Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population subdivision and peripheral isolation in American badgers (Taxidea taxus) and implications for conservation planning in Canada

In Canada, three subspecies of American badgers (Taxidea taxus (Schreber, 1777)) traditionally are identified; two of which are listed as endangered because of their restricted geographic range and low population sizes. To verify their subspecific designations and genetic insularity, we analyzed mitochondrial control region sequences within and among badger subspecies (Taxidea taxus jacksoni Schantz, 1946, Taxidea taxus jeffersonii (Harlan, 1825), and Taxidea taxus taxus (Schreber, 1777)) from nine locations in Canada and bordering United States. Although subspecies designations were sup- ported (a priori subspecific designations, n = 3, AMOVA: FST = 0.40, p < 0.001), insular populations also were found within subspecific ranges as shown by spatial analysis of molecular variation, which suggested that our sample set consisted of five genetic groups (FST = 0.39, p < 0.001). These five distinct groupings included the subdivision of T. t. jeffersonii on either side of the Selkirk Mountains, and of T. t. jacksoni in the western part of its range grouping more closely with T. t. taxus of Manitoba. These results indicate that endangered populations of badgers may be more segregated than previ- ously identified using morphological characteristics as proxies for subspecific designation. These results have important im- plications for the conservation of badgers in Canada, particularly of the two endangered subspecies.
Sleep measured by polysomnography in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy for multiple myeloma prior to stem cell transplantation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe the objective sleep of patients receiving chemotherapy for multiple myeloma (MM) prior to stem cell transplantation. DESIGN A descriptive study with repeated measures. SETTING An international referral center in an urban area of the southern United States. SAMPLE A convenience sample of a subset of 12 patients with MM, recruited from a randomized, controlled trial. METHODS Objective sleep was assessed using two nights of polysomnography, one obtained before and one after a second cycle of high-dose chemotherapy prior to stem cell transplantation. Demographic and clinical data were obtained through a retrospective chart review. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Objective sleep including sleep characteristics, sleep-related respiratory events, and periodic limb movements (PLMs) of sleep. FINDINGS Sleep was characterized by a relatively short sleep time, excessive time spent awake after the onset of sleep, and poor sleep efficiency (objective sleep quality). Patients spent more than the expected percent of time in non-rapid eye movement sleep and less in rapid eye movement sleep. Arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation nadirs reflected episodes of low arterial oxygen saturation. PLMs during sleep were in the mildly elevated range. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that patients had poor sleep efficiency (objective sleep quality) and were slightly better sleepers after receiving a second cycle of high-dose chemotherapy. A number of patients also demonstrated obstructive sleep apnea and frequent PLMs. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Findings support the need for additional investigation of sleep in patients with MM, particularly poor sleep efficiency and PLMs. Improving sleep may improve quality of life by decreasing associated symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and depression. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION Oncology nurses should consider assessing patients with MM for insomnia symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness, obstructive sleep apnea, and a history of jerking or kicking their legs when asleep. Those symptoms may suggest the need for additional investigation of a possible sleep disorder, which may negatively influence mood and function.
Optimization of number of scans for a sparse temporal sampling (STS) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

High sensitivity signal detection for a sparse temporal sampling (STS) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is compensated by the increase in the number of scans (Ns) and consequently the scan time. A long scan time would result in fatigue and restlessness in participants, while a short scan time is undesirable for an STS-fMRI due to insufficient Ns for averaging. The purpose of this study was to determine the Ns practically sufficient for a sparse fMRI study. Eighteen participants were presented with white noise during a sparse fMRI scan. The height extent of activation was determined via t statistics and region of interest (ROI) based percentage of signal change (PSC). The t statistics and PSC for Heschl’s gyrus (HG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) during which the participants listened to the white noise were calculated for different number of scans which were 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36. The t statistics and PSC values calculated for the bilateral HG and STG qualitatively indicated a minimal change over Ns = 12 to 36. Both ROIs showed a consistent common right lateralization of activation for all Ns, indicating the right-hemispheric dominance of auditory cortex in processing white noise stimulus. It was proposed that for a sparse fMRI study, Ns may practically fall between 12 and 36.
Women's self-perceptions: an exploratory study of optical illusion garments

