Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex (CEH/P) significantly perturbs the reproductive performance of affected bitches and ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is a commonly applied treatment. Thus the only way to take advantage of the genetic potential of valuable females is application of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) mainly in vitro embryo production (IVP) or in some exceptional cases animal cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The aim of our study was to examine a potential effect of the CEH/P status on the quality of oocytes from females subjected to OHE. In total, 828 immature oocytes collected from ovaries of 33 bitches (21 control, 12 CEH/P) were subjected to genetic analyses (mRNA expression of two maternal-effect genes: GDF-9, OCT4 and mitochondrial DNA – mtDNA content). Oocytes of CEH/P females were characterized by a higher mtDNA content (471 696) than gametes of their healthy counterparts (368 175; p<0,005). Transcripts for the two genes were detected in all samples and the mRNA level was not affected by the CEH/P status. In conclusion, the CEH/P complex does not exert a negative effect on oocyte quality reflected by the two parameters examined in this study.
Design of compact optical systems using multichannel configurations

Compacting devices is an increasingly demanding requirement for many applications in both nonimaging and imaging optics. “Compacting” means here decreasing the volume of the space between the entry and the exit aperture without decreasing the optical performance. For nonimaging optical systems, compact optics is mainly important for reducing cost. Its small volume means less material is needed for mass-production and small size and light weight save cost in transportation. For imaging optical systems, in addition to the mentioned advantages, compact optics increases portability of devices as well, which contributes a lot to wearable display technologies such as Head Mounted Displays (HMD). After reviewing the different techniques to design compact systems, we analyze here the multichannel strategies. These type of designs split the incoming bundle of rays in different sub-bundles that are optically processed (independently) and then recombined in a single outgoing bundle. The optics volume decreases rapidly with the number of sub-bundles. These designs usually need to be combined with freeform optics in order to get optimum performance.
Closely Related Archaeal Haloarcula hispanica Icosahedral Viruses HHIV-2 and SH1 Have Nonhomologous Genes Encoding Host Recognition Functions

ABSTRACT Studies on viral capsid architectures and coat protein folds have revealed the evolutionary lineages of viruses branching to all three domains of life. A widespread group of icosahedral tailless viruses, the PRD1-adenovirus lineage, was the first to be established. A double β-barrel fold for a single major capsid protein is characteristic of these viruses. Similar viruses carrying genes coding for two major capsid proteins with a more complex structure, such as Thermus phage P23-77 and haloarchaeal virus SH1, have been isolated. Here, we studied the host range, life cycle, biochemical composition, and genomic sequence of a new isolate, Haloarcula hispanica icosahedral virus 2 (HHIV-2), which resembles SH1 despite being isolated from a different location. Comparative analysis of these viruses revealed that their overall architectures are very similar except that the genes for the receptor recognition vertex complexes are unrelated even though these viruses infect the same hosts.
QUANTUM THEORETICAL STUDY ON CURRENT-VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS IN MOLECULAR TRANSPORT PHENOMENA

Nowadays, scientific issues have been focused on nanotechnology and properties of particular particle transport phenomena, and thus, atomistic-scale computations have been utilized in various research fields of physics, chemistry, biology, materials sciences, and engineering applications. In this thesis, we have developed a theoretical model to distinguish electrical conductance of molecular species in terms of current-voltage (I-V ) characteristics. A novel method to evaluate non-equilibrium electronic processes is proposed, which may overcome a computational barrier limited in ground states. Some numerical results from ab initio computations are also demonstrated, focusing on the orientation of molecules to the electrode surfaces in non-equilibrium transport processes, such as single-molecule junctions and oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). Our theoretical model is developed based on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and numerical procedures in density functional theory. Further computations have been carried out to investigate a relationship between the orientation of dipole moment and energy levels in molecules under the external electric field. Firstly, the present method is applied to a single-molecule junction in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing technique by using nano-gapped sensing electrodes, where four types of DNA bases can be identified by tunneling current measurement associated with the unique conduction property of each base. Sequential identification of DNA bases by measuring their electrical conductance is one of the most interesting topics, because it is expected to reduce the time and cost for sequence analyses for gene therapy, safety of foods, and
Effects of different resistance training protocols over the morphofunctional , hormonal and immunological parameters

