Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Don’t listen to mom: no maternal influence on consistent nest and latrine site choice by their offspring in meadow voles

Where does an animal build a nest? At a large scale, habitat preference can be informed by ‘natal habitat preference induction’, where an animal’s early environment impacts what habitat it finds suitable later in life. Other preferences may be present within a chosen habitat. We tracked the location angle of nests and latrines within the home cages of captive meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus. Nests and latrines were separated from each other by an angle of approximately 180°, perhaps to reduce disease transmission. Meadow voles’ nest and latrine site choices were individually consistent across time. Only nest site choices were consistent between siblings, as assessed by a random effect coefficient, and these choices were repeatable. However, nest site choices at maturity were independent of their mother’s nest choice. We posit that the nest and latrine site choice is a socially learned preference developed through the consensus of siblings after weaning.
Rugotaxis: Droplet motion without external energy supply

Nano-patterned substrates offer possibilities for controlling the motion of fluids without external energy supply in novel technologies in microfluidics, coatings, etc. Here, we report on the rugotaxial motion of droplets on wrinkled substrates with gradient in the wavelength of the wrinkles by exploring a broad range of parameters, such as amplitude of the wrinkles, substrate wettability, droplet size and wavelength gradient. Adopting a theoretical and molecular dynamics approach, we determine the Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel states of the droplets, investigate the efficiency of rugotaxis as a function of different parameters, and discuss additional effects, such as pinning. We find that shallow wrinkles characterised by small wavelength gradients, and moderate adhesion of the droplet to the substrate favour the rugotaxis motion with growing droplet size, when pinning is avoided. We also find that the driving force in rugotaxis is the gain in interfacial energy between the droplet and the substrate as the droplet enters regions of denser wrinkles (smaller wavelengths of the wrinkles).
Growing apples in tropical semiarid: N and K fertigation

Apple tree has been experimentally grown Brazilian tropical semiarid. In these new regions, fertilizing management research for N and K is crucial to reach apple high yields. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of N and K fertilizing on fruit production, leaf chlorophyll and N and K nutritional status of apple cv. ‘Julieta’ grown in Brazilian tropical semiarid. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with treatments disposed in a factorial arrangement (4 x 4) referring to nitrogen doses (30, 60, 90, and 120 g of N plant-1) and potassium doses (30, 60, 90, and 120 g of K2O plant-1), with three replications and three plants in each parcel. ‘Julieta’ apple trees propagated by grafting (with ‘M9 filter and Maruba rootstock) and transplanted in 2013 were used in this study. The following variables were evaluated: i) fruit production (kg plant-1); ii) number of fruits (in a plant); iii) leaf chlorophyll index (‘a’, ‘b’, and total); and iv) leaf N and K concentrations (g kg-1). N and K doses effects depend on the consecutive production cycles of apple cv. ‘Julieta’ grown in tropical semiarid. An adequate N supply is very important for the subsequent production cycle. K fertilization until 120 g plant-1 of K2O is not enough to supply K demand of apple cv. ‘Julieta’ grown in tropical semiarid. In tropical semiarid, 60-90 g plant-1 of N through fertirrigation is enough for ‘Julieta’ apple production.
Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Psoriatic Arthritis

Abstract Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a well-known inflammatory disorder with a wide variety of phenotypes that extend beyond the joints. It has been defined as an immune-mediated disorder in which Th-1 and Th-17 cells play a key role. It has been associated with an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is characterized by abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. While the exact pathophysiology of the link between PsA and MetS has yet to be precisely determined, persistence of inflammatory abnormalities, with overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, might be the cause. Studies have consistently emphasized the strong association between elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease and MetS in individuals with underlying PsA. The literature has also shown an association between the increased PsA severity and the increased frequency of MetS components. This association has important clinical consequences when treating patients with PsA. Therefore, screening programs should be implemented for PsA patients to evaluate whether they have MetS, and appropriate treatment should be given to manage cardiometabolic risk factors. Patients should also be closely monitored for potential adverse treatment effects on co-morbidities. This article summarizes the evidence of associations between several components of MetS and PsA and analyzes the impact of treatment on these factors.
Developmental Stages Affect the Capacity to Produce Aldehyde Green Leaf Volatiles in Zea mays and Vigna radiata

