Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial variability of life-history parameters of the Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias), an expanding species in the northeast Atlantic

Atlantic chub mackerel is a pelagic species present in the Atlantic Ocean that in recent decades has expanded northwards in the eastern Atlantic. Fish samples were collected in scientific surveys and commercial catches between 2011 and 2019. We analysed the geographical variation of the biological parameters (age, length, weight and condition), as well as the length-weight relationship, maturity-at-length and spawning season onset and duration in five geographical areas (from south to north): the Canary Islands, Gulf of Cadiz, western Portuguese coast, northwestern Spanish coast and Cantabrian Sea. The influence of sea surface temperature (SST) on fish length was modelled as a potential driver of geographical variability. All biological parameters increased progressively northwards, while the spawning season was delayed and prolonged with increasing latitude, from January in the Canary Islands to May-August in the Cantabrian Sea, when SST was between 15°C and 19°C. SST had a positive effect on length in three study areas and a negative one in two of them, suggesting that each group is at a different position within their thermal tolerance range. Deviance from the geographical pattern of some biological parameters in the Gulf of Cadiz suggests that it could be a hinge or mixing zone between Atlantic African, Mediterranean and Atlantic Iberian population components.
On the Functional Approach to Bayesian Efficient Designs for Nonlinear Regression Models

The present article is devoted to an extension of the functional approach elaborated in the book Melas (2006) for studying optimal designs in linear and nonlinear regression models. Here we consider Bayesian efficient designs for nonlinear models under the standard assumptions on the observational errors. Sufficient conditions for uniqueness of locally optimal and Bayesian efficient designs for common optimality criteria are given. L-efficient Bayesian designs are constructed and investigated for a special nonlinear regression model of a rational form as an illustration of our main results. This model is interesting in both a practical and a theoretical sense.
Efficacy and Safety of ARRY-371797 in LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Phase 2 Study

Background: Lamin A/C gene (LMNA)-related dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious and life-threatening condition with a high unmet medical need. This phase 2 study assessed the effects of the oral selective p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor ARRY-371797 on functional capacity and cardiac function in patients with LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods: Patients with LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy in New York Heart Association class II–IIIA, on background heart failure treatment, received ARRY-371797 100 or 400 mg twice daily for 48 weeks. The primary end point was change from baseline in the 6-minute walk test distance at 12 weeks. Secondary end points included changes over time in 6-minute walk test distance, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) concentration, left ventricular ejection fraction, and quality-of-life scores on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Data from the 2 dose groups were combined. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled; median (minimum, maximum) 6-minute walk test distance at baseline was 314 (246, 412) m. At week 12, the mean (80% CI) increase from baseline in 6-minute walk test distance was 69 (39, 100) m (median, 47 m). Median NT-proBNP concentration declined from 1409 pg/mL at baseline to 848 pg/mL at week 12. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was stable at week 12. There was a trend toward improvement in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall and Clinical Summary scores at week 12. No clinically significant drug-related safety concerns were identified. Conclusions: ARRY-371797 was well tolerated and resulted in potential increases in functional capacity and lower concentrations of cardiac biomarker NT-proBNP in patients with LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy. Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02057341.
Automated Configuration and Flexibilization of Vacuum Grippers

Today’s production systems are characterized by a high variety of products and small batch sizes offering potential for industrial robots, due to their flexibility. For economical automation of handling processes, it is also necessary to increase the flexibility of the vacuum gripper used. However, the explorative design of the latter is time-intensive and requires experts. This paper presents a concept to automate the design of vacuum grippers and increase their flexibility. For this purpose, the selection of gripping points are not only evaluated for individual components but also across variants to reduce the number of vacuum grippers required.
Characteristics of eucalypts incised for sap by the Yellow-bellied Glider, Petaurus australis Shaw (Marsupialia: Petauridae), in northeastern New South Wales.

Characteristics of trees tapped for sap by Petaurus australis were investigated at 113 localities in northeastern New South Wales. Trees preferentially tapped for sap by P. australis were smooth-barked eucalypts with relatively low cambial electrical resistance. Apart from a minimum stem diameter of about 30 em there was no selection of a particular tree diameter class for sap-tapping. Tapped tree wood characters indicated that about 20 days energy requirement for one P. australis was available from an average tree tapped for sap.
Application of optimal control theory for selective vibrational excitation in molecules modeled as harmonic physical systems

The design of optimal electromagnetic fields producing selective vibrational excitation in molecules modeled as harmonic physical systems is shown to be equivalent to minimizing a quadratic cost functional balancing the energy distribution in the molecule and the fluence of the input. In the control problem, two approaches are employed to insure that the final excitation is attained. One method uses a control strategy that employs a terminal constraint and in the other approach the cost functional is augmented with a terminal cost. The asymptotic form of the state and costate is investigated for both strategies in the limit that the final time approaches infinity, and some mathematical results on the form of the Lagrange parameter are presented for the first type of controller. These two results allow for a detailed discussion on the appropriate choice of practical design constants. For the example of a linear chain molecule, and approximation for the eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian matrix is derived for t.
Some Unique Spectral Properties of NLS1

