Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The evolutionary fate of heterogeneous gene duplications: A precarious overdominant equilibrium between environment, sublethality and complementation

Gene duplications occur at a high rate. Although most appear detrimental, some homogeneous duplications (identical gene copies) can be selected for beneficial increase in produced proteins. Heterogeneous duplications, which combine divergent alleles of a single locus, are seldom studied due to the paucity of empirical data. We investigated their role in an ongoing adaptive process at the ace‐1 locus in Culex pipiens mosquitoes. We assessed the worldwide diversity of the ace‐1 alleles (single‐copy, susceptible S and insecticide‐resistant R, and duplicated D that pair one S and one R copy), analysed their phylogeography and measured their fitness to understand their early dynamics using population genetics models. It provides a coherent and comprehensive evolutionary scenario. We show that D alleles are present in most resistant populations and display a higher diversity than R alleles (27 vs. 4). Most appear to result from independent unequal crossing‐overs between local single‐copy alleles, suggesting a recurrent process. Most duplicated alleles have a limited geographic distribution, probably resulting from their homozygous sublethality (HS phenotype). In addition, heterozygotes carrying different HS D alleles showed complementation, indicating different recessive lethal mutations. Due to mosaic insecticide control practices, balancing selection (overdominance) plays a key role in the early dynamics of heterogeneous duplicated alleles; it also favours a high local polymorphism of HS D alleles in natural populations (overdominance reinforced by complementation). Overall, our study shows that the evolutionary fate of heterogeneous duplications (and their long‐term role) depends on finely balanced selective pressures due to the environment and to their genomic structure.
BROADBAND APERTURE-COUPLED MICROSTRIP ANTENNAS WITH LOW CROSS POLARIZATION AND BACK RADIATION

The paper presents the performances of microstrip patch antennas excited by the aperture-coupling feed that is composed of a T-shaped microstrip feed line and an annular-ring slot. Because the annular-ring slot is designed at a full-wavelength resonant mode, a broad impedance bandwidth can be obtained by combing the resonant modes of the coupling slot and radiating patch; moreover, a low cross polarization is also observed, especially around the direction with maximum gain. For reducing the considerable back radiation induced by the resonant coupling aperture, additional slots are introduced and embedded along the perimeter of the annular-ring slot. Experimental results show that the reformed coupling slot can improve the front-toback ratio of the aperture-coupled microstrip antenna by more than 5 dB. Simulation analyses are also performed to support the measured results. 188 Lai, Han, and Chen
THIRD-HARMONIC GENERATION MICROSCOPY OF TISSUES AND EMBRYOS : SOURCES OF CONTRAST AND INOCUITY

Third-harmonic generation (THG) microscopy can provide structural information from unstained tissues. In order to develop practical applications, we have studied several factors having a strong influence on the contrast of THG images. First, we measured the incidence of sample micrometer structure and beam focusing on phase-matching and THG signal level in model geometries [1]. The sensitivity of TH to these parameters can be used to highlight certain structures within a complex system in THG images. We then performed quantitative measurements of the nonlinear susceptibility of biological liquids, and correlated these results with imaging experiments [2]. These data show that THG microscopy lacks sensitivity to detect ionic changes in cells, and explain why large lipid droplets produce a strong TH signal in many systems when excited around 1.2 μm [2,3]. The combination of THG microscopy with other nonlinear imaging techniques thus provides a new tool for studying lipid droplets in intact tissue. Finally, we have applied THG microscopy to the characterization of morphogenetic movements in Drosophila embryos. In order to assess the validity of THG imaging for that purpose, we have tested the possibility of photodamage upon sustained illumination. These data define a “safety window” for imaging embryo morphogenesis with THG [4].
The Role of Emergent Bilingualism in the Development of Morphological Awareness in Arabic and Hebrew.

PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of dual language development and cross-linguistic influence on morphological awareness in young bilinguals' first language (L1) and second language (L2). We examined whether (a) the bilingual children (L1/L2 Arabic and L1/L2 Hebrew) precede their monolingual Hebrew- or Arabic-speaking peers in L1 and L2 morphological awareness, and (b) 1 Semitic language (Arabic) has cross-linguistic influence on another Semitic language (Hebrew) in morphological awareness. METHOD The study sample comprised 93 six-year-old children. The bilinguals had attended bilingual Hebrew-Arabic kindergartens for 1 academic year and were divided into 2 groups: home language Hebrew (L1) and home language Arabic (L1). These groups were compared to age-matched monolingual Hebrew speakers and monolingual Arabic speakers. We used nonwords similar in structure to familiar words in both target languages, representing 6 inflectional morphological categories. RESULTS L1 Arabic and L1 Hebrew bilinguals performed significantly better than Arabic- and Hebrew-speaking monolinguals in the respective languages. Differences were not found between the bilingual groups. We found evidence of cross-linguistic transfer of morphological awareness from Arabic to Hebrew in 2 categories-bound possessives and dual number-probably because these categories are more salient in Palestinian Spoken Arabic than in Hebrew. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that children with even an initial exposure to L2 reveal acceleration of sensitivity to word structure in both of their languages. We suggest that this is due to the fact that two Semitic languages, Arabic and Hebrew, share a common core of linguistic features, together with favorable contextual factors and instructional factors.
Dye penetrant testing of welded joints made of nickel and its alloys

Paweł Irek, Łukasz Rawicki, Karol Kaczmarek 2017.05. 17 by Marek Dragan The article presents tests involving natural cracks, including measurements of the width of cracks and the profile of their surface roughness. The investigation also involved tests performed in order to observe how a given factor affects development times in penetrant tests as well as to determine what time of development is recommended for nickel and its alloys in order to detect unacceptable welding imperfections (cracks). The article also discusses the effect of penetration times on the duration of development times and sizes of indications in penetrant tests.
Genetic Variants Involved in One-Carbon Metabolism: Polymorphism Frequencies and Differences in Homocysteine Concentrations in the Folic Acid Fortification Era

Folate and other B vitamins are essential co-factors of one-carbon metabolism, and genetic variants, such as polymorphisms, can alter the metabolism. Furthermore, the adoption of food fortification with folic acid showed a decrease of homocysteine concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequencies of the polymorphisms of enzymes and carrier proteins involved in one-carbon metabolism, and to evaluate homocysteine concentrations in the presence of these genetic variants in a population exposed to mandatory food fortification with folic acid. Using data from a population-based cross-sectional study in São Paulo, Brazil, the study population comprised 750 participants above 12 years of age of both genders. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the homocysteine concentrations according to genetic variants and folate level. The results showed that the minor allelic frequencies were 0.33 for MTHFR (rs1801133), 0.24 for MTHFR (rs1801131), 0.19 for MTR (rs1805087), 0.42 for MTRR (rs1801394), 0.46 for RFC1 (rs1051266), and 0.47 for DHFR (19-bp deletion). The genetic variants of MTHFR 677C>T, MTRR 66A>G and RFC-1 80G>A were different according to race. The homocysteine concentrations increased in the CT and TT compared to CC genotypes of polymorphism MTHFR 677C>T in all populations, and differences between the homocysteine concentrations according to the genotypes of MTHFR 677C>T were observed regardless of folate level.
Appropriateness of Apixaban Dosing to Prevent Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND The ARISTOTLE study investigated apixaban, at a dose of 5 mg PO bid, for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation; however, it has been noted anecdotally that many patients are receiving 2.5 mg PO bid, despite being eligible for the full dosage. A recent study examining the use of dabigatran and rivaroxaban found that many patients were receiving these medications inappropriately; however, a literature search conducted in April 2016 showed that apixaban had not been formally studied in this context. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the appropriateness of apixaban dosing for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, relative to the dose used in the ARISTOTLE study and recommendations in the product monograph. METHODS This retrospective chart review was conducted at a 300-bed Canadian teaching hospital. All inpatients with atrial fibrillation for whom apixaban was prescribed for stroke prevention in March 2015 were considered for inclusion. The appropriateness of apixaban dosing was determined in relation to the ARISTOTLE methodology and product monograph recommendations (i.e., 5 mg PO bid, with a lower dosage of 2.5 mg PO bid if warranted on the basis of age, weight, or serum creatinine level). RESULTS A total of 47 patients were included, of whom 25 (53%) were receiving apixaban inconsistent with the ARISTOTLE study and the product monograph. Limitations of the current study included small sample size, single-centre setting, and retrospective design, which precluded determination of each prescriber's rationale for dosage choice. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacists and physicians should be vigilant in ensuring that patients with atrial fibrillation are receiving the appropriate dosage of apixaban to optimize the risk-benefit ratio of this therapy.
Reducing Crime and Violence: Experimental Evidence from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Liberia

