Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Telomere Protection by Drosophila DNA Damage Response Pathways

Analysis of terminal deletion chromosomes indicates that a sequence-independent mechanism regulates protection of Drosophila telomeres. Mutations in Drosophila DNA damage response genes such as atm/tefu, mre11, or rad50 disrupt telomere protection and localization of the telomere-associated proteins HP1 and HOAP, suggesting that recognition of chromosome ends contributes to telomere protection. However, the partial telomere protection phenotype of these mutations limits the ability to test if they act in the epigenetic telomere protection mechanism. We examined the roles of the Drosophila atm and atr-atrip DNA damage response pathways and the nbs homolog in DNA damage responses and telomere protection. As in other organisms, the atm and atr-atrip pathways act in parallel to promote telomere protection. Cells lacking both pathways exhibit severe defects in telomere protection and fail to localize the protection protein HOAP to telomeres. Drosophila nbs is required for both atm- and atr-dependent DNA damage responses and acts in these pathways during DNA repair. The telomere fusion phenotype of nbs is consistent with defects in each of these activities. Cells defective in both the atm and atr pathways were used to examine if DNA damage response pathways regulate telomere protection without affecting telomere specific sequences. In these cells, chromosome fusion sites retain telomere-specific sequences, demonstrating that loss of these sequences is not responsible for loss of protection. Furthermore, terminally deleted chromosomes also fuse in these cells, directly implicating DNA damage response pathways in the epigenetic protection of telomeres. We propose that recognition of chromosome ends and recruitment of HP1 and HOAP by DNA damage response proteins is essential for the epigenetic protection of Drosophila telomeres. Given the conserved roles of DNA damage response proteins in telomere function, related mechanisms may act at the telomeres of other organisms.
EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD ON PARENTAL-CARE STRATEGIES AND JUVENILE SURVIVAL OF NORTHERN GOSHAWKS

Abstract Using food supplementation, we tested whether food limits juvenile survival in a population of Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in northeastern Utah. The influence of additional food on female nest attendance also was investigated because those strategies may influence predation mortality rates of juveniles. We provided supplemental food near 13 nests from close to hatching until close to independence during the 1996 and 1997 breeding seasons. Thirteen additional nests served as controls and received no supplemental food. We compared the following variables at treatment and control nests: (1) adult female mass, (2) nestling mass and size, (3) female nest attendance, and (4) juvenile survival. Following supplemental feeding, adult females from treatment nests were heavier than their control counterparts, and remained closer to the nest during the latter part of the nestling period and throughout the postfledging period. Nestlings from supplemented nests were significantly heavier than those from unsupplemented nests, but results for size measurements were equivocal. Survival rates for treatment nestlings were significantly higher than controls in 1997, but not in 1996. Those results support the hypothesis that food does not limit avian reproductive success on an annual basis. Most deaths in 1997 were the result of starvation or sibling competition. That observation, and the fact that fed nestlings were heavier, is consistent with the idea that treatment nestlings were in improved nutritional condition. Overall patterns of mass and nest-attendance for adult female goshawks supports the hypothesis that female condition and behavior are adjusted in response to food supplies. However, it is less clear what role the females' presence in the nest stand plays in mediating juvenile deaths, because we did not document predation as a primary mortality factor during the two years of this study. The apparent flexibility in female nest attendance behavior suggests that such plasticity may be an adaptation to lower the risk of predation.
Systematic and conservation implications of mitochondrial DNA diversity in emu-wrens, Stipiturus (Aves: Maluridae)

Abstract The three species of emu-wrens (Maluridae: Stipiturus) are small passerines found in arid to mesic habitats across southern Australia. The geographical distribution of nucleotide sequence diversity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in emu-wrens was investigated to assess the systematic status of Stipiturus (Aims 1 and 2), particularly in eastern Australia, and to examine closely the population structure of Southern Emu-wren (S. malachurus) in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia (Aim 3). Aim 1: Phylogenetic relationships among the three species of Stipiturus, based previously on plumage and allozyme data, are confirmed by our mtDNA data, which support recognition of Mallee Emu-wren (S. mallee) as a distinct (evolutionary) species from, and sister lineage to, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren (S. ruficeps) rather than Southern Emu-wren. These relationships indicate that any interaction between Mallee and Southern Emu-wrens in south-eastern South Australia is a secondary contact. Aim 2: Within the Southern Emu-wren, which currently comprises eight subspecies, phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes from eastern Australia are not concordant globally with subspecies boundaries, but correspond in part to the most recent classification. A quantitative statistical evaluation of the taxonomic implications of phenotypic variation in these birds is warranted. Eastern haplotypes of Southern Emu-wren show strong phylogeographic structure indicative of allopatric divergence in refugia, with subsequent expansion without widespread introgression. Aim 3: Within the endangered populations of the Mount Lofty Ranges, historical isolation and demographic independence of central and southern populations is supported, corresponding with distribution data, but confirmation using nuclear markers is required. Despite separate subspecific designation of emu-wrens of the Mount Lofty Ranges (which are endangered) and south-eastern South Australia, they share mtDNA haplotypes without strong differentiation and emu-wrens of south-eastern South Australia should be preferred over Kangaroo Island birds for translocations into the MLR, although translocation among populations of the Mount Lofty Ranges is probably a wiser initial strategy to minimise the impact of ecological differences and risk of introduction of disease.
Transcriptional Alteration of Gene Biomarkers in Hemocytes of Wild Ostrea edulis with Molecular Evidence of Infections with Bonamia spp. and/or Marteilia refringens Parasites

