Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of ewe size and nutrition during pregnancy on performance of 2-year-old female offspring

SUMMARY The current study investigated the effects of dam weight and nutrition during gestation on the reproductive performance of female primiparous offspring at 2 years of age. Four hundred and fifty heavy (H) (mean±s.e.m.: 60·8 kg±0·18) and 450 light (L) (42·5 kg±0·17) dams were randomly allocated to ad libitum (A) or maintenance (M) nutritional regimens from day 21 until day 140 of pregnancy, under pastoral grazing conditions. One week prior to lambing, all dams and their lambs were provided with ad libitum feeding through to weaning. After weaning, female progeny were managed and fed to requirements as one group. At 2 years of age, the oestrous cycles of the female offspring (n=207) were synchronized and the offspring were naturally mated. Ewes were scanned for pregnancy by ultrasound at day 70 of pregnancy. Within 24 h of birth, lambs were weighed and body dimensions were measured. Lambs were also weighed at day 24 (L24) and weaning. No effects of dam nutrition or dam weight were found (P>0·10) on the reproductive performance of the ewe offspring. Lambs of M-grand-dams were heavier at birth (P=0·024) and weaning (P=0·031) than lambs of A-grand-dams. Twin lambs of H-grand-dams were heavier at birth (P=0·014) than twin lambs of L-grand-dams; however, grand-dam weight had no effect (P>0·10) on lamb weaning weight. In summary, dam weight had no effect on reproductive performance of the female offspring, with only a minor effect on the weight of grand-offspring. Thus, being born to a larger dam has no advantages over being born to a smaller dam, in terms of number of lambs born and weight of lambs at birth and weaning. Grand-dam maintenance nutrition had no effect on reproductive performance although it increased lamb birth and weaning weight and lamb growth rates of the grand-offspring. Therefore, this indicates that ewes born to dams fed at maintenance during pregnancy have an advantage over A-ewes in physiological stressful situations including pregnancy or lactation.
Do Green Treefrogs (Hyla cinerea) Eavesdrop on Prey Calls?

Abstract Efficient foraging may be facilitated by attending to the signals produced by potential prey items. Such predatory eavesdropping is taxonomically widespread, yet there is currently a dearth of information for amphibians. Anuran amphibians, with their highly developed auditory system and robust phonotaxis toward advertisement calls when searching for mates, seem predisposed to use this hearing capability in other behavioral contexts such as foraging. We conducted playback experiments to test whether Green Treefrogs (Hyla cinerea) eavesdrop on sexual signals of prey (House Cricket [Achaeta domesticus] song), or whether the presentation of acoustic prey stimuli in addition to a live cricket improved prey localization. We found that frogs did not use acoustic prey signals to guide their foraging movements. Frogs were not indifferent to acoustic stimuli, however, because they moved away from the sound source in some treatments.
Brief Announcement: Byzantine Agreement with Unknown Participants and Failures

A set of participants that want to agree on a common opinion despite the presence of malicious or Byzantine participants need to solve an instance of a Byzantine agreement problem. This classic problem has been well studied but most of the existing solutions assume that the participants are aware of n --- the total number of participants in the system --- and f --- the upper bound on the number of Byzantine participants. In this paper, we examine a synchronous system with Byzantine faults where the participants are neither aware of n nor f. The participants have unique identifiers, which are not necessarily consecutive. For such a system, we give algorithms for rotor-coordinator and consensus, both with the resiliency of n > 3f, which is also the optimal resiliency for solving consensus when the participants know n and f. Thus, resiliency is unaffected even if the Byzantine participants can lie about n and f.
Measurement of Mobile Library Users' Emotional Experience: A Research Based on the PAD Model

