Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using species distribution models to locate animal aggregations: a case study with Hippodamia undecimnotata (Schneider) overwintering aggregation sites

1. The protection of animals' aggregation sites is increasingly seen as a key conservation strategy. However, to efficiently protect aggregation sites, they need to be accurately located. Species distribution models (SDMs) are an important tool in biological conservation to predict spatial distribution of species and they are used here to predict the distribution of the aggregation sites of a ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) species.
Strain-induced electronic structures, mechanical anisotropy, and piezoelectricity of transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayer CrS2

Recently, Habib et al. [Nanoscale 11, 20123 (2019)] successfully synthesized two-dimensional (2D) CrS2 monolayer using the chemical vapor deposition method for the first time, opening a new avenue for the exploration of Cr-based layered materials with astonishing properties. In the present work, we use a first-principles method based on the density-functional theory to investigate the electronic structures, mechanical anisotropy, and piezoelectricity of transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayer CrS2. It is found that the bandgap is tunable between 1.175 eV and 1.862 eV at the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof (HSE06) level with applied strain, and a direct-to-indirect bandgap transition occurs at tensile strains larger than 2%. Calculated phonon dispersions suggest that CrS2 is thermodynamically stable under a given strain and optical phonon splitting is discussed. A new elastic anisotropy measurement method is performed, and the results confirm that the application of strain raises the mechanical anisotropy because of the symmetrical structure being destroyed, which may exploit astonishing properties of 2D layered materials. In addition, tensile strain is more beneficial to improving the piezoelectric strain coefficient d11 due to tensile strain results in a more flexible structure, which reached up to 9.74 pm/V (relaxed-ions) and 7.33 pm/V (clamped-ions) when applying 6% tensile strain. Our investigation suggested that strain engineering is an effective approach with which to modify the electronic, mechanical anisotropy, and piezoelectric properties of 2D CrS2, raising the possibility of future optoelectronic, mechanical, and piezoelectric applications.
Marcadores bioquímicos del remodelamiento óseo. Utilidad clínica Biochemical markers of bone remodelling. Clinical utility

El esqueleto se renueva continuamente mediante el proceso de remodelamiento óseo, reemplazando hueso viejo y dañado por hueso nuevo. Este proceso es llevado a cabo en pequeños paquetes celulares denominados “unidades de remodelamiento óseo” (URO) por acción combinada de las células óseas. Los osteocitos iniciarían y la parathormona determina el nivel del proceso. El remodelamiento de todo el esqueleto puede evaluarse mediante los marcadores bioquímicos del remodelamiento óseo. Los marcadores de formación (fosfatasa alcalina ósea, osteocalcina y propéptidos del colágeno tipo I amino y carboxilo terminal) provienen de la actividad de osteoblastos y los de resorción (fosfatasa ácida tartrato resistente 5b, telopéptidos carboxilo y amino terminales, piridinolinas, hidroxiprolina y calciuria) de los osteoclastos. La utilidad clínica de los marcadores consiste en determinar cambios en el remodelamiento óseo ya que al ser más rápida la resorción que la formación, todo aumento llevaría a pérdida de masa ósea. Si bien no sirven para diagnosticar, la identificación de individuos con alto remodelamiento permitiría comenzar con una terapia preventiva que evite la pérdida de hueso. Los más sensibles y específicos pueden determinar el riesgo relativo de fracturas. Para interpretar su valor correctamente se deben considerar las variaciones preanalítica, analítica y biológica del marcador bioquímico utilizado.
Feature extraction of electrocardiogram signal using machine learning classification

In this article, we'll introduce ways to build virtual worlds through different computer programs. We will show the method of rectangles for analyzing data obtained from the electroencephalogram. We will demonstrate basic mathematical models for movement prediction in a system of virtual reality. Using this data, the main transformations are possible-change of position and rotation (change of orientation).
Expression profiling reveals novel role of Hunchback in retinal glia cell development and blood-brain barrier integrity

