Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure to elevated pCO2 alters post‐treatment diel movement patterns of largemouth bass over short time scales

1. Studies with marine fishes indicate that exposure to elevated partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2) related to climate change have negative consequences for fish behaviour. Freshwater fishes may experience similar increases in pCO2 due to a number of different mechanisms, but there is a paucity of information on how freshwater fishes may respond to exposure to elevated pCO2. 2. To define the effects of elevated pCO2 on a free-swimming freshwater fish, 19 adult largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were tagged with acoustic transmitters, held in water with pCO2 levels of either ~10 000 latm or ambient pCO2 (<100 latm) for 5 days and released into a naturalised, earthen-bottom pond outfitted with an acoustic telemetry array. 3. Findings indicate that largemouth bass not exposed to elevated levels of pCO2 decreased movement over 35% during the daylight periods; however, fish exposed to elevated levels of pCO2 did not exhibit this pattern. This difference in diel movement patterns between fish exposed to elevated pCO2 and fish not exposed was not detectable after 11 days. 4. Changes in home range size and daily distance travelled were not observed. However, based on an assessment of position estimates after the completion of the telemetry monitoring portion of the study, space use differed for fish exposed to elevated pCO2. 5. Exposure to elevated pCO2 therefore can have consequences for some movement behaviours of freshwater fish and this may influence a variety of ecological processes including energetics, foraging and predator–prey dynamics. CO2-induced alterations to behaviour should recover upon a return to ambient water.
Facebook Mediated Learning Environments in Pakistan: A Study of Teacher Immediacy

This chapter explores teacher immediacy in online learning environments, focusing on the use of social media Facebook as a teaching tool in Art and Design education institutions in Pakistan. The study is based on existing teaching practice in Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and Department of Visual Studies, University of Karachi. Following a mixed method approach including observation and interviews with both teachers and students, the chapter identifies the reasons teachers use Facebook in teaching practice and explores the reasons that limit their use of this potentially immediacy inducing environment. It also includes a study of content including video, links to articles and popular culture manifestations like memes and emoticons, which could be used in teaching via social media and the implications for learning and cognition. The concept of immediacy is explored and the chapter proposes that it be approached more broadly in order to realise the full potential of social media and harness it for better learning and outcomes.
A Lower Bound to Finding Convex Hulls

Given a set S of n distinct points {($x_i$,$y_i$) | 0 $\leq$ i > n}, the convex hull problem is to determine the vertices of the convex hull H(S). All the known algorithms for solving this problem have a worst-case running time of cn log n or higher, and employ only quadratic tests, i.e., tests of the form f($x_0$, $y_0$, $x_1$, $y_1$,.,$x_{n-1}$, $y_{n-1}$): 0 with f being any polynomial of degree not exceeding 2. In this paper, we show that any algorithm in the quadratic decision-tree model must make cn log n tests for some input.
Screening of Terpene Lactones and Flavonoid Glycosides in gingko biloba Capsule by UPLC- Orbitrap High Resolution MS, with Emphasis on Isomer Differentiation

In present study, a method basing on accurate mass and fragmentation pattern was designed to screen the terpene lactones and flavonoids in the methanol extract of Ginkgo biloba capsule powder. An UPLC with a hybrid linear ion trap – orbitrap mass spectrometer (UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap Elite) was used. The chromatographic analysis of the sample was performed on a C18 column (100 × ID, particle size 1.9 μm) with gradient elution using methanol and water with 0.10% formic acid. Mass spectrometry was performed in the negative ESI mode. By comparison the accurate mass, element composition and fragment pattern, twenty-six compounds were identified, including 5 ginkgo terpene lactones (bilobalide, ginkgolide A, B, C and J) and 21 flavonoid glycosides. The major glycosides identified included: kaempferol-3-O-glu-glu-rha, kaempferol-7-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O -rha-glu, quercetin-3-O- glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rha-glu-coumaroyl and -methoxymyricetin-3-O-rutinoside. The structural isomers were differentiated through the characteristic ions obtained from their MS/MS spectra. In addition, a compound 3,5,-trihydroxyflavone-3-O-glucoside, which was not reported in G. biloba before to our knowledge, was identified in the extract. The fragmentation pathways and characteristic product ions of flavonoid glycosides were shown and summarized for the rapid identification. The developed method was proved to be useful and precise for fast qualitative analysis of flavonoid compounds in mixture.
Dimensional dependence of photomechanical response in carbon nanostructure composites: a case for carbon-based mixed-dimensional systems

