Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population Genetic Analysis of the Wood Turtle from Maine to Virginia

In 2015, eight Northeastern States began a cooperative project for Conservation Planning for the Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) under a Competitive State Wildlife Grant (CSWG). This portion of the study uses genetic data to identify genetic diversity across the study area (Maine to Virginia), identify the number of populations in the study area, and determine the success of genetic assignment of individuals to sites of origin. Tissue samples were collected as blood, tail tips, toenails and shell shavings or scutes from 1,895 Wood Turtles. Most tissue samples were collected in 2015 and 2016; however, some collectors submitted tissue samples from tissue archived from previous collections with the earliest collection dated 2005. Tissue samples were genotyped at 16 microsatellite markers for 1,244 individuals. Genetic data were analyzed for genetic diversity (using HP-RARE, GENEPOP and GENALEX), allele frequency exact test (using GENEPOP), genetic clustering (using STRUCTURE), full siblings (using COLONY), and genetic assignment (using GENECLASS). Samples sizes ranged from 5 to 50 individuals (average n=17.4) collected from 62 sites. Unbiased allelic richness ranged from 3.4 to 6.2 (average 5.1), private alleles ranged from 0 to 0.3 (average 0.05), unbiased expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.5 to 0.7 (average = 0.6) and FIS ranged from -0.21 to 0.14 (average =0). FST ranged from 0 to 0.23 (average 0.07). Allele frequency exact tests identified significant pairwise differences between 91% of the sites. The Bayesian genetic clustering analysis indicated that there are likely 3 to 5 clusters with 4 clusters providing the most optimal clustering pattern in the data set. The major population groups identified were northern ME, Potomac, coastal MA and NJ/NY. Sites in PA and NH showed admixture with the neighboring clusters. The results indicate that clear genetic differences among populations (or subpopulations) are detectable across the study area. The Bayesian clustering analysis indicate that an island stepping-stone model describes the population genetic structure where sites are exchanging individuals with neighboring sites creating a gradation of genetic structure over the study area. Isolation by distance was significant for 2 of 3 clusters tested in Potomac and Maine/NH (p<0.01). The northern Maine cluster showed a similar pattern but was not significant for isolation by distance (p=0.17). Tests for full sibling families indicated a maximum distance between family members of 50 km. Genetic assignments indicated that 52% of individuals in the data set assigned correctly to the collection site. The genetic assignment was moderately successful with some sites providing relatively high (>75%) correct genetic assignment; however, assignment success using these markers varied across the sites/populations and, at some sites, correct assignment was relatively low (<50%) limiting the application of this method for management and enforcement for Wood Turtles confiscated from illegal harvest.
Divergence among arabica coffee genotypes for sensory quality

The production of specialty coffees is the main criterion to add value to the product. However, there is a lack of information regarding genetic variability of C. arabica for quality improvement. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic divergence among Coffee arabica genotypes regarding the potential cup quality, possible limitations and their potential use in breeding programs to improve quality. We evaluated 101 coffee genotypes from the Germplasm Active Bank of Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuaria de Minas Gerais, covering different groups of genealogical origin. A randomized block design was used with two replications. Sensory analysis of the beverage was performed by two tasters per sample (repetition), using the Cup of Excellence methodology enhanced by the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association. The attributes assessed were clean cup, sweetness, acidity, body, flavor, aftertaste, balance, overall and final score. K-means and Ward clustering methods were used to study the genotypes divergence. Based on sensory scores, the formed clusters differed with regards to all sensory characteristics (P ? 0.01). Three K-means clusters were formed among 40, 45 and 16 genotypes, with final average scores of 80.11, 83.17 and 87.56 points, respectively. Ninety percent of the genotypes evaluated have the genetic potential to produce specialty coffees. The observed divergence indicates the potential of genetic gains for quality and the Hibrido de Timor germplasm can be used for this purpose.
The influence of procrastination on the relationship between home-based telework and employee well-being Master thesis - Human Resource Studies

This research concerned the direct effects of home-based telework and procrastination on employee well-being, and the moderating influence of procrastination on the relationship between home-based telework and employee well-being. So far, research on these relationships has been limited and this study challenged the gap in existing literature. The study contains data of 1246 employees from eight organizations in the Netherlands. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Results show a significant positive effect of home-based telework on employee wellbeing (β=.150, sig<.01), which is strongest for high-intensity home-based teleworkers (β=.548, sig<.01). Also a significant negative effect of procrastination on employee well-being (β=-.255, sig<.01) is found. The moderating effect of procrastination on the relationship between home-based telework and employee well-being appears to be only significant for high-intensity home-based teleworkers (β=-.433, sig<.01). As the direct effect of home-based telework decreases till . 433 (sig<.01), there are indications that the positive effect of homebased telework on employee well-being disappears when high intensity home-based teleworkers procrastinate. This study shows the importance of the offering of home-based telework for employee well-being. Simultaneously, negative effects in terms of procrastination should be monitored.
Board 2: Preliminary Findings on Students’ Beliefs about Intelligence

