Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new marine ciliate, Tachysoma multinucleata sp. nov. (Ciliophora: Oxytrichidae)

The morphology and infraciliature of a new marine ciliate, Tachysoma multinucleata sp. nov., collected from the Jawol Island near Incheon, Korea, were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation. The new species is characterized by: size in vivo about 65×25 μm, body oval to ellipsoid. Three frontal, one buccal, four frontoventral, three ventral and two pretransverse cirri. Fifteen to 22 left and 13–21 right marginal cirri and about 21–27 adoral membranelles. Cortical granules fine and yellowish, arranged around cirri and dorsal cilia. Usually 12–26 macronuclear nodules. Three dorsal kineties. Marine habitat.
Damage potential of the golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) in irrigated rice and its control by cultural approaches

The damage caused by the golden apple snail in rice seedlings of various ages was assessed for different pest densities and water depth regimes. The experiments involved randomized complete-block and split-split plot designs with three replications. Water depth accounted for a higher proportion of the damage than seedlings' age and pest densities. At a water depth of >5.0 cm, direct-seeded rice and transplanted 21-, 30- and 40-day-old seedlings incurred damage of 100, 89.2, 59.7 and 46%, respectively. The susceptibility to snail damage decreased as seedling age increased. At a water depth of 5.0 cm, the pest caused insignificant damage to the 30- and 40-day-old seedlings. The same result occurred in direct-seeded rice and 21-day-old seedlings when the water was drained to a saturated soil moisture condition. Limited moisture conditions immobilized and prevented the pest from causing severe damage. This treatment reduced damage significantly, even when the pest density was five snails m−2. Dry direct seeding, which used a minimal amount of water in the early stages of growth, received 0% damage. Direct seeding with field draining to a saturated soil moisture condition, dry direct seeding, and transplanted 30- and 40-day-old seedlings with a water depth of 5.0 cm were tolerant to snail attack. The agronomic performance of these planting methods was not significantly different from conventional practices. The damage potential of the golden apple snail in rice depends on water depth >seedling age >pest density, in decreasing order.
Stimulation of PPARα Promotes Epidermal Keratinocyte Differentiation In Vivo

Summary Our recent studies have demonstrated that PPARα activators stimulate differentiation and inhibit proliferation in cultured human keratinocytes and accelerate epidermal development and permeability barrier formation in fetal rat skin explants. As the role of PPARα activation in adult epidermis is not known, the aim of this study was to determine if topically applied PPARα ligands regulate keratinocyte differentiation in murine epidermis. Topical treatment with PPARα activators resulted in decreased epidermal thickness. Expression of structural proteins of the upper spinous/granular layers (involucrin, profilaggrin-filaggrin, loricrin) increased following topical treatment with PPARα activators. Furthermore, topically applied PPARα activators also increased apoptosis, decreased cell proliferation, and accelerated recovery of barrier function following acute barrier abrogation. Experiments with PPARα –/– knockout mice showed that these effects are specifically mediated via PPARα. Compared with the epidermis of PPARα +/+ mice, involucrin, profilaggrin-filaggrin, and loricrin expression were slightly decreased in PPARα –/– mice. Moreover, topical clofibrate treatment did not increase epidermal differentiation in PPARα –/– mice. Furthermore, in cultured human keratinocytes we have demonstrated that PPARα activators induce an increase in involucrin mRNA levels. We have also shown that this increase in gene expression requires an intact AP-1 response element at -2117 to -2111 bp. Thus, stimulation of PPARα stimulates keratinocyte/epidermal differentiation and inhibits proliferation.
Xyloglucan structure and post‐germinative metabolism in seeds of Copaifera langsdorfii from savanna and forest populations

