Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of selection for ethanol preference on gene expression in the nucleus accumbens of HS‐CC mice

Previous studies on changes in murine brain gene expression associated with the selection for ethanol preference have used F2 intercross or heterogeneous stock (HS) founders, derived from standard laboratory strains. However, these populations represent only a small proportion of the genetic variance available in Mus musculus. To investigate a wider range of genetic diversity, we selected mice for ethanol preference using an HS derived from the eight strains of the collaborative cross. These HS mice were selectively bred (four generations) for high and low ethanol preference. The nucleus accumbens shell of naive S4 mice was interrogated using RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq). Gene networks were constructed using the weighted gene coexpression network analysis assessing both coexpression and cosplicing. Selection targeted one of the network coexpression modules (greenyellow) that was significantly enriched in genes associated with receptor signaling activity including Chrna7, Grin2a, Htr2a and Oprd1. Connectivity in the module as measured by changes in the hub nodes was significantly reduced in the low preference line. Of particular interest was the observation that selection had marked effects on a large number of cell adhesion molecules, including cadherins and protocadherins. In addition, the coexpression data showed that selection had marked effects on long non‐coding RNA hub nodes. Analysis of the cosplicing network data showed a significant effect of selection on a large cluster of Ras GTPase‐binding genes including Cdkl5, Cyfip1, Ndrg1, Sod1 and Stxbp5. These data in part support the earlier observation that preference is linked to Ras/Mapk pathways.
Alpha‐Synuclein as a Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized pathologically by the presence of α‐synuclein (α‐syn)‐rich Lewy bodies. As clinical diagnosis of PD is challenging, misdiagnosis is common, highlighting the need for disease‐specific and early stage biomarkers. Both early diagnosis of PD and adequate tracking of disease progression could significantly improve outcomes for patients, particularly in regard to existing and future disease modifying treatments. Given its critical roles in PD pathogenesis, α‐syn may be useful as a biomarker of PD. The aim of this review is, therefore, to summarize the efficacy of tissue and body fluid α‐syn measurements in the detection of PD as well as monitoring disease progression. In comparison to solid tissue specimens and biopsies, biofluid α‐syn levels may be the most promising candidates in PD diagnosis and progression based on specificity, sensitivity and availability. Although α‐syn has been tested most extensively in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the relatively invasive procedure for collecting CSF is not suitable in most clinical settings, leading to investigation of plasma, blood and saliva as alternatives. The exploration of combined biomarkers, along with α‐syn, to improve diagnostic accuracy is also likely required.
BlueBee: a 10,000x Faster Cross-Technology Communication via PHY Emulation

Cross-Technology Communication is a promising solution proposed recently to the coexistence problem of heterogeneous wireless technologies in the ISM bands. The existing works use only the coarse-grained packet-level information for cross-technology modulation, suffering from a low throughput (e.g., 10bps). Our approach, called BlueBee, proposes a new direction by emulating legitimate ZigBee frames using a Bluetooth radio. Uniquely, BlueBee achieves dual-standard compliance and transparency by selecting only the payload of Bluetooth frames, requiring neither hardware nor firmware changes at the Bluetooth senders and ZigBee receivers. Our implementation on both USRP and commodity devices shows that BlueBee can achieve a more than 99% accuracy and a throughput 10,000x faster than the state-of-the-art CTC reported so far.
Wang , Xiaoping ; And Others TITLE The Factor Structure of the Self-Directed Learning

