Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TESTING FOR CONFLICTING AND NONADDITIVE SELECTION: FLORAL ADAPTATION TO MULTIPLE POLLINATORS THROUGH MALE AND FEMALE FITNESS

Although conflicting selection from different resources is thought to play a critical role in the evolution of specialized species, the prevalence of conflicting selection in generalists is poorly understood. Plants may experience conflicting selection on floral traits by different pollinators and between genders. Using artificial selection to increase phenotypic variation, we tested for conflicting and nonadditive selection on wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) flowers. To do this, we measured selection by each of the major pollinator taxa through both male and female fitness, and tested for a single‐generation response to selection by a subset of these pollinators. We found some evidence for conflicting selection on anther exsertion—‐sweat bees exerted stabilizing selection and larger bees selected for increased exsertion. Stamen dimorphism was only under selection by honey bees, causing a response to selection in the next generation, and flower size was under similar selection by multiple pollinators. Selection differed significantly between genders for two traits, but there was no evidence for stronger selection through male fitness or for conflicting selection between genders. Our results suggest wild radish flowers can adapt to multiple pollinators, as we found little evidence for conflicting selection and no evidence for nonadditive selection among pollinators.
Conservation of a Unique Mechanism of Immune Evasion across the Lyssavirus Genus

ABSTRACT The evasion of host innate immunity by Rabies virus, the prototype of the genus Lyssavirus, depends on a unique mechanism of selective targeting of interferon-activated STAT proteins by the viral phosphoprotein (P-protein). However, the immune evasion strategies of other lyssaviruses, including several lethal human pathogens, are unresolved. Here, we show that this mechanism is conserved between the most distantly related members of the genus, providing important insights into the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targeting of lyssaviruses.
Difference in contagious yawning between susceptible men and women: why not?

In their commentary, Gallup & Massen [1] criticize the fact that we did not consider ‘more than a dozen’ previous publications which did not report gender differences in human contagious yawning. We thank the authors for pointing out this issue and for giving us the possibility to provide a brief explanation on some aspects that are not as obvious as we thought. Our investigation was ethological and our framework was centred on behavioural studies also on non-human primates and other mammals. We therefore selected the articles that were relevant to our comparative and evolutionary approach. Gallup & Massen [1] state that the gender difference in yawn contagion detected in our study is a false positive and that the null effect is real. Unfortunately, the sample that they used to make this assumption (17 negative cases and one positive case) is incorrect and, consequently, so is their conclusion. The possibility to find a phenomenon relies on whether the sample and the methodology used are suitable to detect it. To retain the metaphor used by Gallup & Massen [1], you can flip a coin as many times as you want and never find what you expect if what you expect is to get a six. You should change the approach and roll a dice, instead. The results presented in the article by Palagi et al. [2] were based on naturalistic observations (and not on videos as it is said in table 1 of the commentary [1]) and the database also included bonobos, in which the sex of the trigger and not the sex of the responder tended to influence yawn contagion rates [3]. Therefore, it could not be used to evaluate which variables affect yawn contagion rates in humans only. Four of the articles mentioned in …
First Steps toward a Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition

Usage-based models of language focus on the speci®c communicative events in which people learn and use language. In these models, the psycholinguistic units with which individuals operate are determined not by theoretical ®at but by observation of actual language use in actual communicative events. This data-based approach make these models especially congenial for the analysis of children's language, since children do not learn and use the same units as adults. In this paper I employ a usage-based model of language to argue for ®ve fundamental facts about child language acquisition: (1) the primary psycholinguistic unit of child language acquisition is the utterance, which has as its foundation the expression and understanding of communicative intentions; (2) early in their language development children are attempting to reproduce not adult words but whole adult utterances; (3) children's earliest utterances are almost totally concrete in the sense that they are instantiations of item-based schemas or constructions; (4) abstractions result from children generalizing across the type variation they observe at particular ``slots'' in otherwise recurrent tokens of the same utterance; and (5) children create novel utterances for themselves via usage-based syntactic operations in which they begin with an utterance-level schema and then modify that schema for the exigencies of the particular communicative situation (usage event) at hand.
The metabolic and mitogenic properties of basal insulin analogues

Context: Retrospective, observational studies have reported an association between diabetes treatment with insulin and a higher incidence of cancer. Objective: Overview the literature for in vitro and in vivo studies of the metabolic and mitogenic properties of basal insulin analogues and assess the implications for clinical use. Methods: Relevant studies were identified through PubMed and congress abstract database searches; data on metabolic and mitogenic signalling in relation to insulin treatment of diabetes are included in this review. Results: The balance of evidence shows that although some analogues have demonstrated mitogenic potency in some in vitro studies in cancer cell lines, these findings do not translate to the in vivo setting in animals or to the clinical setting in humans. Conclusions: The current consensus is that there is no clinical or in vivo evidence to indicate that any commercially available insulin analogue has carcinogenic effects. Large-scale, prospective clinical and observational studies will further establish any potential link.
Candidate Gene Identification Approach: Progress and Challenges

