Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resilience and sexual health among menopausal women: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objectives: Resilience can be defined as the capacity to overcome stressful situations, such as menopausal transition. Female sexual dysfunction is a problem that prevents women from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity. In this study, we assessed resilience, sexual function, and quality of life among a sample of mid-aged Spanish menopausal women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 101 symptomatic menopausal women. Participants filled out the 14-item Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale, the 19-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the 16-item Cervantes-SF form, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Resilience scores were significantly higher among women with high sexual function scores (FSFI > 26), with a 14-item Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale total valuation of 86 [80-94] versus 74 [66-79.50] (P<0.001). Sexual function was significantly worse in the low resilience subgroup of participants, with an FSFI total score of 18.90 [14.10-24] versus 29.40 [24.60-33] in the mid-high resilience one (P<0.001). Menopauserelated quality of life was significantly worse among low resilient women, with a Cervantes-SF total score of 42.50 [34.17-56.70] versus 30.80 [20.80-44.90] in the mid-high resilience one (P = 0.004). Conclusions: In our sample, resilience was related to sexual health. Higher resilience scores seem to be linked to a better quality of life during the menopausal transition.
Comparative evaluation of the sedative and physiological effects of medetomidine alone and in combination with pethidine, morphine, tramadol, and methadone in goats

Abstract Background The use of combinations of α2‐adrenergic agonists and opioids has been published as providing superior sedation than either drug alone. Introduction The present study aims to compare the sedative and physiological effects of intravenous (IV) administration of medetomidine alone and in combination with methadone, morphine, tramadol, and pethidine in goats. Methods Ten healthy goats aged 12 ± 3 months and weight of 22 ± 4 kg were used in an experimental, crossover (Latin square), randomized, and blinded study. The animals were assigned to five IV treatments with a minimum washout period of 8 days between treatments: medetomidine (20 μg kg−1), medetomidine/methadone (0.5 mg kg−1), medetomidine/morphine (0.5 mg kg−1), medetomidine/tramadol (5 mg kg−1), and medetomidine/pethidine (1 mg kg−1). Results Clinical adverse effects such as tremors (facial and generalized), bruxism, nystagmus, mydriasis, and vocalization were presented in all the medetomidine/opioid treatments. Clinical adverse effects were observed at 10–90 minutes in medetomidine/opioid treatments. Animals in all treatments were sedated at 5–90 minutes. Sedation was significantly higher in medetomidine/opioid treatments than in medetomidine at 15–30 minutes after administration (P < 0.05). In all treatments, heart rate and respiratory rate significantly decreased from baseline at 5–105 and 30–60 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference in heart and respiratory rates between different treatments at any time point. Ruminal motility was decreased in medetomidine and medetomidine/opioid treatments at 10–75 and 10–105 minutes, respectively. Compared with medetomidine, ruminal motility was significantly lower in medetomidine/opioid treatments at 75–105 minutes. Conclusion The use of combinations of medetomidine/opioids would be considered for superior sedation at 15–30 minutes after administration in goats. No significant differences were detected among opioids in combination with medetomidine in goats.
The spectrum of renal diseases with lupus-like features: a single-center study

Abstract Background A subset of patients without overt systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) present with biopsy findings typically seen in lupus nephritis (LN). Although a minority eventually develops SLE, many do not. It remains unclear how to classify or treat these patients. Our study attempted to further understand the clinical and pathological characteristics of cases with lupus-like nephritis (LLN). Methods Among 2700 native kidney biopsies interpreted at University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) from 2010 to 2019, we identified 27 patients with biopsies showing lupus-like features (LL-fx) and 96 with LN. Of those with LL-fx, 17 were idiopathic LLN and 10 were associated with a secondary etiology (e.g., infection/drugs). Results At the time of biopsy, the LLN-group tended to be slightly older (44 vs. 35), male (58.8 vs. 17.7%, p = .041), and Caucasian (47.0 vs. 28.1%, p = .005). Chronic kidney disease was the most common biopsy indication in LLN (21.4 vs. 2.8%, p = .001). Both LN and LLN presented with nephrotic-range proteinuria (mean 5.73 vs. 4.40 g/d), and elevated serum creatinine (mean 1.66 vs. 1.47 mg/dL). Tubuloreticular inclusions (TRIs; p < .001) and fibrous crescents (p = .04) were more often seen in LN, while more tubulointerstitial scarring was seen in LLN (p = .011). At mean follow-up of 1684 d (range: 31–4323), none of the LLN patients developed ESRD. A subset of both LN and cases with LL-fx overlapped with other autoimmune diseases. Conclusions Lupus-like pathologic features are seen in a wide array of disease processes. The findings suggest that LLN may be a manifestation of an autoimmune process that overlaps with SLE.
Digital restoration of the pectoral girdles of two Early Cretaceous birds and implications for early-flight evolution