User experience is an important indicator of mobile library service quality. Current users hope to enjoy good sensory and functional experiences, as well as pleasant and satisfying emotional experiences, from the service. Based on the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance (PAD) Emotional State Model and the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality, this research constructs a model to measure mobile library users' emotional experiences. Fifty college students from Wuhan University were randomly selected for our experiment, through which the validity of our measurement model has been verified. These students' emotional changes due to the mobile library's service interface, service functions and service environment were measured. We found that the mobile service of the library has good usability, but the service satisfaction and ease of use need to be improved. According to the results of the data analysis, we provided some suggestions for the optimization of the mobile library service quality.
Machine-checked natural semantics for Core Erlang: exceptions and side effects

This research is part of a wider project that aims to investigate and reason about the correctness of scheme-based source code transformations of Erlang programs. In order to formally reason about the definition of a programming language and the software built using it, we need a mathematically rigorous description of that language. In this paper, we present an extended natural semantics for Core Erlang based on our previous formalisation implemented with the Coq Proof Assistant. This extension includes the concepts of exceptions and side effects, moreover, some modifications and updates are also discussed. Then we describe theorems about the properties of this formalisation (e.g. determinism), formal expression evaluation and equivalence examples. These equivalences can be interpreted as simple local refactorings.
Paradigms in seamount ecology: fact, fiction and future

Despite a relatively short history, the field of seamount ecology is rife with ecological paradigms, many of which have already become cemented in the scientific literature and in the minds of advocates for seamount protection. Together, these paradigms have created a widely held view of seamounts as unique environments, hotspots of biodiversity and endemicity, and fragile ecosystems of exceptional ecological worth. However, closer examination reveals significant gaps in our knowledge, thereby calling the accuracy of some of these paradigms into question. Here, we review the evolution of the major paradigms in seamount ecology, assess their status against the weight of existing evidence to date, identify emerging paradigms, and suggest future research directions. We find the assertions that seamount communities are vulnerable to fishing, and that these communities have high sensitivity and low resilience to bottom trawling disturbance are well supported by existing data. We find plausible evidence that seamounts are stepping stones for dispersal, oases of abundance and biomass, and hotspots of species richness. Nonetheless, the poor sampling coverage of these discrete but globally distributed environments prevents us from accepting these ideas as paradigms. Also plausible, but requiring further investigation, are the emerging paradigms that seamount communities are structurally distinct, that populations of invertebrates on seamounts are the source of propagules for nearby slope sinks, and that seamounts have acted and can act as biological refugia from large-scale catastrophic environmental events. In contrast, the generalizations that seamounts are island habitats with highly endemic faunas that comprise unique communities distinct in species composition from other deep-sea habitats, and that they have high production supported by localized bottom-up forcing, are not supported by the weight of existing evidence.
Determinants of Participation and Detection Rate of Colorectal Cancer From a Population-Based Screening Program in China

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been widely implemented in Europe and the USA. However, there is little evidence of participation and diagnostic yields in population-based CRC screening in China. The participation rate and detection of colorectal lesions in this program were reported and related factors were explored. The analysis was conducted in the context of the Cancer Screening Program in Urban China, which recruited 282,377 eligible participants aged 40–74 years from eight cities in Henan province from 2013 to 2019. A total of 39,834 participants were evaluated to be high risk for CRC by an established risk score system and were subsequently recommended for colonoscopy. Of 39,834 with high risk for CRC, 7,454 subjects undertook colonoscopy (participation rate of 18.71%). We found that 50–64 years, high level of education, marriage, former smoking, current alcohol drinking, low levels dietary intake of vegetables, high levels dietary intake of processed meat, lack of physical activity, fecal occult blood test positive result, history of colonic polyp, history of colorectitis, and family history of CRC were associated with increased participation of colonoscopy screening. Overall, 17 CRC (0.23%), 95 advanced adenoma (1.27%), 478 non-advanced adenomas dysplasia (6.41%), 248 hyperplastic polyp (3.33%), and 910 other benign lesions (12.21%) were detected. The findings from the study will provide important references for designing effective population-based CRC screening strategies in the future. Given the relatively low participation rate, there was room for improvement in the yield of CRC screening.
TASK-3 Two-Pore Potassium Channels drive neuronal excitability of the circadian clock and entrainment to challenging light environments

