme learning machine and resemblance discriminant analysis. To further improve this system, an online particle swarm optimization extreme learning machine is developed. The results indicate that if a near-infrared hyperspectral camera is used in conjunction with an industrial camera, construction waste can be efficiently classified. Therefore, extreme learning machine and resemblance discriminant analysis can be used to classify construction waste. Particle swarm optimization can be used to further enhance the proposed system.
Analyzing Multimodal Interaction

Human-to-human conversation remains such a significant part of our working activities because of its naturalness. Multimodal interaction systems combine visual information with voice, gestures, and other modalities to provide flexible and powerful dialogue approaches. The use of integrated multiple input modes enables users to benefit from the natural approach used in human communication. In this paper, after introducing some definitions and concepts related to multimodal environment, we describe the different approaches used in the multimodal interaction fields showing both theoretical research and multimodal systems implementation. In particular, we will address those approaches that use the new semantic technologies as well as the ones related to the Semantic Web fields.
Evolution of heterophil/lymphocyte ratios in response to ecological and life‐history traits: A comparative analysis across the avian tree of life

Lymphocytes and heterophils are the two most abundant leucocyte types, which play a major role in adaptive and innate immune defence, respectively. The ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (H/L ratio) may reflect a readiness to cope with infection through injury (via heterophils) rather than with a communicable disease (via lymphocytes). Since elevated H/L ratio constitutes a corticosterone-mediated response to external stressors, this trait is generally acknowledged as the robust measure of physiological stress in vertebrates. Here, I hypothesized that baseline H/L ratios of birds (as measured under normal physiological function) could be an important evolutionary trait shaped by species' ecology and life history. I predicted that H/L ratios should be determined by traits related to pathogen exposure (migratoriness, sociality, breeding latitude) and trade-offs between investment in reproduction (clutch size) and self-maintenance (longevity). I compiled published data on leucocyte profiles for nearly 250 bird species representing over half of all extant avian orders and nearly 30% of all extant avian families. Phylogenetically informed comparative methods were used to assess evolutionary associations of H/L ratios with ecological and life-history traits across the avian tree of life. Relatively strong phylogenetic signal and phylogenetic autocorrelation in avian H/L ratios indicated that most diversification in this trait occurred relatively early in bird radiation. Fluctuating selection and drift were identified as the major forces responsible for the evolution of H/L ratios in birds, while low H/L ratios were identified as an ancestral state in birds. Finally, phylogenetically informed Bayesian models showed that H/L ratios correlated negatively with longevity and positively with sociality and breeding latitude. This study was the first to describe the patterns of avian H/L ratio evolution in a broad phylogenetic framework. The results indicate that H/L ratios should not be merely recognized as a proxy for the intraspecific variation in physiological stress, but also as an important evolutionary trait, which probably have adaptive significance visible in a wider phylogenetic perspective.
Rapid Systolic Blood Pressure Changes After Standing Up Associate With Impaired Physical Performance in Geriatric Outpatients

Background Orthostatic hypotension is a prevalent condition in older adults and is associated with impaired physical performance and falls. The ability of older adults to compensate for rapid changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP; ie, SBP decline rate and SBP variability) may be important for physical performance. This study investigates the association of rapid SBP changes after standing up with physical performance. Methods and Results Consecutive patients who visited the Center of Geriatrics Amsterdam in 2014 and 2015 were included. The following SBP parameters were computed in 2 intervals (0–15 and 15–180 seconds) after standing up: steepness of steepest SBP decline; ratio of standing/supine SBP variability; and magnitude of largest SBP decline. Physical performance was assessed using the following measures: chair stand time, timed up and go time, walking speed, handgrip strength, and tandem stance performance. A total of 109 patients (45% men; age, mean, 81.7 years [standard deviation, 7.0 years]) were included. Steepness of steepest SBP decline (0–15 seconds) was associated with slower chair stand time (P<0.001), timed up and go time (P=0.022), and walking speed (P=0.024). Ratio of standing/supine SBP variability (0–15 seconds) was associated with slower chair stand time (P=0.005). Magnitude of largest SBP decline was not associated with physical performance. Conclusions SBP parameters reflecting rapid SBP changes were more strongly associated with physical performance compared with SBP decline magnitude in geriatric outpatients. These results support the hypothesis of an inadequate cerebral autoregulation during rapid SBP changes and advocate the use of continuous blood pressure measurements.
PEO-b-PPO star-shaped polymers enhance the structural stability of electrostatically coupled liposome/polyelectrolyte complexes

