Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cadmium concentrations in the tissues of young wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) from Moslavina and Slavonia in lowland Croatia.

________________________________________________________________________________________ PREVENDAR CRNIĆ, A. , J. ŠURAN, H. CIPRIŠ MADUNIĆ, F. BOŽIĆ: Cadmium concentrations in the tissues of young wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) from Moslavina and Slavonia in lowland Croatia. Vet. arhiv 85, 323-334, 2015. ABSTRACT Samples of skeletal muscles, liver and kidneys of young wild boars from Moslavina and Slavonia were analysed for cadmium content. Organ samples were taken from wild boars (up to 1 year old) in the 2007/2008 hunting season from the hunting grounds: Črnovščak (n = 8) and Spačva (n = 9). The highest value of cadmium measured in muscles was 0.0029 μg/g (Spačva), in the liver 0.0874 μg/g (Črnovščak) and kidneys 0.8509 μg/g (Črnovščak), which is the highest concentration of Cd from all studied tissues. All measured concentrations were lower than the reference values according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. Cd concentrations in muscle tissue were much lower than the concentrations in the liver and kidney. Cadmium median values in the muscle tissue of wild boars from Moslavina (0.00065 μg/g) were lower than the values in wild boars from Slavonia (0.0008 μg/g), but not signifi cantly, while the median concentrations of Cd in liver and kidney tissue were higher in wild boars from Moslavina (0.0483 μg/g and 0.5259 μg/g), in comparison with those in Spačva (0.0283 and 0.4770 μg/g). Additionally, statistically signifi cant differences were only defi ned for liver tissue. The results of this research indicate that: 1. even young wild boars (aged up to 1 year old) can be bioindicators of environmental pollution with Cd; 2. The researched area Črnovščak is under stronger anthropogenic infl uence than the Spačva hunting ground; 3. the amount of Cd in the tissues is lower than the permitted concentration.
The Evolving Military Learner Population: A Review of the Literature

This literature review examines the evolving online military learner population with emphasis on current generation military learners, who are most frequently Post-9/11 veterans. The review synthesizes recent scholarly and grey literature on military learner demographics and attributes, college experiences, and academic outcomes against a backdrop of conceptual frameworks addressing adult transition theory, learner persistence, and institutional responsiveness. Military learner demographics and academic risk profiles are most similar to nontraditional, first generation learners, although military learners face additional challenges associated with service-connected injuries and disabilities. Like other nontraditional learners juggling work, family, and academic responsibilities, military learners have become increasingly reliant on online learning. Intersecting community memberships, role identities, and commitments often complicate the transition to college and perceived sense of fit, a finding more pronounced in studies involving military learners attending campuses predominately serving traditional students. The significant lack of research examining online military learners limited further comparative analysis. Overall, current research suggests military learners adapt and persist in college by drawing upon deeply engrained military traits and tendencies, including self-discipline, mission-first focus, and reliance on fellow military learners. A few studies have suggested that institutional support systems for military learners, such as offering customized services and courses online, contributed to learner satisfaction and persistence. A growing number of institutions have adopted military-friendly approaches to program and service delivery since the enactment of the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2008. Yet impact findings were mostly anecdotal. Confirming these findings requires additional quantitative empirical research with larger and more precisely defined population samples. As technology continues to blur previously sharp distinctions between face-to-face and online learning, the next wave of military learner research must focus on military learner retention models encompassing multiple learning modes and delivery methods, institutional student supports needed to enhance success, understanding military learner paths through multiple institutions, and population samples that provide generalizable information about military learners.
Midterm Results of 58 Fractures of the Coronoid Process of the Ulna and their Concomitant Injuries

