Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voracity and feeding preferences of two aphidophagous coccinellids on Aphis citricola and Tetranychus urticae

Voracity and feeding preferences of adult Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae, tribe Coccinellini) were evaluated in the laboratory on a common prey, the spirea aphid, Aphis citricola van der Goot (Homoptera: Aphididae), and on the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae), a prey previously unrecorded for these two predators. The experiments were carried out in the laboratory on apple saplings (Malus domestica Borkhausen). Adult males and females of H. axyridis consumed significantly more mites than adults of C. septempunctata. For H. axyridis, males consumed 41.3 spider mites in 24 h and females 48.4, whereas for C. septempunctata males consumed 14.1 prey and females 15.2. The consumption of spirea aphids by the males was similar for the two species. Consumption by the females was significantly greater for H. axyridis (46.5) than for C. septempunctata (22.2). The two coccinellids showed a significant preference for A. citricola in the presence of T. urticae. This preference was more pronounced for C. septempunctata. The total number of prey consumed and the percentage of exploited biomass decreased significantly for C. septempunctata and stayed relatively constant for H. axyridis as the number of mites increased in the prey ratio. Our results suggest that T. urticae is only an alternative prey for both predators, and that H. axyridis should be more efficient than C. septempunctata in a prey assemblage with aphids and mites.
Application of LPV modeling, design and analysis methods to a re-entry vehicle

In this paper the application of linear parameter varying (LPV) modeling, design and analysis methods to a re-entry vehicle is presented. The selected atmospheric re-entry benchmark includes full nonlinear motion, a detailed aerodynamic database (from hypersonic to subsonic), relevant actuator and sensor models and physically-meaningful aerodynamic and parametric uncertainty profiles. The results show that: (i) LPV controller design methods can solve gain-scheduling problems in a very effective manner, (ii) integral quadratic constraint (IQC) analysis methods can be used very efficiently to accurately interpret the nonlinear time domain simulation results, and, (iii) the use of linear fractional transformation (LFT) and LPV modeling representations are key to a successful analysis.
Up-regulation of miR-324 suppresses cell apoptosis by targeting DUSP 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Backgrounds: Accumulating evidence suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) are engaged in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to reveal the role of miR-324 in HCC and its potential mechanisms. Methods: The tissues from patients undergoing HCC resection were collected. Real time-PCR was used to test the expression of miR-324 and DUSP1 mRNA in tissues and HCC cell lines; western blot was used to detect the expression of DUSP1, AKT, MAP2K1 and p53 in the tissues and cell lines. In vitro experiment, wound healing assay was performed to test the migration ability of SK-HEP-1 cells and transwell assay was used to detect the invasion ability of SK-HEP-1 cells with the inhibitor of miR-324. Cell proliferation ability of HCC was detected by CCK-8 assay and apoptosis level was measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. Luciferase assay was used to confirm whether DUSP1-3’-UTR is the target gene of miR-324. DUSP1 over expression plasmid was transfected to SK-HEP-1 cells to detected the relationship between miR-324 and DUSP1. Results: The expression of miR-324 was dramatically up-regulated in HCC tissues and cells compared with matched normal carcinoma adjacent tissue and liver cells (P<0.05), meanwhile p53, MAP2K1, AKT and DUSP1 proteins showed different changes in HCC tissues. Furthermore, the migration and invasion ability of SK-HEP-1 were decreased after transfected with miR-324 inhibitor. CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and TUNEL assay showed miR-324 significantly promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of HCC cells. Luciferase reporter assay identified the 3’-UTR of DUSP1 mRNA contained a complementary sequence for miR-324. DUSP1 could reverse anti-apoptosis role of miR-324. Conclusions: Our study provided a better understanding of miR-324 in HCC developing process. And our results may contribute to the development of miRNA-directed diagnostic and therapeutic against HCC.
Self-Assembled Monolayers of Aromatic Thiols Stabilized by Parallel-Displaced π−π Stacking Interactions

