Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Posture of adolescent volleyball players – a two-year study

Summary Study aim: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the posture of male and female adolescent volleyball players and non-training individuals over a 2-year period. Material and methods: The study group comprised 32 volleyball players and 30 non-athlete peers. Posture was assessed with a photogrammetric method based on the moiré phenomenon. Participants were examined 3 times at the ages of 14, 15 and 16 years. Training experience of the studied volleyball players at the time of the 1st measurement was less than 5 months. Results: In volleyball players greater asymmetry in the pelvis position was noted (rotation to the right). The right scapula was more outlying than the left, and the right shoulder was more elevated than the left. Volleyball training did not result in sagittal spinal curvatures. Male non-athlete participants exhibited a significant increase in thoracic kyphosis and a decrease in lumbar lordosis over a two-year period. Conclusion: Volleyball training affects the alignment of the pelvis, shoulder girdle and scapulae. The study revealed a number of differences in spinal curvatures between male volleyball players and non-athletes which could be associated with growth velocity and differences in body height.
SMOTER, A Structured Motif Finder Based on an Exhaustive Tree-Based Algorithm

In this paper, an exhaustive algorithm for extracting structured motifs has been presented. Structured motif is defined as an ordered set of highly-conserved over-presented patterns which occur near each other in a set of DNA sequences . The presented algorithm is based on an innovative data structure called l-mer trie. As opposed to other existing motif finders, this algorithm offers more flexibility in terms of the possibility of determining a range for length of the single patterns, their substitution rates and the spacing between them. The possibility of defining a minimum bound for substitution rates saves considerable time and space in the case of searching for weak motifs occurring with many mutations. Efficiency of the algorithm has been verified on some artificial sequences as well as real DNA sequences of some plant viruses. The results have been compared with those achieved by RISO, another tree-based algorithm, which is claimed to have notable time and space gains over the best known exact algorithms.
Usage of microsatellite markers for characterization of polyploids: a case study in reference to hexaploid bamboo species

Abstract Microsatellite markers are most valuable tools for characterization of plant genetic resources or population genetic analysis. Since they are codominant and allelic markers, utilizing them in polyploid species remained doubtful. In such cases, microsatellite markers are usually analyzed by treating them as dominant marker. In the current study, it has been showed that despite of losing the advantage of co-dominance, microsatellite markers are still powerful tool for genotyping of polyploid species because of availability of large number of reproducible alleles per locus. It has been studied by genotyping of nineteen sub populations of Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (hexaploid bamboo species) with seventeen polymorphic SSR primer pairs. Among these, ten primers gave typical banding pattern of microsatellite marker as expected in diploid species but rest seven gave unusual pattern i.e. more than two bands per locus per genotype. In such case genotyping data are generally analyzed by considering as dominant markers. Given these facts, data were analyzed in both ways as dominant and codominant. All the seventeen primer were first scored as non-allelic data and analyzed; later ten primer pairs giving standard banding pattern were analyzed as allelic data and the results were compared. The UPGMA clustering and genetic structure showed that results obtained with both the data sets were very similar, and therefore the SSR marker could be utilized to characterize polyploid species by considering them as dominant marker. The study is highly useful to widen the scope of SSR markers applications and beneficial to the researchers dealing with polyploid species.
The Influence of Unbalanced Economic Data on Feature Selection and Quality of Classifiers

Abstract Research background: The successful learning of classifiers depends on the quality of data. Modeling is especially difficult when the data are unbalanced or contain many irrelevant variables. This is the case in many applications. The classification of rare events is the overarching goal, e.g. in bankruptcy prediction, churn analysis or fraud detection. The problem of irrelevant variables accompanies situations where the specification of the model is not known a priori, thus in typical conditions for data mining analysts. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to compare the combinations of the most popular strategies of handling unbalanced data with feature selection methods that represent filters, wrappers and embedded methods. Research methodology: In the empirical study, we use real datasets with additionally introduced irrelevant variables. In this way, we are able to recognize which method correctly eliminates irrelevant variables. Results: Having carried out the experiment we conclude that over-sampling does not work in connection with feature selection. Some recommendations of the most promising methods also are given. Novelty: There are many solutions proposed in the literature concerning unbalanced data as well as feature selection. The innovative field of our interests is to examine their interactions.
Cultural conflict and the endangered florida key deer

