Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiscale model of regional population decline in little brown bats due to white‐nose syndrome

Abstract The introduced fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans is causing decline of several species of bats in North America, with some even at risk of extinction or extirpation. The severity of the epidemic of white‐nose syndrome caused by P. destructans has prompted investigation of the transmission and virulence of infection at multiple scales, but linking these scales is necessary to quantify the mechanisms of transmission and assess population‐scale declines. We built a model connecting within‐hibernaculum disease dynamics of little brown bats to regional‐scale dispersal, reproduction, and disease spread, including multiple plausible mechanisms of transmission. We parameterized the model using the approach of plausible parameter sets, by comparing stochastic simulation results to statistical probes from empirical data on within‐hibernaculum prevalence and survival, as well as among‐hibernacula spread across a region. Our results are consistent with frequency‐dependent transmission between bats, support an important role of environmental transmission, and show very little effect of dispersal among colonies on metapopulation survival. The results help identify the influential parameters and largest sources of uncertainty. The model also offers a generalizable method to assess hypotheses about hibernaculum‐to‐hibernaculum transmission and to identify gaps in knowledge about key processes, and could be expanded to include additional mechanisms or bat species.
Adaptation to Climate Change in Coffee Production Systems in Tolima

It was estimated the climate change adaptation of the main coffee production systems in Líbano, Tolima, Colombia, using diversity indicators. Three production systems were selected: agroforestry systems (AFS) with Cordia alliodora, AFS with plantain and in monoculture, with four replications, locating five sampling units to collect and identify the ant genera as diversity and adaptation indicators. The richness index of Margalef detected between systems (1.3 vs 0.6 vs 0.6 for AFS with C. alliodora, monoculure and AFS with plantain, respectively). The genera Cephalotes, Dorymyrmex, Hypoponera, Pachycondyla, Octostruma and Proceratium, which require abundant biomass and litter, were registered just in AFS with C. alliodora, coinciding with the depth of this layer. The AFS with C. alliodora present advantages due they improve conditions for the conservation of several groups of ants, which are indicators of diversity and climate change adaptation.
The effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping on newborn anemia: implications for clinical practice in the Peruvian Amazon

Delayed umbilical cord clamping has been shown to decrease the risk of infant anemia. A pre-post study design was used to determine the effectiveness of a two-component intervention (workshop and directive) in delaying cord clamping. Women were recruited from the labour room of Hospital Iquitos in Iquitos Peru pre (N=112) and post intervention (N=112). Maternal hemoglobin was assessed before delivery; time-to-cord clamping was recorded at delivery and infant hemoglobin was measured at four months of age. Time-to-clamp increased significantly by 113 seconds following the intervention (βadjusted = 113.2 seconds, 95% CI: 96.6, 129.9). Maternal anemia was identified as an effect modifier on the relationship between time-to-clamp and infant anemia. In infants born to anemic women, the odds ratio of developing anemia is 0.59 for every one minute delay in cord clamping. These findings add to the mounting support for delayed cord clamping as a means to decrease infant anemia. %%%%Des etudes ont demontre que retarder la coupure du cordon ombilical pourrait reduire les risques d'anemie infantile. Un plan d'etude pre/post a ete utilise pour determiner l'efficacite d'une intervention visant a retarder la coupure du cordon. Des femmes ont ete recrutees a l'Hopital Iquitos (Perou) pre- (N=112) et post-intervention (N=112). Le statut hematologique des meres a ete quantifie, le moment ou le cordon est coupee a ete chronometre et le niveau d'hemoglobine des enfants a ete mesure. La coupure du cordon a ete retardee de maniere significative de 113 secondes suite a l'intervention (βajuste=113.2 secondes; 95% IC =96.6-129.9). L'anemie maternelle a ete identifiee comme un facteur modifiant. Chez les enfants nes d'une mere anemique, le rapport de cotes pour l'anemie est de 0.59 pour chaque minute ou la coupure du cordon est retardee. Ces resultats supportent le retardement de la coupure du cordon comme mesure pouvant reduire l'anemie infantile.
SINIF ÖĞRETMENLERİNİN BİLGİSAYAR OKUR-YAZARLIK DÜZEYLERİNİN BELİRLENMESİ: KAHRAMANMARAŞ İLİ ÖRNEĞİ IDENTIFYING THE COMPUTER LITERACY SKILL LEVELS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS: THE CASE OF KAHRAMANMARAS

