Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incipient extension along the active convergent margin of Nubia in Sicily, Italy: Cefalù‐Etna seismic zone

Recent geodetic data are compatible with NNE–SSW tectonic extension at a rate of ∼5 mm/yr in Sicily, southern Italy, within a broader region of net active compression along the Nubian plate margin (northern Africa). The structures that accommodate such extensional regime and its cause are still unknown. From field structural surveys and seismological analyses, the geometry, kinematics, structural architecture, and seismic potential of an extensional seismic zone linking Cefalù and Mount Etna in central eastern Sicily are defined. The zone includes high‐angle WNW striking normal and right‐lateral strike‐slip faults and subordinate north and NNE striking strike‐slip faults either right or left lateral. The occurrence of small discontinuous faults and the absence of related depressions and sedimentary basins suggest that the extensional regime is still in an incipient stage. The ongoing seismic activity possibly reactivates preexisting faults. Instrumentally and historically recorded earthquakes are lower than about 6 in magnitude, and destructive events are historically unknown since at least 1300 A.D. This apparent upper bound of earthquake magnitudes is consistent with the maximum magnitude values estimated from the length of the longest mapped faults and sources of seismic swarms, which all together suggest a value between 6 and 6.5 as the maximum expected magnitude that can be proposed at the present stage of investigation for earthquakes in the study area. Lateral extension on preexisting faults and upwelling of melt mantle material beneath Mount Etna are considered viable processes to explain, at least in part, the active extensional tectonics along the Cefalù‐Etna seismic zone. Strike‐slip seismic faulting beneath Mount Etna may be part of a previously proposed diffuse transfer zone affecting northeastern Sicily and including the Tindari Fault.
Myostatin and follistatin as monitoring and prognostic Myostatin and follistatin as monitoring and prognostic biomarkers in dysferlinopathy biomarkers in dysferlinopathy

Myostatin is a myokine which acts upon skeletal muscle to inhibit growth and regeneration. Myostatin is endogenously antagonised by follistatin. This study assessed serum myostatin and follistatin concentrations as monitoring or prognostic biomarkers in dysferlinopathy, an autosomal recessively inherited muscular dystrophy. Myostatin was quantiﬁed twice with a three-year interval in 76 patients with dysferlinopathy and 38 controls. Follistatin was quantiﬁed in 62 of these patients at the same timepoints, and in 31 controls. Correlations with motor function, muscle fat fraction and contractile cross-sectional area were performed. A regression model was used to account for confounding
Environmental assessment of two small reservoirs in southeastern Brazil, using macroinvertebrate community metrics.

: Environmental assessment of two small reservoirs in southeastern Brazil, using macroinvertebrate community metrics. In the work reported here, the aim was to investigate the applicability of benthic macroinvertebrate community metrics in the assessment of the environmental condition of two small reservoirs in southeast Brazil with differing inputs of nutrients and states of conservation. Eleven metrics were applied, organized in five categories: richness, enumeration, diversity, similarity and functional feeding groups. Most metrics responded as predicted in the literature, in accordance with the amount of human interference and state of conservation of the two reservoirs, except the Shannon Diversity, Pielou Uniformity and McNaughton Dominance indices, which should be avoided, at least for discriminating the environmental condition of these two tropical reservoirs.
Effects of post-mortem storage conditions of bovine epididymides on sperm characteristics investigating a tool for preservation of sperm from endangered species

The aim of this study was to establish and validate a reliable and e ﬃ cient protocol for the recovery and cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa used for in vitro fertilization, using bulls of two di ﬀ erent age classes. Testicles from 26 (37 – 51 weeks old, group 1) and 19 (52 – 115 weeks old, group 2) Danish Holstein bulls were collected after slaughter and stored at 5 ° C. After 0, 24 or 48 h, epididymides were isolated and spermatozoa collected. Assessments included spermatozoal motility, viability and morphology before and after cryopreservation and in vitro embryo production. Results showed that live spermatozoa can be collected from epididymides of bulls after their death. Storage of the testicles at 5 ° C for 24 h followed by cryopreservation of recovered epididymal spermatozoa resulted in 21% (group 1) and 31% (group 2) blastocysts produced in vitro. These results illustrate that epididymal spermatozoa recovered from testicles kept in speci ﬁ c conditions can be used to preserve genetic material from endangered and threatened species or populations in nature as well as in domestic and zoo animals.
Isolation of Keratinolytic Bacteria from Soil for the Bioconversion of the Poultry Feather Waste

