Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post‐metamorphic development of skin glands in a true toad: Parotoids versus dorsal skin

Chemical defenses in amphibians are a common antipredatory and antimicrobial strategy related to the presence of dermal glands that synthesize and store toxic or unpalatable substances. Glands are either distributed throughout the skin or aggregated in multiglandular structures, being the parotoids the most ubiquitous macrogland in toads of Bufonidae. Even though dermal glands begin to develop during late‐larval stages, many species, including Rhinella arenarum, have immature glands by the end of metamorphosis, and their post‐metamorphic growth is unknown. Herein, we compared the post‐metamorphic development of parotoids and dorsal glands by histological and allometric studies in a size series of R. arenarum. Histological and histochemical studies to detect proteins, acidic glycoconjugates, and catecholamines, showed that both, parotoids and dorsal glands, acquire characteristics of adults in individuals larger than 50 mm; that is, a moment in which the cryptic coloration disappears. Parotoid height increased allometrically as a function of body size, whereas the size of small dorsal glands decreased with body size. The number of glands in the dorsum was not linearly related to body size, appearing to be an individual characteristic. Only adult specimens had intraepithelial granular glands in the duct of the largest glands of the parotoids. Since toxic secretions accumulate in the central glands of parotoids, allometric growth of parotoids may translate into greater protection from predators in the largest animals. Conversely, large glands in the dorsum, which produce a proteinaceous secretion of unknown function, grow isometrically to body size. Some characteristics, like intraepithelial glands in the ducts and basophilic glands in the dorsum, are limited to adults.
Fluid Structure Interaction of Involute Fuel Plates in the High Flux Isotope Reactor Using a Fully-coupled Numerical Approach

This dissertation describes a fully-coupled (FC), finite-element (FE) based, algorithm for modeling and simulation of the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) of involuteshaped fuel plates used in research reactors; specifically the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Following a graded approach to code and model validation, a cylinder in cross-flow benchmark is used to establish flow physics as well as properly coupling the FSI phenomena with increasing complexity. As an interim step toward HFIR LEU fuel plate simulations, three experiments are used for validation. The first, performed by Smissaert, is used to envelope large plate deflections and understand the validity of various fluid boundary conditions for single plate comparisons. Continuing with Smissaert’s data, a 5-plate simulation is presented showing the first-ever multi-plate simulation using this FC and FE approach. Second, a vibrating plate, presented by Liu et al., is simulated showing the same technique to encompass self-excited, periodic plate deflections. Lastly, an experiment for the conceptual Advanced Neutron Source Reactor (ANSR) using involute plates is utilized to validate the ability of this FC and FE algorithm to predict the deflections of the involute-shaped plates used in the HFIR. The method shown herein accurately captures the established ‘S-shaped’ deflection of the first mode of the involute plate providing guidance that researchers and designers can utilize in the forthcoming design of the next generation of low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel plates for the HFIR. A ‘Lessons Learned’ section which describes external
Frequency domain optical coherence tomography to assess non-ostial left main coronary artery.

AIMS The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of unprotected non-ostial left main (LM) imaging by frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a retrospective analysis of OCT studies performed to image lesions located in the non-ostial LM. OCT studies were analysed off-line to detect the number of artefact frames in the different LM/bifurcation segments. OCT cross-sectional images were used to assess area measures. OCT longitudinal reconstructions were used to obtain the LM length. Standard quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) was used as the reference methodology. A total of 54 patients with non-ostial LM disease entered the study. The mean number of LM artefact frames was 8±10, corresponding to 19% of the total number of LM frames analysed. The percentages of artefact frames differed significantly according to the segment analysed: 43.3% proximal LM, 11.4% mid LM and 2.1% distal LM, 2.0% ostial left anterior descending artery and 0% ostial left circumflex artery (p<0.0001). All LM OCT measurements were significantly correlated with QCA measurements. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study show that FD-OCT assessment of non-ostial LM disease is feasible and may provide high-quality imaging. OCT assessment of distal LM is more efficient than that of the proximal LM segment.
Antimicrobial effects of tea‐tree oil and its major components on Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes

Major components of two tea‐tree oil samples were identified using thin layer and gas‐liquid chromatography (TLC and GLC). Using a TLC‐bioautographic technique, the tea‐tree oils, terpinen‐4‐ol, oc‐terpineol and α‐pinene were found to be active against Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes whereas cineole was inactive against these organisms. The MIC values of the three active compounds increased in the order α‐terpineol < terpinen‐4‐ol < α‐pinene for all three micro‐organisms. MIC values of the tea‐tree oils and terpinen‐4‐ol were lower for P. acnes than for the two staphylococci. This study supports the use of tea‐tree oil in the treatment of acne, and demonstrates that terpinen‐4‐ol is not the sole active constituent of the oil.
Coarsening dynamics of the XY model.