3 Montserrat Torres-Oliva, Julia Schneider, Gordon Wiegleb, Felix Kaufholz, Nico Posnien 4 5 Universität Göttingen, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institut für Zoologie und Anthropologie, 6 Abteilung für Entwicklungsbiologie, GZMB Ernst-Caspari-Haus, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077 7 Göttingen, Germany 8 9 Correspondence: nposnie@gwdg.de 10 11 MT-O: mtorres@gwdg.de 12 JS: schneider.julia86@gmail.com 13 GW: gordon.wiegleb@stud.uni-goettingen.de 14 FK: felix.kaufholz@uni-goettingen.de 15 NP: nposnie@gwdg.de 16 Abbreviations: after egg laying (AEL), first larval stage (L1), 2nd larval stage (L2), third larval 17 stage (L3), Hunchback (Hb), morphogenetic furrow (MF) 18
Total Antioxidant Status in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective This study evaluates the total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Earlier studies of their relationship showed inconsistent findings. Patients and Methods We compared TAS between 90 COPD patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age 67 ± 7.9, 87 males and 33 females) according to airway obstruction severity, gender, smoking status (current/ former/ non-smoker), smoking-dose, the number of exacerbations in the previous year, nutritional status and hypercapnia. Results There were no differences in pack-years between COPD and controls, neither in COPD groups. The median time from the last exacerbation was 5 months (interquartile range 3−8.3). TAS was significant higher in COPD than controls (1.68 [1.55−1.80] versus 1.59 [1.54−1.68], respectively; P = 0.03). TAS was significantly higher in COPD men than women (1.7 [1.6−1.8] versus 1.57 [1.5−1.7], respectively; P = 0.001). In COPD groups, there were no significant differences between the severity of airway obstruction and TAS. We found significant positive correlation between pack-years and TAS in all participants (Rho = 0.429, P = 0.004) and COPD patients (Rho = 0.359, P = 0.02), but not in controls. TAS was a significant predictor of COPD (β = 3.26; P = 0.04; OR = 26.01; 95% CI: 1.20 to 570.8). We failed to find significant differences between TAS and smoking status, frequency of exacerbations in the previous year, nutritional status and hypercapnia. Conclusion TAS was a significant predictor of COPD. TAS was a significantly higher in stable COPD than controls, higher in COPD men than women, but there was no significant correlation between TAS and the airway obstruction severity. Our results suggest that it could be appropriate to include the time from the last exacerbation in the oxidant–antioxidant balance analysis of COPD patients.
Facets of the Leggett-Garg Inequality: Some Recent Studies

In this article, we begin by briefly reviewing the basics of the Leggett-Garg inequality which is a temporal analogue of Bell's inequality, based on the notions of realism and noninvasive measurability. This is followed by outlining the core ideas and key results of two different types of recent studies related to the Leggett-Garg inequality, bringing out its ramifications concerning unsharp measurements and quantum key distribution respectively.
Live Performance, Carcass, and Bone Quality Responses of Grower and Finisher Broilers to Dietary Metabolizable Energy Levels

Broiler energy nutrition has attracted attention due to its economic importance, particularly during the rearing period of 22-42 days of age. There are many evidences that broilers changed their feed intake capacity due to genetic selection, especially when good quality pellets are fed, which suggests that modern broiler strains may achieve good performance when fed low metabolizable energy levels. The objective was to evaluate the energy efficiency, performance parameters, bone parameters, and carcass yield of 22to 42-d-old broilers fed diets with energy levels below or above their requirements, while maintaining the density of all other nutrients. In total, 900 male broilers were distributed in a randomized block design, with five treatments consisting of five ME levels (2850, 2950, 3050, 3150 and 3250 kcal/kg). As expected, increasing dietary metabolizable energy reduced feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and energy efficiency. Interestingly, body weight, carcass and cut yields, and bone quality were not affected (p>0.05) by dietary ME levels. In conclusion, 22to 42-d-old broilers fed pelleted and crumbled diets containing 2,850 to 3,250 kcal ME/kg (14% difference) achieved the same body weight and carcass yield at slaughter. The results show that energy efficiency may provide a more accurate interpretation of broiler performance than feed conversion ratio, and that broilers are able to change their feed intake, indicating an opportunity to improve their nutritional management.
Exploring the Importance of Sensors' Calibration in Inertial Navigation Systems

