Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tracking sperm of a donor in a recipient: an immunocytochemical approach

In order to study the mechanisms of sperm competition and cryptic female choice we require an understanding of the patterns of sperm storage, sperm removal and sperm digestion. Current studies infer these patterns mainly from paternity data, which only reveal the ultimate outcomes of the interactions between male and female reproductive processes. However, only with a mechanistic understanding of the fate of received sperm, and the involved patterns of postcopulatory sexual selection, can we understand the evolution of male and female reproductive morphology and physiology. The currently available approaches for tracking donor sperm in a recipient are either very time consuming, spatially imprecise or limited to model organisms for which considerable genetic knowledge and molecular know-how is available. Using the free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano we here present a novel sperm tracking approach that uses DNA-labelling with a halogenated pyrimidine and localisation of the label using immunocytochemistry. We first outline modifications to established protocols to allow visualisation of gametic cells, in addition to somatic cells, determine the duration and patterns of spermatogenesis, and then show that labelled sperm from labelled donors can be observed in unlabelled recipients. We further show that labelled worms have a mating behaviour that is comparable to that of unlabelled worms except in one parameter. We suggest ways in which this approach can be optimised, and that it should be readily transferable to other taxa. We conclude that this approach will be a valuable tool to study postcopulatory sexual selection.
Study of Laminar Flame 2-D Scalar Values at Various Fuel to Air Ratios Using an Imaging Fourier-Transform Spectrometer and 2-D CFD Analysis

Abstract : This work furthers an ongoing effort to develop imaging Fourier-transform spectrometry (IFTS) for combustion diagnostics and to validate reactive-flow computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions. An ideal, laminar flame produced by an ethylene-fueled (C2H4) Hencken burner (25.4 x 25.4 mm2 burner) with N2 co-flow was studied using a Telops infrared IFTS featuring an Indium Antimonide (InSb), 1.5 to 5.5 microns, focal-plane array imaging the scene through a Michelson interferometer. Flame equivalency ratios of Phi = 0.81, 0.91, and 1.11 were imaged on a 128 x 200 pixel array with a 0.48 mm per pixel spatial resolution and 0.5 cm-1 spectral resolution. A single-layer radiative transfer model based on the Line-by-Line Radiative Transfer Model (LBLRTM) code and High Resolution Transmission (HITRAN) spectral database for high-temperature work (HITEMP) was used to simultaneously retrieve temperature (T) and concentrations of water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from individual pixel spectra between 3100-3500 cm-1 spanning the flame at heights of 5 mm and 10 mm above the burner. CO2 values were not determined as reliably as H2O due to its smooth, unstructured spectral features in this window. At 5 mm height near flame center, spectrally-estimated T's were 2150, 2200, & 2125 K for Phi = 0.81, 0.91, & 1.11 respectively, which are within 5% of previously reported experimental findings. Additionally, T & H2O compared favorably to adiabatic flame temperatures (2175, 2300, 2385 K) and equilibrium concentrations (10.4, 11.4, 12.8%) computed by NASA-Glenn's Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA) program. UNICORN CFD predictions were in excellent agreement with CEA calculations at flame center, and predicted a fall-off in both T and H2O with distance from flame center more slowly than the spectrally-estimated values. This is likely a shortcoming of the homogeneous assumption imposed by the single-layer model. Pixel-to-pixel variations in T and H2O were observed.
Molecular Analysis of CTG/CTA Repeats at SCA8 Locus in South IndianPopulation