It is the conventional wisdom that the correlation length for the XY model with linear damping should asymptotically grow diffusively as the square root of time after a quench into the ordered phase. This implies that the defect density p should decay with time as ρ∞t -v with the scaling exponent v=1. We present evidence, by numerically integrating the equations of motion for a two-dimensional XY model, for a logarithmic correction to this scaling which makes it difficult to reach the asymptotic regime v=-d(lnρ)/d(Int)=1. Even after the defect density has decayed by three orders of magnitude v=0.91, which still deviates by 10% from the asymptotic value
Developmental and Environmental Signals Induce Distinct Histone Acetylation Profiles on Distal and Proximal Promoter Elements of the C4-Pepc Gene in Maize

The maize C4-Pepc gene is expressed in an organ- and cell-type-specific manner, inducible by light and modulated by nutrient availability and the metabolic state of the cell. We studied the contribution of histone acetylation at five lysine residues to the integration of these signals into a graduated promoter response. In roots and coleoptiles, where the gene is constitutively inactive, three of the five lysines were acetylated and the modifications showed unique patterns with respect to their distribution on the gene. A similar pattern was observed in etiolated leaves, where the gene is poised for activation by light. Here, illumination selectively induced the acetylation of histone H4 lysine 5 and histone H3 lysine 9 in both the promoter and the transcribed region, again with unique distribution patterns. Induction was independent of transcription and fully reversible in the dark. Nitrate and hexose availability modulated acetylation of all five lysines restricted to a distal promoter region, whereas proximal promoter acetylation was highly resistant to these stimuli. Our data suggest that light induction of acetylation is controlled by regulating HDAC activity, whereas metabolic signals regulate HAT activity. Acetylation turnover rates were high in the distal promoter and the transcribed regions, but low on the proximal promoter. On the basis of these results, we propose a model with three levels of stimulus-induced histone modifications that collectively adjust promoter activity. The results support a charge neutralization model for the distal promoter and a stimulus-mediated, but transcription-independent, histone acetylation pattern on the core promoter, which might be part of a more complex histone code.
A Critical Review of PET Studies of Phonological Processing

The use of positron emission tomography to identify sensory and motor systems in humans in vivo has been very successful. In contrast, studies of cognitive processes have not always generated results that can be reliably interpreted. A metaanalysis of five positron emission tomography studies designed to engage phonological processing (Petersen, Fox, Posner, Mintun, & Raichle, 1989; Zatorre, Evans, Meyer, & Gjedde 1992; Sergent, Zuck, Levesque, & MacDonald, 1992; Demonet, Chollet, Ramsay, Cardebat, Nespoulous, Wise, & Frackowiak, 1992; and Paulesu, Frith, & Frakowiak, 1993) reveals that the results do not converge as expected: Very similar experiments designed to isolate the same language processes show activation in nonoverlapping cortical areas. Although these PET confirm the importance of left perisylvian cortex, the experiments implicate distinct, nonoverlapping perisylvian areas. Because of the divergence of results, it is premature to attribute certain language processes or the elementary computations underlying the construction of the relevant linguistic representations to specific cerebral regions on the basis of positron emission tomographic results. It is argued that this sparse-overlap result is due (1) to insufficiently detailed task decomposition and task-control matching, (2) to insufficient contact with cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, and linguistic theory, and (3) to some inherent problems in using substractive PET methodology to study the neural representation and processing of language.
A_AODV: A Modern Routing Algorithm for Mobile Ad-Hoc Network

- Mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is an autonomous wireless network, deploy without any fixed infrastructure and assistance of base stations. Each node in network shares wireless link for interconnections and not only operates as an end system, but also as a router to forward packets. Since the network nodes are mobile, can be move in any direction with varying paces that generate high dynamicity of network so the protocols that are developed for general ad hoc networks are unsuitable for such an environment. In addition, on-hand routing protocols performance decreases as size of network increased. In this context, to enhance the recitation of routing in MANETs, we propose a new approach in this paper, named Advanced Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (A_AODV). It is a modified version of traditional AODV routing protocol, shrink the active path whenever optimal pathway is available and switches the traffic on it. Simulation studies are conducted using NS2 to prove that proposed approach enhance network performance when network size, load or the mobility increases.
A Complex Model for Blood Cells' Evolution in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The complex model studied in this paper considers the competition between the populations of healthy and leukemic stem-like short-term and mature leukocytes and the influence of the T-lymphocytes on the evolution of leukemia. Delay differential equations with delay-dependent parameters are used in a modified Mackey-Glass approach, with the consideration of asymmetric division and feedback functions for the action of the immune system. The paper is concerned with analytical conditions for stability of one type of equilibrium point. This will result in parameter values that ensure the local stability, or instability, of the system. The influence of the immune system on the cell populations will also be investigated. Numerical simulations will complete the study.
JNK Regulates HIPK3 Expression and Promotes Resistance to Fas-mediated Apoptosis in DU 145 Prostate Carcinoma Cells*

