Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Information Formats and Incidental Affect on Prior and Posterior Probability Judgments

Background. Interpreting medical test results involves judging probabilities, including making Bayesian inferences such as judging the positive and negative predictive values. Although prior work has shown that experience formats (e.g., slide shows of representative patient cases) produce more accurate Bayesian inferences than description formats (e.g., verbal statistical summaries), there are disadvantages of using the experience format for real-world medical decision making that may be solved by presenting relevant information in a 2 × 2 table format. Furthermore, medical decisions are often made in stressful contexts, yet little is known about the influence of acute stress on the accuracy of Bayesian inferences. This study aimed to a) replicate the description-experience format effect on probabilistic judgments; b) examine judgment accuracy across description, experience, and a new 2 × 2 table format; and c) assess the effect of acute stress on probability judgments. Method. The study employed a 2 (stress condition) × 3 (format) factorial between-subjects design. Participants (N = 165) completed a Bayesian inference task in which information about a medical screening test was presented in 1 of 3 formats (description, experience, 2 × 2 table), following a laboratory stress induction or a no-stress control condition. Results. Overall, the 2 × 2 table format produced the most accurate probability judgments, including Bayesian inferences, compared with the description and experience formats. Stress had no effect on judgment accuracy. Discussion. Given its accuracy and practicality, a 2 × 2 table may be better suited than description or experience formats for communicating probabilistic information in medical contexts.
Liver Distomatosis in Cattle, Sheep and Goats of Northeastern Iran

5 Abstract: The trematodes Fasciola spp. and Dicrocoelium dendriticum are recognized as the most important zoonotic helminthic parasites of sheep, goat and cattle which are responsible for considerable economic losses to ranchers. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in the slaughterhouse of Bojnourd, Iran from March 2008 to March 2009. During this investigation, the carcasses of 4933 cattle, 23047 sheep and 11545 goats were carefully inspected. The total prevalence of distomatosis and the prevalence rate of Fasciola spp. and D. dendriticum infection, together with the prevalence rate of distomatosis in different seasons, were calculated in these animals. The prevalence rate of Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection was significantly higher than the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle, sheep and goats (p 0.05). The lowest prevalence rate of Fasciola spp. and D. dentriticum infections was seen in the goats (0.20% and%1.41 respectively) and the highest prevalence rate was present in cattle (%0.71 and%11.03 respectively). Differences in the animal husbandry conditions of cattle with those of sheep and goats, easier accessibility of cattle to intermediate hosts and hereditary resistance of goats and sheep to these parasitic infections might be the reasons for differences in the prevalence rate of infection of these animals.
Dual-task training on gait, motor symptoms, and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of the present study was to systematically evaluate and quantify the effectiveness of dual-task training on gait parameters, motor symptoms and balance in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Data resources: A systematic review of published literature was conducted until May 2020, using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCO and CNKI databases. Methods: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs to evaluate the effects of dual-task training compared with those of non-intervention or other forms of training. The measurements included gait parameters, motor symptoms and balance parameters. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Outcomes were pooled by calculating between-group mean differences using fixed- or random-effects models based on study heterogeneity. Results: A total of 11 RCTs comprising 322 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis. Results showed that dual-task training significantly improved gait speed (standardized mean difference [SMD], −0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.38 to −0.08; P = 0.002), cadence (SMD, −0.25; 95% CI, −0.48 to −0.02; P = 0.03), motor symptoms (SMD, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.94; P = 0.004) and balance (SMD, −0.44; 95% CI, −0.84 to −0.05; P = 0.03). However, no significant changes were detected in step length or stride length. Conclusion: Dual-task training was effective in improving gait performance, motor symptoms and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease relative to other forms of training or non-intervention.
Dissecting the Seed Maturation and Germination Processes in the Non-Orthodox Quercus ilex Species Based on Protein Signatures as Revealed by 2-DE Coupled to MALDI-TOF/TOF Proteomics Strategy

