Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the Sex Chromosome Heteromorphism of the Paradoxical Frog Pseudis tocantins

The paradoxical frog Pseudis tocantins is the only species in the Hylidae family with known heteromorphic Z and W sex chromosomes. The Z chromosome is metacentric and presents an interstitial nucleolar organizer region (NOR) on the long arm that is adjacent to a pericentromeric heterochromatic band. In contrast, the submetacentric W chromosome carries a pericentromeric NOR on the long arm, which is adjacent to a clearly evident heterochromatic band that is larger than the band found on the Z chromosome and justify the size difference observed between these chromosomes. Here, we provide evidence that the non-centromeric heterochromatic bands in Zq and Wq differ not only in size and location but also in composition, based on comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and an analysis of the anuran PcP190 satellite DNA. The finding of PcP190 sequences in P. tocantins extends the presence of this satellite DNA, which was previously detected among Leptodactylidae and Hylodidae, suggesting that this family of repetitive DNA is even older than it was formerly considered. Seven groups of PcP190 sequences were recognized in the genome of P. tocantins. PcP190 probes mapped to the heterochromatic band in Wq, and a Southern blot analysis indicated the accumulation of PcP190 in the female genome of P. tocantins, which suggests the involvement of this satellite DNA in the evolution of the sex chromosomes of this species.
N-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation Significantly Reduces Liver Oxidative Stress in High Fat Induced Steatosis

Omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) are associated with several physiological functions, suggesting that their administration may prevent non transmissible chronic diseases. Therefore, we investigate whether dietary n-3 LCPUFA supplementation triggers an antioxidant response preventing liver steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) in relation to n-3 LCPUFA levels. Male C57BL/6J mice received (a) control diet (10% fat, 20% protein, 70% carbohydrate), (b) control diet plus n-3 LCPUFA (108 mg/kg/day eicosapentaenoic acid plus 92 mg/kg/day docosahexaenoic acid), (c) HFD (60% fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrate), or (d) HFD plus n-3 LCPUFA for 12 weeks. Parameters of liver steatosis, glutathione status, protein carbonylation, and fatty acid analysis were determined, concomitantly with insulin resistance and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels. HFD significantly increased total fat and triacylglyceride contents with macrovesicular steatosis, concomitantly with higher fasting serum glucose and insulin levels, HOMA, and serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Reduced and total liver glutathione contents were diminished by HFD, with higher GSSG/GSH ratio and protein carbonylation, n-3 LCPUFA depletion and elevated n-6/n-3 ratio over control values. These changes were either reduced or normalized to control values in animals subjected to HFD and n-3 LCPUFA, with significant increased hepatic total n-3 LCPUFA content and reduced n-6/n-3 ratio being observed after n-3 LCPUFA supplementation alone. So, repletion of liver n-3 LCPUFA levels by n-3 LCPUFA dietary supplementation in HFD obese mice reduces hepatic lipid content, with concomitant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses favouring insulin sensitivity.
Biodegradable triboelectric nanogenerator as a life-time designed implantable power source

Mechanical energy in vivo could be harvested by BD-TENG in a designed time frame. Transient electronics built with degradable organic and inorganic materials is an emerging area and has shown great potential for in vivo sensors and therapeutic devices. However, most of these devices require external power sources to function, which may limit their applications for in vivo cases. We report a biodegradable triboelectric nanogenerator (BD-TENG) for in vivo biomechanical energy harvesting, which can be degraded and resorbed in an animal body after completing its work cycle without any adverse long-term effects. Tunable electrical output capabilities and degradation features were achieved by fabricated BD-TENG using different materials. When applying BD-TENG to power two complementary micrograting electrodes, a DC-pulsed electrical field was generated, and the nerve cell growth was successfully orientated, showing its feasibility for neuron-repairing process. Our work demonstrates the potential of BD-TENG as a power source for transient medical devices.
Steps towards a deeper economic integration : the Internal Market in the 21 st century A contribution to the Single Market Review