Background: In general, fractures of the coronoid process are rare and usually occur in combination with additional elbow joint injuries. The treatment of these injuries aims to regain a stable as well as a flexible and loadable joint. Although there is currently little evidence, therapy recommendations remain controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prognostically determine relevant factors for therapy recommendation by analysing a representative patient population of two trans-regional trauma centres. Material and Methods: Seventy-seven patients with a fracture of the coronoid process were treated within an 8-year period (2001 to 2009). After an average of 48 months (SD 31), treatment outcome of 58 patients (75%) was acquired. The results were statistically analysed. Results: The average age of the patient was 51.8 years (SD 13.6); 36 were male and 34 had a fracture on the right arm. Applying the fracture types of the coronoid process in accordance with Regan/Morrey, the result was: Type I (19), II (17) and III (22). Further injuries were also detected: 40 radial head fractures, 17 proximal ulnar fractures and 2 fractures of the olecranon. A luxation was detected in 44 of the 58 patients (76%). The patients’ average MEPS (Mayo Elbow Performance Score) was 80.6 points (SD 18), with significant differences between the various therapy strategies. Fifteen% of the coronoid process fractures were reconstructable to a limited extent only by means of osteosynthesis. In 33% of the patients, instabilities remained. The average extension/flexion came to 107° (SD 28), and pronation and supination 153° (SD 38). Conclusion: At present, a surgical therapy of ligamentary injuries cannot be statistically justified. A stable osseous reconstruction appears to make more sense. The strongest negative prognostic parameters in our patient population were: therapy with an external fixator, immobilisation for more than 21 days, the occurrence of complications and unstable osteosyntheses on the coronoid process.
IS THE ANTISOCIAL CHILD FATHER OF THE ABUSIVE MAN? A 40-YEAR PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL ANTECEDENTS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE*

This prospective longitudinal study examined whether early childhood risk factors contributed to explaining and predicting intimate partner violence (IPV) in midadulthood. Participants included 202 men from the Cambridge longitudinal study who were in an intimate relationship in their mid-40s. Neuropsychological deficits and the presence of a criminogenic family environment were measured between ages 8 and 10. Antisocial behavior was measured between ages 8 and 18. IPV was measured at age 48 using a self-report instrument completed by the participants' female partners. Perpetration and victimization rates were relatively high; violence was mostly mutual, and men were more likely to be victims than perpetrators. Findings indicate that a criminogenic environment increases the risk of IPV by fostering the development of antisocial behavior and neuropsychological deficits. A link also exists between a high level of antisocial behavior during adolescence and the risk of IPV later in life. The results suggest the presence of both continuity and discontinuity of antisocial behavior as childhood risk factors that increase the likelihood of future involvement in IPV, but the role of these risk factors is modest.
Motivación, trato de igualdad, comportamientos de disciplina y estilos de vida saludables en estudiantes de Educación Física en secundaria

espanolEn la presente tesis doctoral se realiza un estudio que pretende analizar las relaciones existentes entre la motivacion, la percepcion de igualdad de trato, los comportamientos de disciplina y los estilos de vida saludables de estudiantes de E.F. de Secundaria, con el fin de comprender los mecanismos motivacionales y los procesos de ensenanza-aprendizaje que suceden en el aula. EnglishThe doctoral thesis hereby presented conducts a study which analyzes the relationship between motivation, perception of equality, discipline behavioral patterns and healthy life style among Physical Education students in Secondary Education, in order to understand the motivational mechanisms and the teaching-learning processes that take place within the classroom.
Semi‐automated kinetic perimetry provides additional information to static automated perimetry in the assessment of the remaining visual field in end‐stage glaucoma

To test the hypothesis whether semi‐automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) provides additional information to static automated perimetry (SAP) in the assessment of the remaining visual field in end‐stage glaucoma, as defined by disc appearance (cup‐to‐disc ratio worse than 0.9) and SAP criteria (MD worse than 20 dB).
When Choice Does Not Equal Freedom