Green leaf volatiles (GLV) are essentially produced by the green parts of plants upon damage. GLV are mainly 6-carbon molecules derived from fatty acids through the hydroperoxide lyase pathway and can serve as airborne signals to other parts of the same plant and to neighboring plants and help to protect them against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, while the biosynthesis is generally well understood, little is known about how plants regulate the production of these important signaling molecules. To better understand how the developmental stage of the plant affects aldehyde GLV production, we selected Zea mays and Vigna radiata to represent mono- and dicot plants for this analysis. We show that the capacity to produce aldehyde GLV strongly depends on the developmental stage of the plant. Major differences in the quantity, and in the quality of these compounds were found, not only in leaves from different developmental stages, but also in different areas within a leaf. The results demonstrate that the capacity to produce GLV varies significantly within a plant and the potential implications of these findings are discussed.
Validating the QCOVID risk prediction algorithm for risk of mortality from COVID-19 in the adult population in Wales, UK

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 risk prediction algorithms can be used to identify at-risk individuals from short-term serious adverse COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalisation and death. It is important to validate these algorithms in different and diverse populations to help guide risk management decisions and target vaccination and treatment programs to the most vulnerable individuals in society. Objectives To validate externally the QCOVID risk prediction algorithm that predicts mortality outcomes from COVID-19 in the adult population of Wales, UK. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using routinely collected individual-level data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. The cohort included individuals aged between 19 and 100 years, living in Wales on 24th January 2020, registered with a SAIL-providing general practice, and followed-up to death or study end (28th July 2020). Demographic, primary and secondary healthcare, and dispensing data were used to derive all the predictor variables used to develop the published QCOVID algorithm. Mortality data were used to define time to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 death. Performance metrics, including R2 values (explained variation), Brier scores, and measures of discrimination and calibration were calculated for two periods (24th January–30th April 2020 and 1st May–28th July 2020) to assess algorithm performance. Results 1,956,760 individuals were included. 1,192 (0.06%) and 610 (0.03%) COVID-19 deaths occurred in the first and second time periods, respectively. The algorithms fitted the Welsh data and population well, explaining 68.8% (95% CI: 66.9-70.4) of the variation in time to death, Harrell’s C statistic: 0.929 (95% CI: 0.921-0.937) and D statistic: 3.036 (95% CI: 2.913-3.159) for males in the first period. Similar results were found for females and in the second time period for both sexes. Conclusions The QCOVID algorithm developed in England can be used for public health risk management for the adult Welsh population.
Advances on Risk-targeted Hazard Estimation within the European Context

ABSTRACT: The design of new structures according to modern seismic regulations requires the definition of a ground motion for a given return period, for which the structure is designed. The implicit assumption is that the resulting annual collapse probability is equally uniform for all structures, regardless of their structural properties or location. However, the uncertainty in the collapse capacity and discrepancies in the slope of the seismic hazard curves at different sites lead to a level of risk that is site- and structure-specific, and thus not uniform for all structures across a region. The estimation of risk-targeted hazard maps allows for the definition of a design ground motion that would lead to a nominal uniform level of risk nationally, compliant with a transparent and pre-specified risk threshold. In this paper, the seismic hazard results recently released under the FP7 European project SHARE are employed to compute risk-targeted hazard maps for Europe, according to a fixed annual probability of collapse that is in agreement with current levels of safety. The preliminary results shown here expose large areas of Europe where the design ground motion could be significantly lowered without compromising the current level of accepted risk. 1. INTRODUCTION The majority of seismic regulations rely on seismic hazard maps associated with a return period,
FACEBOOK® ADDICTION, INTENSIVE SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE USE, MULTITASKING, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, AND TURKEY: A MULTIGROUP STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING APPROACH

Research has shown since 2008 that social networking site (SNS) use comprises the majority of time spent on the Internet. The age distribution and large amount of time spent on SNSs evoke a new research era: How students use SNSs and how the uses of SNSs impact their academic performance. The main objective of the pilot study was to investigate the relationship between time spent on SNSs, frequency of SNS use, multitasking with SNSs, time spent studying, and Grade Point Average (GPA). In the first part, the cross-cultural differences between the United States (US; n = 444) and European college students (n = 346) were examined using path models.After examining the path models, a new survey was administered with additional items (with existing reliability and validity evidence). The purpose of the main study was to define new constructs using observed variables. These constructs were Facebook® addiction, multitasking with SNSs while studying, using SNSs for school work, the amount of time spent on SNSs, college self-efficacy, and academic performance. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed using the above constructs. SEM has many advantages compared to path analysis, and it was used to compare two countries: the US (n = 226) and Turkey (TR; n = 200). This exploratory investigation focused on the following main goals: (a) testing if Facebook® addiction and intensive SNS use impact academic performance, (b) identifying the variables that directly or indirectly impact SNS use and academic performance, (c) understanding the impact of Facebook® addiction on general SNS use and academic performance, (d) indicating relationships between the variables, and (e) probing the differences between university students from different cultures (i.e., the US and TR).
Analysis of Bucket Teeth of Backhoe Excavator Loader and its Weight Optimization