The cotyledons of Copaifera langsdorfii Desf, have been shown to contain a water-soluble xyloglucan (amyloid), which represents about 40% of the seed's dry weight. On acid hydrolysis its composition (Glc:Xyl:Gal = 4.0:2.8–2.9:1.5–1.7) was similar to that of the well-characterized xyloglucan of Tamarindus indica L. (Glc:Xyl:Gal = 4.0:3.0–3.1:1.4). On hydrolysis with pure Trichoderma viride cellulase, both C. langsdorfii and T. indica xyloglucan gave the same xyloglucan oligosaccharides: but in significantly different proportions A:B1:B2:C = 1:0.4–0.5:2.1–2.2:3.1–3.4 in T. indica, and 1:1.1:1.8:7.4 and 1:1.3:2.6:12 for C. langsdorfii, savanna and forest populations respectively. This demonstrated a difference in fine molecular structure, notably in the distribution of the terminal non-reducing galactose substituents, between the xyloglucans of the two species and indicated differences in the specificities of their biosynthetic mechanisms. The xyloglucans obtained from C. langsdorfii seeds harvested from savanna and forest environments were slightly different, one from the other, in their sugar-residue composition (Glc:Xyl:Gal = 4.0:2.9:1.5 and 4.0:2.8:1.7, respectively), and were significantly different in the relative proportions of the xyloglucan oligosaccharides released on cellulase hydrolysis (above). Using light microscopy and biochemical methods, no difference in the pattern or rate of postgerminative xyloglucan metabolism was detected in seeds of savanna and forest origin. This is the first clear experimental evidence for differences in a storage xyloglucan structure between populations of the same species. It may indicate environmental influences on xyloglucan biosynthesis.
Can achievement compensate for low inclusiveness in multilingual work groups? A multilevel model

Abstract Individuals’ involvement has been found to be vital to the functioning of diverse work groups. Work group involvement, however, is difficult to achieve in the increasingly internationalized environment that exists in knowledge intensive organizations. Based on developments in social identity theory and sports team psychology we set out to explore two types of group activities that can lead to involvement, namely relation-oriented activities that can lead to inclusiveness (being open to language diversity) and task-oriented activities that can lead to achievement orientation (bringing expertise to bear). Our main hypothesis is that the two types of activities can substitute each other so that group inclusiveness becomes less important for feeling involved if group achievement is high. Using a multilevel approach and responses from 1124 individuals in 29 multicultural technical work groups in private business organizations and universities, we confirm our theoretical assumptions. While extant research has focused on the effect of relation- and task-oriented activities in isolation, our study contributes to existing research by showing that the two can substitute each other in a work group.
Wearable Multifunction Sensor for the Detection of Forehead EEG Signal and Sweat Rate on Skin Simultaneously

In this paper, we designed a multifunction wearable sensor for detecting electroencephalogram (EEG) and sweat rate simultaneously. Conductive fabric electrode was combined on the multifunction sensor for EEG signal measurement. The conductive material on the fabric was metallic Ag, which has low contact impedance and noise. The EEG electrode was connected to an EEG signal recording module, which was based on ADS1299 converter. There were 8 signal recording channels on the module. One of the channels was connected to the multifunction sensor and the other 7 channels could be connected to independent EEG electrodes. Because of the gaps between the fibers, the conductive fabric electrode could record EEG signals while allowing sweat to permeate through it. The sweat passed through EEG electrode could get into the internal of multifunction sensor. A piece of microporous PDMS was used to accelerate the evaporation of sweat in the multifunction sensor. The microporous PDMS was coated with super hydrophilic coating to help sweat diffusion in it. CaCl2 desiccant was used in the sensor to absorb sweat vapor continuously and generate a humidity diffusion gradient. A circuit board based on SHT20 chip was embedded in the sensor for relative humidity measurement in the path of sweat vapor diffusion. The sweat rate was measured by indirect estimation from relative humidity. By measuring the relative humidity in the multifunction sensor, we could realize the continuously measurement of sweat rate simultaneously with EEG signal recording. Both the EEG signal and sweat rate data could be transferred out wirelessly.
Biogeographic history and diversification patterns in the Irano-Turanian genus Acanthophyllum s.l. (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract The Irano-Turanian (IT) floristic region in Asia contains three biodiversity hotspots and has been a source of xerophytic taxa for neighboring regions. Despite its species richness and large territory, the evolutionary history and biogeography of this floristic region is poorly understood. Acanthophyllum, encompassing ca. 70 subshrubby mostly thorny-cushion species, is one of the important components of the steppe and mountain vegetation of this region. In this study, we investigate the tempo and mode of diversification as well as the biogeographic patterns of this genus. The ancestral area analysis suggests that Acanthophyllum originated east of the Zagros Mountains in the Miocene, from where it expanded westwards. A shift in the speciation rate in the late Pliocene (ca. 3.24 Ma) was detected, based on a nrDNA ITS tree, affecting the lineage of the largest section in the genus, Acanthophyllym sect. Oligosperma. Parallelisms with another IT species-rich genera in aspects such as largely coincident ranges and habitats, presence of a thorny-cushion life-form, similar areas reconstructed for their MRCA, and the inference of a shift in speciation in the region suggest common underlying abiotic and biotic factors or even drivers for diversification and speciation in the high elevation dry continental landscape of IT region.
COACHING E LIDERANÇA NO SETOR BANCÁRIO: ESTUDO EM UMA AGÊNCIA DE UM BANCO PÚBLICO

