Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Lupron and surgical castration on androgen concentrations and intermale aggression in capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

metabolite Abstract: To curb agonistic interactions in a bachelor group of three male capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ), a single dose of leuprolide acetate (Lupron ® ) was used in an attempt to chemically sterilize the males. Concurrently, fecal androgen metabolite (FAM) concentrations were quantified via enzyme immunoassay to monitor changes in testosterone production after injection of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. When Lupron proved ineffective in suppressing intraspecific aggression, surgical castration was performed on two males, with continued noninvasive endocrine monitoring. In all three capybaras, FAM concentrations increased initially as a result of the luteinizing hormone surge, but then decreased significantly following chemical sterilization. Surgical castration resulted in further, persistent declines in FAM concentrations in two males, while the third, intact male demonstrated a rise in FAM to pre-Lupron concentrations at 8.5 and 9.5 months post-administration. Despite successful suppression of sperm and testosterone production, intermale aggression continued, ultimately necessitating separation of the animals
ANGULAR MOMENTUM–MASS RELATION FOR DARK MATTER HALOS

We study the empirical relation between an astronomical object’s angular momentum J and mass M, J = βMα, the J–M relation, using N-body simulations. In particular, we investigate the time evolution of the J–M relation to study how the initial power spectrum and cosmological model affect this relation and to test two popular models of its origin—mechanical equilibrium and tidal torque theory (TTT). We find that in the ΛCDM model, α starts with a value of ∼1.5 at high redshift z, increases monotonically, and finally reaches 5/3 near z = 0, whereas β evolves linearly with time in the beginning, reaches a maximum and decreases, and, finally, stabilizes. A three-regime scheme is proposed to understand this newly observed picture. We show that the TTT accounts for this time-evolution behavior in the linear regime, whereas α = 5/3 comes from the virial equilibrium of halos. The J–M relation in the linear regime contains the information of the power spectrum and cosmological model. The J–M relations for halos in different environments and with different merging histories are also investigated to study the effects of a halo’s nonlinear evolution. An updated and more complete understanding of the J–M relation is thus obtained.
Trophic ecology and resource partitioning of Haemulidae species along the Northeastern Brazilian continental shelf

Abstract In the Southeastern Tropical Atlantic, Haemulidae family play an important role both environmentally, acting as a link between lower and higher trophic levels, and socioeconomically, being widely caught by artisanal fleets. This study aimed to describe the trophic ecology of three grunt species (Haemulon aurolineatum, H. plumierii and H. squamipinna) considering spatial, temporal and ontogenetic aspects, integrating stomach content and stable isotopes analysis. Sampling occurred in 26 stations along the Northeast of Brazil (04°– 09°S), in August 2015 and April 2017, using bottom trawling net. There was greater feeding intensity at night, at latitudes below 08°S and in the inner continental shelf. Higher values of δ¹⁵N were reported for H. aurolineatum and H. plumierii collected near coastline. The isotopic niche breadth indicated that H. aurolineatum has a narrower diet thanH. plumierii. For the three species, the trophic level ranged between three and four. Considering stomach content and isotopic niche, diet was similar comparing species. This trophic ecology pattern reveals a likewise use of the habitat, which may be essential for identifying priority areas for conservation on an ecosystem basis, especially in rich reef zones that are subject to several increasing pressures, such as those in Northeast Brazil.
A compact broadband microstrip slot circularly polarized antenna using parasitic elements

ABSTRACT A new broadband circularly polarized (CP) microstrip slot antenna (MSA) is proposed in this study. The proposed CP MSA is comprised of a square-loop feed configuration, four rectangular patches as parasitic patches, and a square ground plane etched with four L-shaped slots as parasitic slots. The square-loop feed configuration, which can stimulate a 270° phase difference, comprises an arc-shaped strip and a square-loop. Rectangular patches and L-shaped slots as parasitic elements are together arranged and etched at the side of the square-loop feed configuration to excite multiple CP resonant modes using a capacitively coupled feeding technology. A prototype of the proposed antenna was simulated, manufactured, and measured in this study. The measured results depict that the CP MSA features a wide impedance bandwidth of 4.36–5.36 GHz (20.6%) for|S11| < −10 dB and broad axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 4.53–5.30 GHz (15.7%) for AR < 3 dB. Thus, the proposed CP MSA would be an outstanding candidate in wireless communication systems.
Recovery of ΔF508-CFTR Function by Citrate