Conflict regarding the conservation and preservation of natural resources is among the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Given that management of natural resources increasingly depends on securing cooperation of culturally diverse groups of people, it is important to understand how to secure that cooperation. Endangered species management on private lands both typifies and magnifies the environmental conflicts encountered by natural resource policy makers and managers. Using an ethnographic approach, we analyzed the conflict surrounding management of the endangered Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) to explore how conflict and moral culture apply to natural resource policy formation and implementation. We found disputants on Big Pine Key divided into 2 moral cultures-1 grounded in stewardship and the other in private property rights. These moral cultures augmented the conflict by perpetuating divergent ethical perspectives and aspirations. The conflict then escalated through de-individualization, dehumanization, and demonization of those informed by the opposing moral culture. Finally, as typically occurs with serious conflicts, incompatible frames of reference created by the cultural divide not only prevented rapid de-escalation but promoted conflict-reinforcing mechanisms such as selective perception and judgment, moral exclusion, and rationalization, which led to communication breakdown and autistic hostility. Temporary solutions to superficial problems that were maladapted to conflicts involving moral culture did not ameliorate conditions and often exacerbated them. In emotionally charged decision-making venues, wildlife managers should take a proactive approach designed to encourage collaborative development of common ground among disputants. When conflicts reach a highly escalated state, as many inevitably will, their resolution will require meeting appropriate pre-negotiation conditions, then applying strategies that respond to both the level of escalation and the moral cultures involved in the particular conflict.
An additional marine fungal lineage in the Diatrypaceae, Xylariales: Pedumispora rhizophorae

Abstract Pedumispora rhizophorae, a marine ascomycete reported only from mangrove habitats, was referred to the Diaporthales on the basis of morphological characteristics. To clarify the phylogenetic classification of P. rhizophorae, we re-examined the morphological features of a recent collection of this fungus and evaluated its taxonomic position at the molecular level. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. rhizophorae is distantly placed from the Diaporthales, and groups in the Diatrypaceae, Xylariales with strong support. Pedumispora rhizophorae shares many features with members of the Diatrypaceae, including its saprobic habit on decaying plant material, ascomata embedded in a pseudostroma, the presence of paraphyses and pigmented ascospores. However, P. rhizophorae differs from other members of the Diatrypaceae in that this species has apically truncate asci without an apical apparatus, which deliquesce at maturity, whereas diatrypaceous species have persistent long-stalked asci with a more or less truncate apex. Within the Diatrypaceae, the ascospores of most species are allantoid in shape and unicellular, whereas P. rhizophorae possesses septate, filiform ascospores with apical cells lacking cytoplasm. Filiform ascospores and deliquescing asci are common in many unitunicate marine ascomycetes and are regarded as an adaptation to aquatic environment.
Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Adults: A Narrative Review

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most common hyperglycemic emergency and causes the greatest risk for death in patients with diabetes mellitus. DKA more commonly occurs among those with type 1 diabetes, yet almost a third of the cases occur among those with type 2 diabetes. Although mortality rates from DKA have declined to low levels in general, it continues to be high in many developing countries. DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis and ketosis. Proper management of DKA requires hospitalization for aggressive intravenous fluids, insulin therapy, electrolyte replacement as well as identification and treatment of the underlying precipitating event along with frequent monitoring of patient's clinical and laboratory states. The most common precipitating causes for DKA include infections, new diagnosis of diabetes and nonadherence to insulin therapy. Clinicians should be aware of the occurrence of DKA in patients prescribed sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. Discharge plans should include appropriate choice and dosing of insulin regimens and interventions to prevent recurrence of DKA. Future episodes of DKA can be reduced through patient education programs focusing on adherence to insulin and self-care guidelines during illness and improved access to medical providers. New approaches such as extended availability of phone services, use of telemedicine and utilization of public campaigns can provide further support for the prevention of DKA.
Interactive Large Structure N-Body Gravity Simulation for Immersive Learning in Virtual Reality

In this paper, we discuss our development and implementation of an Interactive Virtual Reality Application for Immersive Learning that simulates large stellar structure interaction. In contrary to conservative learning material, stellar structure dynamics can be understood effectively with our approach. We identified two major sub-topics, gravitational n-body interaction and the exponential decrease of the gravitational force, which non-interactive learning material cannot cover sufficiently and discuss the advantages of an interactive VR simulation. We tested a group of undergraduate students and investigated their skills regarding large stellar objects interaction prior and subsequently to the VR experience. Our studies have shown, that our immersive and interactive approach significantly adds to one's perception of Newton mechanics on large scale stellar bodies.
Survival and movements of white-tailed deer in suburban Chicago, Illinois

