Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The grain size survival threshold in one-planet post-main-sequence exoplanetary systems

The size distribution and orbital architecture of dust, grains, boulders, asteroids, and major planets during the giant branch phases of evolution dictate the preponderance and observability of the eventual debris, which have been found to surround white dwarfs and pollute their atmospheres with metals. Here, we utilize the photogravitational planar restricted three-body problem in one-planet giant branch systems in order to characterize the orbits of grains as the parent star luminosity and mass undergo drastic changes. We perform a detailed dynamical analysis of the character of grain orbits (collisional, escape, or bounded) as a function of location and energy throughout giant branch evolution. We find that for stars with main-sequence masses of 2.0 M⊙, giant branch evolution, combined with the presence of a planet, ubiquitously triggers escape in grains smaller than about 1 mm, while leaving grains larger than about 5 cm bound to the star. This result is applicable for systems with either a terrestrial or giant planet, is largely independent of the location of the planet, and helps establish a radiative size threshold for escape of small particles in giant branch planetary systems.
Sydney 1998—lessons from a drinking water crisis

From July to September 1998, high concentrations of Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected episodically in the water supply and distribution systems of Sydney, Australia. The resulting drinking water crisis triggered three consecutive boil‐water advisories and a government inquiry into the management of the water supply. The episodic nature of the detections focused attention on the veracity of the laboratory results and triggered an investigation of the transport of these pathogens in Sydney's water supply system. This article provides information submitted to the Sydney Water Inquiry that explains the episodic occurrence of pathogens in the reticulated water supply, attributing it to rapid fluctuations in the quality of the water reaching the water treatment plant.
Replicating necropsy data without lethal collections: using ultrasonography to understand the decline in northern fur seals

Summary 1. Many valuable contributions to the biology and conservation of harvested or previously harvested species have come from examination of specimens obtained by lethal collections. The northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, has a long history of exploitation, including a large (>320 000) experimental harvest of females from 1955 to 1968 when the population was at a peak (� 2 million seals). The decline caused by this harvest was followed in 1977 by another major decline, apparently unrelated to harvest, that has recently accelerated. 2. To obtain current reproductive data that could be compared directly with historic estimates, we used imaging ultrasonography to estimate pregnancy rate in 171 adult fur seals captured on St. Paul Island, Alaska, in November, near the end of embryonic diapause. A modified logistic regression of pregnancy by date was used to estimate asymptotic pregnancy rate; a Bayesian hierarchical model based on date and size of embryonic vesicle was also used to account for pregnancies that were not detectable on the date of examination. 3. Pregnancy rate was high [0AE85 (SE = 0AE05), 0AE88 (SE = 0AE05) or 0AE92 (SE = 0AE04), depending on method] and there was little statistical support for the hypothesis that the current pregnancy rate is lower than the pre-decline rate (0AE84, SE = 0AE012) or contributing significantly to the present decline. 4. Synthesis and applications. Further study on intrauterine losses and pupping rates is necessary and ongoing, but reproductive ultrasonography provided an early comparative assessment important for the conservation management of this fur seal stock. It narrows the search for demographic and ecological causes of the population decline and allows research priorities to evolve in response to the likelihood of those causes. The field and analytic methods described have application to population assessments of other mammalian species, including those considered threatened or serving as ecosystem indicators.
Genetic Modifiers that Affect the Accumulation of the Mutant Protein Alpha-1 Antitrypsin-Z

Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (ATD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by mutations in SERPINA1. Since α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) is the predominant serine peptidase inhibitor in extracellular fluids, decreased α1-AT secretion results in a loss-of-function phenotype manifested by peptidase-inhibitor imbalance, connective tissue matrix destruction, and susceptibility to chronic obstructive lung disease. In contrast, the accumulation of aggregation-prone alpha-1 antitrypsin-Z (ATZ) variant in liver cells leads to a toxic gain-of-function phenotype characterized by liver failure and carcinogenesis. Curiously, only ~10% of all ATZ homozygous individuals develop severe liver disease. This observation suggests that additional genetic disease modifiers and/or environmental conditions make an important contribution to disease severity and outcome. Our current understanding of these factors is incomplete and effective therapeutic options are very limited. I report here the development of a C. elegans model of ATZ deficiency that recapitulates the ER transport defect associated with ATD. Furthermore, we identified key components of the disposal mechanism of ATZ in C. elegans, which parallels those in mammalian systems. Lastly, I developed a semi-automated high content genome-wide RNAi screen technology and used this method to identify <100 genes that modify the accumulation of ATZ. Many of these genes implicated in playing a role in the disposal of ATZ are novel and provide a source of potential ATZ genetic modifiers for future study.
Chromosome numbers in South American andean species of Lupinus (Leguminosae)