The psychological literature indicates that people prefer to choose for themselves, but this finding largely represents a middle-class American perspective. The three studies reported here test the hypothesis that, given the material and social demands of working-class contexts, a concern for others can be normative and take precedence over individual choice. Study 1 found that, compared to middle-class participants, working-class participants, who reported fewer choices at work, more often accepted a gift from an experimenter than asked to choose for themselves. In Study 2, working-class participants' descriptions of choice included fewer associations with freedom and more associations with negative affect and difficulty than middle-class participants. Finally, Study 3 found that, reflecting greater negative affect toward choice, working-class observers preferred a shirt that a confederate accepted from someone else, rather than chose for herself. Together, these studies reveal that focusing on and attending to others is often normative in working-class contexts.
Multicultural apprenticeships in teacher education

The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical structure of what we call multicultural apprenticeships in teacher education. This structure is drawn from decades of scholarship and research in teacher education, in general, and in preparing teachers for diversity, in particular. It is further situated within our own work in an Early Childhood Education Masters in Education program and our commitments to preparing teachers to support diverse populations of children. Three different multicultural apprenticeships are used to provide concrete examples of the characteristics of this approach to preparing teachers for diverse classrooms.
Development of a Novel Instrument for Occupational Therapy of Assessment of the Physical Environment in the Home—A Methodologic Study on “The Enabler”

Occupational therapy assessment of the physical environment in the home in relation to the functional capacity of an individual is essential prior to environmental adaptations to reduce handicap. Standardized methods for research and clinical use are in great demand. To introduce and develop a new instrument for occupational therapy assessment, the novel ideogram “The Enabler” was translated into Swedish and revised. It was first tested in practice by occupational therapists in primary health care. After further revisions of “The Enabler” and pre-teaching of raters, each of 30 individuals in their home environments was assessed by two independent raters. Reliability was evaluated using the kappa statistic. After only a few lessons in advance, the raters were able to administer the assessment in practice in a reliable way, agreement between raters was very good to good, k̄ = 0.68–0.87. The Swedish revised version of “The Enabler” is a useful tool for occupational therapy home evaluation and research.
Cortical activation response to acoustic echo planar scanner noise.

PURPOSE Our goal was to determine the distribution of auditory and language cortex activation in response to acoustic echo planar scanner noise with functional MRI (fMRI). METHOD Acoustic scanner noise and spoken text, reproduced on high output cassette tape, were separately delivered at equivalent intensities to six normal hearing adult volunteers through earphones during fMRI data acquisition. In nine other subjects, taped scanner noise was delivered in five successive iterations of the task to assess the consistency of cortical activation to the noise stimulus. Gyri of the auditory and language system were divided into 10 different subregions for analysis of cortical activation. The number of activated pixels and proportion of volunteers activating each cortical subregion were determined using a cross-correlation analysis. RESULTS Cortical activation to taped acoustic scanner noise was present within the transverse temporal gyrus (primary auditory cortex) in all subjects, but activation was highly variable between subjects in auditory association and language relevant cortex. Auditory association cortex activation was seen in the planum polari, planum temporali, and middle temporal gyrus/superior temporal sulcus regions in one-half to two-thirds of the volunteers. There was no significant difference in the distribution of cortical activation within individual subjects across five successive iterations of the scanner noise task. Listening to spoken text consistently activated primary and association auditory cortex bilaterally as well as language relevant cortex in some cases. The mean number of activated pixels was significantly greater for text listening than acoustic scanner noise in auditory association and language relevant cortical subregions (p < 0.01), although the distribution of activity was similar between the two tasks. CONCLUSION This preliminary investigation suggests that the complex sounds produced by the echo planar pulse sequence can activate relatively large regions of auditory and language cortex bilaterally, with the extent of activation outside the primary auditory cortex being variable between subjects. However, the distribution of activation within individual subjects was relatively constant across several iterations of the scanner noise stimulus.
Cross-talk between prion protein and quadruplex-forming nucleic acids: a dynamic complex formation