Unlike orthodox species, seed recalcitrance is poorly understood, especially at the molecular level. In this regard, seed maturation and germination were studied in the non-orthodox Quercus ilex by using a proteomics strategy based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight (2-DE-MALDI-TOF). Cotyledons and embryo/radicle were sampled at different developmental stages, including early (M1–M3), middle (M4–M7), and late (M8–M9) seed maturation, and early (G1–G3) and late (G4–G5) germination. Samples corresponding to non-germinating, inviable, seeds were also included. Protein extracts were subjected to 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and changes in the protein profiles were analyzed. Identified variable proteins were grouped according to their function, being the energy, carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolisms, together with protein fate, redox homeostasis, and response to stress are the most represented groups. Beyond the visual aspect, morphometry, weight, and water content, each stage had a specific protein signature. Clear tendencies for the different protein groups throughout the maturation and germination stages were observed for, respectively, cotyledon and the embryo axis. Proteins related to metabolism, translation, legumins, proteases, proteasome, and those stress related were less abundant in non-germinating seeds, it related to the loss of viability. Cotyledons were enriched with reserve proteins and protein-degrading enzymes, while the embryo axis was enriched with proteins of cell defense and rescue, including heat-shock proteins (HSPs) and antioxidants. The peaks of enzyme proteins occurred at the middle stages (M6–M7) in cotyledons and at late ones (M8–M9) in the embryo axis. Unlike orthodox seeds, proteins associated with glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid metabolism are present at high levels in the mature seed and were maintained throughout the germination stages. The lack of desiccation tolerance in Q. ilex seeds may be associated with the repression of some genes, late embryogenesis abundant proteins being one of the candidates.
Alternation of nuclear phases and chromosome numbers in Porphyra linearis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from western Ireland and Maine, USA

E. Varela-Álvarez, D.B. Stengel, F. Rindi and M.D. Guiry. 2005. Alternation of nuclear phases and chromosome numbers in Porphyra linearis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from western Ireland and Maine, USA. Phycologia 44: 61–65. Observations were made on chromosome numbers of isolates of Porphyra linearis (Rhodophyta) from western Ireland and Maine, USA. Chromosome numbers differed between specimens from East and West Atlantic populations. In Irish isolates the haploid chromosome number was n = 4 for all the specimens examined. Conchocelis filament cells and conchosporangial cells were diploid with 2n = 8, but zygotosporangial cells and some conchospores released had a diploid chromosome number which varied between 8 and 10. By contrast, in isolates from Maine, USA, the haploid chromosome number was mainly 3, with variations between 4 and 2. The loss or gain of one chromosome, probably caused by aneuploidy in the US isolates, could be explained as a step on the evolution of the chromosome number to 4. The results suggest that the P. linearis populations from the East and West Atlantic represent two separate entities.
CACHE MANAGEMENT BY SMALL MAMMALS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ACORN-EMBRYO EXCISION

Abstract We conducted 2 field experiments to assess relative importance of acorn-embryo excision in the caching decisions of small mammals. In the 1st, we selectively provisioned small mammals with metal-tagged acorns of red oak (Quercus rubra) and white oak (Q. alba) at 40 point locations in 8 sites in an oak forest in northeastern Pennsylvania. We then followed the fate of cached seeds by relocating acorns with metal detectors soon after they were cached and again in spring after seeds began to germinate. At least 1 species of small mammal excised embryos of >70% of the cached acorns of white oak and <4% of those of red oak. Animals also were observed to revisit caches in spring and excise embryos of germinating acorns. More excised acorns of white oak were found intact in spring than those of red oak, indicating that the behavior is important for long-term storage of these seeds. In a 2nd experiment, we presented free-ranging Mexican gray squirrels (Sciurus aureogaster) with pairs of acorns of 5 native white oak and 5 native red oak species and recorded caching events and whether or not cached seeds had their embryos removed. Squirrels cached significantly more acorns of white oak species, frequently excised embryos of these seeds, and only excised embryos of red oaks when they were germinating. These results support our previous hypothesis that the behavior of embryo excision is geographically widespread and has important implications for cache-management strategies of some diurnal tree squirrels and their effect on dispersal of oaks.
Response of Root Branching and Shoot Water Potentials of French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Soil Moisture and Fertilizer Potassium