In this work, we explore the importance of sensors' calibration in inertial navigation applications. We focus on the case of low-cost systems, typically using MEMS inertial sensors, where the extra calibration cost is a critical parameter. We highlight the importance of calibration by deriving a bound of the evolution of the attitude and velocity error as a function of the calibration parameters' error. Then, we use low-cost 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope along with a popular pedestrian inertial navigation algorithm to experimentally confirm that raw sensor's data can be highly inappropriate for navigation purposes. Finally, we use the MAG.I. C.AL. methodology for joint calibration and axes alignment of inertial and magnetic sensors to achieve high accuracy measurements resulting in a reliable inertial navigation system.
Analyse von Unterrichtskonzepten zum Experimentieren hinsichtlich theoretisch begründeter Unterrichtsprinzipien: Bestandsaufnahme und kriteriale Gegenüberstellung

Seit vielen Jahrzehnten versucht die naturwissenschaftsdidaktische Entwicklung die Lernwirksamkeit lernendenaktiver Experimentierphasen durch innovative, unterschiedlich akzentuierte Unterrichtskonzepte zu fordern. Unterrichtskonzepte sind Gesamtorientierungen didaktisch-methodischen Handelns, in denen ein begrundeter Zusammenhang von Ziel-, Inhalts- und Methodenentscheidungen hergestellt wird. Dies hat zu einer Vielzahl von namens- wie auch teils inhaltsgleichen Unterrichtskonzepten gefuhrt, aus deren Nebeneinander Lehrkrafte moglichst geeignete Ansatze fur ihren Unterricht auswahlen sollen. In diesem Artikel werden prominente Unterrichtskonzepte zum Experimentieren gesichtet, geordnet und bezuglich ihrer Potenziale untersucht, Experimentieren im Sinne der Bildungsstandards zu fordern. Zur Analyse werden vornehmlich im deutschsprachigen Raum besprochene Unterrichtskonzepte ausgewahlt, die konstruktivistischen Theorien zum aktiven Lernen folgen. Grundlage des kriteriengeleiteten Vergleichs sind acht theoretisch begrundete Unterrichtsprinzipien: (P1) ‚Teilprozesse des Experimentierens berucksichtigen‘, (P2) ,Experimentieren als expliziter Unterrichtsgegenstand‘, (P3) ‚Experimentieren uben‘, (P4) ‚Experimentieren zum Problemlosen einsetzen‘, (P5) ‚Prozessreflektierend experimentieren‘, (P6) ‚Grenzen von Experimenten ansprechen‘, (P7) ‚Wissenschaftliche Strenge walten lassen‘, (P8) ‚Zunehmende Selbststandigkeit der Lernenden beim Experimentieren‘. Als Ergebnis ist festzustellen, dass keines der untersuchten Unterrichtskonzepte alle acht Unterrichtsprinzipien berucksichtigt. Besonders hinsichtlich einer zunehmenden Lernendenselbststandigkeit und des Ubens wissenschaftlichen Experimentierens wurden bei vielen Unterrichtskonzepten Leerstellen identifiziert. Die Konzepte des Forschend-entdeckenden Lernens nach Hottecke und des Forschenden Lernens nach Arnold versprachen, nach Erweiterung um einen Ubungs-Aspekt, die Berucksichtigung aller Unterrichtsprinzipien.
A comparative study on the forming methods of chalcogenide memristors to optimize the resistive switching performance

