Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enamel ultrastructure and masticatory function in molars of the American opossum, Didelphis virginiana

Maxillary and mandibular molars of the American opossum, Didelphis virginiana L. , were viewed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) after acid-etching or after cutting and acid-etching. Observations were made on enamel prism patterns as they relate to functional properties of the tooth at a particular site. Molars at different stages of wear were also observed under a dissecting microscope; worn surfaces were correlated with function and enamel ultrastructure. Pounding surfaces of molar cusps wear more rapidly than near-vertical shearing surfaces or crushing basins (i.e. the trigon and talonid basin). Pounding surfaces are subjected to abrasion by food and arc not normally involved in tooth-tooth contact. Near-vertical shearing surfaces and basins used for crushing do experience tooth-tooth contact, but are surprisingly more resistant to wear. Prisms at pounding sites approach the occlusal surface at a near 90° angle and are surrounded with very thick interprismatic (IP) enamel parallel to the occlusal surface of the tooth. The pounding pattern is present at tips of cusps and at occlusal surfaces of ridges of the tooth. At near-vertical shearing surfaces, the prisms approach the outer surface obliquely and are surrounded with IP crystals which are perpendicular to the vertical surface. The angle between prismatic and IP enamel in these patterns is 60–90° in a cervical to occlusal direction. In basins of the tooth used principally for crushing and some shearing, IP enamel is perpendicular to the changing slope of the basin and the prisms are usually at a 55–65° angle to the IP enamel. When the pounding and shearing-crushing patterns meet at a ridge, a distinct seam is observed. Pounding forces occur parallel to the long axis of the prisms and perpendicular to the thick IP enamel (i.e. perpendicular to the long axis of the IP crystals) lying on either side of the prisms. Shearing and crushing forces occur at an oblique angle to the prism, and interprismatic enamel is more evenly distributed about the prism. A spiral pattern is found at the bottoms of the trigon and talonid basins, but not at the bottom of the trigonid which is a non-occluding basin. It is concluded that the differential rates of wear of the enamel surfaces are necessary in maintaining the sharp cutting edges and effective crushing basins of the tribosphenic molar, and the ultrastructural arrangements of the enamel prisms are of functional significance.
Pathway-Phenotypes of Non-responders and Partial Responders to Treatment With Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia: A Machine Learning Study

Objective: About a third of schizophrenia patients are treatment-resistant to antipsychotic therapy. No studies established the fingerprints or pathway-phenotypes of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The present study aimed to delineate the pathway-phenotypes of non-responders (NRTT) and partial responders (PRTT) to treatment using machine learning. Methods: We recruited 115 schizophrenia patients and 43 healthy controls and measured schizophrenia symptom dimensions, neurocognitive tests, plasma CCL11, interleukin-(IL)-6, IL10, Dickkopf protein 1 (DKK1), high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), κand μ-opioid receptors (KOR and MOR, respectively), endomorphin-2 (EM-2), and β-endorphin. Results: Machine learning showed that the NRTT group is a qualitatively distinct class and is significantly discriminated from PRTT with an accuracy of 100% using a neuro-immune-opioidcognitive (NIOC) pathway-phenotype with as main determinants list learning, controlled word association, and Tower of London test scores, CCL11, IL-6, and EM2. The top-5 symptom domains separating NRTT from PRTT were in descending order: psychomotor retardation, negative symptoms, psychosis, depression, and mannerism. Moreover, a NIOC pathway also discriminated PRTT from healthy controls with an accuracy of 100% while all PRTT and controls were authenticated as belonging to their respective classes. Conclusion: A non-response to treatment with antipsychotics is determined by increased severity of specific symptom profiles coupled with deficits in executive functions, and episodic and semantic memory, and aberrations in neuro-immune and opioid pathways. No patients showed complete remission after treatment indicating that non-remitting in PRTT is attributable to increased HMGB1 and residual deficits in attention, executive functions, and semantic memory. Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 15 April 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0231. v1
Attitudes of young Czechs towards immigration: comparison of 2011 and 2016