Treatment of cystic fibrosis relies so far on expensive and sophisticated drugs. A logical approach to rescuing the defective ΔF508-CFTR protein has not yet been published. Therefore, virtual docking of ATP and CFTR activators to the open conformation of the CFTR protein was performed. A new ATP binding site outside of the two known locations was identified. It was located in the cleft between the nucleotide binding domains NBD1 and NBD2 and comprised six basic amino acids in close proximity. Citrate and isocitrate were also bound to this site. Citrate was evaluated for its action on epithelial cells with intact CFTR and defective ΔF508-CFTR. It activated hyaluronan export from human breast carcinoma cells and iodide efflux, and recovered ΔF508-CFTR from premature intracellular degradation. In conclusion, citrate is an activator for ΔF508-CFTR and increases export by defective ΔF508-CFTR into the extracellular matrix of epithelial cells.
Energy recovery from brewery spent grains and spent coffee grounds: a circular economy approach to waste valorization

Abstract Currently, the circular economy approach is gaining importance, and it is already a concern to different industrial sectors, intending to eliminate the waste produced while trying to create new value chains. In addition to this disruptive process, the net-zero carbon emissions objective can be fulfilled. In this way, the energy recovery of residual biomass forms is assumed to be a high potential alternative for pursuing this objective. The present work deals with the recovery of brewery spent grains (BSG) and spent coffee grounds (SCG) through direct combustion. Samples were collected and characterized to analyze the viability of BSG and SCG combustion recovery options. From the results, it can be concluded that, although this possibility can be viable under certain circumstances, some constraints due to the composition of these materials can jeopardize this recovery option. Further research concerning the life cycle assessment of these materials and eventual environmental impacts caused by such a solution is still missing and must be conducted. It is also essential to proceed with further chemical characterization of these wastes concerning corrosion-related phenomena and to justify diverting both BSG and SCG from urban solid waste streams. After this preliminary approach, the research can also focus on the economic analysis and quantification of resource availability.
isomiRTar: a comprehensive portal of pan-cancer 5′-isomiR targeting

Inaccurate cleavage of pri- and pre-miRNA hairpins by Drosha and Dicer results in the generation of miRNA isoforms known as isomiRs. isomiRs with 5′-end variations (5′-isomiRs) create a new dimension in miRNA research since they have different seed regions and distinct targetomes. We developed isomiRTar (https://isomirtar.hse.ru)—a comprehensive portal that allows one to analyze expression profiles and targeting activity of 5′-isomiRs in cancer. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas sequencing data, we compiled the list of 1022 5′-isomiRs expressed in 9282 tumor samples across 31 cancer types. Sequences of these isomiRs were used to predict target genes with miRDB and TargetScan. The putative interactions were then subjected to the co-expression analysis in each cancer type to identify isomiR-target pairs supported by significant negative correlations. Downstream analysis of the data deposited in isomiRTar revealed both cancer-specific and cancer-conserved 5′-isomiR expression landscapes. Pairs of isomiRs differing in one nucleotide shift from 5′-end had poorly overlapping targetomes with the median Jaccard index of 0.06. The analysis of colorectal cancer 5′-isomiR-mediated regulatory networks revealed promising candidate tumor suppressor isomiRs: hsa-miR-203a-3p—+1, hsa-miR-192-5p—+1 and hsa-miR-148a-3p—0. In summary, we believe that isomiRTar will help researchers find novel mechanisms of isomiR-mediated gene silencing in different types of cancer.
Autoconfiguração de rotas em redes ad-hoc de VANTs

