Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation: the case of forests

Abstract: Habitat fragmentation is one of the most serious threats to plant biodiversity at the within-population level. Growing attention on the genetic effects of habitat fragmentation is reflected in the 2008 publication of several review papers. In general, fragmentation showed a negative effect on the genetic variability of plant populations. However, for forest trees the genetic signal of fragmentation seems less clear. Here I discuss the development of less explored issues that can help to clarify some unresolved questions about tree responses to fragmentation. In particular, the understudied effect of delay in sexual maturity and the need for accurate estimates of gene flow are taken into account. I finally underline the potential role of the Italian peninsula as an open-sky laboratory for forest fragmentation studies.
Emotion control in collaborative learning situations: do students regulate emotions evoked by social challenges?

BACKGROUND During recent decades, self-regulated learning (SRL) has become a major research field. SRL successfully integrates the cognitive and motivational components of learning. Self-regulation is usually seen as an individual process, with the social aspects of regulation conceptualized as one aspect of the context. However, recent research has begun to investigate whether self-regulation processes are complemented by socially shared regulation processes. AIMS The presented study investigated what kind of socio-emotional challenges students experience during collaborative learning and whether the students regulate the emotions evoked during these situations. The interplay of the emotion regulation processes between the individual and the group was also studied. SAMPLE The sample for this study was 63 teacher education students who studied in groups of three to five during three collaborative learning tasks. METHOD Students' interpretations of experienced social challenges and their attempts to regulate emotions evoked by these challenges were collected following each task using the Adaptive Instrument for the Regulation of Emotions. RESULTS The results indicated that students experienced a variety of social challenges. Students also reported the use of shared regulation in addition to self-regulation. Finally, the results suggested that intrinsic group dynamics are derived from both individual and social elements of collaborative situations. CONCLUSION The findings of the study support the assumption that students can regulate emotions collaboratively as well as individually. The study contributes to our understanding of the social aspects of emotional regulation in collaborative learning contexts.
Listening as a method of addressing psychological distress.

AIMS This paper discusses the values of therapeutic listening and ways that emotional difficulties can impact palliative nurses' abilities to provide psychological care. BACKGROUND Recent literature indicates that providing psychological care can burden some healthcare professionals including nurses; who may lack the necessary competencies or organizational resources to carry out their roles. EVALUATION References drawn from the databases: all EBM reviews, British Nursing INDEX, CINAHL, PSYCH INFO and MEDLINE and EMBASE are discussed. KEY ISSUES Psychological care is considered critical to providing holistic care. Yet the literature suggests engaging in such work makes emotional demands on the professionals attempting to carry it out and is associated with psychological difficulties including burnout. CONCLUSION Clinical supervision can help reduce the distress caused by emotionally charged situations. Thoughtful clinical supervision can also contribute to safe and effective health care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Nursing would benefit from understanding more about the effects on healthcare professionals of repeated exposure to emotionally charged situations and benefits that clinical supervision can offer to health care.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activation of cultured human dental pulp cells by low-power gallium-aluminium-arsenic laser irradiation.

AIM To examine whether low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) promotes cellular proliferation of human dental pulp-derived fibroblast-like cells (dental pulp cells). METHODOLOGY Dental pulp cells were obtained by primary culture of human dental pulp tissues from extracted third molar teeth. The phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family after LPLI of these cells was investigated by Western blotting. By using a specific MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD098059), the specific effect of LPLI on the MAPK pathway was also investigated by Western blotting as described above. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the cells after LPLI was determined, and statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. RESULTS Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 was phosphorylated between 5 and 30 min after LPLI. Moreover, PD098059 inhibited LPLI-mediated ERK1/2 activation. LPLI did not affect p38 MAPK or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. But LPLI did not stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation into these cells. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that LPLI activated MAPK/ERK, a signal for proliferation, differentiation and survival, but did not activate the stress signals p38 MAPK and JNK in human dental pulp cells.
The pseudorabies virus UL28 protein enters the nucleus after coexpression with the herpes simplex virus UL15 protein

Herpesvirus DNA is packaged into capsids in the nuclei of infected cells in a process requiring at least six viral proteins. Of the proteins required for encapsidation of viral DNA, UL15 and UL28 are the most conserved among herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV), varicella-zoster virus, and equine herpesvirus 1. The subcellular distribution of the pseudorabies virus (PRV) UL28 protein was examined by in situ immunofluorescence. UL28 was present in the nuclei of infected cells; however, UL28 was limited to the cytoplasm in the absence of other viral proteins. When cells expressing variant forms of UL28 were infected with a PRV UL28-null mutant, UL28 entered the nucleus, provided the carboxyl-terminal 155 amino acids were present. Additionally, PRV UL28 entered the nucleus in cells infected with HSV. Two HSV packaging proteins were tested for the ability to affect the subcellular distribution of UL28. Coexpression of HSV UL15 enabled PRV UL28 to enter the nucleus in a manner that required the carboxyl-terminal 155 amino acids of UL28. Coexpression of HSV UL25 did not affect the distribution of UL28. We propose that an interaction between UL15 and UL28 facilitates the transport of a UL15-UL28 complex to the infected-cell nucleus.
Prospects for the Application of Genetic Findings to Crime and Violence Prevention

