Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Candidate Genes Associated with Fecundity through Genome-Wide Selection Signatures of Katahdin Ewes

Simple Summary It is difficult to improve the reproductive performance of sheep (fecundity, fertility, and prolificacy) through the simple selection of animals that are outstanding due to phenotype. The genetic transmission of the reproductive performance to progeny is of low effectiveness for these types of traits, which is why traditional selection has not been successful. Presently, there is scarce information about the reproduction of Katahdin sheep and apparently no information about genes associated with reproductive traits. In this study, a genetic scan was conducted to detect genes associated with fecundity in Katahdin ewes. It was found that genes expressed in reproductive tissues tend to be reported frequently as candidates; that is, they are genes that directly influence the fecundity of ewes: CNOT11, GLUD1, GRID1, MAPK8, and CCL28. Other genes have indirect influence, for example, those that affect hormonal processes such as lipid synthesis: ADIRF, CCL28, and HMGCS1. New genes associated with the fecundity of Katahdin ewes are reported in this study. Abstract One of the strategies to genetically improve reproductive traits, despite their low inheritability, has been the identification of candidate genes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to detect candidate genes associated with fecundity through the fixation index (FST) and runs of homozygosity (ROH) of selection signatures in Katahdin ewes. Productive and reproductive records from three years were used and the genotypes (OvineSNP50K) of 48 Katahdin ewes. Two groups of ewes were identified to carry out the genetic comparison: with high fecundity (1.3 ± 0.03) and with low fecundity (1.1 ± 0.06). This study shows for the first time evidence of the influence of the CNOT11, GLUD1, GRID1, MAPK8, and CCL28 genes in the fecundity of Katahdin ewes; in addition, new candidate genes were detected for fecundity that were not reported previously in ewes but that were detected for other species: ANK2 (sow), ARHGAP22 (cow and buffalo cow), GHITM (cow), HERC6 (cow), DPF2 (cow), and TRNAC-GCA (buffalo cow, bull). These new candidate genes in ewes seem to have a high expression in reproduction. Therefore, future studies are needed focused on describing the physiological basis of changes in the reproductive behavior influenced by these genes.
‘Turning 30’ transitions: Generation Y hits quarter-life

This paper was presented at the 1st International Coaching Psychology Conference, London, December, 2006.This paper shares a research-based model of a significant life transition experienced by individuals in their late 20s and early 30s, termed a ‘turning 30’ transition. It reviews psychological and social drivers of this transition for today’s generation (commonly known as Generation Y), and explores a range of emotional and behavioural outcomes. A coaching model is presented, which is designed to support coaches and therapists working with individuals in this age group. It is derived from positive and coaching psychology, and has been applied in individual and organisational contexts.
Chronic Undernutrition and Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months in South Ari, South Omo Zone, Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background Chronic undernutrition (stunting) among children is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The global community is committed to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Regardless of this, children are suffering from some form of malnutrition but the reason is unclear. This study thus was intended to identify stunting and associated factors among children aged 6 to 59 months in the South Ari Woreda of South Omo Zone. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in South Ari Woreda from 1, January 2022 to 30, February 2022, and 409 children participated. A simple random sampling technique was used to identify study participants, and mothers/caregivers were interviewed. Data on sociodemographic, economic, and environmental determinants were collected by trained professional nurses using interviewer-administered questionnaires and anthropometric data were collected via weighting and measuring the height/length of the child. Emergency Nutrition Assessment for Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions 2020 software was used to generate an anthropometric index, and a child with a height for age index below −2standard deviations of the standard population was considered stunted. Factors of stunting were assessed using multivariate binary logistic regression at a 5% significance level. Results The study revealed that 44.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 39.19%-48.81%) of children were stunted in the study area. Household's wealth status (the poorest; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.14 [95% CI = 2.08-8.22] and poor; AOR = 3.31 [95% CI = 1.60-6.82]), improper solid waste management practice of the household (AOR = 2.67 [95% CI = 1.56-4.55]), and the children sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) (AOR = 0.37 [95%CI = 0.22-0.60]) were statistically significantly associated with stunting status of the children. Conclusion Stunting among the children in the study area was very high. Improving household's (HH) economy, safe management of domestic solid waste, and ensuring that the children are sleeping under ITNs are expected to reduce stunting.
Efficacy and Cost over 12 Hospitalization Weeks of Postacute Care for Stroke

