Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat use and population structure of the invasive red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) in a protected area in northern Italy

The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is one of the most invasive alien species in Europe and included in the list of invasive species of Union concern. We describe for the first time some life-history traits of a red swamp crayfish population in the Nature Reserve of the Lago di Candia (Italy). We investigated (1) preferences of this species for specific environmental features on the banks of the lake, and (2) differences in size, sex ratio, and condition index between individuals caught in lake and marsh. Moreover, we compared sampling effort and the features of individuals caught in the lake, for two sampling seasons in 2014 and 2015. Findings indicated that the population was well established, and the marsh seemed to have better conditions for growth of individuals than the lake. Accordingly, continuity of riparian vegetation, opportunity to dig burrows, and trophic resource availability seems to facilitate the proliferation of the crayfish in the lake. Our study demonstrated that massive removal efforts over the whole active period of the species and more than one year of trapping are necessary to increase the controlling activities' success. This study could have important implications for further population management projects directed at biodiversity conservation in the area.
Feature selection, perceptron learning, and a usability case study for text categorization

In this paper, we describe an automated learning approach to text categorization based on perception learning and a new feature selection metric, called correlation coefficient. Our approach has been teated on the standard Reuters text categorization collection. Empirical results indicate that our approach outperforms the best published results on this % uters collection. In particular, our new feature selection method yields comiderable improvement. We also investigate the usability of our automated hxu-n-~ approach by actually developing a system that categorizes texts into a tree of categories. We compare tbe accuracy of our learning approach to a rrddmsed, expert system ap preach that uses a text categorization shell built by Cams gie Group. Although our automated learning approach still gives a lower accuracy, by appropriately inmrporating a set of manually chosen worda to use as f~ures, the combined, semi-automated approach yields accuracy close to the * baaed approach.
Long-term progression of visual field defects and related factors in medically treated normal tension glaucoma

Purpose To analyze factors related to long-term progression of visual field defects (VFD) in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) under medical therapy. Patients and methods Clinical data from 622 eyes of 311 primary open-angle glaucoma and NTG patients were collected from April 2006 to March 2016. Of these patients, those with normal intraocular pressure (IOP); glaucomatous VFD judged by Anderson’s criteria; corrected visual acuity ≥0.7; receiving more than 6 years medical therapy; having undergone ≥10 visual field tests performed at 6-month intervals using a Humphrey field analyzer (Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithms standard, C 24-2 program); and having reliability coefficients of visual field testing <33% and mean deviation (MD) more than −20 decibels in the initial visual field test were included in data analysis. The relationship between MD slope deterioration at final observation and consecutive decreases in MD value during the observation period, as well as clinical characteristics and IOP-related factors, were analyzed. Results Of 134 eyes in 134 NTG patients meeting all eligibility criteria, significant MD slope deterioration was observed in 80 eyes (59.7%). MD slope deterioration was significantly associated with consecutive decreases in MD values (Cochran–Armitage trend test: P=0.0000; univariate logistic regression analysis: P<0.0001). While no significant relationship was observed between central corneal thickness, refractive error, or prevalence of disc hemorrhage, consecutive decreases in MD value was significantly related to MD slope deterioration (univariate logistic regression analysis: P<0.0001). A reduction of IOP during the follow-up period was significantly related to nondeterioration of the MD slope (multivariate logistic regression analysis: P=0.0020). Conclusion In this 6-year observation of NTG patients treated with medical therapy, the occurrence of three or more consecutive decreases in MD value was significantly associated with visual field deterioration. Reduction in IOP was postulated to be contributing in the prevention of VFD progression.
The 34th Sir Frederick Bartlett Lecture: The abstract representations in speech processing

Speech processing by human listeners derives meaning from acoustic input via intermediate steps involving abstract representations of what has been heard. Recent results from several lines of research are here brought together to shed light on the nature and role of these representations. In spoken-word recognition, representations of phonological form and of conceptual content are dissociable. This follows from the independence of patterns of priming for a word's form and its meaning. The nature of the phonological-form representations is determined not only by acoustic-phonetic input but also by other sources of information, including metalinguistic knowledge. This follows from evidence that listeners can store two forms as different without showing any evidence of being able to detect the difference in question when they listen to speech. The lexical representations are in turn separate from prelexical representations, which are also abstract in nature. This follows from evidence that perceptual learning about speaker-specific phoneme realization, induced on the basis of a few words, generalizes across the whole lexicon to inform the recognition of all words containing the same phoneme. The efficiency of human speech processing has its basis in the rapid execution of operations over abstract representations.
Microglia-Synapse Pathways: Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease