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of two different resistance training protocols on the anthropometric (weight, BMI, fat mass), functional parameters (1-MR test, and maximal repetition test) and the parameters related to the endocrine system (testosterone and cortisol concentrations), as well as to the immunological system (glutamine and IgC concentrations). The study was composed by twelve trained men (27.4 ± 4.8 years), who were randomly divided in two groups that later were submitted to two different training protocols: the Multiple Series (MS), and Tri-set (TS). Blood samplings were collected before and after an resistance training session in the beginning and the end of the 8 weeks training period. It was observed no alterations in the morphofunctional parameters (except as to the maximal repetition test for the squat). As to the endocrine parameters, it was observed that the TS caused a significant increase in the cortisol immediately after the training session both in the beginning and in the end of the eight weeks (p < 0.05) period. Upon the observation of the testosterone vs. cortisol ratio (T:C) behavior, it can be observed a noticeable increase in the group submitted to the MS protocol after the 8 weeks training period (p < 0.05). As to the immunological parameters, it was observed no alterations in the concentration of the immunoglobulin G. The concentration of the glutamine suffered a decrease after 8 weeks in both groups. That decrease had a higher accentuation in the TS group (p < 0.05). Results attained suggest that the TS method imposed a higher stress to the body. Furthermore, these data also indicate that the MS protocol promotes a more propitious environment to the anabolism after the 8 weeks training period. However, both methods did not succeed in promoting significant changes in the morphofunctional parameters.
Expected exponential utility maximization of insurers with a Linear Gaussian stochastic factor model

Abstract In this paper, we consider the problem of optimal investment by an insurer. The wealth of the insurer is described by a Cramér–Lundberg process. The insurer invests in a market consisting of a bank account and m risky assets. The mean returns and volatilities of the risky assets depend linearly on economic factors that are formulated as the solutions of linear stochastic differential equations. Moreover, the insurer preferences are exponential. With this setting, a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation that is derived via a dynamic programming approach has an explicit solution found by solving the matrix Riccati equation. Hence, the optimal strategy can be constructed explicitly. Finally, we present some numerical results related to the value function and the ruin probability using the optimal strategy.
A new mechanism of ionizing radiation detection for positron emission tomography: modulation of optical properties

Using conventional scintillation detection, the fundamental limit in positron emission tomography (PET) annihilation photon pair coincidence time resolution is strongly dependent on the inherent temporal variances generated during the scintillation process, yielding an intrinsic physical limit of around 100 ps. On the other hand, modulation mechanisms of a material's optical properties as exploited in the optical telecommunications industry can be orders of magnitude faster. In this paper we borrow from the concept of optics pump-probe measurement to study whether ionizing radiation can also produce fast modulations of optical properties, which can be utilized as a novel method for radiation detection. We show that a refractive index modulation of approximately 5x10-6 is induced by interactions in a cadmium telluride (CdTe) crystal from a 511 keV photon source. Furthermore, using additional radionuclide sources, we show that the amplitude of the optical modulation signal varies linearly with both the radiation source flux rate and average photon energy.
Ecological Risk Assessment

Introduction to Ecological Risk Assessment Defining the Field Other Types of Assessments Ecological Risk Assessment Frameworks Ecological Epidemiology and Causal Analysis Variability, Uncertainty, and Probability Dimensions, Scales, and Levels of Organization Modes and Mechanisms of Action Mixed and Multiple Agents Quality Assurance Planning and Problem Formulation Impetus and Mandate Goals and Objectives Management Options Agents and Sources Environmental Description Exposure Scenarios Assessment Endpoints Conceptual Models Analysis Plans Analysis of Exposure Source Identification and Characterization Sampling, Analysis, and Assays Mathematical Models of Chemical Transport and Fate Exposure to Chemicals and Other Agents Analysis of Effects Exposure-Response Relationships Testing Biological Surveys Organism-Level Extrapolation Models Population Modeling Ecosystem Effects Modeling Risk Characterization Criteria and Benchmarks Integrating Exposure and Exposure-Response Screening Characterization Definitive Risk Characterization by Weighing the Evidence Comparative Risk Characterization Characterizing Variability, Uncertainty, and Incomplete Knowledge Risk Management Reporting and Communicating Ecological Risks Decision Making and Ecological Risks Integration of Human Health Risk Assessment Integration of Risk, Law, Ethics, Economics, and Preferences Monitoring the Results of Risk Management The Future of Ecological Risk Assessment Glossary References Index
From Rags to Riches: How Robust is the Influence of Culture on Entrepreneurial Activity?

Entrepreneurial activity differs substantially across countries. While cultural differences across countries have often been proposed as an explanation, measuring a country's cultural characteristics suffers from various problems. This paper offers new evidence on the relative importance of cultural and institutional determinants of economic activity. In order to test the hypothesis that cultural factors influence entrepreneurial behavior, we observe differences in self-employment rates between immigrant groups within the same market. This approach allows holding constant the institutional environment. Using U.S. Census data for the year 2000, we find significant differences in the propensity to become self-employed across immigrants from 148 countries which is in line with previous findings. However, previous studies could not relate self-employment rates in the U.S. to self-employment shares in the immigrants' home-countries, contradicting a cultural explanation. We improve over the existing literature by additionally accounting for determinants of self-employment in the immigrants' home countries. We find evidence of a significantly positive relationship between self-employment rates of U.S. immigrants and entrepreneurial activity in their respective countries of origin that is robust to the inclusion of further variables, including institutions. We also find, however, a significant influence of home-country institutions on differences in immigrant activities. Our findings suggest that cultural factors (measured as behavioral persistence) are to some degree an expression of the behavior acquired under different institutional environments.
“It Just Kind of Feels Like a Different World Now:” Stress and Resilience for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes in the Era of COVID-19