The goal of this project is to better understand the beliefs that undergraduate students hold about their own intelligence and how these beliefs change during their undergraduate engineering education. The research team has used the theoretical framework established by Carol Dweck on Mindset and how different fixed and growth mindsets affect success. Fixed mindset individuals believe that their intelligence is an unchanging trait, while people with a growth mindset believe that through effort they can grow and develop greater intelligence. Prior researchers have shown that individuals with a growth mindset respond to challenges with higher levels of persistence, are more interested in improving upon past failures, and value criticism and effort more than those with a fixed mindset. The team developed an interview protocol from the theoretical framework. Then the team piloted the protocol and subsequently modified the protocol multiple times to ensure that the interviews provided rich qualitative data. Analytic memos were used to analyze and modify the piloted interview protocols. Once the final protocol was established, first-year and senior students were recruited to provide cross-sectional insight. The team also recruited using purposeful sampling to ensure that women and underrepresented minorities were included. To date, 19 interviews have been conducted with the final protocol. Of these interviews, four have been coded in detail using the “Attitudes, Values, and Beliefs” coding system. A codebook has also been started to categorize and interconnect the themes in the interview transcripts. This paper provides details of the protocol and coding process as well as preliminary findings on the themes extracted from the student interviews.
Intra/Extracellular Lactic Acid Exhaustion for Synergistic Metabolic Therapy and Immunotherapy of Tumors

Regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been a promising strategy to improve antitumor therapy. Here, a red blood cell membrane (mRBC)‐camouflaged hollow MnO2 (HMnO2) catalytic nanosystem embedded with lactate oxidase (LOX) and a glycolysis inhibitor (denoted as PMLR) is constructed for intra/extracellular lactic acid exhaustion as well as synergistic metabolic therapy and immunotherapy of tumor. Benefiting from the long‐circulation property of the mRBC, the nanosystem can gradually accumulate in a tumor site through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. The extracellular nanosystem consumes lactic acid in the TME by catalyzing its oxidation reaction via LOX. Meanwhile, the intracellular nanosystem releases the glycolysis inhibitor to cut off the source of lactic acid, as well as achieve antitumor metabolic therapy through the blockade of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) supply. Both the extracellular and intracellular processes can be sensitized by O2, which can be produced during the decomposition of endogenous H2O2 catalyzed by the PMLR nanosystem. The results show that the PMLR nanosystem can ceaselessly remove lactic acid, and then lead to an immunocompetent TME. Moreover, this TME regulation strategy can effectively improve the antitumor effect of anti‐PDL1 therapy without the employment of any immune agonists to avoid the autoimmunity.
The Oxford Handbook of Human Memory Memory Errors and Distortion

Human memory is prone to various kinds of errors and distortions, including misattribution (assigning a memory to the wrong source, resulting in such phenomena as false recognition), and suggestibility (memories that are implanted as a consequence of leading questions or misinformation). Here we review research on memory errors conducted during the past two decades. We organize our discussion around six major themes that we believe have emerged from, or have been strengthened by, recent research: 1) susceptibility to different kinds of memory distortions involves some common but largely distinct processes; 2) it is important to characterize subjective experiences associated with memory distortions; 3) sensory reactivation can distinguish between true and false memories under limited conditions; 4) memory specificity has multiple effects on memory distortion; 5) reactivation, recombination, and simulation processes can contribute to memory distortion; and 6) evidence is mounting in support of an adaptive perspective on memory distortion. We focus mainly on cognitive studies, but also discuss neuroimaging research when it is relevant to one of our main themes. We argue that the study of memory errors has made significant advances during the past two decades, and that these advances have contributed importantly to our understanding of memory as a fundamentally constructive process.
Validation of methodology for assay, pharmaceutical equivalence, and comparative dissolution profile for tablets containing amlodipine besylate

The amlodipine besylate is indicated as a first choice in the treatment of hypertension. Many similar and generic drug products companies were able to bring out to the market dosage forms containing amlodipine besylate with lower prices. In this context, the aim of this work was to validate a simple method for the determination of amlodipine content in tablets by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and to perform pharmaceutical equivalence and dissolution profile studies for three similar and one generic drug products and their respective innovator tablet containing amlodipine (5 mg). The developed method for the determination of amlodipine content proved to be linear, precise, accurate, robust, and appropriate for employment in the quality control of tablets containing amlodipine besylate. The reference (R), similar (S1, S2, and S3), and generic (G) drug products all fulfilled the specifications for the tests of identification, average weight, hardness, friability, disintegration, drug content, content uniformity, and dissolution. However, in comparative dissolution profile studies, the dissolution efficiency of products G and S2 was statistically different from product R, which may indirectly lead to the unsuitable bioavailability and therapeutic inefficacy. Thus, there is a need for tighter legislation and inspection regarding the quality of pharmaceutical products already on the market.
Mediterranean landscapes and plant communities relationship