Most of the memristor devices require an electroforming step to initiate resistance switching in them. Electroforming a pristine memristor could alter the material composition and/or the device structure, thereby, altering its electrical resistance. This acts as a vital step to optimize the devices for memory applications. In this work, commercially available Ge2Se3 chalcogenide memristors have been characterized electrically. In these devices, the active layer is sandwiched between a tungsten bottom electrode and a silver top layer, and their operation is based on the migration of silver ions into the active layer. Different electroforming methods, such as the use of sinusoidal signal, linear voltage sweep, linear current sweep, constant voltage bias, and fast voltage pulse have been applied to form pristine memristors and their effects on memristor performance has been studied. A current sweep signal cannot provide high enough electric field to obtain a reasonable ON/OFF ratio during forming. In fact, forming using this method is found to be redundant since the subsequent voltage sweep for device operation itself acts as a forming step. Forming with a constant bias signal provides the information regarding switching times and forming rate can be controlled. However, devices formed using this method are found to show unpredictable switching behaviour and it is challenging to choose the suitable voltage level for forming. The devices formed using positive voltage sweep method have been found to give the most repeatable switching characteristics. This method is essential to study the switching mechanism and current conduction in the device during the operation. On the other hand, ultra-fast voltage pulses form the memristor at a much faster rate in comparison to the other DC forming methods, however, at the cost of using a higher voltage level.
Rare occurrence of nine Microcystis species (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria) in a single lake (Lake Dojran, fYR Macedonia)

Investigations carried out on Lake Dojran, fYR Macedonia, during the spring-autumn seasons in 2015 have been focused on detecting the degree of eutrophication in the lake, successive algal flora changes in the plankton communities and eventual presence of cyanotoxins (free microcystins) in the water. The obtained results revealed a co-existence of nine Microcystis species in the lake ( M. aeruginosa, M. botrys, M. flos-aquae, M. ichthyoblabe, M. novacekii, M. protocystis, M. smithii, M. viridis and M. wesenbergii ), with domination of the pan and neo-tropical species M. protocystis , again confirmed in a European lake. Results also corroborate the necessity to change the accepted morphospecies concept into separation of Microcystis taxa as distinct species which are clearly delimited according to their constant morphological features. Toxicity analyses demand for a specific and targeted investigation, since the toxin production and presence depends on many factors, and the toxin dynamics including the highest peaks may be easily overlooked if other issues are in the focus of the performed monitoring. Detected values for free microcystins in the water reached 2.84 µg L -1 microcystin-LR equivalents.
Breeding Status of the Red-Tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) and Threats to Its Conservation on Easter Island (Rapa Nui)1

Abstract: Easter Island is located in the southeastern corner of Polynesia. This 163.6 km2 volcanic island is one of the most isolated places on Earth. During spring 2014 and 2015, we studied a breeding colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) located on Rano Raraku Volcano. We specifically aimed to determine (1) main nest types used by tropicbirds, (2) nest distribution and abundance, (3) breeding success, and (4) threats faced by tropicbirds at this colony. Results showed presence of four nest types: rock caves, moai nest, rockprotected, and vegetation nests. Nests were strongly associated with unfinished moai statues. Breeding success ranged from 37% in 2014 to 26% in 2015. Camera traps and direct observations showed interactions with five invasive alien species: the raptor Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) was the most severe predator of unattended eggs and chicks; cats were observed close to adult birds; dogs killed fledglings; ants preyed on newborn chicks; rats were recorded inspecting both occupied and unoccupied nests. We suggest that this is a relatively new and expanding colony. Urgent measures to control and/or eradicate invasive alien species on Rano Raraku are needed to improve breeding success and persistence of this colony in the future.
The Role of Intercellular Contacts in EpithelialL-mesenchymal/-myofibroblast Transition

