Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MULTILATERAL TRAINING USING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL GAMES IMPROVES MOTOR SKILLS AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

: While impairments in gross and fine motor skills and executive function are evident from an early age in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few studies have explored combined physical activity training and social games as a means of improving these proficiencies in children with ASD. We examined the effects of a 12-week Multilateral Training intervention in 24 children with ASD ( M age =9.33, SD = 0.92 years). Participants were matched into pairs, based on age, gender, and autism symptom severity, and we randomly allocated each pair into either an intervention ( n = 12) or waitlist control ( n = 12) group. Participants in the intervention group performed two 70-minutes sessions per week consisting of a 5-minute warm-up, 40 minutes of motor skills training related to EF (over four progressive levels), 20 minutes of social games, and a final 5-minute cool-down. At baseline and again after the intervention, we administered the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition (BOT-2), and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) to assess all participants’ gross and fine motor skills and EF, respectively. Results showed that the intervention group significantly improved motor skill proficiency (i.e., BOT-2 total motor composite and three motor-area composites) and EF (i.e., BRIEF global EF composite and three EF indices) ( p < 0.05; d > 0.84). These findings support the efficacy of Multilateral Training to assist children with ASD with both physical and cognitive/behavioral symptoms. p < 0.001, η 2p = 0.83) and three motor-area composites: Manual Coordination (F 1,22 = 46.67, p < 0.001, η 2 p = 0.68), Body Coordination (F 1,22 = 74.63, p < 0.001, η 2p = 0.77), Strength and Agility (F 1,22 = 72.12, p < 0.001, η 2p = 0.77). Statistical analysis detected large effect sizes for all significant interactions ( η 2p ≥ 0.14).
High ultrasonic and tremulation signals in neotropical katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Myopophyllum speciosum is a pseudophylline katydid (Tettigoniidae) from the neotropics that generates unusually high ultrasonic frequencies as the dominant carrier in its calling song. Male calls average only 148 ms duration and are given at long intervals: 8.7 s. Pairing is completed with vibrational signals, generated at closer range by body oscillation (tremulation). Two distinctive vibrational motor patterns, short and long, are produced by both sexes. Physical parameters of the sound and vibratory signals of this species are described. The relatively high-Q carrier frequency (mean = 81 kHz) varies between males over a range of 20 kHz but does not predict a singer's body size. Short tremulations are much more intense than long as measured by acceleration. Descriptions of the songs of three other pseudophylline species with unusually high principal carriers (65–105 kHz) are also presented. Eavesdropping by predatory bats offers the most plausible selective explanation for the features of M. speciosum's signal system. This hypothesis is supported by the species' sexually dimorphic defensive spination: males, the sound-signalling sex, have metafemoral spines of greater size and distinctive orientation. Evidence for eavesdropping and for alternative hypotheses is assessed. Other neotropical tettigoniids in rainforest understorey also employ elaborate vibratory signals (species of Choeroparnops, Schedocentrus, Docidocercus, Copiphora) and some show a trend to reduce or even to eliminate their use of airborne sound. Some rainforest tettigoniids may have replaced acoustic with vibrational signalling as a response to bat eavesdropping.
Home range, territorial behaviour and habitat use of stoats (Mustela erminea) in a colony of Hutton's shearwater (Puffinus huttoni), New Zealand

Abstract We investigated home range size, territorial behaviour and habitat use of stoats in a colony of Hutton's shearwaters. A total of 15 stoats were caught, and radio‐tracking data were obtained from 11 of them. Stoats tracked during the summer had very small home ranges (males 16.0 ha, females 9.4 ha), and with the exception of two immature animals, were defending intrasexual territories. Two males tracked in the spring had larger home ranges (47.9 ha) and were not territorial. Stoats showed a strong preference for areas where shearwaters were concentrated: 80% of tracking fixes were located in burrowed ground. The territorial behaviour of stoats is likely to limit the number of animals present within the colony during the shearwater's breeding season. Consequently, the small number of stoats within the colony (c. 20–30 adults) can kill only a very small proportion of the 100 000 pairs of Hutton's shearwaters present in the area. The low capture rate of stoats observed in this study indicates that capture rate is an inaccurate measure of stoat abundance when comparing areas of different prey availability.
The cDNA cloning and ontogeny of mouse α‐synuclein

ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinsonsis disease. To investigate the role of α-synuclein in the brain, the cDNA clone encoding the mouse cognate of the human α-synuclein was isolated from a mouse brain cDNA library. The open reading frame coded for 140 amino acids that share 95% identity with human α-synuclein. Northern blot analysis showed that α-synuclein mRNA was primarily expressed in brain and spleen of adult mouse. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed the highest expression of α-synuclein mRNA in the hippocampal formation and neocortex of the adult mouse. α-synuclein mRNA expression in the brain was first observed in the hippocampus and neocortex on postnatal day 1. Levels of α-synuclein mRNA in these forebrain areas were nearly maximal at postnatal day 7 and remained relatively high until the adult stage. α-synuclein mRNA was expressed in the liver transiently during embryogenesis.
Hypoxia-induced des-γ-carboxy prothrombin production in hepatocellular carcinoma

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) is an established HCC tumor marker, but the precise mechanism of its production is still unclear. Recently, we demonstrated that cytoskeletal changes during epithelial-to-fibroblastoid conversion (EFC) or epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by chemicals plays a critical mechanistic role in DCP production via impairment in vitamin K uptake. Our proposed mechanism of DCP production is consistent with substantial clinical evidence. Supplementary vitamin K2 analogues reduced serum DCP levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. HCC patients with high serum DCP are associated with vascular invasion, metastasis and tumor recurrence. On the other hand, hypoxia has been reported to induce EMT or cytoskeletal changes. Therefore, we examined whether hypoxia induced DCP production during EFC or EMT in HCC cells. Indeed, hypoxic stimulation induced hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 or PLC/PRF/5 cells) to undergo EFC or EMT and these cells produced DCP. Immunofluorescence study demonstrated that hypoxic stimulation impaired labeled low-density lipoprotein uptake, which was a surrogate for vitamin K uptake. In addition, fine filamentous actin network, which has crucial role for clathrin-mediated endocytosis of vitamin K, was disrupted in DCP producing cells by hypoxic stimulation. Thus, hypoxic stimulation induced HCC cells to produce DCP in the same mechanism as chemicals. Furthermore, immunohistochemical study using surgically resected HCC samples showed that a positive staining of nuclear hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha was more frequently observed in HCC cells with stronger staining intensity of DCP. Importantly, clinical observations that DCP as an HCC tumor marker was more useful in larger tumors, which is likely to be exposed with hypoxia during tumor development, support our results.
Habitat associations of black-backed and three-toed woodpeckers in the boreal forest of Alberta

Recent studies suggest that black-backed (Picoides arcticus) and three-toed woodpeckers (Picoides tridactylus) might decrease in abundance because of habitat loss from fire suppression and short-rotation logging in landscapes managed for forestry. We examined black-backed and three-toed woodpecker occupancy of stands in a 2-year post-fire forest, mature and old-growth spruce and pine forests, and six post-fire coniferous forests of different ages. Three-toeds were detected in old stands and in the 2-year-old burn, and their probability of occupancy of burned forests decreased between 3 and 8 years post-fire. Within 50 km of the 2-year-old burn, black-backs were only detected in the burn and not in old-growth or mature conifer stands. However, they did occupy old coniferous stands located 75 and 150 km from the recent burn. They had a similar probability of occupying stands in the 3-, 4-, and 8-year-old burns but were not detected in the 16-year-old burn. The persistence of three-toed woodpeckers in boreal.
Glutamate receptor genes as candidates for schizophrenia susceptibility