Management of high-density suburban deer populations requires knowledge of survival and movement to predict population trends. However, natural and human-induced influences on survival and movement of suburban deer are poorly understood. Therefore, we marked 208 (60 bucks, 148 does) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from forest preserves in Chicago, Illinois, USA (1994-1998). Seasonal and annual survivorship was >0.80 for 114 does and 13 bucks. Deer-auto collisions produced the highest mortality rates, 0.10 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.14) and 0.17 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.37). Spring dispersal for does was 7% (3 of 41) for fawns and 6% (5 of 83) for yearlings and adults; and for bucks it was 50% (8 of 16) for fawns and 7% (2 of 30) for yearlings and adults. All dispersals were <9 km, except for I parous doe that moved 33.9 km. Doe home ranges averaged 51 (95% CI 40.5 to 61.5), 26 (95% CI 22.0 to 30.0), and 32 (95% CI 19.6 to 44.4) ha for winter-spring, summer, and fall, respectively. A priori, we developed a set of 10 logistic regression models for suburban doe survival relative to home range size and traffic exposure indices. Using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), the best models included covariates reflecting home range size and traffic exposure. Inference across a ≥90% confidence set of survival models indicated substantial spatial heterogeneity in mortality risk for suburban does. High survival and philopatry by suburban deer apparently contribute to their overabundance in metropolitan areas.
Direct somatic embryogenesis and adventitious shoot formation from immature axillary buds of Melastoma affine

Summary Direct somatic embryogenesis and adventitious shoot formation were induced from immature axillary bud explants of Melastoma affine cultured on induction medium containing both naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and cytokinins. Among the cytokinins tested, thidiazuron (TDZ) played a greater role in the induction of somatic embryogenesis than 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and kinetin (KT). Histological studies of paraffin sections showed that the same tissue from immature axillary buds produced different types of explants that developed floral primordia and vegetative bud primordia during the earlier and later flowering stages, respectively. These could result in different developmental pathways. Efficient mass propagation and plant regeneration systems were established for Melastoma affine.
Somatic genetics of CDR3 control TCR V-domain rotational probability 7 and germline CDR2 scanning of polymorphic MHC

: 34 35 The mechanism which adapts the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) within a given major 36 histocompatibility complex ( MHC/HLA ) genotype is essential for protection against 37 pathogens. Historically attributed to relative affinity, genetically vast TCRs are surprisingly 38 focused towards a micromolar affinity for their respective peptide (p) plus MHC (pMHC) 39 ligands. Thus, the somatic diversity of the TCR with respect to MHC-restriction , and 40 (ultimately) to pathogens, remains enigmatic. Here, we derive a triple integral solution (from 41 fixed geometry) for any given V domain in TCR bound to pMHC. Solved complexes involving 42 HLA-DR and HLA-DQ, where genetic linkage to the TCR is most profound, were examined in 43 detail. Certain V domains displayed rare geometry within this panel—specifying a restricted 44 rotational probability/volumetric density ( dV ). Remarkably, hydrogen (H) bond charge-relays 45 distinguished these structures from the others; suggesting that CDR3 binding chemistry 46 dictates CDR2 contacts on the opposite MHC-II alpha helix. Together, these data suggest that 47 TCR recapitulate dV and specialise target pMHC recognition, i.e. , a dynamics alternative to a 48 relative TCR-affinity based mechanism. 49 50
Effect of supplementation of unprotected or protected arginine to prolific ewes on maternal amino acids profile, lamb survival at birth and pre and post weaning lamb growth.

This research determined effects of dietary supplementation with rumen protected arginine on metabolites and amino acids in maternal plasma and lamb survival rate at birth (LSRAB) in prolific Afec-Assaf ewes. The hypothesis was that rumen protected arginine, the precursor for nitric oxide and polyamines, would increase placental development and vascularity, utero-placental blood flow and nutrient transport, and reduce oxidative stress to increase LSRAB. Ewes were fed either their basal diet, basal diet with rumen protected arginine or basal diet with unprotected arginine (18g/head/d). The supplemental arginine was about 1% of the dry matter intake from d 40 or d 60 of gestation until parturition. Ninety-two of 98 ewes produced live lambs. Ewes fed protected arginine had greater (P=0.002) concentrations of arginine and other amino acids in plasma, whereas unprotected arginine did not affect concentrations of arginine, but decreased (P&0.05) concentrations of some amino acids. There was no effect of treatments on gestation length (144±2d), prolificacy (2.65 lambs born/ewe), LSRAB (0.80), body weight (88.8±10.8 kg) and body condition score (2.8±0.6) of ewes, or birth weight and crown-rump length of lambs. The GI was affected by sex of lamb (P=0.008), parity of ewe (P=0.002), litter size (P=0.0001) and lamb status (P=0.003). Of 229 lambs born, 32 were dead and 16 died before 5 mo of age, leaving 181 lambs with records on weights at birth and 5 mo of age. Interestingly, lambs born to ewes fed the unprotected and protected arginine weighed 3.6 kg less at postnatal d 150 than lambs from control ewes.
Λ new species of Isothrix (Rodentia : Echimyidae) from French Guiana