The main hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are extracellular deposits of amyloid plaques and intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated neurofibrillary tangles (tau). However, the mechanisms underlying these neuropathological changes remain largely unclear. To date, plenty of studies have shown that microglia-mediated neuroinflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of AD, and the microglia-synapse pathways have been repeatedly identified as the crucial factor in the disease process. In this review, evidences from microglia and synapse studies are presented, and the role of microglia in the pathogenesis of AD, the contributing factors to synapse dysfunction, and the role and mechanisms of microglia-synapse pathways will be discussed.
A Review on Energy-Saving Optimization Methods for Robotic and Automatic Systems

In the last decades, increasing energy prices and growing environmental awareness have driven engineers and scientists to find new solutions for reducing energy consumption in manufacturing. Although many processes of a high energy consumption (e.g., chemical, heating, etc.) are considered to have reached high levels of efficiency, this is not the case for many other industrial manufacturing activities. Indeed, this is the case for robotic and automatic systems, for which, in the past, the minimization of energy demand was not considered a design objective. The proper design and operation of industrial robots and automation systems represent a great opportunity for reducing energy consumption in the industry, for example, by the substitution with more efficient systems and the energy optimization of operation. This review paper classifies and analyses several methodologies and technologies that have been developed with the aim of providing a reference of existing methods, techniques and technologies for enhancing the energy performance of industrial robotic and mechatronic systems. Hardware and software methods, including several subcategories, are considered and compared, and emerging ideas and possible future perspectives are discussed.
Twin pregnancies in the Niger Delta of Nigeria: a four-year review

Background The female is programmed to nurture one fetus and to take care of one neonate at a time; hence, twin pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm deliveries, perinatal morbidity, and mortality and maternal complications. This study aimed to determine the twinning rate, and maternal and fetal outcomes of all twin pregnancies managed at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri. Methods The study is a 4-year descriptive retrospective evaluation of twin pregnancies managed at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri. Records of all pregnancies, booked and unbooked, managed from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010 were reviewed. Details of delivery and maternal and fetal outcomes were obtained using a pro forma designed for the study. Epi Info version 3.5. 3 was used for statistical analysis. The Chi-square test was used to test for associations between variables. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results A total of 1341 deliveries including 41 cases of twin deliveries were recorded during the study period, giving an incidence of 30.6/1000. Twenty-nine (70.7%) of the patients were unbooked. The mean gestational age was 33.3 ± 2.6 weeks, and the mean fetal weight was 2.34 ± 0.54 kg. There were 13 perinatal deaths, with a perinatal mortality rate of 158.5/1000. There was no association between booking status and perinatal mortality rate (χ2 = 0.017, P = 1.000). Prematurity was the chief cause of perinatal death (65.4%). Maternal morbidities included anemia, wound infection, and genital sepsis. There were no maternal deaths. Conclusion The twinning rate was high. There was a high perinatal mortality rate, with prematurity accounting for most of the mortality. There is a need for improved incubation/neonatal care for better outcomes with twin pregnancies in the hospital.
Effect of a hormone-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena®) on aromatase and Cox-2 expression in patients with adenomyosis submitted or not, to endometrial resection

Objective To investigate the effect of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena®) on aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression in the endometrium of patients with adenomyosis who were submitted to endometrial resection at the time of insertion, compared to a group not submitted to endometrial resection and a group of controls with adenomyosis not submitted to any previous hormonal treatment. Patients and methods Patients with adenomyosis (n = 89) were included in this study. Twenty- two patients had been using Mirena® for 5 years but had not been submitted to endometrial resection prior to insertion of the device. Twenty-four patients were submitted to endometrial resection at the time of Mirena® insertion. The remaining 43 patients with adenomyosis had undergone no previous hormonal treatment and served as a control group. Cox-2 and aromatase expression were determined in the endometrium by immunohistochemistry. Results Use of Mirena® for 5 years reduced aromatase expression in the endometrium; however, this reduction was significantly greater in the uteri previously submitted to endometrial resection. The reduction in Cox-2 expression was significant only in the uteri submitted to endometrial resection followed by the insertion of Mirena®. Conclusion Endometrial resection followed by the insertion of Mirena® was associated with greater rates of amenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis, which in turn were associated with a more effective inhibition of aromatase and Cox-2 expression in the endometrium.
Hepatotoxicity of Antimycotics Used for Invasive Fungal Infections: In Vitro Results