A lideranca tem um papel estrategico, pois cabe a ela transmitir os principios e valores que regem a organizacao, facilitando a adaptacao e a integracao dos funcionarios, alem de conceber e articular as metas que colocam as pessoas acima das preocupacoes individuais. O estilo de lideranca praticado pelo lider pode incentivar a realizacao das atividades ou, pelo contrario, pode promover a competicao negativa e desmotivar a equipe, sendo que, a falta de comprometimento prejudica a performance da empresa. Nesse sentido, esse estudo tem como objetivo identificar a importância do coaching e da lideranca no desenvolvimento da equipe (funcionarios e gestores) do segmento bancario em uma agencia do setor publico da Serra Gaucha. A metodologia do estudo consiste em uma pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa, por meio do uso de questionario estruturado, aplicado a cem por cento da equipe. Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciam que mais da metade dos funcionarios entrevistados desconhece o coaching e a sua aplicacao na pratica. O estudo tambem evidencia que a maioria dos entrevistados nao acredita que um processo de coaching influencie no atingimento das metas, por outro lado, a maioria mostra concordância sobre a necessidade de investimentos por parte da instituicao bancaria para a formacao e o desenvolvimento de lideres.
High quality proton portal imaging using deep learning for proton radiation therapy: a phantom study

Purpose; For shoot-through proton treatments, like FLASH radiotherapy, there will be protons exiting the patient which can be used for proton portal imaging (PPI), revealing valuable information for the validation of tumor location in the beam’s-eye-view at native gantry angles. However, PPI has poor inherent contrast and spatial resolution. To deal with this issue, we propose a deep-learning-based method to use kV digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) to improve PPI image quality. Method; We used a residual generative adversarial network (GAN) framework to learn the nonlinear mapping between PPIs and DRRs. Residual blocks were used to force the model to focus on the structural differences between DRR and PPI. To assess the accuracy of our method, we used 149 images for training and 30 images for testing. PPIs were acquired using a double-scattered proton beam. The DRRs acquired from CT acted as learning targets in the training process and were used to evaluate results from the proposed method using a six-fold cross-validation scheme. Results; Qualitatively, the corrected PPIs showed enhanced spatial resolution and captured fine details present in the DRRs that are missed in the PPIs. The quantitative results for corrected PPIs show average normalized mean error (NME), normalized mean absolute error (NMAE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM) index of −0.1%, 0.3%, 39.14 dB, and 0.987, respectively. Conclusion; The results indicate the proposed method can generate high quality corrected PPIs and this work shows the potential to use a deep-learning model to make PPI available in proton radiotherapy. This will allow for beam’s-eye-view (BEV) imaging with the particle used for treatment, leading to a valuable alternative to orthogonal x-rays or cone-beam CT for patient position verification.
Perpetuating regional asymmetries through income transfers