Few studies have investigated changes in functional outcomes and economic burden in patients in the postacute care cerebrovascular disease (PAC-CVD) program. We, for the first time, retrospectively investigated changes in functional performance and the national health insurance (NHI) cost over 12 PAC-CVD hospitalization weeks and evaluated the therapeutic effects of the PAC-CVD program on the NHI cost. Specifically, the functional outcomes and NHI cost of 263 stroke patients in the PAC-CVD program were analyzed. The repeated measures t test was used to compare functional performance over 0–3 weeks, and a one-way repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare functional performance and NHI costs during weeks 0–6 and 0–9. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare functional performance over weeks 9–12. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to estimate the effects of functional performance on NHI costs during weeks 3, 6, and 9. Over weeks 0–12, all functional performance measures demonstrated significant improvements. Changes in NHI costs varied depending on whether hospitalization was extended. At any time point, functional performance did not have a significant impact on NHI cost. Therefore, the PAC-CVD program may aid patients with stroke in sustainably regaining functional performance and effectively controlling economic burden.
Changes of Air Pollutants in Urban Cities during the COVID-19 Lockdown-Sri Lanka

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Sri Lanka underwent a nationwide lockdown that limited motor vehicle movement, industrial operations, and human activities. This study analyzes the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and particulate matter (PM 10 , PM 2.5 ) concentrations in two urban cities (Colombo and Kandy) in Sri Lanka, by comparison of data from the lockdown period (March to May 2020) with its analogous period of 2019 and 2021. The results showed that the percentage change of daytime PM 10 , PM 2.5 , CO, and NO 2 concentration during the lockdown in Colombo (Kandy) is –42.3% (–39.5%), –46% (–54.2%), –14.7% (–8.8%) and –82.2% (–80.9%), respectively. In both cities, the response of NO 2 to the lockdown was the most sensitive. In contrast, daytime O 3 concentration in Colombo (Kandy) has increased by 6.7% (27.2%), suggesting that the increase in O 3 concentration was mainly due to a reduction in NO x emissions leading to lower O 3 titration by NO. In addition, daytime SO 2 concentration in Colombo has increased by 22.9%, while daytime SO 2 concentration in Kandy has decreased by –40%. During the lockdown period, human activities were significantly reduced, causing significant reductions in industrial operations and transportation activities, further reducing emissions and improving air quality in two cities. The results of this study offer potential for local authorities to better understand the emission sources, assess the effectiveness of current air pollution control strategies, and form a basis for formulating better environmental policies to improve air quality and human health.
Far-Infrared Abundance Measurements in the Outer Galaxy

Five H II regions at large distances from the center of the Galaxy (R = 13-17 kpc) have been observed in the far-IR emission lines of [O III] (52 and 88 μm), [N III] (57 μm), and [S III] (19 μm) using the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. These observations have been combined with Very Large Array radio continuum observations of these sources to determine the abundances of O++, N++, and S++ relative to hydrogen. A simple ionization correction scheme has been used to determine the total abundances of nitrogen and sulfur relative to hydrogen, as well as the relative abundance N/O. For the two sources in common with previous optical studies (S127 and S128), we find good agreement between the far-infrared and optical determinations of N/H, S/H, and N/O. Our results from the outer Galaxy have been combined with previous far-infrared results to determine the abundance gradient of these elements in the Milky Way over a range of Galactocentric radii from R = 0 to R = 17 kpc. Our results are consistent with a gradient of log N/H = -0.111 ± 0.012 dex kpc-1 and a gradient of log S/H = -0.079 ± 0.009 dex kpc-1. Our method is not able to determine independently the abundances of both S and O, although other evidence suggests that the O/S ratio is approximately constant. While these results differ from recent optical studies, which suggest that these abundance gradients flatten in the outer Galaxy, we do not yet have sufficient data to rule out such a change in the gradient. The log N/O data are better fitted by a two-step function with a value of -0.50 ± 0.02 for R < 6.2 kpc and -0.83 ± 0.04 for R > 6.2 kpc. Both of these values are consistent with secondary production of nitrogen. However, the outer Galaxy oxygen abundances are in the low abundance regime where nitrogen is expected to be produced by primary processes.
Building Community and Technical College Capacity Through State Funding

