Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lepidopteran Granivory Reduces Seed Counts in a Rare Species of Riparian Scour Prairies

ABSTRACT In Pennsylvania Baptisia australis var. australis is found along only four waterways: the Allegheny River, Youghiogheny River, Clarion River, and Red Bank Creek. Because of its limited distribution and small number of extant populations, the species is considered state-threatened in Pennsylvania. In addition, the riparian prairie habitat that Pennsylvania Baptisia australis var. australis is restricted to is also in decline and considered vulnerable. Because of these conservation concerns, insights into the natural history of the taxon in the state is valuable and will inform conservation efforts. Field surveys and fruit collections along the Allegheny River and herbarium collections were used to investigate and document granivory in Pennsylvania Baptisia australis var. australis, a phenomenon recorded in other parts of the species' range, but not previously reported on in Pennsylvania. Using a model of best fit, the number of seeds found in fruit was found to be significantly impacted by the presence of granivores. We also report that visual surveys of fruits in the field are found to be accurate assessments of the presence and potential impact of granivores. In turn, our results will inform the conservation and management of Baptisia australis var. australis populations in Pennsylvania and highlight the importance of field surveys in protecting threatened taxa.
Effects of Forest Roads on Large Mammal Behaviour

ABSTRACT Forest roads are the most important infrastructural facilities to exploit forests that are renewable natural resources. They are of great importance for all kinds of scientific and technical interventions to be made to the forest. Despite the benefits of forest roads, they have great potential to cause degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of forest road technical features and intensity of use (traffic volume) on movements of mammals. From August 2017 to September 2017, a total of six forest roads and their surroundings were observed from fixed plots with wildlife camera traps. The study identified a total of twelve species of mammals. All together 589 individuals were counted from 461 wild animal images. Golden jackal, wild boar, and red fox are dominant species in the study area. The species composition of wild mammals was not strongly related to road characteristics. Drivers and wild animals use the same area but differ in time of use. It was also determined that wild animals adopted the road as a part of natural surroundings.
Sensitivity in allergic asthmatic subjects towards house dust mite allergens

Abstract Asthma is a common problem that affects about 20 million peoples in India and can be often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed. It can be allergic or non-allergic though the former type is more common and prevalent. Allergic asthma can be triggered by many allergens and house dust mites (HDM) are one of the common indoor allergens. The present study emphasizes the significance of house dust mites in allergic asthmatic subjects which is based on 115 asthmatic subjects in Punjab, India. For the quantification and the estimation of total serum Immunoglobulin E and HDM specific IgE, a mixture of 14 allergens and a mixture of two mite allergens viz. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae were used respectively. Total and specific IgE levels were detected on ImmunoCAP Phadia 100. A statistically significant correlation between total and HDM specific IgE levels of 115 asthmatic subjects was found as compared to control group of 30 non-allergic individuals. The specific IgE levels of 54.78% subjects against the allergen of two mite species were found to be positive. Dust samples were taken from various localities of the houses to identify the diversity of house dust mites which were responsible for allergic asthma. Five common house dust mite species viz. D. pteronyssinus Trouessart, D. farinae Hughes, D. microceras Griffiths and Cunnington, D. aureliani Fain and Euroglyphus maynei Cooreman were identified from the dust. The present study observed that total IgE levels were higher with higher specific IgE levels against the mixture of two mite allergens viz. D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in the blood serum. D. pteronyssinus was the most abundant and prevalent mite species followed by D. farinae. Therefore, present study concluded that HDM specific IgE levels against the mite allergen of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in the serum of allergic asthmatic subjects were found to be higher because of the higher prevalence of these two mites (D. pteronyssinus i.e. 69.80% and D. farinae i.e. 20.72%) in the house of allergic asthmatic subjects as compared to other identified mites.
The Description of an Efficient Trap for Monitoring Drosophila suzukii Parasitoids in Organic Soft Fruit Crops, and a New Record of Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) from Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract. A novel trap designed for monitoring parasitoids of spotted-wing Drosophila (SWD) is described. This new trap utilizes host fruits that are known host substrates for SWD and chocolate or vanilla baits, yielding a more accurate measure of SWD-parasitoids populations than banana traps. Fieldwork was carried out in Michoacan, Mexico, and the dominant parasitoids captured were all Figitidae: Leptopilina boulardi Barbotin, Carton and Kelner-Pillault and Ganaspis brasiliensis Ihering. The capture of Ganaspis brasiliensis is the first record of this species in Michoacan, and using DNA ‘COI barcode’ data, this Mexican population is consistent with the G5 population. We conclude that it is possible to promote this species as a biological control agent through inoculation and conservation in organic production of blackberry against D. suzukii, through an “Augmentoria” strategy using our sentinel trap with chocolate baits and preferred host of SWD to attract more SWD-parasitoids.
Integrating a morphological description with DNA barcode data of a new species of the genus Pimeliaphilus (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae) with the analysis of its host specificity and a key to the genus

