Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manifestation of Y-chromosomal deletions in the human testis: a morphometrical and immunohistochemical evaluation.

BACKGROUND Deletions of the AZF (azoospermia factor) subregions on the Y chromosome are accompanied by a diverse spectrum of spermatogenic disturbances ranging from hypospermatogenesis to total depletion of germ cells causing infertility. The AZF region encodes gene products which are candidates for the genetic control of spermatogenesis. Although it is known which genes are involved, a general principle of cause and effect cannot yet be deciphered and the deletion type has non-uniform histological phenotypes. METHODS AND RESULTS We analysed morphological parameters of testicular biopsies from 17 patients diagnosed for Y chromosome microdeletions. As control groups we analysed testes from patients with idiopathic Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome (n = 11), mixed atrophy (n = 10) and complete spermatogenesis (n = 11). A detailed genetic analysis on the extension of the observed microdeletions revealed similar breakpoints in the distal and proximal region of the AZFc region, indicating a common mechanism of homologous recombination for such deletions, as has been suggested before. Morphometric parameters such as the diameter of the tubules, lumen, thickness of the lamina propria and height of the tubule epithelia were investigated. The diameter of the tubules from patients with microdeletions was found to be significantly smaller compared with patients with mixed atrophy. Considering also the size of the tubules, lumen and epithelia, a Y-chromosomal microdeletion represents an intermediate state between an idiopathic SCO and normal spermatogenesis. The immunohistochemical analysis of six different Sertoli cell markers, cytokeratin 18, vimentin, inhibin alpha subunit, 14-3-3 theta, FSH receptor and androgen receptor, revealed no impact of AZF deletion on the specific expression pattern of these genes. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that, notwithstanding the deletion of a common region in the AZFc region, microdeletions of the Y chromosome lead to an intermediate status between idiopathic SCO and complete spermatogenesis, resulting in a heterogeneous histological profile regardless of the seminiferous activity. The Sertoli cell function seems not to be altered.
Abundance and Distribution of Marbled Murrelets in Oregon and Washington Based on Aerial Surveys

To determine the abundance and distribution of Marbled Murrelets, aerial surveys of the Oregon coast, Washington outer coast, and shores of the western Strait of Juan de Fuca were conducted in August/September 1993. Based on these marine surveys, abundance estimates are established for Oregon (6,400-6,800 birds) and the waters surveyed in Washington (3,400-3,600 birds). A comparison of these estimates to those established by other surveys indicates that boat-based surveys may give higher estimates of murrelet abundance, and that population size has probably not decidedly changed over the last 10 years in either Oregon or Washington. On the Pacific Ocean coast of both states, murrelets were found to be unevenly distributed with birds being most abundant in central Oregon and northern Washington, and present in lower abundance in southern Oregon and from northern Oregon through southern and central Washington. This distribution appears to be related to shore type, and proximity to the entrances to major river mouths and embayments, at least in Oregon, and to available inland nesting habitat in both states. The ratio of hatch-year birds to the total number of murrelets seen during the surveys was estimated to be 5 percent. As a measure of production, this estimate is too low for population maintenance, but we conclude that murrelets in Oregon and Washington may not be in a long-term population decline. Determination of abundance and distribution is an important element in the conservation management of the Marbled Murrelet ( Brachyramphus marmoratus). Because of the secretive habits of murrelets frequenting inland areas, marine surveys are the most effective means for documenting population size. Only recently have systematic marine surveys for murrelets been conducted over the entire length of the Oregon coast, and no such surveys have been conducted over the extent of the Washington outer coast. Consequently, even though the opportunity to do so arose late in the nesting season, we carried out aerial surveys of the Oregon and Washington coasts during late August and early September 1993. This chapter reviews the results of these surveys, which are examined in more detail in two unpublished reports (Varoujean and Williams 1994a, b). In addition, we compare our findings to those of boat-based surveys conducted in both Oregon and Washington.
Antioxidative Effects of Exercise Training in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Increase in Radical Scavenger Enzyme Activity in Skeletal Muscle

