Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconciling the father tongue and mother tongue hypotheses in Indo-European populations

Abstract In opposition to the mother tongue hypothesis, the father tongue hypothesis states that humans tend to speak their fathers’ language, based on a stronger correlation of languages to paternal lineages (Y-chromosome) than to maternal lineages (mitochondria). To reassess these two competing hypotheses, we conducted a genetic–linguistic study of 34 modern Indo-European (IE) populations. In this study, genetic histories of paternal and maternal migrations in these IE populations were elucidated using phylogenetic networks of Y-chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups, respectively. Unlike previous studies, we quantitatively characterized the languages based on lexical and phonemic systems separately. We showed that genetic and linguistic distances are significantly correlated with each other and that both are correlated with geographical distances among these populations. However, when controlling for geographical factors, only the correlation between the distances of paternal and lexical characteristics, and between those of maternal and phonemic characteristics, remained. These unbalanced correlations reconciled the two seemingly conflicting hypotheses.
Psychological resilience, coping behaviours and social support among health care workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review of quantitative studies

Background: A wide range of evidence has shown that healthcare workers, currently on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19, are not spared from the psychological and mental health-related consequences of the pandemic. Studies synthesizing the role of coping behaviours, psychological resilience, and social support in safeguarding the mental health of HCWs during the pandemic is largely unknown. Aim (s): To appraise and synthesize studies examining psychological resilience, coping behaviours, and social support among healthcare workers (HWCs) during the coronavirus pandemic. Design: This is a systematic review with a narrative synthesis. Method: Using articles from PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, MEDLINE and PsychINFO, a total of 31 articles were included in the review. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines. Results: Healthcare workers were found to have moderate to high levels of psychological resilience and utilized both problem-centred coping (e.g., use of social support, praying) and emotion-centred coping (e.g., use of diversionary activities) to manage the stress-associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Coping behaviours, psychological resilience, and social support were associated with positive mental and psychological health outcomes. Conclusion: Substantial evidence supports the effectiveness of coping behaviours, psychological resilience, and social support to preserve psychological and mental health among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Relevance to Practice: In order to safeguard the mental health and well-being of HCWs during the pandemic, hospital and nursing administrators should focus on building coping skills, psychological resilience, and social support in HWCs through innovative and theory-based interventions, supportive leadership, and fostering a resilient work environment.
Electrochromic Properties of Tungsten Oxide Nanoparticles Films Prepared by the Filtration and Transfer Method

Electrochromic tungsten oxide nanostructures were prepared from tungsten oxide nanoparticles for the first time by the filtration and transfer technique. This novel and facile method for film preparation presents many advantages that include the possibility to obtain nanoparticle films with various porosities and compositions. The films obtained in the present work exhibited indeed porous structures and were generally composed of a mixture of nanoparticles. When the amount of the nanoparticles in the suspensions increased, we observed thicker films with higher coverage densities. Films prepared at room temperature exhibited very good electrochromic properties. It was found that annealing at 500oC increases the film stability and life time. Using cyclic voltammetry, fast diffusion behaviour (D of the order of 10-6 cm2s-1) for proton insertion/extraction has been observed. Moreover, fast switching response time (less than a second) during the bleaching process due to the rapid decay of the anodic current during chronoamperometry was also noted. The coloration efficiency for such devices was about 20 cm2C-1. The coloration of the films is associated with the number of color centers and depends on the number of inserted charges. However, we have shown that good optical reversibility does not necessarily need fast electrochemical kinetics. Finally, the effect of high applied potentials on the films was investigated, followed by an analysis of the electronic properties of the films.
Rescue of DNA damage in cells after constricted migration reveals bimodal mechano-regulation of cell cycle

