Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elkinsia gen. nov., a Late Devonian Gymnosperm with Cupulate Ovules

An extensive collection of fossilized ovules, ovulate cupules, and cupuliferous branching systems from late Devonian deposits of eastern West Virginia is described and named Elkinsia polymorpha gen. et sp. nov. Elkinsia cupules are borne at the tips of cruciately forking axes that show a moderate level of overtopping. Cupules are 1.0-1.8 cm long and 0.6-1.2 cm in maximum diameter. The cupule is constructed of slender axes that fork twice to produce four quarters; each quarter terminates in one ovule and four sterile tips. Ovules are 3.5-7.0 mm long and isodiametric in transverse section, with an integument of 4-5 lobes that are fused together only in the basal third of the ovule. The nucellus is terminated by a large, dome-shaped pollen chamber that is surmounted by a tubular lagenostome. There is also evidence of a central column that indicates Elkinsia had hydrasperman reproduction. Elkinsia is compared to the other Devonian ovulate cupules Moresnetia zalesskyi, Archaeosperma arnoldii, Xenotheca devonica, and Kerrya mattenii, and all are found to be basically similar in cupular architecture and ovule structure. However, these Devonian gymnosperms show several consistent differences in either their cupule morphology or ovule morphology or in both; they also may have differing architecture of the cupuliferous branching systems. This demonstrates a wider than expected diversity among Late Devonian gymnosperms and reveals that knowledge of the structure of both the ovule and the cupule is necessary for separating some taxa.
Nanoparticles influence on expression of cell cycle related genes in Drosophila: a microarray-based toxicogenomics study

Relatively little is known regarding the interaction of nanoscale objects with dynamic complex biological systems. Microarray-based toxicogenomics studies may serve as a suitable technique to explore the genome wide effects of nanoparticles on any organism through a single experiment. The influence of nanoporous aluminosilicate nanoparticles (NP), citrate-capped gold NP, lipophilic silica NP, BSA-capped silver NP, and lipophilic zinc oxide NP were studied on 75 cell cycle-related genes of adult Drosophila melanogaster. Microarray experiments were conducted after the flies were fed with NP-mixed media for 15 days. Data showed that silver, zinc oxide, and alumino silicate NP predominantly perturbed cell cycle genes, whereas gold and silica NP exerted the least influence on these genes.
Influence of the adherent population level on biofilm population, structure and resistance to chlorination

Abstract The aim of this work was to study the influence of adherent population level on biofilm development, either on biofilm population, or on its structure. Our results, obtained from 13 strains isolated from dairy industries environments, demonstrated that, on the whole, Gram-negative bacteria were, although not significantly, globally more adherent to glass than Gram-positive ones (total mean of 6·1 and 5·7 log cfu cm −2 respectively for an inoculum of 8 log cfu ml −1 ). Gram-negative bacteria also exhibited a significantly higher biofilm population after 2 days of culture than Gram-positives (7·0 and 6·3 log cfu cm −2 respectively) and a significant correlation between adhesion ability and biofilm population was seen. Elsewhere, we demonstrated that the level of adherent population did not influence biofilm biomass after 2 days of culture, although it strikingly influenced the biofilm structure. Biofilm resistance to chlorine was significantly increased with age of biofilm (2 log order after 1 day of culture and less than 1 log order after 3 days), but not by its structure.
Female initiated divorce in a monogamous songbird: abandoning mates for males of higher quality

Divorcing a current partner to re-pair with a mate of higher quality may be a strategy to increase reproductive success used by socially monogamous birds. By increasing the availability of males through selective mate removal during the nest building period, we found that female black-capped chickadees, Parus atricapillus, will desert their mates to pair with males of higher social rank, a trait closely associated with resource holding potential in this species. Females from neighbouring territories were more likely to desert their mates for high ranked rather than the low ranked widower males; six of seven high ranking and one of six low ranking males were chosen by the divorcing females. Six of the seven widower males chosen by divorcing females were dominant to the males that the females deserted. Once released, the originally removed females were able to re-establish pairbonds with their mates. Higher social ranks of removed females may have enabled them to exclude lower ranked replacement females, and may reflect a natural constraint on female choice.
Towards Incomplete SPARQL Query in RDF Question Answering - A Semantic Completion Approach

RDF question/answering(Q/A) system allows users to ask questions in natural language on a knowledge base represented by RDF and retrieve answers. A common problem in RDF Q/A is that existing works tend to translate a natural language question into an incomplete SPARQL query, which means that SPARQL queries may not fully understand user’s ideas. For example, some triple patterns may be missing in the question translation stage. In this poster, we first present a siamese adaptation of the Long Short-Term Memory(LSTM) network to detect whether the SPARQL query generated by the RDF Q/A system is complete. Then, for incomplete queries, we propose a Markov-based method to supplement SPARQL queries. Finally, we compare our approach with some state-of-the-art RDF Q/A systems in the benchmark dataset. Extensive experiments confirm that our method improves the precision significantly.
Fungicidal activity of extracellular products of cyanobacteria against Alternaria porri

