Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and attractiveness of zinc phosphide bait in common voles (Microtus arvalis).

BACKGROUND Minimising the concentration of active ingredient in rodenticide bait is desirable economically and for the protection of the agroecosystem. This study aimed to identify a zinc phosphide concentration that balances palatability and efficacy for common vole (Microtus arvalis Pall.) management and to compare the attractiveness of two bait carriers. RESULTS Bait uptake of voles was reduced by 87-98% compared with plain bait when bait contained 0.4-3.2% zinc phosphide. There was an almost 50% decrease in the uptake of zinc phosphide when the zinc phosphide concentration of bait was doubled. Red dye used in commercially available bait decreased bait consumption by 10%. Daily consumption of zinc phosphide bait on days 2 to 5 was half the consumption on the first day of exposure. In bait choice tests, wheat kernels were preferred initially, but within 12 h similar amounts of wheat-based pellets and wheat kernels were eaten. CONCLUSIONS According to the results from the laboratory trial, a zinc phosphide concentration of 2.1% seemed to balance uptake/efficacy best and may be most appropriate for the management of common vole populations. This concentration is substantially lower than the concentration used in many registered products. A reduced concentration of active ingredient and the use of pellet bait instead of wheat which is highly attractive for birds may have advantages for agroecosystem health when applying zinc phosphide for rodent control.
Pain management in fibromyalgia

Purpose of reviewPain is the primary presenting symptom in the vast majority of inflammatory and noninflammatory rheumatic diseases. Patients tell us that improved pain relief is a principal concern. Many pain complaints respond incompletely to the treatment of the primary rheumatic disorder and pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia do not respond to traditional analgesic medications. Therefore, proper management requires consideration of additional medications for symptomatic relief. This review addresses newer strategies for the treatment of pain in patients with fibromyalgia that may be also useful in patients with other rheumatic diseases. Recent findingsNew medications have been developed with a better understanding of chronic pain mechanisms that principally address pain neurobiology at the levels of the spinal cord and the brain. Clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the alpha-2-delta ligands (gabapentin and pregabalin) and the norepinephrine/serotonin reuptake inhibitors (duloxetine and milnacipran) in fibromyalgia. SummaryPatients with chronic pain, best classified as fibromyalgia, either primary or in association with other rheumatic disorders, may experience benefit from new therapies targeting central pain mechanisms.
Perception of Face Parts and Face Configurations: An fMRI Study

fMRI studies have reported three regions in human ventral visual cortex that respond selectively to faces: the occipital face area (OFA), the fusiform face area (FFA), and a face-selective region in the superior temporal sulcus (fSTS). Here, we asked whether these areas respond to two first-order aspects of the face argued to be important for face perception, face parts (eyes, nose, and mouth), and the T-shaped spatial configuration of these parts. Specifically, we measured the magnitude of response in these areas to stimuli that (i) either contained real face parts, or did not, and (ii) either had veridical face configurations, or did not. The OFA and the fSTS were sensitive only to the presence of real face parts, not to the correct configuration of those parts, whereas the FFA was sensitive to both face parts and face configuration. Further, only in the FFA was the response to configuration and part information correlated across voxels, suggesting that the FFA contains a unified representation that includes both kinds of information. In combination with prior results from fMRI, TMS, MEG, and patient studies, our data illuminate the functional division of labor in the OFA, FFA, and fSTS.
Lactulose and Lactobacillus plantarum, a Potential Complementary Synbiotic To Control Postweaning Colibacillosis in Piglets

ABSTRACT The potential of a prebiotic oligosaccharide lactulose, a probiotic strain of Lactobacillus plantarum, or their synbiotic combination to control postweaning colibacillosis in pigs was evaluated using an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 oral challenge. Seventy-two weanlings were fed four diets: a control diet (CTR), that diet supplemented with L. plantarum (2 × 1010 CFU · day−1) (LPN), that diet supplemented with 10 g · kg−1 lactulose (LAC), or a combination of the two treatments (SYN). After 7 days, the pigs were orally challenged. Six pigs per treatment were euthanized on days 6 and 10 postchallenge (PC). Inclusion of lactulose improved the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05) and increased lactobacilli (P < 0.05) and the percentage of butyric acid (P < 0.02) in the colon. An increase in the ileum villous height (P < 0.05) and a reduction of the pig major acute-phase protein (Pig-MAP) in serum (P < 0.01) were observed also. The inclusion of the probiotic increased numbers of L. plantarum bacteria in the ileum and colon (P < 0.05) and in the total lactobacilli in the colon and showed a trend to reduce diarrhea (P = 0.09). The concentrations of ammonia in ileal and colonic digesta were decreased (P < 0.05), and the villous height (P < 0.01) and number of ileal goblet cells (P < 0.05) increased, at day 10 PC. A decrease in plasmatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P < 0.01) was also seen. The positive effects of the two additives were combined in the SYN treatment, resulting in a complementary synbiotic with potential to be used to control postweaning colibacillosis.
The p21-activated kinase Mbt is a component of the apical protein complex in central brain neuroblasts and controls cell proliferation