Elevated endogenous JNK activity and resistance to Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis have recently been implicated in progression of prostate cancer and can promote resistance to apoptosis in response to chemotherapeutic drugs. In addition, JNK has been demonstrated to promote transformation of epithelial cells by increasing both proliferation and survival. Although numerous studies have reported a role for JNK in promoting Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis, there is a paucity in the literature studying the antiapoptotic function of JNK during Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis. Consequently, we have used the recently described specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 and RNA interference to inhibit endogenous JNK activity in the prostate carcinoma cell line DU 145. We demonstrated that endogenous JNK activity increased the expression of a kinase, HIPK3, that has previously been implicated in multidrug resistance in a number of tumors. HIPK3 has also been reported to phosphorylate FADD. The interaction between FADD and caspase-8 was inhibited, but abrogation of JNK activity or HIPK3 expression was found to restore this interaction and increased the sensitivity of DU 145 cells to Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis. In conclusion, we present novel evidence that JNK regulates the expression of HIPK3 in prostate cancer cells, and this contributes to increased resistance to Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis by reducing the interaction between FADD and caspase-8.
The evicted-address filter: A unified mechanism to address both cache pollution and thrashing

Off-chip main memory has long been a bottleneck for system performance. With increasing memory pressure due to multiple onchip cores, effective cache utilization is important. In a system with limited cache space, we would ideally like to prevent 1) cache pollution, i.e., blocks with low reuse evicting blocks with high reuse from the cache, and 2) cache thrashing, i.e., blocks with high reuse evicting each other from the cache.
Morphology and morphometry of the normal lung of the adult vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops).

The lungs of four adult specimens of the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) have been examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A morphometric evaluation of the structural components directly involved in gas exchange has been carried out and the data have been modelled to estimate the anatomical diffusing capacity of the lung. The upper air-conducting airways of the lung were lined by an epithelium characterized by ciliated cells among which were dispersed goblet cells. The alveolar surface was lined by squamous type I pneumocytes and cuboidal type II granular pneumocytes. The blood-gas (tissue) barrier consisted of an epithelial cell, a common basal lamina, and an endothelial cell in the thin parts of the interalveolar septum. In the thicker parts of the septum, an interstitial space interposed between the basal laminae of the epithelial and endothelial cells contained supportive elements such as collagen, elastic tissue, and fibrocytes. The alveoli, the blood capillaries, and septal tissue composed 73%, 16%, and 11%, respectively, of the parenchyma. The harmonic and arithmetic mean thicknesses of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier were 0.311 micron and 1.048 microns; the surface area of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier per unit body weight was 50 cm2g-1, and the surface density was 117 mm2.mm3-1. The weight-specific total morphometric diffusing capacity was 0.11 mlO2 (sec.mbar.kg)-1. In comparison, the pulmonary morphometric characteristics of vervet monkey lung were superior to those of the other primates (Macaca irus, M. mulatta, and Homo sapiens) for which equivalent data are available. The gas-exchange potential of the lungs of the nonhuman primates as revealed by morphometric studies surpasses that of man, a feature that can be attributed to the relatively less energetic human lifestyle.
Is Corruption Really Bad for Inequality? Evidence from Latin America

Abstract This article presents new evidence on the relationship between corruption and income inequality. Using a panel data methodology, we find that lower corruption is associated with higher income inequality in Latin America. This result is in contrast to other empirical studies but it makes sense in Latin America for a number of reasons. The finding of an inverse relationship between inequality and corruption suggests that institutional reform policies by themselves may be misguided.
The Multiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC): Wide K-Band Imaging, Photometric Catalogs, Clustering, and Physical Properties of Galaxies at z ~ 2

