Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The restoration of the endangered Sambucus palmensis after 30 years of conservation actions in the Garajonay National Park: genetic assessment and niche modeling

The translocation of individuals or the reinforcement of populations are measures in the genetic rescue of endangered species. Although it can be controversial to decide which and how many individuals must be reintroduced, populations can benefit from reinforcements. Sambucus palmensis is a critically endangered endemic to the Canary Islands. During the past 30 years, the Garajonay National Park (La Gomera) has carried out an intensive program of translocations using cuttings, due to the low germination rates of seeds. To assess the effect of the restorations on the population genetics of S. palmensis in La Gomera, we collected 402 samples from all the restored sites and all known natural individuals, which were genotyped with seven microsatellite markers. In addition, we conducted a species distribution modeling approach to assess how restorations fit the ecological niche of the species. Results show that there is a high proportion of clone specimens due to the propagation method, and the natural clonal reproduction of the species. Nonetheless, the observed heterozygosity has increased with the restorations and there still are private alleles and unique genotypes in the natural populations that have not been considered in the restorations. The population of Liria constitutes a very important genetic reservoir for the species. To optimize future reintroductions, we have proposed a list of specimens that are suitable for the extraction of seeds or cuttings in a greenhouse, as well as new suitable areas obtained by the species distribution models.
Unraveling the genetics of lymphocytic thyroiditis using the dog as a model

The domestic dog, with its unique genetic structure formed by domestication and recent breed creation, has been proven to be an excellent model for mapping disease genes. In this thesis, we use the dog as a model to investigate the prevalence and genetic background of canine lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT), one of the most common immune related diseases in dogs. The canine phenotype has been carefully characterized and suggests a strong comparative value to human Hashimoto’s disease because of similar etiology, clinical signs and disease progression. Therefore, our aim was to gain increased knowledge about CLT and its relevance to human autoimmune thyroid disease, to benefit both dogs and humans. In our first study (paper I) we screened two birth cohorts (3-4 and 6-7 years old, respectively) for elevated serum levels of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (TgAA) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and could estimate a very high prevalence of CLT in the giant schnauzer and the hovawart breeds. Next, we aimed at unraveling the genetic background of CLT in the same breeds, using two different approaches; a candidate gene approach followed by a genome-wide association analysis. Using the first approach we obtained evidence that DLA class II polymorphisms can function both as a genetic risk factor predisposing for the disease as well as a protective factor against the disease. Using genome wide association we identified two additional strong susceptibility loci located on chromosome 11 and X. Both regions harbour genes with known immune-regulatory functions and implicates three genes involved in NF-κB pathway. Given the reported role of NF-κB in many human autoimmune diseases, our results suggest CLT as an excellent genetic model for human thyroiditis.
Farm Household Production Efficiency: Evidence from the Gambia

This article investigates the economic efficiency of farm households, with an application to The Gambia. The efficiency analysis is conducted not at the farm level but at the household level, thus capturing the importance of off-farm activities. Output-based measures of technical, allocative, and scale efficiency are generated using nonparametric measurements. An econometric analysis of factors affecting the efficiency indexes is then conducted using a Tobit model. Technical efficiency is fairly high indicating that access to technology is not a severe constraint for most farm households. The cost of scale inefficiency is modest. Allocative inefficiency by contrast is found to be important for the majority of farm households. On the basis of the Tobit results, imperfections in markets for financial capital and nonfarm employment contribute to significant allocative inefficiency.
The Miracle year: From basic structure to social communication.

In recent years, a functional perspective on infant communication has emerged whereby infants’ production of vocal sounds is understood not only in terms of the acoustic properties of those sounds, but also in terms of the sounds that regulate and are regulated by social interactions with those hearing them. Here, the authors synthesize findings across several disciplines to characterize this holistic view of infant language learning. The goal is to interpret classic and more recent behavioral findings (e.g., on infants’ preferences) in light of data on preand postnatal neurophysiological responses to the environment (e.g., fetal heart rate, cortical blood flow). Language learning is a complex process that takes place at multiple levels across multiple systems; this review is an attempt to embrace this complexity and provide an integrated account of how these systems interact to support language learning.
Numerical study of singularity formation in a class of Euler and Navier–Stokes flows

We study numerically a class of stretched solutions of the three-dimensional Euler and Navier–Stokes equations identified by Gibbon, Fokas, and Doering (1999). Pseudo-spectral computations of a Euler flow starting from a simple smooth initial condition suggests a breakdown in finite time. Moreover, this singularity apparently persists in the Navier–Stokes case. Independent evidence for the existence of a singularity is given by a Taylor series expansion in time. The mechanism underlying the formation of this singularity is the two-dimensionalization of the vorticity vector under strong compression; that is, the intensification of the azimuthal components associated with the diminishing of the axial component. It is suggested that the hollowing of the vortex accompanying this phenomenon may have some relevance to studies in vortex breakdown.
Valve motion measurements on motorbike cylinder heads using high-speed laser vibrometer