The purpose of this study is to examine computer literacy levels of class teachers who work in primary schools according to various parameters. General scan model was used in this research. 2241 class teachers working in the central districts of Kahramanmaras province formed the universe of this research, 367 of the chosen class teachers from the samples of this research. The data used in this research was obtained via researchers made personal information form and Computer literacy scale form Kolburan Gecer, Dag (2010). To analyse the data factor analysis, frequency, mean, t test for gender and course variations, one way variant analysis (ANOVA) for seniority and education status variables were used. After the application it is determined that the levels of class teacher’s computer literacy levels showed a meaning full difference according to gender, seniority, educational background and whether they took computer courses or not. However, a significantly high level of computer literacy was determined on the class teachers who took computer courses compared to those who didn't.
cAMP signalling is required for the actions of IP3 on Ca2+-transients in cardiac atria and beating rate in sino-atrial node

Inositol trisphosphate (IP3) is a major Ca2+-mobilising second messenger and atrial IP3 receptor (IP3R) expression is greatly increased in atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardiac atrial and sino-atrial node (SAN) myocytes also express Ca2+-stimulated adenylyl cyclases (AC1 and AC8); however the pathways underlying atrial AC1 and AC8 activation are unknown. We investigated whether IP3 signalling in cardiac atria and SAN utilises ACs. Immunocytochemistry in isolated guinea pig atrial myocytes identified co-localisation of type 2 IP3Rs with AC8, while AC1 was located in close vicinity. UV photorelease of IP3 significantly enhanced Ca2+ transient amplitudes following stimulation of atrial myocytes (31 ± 6 % increase 60 s post photorelease, n=16), an effect abolished by inhibitors of ACs (MDL-12,330) or PKA (H89). The maximum rate change observed in spontaneously-beating murine right atrial preparations exposed to phenylephrine (14.7 ± 0.5 %, n=10) was significantly reduced by 2.5 μmol/L 2-APB and abolished by a low dose of MDL-12,330. These observations are consistent with a functional interaction between IP3 and cAMP signalling involving Ca2+ stimulation of ACs in cardiac atria and the SAN. Structural evidence supports AC8 as the most likely effector. This signal transduction mechanism is important for future study in atrial physiology and pathophysiology, particularly AF.
CloudCV: Deep Learning and Computer Vision on the Cloud

We are witnessing a proliferation of massive visual data. Visual content is arguably the fastest growing data on the web. Photo-sharing websites like Flickr and Facebook now host more than 6 and 90 billion photos, respectively. Unfortunately, scaling existing computer vision algorithms to large datasets leaves researchers repeatedly solving the same algorithmic and infrastructural problems. Designing and implementing efficient and provably correct computer vision algorithms is extremely challenging. Researchers must repeatedly solve the same low-level problems: building & maintaining a cluster of machines, formulating each component of the computer vision pipeline, designing new deep learning layers, writing custom hardware wrappers, etc. This thesis introduces CloudCV, an ambitious system that contain algorithms for end-to-end processing of visual content. The goal of the project is to democratize computer vision; one should not have to be a computer vision, big data and deep learning expert to have access to state-of-the-art distributed computer vision algorithms. We provide researchers, students and developers access to state-of-art distributed computer vision and deep learning algorithms as a cloud service through web interface & APIs. CloudCV: Deep Learning and Computer Vision on the Cloud
New item selection and test administration procedures for cognitive diagnosis computerized adaptive testing