The morphology of the pectoral girdle, the skeletal structure connecting the wing to the body, is a key determinant of flight capability, but in some respects is poorly known among stem birds. Here, the pectoral girdles of the Early Cretaceous birds Sapeornis and Piscivorenantiornis are reconstructed for the first time based on computed tomography and three-dimensional visualization, revealing key morphological details that are important for our understanding of early-flight evolution. Sapeornis exhibits a double articulation system (widely present in non-enantiornithine pennaraptoran theropods including crown birds), which involves, alongside the main scapula-coracoid joint, a small subsidiary joint, though variation exists with respect to the shape and size of the main and subsidiary articular contacts in non-enantiornithine pennaraptorans. This double articulation system contrasts with Piscivorenantiornis in which a spatially restricted scapula-coracoid joint is formed by a single set of opposing articular surfaces, a feature also present in other members of Enantiornithines, a major clade of stem birds known only from the Cretaceous. The unique single articulation system may reflect correspondingly unique flight behavior in enantiornithine birds, but this hypothesis requires further investigation from a functional perspective. Our renderings indicate that both Sapeornis and Piscivorenantiornis had a partially closed triosseal canal (a passage for muscle tendon that plays a key role in raising the wing), and our study suggests that this type of triosseal canal occurred in all known non-euornithine birds except Archaeopteryx, representing a transitional stage in flight apparatus evolution before the appearance of a fully closed bony triosseal canal as in modern birds. Our study reveals additional lineage-specific variations in pectoral girdle anatomy, as well as significant modification of the pectoral girdle along the line to crown birds. These modifications produced diverse pectoral girdle morphologies among Mesozoic birds, which allowed a commensurate range of capability levels and styles to emerge during the early evolution of flight.
Species Persistence with Hybridization in Toad-Headed Lizards Driven by Divergent Selection and Low Recombination

Abstract Speciation plays a central role in evolutionary studies, and particularly how reproductive isolation (RI) evolves. The origins and persistence of RI are distinct processes that require separate evaluations. Treating them separately clarifies the drivers of speciation and then it is possible to link the processes to understand large-scale patterns of diversity. Recent genomic studies have focused predominantly on how species or RI originate. However, we know little about how species persist in face of gene flow. Here, we evaluate a contact zone of two closely related toad-headed lizards (Phrynocephalus) using a chromosome-level genome assembly and population genomics. To some extent, recent asymmetric introgression from Phrynocephalus putjatai to P. vlangalii reduces their genomic differences. However, their highly divergent regions (HDRs) have heterogeneous distributions across the genomes. Functional gene annotation indicates that many genes within HDRs are involved in reproduction and RI. Compared with allopatric populations, contact areas exhibit recent divergent selection on the HDRs and a lower population recombination rate. Taken together, this implies that divergent selection and low genetic recombination help maintain RI. This study provides insights into the genomic mechanisms that drive RI and two species persistence in the face of gene flow during the late stage of speciation.
Targeting HDACs of apicomplexans: structural insights for a better treatment

Abstract Abstract Aetiologic agents of diseases such as malaria and toxoplasmosis are found in representatives of the phylum Apicomplexa. Therefore, apicomplexan parasites are known to have a significant impact on public health. Epigenetic factors such as histone acetylation/deacetylation are among the main mechanisms of gene regulation in these parasites. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have aroused a great deal of interest over the past 20 years for being promising targets in the development of drugs for treating several diseases such as cancer. In addition, they have also been shown to be effective for parasitic diseases. However, little is known about the structure of these proteins, as well as their interactions with specific ligands. In this paper, we modelled 14 HDACs from different apicomplexan parasites and performed molecular docking with 12 ligands analogous to the HDAC inhibitors FR235222 and apicidin, which had previously been tested against Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. In this in silico study, we were able to gather relevant structural data regarding these proteins as well as insights into protein–ligand interactions for testing and developing drugs for these diseases.
Retinal Cell Transplantation, Biomaterials, and In Vitro Models for Developing Next-generation Therapies of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells grown on a scaffold, an RPE patch, have potential to ameliorate visual impairment in a limited number of retinal degenerative conditions. This tissue-replacement therapy is suited for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and related diseases. RPE cells must be transplanted before the disease reaches a point of no return, represented by the loss of photoreceptors. Photoreceptors are specialized, terminally differentiated neurosensory cells that must interact with RPE’s apical processes to be functional. Human photoreceptors are not known to regenerate. On the RPE’s basal side, the RPE transplant must induce the reformation of the choriocapillaris, thereby re-establishing the outer blood-retinal barrier. Because the scaffold is positioned between the RPE and choriocapillaris, it should ideally degrade and be replaced by the natural extracellular matrix that separates these tissues. Besides biodegradable, the scaffolds need to be nontoxic, thin enough to not affect the focal length of the eye, strong enough to survive the transplant procedure, yet flexible enough to conform to the curvature of the retina. The challenge is patients with progressing AMD treasure their remaining vision and fear that a risky surgical procedure will further degrade their vision. Accordingly, clinical trials only treat eyes with severe impairment that have few photoreceptors to interact with the transplanted patch. Although safety has been demonstrated, the cell-replacement mechanism and efficacy remain difficult to validate. This review covers the structure of the retina, the pathology of AMD, the limitations of cell therapy approaches, and the recent progress in developing retinal therapies using biomaterials.
A Long-Term Study Evaluating the Effects of Nicorandil Treatment on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-Associated Cardiomyopathy in mdx Mice

