Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biogeography, Competition, and Microclimate: The Barnacle Chthamalus fragilis in New England1

Abstract Geographic limits of species are commonly associated with climatic or physical boundaries, but the mechanisms of exclusion at the limits of distribution are poorly understood. In some intertidal populations, the strengths of interactions with natural enemies are mediated by microclimate, and determine geographic limits. The northern limit of the barnacle Chthamalus fragilis in New England is the south side of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. South of the cape, Chthamalus has a refuge from competition in the high intertidal, which is too hot for survival of its superior competitor Semibalanus balanoides. North of the cape, the high intertidal is cooler, and Semibalanus survives, so Chthamalus has no refuge. Thus, geographic variation in the strength of competition may determine the geographic limit of Chthamalus. Intolerance of cold by Chthamalus cannot account for the geographic limit: transplants of Chthamalus 80 km beyond its northern limit survived up to 8 yr in the absence of competition with Semibalanus. At the geographic limit of Chthamalus in the Cape Cod Canal there are two bridges, 5 km apart. On the southern bridge, Chthamalus is abundant and occupies a refuge above Semibalanus. On the northern bridge in 2001, only 7 individual Chthamalus were present. Despite the proximity of the bridges, their microclimates are very different. The southern bridge, where Chthamalus is abundant, is up to 8°C hotter than the northern bridge. This higher temperature creates a refuge in the high intertidal for Chthamalus. On the cooler northern bridge, there is no refuge for Chthamalus. Because of the difference in temperatures of the water masses that meet in the canal, heat storage in the rock of the bridge piers causes the temperatures to differ between the bridges. Thus, geographic change in microclimate alters the strength of competition, and determines the geographic limit. “When we travel from south to north, or from a damp region to a dry, we invariably see some species gradually getting rarer and rarer, and finally disappearing; and the change in climate being conspicuous, we are tempted to attribute the whole effect to its direct action. But this is a very false view: we forget that each species, even where it most abounds, is constantly suffering enormous destruction at some period of its life, from enemies or from competitors for the same place and food; and if these enemies or competitors be in the least degree favoured by any slight change of climate, they will increase in numbers, and as each area is already fully stocked with inhabitants, the other species will decrease. ”—Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species, 1859, p. 69.
Design of UWB patch antenna with band notched characteristics

An UWB patch antenna with dual band notched characteristics is proposed for ultra wideband (UWB) applications. This microstrip-fed antenna consisting of a swan shaped slot patch with defected ground structure, with a size of 25 (L) × 25 (W) × 1.52 (h) mm3. Three different shaped slots (U-shaped, I-shaped and inverted L-shaped) are etched on the patch for band notched operation. By etching an inverted L-shaped slot in the radiating patch antenna shows dual band notched at WiMAX (3.1–3.5 GHz) and HIPERLAN (4.8–6.1 GHz) and avoids interference with some of existing narrow bands i.e. WiMAX, and WLAN. The inverted L-shaped slot provides better result Compared to U-shaped and I shaped slot in term of return loss. Furthermore, fairly good Omni directional radiation patterns indicate that the proposed antenna is well suited to be integrated with various portable devices for UWB operation.
The effect of Chinese herbs on the cytokines of rats with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to study the regulatory function of Chinese medicine-YiWeiNing (YWN) on the cytokines of endometriosis (EM) model rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS After successfully creating EM models of rats, all were separated randomly into five groups: high dose of YWN (5.4 g/100 g), low dose of YWN (1.8 g/100 g), Danazol group (3.6 mg/100 g), a model group, and a false-operation group. They were then reviewed for the variation of the amount of TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). RESULTS The content of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 in the peripheral blood of the model group was apparently higher than the false-operation group (p < 0.01), and YWN reduced the amount of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 in the serums of the model group's rats. This made these cytokines tend toward normal levels without an apparent variation, when compared with the false-operation group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS YWN can prevent the growth of ectopic endometrium by inhibiting the synthesis and secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8.
Interleukin 1alpha, interleukin 1beta and interleukin 1 receptor gene polymorphisms in psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES To investigate polymorphisms of interleukin (IL) 1alpha, IL-1beta and IL-1 receptor R1 genes in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), their relationship to the age of onset of psoriasis and the pattern of joint involvement. METHODS One hundred and forty well-characterized patients with PsA were studied. One hundred healthy controls were recruited from primary care. All were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes for IL-1alpha (position -889), IL-1beta (position +3953) and IL-1R1 (position +970). The frequencies of the respective variants were compared between patients and controls and in relation to age of onset of psoriasis, to clinical subsets of the disease and to the presence of erosions. RESULTS All three polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both patients and controls. The frequency of IL-1alpha -889 CC homozygotes was significantly increased in PsA patients compared with normal controls [58 vs 40%, odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95%, confidence interval (CI) 1.22-3.47]. The frequency of the IL-1alpha -889 C allele was significantly increased in PsA patients compared with controls (75 vs 65%, OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.11-2.45). In subset analysis there were no other significant differences in allelic frequencies for the IL-1alpha -889 C/T, IL-1beta +3953 C/T and IL-1R1 +970 C/T polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS The IL-1 gene complex may play a role in the development of PsA and/or psoriasis or act as a marker for other genes on chromosome 2q12 to 2q13.
Recognition and management of anxiety syndromes

