Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual coordination in a whole-brain map of prairie vole pair bonding

Sexual bonds are central to the social lives of many species, including humans, and monogamous prairie voles have become the predominant model for investigating such attachments. We developed an automated whole-brain mapping pipeline to identify brain circuits underlying pair-bonding behavior. We identified bonding-related c-Fos induction in 68 brain regions clustered in seven major brain-wide neuronal circuits. These circuits include known regulators of bonding, such as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular hypothalamus, ventral pallidum, and prefrontal cortex. They also include brain regions previously unknown to shape bonding, such as ventromedial hypothalamus, medial preoptic area and the medial amygdala, but that play essential roles in bonding-relevant processes, such as sexual behavior, social reward and territorial aggression. Contrary to some hypotheses, we found that circuits active during mating and bonding were largely sexually monomorphic. Moreover, c-Fos induction across regions was strikingly consistent between members of a pair, with activity best predicted by rates of ejaculation. A novel cluster of regions centered in the amygdala remained coordinated after bonds had formed, suggesting novel substrates for bond maintenance. Our tools and results provide an unprecedented resource for elucidating the networks that translate sexual experience into an enduring bond.
Acceptability and Feasibility of Callascope Self-Imaging of the Cervix among Women in Ventanilla, Peru: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Background: Barriers that prevent adherence to cervical cancer screening programs in low-income communities include, among others, fear of and discomfort associated with the speculum during pelvic exams and difficulties in accessing health facilities. To address these barriers, a low-cost medical device, the Callascope was developed for self-imaging of the cervix. The device has a 2 MP camera connected to a smartphone and a disposable inserter with an asymmetrical tip to replace the speculum. A pilot study was performed to 1) evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and comfort of women imaging their own cervix with the Callascope, 2) collect information to improve the design of the Callascope prototype, and 3) identify factors related with the ease of use, discomfort of the self-exam technique and quality of images. Methods: The pilot study included women (n=15) who were either current or former community-health volunteers from Ventanilla, Peru with the HOPE program. Participants completed a pre-exam survey to assess demographics and establish reproductive medical history. Each participant was provided with a self-exam kit. They were asked to perform a self-exam and take pictures of their cervix with the Callascope at home at their convenience. They submitted an audio reflection immediately post-examination via WhatsApp. A post-insertion survey to assess user experience and a focus group discussion were performed 72 hours post-insertion. Conclusions: The Callascope self-imaging of the cervix was reported to be more acceptable and comfortable than the traditional speculum-based gynecologic exam. All participants indicated that they would use the device again and recommend to a friend. Recommendations to improve the prototype design were identified: lengthen handle, overlay asymmetrical tip with softer silicon, and optimize manual focus mechanism. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be a factor associated to the ease of device use and comfort.
Orographic Controls on Asian Hydroclimate, and an Examination of Heat Wave Temporal Compounding

Global warming is projected to induce changes in phenomena ranging from hurricanes to heat waves to droughts. Preparing for these changes requires both fundamental understanding of the climate system, and applied understanding of the risks posed by such events. This dissertation engages with both these areas of inquiry by analyzing diverse observations and global climate model (GCM) simulations. Two studies in this dissertation explore a basic climate dynamics question: what role does orography (i.e. mountains and other topographic features) play in shaping patterns of precipitation over Asia? Both studies are conducted by comparing a control GCM simulation incorporating modern day orography to a perturbation simulation where specific orography is flattened. The first study examines the influence of the Tian Shan, a mountain range branching north from the Tibetan Plateau, on extratropical deserts in Asia. The western and eastern deserts in this region exhibit strikingly different seasonal cycles of precipitation. The Tian Shan’s role in this zonal gradient of precipitation is examined, and an important role for the Tian Shan in enhancing the East Asian Monsoon is highlighted. The second study examines the influence of the Tibetan Plateau and related orography on Asian monsoons and tropical cyclones. Asian orography is found to increase precipitation over the Western North Pacific (WNP) throughout the summer monsoon, but decrease precipitation over the Arabian Sea. The mountains also alter tropical cyclones, enhancing and suppressing their formation in the WNP and Arabian Sea, respectively. The roles of model resolution and atmosphere-ocean coupling in these responses are differentiated using a hierarchy of GCM simulations. The third study of this dissertation focuses on an applied, policy-motivated question: what is the hazard of heat waves occurring close together in time (i.e. temporally compounding), and how will that change with global warming? Definitions of heat iii wave compounding are developed and applied to GCM simulations with increased atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is argued that the hazard of compound heat waves will disproportionately increase with global warming. Prior events will then play an increasingly large role in heat wave vulnerability. Policy implications of this conclusion are discussed.
Comments on “temperature‐extreme precipitation scaling: A two‐way causality?”