The paper aims to analyse the attitudes towards immigration among Czech youth and their changes on two distinct surveys of young Czechs (aged 14–19) held in 2011 and 2016, the years before and after a period of a greatly increased inflow of migrants to the European Union. In these surveys, special focus was given to changes in attitudes and factors influencing attitudes in each year. The results show that there was not a big difference in attitudes between both samples. Nevertheless, looking closely at the results, we found two main differences. The first was higher polarisation of answers in survey from 2016 than from the one held in 2011. The second one was in factors influencing answers, mainly in the statement on having an immigrant among close friends.
The Nature and Phylogenomic Impact of Sequence Convergence

Protein sequence convergence refers to substitutions leading to the same amino acid residue at the same position of a protein in multiple independent evolutionary lineages. Protein sequence convergence is often viewed as adaptive signal so is of great interest to evolutionary biologists. In this article, we review complications in identifying sequence convergences, statistical tests of the null hypothesis that the observed convergence events in a protein are attributable to chance alone, interpretations of genome-wide observations of sequence convergence, and a comparison in the susceptibility of molecular and morphological characters to convergence and its phylogenetic implications. We highlight the substantial progresses made in the last two decades and point out the main challenges at the present.
Composition and technological value of genetically modified and conventional maize (Zee mays L.) grains

L'evaluation de la securite des organismes genetiquement modifies destines a l'alimentation humaine implique une etude de la composition des produits et de leur adequation aux procedes industriels (valeur technologique). Quatre hybrides de mais qui ont ete genetiquement modifies pour conferer une resistance a la pyrale et/ou une tolerance aux herbicides (glufosinate ou glyphosate) ont ete etudies en comparaison de leurs lignees parentales respectives. Les echantillons de grains ont ete transformes dans une semoulerie de mais pilote (echelle, 150 kg) en fractions de mouture telles que : hominy, gritz, semoules et germes. La composition des grains de mais et des fractions de mouture de chaque hybride genetiquement modifie a ete comparee a celle du parent correspondant et aux valeurs couramment publiees pour les hybrides de mais commerciaux. Les echantillons de grains ont fait l'objet d'analyses d'amidon, de cellulose, de proteines et de lipides, ainsi que d'une determination des profils d'acides amines et d'acides gras. On a examine differentes caracteristiques physiques des grains (poids du grain, poids specifique, calibrage, Promatest, rendements en hominy et en semoules). Les fractions de mouture ont ete soumises a des transformations classiques a une echelle pilote : les semoules ont ete transformees en produits extrudes ; les gritz ont ete soumis a une fermentation pour obtenir de la biere, l'huile de mais a ete obtenue a partir des germes. Les parametres technologiques des differents procedes ont ete enregistres et tous les produits intermediaires et finis ont ete recueillis pour subir les memes analyses que celles pratiquees sur les grains. L'ensemble des resultats collectes montre que chacun des hybrides genetiquement modifie possede une composition et une valeur technologique equivalentes a celles de la lignee parentale, et que, pour tous les parametres analyses, les echantillons se classent dans la gamme habituelle des hybrides de mais actuellement commercialises.
Activity, feeding behaviour and diet of Ogcocephalus vespertilio in southern west Atlantic

The Brazilian batfish Ogcocephalus vespertilio is a nocturnal and early morning predator on bottom invertebrates, staying stationary and hidden in rock holes, crevices or among bottom rocks during the day. While active, it searches for prey walking along the bottom with the help of its specialized paired fins, with the illicium protracted and oscillating or exploring the substrate. The prey are either snapped up from the bottom, after visual detection, or dug out with use of the mouth and rostrum. It feeds on crustaceans (hermit crabs, true crabs, shrimps, amphipods, porcelain crabs, isopods and mysid shrimps), molluscs (snails, sea slugs and clams), polychaete worms (mostly Errantia) and echinoderms (sea urchins and brittle stars).
Algebraic models of the lactation curves for milk, fat and protein production, with estimates of seasonal variation