The X-ray properties of two NLS1, 1H 0707-495 and IRAS 13224-3809, observed with XMM-Newton are presented. Their spectral shapes are similar to those of the galactic black-hole binaries in the soft state. Both show a deepflux drop at ∼ 7 - 8 keV attributable to the Fe-K edge, indicating substantial Fe overabundance. Partial covering can explain the observed spectra, and also time variabilities in terms of rapid changes in covering condition. A broad absorption and emission line features, a possible signature of warm absorber, were seen from both sources. Notably, the edge energy of 1H 0707-495 shifted from 7 keV (consistent with FE I K-edge) to 7.5 keV in two observations separated by two years, and that of IRAS 13224-3809 was found at 8.2 keV. Possible interpretations are discussed. 'If the soft excess originates from an optically-thick disk, the luminosity and the disk temperature imply that both systems are at exceedingly supercritical accretion rates. The results suggest that these NLS1 are among the youngest AGN with fast growing black holes.
Documenting and Comparing OPC UA Information Models

Since its release as an IEC standard series, the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) has become a widely adopted platform for both vertical and horizontal communications as well as data exchange in cyber-physical systems (CPS). A key benefit of OPC UA is its extensible object model, which offers the possibility to define custom information models, which may represent a specific production domain. As these generally represent interfaces for other applications, comprehensible documentation is an essential requirement in most cases.In this paper, we describe an approach to document, maintain and compare versions of OPC UA information models generated from existing code artifacts in the domain of serial machinery engineering. Base for the contribution of this work is the prototype of a documentation and model comparison tool (NodeDoc). We will describe its usage context and requirements as well as its main features. In addition, we discuss encountered challenges and provide insights into proposed solutions along with relevant lessons learned during the development of NodeDoc.
Chondrocyte Hypertrophy in Osteoarthritis: Mechanistic Studies and Models for the Identification of New Therapeutic Strategies

Articular cartilage shows limited self-healing ability owing to its low cellularity and avascularity. Untreated cartilage defects display an increased propensity to degenerate, leading to osteoarthritis (OA). During OA progression, articular chondrocytes are subjected to significant alterations in gene expression and phenotype, including a shift towards a hypertrophic-like state (with the expression of collagen type X, matrix metalloproteinases-13, and alkaline phosphatase) analogous to what eventuates during endochondral ossification. Present OA management strategies focus, however, exclusively on cartilage inflammation and degradation. A better understanding of the hypertrophic chondrocyte phenotype in OA might give new insights into its pathogenesis, suggesting potential disease-modifying therapeutic approaches. Recent developments in the field of cellular/molecular biology and tissue engineering proceeded in the direction of contrasting the onset of this hypertrophic phenotype, but knowledge gaps in the cause–effect of these processes are still present. In this review we will highlight the possible advantages and drawbacks of using this approach as a therapeutic strategy while focusing on the experimental models necessary for a better understanding of the phenomenon. Specifically, we will discuss in brief the cellular signaling pathways associated with the onset of a hypertrophic phenotype in chondrocytes during the progression of OA and will analyze in depth the advantages and disadvantages of various models that have been used to mimic it. Afterwards, we will present the strategies developed and proposed to impede chondrocyte hypertrophy and cartilage matrix mineralization/calcification. Finally, we will examine the future perspectives of OA therapeutic strategies.
Fabrication and optical stability of silanized gold nanorods as multifunctional transducers of near infrared light

We give new insight into multifunctional nanoparticles with light extinction in the therapeutic window, optical stability even on aggregation, as well as possibility of bio-conjugation. The optical response of these particles rests on gold nanorods, which interact with near infrared (NIR) light via plasmonic oscillations, i.e. a boundary effect which depends on all physiochemical conditions at the interface with their environment. Therefore their feasibility for biomedical applications is challenged by a poor definition of their dispersion medium, aggregation (e.g. inside endocytic vesicles) and shape transformations, which typically occur in the biological sample and under excitation and jeopardize their optical features. Here silanization of the gold nanorods is proposed as one effective solution to overcome these issues. A shell of porous silica confers isolation from the local environment and additional stability, and also proves suitable for PEGylation and bio-conjugation with e.g. biological macromolecules. In particular we engineer models of aggregation of these particles, in order to investigate its principal effect on their optical response. While in the absence of silica gold nanorods undergo substantial degradation of their plasmon oscillations, silanization proves excellent to maintain pristine optical properties even after critical flocculation.
Operator splitting for abstract Cauchy problems