The aim of this paper is to analyse the effects of the implementation of the Internal Market Programme and to propose ideas on how its potential can be better exploited. First, the paper offers a broader perspective to the analysis of the Internal Market by exploring its close links to the rapidly changing economic environment. Second, it puts together a comprehensive body of empirical evidence, based on the analysis of trade, FDI, M&A, prices and regulation data, which allows for a thorough stock taking exercise of what has been achieved in terms of European economic integration. Thirdly, it analyses the remaining barriers to the completion of the Internal Market while presenting a critical review of the adequacy of the instruments that have been used so far. Overall the paper concludes that the Internal Market is a powerful instrument to promote economic integration and to increase competition within the EU and that it has been the source of large macro-economic benefits. However, these gains could have been substantially larger if the removal of most of the remaining cross-border barriers was achieved. In particular, the initial expectations that the Internal Market would serve as a catalyst for creating a more dynamic, innovative and competitive economy at the world level have not been met. Various reasons for this are identified, namely: the slow and sometimes incomplete implementation of directives, the inadequacy of some instruments, the persistence of barriers to cross-border trade and investment particularly in services and the slow development of an Internal Market for knowledge. Building on the evidence and analysis provided, the paper concludes with eight suggestions to guide the design of policymaking for the Internal Market in the 21 century. JEL classification: F15, L16, L50
Thermodynamic and Heat Transfer Properties of Al2O3 Nanolubricants

In vapor compression cycles, a small portion of the oil circulates with the refrigerant throughout the system components, while most of the oil stays in the compressors. In heat exchangers, the lubricant in excess penalizes the heat transfer and increases the pressure losses: both effects are highly undesired but yet unavoidable. Nanoparticles dispersed in the excess lubricant are expected to provide enhancements in heat transfer. While solubility and miscibility of refrigerants in polyolesters (POE) lubricant are well established knowledge there is a lack of information regarding if and how nanoparticles dispersed in the lubricant affect these two properties. This paper presents experimental data of solubility and miscibility of three types of Al2O3 nanolubricants with refrigerant R-410A. The nanoparticles were dispersed in POE lubricant by using different surfactants and dispersion methods. The nanolubricants appeared to have slightly lower solubility than that of R-410A but actually the solid nanoparticles did not really interfere with the POE oil solubility characteristics. High viscosity suspensions are expected to stabilize the nanoparticles and avoid clustering. This aspect was verified in the present paper for the Al2O3 nanolubricants and long term stability and the degree of agglomeration, when present, were measured. The data identified optimum combinations of surfactants to achieve stable and uniform nanolubricant dispersions for several months. Surfactants affected slightly the thermal conductivity, specific heat, viscosity, and solubility properties of the nanolubricants. The specific heats of the nanolubricants were lower than that of POE oil at temperatures from 0 to 20°C while they were similar at 40°C. Thermal conductivity ranged from 1.1 times higher at 5°C to 1.4 times higher at 40°C than that of POE lubricant. The viscosity at nanoparticle concentration of 10 wt. % was 30 to 40 percent higher than that of POE oil. The thermal and viscosity data for three nanolubricants provided in this paper advance the basic understanding of nanoparticles interaction with R-410A refrigerant and POE lubricant mixtures.
Anti-diabetic Effect of Fermented Milk Containing Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of conjugated dienoic derivatives of linoleic acid. CLA has been reported to be able to reduce body fat. In this study, we investigated the antidiabetic effect of fermented milk (FM) containing CLA on type II diabetes db/db mice. Mice were treated with 0.2% low FM, 0.6% high FM, or Glimepiride (GLM) for 6 wk. Our results revealed that the body weight and the levels of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and leptin were significantly decreased in FM fed mice compared to db/db mice. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance were significantly ameliorated in FM fed mice compared to db/db mice. Consistent with these results, the concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were also significantly decreased in FM fed mice compared to db/db mice. However, the concentration of HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in FM fed mice compared to db/db mice. These results were similar to those of GLM, a commercial anti-diabetic drug. Therefore, our results suggest that FM has anti-diabetic effect as a functional food to treat type II diabetes mellitus.
New concepts and outcomes for children with hepatoblastoma based on the experience of a tertiary center over the last 21 years

