Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of early experience on the development of filial preferences in the domestic chick.

Factors affecting the development of filial preferences in chicks were investigated. Four groups of chicks were hatched and maintained in darkness. When the chicks were 20-hr old, three of these groups were exposed to an overhead light ("primed") for . 5 h. When 24-hr old, all groups were placed in running wheels for 2 hr. While in the wheels one group was exposed to a visually complex pattern, one group to diffuse overhead light, and the remaining two groups (one primed and one not primed) were in darkness. All chicks were then returned to a dark incubator until their preference for a red box or a stuffed jungle fowl was measured in a simultaneous choice test either 2 hr (Test I) or 24 hr (Test II) later. At Test I the chicks which had been exposed to the complex visual pattern showed a significant preference for the fowl. Chicks in the other groups showed no preference. At Test II all groups showed a significant preference for the fowl. The results of a second experiment suggested that the later emerging preference was related to the chicks experience in the running wheel. It was concluded that the preference for the fowl will develop in entirely dark-reared chicks that are allowed a period of time in a running wheel, but that this preference will appear earlier in chicks which have had experience of a complex visual pattern.
Evaluation of Increased Norepinephrine Excretion in Hypertension Using L‐Dopa‐3H

Four hypertensive patients with features of sympathoadrenal hyperactivity similar to those of patients with pheochromocytoma had rates of excretion of norepinephrine plus epinephrine (μg/day) of 135 ± 13 (mean ± SE) compared with 441 ± 59 in five patients with pheochromocytoma and 53 ± 7 in six patients with primary hypertension. The specific activities of urinary norepinephrine and the half-life of the rate of their decline were determined for each patient for 24 hours after intraneuronal labeling of norepinephrine using L-dopa-3H. The initial specific activities of norepinephrine (dpm/mμmole) and the half-life of the rate of their decline (hours) for the three groups were 2,920 ± 670 and 3.8; 291 ± 89 and 4.2; and 6.782 ± 1,003 and 6.0, respectively. However, the observed differences in the half-life values were not significant. The findings indicated that the rate of release and excretion of newly synthesized norepinephrine was increased in patients with hypertension and sympathoadrenal hyperactivity. Less than 1% of the infused L-dopa-3H was converted to norepinephrine in the chromaffin tumors of patients with pheochromocytoma, resulting in low specific activities of urinary norepinephrine; this may be of diagnostic value in hypertensive patients who have equivocally increased rates of norepinephrine excretion. The autonomic hyperactivity, hypertension, and excessive norepinephrine excretion in the four patients without pheochromocytoma may have been related to unidentified forms of stress.
Sildenafil in the Treatment of Raynaud’s Phenomenon Resistant to Vasodilatory Therapy

Background— Vasodilatory therapy of Raynaud’s phenomenon represents a difficult clinical problem because treatment often remains inefficient and may be not tolerated because of side effects. Methods and Results— To investigate the effects of sildenafil on symptoms and capillary perfusion in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon, we performed a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, crossover study in 16 patients with symptomatic secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon resistant to vasodilatory therapy. Patients were treated with 50 mg sildenafil or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks. Symptoms were assessed by diary cards including a 10-point Raynaud’s Condition Score. Capillary flow velocity was measured in digital nailfold capillaries by means of a laser Doppler anemometer. While taking sildenafil, the mean frequency of Raynaud attacks was significantly lower (35±14 versus 52±18, P=0.0064), the cumulative attack duration was significantly shorter (581±133 versus 1046±245 minutes, P=0.0038), and the mean Raynaud’s Condition Score was significantly lower (2.2±0.4 versus 3.0±0.5, P=0.0386). Capillary blood flow velocity increased in each individual patient, and the mean capillary flow velocity of all patients more than quadrupled after treatment with sildenafil (0.53±0.09 versus 0.13±0.02 mm/s, P=0.0004). Two patients reported side effects leading to discontinuation of the study drug. Conclusions— Sildenafil is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Spatial Population Structure of a Specialist Leaf-mining Moth