The European flat Ostrea edulis is highly susceptible to intracellular parasitic infections, particularly bonamiosis and marteiliosis. The defensive response of oyster to both bonamiosis and marteiliosis is typically mediated by hemocytes, which play a pivotal role in immune system homeostasis. In the present study, we first used a DNA-based tool in order to rapidly and specifically detect the presence of parasites in oysters from natural banks in the middle Adriatic Sea. In a second step, we used qRT-PCR to analyze the mRNA levels of a set of genes (i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), metallothionein (MT), heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and 90, inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), fas ligand (FAS), galectin (GAL) and extracellular superoxide dismutase (Ec-SOD)) expressed by hemocytes of flat oysters infected by the parasites, present singularly or in combination, compared to hemocytes from non-infected specimens. The results indicate that the presence of parasite DNA may be associated to a general upregulation of host genes related to apoptosis, detoxification and oxidative stress protection, with the exception of Ec-SOD, whose trend to a downregulation might reflect a mechanism for parasite escape before internalization.
Perinatal depression: A review

Perinatal depression affects 10% to 20% of women in the United States during pregnancy, the postpartum period, or both, but it can be difficult to recognize. Identifying and treating this problem can reduce the alarming number of suicides among depressed perinatal women and the possible adverse effects of untreated maternal depression on their child’s cognitive and behavioral development. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in screening, treatment, and prevention methods. Depression affects 10% to 20% of women during pregnancy or postpartum, but it can be difficult to recognize.
In vitro reliability testing and in vivo lifespan estimation of wireless Pixium Vision PRIMA photovoltaic subretinal prostheses suggest prolonged durability and functionality in clinical practice

Objective. Retinal implants have the potential to restore some sight in patients with retinal degeneration. The PRIMA implant’s novel design features simpler insertion and no transscleral cabling or extraocular components. This in vitro study investigated PRIMA’s durability under real time and accelerated conditions and estimated the device’s lifespan in vivo. Approach. Two potential failure modes were examined: corrosion and overstimulation. Real-time aging was tested using implants immersed in balanced saline solution (BSS) at 37 °C, mimicking the intraocular environment. Accelerated aging was examined at 77 °C (Arrhenius theory). Confirmatory testing of acceleration factor was performed using different temperatures (37 °C–87 °C) and weakened implant coatings. The effect of repeated maximum stimulation was tested using a pulsed infrared laser (6x acceleration factor). Data were used to estimate device lifespan. Main results. 175 implants were tested for up to 33 months. No corrosion or water ingress was observed after approximately 20 accelerated years. A pixel failure rate of 0.15% was recorded after 10 accelerated years’ stimulation. The derived lifespan estimation for the PRIMA implant was 27.0 years with a reliability of 90% (95% confidence interval). Significance. The PRIMA implant was found to be robust, with in vitro reliability of at least 10 years. The PRIMA implant shows durability and functionality for clinically relevant timespans under similar environmental conditions to the human eye. These results require in vivo confirmation.
Mean-Subtraction Method for De-Shadowing of Tail Artifacts in Cerebral OCTA Images: A Proof of Concept

When imaging brain vasculature with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), volumetric analysis of cortical vascular networks in OCTA datasets is frequently challenging due to the presence of artifacts, which appear as multiple-scattering tails beneath superficial large vessels in OCTA images. These tails shadow underlying small vessels, making the assessment of vascular morphology in the deep cortex difficult. In this work, we introduce an image processing technique based on mean subtraction of the depth profile that can effectively reduce these tails to better reveal small hidden vessels compared to the current tail removal approach. With the improved vascular image quality, we demonstrate that this simple method can provide better visualization of three-dimensional vascular network topology for quantitative cerebrovascular studies.
Composition and seasonality of zooplankton of North Inlet, South Carolina