Although previous research provides insight into how women construct and idealize their appearance through clothing, the connection to the design elements of a garment is lacking. Using an exploratory approach, the current study, theoretically grounded in the self-discrepancy theory, investigated a woman’s perceptions of her body shape. The primary goal of this exploratory study was to understand how garments created with optical illusion prints or patterns, can affect women’s perceptions of body shape and if optical illusion garments can increase body satisfaction while helping a woman achieve the appearance of a more ideal body shape. Fifteen women were body scanned to determine their body shape and then participated in an in-depth semistructured interview while viewing a personalized avatar (created from their body scan) depicted in the seven different optical illusion garments created by the researcher. Data analysis revealed seven themes: (1) Perception of Self, (2) Clothing and the Body, (3) Defining Ideals, (4) Optical Illusion Applications, (5) Preferences by Body Shape Category, (6) Effects of Wearing Optical Illusions, and (7) A More Ideal Self. Results from this study showed that optical illusion garments do effect the visual perception of body shape and can result the perception of a more ideal body shape.
Optimization of Transmit Parameters in Cardiac Strain Imaging With Full and Partial Aperture Coherent Compounding

Coherent compounding methods using the full or partial transmit aperture have been investigated as a possible means of increasing strain measurement accuracy in cardiac strain imaging; however, the optimal transmit parameters in either compounding approach have yet to be determined. The relationship between strain estimation accuracy and transmit parameters—specifically the subaperture, angular aperture, tilt angle, number of virtual sources, and frame rate—in partial aperture (subaperture compounding) and full aperture (steered compounding) fundamental mode cardiac imaging was thus investigated and compared. Field II simulation of a 3-D cylindrical annulus undergoing deformation and twist was developed to evaluate accuracy of 2-D strain estimation in cross-sectional views. The tradeoff between frame rate and number of virtual sources was then investigated via transthoracic imaging in the parasternal short-axis view of five healthy human subjects, using the strain filter to quantify estimation precision. Finally, the optimized subaperture compounding sequence (25-element subperture, 90° angular aperture, 10 virtual sources, 300-Hz frame rate) was compared to the optimized steered compounding sequence (60° angular aperture, 15° tilt, 10 virtual sources, 300-Hz frame rate) via transthoracic imaging of five healthy subjects. Both approaches were determined to estimate cumulative radial strain with statistically equivalent precision (subaperture compounding E(SNRe<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\vert \varepsilon = 41$ </tex-math></inline-formula>%) = 3.56, and steered compounding E(SNRe<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\vert \varepsilon = 41$ </tex-math></inline-formula>%) = 4.26).
Establishment of an in vivo Highly Metastatic Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model

We previously found by chance that N‐nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) given after a multi‐carcinogenic treatment induces liver carcinomas with 56% lung metastasis, and it was confirmed that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with 100% lung metastasis was produced by 24‐week treatment with NMOR and additional treatment with diethylnitrosamine (DEN). In the present study, we modified the duration of NMOR to establish an animal model with a simple experimental protocol and an appropriate experimental duration which would facilitate further study of the mechanisms of metastasis and antimetastatic agents. The results revealed DEN exposure followed by a 16‐week treatment with NMOR to be a most efficient method for the induction of HCC metastasizing to the lung. Loss of cadherin, demonstrated immunohistochemically, occurred in an early stage of carcinogenesis, and this was reflected in malignant conversion of primary lesions. This model, with its essential similarities to malignant tumor behavior in man, should find application not only for elucidation of the mechanisms underlying metastasis, but also in the development of anti‐metastatic agents.
The impact of individual and aggregate unemployment on fertility in Norway

Continuous-time hazard models are estimated from register-based birth, migration, education and unemployment histories for the complete Norwegian population, linked with aggregate data for municipalities. The analysis covers the period 1992-98. First-birth rates are slightly higher among women who had been unemployed twelve months before than among others, whereas higher-order birth rates are slightly lower. Although men’s unemployment has a more pronounced negative effect, according to paternity rate models, the overall conclusion is that unemployment in Norway has had a negligible impact on fertility through individual-level effects. Aggregate-level effects are more important. Higher-order birth rates are lower in municipalities where men’s or women’s unemployment is high than elsewhere. All in all, the peak unemployment level of 6% experienced in 1993 is found to be associated with a reduction of about 0.08 in total fertility. The results accord well with economic theories for first and higher-order births that are based on the assumption that women are still the primary caretakers.
Sexual Orientation Self-Concept Ambiguity and Alcohol Use Disorder Symptomology: The Roles of Motivated Psychological Distancing and Drinking to Cope.