The glutamatergic dysfunction hypothesis suggests that genes involved in the glutamate neurotransmitter system are candidates for schizophrenia‐susceptibility genes. We have been doing systematic studies of the association of schizophrenia with each member of the glutamate receptor gene family. In this review, we summarize our results of association studies of five glutamate receptor genes, two of which are metabotropic, GRM2 and GRM3, whereas the other four are ionotropic, GRIA4, GRIK1, GRIK2 and GRIN1. Haplotype analyses using combinations of SNPs evenly distributed across the relevant genes showed significant associations of GRM3 and GRIA4 with schizophrenia. We discuss the possible involvement of glutamate receptor genes in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, on the basis of association as well as linkage and postmortem studies previously reported. Replication of positive associations using different populations and the family‐based study are necessary to confirm the results. Generation of gene‐manipulated mice to represent endophenotypes of schizophrenia would be an alternative way to verify susceptibility genes. Some members of the glutamate receptor family may be promising targets for schizophrenia drugs. Drug Dev. Res. 60:137–151, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CYPERACEAE IN LIBERIA

THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA has an area of ca. 37,000 sq. mi. , a population estimated at less than a million. This country in comparison with most of the continent of Africa is relatively unspoiled. Much of its primary forest remains (Mayer, 1951). Its road mileage is limited. Its minerals are just beginning to be mined. The Firestone rubber plantations constitute the only sizeable agricultural development. But present economic and technical assistance from the United States promises drastic changes: marked increase in population, irreparable alteration of vegetation, exploitation of mineral resources, construction of roads, erosion of soils, sedimentation of streams. Records of the native plants of Liberia should, therefore, be made now.4 Such records from this area on the western bulge of Africa are of considerable significance to phytogeographic theory and afford important insights into the distribution patterns of many species with strictly African affinities. Treated here are the Liberian representatives of the Cyperaceae known to date. Sedges are important elements in that flora, and many of them are indicators of soil types. Though Engler (1904) in his classic paper on floristic relationships between the American and African tropics mentioned none of the Cyperaceae, some of them exemplify striking connections. Eighty-one species (possibly eighty-three) and five varieties of Cyperaceae are now recorded for Liberia. Hutchinson and Dalziel (1936) recognized 201 species for' the whole of west tropical Africa. Dinklage (1937), a collector who lived for 40 years-more or less-in this country, reviewed in a posthumous publication the history of botanical collecting in Liberia and listed the ferns and flowering plants then known; he tabulated fiftyfour species and one variety of sedges. Like some of the other early collectors he was German, and they, in large measure, deposited their collections in Berlin. Bombings during World War II destroyed many of their specimens. Dinklage died in 1935 (see footnote in Baldwin, 1950). Liberian sedge specimens of two collectors subsequent to Din,klage have been available for study: those of Winifred J. Harley and of J. T. Baldwin, Jr. Mrs. Harley, a medical technician at the Ganta Mission in the Sanokwele District, has been in Liberia since the 1920's and is a keen student of the flora, particularly of the pteridophytes. Her specimens of Cyperaceae are deposited at Kew. Baldwin,
Radiological age estimation using third molars mineralization in a sample attending orthodontic clinics (A retrospective study)

Background: The evaluation of the chronological age is a practical method in crime investigation field that assists in identifying individuals to treat them as underage or adult. This study aimed to assess the stages of third molars mineralization in relation to chronological age of Iraqi individuals, determine the gender differences and arches (maxillary/mandibular) differences. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 orthopantomograms of orthodontic patients were collected according to specific criteria and evaluated visually. The developmental stages of maxillary and mandibular third molars were determined according to Demirjian method. The chronological age was recorded according to the particular mineralization stages at which it reached considering genders, sides and jaws. Comparisons were done using paired sample and independent sample t-tests. Results: Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between maxillary and mandibular third molars. The maxillary third molars reached earlier than mandibular one in stages F and G. There was no significant difference between the mean ages of males and females at each given developmental stage in the maxillary and mandibular third molars except for the stage D in the maxilla and stages D and E in the mandible. The development of third molar teeth on the right and left sides was similar except for the maxillary arch in males when there was a significant difference in stage C and D and stage E in the mandibular arch. Conclusion: The Demirjian method is an excellent approach for age assessment using Orthopantomogram. All of the differences between the current study and other studies could be because of the difference in the populations who were chosen from different geographical areas.
Pronophiline butterflies satyridae of the three andean cordilleras of colombia