We show that a number of noncognitive skills and preferences, including patience and identity, are malleable in adults, and that investments in them reduce crime and violence. We recruited criminally engaged men and randomized one-half to eight weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to foster self-regulation, patience, and a noncriminal identity and lifestyle. We also randomized $200 grants. Cash alone and therapy alone initially reduced crime and violence, but effects dissipated over time. When cash followed therapy, crime and violence decreased dramatically for at least a year. We hypothesize that cash reinforced therapy's impacts by prolonging learning-by-doing, lifestyle changes, and self-investment.
TARGET ARTICLE: "Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence"

This article describes the concept of posttraumatic growth, its conceptual foundations, and supporting empirical evidence. Posttraumatic growth is the experience of positive change that occurs as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life crises. It is manifested in a variety of ways, including an increased appreciation for life in general, more meaningful interpersonal relationships, an increased sense of personal strength, changed priorities, and a richer existential and spiritual life. Although the term is new, the idea that great good can come from great suffering is ancient. We propose a model for understanding the process of posttraumatic growth in which individual characteristics, support and disclosure, and more centrally, significant cognitive processing involving cognitive structures threatened or nullified by the traumatic events, play an important role. It is also suggested that posttraumatic growth mutually interacts with life wisdom and the development of the life narrative, and that it is an ongoing process, not a static outcome.
A Direct Comparison of Glassy Carbon and PEDOT-PSS Electrodes for High Charge Injection and Low Impedance Neural Interfaces

For neural applications, materials able to interface with the brain without harming it while recording high-fidelity signals over long-term implants are still sought after. Glassy Carbon (GC) and Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) have proved to be promising materials for neural interfaces as they show – compared to conventional metal electrodes - higher conductivity, better electrochemical stability, very good mechanical properties and therefore seem to be very promising for in vivo applications. We present here, for the first time, a direct comparison between GC and PEDOT-PSS microelectrodes in terms of biocompatibility, electrical and electrochemical properties as well as in vivo recording capabilities, using electrocorticography microelectrode arrays located on flexible polyimide substrate. The GC microelectrodes were fabricated using a traditional negative lithography processes followed by pyrolysis. PEDOT-PSS was selectively electrodeposited on the desired electrodes. Electrochemical performance of the two materials was evaluated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Biocompatibility was assessed through in-vitro studies evaluating cultured cells viability. The in vivo performance of the GC and PEDOT-PSS electrodes was directly compared by simultaneously recording neuronal activity during somatosensory stimulation in Long-Evans rats. We found that both GC and PEDOT-PSS electrodes outperform metals in terms of electrochemical performance and allow to obtain excellent recordings of somatosensory evoked potentials from the rat brain surface. Furthermore, we found that both GC and PEDOT-PSS substrates are highly biocompatible, confirming that they are safe for neural interface applications.
Application of bromelain powder produced from pineapple crowns in tenderising beef round cuts