ABSTRACT Although cyanobacteria are recognized as renewable sources of biomass for bioactive compounds, they have received little attention as potential biocontrol agents of foliar plant diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fungicidal efficacy of cyanobacterial extracellular products against Alternaria porri, which causes onion purple blotch disease, in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. Among the tested cyanobacteria (Anabaena oryzae, Arthrospira sp., Nostoc minutum, N. muscorum and Oscillatoria sp.), extracellular metabolites of N. muscorum and Oscillatoria sp. reduced the linear growth of A. porri by 20.37 and 36.34%, respectively. Culture filtrates of both Oscillatoria sp. and N. muscorum contained high concentrations of phenolic compounds (104.33 and 145.0 mg l−1, respectively), and alkaloids (473.31 and 378.12 mg l−1, respectively). GC-Mass analysis revealed that the most prevalent component in culture filtrates of N. muscorum and Oscillatoria sp. was beta ionone (7.21 and 7.17% of total analytes, respectively). Norharmane and α-iso-methyl ionone constituted 7.08 and 6.83% in N. muscorum and Oscillatoria sp. , respectively. Components identified in the two culture filtrates included piperazine derivatives, isocyclocitral, α-trans-seequicyclocitral, phytol, oleic acid, fatty acids esters (methyl palmitate and linoleic acid mythyl ester), myristic alcohol and palmityl chloride. Application of culture filtrates of N. muscorum and Oscillatoria sp. under greenhouse conditions reduced disease severity by 55.1–66.5%. In conclusion, extracellular metabolites of N. muscorum and Oscillatoria sp. have potential as effective fungicides to control purple blotch disease of onion.
Quantitation of inflammatory und proliferative genes as disease markers in laser‐microdissected, formalin‐fixed and paraffinized glomeruli from human renal biopsies

Organ biopsies from kidney, liver, intestine or heart are presently only evaluated for pathologic lesions using formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding. Changes in pattern and levels of gene expression underlying and preceding these lesions have been disregarded, since a quantitative assay system using minute paraffinized tissue samples with minimal amounts of RNA is currently unavailable. This paper describes such an assay using formalin-fixed, paraffinized biopsies from human glomeruli after laser-microdissection. Choosing proliferative glomerular lesions expected to express platelet-derived growth factor-β receptor (PDGF-βR), we investigated whether vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), a marker of the inflammatory signal pathway, was coexpressed, indicating the potential to progress an already existing lesion. RNA extraction procedures including DNAse pretreatment were pretested on microdissected mouse glomeruli. β-actin, not upregulated in cell culture by TNF (tumor necrosis factor) or PDGF stimulation, served as housekeeping gene. By qualitative real-time (RT)-PCR, transcription of both genes was detectable using only one microdissected glomerular section. Quantitative PCR for VCAM-1 revealed unsuspected increased levels in the same cases positive by qualitative RT-PCR, not detectable by morphologic analysis or immunohistochemistry. Thus, quantitative gene expression analysis is possible in paraffinized biopsies from minute tissue samples and will provide such important information as unexpected gene expression causing a potential progression of an existing lesions.
A contrivance to encapsulate virtual scaffold with comments and notes

CLOUD is an elision of Common Location-independent Online Utility available on-Demand and is based on Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Today a chunk of researchers were working towards contrivance based on multi-tenant aware Software as a Service (SaaS) application development and still a precise pragmatic solution remains a challenge among the researchers. The first step towards resolving solution is to enhance the virtual scaffold and propose it as a System under Test (SuT). The entire work is proposed as a Model View Controller (MVC) where the tenant login through the View and write their snippet code for encapsulation. The proposed VirScaff schema acts as Controller and provides authentication and authorization by role/session assignment for tenant and thus helps to access data from the dashboard (Viz., Create, Read, Update and Delete (CRUD)). The SuT supports and accommodates both SQL and Not only Structured Query Language (NoSQL) dataset. Finally, this paper construed that SuT behaves well for both SQL and NoSQL dataset in terms of time and space complexities. To sum-up, the entire work addresses the challenges towards multitenant aware SaaS application development and highly commendable while using NoSQL dataset.
Electrospinning of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Polyurethane Fibrous Mats