This paper reports dimensional dependence of the mechanical response in carbon nanostructure composites to near-infrared (NIR) light. Using polydimethylsiloxane, a common silicone elastomer, composites were fabricated with one-dimensional multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), two-dimensional single-layer graphene, two-and-a-half-dimensional graphene nanoplatelets and three-dimensional highly ordered pyrolytic graphite. An evaporative mixing technique was utilized to achieve homogeneous dispersions of carbon in the polymer composites, and their photomechanical responses to NIR illumination were studied. For a given carbon concentration, both steady-state photomechanical stress response and energy conversion efficiency were found to be directly related to the dimensional state of the carbon nanostructure additive. A maximum observed stress change of ∼60 kPa and ∼5 × 10−3% efficiency were obtained with just 1 wt% MWNT loading. Actuation and relaxation kinetic responses were found to be related not to dimensionality, but to the percolation threshold of the carbon nanostructure additive in the polymer. Establishing a connective network of the carbon nanostructure additive allowed for energy transduction responsible for the photomechanical effect to activate carbon beyond the NIR illumination point, resulting in enhanced actuation. For samples greater than percolation threshold, photoconductivity of the nanocomposite structure as a function of applied pre-strain was measured. Photoconductive response was found to be inversely proportional to applied pre-strain, demonstrating mechanical coupling. Mechanical response dependence to the carbon nanostructure dimensional state could have significance in developing new types of carbon-based mixed-dimensional composites for sensor and actuator systems.
Biology of DNMT3 and LSD1 inhibition in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

Epigenetic dysregulation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The enzymes DNA methyl-transferase (DNMT3a) and Histone Lysine Demethylase (LSD1 or KDM1) are key molecules involved in transcription, DNA repair and differentiation of myeloid cells. In fact, DNMT3a is one of the most frequently mutated genes in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and LSD1 is essential in retinoic acid induced differentiation of myeloid cells. However, despite extensive investigation, it is not yet known their precise role in the evolution of AML clones. This information may be relevant for the successful management of the disease. In fact, it is unclear whether, mutated DNMT3a in AML clones has a dominant negative function and disrupts the formation of transcriptional complexes leading to aberrant methylation. Also, it is not known how LSD1 inhibition impacts on growth, differentiation and chemo-resistance of leukemic myeloid cells. In this review, we focus on the emerging evidences that correlate LSD1 and DNMT3a activity in acute myeloid leukaemia, their clinical relevance and how a deeper understanding of their biological function could lead to the discovery of new specific targets, some of which are currently tested in mechanism-based clinical trials. Correspondence to: Samantha Messina, Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino Italy, Tel: +39 0776 299 3936; Fax: 0776 2993929; E-mail: samantha.messina@uniroma1.it, s.messina@unicas.it
Stress Seeking: Selected Behavioral Characteristics of Elite Rock Climbers

Although it has generated much theorizing (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975; Ellis, 1973; Harris, 1980; Mitchell, 1983), the phenomenon of stress-seeking behavior, as demonstrated in regular long-term involvement in the high-risk sports, has not been researched widely. In an attempt to go beyond the prevalent but simplistic "exhilaration' ' type of explanation for stress-seeking, this study examined the phenomenon in terms of the psychological characteristics associated with successful long-term involvement in the risk sport of rock climbing. Four behavioral characteristics were assessed: sensation seeking (SS), defined as "the need for varied, novel and complex sensations and experiences and the willingness to undertake physical and social risks for the sake of such experiences" (Zuckerman, 1979, p. 10); trait anxiety (TA), which refers to relatively stable individual differences in anxiety proneness (Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970); need for achievement (NAch), which relates to the determinants of directio.
The Mothematics of Female Pheromone Signaling: Strategies for Aging Virgins