Migration through constrictions can clearly rupture nuclei and mis-localize nuclear proteins but damage to DNA remains uncertain as does any effect on cell cycle. Here, myosin-II inhibition rescues rupture and partially rescues the DNA damage marker γH2AX, but an apparent delay in cell cycle is unaffected. Co-overexpression of multiple DNA repair factors and antioxidant inhibition of break formation also have partial effects, independent of rupture. However, there seems to be a bimodal dependence of cell cycle on DNA damage. Migration through custom-etched pores yields the same bimodal, with ~4-μm pores causing intermediate levels of damage and cell cycle delay. Micronuclei (generated in faulty division) of the smallest diameter appear similar to ruptured nuclei, with high DNA damage and entry of chromatin-binding cGAS (cyclic-GMP-AMP-synthase) from cytoplasm but low repair factor levels. Increased genomic variation after constricted migration is quantified in expanding clones and is consistent with (mis)repair of excess DNA damage and subsequent proliferation.
Potential role of cancer stem cells as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cervical cancer

Eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are termed as the “beating heart” of various malignant tumors, including cervical cancer, holds great importance in cancer therapeutics. CSCs not only confer chemo‐radio resistance but also play an important role in tumor metastasis and thereby pose a potential barrier for the cure of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer, a common malignancy among females, is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, and the study on CSCs residing in the niche is promising.
Ex vivo Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy: A Potential New Diagnostic Imaging Tool in Onychomycosis Comparable With Gold Standard Techniques

Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is an innovative imaging tool that enables real-time examination of specimens and may be used in evaluating fungal infections. We aimed to assess the applicability of ex vivo CLSM in the diagnosis of onychomycosis by comparing results to those obtained by histopathology, potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination, and fungal culture. In this prospective study, 57 patients with the clinical diagnosis of distal nail fungal infection were examined and compared using all four of the above-mentioned diagnostic tools in terms of sensitivity, positive and negative predictive value. Ex vivo CLSM showed the highest sensitivity, followed by KOH examination, histopathology and fungal culture. Regarding positive and negative predictive values, ex vivo CLSM was superior and showed even higher sensitivity than the combined gold standard comprised of KOH examination, fungal culture or histopathology.
Transport coefficients in the T-11 tokamak

The values previously found in experiments in the T-11 tokamak for the electron thermal conductivity are refined. The previous values had been found without consideration of the energy loss due to plasma diffusion. Incorporating the diffusion loss in regimes with a low plasma density reduces the value found for chi/sub e/ from the electron energy balance by a factor of about two and leads to a ratio D/chi/sub e/approx. =1/2, where D is the diffusion coefficient, and chi/sub e/ is the electron thermal conductivity. A transport model which agrees with T-11 data at both low and high plasma densities is described. Results calculated on the basis of this model are compared with experimental data from several other tokamaks during ohmic and auxiliary plasma heating.
Estimated ruminal digestion values and digestion end-products of concentrated mix feed after in vitro treatment with propionic acid

This study was aimed at determining the effects of propionic acid supplementation at doses of 0 (control group, PA0), 12, 24, 48 and 96 mM (PA12, PA24, PA48, and PA96) to concentrated mix feed on in vitro cumulative total gas production, methane emission, gas kinetics (potential gas production, (a + b)gas and gas production rate, cgas), estimated digestibility, estimated energy value and the end-products and variables of in vitro digestion (total bacteria count, the number of ciliate protozoa, volatile fatty acids, pH value and ammonia-N). Digestion treatments were carried out in an anaerobic in vitro fermenter for up to 96 h. The in vitro cumulative total gas production, (a + b)gas, estimated metabolic energy, estimated net energy lactation and estimated organic matter digestibility and ammonia-N concentration were decreased by propionic acid up to 96 mM (P < 0.05). In the in vitro fermenter fluid, total bacteria count, the total numbers of ciliate protozoa and the individual numbers of some ciliate protozoa (Entodiniinae, Isotricha spp. and Diplodiniinae) (P < 0.01) decreased linearly with increasing concentrations of dietary propionic acid. The total molar concentrations of volatile fatty acids decreased in response to propionic acid supplementation (P < 0.001). Dietary propionic acid elicited linear increases in the molar concentrations of propionic acid (P < 0.001) and butyric acid (P < 0.01) as proportions of total volatile fatty acids of the in vitro fermenter fluid. In contrast, molar proportions of acetic acid, the cgas, pH values and the numbers of Dasytricha sp. were not affected by dietary propionic acid supplementation (P > 0.05). The addition of 12–96 mM propionic acid to concentrated mix feed decreased methane emission from the rumen and negatively affected microbiota count, feed digestibility, proteolysis, and molar volatile fatty acid values in the rumen environment.
Objective noninvasive monitoring of laser tattoo removal in a human volunteer: a proof of principle study