While genetic research is widely recognized for its value in the human behavioral sciences, the implications of its newfound focus n antisocial behavior for the fields of criminology and criminal justice, or for social policy, remain unchartered territory. Historically, the study of antisocial behavior has been the purview of criminology and criminal justice fields, which differ somewhat from other behavioral sciences in that policy generated from their findings may result in large-scale behavioral controls. Thus, despite the prematurity of genetic research on antisocial behavior, the possibility that findings could substantially affect criminal justice proceedings and result in global prevention policies is an impetus for discourse about the future of this research to begin now, prior to conclusive findings. In the absence of information, there is likely to be a continuation of public fear or misconception that this research is inherently racist, or worse, that it justifies racist policies. Public education is a powerful way of dispelling myths and quelling discriminatory attitudes. Moreover, informing the public and policymakers of findings, interpretations, and limitations will reduce the likelihood that abusive or discriminatory practices will result. Statutory regulations over the research and its potential application may also be needed to tangibly avoid abuse and provide guidelines. Unfortunately, the majority of criminologists have either rejected or remained unfamiliar with genetic approaches, despite their suitability to judge the social, legal, and ethical implications of this research. At a minimum, it is critical that criminologists and legal scholars familiarize themselves with genetic research on antisocial behavior to provide scrutiny and statutory recommendations. Given that the research will continue whether or not the public or social scientists recognize or accept its role in the study of antisocial behavior, it is proposed that relevant issues be examined by multidisciplinary teams to determine its value in anticipation of its utility.
Effects of macrodiversity on cellular CDMA networks with fast power control under multipath fading

This paper presents an approach for determining the benefits of macrodiversity on the uplink channel of cellular CDMA networks with fast power control under multipath fading. The case of single cell-site reception, where mobiles connect to only one base station on a minimum attenuation basis, is compared with the case of simultaneous reception of the users' signal by multiple base stations, also known as macrodiversity or cell-site diversity. It is shown that the use of macrodiversity results in a significant increase in the uplink system capacity.
The Conundrum of Opioid Tapering in Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Commentary

Background In response to the opioid epidemic and new guidelines, many patients on high-dose long term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain are getting tapered off opioids. As a result, a unique clinical challenge is emerging: while many on LTOT have poor pain control, functional decline, psychiatric instability, aberrancies and misuse, these issues may often worsen with opioid tapering. Currently, a clear explanation and practical guidance on how to manage this perplexing clinical scenario is lacking. Methods We offer a commentary with our perspective on possible mechanisms involved in this clinical phenomena and offer practical management guidance, supported by available evidence. Results It is not well recognized that allostatic opponent process involved in development of opioid dependence can cause worsening pain, functional status, sleep and psychiatric symptoms over time, and significant fluctuation of pain and other affective symptoms due to their bidirectional dynamic interaction with opioid dependence (‘affective dynamism’). These elements of complex persistent dependence (CPD), the grey area between simple dependence and addiction, can lead to escalating and labile opioid need, often generating aberrant behaviors. Opioid tapering, a seemingly logical intervention in this situation, may lead to worsening of pain, function and psychiatric symptoms due to development of protracted abstinence syndrome. We offer practicing clinicians management principles and practical guidance focused on management of CPD in addition to chronic pain in these difficult clinical scenarios. Conclusion Awareness of the science of the neuroplasticity effects of repeated use of opioids is necessary to better manage these patients with complex challenges.
Maternal and Fetal Variants of Genetic Thrombophilias and the Risk of Preeclampsia