The present investigation dealt with the isolation of keratinolytic bacteria from soil and their utilization, for the bioconversion of the poultry waste feathers. The isolation was performed by serial dilution and spread plate method. The skimmed milk agar medium was used for the screening of bacterial strains for keratinolytic activity at 37°C for 24 h of incubation. These isolated organisms were incubated with production medium in shaking incubator at 40°C for 96h; the keratinase production was recorded in a range of 1.63 - 11.67 U/ml. The maximum keratinase production and bioconversion of feather waste was observed (80%) by bacterial isolate i.e., S3 ( B. licheniformis ) out of the fourteen bacterial isolates. These findings revealed the potential use of microorganisms for waste management as well as for industrial applications.
Hyperactivation Of Bdnf-Trkb Signaling Cascades In Human Hyperactivation Of Bdnf-Trkb Signaling Cascades In Human Hypothalamic Hamartoma (Hh): A Potential Mechanism Hypothalamic Hamartoma (Hh): A Potential Mechanism Contributing To Epileptogenesis Contributing To Epileptogenesis

Aims: Although compelling evidence suggests that human hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is intrinsically epileptogenic for gelastic seizures, the molecular mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis within HH remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hyperactivation of BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways in surgically resected HH tissue is a possible mechanism for downregulation of KCC2 expression, which in turn underlies GABA-mediated excitation within HH. Methods: Activation of three major BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways including MAPKs, Akt, and PLC c 1 were evaluated in surgically resected HH tissue (n = 14) versus human hypothalamic control tissue (n = 8) using combined methodologies of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and electrophysiology. Results: Our data show that compared with hypothalamic control tissue, in HH tissue, (i) activation of TrkB and expression of mature BDNF are elevated; (ii) MAPKs (including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK), Akt, and PLC c 1 are highly activated; (iii) KCC2 expression is downregulated; and (iv) pharmacological manipulation of TrkB signaling alters HH neuronal ﬁring rate. Conclusion: Our ﬁndings suggest that multiple BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways are activated in HH. They act independently or collaboratively to downregulate KCC2 expression, which is the key component for GABA-mediated excitation associated with gelastic seizures.
Cross-cultural differences in figure–ground perception of cartographic stimuli

ABSTRACT This article reports on an empirical study investigating cultural differences in the visuospatial perception and cognition of qualitative point symbols shown on reference maps. We developed two informationally equivalent symbol sets depicted on identical reference maps that were shown to Czech and Chinese map readers. The symbols varied in visual contrast with respect to the base map. Our empirical results suggest the existence of cultural influences on map reading, but not in the predicted direction based on the previous cross-cultural studies. Our findings stress the importance of considering the cultural background of map readers, especially when designing reference maps aimed for global online use.
Assessing the added value of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor illicit drug use

Droits d’auteur L'Université de Lausanne attire expressément l'attention des utilisateurs sur le fait que tous les documents publiés dans l'Archive SERVAL sont protégés par le droit d'auteur, conformément à la loi fédérale sur le droit d'auteur et les droits voisins (LDA). A ce titre, il est indispensable d'obtenir le consentement préalable de l'auteur et/ou de l’éditeur avant toute utilisation d'une oeuvre ou d'une partie d'une oeuvre ne relevant pas d'une utilisation à des fins personnelles au sens de la LDA (art. 19, al. 1 lettre a). A défaut, tout contrevenant s'expose aux sanctions prévues par cette loi. Nous déclinons toute responsabilité en la matière.
The air pollution disadvantage of immigrants in Germany: partly a matter of urbanity

Several studies now document the disproportionate distribution of environmental pollution across different groups, but many are based on aggregated data or subjective pollution measures. In this study, we describe the air quality disadvantage of migrants in Germany using objective pollution data linked to nationally representative individual-level survey data. We inter-sect 1 × 1 km 2 grid geo-references from the German General Social Survey (ALLBUS) 2014, 2016, and 2018 with 2 × 2 km 2 estimates of annually averaged air pollution by the German Environment Agency for nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter. Respondents with a migration background are exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter than people of German descent. Urbanity of residence partly explains these differences, up to 81 per cent for particulate matter and about 30 per cent for other pollutants. A larger proportion of immigrants live in larger cities, which are more prone to high levels of air pollution. This is especially true for second-generation migrants. Income differences, on the other hand, do not explain the migrant disadvantage. In city fixed effects models, the patterns for migration background point unambiguously in the direction of environmental disadvantage for all pollutants except ozone. However, the within-municipality associations are weak.
World Journal on Educational Technology: Current Issues