We explore the potential for noninvasive monitoring of laser tattoo removal treatment by adapting a recently introduced methodology for quantitative assessment of structure and composition of human skin in vivo.1 The approach combines diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in visible part of the spectrum with pulsed photothermal radiometry, involving timeresolved measurements of mid-infrared emission after irradiation with a millisecond laser pulse. The experimental data are fitted simultaneously with the respective predictions of a dedicated numerical model of light and heat transport in tattooed skin. For this purpose we apply a three-layer optical model of skin, consisting of epidermis, upper dermis, and lower dermis which includes the tattoo ink. This proof of principle study involved one healthy volunteer undergoing tattoo removal treatment. One half of the tattoo was treated with 5 ns pulses from a commercial Nd:YAG laser (StarWalker® MaQX, Fotona) at radiant exposure of 3 J/cm2, and the other half with much shorter, "picosecond" pulses at the same wavelength and 1.3 J/cm2. Measurements were performed before and 8 weeks after the first treatment session, as well as 20 weeks after the second treatment. The results show a significant reduction of the ink content and an increase of the subsurface depth of the tattoo layer over the course of treatment with both lasers, in agreement with gradual fading of the tattoo.
Wounds as the Portal of Entrance for Parrot Bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) and Retrograde Axonal Transport in Experimentally Infected Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)

SUMMARY. In this study, we investigated the natural route of infection of psittacine bornavirus (PaBV), which is the causative agent of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in psittacines. We inoculated two infection groups through wounds with a PaBV-4 isolate. In nine cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) we applied a virus suspension with a titer of 103 50% tissue culture infection dose (TCID50) via palatal lesions (Group P, P1–9). In a second group of three cockatiels, we applied a virus suspension with a titer of 104 TCID50 to footpad lesions (Group F, F1–3). In two cockatiels, the control (or “mock”) group, we applied a virus-free cell suspension (Group M, M1–2) via palatal lesions. The observation period was 6 mo (Groups P and M) or 7 mo (Group F). We monitored PaBV-4 RNA shedding and seroconversion. At the end of the study, we examined the birds for the presence of inflammatory lesions, PaBV-4 RNA, and antigen in tissues, as well as virus reisolation of brain and crop material. We did not observe any clinical signs typical of PDD during this study. We also did not see seroconversion or PaBV RNA shedding in any bird during the entire investigation period, and virus reisolation was not successful. We only found PaBV-4 RNA in sciatic nerves, footpad tissue, skin, and in one sample from the intestine of Group F. In this group, the histopathology revealed mononuclear infiltrations mainly in skin and footpad tissue; immunohistochemistry showed positive reactions in spinal ganglia and in the spinal cord, and slightly in skin, footpad tissues, and sciatic nerves. In Groups P and M we found no viral antigen or specific inflammations. In summary, only the virus application on the footpad lesion led to detectable PaBV RNA, mononuclear infiltrations, and positive immunohistochemical reactions in tissues of the experimental birds. This could suggest that PaBV spreads via nervous tissue, with skin wounds as the primary entry route.
Functional Peroxisomes Are Essential for Efficient Cholesterol Sensing and Synthesis