Background: A woman's thrombophilic genes may increase her risk of preeclampsia in pregnancy. Vascular conditions of the placenta related to thrombophilic genes of the fetus could also be relevant for preeclampsia. The case–parent triad study design provides separate estimation of maternal and fetal genes. Methods: We recruited 92 mother–father–child triads of preeclamptic pregnancies from a birth clinic in Stavanger, Norway. All parents were of Norwegian origin. Maternal, paternal, and fetal DNA were genotyped for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and Factor V Leiden (FVL) G1691A SNPs. Estimation of the relative risk (RR) associated with fetal and maternal genetic variants was performed by log-linear models. Results: There was no indication of an effect of the child's FVL alleles on preeclampsia risk. For case babies with 2 copies of the variant allele, the association with the MTHFR variant was inconclusive (RR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6–4.3). Case mothers who were homozygous for the MTHFR variant had a relative risk of 2.0 (CI = 1.0–4.1) assuming a recessive gene effect. A 2.5-fold risk (CI = 1.1–5.7) of preeclampsia was estimated when the mother carried one copy of the FVL. Among mothers homozygous for the MTHFR variant, the relative risk of the FVL variant was 4.6-fold (CI = 1.0–21). Conclusions: We found little evidence of an effect of the child's MTHFR or FVL alleles on the risk of preeclampsia. Our estimates of effects of maternal MTHFR and FVL alleles were consistent with estimates from case-control studies. The case–parent triad design may be a useful tool for studies of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.
Effect of Custom-Molded Foot Orthoses on Foot Pain and Balance in Children With Symptomatic Flexible Flat Feet

Objective To evaluate the effect of custom-molded foot orthoses on foot pain and balance in children with symptomatic flexible flat foot 1 month and 3 months after fitting foot orthosis. Method A total of 24 children over 6 years old with flexible flat feet and foot pain for at least 6 months were recruited for this study. Their resting calcaneal stance position and calcaneal pitch angle were measured. Individual custom-molded rigid foot orthoses were prescribed using inverted orthotic technique to control foot overpronation. Pain questionnaire was used to obtain pain sites, degree, and frequency. Balancing ability was determined using computerized posturography. These evaluations were performed prior to custom-molded foot orthoses, 1 month, and 3 months after fitting foot orthoses. Result Of 24 children with symptomatic flexible flat feet recruited for this study, 20 completed the study. Significant (p<0.001) improvements in pain degree and frequency were noted after 1 and 3 months of custom-molded foot orthoses. In addition, significant (p<0.05) improvement in balancing ability was found after 3 months of custom-molded foot orthoses. Conclusion Short-term use of custom-molded foot orthoses significantly improved foot pain and balancing ability in children with symptomatic flexible flat foot.
Tumor specific Epstein‐Barr virus infection is not associated with leiomyosarcoma in human immunodeficiency virus negative individuals

Recent studies have suggested that the Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is associated with leiomyosarcoma in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and in organ transplant recipients. To determine whether EBV is associated with leiomyosarcoma in HIV negative patients, the authors examined resected leiomyosarcomas for EBV and HIV.
A Completeness Optimized Algorithm for Closed Model Clone Detection

The detection of model clone has been an active research area in recent years. The closed clone instances contain all the information of model clones so they can ensure the completeness of detection results essentially. In order to improve the degree of completeness in clone detection, a novel model clone detection algorithm named CL_MCD (Closed Model Clone Detection) is proposed. CL_MCD focuses on exactly matched clones and aims to find all the closed clone instances. The main innovation of CL_MCD is in the detection phase. Every time after finding a new node pair with the same label in the breadth-first search of model graph, CL_MCD transforms all the node pairs into a clone pair, and puts the clone pair into a set that contains all the candidate clone instances if its size is greater than or equal to the size of minimum clone. Then every candidate clone instance is compared with all the others in the set. If a candidate clone instance is one part of any other instance, it is deleted. After the filtering, redundant clone instances are removed and only the closed clone instances are kept in the set. Theoretical analysis and experimental studies demonstrate that CL_MCD has higher degree of completeness than CloneDetective.
Different Effects of Opioid Antagonists on μ-, δ-, and κ-Opioid Receptors with and without Agonist Pretreatment

Opioid receptors display basal signaling (constitutive, agonist-independent activity), which seems to be regulated by agonist exposure. Whereas agonist pretreatment desensitizes receptors to subsequent agonist stimulation, basal signaling of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) was shown to increase. Moreover, agonist pretreatment converts the neutral antagonists naloxone and naltrexone into inverse agonists, suppressing basal signaling, whereas analogs with reduced C6-position, e.g., 6β-naltrexol, remain neutral antagonists at MOR under any condition. This study compares the regulation of basal signaling of MOR, δ-(DOR), and κ-(KOR) opioid receptors after pretreatment with morphine or receptor-selective agonists, in transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cell membranes. Moreover, naloxone, naltrexone, and related antagonists were compared for binding potency and effect on basal and agonist-stimulated receptor signaling, measuring guanosine 5′-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate binding. The results demonstrate basal activity for each opioid receptor, which is modulated by pretreatment with agonists. Even closely related opioid antagonists display distinct patterns of neutral and inverse effects before and after agonist pretreatment, including distinct efficacies between naloxone and naltrexone at agonist-pretreated DOR and KOR. Pretreatment with different agonists has varying effects on inverse and neutral activities of some analogs tested. These results demonstrate that antagonist efficacy is context-dependent, possibly accounting for paradoxical pharmacological effects. Activity profiles at the three opioid receptors under different conditions could lead to antagonists with optimal clinical properties in treatment of addiction and adverse opioid effects.
Reasoning independently of prior belief and individual differences in actively open-minded thinking.