The operator splitting technique is formulated for inhomogeneous abstract Cauchy problems in Banach spaces, and its convergence properties are analyzed using the concepts, familiar from numerical analysis, of stability, consistency, and order. The consistency issue is studied in detail, including the effect of the splitting of the inhomogeneous term. Analytical and numerical examples involving hyperbolic partial differential equations serve to illustrate the theory.
Effects of Rhapontigenin as a Novel Quorum-Sensing Inhibitor on Exoenzymes and Biofilm Formation of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Its Application in Vegetables

The aim of this study was to devise a method to protect Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) from bacterial-disease-induced damage during storage. Thus, the potential of rhapontigenin as a quorum sensing (QS) inhibitor against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (P. carotovorum) was evaluated. The QS inhibitory effects of rhapontigenin were confirmed by significant inhibition of the production of violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 (C. violaceum, CV026). The inhibitory effects of rhapontigenin on the motility, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, biofilm formation and virulence–exoenzyme synthesis of P. carotovorum were investigated. Acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) were quantified using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The inhibitory effects of rhapontigenin on the development of biofilms were observed using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A direct-inoculation assay was performed to investigate the QS inhibitory effects of rhapontigenin on P. carotovorum in Chinese cabbage and lettuce. Our results demonstrated that rhapontigenin exhibited significant inhibition (p < 0.05) of the motility, EPS production, biofilm formation, virulence–exoenzyme synthesis and AHL production of P. carotovorum. Additionally, the result of the direct-inoculation assay revealed that rhapontigenin might provide vegetables with significant shelf-life extension and prevent quality loss by controlling the spread of soft-rot symptoms. Consequently, the study provided a significant insight into the potential of rhapontigenin as a QS inhibitor against P. carotovorum.
The photoevaporation of interstellar clouds. II. Equilibrium cometary clouds

An approximate analytic theory for the evolution of an interstellar cloud which is exposed to the ionizing radiation of a newly formed star is developed. This paper will follow the evolution of a photoevaporating cloud beyond its initial radiation-driven implosion. Under the realistic assumption of axisymmetry, the imploded cloud is shown to assume a steady, cometary shaped configuration in which the embracing ionization front balances the pressure of the neutral gas. The steady cloud configuration is determined solely by the cloud mass, the incident Lyman continuum flux, and the adiabatic index of the gas. Because of the rocket effect of the evaporating gas, the cloud is accelerated away from the ionizing star. Over a wide range of parameters, the cloud shape, its mass-loss rate, lifetime, and acceleration are computed. The characteristic rocket velocity is typically 10 km/s, but can be as low as 5 km/s, which is significantly lower than previous estimates. Magnetic fields are taken into account in an approximate way and are shown to be a significant factor for the cloud pressure support and gravitational stability. The theory is applied to the photoevaporating globules in the Rosette and Gum Nebulae. 55 refs.
A new tool to measure occupational balance: Adolescent Occupational Balance Scale (A-OBS)

Abstract Background The concept of occupational balance in adolescents is not clear enough. Aim The current study aims at developing a valid and reliable scale to measure occupational balance in adolescents. Method We conducted online interviews with the participant adolescents via semi-structured interview forms. We applied the Davis technique twice to 10 expert panellists and the test form to 600 individuals. Two weeks later, we re-tested 153 of the participants. We then carried out item analysis to evaluate the internal consistency of the scale. We also conducted explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine the construct validity of the scale. Findings The content validity index of the scale was found to be 0.986. EFA showed that the scale consisting of 27 items had a six-factor structure explaining 56.7% of the total variance. Model fit indices about the structure created by factor combination technique in CFA were CMIN/df = 2.135; RMSEA = 0.06; GFI = 0.866; NFI = 0.81, CFI = 0.887, TLI = 0.868; IFI = 0.89. The analysis to test the reliability of the scale resulted in ICC: 0.993 and Cronbach’s alpha: 0.997. Pre-test and post-test analyses showed very strong correlational coefficients (p < 0.005). Conclusion A-OBS is a valid and reliable scale consisting of 27 items and 4 sub-dimensions. It can be used in studies that will focus on occupational balance in healthy adolescents. It is the first occupational balance scale developed for adolescents in the occupational therapy literature. We recommend further studies to validate the scale and adapt it to different languages and cultures.
EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE IN BANGLADESH CONTEXT