Although females rarely experience strong mate limitation, delays or lifelong problems of mate acquisition are detrimental to female fitness. In systems where males search for females via pheromone plumes, it is often difficult to assess whether female signaling is costly. Direct costs include the energetics of pheromone production and attention from unwanted eavesdroppers, such as parasites, parasitoids, and predators. Suboptimal outcomes are also possible from too many or too few mating events or near-simultaneous arrival of males who make unwanted mating attempts (even if successfully thwarted). We show that, in theory, even small costs can lead to a scenario where young females signal less intensely (lower pheromone concentration and/or shorter time spent signaling) and increase signaling effort only as they age and gather evidence (while still virgin) on whether sperm limitation threatens their reproductive success. Our synthesis of the empirical data available on Lepidoptera supports this prediction for one frequently reported component of signaling—time spent calling (often reported as the time of onset of calling at night)—but not for another, pheromone titer. This difference is explicable under the plausible but currently untested assumption that signaling earlier than other females each night is a more reliable way of increasing the probability of acquiring at least one mate than producing a more concentrated pheromone plume.
Metformin : An Inhibitor of mTORC 1 Signaling

Recent progress in molecular medicine has identified the nutrient-sensitive kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) as the central regulator of protein and lipid synthesis, cell growth, proliferation, energy metabolism and autophagy. Age-related diseases of Western civilization such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer are associated with enhanced mTORC1 signaling. According to the current opinion, metformin’s primary mode of action is the alteration of cellular energy metabolism stimulating 5-AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). However, the notion that AMPK primarily mediates metformin ́s anti-hyperglycemic action has recently been challenged, thrusting AMPK-independent effects into the focus of interest. We provide a new viewpoint on metformin ́s mode of action as an inhibitor of mTORC1. Metformin ́s insulin-lowering and AMPKactivating effects decrease RHEB-mediated stimulation of mTORC1. Independent of AMPK metformin inhibits mTORC1 in a RAG GTPase-dependent manner. Thus, metformin interferes with the two major pathways required for mTORC1 activation: 1) energyand cell stress-mediated activation of AMPK attenuating the activity of the GTPase RHEB and 2) suppression of amino acid signaling down-regulating the activity of lysosomal RAG GTPases. Both RHEBand RAG GTPase activation, which are required for mTORC1 activation at the lysosomal membrane, are thus suppressed by metformin. Metformin-induced suppression of mTORC1 subsequently decreases S6K1 activity and S6K1-mediated insulin resistance as well as AKT-FoxO1-mediated hepatic gluconeogenesis. Metformin represents an ideal, save and cheap drug targeting the pathogenesis of mTORC1-driven anabolic and hyperproliferative diseases of civilization.
Implementation of smart meter working as IEEE1888-6LoWPAN gateway for the building energy management systems

An implementation of a Smart meter which has a feature of the advantages of IEEE1888 and 6LoWPAN, the integration of these protocols into Smart meter is of important significance in fulfilling its function as a Gateway in Building Energy Management Systems. The aim of this paper is to show the implementation of a smart meter which also functions as an IEEE1888-6LoWPAN gateway. In this system, Smart Meter/Gateway is responsible for sensing the consumption as well as relaying the data from 6LoWPAN sensors in building blocks to an anywhere IEEE1888 Storage.
Logical induction and deduction as principles of knowledge domain reflection in the corpus of texts