1. The spatial structure of natural populations may profoundly influence their ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Depending on the frequency of movements among local populations and on the consequent balance between local and regional population processes, earlier work has attempted to classify metapopulations into clearcut categories, ranging from patchy populations (characterized by frequent migration) to sets of remnant populations (characterized by no or little migration). 2. In this paper, we describe the spatial population structure of the leaf-mining moth Tischeria ekebladella, a specialist herbivore of the pedunculate oak, Quercus robur. We relate the dispersal of the species to the distribution of oaks on Wattkast; a small (5 km²) island in southwestern Finland. Based on patterns and processes observed in the system, we build a spatially realistic metapopulation model. This model is then validated using empirical data on tree-specific occurrences and colonization events. 3. T. ekebladella disperses between host trees by two means: larvae drift through the landscape inside absiced leaves, and adult moths disperse actively by flying. Passive larval dispersal was found to occur at a much smaller spatial scale than active dispersal by moths. 4. Restricted dispersal of larvae and moths has a strong structuring effect on the moth population of Wattkast. Empirical patterns of occurrence and colonization matched model predictions. 5. While the species was always present on large trees, a considerable proportion of the small oaks (29-43 %) was unoccupied in any given year. All of the extinction-recolonization dynamics were observed on small trees, while local populations on large trees seem highly persistent. The vast majority of moth individuals will also occur on large trees. 6. According to model predictions, the dominance of local versus regional processes on tree-specific moth dynamics varies across the landscape, with the proportion of moths of local origin ranging from less than 1 % to 95 %. Thus, no single " metapopulation type " will suffice to describe the system, and our study supports the notion that real populations are often a mix of earlier identified categories. 7. Spatial variation in the balance between local and regional processes may cause substantial variation in herbivore damage, in both horizontal and vertical multitrophic-level interactions, and in the potential for evolutionary adaptation of local moth populations to their host.
A cross sectional study on the prevalence and risk factors of fall among the elderly in an urban slum in Chennai

Background: Falls are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people. Falls lead to multiple medical and psychological problems in the elderly. Aim was to study the prevalence of falls among the elderly and to find the associated risk factors for falls among the elderly living in an urban slum in Chennai.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among elderly population over 60 years and above, in an urban slum area. About 150 elderly were selected using simple random sampling method, using the voters list as the sampling frame. A pretested questionnaire was administered to collect information about falls. In statistical analysis univariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed using SPSS version 22.Results: Of the 150 elderly persons studied, prevalence of falls rate is 35.3% (95% CI 28.13 to 43.26). Of them 64.1% had one episode of fall and 35.8% had recurrent falls. The prevalence of fall among persons with comorbidities like hypertension or diabetes was 39.3% and 36.1% respectively . The rate of fall among those using a walking stick was 58.3%, having tremors was 15% and having abnormal gait was 40%. The risk factors found to be significantly associated in univariate analysis were gender and presence of tremors (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis none of the factors showed statistical significance.Conclusions: Falls are very common among elderly. It is utmost important to prevent the falls by making necessary environmental modifications and following healthy lifestyle.
Fractal floc properties in estuarine surface waters: insights from video settling, LISST, and pump sampling