We propose a strategy to counteract the salt-driven disassembly of multiliposomal complexes made by electrostatic co-assembly of anionic small unilamellar liposomes and cationic star-shaped polyelectrolytes (made of quaternized poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (qPDMAEMA100)3.1). The combined action of (qPDMAEMA100)3.1 and a nonionic star-shaped polymer (PEO12-b-PPO45)4, which comprises diblock copolymer arms uniting a poly(ethylene oxide) PEO inner block and a poly(propylene oxide) PPO terminal block, leads to a stabilization of these complexes against disintegration in saline solutions. Hereby, the anchoring of the PPO terminal blocks to the lipid bilayer and the bridging between several liposomes are at the origin of the promoted structural stability. Two-focus fluorescence correlation spectroscopy verifies the formation of multiliposomal complexes with (PEO12-b-PPO45)4. The polyelectrolyte and the amphiphilic polymer work synergistically, as the joint action still assures some membrane integrity, which is not seen for the mere (PEO12-b-PPO45)4—liposome interaction alone.
Effects of dietary fatty acid content on humeral cartilage and bone structure in a mouse model of diet‐induced obesity

Obesity is a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA), and previous studies have shown that dietary content may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cartilage and bone in knee OA. Several previous studies have shown that the ratio of ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), ω‐6 PUFAs, and saturated fatty acids can significantly influence bone structure and OA progression. However, the influence of obesity or dietary fatty acid content on shoulder OA is not well understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of dietary fatty acid content on bone and cartilage structure in the mouse shoulder in a model of diet‐induced obesity. For 24 weeks, mice were fed control or high‐fat diets supplemented with ω‐3 PUFAs, ω‐6 PUFAs, or saturated fatty acids. The humeral heads were analyzed for bone morphometry and mineral density by microCT. Cartilage structure and joint synovitis were determined by histological grading, and microscale mechanical properties of the cartilage extracellular and pericellular matrices were quantified using atomic force microscopy. Diet‐induced obesity significantly altered bone morphology and mineral density in a manner that was dependent on dietary free fatty acid content. In general, high‐fat diet groups showed decreased bone quality, with the ω‐3 diet being partially protective. Cartilage mechanical properties and OA scores showed no changes with obesity or diet. These findings are consistent with clinical literature showing little if any relationship between obesity and shoulder OA (unlike knee OA), but suggest that diet‐induced obesity may influence other joint tissues. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Who should get a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for breast cancer?

Abenaa M. Brewster, MD Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas The increased use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM), mainly in women with sporadic breast cancer, shows no sign of abating. Studies have demonstrated that large numbers of women undergoing CPM have misperceptions about the oncologic effects of CPM, including misperceptions about its impact on breast cancer recurrence and overall survival. Thus, for any woman with unilateral breast cancer who is considering CPM, a thorough discussion of the potential impact of CPM is critical for informed decision making. Because the primary objective of CPM is to reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer (CBC), and because women tend to overestimate this risk significantly, estimating and communicating the risk of CBC is a critical first step in the discussion. Several factors are known to impact CBC risk: ie, carriers of high-risk germline mutations, younger age at diagnosis, first-degree family history, and hormone receptor (HR)-negative breast cancer are all associated with an increased risk of CBC. It is important to note that these risk factors often interact to modify CBC risk, underscoring the importance of using them collectively: for example, a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carrier diagnosed with breast cancer after age 50 years has a markedly lower risk of CBC compared with a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carrier who has an index diagnosis before age 40 years. The number of other affected family members in this scenario and the tumor subtype further impact CBC risk for such a patient. However, there are no models incorporating all of these key riskassociated variables to allow for an accurate estimate of CBC risk. Therefore, oncologists should tailor their CBC risk estimates using the model that best fits the patient scenario; for example, if the patient has an HR-positive breast cancer and no significant family history, then estimates of CBC risk that emphasize the biology of the primary tumor (and thus receipt of adjuvant endocrine therapy) may be most relevant for use. In contrast, for women with a significant family history (particularly those with affected first-degree relatives), models that are driven primarily by family history should be used; and, in women who are known BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers, data derived from BRCA cohorts would be most applicable for CBC risk counseling. In our vignette, the receipt of adjuvant endocrine therapy for HR-positive breast cancer is likely to have a greater impact on CBC risk than the presence of a maternal grandmother with late-onset breast cancer. In addition to providing patients with the best estimate of their CBC risk, communicating the risk reduction afforded by CPM in absolute rather than relative terms offers women greater clarity regarding the impact of CPM (Table 1).
The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress in the Relationship of Self-Efficacy and Work Engagement in Nurses