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease caused by dystrophin gene mutations affecting striated muscle. Due to advances in skeletal muscle treatment, cardiomyopathy has emerged as a leading cause of death. Previously, nicorandil, a drug with antioxidant and nitrate-like properties, ameliorated cardiac damage and improved cardiac function in young, injured mdx mice. Nicorandil mitigated damage by stimulating antioxidant activity and limiting pro-oxidant expression. Here, we examined whether nicorandil was similarly cardioprotective in aged mdx mice. Methods and Results: Nicorandil (6 mg/kg) was given over 15 months. Echocardiography of mdx mice showed some functional defects at 12 months compared to wild-type (WT) mice, but not at 15 months. Disease manifestation was evident in mdx mice via treadmill assays and survival, but not open field and grip strength assays. Cardiac levels of SOD2 and NOX4 were decreased in mdx vs. WT. Nicorandil increased survival in mdx but did not alter cardiac function, fibrosis, diaphragm function or muscle fatigue. Conclusions: In contrast to our prior work in young, injured mdx mice, nicorandil did not exert cardioprotective effects in 15 month aged mdx mice. Discordant findings may be explained by the lack of cardiac disease manifestation in aged mdx mice compared to WT, whereas significant cardiac dysfunction was previously seen with the sub-acute injury in young mice. Therefore, we are not able to conclude any cardioprotective effects with long-term nicorandil treatment in aging mdx mice.
Paleozoic origins of cheilostome bryozoans and their parental care inferred by a new genome-skimmed phylogeny

Phylogenetic relationships and the timing of evolutionary events are essential for understanding evolution on longer time scales. Cheilostome bryozoans are a group of ubiquitous, species-rich, marine colonial organisms with an excellent fossil record but lack phylogenetic relationships inferred from molecular data. We present genome-skimmed data for 395 cheilostomes and combine these with 315 published sequences to infer relationships and the timing of key events among c. 500 cheilostome species. We find that named cheilostome genera and species are phylogenetically coherent, rendering fossil or contemporary specimens readily delimited using only skeletal morphology. Our phylogeny shows that parental care in the form of brooding evolved several times independently but was never lost in cheilostomes. Our fossil calibration, robust to varied assumptions, indicates that the cheilostome lineage and parental care therein could have Paleozoic origins, much older than the first known fossil record of cheilostomes in the Late Jurassic.
Exposure Is Not Enough… The Interaction of Exposure and Efficiency in the Second Language Acquisition Process

Exposure and efficiency are main determinants of immigrants’ second language acquisition. In some studies also interactions between these two concepts have been reported but the empirical results are rather inconsistent and there has been no theoretical foundation of this interaction effect. But the existence and direction of this interaction may have serious consequences since it has direct implications for language learning programs. The determinants exposure and efficiency have recently been integrated in an expected utility framework by Esser (2006a, 2006b), which allows clear predictions about the impact of the concepts as well as their interdependences. The interaction between exposure and efficiency is tested empirically with German data from the project ‘Preschool Education and Educational Careers among Migrant Children’. The theoretically derived hypothesis of a positive interaction between the two concepts can be verified. This indicates a Matthew effect which means that children who already have an advantage (e.g. have a higher efficiency) can benefit more from an additional positive condition (like more exposure). The multiplicative link of the two concepts also implies that a learner cannot reach a higher level in the second language, if just one of the determinants is very low.
Creating and Validating a Model to Support Aerospace Engineering Students' Coordination of Knowledge about a Design