Spinocerebellar ataxias are a group of phenotypically and genetically heterogenous disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the cerebellum with overlapping symptoms. A novel form of SCA has been described with triplet repeat expansions in the 3 UTR of the SCA8 gene and is caused by expansion of a CTG/CTA repeat in the ataxin-8 opposite strand gene (ATXN8OS) located on chromosome 13q21. Analysis of CTA/CTG repeats in SCA8 gene was performed in 188 ataxia patients and 100 healthy volunteers without any neurological signs or family history. The repeat length was found to be highly polymorphic. We were unable to find any individual with pathogenic repeat length in SCA8 gene, when we used the already established pathogenic repeat criteria. However, repeats >35 (4.7%) were exclusively found in patients only and none of the controls suggesting that these repeat sizes could be pathogenic for our population. The frequency of LN alleles was also found to be higher than reported for other populations. The percentage of LN alleles at SCA 8 locus was 65% and 47% in patients and controls. In the present study three patients also exhibited repeats lower than the normal range and the pathological implications of these needs to be explored.
Improved Distributed Cooperative Spectrum Sensing (DCSS) For Cognitive Radio Adhoc Network

Cooperation among cognitive radios for spectrum sensing is deemed essential for environments with deep shadows. In this paper, we study cooperative spectrum sensing for cognitive radio ad hoc networks where there is no fusion center to aggregate the information from various secondary users. We propose a novel consensus-inspired cooperative sensing scheme based on linear iterations that is fully distributed and low-cost. In addition, the trade-offs on the number of consensus iterations are explored for scenarios with different shadow fading characteristics. Furthermore, we model Insistent Spectrum Sensing Data Falsification (ISSDF) attack aimed at consensus-based iterative schemes and show its destructive effect on the cooperation performance which accordingly results in reduced spectrum efficiency and increased interference with primary users. We propose a trust management scheme to mitigate these attacks and evaluate the performance improvement through extensive Monte Carlo simulations for large-scale cognitive radio ad hoc networks in TV white space. Our proposed trust management reduces the harm of a set of collusive ISSDF attackers up to two orders of magnitude in terms of missed-detection and false alarm error rates. Moreover, in a hostile environment, integration of trust management into cooperative schemes considerably relaxes the sensitivity requirements on the cognitive radio devices. Keywords— Dynamic spectrum access, Cognitive radio ad hoc networks, Distributed consensus-based cooperative spectrum sensing, Trust management, Insistent spectrum sensing data falsification attack
THE PATIENT-PHYSICIAN RELATIONSHIP Race , Gender , and Partnership in the Patient-Physician Relationship

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT AFRIcan Americans and other minority patients often receive differential and less optimal technical health care than white Americans. It is uncertain how much of these racial differences in health care and outcomes can be explained by patient cultural factors, health care professional biases, or health care system biases. Differences in socioeconomic status and health insurance coverage between patients only partially explain the observed racial differences in health care. Race and ethnicity have been cited as important cultural barriers in patientphysician communication. However, cross-cultural factors in patientphysician communication are largely unexplored. Problems in communication due to cultural differences between patients and physicians often contribute toadisparity in theunderstanding that patients and physicians have regarding the cause of disease and the effectiveness of available treatments. One study showed some enhancement of communication when physicians and patients belonged to the same ethnic group; however, the match between the physician and patient with respect to the explanatory model of illness and expectations for the visit were equally important in determining outcome. Few studies have related differences in the quality of interpersonal health care to patients’ and physicians’ ethnicity or to ethnic concordance or discordance in the patientphysician relationship. These studies have found that racial and ethnic differences between physicians and pa-
Identification of Coffee Fragrances Using Needle Trap Device-Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry (NTD-GC/MS)