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major stressor for adolescents. Given the unique implications of the pandemic for youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), who already navigate multiple stressors as a function of their chronic condition, we aimed to describe the impact of the pandemic on adolescents with T1D and describe their coping strategies and resilience resources. Research Method In a 2-site (Seattle WA, Houston TX) clinical trial of a psychosocial intervention targeting stress/resilience, adolescents 13-18 years old with T1D ≥ 1 year and elevated diabetes distress were enrolled August 2020 – June 2021. Participants completed a baseline survey about the pandemic, including open-ended questions about the effects of the pandemic, what was helping them navigate, and how it impacted T1D management. Hemoglobin A1c (A1c) was extracted from clinical records. Free text responses were analyzed using an inductive content approach. Survey responses and A1c were summarized using descriptive statistics and associations were assessed by Chi-squared tests. Results Adolescents (n=122) were 56% female. 11% of adolescents reported diagnosis of COVID-19 and 12% had a family member/other important person die from COVID-19 complications. Adolescents described Social Relationships, Personal Health/Safety Practices, Mental Health, Family Relationships, and School to be primary areas affected by COVID-19. Helpful resources included: Learned Skills/Behaviors, Social Support/Community, and Meaning-Making/Faith. Among participants indicating that the pandemic had an impact on their T1D management (n=35), the most commonly described areas were: Food, Self-Care, Health/Safety, Diabetes Appointments, and Exercise. Compared to adolescents who reported minimal difficulty managing T1D during the pandemic (71%), those reporting moderate to extreme difficulty (29%) were more likely to have A1C ≥ 8% (80% vs. 43%, p<.01). Conclusions Results underscore the pervasive impact of COVID-19 on teens with T1D across multiple major life domains. Their coping strategies aligned with stress, coping, and resilience theories and suggest resilient responses in the face of stress. Despite experiencing pandemic-related stressors in many areas, diabetes-related functioning was relatively protected for most teens, highlighting their diabetes-specific resilience. Discussing the pandemic impact on T1D management may be an important focus for clinicians, especially for adolescents with diabetes distress and above-target A1C.
THE LAW OF THE ITERATED LOGARITHM FOR EMPIRICAL DISTRIBUTIONS

A law of the iterated logarithm is derived for the empirical distribution functions of a sequence of independent identically distributed random variables. Convergence is in the uniform topology on the space of functions on the reals with discontinuities of the first kind only. The proof depends on a law of the iterated logarithm for independent identically distributed vector-valued random variables.
Diabetes Self-management Education and Support in Type 2 Diabetes

From International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Powers); MedStar Health Research Institute and MedStar Nursing, Hyattsville, Maryland (Ms Bardsley); ABQ Health Partners, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Dr Cypress); LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Solutions Company, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Ms Duker); University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Ms Funnell); University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Ms Fischl); Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts (Ms Maryniuk); School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Siminerio); and University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (Dr Vivian).
Molecular Analysis of Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2014.

Background Very little is known about influenza viruses circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We aim to characterize genetically and antigenically Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses circulating in the country. Methods From August to December 2014, specimens were collected from patients with influenza like-illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in various surveillance sites. Specimens were tested using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for the detection of influenza viruses. Positive influenza samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) <30 were genetically and antigenically characterized. Results 32 samples tested were found positive to influenza A with Ct <30. At CDC Atlanta, 28 out of 32 samples (88%) were tested positive for influenza A virus, including 26 seasonal influenza A viruses subtype H3N2 and 2 pandemic influenza A viruses subtype H1N1pdm 2009. The majority of influenza A(H3N2) viruses were antigenically related to the A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 vaccine virus, while two influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 isolates were antigenically characterized as A/California/07/2009-like. All A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus isolates characterized were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Conclusion Two genetically distinct influenza subtypes were co-circulating in the DRCongo. Effective measures against influenza have been suggested.
Active fault scarps in southern Malawi and their implications for the 1 distribution of strain in incipient continental rifts 2