We report the electrospinning of mechanically-tunable, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-reinforced polyurethanes (PUs). Using high-aspect ratio CNCs from tunicates, the stiffness and strength of electrospun PU/CNC mats are shown to generally increase. Furthermore, by tuning the electrospinning conditions, fibrous PU/CNC mats were created with either aligned or non-aligned fibers, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. PU/CNC mats having fibers aligned in the strain direction were stiffer and stronger compared to mats containing non-aligned fibers. Interestingly, fiber alignment was accompanied by an anisotropic orientation of the CNCs, as confirmed by wide-angle X-ray scattering, implying their alignment additionally benefits both stiffness and strength of fibrous PU/CNC nanocomposite mats. These findings suggest that CNC alignment could serve as an additional reinforcement mechanism in the design of stronger fibrous nanocomposite mats.
The Future of Stroke Interventions

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has revolutionized the treatment of large-vessel occlusion stroke and markedly improved patient outcomes. Unfortunately, there remains a large proportion of patients that do not benefit from this technology. This review takes a look at recent and upcoming technologies that may help to increase the number of MT-treated patients, thereby improving their outcomes. To that end, an overview of digital health solutions, innovative pharmacological treatment, and futuristic robotic endovascular interventions is provided.
Automated Identification of Chemical Series: Classifying like a Medicinal Chemist

We investigate different automated approaches for the classification of chemical series in early drug discovery, with the aim of closely mimicking human chemical series conception. Chemical series, which are commonly defined by hand-drawn scaffolds, organize datasets in drug discovery projects. Often, they form the basis for further project decisions. In order to trace and evaluate these decisions in historic and ongoing projects, it is important to know or reconstruct chemical series. There is not a unique correct definition of chemical series, and the human definition certainly involves a subjective bias. Hence, we first develop quality metrics for the chemical series definitions, evaluating the size and the specificity of chemical series. These metrics are applied to categorize human series definitions and are implemented in automated classification approaches. For the automated classification of chemical series, we test different fragmentation and similarity-based clustering algorithms and apply different approaches to infer series definitions from these clusters or sets of fragments. We benchmark the classification results against human-defined series from 30 internal projects. The best results in reproducing the composition of human-defined series are achieved when applying a UPGMA clustering to the project dataset and calculating maximum common substructures of the clusters as series definitions. We evaluate this approach in more detail on a public dataset, and assess its robustness by ten-fold cross-validation, each time sampling 40% of the dataset. Through these benchmarking and validation experiments, we show that the proposed automated approach is able to identify accurately and robustly human-defined series which comply with a certain, pre-defined level of specificity and size. Suggesting a thoroughly tested algorithm for series classification, as well as quality metrics for series and several benchmarking approaches, this work lays the foundation for further analysis of project decisions, and it offers an enhanced understanding of the properties of human-defined chemical series.
Saccade vigor and the subjective economic value of visual stimuli.

Decisions are made based on the subjective value that the brain assigns to options. However, subjective value is a mathematical construct that cannot be measured directly, but rather inferred from choices. Recent results have demonstrated that reaction time, amplitude, and velocity of movements are modulated by reward, raising the possibility that there is a link between how the brain evaluates an option, and how it controls movements toward that option. Here, we asked people to choose among risky options represented by abstract stimuli, some associated with gain (points in a game), and others with loss. From their choices we estimated the subjective value that they assigned to each stimulus. In probe trials, a single stimulus appeared at center, instructing subjects to make a saccade to a peripheral target. We found that the reaction time, peak velocity, and amplitude of the peripherally directed saccade varied roughly linearly with the subjective value that the participant had assigned to the central stimulus: reaction time was shorter, velocity was higher, and amplitude was larger for stimuli that the participant valued more. Naturally, participants differed in how much they valued a given stimulus. Remarkably, those who valued a stimulus more, as evidenced by their choices in decision trials, tended to move with shorter reaction time and greater velocity in response to that stimulus in probe trials. Overall, the reaction time of the saccade in response to a stimulus partly predicted the subjective value that the brain assigned to that stimulus.
Behavioural and endocrinological parameters of female African and Asian elephants Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus in the peripartal period

Reproduction of African elephants Loxodonta africana and Asian elephants Elephas maximus has in the past been poor in European zoos and juvenile survival has been low. A range of potential complications, such as stillbirths or maternal aggression towards the calf, makes it imperative that the date of parturition is predicted as accurately as possible. Behavioural, endocrinological and physiological data were collected from three pregnant elephants for up to 3 months prior to parturition in order to assess their value for predicting the date of birth. Behavioural observations indicated that activity, particularly the frequency of stereotypic behaviour, increased prior to parturition. Pregnant cows grew restless and exhibited frequent excretion, tail beating against the vulva and excessive throwing of hay or sand against the belly. Our results suggest that observations of prepartal behavioural changes are a useful indicator for predicting parturition, particularly for veterinarians and keepers who are familiar with the usual behaviour patterns of the animals in their care. Measurement of luteal activity indicated that luteo-lysis occurred 2-3 days prior to parturition in both elephant species. Thus, endocrinological analysis provides an excellent and accurate prediction of the timing of parturition.
Hydrogel Patterns in Microfluidic Devices by Do-It-Yourself UV-Photolithography Suitable for Very Large-Scale Integration