In this study, the opinions of middle school science teachers and mathematics teachers towards STEM education were examined. The research was carried out for 30 hours with 28 middle school science and mathematics teachers who were working in Istanbul during the spring semester of 2016-2017 academic year. 75% of these teachers are female teachers and 25% are male teachers. The study was conducted by the case study method among qualitative research methods. For the determination of the opinions of the secondary school science and mathematics teachers by the researcher, "STEM Interview Form for Teachers" consisting of 8 questions was created. As a result of the analysis, the teachers emphasized that they did not feel sufficient about STEM education. In addition, teachers emphasized that a good STEM teacher should have STEM knowledge, pedagogy knowledge and 21st century skill knowledge. However, they emphasize that STEM education is a useful educational concept but that there may be problems that may be encountered during STEM education. Moreover, it was also found that after the STEM training, teachers had positive changes in their opinions towards Engineering and Technology. Suggestions have been made in the direction of these obtained results.
Patient Perspectives on Using a Smartphone App to Support Home-Based Exercise During Physical Therapy Treatment: Qualitative Study

Background Home-based exercise is an important part of physical therapy treatment for patients with low back pain. However, treatment effectiveness depends heavily on patient adherence to home-based exercise recommendations. Smartphone apps designed to support home-based exercise have the potential to support adherence to exercise recommendations and possibly improve treatment effects. A better understanding of patient perspectives regarding the use of smartphone apps to support home-based exercise during physical therapy treatment can assist physical therapists with optimal use and implementation of these apps in clinical practice. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate patient perspectives on the acceptability, satisfaction, and performance of a smartphone app to support home-based exercise following recommendations from a physical therapist. Methods Using an interpretivist phenomenology approach, 9 patients (4 males and 5 females; aged 20-71 years) with nonspecific low back pain recruited from 2 primary care physical therapy practices were interviewed within 2 weeks after treatment ended. An interview guide was used for the interviews to ensure that different aspects of the patients’ perspectives were discussed. The Physitrack smartphone app was used to support home-based exercise as part of treatment for all patients. Data were analyzed using the “Framework Method” to assist with interpretation of the data. Results Data analysis revealed 11 categories distributed among the 3 themes “acceptability,” “satisfaction,” and “performance. ” Patients were willing to accept the app as part of treatment when it was easy to use, when it benefited the patient, and when the physical therapist instructed the patient in its use. Satisfaction with the app was determined by users’ perceived support from the app when exercising at home and the perceived increase in adherence. The video and text instructions, reminder functions, and self-monitor functions were considered the most important aspects for performance during treatment. The patients did not view the Physitrack app as a replacement for the physical therapist and relied on their therapist for instructions and support when needed. Conclusions Patients who use an app to support home-based exercise as part of treatment are accepting of the app when it is easy to use, when it benefits the patient, and when the therapist instructs the patient in its use. Physical therapists using an app to support home-based exercise can use the findings from this study to effectively support their patients when exercising at home during treatment.
Integrative Organismal Biology

© A p orrigendum to: Cranial Musculoskeletal Description of Black-Throated Finch (Aves: Passeriformes: Estrildidae) ith DiceCT ntegrative Organismal Biology, Volume 3, Issue 1, 2021, obab007, https://doi.org/10.1093/iob/obab007 n the originally published version of this manuscript, there was an error in a finch specimen number. In section aterials and methods , this should read: “fledgling P. cincta ISIS No. 18031). ” instead of: “fledgling P. cincta ISIS o. 18032). ” This error has now been corrected in the article online. n addition, the display of the Vietnamese abstract has been corrected in the PDF version of the manuscript.
Modulation of the Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) by Xenobiotic Compounds and Its Relevance to Human Diseases

Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells that reside in tissues; particularly in the skin, and in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), which is present on the surface of MCs and can be targeted by multiple exogenous and endogenous ligands. It is potentially implicated in non-IgE-mediated pseudoallergic reactions and inflammatory conditions such as asthma or atopic dermatitis. In this paper, we review natural products and herbal medicines that may potentially interact with MRGPRX2. They mainly belong to the classes of polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, and alkaloids. Representative compounds include rosmarinic acid, liquiritin from licorice extract, osthole, and sinomenine, respectively. While evidence-based medicine studies are still required, these compounds have shown diverse effects, such as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or neuroprotective. However, despite potential beneficial effects, their use is also burdened with risks of fatal reactions such as anaphylaxis. The role of MRGPRX2 in these reactions is a subject of debate. This review explores the literature on xenobiotic compounds from herbal medicines that have been shown to act as MRGPRX2 ligands, and their potential clinical significance.
Factors Inﬂuencing YouTube as a Learning Tool and Its Inﬂuence on Academic Achievement in a Bilingual Environment Using Extended Information Adoption Model (IAM) with ML Prediction—Jordan Case Study