Two definitions of floc density are frequently used when characterizing floc properties: (1) excess density = Δρ, determined from floc diameter (df) and settling velocity, and (2) apparent density = ρa, determined from floc bulk volume and filtered samples of total suspended solids (TSS). If one assumes fractal flocs are aggregates composed of interstitial water combined with primary particles of diameter, dp, and density, ρp (which contain no water), and that a given fractal dimension and (F) and ρp yields a specific Δρ for a given df, a quantitative relationship between excess density (Δρ) and apparent density (ρa) can be used to estimate ρp and dp. Another key measure of sediment density is (3) the dry density of filtered solids = ρTSS, calculated from the TSS organic fraction, Forg. If a single population of fractal flocs dominates a suspension, it follows from fractal theory that ρp as estimated above should be nearly equal to ρTSS, and the consistency of ρp and ρTSS can be used as a check on the validity of the fractal assumption. This novel set of calculations was applied to observations of near-surface particle properties collected in the York River estuary in fall 2014, 2015 and 2016 using a profiling system equipped with a Laser In-Situ Scattering and Transmissometry (LISST) 100X, a high-definition Particle Imaging Camera System (PICS) incorporating a video settling tube, and a highspeed pump sampler. When fractal flocs were present (i.e. ρp ≈ ρTSS), suspensions with lower Forg were composed of smaller, denser primary particles. In contrast, suspensions with higher Forg (i.e., lower ρTSS) were composed of larger, less dense primary particles. Floc fractal dimension (F) did not show a very strong of a relationship with Forg, suggesting it may not be as important to constrain as dp and ρp when assuming a fractal model. Alternatively, when ρp was not consistent with ρTSS, it was concluded that simple fractal behavior could not describe the floc populations present.
Physiological roles of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in Limulus ventral photoreceptors

In previous work we have presented evidence for electrogenic Na+/Ca2+ exchange in Limulus ventral photoreceptors (1989. J. Gen. Physiol. 93:473-492). This article assesses the contributions to photoreceptor physiology from Na+/Ca2+ exchange. Four separate physiological processes were considered: maintenance of resting sensitivity, light- induced excitation, light adaptation, and dark adaptation. (a) Resting sensitivity: reduction of [Na+]o caused a [Ca2+]o-dependent reduction in light sensitivity and a speeding of the time courses of the responses to individual test flashes; this effect was dependent on the final value to which [Na+]o was reduced. The desensitization caused by Na+ reduction was dependent on the initial sensitivity of the photoreceptor; in fully dark-adapted conditions no desensitization was observed; in light-adapted conditions, extensive desensitization was observed. (b) Excitation: Na+ reduction in fully dark-adapted conditions caused a Ca2+o-dependent depolarizing phase in the receptor potential that persisted beyond the stimulus duration and was evoked by a bright adapting flash. (c) Light adaptation: the degree of desensitization induced by a bright adapting flash was Na+o dependent, being larger with lower [Na+]o. Na+ reduction enhanced light adaptation only at intensities brighter than 4 x 10(-6) W/cm2. In addition to being Na+o dependent, light adaptation was Ca2+o dependent, being greater at higher [Ca2+]o. (d) Dark adaptation: the recovery of light sensitivity after adapting illumination was Na+o dependent. Dark adaptation after bright illumination in voltage-clamped and in unclamped conditions was faster in normal-Na+ saline than in reduced Na+ saline. The final sensitivity to which photoreceptors recovered was lower in reduced-Na+ saline when bright adapting illumination was used. The results suggest the involvement of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in each of these physiological processes. Na+/Ca2+ exchange may contribute to these processes by counteracting normal elevations in [Ca2+]i.
Improved Brain Tumor Classification by Sodium MR Imaging: Prediction of IDH Mutation Status and Tumor Progression

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging in neuro-oncology is challenging due to inherent ambiguities in proton signal behavior. Sodium-MR imaging may substantially contribute to the characterization of tumors because it reflects the functional status of the sodium-potassium pump and sodium channels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sodium-MR imaging data of patients with treatment-naïve glioma WHO grades I–IV (n = 34; mean age, 51.29 ± 17.77 years) were acquired by using a 7T MR system. For acquisition of sodium-MR images, we applied density-adapted 3D radial projection reconstruction pulse sequences. Proton-MR imaging data were acquired by using a 3T whole-body system. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the initial sodium signal of a treatment-naïve brain tumor is a significant predictor of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status (P < .001). Moreover, independent of this correlation, the Cox proportional hazards model confirmed the sodium signal of treatment-naïve brain tumors as a predictor of progression (P = .003). Compared with the molecular signature of IDH mutation status, information criteria of model comparison revealed that the sodium signal is even superior to IDH in progression prediction. In addition, sodium-MR imaging provides a new approach to noninvasive tumor classification. The sodium signal of contrast-enhancing tumor portions facilitates differentiation among most glioma types (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The information of sodium-MR imaging may help to classify neoplasias at an early stage, to reduce invasive tissue characterization such as stereotactic biopsy specimens, and overall to promote improved and individualized patient management in neuro-oncology by novel imaging signatures of brain tumors.
Genome Patterns of Selection and Introgression of Haplotypes in Natural Populations of the House Mouse (Mus musculus)