Although it has been widely applied in identification of genes responsible for biomedically, economically, or even evolutionarily important complex and quantitative traits, traditional candidate gene approach is largely limited by its reliance on the priori knowledge about the physiological, biochemical or functional aspects of possible candidates. Such limitation results in a fatal information bottleneck, which has apparently become an obstacle for further applications of traditional candidate gene approach on many occasions. While the identification of candidate genes involved in genetic traits of specific interest remains a challenge, significant progress in this subject has been achieved in the last few years. Several strategies have been developed, or being developed, to break the barrier of information bottleneck. Recently, being a new developing method of candidate gene approach, digital candidate gene approach (DigiCGA) has emerged and been primarily applied to identify potential candidate genes in some studies. This review summarizes the progress, application software, online tools, and challenges related to this approach.
Functional integrin subunits regulating cell–matrix interactions in the intervertebral disc

Cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix are key factors regulating cell survival, differentiation, and response to environmental stimuli in cartilagenous tissues. Much is known about the extracellular matrix proteins in the intervertebral disc (IVD) and their variations with region, age, or degenerative state of the tissue. In contrast, little is known of the integrin cell surface receptors that directly bind to and interact with these matrix proteins in the IVD. In almost all tissues, these integrin‐mediated cell–matrix interactions are important for transducing environmental cues arising from mechanical stimuli, matrix degradation fragments, and cytokines into intracellular signals. In this study, cells from the nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus regions of porcine IVDs were analyzed via flow cytometry to quantify integrin expression levels upon isolation and after monolayer culture. Assays of cell attachment to collagens, fibronectin, and laminin were performed after functional blocking of select integrin subunits to evaluate the role of specific integrins in cell attachment. In situ distribution and co‐localization of integrins and laminin were also characterized. Results identify integrin receptors critical for IVD cell interactions with collagens (α1β1) and fibronectin (α5β1). Additionally, dramatic differences in cell–laminin interactions were observed between cells of the nucleus and anulus regions, including differences in α6 integrin expression, cell adhesion to laminin, and in situ pericellular environments. These findings suggest laminin–cell interactions may be important and unique to the nucleus pulposus region of the IVD. The results of this study provide new information on functional cell–matrix interactions in tissues of the IVD. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25: 829–840, 2007
Stimulus generalization to different levels of illumination in Paramecium caudatum

Stimulus generalization to different levels of illumination in Paramecium caudatum" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1190. This study was conducted to determine if paramecia (P. caudatum), unicellular organisms, could exhibit stimulus generalization as do mammals and other multicellular organisms. Paramecia were placed in a trough that was divided into two equal portions, one light and one dark, and were trained on a light-dark discrimination. They were rewarded for remaining in the half of the trough that was connected to the cathode of an electrical stimulator, as such cathode stimulation had been shown to be attractive to paramecia. For half of the paramecia, the cathode was connected to the light half of the trough during training. During test, light stimuli which varied in brightness were substituted for the original light stimulus to determine if the paramecia would generalize the training information to the test stimuli. The dark side of the trough remained at a fixed illumination level. For the test phase, the location of the " light side " was switched to the side of the trough opposite to that used during training. The same procedure was carried out for the other half of the subjects, except that, for these iii paramecia, dark side was associated with the cathode during training. During test the " dark side " was varied in brightness and the " light side " remained at a fixed illumination level. The current experiment did not provide strong evidence that paramecia do generalize, at least under the conditions of this study; however it replicated the finding that paramecia prefer the side that was paired with the cathode electrical stimulation.
Expression of a second receptor rescues self-specific T cells from thymic deletion and allows activation of autoreactive effector function.

Allelic exclusion at the T-cell receptor alpha chain locus is incomplete resulting in the generation of T cells that express two T-cell receptors. The potential involvement of such T cells in autoimmunity has been suggested [Padovan, E. , Casorati, G. , Dellabona, P., Meyer, S. , Brockhaus, M. & Lanzavecchia, A. (1993) Science 262, 422-424; Heath, W. R. & Miller, J. F. A. P. (1993) J. Exp. Med. 178, 1807-1811]. Here we show that expression of a second T-cell receptor can rescue T cells with autospecific receptors from thymic deletion and allow their exit into the periphery. Dual receptor T cells, created by constitutive expression of two transgenic T-cell receptors on a Rag1-/- background, are tolerant to self by maintaining low levels of autospecific receptor, but selfreactive effector function (killing) can be induced through activation via the second receptor. This opens the possibility that T cells carrying two receptors in the periphery of normal individuals contain putatively autoreactive cells that could engage in autoimmune effector functions after recognition of an unrelated environmental antigen.
A Chart Method to Determine Necessary Preheat Temperature in Steel Welding

