Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baffling: a condition-dependent alternative mate attraction strategy using self-made tools in tree crickets

Intense sexual selection in the form of mate choice can facilitate the evolution of different alternative reproductive strategies, which can be condition-dependent. Tree cricket males produce long-distance acoustic signals which are used by conspecific females for mate localization and mate choice. Our study shows that baffling, an acoustic call amplification strategy employed by male tree crickets using self-made tools, is a classic example of a condition-dependent alternative strategy. We show that though most males can baffle, less preferred males, such as smaller and lower-amplitude callers, predominantly use this alternative strategy. Baffling allows these males to increase their call amplitude and advertisement range, which attracts a higher number of females. Baffling also gives these males a mating benefit because females mate for longer durations with them. Our results suggest that the advantage of baffling in terms of gain in the number of sperm cells transferred while mating is primarily limited to less preferred males, thus maintaining the polymorphism of calling strategies in the population. We summarize that baffling is a condition-dependent strategy used by less preferred tree cricket males to obtain mating benefits.
Considerations when calculating the mechanical properties of single crystals and bulk polycrystals from molecular dynamics simulations

ABSTRACT The choice of a proper interatomic potential is critical to obtaining accurate and realistic molecular dynamics results. However, previous studies that have tested the suitability of a potential to predict mechanical properties often do so using elastic constants from a triaxial stress state that ignores Poisson’s effect. While this method is suitable it is not consistent with macroscale experimental methods and cannot provide the complete loading behaviour. Further, there is a lack of knowledge as to whether accuracy in predicting elastic constants from a fixed volume condition indicates accuracy for elastic moduli from uniaxial tensile simulations. Moreover, those studies that did account for Poisson’s effect studied only one crystal orientation and thus assumed potential accuracy is independent of crystal orientation. Results from the current study demonstrated that accuracy of a potential is dependent on the crystal direction. Further, the most accurate potentials for elastic constants calculated using a fixed volume condition were not necessarily the most accurate at predicting elastic moduli from a physically realisable tension test. Finally, the Voigt Reuss Hill (VRH) method was shown to accurately predict polycrystalline mechanical properties from single crystal data as a function of temperature.
Microbial Diversity in Hydrothermal Systems and Their Influence on Geological Environments

Abstract: Microorganisms found at terrestrial and seafloor hydrothermal systems are classified based on their optimum growth temperatures. Prokaryotes exhibiting optimum growth temperatures above 45C are defined as thermophiles, while those with optimum growth temperatures above 80C are called hyperthermophiles. Hyperthermophiles have chemically and thermodynamically stable cytoplasmic‐membrane consisting of ether–lipids. Hyperthermophiles observed at temperature up to 113C in seafloor hydrothermal areas should have thermostable proteins. Presumably, the thermostable proteins are replacing certain amino acid residue by proline instead of alanine in order to increase hydrogen bonds and salt bridges.
Effect of Spectral Resolution on Pattern Recognition Analysis Using Passive Fourier Transform Infrared Sensor Data

The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral data of two nerve agent simulants, diisopropyl methyl phosphonate (DIMP) and dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP), are used as test cases to determine the spectral resolution that gives optimal pattern recognition performance. DIMP is used as the target analyte for detection, while DMMP is used to test the ability of the automated pattern recognition methodology to detect the analyte selectively. Interferogram data are collected by using a Midac passive FT-IR instrument. The methodology is based on the application of pattern recognition techniques to short segments of single-beam spectra obtained by Fourier processing the collected interferogram data. The work described in this article evaluates the effect of varying spectral resolution on the pattern recognition results. The objective is to determine the optimal spectral resolution to be used for data collection. The results of this study indicate that the data with a nominal spectral resolution of 16 cm−1 provide sufficient selectivity to give pattern recognition results comparable to that obtained by using higher resolution data. We found that, while higher resolution does not increase selectivity sufficiently to provide better pattern recognition results, lower resolution decreases selectivity and degrades the pattern recognition results. These results can be used as guidelines to maximize detection sensitivity, to minimize the time needed for data collection, and to reduce data storage requirements.
The expectations of transgender people in the face of their health-care access difficulties and how they can be overcome. A qualitative study in France