Extensive branching patterns of roots and the maintenance of adequate water within shoots enables plants to overcome water stress. However, information on the relationship between fertilizer potassium, root branching patterns and shoot water potentials of food legumes grown under different soil moisture regimes is scarce. Thus, an experiment was conducted in a phytotron to ascertain the effect of fertilizer potassium on root branching patterns and shoot water potentials of a popular tropical food legumes (Frenchbeans Phaseolus vulgaris L). The plants were grown in a sand medium with 0.1, 0.8 or 3.0 mM of potassium under a suboptimal and optima) soil moisture regime. Root lengths and dry weights were enhanced by potassium, especially under a suboptimal soil moisture regime. The branching patterns changed due to potassium, where the numbers of second and third order roots increased under both soil moisture regimes, although the impact was greater in plants grown with low soil moisture. Plant water contents measured in terms of shoot water potential, relative water contents, rurgid weight: dry weight ratio and water uptake capacity were also increased by potassium. A positive relationship was observed between root branching patterns and water potentials with increasing potassium levels especially in plants grown under suboptimal soil moisture conditions. Shoot growth and nodulation was also promoted by potassium. The ability of plants to develop a more extensive branching pattern of roots by inducing a greater number of second and third order roots and changing the root branching habit from a herringbone to a dichotomous type to maintain a greater shoot water potential especially under low soil moisture regimes is presented.
A nine-family classification of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

We propose a new family-level classification of caecilians that is based on current understanding of phylogenetic relationships and diversity. The 34 currently recognised genera of caecilians are diagnosed and partitioned into nine family-level taxa. Each family is an hypothesised monophylum, that, subject to limitations of taxon sampling, is well-supported by phylogenetic analyses and is of ancient (Mesozoic) origin. Each family is diagnosed and also defined phylogenetically. The proposed classification provides an alternative to an exclusive reliance upon synonymy in solving the longstanding problem of paraphyly of the Caeciliidae.
Screening wheat germplasm for heat tolerance at terminal growth stage.

The germplasm comprising of 442 wheat varieties/lines was sown in one meter long row in a plastic sheet tunnel to screen the material for heat tolerance during 2004-05 and 2005-06 at Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad. A set of the material was sown in the open adjacent to the tunnel. The material was exposed to heat shock (>32 0 C) by covering the tunnel with plastic sheet during grain formation for two weeks in 2004-05 and for four weeks in 200506. Data was recorded from 25 randomly selected heads from each row for 1000 grain weight, grains per spike and yield per spike during both the years. The data regarding survival (ability to stay green under heat stress) was also recorded. Heat effect was expressed as ratio of stressed / non stressed plants. The effects of heat stress were lesser in shorter period exposure and more drastic in prolonged exposure of the genotypes to heat. The ability of lines to stay green for longer period in heat shock had no direct relationship with seed setting. Three entries CB-367 (BB#2/ PT// CC/ INIA /3/ ALD’S’) CB-333 (WL 711/3/KAL/BB//ALD ‘S’) and CB-335 (WL711/CROW ‘S’//ALD#1/CMH 77A. 917/3/HI 666/PVN ‘S’ ) showed maximum grain development and survival. This study revealed that these genotypes can be utilized in breeding programs for development of wheat varieties having heat tolerance at terminal growth stage.
Madinithidium gen. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new monoraphid diatom genus from the tropical marine coastal zone

