Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Divergence in Thermal Sensitivity and Diapause of Field and Laboratory Populations of Manduca sexta

The tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta has been an important model system in insect biology for more than half a century. Here we report the evolutionary divergence in thermal sensitivity and diapause initiation between field and laboratory populations that were separated for more than 35 yr (>240 laboratory generations) and that are descendants from the same field populations in central North Carolina. At intermediate rearing temperatures (20°–25°C), mean body size was significantly larger and development time significantly faster in the laboratory than in the field populations. At higher temperatures (30°–35°C), these mean differences between populations were reduced or eliminated, and larval survival at 35°C was significantly lower in the laboratory population than in the field population. F1 crosses had survival and development time to wandering similar to the field population times at both 25° and 35°C; body mass at wandering for F1 crosses was intermediate compared with that of the field and laboratory populations. Comparisons with earlier field and laboratory studies suggest evolutionary reductions in thermal tolerance and performance at high temperatures in the laboratory population. The critical photoperiod initiating diapause in field populations in North Carolina did not change detectably between the 1960s and 2005. In contrast, the laboratory population has evolved a reduced tendency to diapause under short‐day conditions, relative to the field population.
AUTOMATIC QUANTIFICATION OF IN VITRO ENDOTHELIAL CELL NETWORKS USING MATHEMATICAL MORPHOLOGY

Experiments of in vitro angiogenesis are important tools for studying both the mechanisms of formation of new blood vessels and the potential development of therapeutic strategies to modulate neovascularisation (screening of new pharmacological molecules). One of the most frequently used angiogenesis assays is the culture of endothelial cells on a reconstituted basement membrane named Matrigel, since the cells constitute a capillary-like network which can be quantified by image analysis. In this paper, a global, robust and fully automated methodology is proposed to segment and quantify in vitro endothelial cell networks from greyscale images using operators from mathematical morphology. Experimental results allow us to draw a discussion of the pertinence of the alternative morphological parameters to evaluate the characteristics of the cell culture.
Ethnocentrism as a Short-Term Force in the 2008 American Presidential Election

Faced with a choice between John McCain and Barack Obama, voters in 2008 were swayed by the familiar play of factors—party identification, policy preferences, and economic conditions—but also, we find, by ethnocentrism, a deep-seated psychological predisposition that partitions the world into ingroups and outgroups—into “us” and “them. ” The effect of ethnocentrism was significant and substantial, and it appeared over and above the effects due to partisanship, economic conditions, policy stances, political engagement, and several varieties of conservatism. Two features of Obama were primarily responsible for triggering ethnocentrism in 2008: his race and his imagined Muslim faith. As such, we demonstrate that ethnocentrism was much more important in 2008 than in the four presidential elections immediately preceding 2008, and we show that it was much more important in the actual contest between Senator McCain and Senator Obama than in a hypothetical contest between Senator McCain and Senator Clinton.
Diagnostic yield of push-type enteroscopy in relation to indication

Background—Push-type enteroscopy, a recent method for investigating the small intestine, is currently undergoing assessment. Its diagnostic yield varies in the studies reported to date. Aim—To assess the diagnostic value of push-type enteroscopy according to indication. Patients and methods—From January 1994 to September 1995, 152 consecutive patients (mean age 34 years) underwent push-type enteroscopy (jejunoscopy, n=93; retrograde ileoscopy, n=17; and double way enteroscopy, n=42). The indications were: unexplained iron deficiency anaemia or macroscopic gastrointestinal bleeding (n=76), radiological abnormalities of the small intestine (n=23), chronic diarrhoea and/or malabsorption syndrome (n=18), abdominal pain (n=12), and miscellaneous (n=23). All patients had undergone previous negative aetiological investigations. Results—The jejunum and ileum were explored through 120 cm (30–160 cm) and 60 cm (20–120 cm). Digestive bleeding: lesions of the small bowel were found in 6% of the patients with isolated iron deficiency anaemia and 20% of patients with patent digestive haemorrhage. Radiological abnormalities of the small intestine: push-type enteroscopy provided a diagnosis or modified the interpretation of radiological findings in 18/23 cases (78%). Chronic diarrhoea and/or malabsorption: push-type enteroscopy yielded explanatory findings in four cases (22%). Abdominal pain: push-type enteroscopy provided no diagnosis. Conclusion—In this series, push-type enteroscopy was of particular value in investigating patients with radiological abnormalities of the small intestine. It was of some value in the exploration of patent digestive haemorrhage or chronic diarrhoea, but not of abdominal pain. Its value was limited in the exploration of iron deficiency anaemia.
Modelling Wetland Growing Season Rainfall Interception Losses Based on Maximum Canopy Storage Measurements