ABSTRACT This work deals with valve motion measurements on cylinder heads of Ducati racing motorbikes, by means of high speed laser Doppler vibrometer. The experimental apparatus is described and some measurement results are presented.The results confirm that the effects of the dynamic phenomena are very important, especially at high speeds, and that thedynamic response gets worse with the increment of backlashes in the cam kinematic pairs. In addition, the measurements make it possible to analyse the valve bumping phenomena. The information retrieved from measurements provides insight into the cam system dynamics and helps the development of elastodynamic predictive models.Keywords: valve train, laser Doppler vibrometer, motorbike engine, test bench. 1. INTRODUCTION Nowadays tests on the dynamic performances of valve trains in reciprocating engines are becoming more and more important. In fact, this kind of devices operates at very high speed and, as a consequence, it is not possible to neglect theeffects of link elastic flexibility and mass distribution, as well as the effects of backlashes and friction in joints, on thedynamic response of the mechanism. In particular, the valve motion can be so affected by the above mentioned effects,that it may fail to perform its tasks adequately, e.g. leading to alterations of the engine's fluid dynamics. In addition, highaccelerations and dynamic stress levels take place and may cause serious functional troubles, such as wear, fatigue andbreakage of mechanical components (see Fig. 1 and 2). This work deals with a desmodromic valve train of the twincylinder 'L' engine of Ducati racing motorbikes. This timing
Right hemisphere capacities for word-finding: Bilateral modulation of event-related potentials in healthy adults and adults with aphasia

Language tasks are typically lateralized to the language dominant left hemisphere in healthy right-handed adults. Additionally, lesions in left frontotemporal areas typically result in a variety of language impairments called aphasia. Interestingly, increased activation in right cerebral regions homologous to left side lesions has been observed in patients with aphasia during word-finding tasks. The neural mechanism and the impact on word-finding remain unclear. There are two competing theories concerning compensatory right hemisphere activation. One view is that the right hemisphere plays a supportive role, taking over functions of the damaged left hemisphere. The other perspective is that rightward laterality is maladaptive and leads to some of the wordfinding error patterns observed in aphasia. It may be possible to reconcile the discrepancy in the literature when considering a third view. I propose that while the right hemisphere may in fact be able to assist in language processes when the dominant left hemisphere is damaged, its capabilities are limited. Word-finding errors may result when this process is overgeneralized beyond the capacities of the right hemisphere. The aim of the present study is to examine how laterality is affected by word-finding difficulty in patients with chronic aphasia and in healthy adults. I used event-related potentials (ERP) to record neural activity that was time-locked to the cognitive events of interest among 10 participants with chronic aphasia secondary to single cerebrovascular accidents and 10, healthy age-matched control participants. Specifically, I compared ERP signatures between the two groups, during word-stem completion and picture naming. ERPs can reveal temporal dynamics and general spatial location of neural activity underlying wordfinding processes. The outcomes of this study will provide key insights into the Alton, Amanda , 2017, UMSL, p. 3 qualitative and quantitative contributions of the right hemisphere for word-finding in both healthy adults and individuals with aphasia and may help inform intervention practices that aim to enhance or suppress bilateral activation.
GEOMETRIC MORPHOMETRICS ANALYSIS OF CRANIAL SHAPE AMONG LATE MIOCENE HYAENID ECOMORPHOLOGIES IN THE LINXIA BASIN,GANSU,CHINA

The carnivoran family Hyaenidae has an evolutionary history stretching ~20 Ma,with high generic diversity in the fossil record and a paucity of living species. Their ecological diversity peaked during the late Miocene,when multiple sympatric species made up a major component of the carnivoran guild in many fossil faunas. Here one group of late Miocene hyaenids and their sister family Percrocuti-dae,from the Linxia Basin of northwestern China,was studied using geometric morphometrics analysis of cranial shape. The morphology of Ictitherium and Hyaenictitherium was shown to be intermediate between those of living spotted hyena Crocuta and canids Canis and Lycaon . The larger Dinocrocuta and Adcrocuta overlap extensively in morphology with extant Crocuta . Juvenile Dinocrocuta and Crocuta are more similar to each other in cranial morphology than either is to adult individuals of their species. Furthermore,adult Hyaenictitherium and Ictitherium fall within the range of variation of extant juvenile Crocuta . These findings indicate that Crocuta and Dinocrocuta not only converge on robust adult cranial morphology,but may also share similar ontogenetic trajectories; the prolonged period of ontogeny in Crocuta required for developing the robust morphology may also be true for Dinocrocuta . The ictithere-like morphology of juvenile Crocuta suggests that adult cranial shape of the extant hyaenid is obtained via continued allometric growth from,and beyond,the ictithere bauplan.
Soft Drink Consumption and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents: The Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey

Evidence regarding mental health problems caused by related to excessive beverage intake is growing, but it is unclear which types of beverage increase mental health risks and at what level of consumption. We investigated the association between beverage intake and suicide attempts in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents. We used the cross-sectional data of the 11th Korean Youth Risk Behavior web-based Survey, which adopted an internet-based, self-reported questionnaire with anonymity. We estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and used 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) with multiple logistic regression models. In total, 68,043 adolescents participated in this study, and 1,662 (2.4%) reported a suicide attempt in the last 12 months. Students who drink carbonated beverages more than 5–6 times per week had higher odds of attempting suicide (OR, 3.237; 95% CI, 2.272–4.613). Adolescents who drink energy drinks more than three times per day had approximately five times higher odds of attempting suicide (OR, 5.203; 95% CI, 3.194–8.474). Beverage intake of more than three times a day was positively associated with suicide attempt in Korean adolescents. In particular, energy drink consumption was in robust, positive association with suicide attempt.
Health Impacts of Alcohol Misuse in Alaska

Acknowledgments:: We thank the following people for their contributions to this report: Richard Raines, David Gibson, and Kim Laird, Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Section; Sara Clark, Michael Powell, and Patrick Swiger, Alaska Division of Behavioral Health; Ambrosia Romig, Alaska Rural and Community Health Systems Section; Michael Matthews, Alaska Department of Corrections; Craig Kahklen, Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice; Erich Scheunemann, Anchorage Fire Department; Todd McDowell, Office of Emergency Medical Services; Jared Parrish and Kathy Perham-Hester, Alaska Women’s, Children’s, and Family Health Section; Susan Cable, Office of Children’s Services; Samantha Wilson and Brian Laurent, Alaska Department of Education & Early Development. Department of Health and Social Services Valerie J. Davidson, Commissioner Division of Public Health Jay C. Butler, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Director Editors Joe McLaughlin, MD, MPH Louisa Castrodale, DVM, MPH
PICK1-Deficient Mice Exhibit Impaired Response to Cocaine and Dysregulated Dopamine Homeostasis

Abstract Protein interacting with C-kinase 1 (PICK1) is a widely expressed scaffold protein known to interact via its PSD-95/discs-large/ZO-1 (PDZ)-domain with several membrane proteins including the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT), the primary target for cocaine’s reinforcing actions. Here, we establish the importance of PICK1 for behavioral effects observed after both acute and repeated administration of cocaine. In PICK1 knock-out (KO) mice, the acute locomotor response to a single injection of cocaine was markedly attenuated. Moreover, in support of a role for PICK1 in neuroadaptive changes induced by cocaine, we observed diminished cocaine intake in a self-administration paradigm. Reduced behavioral effects of cocaine were not associated with decreased striatal DAT distribution and most likely not caused by the ∼30% reduction in synaptosomal DA uptake observed in PICK1 KO mice. The PICK1 KO mice demonstrated preserved behavioral responses to DA receptor agonists supporting intact downstream DA receptor signaling. Unexpectedly, we found a prominent increase in striatal DA content and levels of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in PICK1 KO mice. Chronoamperometric recordings showed enhanced DA release in PICK1 KO mice, consistent with increased striatal DA pools. Viral-mediated knock-down (KD) of PICK1 in cultured dopaminergic neurons increased TH expression, supporting a direct cellular effect of PICK1. In summary, in addition to demonstrating a key role of PICK1 in mediating behavioral effects of cocaine, our data reveal a so far unappreciated role of PICK1 in DA homeostasis that possibly involves negative regulation of striatal TH levels.
Constructs Related to Community College Student Satisfaction in Blended Learning

This paper discusses the constructs of social presence, collaborative learning, computer-supported collaborative learning, and satisfaction in blended learning environments. It presents the results of a study that used the Collaborative Learning, Social Presence, and Satisfaction (CLSS) questionnaire, which was conducted on one campus in a multi-campus community college system. The CLSS questionnaire measured the amount of perceived collaborative learning, perceived social presence, and reported satisfaction in a blended course. The sample of participants was drawn from students enrolled in one or more blended courses on one campus in a multi-campus, community-college system in the southwestern United States.
Study of Metopic Suture in Dry Human Skulls

Frontal bone develops from two halves connected by metopic suture. Metopic suture usually gets obliterated in the 1 postnatal year. But it may persist in small area in the adult skulls. The present study was undertaken to observe the presence of the metopic suture in the collected adult human skulls obtained from Nepal Medical College. 57 complete human skulls were taken from the Department of Anatomy, for the study of metopic suture. 42 crania had the metopic suture, out of which 4 crania were noted with the metopism. The partial sutures were of linear, V-shaped and double varieties with the highest frequency of the linear (31.6%) followed by double sutures (28.1%) and the least observed were V-shaped sutures (7%). The length of the complete metopic suture was calculated to be 12.82cm.
Cognition and connectomes in nondementia idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