Purpose. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the most common cause of liver injury and a serious clinical problem; antimycotics are involved in approximately 3% of all DILI cases. The hepatotoxicity of many drugs, including the antimycotics, is poorly screened in human models. Methods. In a standardized assay the cytotoxicity on hepatocytes of different concentrations (Cmax, 5x Cmax, and 10x Cmax) of the antimycotics used for systemic infections was tested. Anidulafungin (ANI), liposomal amphotericerin B (L-AmB), caspofungin (CASPO), fluconazole (FLUCO), and voriconazole (VORI) were incubated with HepG2/C3A cells. After incubation, the viability of cells (XTT test, LDH release, trypan blue staining), the synthesis of albumin, the cytochrome 1A2 activity, and the cell death (DNA fragmentation) were determined. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical analyses. Results. L-AmB, ANI, and CASPO showed a mild hepatotoxicity in the Cmax concentrations. Higher concentrations of anidulafungin led to a severe impairment of hepatocyte viability and function. The azoles FLUCO and VORI had a higher hepatotoxic potential in all concentrations. Conclusion. Antimycotics, especially azoles, used for systemic infections should be given with caution in patient with liver insufficiency or liver failure or high risk for this; therefore, therapeutic drug monitoring should be used. Further studies with this approach are encouraged.
Action Potential-Independent and Nicotinic Receptor-Mediated Concerted Release of Multiple Quanta at Hippocampal CA3–Mossy Fiber Synapses

Presynaptic action potential-independent transmitter release is a potential means of information transfer across synapses. We show that in the hippocampal mossy fiber boutons, activation of the α7-subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs) results in a large increase in the amplitude of spontaneous events, resulting from concerted release of multiple quanta from the mossy fiber boutons. This amplitude increase is abolished at low temperatures. Activation of α7-nAChRs causes a rise in intraterminal calcium at mossy fiber boutons, involving ryanodine receptors. Regulation of concerted release requires the subsequent activation of presynaptic calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Activation of CaMKII is required to drive presynaptic action potential-independent transmission at the mossy fiber–CA3 pyramidal cell synapse. The effects of α7-nAChR activation are mediated by biologically relevant doses of nicotine. Our results demonstrate a novel form of synaptic plasticity mediated by presynaptic α7-nAChRs and store calcium that is temporally different and might respond to a different history of synaptic activity than that mediated by incoming action potentials.
High-performance robotic muscles from conductive nylon sewing thread

Natural muscles exhibit high power-to-weight ratios, inherent compliance and damping, fast actuation and high dynamic ranges. Unfortunately, traditional robotic actuators have been unable to attain similar properties, especially in a slender muscle-like form factor. Recently, super-coiled polymer (SCP) actuators have rejuvenated the promise of an artificial muscle. Constructed from commercial nylon fishing line or sewing thread and twisted until coils form, these lightweight actuators have been shown to produce significant mechanical power when thermally cycled. In this paper, we develop a thermomechanical and thermoelectric model of SCP actuators, and examine their controllability. With off-the-shelf conductive sewing thread, we show the ability to produce controlled forces in under 30 ms, exceeding human muscle performance. Finally, we use SCP actuators in a robotic hand to demonstrate their applicability as a low-cost, high performance robotic muscle.
Frequency of Antiseptic Resistance Among Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Isolated From a University Hospital in Central Iran.

OBJECTIVES Reduced biocide susceptibility in Staphylococci is associated with various antiseptic resistance genes encoding efflux systems. Our aim was to determine the susceptibility to three disinfectant agents, including benzalkonium chloride (BAC), benzethonium chloride (BZT), and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHDG) among clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS). METHODS The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 60 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), 54 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 51 CoNS isolates from a single hospital to three biocidal agents (BAC, BZT, and CHDG) was determined. Biocide resistance genes (qacA/B, smr, qacG, qacH, qacJ, and norA) were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS All isolates had MICs for BAC and BZT from 0.25 to 8 µg/mL, and for CHDG from 0.5 to 64 µg/mL. qacA/B was the most common biocide resistance gene among all 165 Staphylococcus isolates (76; 46%), which comprised 38 (63.3%) MRSA, 14 (25.9%) MSSA, and 24 (47%) CoNS. Eleven (6.7%) and 24 (14.5%) isolates among the 165 Staphylococci carried smr and norA genes, respectively. In contrast, other resistance genes such as qacG, qacH, and qacJ were absent in all Staphylococci studied. The qacA/B and smr genes were detected concomitantly in 3% of isolates, and 23.6% strains of the total 165 Staphylococcus isolates were negative for each studied gene. CONCLUSIONS The carriage of several biocide resistance genes, including qacA/B, smr, and norA, alone or concurrently, is associated with reduced susceptibility. Use of antiseptics may select for antibiotic-resistant strains and assist their survival in the healthcare environment.
Selection patterns of B‐cell receptors and the natural history of follicular lymphoma

