Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lifespan trajectories and relationships to memory of the macro- and microstructure of the anterior and posterior hippocampus – a longitudinal multi-modal imaging study

There is evidence for a hippocampal long axis anterior-posterior (AP) differentiation in memory processing, which may have implications for the changes in episodic memory performance typically seen across development and aging. The hippocampal formation shows substantial structural changes with age, but the lifespan trajectories of hippocampal sub-regions along the AP axis are not established. The aim of the present study was to test whether the micro- and macro-structural age-trajectories of the anterior (aHC) and posterior (pHC) hippocampus are different. In a single-center longitudinal study, 1790 cognitively healthy participants, 4.1-93.4 years of age, underwent a total of 3367 MRI examinations and 3033 memory tests sessions over 1-6 time points, spanning an interval up to 11.1 years. T1-weighted scans were used to estimate the volume of aHC and pHC, and diffusion tensor imaging to measure mean diffusion (MD) within each region. We found that the macro- and microstructural lifespan-trajectories of aHC and pHC were clearly distinguishable, with partly common and partly unique variance shared with age. aHC showed a protracted period of microstructural development, while pHC microstructural development as indexed by MD was more or less completed in early childhood. In contrast, pHC showed larger unique aging-related changes. A similar aHC – pHC difference was observed for volume, although not as evident as for microstructure. All sub-regions showed age-dependent relationships to episodic memory function. For aHC micro- and macrostructure, the relationships to verbal memory performance varied significantly with age, being stronger among the older participants. Future research should disentangle the relationship between these structural properties and different memory processes – encoding vs. retrieval in particular – across the lifespan.
Extinction Risk of Western North American Freshwater Mussels: Anodonta Nuttalliana, the Anodonta Oregonensis/Kennerlyi Clade, Gonidea Angulata, and Margaritifera Falcata

ABSTRACT The recent declines in eastern North American species of freshwater mussels have been well documented, but the status of western species has been comparatively understudied. However, various local and regional studies and anecdotal observations indicate that western mussels are also declining, suggesting the need for range-wide assessments of extinction risk and changes in freshwater mussel distributions. Using historic (pre-1990) and recent (1990–2015) occurrence data from across western states and incorporating observations of recent population dynamics, we assessed the extinction risk of western freshwater mussels according to the categories and criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Percent change in occupied watersheds (by area) between historic and recent time periods was evaluated against IUCN-established thresholds. Additionally, we considered whether evidence of declines was also supported by reported observations of changes in abundance or occurrence in studied water bodies, watersheds, or regions. We also assessed the proportion of watersheds that have reduced species richness as compared with historic levels. We evaluated four western freshwater mussel taxonomic entities: three currently recognized species and one clade consisting of two currently recognized species. Of the four entities assessed, two are Vulnerable (Anodonta nuttalliana and Gonidea angulata), one is Near Threatened (Margaritifera falcata), and one is Least Concern (Anodonta oregonensis/kennerlyi clade). Freshwater mussel richness declined 35% across western watersheds by area, and among the most historically diverse watersheds, nearly half now support fewer species/clades. Future research and conservation efforts should prioritize identifying the proximate causes for these declines and preserving existing habitat and populations.
A Reappraisal of the Causal Relationship between Sentiment Proxies and Stock Returns

Abstract This article investigates the suitability of 13 investor sentiment proxies as causal explanations for monthly stock returns of the European S&P 350 constituents over 45 years. We analyzed a sample of 362 companies covering 16 European countries. Analyses incorporate multiple categories of investor sentiment arising from market or survey data, as well as technical analysis, risk measures, company fundamentals and macroeconomic variables. In addition, we provide an extended review of sentiment proxy measures based on market data. This work applied general model of moments (GMM) to dynamic panel data to estimate short-run and long-run influences along with Granger causality. Our findings demonstrate the role of several investor sentiment measures in predicting stock returns even after controlling for variables such as fundamentals, macroeconomic, market and technical analysis. Together, sentiment measures of implied volatility in stock options, such as VIX and VSTOXX, put and call ratios, gold, government bond yield spreads, mispricing along with economic and confidence sentiment indicators can significantly predict how irrational behaviors of investors can determine stock returns. Co-movements between markets provide further evidence of contagion. Considering the unobservable nature of sentiment, we provide a set of sentiment proxies, and reveal new measures such as gold, government yields spread and a mispricing ratio, that serve to predict European market returns. Furthermore, to our knowledge this study is one of the few studies to apply time dynamic panel data estimation to a large set of sentiment proxies and a set of complete control variables in a long-term framework.
Bell Polynomial Approach for Time-Inhomogeneous Linear Birth–Death Process with Immigration