From a previous landscape classification of Huelva by the Twinspan multivariate classification method, which resulted in eight landscape types, it has been proposed the hypothesis that there is a landscape types-plant communities association. The study was performed on samples of serial scrub communities, by means of a stratified sampling between landscape types. These samples were classified using both phytosociological and Twinspan methods. Through an independent process of synthesis of landscape types and community types (according to Twinspan classification), the possible association between landscapes and communities has been analysed. This analysis has been carried out by two-way contingency table between five landscape units and five plant communities. The null hypothesis that both descriptors were independent has been rejected. On the basis of the appropriate global correspondence between phytosociologic and multivariate plant community classifications, a study of the plant community variation, in accordance with the ecological characterization of the identified syntaxa, has been developed. From it has been concluded the more important role of parent material than climate variables to explain this variation. This conclusion is in agreement with the assigned role to each of them in the biogeographic scope, according to the scale of the study.
The Effect of Exchange Rate Volatility on Foreign Direct Investment and Portfolio Flows to Thailand Miss Chonnikarn Aranyarat

This paper aims to empirically examine the question of whether or not exchange rate risk impacts the overall flows of foreign direct investment (FDI), FDI at sector level, and portfolio flows at firmspecific level to Thailand. To analyze the effect on FDI, this paper conducts time-series model by regressing the exchange rate risk on the overall FDI and FDI at industry level. The results, based on monthly data from 2001 to 2009, suggest that exchange rate risk is statistically significant for machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, food and sugar, finance institutions, mining and quarry, petroleum products, and services industries. As expected, FDI responsiveness to exchange rate risk varies across industries as different industries expose to exchange rate risk differently. As for the link between exchange rate risk and foreign portfolio flows to Thailand. This study employs panel data analysis in order to estimate the model of foreign portfolio investment at firmlevel. Based on monthly data covering the year 2005 to 2009, the results reveal that the relationship between exchange rate risk and foreign portfolio investment is negative indicating that high exchange rate risk lowers each firm-specific foreign portfolio flows to Thailand.
Sweet success? Managing yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila) with grazing attractants in dairy pastures.

Yellow bristle grass (YBG) is a summer-active grass weed which is rapidly spreading in dairy pastures in the North Island. Different grazing attractants were applied to Waikato dairy pastures at the end of January and February. Cows responded to attractants containing molasses (foliar applied or pellets), but not to coarse agricultural salt or sugar. There was less pasture dry matter, less YBG cover and more bare ground in the pellets treatment. There was also less pasture dry matter, more bare ground and fewer YBG tillers with seedheads in the foliar applied molasses treatment. By April, ryegrass and other species had filled bare areas and YBG cover was least in the pellets treatment. These preliminary results suggest that pellets may provide a cost-effective and easy to apply tool which can reduce seed-producing YBG plants. Care needs to be taken that YBG seeds are not spread via dung into clean paddocks and further measurements will be required to validate its long-term effectiveness.
An ACO-based discrete and continuous optimisation algorithm for optimising multi-level truss topological design

: Topological design truss problems are known to be difficult to solve to optimality, partly due to the inaccuracies of computational strategies to evaluate the impact of external forces acting on a specific edge (truss), which can have significant resultant effect on other trusses, through the individual vertices (node) and the magnitude of these resultant effects are difficult to accurately estimate due to the damping effect of the vertices (nodes). Besides, the largeness of the search space can be an issue, which can only be resolved with superior computational power and strategies. The complexities of these problems becomes exponentially larger when it involves multi-level hierarchies. This paper proposes a variant of ant-colony metaheuristic algorithm (ACO). The proposed algorithm includes a local search metaheuristic. In this algorithm, the ACO will be used exploitatively to identify high performance area of the search field, through the continuous interactions between the search agents (ants) and then using the local search algorithms, such as hill-climber to localise the search solutions. The feasibility of the structure of each combinatorial solutions, i.e. the discrete options and the corresponding continuous design variables will be evaluated using the Grubler’s criteria (degree of freedom), to determine the kinematic stability i.e. the statistical and dynamic balancing of a solution (structure). From the computer simulation results, it has been shown that the proposed algorithm can be used simultaneously, in searching across multi-level hierarchies for solving trust topological design problems with both the discrete and continuous design parameters within a given set of constraints. It is effective and more efficient than the existing algorithms such as GA for the similar problems.
Drama students with and without vocal complaint: vocal health and hygiene data, symptoms and voice handicap