Abstract Pimeliaphilus hemidactyli sp. nov., a new species of the mite genus Pimeliaphilus Trägårdh (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae), is described from four host species of Hemidactylus: H. murrayi Gleadow (type host), H. frenatus Duméril & Bibron, H. parvimaculatus Deraniyagala and H. leschenaultii Duméril & Bibron (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from India. P. hemidactyli sp. nov. is the most similar to P. sharifi Abdussalam, 1941 and P. insignis (Berlese, 1892); this species can be distinguished from P. sharifi by the presence of 11 dorsal setae on the idiosoma, the absence of leg setae v”GII, v”TrIII and the presence of v'TrIV, and from P. sharifi by the presence of 11 dorsal setae on idiosoma, 1 pair of genital setae and the absence of coxal setae 4c. The standard morphological description of the new species is supplemented with sequencing data for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear ribosomal genes: 18S rDNA and hypervariable region D2 of nuclear 28S rRNA. The present study also addresses specialisation amongst Pimeliaphilus hemidactyli sp. nov. using two measures of host specificity: (1) the number of host species used by the mites species at the study area; and (2) a measure that considers the taxonomic distinctness of the hosts used by the mite, weighted for its prevalence in the different hosts. The results of this study indicate that this species is highly host specific (a stenoxenous species) and that, in the presence of coexisting gecko species, it prefers Murray's House gecko (H. murrayi) as a host (prevalence of 41%). A historical review of the genus is presented and a key to the genus is constructed.
Application of the Christensen‐Lo Model to the Reinforcement of Elastomers by Fractal Fillers

This paper is concerned with the development of a hydrodynamic model for the reinforcement of rubber by colloidal fillers such as silica and carbon black. Each fractal aggregate is replaced by an equivalent effective sphere, and the reinforcing ability of the latter is estimated using the Christensen-Lo solution of the “three-phase composite sphere model”. With a single adjustable parameter, the model allows a quantitative interpretation of the small-strain modulus of rubber loaded with up to 50 PHR of N234 carbon black, which falls just below the filler overlap concentration. No additional contributions to the small-strain modulus by filler–filler “interactions” are needed to interpret the data. A branched filler aggregate made up of spherical primary particles (black) and the effective sphere replacing it (gray).
Development of a novel arylalkylpiperazine compound (AM‐36) as a hybrid neuroprotective drug