Abstract: We studied a group of monoraphid diatom species (Bacillariophyceae, Achnanthidiaceae) found in the marine coastal environment of tropical islands of the Caribbean Sea, western Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. Based on light and electron microscope examination, Madinithidium was formally described as a genus new to science with the generitype defined as Madinithidium undulatum. The characteristic features of the valve structure are a strongly developed sternum and raphe sternum, transapical striae formed by a single areola (macroareolae) positioned in small depressions, elevated virgae and coaxial internal central raphe endings. Furthermore, the striae of both raphe and sternum valves are closed by finely perforated hymenes. Madinithidium and Achnanthidium species are difficult to identify correctly with light microscopy since their valves are small and finely structured. Four species recently described from the western Indian Ocean and assigned to Achnanthidium sensu lato – Achnanthidium capitatum, A. flexuistriatum, A. pseudodelicatissimum and A. scalariforme – possessed morphological features permitting their placement into Madinithidium gen. nov. The above-mentioned species were formally transferred to the new genus.
EFFECT OF HOUSING SYSTEM ON MILK YIELD, CLEANLINESS AND LAMENESS IN MURRAH BUFFALOES

Buffaloes maintained at the Buffalo Research Station, Venkataramanna Gudem in Andhra Pradesh state of India during the period from August, 2007 to January, 2008 were utilized for the study. Significant differences were observed in the milk yield, cleanliness score and the lameness score between the housing systems. The milk yield was higher in loose housing (8.12+0.02 kg) when compared to conventional housing (7.77+0.02 kg). The cleanliness score was higher in the loose housing system (2.80+0.05) compared to that in conventional housing (2.41+0.05). The mean lameness score in the case of the conventional barn (0.10+0.02) was greater compared to that in loose housing (0.01+0.01). A greater number of animals showed lameness in the conventional system of housing.
Birth Parents in Adoption

This article addresses birth parents in the adoption triad by reviewing and integrating both the clinical and empirical literature from a number of professional disciplines with practice case studies. This review includes literature on the decision to relinquish one’s child for adoption, the early postrelinquishment period, and the effects throughout the lifespan on birth parents. Clinical symptoms for birth parents include unresolved grief, isolation, difficulty with future relationships, and trauma. Some recent research has found that some birth mothers who relinquish tend to fare comparably to those who do not relinquish on external criteria of well-being (e.g., high school graduation rates). However, there appear to be serious long-term psychological consequences of relinquishment. Limitations of the current literature are presented, and recommendations for practice and research are offered.
Yield per recruit from stocking two different sizes of eel (Anguilla anguilla) in the brackish Roskilde Fjord

Stocking of young eel iswidely practised, as ameasure, tomeet themanagement target of the EUeel recovery plan. The target of the recovery plan is to increase the escapement to 40% silver eel biomass, relative to pristine conditions. The scientific information to predict the outcome in silver eel biomass fromstocking is limited andmaydependonwhether translocationofwild glass eel or yelloweel is used, or if the stocked eels used are yellow eel from aquaculture. We evaluated the yield from stocking two different sizes, 3 and 9 g eels from aquaculture. A professional fishery recaptured 12.7% of the 3 g and 9.4% of the 9 g eels, originally stocked. Growth rate and mortality rate were different for the two stocked sizes, favouring the small eels. Brutto yield per recruit (YPR) was 13 and 9.2 g and netto YPR was 9.8 and 0.31 g for 3 and 9 g eel, respectively. We conclude that there seems to be no advantage in using larger 9 g eels compared with small 3 g eels for stocking.
Aptamers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Aptamers are short, single-stranded oligonucleotides which are capable of specifically binding to single molecules and cellular structures. Aptamers are also known as “chemical antibodies”. Compared to monoclonal antibodies, they are characterized by higher reaction specificity, lower molecular weight, lower production costs, and lower variability in the production stage. Aptamer research has been extended during the past twenty years, but only Macugen® has been accepted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to date, and few aptamers have been examined in clinical trials. In vitro studies with aptamers have shown that they may take part in the regulation of cancer progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis processes. In this article, we focus on the potential use of aptamers in non-small cell lung cancer treatment.
Extreme Acetylation of the Cardiac Mitochondrial Proteome Does Not Promote Heart Failure