Prion protein (PrP) is involved in lethal neurodegenerative diseases, and many issues remain unclear about its physio-pathological role. Quadruplex-forming nucleic acids (NAs) have been found to specifically bind to both PrP cellular and pathological isoforms. To clarify the relevance of these interactions, thermodynamic, kinetic and structural studies have been performed, using isothermal titration calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance and circular dichroism methodologies. Three quadruplex-forming sequences, d(TGGGGT), r(GGAGGAGGAGGA), d(GGAGGAGGAGGA), and various forms of PrP were selected for this study. Our results showed that these quadruplexes exhibit a high affinity and specificity toward PrP, with KD values within the range 62÷630 nM, and a weaker affinity toward a PrP-β oligomer, which mimics the pathological isoform. We demonstrated that the NA quadruplex architecture is the structural determinant for the recognition by both PrP isoforms. Furthermore, we spotted both PrP N-terminal and C-terminal domains as the binding regions involved in the interaction with DNA/RNAs, using several PrP truncated forms. Interestingly, a reciprocally induced structure loss was observed upon PrP–NA interaction. Our results allowed to surmise a quadruplex unwinding-activity of PrP, that may have a feedback in vivo.
Effects of local anaesthetics on the relationship between charge movements and contractile thresholds in frog skeletal muscle.

1. Charge movements to 10 mV steps at different potentials were studied in voltage‐clamped frog skeletal muscle fibres in isotonic solutions that minimized ionic currents, under different pharmacological conditions. The earliest onset of detectable mechanical movement (‘threshold’) was assessed visually under magnification. 2. Charge movements in isotonic solutions were similar to those reported in hypertonic solutions, under identical pulse procedures. 3. In the absence of local anaesthetics, threshold occurred at a mean membrane potential of ‐55 mV, after the movement of 4.0 nC/muF of non‐linear charge and when the membrane capacitance approximated values that corresponded to the onset of the ‘Qgamma’ charge movement component. 4. Lidocaine shifted the threshold in the hyperpolarizing direction to ‐62 mV, and reduced the amount of non‐linear charge needed to reach threshold to 1.4 nC/muF. 5. The presence of tetracaine shifted threshold in the depolarizing direction to ‐39 mV, and more than doubled the amount of non‐linear charge that had to move to reach threshold to 10.8 nC/muF. Much of this increase was attributed to the Qgamma component of charge movement. 6. It is concluded that more non‐linear charge is required to initiate mechanical movement when calcium release by sarcoplasmic reticulum is inhibited by tetracaine, whereas less charge is so required when calcium re‐uptake is being inhibited by lidocaine. Assuming earlier interpretations of the strength duration curve, this is consistent with charge movement preceding, rather than being a consequence of calcium release.
The Aspergillus fumigatus Protein GliK Protects against Oxidative Stress and Is Essential for Gliotoxin Biosynthesis

ABSTRACT The function of a number of genes in the gliotoxin biosynthetic cluster (gli) in Aspergillus fumigatus remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that gliK deletion from two strains of A. fumigatus completely abolished gliotoxin biosynthesis. Furthermore, exogenous H2O2 (1 mM), but not gliotoxin, significantly induced A. fumigatus gliK expression (P = 0.0101). While both mutants exhibited significant sensitivity to both exogenous gliotoxin (P < 0.001) and H2O2 (P < 0.01), unexpectedly, exogenous gliotoxin relieved H2O2-induced growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner (0 to 10 μg/ml). Gliotoxin-containing organic extracts derived from A. fumigatus ATCC 26933 significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) the growth of the ΔgliK26933 deletion mutant. The A. fumigatus ΔgliK26933 mutant secreted metabolites, devoid of disulfide linkages or free thiols, that were detectable by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with m/z 394 to 396. These metabolites (m/z 394 to 396) were present at significantly higher levels in the culture supernatants of the A. fumigatus ΔgliK26933 mutant than in those of the wild type (P = 0.0024 [fold difference, 24] and P = 0.0003 [fold difference, 9.6], respectively) and were absent from A. fumigatus ΔgliG. Significantly elevated levels of ergothioneine were present in aqueous mycelial extracts of the A. fumigatus ΔgliK26933 mutant compared to the wild type (P < 0.001). Determination of the gliotoxin uptake rate revealed a significant difference (P = 0.0045) between that of A. fumigatus ATCC 46645 (9.3 pg/mg mycelium/min) and the ΔgliK46645 mutant (31.4 pg/mg mycelium/min), strongly suggesting that gliK absence and the presence of elevated ergothioneine levels impede exogenously added gliotoxin efflux. Our results confirm a role for gliK in gliotoxin biosynthesis and reveal new insights into gliotoxin functionality in A. fumigatus.
Standardization of the Gordon Primary Measures of Music Audiation in Greece