ABSTRACT This paper studies the effect of income transfers on the distribution of economic activity through a modified FE model. The model incorporates some key features of the Dutch disease literature: sectorial mobility and non-tradable goods. If foreign competition is high (high trade openness), transfers could cause a Dutch disease in the short and long runs. For intermediate levels of foreign competition, Dutch disease appears only in the short run. And, for low levels, the recipient region always benefits from the income transfers. Additionally, when economies of scale are large, the transfers could perpetuate a core–periphery structure.
The Aerodynamics of Hovering Insect Flight. IV. Aeorodynamic Mechanisms

A full derivation is presented for the vortex theory of hovering flight outlined in preliminary reports. The theory relates the lift produced by flapping wings to the induced velocity and power of the wake. Suitable forms of the momentum theory are combined with the vortex approach to reduce the mathematical complexity as much as possible. Vorticity is continuously shed from the wings in sympathy with changes in wing circulation. The vortex sheet shed during a half-stroke convects downwards with the induced velocity field, and should be approximately planar at the end of a half-stroke. Vorticity within the sheet will roll up into complicated vortex rings, but the rate of this process is unknown. The exact state of the sheet is not crucial to the theory, however, since the impulse and energy of the vortex sheet do not change as it rolls up, and the theory is derived on the assumption that the extent of roll-up is negligible. The force impulse required to generate the sheet is derived from the vorticity of the sheet, and the mean wing lift is equal to that impulse divided by the period of generation. This method of calculating the mean lift is suitable for unsteady aerodynamic lift mechanisms as well as the quasi-steady mechanism. The relation between the mean lift and the impulse of the resulting vortex sheet is used to develop a conceptual artifice - a pulsed actuator disc - that approximates closely the net effect of the complicated lift forces produced in hovering. The disc periodically applies a pressure impulse over some defined area, and is a generalized form of the Froude actuator disc from propeller theory. The pulsed disc provides a convenient link between circulatory lift and the powerful momentum and vortex analyses of the wake. The induced velocity and power of the wake are derived in stages, starting with the simple Rankine-Froude theory for the wake produced by a Froude disc applying a uniform, continuous pressure to the air. The wake model is then improved by considering a `modified' Froude disc exerting a continuous, but non-uniform pressure. This step provides a spatial correction factor for the Rankine-Froude theory, by taking into account variations in pressure and circulation over the disc area. Finally, the wake produced by a pulsed Froude disc is analysed, and a temporal correction factor is derived for the periodic application of spatially uniform pressures. Both correction factors are generally small, and can be treated as independent perturbations of the Rankine-Froude model. Thus the corrections can be added linearly to obtain the total correction for the general case of a pulsed actuator disc with spatial and temporal pressure variations. The theory is compared with Rayner's vortex theory for hovering flight. Under identical test conditions, numerical results from the two theories agree to within 3%. Rayner presented approximations from his results to be used when applying his theory to hovering animals. These approximations are not consistent with my theory or with classical propeller theory, and reasons for the discrepancy are suggested.
Esmirtazapine for the Treatment of Chronic Primary Insomnia: A Randomized Long-Term Safety Study in Elderly Outpatients

*Current affiliation: Shenox Pharmaceuticals, McLean, VA, USA Objectives: This 52-week, double-blind, randomized, Phase 3 study evaluated the long-term safety of esmirtazapine 1.5 mg and 3.0 mg in elderly outpatients (aged ≥65 years) with insomnia. Methods: Participants were randomized to receive esmirtazapine 1.5 mg or 3.0 mg administered once nightly. Safety and tolerability (primary objectives) were assessed via adverse event (AE) reporting, routine clinical measurements [vital signs; electrocardiogram (ECG); laboratory parameters], and residual-effects assessments. Total sleep time (TST), wake time after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep latency (SL) were assessed (secondary objectives). Results: Of 259 randomized participants, 153 completed treatment. AEs and serious AEs were reported by 89.8% and 7.0%, respectively, of 1.5 mg recipients, and 88.5% and 3.8%, respectively, of 3.0 mg recipients. Discontinuations due to AEs were reported in 16.4% and 18.3% of participants receiving esmirtazapine 1.5 mg and 3.0 mg, respectively. The most frequent AEs (>10%) were nasopharyngitis, somnolence, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, weight increase, and fatigue. One participant died; the death was judged unrelated to treatment. Elevated eosinophil counts were noted, but not considered clinically significant. No remarkable or clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters, vital signs, or ECG were observed. There was no evidence of residual effects; alertness at awakening increased by a median of 17 (1.5 mg) and 15 (3.0 mg) points from baseline, respectively, and ability to work/function by 12 points (both groups; all p<0.0001). Improvements from baseline in TST, WASO, and SL were observed. Conclusions: Esmirtazapine was reasonably tolerated in elderly outpatients with insomnia. No significant safety signals were observed. J Sleep Med 2020;17(1):19-30
Warm-ups for Youth Athletes: Making the First 15-Minutes Count