Preheating is carried out to avoid cold cracking in steel welding. The occurrence of cold cracking is considered to be governed by accumulating diffusible hydrogen, welding residual stresses and hardness at the crack initiation site. The hydrogen accumulating at the crack site depends on the initial diffusible hydrogen content in weld metal, the weld heat input and the wall thickness. The local residual stress is governed by the weld metal yield strength, the joint restraint and the notch stress concentration factor. The HAZ hardness is influenced by the steel chemical composition, the weld heat input and the plate (wall) thickness.These influential factors affect cold cracking independenly or in an interacted manner. It must be, thus, difficult to predict the necessary preheat temperature by a theoretical method or simple formulae. The method presently proposed is completely based on the empirical results by y-groove weld cracking tests. The present method determines the necessary preheat temperature through the charts describing the following respective effects : 1) steel composition ; 2) diffusible hydrogen content of weld metal ; 3) weld heat input ; 4) wall thickness ; 5) weld metal yield strength ; 6) joint restraint. As to the steel composition, this method uses CEN carbon equivalent that preferably assesses weldability of a wide variety of steels. Also, this method considers a logarithmic dependence of the weld metal hydrogen and the analysis of hydrogen diffusion in a weld has proved that the hydrogen effect on cold cracking must be logarithmic.
Analysis and behaviour of structural concrete reinforced with sustainable materials

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have extensive applications in various fields such as the aerospace and automotive engineering industries. In recent years, there have been more novel applications for FRP in the construction industry. FRP is known for its beneficial properties such as high strength to weight ratio, lower specific weight and excellent corrosion and fatigue resistance. These advantages have made FRP more desirable to be used as an alternative to steel reinforcement for internal as well as external reinforcement in structural concrete, especially those which are exposed to extreme environments. One of the objectives of this research is to identify all the different types of fibre reinforced polymer such as CFRP, GFRP and BFRP. These all can be used as an alternative to conventional steel reinforcement in structural concrete. For each type their physical and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, ultimate strain, durability in alkaline environments, fatigue strength and bond strength has been identified. This thesis also presents the results of experimental, analytical and numerical modelling investigations of the performance and behaviour of concrete members reinforced with basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP). The primary objective of this research is to address the applicability of this material as internal reinforcement and to investigate the applicability of current FRP design guides on BFRP as an internal reinforcement to structural concrete members. For the flexure investigation of BFRP reinforced concrete sections, four beams were studied, two of them being BFRP reinforced beams and two of them being conventional steel reinforced beams that have been used as control beams. The outcome of this has shown us different types of FRP bars that can replace the traditional steel reinforcement in concrete structures. Also it provides us with detailed knowledge of the behaviour of materials such as BFRP bars. Moreover, it determines the applicability of current FRP design guidelines on BFRP reinforcements.
Progress in electrorheology : science and technology of electrorheological materials

The Evolution of ER from Discovery to Application (A Special Historical Note) (W. Winslow). Overview of ER Technology (F.E. Filisko). General Considerations: Recent Developments of ER Fluids (H. Block, P. Rattray). Novel Materials for ER Fluids (K.O. Havelka). Conduction Processes in ER Fluids (D.A. Brooks). Materials: Surfaceactivated Electrorheological Suspensions (Y.D. Kim, D.J. Klingenberg). Anhydrous Electrorheological Fluids Using Carbonaceous Particulate as Dispersed Phase (Y. Ishino et al.). ERfluids Based on Polyurethane Dispersions: Structure and Properties (R. Bloodworth, E. Wendt). Mechanisms: The Impact of Crystalline Phase Morphology on the Waterpromoted Electrorheological Effect on Polysaccharides (A.J. Stipanovic, J.O. Schoonmaker). High Field Concentration of Liquids in Contact with Polymeric Materials with Reference to Electrorheological Fluids (P. Atten et al.). Mechanics: ER Effect on the Normal Stress and Induced Network Structure of Liquid Crystal Polymer (K. Minagawa et al.). Transient Stresses in Electrorheological Fluids: Role of Particle Polarization Dynamics (J.M. Ginder et al.). Models: Structure Formation in ER Fluids (R. Tao, Q. Jiang). Asymmetrical Polarization of Spherical Colloidal Particle Double Layer in Electric Fields (Y. Hu et al.). 15 additional articles. Index.
Impact of Bronchodilator Responsiveness on Quality of Life and Exercise Capacity in Patients With COPD