This study estimates rainfall interception losses from natural wetland ecosystems based on maximum canopy storage measurements. Rainfall interception losses play an important role in water balance, which is crucial in wetlands, and has not yet been thoroughly studied in relation to this type of ecosystem. Maximum canopy storage was measured using the weight method. Based on these measurements, daily values of interception losses were estimated and then used to calculate long-term interception losses based on precipitation and potential evapotranspiration data for the 1971–2015 period. Depending mainly on the number of days with precipitation, the results show that total interception losses for the growing season as well as monthly interception losses are around 13% of gross rainfall. This value is similar to the values observed for some forests. Hence, interception losses should not be disregarded in hydrologic models of wetlands, especially because data trends in meteorological conditions (mainly number of days with precipitation) show that interception losses will increase in the future if those trends stay the same.
Nano-patterned high-responsivity GaAs metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector

In this paper, we use the finite difference time-domain (FDTD) method to optimize the light absorption of an ultrafast nano-grating plasmonic GaAs metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector (MSM-PD) employing double metal nano-gratings. The geometry of the MSM-PD is theoretically investigated, leading to improved light absorption near the design wavelength of GaAs due to plasmon-assisted electric and magnetic field concentration through a subwavelength aperture. Simulation results show up to 8- and 21-times light absorption enhancement for the single and double nano-grating structure, respectively, in comparison to conventional MSM-PDs. Experimentally, more than 4 times enhancement in photocurrent is demonstrated for a single top nano-grating MSM-PD in comparison with conventional MSM-PDs.
Synthesis of Resource-Aware Robotic Systems

This paper describes an approach to make robotic systems “resource-aware”, in the sense that they can adapt optimally to the available computation and communication resources. A resource-aware application is one where the functionality implemented depends on the resources usage, such as timing information (latency, throughput) and power consumption. Allowing this flexibility introduces a recursive constraint between application and resources usage: the resources usage is a function of the application and vice versa. Thus, the design problem consists in finding the least (most efficient) of the fixed points for the composition of those two maps. It is shown that a monotonicity property is sufficient to obtain an algorithm to compute the least fixed point in a systematic way.
Sex and training differences in mental rotation: a behavioral and neurophysiological comparison of gifted achievers, gifted underachievers and average intelligent achievers

A male advantage in spatial abilities is assumed to underlie their superior performance in complex mathematical problems. In this study we investigated whether sex differences in mental rotation (MR) tasks are related to female underachievement and whether training effects of a MR training can be generalized across achievers and underachievers. Moreover, the cortical activation pattern (assessed via EEG) of gifted achievers and underachievers as well as average intelligent achievers was studied before and after a 2-week MR training. The EEG was measured in a sample of 39 male and 41 female adolescents while performing MR tasks in a 2D and 3D presentation mode. Findings suggest that sex differences in the 2D MR tasks are related to female underachievement. Overall, brighter female underachievers profited most from the training. Neurophysiologically results provide evidence that achievers and underachievers as well as brighter and less intelligent individuals show distinct cortical activation.
Sleep‐disordered breathing in a middle‐aged and older Polish urban population

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a frequent disorder; however, the prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing is not well known in many countries. The aim of our investigation was to assess the prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in a representative sample of the population of Warsaw. We studied 676 subjects (57.1% of the randomised cohort from the Monica II study). The sample comprised 356 males (52.7%) and 320 females (47.3%), whose mean age was 56.6 ± 8.2 years (range 41–72 years). Mean number of apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour of time in bed (AH) in males was 7 ± 9.5 and in females 3.9 ± 6.6 (P < 0.001). SDB (cut‐off point AH > 5 or >10) was identified in 188 subjects (27.8%) and 97 subjects (14.3%), respectively. SDB was established twice as frequently in males as in females (respectively 36.5 versus 18.5%; P < 0.001 for AH > 5 and 19.8 versus 8.5%; P < 0.001 for AH > 10). A diagnosis of OSAS AH > 10 and Epworth Sleepiness Score ≥11 points was established in 51 subjects (7.5%). The prevalence of OSAS was nearly four times higher in males (40 subjects, 11.2%) than in females (11 subjects, 3.4%; P < 0.001). The severity of OSAS was similar in both sexes (AH: males 32.3 ± 14.9 and females 31.4.1 ± 15.4). Older age and male sex were predictors of SDB. SDB and OSAS were independent predictors of coronary artery disease after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, neck circumference and smoking habit.
A Decade of Domain Specific Modelling Languages for Model-Driven Security

In Model-Driven development software system design is represented through models which are created using general purpose modelling languages e.g. UML. Later on system artefacts are automatically generated from these models. Model-Driven Security is a specialization of Model-Driven paradigm towards the domain of security, where security objectives are modelled along the system models and security infrastructures are directly generated from these models. Currently available general purpose modelling languages like UML do not have capability to model the security objectives along the system models. Over the past decade, many researchers are trying to address these limitations of the general purpose modelling languages and come up with several Domain Specific Modelling Languages for Model Driven Security. In this paper, we survey the progress made by these researchers in the area of Model Driven Security and discusses different security Domain Specific Modelling Languages presented by the most prominent researchers for the development of secure system.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CERTAIN CELL-WALL CONSTITUENTS OF FORAGE PLANTS.