The lactation curves of whole milk production and of compositional quality measures may be represented by one of a family of curves where the coefficients a, b and c define the curve of production of a character y at week n . An analysis of protein results from over 600 000 cows, and of fat results from nearly 3000 cows gave shape coefficients (b, c) for fat percentage (-0·1316, 0·0154) and for protein percentage (-0·1223, 0·0109) showing that the lowest percentage of each occurred during weeks 8 and 11 of lactation respectively. Seasonal variations were calculated to show an expected deficiency of 0·93% fat in the spring and 0·75% protein in winter, which could be attributed to environmental influences associated with varying feeding standards.
Multi-species co-operative hunting behaviour in a remote Indian Ocean reef system

ABSTRACT Inter-specific hunting associations can occur across a range of marine species to facilitate prey capture through co-operative behaviour. Here we describe multiple transient cross-phyla associations between day octopus (Octopus cyanea) and three fish species, including peacock grouper (Cephalopholis argus), brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus), and gold-saddle goatfish (Parupeneus cyclostomus), in the isolated reef system of the Chagos archipelago. Observations of such hunting associations are rare, and no similar observations have been recorded for this region. The remoteness of this study site may provide some explanation for these multiple sightings, allowing natural behaviours to occur undisturbed. However, given no previous sightings of such behaviour, the limitation of available food resources following two recent mass coral mortality episodes, may have necessitated the formation of these rare/novel hunting interactions. Intensified prey scarcity and increasingly degraded habitat structure following more frequent disturbance events may therefore lead to such indirect environmentally mediated behavioural responses becoming increasingly prevalent in reef-dwelling species.
Patterns of crop-raiding by wild and domestic animals near Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria

Abstract This paper examines crop damage by mammals and the farmers' experiences of crop losses around Gashaka village on the south-western border of Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria. Data were collected via a weekly count of damaged maize crops in 23 fields in the wet season and 30 in the dry season. We examined: (i) seasonal frequency and extent of damage, (ii) losses experienced relative to expected gains, and (iii) aspects of fields in relation to their susceptibility to raiding. Cows caused the greatest amount of damage during the year. Tantalus monkeys were the wild species that caused the most damage. The experience of individual farmers varied from no damage to complete loss of an entire season's crop. Currently the only apparent certainty in predicting losses for farmers was that those farmers with fields closer to wildlife refuges are more likely to experience greater losses. The importance of domestic animal crop damage should not be underestimated in its impact on farmers' livelihoods. Management of crop-raiding in general requires an integrated approach taking domestic animals into account. Pro-active guarding is suggested as having potential to reduce crop losses in Gashaka.
Roller Compacted Concrete with Recycled Concrete Aggregate for Paving Bases

This research aimed to investigate the mechanical and physical properties of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) used with Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) as a replacement for natural coarse aggregate. The maximum dry density method was adopted to prepare RCC mixtures with 200 kg/m³ of cement content and coarse natural aggregates in the concrete mixture. Four RCC mixtures were produced from different RCA incorporation ratios (0%, 5%, 15%, and 30%). The compaction test, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity, porosity, density, and water absorption tests were performed to analyze the mechanical and physical properties of the mixtures. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to identify the influences of RCA on RCC’s mechanical properties. As RCA increased in mixtures, some mechanical properties were observed to decrease, such as modulus of elasticity, but the same was not observed in the splitting tensile strength. All RCCs displayed compressive strength greater than 15.0 MPa at 28 days, splitting tensile strength above 1.9 MPa, flexural tensile strength above 2.9 MPa, and modulus of elasticity above 19.0 GPa. According to Brazilian standards, the RCA added to RCC could be used for base layers.
The Psychosocial Effects of Physical Activity on Military Veterans That Are Wounded, Injured, and/or Sick: A Narrative Synthesis Systematic Review of Quantitative Evidence