E-mail: einyong@cu.ac. krReceived February 7, 2013, Accepted March 14, 2013A fast and simple sampling and sample preparation device, (NTD) has been developed and applied to sampleand analyze volatile components from ground coffee beans. Coffee fragrances and other volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) were sampled by the NTD and then analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry(GC/MS). Divinylbenzene (DVB) particles (80/100 mesh size) were the sorbent bed of the NTD. More than150 volatile components were first identified based on the database of the mass library and then finally 30fragrances including caffeine were further confirmed by comparing experimental retention indices (i.e. Kovatindex) with literature retention indices. Total sampling time was 10 minutes and no extra solvent extraction and/or reconstitution step need. Straight n-alkanes (C6-C20) were used as retention index probes for the calculationof experimental retention indices. In addition, this report suggests that an empty needle can be an alternativeplatform for analyzing polymers by pyrolysis-GC/MS. Key Words : Sorbent tube, Microextraction, Needle trap device, Coffee fragrance, Kovat indexIntroductionThe analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) andsemi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) is very importantdue to the fact that those compounds are ubiquitous andoften harmful to human health.
HST/WFC3 CONFIRMATION OF THE INSIDE-OUT GROWTH OF MASSIVE GALAXIES AT 0 < z < 2 AND IDENTIFICATION OF THEIR STAR-FORMING PROGENITORS AT z ∼ 3

We study the structural evolution of massive galaxies by linking progenitors and descendants at a constant cumulative number density of nc = 1.4 × 10−4 Mpc−3 to z ∼ 3. Structural parameters were measured by fitting Sérsic profiles to high-resolution CANDELS HST WFC3 J125 and H160 imaging in the UKIDSS-UDS at 1 < z < 3 and ACS I814 imaging in COSMOS at 0.25 < z < 1. At a given redshift, we selected the HST band that most closely samples a common rest-frame wavelength so as to minimize systematics from color gradients in galaxies. At fixed nc, galaxies grow in stellar mass by a factor of ∼3 from z ∼ 3 to z ∼ 0. The size evolution is complex: galaxies appear roughly constant in size from z ∼ 3 to z ∼ 2 and then grow rapidly to lower redshifts. The evolution in the surface mass density profiles indicates that most of the mass at r < 2 kpc was in place by z ∼ 2, and that most of the new mass growth occurred at larger radii. This inside-out mass growth is therefore responsible for the larger sizes and higher Sérsic indices of the descendants toward low redshift. At z < 2, the effective radius evolves with the stellar mass as re∝M2.0, consistent with scenarios that find dissipationless minor mergers to be a key driver of size evolution. The progenitors at z ∼ 3 were likely star-forming disks with re ∼ 2 kpc, based on their low Sérsic index of n ∼ 1, low median axis ratio of b/a ∼ 0.52, and typical location in the star-forming region of the U − V versus V − J diagram. By z ∼ 1.5, many of these star-forming disks disappeared, giving rise to compact quiescent galaxies. Toward lower redshifts, these galaxies continued to assemble mass at larger radii and became the local ellipticals that dominate the high-mass end of the mass function at the present epoch.
Paleopedological evidence of human-induced environmental change in the Puebla - Tlaxcala area (Mexico) during the last 3,500 years

A review of research on human-induced environmental change in the Puebla–Tlaxcala area of Mexico for the past 3,500 years is presented. The human impact on the soil environment is felt and registered in form of increasing sedimentation rates causing colluvial accumulation on mid-slopes, foot-slope cones and alluvial fills in valleys. Land-use changes related to cyclic political developments were the driver of environmental changes. Climatic conditions (e.g., rainfall variability, drought) had no primary effect on accelerated soil erosion. In central Mexico phases of soil erosion were asynchronous both in time and in space.
Population structure of South African and Australian Pyrenophora teres isolates.

There are two recognized forms of the disease net blotch of barley: the net form caused by Pyrenophora teres f. teres (PTT) and the spot form caused by P. teres f. maculata (PTM). In this study, amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of 60 PTT and 64 PTM isolates collected across Australia (66 isolates) and in the south-western Cape of South Africa (58 isolates). For comparison, P. tritici-repentis, Exserohilum rostratum and Bipolaris sorokiniana samples were also included in the analyses. Both distance- and model-based cluster analyses separated the PTT and PTM isolates into two strongly divergent genetic groups. Significant variation was observed both among the South African and Australian populations of PTT and PTM and among sampling locations for the PTT samples. Results suggest that sexual reproduction between the two forms is unlikely and that reproduction within the PTT and PTM groups occurs mainly asexually.
Markov chain Monte Carlo in approximate Dirichlet and beta two-parameter process hierarchical models