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the mammalian circadian clock, is a heterogenous structure made of several neuron types that generate a circadian electrical activity profile. However, it is unclear how such regulation in endogenous neuronal excitability is maintained. Background two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P), such as TASK-3, play an important role in inhibiting neuronal activity. Here, we utilize a TASK-3 KO mouse model to unravel the role played by this channel in SCN circadian neuronal regulation and behavioral photoentrainment. Our results reveal that TASK-3 is needed to adapt to challenging lighting conditions, such as those experienced through seasonal changes and jet lag. From our investigations this appears to be very distinct from pathways that drive acute, ‘one-off’ adjustments in clock phase, in response to single pulses of light. These findings provide crucial information on the intricate pathways linking clock output to behavioral adaptation to light-dark cycles.
RecA-mediated cleavage reaction of Lambda repressor and DNA strand exchange require an active extended filament conformation but not ATP hydrolysis

DNA pairing and strand exchange activities are essential for genetic recombination. When DNA is damaged, RecA proteins bind to DNA in the presence of ATP and catalyze the specific proteolytic cleavage of Lambda repressor. The cleavage reaction induces and regulates the expression of DNA repair genes. In this work, it has been examined by introducing sites directed mutagenesis (in the ATP catalytic domain or in the DNA binding loop of RecA), the ability of RecA protein to hydrolyze ATP or to cleave Lambda repressor either in the presence of DNA or in the presence of high salt concentration, and the ability of RecA to promote DNA strand exchange. It was observed that mutant E96D does not hydrolyze ATP at all, but fulfills RecA functions such as cleavage of Lambda repressor and strand exchange in the presence of DNA. However mutant E158K hydrolyzes ATP as well in the presence of high salt concentration as in the presence of DNA, but does not fulfill RecA functions. These observations suggest that ATP hydrolysis is not required for the cleavage of Lambda repressor and the genetic recombination, but is necessary for the release of RecA from DNA before DNA repair.
The PopN gate-keeper complex acts on the ATPase PscN to regulate the T3SS secretion switch from early to middle substrates in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium of which the main virulence factor is the Type III Secretion System. The ATPase of this machinery, PscN (SctN), is thought to be localized at the base of the secretion apparatus and to participate in the recognition, chaperone dissociation and unfolding of exported T3SS proteins. In this work, a protein-protein interaction ELISA revealed the interaction of PscN with a wide range of exported T3SS proteins including the needle, translocator, gate-keeper and effector. These interactions were further confirmed by Microscale Thermophoresis that also indicated a preferential interaction of PscN with secreted proteins or protein-chaperone complex rather than with chaperones alone, in line with the release of the chaperones in the bacterial cytoplasm after the dissociation from their exported proteins. Moreover, we suggest a new role of the gate-keeper complex and the ATPase in the regulation of early substrates recognition by the T3SS. This finding sheds a new light on the mechanism of secretion switching from early to middle substrates in P. aeruginosa. Highlights T3SS substrates are secreted sequentially but information on the switches are missing Interaction of the T3SS ATPase with secreted proteins were investigated by different approaches Microscale Thermophoresis revealed a lower affinity for chaperones alone compared to complexes The Gate-keeper complex binds to the ATPase and increases its affinity for the needle complex A new role of the Gate-keeper complex is proposed, directly acting on the T3SS ATPase
Study finds compliant eartips can be used instead of custom earmolds