We considered the time-inhomogeneous linear birth–death processes with immigration. For these processes closed form expressions for the transition probabilities were obtained in terms of the complete Bell polynomials. The conditional mean and the conditional variance were explicitly evaluated. Several time-inhomogeneous processes were studied in detail in view of their potential applications in population growth models and in queuing systems. A time-inhomogeneous linear birth–death processes with finite state-space was also taken into account. Special attention was devoted to the cases of periodic immigration intensity functions that play an important role in the description of the evolution of dynamic systems influenced by seasonal immigration or other regular environmental cycles. Various numerical computations were performed for periodic immigration intensity functions.
Involvement of rural women in selling of animals products in Kanpur district

India is an agriculture based country and livestock sector is an integral component of it where, livestock production is largely in the hands of women. Most of the animal farming activities such as fodder collection, feeding, watering, and health care, management, milking and household-level processing, value addition and marketing are performed by women. Livestock management has always been considered to be the sole responsibility of women.
Long-term bioeffects of 435-MHz radiofrequency radiation on selected blood-borne endpoints in cannulated rats. Volume 4. Plasma catecholamines. Final report, October 1982-June 1985

Two hundred adult male white rates (Sprague-Dawley) with chronically implanted aortic cannulas were randomly divided into two groups. Animals in the first group were exposed to low-level (1.0mW/sq cm) pulsed-wave 435-MHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR) for about 22 h daily, 7 days each week for 6 months. Animals in the second group were maintained under identical conditions but were not irradiated. The aortic cannulas were used to draw microsamples (0.6 mL) of aortic blood from the unrestrained, unanesthetized rats on a cyclic schedule. Plasma catecholamine (nonrepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassays. Statistical analysis of the results did not indicate increased plasma catecholamine concentrations on radiation-exposed animals when compared to sham-exposed animals. Exposure to this nonionizing radiofrequency (RF) environment did not induce stresses that were manifested as an alteration in plasma hormones.
Estimating the Strain-Rate-Dependent Parameters of the Johnson-Cook Material Model Using Optimisation Algorithms Combined with a Response Surface

Under conditions where a product is subjected to extreme mechanical loading over a very short time period, the strain rate has considerable influence on the behaviour of the product’s material. To simulate the behaviour of the material accurately under these loading conditions, the appropriate strain-rate parameters for the selected material model should be used. The aim of this paper is to present a quick method for easily determining the appropriate strain-rate-dependent parameter values of the selected material model. The optimisation procedure described in the article combines the design-of-experiment (DoE) technique, finite-element simulations, modelling a response surface and an evolutionary algorithm. First, a non-standard dynamic experiment was designed to study the behaviour of thin, flat, metal sheets during an impact. The experimental data from this dynamic and the conventional tensile experiments for mild steel were the basis for the determination of the Johnson-Cook material model parameters. The paper provides a comparison of two optimisation processes with different DoE techniques and with three different optimisation algorithms (one traditional and two metaheuristic). The performances of the presented method are compared, and the engineering applicability of the results is discussed. The identified parameter values, which were estimated with the presented procedure, are very similar to those from the literature. The paper shows how the application of a properly designed plan of simulations can significantly reduce the simulation time, with only a minor influence on the estimated parameters. Furthermore, it can be concluded that in some cases the traditional optimisation method is as good as the two metaheuristic methods. Finally, it was proven that experiments with different strain rates must be carried out when estimating the corresponding material parameters.
Post-buckling behavior of functionally graded and carbon-nanotubes based structures with different mechanical loadings

Abstract This article aims to investigate the post-buckling behavior of plates and cylindrical panels made of functionally graded materials (FGM) and carbon-nanotubes reinforced composites (FG-CNTRC) under mechanical loads. Unlike the other high order shear deformation theories, the proposed formulation is elaborated within a double directors finite shell element which allows a parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains, guarantee the zero condition of the transverse shear stresses on the extreme surfaces of the shell and introduces large deformations and finite rotations through a non-linear framework. Newton-Raphson with arc length control solution strategy is used to resolve the equilibrium paths. A power-law distribution and the extended rule of mixture are used to determine the effective material properties of functionally graded materials and carbon-nanotubes reinforced composites. The effectiveness and the accuracy of the formulation is checked via several comparisons with published results in the literature. Especially, some complex post-buckling curves of FGM and FG-CNTRC curved panels and plates with different mechanical loadings are provided that could be useful for future references. The effects of various parameters are also reported.
Stepping out of the shadow of the past: how career attributes shape ministerial stability in post-communist democracies