The zooplankton of the North Inlet estuary near Georgetown, South Carolina, was collected bi-weekly from January 1974 to August 1975 (20 months) at four stations. Zooplankton numbers ranged from 377 to 84,414 m−3 (\(\bar X\)=9257 m−3) and biomass from 640 to 140,169 μg dry weight m−3 (\(\bar X\)=16,178 μg dry weight m−3). The major peak in the density of zooplankton occurred between April and July both years.
The Effect of Socioeconomic Factors on Spatiotemporal Patterns of PM2.5 Concentration in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region and Surrounding Areas

The study investigated the spatiotemporal evolution of PM2.5 concentration in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and surrounding areas during 2015–2017, and then analyzed its socioeconomic determinants. First, an estimation model considering spatiotemporal heterogeneous relationships was developed to accurately estimate the spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentration. Additionally, socioeconomic determinants of PM2.5 concentration were analyzed using a spatial panel Dubin model, which aimed to improve the robustness of the model estimation. The results demonstrated that: (1) The proposed model significantly increased the estimation accuracy of PM2.5 concentration. The mean absolute error and root-mean-square error were 9.21 μg/m3 and 13.10 μg/m3, respectively. (2) PM2.5 concentration in the study area exhibited significant spatiotemporal changes. Although the PM2.5 concentration has declined year by year, it still exceeded national environmental air quality standards. (3) The per capita GDP, urbanization rate and number of industrial enterprises above the designated size were the key factors affecting the spatiotemporal distribution of PM2.5 concentration. This study provided scientific references for comprehensive PM2.5 pollution control in the study area.
Rainfall-runoff modeling for flood forecasting: application of global methodologies to a medium-size basin in Brazil

Abstract: The scarcity of hydrologic information related to the reality of the Brazilian hydropluviometric networks, leads one to study the behavior of the basins by means of simpler global empirical models, with few parameters to calibrate. In DPFT method (First Differences of the Transfer Function) one uses a multi-events rainfall-runoff set and an iterative algorithm for the simultaneous identification of the average Unit Hydrograph (Transfer Function) of the basin and of a series of effective precipitations associated to each event. This last particularity allows to the calibration and comparison, a posteriori, of different Loss Function models, relating observed precipitations to calculated effective precipitations identified by the methodology. Results of the application of the method are presented here, concerning the Velhas river basin, in the Honório Bicalho station. To the selected basin, two simple Loss Function models were calibrated: GR3 model and a reservoir model. Otherwise, a non-linear Artificial Neural Network ( ANN ) model approach was used to compare with the DPFT methodology. The results were analyzed and discussed.
Catálogo sistemático dos pólens das plantas arbóreas do Brasil meridional (Parte complementar: Coniferales)

In Ergaenzung des 1. Teils des Katalogs der Baumpollen Sued-brasiliens werden die drei einzigen hier vorkommenden Gymnospermaearten beschrieben: Araucaria angustifolia, Podocarpus sellowii und P. lamberti. Die erste besitzt runde, mit zwei Ausbuchtungen versehene Pollen und eine komplex gebaute Exine. Beide Podocarpusarten aehneln einander sehr. Bezueglich ihrer Groesse koennen sie nicht voneinander geschieden werden. Die beste Art der Unterscheidung besteht in der Oberflaechenstruktur der Pollenkoerper: P. sellowii hat eine feine, engmaschige, anaehernd netzartige oberflaeche (entsprechend dem "reticulate-ornate" = Typ), waehrend P. lamberti grobe Erhebungen (entsprechend dem "ornate" = typ) vorweist.
Combustion Stability Improvement of LE-9 Engine for Booster Stage of H3 Launch Vehicle,Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol.53 No.4(2016)

*1 Space Vehicle & Equipment Department, Space Systems Division, Integrated Defense & Space Systems *2 Chief Staff Manager, Space Vehicle & Equipment Department, Space Systems Division, Integrated Defense & Space Systems *3 Manager, Technology Planning Department, Technology Strategy Office *4 Combustion Research Department, Research & Innovation Center Combustion Stability Improvement of LE-9 Engine for Booster Stage of H3 Launch Vehicle
The Generic Skills Required by Malaysian Hotel Industry: A Study of Perception and Needs

The aims for this research were to identify the generic skills considered important within the Malaysian hotel industry and the perception of tourism and hospitality faculty lecturers and students about the industrial requirement of generic skills. Since education curriculum should produce graduates that meet the demand of the industry, the research has tried to bridge the gap among the needs of the Malaysian Hotel operators as well as, the perception of the lecturers and students from the department of tourism and hospitality. This study utilized the 13 generic skills adopted from the Hospitality Skills Standards. Three groups of respondent were invited to participate in this research namely the 13 state chapters, committee members of the Malaysian Association of Hotel (MAH), the tourism and hospitality lecturers and final year diploma students from the Politeknik Johor Bahru and Politeknik Merlimau. The relationship was significance between the lecturer’s and student’s perception toward the understanding of the generic skills requirement.
Quantitative comparison of Taylor Flow simulations based on sharp- and diffuse-interface models