General parameters of selection, such as the frequency and strength of positive selection in natural populations or the role of introgression, are still insufficiently understood. The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a particularly well-suited model system to approach such questions, since it has a defined history of splits into subspecies and populations and since extensive genome information is available. We have used high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing arrays to assess genomic patterns of positive selection and introgression of alleles in two natural populations of each of the subspecies M. m. domesticus and M. m. musculus. Applying different statistical procedures, we find a large number of regions subject to apparent selective sweeps, indicating frequent positive selection on rare alleles or novel mutations. Genes in the regions include well-studied imprinted loci (e.g. Plagl1/Zac1), homologues of human genes involved in adaptations (e.g. alpha-amylase genes) or in genetic diseases (e.g. Huntingtin and Parkin). Haplotype matching between the two subspecies reveals a large number of haplotypes that show patterns of introgression from specific populations of the respective other subspecies, with at least 10% of the genome being affected by partial or full introgression. Using neutral simulations for comparison, we find that the size and the fraction of introgressed haplotypes are not compatible with a pure migration or incomplete lineage sorting model. Hence, it appears that introgressed haplotypes can rise in frequency due to positive selection and thus can contribute to the adaptive genomic landscape of natural populations. Our data support the notion that natural genomes are subject to complex adaptive processes, including the introgression of haplotypes from other differentiated populations or species at a larger scale than previously assumed for animals. This implies that some of the admixture found in inbred strains of mice may also have a natural origin.
Weakening of the Tropical Atmospheric Circulation Response to Local Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies under Global Warming

AbstractIn the tropics, the atmospheric circulation response to sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies is a crucial part of the tropical air–sea interaction—the primary process of tropical climate. How it will change under global warming is of great importance to tropical climate change. Here, it is shown that the atmospheric vertical circulation response to local SST anomalies will likely be weakened under global warming using 28 selected models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. The weakening of the circulation response to SST anomalies is closely tied to the increased atmospheric stability under global warming, which increases at the same rate as the circulation response decreases—around 8% for 1 K of tropical-mean SST warming. The spatial pattern of background warming can modify—especially in the equatorial central-eastern Pacific—the spatial distribution of the changes in the circulation response. The atmospheric response to SST anomalies may increase where the local backgrou.
Prospective Evaluation of Global Earthquake Forecast Models: 2 Yrs of Observations Provide Preliminary Support for Merging Smoothed Seismicity with Geodetic Strain Rates

11 The Global Earthquake Activity Rate (GEAR1) seismicity model uses an optimized combination 12 of geodetic strain rates, hypotheses about converting strain rates to seismicity rates from plate 13 tectonics, and earthquake-catalog data to estimate global m w ≥ 5 . 767 shallow ( ≤ 70 km) seismicity 14 rates. It comprises two parent models: a strain rate-based model, and a smoothed-seismicity 15 based model. The GEAR1 model was retrospectively evaluated and calibrated using earthquake 16 data from 2005–2012, resulting in a preferred log-linear, multiplicative combination of the parent 17 forecasts. Since October 1, 2015, the GEAR1 model has undergone prospective evaluation within 18 the Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability (CSEP) testing center. 19 We present initial prospective forecast test results for the GEAR1 model, its tectonic and 20 seismicity components, and for the ﬁrst iteration of the strain rate-based model, during the period 21 October 1, 2015 to September 7, 2017. Observed earthquakes are consistent with the GEAR1 22 forecast, supporting a near-even contribution from geodetic strain rates and smoothed seismicity in 23 constraining long-term global shallow earthquake rates. Comparative test results likewise support 24
Dynamics and Predictability of the Rapid Intensification of Super Typhoon Usagi (2013)