The past two decades have witnessed an increasing interest in research on anxiety syndromes and disorders. Significant advances in basic and clinical research, accompanied by animated ongoing discussions about the most appropriate, reliable and valid way to classify and assess anxiety disorders, have changed our understanding of anxiety disorders and affected (or some might say confused) our research and treatment practice.
Articular chondrocytes lose their proliferative activity with aging yet can be restimulated by PTH‐(1–84), PGE1, and Dexamethasone

Mouse mandibular condyles develop spontaneous degenerative changes by 6 months of age, hence providing a good in vivo model for studies related to processes associated with the onset and progression of age‐related osteoarthritis. Further, this joint provides an appropriate system to investigate the potential of articular cartilage to respond to hormones and local growth factors in old age. The present study examined (1) the age‐related changes in [3H]thymidine incorporation by articular chondrocytes in the mouse mandibular condyle, and (2) the effect of systemic and local factors upon the tissue's ability to resume DNA synthesis. Condyles of female CW‐1 mice ranging from 3 to 18 months of age were cultured in the presence of PTH‐(1–84) (2 μ/g/ml), PGE1 (20 μ/ml), dexamethasone (10−7 M), and MSA (5 μg/ml) and were concomitantly labeled with [3H]thymidine. Autoradiographs were analyzed quantitatively and revealed (1) a significant (p < 0.01) age‐related decrease (–80%) in the labeling index of the articular cartilage, and (2) the ability of old tissues to resume DNA synthesis following in vitro treatment with PTH‐(1–84), PGE1, and dexamethasone. Concomitant quantitative incorporation studies further substantiated the autoradiographic findings. Hence, these factors possess a direct stimulatory effect upon senescent chondrocytes involved in an advanced stage of spontaneous osteoarthritis.
Mutations That Change the Position of the Putative γ-Phosphate Linker in the Nucleotide Binding Domains of CFTR Alter Channel Gating*

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channel is an ATP-binding cassette transporter that contains conserved nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). In CFTR, the NBDs bind and hydrolyze ATP to open and close the channel. Crystal structures of related NBDs suggest a structural model with an important signaling role for a γ-phosphate linker peptide that couples bound nucleotide to movement of an α-helical subdomain. We mutated two residues in CFTR that the structural model predicts will uncouple effects of nucleotide binding from movement of the α-helical subdomain. These residues are Gln-493 and Gln-1291, which may directly connect the ATP γ-phosphate to the γ-phosphate linker, and residues Asn-505 and Asn-1303, which may form hydrogen bonds that stabilize the linker. In NBD1, Q493A reduced the frequency of channel opening, suggesting a role for this residue in coupling ATP binding to channel opening. In contrast, N505C increased the frequency of channel opening, consistent with a role for Asn-505 in stabilizing the inactive state of the NBD. In NBD2, Q1291A decreased the effects of pyrophosphate without altering other functions. Mutations of Asn-1303 decreased the rate of channel opening and closing, suggesting an important role for NBD2 in controlling channel burst duration. These findings are consistent with both the bacterial NBD structural model and gating models for CFTR. Our results extend models of nucleotide-induced structural changes from bacterial NBDs to a functional mammalian ATP-binding cassette transporter.
Green manure and phosphorus fertilization affect weed community composition and crop/weed competition in organic maize

Abstract Green manure and compost-enriched in phosphorus can promote the sustainability of cropping systems by increasing soil fertility over the long term. They can also be used to manage crop/weed interactions, a key element in guaranteeing an appropriate level of satisfactory crop yields. We studied how green manuring with hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) and the application of different types of phosphorous-enriched compost affect weed/maize (Zea mays L.) interactions in an organic stockless Mediterranean agroecosystem for two consecutive dry years. Green manure stimulated the expression of maize traits related to a higher competitive ability against weeds, such as early growth, height and leaf area index, while the effect of compost was less clear. Regarding crop/weed competition, both green manuring and a phosphorus-enriched compost application gave a significant advantage to maize. Neither green manure nor compost increased total weed density and biomass compared to the control. Green manuring significantly affected the weed community composition. The relative density of ruderal and competitive-ruderal species (according to Grime's classification) was higher in plots where the green manure was applied. The use of green manure, together with novel composting techniques, significantly affected crop/weed competitive interactions, favoring maize, but also creating favorable conditions for unwanted weed species such as competitive-ruderals. Increasing nitrogen availability in the early growth stages of maize through green manuring can increase crop competitive ability. However, this may not suffice to preserve the system from future weed problems, should potentially detrimental species be selected. Dedicated strategies for the control of emerging weed species may thus be needed.
ISLAMIC FINANCE-ECONOMIC GROWTH NEXUS IN BANGLADESH: AN ARDL APPROACH