The interest in large-scale integrated (LSI) microfluidic systems that perform high-throughput biological and chemical laboratory investigations on a single chip is steadily growing. Such highly integrated Labs-on-a-Chip (LoC) provide fast analysis, high functionality, outstanding reproducibility at low cost per sample, and small demand of reagents. One LoC platform technology capable of LSI relies on specific intrinsically active polymers, the so-called stimuli-responsive hydrogels. Analogous to microelectronics, the active components of the chips can be realized by photolithographic micro-patterning of functional layers. The miniaturization potential and the integration degree of the microfluidic circuits depend on the capability of the photolithographic process to pattern hydrogel layers with high resolution, and they typically require expensive cleanroom equipment. Here, we propose, compare, and discuss a cost-efficient do-it-yourself (DIY) photolithographic set-up suitable to micro-pattern hydrogel-layers with a resolution as needed for very large-scale integrated (VLSI) microfluidics. The achievable structure dimensions are in the lower micrometer scale, down to a feature size of 20 µm with aspect ratios of 1:5 and maximum integration densities of 20,000 hydrogel patterns per cm². Furthermore, we demonstrate the effects of miniaturization on the efficiency of a hydrogel-based microreactor system by increasing the surface area to volume (SA:V) ratio of integrated bioactive hydrogels. We then determine and discuss a correlation between ultraviolet (UV) exposure time, cross-linking density of polymers, and the degree of immobilization of bioactive components.
Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Malay version of the Neck Disability Index

Abstract Purpose Translating the Neck Disability Index (NDI) into the Malay language (NDI-M); evaluation of psychometric properties in patients with neck pain. Methods The NDI-M was translated according to established guidelines. In the first visit, 120 participants completed the NDI-M, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and demographic details. 98 participants returned to complete similar questionnaires and the Global Rating of Change (GRoC) scale. The NDI-M was evaluated for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, construct validity and responsiveness. Results The NDI-M demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.84) and good test-retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.79). Content validity was confirmed with no floor or ceiling effects. Construct validity was established revealing three-factor subscales explaining 68% of the total variance. The NDI-M showed a moderate correlation with VAS (Rp = 0.49, p < 0.001). Regarding responsiveness, a moderate correlation between NDI-M change scores and VAS change scores was found (Rp = 0.40, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between NDI-M with GRoC (Rs = 0.11, p = 0.27). Conclusions The NDI-M is a reliable and valid tool to measure functional outcomes in patients with neck pain. It is responsive in detecting changes in pain intensity during a patient’s rehabilitation journey. Implications for rehabilitation The NDI was translated into the Malay language and culturally adapted for Malay-speaking patients with neck pain. The NDI-M demonstrated an excellent level of internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. It demonstrated content and construct validity, with three-factor subscales, and moderate responsiveness for pain intensity. The NDI-M is a reliable, valid and responsive instrument to measure functional limitations in patients with neck pain for rehabilitation.
Mindfulness, happiness, and anxiety in a sample of college students before and after taking a meditation course

Abstract Objective To explore differences in mindfulness, happiness, and perceived anxiety in a sample of college students before and after taking a meditation course. Participants Participants were college students at a primarily undergraduate institution enrolled in an experiential meditation class (n = 74) and a non-meditation class comparison group (n = 73). Methods The study design was a before-after observational study with two groups and three dependent variables: the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Subjective Happiness Scale. Results Students in the meditation course increased average subjective happiness and mindfulness attention awareness. Mindfulness scores increased and anxiety decreased more for students in the meditation class compared to students in the psychosocial class. Conclusions This research provides evidence that taking a semester long meditation course is associated with improvements in college student well-being.
TaxAA: a Reliable Tax Auditor Assistant for Exploring Suspicious Transactions

We present TaxAA, a reliable tax auditor assistant that helps tax auditors explore suspicious transactions and get reliable evidence. We construct a Tax Audit Network(TAN) and use extended algorithms based on the semi-supervised Graph Convolutional Network(GCN) to build detection models for calculating taxpayers’ suspicion score, we choose Hierarchical Graph Convolutional Network(H-GCN) as our basic model according to the experimental results. Then the visual analytic system allows tax auditors to customize suspicious indicators to observe the suspicious relationships among taxpayers by the ”wheel” chart. Meanwhile, it can provide detailed transactions and individual information for reference. We have evaluated the assistant based on the tax data of a province, our detection model can achieve high accuracy and the visual analytic system can provide useful guidance for tax auditors.