As redes FANETs (Flying Ad-Hoc Networks) possuem características que as diferem das demais MANETs (Mobile Ad Hoc Networks), quais sejam, a velocidade, a movimentação 3D e as rápidas mudanças de topologia. A literatura indica que os protocolos de roteamento disponíveis para as FANETs não estão preparados para os desafios de autoconfiguração apresentados por essas características. Este trabalho confirma que a indicação da literatura através da realização de simulações em um cenário proposto utilizando os protocolos B.A.T.M.A.N. (Better Approach To Mobile Ad-hoc Networking) e OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing Protocol). Essa confirmação dá-se através da análise das métricas vazão média, latência média e tempo médio de duração de comutação de rota. Além dessa análise, é proposta uma solução inicial dos problemas encontrados durante a análise dos protocolos analisados.
Health Services Avoidance and Self-Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from rural India

Objectives: This paper is one of the first studies that identifies factors that inhibit access to healthcare services and healthcare-seeking behaviour (HCSB) in rural India during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The data source was the household sample survey of the World Bank on ‘COVID-19-Related Shocks in Rural India 2020, Rounds 1-3’. Binomial and multinomial regression analysis was carried out to estimate the determinants of health care avoidance and HCSB. Results: Families belonging to low consumption quartiles not only delayed obtaining health care but also underutilized formal health resources at public and private facilities. The majority of non-agricultural households, as well as those that reduced their consumption during the outbreak, were forced to self-medicate through pharmacies. Family planning, immunization, child growth monitoring, and routine medical check-ups were among the services that were not availed during the pandemic. Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize the need of removing financial obstacles to care during the COVID-19, as well as the importance of child-related care continuity (child development monitoring, antenatal care, and immunization) and routine check-ups.
INEX 2009 workshop pre-proceedings

This talk proceeds from the premise that IR should engage in a more substantial dialogue with cognitive science. After all, how users decide relevance, or how they chose terms to modify a query are processes rooted in human cognition. Recently, there has been a growing literature applying quantum theory (QT) to model cognitive phenomena ranging from human memory to decision making. Two aspects will be highlighted. The first will show how concept combinations can be modelled in a way analogous to quantum entangled twin-state photons. Details will be presented of cognitive experiments to test for the presence of “entanglement” in cognition via an analysis of bi-ambiguous concept combinations. The second aspect of the talk will show how quantum inference effects currently being used to fit models of human decision making may be applied to model interference between different dimensions of relevance. The underlying theme behind this talk is QT can potentially provide the theoretical basis of new genre of information processing models more aligned with human cognition. Acknowledgments This research is supported in part by the Australian Research Council Discovery grant DP0773341.
Physical-Chemical Characterization of Different Carbon-Based Sorbents for Environmental Applications

Biochar has been used in various applications, e.g., as a soil conditioner and in remediation of contaminated water, wastewater, and gaseous emissions. In the latter application, biochar was shown to be a suitable alternative to activated carbon, providing high treatment efficiency. Since biochar is a by-product of waste pyrolysis, its use allows for compliance with circular economics. Thus, this research aims to obtain a detailed characterization of three carbonaceous materials: an activated carbon (CARBOSORB NC 1240®) and two biochars (RE-CHAR® and AMBIOTON®). In particular, the objective of this work is to compare the properties of three carbonaceous materials to evaluate whether the application of the two biochars is the same as that of activated carbon. The characterization included, among others, particle size distribution, elemental analysis, pH, scanning electron microscope, pore volume, specific surface area, and ionic exchange capacity. The results showed that CARBOSORB NC 1240® presented a higher specific surface (1126.64 m2/g) than AMBIOTON® (256.23 m2/g) and RE-CHAR® (280.25 m2/g). Both biochar and activated carbon belong to the category of mesoporous media, showing a pore size between 2 and 50 nm (20–500 Å). Moreover, the chemical composition analysis shows similar C, H, and N composition in the three carbonaceous materials while a higher O composition in RE-CHAR® (9.9%) than in CARBOSORB NC 1240 ® (2.67%) and AMBIOTON® (1.10%). Differences in physical and chemical properties are determined by the feedstock and pyrolysis or gasification temperature. The results obtained allowed to compare the selected materials among each other and with other carbonaceous adsorbents.
Effects of Dust Event Days on Influenza: Evidence from Arid Environments in Lanzhou