OF THE DISSERTATION New Item Selection and Test Administration Procedures for Cognitive Diagnosis Computerized Adaptive Testing by Mehmet Kaplan Dissertation Director: Jimmy de la Torre The significance of formative assessments has recently been underscored in the educational measurement literature. Formative assessments can provide more diagnostic information to improve teaching and learning strategies compared to summative assessments. Cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) are psychometric models that have been developed to provide a more detailed evaluation of assessment data. CDMs aim to detect students’ mastery and nonmastery of attributes in a particular content area. Another major research area in psychometrics is computerized adaptive testing (CAT). It has been developed as an alternative to paper-and-pencil tests, and widely used to deliver tests adaptively. Although the traditional CAT seems to satisfy the needs of the current testing market by providing summative scores, the use of CDMs in CAT can produce more diagnostic information with an efficient testing design. With a general aim to address needs in formative assessments, this dissertation aims to achieve three objectives:
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Contusion: A Comparative Study on Small and Large Animal Models

Here, we provide a first comparative study of the therapeutic potential of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), adipose tissue (AD-MSCs), and dental pulp (DP-MSCs) embedded in fibrin matrix, in small (rat) and large (pig) spinal cord injury (SCI) models during subacute period of spinal contusion. Results of behavioral, electrophysiological, and histological assessment as well as immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis suggest that application of AD-MSCs combined with a fibrin matrix within the subacute period in rats (2 weeks after injury), provides significantly higher post-traumatic regeneration compared to a similar application of BM-MSCs or DP-MSCs. Within the rat model, use of AD-MSCs resulted in a marked change in: (1) restoration of locomotor activity and conduction along spinal axons; (2) reduction of post-traumatic cavitation and enhancing tissue retention; and (3) modulation of microglial and astroglial activation. The effect of an autologous application of AD-MSCs during the subacute period after spinal contusion was also confirmed in pigs (6 weeks after injury). Effects included: (1) partial restoration of the somatosensory spinal pathways; (2) reduction of post-traumatic cavitation and enhancing tissue retention; and (3) modulation of astroglial activation in dorsal root entry zone. However, pigs only partially replicated the findings observed in rats. Together, these results indicate application of AD-MSCs embedded in fibrin matrix at the site of SCI during the subacute period can facilitate regeneration of nervous tissue in rats and pigs. These results, for the first time, provide robust support for the use of AD-MSC to treat subacute SCI.
Optimizing Pre-germination Techniques for Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass1

Many intensively trafficked areas such as athletic fields and golf courses require constant overseeding to maintain suitable turfgrass cover. Rapid seed germination and development are critical to managing these high wear areas. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of water aeration, seed soaking duration, and water temperature on mean germination time (MGT) and final germination percentage (FGP) of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L., KBG) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L., PRG). Two separate controlled environment studies were conducted. PRG soaked in aerated water from 8 to 48 h had a 20% decrease in MGT compared to an untreated control, while treated KBG decreased MGT by only 10% compared to an untreated control. Soaking duration and water temperature had significant effects on KBG. KBG MGT was optimized at 20 C (68 F) water temperature with a soaking duration of 24 h. MGT of PRG was optimized when soaked for 8 h while water was aerated. There was no significant difference in FGP for any of the treatments tested. Index words: turfgrass, aeration, seed soaking. Species used in this study: Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.); perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).
DNA methylation of the PLIN1 promoter downregulates expression in chicken lines