An excavator is heavy construction equipment, which is commonly used in construction work, mining work etc. According to off highway research about Equipment analysis in India , backhoe loader market continuously growing. One of the parameters affecting the productivity of machine is bucket tooth. A poor design of teeth results in poor excavation and ultimately reduces its efficiency. Teeth are the parts of excavator, which always offer negligible attention by excavator manufacturing industry. For maximum digging force condition the evaluated digging force can be used as boundary condition and loading condition to carry out static finite element analysis of excavator bucket tooth. This paper is mainly concentrate on backhoe excavator loader on wheel. For general backhoe loader digging forces find out by SEA J1179 standard. According SEA J1179 arm cylinder crowd force and bucket cylinder curl force calculated and maximum bucket cylinder curl force is used for critical analysis of excavator bucket tooth at maximum breakout force condition. General purpose excavator bucket tooth like standard bolt on tooth and heavy duty fanggs digging tooth, long tooth, tiger tooth ,twin tiger tooth and abrasion tooth are analyzed for their smallest series dimension and by observing their von mises stresses , total deformation patter necessary optimization are suggested and checked. Keywords— Analysis bucket teeth, backhoe loader
Gradient Studies Reveal the True Drivers of Extreme Life in the Atacama Desert

Studies of hyper‐arid sites contribute to our understanding on how life adapted to extreme conditions. They are often used to further deduce implications for extraterrestrial biology by the so‐called analogue site‐approach. The Atacama Desert, Chile, is one of the most prominent analogue sites despite its neighboring productive ecosystems due to its hyper‐aridity and geochemical features resembling Martian environments. We hypothesize that many drivers of extremophile life in analogue sites are only mistakenly attributed to aridity alone, thus obscuring a clear view of the far more complex process interactions originating in nearby earthly ecosystems. To test this, we investigated 54 soil profiles up to 60 cm of soil depth along of four transects in the Atacama Desert, either running parallel (S‐N) or perpendicular (W‐E) to the Andes. Our objective was to reveal the processes controlling the formation of soil organic carbon (SOC) as the most reliable proxy for microbial life in order to understand the boundary conditions of life in extreme habitats. Further, we aimed at identifying analogue sites as uncompromised as possible by external influences of for example, vegetated or marine ecosystems. We found a mixture of influences driving habitable conditions on gradients perpendicular to the Andes, for example, fog and precipitation scavenging caused by altitudinal variations and differing proximity to the Pacific Ocean, while transects parallel to the Andes were much less biased by external factors. Our results show that studies on life under extreme conditions should clarify the explanatory strength of the investigated factors by a gradient study approach.
You Cannot Hit Snooze on OSA: Sequelae of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to not only affect the quality of sleep, but also overall health in general. Untreated or inadequately treated OSA can lead to long-term sequelae involving cardiovascular, endothelial, metabolic, endocrine, neurocognitive, and psychological consequences. The physiological effects of pediatric OSA eventually become pathological. As the complex effects of pediatric OSA are discovered, they must be identified early so that healthcare providers can be better equipped to treat and even prevent them. Ultimately, adequate management of OSA improves overall quality of life.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-10 in Kidney Injury Repair and Disease

Matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) is a zinc-dependent endopeptidase with the ability to degrade a broad spectrum of extracellular matrices and other protein substrates. The expression of MMP-10 is induced in acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). During the different stages of kidney injury, MMP-10 may exert distinct functions by cleaving various bioactive substrates including heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and pro-MMP-1, -7, -8, -9, -10, -13. Functionally, MMP-10 is reno-protective in AKI by promoting HB-EGF-mediated tubular repair and regeneration, whereas it aggravates podocyte dysfunction and proteinuria by disrupting glomerular filtration integrity via degrading ZO-1. MMP-10 is also involved in cancerous invasion and emerges as a promising therapeutic target in patients with RCC. As a secreted protein, MMP-10 could be detected in the circulation and presents an inverse correlation with renal function. Due to the structural similarities between MMP-10 and the other MMPs, development of specific inhibitors targeting MMP-10 is challenging. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the role of MMP-10 in kidney diseases and discuss the potential mechanisms of its actions.
Ormyrus labotus (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae): Another Generalist That Should not be a Generalist is not a Generalist