The 125 species of the satyrid butterfly tribe Pronophilini known from the three Andean Cordilleras of Colombia are listed, together with two species whose Colombian status is doubtful. The biological, ecological and biogeographical features of the tribe are described, using the listed species as examples. The features include restriction to moist conditions at high altitudes, endemism in the Cordilleras and in areas and on slopes within them, allopatric speciation and subspeciation, parapatric distributions of related species up the altitude gradients, intraspecific variation and polymorphism and apparent mimicry. The criteria used for classifying the taxa and assessing their relationships are discussed. Seventeen new species, three new subspecies and one new form are described. At the species level, 11 new synonymies are established, two synonymies are rejected, the status of 15 other taxa is revised, and 23 new combinations are made. At the generic level, two new synonymies are established, and one genus is resurrected.
Optimizing Stand Density in Teak Plantations

Abstract An efficient way to increase productivity of teak plantations is to optimize their density for which an understanding of the stand dynamics, specifically, the effect of density on tree growth and form is needed. Using practical process models, it is found that the long-term optimal density index for teak plantations in Kerala, southern India, is 475. Analysis of data from the Inventory of Teak Plantations in Kerala-1997, consisting of 1170 sample plots representing teak plantations in Kerala, showed that only 4.8% of the stands have optimal density. Bringing up the density of understocked stands (index less than 400) and reducing the index of overstocked stands will increase productivity by 42%. It has been long suspected that the understory comprising tolerant species reduces growth of teak. This effect, however, was rarely documented and often disputed. In the developed model, the effect of understory density is described explicitly. It has been found that by controlling understory species in teak plantations, the mean annual increment in volume of teak can be increased by 30 percent. Removal of understory growth would also lead to social benefits by providing firewood to the local inhabitants other than its effects on the growth enhancement of teak trees. Although these results pertain to only one region in southern India, the developed methodology may be useful for Other places and Species.
Using camera-trap data to model habitat use by bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and cattle (Bos taurus) in a south-eastern Australian agricultural riparian ecosystem

Bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) are an often important south-east Australian agricultural riparian species that may improve riparian landscape heterogeneity via their burrowing activity. At the same time they are often accused of causing soil erosion. As populations of wombats in other landscapes are under threat due to habitat disturbance, road mortality and disease, knowledge of the factors determining their use of riparian systems are important for their conservation and management. Since the European colonisation of Australia, riparian areas have been utilised by domestic cattle (Bos taurus), usually resulting in a decline in biodiversity. Camera-trap data was used to investigate the habitat use by wombats and cattle in remnant Eastern Riverine Forests. A total of 664 detections of animals from 13 species were made over the entire riparian-zone survey. Wombats were the most detected species, followed by cattle, then foxes and cats. Wombat and cattle activity varied significantly through the diurnal cycle, with wombats active from 1900 to 0700 hours and cattle active from 0700 to 1900 hours. There were no seasonal effects relating to the detection of either species. Feral species such as foxes, cats and rabbits were more frequently detected at sites highly disturbed by cattle. Results of this study illustrate the potential of camera-trapping for modelling habitat use by wombats and cattle and providing guidelines for the management of feral animals in remnant agricultural riparian habitats.
Enhancing Experiential Learning via Sustained Student Engagement