Purpose: To gather information about vocal health and hygiene, voice symptoms, and voice handicap from drama students with and without vocal complaints. Methods: A total of 57 drama students participated of this study. They were divided into two groups: no vocal complaints group (NCG), with 39 students; and with vocal complaints group (WCG), with 18 students. The participants answered to three self-assessment protocols: 1. Vocal Health and Hygiene Questionnaire (VHHQ), 2. Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS); and 3. Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10). Results: No difference was observed between groups related to the knowledge of vocal health and hygiene. The drama students from the WCG presented higher scores, more voice symptoms in all subscales of the VoiSS, and more voice handicap, e.g,higher VHI-10 scores than the NCG. The more knowledge on vocal health and hygiene (VHHQ total score) was followed by less voice symptoms, which represents lower scores in the VoiSS total score and, in emotional domain, and it was only perceived voice handicap (VHI-10 total score) in the NCG. Conclusion: There was no difference in knowledge of vocal health and hygiene among drama students with and without vocal complaints. However, drama students with vocal complaints presented more voice symptoms and reported greater perception of voice handicap, which was negatively correlated with knowledge of vocal health and hygiene.
EyeChess: A Tutorial for Endgames with Gaze- Controlled Pieces

The EyeChess software generates a virtual chessboard with the standard configuration of 8 by 8 squares (Figure 1). A square is 64 by 64 pixels in size. The chessboard thus occupies a screen area of 512 by 512 pixels. The 32 chess pieces have a dot in the center to facilitate gaze focus; otherwise, they have a common appearance. For the same purpose, the squares on the chessboard are also labeled with dots. The taken pieces appear in the frame on the right. The field above the chessboard is used for providing instructions and other information.
Genetic variation in HTR 2 A influences serotonin transporter binding potential as measured using PET and [ 11 C ] DASB

In a previous study we showed that genetic variation in HTR2A, which encodes the serotonin 2A receptor, influenced outcome of citalopram treatment in patients with major depressive disorder. Since chronic administration of citalopram, which selectively and potently inhibits the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), putatively enhances serotonergic transmission, it is conceivable that genetic variation within HTR2A also influences pretreatment 5-HTT function or serotonergic transmission. The present study used positron emission tomography (PET) and the selective 5-HTT ligand, [C]DASB, to investigate whether the HTR2A marker alleles that predict treatment outcome also predict differences in 5-HTT binding. Brain levels of 5-HTT were assessed in vivo using PET measures of the non-displaceable component of the [C]DASB binding potential (BPND). DNA from 43 patients and healthy volunteers, all unmedicated, was genotyped with 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms located within or around HTR2A. Allelic association with BPND was assessed in eight brain regions, with covariates to control for race and ethnicity. We detected allelic association between [C]DASB BPND in thalamus and three markers in a region spanning the 3k untranslated region and second intron of HTR2A (rs7333412, p=0.000045 ; rs7997012, p=0.000086 ; rs977003, p=0.000069). The association signal at rs7333412 remained significant (p<0.05) after applying corrections for multiple testing via permutation. Genetic variation in HTR2A that was previously associated with citalopram treatment outcomewas also associated with thalamic 5-HTT binding.While further work is needed to identify the actual functional genetic variants involved, these results suggest that a relationship exists between genetic variation in HTR2A and either 5-HTT expression or central serotonergic transmission that influences the therapeutic response to 5-HTT inhibition in major depression. Received 14 April 2009 ; Revised 22 September 2009 ; Accepted 29 October 2009
A metadynamics perspective on the reduction mechanism of the Pt(IV) asplatin prodrug

Enhanced sampling molecular dynamics has been used to model the reduction mechanism of the antitumoral Asplatin Pt(IV) complex, c,c,t‐[PtCl2(NH3)2(OH)(aspirin)] in the presence of l‐ascorbic acid as reducing agent. In order to overcome the timescale problem, characteristic of many chemical reactions, we enhanced the sampling of the free energy landscape using Metadynamics. To achieve such a goal, the selection of adequate collective variables is crucial for the application of the method. Recently, a new method called Multi‐Class Harmonic Linear Discriminant Analysis (MC‐HLDA) has been proposed as a tool for constructing collective variables (CVs) for complex chemical processes. The method reduces the dimensionality of the variable space by generating appropriate linear combinations of several relevant chemical descriptors. The aim of this work is to assess the ability and performance of this method in describing the fundamental features of complex chemical reactions such as the Asplatin reduction mechanism in a compact, simple, and physically transparent manner. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.