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to summarize the experience of a tertiary center in treating hepatoblastoma for the last 21 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight cases were included. The tumor extent and prognosis were assessed using the PRETEXT system. The following data were analyzed: age at diagnosis, comorbidities, prematurity, treatment modalities, histopathological findings, surgical details and complications, treatment outcomes, chemotherapy schedules, side effects and complications. Treatment outcomes included the occurrence of local or distant recurrence, the duration of survival and the cause of death. The investigation methods were ultrasonography, CT scan, serum alpha-fetoprotein level measurement and needle biopsy. Chemotherapy was then planned, and the resectability of the tumor was reevaluated via another CT scan. RESULTS: The mean numbers of neoadjuvant cycles and postoperative cycles of chemotherapy were 6±2 and 1.5±1.7, respectively. All children except one were submitted for surgical resection, including 50 partial liver resections and 7 liver transplantations. Statistical comparisons demonstrated that long-term survival was associated with the absence of metastasis (p=0.04) and the type of surgery (resection resulted in a better outcome than transplantation) (p=0.009). No associations were found between vascular invasion, incomplete resection, histological subtype, multicentricity and survival. The overall 5-year survival rate of the operated cases was 87.7%. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the experience of a Brazilian tertiary center in the management of hepatoblastoma in children demonstrates that long survival is associated with the absence of metastasis and the type of surgery. A multidisciplinary treatment involving chemotherapy, surgical resection and liver transplantation (including transplantations using tissue from living donors) led to good outcomes and survival indexes.
DESIGN OF TIME-MODULATED LINEAR ARRAYS WITH A MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION APPROACH

This article proposes a Multi-objective Optimization (MO) framework for the design of time-modulated linear antenna arrays with ultra low maximum Side Lobe Level (SLL), maximum Side Band Level (SBL) and main lobe Beam Width between the First Nulls (BWFN). In contrast to the existing optimization-based methods that attempt to minimize a weighted sum of SLL, SBL, and BWFN, we treat these as three distinct objectives that are to be achieved simultaneously and use one of the best known Multi- Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) of current interest called MOEA/D-DE (Decomposition based MOEA with Difierential Evolution operator) to determine the best compromise among these three objectives. Unlike the single-objective approaches, the MO approach provides greater ∞exibility in the design by yielding a set of equivalent flnal solutions from which the user can choose one that attains a suitable trade-ofi margin as per requirements. We compared time-modulated antenna structures with other methods for linear array synthesis such as the excitation method and the phase-position synthesis method on the basis of the approximated Pareto Fronts (PFs) yielded by MOEA/D-DE and the best compromise solutions determined from the Pareto optimal set with a fuzzy membership- function based method. The flnal results obtained with MOEA/D-DE were compared with the results achieved by two state-of-the-art single objective optimization algorithms and flve other MO algorithms. Our simulation studies on three instantiations of the design problem re∞ect the superiority of the MOEA/D-DE based design of time-modulated linear arrays.
Behavioral and Electrophysiological Correlates of Change Blindness (invited Paper)

Although the ability to notice a change in the visual scene has been used as an investigative tool to gain new insights on visual system mechanisms, it has recently become an issue itself. In the last decade, many studies have addressed the flip side of change detection, namely the change blindness phenomenon. Change blindness refers to functional blindness for an otherwise visible change in the scene an observer is looking at when visual continuity is briefly interrupted by extraneous visual events. Here we provide a review of the main findings and notions emerged from the change blindness studies, both from behavioral and electrophysiological experiments. Mechanisms of change detection and change blindness are discussed, highlighting the role of visual attention for conscious change perception. Copyright c ©2003 Yang’s Scientific Research Institute, LLC. All rights
The timing noise of PSR 0823+26, 1706-16, 1749-28, 2021+51 and the anomalous braking indices

We have investigated the stability of the pulse frequency second derivatives (ν) of PSR 0823+26, 1706-16, 1749-28 and 2021+51 that show significant quadratic trends in their pulse-frequency histories in order to determine whether the observed second derivatives are secular or if they arise as part of noise processes. We have used time-of-arrival (TOA) data extending to more than three decades, which are the longest time-spans ever taken into account in pulse-timing analyses. We investigated the stability of the pulse-frequency second derivative in the framework of low-resolution noise power spectra estimated from the residuals of pulse frequency and TOA data. We have found that the ν terms of these sources arise from the red torque noise in the fluctuations of pulse-frequency derivatives, which may originate from the external torques from the magnetosphere of the pulsar.
Hybrid Cells Derived from Human Breast Cancer Cells and Human Breast Epithelial Cells Exhibit Differential TLR4 and TLR9 Signaling