Abstract Physical activity (PA) for military veterans that are wounded, injured and/or sick (WIS) is becoming increasingly recognized as an advantageous method of increasing wellbeing. A narrative synthesis approach was used to systematically review current quantitative evidence exploring the psychological effects of PA on veterans that are WIS. Key databases were searched resulting in the inclusion of 19 studies. PA was shown to have a positive effect on post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, social wellbeing, sleep quality, perceived functional impairment, participant mindfulness, and positive/negative affect; with improvements in stress, social well-being, and positive/negative effect being greater among veterans that are WIS with lower health statuses. After comparing PA types, outdoor recreation appeared to more consistently reduce PTSD symptoms post-intervention; whereas, yoga and horse riding were more effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Furthermore, where significant others were included in PA interventions/programs for veterans that are WIS, longer-lasting benefits have been reported. However, in line with other reviews in this area, the methodological weaknesses of current research and non-standardized delivery of PA interventions limits the generalisability of the findings of this review.
Stand and tree characteristics and stockability in Pinus taeda plantations in Hawaii and South Carolina

Stand structure and crown architecture of loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) spacing trials in Hawaii and South Carolina were examined for attributes that would explain markedly different stockabilities (stand density per mean stand DBH), respectively, 1740 and 850 trees/ha at a quadratic mean stand DBH of 25 cm. In plots spaced at 2.4 × 2.4 m, these stockabilities produced 604 m3/ha at age 25 in Hawaii, and 297 m3/ha in South Carolina. Data collected in these stands indicate that stockability differences were associated with differences in tree size-class structure, crown length, and leaf area. Both stands were characterized by a two-tiered height structure, but the crown bases of trees in the subdominant class in Hawaii extended 1–2 m below the bases of the crowns of the dominant height class. In the South Carolina stands the crown bases of both height classes were at the same level. Green crown lengths in Hawaii were 4–7 m longer than in South Carolina, and the associated crown leaf area of 63.9 m2 was five.
Ericoid mycorrhiza: a partnership that exploits harsh edaphic conditions

Plants that form ericoid mycorrhizal associations are widespread in harsh habitats. Ericoid mycorrhizal fungal endophytes are a genetically diverse group, and they appear to be able to alleviate certain environmental stresses and so facilitate the establishment and survival of Ericaceae. Some of the fungal taxa that form ericoid mycorrhizas, or at least closely related strains, also form associations with other plant hosts (trees and leafy liverworts). The functional significance of these associations and putative mycelial links between Ericaceae and other plant taxa, however, remain unclear. Evidence from environments that are contaminated by toxic metals indicates that ericoid mycorrhizal fungal endophytes, and in some instances their plant hosts, can evolve resistance to these metals. The apparent ability of these endophytes to develop resistance enables ericoid mycorrhizal plants to colonize polluted soil. This seems to be a major factor in the success of ericoid mycorrhizal taxa in a range of harsh environments.
Bernese periacetabular osteotomy: functional outcomes in patients with untreated intra-articular lesions

Abstract Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has been recognized to be a condition leading to osteoarthritis. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) has showed good results on hip preservation treatment for these cases. Nevertheless, intra-articular damage may be responsible for persistent post-operative symptoms, so treat the articular damage before or during the PAO has emerged as an alternative to address it. The objective is to identify the prevalence of intra-articular damage, functional outcomes of patients undergoing PAO with untreated intra-articular lesions and the survivorship free total hip arthroplasty (THA) at long-term follow-up. A retrospective review of 103 hips in 92 patients, mean age 26 years old (19–31), 96% females. Mean follow-up 7 years (range: 3–16). Intra-articular damage was evaluated with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) previous to perform the PAO, the chondral damage was evaluated using International Cartilage Repair Society classification. Harris Hip Score (HHS) was obtained in all patients. One hundred per cent of the cases had labral tears on MRI, hypertrophic labrum in 80.8% and paralabral cysts in 20.8%. Acetabular chondral damage was Grade 2 in 88.5% of the hips. HHS was good and excellent in 94%. Survivorship free of THA at 15 years was 87%. Chondrolabral damage is a common finding in patients with DDH. Despite that, excellent results are obtained with PAO without labral repair. We think the focus should be in the biomechanical and anatomical correction of the hip in patients with DDH.
Woodlarks Lullula arborea and landscape heterogeneity created by land abandonment