Summary: Camillo, M. F. , M. T. Pozzobon & M. T. Schifino-Wittmann. 2006. Chromosome numbers in South American Andean species of Lupinus (Leguminosae). Bonplandia 15(3-4): 113-119. ISSN 0524-0476. Chromosome numbers were determined in 22 accessions of 16 Lupinus L. species from the Andean region. All had 2n=48 chromosomes, except L. bandelierae C. P. Smith (2n=36). These are the first chromosome countings for L. arvensis Benth. , L. chilensis C. P. Smith, L. chlorolepsis C. P. Smith, L. chrysanthus Ulbr. , L. lindleyanus Agardh, L. mantaroensis C. P. Smith, L. piurensis C. P. Smith, L. proculaustrinus C. P. Smith, L. prostratus Agardh, L. pulvinaris Ulbr. , L. pycnostachys C. P. Smith, L. smithianus Kunth and L. tominensis Wedd. The present study also confirmed literature data on chromosome numbers of L. mutabilis Sweet, L. semperflorens Benth. (2n=48) and L. bandelierae (2n=36). The results clearly confirm that, cytologically, the vast majority of Andean species are closer to the North American than to the eastern South American taxa.
Evidence of unexplained discrepancies between planned and conducted statistical analyses: a review of randomized trials

Choosing or altering the planned statistical analysis approach after examination of trial data (often referred to as ‘p-hacking’) can bias results of randomized trials. However, the extent of this issue in practice is currently unclear. We conducted a review of published randomized trials to evaluate how often a pre-specified analysis approach is publicly available, and how often the planned analysis is changed.A review of randomised trials published between January and April 2018 in six leading general medical journals. For each trial we established whether a pre-specified analysis approach was publicly available in a protocol or statistical analysis plan, and compared this to the trial publication.Overall, 89 of 101 eligible trials (88%) had a publicly available pre-specified analysis approach. Only 22/89 trials (25%) had no unexplained discrepancies between the pre-specified and conducted analysis. Fifty-four trials (61%) had one or more unexplained discrepancies, and in 13 trials (15%) it was impossible to ascertain whether any unexplained discrepancies occurred due to incomplete reporting of the statistical methods. Unexplained discrepancies were most common for the analysis model (n=31, 35%) and analysis population (n=28, 31%), followed by the use of covariates (n=23, 26%) and the approach for handling missing data (n=16, 18%). Many protocols or statistical analysis plans were dated after the trial had begun, so earlier discrepancies may have been missed.Unexplained discrepancies in the statistical methods of randomized trials are common. Increased transparency is required for proper evaluation of results.
Erythrocyte Toxicities of Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea

The addition of antimicrobial preservatives to pharmaceutical and cosmetic products is necessary to prevent microbial growth. However, the use of preservatives can also produce other undesirable effects. For several years, researchers have been investigating the use of alternative methods in safety assessment of cosmetic ingredients and formulations by means of variety methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the erythrocyte toxicities of two commercial preservatives: imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea. Relatively few studies about the cytotoxicity of these preservative are available. The determination of their cytotoxicity is an essential step to warrant their safe use. Erythrocyte toxicities were evaluated by assessment of the amount of hemoglobin released by red blood cells after their lysis. In this study, both imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea showed cytotoxic activity against red blood cells. The imidazolidinyl urea induce a small release of hemoglobin after 120 min of incubation. But, the diazolidinyl urea induce a massive release of hemoglobin from the imidazolidinyl urea (a rate of 83% at concentrations of 6.25 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL).
Finite Difference Method for the Multi-Asset Black–Scholes Equations

In this paper, we briefly review the finite difference method (FDM) for the Black–Scholes (BS) equations for pricing derivative securities and provide the MATLAB codes in the Appendix for the one-, two-, and three-dimensional numerical implementation. The BS equation is discretized non-uniformly in space and implicitly in time. The two- and three-dimensional equations are solved using the operator splitting method. In the numerical tests, we show characteristic examples for option pricing. The computational results are in good agreement with the closed-form solutions to the BS equations.
Is the content of patient’s written emotional disclosure associated with improved health outcomes for asthma patients?

Written emotional disclosure (WED) is a self-directed, writing intervention. Treatment effects post-WED vary between studies, prompting research into which variables promote the largest improvements. Thus far, research has focused on the frequency of certain linguistic properties of the writing, and subjective stress-related ratings. This study tests the feasibility of using an objective coding framework for stress typology to categorise WED extracts and explores whether any characteristics of the stress described were associated with intervention outcomes. WED extracts from a randomised controlled trial of patients with asthma were coded using an objective stress typology framework. The contents of the WED extracts were reviewed to ascertain whether the experience met the DSM-5 definition for trauma, involved abuse, and was experienced directly or vicariously. Also analysed were the degree of upheaval and upset associated with the event described, together with the time of the event, and number of events written about. Correlational analyses indicated that improvements in asthma-related outcomes were associated with writing about experiences that occurred in childhood, constituted abuse, or caused greater upheaval (all ps <. 05). We found some evidence that the treatment effects of WED may be dependent on what types of stressful experiences participants write about. The use of our objective stress coding scheme was only partially successful as it could not be applied consistently to all WED extracts. Findings require replication using a prospective experimental design.
Cidades sustentáveis e inteligentes: tecnologias colaborativas de apoio à gestão urbana.