The final size of the central nervous system is determined by precisely controlled generation, proliferation and death of neural stem cells. We show here that the Drosophila PAK protein Mushroom bodies tiny (Mbt) is expressed in central brain progenitor cells (neuroblasts) and becomes enriched to the apical cortex of neuroblasts in a cell cycle- and Cdc42-dependent manner. Using mushroom body neuroblasts as a model system, we demonstrate that in the absence of Mbt function, neuroblasts and their progeny are correctly specified and are able to generate different neuron subclasses as in the wild type, but are impaired in their proliferation activity throughout development. In general, loss of Mbt function does not interfere with establishment or maintenance of cell polarity, orientation of the mitotic spindle and organization of the actin or tubulin cytoskeleton in central brain neuroblasts. However, we show that mbt mutant neuroblasts are significantly reduced in cell size during different stages of development, which is most pronounced for mushroom body neuroblasts. This phenotype correlates with reduced mitotic activity throughout development. Additionally, postembryonic neuroblasts are lost prematurely owing to apoptosis. Yet, preventing apoptosis did not rescue the loss of neurons seen in the adult mushroom body of mbt mutants. From these results, we conclude that Mbt is part of a regulatory network that is required for neuroblast growth and thereby allows proper proliferation of neuroblasts throughout development.
LFSR-based test-data compression with self-stoppable seeds

The main disadvantage of LFSR-based compression is that it should be usually combined with a constrained ATPG process, and, as a result, it cannot be effectively applied to IP cores of unknown structure. In this paper, a new LFSR-based compression approach that overcomes this problem is proposed. The proposed method allows each LFSR seed to encode as many slices as possible. For achieving this, a special purpose slice, called stop-slice, that indicates the end of a seed's usage is encoded as the last slice of each seed. Thus, the seeds include by construction the information of where they should stop and, for that reason, we call them self-stoppable. A stop-slice generation procedure is proposed that exploits the inherent test set characteristics and generates stop slices which impose minimum compression overhead. Moreover, the architecture for implementing the proposed technique requires negligible additional hardware overhead compared to the standard LFSR-based architecture. The proposed technique is also accompanied by a seed calculation algorithm that tries to minimize the number of calculated seeds.
Acoustic simultaneous localization and mapping (A-SLAM) of a moving microphone array and its surrounding speakers

Acoustic scene mapping creates a representation of positions of audio sources such as talkers within the surrounding environment of a microphone array. By allowing the array to move, the acoustic scene can be explored in order to improve the map. Furthermore, the spatial diversity of the kinematic array allows for estimation of the source-sensor distance in scenarios where source directions of arrival are measured. As sound source localization is performed relative to the array position, mapping of acoustic sources requires knowledge of the absolute position of the microphone array in the room. If the array is moving, its absolute position is unknown in practice. Hence, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) is required in order to localize the microphone array position and map the surrounding sound sources. In realistic environments, microphone arrays receive a convolutive mixture of direct-path speech signals, noise and reflections due to reverberation. A key challenge of Acoustic SLAM (a-SLAM) is robustness against reverberant clutter measurements and missing source detections. This paper proposes a novel bearing-only a-SLAM approach using a Single-Cluster Probability Hypothesis Density filter. Results demonstrate convergence to accurate estimates of the array trajectory and source positions.
Oral approach-avoidance: a replication and extension for European–Portuguese phonation

Previous research revealed that mouth movements influence attitudes. Covert subvocal articulations inducing muscular contractions resembling ingestion movements were preferred over expectoration-like movements, unveiling a relationship between vocal muscles' wandering and motivational states such as approach and avoidance. These findings, explained in terms of embodied cognition, suggest that specific movements are directly connected to, and more importantly, automatically activate concordant motivational states. The oral approach-avoidance effect was replicated using the original stimulus set and a new set of stimulus developed for Portuguese. Results from two high-powered (total N = 407), independent replications, revealed that the preference for inward words (over outwards) exists in both sets but to a greater extent in the pool phonetically adapted for Portuguese.
DRDP: A DDoS-Resilient Data Pricing Mechanism