Cutts, B.A., Tran, H.A. , Merriman, E. , Nandurkar, D. , Soo, G. , DasGupta, D. , Prassannan, N. & Hunt, B.J. (2014) The Utility of the Wells Clinical Prediction Model and Ventilation-Perfusion Scanning for Pulmonary Embolism in Pregnancy. Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, 25, 375–378. DiPEP: Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism in Pregnancy ISRCTN21245595. Available at: http:// www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN21245595 (Accessed November 28, 2015) Goodacre, S. , Nelson-Piercy, C. , Hunt, B. & Chan, W. -S. (2015) When should we use diagnostic imaging to investigate for pulmonary embolism in pregnant and postpartum women? Emergency Medical Journal, 32, 78–82. Kline, J.A. , Richardson, D.M. , Than, M.P., Penaloza, A. & Roy, P.-M. (2014) Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Pregnant Patients Investigated for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department. Academic Emergency Medicine, 21, 949–959. Ramsay, R. , Byrd, L. , Tower, C. , James, J., Prescott, M. & Thachil, J. (2015) The problem of pulmonary embolism diagnosis in pregnancy. Brit J Haematol, 170, 727–736.
The Impact of Season, Parity, and Volume of Colostrum on Holstein Dairy Cows Colostrum Composition

The objectives of the study were to assess colostrum quality and nutrients in dairy cows in Isfahan, Iran, and to determine the effects of calving season, parity, and volume of first colostrum on colostrum quality. Colostrum samples were collected over the period January-December, from 365 Holstein dairy cows from 12 dairy farms and analyzed for their IgG, IgM, total solids, fat, protein, lactose, Ca, and P concentrations. The IgG and IgM contents were measured to be 35.8 ± 17.6 and 5.8 ± 3.8 mg/mL, respectively. Mean percentages of total solids, fat, protein, and lactose in the samples were 27.2 ± 5.8, 4.6 ± 3.4, 18.5 ± 4.9, and 2.0 ± 0.9, respectively while calcium and P concentrations were 2.69 ± 0.9 and 2.02 ± 0.88 g/kg. Colostral IgG and IgM concentrations were found to be higher during the winter months. Calving season affected lactose, Ca, and P concentrations as evidenced by the higher colostral lactose percentages in cows calved in the fall but higher calcium and P concentrations in those calved in the summer. Parity had no significant effects on IgG and IgM concentrations. However, a decreasing trend was observed in Ca and P concentrations with increasing parity. Volume of first milking colostrum did not have any effect on colostral composition. The findings of this study indicate that colostrum quality may be affected by calving season.
Effects of Silicon Amendment on Soilborne and Fruit Diseases of Avocado

The effects of silicon (Si) amendment have been studied in several plant/pathogen interactions; however, studies in horticultural tree crops are limited. Effects of amendment with soluble potassium silicate (AgSil®32, approximately 30% available Si), or milled cement building board by-products (Mineral Mulch (MM) or Mineral Dust (MD), containing 5% available Si) were investigated in field and greenhouse trials with avocado. Orchard soil drench applications with potassium silicate improved yield and quality of fruit, but visual health of trees declining from Phytophthora root rot (PRR) was not affected. Orchard spray or trunk injection applications with potassium silicate were ineffective. Amendment of potting mix with MM and MD reduced root necrosis of avocado seedlings after inoculation with Calonectria ilicicola, an aggressive soilborne pathogen causing black root rot. Application of MM to mature orchard trees declining with PRR had a beneficial effect on visual tree health, and Si accumulation in leaves and fruit peel, after only 10 months. Products that deliver available Si consistently for uptake are likely to be most successful in perennial tree crops.
Function Self-Efficacy Scale—FSES

This article describes the development and validation of the Function Self-Efficacy Scale (FSES) for assessing the degree of confidence in self-functioning while facing decline in health and function (DHF). The FSES was evaluated in two studies of older Israelis, aged 75+ years. Data were collected by structured home interviews. Exploratory factor analyses conducted in both studies clearly revealed two underlying factors: emotion self-efficacy and action self-efficacy. Confirmatory factor analyses resulted in acceptable model fit criteria. The shortened final 13-item FSES had good internal consistency and satisfactory criterion and convergent validity. Multiple regression analyses, conducted to predict subjective well-being in each of the studies, showed that function self-efficacy had a positive and significant contribution to the explanation of well-being, while controlling for general self-efficacy, self-rated health, and sociodemographic variables. We propose that appropriate interventions can strengthen function self-efficacy, thus improving the well-being of elderly persons and their ability to cope with DHF.