Cholesterol biosynthesis is a multi-step process involving several subcellular compartments, including peroxisomes. Cells adjust their sterol content by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional feedback regulation, for which sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) are essential; such homeostasis is dysregulated in peroxisome-deficient Pex2 knockout mice. Here, we compared the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells and in three isogenic peroxisome-deficient CHO cell lines harboring Pex2 gene mutations. Peroxisome deficiency activated expression of cholesterogenic genes, however, cholesterol levels were unchanged. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) protein levels were increased in mutant cells, whereas HMGCR activity was significantly decreased, resulting in reduced cholesterol synthesis. U18666A, an inhibitor of lysosomal cholesterol export, induced cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes; yet, cholesterol synthesis was still reduced. Interestingly, peroxisome deficiency promoted ER-to-Golgi SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) trafficking even when cells were cholesterol-loaded. Restoration of functional peroxisomes normalized regulation of cholesterol synthesis and SCAP trafficking. These results highlight the importance of functional peroxisomes for maintaining cholesterol homeostasis and efficient cholesterol synthesis.
Incidental Detection of Onchocerca Microfilariae in Donkeys (Equus asinus) in Italy: Report of Four Cases

This paper reports the occurrence for the first time in Italy of autochthonous Onchocerca infection in donkeys. Four jennies, bred on the same farm, were referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Pisa for a check-up on ovarian activity (n = 3) or for veterinary support during the delivery (n = 1). Microfilariae were incidentally detected during the blood smear examination of one jenny. Peripheral blood samples were then collected from the other three jennies and the presence of microfilariae was investigated by Knott's test. Circulating unsheathed microfilariae were identified in all the animals. The level of microfilaraemia was between 1 and 31 microfilariae in 2 mL of blood. Hematological changes showed moderate eosinophilia in one case or both remarkable eosinophilia and basophilia in another case. Based on molecular findings by PCR and sequencing, the microfilariae showed 98% sequence similarity with Onchocerca sp. in the NCBI GenBank database (Accession No.: MK541848.1). The present report provides evidence that Onchocerca is an etiological agent of parasitic infection in donkeys in Italy. Our findings highlight the importance of screening in donkeys for Onchocerca even in the absence of clinical indications.
Feasible design for electricity generation from Chlorella vulgaris using convenient photosynthetic conditions

Many recent studies are concerned with low cost, easy to handle and alternative renewable energy as a feasible solution for the upcoming crisis of energy shortage. Microalgae are unicellular entities the can only depend on CO2, water and solar power to cover their nutritional needs. The current study is concerned with using algal cells in a polymeric hydrogel, as a cheap source of energy for electricity generation. Chlorella vulgaris has been proved to be a promising algal species for electricity generation, as compared with Micractinium reisseri. PVA hydrogel has been used for the immobilization of both algal species in order to protect them from the adverse surrounding conditions in addition to its ability to slowly release the required water molecules according to needs. Under these conditions, C. vulgaris showed the ability to generate 60 mV compared with 15 mV generated by M. reisseri. Scanning electron micrographs showed nano-threads that bind the C. vulgaris cells to each other, indicating the ability of algae to create nanowires that facilitate the electron transfer among algal cells and from cells to the nearest electrode. However, we would expect an increase in the produced potential with simultaneous amendment of environmentally polluted water, such as sewage or waste water. Both of FTIR and raman spectroscopy proved the presence of the characteristic groups of PVA hydrogel and proved the proper integration of the algal cells inside the hydrogel cavities.
Efficacy of Thermophilic Soil-Isolated Paenibacillus sp. NBR10 as a Chitinolytic and Biocontrol Bacterium-In vitro Study

Among microbial enzymes, chitinases received increased attentions due to their wide applications especially in agriculture sector for biocontrol of fungal phytopathogens. The growing interest in chitinases with thermostability nature, forced many researchers to isolate and characterize novel chitinase producing-bacteriafrom extreme environments. The present study describe characterization of thermostable chitinase produced by thermophilic soil-isolated bacterial strain NBR10 from Rafha governorate, Saudi Arabia. Chitinase producing NBR10 strain was identified as Paenibacillus sp. according to the traditional methods of morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics coupling with sequencing of 16S rRNA (GenBank accession number KT957624.1). The isolated strain was found to have a potent antifungal against three of the phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria burnsii and Rhizoctonia solani with percent of growth inhibition 52.5 75.0 and 85.71%, respectively. Chitinase obtained from Paenibacillus sp. NBR10 showed activity at ranges of temperature (30–90°C) and pH (4–9), showing optimum activity at 55°C and pH 7.0, respectively. Also, it exhibited high thermostability at higher temperatures, where 90% of its activity is retained at 65°C for 36h. The promising chitinolytic and antifungal activity of locally isolated Paenibacillus sp. NBR10, candidate this strain to be used as a potential biological control agent.
Surface‐water availability governs survival of an amphibian in arid mountain streams