Airborne aerosol is believed to be an important pathway for infectious disease transmissions like COVID-19 and influenza. However, the effects of dust event days on influenza have been rarely explored, particularly in arid environments. This study explores the effects of ambient particulate matter (PM) and dust events on laboratory-confirmed influenza in a semi-arid city. A descriptive analysis of daily laboratory-confirmed influenza (influenza) cases, PM (PM10 and PM2.5), meteorological parameters, and dust events were conducted from 2014 to 2019 in Lanzhou, China. The case-crossover design combined with conditional Poisson regression models was used to estimate the lagging effects of PM and dust events on influenza. In addition, a hierarchical model was used to quantitatively evaluate the interactive effect of PM with ambient temperature and absolute humidity on influenza. We found that PM and dust events had a significant effect on influenza. The effects of PM10 and PM2.5 on influenza became stronger as the cumulative lag days increased. The greatest estimated relative risks (RRs) were 1.018 (1.011,1.024) and 1.061 (1.034,1.087), respectively. Compared with the non-dust days, the effects of dust events with duration ≥ 1 day and with duration ≥ 2 days on influenza were the strongest at lag0 day, with the estimated RRs of 1.245 (95% CI: 1.061–1.463) and 1.483 (95% CI: 1.232–1.784), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that pre-school children and school-aged children were more sensitive to PM and dust events exposure. Besides, we also found that low humidity and temperature had an interaction with PM to aggravate the risk of influenza. In summary, ambient PM and dust events exposure may increase the risk of influenza, and the risk of influenza increases with the dust events duration. Therefore, more efforts from the government as well as individuals should be strengthened to reduce the effect of PM on influenza, particularly in cold and dry weather.
Milk Formula Enriched with Sodium Butyrate Influences Small Intestine Contractility in Neonatal Pigs

Butyrate, a by-product of gut bacteria fermentation as well as the digestion of fat in mother’s milk, exerts a wide spectrum of beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tissues. The present study aimed to determine the effects of sodium butyrate on small intestine contractility in neonatal piglets. Piglets were fed milk formula alone (group C) or milk formula supplemented with sodium butyrate (group B). After a 7-day treatment period, isometric recordings of whole-thickness segments of the duodenum and middle jejunum were obtained by electric field stimulation under the influence of increasing doses of Ach (acetylocholine) in the presence of TTX (tetrodotoxin) and atropine. Moreover, structural properties of the intestinal wall were assessed, together with the expression of cholinergic and muscarinic receptors (M1 and M2). In both intestinal segments (duodenum and middle jejunum), EFS (electric field stimulation) impulses resulted in increased contractility and amplitude of contractions in group B compared to group C. Additionally, exposure to dietary butyrate led to a significant increase in tunica muscularis thickness in the duodenum, while mitotic and apoptotic indices were increased in the middle jejunum. The expression of M1 and M2 receptors in the middle jejunum was significantly higher after butyrate treatment. The results indicate increased cholinergic signaling and small intestinal growth and renewal in response to feeding with milk formula enriched with sodium butyrate in neonatal piglets.
Role of Vitronectin and Its Receptors in Neuronal Function and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Vitronectin (VTN), a multifunctional glycoprotein with various physiological functions, exists in plasma and the extracellular matrix. It is known to be involved in the cell attachment, spreading and migration through binding to the integrin receptor, mainly via the RGD sequence. VTN is also widely used in the maintenance and expansion of pluripotent stem cells, but its effects go beyond that. Recent evidence shows more functions of VTN in the nervous system as it participates in neural differentiation, neuronutrition and neurogenesis, as well as in regulating axon size, supporting and guiding neurite extension. Furthermore, VTN was proved to play a key role in protecting the brain as it can reduce the permeability of the blood–brain barrier by interacting with integrin receptors in vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, evidence suggests that VTN is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, but its function has not been fully understood. This review summarizes the functions of VTN and its receptors in neurons and describes the role of VTN in the blood–brain barrier and neurodegenerative diseases.
On Multiplying Negative Numbers.