18 The distribution of deformation during the early stages of continental rifting is an important 19 constraint on our understanding of continental breakup. Incipient rifting in East Africa has 20 been considered to be dominated by slip along rift border faults, with a subsequent 21 transition to focussed extension on axial segments in thinned crust and/or with active 22 magmatism. Here, we study high-resolution satellite data of the Zomba Graben in southern 23 Malawi, an amagmatic rift whose topography is dominated by the west-dipping Zomba 24 fault. We document evidence for five sub-parallel fault scarps between 13 and 51 km long 25 spaced ~10-15 km apart. The scarps consist of up to five segments between 4-18 km long, 26 separated by minima in scarp height and river knickpoints. The maximum height of each 27 fault scarp ranges from 9.5 ± 4.2 m to 35.3 ± 14.6 m, with the highest scarp measured on 28 the intrabasin Chingale Step fault. We estimate that the scarps were formed by multiple 29 earthquakes of up to Mw7.1, and represent a previously unrecognized seismic hazard. Our 30 calculations show that 55 ± 24 % of extensional strain is accommodated across intrabasin 31 faults within the ~50 km wide rift. This demonstrates that a significant proportion of 32 displacement can occur on intrabasin faults during early stage rifting, even in thick 33 continental lithosphere with no evidence for magmatic fluids. 34 Plain Language Summary 35 When continents begin to stretch, earthquakes occur on faults that incrementally 36 accumulate slip to eventually form a rift valley. To estimate the hazard posed by these 37 earthquakes, it is important to understand where these faults are located, and how much 38 stretching they each accommodate. We analyse faults in the Zomba Graben, a young rift in 39 southern Malawi, using high-resolution satellite data. Steep scarps indicate that recent 40 earthquakes have occurred at both the edges and in the middle of the rift valley. 41 Pronounced activity in the rift middle is thought to require a thinned rigid outer layer of the 42 Earth, or mechanically unfavourable faults at the rift edge. Neither of these factors have 43 been observed in southern Malawi. We suggest that the distribution of active faults, and 44 hence of earthquakes, is likely controlled by weaknesses in the middle and lower parts of 45 the Earth’s crust. 46
The Complexity of (Δ+1) Coloring in Congested Clique, Massively Parallel Computation, and Centralized Local Computation

In this paper, we present new randomized algorithms that improve the complexity of the classic (Δ+1)-coloring problem, and its generalization (Δ+1)-list-coloring, in three well-studied models of distributed, parallel, and centralized computation: Distributed Congested Clique: We present an O(1)-round randomized algorithm for (Δ + 1)-list-coloring in the congested clique model of distributed computing. This settles the asymptotic complexity of this problem. It moreover improves upon the O(log* Δ)-round randomized algorithms of Parter and Su [DISC'18] and O((log log Δ)⋅ log* Δ)-round randomized algorithm of Parter [ICALP'18]. Massively Parallel Computation: We present a randomized (Δ + 1)-list-coloring algorithm with round complexity O(√ log log n ) in the Massively Parallel Computation (MPC) model with strongly sublinear memory per machine. This algorithm uses a memory of O(nα) per machine, for any desirable constant α > 0, and a total memory of Õ (m), where m is the number of edges in the graph. Notably, this is the first coloring algorithm with sublogarithmic round complexity, in the sublinear memory regime of MPC. For the quasilinear memory regime of MPC, an O(1)-round algorithm was given very recently by Assadi et al. [SODA'19]. Centralized Local Computation: We show that (Δ + 1)-list-coloring can be solved by a randomized algorithm with query complexity Δ O(1) … O(log n), in the centralized local computation model. The previous state of the art for (Δ+1)-list-coloring in the centralized local computation model are based on simulation of known LOCAL algorithms. The deterministic O(√ Δ poly log Δ + log* n)-round LOCAL algorithm of Fraigniaud et al. [FOCS'16] can be implemented in the centralized local computation model with query complexity ΔO(√ Δ poly log Δ) … O(log* n); the randomized O(log* Δ) + 2^O(√ log log n)-round LOCAL algorithm of Chang et al. [STOC'18] can be implemented in the centralized local computation model with query complexity ΔO(log* Δ) … O(log n).
Design of very simple frequency and polarisation reconfigurable antenna with finite ground structure

A frequency and polarisation reconfigurable printed monopole antenna using switching PIN diodes is presented. This antenna is made up of a printed monopole, two switching circuits and a reflector. By controlling the on-off states of these two switching circuits on the finite ground plane, a frequency and polarisation reconfigurable antenna is achieved. To verify this design, this antenna is fabricated and measured. The measured results show that this antenna has four states. These states are: state 1, 2.02–2.56 GHz (23.6%); state 2, 2.32–2.95 GHz (23.9%); state 3, 1.92–2.70 GHz (33.8%); state 4, 1.88–2.67 GHz (34.7%). In states 1 and 2, this antenna radiates linearly polarised wave as a traditional printed monopole. In states 3 and 4, this antenna radiates left-hand circularly polarised wave and right-hand circularly polarised wave, respectively.