The purpose of this study was to standardize the Primary Measures of Music Audiation in Greece ( N = 1,188). Split-halves reliability was acceptable across grade levels (K through 3) for the Tonal and Rhythm subtests, but test—retest reliability was generally unacceptable, especially for the Rhythm subtest. Concurrent validity was mixed, with teacher ratings of musical achievement generally significantly correlated with Tonal but not Rhythm subtest scores. Composite test means were significantly higher for suburban and urban samples than for rural samples and were significantly higher for higher grade levels. Item difficulty coefficients were significantly correlated across grade levels. The Greek and U.S. composite means were similar except for a significantly higher U.S. mean for grade 1. However, when the rural subgroup was removed from the Greek sample to equate with the U.S. norming sample, there were nonsignificant differences for grades K through 1, but significant differences in favor of the Greek sample for grades 3 and 4.
Pitch Perception in Tone Language-Speaking Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders

Enhanced low-level pitch perception has been universally reported in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study examined whether tone language speakers with ASD exhibit this advantage. The pitch perception skill of 20 Cantonese-speaking adults with ASD was compared with that of 20 neurotypical individuals. Participants discriminated pairs of real syllable, pseudo-syllable (syllables that do not conform the phonotactic rules or are accidental gaps), and non-speech (syllables with attenuated high-frequency segmental content) stimuli contrasting pitch levels. The results revealed significantly higher discrimination ability in both groups for the non-speech stimuli than for the pseudo-syllables with one semitone difference. No significant group differences were noted. Different from previous findings, post hoc analysis found that enhanced pitch perception was observed in a subgroup of participants with ASD showing no history of delayed speech onset. The tone language experience may have modulated the pitch processing mechanism in the speakers in both ASD and non-ASD groups.
The Cytoplasmic Tail of the Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter Contains a Synaptic Vesicle Targeting Signal*

The human homologue of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (hVAChT) and the neuronal isoform of the vesicular monoamine transporter (hVMAT2) are differentially targeted to two populations of regulated secretory organelles when expressed in PC12 cells. Western blot analysis of subcellular fractions from sucrose equilibrium density gradients and glycerol velocity gradients of homogenates from stably transfected cells revealed hVAChT immunoreactivity in fractions that contain synaptophysin, a marker of synaptic vesicles, while hVMAT2 immunoreactivity was confined to heavy fractions containing chromogranin B, a marker of large dense core vesicles. In cells treated with nerve growth factor, hVAChT immunoreactivity alone co-localized with synaptophysin and was abundantly expressed on synaptic vesicle clusters. Chimeras between hVMAT2 and hVAChT were utilized to identify the domain of hVAChT required for its expression on synaptic vesicles and which would shift the expression of hVMAT2 from large dense core vesicles to synaptic vesicles. Biochemical, immunocytochemical, and electron microscopic analyses revealed that a chimera in which the cytoplasmic tail of hVMAT2 was replaced with hVAChT sequences was now preferentially targeted to synaptic vesicles. In addition, hVAChT expression on synaptic vesicles was nearly abolished when the hVMAT2 cytoplasmic tail was present. Thus, structural information resides within the terminal cytoplasmic domain of VAChT, which specifically targets it to synaptic vesicles.