Background—In chronic heart failure (CHF), cross-talk between inflammatory activation and oxidative stress has been anticipated in skeletal muscle (SM). The role of the radical scavenger enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), which remove oxygen radicals, has never been assessed in the SM in this context. Moreover, it remains unknown whether exercise training augments the activity of these enzymes in CHF. Methods and Results—Twenty-three patients with CHF were randomized to either 6 months of exercise training (T) or a sedentary lifestyle (C); 12 age-matched healthy subjects (HS) were studied in parallel. Activity of Cat, SOD, and GPX was assessed in SM biopsies before and after 6 months (6 months). Oxidative stress was determined by measuring nitrotyrosine formation. SOD, Cat, and GPX activity was reduced by 31%, 57%, and 51%, respectively, whereas nitrotyrosine formation was increased by 107% in SM in CHF (P<0.05 versus HS). In CHF, exercise training augmented GPX and Cat activity in SM by 41% (P<0.05 versus before and group C) and 42% (P<0.05 versus before and group C), respectively, and decreased nitrotyrosine production by 35% (from 3.8±0.4% tissue area before to 2.5±0.3% after 6 months; P<0.05 versus before). Conclusions—The reduced activity of major antioxidative enzymes in the SM of CHF patients is associated with increased local oxidative stress. Exercise training exerts antioxidative effects in the SM in CHF, in particular, due to an augmentation in activity of radical scavenger enzymes.
The Effects of Business Cycles on Growth

This paper studies the link between business cycles and long-term growth rates. We present empirical evidence that uncovers interesting and signicant interactions between cycles and growth. We show that business cycles cannot be considered as temporary deviations from a trend and that there is a strong positive correlation between the persistence of short-term uctuations and long-term growth rates. A simple endogenous growth model where business cycles aect growth can easily replicate this correlation. We then study the link between volatility and growth. We show that countries with more volatile uctuations display lower long-term growth rates. We also nd evidence that there is a nonlinearity in this relationship.
Early career artists and the exchange of gifts on a crowdfunding platform

Abstract This article undertakes the analysis of crowdfunding as an activity combining aspects of the exchange of gifts and of commodity exchange. Based on empirical research – 30 interviews conducted with artists using the MegaTotal platform – we demonstrate that completing projects on that platform requires building relationships with a group of the most active users of the platform. Moreover, on the basis of the answers provided by contributors, we show that motives such as participation in the production of culture and deciding what kind of product will make its appearance on the market is what is important to them. Both parties are coupled by the mechanisms of gift exchange and the flow of money.
Reducing SAGE Data Using Genetic Algorithms

— Serial Analysis of Gene Expression is a powerful quantification technique for generating cell or tissue gene expression data. The profile of the gene expression of cell or tissue in several different states is difficult for biologists to analyze because of the large number of genes typically involved. However, feature selection in machine learning can successfully reduce this problem. The method allows reducing the features (genes) in specific SAGE data, and determines only relevant genes. In this study, we used a genetic algorithm to implement feature selection, and evaluate the classification accuracy of the selected features with the K-nearest neighbor method. In order to validate the proposed method, we used two SAGE data sets for testing. The results of this study conclusively prove that the number of features of the original SAGE data set can be significantly reduced and higher classification accuracy can be achieved.
Trust, Reciprocity, and Actions: The Development of Trust in Temporary Inter-organizational Relations

This paper focuses on the development of trust in temporary inter-organizational relations. One specific form of such relations is public construction projects established by competitive tendering. In this context, previous studies have suggested that the shadow of the future only moderates behavior to a limited extent and trust may seem hard to come by. The present in-depth case study adds to the theorizing of trust dynamics by demonstrating that reciprocal norms at the industry level, as well as reciprocal norms developing during project execution, contribute to the development of trust. The study connects trust, reciprocity, and actions, giving insight into the interplay between trust and reciprocity, the interplay between reciprocal norms at the industry level and the project level, and the role of small and large actions in the trust process.
A Revised Model for the Formation of Disk Galaxies: Low Spin and Dark Halo Expansion