Objective: This article analyzes the implementation of two state grant programs in Tennessee aimed at improving the quality of in-demand postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programming at community and technical colleges. We use insights from our findings to propose a conceptual framework for understanding how external funding can reduce institutional capacity constraints in similar contexts. Method: Building off a previous study, we leverage in-depth interview data with 43 participants across Tennessee’s workforce development system to better understand how administrators perceived state grant goals, what processes they used to address institutional capacity constraints, and what challenges they experienced while implementing grant-funded programs. Results: We find strong alignment of perceived grant goals between the state, which developed the program, and the practitioners who implemented it. We find that the implementation strategies employed included purchasing new equipment, investing in facilities, developing work-based learning opportunities, hiring new faculty and staff, and building collaborations with outside stakeholders. Finally, our data suggest that practitioners faced challenges optimizing the use of funds to address capacity constraints. Contributions: Developing and maintaining high quality CTE credential programs is a challenge for community and technical colleges across the United States. We describe how this has been done successfully in Tennessee and use insights from this context to propose a general framework for building capacity in postsecondary CTE.
The Characteristics of the Reduction of Interference Effect during Dual-Task Cognitive-Motor Training Compared to a Single Task Cognitive and Motor Training in Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Many studies have indicated a weakening in several areas of cognitive functioning associated with the normal ageing process. One of the methods supporting cognitive functions in older adults is dual-task training which is based on performing cognitive and motor exercises at the same time. The study aimed at examining the characteristics of dual-task training compared to single-task training in participants over 65 years of age. Sixty-five subjects took part in the study. They were randomly assigned to three groups: dual-task cognitive-motor training (CM), single-task cognitive training (CT), and single-task motor training (MT). The training program in all groups encompassed 4 weeks and consisted of three, 30-min meetings a week. Specialized software was designed for the study. The main indicators, such as orientation and planning time and the number of errors, were monitored during the whole training in all groups. The obtained results have shown that the dual-task training was associated with a significantly greater number of movement errors, but not with a longer task planning time compared to the single-task condition training. There was a decrease in the time needed to plan a path in the mazes by subjects training in the CM, CT, and MT groups. The results indicate that after each type of training, the number of errors and the time needed to plan the path decrease, despite the increasing difficulty of the tasks. The length of planning time was strongly correlated with the number of errors made by individuals in the CM group (r = 0.74, p = 0.04), compared to the ST group—for which the said correlation was not significant (r = 0.7, p = 0.06). The dual-task cognitive-motor training is more cognitively demanding compared to the single-task cognitive and motor training. It manifests in a greater number of errors, but it does not extend the orientation and planning time.
Tests for a difference in timing of physiological response between two brain regions measured by using functional magnetic resonance imaging

Summary. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) measures the physiological response of the human brain to experimentally controlled stimulation. In a periodically designed experiment it is of interest to test for a difference in the timing (phase shift) of the response between two anatomically distinct brain regions. We suggest two tests for an interregional difference in phase shift: one based on asymptotic theory and one based on bootstrapping. Whilst the two procedures differ in some of their assumptions, both tests rely on employing the large number of voxels (three‐dimensional pixels) in non‐activated brain regions to take account of spatial autocorrelation between voxelwise phase shift observations within the activated regions of interest. As an example we apply both tests, and their counterparts assuming spatial independence, to FMRI phase shift data that were acquired from a normal young woman during performance of a periodically designed covert verbal fluency task. We conclude that it is necessary to take account of spatial autocovariance between voxelwise FMRI time series parameter estimates such as the phase shift, and that the most promising way of achieving this is by modelling the spatial autocorrelation structure from a suitably defined base region of the image slice.
New Nitric Oxide-Releasing Compounds as Promising Anti-Bladder Cancer Drugs

Bladder cancer is a worldwide problem and improved therapies are urgently needed. In the search for newer strong antitumor compounds, herein, we present the study of three nitric oxide-releasing compounds and evaluate them as possible therapies for this malignancy. Bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 253J were used to evaluate the antiproliferative, antimigratory, and genotoxic effects of compounds. Moreover, we determined the NF-κB pathway inhibition, and finally, the survivin downregulation exerted by our molecules. The results revealed that compounds 1 and 3 exerted a high antiproliferative activity against bladder cancer cells through DNA damage and survivin downregulation. In addition, compound 3 reduced bladder cancer cell migration. We found that nitric oxide donors are promising molecules for the development of a new therapeutic targeting the underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis and progression of bladder cancer.
Machine learning analysis of adrenal lesions: preliminary study evaluating texture analysis in the differentiation of adrenal lesions

PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the accuracy of texture analysis in differentiating adrenal lesions on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) images. METHODS In this single-center retrospective study, 166 adrenal lesions in 140 patients (64 women, 76 men; mean age 56.58 ± 13.65 years) were evaluated between January 2015 and December 2019. The lesions consisted of 54 lipid-rich adrenal adenomas, 37 lipid-poor adrenal adenomas (LPAs), 56 adrenal metastases (ADM), and 19 adrenal pheochromocytomas (APhs). Each adrenal lesion was segmented by manually contouring the borders of the lesion on unenhanced CT images. A texture analysis of the CT images was performed using Local Image Feature Extraction software. First-order and second-order texture parameters were assessed, and 45 features were extracted from each lesion. One-Way analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction and the Mann–Whitney U test was performed to determine the relationships between the texture features and adrenal lesions. Receiver operating characteristic curves were performed for lesion discrimination based on the texture features. Logistic regression analysis was used to generate logistic models, including only the texture parameters with a high-class separation capacity (i.e., P < 0.050). SPSS software was used for all statistical analyses. RESULTS First-order and second-order texture parameters were identified as significant factors capable of differentiating among the four lesion types (P < 0.050). The logistic models were evaluated to ascertain the relationships between LPA and ADM, LPA and APh, and ADM and APh. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the first model (LPA vs. ADM) were 85.7%, 70.3%, 81.3%, 76.4%, and 79.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the second model (LPA vs. APh) were all 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the third model (ADM vs. APh) were 87.5%, 82%, 36.8%, 98.2%, and 82.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION Texture features may help in the characterization of adrenal lesions on unenhanced CT images.
Thrust Measurements from a Finite-Span Flapping Wing

The thrust per unit length behind a flapping NACA0030 airfoil with an aspect ratio of three is measured and presented. Aspects of the evolution of vorticity behind the thrust-producing wing are discussed based on quantitative experiments. Multiple planes of stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurements are conducted at several locations along the span of the wing at a Strouhal number of 0.35. Of particular interest is the effect of wingtip vortices on the structure of the flow behind the oscillating wing. Wing kinematics is responsible for the flow structure in the 2-D airfoil case. Here, the spanwise distribution of vorticity is found to be dominated, in the large scale, by a single pair of intense counter-rotating vortices. Each member of the large-scale vortex pair is constituted by two smaller corotating vortices that constructively merge in the initial stages of flow separation. Toward the wingtips, three-dimensional effects are more significant. The spatiotemporal variations of transverse and spanwise vorticity in these regions suggest severe local flow deformation. Measurements reveal that flow morphology is highly complex and three-dimensional, unlike any previously observed 2-D wing-based vortex sheets. Furthermore, using 2-D particle image velocimetry data, a sinusoidal variation in thrust force, 90 deg out of phase with the airfoil motion, is measured in the midspan region of the airfoil. The largest measured thrust occurs at the maximum angles of attack, corresponding to the creation of strong leading-edge vortices.
Mental health beyond the school gate: Young people’s perspectives of mental health support online, and in home, school and community contexts

This study sought to develop a greater understanding of what young people identify as essential components of mental health support.Children and young people’s mental health has been identified as an area of concern and highlighted by the government as a priority area for improvement. In the UK increased importance has been placed on capturing their views. However, research suggests this group is not always asked for their views by decision-makers, which has led to a discrepancy between what is provided and what children and young people want from support. Incorporating the views and perspectives of children and young people in the design of appropriate support approaches is an important way to give them a voice in issues that affect them, as well as ensuring provision is suitable.A two-round Delphi method was used whereby a panel of young people aged 16–25 who had previously experienced a mental health difficulty rated a series of statements. A consensus level of 75 per cent across the panel was set to include/exclude statements in a final framework of recommendations. To gain feedback on the feasibility and utility of the framework, interviews with adult stakeholders were carried out.The competencies identified were used to form a framework of recommendations for practice. The importance of relationships, the need for trust and confidentiality, and the need for further mental health awareness and training were key themes identified.This study provides a helpful insight into what young people value from mental health support. Implications of the research include a need for further awareness raising of children and young people’s views regarding mental health and larger scale participatory research to expand upon the findings of the current study.
The impact of the stress induced by lateral spatial hole burning on the degradation of broad-area AlGaAs/GaAs laser diodes

The degradation of broad-area AlGaAs/GaAs laser diodes is studied experimentally and theoretically in detail, and we suggest a degradation mechanism associated with the stress which originates from the lateral spatial hole burning (SHB) effects. Our analysis shows that thermal stresses have critical effects on the degradation of laser diodes, which are induced by increased local heating by nonradiative recombination and self-absorption of photons originating from the lateral SHB within the laser diode during degradation. Such results are confirmed by the simulation using the software lastip. Furthermore, the average values of the induced thermal strain and stress by lateral SHB are 0.00063 and 85 MPa, respectively, through the x-ray diffraction measurement. The stress exceeds that for the initiation of plastic deformation (as calculated to be approximately 40–50 MPa based on the finite element method), thus, suggesting that plastic deformation has occurred within the cavity due to the lateral SHB effect d.