Animal experimentation in recent years has revealed a complex biochemical cascade after the induction of ischemia in brain as a model of the devastating disease, stroke. Drugs which block components of the biochemical cascade such as the depolarizing actions of the excitatory transmitter L‐glutamate on its receptors have been investigated as putative neuroprotective drugs. Similarly, antioxidants that quench free radicals that arise during ischemia have also been investigated as putative neuroprotective drugs. We have designed and synthesized a hybrid compound, AM‐36 [1‐(2‐(4‐chlorophenyl]‐2‐hydroxy)ethyl‐4‐(3,5‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)methylpiperazine] to block several of the biochemical derangements during cerebral ischemia. Screening tests showed that AM‐36 was able to block the polyamine site of glutamate receptors, neuronal sodium channels, and also was an antioxidant. Studies with neuronal cell cultures revealed that AM‐36 blocked excitotoxicity induced both by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) as well as the sodium channel opener veratridine. In a realistic, conscious rat model of focal ischemia, systemic injections of AM‐36 substantially reduced the area of infarction in the cortex. AM‐36 also protected striatal dopamine neurons in mice from excessive glutamatergic stimulation induced by subchronic injections of methamphetamine. These experiments in animals show that AM‐36 is a unique neuroprotective drug with more than one mechanism of action in preventing neuronal degeneration. Drug Dev. Res. 46:261–267, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Draft Genome Sequences of a Bacillus subtilis Strain, a Bacillus velezensis Strain, a Paenibacillus Strain, and an Acinetobacter baumannii Strain, All Isolated from the Phyllosphere of Lactuca sativa or Solanum lycopersicum

Four strains isolated from tomato and lettuce phyllosphere were sequenced in order to investigate the presence of novel antimicrobial gene clusters and to get a better understanding of plant microbe interactions. These strains comprise two Bacillus strains, one Paenibacillus strain, and one Acinetobacter strain. ABSTRACT Four strains isolated from tomato and lettuce phyllosphere were sequenced in order to investigate the presence of novel antimicrobial gene clusters and to get a better understanding of plant microbe interactions. These strains comprise two Bacillus strains, one Paenibacillus strain, and one Acinetobacter strain.
Prototypical oncogene family Myc defines unappreciated distinct lineage states of small cell lung cancer

Historically well-known tumor-promoting gene family plays a key role in cell identity regulation in small cell lung cancer. Comprehensive genomic analyses of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have revealed frequent mutually exclusive genomic amplification of MYC family members. Hence, it has been long suggested that they are functionally equivalent; however, more recently, their expression has been associated with specific neuroendocrine markers and distinct histopathology. Here, we explored a previously undescribed role of L-Myc and c-Myc as lineage-determining factors contributing to SCLC molecular subtypes and histology. Integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses showed that L-Myc and c-Myc impart neuronal and non-neuroendocrine–associated transcriptional programs, respectively, both associated with distinct SCLC lineage. Genetic replacement of c-Myc with L-Myc in c-Myc–SCLC induced a neuronal state but was insufficient to induce ASCL1-SCLC. In contrast, c-Myc induced transition from ASCL1-SCLC to NEUROD1–SCLC characterized by distinct large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma–like histopathology. Collectively, we characterize a role of historically defined general oncogenes, c-Myc and L-Myc, for regulating lineage plasticity across molecular and histological subtypes.
Complete Genome Sequences of 12 Quinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Containing qnrS1 Based on Hybrid Assemblies

In total, 12 quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (QREC) strains containing qnrS1 were submitted to long-read sequencing using a FLO-MIN106 flow cell on a MinION device. The long reads were assembled with short reads (Illumina) and analyzed using the MOB-suite pipeline. Six of these QREC genome sequences were closed after hybrid assembly. ABSTRACT In total, 12 quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (QREC) strains containing qnrS1 were submitted to long-read sequencing using a FLO-MIN106 flow cell on a MinION device. The long reads were assembled with short reads (Illumina) and analyzed using the MOB-suite pipeline. Six of these QREC genome sequences were closed after hybrid assembly.
Systems Approaches to Unravel T Cell Function and Therapeutic Potential in Autoimmune Disease