We use observed rotation velocity-luminosity (VL) and size-luminosity (RL) relations to single out a specific scenario for disk galaxy formation in the ΛCDM cosmology. Our model involves four independent lognormal random variables: dark halo concentration c, disk spin λgal, disk mass fraction mgal, and stellar mass-to-light ratio ϒI. A simultaneous match of the VL and RL zero points with adiabatic contraction requires low-c halos, but this model has V2.2 ~ 1.8Vvir (where V2.2 and Vvir are the circular velocity at 2.2 disk scale lengths and the virial radius, respectively), which will be unable to match the luminosity function (LF). Similarly models without adiabatic contraction but standard c also predict high values of V2.2/Vvir. Models in which disk formation induces an expansion rather than the commonly assumed contraction of the dark matter halos have V2.2 ~ 1.2Vvir, which allows a simultaneous fit of the LF. This may result from nonspherical, clumpy gas accretion, where dynamical friction transfers energy from the gas to the dark matter. This model requires low λgal and mgal values, contrary to naive expectations. However, the low λgal is consistent with the notion that disk galaxies predominantly survive in halos with a quiet merger history, while a low mgal is also indicated by galaxy-galaxy lensing. The smaller than expected scatter in the RL relation and the lack of correlation between the residuals of the VL and RL relations, respectively, imply that the scatter in λgal and in c needs to be smaller than predicted for ΛCDM halos, again consistent with the idea that disk galaxies preferentially reside in halos with a quiet merger history.
Market Impact with Autocorrelated Order Flow under Perfect Competition

Our goal in this paper is to study the market impact in a market in which the order flow is autocorrelated. We build a model which explains qualitatively and quantitatively the empirical facts observed so far concerning market impact. We define different notions of market impact, and show how they lead to the different price paths observed in the literature. For each one, under the assumption of perfect competition and information, we derive and explain the relationships between the correlations in the order flow, the shape of the market impact function while a meta-order is being executed, and the expected price after the completion. We also derive an expression for the decay of market impact after a trade, and show how it can result in a better liquidation strategy for an informed trader. We show how, in spite of auto-correlation in order-flow, prices can be martingales, and how price manipulation is ruled out even though the bare impact function is concave. We finally assess the cost of market impact and try to make a step towards optimal strategies.
SDSS J102347.6+003841: A MILLISECOND RADIO PULSAR BINARY THAT HAD A HOT DISK DURING 2000–2001

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) source J102347.6+003841 was recently revealed to be a binary 1.69 ms radio pulsar with a 4.75 hr orbital period and a ∼0.2 M☉ companion. Here, we analyze the SDSS spectrum of the source in detail. The spectrum was taken on 2001 February 1, when the source was in a bright state and showed broad, double-peaked hydrogen and helium lines—dramatically different from the G-type absorption spectrum seen from 2002 May onward. The lines are consistent with emission from a disk around the compact primary. We derive properties of the disk by fitting the SDSS continuum with a simple disk model, and find a temperature range of 2000–34,000 K from the outer to inner edge of the disk. The disk inner and outer radii were approximately 109 and 5.7×1010 cm, respectively. These results further emphasize the unique feature of the source: it is a system likely at the end of its transition from an X-ray binary to a recycled radio pulsar. The disk mass is estimated to have been ∼1023 g, most of which would have been lost due to pulsar wind ablation (or due to the propeller effect if the disk had extended inside the light cylinder of the pulsar) before the final disk disruption event. The system could undergo repeated episodes of disk formation. Close monitoring of the source is needed to catch the system in its bright state again, so that this unusual example of a pulsar–disk interaction can be studied in much finer detail.
Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background Several studies have reported that clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in a variety of clinical areas are of modest or variable quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of an international cohort of CPGs that provide recommendations on pharmaceutical management of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Methods and Findings We searched the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) on February 15th and June 4th, 2012 for CPGs meeting inclusion criteria. Two independent assessors rated the quality of each CPG using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. Twenty-four guidelines were evaluated, and most had high scores for clarity and presentation. However, scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, and applicability domains varied considerably. The majority of guidelines scored low on editorial independence, and only seven CPGs were based on an underlying systematic review of the evidence. Conclusions The overall quality of CPGs for glycemic control in DM2 is moderate, but there is substantial variability among quality domains within and across guidelines. Guideline users need to be aware of this variability and carefully appraise and select the guidelines that they apply to patient care.
Adaptive, Nonparametric Markov Modeling for Unsupervised, MRI Brain-Tissue Classification