Parallel-displaced π−π stacking interactions have been known to be the dominant force in stabilizing the double helical structure of DNA and the tertiary structure of proteins. However, little is known about their roles in self-assembled monolayers of other large π molecules such as aromatic thiols. Here we report on a systematic study of the self-assembled monolayers of four kinds of anthracene-based thiols, 9-mercaptoanthracene (MA), (4-mercaptophenyl) (9-anthryl) acetylene (MPAA), (4-mercaptophenyl) (10-nitro-9-anthryl) acetylene (MPNAA), and (4-mercaptophenyl) (10-carboxyl-9-anthryl) acetylene (MPCAA) on Au(111), in which a spacer and different functional groups (NO2 and COOH) are intentionally designed to introduce and thus allow the investigation of various intermolecular interactions, in addition to π−π interactions in the base molecules. We find that all molecules form long-range-ordered monolayers and, more interestingly, that these assembled monolayers exhibit essentially the same fundamental pa.
Quantifying and Mapping Induced Strain in Canvas Paintings Using Laser Shearography

Evaluation of museums’ condition standards used for the exhibition of canvas paintings requires a quantitative technique capable of measuring strain induced by changes in temperature, relative humidity, and the thermomechanical effects of light, as well as the effects of ambient vibration. This paper presents advances in developing a customized shearography system for temporal characterization of strains that occur on canvas paintings when subjected to changes in exhibition conditions. The shearography system performs measurements of displacement derivatives along two orthogonal shearing directions and is synchronized with an IR camera to provide thermal maps of the area analyzed. Innovations incorporated into the system include a real-time temporal phase unwrapping algorithm, high-resolution fast Fourier transform methods to calibrate applied shearing levels, and algorithms to produce maps correlated to the temporal domain that locate strain vectors as they occur on the surface analyzed. This research also includes methods for isolating thermal-induced components from randomly induced mechanical vibrations through integration of IR imaging data. As a verification and exploration of the fault detection capabilities of our shearographic system, we have performed preliminary experiments that compare measured gradients of displacement with slopes of surface topology obtained by reflectance transformation imaging (RTI). Preliminary analysis indicates good correspondence between spatial patterns, indicative of surface cracks, in both shearographic and RTI data. The capability of the system to detect discontinuities in paint surfaces as well as to measure and map associated strain vectors as a function of changes in condition parameters is herein illustrated. Our multidomain approach, incorporating strain, thermal, and topographical data, has the potential to inform larger ongoing discussions regarding conservation standards for the exhibition of artwork as well as improving defect detection and evaluation of restoration techniques.
Fitness consequences of immune responses: strengthening the empirical framework for ecoimmunology

Summary 1. Ecoimmunologists aim to understand the costs, benefits, and net fitness consequences of different strategies for immune defense. 2. Measuring the fitness consequences of immune responses is difficult, partly because of complex relationships between host fitness and the within-host density of parasites and immunological cells or molecules. In particular, neither the strongest immune responses nor the lowest parasite densities necessarily maximize host fitness. 3. Here, we propose that ecoimmunologists should routinely endeavour to measure three intertwined parameters: host fitness, parasite density, and relevant immune responses. We further propose that analyses of relationships among these traits would benefit from the statistical machinery used for analyses of phenotypic plasticity and⁄or methods that are robust to the bi-directional causation inherent in host-parasite relationships. For example, analyses of how host fitness depends upon parasite density, which is an evolutionary ecological definition of tolerance, would benefit from these more robust methods. 4. Together, these steps promote rigorous quantification of the fitness consequences of immune responses. Such quantification is essential if ecoimmunologists are to decipher causes of immune polymorphism in nature and predict trajectories of natural selection on immune defense.
Whole-cell Currents Recording from Ion Channels in Human Lymphocytes Treated with Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Nanoparticles Forms

Lymphocytes express an abundance of ion channels that are critical for their development and function. Many ion channels contribute to T cell-mediated autoimmune and/or inflammatory responses, so they are attractive targets for pharmacological immune modulations. In this study, we conduct patch clamp experiments to exam the whole cell currents from lymphocytes after nanoparticles exposure with the aim to test if nanoparticles exposure brings any electrophysiological changes for lymphocytes, and to compare the electrophysiological responses of lymphocytes to drugs in nanoparticles forms. Our result suggests a potential inhibition of effects of IBU N on lymphocytes. Such cytotoxicity of nanoparticles in Lymphocytes may be mainly associated with the early membrane damage. These results are also mirrored by the DNA damages occurred on lymphocytes after exposure of nanoparticles. Further detailed investigation is needed to explain the changes of Lymphocytes in response to NPs in real time and dose differences. This would provide useful information in the evaluation of toxicology of nanoparticles and in understanding the underlying mechanism of their effects on ion channels in health
Injectable Chitosan-Pluronic Hydrogel Releasing Osteogenic Protein-1 for the Regeneration of Intervetebral Disc