Epithelial mesenchymal/-myofibroblast transition (EMT/EMyT) has emerged as one of the central mechanisms in wound healing and tissue fibrosis. The main feature of EMyT is the activation of a myogenic program, leading to the induction of the α-smooth-muscle actin (SMA) gene in the transitioning epithelium. Recent research suggests that intercellular contacts are not merely passive targets, but are active contributors to EMT/EMyT. Indeed, our group showed previously that contact uncoupling or injury is necessary for TGFβ to induce EMyT (two-hit paradigm). Further, our previous work also revealed that Smad3, the main TGFβ-regulated transcription factor, binds to the Myocardin Related Transcription Factor (MRTF), the prime driver of SMA promoter, and inhibits MRTF’s transcriptional activity. During EMyT, Smad3 eventually degrades, which liberates the MRTF-driven myogenic program. However the mechanisms whereby cell contacts regulate the fate of Smad3 and MRTF during EMyT are poorly understood. Accordingly, the central aim of my studies was to explore the role of intercellular contacts, in particular that of Adherens Junction (AJs) in the induction of the myogenic reprogramming of the injured epithelium. This thesis describes two novel molecular mechanisms through which AJs impact EMyT. In the first part, we show β-catenin, an AJs iii component and transcriptional co-activator counteracts the inhibitory action of Smad3 on MRTF. Moreover we reveal that β-catenin is necessary to maintain MRTF stability via protecting MRTF from proteasomal degradation. Thus, β-catenin is an indispensable permissive factor for SMA expression. In the second part, we demonstrate that contact injury and TGFβ suppress the expression of the phosphatase PTEN. EMyT-related reduction or absence of PTEN potentiates Smad3 degradation. EMyT is associated with enhanced phosphorylation of the T179 residue in Smad3 linker region, and this event is necessary for Smad3 degradation. PTEN silencing increases the stimulatory effect of contact uncoupling and TGFβ on SMA promoter activity and SMA protein expression. Thus, the integrity of intercellular contacts regulates the level of PTEN, which in turn controls Smad3 stability through impacting on T179 phosphorylation. This new knowledge holds promises for targeted therapies and more effective prevention of the currently incurable fibroproliferative and fibrocontractile diseases.
Arclogites and their role in continental evolution; part 1: Background, locations, petrography, geochemistry, chronology and thermobarometry

Abstract Arclogites, or clinopyroxene-, garnet-, amphibole-, and Fe Ti oxide-bearing cumulates and restites (collectively representing residues) to andesitic continental arc magmas, are reviewed here and in a companion paper ( Ducea et al., 2020 ). Experimental petrology and petrologic observations suggest that these eclogite facies rocks form magmatically in deep crustal hot zones beneath arcs with crustal thicknesses exceeding 35–40 km. Volcanic and plutonic products of thinner arcs may instead be entirely extracted from amphibolite to granulite facies and garnet-free pyroxenite residues. Arclogites are perhaps best known as xenoliths, with notable examples from young (Sierra Nevada and Central Arizona) and modern (Colombia) sub-arc environments. We suspect that arclogite occurs more commonly than currently recognized in the xenolith record from orogenic and cratonic domains. Arclogite is also found as discrete intervals in the deepest exposures of the Kohistan arc and as small volume inclusions in tectonically exposed peridotite massifs (e.g., Beni Bousera, Morocco). Geochemically, these rocks are low silica (SiO2 Nd and Lu Hf garnet isochron geochronology as well as titanite or rutile U Pb geochronology, although these ages can be reset through long-term storage in hot lower crustal environments. Recent discovery of zircon accessory minerals in arclogites makes these rocks datable with greater precision and greater chance of preserving crystallization ages by U Pb chronology.
PhageTerm: a Fast and User-friendly Software to Determine Bacteriophage Termini and Packaging Mode using randomly fragmented NGS data

Bacteriophages are the most abundant viruses on earth and display an impressive genetic as well as morphologic diversity. Among those, the most common order of phages is the Caudovirales, whose viral particles packages linear double stranded DNA (dsDNA). In this study we investigated how the information gathered by high throughput sequencing technologies can be used to determine the DNA termini and packaging mechanisms of dsDNA phages. The wet-lab procedures traditionally used for this purpose rely on the identification and cloning of restriction fragment which can be delicate and cumbersome. Here, we developed a theoretical and statistical framework to analyze DNA termini and phage packaging mechanisms using next-generation sequencing data. Our methods, implemented in the PhageTerm software, work with sequencing reads in fastq format and the corresponding assembled phage genome. PhageTerm was validated on a set of phages with well-established packaging mechanisms representative of the termini diversity: 5’cos (lambda), 3’cos (HK97), pac (P1), headful without a pac site (T4), DTR (T7) and host fragment (Mu). In addition, we determined the termini of 9 Clostridium difficile phages and 6 phages whose sequences where retrieved from the sequence read archive (SRA). A direct graphical interface is available as a Galaxy wrapper version at https://galaxy.pasteur. fr and a standalone version is accessible at https://sourceforge.net/projects/phageterm/.