This paper presents a novel method for brain-tissue classification in magnetic resonance (MR) images that relies on a very general, adaptive statistical model of image neighborhoods. The method models MR-tissue intensities as derived from stationary random fields. It models the associated higher-order statistics nonpara- metrically via a data-driven strategy. This paper describes the essential theoreti- cal aspects underpinning adaptive, nonparametric Markov modeling and the the- ory behind the consistency of such a model. This general formulation enables the method to easily adapt to various kinds of MR images and the associated acquisi- tion artifacts. It implicitly accounts for the intensity nonuniformity and performs equally well on T1-weighted MR data with or without nonuniformity correction. The method minimizes an information-theoretic metric on the probability density functions associated with image neighborhoods to produce an optimal classification. It automatically tunes its important internal parameters based on the information content of the data. Combined with an atlas-based initialization, it is completely automatic. Experiments on real, simulated, and multimodal data demonstrate the advantages of the method over the current state-of-the-art.
Visualization of HIV-1 Interactions with Penile and Foreskin Epithelia: Clues for Female-to-Male HIV Transmission

To gain insight into female-to-male HIV sexual transmission and how male circumcision protects against this mode of transmission, we visualized HIV-1 interactions with foreskin and penile tissues in ex vivo tissue culture and in vivo rhesus macaque models utilizing epifluorescent microscopy. 12 foreskin and 14 cadaveric penile specimens were cultured with R5-tropic photoactivatable (PA)-GFP HIV-1 for 4 or 24 hours. Tissue cryosections were immunofluorescently imaged for epithelial and immune cell markers. Images were analyzed for total virions, proportion of penetrators, depth of virion penetration, as well as immune cell counts and depths in the tissue. We visualized individual PA virions breaching penile epithelial surfaces in the explant and macaque model. Using kernel density estimated probabilities of localizing a virion or immune cell at certain tissue depths revealed that interactions between virions and cells were more likely to occur in the inner foreskin or glans penis (from local or cadaveric donors, respectively). Using statistical models to account for repeated measures and zero-inflated datasets, we found no difference in total virions visualized at 4 hours between inner and outer foreskins from local donors. At 24 hours, there were more virions in inner as compared to outer foreskin (0.0495 +/− 0.0154 and 0.0171 +/− 0.0038 virions/image, p = 0.001). In the cadaveric specimens, we observed more virions in inner foreskin (0.0507 +/− 0.0079 virions/image) than glans tissue (0.0167 +/− 0.0033 virions/image, p<0.001), but a greater proportion was seen penetrating uncircumcised glans tissue (0.0458 +/− 0.0188 vs. 0.0151 +/− 0.0100 virions/image, p = 0.099) and to significantly greater mean depths (29.162 +/− 3.908 vs. 12.466 +/− 2.985 μm). Our in vivo macaque model confirmed that virions can breach penile squamous epithelia in a living model. In summary, these results suggest that the inner foreskin and glans epithelia may be important sites for HIV transmission in uncircumcised men.
Increased tachykinin levels in induced sputum from asthmatic and cough patients with acid reflux