Positive occupational health psychology (POHP) examines the mechanisms that promote the health and wellbeing of workers, in addition to the risk factors arising from work activity. The aim of this study was to analyse the mediating role of perceived stress in the effect that self-efficacy has on engagement in nurses. The sample was comprised of 1777 currently working nurses. We administered the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), the Perceived Stress Questionnaire and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Following bivariate correlational analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and simple and multiple mediation analysis, the results showed self-efficacy to be a powerful personal resource that positively predicts employee engagement, although the effect diminishes when there are mediating variables of stress. We found differences in the way the different aspects of stress mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and the engagement dimensions. “Energy–joy” was the strongest mediating variable for all of the engagement dimensions and this, together with “harassment–social acceptance” dampened the effect of self-efficacy on vigour and dedication, whereas “Overload” was only a mediator for dedication. As nurses work in a stressful environment, risk factors arise from work activity, so hospital management should design interventions to enhance their workers’ personal resources and improve personal and organizational wellbeing.
Extraction de données à partir de pages HTML par création semi-automatique de règles XSLT

L'extraction des donnees a partir des sources web suscite un interet particulier ces dernieres annees. Cependant il n'existe aucun standard, car les sources d'information Web restent tres heterogenes. Il y a quand meme un point commun – elles sont toutes disponibles en format HTML pour etre visualisees dans le navigateur client. Cet article presente une methodologie et les outils associes d'extraction de donnees a partir de documents HTML. Notre approche est basee sur des technologies XML pour effectuer l'extraction des donnees, notamment XHTML et XSLT. Afin de valider notre methodologie, nous avons cree une application nommee XPFE WRAPPER, un generateur semiautomatique de «wrappers1» qui a ete developpe sur la plate-forme XPFE de Mozilla
The role of anticoagulant therapy in hemorrhagic transformation of acute ischaemic stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients

We read with interest the article by Zapata-Wainberg et al. [1]. This study showed a significantly lower risk of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of acute ischaemic stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) than on patients on vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). First, the utilization of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis in the patients who were on VKAs was significantly higher than in those in the DOAC group (9.2% vs. 1.6%) [1]. It can be argued that the effect of thrombolytic therapy cannot be generalized to that of anticoagulant therapy, owing to the short duration of IV thrombolysis and the controlled nature of its administration. However, the independent association of IV thrombolysis with HT demonstrated in previous studies cannot be ignored. [2] Therefore, it is unclear in the methodology [1] if the results have been adjusted for IV thrombolysis in both VKA and DOAC groups or not. The latter would suggest that the observed increased risk of HT in patients on VKAs is merely by chance. However, if they have been corrected for IV thrombolysis, we suggest exploring the possible confounding effect of hemorrhagic small vessel markers such as cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Whilst studies [3] suggest that VKAs are independently associated with the development of new CMBs, similar generalizability cannot be conferred on DOACs. Interestingly, a recent study suggested that CMBs are an independent predictor of HT following IV thrombolytic therapy in acute ischaemic stroke [4]. This thought is particularly important in this study [1], especially considering that CMBs have not been shown to predict HT in the absence of IV thrombolysis [4]. Secondly, did HAS-BLED scores have any correlation with increased HT in either group [1]? The HAS-BLED score is used to assess the 1-year risk of major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation [5]. Despite the lack of incorporation of this user-friendly score into specific anticoagulation guidelines in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, an adjusted HT risk correcting for HAS-BLED scores could further elucidate the relationship between DOACs, VKAs, IV thrombolysis and risk of HT in this patient cohort [1].
Intranasal Delivery of Genistein-Loaded Nanoparticles as a Potential Preventive System against Neurodegenerative Disorders