In the conventional methods of "proximate analysis,'' pectic substances, hemicelluloses, and lignin, for the most part, appear in the "nitrogen-free extract'9 fraction. It is now generally recognized that this method of differentiation gives very little information as to the nature of the substances composing these fractions ; hence attempts are being made to ascertain their chemical constitution, nutritional value, precursors, and relationships in the plant. In this way a better understanding of the metabolism and economic value of plants will be obtained. The changes which the cell-wall constituents undergo during the development of the plant are not definitely known. True chemical relationships cannot be established as yet because the chemical constitution of lignin is not known. Transformation studies have been made, however, and a number of theories have been evolved. The principal theories as summarized by Norman (14) are: 1. That pectin undergoes transformation to lignin. 2. That the hemicelluloses or certain groups thereof may be converted to lignin. 3. That the polyuronide hemicelluloses are formed from pectin. 4. That all three substances are connected, lignin being formed from pectin through the intermediate stage of polyuronide hemicelluloses. Most investigations of this kind have dealt with woody tissues, while a few have dealt with grasses, especially cereal grasses. Instances are very few, however, in which transformation studies of these compounds have been made during the growing period of any one species. This paper presents results of a 2-year study of the content of pectin, hemicelluloses, and lignin in Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) taken at successive stages of growth, with special reference to the formation of lignin.
EMT: A new vision of hypoxia promoting cancer progression

A hypoxic microenvironment plays a critical role in the development and progression of tumors. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells lose their polarity and are converted to a mesenchymal phenotype, which is regarded as a critical event in morphogenetic changes during embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. Recent advances in our understanding of the molecular pathways that govern the association of hypoxia with malignant tumors point to the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The hypoxic microenvironment common to cancer cells emerges as an important factor in the induction of a pathological EMT, which is a key link in cancer progression. This review presents the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the hypoxia/HIF-dependent regulation of the EMT in cancer.
Immigrant entrepreneurs in advanced economies: Mixed embeddedness further explored

This paper introduces the JEMS special issue on immigrant entrepreneurship and mixed embeddedness. The special issue has grown out of an EC-funded programme of networking research entitled 'Working on the Fringes: Immigrant Businesses, Economic Integration and Informal Practices'. Our opening paper provides a contextual overview for the case-study papers which follow. We pay particular attention to the mixed-embeddedness thesis and especially focus on the demand side of the opportunity structures framework which confronts potential immigrant entrepreneurs. We propose a three-level strategy for analysing the opportunity structure and its underlying dynamics, based on national, urban/regional and neighbourhood levels of comparison. In the nal part of the paper, we identify several possible future lines of research.
Music sociology: getting the music into the action

Music sociology has addressed the history of the musical canon, taste and social exclusion. It has also addressed issues of musical value and the perceptual politics of musical reputation. More recently, it has developed perspectives that highlight music's ‘active’ properties in relation to social action, emotion and cognition. Such a perspective dispenses with the old ‘music and society’ paradigm (one in which music was typically read as distanced from and ‘reflecting’ social structure) and points to core concerns in sociology writ large and to educational concerns with music's role as a socialising medium in the broadest sense of that term.
Comparison of killing activity of caspofungin against Candida parapsilosis , Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis

methods. In the other instance, a BLPAR strain was designated ampicillin-susceptible by Etest (MIC 1⁄4 1 mg/L), ampicillinintermediate by M.I. C.E. (MIC 1⁄4 2 mg/L) and ampicillin-resistant by BMD (MIC 1⁄4 16 mg/L). As stated earlier, the low MICs when gradient methods were used were because of a faint growth within the inhibition zone that was difficult to detect at 24 h. In contrast to the findings of Billal et al., all of the b-lactam MIC results for BLNAR and BLPACR strains in this study using either Etest or M.I. C.E. were within +2 doubling dilutions of the BMD method, and the gradient methods produced results comparable to each other and to the BMD method. Despite this, given the findings of both Billal et al. and Kim et al., it would be prudent for any unexpectedly high b-lactam MICs determined by the gradient methods to be repeated by the reference CLSI BMD method.
‘Boys Muscle in Where Angels Fear to Tread’ — Girls' Sub-Cultures and Physical Activities