A pressure driven flow of elongated bullet-shaped bubbles in a narrow channel is known as Taylor flow or bubble-train flow. This process is of relevance in various applications of chemical engineering. In this paper, we describe a typical simplified experimental setting, with surface tension, density and viscosity as prescribed input parameters. We compare a sharp interface model based on a moving grid aligned with the bubble boundary (ALE coordinates) and a diffuse interface model where the bubble shape is implicitly given by a phase-field function. Four independent implementations based on the two modeling approaches are introduced and described briefly. Besides the simulation of the bubble shapes, we compare some resulting quantities such as pressure difference and film widths within the implementations and to existing analytical and experimental results. The simulations were conducted in 2D and 3D (rotationally symmetric). Good accordance of the results indicate the applicability and usability of all approaches. Differences between the models and their implementations are visible but in no contradiction to theoretical results. Copyright c © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance Level Proﬁles for Code Reuse and Plug’n Play Autonomy

—Autonomous robots, such as service robots, must combine diverse capabilities in diverse ways to perform different tasks. Writing functional modules that supply these capabilities (e.g., navigation, manipulation, object recognition, and much more) requires much expertise and time. The ability to provide and use software packages and to reuse code from different projects is essential for making it possible to build new platforms quickly and reliably. However, the use and integration of software, whether one’s own or imported, requires much manual work, including reading documentation, and later on, writing scripts that combine functional modules in useful ways. Recently, we introduced Performance Level Proﬁles (PLPs), a formal, yet intuitive XML-based language for specifying the behavior of functional modules [1]. Unlike existing, text-based speciﬁcation formats, PLPs are machine readable and more precise, and support software modularity in a number of ways. First, they provide a form of contract – an important software engineering notion crucial for code reuse – for robotics. More importantly, they take us closer to modular construction and reuse of software for autonomous systems. In [1] we describe the automated generation of monitoring code given PLPs. Here we explain how we support automated reuse and integration of multiple functional modules via AI task-planning technology: Given the PLP speciﬁcation of a given functional module, we automatically generate wrappers that enable a generic task planner to interact with these modules without modifying their code. The planner can schedule module execution, in essence, providing ”scripts” on demand.
Toward a self-adapting resource-restricted voice-based Classification of Naturalistic Interaction Stages

For the implementation of a user oriented assistance system, or an advanced humancomputer interface, the computerized part needs to be supplied with a wide range of information concerning the current user. The adaption and personalization of the user experience is based not only on the recognition of control commands, which can be solved through current voice controlled interfaces, which are capable of interpreting the syntax of its user, but also on the non-syntactical information conveyed through voice affect or body language. Therefore, current research aims to advance the capabilities of computer assisted systems to recognize emotions and also more general states of a user. This is done to provide for the anticipative and cooperative behavior needed for assisting applications, which then can adapt to the specific needs the user can have concerning their personal state and level of mental involvement. To facilitate this, one needs to provide current classifiers working on highly relevant features suitable for the discrimination of user states. Used features can change considerably between different classiffication tasks which hinders a general set of features. At the same time such systems often need to be mobile applications, which restricts the amount of computational power available, and additionally real-time compatible, which limits the complexity of the used classifier and its applicable feature set, since resource-restricted hardware is used in such application. Our aim is to provide an alternative approach to get similar results to more complex methods, by using simpler architectures with a relatively small dataset. The inspiration were comparable studies concerning the minimization of the used feature set as discussed in this paper.
Extending Spreadsheets to Support Seamless Navigation at Scale

—Spreadsheets are one of the most popular tools for ad-hoc exploration and analysis of data. Despite that, exploring and analyzing spreadsheet datasets that span more than a few screens via operations such as scrolling or issuing formulae, is often overwhelming for end-users. Users easily lose context as they explore the data via scrolling and suffer from cognitive and mechanical burdens while issuing formulae on data spanning multiple screens. We propose integrating a navigation plug-in with spreadsheets to support the seamless exploration of large datasets that are increasingly the norm. Our interface, NOAH, developed using lessons from classical overview+detail interfaces, embeds a multi-granularity zoomable overview alongside the spreadsheet. Users can employ the overview to explore the data at various granularities. Furthermore, they can issue formulae over subsets of data without performing cumbersome scrolling or range selection operations, enabling users to gain a high or low-level perspective of the spreadsheet data. NOAH preserves spreadsheet semantics and look and feel, while introducing such enhancements. Our user study demonstrates that NOAH makes it more intuitive, easier, and faster to navigate spreadsheet data compared to traditional spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel, for a variety of navigational tasks; participants made 2 . 5 × fewer mistakes in NOAH than in Excel while being twice as fast in completing the tasks.