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Rationale: Circumstantial evidence links the development of heart failure to posttranslational modifications of mitochondrial proteins, including lysine acetylation (Kac). Nonetheless, direct evidence that Kac compromises mitochondrial performance remains sparse. Objective: This study sought to explore the premise that mitochondrial Kac contributes to heart failure by disrupting oxidative metabolism. Methods and Results: A DKO (dual knockout) mouse line with deficiencies in CrAT (carnitine acetyltransferase) and Sirt3 (sirtuin 3)—enzymes that oppose Kac by buffering the acetyl group pool and catalyzing lysine deacetylation, respectively—was developed to model extreme mitochondrial Kac in cardiac muscle, as confirmed by quantitative acetyl-proteomics. The resulting impact on mitochondrial bioenergetics was evaluated using a respiratory diagnostics platform that permits comprehensive assessment of mitochondrial function and energy transduction. Susceptibility of DKO mice to heart failure was investigated using transaortic constriction as a model of cardiac pressure overload. The mitochondrial acetyl-lysine landscape of DKO hearts was elevated well beyond that observed in response to pressure overload or Sirt3 deficiency alone. Relative changes in the abundance of specific acetylated lysine peptides measured in DKO versus Sirt3 KO hearts were strongly correlated. A proteomics comparison across multiple settings of hyperacetylation revealed ≈86% overlap between the populations of Kac peptides affected by the DKO manipulation as compared with experimental heart failure. Despite the severity of cardiac Kac in DKO mice relative to other conditions, deep phenotyping of mitochondrial function revealed a surprisingly normal bioenergetics profile. Thus, of the >120 mitochondrial energy fluxes evaluated, including substrate-specific dehydrogenase activities, respiratory responses, redox charge, mitochondrial membrane potential, and electron leak, we found minimal evidence of oxidative insufficiencies. Similarly, DKO hearts were not more vulnerable to dysfunction caused by transaortic constriction–induced pressure overload. Conclusions: The findings challenge the premise that hyperacetylation per se threatens metabolic resilience in the myocardium by causing broad-ranging disruption to mitochondrial oxidative machinery.
Analyses of Hybrid Viability across a Hybrid Zone between Two Alnus Species Using Microsatellites and cpDNA Markers

Diploid Alnus glutinosa s. str. and autotetraploid A. rohlenae form a narrow hybrid zone in a study area in southern Serbia, which results in triploid hybrid formation. The vast majority of previous studies have been focused on studies of maternal plants, but the offspring resulting from their crossing have not been much studied. Here, we use the variability of microsatellites and chloroplast DNA between these species and their putative hybrids to create an overall picture of the development of the hybrid zone and its predicted type. To elucidate the gene transfer within both species, the origins of individual ploidies and especially the role of triploid hybrids, a germination experiment was carried out linked with a flow cytometry study of the resulting seedlings. The tension zone model seems to offer the most adequate explanation of our observations, with selection against triploid hybrids and the spatial positioning of the hybrid zone. Despite selection against them, the triploid hybrids play an important role in the exchange of genes between the two species and therefore serve as a bridge for introgression. The presence of fertile triploids is essential for enriching the haplotype diversity between these species and for the development of new genetic lineages.
Colony size and structure, activity patterns and foraging behaviour of a colony of the social mole-rat Cryptomys damarensis (Bathyergidae)

A complete colony of 20 Cryptomys damarensis was trapped in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, South Africa. The colony consisted of 15 males and five females and formed three distinct size classes, two of which were presumed to represent worker (smallest mole-rats) and soldier (largest males) castes. Body masses ranged from 86–197 g, with the dominant male being the largest mole-rat. The activity patterns of five animals in the colony were monitored by radiotelemetry. Activity patterns were not influenced by diel fluctuations in burrow temperature and photoperiod. It was suggested that the chance of hyperthemia influenced activity, such that in order to maximize the daily distance burrowed (foraging efficiency), the mole-rats had to engage in frequent (5.58 times. day-1), but short (c. 60 min) foraging bouts.