Abstract Aim: Our objective was to explore the difficulties experienced by transgender people in accessing primary health-care services and their expectations towards primary care providers to improve their health-care access. Background: Because transgender people are exposed to many discriminations, their health-care access is particularly poor. Guidelines recommend greater involvement of primary care providers in the processes because of the accessibility feature of primary care services. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-directed interviews was conducted among 27 transgender people (February 2018 – August 2018). These voluntary participants were recruited through different means: local trans or LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex) associations, primary care providers, and social networks. The data analysis was based on reflexive thematic analysis in an inductive approach. Findings: Difficulties in accessing health-care occurred at all the levels of the primary health-care system: primary care providers – transgender people interaction, access to the primary care team facility (starting with the secretariat), access to secondary care specialists, and continuity of care. Transgender people report ill-adapted health-care services as a result of gender-based identification in health-care settings. Their main expectation was depsychiatrization and self-determination. They supported mixed health network comprising primary care providers and transgender people with a coordinating role for the general practitioner. These expectations should be priorities to consider in our primary health-care system to improve access to health-care for transgender people.
Breeding season length predicts duet coordination and consistency in Neotropical wrens (Troglodytidae)

Many animals produce coordinated signals, but few are more striking than the elaborate male–female vocal duets produced by some tropical songbirds. Yet, little is known about the factors driving the extreme levels of vocal coordination between mated pairs in these taxa. We examined evolutionary patterns of duet coordination and their potential evolutionary drivers in Neotropical wrens (Troglodytidae), a songbird family well known for highly coordinated duets. Across 23 wren species, we show that the degree of coordination and precision with which pairs combine their songs into duets varies by species. This includes some species that alternate their song phrases with exceptional coordination to produce rapidly alternating duets that are highly consistent across renditions. These highly coordinated, consistent duets evolved independently in multiple wren species. Duet coordination and consistency are greatest in species with especially long breeding seasons, but neither duet coordination nor consistency are correlated with clutch size, conspecific abundance or vegetation density. These results suggest that tightly coordinated duets play an important role in mediating breeding behaviour, possibly by signalling commitment or coalition of the pair to mates and other conspecifics.
Multi-scale Spectral-Spatial Remote Sensing Classification of Coral Reef Habitats Using CNN-SVM

ABSTRACT Wan, J.X. and Ma, Y. , 2020. Multi-scale spectral-spatial remote sensing classification of coral reef habitats using CNN-SVM. In: Jung, H. -S. ; Lee, S. ; Ryu, J.-H. , and Cui, T. (eds.), Advances in Geospatial Research of Coastal Environments. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 102, pp. 11-20. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In recent years, coral reefs have undergone serious degradation globally, prompting the use of remote sensing as an effective means to monitor these reefs on a large scale. Deep learning, which is a state-of-the-art image processing technique suitable for remote-sensing applications, can be used to learn nonlinear characteristics of images and is therefore applicable to the classification of small-scale coral reefs. This paper proposes a multi-scale method based on a convolutional neural network and support vector machine (CNN-SVM) to classify the coral reef habitats of Zhaoshu Island and Zhong Island in the Xisha Archipelago, China. This method combines spectrum, texture, and bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) based scale separation algorithm to fully learn multi-scale information of coral reefs. Remote-sensing images captured by the WorldView-2 and Gaofen-2 (GF-2) satellites are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed CNN-SVM framework. The results indicate that the proposed method performs accurately and efficiently. Compared with SVM, random forest (RF), CNN, and CNN-RF, the overall accuracy is improved by 10.57 %, and the accuracy of classifying reef-clumping areas is improved by 17.44 %.
Molecular Responses of Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Associated to Accumulation and Depuration of Marine Biotoxins Okadaic Acid and Dinophysistoxin-1 Revealed by Shotgun Proteomics

The molecular pathways behind the toxicity of diarrheic shellfish toxins (DSTs) in bivalves have been scarcely studied. Thus, a shotgun proteomics approach was applied in this work to understand bivalves’ molecular responses to the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima (1.0 × 106 cells/L). Protein expression along with toxins levels were analyzed in the gills and digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis during and after exposure to this toxic strain. Results revealed an accumulation of OA and DTX1 only in the digestive gland with maximum amounts attained at the end of uptake phase (day 5; 2819.2 ± 522.2 μg OA/kg and 1107.1 ± 267.9 μg DTX1/kg). At the end of the depuration phase (day 20), 16% and 47% of total OA and DTX1 concentrations remained in the digestive gland tissues, respectively. The shotgun proteomic analyses yielded 3051 proteins in both organs. A total of 56 and 54 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were revealed in the digestive gland and gills, respectively. Both organs presented the same response dynamics along the experiment, although with tissue-specific features. The early response (3 days uptake) was characterized by a high number of DEPs, being more marked in gills, in relation to the latter time points (5 days uptake and depuration). Functional enrichment analysis revealed the up-regulation of carboxylic (GO:0046943) and organic acid transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0005342) pathways after 3 days uptake for digestive gland. Matching to these pathways are a group of proteins related to transmembrane transport and response to toxic substances and xenobiotics, namely P-glycoprotein (ABCB11), Sodium-dependent proline transporter (SLC6A7), and Sideroflexin-1 (SFXN1). According to Clusters of Orthologous Groups (GOs) categories, most of the DEPs found for digestive gland in all time-points were related with “cellular processes and signaling” and involving signal transduction mechanisms, cytoskeleton and post-translational modification, protein turnover, chaperone functions. In gills, the early uptake phase was marked by a balance between DEPs related with “cellular processes and signaling” and “metabolism. ” Depuration is clearly marked by processes related with “metabolism,” mainly involving secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism. Proteomic data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD022293.
Automatic Extraction of Green Tide Using Dual Polarization Chinese GF-3 SAR Images

