Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Italian Young Carer of Parents Inventory-Revised (YCOPI-R)

Abstract Purpose Parental illness or disability has wide ranging impacts on offspring. Due to the lack of an Italian contextually sensitive measure of youth caregiving, this study explored the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Italian version of the Young Carer of Parents Inventory-Revised (YCOPI-R). Materials and methods Seven hundred and seventy-four youth aged 11–24 (386 young carers and 388 young non-carers) completed a questionnaire regarding youth caregiving, parental illness, caregiving context variables, and youth adjustment. Results The Italian YCOPI-R demonstrated good psychometric properties. Part A factor structure was replicated while two new factors emerged for Part B: Caregiving Stigma and Caregiving Resentment. Discriminant and convergent validity were evinced by differentiation between young carers and non-carers and associations between YCOPI-R factors and measures of caregiving activities and caregiving context. Predictive validity was supported as most Italian YCOPI-R factors were related to poorer youth adjustment, while Caregiving Confidence and Worry about Parents predicted higher levels of health-related quality of life. Conclusions The Italian YCOPI-R is a psychometrically sound measure of caregiving experiences in Italian youth. Findings confirm the multidimensional nature of youth caregiving, the mix of costs and rewards associated with it, and the link between youth caregiving and diverse adjustment outcomes. Implications for rehabilitation Given the global rise in the number of youth caring for an ill or disabled family member and the association between youth caregiving and greater risks for mental and physical health problems, elevated youth caregiving is a significant public health issue. The Italian version of the YCOPI-R is a valid and reliable measure of youth caregiving experiences in the Italian context. The Italian YCOPI-R offers a promising tool for better identifying young carers who are at risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes and in evaluating young carer support services and preventive interventions.
MOLASSES FEEDING TO DUAL-PURPOSE COWS: RESPONSE TO SUPPLEMENTATION OF MOLASSES AND UREA TO A BASAL RATION OF GRASS AND BREWERS' GRAINS

Three groups of three cows were used in a 3 x 3 Latin Square design so that each group received each one of three diets for periods of one month. A basal diet of at libitum chopped grass (Brachiaria decumbens) ant 10 kg/cow/d (2.13 kg DM) of brewers' grains was fed alone or with an ad libitum supplement of pure molasses or a mixture of molasses/urea. The cows were hand-milked once a day employing the restricted suckling system. In terms of total milk production the responses to the molasses and the-urea were both in order of 0.7 kg/d (P = 0.06). With respect to liveweight change, while receiving no molasses cows lost 0.68 kg/d, whereas the liveweight losses for cows receiving molasses with or without urea were small (0.15 and 0.08 kg/d respectively). Calculations show that molasses was inefficiently used for production.
Ethical immanence

Ethical judgement suffuses everyday life: it is not only objectified in rules or codes, experienced as duty, or realised as reason distinct from action. Nor in its primary manifestations is the ethical realised as a separate domain of thought, activity or expertise. The possibility that we explore in this collection is that ethics is immanent to action and to social life more generally, within it rather than at arm’s length from it. Our intention is not to reach unanimity, claim an exclusive truth or build a consistent model, but to follow the diverse paths along which thinking about the ethical in this way leads us.
Patterns of Morphological and Plastid DNA Variation in the Corallorhiza striata Species Complex (Orchidaceae)