Abstract In this study, we investigate the organization of the structural connectome in cognitively well participants with Parkinson’s disease (PD-Well; n = 31) and a subgroup of participants with Parkinson’s disease who have amnestic disturbances (PD-MI; n = 9). We explore correlations between connectome topology and vulnerable cognitive domains in Parkinson’s disease relative to non-Parkinson’s disease peers (control, n = 40). Diffusion-weighted MRI data and deterministic tractography were used to generate connectomes. Connectome topological indices under study included weighted indices of node strength, path length, clustering coefficient, and small-worldness. Relative to controls, node strength was reduced 4.99% for PD-Well (p = 0.041) and 13.2% for PD-MI (p = 0.004). We found bilateral differences in the node strength between PD-MI and controls for inferior parietal, caudal middle frontal, posterior cingulate, precentral, and rostral middle frontal. Correlations between connectome and cognitive domains of interest showed that topological indices of global connectivity negatively associated with working memory and displayed more and larger negative correlations with neuropsychological indices of memory in PD-MI than in PD-Well and controls. These findings suggest that indices of network connectivity are reduced in PD-MI relative to PD-Well and control participants.
High energy neutrino emission and neutrino background from gamma-ray bursts in the internal shock model

High energy neutrino emission from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is discussed. In this paper, by using the simulation kit GEANT4, we calculate proton cooling efficiency including pion-multiplicity and proton-inelasticity in photomeson production. First, we estimate the maximum energy of accelerated protons in GRBs. Using the obtained results, neutrino flux from one burst and a diffuse neutrino background are evaluated quantitatively. We also take account of cooling processes of pion and muon, which are crucial for resulting neutrino spectra. We confirm the validity of analytic approximate treatments on GRB fiducial parameter sets, but also find that the effects of multiplicity and high-inelasticity can be important on both proton cooling and resulting spectra in some cases. Finally, assuming that the GRB rate traces the star formation rate, we obtain a diffuse neutrino background spectrum from GRBs for specific parameter sets. We introduce the nonthermal baryon-loading factor, rather than assume that GRBs are main sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). We find that the obtained neutrino background can be comparable with the prediction of Waxman and Bahcall, although our ground in estimation is different from theirs. In this paper, we study on various parameters since there are many parameters in the model. Themore » detection of high energy neutrinos from GRBs will be one of the strong evidences that protons are accelerated to very high energy in GRBs. Furthermore, the observations of a neutrino background has a possibility not only to test the internal shock model of GRBs but also to give us information about parameters in the model and whether GRBs are sources of UHECRs or not. « less
Effects of Microbial Inoculants on the Fermentation, Nutrient Retention, and Aerobic Stability of Barley Silage

Fermentation characteristics, nutrient retention and aerobic stability of barley silages prepared using 6 commercial inoculants were evaluated using 126 mini-silos (3-L) in a completely randomized design. Whole barley forage was chopped, wilted to 39% DM and treated with water (control, S) or one of six inoculants: A (containing Lactobacillus plantarum); B (L. plantarum and Enterococcus faecium); C (L. plantarum and Pediococcus cerevisiae); D (L. plantarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Propionibacterium freudenreichii, plus hydrolytic enzymes); E (Lactobacillus buchneri plus hydrolytic enzymes); F (L. buchneri and P. pentosaceus plus hydrolytic enzymes). Samples of treated forage were collected for analysis at the time of ensiling, and then 18 silos of each treatment were filled, capped and weighed. Triplicate silos were weighed and opened after 1, 3, 5, 7, 33, and 61 d. On d 61, 400±5 g of material from each silo was placed in 1-L styrofoam containers, covered with cheesecloth and held at room temperature. Silage temperature was recorded hourly for 14 d via implanted thermocouple probes. Chemical composition of the forage at ensiling was consistent with previously reported values. At d 61, pH was lowest (p 0.10) across treatments. Acetic acid levels were highest (p<0.01) in silage E and lowest (p<0.01) in silage D. Recovery of DM was lower (p<0.01) in silage F than in silages S, A, B, C, or D. On d 61, yeasts were most numerous (p<0.01) in silage D, which was the only silage in which temperature rose more than 2°C above ambient during aerobic exposure. Silage D also had the highest (p<0.01) pH and ADIN content after aerobic exposure. Lactic acid and WSC content of silage D decreased dramatically during the 14-d aerobic exposure period. Yeast counts (at d 14 of exposure) were lowest (p<0.01) in silages E and F. In general, the commercial inoculants did not appear to enhance the fermentation of barley silage to