SUMMARY We present some easy-to-construct random probability measures which approximate the Dirichlet process and an extension which we will call the beta two-parameter process. The nature of these constructions makes it simple to implement Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for fitting nonparametric hierarchical models and mixtures of nonparametric hierarchical models. For the Dirichlet process, we consider a truncation approximation as well as a weak limit approximation based on a mixture of Dirichlet processes. The same type of truncation approximation can also be applied to the beta two-parameter process. Both methods lead to posteriors which can be fitted using Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms that take advantage of blocked coordinate updates. These algorithms promote rapid mixing of the Markov chain and can be readily applied to normal mean mixture models and to density estimation problems. We prefer the truncation approximations, since a simple device for monitoring the adequacy of the approximation can be easily computed from the output of the Gibbs sampler. Furthermore, for the Dirichlet process, the truncation approximation offers an exponentially higher degree of accuracy over the weak limit approximation for the same computational effort. We also find that a certain beta two-parameter process may be suitable for finite mixture modelling because the distinct number of sampled values from this process tends to match closely the number of components of the underlying mixture distribution.
Exploring the Central Executive

The central executive component of working memory is a poorly specified and very powerful system that could be criticized as little more than a homunculus. A research strategy is outlined that attempts to specify and analyse its component functions and is illustrated with four lines of research. The first concerns the study of the capacity to coordinate performance on two separate tasks. A second involves the capacity to switch retrieval strategies as reflected in random generation. The capacity to attend selectively to one stimulus and inhibit the disrupting effect of others comprises the third line of research, and the fourth involves the capacity to hold and manipulate information in long-term memory, as reflected in measures of working memory span. It is suggested that this multifaceted approach is a fruitful one that leaves open the question of whether it will ultimately prove more appropriate to regard the executive as a unified system with multiple functions, or simply as an agglomeration of independent though interacting control processes. In the meantime, it seems useful to continue to use the concept of a central executive as a reminder of the crucially important control functions of working memory.
Testing the swash exclusion hypothesis in sandy beach populations: the mole crab Emerita brasiliensis in Uruguay

Exposed marine beaches are physically rigorous habitats in which macrofauna commu- nity patterns have been well correlated with physical factors such as grain size, beach slope and wave/swash processes. In this context, the swash exclusion hypothesis (SEH) gained wide accept- ability in explaining the control of species abundance and diversity of the sandy beach macrofauna by swash climate, determined by wave height and beach face slope. This hypothesis predicts a con- sistent increase in species richness, abundance and biomass from reflective to dissipative conditions. However, predictions of the SEH have not been adequately tested at a population level. Here, demo- graphic and life history characteristics of the intertidal mole crab Emerita brasiliensis were compared between populations of 2 microtidal exposed sandy beaches with contrasting morphodynamics dur- ing 22 consecutive months. The major prediction of the paradigm does not hold for the mole crab: total abundance, as well as that of males, females, males with spermatophores and megalops did not differ between beaches. Moreover, the reflective beach population presented higher male growth rates in size and lower natural mortality. Other population processes and life history traits gave support for the SEH: the dissipative beach population presented (1) higher abundance of ovigerous females, female growth rates, fecundity, egg production potential, size at maturity, as well as weight at size; and (2) lower female mortality and burrowing rates (for both sexes). The SEH seems to be particularly useful in explaining female somatic growth and reproductive features, which could be related to a major amount of food availability in dissipative beaches. However, other competing, but not exclusive, hypotheses are needed to explain variations in population abundance and other pro- cesses such as male growth and survivorship. The empirical evidence from several recent studies on the Uruguayan coast showed that sandy beach populations that co-occur in contrasting environments are less sensitive to variations in beach morphodynamics, which should not be considered the primary factor affecting the abundance and some life history traits. The importance of alternative population regulation processes and mechanisms are stressed.
Episodic memory in the human prefrontal cortex