A study involving teachers and administrators from 16 elementary, middle, and high schools in Tennessee investigated the factorial structure of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS). The SDLI-6 includes 58 Likert-like items designed to measure the readiness of adult learners to assume self-direction in the learning process. Study subjects were participants in TN LEAD, a statewide school leadership development program. A total cf 439 subject' completed and returned the SDLRS. Exploratory factor analyse. , of the SDLRS was conducted using principal components factor solutions with orthogonal rotation. Application of the Kaiser-Guttman rule provided 15 initial factors with eigenvalu's greater than 1. A scree test was conducted to extract the four most significant factors. Using orthogonal rotations, twoand four-factor models were examined. A reliability analysis of the total SDLRS was conducted using Cronbach's coefficient alpha; the reliability and corrected split-half reliability were 0.93 and 0.89, respectively. It is concluded that the SDLRS has an underlying structure of four dimensions measuring readiness for self-directed learning: (1) love of and enthusiasm for learning; (2) self-confidence in the ability to learn; (3) self-concept as an independent learner; and (4) tolerance of ambiguity, risk, and complexity in learning. Eight data tables are included. (TJH) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** EN* U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office 04 Educaloc,a1 Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIO. CENTER (ERIC) 34.r. document has been fePfualuced as received from the person of Orgarhrehon 11114 orfcpnahng Sknof changes ha,e been made to improve 1-4 reproduction quaitty Points of new or opmlons stated In this cloc Ct4Z men? do not necessatov ebresent official OERI position of potty 1=1 r"74 "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY )(IRoPhv6 14)/94,0, TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) The Factor Structure of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) Xiaoping Wang Russell West Ernest Bentley, Jr. Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis East Tennessee State University Paper Presented at the Nid-South Educational Research Conference Little Rock, Arkansas November 7-10, 1989 I3E.S1 CONY /kw tiii.ABLI
Large-Scale Biomonitoring of Remote and Threatened Ecosystems via High-Throughput Sequencing

Biodiversity metrics are critical for assessment and monitoring of ecosystems threatened by anthropogenic stressors. Existing sorting and identification methods are too expensive and labour-intensive to be scaled up to meet management needs. Alternately, a high-throughput DNA sequencing approach could be used to determine biodiversity metrics from bulk environmental samples collected as part of a large-scale biomonitoring program. Here we show that both morphological and DNA sequence-based analyses are suitable for recovery of individual taxonomic richness, estimation of proportional abundance, and calculation of biodiversity metrics using a set of 24 benthic samples collected in the Peace-Athabasca Delta region of Canada. The high-throughput sequencing approach was able to recover all metrics with a higher degree of taxonomic resolution than morphological analysis. The reduced cost and increased capacity of DNA sequence-based approaches will finally allow environmental monitoring programs to operate at the geographical and temporal scale required by industrial and regulatory end-users.
The Effect of the Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctatus), Island Quality and Habitat on the Distribution of Native and Endemic Birds on Small Islands within Fiji

This study investigated the effect of the presence of introduced mongoose, environmental quality and habitat on the distribution of native and endemic birds on 16 small islands within Fiji. In total, 9055 birds representing 45 species were observed within four key habitats (forest, villages, crop land and coastal vegetation) on the 16 islands, half of which had mongoose present. Previous studies attribute bird declines and extirpation anecdotally to the mongoose. The presence of mongoose, environmental quality and habitat type had a measurable influence on observed extant native and endemic bird communities. We conclude that three ground birds; Gallirallus phillipensis, Anas supericiliosa and Porphyrio porhyrio were negatively influenced by the presence of mongoose and that Ptilinopus perousii, Phigys solitarius, Chrysoenas victor, Ducula latrans, Clytorhyrchus vitiensis, Pachycephala pectoralis, Prospeia tabunesis, and Foulehaio carunculata were particularly dependent on good quality forest habitat. Conservation priorities in relation to protecting Fiji's endemic birds from the effect of mongoose are discussed and preventative measures suggested.
Motion Segmentation Via a Sparsity Constraint