Thermosensitive chitosan-Pluronic (CP) hydrogels were developed as an injectable scaffold and evaluated their release behavior of a growth factor for the treatment of intervetebral disc (IVD) disease. The CP copolymer was synthesized by grafting Pluronic onto chitosan using EDC/NHS as coupling reagents. Rheological analysis presented that aqueous CP solution showed the sol-gel transition behavior around body temperature and the storage modulus was over 10 kPa, indicating the hydrogel applicable to injectable scaffold. The potential of CP hydrogel for a growth factor delivery carrier was also evaluated using osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) as a model growth factor. The CP hydrogel showed significantly sustained and controlled release profile of OP-1 for 20 days as compared to Pluronic hydrogel. The viability and the proliferation assay of nucleus pulposus (NP) cell revealed that CP hydrogel was more compatible than alginate hydrogel and the presence of OP-1 in CP hydrogel had a synergistic effect on NP proliferation. Obtained results demonstrated that OP-1 containing CP hydrogel may be useful as an injectable biomaterials for the treatment of degenerative IVD, especially the regeneration of NP.
A selective review of ground based passive microwave radiometric probing of the atmosphere

The absorption of the various atmospheric constituents with significant microwave spectra is reviewed. Based on the available data, an estimate is made of the uncertainty in the microwave absorption coefficients of the major constituents, water vapor and oxygen. Then there is an examination of the integral equations which describe the three basic types of observations: measurement of the spectrum of absorption of the sun's radiation by an atmospheric constituent, measurement of the emission spectrum of a constituent, and measurement at one frequency of the zenith angle dependence of the absorption or emission of the atmosphere.
Approach and Medical Management of Urinary Tract Stone in Children

Kidney stone disease has become more common in children, but it remains non diagnosed in a significant proportion of patients, due to a lack of notable signs and symptoms. All children with colicky abdominal pain or microscopic hematuria should be examined thoroughly for urolithiasis. Patients’ histories in terms of family, medical, and drug and a thorough physical examination are required to be considered during diagnostic evaluation. Thereafter, diagnostic imaging methods should be aimed to detect the size, shape and location of calculi and also urinary tract anomalies. Ultrasound should be used as the initial imaging method to evaluate children with suspected nephrolithiasis. The noncontrast computerized tomography reserved for those in whom ultrasound is unable to diagnose stone. Increased water and fluid intake and a reduction of salt consumption are the common recommendation to those children with a history of kidney stones, though the rate of stone recurrence in children is unknown. Since metabolic disorders are the most frequent causes of stone in children, diagnostic evaluation should also target the detection of metabolic disorders including hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria and so on that may cause recurrent nephrolithiasis. Kidney stone is not a disease itself, but it is only a symptom. Therefore, its early diagnosis is mandatory for every child with the first stone event. In this article, we have summarized literature and emphasize that a few studies with acceptable quality are available on children with urolithiasis in Iran and the world that warrant future studies on this topic.
Scarcity and multiple stressors in the Mediterranean water resources: The SCARCE and GLOBAQUA research projects

The Mediterranean basin is one of the regions of the world most vulnerable to global change and one of the hot spots for predicted problems in water availability. Current climate change models forecast that the Mediterranean region will register increased summer drought and stronger rainfall events. Since freshwater ecosystems deliver important services to society, water scarcity affects both ecosystems and humans. �����������������Within this conte􀇆x�����������������������������t, two different research pro􀅩j������������������������������ects have assembled a multidis􀍲 ciplinary team of leading scientists in the fields of hydrology, chemistry, ecology, ecotox􀍲 icology, economy, sociology, engineering, and modeling to study the interaction of multiple stressors with respect to pressure on water resources. SCARCE (2009-2014), with the full title of Assessing and predicting effects on water quantity and quality in Iberian Rivers caused by global change, focuses on the Mediterranean river basins of the Iberian Peninsula. GLOBAQUA (2014-2019), with the full title Managing the effects of multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems under water scarcity, expands the area of concern to several Mediterranean basins in Europe. Both research projects link basic research aspects with management practices and policy implications in a single framework. SCARCE is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Consolider-Ingenio 2010 program (CSD2009-00065), whereas GLOBAQUA has the financial support of the European Communities 7th Framework Programme, under Grant Agreement No. 603629-ENV-2013-6.2. 1-Globaqua. [Contrib Sci 10:193-205 (2014)]
Aggregator of Demand Response for Renewable Integration and Customer Engagement: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