OBJECTIVE Women whose sexual identity is not exclusively heterosexual are at risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and problematic drinking. A textual analytic approach focusing on motivated psychological distancing in language style use was used to detect sexual minority women who are at greatest risk for an AUD. METHOD Young adult women (N = 254) were asked to complete a self-report measure of sexual orientation self-concept ambiguity as well as free-write about their sexuality. In addition, they completed a questionnaire assessing AUD symptoms according to criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program assessed language markers within participant-written essays that reflected acute states of aversive self-focus (i.e., fewer first-person pronouns, fewer present-tense verbs). RESULTS Drinking to cope with negative affectivity mediated the relationship between sexual orientation self-concept ambiguity and AUD symptomology. This indirect effect was conditional, moderated by higher use of language reflecting motivated psychological distancing, such that the indirect effect was significant only for women whose writing included fewer instances of first-person pronouns and present-tense verbs (-1 SD) compared with those with greater instances of first-person pronouns and present-tense verbs (+1 SD), reflecting motivated psychological distancing. CONCLUSIONS Sexual minority women are at an increased risk for AUD. Further, this study suggests mechanisms that may exacerbate the relationship between sexual identity uncertainty and problematic drinking. The study presents a novel method of identifying individuals most at risk for alcohol misuse: detecting aversive self-focus in language style and word choice.
Phylogenetic position of the coral symbiont Ostreobium (Ulvophyceae) inferred from chloroplast genome data

The green algal genus Ostreobium is an important symbiont of corals, playing roles in reef decalcification and providing photosynthates to the coral during bleaching events. A chloroplast genome of a cultured strain of Ostreobium was available, but low taxon sampling and Ostreobium's early‐branching nature left doubt about its phylogenetic position. Here, we generate and describe chloroplast genomes from four Ostreobium strains as well as Avrainvillea mazei and Neomeris sp. , strategically sampled early‐branching lineages in the Bryopsidales and Dasycladales respectively. At 80,584 bp, the chloroplast genome of Ostreobium sp. HV05042 is the most compact yet found in the Ulvophyceae. The Avrainvillea chloroplast genome is ~94 kbp and contains introns in infA and cysT that have nearly complete sequence identity except for an open reading frame (ORF) in infA that is not present in cysT. In line with other bryopsidalean species, it also contains regions with possibly bacteria‐derived ORFs. The Neomeris data did not assemble into a canonical circular chloroplast genome but a large number of contigs containing fragments of chloroplast genes and showing evidence of long introns and intergenic regions, and the Neomeris chloroplast genome size was estimated to exceed 1.87 Mb. Chloroplast phylogenomics and 18S nrDNA data showed strong support for the Ostreobium lineage being sister to the remaining Bryopsidales. There were differences in branch support when outgroups were varied, but the overall support for the placement of Ostreobium was strong. These results permitted us to validate two suborders and introduce a third, the Ostreobineae.
Examining the efficacy of parent-child interaction therapy with high-functioning autism

Externalizing behaviors are a common component of the clinical presentation of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and are typically the initial focus of treatment for children within this population. Although a number of therapies targeting behaviors characteristic of ASD exist, most do not offer a short-term, manual-based approach aimed at increasing child compliance. Although traditionally used with typically-developing children, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is one behaviorally-based, short-term (~14 sessions) parent training program that has demonstrated success in increasing child compliance, reducing problem behavior, and improving parent-child communication. The study examined the efficacy of PCIT as a first-line treatment for children with high-functioning autism by employing a single subject, non-concurrent multiple baseline design across three subjects. Primary findings revealed significant increases in child compliance, reductions in child disruptive behavior and improved parenting skills across participants. In addition, each caregiver reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. Results suggested that PCIT may be a viable first-line treatment for children on the high end of the autism spectrum with co-occurring behavioral difficulties. Study findings serve as a foundation for future research in this area. Limitations, clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
The effectiveness of EMDR therapy on clients with addictions