Producing Ag-specific immune responses constrained to target tissues or cells that can be engaged or disengaged at will is predicated on understanding the network of genes governing immune cell function, defining the rules underlying Ag specificity, and synthesizing the tools to engineer them. The successes and limitations of chimeric Ag receptor (CAR) T cells emphasize this goal, and advances in high-throughput sequencing, large-scale genomic screens, single-cell profiling, and genetic modification are providing the necessary data to bring it to fruition—including a broader application into the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we delve into the implementation of these developments, survey the relevant works, and propose a framework for generating the next generation of synthetic T cells informed by the principles learned from these systems approaches.
The structure of the actin filament uncapping complex mediated by twinfilin

Competitive interactions between capping protein, twinfilin, and actin drive actin filament uncapping and recycling. Uncapping of actin filaments is essential for driving polymerization and depolymerization dynamics from capping protein–associated filaments; however, the mechanisms of uncapping leading to rapid disassembly are unknown. Here, we elucidated the x-ray crystal structure of the actin/twinfilin/capping protein complex to address the mechanisms of twinfilin uncapping of actin filaments. The twinfilin/capping protein complex binds to two G-actin subunits in an orientation that resembles the actin filament barbed end. This suggests an unanticipated mechanism by which twinfilin disrupts the stable capping of actin filaments by inducing a G-actin conformation in the two terminal actin subunits. Furthermore, twinfilin disorders critical actin-capping protein interactions, which will assist in the dissociation of capping protein, and may promote filament uncapping through a second mechanism involving V-1 competition for an actin-binding surface on capping protein. The extensive interactions with capping protein indicate that the evolutionary conserved role of twinfilin is to uncap actin filaments.
Improper molecular ferroelectrics with simultaneous ultrahigh pyroelectricity and figures of merit

The coupling between the rotation angle of anions and polarization yields colossal pyroelectricity of molecular ferroelectrics. Although ferroelectric materials exhibit large pyroelectric coefficients, their pyroelectric figures of merit (FOMs) are severely limited by their high dielectric constants because of the inverse relationship between FOMs and dielectric constant. Here, we report the molecular ferroelectric [Hdabco]ClO4 and [Hdabco]BF4 (dabco = diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) exhibiting improper ferroelectric behavior and pyroelectric FOMs outperforming the current ferroelectrics. Concurrently, the improper molecular ferroelectrics have pyroelectric coefficients that are more than one order of magnitude greater than the state-of-the-art pyroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3. Our first-principles and thermodynamic calculations show that the strong coupling between the order parameters, i.e., the rotation angle of anions and polarization, is responsible for the colossal pyroelectric coefficient of the molecular ferroelectrics. Along with the facile preparation and self-poling features, the improper molecular ferroelectrics hold great promise for high-performance pyroelectric devices.
Moonstruck sleep: Synchronization of human sleep with the moon cycle under field conditions

Sleep is delayed and shortened preceding the full moon phase, both in absence of electric light and in modern urban societies. Before the availability of artificial light, moonlight was the only source of light sufficient to stimulate nighttime activity; still, evidence for the modulation of sleep timing by lunar phases is controversial. Here, we use wrist actimetry to show a clear synchronization of nocturnal sleep timing with the lunar cycle in participants living in environments that range from a rural setting with and without access to electricity in indigenous Toba/Qom communities in Argentina to a highly urbanized postindustrial setting in the United States. Our results show that sleep starts later and is shorter on the nights before the full moon when moonlight is available during the hours following dusk. Our data suggest that moonlight likely stimulated nocturnal activity and inhibited sleep in preindustrial communities and that access to artificial light may emulate the ancestral effect of early-night moonlight.
Recent migration of tropical cyclones toward coasts