Capsule Fine‐grained landscape heterogeneity may be a major factor in the recent expansion of Woodlark populations. Aim To determine the factors which may have led to the increase in Woodlark populations in the Mediterranean region. Methods Woodlark habitat selection was determined using territory mapping in an area that had undergone widespread land abandonment during the past 50 years. Remote sensing data were used to study landscape changes within the study area between 1978 and 2003. Results Most Woodlark territories included a combination of farmland and shrubland patches. These fulfilled the birds’ requirements for territorial display and for foraging. Land abandonment has increased the availability of open shrubland, the dominant land‐cover type selected by Woodlarks. Conclusions Increased fine‐grained landscape heterogeneity following farm abandonment has created opportunities for habitat use by Woodlarks and may be a major factor in the Woodlark population expansion observed between 1978 and 2003.
Acacia seed survival, seed germination and seedling growth following pod consumption by large herbivores and seed chewing by rodents

Summary This study investigated Acacia seed survival, germination and seedling growth following pod consumption by large herbivores and seed chewing by rodents. Acacia pod ingestion by captive herbivorous mammals caused substantial seed destruction. The number of Acacia seeds surviving passage through the gut usually, but not always increased with large mammal body mass. Ingested seeds exhibited a greater germination than uningested seeds when germinated on filter paper or in dung and soil media. Seed germination in soil exceeded that in dung whereas seedling growth in dung and soil did not differ. Seeds from the crop of ostrich and stomach of kudu germinated more than uningested seeds but less than seeds retrieved from dung. Additionally Acacia seeds that had been chewed and discarded by rodents germinated better than unchewed seeds. A crude estimate of the germination of eaten and uneaten Acacia seeds reveals that more seeds can potentially germinate following seed ingestion by large herbivores compared to uningested seeds. Seed ingestion therefore may be potentially advantageous to seed germination, although this depends upon rates of seed germination, seedling survival and establishment in the wild. Resume Cette eude a analyse la survie des semences d'Acacia, leur germination et la croissance des jeunes pousses suite a la consommation des gousses par les grands herbivores et au grignotage des semences par des rongeurs. L'ingestion des gousses d'Acacia par des mammiferes herbivores en captivite a entraine une destruction substancielle des semences. Le nombre de semences d'Acacia qui survivent au passage dans le tractus digestif augmente generalement mais pas toujours avec le poids corporel du grand mammifere. Les semences ingerees presentent une meilleure germination que celles qui ne l'ont pas ete lorsqu'on les fait germer sur du papier filter ou dans de la terre ou des excrements. La germination dans la terre est meilleure que dans les exrements alors que la croissance des jeunes pousses ne differe pas dans les deux substrats. Les semences recoltees par les autruches et dans l'estomac des koudous germent mieux que les semences non ingerees, mais moins bien que les semences retirees des excrements. De plus, les semences d'Acacia qui ont ete mâchees puis rejetees par les rongeurs germent mieux que celles qui n'ont pas ete mâchees. Une estimation grossiere de la germination des semences ingerees ou non d'Acacia revele que l'ingestion par de grands herbivores permet la germination d'un plus grand nombre de semences. C'est pourquoi on peut considerer que l'ingestion des semences peut etre benefique pour leur germination encore que ceci depende des taux de germination des semences, de la survie des pousses et de l'implantation dans la nature.