Motion segmentation is an important task for intelligent transportation systems. In this paper, inspired by the fact that a feature point trajectory can be sparsely represented as a combination of several feature point trajectories that share coherent transformations, an efficient and effective motion segmentation method with a sparsity constraint is proposed. Specifically, we first propose an accumulated scheme to efficiently integrate motion information from all the frames of a video sequence to construct a correlation matrix. Then, a sparse affinity matrix is built on the correlation matrix by using information-theoretic principles, where the nonzero elements in the same row of the sparse affinity matrix correspond to the feature point trajectories more likely belonging to the same motion. Thereafter, a segment and merge procedure is proposed to effectively estimate the number of motions via the sparse affinity matrix. Finally, by applying spectral clustering on the sparse affinity matrix, different motions in the video sequence are accurately segmented based on the estimated number of motions. Experimental results on the Hopkins 155 and the 62-clip datasets demonstrate that the proposed method achieves superior performance compared with several state-of-the-art methods.
Graphene-reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites – a review

The research works of graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites will be summarised in this paper. Comparatively, much less research works have been undertaken in this field. Graphene has been thought to be an ideal reinforcement material for composites due to its unique two-dimensional structure and outstanding physical and mechanical properties. It is expected to yield structural materials with high specific strength or functional materials with exciting thermal and electrical characteristics. This paper will introduce all kinds of graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites that have been studied. The microstructure and mechanical properties, processing techniques, graphene dispersion, strengthening mechanisms, interfacial reactions between graphene and the metal matrix and future research works in this field will be discussed.
Supplementary Diagnostic Landmarks of Left Ventricular Non-Compaction on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose Diagnostic criteria for left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) are still a matter of dispute. The aim of our present study was to test the diagnostic value of two novel diagnostic cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters: proof of non-compact (NC) myocardium blood flow using T2 sequences and changes in geometry of the left ventricle. Materials and Methods The study included cases with LVNC and controls, from a data base formed in a period of 3.5 years (n=1890 exams), in which CMR protocol included T2 sequences. Measurement of perpendicular maximal and minimal end diastolic dimensions in the region with NC myocardium from short axis plane was recorded, and calculated as a ratio (MaxMinEDDR), while flow through trabecula was proven by intracavital T2-weighted hyperintensity (ICT2HI). LVNC diagnosis met the following three criteria: thickening of compact (C) layer, NC:C>2.3:1 and NC>20%LV. Results The study included 200 patients; 71 with LVNC (35.5%; i.e., 3.76% of CMRs) and 129 (64.5%) controls. MaxMinEDDR in patients with LVNC was significantly different from that in controls (1.17±0.08 vs. 1.06±0.04, respectively; p<0.001). MaxMinEDDR >1.10 had sensitivity of 91.6% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 82.5–96.8], specificity of 85.3% (95% CI 78.0–90.0), and area under curve (AUC) 0.919 (95% CI 0.872–0.953; p<0.001) for LVNC. Existence of ICT2HI had sensitivity of 100.0% (95% CI 94.9–100.0), specificity of 91.5% (95% CI 85.3–95.7), and AUC 0.957 (95% CI 0.919–0.981; p<0.001) for LVNC. Conclusion Two additional diagnostic parameters for LVNC were identified in this study. ICT2HI and geometric eccentricity of the ventricle both had relatively high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing LVNC.
Factors affecting the survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

PURPOSE Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant tumor in the brain and no therapy can achieve full recovery/cure. The aim of this study was to identify which factors could improve the survival of operated patients, and to determine which kind of therapy was most successful. METHODS The study was conducted at the Clinic for Neurosurgery in Nis, Clinical Centre Nis and the Oncology Institute, Clinical Center Nis. A cohort of patients who underwent surgery between January 2013 and December 2015 was studied and continuous monitoring of survival lasted until June 2017. RESULTS Patients who underwent only biopsy have 3.82- fold greater chance of death than patients with complete tumor resection (HR 3,825; p=0.001). Karnofsky performance status score significantly affected survival (preoperatively and postoperatively; p<0.001). Apart from radiotherapy, three types of chemotherapy were applied: carmustine (BCNU) - 32.80% of the patients, procarbazine/lomustine/ vincristine (PCV) - 38.80% and temozolomide - 28.40%. Kaplan-Meier overall survival showed that patients treated with temozolomide had the longest survival compared to patients treated with BCNU and/or PCV chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The best prognosis was seen in those patients who had complete tumor resection. Patients treated with temozolomide had the best survival compared with those treated with BCNU and PCV chemotherapy.
DNA barcoding reveals overlooked marine fishes