Abstract Corallorhiza striata is a wide-ranging, morphologically variable, mycoheterotrophic species complex distributed across North America. Objectives of this study were to assess relationships and test validity of previously delimited varieties of C. striata, including the recently described C. bentleyi. Two plastid DNA regions were sequenced for individuals from several populations across North America, identifying four major clades. The large-flowered C. striata var. striata (northern U.S.A., southern Canada) was sister to the smaller-flowered var. vreelandii (southwestern U.S.A., Mexico), and these were sister to a Californian clade with relatively intermediate-sized flowers. C. striata var. involuta (Mexico) and the endangered C. bentleyi (eastern U.S.A.) shared a close relationship, sister to the remaining C. striata. Principal Components Analysis and Nonparametric Multivariate Analysis of Variance on nine quantitative morphological characters, using plastid DNA clades as independent variables, demonstrated strong correlations between molecular and morphological groupings. Morphological analyses supported differentiation of both C. striata var. involuta and C. bentleyi relative to all other accessions of C. striata, suggesting their recognition as separate species; these findings will have future implications for conservation. The biogeographic scenario was more complex than previously thought, with members of two major plastid DNA lineages (C. bentleyi /var. involuta and the remaining C. striata) existing in Mexico and U.S.A. /Canada. These findings contribute to a burgeoning body of data on poorly studied North American plant distributions extending into southern Mexico.
Longitudinal Sex‐Specific Physical Function Trends by Age, Race/Ethnicity, and Weight Status

There is a need to assess longitudinal trends in physical function and to understand the prevalence of physical function status in the older population using objectively measured physical function. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to examine longitudinal sex‐specific physical function trends and prevalence of physical function status by age, race/ethnicity, and weight status in older adults, aged 65 years and older.
Involvement of oestrogens in sexual differentiation of gonads as a function of temperature in turtles

Abstract To investigate the possible involvement of oestrogens in the phenomenon of temperature sex-reversal in the turtle Emys orbicularis, the effects of oestrone, oestradiol and an antioestrogen. tamoxifen, on sexual differentiation of gonads were examined at a male-producing temperature of 25° C and at a female-producing temperature of 30° C. When oestrone or oestradiol were injected into eggs incubated at 25° C just before or at the beginning of the thermosensitive period, the gonads differentiated into ovaries instead of testes. Conversely, when tamoxifen was injected, at the same stages, into eggs incubated at 30° C, epithelial cords or tubes, similar to potential seminiferous cords, differentiated in the interior part of the gonads. However, an ovarian-like cortex persisted at their surface. At 25° C, treatment with tamoxifen or with both tamoxifen and oestradiol also resulted in differentiation of ovotestes. These experiments show that tamoxifen binding to oestrogen receptors prevented the inhibitory action of oestrogens on testicular cord development. Maintenance (at 30° C) or development (at 25° C) of ovarian cortex in the presence of tamoxifen can be expected from an agonistic action of this drug, as already described. Preliminary data on steroid content in the gonads indicate that, during the early stages of the thermosensitive period, the level of estrogens is higher at 30° C than at 25° C. It is proposed that in species displaying temperature sensitivity for the sexual differentiation of gonads, temperature acts on the processes regulating the synthesis or the activity of cyto-chrome-P450 aromatase.
Longitudinal effects of psychotherapy with transgender and nonbinary clients: A randomized controlled pilot trial.

Minority stress has been determined to contribute to some mental health concerns for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming individuals, yet little is known regarding interventions to decrease the effects of minority stress. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and relative effectiveness of two interventions developed for work with transgender clients. Transgender individuals (N = 20) were recruited to participate in a randomized controlled trial comparing two psychotherapy interventions for transgender adults seeking psychotherapy for a variety of concerns: (a) transgender affirmative psychotherapy (TA) and (b) Building Awareness of Minority Stressors + Transgender Affirmative psychotherapy. Gender-related stress and resilience were assessed before, immediately after, and 6 months following the intervention; psychological distress and working alliance were assessed at these three time points as well as weekly during the intervention. Feasibility and acceptability of the study and psychotherapy interventions were supported. Exploratory analyses indicate improvement in both groups based on general outcome measures; targeted outcome measures indicate a trend of improvement for internalized stigma and nonaffirmation experiences. Results from this study support further evaluation of both treatment arms in a larger randomized controlled trial. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Threonine Responses of Female Cobb 500 Broilers from Days 42 to 56