Isothrix sinnamariensis sp. nov. est un Echimyide arboricole, nocturne, connu et decrit a partir de deux specimens captures dans une foret tropicale haute de basse altitude de Guyane francaise. Il est morphologiquement et moleculairement (sequencage de l'ADN mitochondrial) tres proche de Isothrix pagurus present dans le bassin amazonien bresilien, mais il differe de I. pagurus par le nombre de chromosomes (2n = 28 versus 2n = 22) et par un ensemble de rearrangements chromosomiques complexes montrant qu'il existe un solide isolement genetique entre ces deux especes.
Predicting beaver colony density in boreal landscapes

Proposition d'une methode permettant de mettre quantitativement en relation la proportion de bassins de retenue crees par les castors et le nombre de castors et les tendances d'evolution de la population.La technique a ete developpee a partir des donnees de 46 ans d'observation des modifications de la vegetation occasionnees par les castors du Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)
Systemic Inflammation as a Moderator Between Sleep and Incident Dementia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, moderates the association between sleep and incident dementia. METHODS We studied Framingham Heart Study participants who completed at baseline a serum CRP assessment and in-home polysomnography to measure sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, number of awakenings, arousal index, and apnea-hypopnea index. Participants were divided into groups according to their CRP level: low (<1 mg/L), average (1-3 mg/L), high inflammation (>3 mg/L). Surveillance for outcomes (incident all-cause and Alzheimer's disease dementia) commenced at baseline and continued up to 22.5 years. RESULTS In 291 participants (mean age 67.5 ± 4.9 years, 51.6% men) followed for 13.4 ± 5.4 years, we observed 43 cases of all-cause dementia, 33 of which were clinically consistent with Alzheimer's disease. Whereas no direct association between CRP or sleep exposures was observed with incident dementia, CRP levels interacted with nighttime wakefulness when predicting both incident all-cause and Alzheimer's disease dementia. In the high CRP group, longer wake after sleep onset (hazard ratio [HR], 2.89; 95%CI, 1.31-6.34) and more nighttime awakenings (HR, 4.55; 95%CI, 1.19-17.38) were associated with higher risk of incident dementia. In the low CRP group, fewer nighttime awakenings were associated with a higher risk of incident dementia (HR, 0.07; 95%CI, 0.01-0.68). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that inflammation moderates the association between sleep, particularly nighttime wakefulness, and dementia risk. The presence of inflammation may be an important determinant in evaluating how sleep disturbances relate to neurodegeneration.
Linking strain engraftment in fecal microbiota transplantation with maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Crohn's Disease (CD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease resulting from the dysfunctional interplay between genetic susceptibility, the immune system and commensal intestinal microbiota. Emerging evidence suggests that treatment by suppression of the immune response and replacement of the microbiota through Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is a promising approach for the treatment of CD. METHODS We obtained stool metagenomes from CD patients in remission and assessed gut microbiome composition before and after FMT at the species and strain levels. Longitudinal follow-up evaluation allowed us to identify the gain, loss, and strain replacement of specific species, and link these events to the maintenance of remission in CD. RESULTS We find that FMT had a significant long-term effect on patient microbial compositions, though this was primarily driven by the engraftment of donor species which remained at low abundance. 38% of FMT-driven changes were strain replacements, emphasizing the importance of detailed profiling methods such as metagenomics. Several instances of long-term coexistence between donor and patient strains were also observed. Engraftment of some Actinobacteria, and engraftment or loss of Proteobacteria, were related to better disease outcomes in CD patients who received FMT, while transmission of Bacteroidetes was deleterious. CONCLUSION Our results suggest clades that may be beneficial to transmit/eliminate through FMT, and thus provide criteria that may help identify personalized FMT donors to more effectively maintain remission in CD patients. The framework established here creates a foundation for future studies centered around the application of FMT and defined microbial communities as a therapeutic approach for treating CD.
Multivariate model for cooperation: bridging social physiological compliance and hyperscanning

Abstract The neurophysiological analysis of cooperation has evolved over the past 20 years, moving towards the research of common patterns in neurophysiological signals of people interacting. Social physiological compliance (SPC) and hyperscanning represent two frameworks for the joint analysis of autonomic and brain signals, respectively. Each of the two approaches allows to know about a single layer of cooperation according to the nature of these signals: SPC provides information mainly related to emotions, and hyperscanning that related to cognitive aspects. In this work, after the analysis of the state of the art of SPC and hyperscanning, we explored the possibility to unify the two approaches creating a complete neurophysiological model for cooperation considering both affective and cognitive mechanisms We synchronously recorded electrodermal activity, cardiac and brain signals of 14 cooperative dyads. Time series from these signals were extracted, and multivariate Granger causality was computed. The results showed that only when subjects in a dyad cooperate there is a statistically significant causality between the multivariate variables representing each subject. Moreover, the entity of this statistical relationship correlates with the dyad’s performance. Finally, given the novelty of this approach and its exploratory nature, we provided its strengths and limitations.