TLRs are important receptors of cells of the innate immune system since they recognize various structurally conserved molecular patterns of different pathogens as well as endogenous ligands. In cancer, the role of TLRs is still controversial due to findings that both regression and progression of tumors could depend on TLR signaling. In the present study, M13SV1-EGFP-Neo human breast epithelial cells, MDA-MB-435-Hyg human breast cancer cells and two hybrids M13MDA435-1 and -3 were investigated for TLR4 and TLR9 expression and signaling. RT-PCR data revealed that LPS and CpG-ODN induced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, like IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in hybrid cells, but not parental cells. Interestingly, validation of RT-PCR data by Western blot showed detectable protein levels solely after LPS stimulation, suggesting that regulatory mechanisms are also controlled by TLR signaling. Analysis of pAKT and pERK1/2 levels upon LPS and CpG-ODN stimulation revealed a differential phosphorylation pattern in all cells. Finally, the migratory behavior of the cells was investigated showing that both LPS and CpG-ODN potently blocked the locomotory activity of the hybrid cells in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, hybrid cells exhibit differential TLR4 and TLR9 signaling.
Life Values and Subjective Well-being among Indian University Students : Scrutinizing the Omnipresent North-South Divide

The objective of this study is to assess the level of subjective well-being among Indian students from North and South and explore the links between their life values and subjective well-being. The current attempt investigated the contrasting effects in a student sample of 168 North-Indian and 187 South-Indian university students. Standardized assessment tools namely, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985); The Happiness Measure (Fordyce, 1988); and Valued Living Questionnaire (Wilson et al., 2010) were used for data collection in the present context. The results suggest that levels of life satisfaction differ across the samples and, peculiarly, North Indian students experience happiness more intensively as compared to their Southern counterparts. The correlations between life values and well-being point out the North-South divide in the manifestation of life values and well-being. In the end, the probable reasoning behind this stark contrast was provided to justify the omnipresent differences.
Predicting Mobile Banking Acceptance and Loyalty in Chinese Bank Customers

Mobile banking (m banking) is the breakthrough technology in banking sector which has significantly improved efficiency of banks and people’s quality of life. Banks seem particularly interested in such systems that provide their customers with better services. However, acceptance of and loyalty to m banking depends on how effectively banks motivate their customers to adopt the technology and retain their continued use. The adoption rate in China is very low and quite a few studies have focused on issues related to m banking. The purpose of this study is to examine factors that affect m banking adoption and usage intentions of Chinese bank customers. The proposed model has extended the technology acceptance model (TAM). Data were collected through a field survey questionnaire and analyzed through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that acceptance of and loyalty to m banking among Chinese bank customers was significantly and positively affected by resistance to change, perceived risk and low awareness of services, and perceived benefits. The results will be useful to retain existing users and attract new ones. This study is unlike past studies that merely studied short messaging service (SMS) banking and initial adoption or technological aspects of m banking. This study also provides Chinese banks with applicable strategies to effectively design and implement m banking; thus, it is expected to potentially contribute to prevailing literature, especially in the context of China, where few studies that address m banking acceptance and loyalty exist currently.
The role of experimentation in education policy

As the gold standard for programme evaluation, experimentation is gaining increasing attention from education researchers and policy-makers. In this article I discuss how experimentation can be used to shape education policy moving forward. I first discuss how well-designed experiments can both build upon and inform a general framework for the education production function. Experiments within this framework can be particularly powerful when they draw on a wide range of disciplines including child development, psychology, and behavioural economics. Insights from these areas can help identify underlying mechanisms of the education production function and inform the design of interventions in ways that increase (cost-) effectiveness. Additionally, I argue that there should be a rich array of experiments in education, ranging from lab-like basic research to policy-level efficacy trials. Finally, I discuss the policy-maker’s role in integrating experimentation into policy decision-making, including how to address concerns commonly raised with experimentation in education.
Isprs Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing a Multi-directional Ground Filtering Algorithm for Airborne Lidar

Automatic ground filtering for Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) data is a critical process for Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and three-dimensional urban model generation. Although researchers have developed many methods to separate bare ground from other urban features, the problem has not been fully solved due to the similar characteristics possessed by ground and non-ground objects, especially on abrupt surfaces. Current methods can be grouped into two major categories: neighborhood-based approaches and directional filtering. In this study, following the direction of the second branch, we propose a new Multi-directional Ground Filtering (MGF) algorithm to incorporate a two-dimensional neighborhood in the directional scanning so as to prevent the errors introduced by the sensitivity to directions. Besides this, the MGF algorithm explores the utility of identifying pattern varieties in different directions across an image. The authors conducted a comprehensive test of the performance on fifteen study sites and compared our results to eight other publicized methods based on the Kappa coefficients calculated from the error matrices reported by ISPRS. Overall, the MGF filter produces a promising performance in both urban and forest areas. The size and shape of non-ground objects do not pose significant influence on the performance of the MGF algorithm. The fact that MGF algorithm is robust to two commonly required parameters, slope and elevation difference thresholds, has added practical merits to be adopted in different landscapes.