Recently, Barbero et al. (2018) examined temperature‐extreme precipitation scaling and argue that the local cooling effect leading to negative apparent scaling in Darwin found by Bao et al. (2017a) was simply a statistical artefact. Barbero et al. (2018) also propose that dew point temperature drives extreme precipitation, and should be used as a scaling variable. Here we address some of their criticisms and further clarify some conclusions. We maintain that scaling analyses via “binning methods” cannot be reliably applied to climate changes due to fundamental problems of misinterpreted causality, and that using dew point temperature does not solve these problems.
Behavioral and Brain Functions

Background: Antisocial behaviors are complex polygenic phenotypes that are due to a multifactorial arrangement of genetic polymorphisms. Little empirical research, however, has been undertaken that examines gene × gene interactions in the etiology of conduct disorder and antisocial behavior. This study examined whether adolescent conduct disorder and adult antisocial behavior were related to the dopamine D2 receptor polymorphism (DRD2) and the dopamine D4 receptor polymorphism (DRD4). Methods: A sample of 872 male participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) completed self-report questionnaires that tapped adolescent conduct disorder and adult antisocial behavior. DNA was genotyped for DRD2 and DRD4. Results: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that neither DRD2 nor DRD4 had significant independent effects on conduct disorder or antisocial behavior. However, DRD2 interacted with DRD4 to predict variation in adolescent conduct disorder and in adult antisocial behavior. Conclusion: The results suggest that a gene × gene interaction between DRD2 and DRD4 is associated with the development of conduct disorder and adult antisocial behavior in males. Background Adolescent conduct disorder (CD) and adult antisocial behavior are highly heritable phenotypes. Studies using twin designs and model-fitting techniques indicate that up to 85 percent of the variance in these disorders may be attributable to genetic influences[1,2]. However, the precise genetic polymorphisms implicated in the etiology of antisocial behaviors remain elusive. The most consistent findings suggest that genes related to the modulation of neurotransmitters may be associated with the development of maladaptive behaviors. For example, in a multivariate analysis of associations, Comings and his coauthors[3] examined 42 dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine genes on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and CD phenotypes. Their analyses revealed that CD was Published: 22 June 2007 Behavioral and Brain Functions 2007, 3:30 doi:10.1186/1744-9081-3-30 Received: 27 April 2007 Accepted: 22 June 2007 This article is available from: http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions. com/content/3/1/30 © 2007 Beaver et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Responses to incremental nutrient supply on energy and protein metabolism in pre-weaning dairy calves.

Recently reviewed development objectives and feeding practices in young dairy calves require an adaptation of nutrient recommendations set for milk replacer (MR) composition. Nutrient requirements of calves younger than 21 d of age, and those of calves fed with high levels of milk replacer are insufficiently quantified. The efficiency at which macronutrients are utilized, particularly protein, substantially diminishes with age, and there is little data for the first weeks of life. In addition, in older (pre-)ruminants, protein and energy can be simultaneously limiting for protein gain. Whether this also applies to calves in the first weeks of life is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the responses in protein and fat gain to incremental supply of protein, fat, or lactose to MR in very young calves. Thirty-two groups of 3 mixed-sex Holstein-Frisian newborn calves (3.4 ± 1.6 d of age), were randomly assigned to one of 4 dietary treatments applied for 19 d: a basal MR (23.3% CP, 21.2% CF and 48.8% lactose of DM), provided at 550 kJ/kg BW0.85 per day (CON; n = 24), or the basal MR incrementally supplied with 126 kJ of DE/BW0.85 per day as milk fat (+FAT; n = 23), lactose (+LAC; n = 24) or milk protein (+PRO; n = 23). Calves were fed MR in 2 daily meals and had ad libitum access to water, but did not have access to calf starter nor any other solid feed. After 2 weeks of adaptation to their respective diets, groups of calves were placed for one week in an open-circuit respiration chamber for nitrogen and energy balance measurements (5 d). The incremental nutrient efficiencies indicate what percentage of extra intake of nutrients is retained. In this study, we observed that with every 100 g increase in protein intake, 52% was converted into protein deposition, while 44% contributed to heat production. Similarly, a 100 g increase in fat intake resulted in 67% being stored as fat, 22% being released as heat, and only 5% being retained as protein. Likewise, a 100 g increment in lactose intake led to 49% being stored as fat, with 38% being released as heat. Additional protein intake was not deposited as fat, extra energy intake (fat, and additional lactose) increased post absorptive N efficiency in young calves.
Influence of weakening minerals on ensemble strength and slip stability of faults