Several recent reappraisals of supposed generalist parasite species have revealed hidden complexes of species, each with considerably narrower host ranges. Parasitic wasps that attack gall-forming insects on plants have life history strategies that are thought to promote specialization, and though many species are indeed highly specialized, others have been described as generalist parasites. Ormyrus labotus Walker (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae) is one such apparent generalist, with rearing records spanning more than 65 host galls associated with a diverse set of oak tree species and plant tissues. We pair a molecular approach with morphology, host ecology, and phenological data from across a wide geographic sample to test the hypothesis that this supposed generalist is actually a complex of several more specialized species. We find 16–18 putative species within the morphological species O. labotus, each reared from only 1–6 host gall types, though we identify no single unifying axis of specialization. We also find cryptic habitat specialists within two other named Ormyrus species. Our study suggests that caution should be applied when considering host ranges of parasitic insects described solely by morphological traits, particularly given their importance as biocontrol organisms and their role in biodiversity and evolutionary studies.
Validation of synthesized hypernasal speech samples

Perceptual evaluation is a gold standard for rating hypernasality. However, the reliability of perceptual evaluation of hypernasality has always been an issue, therefore, some suggested the use of external anchors during evaluation. The use of anchors could suppress listeners’ varied internal standards during evaluation. Therefore, validation of the hypernasal samples should be done. Ten speech therapists with at least two years experience were participated in the validation process. Two types of synthesized signals were presented: vowel and sentence. Participants were asked to take part in the identification test, discrimination test and the severity and naturalness rating test. In this study, one moderate vowel stimulus and one severe vowel stimulus were successfully validated. However, no sentence stimuli could be validated in this study. Further researches on the validation of synthesized hypernasal samples and the use of those samples as anchors should be done.
Elevated red cell distribution width and cardiovascular mortality in ASCVD risk cohorts: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

BACKGROUND Although red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, the relationship between an elevated RDW and cardiovascular mortality among various ASCVD risk groups is unknown. METHODS We utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, which uses a complex, multistage, clustered design to represent the civilian, community-based US population. Out of 30,818 subjects whose data were entered during the 1988-1994 period, 8884 subjects over 40 years of age, representing a weighted sample of 85,323,902 patients, were selected after excluding missing variables. The ACC/AHA pooled cohort equation (PCE) was used to calculate atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, and low (<7.5%), intermediate (7.5-20%), and high (>20%) risk groups were created. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. A multivariate proportional hazard regression was performed using the Fine and Gray (sub-distribution) method. Red cell distribution (RDW), C-reactive protein (CRP), age, sex, race, diabetes, smoking status, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were used as covariates in each of the ACC/AHA pooled cohort risk groups. RESULTS The adjusted hazard ratios for RDW >14 (Normal range 12.5-14.5 %) as compared to <13 were 2.79 (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 2.77-2.81, p < 0.01), 2.02 (95% CI 2.01-2.02, p < 0.01), 1.18 (95% CI 1.18-1.18, p < 0.01) in the low, intermediate and high-risk groups respectively. The 20-year cumulative cardiovascular mortality (RDW >14 vs. <13) was 4% vs. 1.3% low, 17.7% vs. 7.7% in intermediate and 28.1% vs. 24.6% in high ASCVD risk groups respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings support that measurement of RDW in the intermediate ASCVD group may be clinically valuable for further risk stratification and prognostication in the general population of people aged more than 40 years of age with regards to identifying those at an increased risk for cardiovascular mortality.
RFID/Barcode Scanner Half Height Tripod Turnstile

The problem of security at institutions, organizations etc from restricting any unknown individual from entering the premises is the widely known problem and a major concern for threat for the organization. Deploying of only security forces proves to be un-satisfactory to ensure high rate of secure environment within the premises. Control Access Gates are widely used for their ability to help organizing and securing different events and activities which are made to make the daily life of humans more smooth and secure. The aim of the project is to build a low cost fast and flexible RFID/ Barcode Scanner Half Tripod Turnstile (A Smart Control Access Gate) with a secure encrypted database and entry audits.
Physicomechanical, thermal and dielectric properties of eco‐friendly starch‐microcrystalline cellulose‐clay nanocomposite films for food packaging and electrical applications

Potato starch (PS) films reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were prepared with casting solution, and the effect of montmorillonite (MMT) clay in different proportions (1, 3, 5 and 10 wt%) using nanofiller was established. The films were investigated by Fourier transform ınfrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile strength, opacity, colour, water vapour permeability and solubility. Tensile strength for nanocomposite films depending on the clay content was increased significantly from 0.64 to 1.89 MPa. The water vapour permeability of nanocomposite films was improved compared to the PSMCC blend without MMT. Also, dielectric properties and electrical conductivity of films were studied. The dielectric permittivity (έ), the dielectric loss (ε˝) and the electrical conductivity (σ) increased with increasing MMT content at frequencies between 100 Hz to 10 kHz. This nanocomposite with improved functional properties could be used in potential food packaging materials and electrical applications.