This study explores the dynamics and predictability of the rapid intensification (RI) of Super Typhoon Usagi (2013) through a 60‐member convection‐permitting ensemble using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation method. The surface maximum wind speed of Usagi, which was an intense category 4 western North Pacific tropical cyclone (TC), increased by 33 m s−1 over a 24‐hr period. The RI process was captured by the WRF simulation initialized with the global analysis but with a unique forecast challenge of early prediction. We improved the intensity forecasts by assimilating satellite‐derived atmospheric motion vectors into the WRF‐EnKF, which primarily reduced the strength of both the primary and secondary circulations in the TC vortex. Nevertheless, our ensemble forecasts initialized with the EnKF analysis ensemble predicted a significant spread in the intensity with considerable differences in the RI onset timing among individual members. Our analyses show that variation in the RI timing is most sensitive to differences in the initial TC vortex intensity and inner‐core moisture. Ensemble members with similar initial intensities but greater tropospheric moisture content exhibited earlier vortex axisymmetrization and consequently earlier RI. Further sensitivity experiments showed that variations in the inner‐core moisture content have an immediate impact on the structure and strength of inner‐core convection. These variations in inner‐core convection gradually caused differences in intensity between the TC vortices. In this study, we highlight the importance of accurate estimates of the inner‐core moisture content in the modeling and forecasting of TC intensity.
Ultrathin Si Thin-Film Transistor on Glass

We have studied the fabrication of ultrathin single-crystalline-silicon thin-film transistors (TFTs) on glass. The single-crystalline Si layer was transferred to glass by hydrogen implantation and anodic bonding. The thickness of the silicon-on-glass (SiOG) was controlled down to 10 nm by dry etching. The p-channel SiOG TFTs with 10-nm-thick Si exhibited the field-effect mobility of 134.9 cm2/Vmiddots, threshold voltage of -1.5 V, and gate voltage swing of 0.13 V/dec. The TFTs were found to be stable against gate bias stress of +30 or -30 V.
Lower serotonin level and higher rate of fibromyalgia syndrome with advancing pregnancy

Abstract Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between changes in serotonin levels during pregnancy and fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) and the relationships between FS and the physical/psychological state, biochemical and hormonal parameters, which may be related to the musculoskeletal system. Study design: This study is a prospective case-control study conducted with 277 pregnant women at the obstetric unit of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, in the period between January and June 2015. FS was determined based on the presence or absence of the 2010 ACR diagnostic criteria and all the volunteers were asked to answer the questionnaires as Fibromyalgia Impact Criteria (FIQ), Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale (SS), Beck Depression Inventory and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Biochemical and hormonal markers (glucose, TSH, T4, Ca (calcium), P (phosphate), PTH (parathyroid hormone) and serotonin levels) relating to muscle and bone metabolism were measured. Results: In the presence of fibromyalgia, the physical and psychological parameters are negatively affected (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the fibromyalgia and control groups in terms of glucose, Ca (calcium), P (phosphorus), PTH (parathyroid hormone), TSH (thyroid stimulant hormone), fT4 (free T4) levels (p = 0.060, 0.799, 0.074, 0.104, 0.797, 0.929, respectively). A reduction in serotonin levels may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia but this was not statistically significant. The Beck Depression Inventory scale statistically showed that increasing scores also increase the risk of fibromyalgia (p <0.001). Conclusion: Our study has shown that serotonin levels in women with FS are lower than the control group and that serotonin levels reduce as pregnancy progresses. Anxiety and depression in pregnant women with FS are higher than the control group. The presence of depression increases the likelihood of developing FS at a statistically significant level. Serotonin impairment also increases the chance of developing FS, but this correlation has not been shown to be statistically significant.