Abstract Sound knowledge of amino acid needs for heavy broilers is critical in order to optimize profitability in the further processing market. Although research has delineated requirement estimates for the most limiting amino acids for heavy males, research concerning amino acid needs for females for the further processing market is limited. This study examined Thr, the third limiting amino acid, needs in Cobb 500 females from 42 to 56 d of age. Experiment 1 demonstrated that birds fed the test diet (corn, soybean meal, and peanut meal based) containing added Thr to 0.66% performed as well as birds receiving a traditional corn and soybean meal diet formulated to contain 0.66% Thr. Experiment 2 (0.45 to 0.80% total Thr in 0.07% increments) and experiment 3 (0.52 to 0.72% total Thr in 0.04% increments) were conducted to establish dose responses to Thr for growth and carcass responses. Threonine had minimal effects on carcass attributes (experiments 2 and 3). A total dietary Thr level of 0.60% supported good growth in experiment 2. In experiment 3, however, good growth was attained in birds fed a total dietary Thr level of 0.67% of diet. These results indicate that the 1994 NRC Thr recommendation (0.68% of diet) from 42 to 56 d is safe for female broilers.
Survival of Juvenile Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Kansas

Abstract Juvenile survival has been identified as the most critical demographic parameter influencing grouse populations. Little information currently exists on survival of juvenile lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). We regularly flushed 51 individually identifiable lesser prairie-chicken broods over a 6-year period to estimate survival from hatch to 14 days post-hatch (early period) and from 15 to 60 days post-hatch (late period). Estimates of overall daily survival rates were 0.949 (95% CI = 0.932–0.966) for the early period and 0.978 (95% CI = 0.968–0.989) for the late period. Overall survival from hatch to 60 days posthatch was 0.177 (95% CI = 0.028–0.376). We used encounter histories of 31 transmitter-equipped juveniles to estimate survival from 1 August to 31 March (overwinter) using known-fate models. Juvenile overwinter survival was 0.70 (95% CI = 0.47–0.86), and chicks heavier than average for their age at 50–60 days posthatch were more likely to survive the 8-month overwinter period. Survival of juveniles from hatch to 31 March of the following year was 0.12 (95% CI = 0.01–0.32). We compared overwinter survival of juveniles and 93 transmitter-equipped full-grown lesser prairie-chickens using a second set of models. Overwinter survival rates for juveniles (0.64) and full-grown (0.63) birds were similar, but the timing of mortality events differed between age-classes. We recommend that managers in Kansas, USA, focus on improving early survival of juveniles by providing additional food resources to chicks. This can be accomplished by manipulating vegetation to increase forb cover, which will result in increased invertebrate biomass.
Luminal microbiota related to Crohn’s disease recurrence after surgery

ABSTRACT Background Microbial factors are likely to be involved in the recurrence of Crohn’s disease (CD) after bowel resection. We investigated the luminal microbiota before and longitudinally after surgery, in relation to disease recurrence, using 16S metagenomic techniques. Methods In the prospective Post-Operative Crohn’s Endoscopic Recurrence (POCER) study, fecal samples were obtained before surgery and 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery from 130 CD patients. Endoscopy was undertaken to detect disease recurrence, defined as Rutgeerts score ≥i2, at 6 months in two-thirds of patients and all patients at 18 months after surgery. The V2 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. Cluster analysis was performed at family level, assessing microbiome community differences between patients with and without recurrence. Results Six microbial cluster groups were identified. The cluster associated with maintenance of remission was enriched for the Lachnospiraceae family [adjusted OR 0.47 (0.27–0.82), P = . 007]. The OTU diversity of Lachnospiraceae within this cluster was significantly greater than in all other clusters. The cluster enriched for Enterobacteriaceae was associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence [adjusted OR 6.35 (1.24–32.44), P = . 026]. OTU diversity of Enterobacteriaceae within this cluster was significantly greater than in other clusters. Conclusions Luminal bacterial communities are associated with protection from, and the occurrence of, Crohn’s disease recurrence after surgery. Recurrence may relate to a higher abundance of facultatively anaerobic pathobionts from the Enterobacteriaceae family. The ecologic change of depleted Lachnospiraceae, a genus of butyrate-producing bacteria, may permit expansion of Enterobacteriaceae through luminal environmental perturbation.
Does the presence of epidural analgesia reduce the risk of neonatal sepsis in the setting of an intrapartum fever?