Based on learning and engagement theory, this paper provides evidence of sustained (a) observed in-class participation / interaction skills (cognitive), emotional (affective), and performance physical (behavioral) engagement among competing simulation team members. In-class engagement measures monitored include observed levels of increased attendance, in-class focus and energy, relevant questions raised, discussion quality, decision support package usage, end-of-period scaffolding, initial, intermediate, and final debriefing. Out-of-class engagement measures include two-way communication, bi-weekly online decision entry, results retrieval, and graphics package usage, weekly writing assignments, individual report, team presentation, server log statistics of daily, weekly, and semester team activity, website tracking, and online survey responses.
Transforming Growth Factor- b 1 Stimulates L -Arginine Transport and Metabolism in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Role in Polyamine and Collagen Synthesis

Background —Transforming growth factor- b 1 (TGF- b 1 ) contributes to arterial remodeling by stimulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and collagen synthesis at sites of vascular injury. Because L -arginine is metabolized to growth-stimulatory polyamines and to the essential collagen precursor L -proline, we examined whether TGF- b 1 regulates the transcellular transport and metabolism of L -arginine by VSMCs. Methods and Results —TGF- b 1 increased L -arginine uptake, and this was associated with a selective increase in cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) mRNA. In addition, TGF- b 1 stimulated L -arginine metabolism by inducing arginase I mRNA and arginase activity. TGF- b 1 also stimulated L -ornithine catabolism by elevating ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) activity. TGF- b 1 markedly increased the capacity of VSMCs to generate the polyamine putrescine and L -proline from extracellular L -arginine. The TGF- b 1 –mediated increase in putrescine and L -proline production was reversed by methyl- L -arginine, a competitive inhibitor of cationic amino acid transport, or by hydroxy- L -arginine, an arginase inhibitor. Furthermore, the formation of putrescine was inhibited by the ODC inhibitor a -difluoromethylornithine, and L -proline generation was blocked by the OAT inhibitor L -canaline. L -Canaline also inhibited TGF- b 1 –stimulated type I collagen synthesis. Conclusions —These results demonstrate that TGF- b 1 stimulates polyamine and L -proline synthesis by inducing the genes that regulate the transport and metabolism of L -arginine. In addition, they show that TGF- b 1 –stimulated collagen production is dependent on L -proline formation. The ability of TGF- b 1 to upregulate L -arginine transport and direct its metabolism to polyamines and L -proline may contribute to arterial remodeling at sites of vascular damage. ( Circulation . 2001;103:1121-1127.) is by of
Breeding ecology of Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola in two coastal habitats in northwest Morocco

Capsule Rocky platforms provide better nesting conditions than sandy beaches. Aim To investigate the breeding ecology of Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola in two different coastal Atlantic habitats in northwest Morocco. Methods Collared Pratincole nests were monitored in two coastal Atlantic habitats (sandy and rocky habitats) during two years (2003 and 2004). Breeding phenology, colony size and density, clutch size, egg dimensions, nest survival rates and breeding success were determined and compared between habitats. Results Breeding started earlier compared with colonies in Europe. Nest density, clutch size, nest survival rates and breeding success were higher in the rocky habitat compared with the sandy one. In the latter habitat nests suffered higher losses owing to human disturbance. Conclusion Rocky platforms confer better nesting conditions than sandy beaches. Beach sites suffer relatively higher human disturbance, resulting in lower nest survival rates. There is a need for urgent management and conservation efforts aimed at reducing the negative impact of humans on these birds along the Moroccan Atlantic coast.
A Look at Jobless Recoveries in G7 Countries

We study changes in the plucking behavior of employment growth, as well as changes in its relationship with the output cycle in the G7 countries. Using both revised and real-time data, we consider several popular measures of the output cycle. For most countries, we see significant evidence in favor of structural changes in the response coefficients of employment growth to its own gap, suggesting much slower recoveries in labor markets, consistent with the jobless recoveries hypothesis. However, we also find evidence in favor of heterogeneity across countries, both in the responses of employment to employment gaps and in the responses of employment to the output cycle.