Creating and Validating a Model to Support Aerospace Engineering Students’ Coordination of Knowledge about a Design Ms. Elizabeth Scott Fleming, Georgia Institute of Technology Elizabeth ”Scottie-Beth” Fleming is an Aerospace Engineering PhD candidate and NSF GRFP Fellow in the Cognitive Engineering Center (CEC) at Georgia Tech. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering. Her research within the CEC examines interdisciplinary teams within the engineering design process, training approaches for aircraft pilots, and human interaction with technology. Dr. Amy Pritchett, Georgia Institute of Technology Amy R. Pritchett is the Davis S. Lewis Associate Professor in the Georgia Tech School of Aerospace Engineering
Resilience through change: 'Beyond reasonable drought'

Concerned at declining annual rainfall, increasing erosion and falling profitability, a groject - Beyond Reasonable Drought - explored how farmers could adapt to a changing and vamily's 'Bonavaree' have increased profitability, biodiversity and leisure time which suggests investigated the impact of Beyond Reasonable Drought on farmers and rural professionals. Bystems and rural professionals have changed their advice to clients. Doug and Fraser Avery's management skills, personal commitment, and the system changes at Bonavaree were the key factors leading to behavioural change. An extension project that demonstrates practical and achievable outcomes, led by innovative and inspirational farmers, brought about behavioural change.
A comparison of quasi-Z-source inverters and conventional two-stage inverters for PV applications

This paper presents a comparative study between the single-stage quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) and the conventional two-stage inverter for Photovoltaic (PV) applications based on an filed programmable gate array (FPGA). The comparison is conducted in terms of the voltage stress on the inverter switches, the required active and passive components, the transient and the steady state performances, and the inverters efficiency. The modelling, the theoretical concepts, and the control design for both inverters are presented and discussed. Moreover, the passive components requirement and the inverters losses analysis are introduced. Experimental investigations are conducted to verify the proposed inverter. It is noted that the qZSI shows a lower voltage stress on the inverter switches than the conventional two-stage inverter when the inverter gain up to 2. The results also demonstrate that the transient and the steady state performances of qZSI are comparable with the ones of the two-stage inverter under the same operating conditions. However, the qZSI shows lower THD values which in turn result in a reduced output filter size and cost. Additionally, the efficiency test is done based on calculations and real measurements for both inverters. The results point out that the qZSI shows higher efficiency than the conventional solution. Based on these observations, the qZSI proposes an attractive alternative for PV applications.
A Dynamic Identification Method of Metamorphic Relation Based on Separation of Input Pattern and Output Pattern

Due to the high cost and extended period of the benchmark development, there are few verification examples for verifying nuclear power independence software. This case is named the test oracle problem. As a result, it is a challenge to adequate verification. Because metamorphic testing is no need to construct verification examples, it is critical to alleviating the above problem. Some domestic independent nuclear design software has successfully applied metamorphic testing in the verification activities. Since Oracle problem has become a common challenge in software verification in nuclear power field, metamorphic testing has broad application prospects. Aiming at great arbitrariness and low efficiency of existing methods, we introduce a dynamic identification method based on the separation of input and output patterns. In this paper, this method is applied to the burnup program (namely NUIT) to determine a set of metamorphic relations between burnup depth and nuclide density. Other burnup programs can directly apply them and learn from this example. And this method can be extended and used in the different professional nuclear fields, such as reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, source term, and radiation shielding.
Calculation of crack width and crack spacing

The present paper discusses crack propagation and special attention is given to how the combined effect of reinforcement and fibre bridging influences the crack spacing and width in the serviceability limit state. Two analytical approaches, for calculating the crack spacing and crack width, are presented. The first model is a modification of the conventional crack spacing model presented in Eurocode 2 and is valid for the case when cracking is caused by an external load. The second model, which is based on a bond-slip relationship and a compatibility requirement, is valid for cracking caused by restraint stresses. Moreover, in the paper some examples are provided of how the models can be used.
Genome sequence of 12 Vigna species as a knowledge base of stress tolerance and resistance

Harnessing plant genetic resources including wild plants enables exploitation of agronomically unfavorable lands to secure food in the future. The genus Vigna, family Fabaceae, consists of many species of such kind, as they are often adapted to harsh environments including marine beach, arid sandy soil, acidic soil, limestone karst and marshes. Here we report long-read assemblies of 12 Vigna species, achieving 95% or higher BUSCO scores. The comparative analyses discovered a new class of WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factor superfamily that are incorporated into LTR retrotransposons and have dramatically amplified in some species of the genus Vigna. Except WOX transcription factors, however, gene contents are highly conserved among Vigna species with few copy number variations. On the other hand, transcriptome data provided some insights that transcriptional alterations played more important roles in evolution of stress tolerance in the genus Vigna. The whole genome sequences presented in this study will facilitate understanding genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance and application for developing new crops that are adapted to unfavorable environments.