The scale of mobile applications, as well as the connecting users is developing with a dramatical speed. In the meantime, a heavy capacity burden has been posed to the Internet Service Provider (ISP). As a promising countermeasure, congestion-dependent pricing mechanisms are thereby proposed. Nevertheless, when facing the threats of extreme traffic oscillation and the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, none of the previous pricing models works adequately. This letter presents DDoS-Resilient Data Pricing (DRDP), a novel congestion-aware pricing mechanism that provides accurate price announcement even under severe traffic fluctuation and economic resilience against link-flooding attacks. We employ border gateway protocol in the process of price dissemination, making DRDP a practical scheme to deploy. In the light of DRDP, both high ISP profits and customer satisfaction can be achieved at the same time. We further verify the effectiveness of DRDP with comprehensive network experiments.
Mapping Gray Matter Development: Implications for Typical Development and Vulnerability to Psychopathology

Recent studies with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have scanned large numbers of children and adolescents repeatedly over time, as their brains develop, tracking volumetric changes in gray and white matter in remarkable detail. Focusing on gray matter changes specifically, here we explain how earlier studies using lobar volumes of specific anatomical regions showed how different lobes of the brain matured at different rates. With the advent of more sophisticated brain mapping methods, it became possible to chart the dynamic trajectory of cortical maturation using detailed 3D and 4D (dynamic) models, showing spreading waves of changes evolving through the cortex. This led to a variety of time-lapse films revealing characteristic deviations from normal development in schizophrenia, bipolar illness, and even in siblings at genetic risk for these disorders. We describe how these methods have helped clarify how cortical development relates to cognitive performance, functional recovery or decline in illness, and ongoing myelination processes. These time-lapse maps have also been used to study effects of genotype and medication on cortical maturation, presenting a powerful framework to study factors that influence the developing brain. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Behavior of Confined Columns under Different Techniques

— Since columns are the most important elements of the structures, failure of one column in a critical location can cause a progressive collapse. In this respect, the repair and strengthening of columns is a very important subject to reduce the building failure and to keep the columns capacity. Twenty columns with different parameters is tested and analysis. Eleven typical confined reinforced concrete (RC) columns with different types of techniques are assessment. And also, four confined concrete columns with plastic tube (PVC) are tested with and with four paralleling tested of unconfined plain concrete. The techniques of confined RC columns are mortar strengthening, Steel rings strengthening, FRP strengthening. Moreover, the technique of confined plain concrete (PC) column is used PVC tubes. The columns are tested under uniaxial compressive loads studied the effect of confinement on the structural behavior of circular RC columns. Test results for each column are presented in the form of crack patterns, stress-strain curves. Test results show that confining of the RC columns using different techniques of strengthening results significant improvement of the general behavior of the columns and can used in construction. And also, tested confined PC columns with PVC tubes results shown that the confined PC with PVC tubes can be used in economical building. The theoretical model for predicted column capacity is founded with experimental factor depends on the confined techniques used and the strain reduction. time. The design recommendations provided by fib for columns of circular and noncircular cross sections are based on the model proposed by Spoelstra and Monti[11]. From previous discussion, it can be concluded that the calculated confined compressive strength only depends on the experimental data. In the paper, studied the different techniques can be used in construction and applied theoretical equation is done [12]. in concrete reinforced concrete elements. find theoretical model for prediction the strength of confinement concrete. the nano-particles and used in construction on directions.
Young Deceivers: Executive Functioning and Antisocial Lie‐telling in Preschool Aged Children

The present study examined the emergence of antisocial lie-telling in very young children. Lie-telling was studied in relation to executive functioning skills and children's abilities to identify both truths and lies. A total of 65 children (Mage in months = 31.75, SD = 1.87) participated in a modified temptation resistance paradigm (TRP; designed to elicit spontaneous lies). Executive functioning was measured through an inhibitory control task and a forward search planning task. The Truth/Lie Identification task was administered (Lyon, Carrick, & Quas, 2010) to measure children's abilities to accurately distinguish truths and lies. During the TRP, a total of 89.23% children peeked at the toy when a research assistant left the room, and of those children, 29.31% lied to the research assistant. Significant differences on executive functioning measures were found between lie-tellers and confessors, as well as for the Truth/Lie Identification task. Lie-tellers had higher scores on measures of inhibitory control and forward search planning. Lie-tellers also had higher accuracy on the Truth/Lie Identification task than confessors. This study provides a unique contribution to the literature by examining 2.5-year-old children's emerging lie-telling abilities, a relatively understudied age during which fledgling lie-telling emerges. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Augmentation of the in vitro activity of azlocillin against Bacteroides fragilis by clavulanic acid