ABSTRACT Yu, H.F. ; Wang, C.Y. ; Sui, Y. ; Li, J.H. , and Chu, J.L. , 2020. Automatic extraction of green tide using dual polarization China GF-3 SAR images. In: Jung, H. -S. ; Lee, S. ; Ryu, J.-H. , and Cui, T.W. (eds.), Advances in Geospatial Research of Coastal Environments. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 102, pp. 318-325. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Traditional optical images are not suitable for the all-weather observation of green tide due to the fact that they are greatly affected by clouds. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on the other hand, is able to realize all-day and all-weather observation due to a lower sensitivity to clouds, rain and fog. SAR images are therefore an effective supplementary data for the monitoring of green tide. Due to the differences in brightness and noise across the different areas in an image, it is difficult to use the same threshold in order to extract all the green tide information from the image. Based on the iterative threshold method and the histogram bimodal method, this paper presents a new method for the automatic detection of green tide that uses adaptive thresholds for Gaofen-3 (GF-3) satellite dual polarization SAR remote sensing images. In this study, firstly, a sliding window is used to segment the image into multiple sub-images of the same size; secondly, the iterative threshold method is used to obtain the green tide and seawater samples that have the theoretical bimodal structure from each sub-image; then, using the histogram bimodal method, the detection threshold is calculated automatically; and finally, using the threshold segmentation, the green tide areas are extracted from the images. In order to verify the proposed method, the multi-scale segmentation method and the proposed method are both used to detect green tide in China Yellow Sea. The study results show that in the case of GF-3 SAR FSII images, the proposed automatic detection method is superior to the multi-scale segmentation method, as it not only improves the accuracy of green tide detection, but also realizes the automation of green tide extraction. Furthermore, Cross-polarization (HV) images may be more suitable than co-polarization (HH) images for the extraction of green tide due to their lower noise level.
Cleavage of HMGB1 by Proteolytic Enzymes Associated with Inflammatory Conditions

Extracellular HMGB1 acts as an alarmin in multiple autoimmune diseases. While its release and functions have been extensively studied, there is a substantial lack of knowledge regarding HMGB1 regulation at the site of inflammation. Herein we show that enzymes present in arthritis-affected joints process HMGB1 into smaller peptides in vitro. Gel electrophoresis, Western blotting and mass spectrometry analyses indicate cleavage sites for human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 within the HMGB1 structure. While human neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloproteinase 3 might alter the affinity of HMGB1 to its receptors by cleaving the acidic C-terminal tail, cathepsin G rapidly and completely degraded the alarmin. Contrary to a previous report we demonstrate that HMGB1 is not a substrate for dipeptidyl peptidase IV. We also provide novel information regarding the presence of these proteases in synovial fluid of juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients. Correlation analysis of protease levels and HMGB1 levels in synovial fluid samples did not, however, reveal any direct relationship between the recorded levels. This study provides knowledge of proteolytic processing of HMGB1 relevant for the regulation of HMGB1 during inflammatory disease.
Use of Ultrathin Bronchoscope on a Need Basis Improves Diagnostic Yield of Difficult-to-Approach Pulmonary Lesions