Abstract Evidence suggests that Perilipin-1 (PLIN1) is subject to functional regulation by epigenetic modifications in women with obesity. However, whether chicken PLIN1 expression is regulated by DNA methylation is unknown. Here, Sequenom MassARRAY and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted to analyze the promoter methylation status and expression of the PLIN1 gene in Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content. We found that chicken PLIN1 expression was significantly higher in adipose tissue of fat-line broilers than in lean lines at 1–7 weeks of age, and was significantly positively correlated with abdominal fat percentage (AFP) in chicken adipose development (Pearson's r=0.627, P<0.001). The region analyzed for DNA methylation was from -12 to -520 bp upstream of the translation start codon ATG, and had five CpG sites, where only the DNA methylation levels of CpG5 located at position -490 bp were significantly higher in lean compared to fat chickens at 5 and 6 weeks (P<0.05) and were significantly negatively correlated with PLIN1 mRNA levels and AFP (P<0.05). These results shed new light on the regulation of hypertrophic growth in chicken adipose development.
Two Forms of Knowledge Representations in the Human Brain

Sensory experience shapes what and how knowledge is stored in the brain -- our knowledge about the color of roses depends in part on the activity of color-responsive neurons based on experiences of seeing roses. We study the brain basis of color knowledge in congenitally blind individuals whose color knowledge can only be obtained through language descriptions. We found that some regions support color knowledge only in the sighted. More importantly, a region in the left dorsal anterior temporal lobe supports object color knowledge in both the blind and sighted groups, indicating the existence of a sensory-independent knowledge coding system in both groups. Thus, there are (at least) two forms of object knowledge representations in the human brain: sensory-derived and cognitively-derived knowledge, supported by different brain systems.
Muscle Sound Frequency Analysis From Fast And Slow Twitch Muscle

Muscle sounds were recorded from human orbicularis oris and soleus muscles from 5 healthy subjects during isometric contraction. Frequency analysis of the signals revealed distinct power spectra for each muscle type. The peak frequency for soleus was 10.8 +/- 3.1 and for orbicularis oris was 22 +/- 5 Hz. The results indicate that muscle sound power spectra may reflect fibre type composition and/or motor unit firing frequency .
UNCERTAINTIES OF APPARENT THERMAL DIFFUSIVITY OF ALLUVIAL-MEADOW SOIL ESTIMATED BY DIFFERENT NUMERIC METHODS

Doneva, K. and M. Kercheva, 2017. Uncertainties of apparent thermal diffusivity of Alluvial-meadow soil estimated by different numeric methods. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (3): 411–417 The apparent thermal diffusivity (a) of Fluvisol was estimated by applying the Amplitude, Phase, Arctangent, Logarithmic and Harmonic methods on soil temperature data measured at 0.10 and 0.20 m depth with automatic meteorological station in 92 clear sky days under different soil moisture conditions. The uncertainty between these method was high (Cv = 31% in average). Our results showed that there was not signifi cant difference between the apparent thermal diffusivity obtained by the Amplitude, Logarithmic and Harmonic methods. The Phase and Arctangent methods produced higher values of the apparent thermal diffusivity and with a higher coeffi cient of variation. The lowest variation of a was obtained by the Harmonic method (Cv = 15%), which can be recommended for estimation of thermal diffusivity on a daily basis. The obtained results were compared with direct measurement in laboratory conditions with KD2-Pro device, and with estimation by de Vries model (de Vries, 1963), and by the annual soil temperature wave method based on 10 years records (Marinova et al., 1990). The minimum values of a obtained on a daily basis coincided with the highest values predicted by de Vries model for high soil moisture content. It was not found dependence of the apparent thermal diffusivity from soil moisture content. The prediction of a by the annual soil temperature wave method was close to the average values obtained on a daily basis. This study demonstrate the possibility of using soil temperature data registered by automatic weather station to produce reliable estimates of soil thermal diffusivity for relatively shorter time period.
Macroevolutionary Origin and Adaptive Function of a Polymorphic Female Signal Involved in Sexual Conflict