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of bromelain produced from pineapple crowns on the quality of beef round cuts. The beef was treated with bromelain at the following condition; the pH of beef was 5.6, the immersion temperature was 60oC, the concentration of bromelain solution was 0.17% and the immersion time was 10 minutes. Bromelain decreased the hardness, water holding capacity (WHC), moisture content and a* value of beef. On the other hand, bromelain increased the pH, cooking loss, and L* and b* values of beef. Bromelain treatment to beef cut samples significantly (P <0.05) increased the essential and non-essential amino acids content of beef. This indicated that beef treated with bromelain had a desirable effect on the beef quality.
Subcutaneous versus intravenous formulation of trastuzumab for HER2-positive early breast cancer: updated results from the phase III HannaH study.

BACKGROUND HannaH (NCT00950300) was a phase III, randomized, international, open-label study that compared pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy, and safety of two different trastuzumab formulations [subcutaneous (s.c.) and intravenous (i.v.)] in HER2-positive, operable, locally advanced, or inflammatory breast cancer in the neoadjuvant/adjuvant setting. The co-primary end points, to show noninferiority of s.c. versus i.v. trastuzumab in terms of serum concentration (Ctrough) and pathologic complete response (pCR) were met; safety profiles were comparable at 12 months' median follow-up. Secondary end points included safety and tolerability, PK profile, immunogenicity, and event-free survival (EFS). We now report updated safety and efficacy data after a median follow-up of 20 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients (N = 596) were treated with eight cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, administered concurrently with 3-weekly s.c. trastuzumab (fixed dose of 600 mg) or the standard weight-based i.v. method. Following surgery, patients continued trastuzumab treatment to complete 1 year of therapy. Updated analyses of PK, efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity data were carried out. RESULTS s.c. trastuzumab was generally well tolerated and the incidence of adverse events (AEs), including grade 3 or 4 AEs, between treatment groups was comparable. A slightly higher incidence of serious AEs (SAEs), mainly due to infections, was reported with s.c. treatment {64 [21.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 17.0%-26.7%] versus 42 (14.1%; 95% CI 10.4%-18.6%) in the i.v. group}; however, the differences were small and often based on rare events, with no observable pattern across reported events. An early analysis of EFS showed rates of 95% in both groups 1 year postrandomization. Exploratory analyses did not reveal an association between toxicity and body weight or exposure. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the safety profile of s.c. trastuzumab was consistent with the previously published data from HannaH and the known safety profile of i.v. trastuzumab. EFS rates were comparable between the i.v. and s.c. groups. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT00950300.
High‐throughput identification of RNA nuclear enrichment sequences

One of the biggest surprises since the sequencing of the human genome has been the discovery of thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)1–6. Although lncRNAs and mRNAs are similar in many ways, they differ with lncRNAs being more nuclear-enriched and in several cases exclusively nuclear7,8. Yet, the RNA-based sequences that determine nuclear localization remain poorly understood9–11. Towards the goal of systematically dissecting the lncRNA sequences that impart nuclear localization, we developed a massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA). Unlike previous MPRAs12–15 that determine motifs important for transcriptional regulation, we have modified this approach to identify sequences sufficient for RNA nuclear enrichment for 38 human lncRNAs. Using this approach, we identified 109 unique, conserved nuclear enrichment regions, originating from 29 distinct lncRNAs. We also discovered two shorter motifs within our nuclear enrichment regions. We further validated the sufficiency of several regions to impart nuclear localization by single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (smRNA-FISH). Taken together, these results provide a first systematic insight into the sequence elements responsible for the nuclear enrichment of lncRNA molecules.
Phylogenetic position of Ecballocystis and Ecballocystopsis (Chlorophyta)