What if we were multiplying ​one positive and one negative number​? For example, what is ​4 x (-2)? ​ To understand what the answer would be, we’re going to approach this in three ways: Problem 2:​ ​What is 4 x (-2)? a. What is 4 x 0 = ____________ b. What is 2 + -2 = ___________ (Use a number line, if necessary) c. Since we know that 2 + -2 = _____, let’s replace the 0 in 4 x 0 with the following:
Summary and Reflections

Let me begin by taking a very broad historical perspective on the study of pre-main-sequence binaries. You have seen reference several times at this meeting to that first paper on T Tauri binaries by Joy & Van Biesbroeck (1944). Following that paper there followed a long period that might be called the Decades of Ignorance . I refer here to a period of time in the study of star formation where we largely ignored the fact that we knew that most stars were binaries. The high frequency of binaries among stars is something that we've known for a very long time, well over a century. Indeed, looking back, it is remarkable that the paper in 1982 by Mel Dyck and his collaborators identifying T Tauri as a binary caused such a stir. This paper is sometimes cited as the birth of modern research into young binaries. But how many of our colleagues in the realm of main-sequence binaries had already told us over and over again that most of these young stars had to be binaries? Of course, the reason this important paper caused much ado was in part because T Tauri is the very prototype star of star-formation study.
A 4-Year Retrospective Claims Analysis of Oral Corticosteroid Use and Health Conditions in Newly Diagnosed Medicare FFS Patients with COPD

Purpose We analyzed population-level administrative claims data for Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries to provide insights on systemic oral corticosteroid (OCS) use patterns and associated health conditions and acute events among patients newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Background COPD is a progressive inflammatory disease of the lungs, characterized by acute exacerbations that may lead to increased mortality. Short courses of systemic corticosteroids (SCS) are recommended to reduce recovery time from exacerbations, although SCS use has been associated with increased risk of adverse events. Methods This study used 2013–2019 Medicare 100% FFS research identifiable files, which contain all Medicare Parts A, B, and D paid claims incurred by 100% of Medicare FFS beneficiaries. Descriptive statistics for patients newly diagnosed with COPD were analyzed, including OCS use, select health conditions and acute events, and COPD exacerbations. Statistical models were used to analyze the relationship between the incidence of select health conditions and events and cumulative OCS dosage. Results Of Medicare FFS patients newly diagnosed with COPD, 36% received OCS in the 48 months following diagnosis, and 38% of OCS episodes lasted longer than the recommended 5–7 days. Patients had a variety of health conditions or acute events in the 24-month period prior to new COPD diagnosis, such as hypertension, depression/anxiety, type 2 diabetes, or osteoporosis, that could heighten the risks of OCS use. Patients treated with >1000 mg of prednisolone equivalent OCS in the 48 months following COPD diagnosis had a higher incidence of new conditions or events, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, hypertension, obesity, dyspepsia, infections, and depression/anxiety, than patients with no OCS use. Conclusion These results highlight the potential risks of OCS in COPD treatment, including prolonged use among complex Medicare patients, and reinforce the importance of preventive treatment strategies and therapy optimization early in the disease course.
Formation of Co nanoclusters in epitaxial Ti0.96Co0.04O2 thin films and their ferromagnetism

Anatase Ti0.96Co0. 04O2 films were grown epitaxially on SrTiO3 (001) substrates by using pulsed laser deposition with in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The oxygen partial pressure, PO2, during the growth was systematically varied. As PO2 decreased, the growth behavior was changed from a two-dimensional layer-by-layer-like growth to a three-dimensional island-like one, which resulted in an increase in the saturation magnetization. These structural and magnetic changes were explained in terms of the formation of cobalt clusters whose existence was proved by transmission-electron-microscope studies. Our work clearly indicates that the cobalt clustering will cause room-temperature ferromagnetism in the Co-doped TiO2 films.