Abstract Objective Epidural analgesia has been associated with more frequent intrapartum fever as well as neonatal antibiotic therapy. We examined whether intrapartum fever carries the same risk for neonatal sepsis with and without epidural. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of 34,371 deliveries at a single institution. Primary outcome variables included neonatal sepsis, Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission, postpartum hemorrhage, prolonged labor, and cesarean delivery. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the risk of sepsis while controlling for possible confounding covariables. Results A total of 34,371 patients were included in the study, 16,917 (49.9%) of whom had epidural anesthesia. Of the patients who had an epidural, 2103 (12.4%) had an intrapartum fever, compared to 446 (2.6%) of those who did not have an epidural (p < .001). Overall, there was a decreased risk of neonatal sepsis in the setting of intrapartum fever with an epidural after controlling for potential confounders. (aOR 0.53 [95% CI 0.29–0.98]). In preterm patients, an epidural was associated with a decreased risk for neonatal sepsis (5.7% vs. 10.0%, p = .04), 5-minute Apgar score <7 (23.5% vs. 33.6%, p = .006), and NICU admission (66.6% vs. 76.5%, p = .008) compared to those born in the setting of a fever without an epidural. Conclusions Neonates were less likely to sustain a diagnosis of sepsis in the setting of an epidural-associated fever compared to those in the setting of an intrapartum fever without an epidural. These data may be used by providers in counseling and guideline creation.
Prevalence of Abnormal Ultrasound Findings in Asymptomatic Posterior Tibial Tendons

Background: Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a pathological condition that can cause failure of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT). Initially, patients with PTTD are often asymptomatic, making early identification and treatment challenging. Certain ultrasound (US) characteristics have been implicated in the presence of tendinopathy, but their frequency has yet to be assessed in the PTT. The purpose of this study was to identify and report on the frequency of incidental, or potentially early subclinical, tendinopathic US characteristics in asymptomatic PTTs. Methods: Following institutional review board approval, 150 participants underwent a bilateral-comprehensive US assessment. The resulting images were reviewed and assessed to identify the presence of abnormalities demonstrated to represent tendinopathy. Results: Overall, 266 tendons were assessed and 128 (48.1%) were determined to have at least one tendinopathic trait. Specifically, 51 (19.2%) had circumferential fluid, 69 (25.9%) had noncircumferential fluid, 22 (8.3%) had thickening, 31 (11.7%) had heterogenicity, 19 (7.1%) had hyperemia, and 2 (0.8%) had calcification. Additionally, Caucasian participants were found to be nearly 3 times more likely to have tendinopathic findings when compared with African American participants. Conclusion: Sixty-seven percent of participants and 48.1% of PTTs evaluated had at least one tendinopathic feature identified on US. The prevalence rates of these findings, observed in participants, were as follows: noncircumferential fluid, circumferential fluid, heterogenicity, and thickening. Knowing the frequency of these traits may help clinicians to identify subclinical tendinopathy in the PTT before it progresses to PTTD. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Comparative Growth and Yield of Exotic Chinese and Indigenous Major Carps under Polyculture System

An experiment was conducted in four earthen ponds to assess the growth and yield of introduced and indigenous major-carps in polyculture system. Fertilization of both treatments was done with cow-dung at the rate of 0.16 g N 100 -1 g wet fish body weight daily. In treatment -2 (pond-3; P3 and pond-4; P4), supplementary feed of 20% crude protein (CP; sunflower meal, rice polish and maize gluten 30%) was given at the rate of 2% of fish body weight, daily by dust feeding method. The feeding was dome at fixed spot and timing to acclimatize the fish and to ensure maximum feed utilization. The net fish production was calculated as 1590.18, 1126.27 kg ha -1 year -1 in treatment-1 (P1 & P2) while 2109.14, 2162.62 kg ha -1 year -1 in treatment-2 (P3 & P4), respectively. Treatement-1 (P1 & P2), caused a significant (P>0.05) decrease in fish production. With the addition of the supplementary feeding, growth performance of major carps and Chinese carps in treatment-2 (P3 & P4) was improved.
Physical activity and cognitive function: between-person and within-person associations and moderators