This paper considers the relationship between PE in secondary schools and young women's sub-cultures. For many years PE teachers have been concerned with the apparent loss of interest and 'dropping out' of many adolescent young women from the PE lesson. This paper attempts to relate PE teaching to the subcultural experiences and resistances of young women and thus move beyond a biologically determined position which traditionally has explained young women's responses to PE as 'natural' and inevitable. The paper provides 1) a brief critical introduction to youth subcultural analysis, 2) a more detailed examination of recent work on young women's sub-cultures and their school-based resistances and 3) a consideration of the relationship of PE to this work on young women's sub-cultures. The analysis in this third section draws on eight year's teaching experience in secondary school PE and qualitative research carried out in Liverpool secondary schools during the 1983-1984 school year. In conclusion the paper looks forward to possible initiatives which could help move towards a more positive and challenging approach to PE for adolescent young women.
A Quality Assured Framework for Cloud Adaptation and Modernization of Enterprise Applications

Cloud Computing has emerged as a viable alternative to in-house computing resources for many organisations. It offers an alternative solution for many enterprise applications, particularly large-scale legacy applications. In addition, it can offer a cost effective strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) where the high set-up and maintenance cost of computing resources can be prohibiting. Thus, in this paper a System Migration Life Cycle (SMLC) framework is proposed, which includes a step by-stepmigration strategy that is descriptive at the business analyst level and based on quality metrics modelling at the technical level, to estimate the potential computational needs, risks, and costs for an organisation. The proposed framework is generic and adaptable in order to accommodate various organisational requirements, thus covering a wide range of enterprise applications and following a number of novel software requirements and quality engineering principles.
Effect of Low-Intensity Physical Activity and Moderate- to High-Intensity Physical Exercise During Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Physical Fitness, Fatigue, and Chemotherapy Completion Rates: Results of the PACES Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE We evaluated the effectiveness of a low-intensity, home-based physical activity program (Onco-Move) and a moderate- to high-intensity, combined supervised resistance and aerobic exercise program (OnTrack) versus usual care (UC) in maintaining or enhancing physical fitness, minimizing fatigue, enhancing health-related quality of life, and optimizing chemotherapy completion rates in patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We randomly assigned patients who were scheduled to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy (N = 230) to Onco-Move, OnTrack, or UC. Performance-based and self-reported outcomes were assessed before random assignment, at the end of chemotherapy, and at the 6-month follow-up. We used generalized estimating equations to compare the groups over time. RESULTS Onco-Move and OnTrack resulted in less decline in cardiorespiratory fitness (P < .001), better physical functioning (P ≤ .001), less nausea and vomiting (P = .029 and .031, respectively) and less pain (P = .003 and .011, respectively) compared with UC. OnTrack also resulted in better outcomes for muscle strength (P = .002) and physical fatigue (P < .001). At the 6-month follow-up, most outcomes returned to baseline levels for all three groups. A smaller percentage of participants in OnTrack required chemotherapy dose adjustments than those in the UC or Onco-Move groups (P = .002). Both intervention groups returned earlier (P = .012), as well as for more hours per week (P = .014), to work than the control group. CONCLUSION A supervised, moderate- to high-intensity, combined resistance and aerobic exercise program is most effective for patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. A home-based, low-intensity physical activity program represents a viable alternative for women who are unable or unwilling to follow the higher intensity program.
Challenges in Teaching Crisis Management

Teaching crisis management is both fascinating and frustrating. It is fascinating because crises, by their very nature, are spectacular, dramatic, and intense; immediately arouse the individual and collective imagination; and because everyone seeks explanations for what, at first glance, appears inexplicable. It is also fascinating because educators are exposed to a transdisciplinary and transborder field of studies with wide-ranging ramifications. Yet it is frustrating because educators must often deconstruct the popular perception that crises are rare, improbable, and unpredictable phenomena, often leading individuals to feel powerless and fatalistic. It is also frustrating because of the lack of knowledge in the field itself, at three levels: conceptual/theoretical, practical, and reflective. This article highlights the teaching challenges in this rich and diversified field at each of these three levels and examines three teaching tools to address them: case studies, crisis simulations, and the reflexive journal. The authors also consider that a crisis cannot be viewed as a homogeneous concept. With the help of Gundel’s crisis typology (conventional, unpredictable, intractable, and fundamental crises), the authors present promising teaching approaches to deal with each of the three aforementioned teaching challenges, explaining how each approach can be seen as a function of the four types of crises.
Conditionnement temporel du rythme alpha et estimation du temps

Dans un conditionnement au temps et dans un conditionnement differe, on a mesure : a) la latence du blocage conditionne de l'alpha, et b) la latence d'une reponse motrice qui tendait a etre simultanee avec l'apparition du stimulus lumineux. La latence du blocage est un peu plus breve que celle de la reponse motrice, leur variabilite individuelle et interindividuelle est du meme ordre. Elles correlent en general entre elles au niveau individuel. On peut admettre qu'il y a un processus de mise en alerte commun aux deux latences et des mecanismes de controle differents des deux reactions.