The world is progressing towards a more advanced society where end-consumers have access to local renewable-based generation and advanced forms of information and technology. Hence, it is in a current state of transition between the traditional approach to power generation and distribution, where end-consumers of electricity have typically been inactive in their involvement with energy markets and a new approach that integrates their active participation. This new approach includes the use of distributed energy resources (DER) such as renewable-based generation and demand response (DR), which are being rapidly adopted by end-consumers where incentives are strong. This paper presents the role of the DR aggregator to effectively integrate DER technology as a new source of energy capacity into electricity networks using information communication technology and industry knowledge. , Based on DR aggregators, this framework will efficiently facilitate renewable energy integration and customer engagement into the electricity market. To this aim, advantages and disadvantages of DR aggregators are discussed in this paper from political, economic, social, and technological (PEST) points of view. Based on this analysis, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis for a typical DR aggregator is presented.
How Do Residential Burglars Select Target Areas?: A New Approach to the Analysis of Criminal Location Choice

This paper introduces the discrete spatial choice approach to the study of criminal target choice. The approach is used to assess whether residential burglars are attracted to target areas that are affluent, accessible, and poorly guarded. In addition, the importance of these criteria is postulated to vary across burglars. The theory is tested using data on 548 residential burglaries, committed by 290 burglars from the city of The Hague, the Netherlands. The likelihood of a neighbourhood's being selected for burglary is heightened by its ethnic heterogeneity, its percentage of single-family dwellings, and its proximity to where the offender lives. The results and prospects of the discrete spatial choice approach for spatial target selection research are discussed.
Randomized allocation with arm elimination in a bandit problem with covariates

Motivated by applications in personalized web services and clinical research, we consider a multi-armed bandit problem in a setting where the mean reward of each arm is associated with some covariates. A multi-stage randomized allocation with arm elimination algorithm is pro- posed to combine the exibility in reward function modeling and a the- oretical guarantee of a cumulative regret minimax rate. When the func- tion smoothness parameter is unknown, the algorithm is equipped with a histogram estimation based smoothness parameter selector using Lepski's method, and is shown to maintain the regret minimax rate up to a loga- rithmic factor under a \self-similarity" condition.
Identifying suspicious users in corporate networks

This paper focuses on the identification of suspicious users in corporate networks, which can be so due to many reasons: e.g. being victims of an attack or performing it, ex-filtering sensitive information, downloading files through p2p network, etc. The proposed detection method models users’ incoming and outgoing traffic without inspecting the actual content of network packets. Since it simultaneously has a very low computational complexity, the detection is almost instant, which is important for limiting the potential damages. The additional benefit is that the method works on encrypted networks as well. The proposed method uses entropies of distributions of IP addresses and ports to build two complementary models of user’s traffic. These two models are coupled with two orthogonal anomaly measures based on the principal component transformation, which gives four different detectors. The proposed detectors are experimentally evaluated and compared to adapted prior art on one week long capture of traffic on university network. The experiments reveals that no single detector can detect all types of anomalies, but together they can detect most of them. This result is expected and stresses the importance of ensemble approach towards intrusion detection.
Communication Skills for Children with Severe Learning Difficulties

Individuals with severe learning disabilities have little or no speech and find it very difficult to communicate and learn new skills. Most of them were excluded from the education process due to the presumed inability to learn. However, it has been observed over time that individuals with severe learning disabilities (SLD) of all ages and types are able to learn to some degree. Because of the reduced ability to communicate they find it very difficult to interact with their environment and to cope independently hence they need constant support in daily living skills. Communication is critical even for individuals with SLD because it ensures the fulfillment of rights. This paper presents the communication skills that can be taught to children with severe learning disabilities to enable them to cope independently and to help improve the social interactions which are generally problematic or difficult.
Retinitis Pigmentosa: Disease Encumbrance in the Eurozone

C l i n M e d International Library Citation: Vaidya P, Vaidya A (2015) Retinitis Pigmentosa: Disease Encumbrance in the Eurozone. Int J Ophthalmol Clin Res 2:030 Received: July 01, 2015: Accepted: July 25, 2015: Published: July 28, 2015 Copyright: © 2015 Vaidya P. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Vaidya and Vaidya. Int J Ophthalmol Clin Res 2015, 2:3 ISSN: 2378-346X