Ecballocystis and Ecballocystopsis are two rare, green algal genera. Both have thalli that grow on rock surfaces in flowing water and attach to rocks by a thick mucilaginous pad. The algae have similar thalli structure, consisting of autospores in mother cell wall remnants. Ecballocystopsis differs from Ecballocystis in being filamentous instead of dendroid. In this study, new strains of Ecballocystis hubeiensis and Ecballocystopsis dichotomus were collected from China and cultured. Morphology was observed by light and electron microscopy. 18S rDNA and rbcL sequences were determined and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Both morphological and phylogenetic analysis indicated that Ecballocystis and Ecballocystopsis should be placed in the family of Oocystaceae. Ecballocystis was closely related to Elongatocystis in 18S rDNA phylogeny. The results of present study emphasize the high level of phenotypic plasticity of Oocystaceae. Within the family, cell arrangement can be solitary, colonial, dendroid, or filamentous.
The Duration of Auditory Sensory Memory for Vowel Processing: Neurophysiological and Behavioral Measures

Speech perception behavioral research suggests that rates of sensory memory decay are dependent on stimulus properties at more than one level (e.g., acoustic level, phonemic level). The neurophysiology of sensory memory decay rate has rarely been examined in the context of speech processing. In a lexical tone study, we showed that long-term memory representation of lexical tone slows the decay rate of sensory memory for these tones. Here, we tested the hypothesis that long-term memory representation of vowels slows the rate of auditory sensory memory decay in a similar way to that of lexical tone. Event-related potential (ERP) responses were recorded to Mandarin non-words contrasting the vowels /i/ vs. /u/ and /y/ vs. /u/ from first-language (L1) Mandarin and L1 American English participants under short and long interstimulus interval (ISI) conditions (short ISI: an average of 575 ms, long ISI: an average of 2675 ms). Results revealed poorer discrimination of the vowel contrasts for English listeners than Mandarin listeners, but with different patterns for behavioral perception and neural discrimination. As predicted, English listeners showed the poorest discrimination and identification for the vowel contrast /y/ vs. /u/, and poorer performance in the long ISI condition. In contrast to Yu et al. (2017), however, we found no effect of ISI reflected in the neural responses, specifically the mismatch negativity (MMN), P3a and late negativity ERP amplitudes. We did see a language group effect, with Mandarin listeners generally showing larger MMN and English listeners showing larger P3a. The behavioral results revealed that native language experience plays a role in echoic sensory memory trace maintenance, but the failure to find an effect of ISI on the ERP results suggests that vowel and lexical tone memory traces decay at different rates. Highlights: We examined the interaction between auditory sensory memory decay and language experience. We compared MMN, P3a, LN and behavioral responses in short vs. long interstimulus intervals. We found that different from lexical tone contrast, MMN, P3a, and LN changes to vowel contrasts are not influenced by lengthening the ISI to 2.6 s. We also found that the English listeners discriminated the non-native vowel contrast with lower accuracy under the long ISI condition.
Non-random length distribution of individual telomeres in immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial anomalies syndrome, type I

Mutations in the de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B lead to Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Instability and Facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, type I. This syndrome is characterized, among other hypomethylated genomic loci, by severe subtelomeric hypomethylation that is associated with abnormally short telomere length. While it was demonstrated that the mean telomere length is significantly shorter in ICF type I cells, it is unknown whether all telomeres are equally vulnerable to shortening. To study this question we determined by combined telomere-FISH and spectral karyotyping the relative length of each individual telomere in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) generated from multiple ICF syndrome patients and control individuals. Here we confirm the short telomere lengths, and demonstrate that telomere length variance in the ICF patient group is much larger than in the control group, suggesting that not all telomeres shorten in a uniform manner. We identified a subgroup of telomeres whose relatively short lengths can distinguish with a high degree of certainty between a control and an ICF metaphase, proposing that in ICF syndrome cells, certain individual telomeres are consistently at greater risk to shorten than others. The majority of these telomeres display high sequence identity at the distal 2 kb of their subtelomeres, suggesting that the attenuation in DNMT3B methylation capacity affects individual telomeres to different degrees based, at least in part, on the adjacent subtelomeric sequence composition.