With more than 15 000 described marine species, fishes are a conspicuous, diverse and increasingly threatened component of marine life. It is generally accepted that most large‐bodied fishes have been described, but this conclusion presumes that current taxonomic systems are robust. DNA barcoding, the analysis of a standardized region of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (COI), was used to examine patterns of sequence divergence between populations of 35 fish species from opposite sides of the Indian Ocean, chosen to represent differing lifestyles from inshore to offshore. A substantial proportion of inshore species showed deep divergences between populations from South African and Australian waters (mean = 5.10%), a pattern which also emerged in a few inshore/offshore species (mean = 0.84%), but not within strictly offshore species (mean = 0.26%). Such deep divergences, detected within certain inshore and inshore/offshore taxa, are typical of divergences between congeneric species rather than between populations of a single species, suggesting that current taxonomic systems substantially underestimate species diversity. We estimate that about one third of the 1000 fish species thought to bridge South African and Australian waters actually represent two taxa.
Assessing the transtheoretical model of change constructs for physicians counseling smokers

Baseline data from a population-based sample of 259 primary care physicians were used to examine the interrelations of 3 central constructs of the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM; stages of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance) in regard to smoking cessation counseling behavior. In this article we explore the potential use of the TTM for future interventions to help understand and guide physicians ’ behavior change toward increasing adoption of smoking cessation interventions with their patients. It was hypothesized that self-efficacy and the decisional balance of counseling would be significantly related to physicians’ stages of change, which in turn would be related to self-reported physician counseling behavior. Principal components analyses were conducted to examine the self-efficacy and decisional balance constructs. Coefficient alphas were . 90 for self-efficacy and . 84 and. 78 for the pros and cons scales, respectively. Consistent with the TTM, analyses of variance revealed that later stages of physicians ’ readiness to provide smoking cessation counseling were associated with higher self-efficacy scores. Earlier stages showed significantly higher cons and lower pros of smoking cessation counseling. Structural equation modeling procedures supported the hypothesized path analysis model in which 3 constructs related to stage of readiness, which in turn related to reported physicians ’ counseling behavior.
Neotropical Bats: Estimating Species Diversity with DNA Barcodes

DNA barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) is frequently employed as an efficient method of species identification in animal life and may also be used to estimate species richness, particularly in understudied faunas. Despite numerous past demonstrations of the efficiency of this technique, few studies have attempted to employ DNA barcoding methodologies on a large geographic scale, particularly within tropical regions. In this study we survey current and potential species diversity using DNA barcodes with a collection of more than 9000 individuals from 163 species of Neotropical bats (order Chiroptera). This represents one of the largest surveys to employ this strategy on any animal group and is certainly the largest to date for land vertebrates. Our analysis documents the utility of this tool over great geographic distances and across extraordinarily diverse habitats. Among the 163 included species 98.8% possessed distinct sets of COI haplotypes making them easily recognizable at this locus. We detected only a single case of shared haplotypes. Intraspecific diversity in the region was high among currently recognized species (mean of 1.38%, range 0–11.79%) with respect to birds, though comparable to other bat assemblages. In 44 of 163 cases, well-supported, distinct intraspecific lineages were identified which may suggest the presence of cryptic species though mean and maximum intraspecific divergence were not good predictors of their presence. In all cases, intraspecific lineages require additional investigation using complementary molecular techniques and additional characters such as morphology and acoustic data. Our analysis provides strong support for the continued assembly of DNA barcoding libraries and ongoing taxonomic investigation of bats.
Acute and Long‐Term Power Responses to Power Training: Observations on the Training of an Elite Power Athlete

BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED TIME frame for force application in most sports, an often desired result of the strength training process is increased power (force × velocity) (20, 22). Power development (and furthermore, how power is affected by training variable manipulation) is of keen interest to coaches, athletes, and sport scientists. The purpose of this article is to discuss the acute and long-term responses to power training in an elite power athlete. Wilks (21) has stated that training programs need to be considered in the context of the multiyear, training year, macrocycle (long cycle), mesocycle (monthly cycle), microcycle (weekly cycle), and single training day/unit periods. The adaptations in power, and to a lesser degree strength, across these periods will be discussed, with special reference to the manipulation of training variables that may account for these changes. The subject for this report is an elite power athlete (a springboard diver I trained for 3 years) who has competed at 2 Olympic and various international competitions. Before commencing the program discussed below, this athlete had already had an extensive training background in plyometric and acrobatic training, which is performed as part of the dry-land training for divers, as well as general experience in weight training. During the multiyear training period, an extensive amount of data concerning maximal leg extensor power was collected with the plyometric power system, a modified Smith machine weighttraining device that measures the distance and speed of barbell displacement. Software uses these data to determine the average mechanical power output for the concentric portion of a repetition during barbell jump squats (or bench press throws) (5, 6). The collection of power output data from various training and testing sessions has allowed the accurate monitoring of both the acute and long-term power responses to the training process.
Effect of the Angle of the Femoral and Tibial Tunnels in the Coronal Plane and Incremental Excision of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament on Tension of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft: An in Vitro Study

Background: High tension in an anterior cruciate ligament graft adversely affects both the graft and the knee; however, it is unknown why high graft tension in flexion occurs in association with a posterior femoral tunnel. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of the angle of the femoral and tibial tunnels in the coronal plane and incremental excision of the posterior cruciate ligament on the tension of an anterior cruciate ligament graft during passive flexion.Methods: Eight cadaveric knees were tested. The angle of the tibial tunnel was varied to 60°, 70°, and 80° in the coronal plane with use of three interchangeable, low-friction bushings. The femoral tunnel, with a 1-mm-thick posterior wall, was drilled through the tibial tunnel bushing with use of the transtibial technique. After the graft had been tested in all three tibial bushings with one femoral tunnel, the femoral tunnel was filled with bone cement and the tunnel combinations were tested. Lastly, the graft was replaced in the 80° femoral and tibial tunnels, and the tests were repeated with excision of the lateral edge of the posterior cruciate ligament in 2-mm increments. Graft tension, the flexion angle, and anteroposterior laxity were recorded in a six-degrees-of-freedom load-application system that passively moved the knee from 0° to 120° of flexion.Results: The graft tension at 120° of flexion was affected by the angle of the femoral tunnel and by incremental excision of the posterior cruciate ligament. The highest graft tension at 120° of flexion was 169 ± 9 N, which was detected with the graft in the 80° femoral and 80° tibial tunnels. The lowest graft tension at 120° of flexion was 76 ± 8 N, which was detected with the graft in the 60° femoral and 60° tibial tunnels. The graft tension of 76 N at 120° of flexion with the graft in the 60° femoral and 60° tibial tunnels was closer to the tension in the intact anterior cruciate ligament. Excision of the lateral edge of the posterior cruciate ligament in 2 and 4-mm increments significantly lowered the graft tension at 120° of flexion without changing the anteroposterior position of the tibia.Conclusions: Placing the femoral tunnel at 60° in the coronal plane lowers graft tension in flexion. Our results suggest that high graft tension in flexion is caused by impingement of the graft against the posterior cruciate ligament, which results from placing the femoral tunnel medially at the apex of the notch in the coronal plane.Clinical Relevance: For the surgeon who prefers the transtibial technique, the present study shows that controlling the angle of the tibial tunnel controls the angle of the femoral tunnel and the graft tension in flexion.