There are cases of peripheral lung nodules that are difficult to approach despite using ancillary diagnostic devices during multimodal bronchoscopy. The use of ultrathin bronchoscopes has shown superiority over standard thin bronchoscopes. We retrospectively evaluated whether substitution of the thin-bronchoscope by the ultrathin device during multimodal bronchoscopy improves lesion ultrasound visualization and diagnostic yield in patients with difficult-to-approach pulmonary lesions. The study comprised 44 out of 338 patients that underwent multimodal bronchoscopy at Matsusaka Municipal Hospital. The thin-bronchoscope with an external diameter of 4 mm was substituted by the ultrathin-bronchoscope with an external diameter of 3 mm when the radial endobronchial ultrasound showed that the probe position was not within the target lesion. The median diameter of the pulmonary tumors was 17.5 mm (range: 6.0–5.2.0 mm). The endobronchial ultrasound showed the probe's position adjacent to the lesion in 12 cases and no visible lesion in 32 cases using a thin-bronchoscope. However, the endobronchial ultrasound views changed from adjacent to the lesion to within the lesion in nine cases, from no visible lesion to within the lesion in 17 cases, and from no visible lesion to adjacent to the lesion in nine cases after bronchoscope substitution. After substitution, the diagnostic yield was 80.8% in cases with the radial probe within the target lesion, 72.7% in cases with the probe adjacent to the target lesion, and 0% in cases with no visible lesion. The overall diagnostic yield was 65.9% after bronchoscope substitution. The substitution of the thin bronchoscope by the ultrathin device on a need basis improves the position of the radial endobronchial ultrasound probe and diagnostic yield of pulmonary lesions during multimodal diagnostic bronchoscopy.
The Relationship Between Childhood Neglect and Malevolent Creativity: The Mediating Effect of the Dark Triad Personality

In addition to what we know as benevolent creativity, which involves originality and usefulness, creativity also includes malevolent creativity, which involves the application of creative ideas to intentionally harm others. This study aimed to explore the environmental and individual predictors of malevolent creativity. We investigated the relationship among childhood neglect, Dark Triad personality traits and malevolent creativity and examined the mediating role of Dark Triad personality. A large sample (N = 991) of Chinese undergraduate students completed the childhood neglect scale, the 12-item Dirty Dozen and the Malevolent Creativity Behavior Scale. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that childhood neglect was positively related to individual malevolent creativity, and the Dark Triad partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, gender differences were found, such that childhood neglect had a stronger effect on malevolent creativity through the Dark Triad among males than females. The results were discussed from the perspectives of life history theory and social information processing theory.
Regeneration of Functional Neurons After Spinal Cord Injury via in situ NeuroD1-Mediated Astrocyte-to-Neuron Conversion

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to impaired motor and sensory functions, partially because the injury-induced neuronal loss cannot be easily replenished through endogenous mechanisms. In vivo neuronal reprogramming has emerged as a novel technology to regenerate neurons from endogenous glial cells by forced expression of neurogenic transcription factors. We have previously demonstrated successful astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in mouse brains with injury or Alzheimer's disease by overexpressing a single neural transcription factor NeuroD1. Here we demonstrate regeneration of spinal cord neurons from reactive astrocytes after SCI through AAV NeuroD1-based gene therapy. We find that NeuroD1 converts reactive astrocytes into neurons in the dorsal horn of stab-injured spinal cord with high efficiency (~95%). Interestingly, NeuroD1-converted neurons in the dorsal horn mostly acquire glutamatergic neuronal subtype, expressing spinal cord-specific markers such as Tlx3 but not brain-specific markers such as Tbr1, suggesting that the astrocytic lineage and local microenvironment affect the cell fate after conversion. Electrophysiological recordings show that the NeuroD1-converted neurons can functionally mature and integrate into local spinal cord circuitry by displaying repetitive action potentials and spontaneous synaptic responses. We further show that NeuroD1-mediated neuronal conversion can occur in the contusive SCI model with a long delay after injury, allowing future studies to further evaluate this in vivo reprogramming technology for functional recovery after SCI. In conclusion, this study may suggest a paradigm shift from classical axonal regeneration to neuronal regeneration for spinal cord repair, using in vivo astrocyte-to-neuron conversion technology to regenerate functional new neurons in the gray matter.
System Identification and Seismic Performance Assessment of Representative RC Buildings in Kathmandu Valley

To identify dynamic characteristics of representative reinforced concrete frame buildings with brick infills, ambient vibration measurements were taken in two four-storied buildings—one situated in soft soil and the another in stiff soil. Non-parametric as well as parametric system identification (SID) algorithms were used to estimate vibration frequencies and damping of the two buildings. The numerical models of the buildings were created using the finite element method. The modal frequencies and damping ratios obtained from ambient measurements were used to calibrate and tune the finite element models. The comparison between measured vibration frequencies and those obtained from finite element model highlights the need for accuracy in modeling assumptions, in particular, consideration of the stiffness of infill walls and the flexibility of foundation soil. The finite element models calibrated with SID results were used to estimate the response of the two buildings when subjected to strong ground motion recorded at different places in the Kathmandu Valley during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. The results show that not considering flexibility of foundation and stiffness of infill walls, as is commonly done in engineering practice, can lead to inaccurate estimates of seismic demand.