We explore the impact of phyllosilicate (weak but velocity strengthening) in a majority tectosilicate (strong but velocity weakening) matrix on bulk shear strength and slip stability of faults. Numerical simple shear experiments using a distinct element model (DEM) are conducted on both uniform mixtures of quartz and talc analogs and on textured mixtures consisting of a talc layer embedded in a quartz matrix. The mechanical response of particles is represented by a linear elastic contact model with a slip‐weakening constitutive relation representing the essence of rate‐state friction. The weight percentage of the talc in the uniform mixtures and the relative thickness of the talc layer in the textured mixtures are varied to investigate the transitional behavior of shear strength and slip stability. Specifically, for uniform mixtures, ~50% reduction on bulk shear strength is observed with 25% talc present, and a dominant influence of talc occurs at 50%; for textured mixtures, a noticeable weakening effect is shown at a relative layer thickness of 1 particle, ~50% shear strength reduction is observed with 3‐particles, and a dominant influence occurs at 5 particles. In terms of slip stability, a transition from velocity weakening to velocity strengthening is observed with 10% to 25% talc present in the uniform mixtures or with 3 particles to 5 particles in the textured mixtures. In addition, further analysis suggests that quartz has a high tendency toward dilation, potentially promoting permeability; while talc dilates with increased slip rate but compacts rapidly when slip rate is reduced, potentially destroying permeability. The simulation results match well with previous laboratory observations.
Characterization and in-vitro plant-based control of hindgut bacteria isolated from Odontotermes obesus Rambur (Termitidae) and Heterotermes indicola Wasmann (Rhinotermitidae)

Termites cause a serious menace to wooden structures all over the world. They rely mostly on entozoic fauna residing in their hindgut for the digestion of cellulosic and hemicellulosic materials. One of the ways to control termites is through their gut symbionts. The present study was designed to characterize the hindgut bacteria isolated from Odontotermes obesus and Heterotermes indicola. Furthermore, the growth inhibitory effect of eight tropical plant extracts was investigated to find out potential control agents for these bacterial isolates. The characterization of bacteria was carried out based on their morphology, Gram staining, biochemical and amplification of 16SrRNA gene. Amplified products were sequenced to confirm their relationship with bacterial isolates from termites of other regions. The growth inhibitory effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of eight plants was evaluated in an invitro agar well diffusion method. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the most effective plant was carried out to learn about bioactive agents. The results confirmed the presence of five bacteria from each termite species. The Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Lysinibacillus fusiformis were common to both termites whereas Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus and Lysinibacillus macrolides were found in O. obesus only and H. indicola harbor Bacillus subtilis and Shigella sonnei in addition to common three ones. Among the plant extracts of Carica papaya, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Osmium basilicum, Grevillea robusta, Eucalyptus globulus, Pongamia pinnata, Mentha longifolia, and Melia azedarach, the G. robusta > E. camaldulensis > O. basilicum were found to have growth inhibitory effects with increasing concentrations from 100 to 2000 µg/mL. The biodiversity of the bacterial fauna is important for the biological control of termites. Leaf extracts of these medicinal plants can be used to control termite infestation in an environment-friendly manner to save huge economic loss.
Factors influencing soil moisture in the Loess Plateau, China: a review

ABSTRACT Soil moisture is a key issue for eco-hydrological research in arid and semi-arid regions, and is primarily concerned with water availability for vegetation. Shallow and deep soil moisture occurs according to the maximum infiltration depth. Soil moisture has three-dimensional characteristics: inter-layer variability, horizontal heterogeneity and temporal variability. Soil moisture is affected by various factors including terrain, soil characteristics, climate and vegetation, and the effects of these change with time (e.g., rainfall patterns) and space (e.g., soil depth). In arid and semi-arid regions, deep soil moisture is of particular importance to vegetation restoration and the evaluation of vegetation sustainability; however, accurate prediction of the spatial distribution of deep soil moisture in the Loess Plateau of China still faces numerous challenges. Therefore, future research should focus on the mechanisms, models and scale effects of soil moisture, particularly for deep soil moisture.
Species composition and diversity of cast net fisheries in New Calabar River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