In recent years, NHS (National Health Service) Hearing Aid Services in England have undergone a major modernization. This has led to an increase in the amount of audiology staff time spent per patient. Meanwhile, patient demand has also increased. The resulting shortages in staffing have led to unacceptably long waiting times in some parts of England. Accordingly, alternative approaches are needed that will permit NHS Hearing Aid Services to reduce waiting times without any loss in the quality of care. One way of achieving this is to reduce the number of appointments by including the assessment and fitting in one appointment. There are a number of products on the market designed to enable audiologists to “assess and fit” in one session. Of particular interest are the universal openear tips, e.g., Siemens Life products and Life tubes and Oticon Corda. While these sorts of solutions show great promise for patients with relatively acute hearing in the low frequencies, the disposable compliant eartip (CET) manufactured by Hearing Components, Inc., is suitable for use with patients who have a wider range of hearing thresholds. CETs make it possible at the patient’s initial appointment to provide either behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids (by means of a ComplyTM Snap Tip device) or in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids (by means of the universal hearing aid manufactured by Siemens Hearing Instruments, Ltd.). The compliant eartips from Hearing Components are available in three diameters (10, 14, and 16 mm), with or without venting, and are suitable for hearing losses up to 65 dB HL (6-mm depth) and 95 dB HL (9-mm depth) at 500 and 1000 Hz. The manufacturer recommends that CETs be replaced every 10 to 14 days. The eartips are made of slow-recovery foam, which is temperature-activated and becomes three times softer and more pliable at body temperature. Since ear canals are active and change size with simple, everyday changes in jaw position,1,2 the use of CETs may mitigate a number of hearing aid problems, including discomfort, feedback, poor retention, and the occlusion effect. There are no reports on the use of CETs with ITE hearing aids. A major problem associated with ITE hearing aids is the build-up of cerumen inside the hearing aid, which affects reliability. Additionally, when an ITE instrument is returned to the manufacturer for repair or remake, the patient usually has no replacement. CETs have the potential to address both these problems for ITE users. * While both these products are now discontinued, the principles remain. PURPOSE OF STUDY The study reported in this article was designed to assess the feasibility of using CETs with digital signal processing hearing aids (both BTE—Oticon DigiFocus II, and ITE— Siemens Selectra). * Outcome measures included patient reports of hearing, comfort, feedback, and preference, as well as real-ear insertion gain measurements, speech-in-noise testing, and cost.
Altered Thalamocortical Signaling in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Activation of the primary motor cortex (M1) is important for the execution of skilled movements and motor learning, and its dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). A well accepted idea in PD research, albeit not tested experimentally, is that loss of midbrain dopamine leads to decreased activation of M1 by the motor thalamus (Mthal). Here, we report that midbrain dopamine loss reduced Mthal input in a laminar- and cell type-specific fashion and induced laminar-specific changes in intracortical synaptic transmission. As a result, M1 activation by Mthal was decreased, but M1 output was increased. Our results demonstrate that loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons alters thalamocortical activation of M1, and provide novel insights into circuit mechanisms for motor cortex dysfunction in a mouse model of PD.
Physiological Responses of Salvinia Minima to Different Phosphorus and Nitrogen Concentrations

ABSTRACT This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of salvinia (Salvinia minima) in accumulating nitrogen and phosphorus under different imitating eutrophic environments. Nitrogen concentrations of 1.0 (control), 10.0, and 100 mg/l and phosphorus concentrations of 0.1 (control), 1.0, and 10.0 mg/l were used in this study. Plants were grown under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2°C with a light intensity of 120 μmol/m2/s, and a 14 hr photoperiod. Salvinia's growth, expressed as frond production and plant fresh weight doubling time, was significantly increased with increasing nitrogen concentration from 1.0 mg/l to 100.0 mg/l in the growth media. The increase in growth rate was independent from the variation in phosphorus concentrations. However, the highest growth rate was obtained for days 1 through 7 when the levels of both nitrogen and phosphorus were elevated 100 fold (100 mg/l N and 10.0 mg/l P) from that of control treatments. This treatment also resulted in the highest photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll α and b content, carotenoids and anthocyanins concentrations. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration did not influence soluble sugar (SS) accumulation. Starch and total-nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) accumulation was significantly lower in treatments receiving elevated levels of nitrogen or phosphorus when compared to the control. The highest uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus into plant tissues resulted when both nutrients were elevated 100 fold (100 mg/l N and 10.0 mg/l P) and were higher at day 14.
Automated prediction and annotation of small proteins in microbial genomes