ABSTRACT In the present study, we decomposed between- and within-person effects and examined moderators of the longitudinal physical activity-cognition association. Participants (N = 1722) were drawn from the Betula study and we included four waves of data across 15 years. Bayesian multilevel modeling showed that self-reported physical activity did not predict changes in cognitive function. Physical activity positively predicted cognitive performance at baseline, and the relations were stronger for more active (compared to less active) older adults. Physical activity had a positive within-person effect on cognitive function. The within-person effect of physical activity on episodic memory recall was stronger for participants who on average engaged in less physical activity. The within-person effect on verbal fluency was stronger for participants with more education. Our results suggest that preserving cognitive functioning in old age might be more a matter of what you do in old age than reflecting what you did earlier in life.
Four new indole alkaloids from the roots of Isatis tinctoria

Abstract Chemical fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the roots of Isatis tinctoria L. (I. tinctoria) yielded fourteen indole alkaloids including four new ones, isatisindigoticanine L–N and isatindigoside M. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic techniques including NMR, HRESIMS and IR as well as chemical methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by ECD experiments. All the compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on NO production in mouse mononuclear macrophages (RAW264.7) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that only compound 5 exhibited inhibitory effects with IC50 value of 18.5 μM. Graphical Abstract
Chlorophyta, Xanthophyceae and Cyanobacteria in Wright Valley, Antarctica

Abstract Wright Valley, Victoria Land contains numerous aquatic habitats suitable for the growth of algae in summer. Excepting diatoms and lichen phycobionts, algal diversity and distribution in the valley was documented. Using cultures and environmental cloning eight cyanobacterial and 14 eukaryotic species were revealed. The cyanobacterium Microcoleus vaginatus and the chlorophycean Chlorococcum sp. 1 were the most common, both occurring in more than one habitat (ponds, soils or streams). Ponds harboured the most diverse communities. Habitat specialization was rare. Chlamydomonads were not found outside ponds, but species capable of zoospore production were able to colonize ponds and soils. Nostocalean cyanobacteria were not detected. Results suggest dispersal within and between valleys, with little evidence of Antarctic endemism. All but one cyanobacterium with similar internally transcribed spacer (ITS) length to clones from Miers Valley proved to be different species when 16S rRNA gene sequences were also considered; thus, ITS length is unreliable for assessing identity and biogeography of these cyanobacteria. Comparison with a 454 16S rRNA gene soil dataset from Wright Valley indicated the occurrence of only one of the cyanobacterial species, the distribution of which may be limited by salinity.
Ecology and biology of Allactaga elater, Allactaga euphratica and Allactaga williamsi (Rodentia: Dipodidae) in Turkey

The young of Allactaga williamsi and Allactaga euphratica were born at an average weigth of 2.51 and 2.74 g. , respectively. Litter size ranged from 3 to 6 with an average of 4.8 in A. williamsi, and it changed from 4 to 8 with an average of 4.8 in A. euphratica , A. williamsi breeds during the period of March to August, A. williamsi and A. euphratica produced 2 and 2 or 3 litters per year, respectively. Allactaga elater has four types of burrows: winter, summer, reproduction and temporary. A. williamsi and A. euphratica have two types of burrows: reproduction and summer. A. elater was in behavior a more active animal, more eager to explore surrounding habitats than A. euphratica and A. williamsi. Every three species generally feed on plant material, but A. williamsi eats various insects and their larvae in the months April and May. The clear patterns of molting in A. euphratica were observed from July to September; in A. williamsi, molting occured during the period of June to September. Findings revealed that Allactaga species are not agricultural pest.