BACKGROUND: Bronchial variability in COPD patients may be a phenotypic feature associated with clinical characteristics and differential treatment response. We analyzed whether symptoms, quality of life, and exercise capacity varied in COPD patients as a function of bronchodilator test results, and compared responses to an exercise program. METHODS: A positive bronchodilator test result was defined as FVC and/or FEV1 improvement of > 12% plus > 200 mL after 400 μg of salbutamol. We studied 198 COPD subjects: 94 with positive reversibility, and 104 with negative reversibility. Training sessions were carried out on 3 non-consecutive days each week, for 12 weeks, and consisted of a combination of resistance and strength training. Subjects were evaluated on 2 consecutive days at baseline, and at the end of the 12-week training program. RESULTS: Those with positive reversibility had shorter time to exhaustion in the endurance test (19.1 ± 12.6 min vs 24.5 ± 14.5 min, P = .03), shorter shuttle walk test distance (380.6 ± 158.2 m vs 438.5 ± 149.1 m, P = .02), and lower Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire scores (18.7 ± 4.6 vs 19.8 ± 4.3, P = .01). There were no significant differences in peak exercise, peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea, or improvement after exercise training. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to COPD subjects with negative reversibility, those with positive reversibility walked for shorter distances, and had shorter endurance times and worse quality of life, but the improvements after exercise training were similar.
Evolving Refractory Major Depressive Disorder Diagnostic and Treatment Paradigms: Toward Closed-Loop Therapeutics

Current antidepressant therapies do not effectively control or cure depressive symptoms. Pharmaceutical therapies altogether fail to address an estimated 4 million Americans who suffer from a recurrent and severe treatment-resistant form of depression known as refractory major depressive disorder. Subjective diagnostic schemes, differing manifestations of the disorder, and antidepressant treatments with limited theoretical bases each contribute to the general lack of therapeutic efficacy and differing levels of treatment resistance in the refractory population. Stimulation-based therapies, such as vagus nerve stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and deep brain stimulation, are promising treatment alternatives for this treatment-resistant subset of patients, but are plagued with inconsistent reports of efficacy and variable side effects. Many of these problems stem from the unknown mechanisms of depressive disorder pathogenesis, which prevents the development of treatments that target the specific underlying causes of the disorder. Other problems likely arise due to the non-specific stimulation of various limbic and paralimbic structures in an open-loop configuration. This review critically assesses current literature on depressive disorder diagnostic methodologies, treatment schemes, and pathogenesis in order to emphasize the need for more stringent depressive disorder classifications, quantifiable biological markers that are suitable for objective diagnoses, and alternative closed-loop treatment options tailored to well-defined forms of the disorder. A closed-loop neurostimulation device design framework is proposed, utilizing symptom-linked biomarker abnormalities as control points for initiating and terminating a corrective electrical stimulus which is autonomously optimized for correcting the magnitude and direction of observed biomarker abnormality.
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors Induce the Expression of the Tumor Suppressor Gene EGR-1, Which Results in the Up-Regulation of NAG-1, an Antitumorigenic Protein

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to have chemopreventive activity, but the mechanisms involved are not clearly understood. Although NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase activity, they also increase the expression of a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, termed NSAID-activated gene 1 (NAG-1), a protein with an antitumorigenic and proapoptotic activity that could in part be linked to the chemoprevention activity of NSAIDs. NAG-1 is induced by some NSAIDs, but the mechanisms responsible are not clear. In this report, we have identified a cis-acting element responsive to NSAIDs located within the –73 to –51 region of the NAG-1 promoter. This region contains overlapping EGR-1 and Sp1 binding sites, and mutations in this region suggest that the transcription factors have an important role in NSAID-induced NAG-1 expression. EGR-1 was found to play a critical role in the induction of NAG-1 by sulindac sulfide and other NSAIDs. NSAIDs increase EGR-1 protein expression that occurs before the induction of NAG-1 expression, supporting the hypothesis that EGR-1 is necessary for NSAID-induced NAG-1 expression. Thus, NSAIDs induce the expression of EGR-1, a tumor suppressor gene, providing a novel mechanism to explain, in part, the antitumorigenic properties of some NSAIDs. NAG-1 seems to be an important downstream target protein of this transcription factor, EGR-1, and may mediate the chemopreventive activity of some NSAIDs.
Prefix codes for power laws

In prefix coding over an infinite alphabet, methods that consider specific distributions generally consider those that decline more quickly than a power law (e.g., a geometric distribution for Golomb coding). Particular power-law distributions, however, model many random variables encountered in practice. Estimates of expected number of bits per input symbol approximate compression performance of such random variables and can thus be used in comparing such methods. This paper introduces a family of prefix codes with an eye towards near-optimal coding of known distributions, precisely estimating compression performance for well-known probability distributions using these new codes and using previously known prefix codes. One application of these near-optimal codes is an improved representation of rational numbers.