Recent work performed by Sberro et al. (2019) revealed a vast unexplored space of small proteins existing within the human microbiome. At present, these small open reading frames (smORFs) are unannotated in existing reference genomes and standard genome annotation tools are not able to accurately predict them. In this study, we introduce an annotation tool named SmORFinder that predicts small proteins based on those identified by Sberro et al. This tool combines profile Hidden Markov models (pHMMs) of each small protein family and deep learning models that may better generalize to smORF families not seen in the training set. We find that combining predictions of both pHMM and deep learning models leads to more precise smORF predictions and that these predicted smORFs are enriched for Ribo-Seq or MetaRibo-Seq translation signals. Feature importance analysis reveals that the deep learning models learned to identify Shine-Dalgarno sequences, deprioritize the wobble position in each codon, and group codons in a way that strongly corresponds to the codon synonyms found in the codon table. We perform a core genome analysis of 26 bacterial species and identify many core smORFs of unknown function. We pre-compute small protein annotations for thousands of RefSeq isolate genomes and HMP metagenomes, and we make these data available through a web portal along with other useful tools for small protein annotation and analysis. The systematic identification and annotation of those important small proteins will help researchers to expand our understanding of this exciting field of biology.
Eye-tracking for low vision with virtual reality (VR): testing status quo usability of the HTC Vive Pro Eye

Background Adding an eye tracker inside a head-mounted display (HMD) can offer a variety of novel functions in virtual reality (VR). Promising results point towards its usability as a flexible and interactive tool for low vision assessments and research of low vision functional impairment. Visual field (VF) perimetry performed using VR methodologies evidenced a correlation between the reliability of visual field testing in VR and the Humphrey test. The simulation of visual loss in VR is a powerful method used to investigate the impact and the adaptation to visual diseases. The present study presents a preliminary assessment of the HTC Vive Pro Eye for its potential use for these applications. Methods We investigated data quality over a wide visual field and tested the effect of head motion. An objective direct end-to-end temporal precision test simulated two different scenarios: the appearance of a pupil inside the eye tracker and a shift in pupil position, known as artificial saccade generator. The technique is low-cost thanks to a Raspberry Pi system and automatic. Results The target position on the screen and the head movement limit the HTC Vive Pro Eye’s usability. All the simulated scenarios showed a system’s latency of 58.1 milliseconds (ms). Conclusion These results point towards limitations and improvements of the HTC Vive Pro Eye’s status quo for visual loss simulation scenarios and visual perimetry testing.
Massively Parallel Algorithms for Minimum Cut

We present two Massively Parallel Computation (MPC) algorithms for the Minimum Cut problem: an O(1)-round exact algorithm with Õ(n) memory per machine, and an O(log n · log log n) round (2 + ε) approximation with Õ(nα) memory per machine, for any positive constant α < 1. Both algorithms use Õ(m) global memory.
Toward Learning at Scale in Developing Countries: Lessons from the Global Learning XPRIZE Field Study

Advances in education technology are enabling tremendous advances in learning at scale. However, they typically assume resources taken for granted in developed countries, including reliable electricity, high-bandwidth Internet access, fast WiFi, powerful computers, sophisticated sensors, and expert technical support to keep it all working. This paper examines these assumptions in the context of a massive test of learning at scale in a developing country. We examine each assumption, how it was broken, and some workarounds used in a 15-month-long independent controlled evaluation of pre- to posttest learning and social-emotional gains by over 2,000 children in 168 villages in Tanzania. We analyze those gains to characterize who gained how much, using test score data, social-emotional measures, and detailed logs from RoboTutor. We quantify the relative impact of pretest scores, literate aspirations, treatment, and usage on learning gains.