Azlocillin was active against 90% of 154 strains of Bacteroides fragilis at a concentration of 64 micrograms/ml. Twenty-eight strains of B. fragilis with an azlocillin MIC of greater than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml were retested with a combination of azlocillin plus clavulanic acid. Of these strains, 71% showed a 4- to 32-fold decrease in the MIC of azlocillin plus clavulanic acid.
A Mechanistic Basis for the Coordinated Regulation of Pharyngeal Morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans by LIN-35/Rb and UBC-18–ARI-1

Genetic redundancy, whereby two genes carry out seemingly overlapping functions, may in large part be attributable to the intricacy and robustness of genetic networks that control many developmental processes. We have previously described a complex set of genetic interactions underlying foregut development in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Specifically, LIN-35/Rb, a tumor suppressor ortholog, in conjunction with UBC-18–ARI-1, a conserved E2/E3 complex, and PHA-1, a novel protein, coordinately regulates an early step of pharyngeal morphogenesis involving cellular re-orientation. Functional redundancy is indicated by the observation that lin-35; ubc-18 double mutants, as well as certain allelic combinations of pha-1 with either lin-35 or ubc-18, display defects in pharyngeal development, whereas single mutants do not. Using a combination of genetic and molecular analyses, we show that sup-35, a strong recessive suppressor of pha-1–associated lethality, also reverts the synthetic lethality of lin-35; ubc-18, lin-35; pha-1, and ubc-18 pha-1 double mutants. SUP-35, which contains C2H2-type Zn-finger domains as well as a conserved RMD-like motif, showed a dynamic pattern of subcellular localization during embryogenesis. We find that mutations in sup-35 specifically suppress hypomorphic alleles of pha-1 and that SUP-35, acting genetically upstream of SUP-36 and SUP-37, negatively regulates pha-1 transcription. We further demonstrate that LIN-35, a transcriptional repressor, and UBC-18–ARI-1, a complex involved in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, negatively regulate SUP-35 abundance through distinct mechanisms. We also show that HCF-1, a C. elegans homolog of host cell factor 1, functionally antagonizes LIN-35 in the regulation of sup-35. Our cumulative findings piece together the components of a novel regulatory network that includes LIN-35/Rb, which functions to control organ morphogenesis. Our results also shed light on general mechanisms that may underlie developmental genetic redundancies as well as principles that may govern complex disease traits.
Psychosocial Analysis of Cancer Survivors in Rural Australia: Focus on Demographics, Quality of Life and Financial Domains.

BACKGROUND Cancer treatments can have long-term physical, psychological, financial, sexual and cognitive effects that may influence the quality of life. These can vary from urban to rural areas, survival period and according to the type of cancer. We here aimed to describe demographics and psychosocial analysis of cancer survivors three to five years post-treatment in rural Australia and also assess relationships with financial stress and quality of life domains. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 65 participants visiting the outpatient oncology clinic were given a self-administered questionnaire. The inclusion criteria included three to five years post-treatment. Three domains were investigated using standardised and validated tools such as the Standard Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors Scale (QLACS) and the Personal and Household Finances (HILDA) survey. Included were demographic parameters, quality of life, treatment information and well-being. RESULTS There was no evidence of associations between any demographic variable and either financial stress or cancer-specific quality of life domains. Financial stress was however significantly associated with the cancer-specific quality of life domains of appearance-related concerns, family related distress, and distress related to recurrence. CONCLUSIONS This unique study effectively points to psychosocial aspects of cancer survivors in rural regions of Australia. Although the majority of demographic characteristics were not been found to be associated with financial stress, this latter itself is significantly associated with distress related to family and cancer recurrence. This finding may be of assistance in future studies and also considering plans to fulfil unmet needs.
The action competence approach and the ‘new’ discourses of education for sustainable development, competence and quality criteria

Action competence has been a key concept in educational circles in Denmark since the 1980s. This paper explores the relationship between the action competence approach and recent discourses of education for sustainable development (ESD), competence and quality criteria. First we argue that action competence is an educational ideal, referring to the German notion of ‘Bildung’ and that the very essence of action competence can be derived from the notion of ‘action’. Second we emphasise that a particular focus must be put on education, when ESD is seen through the lens of the action competence approach. Next we suggest that the interpretation of ‘competence’ differs substantially in this approach from those connected to individualistic‐oriented Human Resource Management theory, while some similarities and differences can be found in relation to subject‐oriented notions of competence and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development‐promoted DeSeCo (Definition and Selection of Competencies) perspective. Finally, we argue that quality criteria that are in concert with the action competence approach should: focus on enhancement of teaching and learning; reflect the democratic values that ESD seeks to promote; be co‐elaborated by the relevant stakeholders; and foment institutional as well as individual learning and, thereby, instantiate the Bildung perspective embedded throughout this approach.