Unlike previous banking system, today there are several Islamic Banks are operating by offering various kinds of Islamic products in the world. Some countries introduced Islamic Banking system earlier than others but the products and the services which are offered by Islamic Banks are slightly different from one country to another. Islamic banks have been operating in Bangladesh from last three decades together with the conventional banks. This research aimed to examine the relationship between Islamic banking developments to the country’s growth from evidence of Bangladesh. By looking at the relationship tried to examine the nature of the relationship long run effects on economy. The research questions were “does Islamic banks in Bangladesh contribute in country's economic growth by increasing performance? And what kind of relationship exists between Islamic banks development and Bangladesh's economic growth? ”. Quarterly data were used from the period of Q1:2004 to Q2:2011.Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bound testing technique for cointegration was applied to estimate the long run relationship. A long run relationship was found between Islamic financing and economic growth which shows demand following relationship.
Comparison of Postoperative Morphological Changes in Remnant Pancreas Between Pancreaticojejunostomy and Pancreaticogastrostomy After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare postoperative morphological changes in remnant pancreas between pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) and pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: The study subjects were 28 patients with PJ and 14 with PG. The diameter of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) and pancreatic parenchymal thickness 2 years after PD were measured on computed tomography scans and compared between the 2 groups. Results: The preoperative and postoperative MPD diameter was 5.2 mm (SD, 2.4 mm) and 4.2 mm (SD, 2.0 mm) in the PJ group (P = 0.0422) and 4.8 mm (SD, 3.2 mm) and 5.7 mm (SD, 1.8 mm) (P = 0.1494) in the PG group, respectively. In those patients with preoperatively normal-size MPD, MPD after surgery tended to become dilated relative to before surgery in the PJ group (P = 0.0931), and the MPD measured postoperatively was significantly larger than preoperatively in the PG group (P = 0.0009). A significant atrophy of the pancreatic parenchyma was noted postoperatively in both groups (P < 0.0001), but these changes were more severe in the PG group than the PJ group (P = 0.0018). Conclusions: Considering the above postoperative morphological changes, PJ seems to be preferable to PG after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Components and variations in daily energy expenditure of athletic and non-athletic adolescents in free-living conditions

The objectives of the study were to determine: (1) daily energy expenditure (EE) of athletic and non-athletic adolescents of both sexes in free-living conditions; (2) day-to-day variations in daily EE during 1 week; (3) energy costs of the main activities; and (4) the effect of usual activity on EE during sleep, seated and miscellaneous activities. Fifty adolescents (four groups of eleven to fifteen boys or girls aged 16–19 years) participated in the study. Body composition was measured by the skinfold-thickness method, and VO2max and external mechanical power (EMP) by a direct method (respiratory gas exchanges) on a cycloergometer. Daily EE and partial EE in free-living conditions were computed from heart-rate (HR) recordings during seven consecutive days using individual prediction equations established from the data obtained during a 24 h period spent in whole-body calorimeters with similar activities. Fat-free mass (FFM), VO2max, EMP, daily EE and EE during sleep were significantly higher in athletic than in non-athletic subjects. After adjustment for FFM, VO2max, EMP, daily EE and EE during exercise were still higher in athletic than in non-athletic adolescents (P<0·001). However, adjusted sleeping EE was not significantly different between athletic and non-athletic adolescents. Increases in exercise EE were partly compensated for by significant reductions in EE during schoolwork and miscellaneous activities. Thus, the differences in daily EE between athletic and non-athletic subjects resulted mainly from increases in FFM and EE during exercise (duration and energy cost).
Wind Turbines Based on Doubly Fed Induction Generator Under Asymmetrical Voltage Dips

Many large wind farms employ doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs). The main drawback of these machines is their large sensitivity to grid disturbances, especially to voltage dips. As the penetration of wind energy in the network increases, it becomes more relevant to understand the behavior of these machines under voltage dips. This paper analyzes the operation of the DFIG under asymmetrical voltage dips and explains why such kinds of dips are more harmful than are symmetrical dips. The influence of the dip type and instant of occurrence is also studied.
The role of the audit committee in moderating the negative effect of non-audit services on earnings management among industrial firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange

This paper examines the effectiveness of the audit committee in limiting the adverse effects of the provision of non-audit services (NAS) on earnings management. In addition, the current study examines the effect of surplus free cash flow and NAS on earnings management. Earnings management occurs less frequently when the audit committee is effective. In this study, audit committee effectiveness refers to the overall effectiveness of the committee that was measured using a composite measurement of effectiveness. The sample comprised 336 industrial firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2016. The results documented that the positive relationship between surpluses free cash flow and earnings management. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence that investors realise that NAS harms the independence of the auditor by creating an economic bond between the auditor and client that could negatively affect audit quality and hence earnings credibility. As does all research, this study suffers from limitations, including the fact that this study sheds the light only on the industrial sector in Jordan, Thus, the need exists for more research to be conducted using other sectors in Jordan and other countries as well to determine the effects of other variables on earnings management from other perspectives.
Erk1/2 Activation in Stromal Fibroblasts From Sporadic Basal Cell Carcinomas

BACKGROUND Constitutive activation of the Erk pathway can lead to oncogenic transformation. However, the Erk pathway is not activated in human basal cell carcinomas (BCCs); although in animal models, this seems to be important. OBJECTIVE To help understand the role of Erk activity in BCC formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors assayed the specific levels of phosphorylated Erk by immunohistochemistry in BCCs and normal skin biopsies. They have also analyzed Erk activation by immunoblot in fibroblasts isolated from BCC. RESULTS By immunohistochemical analysis, the authors have observed that 10 of BCCs (56%) did not show phosphor-Erk staining in tumor masses and 7 (40%) showed a gradient staining exhibiting phospho-Erk only in the epidermal side of tumor masses. Remarkably, 15 BCC samples (83%) showed phospho-Erk accumulation in stroma. Six of the 9 independent cultures of dermal fibroblasts isolated from BCC maintained Erk activation “in vitro. ” CONCLUSION The authors propose that there is a specific cell-type regulation of Erk activity in BCC, and this feature may be relevant during BCC formation. Stroma region from BCCs showed Erk activation and reduced proliferation. Conversely, Erk activation is barely detectable in proliferative BCCs.
Deep reflexivity in tourism research

Abstract Reflexivity has come to be accepted as standard methodological practice in qualitative tourism research, enabling researchers to reflect on how their subjectivity inevitably impacts on their work. However, reflexive accounts vary enormously from intimate, in-depth explorations to more modest reflexive disclosure statements, which are usually relegated to ‘safe’ spaces in the text such as the methodology section. Additionally, there is an implicit assumption in tourism studies that, while reflexivity is to be encouraged, some information is too private or embarrassing to be shared publicly. I introduce the notion of deep reflexivity, a radical approach to positionality and intersectionality developed by psychosocial researchers. Deep reflexivity implies that reflexive practice should be extended to include critical reflections on the researcher’s emotions, embodiment and unconscious processes that may impact on research. Such information can be accessed through introspection, the interpretation of fantasies, or even dream analysis. This approach is particularly applicable to psychological interview-based research in tourism, but I argue that it has wider relevance and potential. Deep reflexivity in practice is illustrated by sharing a personal account of conducting fieldwork in a volunteer tourism setting in Kenya and I reflect on the challenges that this form of reflexivity presents in terms of ethics, professional integrity, and methodological accuracy. I conclude by arguing that psychosocial studies and the concept of deep reflexivity present a promising avenue for methodological disruption and advancement in critical tourism research.
A Superagonistic Monoclonal Antibody for CD28 Ameliorates Crescentic Glomerulonephritis in Wistar-Kyoto Rats

Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in the resolution of crescentic glomerulonephritis, where a T helper 1 (Th1)-predominant immune response promotes crescent formation. Therefore, agents that increase Treg cells appear to be ideal for suppressing T-cell-mediated renal pathology. We hypothesized that a superagonistic monoclonal antibody for CD28 (JJ316), which has been known to preferentially expand Treg cells in vivo, could prevent nephrotoxic serum-induced nephritis in Wistar-Kyoto rats, one of the experimental models of crescentic glomerulonephritis. Administration of JJ316 attenuated crescent formation, proteinuria and glomerular accumulation of macrophages and CD8+ T cells. These changes were accompanied by increased infiltration of Treg cells. Among glomerular macrophages, the CD163+ subset was significantly increased after treatment, suggesting that Treg cells may modulate the phenotype of macrophages leading to resolution of glomerulonephritis. In an adoptive transfer experiment, two T-cell subsets (CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25− T cells) purified from spleens and lymph nodes of donor rats primed with JJ316 3 d before were inoculated into nephritic recipient rats, which recapitulated the beneficial effects of in vivo administration of JJ316. Furthermore, a single injection of JJ316 administered 3 d after disease induction completely protected nephritic rats from death for 2 months. In conclusion, we demonstrated that treatment with JJ316 has a dramatic therapeutic effect on an experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis, possibly due to expansion and activation of Treg cells.