A sample of 349 college students completed an argument evaluation test (AET) in which they evaluated arguments concerning real-life situations. A separate regression analysis was conducted for each student predicting his or her evaluations of argument quality from an objective indicator of argument quality and the strength of his or her prior beliefs about the target propositions. The beta weight for objective argument quality was interpreted in this analysis as an indicator of the ability to evaluate objective argument quality independent of prior belief. Individual differences in this index were reliably linked to individual differences in cognitive ability and actively open-minded thinking dispositions. Further, actively openminded thinking predicted variance in AET performance even after individual differences in cognitive ability had been partialled out. Discussions of critical thinking in the educational and psychological literature consistently point to the importance of decontextualized reasoning styles that foster the tendency to evaluate arguments and evidence in a way that is not
Decentralized provenance-aware publishing with nanopublications

Publication and archival of scientific results is still commonly considered the responsability of classical publishing companies. Classical forms of publishing, however, which center around printed narrative articles, no longer seem well-suited in the digital age. In particular, there exist currently no efficient, reliable, and agreed-upon methods for publishing scientific datasets, which have become increasingly important for science. In this article, we propose to design scientific data publishing as a web-based bottom-up process, without top-down control of central authorities such as publishing companies. Based on a novel combination of existing concepts and technologies, we present a server network to decentrally store and archive data in the form of nanopublications, an RDF-based format to represent scientific data. We show how this approach allows researchers to publish, retrieve, verify, and recombine datasets of nanopublications in a reliable and trustworthy manner, and we argue that this architecture could be used as a low-level data publication layer to serve the Semantic Web in general. Our evaluation of the current network shows that this system is efficient and reliable.
Cross-linking Measurements of In Vivo Protein Complex Topologies*

Identification and measurement of in vivo protein interactions pose critical challenges in the goal to understand biological systems. The measurement of structures and topologies of proteins and protein complexes as they exist in cells is particularly challenging, yet critically important to improve understanding of biological function because proteins exert their intended function only through the structures and interactions they exhibit in vivo. In the present study, protein interactions in E. coli cells were identified in our unbiased cross-linking approach, yielding the first in vivo topological data on many interactions and the largest set of identified in vivo cross-linked peptides produced to date. These data show excellent agreement with protein and complex crystal structures where available. Furthermore, our unbiased data provide novel in vivo topological information that can impact understanding of biological function, even for cases where high resolution structures are not yet available.
In vitro evaluation of remineralization efficacy of different calcium- and fluoride-based delivery systems on artificially demineralized enamel surface

Background: Caries is the most common dental disease facing the world population. Caries can be prevented by remineralizing early enamel lesions. Aim: To evaluate remineralization efficacy of stannous fluoride (SnF2), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride (CPP-ACPF) and calcium sucrose phosphate (CaSP). Materials and Methods: Fifty enamel samples were taken; they were divided into five groups (n = 10). Demineralization was carried out with Groups A, B, C, and E. Remineralization was carried out with Groups A, B, and C for 7 days using SnF2, CPP-ACPF, and CaSP, respectively. In Group D, no surface treatment was carried out, to mark as positive control whereas Group E was kept as negative control with only surface demineralization of enamel. Enamel microhardness was tested using Vickers's microhardness tester after 7 day remineralization regime. Statistical Analysis: One-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests were performed. Results: The mean microhardness values in descending order: Positive control > SnF2> CaSP > CPP-ACPF > negative control. Conclusion: All remineralizing agents showed improved surface remineralization. However, complete remineralization did not occur within 7 days. SnF2showed the highest potential for remineralization followed by CaSP and CPP-ACPF.
Real-time, realistic full-body 3D reconstruction and texture mapping from multiple Kinects

Multi-party 3D Tele-Immersive (TI) environments, supporting realistic interaction among distant users, is the future of tele-conferencing. Real-time, full-body 3D reconstruction, an important task for TI applications, is addressed in this paper. A volumetric method for the reconstruction of watertight models of moving humans is presented, along with details for appropriate texture-mapping to enhance the visual quality. The reconstruction uses the input from multiple consumer depth cameras and specifically Kinect sensors. The presented results verify the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies, with respect to the visual quality and frame rates.