Funding information U.S. Geological Survey, Grant/Award Number: G14AC00250 Abstract 1. Declines in amphibian populations worldwide have been linked to multiple factors, including recent changes in climate. Changes in precipitation, for example, can alter the availability of aquatic resources that are required by many amphibians for successful reproduction and larval development. 2. Changes in climate have the potential to affect other important demographic parameters, particularly for species that are active year-round. Therefore, we studied survival of post-metamorphic (snout-vent length ≥50 mm) lowland leopard frogs (Lithobates yavapaiensis) in arid mountain canyons, where surface water is limited and its availability can vary markedly within and among years. 3. Between 2013 and 2015, we surveyed frogs 33–74 times in each of six stream reaches distributed across two catchments in southern Arizona and used capture–recapture methods based on in situ photographs to identify individuals. We used Cormack–Jolly–Seber models to explore how surface-water availability, weather and vegetation influenced seasonal variation in apparent survival of postmetamorphic individuals. 4. Overall, mean annual apparent survival in this dynamic, arid environment was low (φ̂ = 0.11, 95% confidence interval = 0.07–0.14). Survival varied with ambient temperature, dew point, perimeter groundcover and year, but especially with changes in surface-water availability. When water levels were at or near 100% of maximum pool depths, mean monthly survival was high (φ̂ ≥ 0.88); when water levels were at 50%, survival decreased modestly (φ̂ = 0.81) and when at 20%, survival dropped sharply (φ̂ = 0.36). 5. A decrease in survival of post-metamorphic frogs in response to severe drought almost certainly contributed to the extirpation of frogs from one catchment in 2015. We anticipate that predicted increases in frequency and severity of drought will decrease the probability that lowland leopard frogs persist in this region over the long-term, as droughts are expected to increase local extirpations and limit the ability of individuals to disperse through an increasingly arid landscape.
Measuring and interpreting relationships between nutrient supply, demand, and limitation

Stream nutrient uptake and limitation are interconnected by relationships between nutrient supply and demand. We used multiple approaches, including estimates of nutrient supply, measures of stream metabolism derived from dissolved O2 curves, and nutrient-enrichment experiments, as complementary measures of nutrient supply, demand, and limitation in New Hope Creek, a 3rd-order stream in the Duke Forest of North Carolina. Over the course of 1 y of sampling, NO3−-N supply relative to demand (S∶D) was large during winter (S∶D = 133.4), spring (S∶D = 62.0), and summer (S∶D = 108.32). Potential N demand, estimated based on ecosystem metabolic rates, was measurable during winter, spring, and summer months, but we measured no N uptake in response to N addition from nutrient-enrichment experiments. In contrast, during autumn, declines in stream NO3−-N concentrations to annual minima (autumn concentration range 0.009–0.034 mg/L NO3−-N), and low S∶D (1.84) induced transient N limitation, and NO3−-N enrichment stimulated increased uptake. We demonstrate that nutrient-enrichment experiments fail to detect uptake when nutrient concentrations are nonlimiting even when ambient biological uptake remains an important sink for the nutrient of interest. In addition, we present a conceptual model of ‘supply–demand space‘ to aid interpretation of nutrient-enrichment data. Last, we suggest that simultaneous measures of nutrient supply, demand, uptake, and limitation can help define supply–demand relationships and provide a step toward a more robust understanding of biogeochemical cycling in streams.