Genistein has been reported to have antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. Despite encouraging in vitro and in vivo results, several disadvantages such as poor water solubility, rapid metabolism, and low oral bioavailability limit the clinical application of genistein. The aim of this study was to design and characterize genistein-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for intranasal drug delivery, prepared by the ionic gelation technique by using sodium hexametaphosphate. Nanoparticles were characterized in vitro and their cytotoxicity was tested on PC12 cells. Genistein-loaded nanoparticles were prepared, and sodium hexametaphosphate was used as a valid alternative to well-known cross-linkers. Nanoparticle characteristics as well as their physical stability were affected by formulation composition and manufacturing. Small (mean diameters of 200–300 nm) and homogeneous nanoparticles were obtained and were able to improve genistein penetration through the nasal mucosa as compared to pure genistein. Nanoparticle dispersions showed a pH consistent with the nasal fluid and preserved PC12 cell vitality.
Associations of dietary patterns with hypertension among adults in Jilin Province, China: a structural equation modelling approach

Abstract Objective To explore the direct and indirect associations of dietary patterns with hypertension using structural equation modelling (SEM). Design Factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to classify different dietary patterns and SEM was employed to investigate the associations of dietary patterns with hypertension. Total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (TC:HDL-C) ratio and LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (LDL-C:HDL-C) ratio were used as observed indicator variables of the lipid latent variable. Waist circumference, body fat percentage and BMI, which were associated with hypertension, were used as observed indicator variables of the obesity latent variable. Setting International Chronic Disease Cohort (ICDC) that began in 2005 with the purpose of describing the frequency and determinants of chronic diseases in Jilin Province, China. Participants A total of 1492 adults (40–79 years) were enrolled in the baseline study from August 2010 to August 2011. Results Hypertension prevalence in our study population was 34·9 %. It was found that the wine pattern, condiment pattern, obesity latent variable, lipid latent variable, glucose, age and family history of hypertension were factors that had an association with hypertension via SEM, and the corresponding coefficients were 0·056, 0·011, 0·230, 0·281, 0·098, 0·232 and 0·116, respectively. Conclusions The wine pattern and lipid latent variable had positive direct associations with hypertension. The condiment pattern had a positive indirect association with hypertension via the obesity latent variable. The vegetables pattern, modern pattern and snack pattern were not associated with hypertension.
ANALISIS KUALITAS PERSENTASE UKURAN KRISTAL PUPUK MENGGUNAKAN METODE STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL

Persentase ukuran kristal dari produk pupuk Zwavelzuur Ammonium (ZA) pada tahun 2016 masih banyak yang memiliki persentase ukuran kristal kurang dari 55%. Ukuran persentase tersebut merupakan standar yang ditetapkan oleh perusahaan selama ini. Berdasarkan hal tersebut dilakukan penelitian ini dengan tujuan untuk meningkatkan kualitas produk pupuk melalui pengendalian kualitas terhadap persentase ukuran kristal dengan menggunakan metode pengendalian kualitas statistik. Data produk pupuk ZA diambil sebanyak 30 observasi dan setiap observasi terdapat 3 shift yang berbeda setiap harinya. Pada peta kendali rata-rata (X-bar) diketahui nilai garis tengah, batas kendali atas, dan batas kendali bawah berturut-turut adalah 75,05; 88,41; dan 61,69. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut masih terdapat dua data yang berada diluar batas kendali. Sedangkan pada peta kendali jarak (R) diketahui nilai garis tengah, batas kendali atas, dan batas kendali bawah berturut-turut adalah 13,06; 33,62; dan 0. Pada peta ini juga masih terdapat satu data yang berada diluar batas kendali, sehingga diperlukan revisi pada kedua peta. Tahap selanjutnya dilakukan analisis akar penyebab masalah dengan menggunakan diagram tulang ikan, meliputi faktor manusia, mesin, material, proses, dan lingkungan untuk merumuskan usulan perbaikan yang diharapkan dapat mengurangi jumlah produk pupuk ZA yang tidak sesuai dengan standar persentase ukuran kristal yang telah ditetapkan dan meningkatkan kualitas produk tersebut.