Due to the deterioration of existing structures and the replacement of numerous low-rise buildings with comparatively high-rise ones, the amount of demolished concrete in Bangladesh is increasing. One of the major challenges of our present society is to construct environmental friendly sustainable structures with low-cost technology. Reusing concrete in the form of aggregate would lead to environmental and economical benefits. The research covers experimental work on Particle size distribution by sieve analysis, Fineness modulus, Specific Gravity, Water absorption, Bulk density, and percent void of recycled coarse aggregate. The goal of this study is to measure the compressive strength of recycled aggregates as a substitute for coarse aggregate. For this reason, several important experiments like a) slump test of concrete, b) compressive strength of cylinder concrete specimen are performed. Here, brick aggregates are used as coarse aggregate, the water-cement ratio (0.4) is kept the same, and 30%, 50%, and 70% natural aggregate are replaced by the same percentage of recycled aggregate without any admixture. The result shows that the compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) with 30% replacement of natural aggregate by recycled aggregate is near to the compressive strength of natural aggregate concrete (NAC). It is found that the specific gravity and bulk density of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) are 2.07 and 1163-1245 kg/m3 respectively which is significantly smaller than Natural Aggregate (NA). Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is discovered to have a larger percentage of pore volume and water absorption capacity than natural aggregate (NA), measuring around 13% and 36% respectively. The aggregate properties used in this research are in an acceptable range compared to other researchers.
Entrepreneurial risk perception and entrepreneurial intention of employed and unemployed in the context of entrepreneurial individual resources

: Aim: The changes in the nature of economic and social issues has renewed the attention on the role of entrepreneurship, and point to a multifaceted way of how entrepreneurship activities can mediate and foster sustainable development and social welfare. Recent research on entrepreneurship has redirected attention away from the entrepreneur as an individual with inborn personality dispositions and more towards entrepreneurship competence as a composition of skills and attitudes interacting with a range of factors affecting individual and his/her work and life circumstances. In this paper we point to the way risk perception and entrepreneurial intentions are associated with the entrepreneurial individual resources of the employed and unemployed. Method: The online questionnaire was completed by 413 individuals, 23 respondents were excluded from analysis because of their work status (entrepreneurs). Data was collected using the survey agency panel of respondents across Slovakia. The period of data collection was November 2017. The final sample consisted of 390 respondents, 182 males (46.7 %), 208 females (53.3 %) with an age range between 18 – 50 (M=32,37). 193 respondents were currently unemployed (49.5%) and 197 employed (50.5%). The majority of the sample had high school diplomas (56.2 %), followed by a master´s degree (33.8 %), a bachelor´s degree (7.9
Risk Factors for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Different Insulin Resistance in a Nonobese Chinese Population

Purposes The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors of nonobese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) individuals under different insulin resistance status. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medical Center of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University. NAFLD was diagnosed based upon ultrasonographic findings consistent with fatty liver disease. Results A total of 1257 nonobese adults (625 non-NAFLD and 632 nonobese NAFLD) with body mass index (BMI) 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 were enrolled in the study. And all patients were divided into homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA − IR) > 1 group and HOMA − IR ≤ 1 group. When all the variables were adjusted in both the HOMA − IR > 1 group and HOMA − IR ≤ 1 group, older age (>50 years), higher BMI (23.0-24.9 kg/m2), higher AST (>18 U/L), higher TG (>0.9 mmol/L), higher GLU (>5.25 mmol/L), and higher HbA1C (>5.5%) were associated with higher risks of nonobese NAFLD. In patients with HOMA − IR > 1, lower homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) (<47.1%) (OR, 7.460, 95% CI, 3.051-18.238, P < 0.001) was associated with higher risks of nonobese NAFLD. Conclusion s. Metabolic profiles (i.e., higher BMI, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and higher glycosylated hemoglobin) are risk factors of nonobese NAFLD, regardless of insulin resistance status. Decreased function of pancreatic β-cells may be the risk factor of nonobese NAFLD with insulin resistance, who should pay attention to further development of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction.
Research status of CRISPR/Cas9 delivery system

Deriving from the adaptive immune system of prokaryotes, the emerging gene-editing technology CRISPR/Cas9, has become the most popular and powerful tool for the manipulation of genes at the molecular level. It has the advantages of easy construction, high efficiency along with good specificity. CRISPR/Cas9 system has been extensively applied to model constructions, clinical treatment and mechanisms of tumorigenesis. As a number of strategies for CRISPR/Cas9 system have been developed, this review systematically summarizes the commonly applied methods along with discussions on their advantages and limitations and different scenarios for specific applications. The basic delivery forms include plasmid DNA with sgRNA, mRNA with sgRNA and a complex of Cas9 protein and sgRNA, ribonucleoprotein (RNP). For the methods of delivery into cells, there are viral vectors and non-viral vectors, which further consist of physical and chemical methods. While the efficiency and rate of successful transfection vary in different strategies, they commonly suffer from off-target effects, mutagenesis, cytotoxicity and immunogenicity to different extents.