Warm-up procedures have been found to have a significant influence on fitness performance in youth athletes. As such, warming up before exercise and competition is encouraged and is a widely accepted practice with children and adolescents. Differences in structure, type, duration, intensity, and content of warm-up protocols have led to considerable variation in warm-up procedures. As a result, there is a lack of consensus on the ideal method for preparing youth athletes for exercise and sport. This article, therefore, aims to review current warm-up classifications and considerations of youth athletes, while providing a template of appropriate exercises that can be used safely and effectively in individuals of varying capabilities.
Atualização da proteína ideal para frangos de corte: arginina, isoleucina, valina e triptofano

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate digestible arginine:lysine, isoleucine:lysine, valine:lysine and tryptophan:lysine ratios for male broilers in two periods: 7 - 21 (starter) and 28 - 40 (finisher) days of age. A total of 1800 starter and 1440 finisher broilers were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with 9 treatments, eight replicates of 25 and 20 birds per experimental unit in the starter and the finisher periods, respectively. The ratios used in the starter period were: 100, 105 and 110 arginine:lysine; 60, 65 and 70 isoleucine:lysine; 70, 75 and 80 valine:lysine; 15, 16 and 17 tryptophan:lysine, and in the finisher: 95, 105 and 115 arginine:lysine; 58, 67 and 76 isoleucine:lysine; 71,5, 77 and 82,5 valine:lysine; 14, 17 and 20 tryptophan:lysine. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional requirements in both periods, except for digestible lysine (1.08% for the starter period and 0.98% for the finisher). At the end of each experiment, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and breast and breast fillet weight and yield were determined. In the starter period, the arginine:lysine and tryptophan:lysine ratios did not affect the evaluated parameters, but there were linear effects of isoleucine:lysine and valine:lysine ratios on birds weight gain and feed conversion. In the finisher period, the arginine:lysine ratios influenced linearlly weight gain and feed conversion. There was a quadratic effect of isoleucine:lysine, valine:lysine, and tryptophan:lysine on weight gain. The increase in the isoleucine:lysine and valine:lysine ratios results in better performance of the broilers from 7 to 21 days of age. The recommended isoleucine:lysine, valine:lysine and tryptophan:lysine ratios for broilers from 28 to 40 days of age are 69, 76 and 18%, respectively.
A Simple Method for Extracting the Probability of Default from American Put Option Prices

A put option is a financial contract that gives the holder the right to sell an asset at a specific price by (or at) a specific date. A put option can therefore provide its holder insurance against a large drop in the stock price. This makes the prices of put options an ideal source of information for a market-based measure of the probability of a firm’s default.
Response of German cockroaches to aggregation pheromone emitted by adult females

The response of early, middle and late instar (mixed sexes), adult male, and gravid and non‐gravid female German cockroaches to aggregation pheromone on filter papers conditioned by gravid and non‐gravid females was studied. Cockroaches were attracted to and settled on each of the conditioned papers. Classes varied in the strength of their response to conditioned papers, relative response to gravid versus non‐gravid female conditioned paper, and in clustering behavior. A significantly greater attraction of all classes except middle instars and non‐gravid females to paper conditioned by non‐gravid females suggests that non‐gravid females emit more aggregation pheromone than gravid females. Possible explanations of differences in response with age/sex class, including an enhanced attraction of males from female sex pheromone, are discussed.