Intersexual signals that reveal developmental or mating status in females have evolved repeatedly in many animal lineages. Such signals have functions in sexual conflict over mating and can therefore influence sexually antagonistic coevolution. However, we know little about how female signal development modifies male mating harassment and thereby sexual conflict. Here, we combine phylogenetic comparative analyses of a color polymorphic damselfly genus (Ischnura) with behavioral experiments in one target species to investigate the evolutionary origin and current adaptive function of a developmental female color signal. Many Ischnura species have multiple female color morphs, which include a male-colored morph (male mimics) and one or two female morphs that differ markedly from males (heterochrome females). In Ischnura elegans, males and male-mimicking females express a blue abdominal patch throughout postemergence life. Using phenotypic manipulations, we show that the developmental expression of this signaling trait in heterochrome females reduces premating harassment prior to sexual maturity. Across species this signal evolved repeatedly, but in heterochrome females its origin is contingent on the signal expressed by co-occurring male-mimicking females. Our results suggest that the co-option of a male-like trait to a novel female antiharassment function plays a key role in sexual conflict driven by premating interactions.
Lysine metabolism and amino acid profile in maize grains from plants subjected to cadmium exposure

In general, the effects of Cadmium (Cd) on crop quality are evaluated solely by Cd accumulation in the edible plant parts; thus, the potential effects on several nutritional features are not often taken into account. This study evaluated Cd effects on the enzymatic activities of lysine (Lys) metabolism, storage protein and amino acid profile in maize. Stress parameters were also assessed. In vegetative organs, Cd was accumulated in the following decreasing order: roots > stems > leaves. Cadmium accumulation in grains decreased at grain maturity (from 0.25 to 0.07 μg g–1 DW). In leaves, neither hydrogen peroxide content nor superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxide and guaiacol peroxidase activities did not change in Cd-treated plants compared to control plants. Lipid peroxidation was not detected in immature grains and leaves of plants under Cd exposure, indicating that Cd accumulation mainly in the roots is a mechanism to avoid oxidative stress in aboveground parts of the plant. However, Lys metabolism in immature grains was modified, showing increases in the specific activities of aspartate kinase (AK) and dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) after Cd exposure. AK sensitivity to Lys feedback inhibition increased, but decreased in DHDPS in Cd-treated plants, suggesting differential regulation for these enzymes. In mature grains, the Lys content did not change, while the proline content increased by 54 % in Cd-treated plants. This is the first report on Cd effects on amino acid profile, storage protein contents and enzymes from Lys metabolism in grains of a cereal plant species.
Prioritizing the Factors Affecting Evidence-based Medicine in Physicians Affiliated to Iranian Health Insurance

Introduction: The utilization of the medical research results is one of the most important indicators in the development of this profession, which provides effective care to patients and improves the quality of care. However, performing based on the evidence-based results has been unsuccessful in some cases. This study aimed to investigated and prioritize the factors affecting evidence-based medicine among physicians affiliated to Iranian Health insurance. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 physicians affiliated to Iranian Health insurance in Tehran city in 2018. The simple random sampling method was used to collect the data. The data collection tool was a questionnaire containing of three parts: demographic questionnaire, Fonk (1995) evidence-based medical barriers questionnaire that included four domains and 25 questions, as well as a researcher-made questionnaire that prioritized the factors influencing evidence-based medicine implementation. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and Expert Choice software using hierarchical analysis method. Results: Most physicians were male (53.3%) and worked as an official employee. Among four dimensions, the highest mean and standard deviation was related to organizational impact, while the lowest was related to the quality of research and possible outcomes. Regarding the factors of organizational impacts, the highest weight or priority was attributed to the feeling of insufficient independence to change care methods with a weight of 0.259. Among the factors related to the research quality, the highest weight and priority was related to the factor of methodological defects in the research with a weight of 0.192. Considering the factors related to the skills of conducting research, the highest priority and weight was attributed to the lack of documentary evidence for the performance change with a weight of 0.320. Moreover, regarding the factors related to communication and access to the findings of the research, the highest weight and priority was in the factor of unavailability of actual articles (0.475). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that physicians considered problems and barriers related to organization, individual, and quality of research studies. Therefore, facilities should be created for using research findings as well as the conditions for updating physicians' knowledge, skills, and attitudes to use the research results.