Promoting more sustainable and smarter urban areas is currently a challenge in face of the need to make resource use more efficient, promote social inclusion, minimize environmental impacts and foster effective social participation by citizens in bigger and more populous cities. Addressing this problem based on extensive literature review, international standards and comparative case studies, this research proposes to exemplify the application of an evaluation matrix developed to the so-called “collaborative digital platforms for urban management support”. The objective of such platforms would be to highlight the needs (demands) of a city or community and, thus, guide more effective solutions (offers) based on technological intelligence and sustainable development criteria. The matrix includes criteria and requirements for: (i) technologies that form and feed collaborative platforms (monitoring capability, diagnostic capability, and configurations); (ii) participation and collaboration using collaborative technologies and platforms; (iii) urban management support using collaborative platforms. The research’s contribution is a methodology to evaluate how these platforms are developed and how they operate, something still missing in the
Feasibility and safety of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation in spontaneously breathing, non-ventilated patients in critical care: A retrospective pilot study

Background Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation is used in various clinical settings to promote secretion clearance, reverse or treat atelectasis and improve gas exchange. Despite a few studies reporting the use of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation in critical care, the available data remain insufficient, contributing to weaker evidence toward its effectiveness. Also, there is a paucity of studies evaluating the safety and feasibility of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation application in critical care. This retrospective pilot study has evaluated the safety and feasibility of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation intervention in non-intubated patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods The medical records of 35 subjects were reviewed, including 22 subjects who received intrapulmonary percussive ventilation intervention and 13 subjects matched for age, sex, and primary diagnosis who received chest physiotherapy. The records were audited for feasibility, safety, changes in oxygen saturation, chest X-ray changes, and intensive care unit length of stay. Results A total of 104 treatment sessions (IPV 65 and CPT 39) were delivered to subjects admitted with a range of respiratory conditions in critical care. Subjects completed 97% of IPV sessions. No major adverse events were reported with intrapulmonary percussive ventilation intervention. Intensive care unit length of stay in the intrapulmonary percussive ventilation group was 9.6 ± 6 days, and in the CPT group, it was 11 ± 9 days (p = 0.59). Peripheral oxygen saturation pre to post intervention was 92% ± 4 to 96% ± 4 in IPV group and 95% ± 4 to 95% ± 3 in the CPT group. Conclusion Application of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation intervention was feasible and safe in non-ventilated adult patients in critical care.
Stable Isotope Ecology of Extant Tapirs from the Americas

Understanding the ecology of modern and ancient forests can help clarify the evolution of forest dwelling mammals. It is first necessary, however, to elucidate the source and extent of stable isotope variation in forest taxa. Tapirs are of particular interest because they are model organisms for identifying forest environments due to their highly conservative diet and habitat preferences. Here, stable carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of extant tapirs are quantified to test hypotheses regarding ontogenetic diet shifts, stable isotope variation at the population level, and relationships between stable isotopes and climatic variables. A population of extant tapirs (Tapirus bairdii) demonstrates low δ13C variation (∼2–3‰) and increased δ13C values in late erupting teeth, indicating that juveniles consume 13C deplete milk and/or browse in denser forests. Disparate δ18O values of late erupting teeth are instead reflecting seasonal variation. Extant tapir (T. bairdii, Tapirus pinchaque, Tapirus terrestris) δ18O values are constrained by climatic and geographic variables. Most notably, δ18O values of T. bairdii decrease with decreasing precipitation frequency. Tapirus terrestris is typically present in areas with greater precipitation than T. bairdii and δ18O values instead positively correlate with δ13C values. These data indicate that tapirs in wetter areas are getting a larger proportion of their water from leaves experiencing less evaporation in denser canopies, while T. bairdii is interpreted to increase its consumption of water via drinking when present in drier areas. An understanding of extant tapir stable isotope ecology improves ecological interpretations of these elusive mammals both today and in the past.
Uncertainty in Flood Mitigation Practices: Assessing the Economic Benefits of Property Acquisition and Elevation in Flood-Prone Communities