This paper discusses applying corpus linguistics principles to compile text corpora reflecting any special knowledge domain. Hence, the special feature of semiotically correctly assembled text corpus as reflection of extra-corpus reality is under discussion. The two reciprocally balanced approaches of corpora generation are described. The first is deductive approach. It means a methodology based on the movement from general description of corpus to the program based algorithm of proper text selection. The properly balanced methodology of these two logical principles could be taken from so called object oriented programming. So, the OOP methodology of reflecting outer world reality in a class construction procedure can be applied to the corpus of texts reflecting any special knowledge or linguistic domain.
The Drug-Drug Interaction Potential of Antiviral Agents for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Several safe and highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been developed and greatly increase the number of therapeutic options available to successfully treat HCV infection. However, because treatment regimens contain at least two drugs (e.g., elbasvir and grazoprevir, glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir with daclatasvir, simeprevir, ledipasvir, or velpatasvir) and up to five drugs (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir with or without ribavirin), the potential for drug-drug interactions (DDIs) becomes an important consideration for HCV-infected individuals with comorbidities that require concomitant medications, such as human immunodeficiency virus/HCV coinfection or immunosuppression after liver transplantation. This review details the pharmacokinetics and DDI potential of approved DAAs for the treatment of HCV infection.
C . 802 C > T NOD 2 / CARD 15 SNP is Associated to Crohn ’ s Disease in Italian Patients

The incidence of Crohn’s Disease (CD), a complex inflammatory bowel disease, is rapidly increasing. NOD2/ CARD15 gene variants have been associated with early CD onset, terminal ileal involvement, and structuring disease. We comparatively analyzed, by PCR and direct sequencing, the exons 4, 8 and 11 of NOD2/CARD15 gene in CD Italian patients (n=42) and in healthy controls (n= 66). Our results show that the frequency of the allele T of the c.802C>T (p.P268S) SNP (rs2066842) results in linkage disequilibrium with allele T of the c.1377 C>T (p. R459R) SNP. Moreover, the frequency of the allele T of the c.802C>T (p.P268S) SNP (rs2066842) is significantly higher in CD’s patients than in control subjects (p=0.018; OR=2.02). Similarly, the frequency of the insertion c.3020insC (p.L1007fs) is significantly higher (p=0.0347; OR=14.59) in CD patients. Our results suggest that molecular analysis of the NOD2/CARD15 gene could represent a contributory tool for the identification of subjects genetically predisposed to CD.
Preclinical activity of DCZ3301, a novel aryl-guanidino compound in the therapy of multiple myeloma

We synthesized a novel aryl-guanidino compound, DCZ3301, and found that it has potent cytotoxicity against multiple human cancer cell lines. The anticancer activity was most potent against multiple myeloma (MM). DCZ3301 induced cytotoxicity in MM cell lines, as well as patient myeloma cells, in part by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential to induce apoptosis. In contrast, DCZ3301 had no cytotoxic effect on normal cells. DCZ3301 also inhibited cell cycling and caused a G2/M accumulation that corresponded with downregulation of Cdc25C, CDK1, and Cyclin B1. DCZ3301 retained its activity against MM cells in the presence of exogenous cytokines (IL-6 or VEGF) or bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and reduced activity of multiple signaling pathways (STAT3, NFκB, AKT, ERK1/2) in MM but not normal cells. The STAT3 pathway played an important role in modulating DCZ3301-mediated cytotoxicity. Knockdown of STAT3 using siRNA in MM cells enhanced DCZ3301-induced cytotoxicity, whereas overexpression of STAT3 in MM cells partially protected them from apoptosis. In addition, DCZ3301 inhibited VEGF and IL-6 secretion in a dose-dependent fashion in a co-culture of MM cells and BMSCs. Combining DCZ3301 with bortezomib induced synergistic cytotoxicity in MM cell lines and primary MM cells. Finally, in vivo efficacy of DCZ3301 was confirmed in an MM xenograft mouse model. Together, these results provide a rationale for translation of this small-molecule inhibitor, either alone or in combination, to the clinic against MM.
Ensemble averaged dynamic modeling