A study on the catch composition and diversity of cast net fisheries was conducted between May and August, 2017 in the New Calabar River, Rivers state, using cast net of varying mesh sizes (1.5mm and 2.5mm). Fish samples were collected from three sampling stations, viz. Station1- Aluu, Station 2- Choba and Station 3- Iwofe. The fish species recorded comprised of 26 species under 11 families, and one decapod crustacean. The three most abundant species were; Coptodon guineensis (25.11%), Coptodon zilli (18.56%) both from the Cichlidae family, and Penaeus nitialis (10.90%) from the Penaeidae family, while the least abundant species was Liza grandisquamis (0.13%) from the Mugilidae family. The diversity indices showed that station 2 recorded the highest number of species (21) while station 1 recorded the lowest with (12) species. Simpson’s indexes of diversity, Simpson’s reciprocal index, Shannon- weiner index, and Pielou’s evenness index, were estimated. This study serves as a base line data which will assist relevant bodies in the management and conservation of fisheries resources in the New Calabar River. It is therefore recommended that for an improved and sustainable exploitation and management of fisheries resources of the New Calabar River, proper monitoring and management for fish stock must be done.J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2018, 4(1): 19-26
Relocation of Light and Moderate‐Magnitude (M4–6) Seismicity Along the Central Mid‐Atlantic

We estimate precise relative epicentroid locations of earthquakes along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (MAR) between 12°N and 19°N using intermediate‐period Rayleigh and Love wave cross‐correlation measurements. We relocate 152 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging between 4.0 and 6.0 and when possible use P waveform modeling to estimate centroid depths. We compare surface‐wave locations to locations in the U.S. Geological Survey, Global Centroid Moment Tensor, and Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory hydroacoustic catalogs (Smith et al., , https://doi.org/10.1029/2001GL013912) and demonstrate that surface‐wave based relative location techniques provide significant improvement on precision. Our analyses shift locations to more tectonically consistent alignments that correlate strongly with bathymetric features. Relocations along the Fifteen‐Twenty and Marathon Fracture Zones (FZs) move to within a few kilometers of the transform bathymetry. Events along ridge segments scatter over a distance of about 10–20 km perpendicular to the local plate boundary and most ridge‐segment seismicity clusters spatially. North of the Fifteen‐Twenty FZ, ridge events along several segments locate preferentially in the North American Plate, suggesting recent asymmetric seismic strain release and perhaps asymmetric spreading. Along the ridge between 13°N and 14°N, moderate‐magnitude seismic strain release concentrates in an area with two active oceanic core complexes (OCC) along the western rift boundary, but the largest events along this segment appear to occur along the eastern boundary rift valley faults and represent deformation opposite the OCC detachment surface processes. Precise moderate‐magnitude earthquake epicentroid locations for events that occurred over the last few decades complement the results of temporary seismometer deployments that have imaged microseismic activity along the MAR.
Otolith chemistry as a fisheries management tool after flooding: The case of Missouri River gizzard shad

Reduced river–floodplain connectivity can decrease fisheries production and cause ecological and socioeconomic consequences. In 2011, the largest flood on record in the Missouri River since 1898 nearly eliminated connectivity between an embayment (Hipple Lake) and Lake Sharpe, impeding movement of walleye (Sander vitreus) and a forage fish, gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum). Thus, we used otolith chemistry to quantify Hipple Lake's natal contribution to Lake Sharpe's gizzard shad population and forecast effects of connectivity loss on the reservoir's socioeconomically important walleye fishery. Fish were classified to natal habitats with 79–89% accuracy, with most gizzard shad (64%) hatching in floodplain habitats (i.e., embayments, tributaries, canals, and stilling basins). Hipple Lake contributed 12% of gizzard shad to Lake Sharpe, more than a tributary (4%) and embayment (0%) but less than a canal (27%) and stilling basin (21%). Hipple Lake (178 acres) covers 0.31% of Lake Sharpe (56,884 acres), so its natal contribution is 38 times what would be expected if contribution was linearly related to area. Sediment and water management to maintain connectivity between Lake Sharpe and Hipple Lake and other floodplain habitats is important for continued gizzard shad production and prey supply for the walleye fishery. Otolith chemistry facilitates assessment of gizzard shad natal contributions in different habitats, serving as a fisheries management tool to inform floodplain habitat protection and rehabilitation after floods.
Time of observation adjustments to daily station precipitation may introduce undesired statistical issues

Interstation observations of daily precipitation are often temporally misaligned due to differences in station time of observation. Several time of observation adjustment methods have historically been applied to improve interstation temporal alignment, but the efficacy of such adjustments has not been fully tested. Here, we examine the ability of several time of observation adjustments to improve observation compatibility under three different adjustment scenarios: adjusting morning observations to midnight, adjusting afternoon observations to midnight, and adjusting afternoon observations to morning. We find that all adjustment methods provide necessary improvements to the temporal alignment of daily precipitation observations, especially with respect to morning versus midnight time of observation totals. However, for a majority of the adjustments, improved temporal alignment comes at the cost of significantly altering observed precipitation intensity, frequency, and extremes. We also find adjustments have the potential to overcorrect and increase both general and extreme event spatio‐temporal coherence.