Adopting effective flood mitigation practices for repetitive flood events in the United States continues to play a prominent role in preventing future damage and fostering resilience to residential flooding. Two common mitigation practices for reducing residential flood risk consist of raising an existing structure to or above base flood elevation (BFE) and acquiring chronically damaged properties in flood prone areas and restoring them back to serve their natural functions as green open spaces. However, due to data accuracy limitations, decision makers are faced with the challenge of identifying the financially optimal approach to implementing mitigation measures. We address this problem through the following research questions: What does the optimal allocation of flood mitigation resources look like under data uncertainty, and what are the optimal methods to combining mitigation measures with consideration for the best economic benefits? Using a robust decision making (RDM) approach, the effects of uncertainty in property values, construction and demolition costs, and policy implementation options such as structure selection and budget allocation were measured. Our results indicate that the amount budgeted for mitigation and how those funds are allocated directly influence the selection of the most economically viable mitigation practices. Our research also contributes to the growing need for evaluating specific flood mitigation strategies.
THz electrodynamics of BaFe1.91Ni0.09As2 film analyzed in the framework of multiband Eliashberg theory

The temperature dependences of the plasma frequency, superfluid density and London penetration depth were determined from the terahertz spectra of conductivity and the dielectric permittivity of BaFe1.91Ni0. 09As2 film with critical temperature T c = 19.6 K. Part of the experimental data were analyzed within a simple three-band Eliashberg model where the mechanism of superconducting coupling is mediated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations, whose characteristic energy Ω0 scales with T c according to the empirical law Ω0=4.65kBTc , and with a total electron-boson coupling strength λ tot = 2.17.
Monitoring feed nutrient content of available commercial poultry feeds in Botswana.

Nutrient quality in a feedstuff is the concentration of that nutrient in quantities that are sufficient for normal metabolic activities of a particular animal. Hence the study was carried out to determine nutrient quality of various locally available concentrate poultry feeds in the market and compare determined feed contents with nutrient values on labels. The samples were obtained from broiler farmers in Gaborone region. Mean analysis values from manufacturer A feeds were 19.64, 3.29, 0.19 and 0.43 for starter, 16.39, 3.98, 0.11 and 0.57 for grower, and 16.94, 4.27, 0.16 and 0.48 for finisher in g/100g on dry matter basis, crude protein, fats, phosphorus and calcium respectively. Feed label stated 22, 2.5, 0.6 and 8 for starter, 20, 2.5, 0.55 and 0.8 for grower and 18, 2.5, 0.5 and 0.8 for finisher in g/100g on dry matter basis for crude protein, fats, phosphorus and calcium respectively. Grower feeds from manufacturer B contained 18.33, 2.65, 0.24 and 0.66 in g/100g as compared to feed label values of 18.0, 2.5, 0.55 and 0.7 in g/100g on dry matter basis for crude protein, fats, phosphorus and calcium respectively. Manufacturer C finisher feed also contained 18.16, 4.1, 0.17 and 0.52 in g/100g on dry matter basis for crude protein, fats, phosphorus and calcium respectively. The quantity of minerals was found to be lower in all feeds from all manufacturers with manufacturer A lower in almost all other organic nutrients (except fats) compared to values stated on feed labels.
Optimal weighted bilateral filter with dual-range kernel for Gaussian noise removal

The bilateral filter is a classical technique for edge-preserving smoothing. It has been widely used as an effective image denoising approach to remove Gaussian noise. The performance of bilateral filtering highly depends on the accuracy of its range distance estimation, which is used for pixel-neighbourhood similarity measurement. However, in the conventional bilateral filtering approach, estimating the range distance directly from noisy observation results in the degradation of denoising performance. To address this issue, the authors propose a novel bilateral filtering scheme with a dual-range kernel, which provides a more robust range of distance estimation at various noise levels compared with existing methods. To further improve the denoising performance, they employ a linear model to retrieve the remaining image details from the method noise and add them back to the denoised image by employing an optimal approach based on Stein's unbiased risk estimate. Experiments on standard test images demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms conventional bilateral filter and its major state-of-the-art variants.
Strong coupling between excitons and guided modes in WS2-based nanostructures

Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) exhibit great potential in light–matter interaction due to their semiconducting nature and remarkable excitonic properties. Here a simple guided resonance structure is proposed to numerically investigate and realize dual-band light absorption exploiting the guided mode resonance (GMR) in the system and the robust exciton in the $ {{\rm WS}_2} $WS2 monolayer. The dispersive GMR can strongly interact with the nondispersive exciton state by tuning the incident angle, resulting in remarkable Rabi splitting and the emergence of two hybrid polariton bands. The strong GMR–exciton coupling behavior can be well described by the classic oscillator model. The influence of the geometrical parameters on the spectral response is investigated. In addition, we also find that the Rabi splitting is strongly affected by the position of the $ {{\rm WS}_2} $WS2 monolayer in the dielectric slab. Our findings provide a simple route for realization of hybrid light–TMDCs interactions, which may inspire related studies on compact, scalable, and easy-to-fabricate TMDC-based devices.