: YouTube usage as a learning tool is evident among students. Hence, the goal of this study is to examine the various factors that inﬂuence the use of YouTube as a learning tool, which inﬂuences academic achievement in a bilingual academic context. Using survey data from 704 YouTube users from Jordan’s bilingual academic institutes, the research model was empirically validated. Using Amos 20, structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to assess the study hypotheses. SEM permits concurrent checking of the direct and indirect effects of all hypotheses. Conﬁrmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate the instrument items’ properties in addition to machine learning methods: ANN, SMO, the bagging reduced error pruning tree (RepTree), and random forest. The empirical results offer several key ﬁndings: academic achievement (AA) is inﬂuenced by the information adoption (IA) of YouTube as a learning tool. Information adoption (IA) is inﬂuenced by information usefulness (IU). Source credibility (SC) and information quality (IQ) both inﬂuence information usefulness (IU), while information language (IL) does not. Information quality (IQ) is inﬂuenced by intrinsic, contextual, and accessibility information quality. This study adds to the literature by empirically testing and theorizing the effects of YouTube as a learning tool on the academic achievement of Jordanian university students who are studying in bilingual surroundings.
The impact of sustainable land management on household crop production in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Agricultural productivity in the highlands of Ethiopia is threatened by severe land degradation, resulting in significant reductions in agricultural GDP. In order to mitigate ongoing erosion and soil nutrient loss, the government of Ethiopia initiated a Sustainable Land Management Program (SLMP) targeting 177 micro‐watersheds in six regions of the Country. This study evaluates the impact of SLMP on the value of agricultural production across diverse agro‐ecological zones by using a panel survey from 2010 to 2014. Results suggest the need for long‐term engagement in SLM activities regardless of underlying biophysical endowments and environmental characteristics. The analysis finds that the SLMP is not associated with significant increases in household‐level agricultural value of production after 4 years of program participation regardless of agro‐ecological zone or landscape type. However, SLM investments and agricultural value of production increased significantly in both treatment and nontreatment areas between 2010 and 2014. Although data suggest positive trends in agricultural productivity and SLM activities during program years, past soil and water conservation programs in Ethiopia have failed to maintain momentum in rural communities after programs ceased funding. Given the results presented in this paper, SLM programs should place emphasis on SLM infrastructure maintenance over the medium to long term in order to reap sustainable effects of SLM on agricultural productivity in critical watersheds.
Exploring Drought Conditions in the Three River Headwaters Region from 2002 to 2011 Using Multiple Drought Indices

The Three River Headwaters Region (TRHR) has great uncertainty on drought conditions under climate change. The aim of this study is to compare the drought conditions detected by multiple drought indices across the TRHR. We applied four single drought indices, i.e., Precipitation Condition Index (PCI), Temperature Condition Index (TCI), Soil Moisture Condition Index (SMCI), and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and two combined drought indices, i.e., Combined Meteorological Drought Index (CMDI) and Combined Vegetation drought index (CVDI), to explore the drought conditions across the TRHR. Three in situ drought indices, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Standardized Non-Parametric Index (SNPI) were used to evaluate the performances of multiple drought indices. The results include various drought conditions detected by multiple drought indices, as well as a comparative study among different drought indices. Through the comparative study, we found that PCI was a desirable single index to monitor meteorological drought. TCI was suitable for monitoring agricultural/vegetation drought. SMCI and VCI should be avoided for monitoring drought in this region. CMDI was an appropriate meteorological drought index, and CVDI was a promising indicator in monitoring agricultural/vegetation drought.
Spectral index of the Galactic foreground emission in the 50–87 MHz range

Total-power radiometry with individual meter-wave antennas is a potentially effective way to study the Cosmic Dawn (z ∼ 20) through measurement of the sky brightness arising from the 21 cm transition of neutral hydrogen, provided this can be disentangled from much stronger Galactic and extra-galactic foregrounds. In the process, measured spectra of integrated sky brightness temperature can be used to quantify the foreground emission properties. In this work, we analyse a subset of data from the Large-aperture Experiment to Detect the Dark Age (LEDA) in the 50–87 MHz range and constrain the foreground spectral index β in the northern sky visible from mid-latitudes. We focus on two zenith-directed LEDA radiometers and study how estimates of β vary with local sidereal time (LST). We correct for the effect of gain pattern chromaticity and compare estimated absolute temperatures with simulations. We select a reference data set consisting of 14 d of observations in optimal conditions. Using this data set, we find, for one radiometer, that β varies from −2.55 at LST <6 h to a steeper −2.58 at LST ∼13 h, consistently with sky models and previous southern sky measurements. In the 13 − 24 h LST range, however, we find that β varies between −2.55 and −2.61 (data scatter ∼0.01). We observe a similar β versus LST trend for the second radiometer, although with slightly smaller |β| over the 24 h, in the −2.46 < β < −2.43 range (data scatter ∼ 0.02). Combining all data gathered during the extended campaign between mid-2018 and mid-2019, and focusing on the LST = 9−12.5 h range, we infer good instrument stability and find −2.56 < β < −2.50 with 0.09 < Δβ < 0.12.