ABSTRACT How do career attributes affect the survival of post-communist ministers? We theorise that career attributes determine “desirability” of ministers, and therefore the length of their tenure. While political career attributes provide superior expertise and incentives, bureaucratic career attributes fall short on both “desirability” markers. Utilizing a unique data set of individual ministers in four post-communist countries in the first two decades after transition, we provide support for our expectations. We then demonstrate that while career attributes acquired before transition remain relevant for the stability of post-communist ministers after transition, their value wanes over time as post-transition career attributes gain predominance.
Synergistic Efficacy of Tissue Extracts of Alstonia boonei and Vitex grandifolia against Some Common Bacteria Pathogens

Despite the advancement made in the field of pharmaceutical microbiology and chemistry there is still a problem of antibiotics resistance. This is a major source of concern globally probably due to the resistance to emerging and re-emerging microbial infection. To this effect, studies have been carried out on potential alternative to this antibiotics and plant extracts have emerged as credible candidate. Plants with medicinal purpose has been widely used in the treatment of various types of diseases.
Comparing landscape suitability and permeability with and without migration data: the influence of species movement behavior

Maintaining landscape connectivity through identifying movement corridors is the most recommended conservation strategy to reduce the negative impacts of habitat loss and isolation. The basis of most connectivity modelling approaches for modelling corridors is that species choose movement pathways based on the same criteria they used to choose habitats. However, species behave differently in using landscape elements for moving than for selecting habitat. In other words, suitability of a given landscape feature may differ between moving and habitat use stages. In this study, we evaluated how the availability of migration occurrence points for wild sheep Ovis orientalis could affect the outputs of distribution models and consequently the strength and extent of landscape connectivity for migratory movements of this species in central Iran. We employed concepts of Maximum entropy and circuit theory and developed 2 groups of habitat suitability and connectivity models with and without migration data. Comparing the results of the developed models showed that the main differences in the outputs of MaxEnt models were associated with suitability values predicted for the unprotected migration habitats. Without migration occurrence points, MaxEnt did not identify the traditionally used migration habitats. In contrast, Circuitscape represented a similar performance in predicting the main migration corridor of the species when using or not using the migration occurrence data. These differences could be associated with wild sheep's different behavior in the selection of habitat during movement and home range stages. Owning to this difference, we suggest using migration data in modelling landscape connectivity as these data may include different environmental conditions to those collected from home range habitats. For wild sheep, we recommend protecting the migration corridor at least during migration time. Maintaining such connectivity would also largely depend on managing the unprotected matrix through preventing expansion of human land uses in the vicinity of the corridor and buffering it to some distance.
Urinary Symptom Nonresponse (“LUTS Failure”) after Urethroplasty: Incidence and Associations

Purpose: An ill-defined proportion of patients undergoing urethroplasty fail to experience improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) despite being stricture-free. We aim to identify the incidence, associations and causes of “LUTS failure” after urethroplasty. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing urethroplasty over a 6-year period were offered enrollment in a prospective study examining urinary function after urethroplasty. Patients were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and cystoscopy. “LUTS failure” was defined as ≤3-point improvement in IPSS despite an anatomically successful urethroplasty. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the association between patient factors and “LUTS failure. ” Results: Of 365 patients meeting inclusion criteria, mean postoperative IPSS (20.3 vs. 5.4, p <0.0001) and median urinary quality of life (UQOL; 5 vs. 1; p <0.0001) were significantly improved. Despite being stricture-free, 7.7% of patients reported “LUTS failure” and 10.1% reported UQOL nonresponse. On multivariable logistic regression, increasing age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.06; p=0.006) and hypospadias (OR 18.2, 95% CI 2.1–156.0; p=0.008) were associated with “LUTS failure,” while stricture location (p=0.76), length (p=0.14), previous urethroplasty (p=0.96), failed endoscopic treatment (p=0.17), type of urethroplasty (p=0.93) and other etiologies were not. Qualitatively, the most likely causes of “LUTS failure” were detrusor underactivity (39.3%), overactivity (21.4%), pelvic floor dysfunction (21.4%) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (14.3%). Only increasing age was associated with UQOL nonresponse (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.07; p=0.02). Conclusions: While many patients experience improved voiding function after urethroplasty, 7.7% experience “LUTS failure” and 10.1% report UQOL nonresponse. Both occurrences are independently associated with increasing patient age and most commonly related to detrusor underactivity.
The Effects of On-the-job and Workshop Training Methods on Performance of Midwives in Report Writing