This study was undertaken to determine how effective Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is in helping clients to lessen or end their cycle of SUDs and behavioral addictions in the long term. Secondly, this study aimed to determine whether or not EMDR therapy increases a client’s likelihood of relapse, and whether or not relapse affects the outcome of treatment. Furthermore, this study looked at whether or not clients need to have abstained from their addictive substance for an extended period of time in order for EMDR therapy to be successful in their addictions treatment. The final question that this study intended to answer was whether or not there is a correlation between proposed key components of EMDR treatment and more positive treatment outcomes for people with addictions. Data was collected with a questionnaire designed on Survey Monkey. EMDR therapists registered with The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) were emailed a link to the survey and asked to respond to the survey themselves (if they met the criteria for participation) and to pass the survey onto current or former clients and people they know who have received EMDR therapy. The survey was also passed on directly to people in my professional network of therapists. The major findings of the research were that EMDR therapy correlates with a significant reduction in research participants’ felt degree of addiction to both substances and addictive behaviors. Moreover, these results were maintained over time. Cravings to engage in the said behavioral addiction or SUD most frequently decreased after EMDR therapy sessions. Relapse to alcohol or drug use that research subjects attributed to an EMDR session was rare. In addition, the data revealed that having abstained for periods of time prior to engaging in EMDR therapy does not correlate with more positive treatment
Upper limb ischaemia: a South African single–centre experience

Summary Objective The aims of this study were to report on our experience with upper limb ischaemia (ULI), to define the pattern and distribution of disease, describe key demographic features and report on conventional clinical outcomes. Methods This was a single–centre, retrospective, descriptive study. All patients (n = 64) who underwent a surgical intervention for ULI over a 12–year study period were included. Findings were analysed and compared with the current literature. Results A male:female ratio of 0.60 was reported. Two major subgroups of patients were identified. The patients in the thrombo–embolic subgroup (n = 30) were notably younger than expected (mean age 55 years) compared to those in the atherosclerotic occlusive disease subgroup (n = 12, mean age 57 years). Presentation overall was generally late, with 8.6% of acute ULI and 48.3% of chronic ULI patients presenting with irreversible ischaemia and tissue loss, respectively. Thrombo–embolism was the dominant vascular pathology reported in this case series (47%). Ninety–five procedures were performed in 64 patients (89 open, six endovascular). Peri–operative (30–day) mortality rate was 7.8%. Systemic and procedure–related complications were observed in 13 and 23%, respectively. The overall major amputation rate was 10.9%. Adherence to follow up was poor (51% at six months). Conclusion Although few firm conclusions could be drawn, this review has expanded our overall perspective of ULI, specific to the population we serve. Collaboration between African vascular units should be encouraged in an attempt to further define the pattern of ULI by identifying distinct geographical confounders.
TEM Horn Antenna for Ultra-Wide Band Microwave Breast Imaging

A novel TEM horn antenna placed in a solid dielectric medium is proposed for microwave imaging of the breast. The major design requirement is that the antenna couples the microwave energy into the tissue without being immersed itself in a coupling medium. The antenna achieves this requirement by: 1) directing all radiated power through its front aperture, and 2) blocking external electromagnetic interference by a carefully designed enclosure consisting of copper sheets and power absorbing sheets. In the whole ultra-wide band the antenna features: 1) good impedance match, 2) uniform field distribution at the antenna aperture, and 3) good coupling efficiency.
Psychological and Personality factors and In Vitro Fertilization Treatment in women

Data on a comparative study between a group of 26 primiparous women who gave birth to a child after an homologous In Vitro Fertilization Treatment (IVF) and a group of 26 women also primiparous, who gave birth to a child alter a natural conception, were analyzed to explore the prevalence of psychopathology in the IVF group as opposed to the control group. No differences were detected as regards the psychological parameter of depression between the two groups. The results of the Eysenck Personality Scale point out that there are no differences between the personality profile of women who resort to IVV treatment and women who conceive naturally as no statistically significant differences were discovered in three of the four sub-scales of the EPI among the two groups. There was a differentiation only in the first sub-scale (psychoticism). where the IVF group recorded lower scores to a statistically significant degree.
Relative risk of invasive ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) establishing in New Zealand

Abstract Human‐assisted spread of species poses a major challenge to border security agencies. Ideally, limited resources need to be targeted at species posing the most risk. Climate matching is an important component of assessing risk but often little or no biological information is available to enable detailed modelling. To assess if distribution records alone provide useful establishment predictions we compare the climate in New Zealand and its outlying islands to that found in the current native and introduced ranges of 12 tramp ant species, three of which are already established in New Zealand, using the climate module of BIOSECURE, a risk assessment tool. Eleven species showed a similar general pattern, with mean annual temperature being the climatic variable with the least overlap between the estimated realised niche and the predicted New Zealand niche. The twelfth species, of temperate origin, is less restricted by temperature, but much of New Zealand may have too high a rainfall. The present and future threats posed by tramp ants are discussed in relation to climate limitations.