Background: Acid reflux may aggravate airway disease including asthma and chronic cough. One postulated mechanism concerns a vagally-mediated oesophageal-tracheobronchial reflex with airway sensory nerve activation and tachykinin release. Aim: To test the hypothesis that patients with airways disease and reflux have higher airway tachykinin levels than those without reflux. Methods: Thirty-two patients with airways disease (16 with mild asthma and 16 non-asthmatic subjects with chronic cough) underwent 24 h oesophageal pH monitoring. Acid reflux was defined as increased total oesophageal acid exposure (% total time pH <4 of >4.9% at the distal probe). All subjects underwent sputum induction. Differential cell counts and concentrations of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), albumin and α2-macroglobulin were determined. Results: SP and NKA levels were significantly higher in patients with reflux than in those without (SP: 1434 (680) pg/ml vs 906 (593) pg/ml, p = 0.026; NKA: 81 (33) pg/ml vs 52 (36) pg/ml, p = 0.03). Significantly higher tachykinin levels were also found in asthmatic patients with reflux than in asthmatic patients without reflux (SP: 1508 (781) pg/ml vs 737 (512) pg/ml, p = 0.035; NKA: median (interquartile range 108 (85–120) pg/ml vs 75 (2–98) pg/ml, p = 0.02). In patients with asthma there was a significant positive correlation between distal oesophageal acid exposure and SP levels (r = 0.59, p = 0.01) and NKA levels (r = 0.56, p = 0.02). Non-significant increases in SP and NKA were measured in patients with cough with reflux (SP: 1534.71 (711) pg/ml vs 1089 (606) pg/ml, p = 0.20; NKA: 56 (43) pg/ml vs 49 (17) pg/ml, p = 0.71). No significant difference in differential cell counts or any other biochemical parameter was noted between study groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates increased airway tachykinin levels in patients with asthma and cough patients with coexistent acid reflux. This suggests airway sensory nerve activation in this population.
Apple Pollination: Demand Depends on Variety and Supply Depends on Pollinator Identity

Insect pollination underpins apple production but the extent to which different pollinator guilds supply this service, particularly across different apple varieties, is unknown. Such information is essential if appropriate orchard management practices are to be targeted and proportional to the potential benefits pollinator species may provide. Here we use a novel combination of pollinator effectiveness assays (floral visit effectiveness), orchard field surveys (flower visitation rate) and pollinator dependence manipulations (pollinator exclusion experiments) to quantify the supply of pollination services provided by four different pollinator guilds to the production of four commercial varieties of apple. We show that not all pollinators are equally effective at pollinating apples, with hoverflies being less effective than solitary bees and bumblebees, and the relative abundance of different pollinator guilds visiting apple flowers of different varieties varies significantly. Based on this, the taxa specific economic benefits to UK apple production have been established. The contribution of insect pollinators to the economic output in all varieties was estimated to be £92.1M across the UK, with contributions varying widely across taxa: solitary bees (£51.4M), honeybees (£21.4M), bumblebees (£18.6M) and hoverflies (£0.7M). This research highlights the differences in the economic benefits of four insect pollinator guilds to four major apple varieties in the UK. This information is essential to underpin appropriate investment in pollination services management and provides a model that can be used in other entomolophilous crops to improve our understanding of crop pollination ecology.
The Mediation Effects of Career Exploration on the Relationship Between Trait Anxiety and Career Indecision

This study investigated trait anxiety, career exploration behaviors, and career indecision. Using longitudinal data, career exploration behavior was examined as a mediator in the relationship between trait anxiety and career indecision. Five hundred and one Korean college students completed online questionnaires at three different time points with a 6-month interval. Results showed significant mediation effects of career exploration behaviors. Specifically, a higher level of trait anxiety was associated with a lower level of initial career exploration, yet anxiety increased career exploration behaviors over time. Additionally, an increase in career exploration behaviors predicted a decrease in career indecision. The results suggest that the role of trait anxiety in career exploration and decision-making may change over time. While trait anxiety is related to less exploration and more difficulty in decision-making from a cross-sectional perspective, it may facilitate career exploration and, ultimately, career decision-making from a longitudinal perspective.