Background & aim: One of the most important professional duties of midwives is writing the reports, which considered as legal documents. Incomplete reports can resulted in misunderstanding and even lead to filing charges against midwives by the legal authorities. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of on-the-job training (OJT) and workshop training methods on the report-writing performance of the midwives working in the teaching hospitals. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 midwives working in Imam Reza and Ghaem hospitals, Mashhad, Iran, in 2018, who randomly allocated to two OJT (N=35) and workshop group(N=35). Following obtaining an informed consent, a pre-test examination was performed before the intervention. The OJT group received the required trainings before and at the patients’ bedside during their work shifts. Workshop training group received lectures and practical works as the comparison group. The performance scores of the midwives were compared in both groups in three stages of pre-intervention, during the intervention, and one month post-intervention. All the data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Friedman test using SPSS software (version 24). Results: Our findings showed no significant different in terms of pre-intervention performance score (P=0.539). However, the scores of performance in the OJT group were significantly higher than those in the workshop group during the training program and one month post-intervention (P ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: We argue that the OJT method can be considered an effective intervention in improving the report-writing performance of midwives.
Impact on Electricity Consumption and Market Pricing of Energy and Ancillary Services during Pandemic of COVID-19 in Italy

At the moment of writing, in Italy, there is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Its outbreak is leading to severe global socioeconomic disruptions impacting on all economic sectors from tourism, industry and the tertiary sector, up to the operational and opening of public offices, the closure of schools and the organization of families. Measures adopted by the Italian government to deal with the COVID-19 emergency have had direct effects both on people’s daily lives and on the activity of most industrial and commercial production companies. These changes have been unequivocally reflected also on the Italian electricity system, which has shown unprecedented behavior in terms of both energy consumption and volume—and subsequently, in the observed share of renewable and conventional production technologies. The goal of this study is to show the impact on the power industry of all the restrictions and lockdown of the activities in Italy and to discuss the effects of COVID-19 outbreak on the bulk power system and the entire electricity sector. In particular, the consequences on load profiles, electricity consumption and market prices in Italy, including the environmental aspects, are examined.
Authenticating Hybrid Cell Lines

Hybrid (both intra-species and inter-species) cell lines arise through intentional or nonintentional fusion of somatic cells having different origins. Hybrid cell lines can pose a problem for authentication testing to confirm cell line identity, since the results obtained may not conform to the results expected for the two parental cell types. Thus, depending on the identity testing methodology, a hybrid cell may display characteristics of one of the parental cell type or of both. In some instances, the hybrid cell line may display characteristics that are different from those displayed by either parental cell type; these differences may not necessarily indicate cellular cross-contamination. Testing should be performed as soon as possible after an intended fusion has occurred, so that a baseline reference profile is available for later comparison. In this article, we describe the various approaches that have been used for identifying hybrid cell lines and the results that might be expected when using various technologies for this purpose.
Issues and Challenges of English Language Teacher-Trainees' Teaching Practicum Performance: Looking Back and Going Forward.

To become a better teacher, teachers are encouraged to practice ‘a reflective mind’ to have an insight of what is going on in the classroom and decipher what works and would not work (Farrell, 2018). Teachers, the English language teachers in particular, are likely to face many challenges not only in the global economy and competitive market of English education but also to the demanding nature of a teaching career. So, this study is intended to help identify the issues and challenges encountered by 15 teacher-trainees’ who undertook their teaching practicum . The narrative inquiry approach was used to identify the issues and challenges of their teaching performance. Using convenience sampling in choosing the samples, reflection papers and semi-structured interviews were used as the instruments to collect data. The findings indicated that, teacher’s voice, classroom management, teaching strategies, learning strategies, English communication barriers, vocabulary knowledge, lesson planning, teaching appraisal and classroom motivation were among the issues and challenges the trainees encountered. The indication is that, by looking back, teacher-trainees would understand the essence of a good language (English) teacher, as well as, to reflect, self-critique, assess and improve part of their teaching. Being aware of the issues and challenges in a real teaching environment can shape teacher-trainees personal and professional growth and can be a good resource for going forward and to be successful in their teaching profession.