Too close for comfort Tropical cyclones are becoming stronger and occurring at higher latitudes than in the past. Wang and Toumi report that cyclones' points of maximum intensity also have been coming closer to land since 1982, the distance decreasing by about 30 kilometers per decade as their paths drift poleward and westward (see the Perspective by Camargo and Wing). This shift could increase the danger that tropical cyclones pose to coastal populations. Science, this issue p. 514; see also p. 458 Tropical cyclone tracks are shifting toward land globally. Poleward migrations of tropical cyclones have been observed globally, but their impact on coastal areas remains unclear. We investigated the change in global tropical cyclone activity in coastal regions over the period 1982–2018. We found that the distance of tropical cyclone maximum intensity to land has decreased by about 30 kilometers per decade, and that the annual frequency of global tropical cyclones increases with proximity to land by about two additional cyclones per decade. Trend analysis reveals a robust migration of tropical cyclone activity toward coasts, concurrent with poleward migration of cyclone locations as well as a statistically significant westward shift. This zonal shift of tropical cyclone tracks may be mainly driven by global zonal changes in environmental steering flow.
Research on the influence of interpretability of artificial intelligence recommendation system on users' behavior intention

The complexity and unexplainability of the artificial intelligence recommendation system make it difficult for ordinary users to understand its operating principle, often triggering two extreme emotions-extreme distrust and excessive trust. Therefore, it is very important to find out the factors that influence the behavior intentions of users in the artificial intelligence recommendation system and examine its effectiveness through empirical research. Taking technology acceptance theory as the research framework, and considering procedural fairness and system interpretability, this paper develops the usage intention model of artificial intelligence recommendation system, and carries out empirical research with the AMOS software. The empirical results show that the interpretability of the artificial intelligence recommendation system has a significant positive impact on user trust, usefulness, and ease of use; and procedural fairness has significant effect on trust and usefulness. The research results are helpful to further understand the impact of procedural fairness and interpretability on system usefulness and user behavior of artificial intelligence recommendation system, and offer guidance for further improvement of artificial intelligence recommendation system.
SSD-based Workload Characteristics and Their Performance Implications

Storage systems are designed and optimized relying on wisdom derived from analysis studies of file-system and block-level workloads. However, while SSDs are becoming a dominant building block in many storage systems, their design continues to build on knowledge derived from analysis targeted at hard disk optimization. Though still valuable, it does not cover important aspects relevant for SSD performance. In a sense, we are “searching under the streetlight,” possibly missing important opportunities for optimizing storage system design. We present the first I/O workload analysis designed with SSDs in mind. We characterize traces from four repositories and examine their “temperature” ranges, sensitivity to page size, and “logical locality. ” We then take the first step towards correlating these characteristics with three standard performance metrics: write amplification, read amplification, and flash read costs. Our results show that SSD-specific characteristics strongly affect performance, often in surprising ways.
Uncertainty Modeling of Emerging Device based Computing-in-Memory Neural Accelerators with Application to Neural Architecture Search

Emerging device based Computing-in-memory (CiM) has been proved to be a promising candidate for high energy efficiency deep neural network (DNN) computations. However, most emerging devices suffer uncertainty issues, resulting in a difference between actual data stored and the weight value it is design to be. This leads to an accuracy drop from trained models to actually deployed platforms. In this work, we offer a thorough analysis on the effect of such uncertainties induced changes in DNN models. To reduce the impact of device uncertainties, we propose UAE, a uncertainty-aware Neural Architecture Search scheme to identify a DNN model that is both accurate and robust against device uncertainties.
Identifying the Motives of Using Weibo from Digital Traces

Billions of users around the world are using social networking sites (SNS) to express everyday thoughts and feelings. Investigating motives of using SNS is attracting scholarly attention. The common way to assess users' motives is analyzing data from self-report questionnaires. The current research aims to identifying undergraduate students' motives of using Weibo from digital traces, in an effort to alleviate the distortion in self-report data. The term frequency-inverse document frequency (Tf-idf) was employed to obtain key terms and their weights in digital traces crawled from Weibo. Top frequent terms, based on Tf-idf, indicate that entertainment, information seeking and sharing, and alleviating life stress are among the major motives of using Weibo. This study underscores the feasibility and importance of directly detecting motives of using SNS from digital traces.