The possibility of using the information from simultaneous equivalent Large Eddy Simulations (LAS) for improving the subgrid scale modeling is investigated. An ensemble average dynamic model is proposed as an alternative to the usual spatial average versions. It is shown to be suitable independently of the existence of any homogeneity directions, and its formulation is thus universal. The ensemble average dynamic model is shown to give very encouraging results for as few as 16 simultaneous LES's.
Detection of Influenza A and B Viruses and Respiratory Syncytial Virus by Use of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA)-Waived Point-of-Care Assays: a Paradigm Shift to Molecular Tests

ABSTRACT An accurate laboratory diagnosis of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses can help to guide patient management, antiviral therapy, infection prevention strategies, and epidemiologic monitoring. Influenza has been the primary driver of rapid laboratory testing due to its morbidity and mortality across all ages, the availability of antiviral therapy, which must be given early to have an effect, and the constant threat of new pandemic strains. Over the past 30 years, there has been an evolution in viral diagnostic testing, from viral culture to rapid antigen detection, and more recently, to highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), as well as a trend to testing at the point of care (POC). Simple rapid antigen immunoassays have long been the mainstay for POC testing for influenza A and B viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) but have been faulted for low sensitivity. In 2015, the first POC NAAT for the detection of influenza was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ushering in a new era. In 2017, the FDA reclassified rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) from class I to class II devices with new minimum performance standards and a requirement for annual reactivity testing. Consequently, many previously available RIDTs can no longer be purchased in the United States. In this review, recent developments in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA)-waived testing for respiratory virus infections will be presented, with the focus on currently available FDA-cleared rapid antigen and molecular tests primarily for influenza A and B viruses and RSV.
Aging-mediated neuromuscular instability and delayed choice reaction time

Background: Normal aging phenomenon is associated with cognitive decline, without any associated pathologies, over the lifespan of an adult. The fluid abilities; attention, processing speed, and executive functions are notably affected, which can hamper the everyday life. Reaction time (RT) test assesses all these abilities. Physical activity has been postulated to have a beneficial effect in the prevention of cognitive decline with aging. Objective: To study the effect of aging on the choice auditory and visual RT in healthy adults and in those performing aerobic exercise. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the Physiology Department, IGMC, Nagpur. Twenty healthy adults and 20 aerobic exercisers were recruited in 3 groups of different age groups; Group 1: 31–40 years, Group 2: 41–50 years, and Group 3: 51–60 years—each group comprising 20 individuals. RT both with low- and high-frequency sound and with red, green, and indigo color was assessed. Statistical analysis was done using One-way ANOVA. Post-hoc analysis was done by Tukey–Krammer test. Statistical value of p < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Auditory RT was significantly delayed in healthy controls with progressing age. In aerobic exercisers also RT was delayed, but less significant than controls. Visual RT was significantly prolonged in healthy individuals with progressing age. Aerobic exercisers had similar findings for red and green color, but less significant than controls. In aerobic exercisers, the RT for indigo color was statistically insignificant among the groups. Conclusion: Auditory and visual RT gets delayed even with normal aging and aerobic exercise appears to have a protective role in delaying the cognitive decline.
A first look at multi-access connectivity for mobile networking

Multi-access connectivity in wireless networks is becoming widely available. Most handsets on the market today support connectivity to multiple access technologies such as HSPA, LTE or WiFi and can make use of some of them in parallel. By offering multiple access options, the available bandwidth and robustness of the connectivity can be increased. There is a large design space to take advantage of multiple connectivity. Various solutions and protocols at different layers and locations in the network exist, originating from different viewpoints and problem statements. They range from static low-layer tunneling approaches like IWLAN or Mobile-IP to dynamic transport layer approaches like multipath TCP up to highly sophisticated application-layer specific protocols. Focusing on the network layer and above, we review a variety of these protocols and solutions by categorizing them, exhibiting their properties, reasoning about their potential behavior in the presence of Internet traffic and take a glimpse on their impact on the network.