We present K-band imaging of two ~30′ × 30′ fields covered by the Multiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC) Wide NIR Survey. The SDSS 1030+05 and Cast 1255 fields were imaged with the Infrared Side Port Imager (ISPI) on the 4 m Blanco telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) to a 5 σ point-source limiting depth of K ∼ 20 (Vega). Combining these data with the MUSYC optical UBVRIz imaging, we created multiband K-selected source catalogs for both fields. These catalogs, together with the MUSYC K-band catalog of the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (ECDF-S) field, were used to select K < 20 BzK galaxies over an area of 0.71 deg2. This is the largest area ever surveyed for BzK galaxies. We present number counts, redshift distributions, and stellar masses for our sample of 3261 BzK galaxies (2502 star-forming [sBzK] and 759 passively evolving [pBzK]), as well as reddening and star formation rate estimates for the star-forming BzK systems. We also present two-point angular correlation functions and spatial correlation lengths for both sBzK and pBzK galaxies and show that previous estimates of the correlation function of these galaxies were affected by cosmic variance due to the small areas surveyed. We have measured correlation lengths r0 of 8.89 ± 2.03 and 10.82 ± 1.72 Mpc for sBzK and pBzK galaxies, respectively. This is the first reported measurement of the spatial correlation function of passive BzK galaxies. In the ΛCDM scenario of galaxy formation, these correlation lengths at z ∼ 2 translate into minimum masses of ~4 × 1012 and ~9 × 1012 M☉ for the dark matter halos hosting sBzK and pBzK galaxies, respectively. The clustering properties of the galaxies in our sample are consistent with their being the descendants of bright Lyman break galaxies at z ∼ 3, and the progenitors of present-day >1L* galaxies.
Correlation between Gastric Mucosal Morphologic Patterns and Histopathological Severity of Helicobacter pylori Associated Gastritis Using Conventional Narrow Band Imaging Gastroscopy

Background and Aim. Identifying specific gastric mucosal morphologic patterns useful for detecting Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis and correlation with histopathological severity. Methods. The endoscopists classified the C-NBI gastroscopic findings into 5 gastric mucosal morphologic patterns as follows: type 1: regular arrangement of collecting venules, type 2: cone-shaped gastric pits, type 3: rod-shaped gastric pits with prominent sulci, type 4: ground glass-like morphology, and type 5: dark brown patches with bluish margin and irregular border. Biopsies of all of the cases were then evaluated by 5 pathologists for definitive Helicobacter pylori diagnosis. Result. Type 1 and type 2 patterns were statistically significant in predicting Helicobacter pylori negative status (58/60, P < 0.01). Type 3, type 4, and type 5 patterns were statistically significant in predicting Helicobacter pylori positive status (132/140, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of type 3, 4, or 5 morphologies for predicting Helicobacter pylori positive were 94.28%, 96.66%, 98.50%, and 87.87%, respectively, correlated well with inflammation grading according to the Sydney classification (P < 0.01). Conclusion. Our study suggests that gastric mucosal morphologic patterns in the Helicobacter pylori infected gastric mucosa can be reliably identified using C-NBI gastroscopy with good correlation with inflammation grading.
The Contribution of Arterial Calcification to Peripheral Arterial Disease in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum

Background and aims The contribution of arterial calcification (AC) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and arterial wall compressibility is a matter of debate. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), an inherited metabolic disease due to ABCC6 gene mutations, combines elastic fiber fragmentation and calcification in various soft tissues including the arterial wall. Since AC is associated with PAD, a frequent complication of PXE, we sought to determine the role of AC in PAD and arterial wall compressibility in this group of patients. Methods and Results Arterial compressibility and patency were determined by ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) in a cohort of 71 PXE patients (mean age 48±SD 14 yrs, 45 women) and compared to 30 controls without PAD. Lower limb arterial calcification (LLAC) was determined by non-contrast enhanced helicoidal CT-scan. A calcification score (Ca-score) was computed for the femoral, popliteal and sub-popliteal artery segments of both legs. Forty patients with PXE had an ABI<0.90 and none had an ABI>1.40. LLAC increased with age, significantly more in PXE subjects than controls. A negative association was found between LLAC and ABI (r = −0.363, p = 0.002). The LLAC was independently associated with PXE and age, and ABI was not linked to cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions The presence of AC was associated with PAD and PXE without affecting arterial compressibility. PAD in PXE patients is probably due to proximal obstructive lesions developing independently from cardiovascular risk factors.
Sox6 Directly Silences Epsilon Globin Expression in Definitive Erythropoiesis

Sox6 is a member of the Sox transcription factor family that is defined by the conserved high mobility group (HMG) DNA binding domain, first described in the testis determining gene, Sry. Previous studies have suggested that Sox6 plays a role in the development of the central nervous system, cartilage, and muscle. In the Sox6-deficient mouse, p100H, ɛy globin is persistently expressed, and increased numbers of nucleated red cells are present in the fetal circulation. Transfection assays in GM979 (erythroleukemic) cells define a 36–base pair region of the ɛy proximal promoter that is critical for Sox6 mediated repression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrate that Sox6 acts as a repressor by directly binding to the ɛy promoter. The normal expression of Sox6 in wild-type fetal liver and the ectopic expression of ɛy in p100H homozygous fetal liver demonstrate that Sox6 functions in definitive erythropoiesis. The present study shows that Sox6 is required for silencing of ɛy globin in definitive erythropoiesis and suggests a role for Sox6 in erythroid cell maturation. Thus, Sox6 regulation of ɛy globin might provide a novel therapeutical target in the treatment of hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.