ii temporal lobe increased with practice. In the fourth paper, FMRI is used to expand the findings from the second paper by applying the greater temporal resolution of event-related FMRI to separate activity for the figurative from the non-figurative drawings. Only some of the results from the second paper are replicated. In the last paper, the ‘remember’/‘know’ paradigm is used. This means that subjects are given a recognition test of previously seen words and asked to indicate the quality of a recognition experience as either ‘remembered’, meaning that the subject can recall the encoding event, or ‘known’, meaning that the subject finds the word familiar but has no recollection of the encoding event. The recognition test as well as the attribution of the recognition experience as ‘remembering’ or ‘knowing’ is scanned using event-related FMRI. Recognised words that are later ‘remembered’ compared to words that are later ‘known’ are associated with increased activity in the posterior part of the right hippocampus and comparing later ‘remembered’ words with correct rejections revealed activations in the left inferior parietal lobule and in the right middle frontal gyrus. We conclude that practice in an episodic memory task represents a change from controlled to automatic processing; that the strong form of the hemispheric encoding retrieval asymmetry hypothesis (HERA) is not sufficient to account for the patterns of activity in the frontal cortex associated with episodic memory; that levels of processing can be shown with visuo-spatial material and that levels of processing are reflected in differently lateralised frontal and parietal activity.
Cash transfers and early childhood care and education in Zimbabwe: A critical inquiry to discourse, theory and practice

Cash transfer based social protection can potentially contribute positively upon targeted beneficiaries on a variety of developmental aspects. This study explored the pilot and scaled-up phases of the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer program to determine impacts towards improving under-eight children’s access to food, education, and health services. Stories of significant change were gathered in retrospect from purposively sampled caregivers and children beneficiaries. Based on thematic and guided analysis, it emerged that the programmes’ theoretical and practical approaches renders the interventions less effective as impact assessment is narrowed to the early childhood cohort. This is furthered by relatively insufficient size of grants disbursed per household and commodity supply-side challenges. Consequently, a review to theoretical and practical tenets of the cash transfer approach becomes imminent in the Zimbabwean context. Targeting criteria needs refinement and supplemented with policy and multi-faceted public investment to address underlying limitations to impact on young children.
Non-minimal UED confronts B s → μ + μ −

Addition of boundary localised kinetic and Yukawa terms to the action of a 5dimensional Standard Model would non-trivially modify the Kaluza-Klein spectra and some of the interactions among the Kaluza-Klein excitations compared to the minimal version of this model, in which, these boundary terms are not present. In the minimal version of this framework known as Universal Extra Dimensional model, special assumptions are made about these unknown, beyond the cut-off contributions to restrict the number of unknown parameters of the theory to a minimal. We estimate the contribution of Kaluza-Klein modes to the branching ratios of Bs(d) → μ+μ− in the framework of non-minimal Universal Extra Dimensional, at one loop level. The results have been compared to the experimental data to constrain the parameters of this model. From the measured decay branching ratio of Bs → μ+μ− (depending on the values of boundary localised parameters) lower limit on R−1 can be as high as 800 GeV. We have briefly reviewed the bounds on nmUED parameter space coming from electroweak precision observables. The present analysis (Bs → μ+μ−) has ruled out new regions of parameter space in comparison to the analysis of electroweak data. We have revisited the bound on R−1 in Universal Extra Dimensional model, which came out to be 454 GeV. This limit on R−1 in Universal Extra Dimensional framework is not as competitive as the limits derived from the consideration of relic density or Standard Model Higgs boson production and decay to W+W−. Unfortunately, Bd → μ+μ− decay branching ratio would not set any significant limit on R−1 in a minimal or non-minimal Universal Extra Dimensional model. PACS No: 11.10 Kk, 12.60. -i, 14.70. Hp, 14.80. Rt