Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Between-Site Differences in the Scale of Dispersal and Gene Flow in Red Oak

Background Nut-bearing trees, including oaks (Quercus spp.), are considered to be highly dispersal limited, leading to concerns about their ability to colonize new sites or migrate in response to climate change. However, estimating seed dispersal is challenging in species that are secondarily dispersed by animals, and differences in disperser abundance or behavior could lead to large spatio-temporal variation in dispersal ability. Parentage and dispersal analyses combining genetic and ecological data provide accurate estimates of current dispersal, while spatial genetic structure (SGS) can shed light on past patterns of dispersal and establishment. Methodology and Principal Findings In this study, we estimate seed and pollen dispersal and parentage for two mixed-species red oak populations using a hierarchical Bayesian approach. We compare these results to those of a genetic ML parentage model. We also test whether observed patterns of SGS in three size cohorts are consistent with known site history and current dispersal patterns. We find that, while pollen dispersal is extensive at both sites, the scale of seed dispersal differs substantially. Parentage results differ between models due to additional data included in Bayesian model and differing genotyping error assumptions, but both indicate between-site dispersal differences. Patterns of SGS in large adults, small adults, and seedlings are consistent with known site history (farmed vs. selectively harvested), and with long-term differences in seed dispersal. This difference is consistent with predator/disperser satiation due to higher acorn production at the low-dispersal site. While this site-to-site variation results in substantial differences in asymptotic spread rates, dispersal for both sites is substantially lower than required to track latitudinal temperature shifts. Conclusions Animal-dispersed trees can exhibit considerable spatial variation in seed dispersal, although patterns may be surprisingly constant over time. However, even under favorable conditions, migration in heavy-seeded species is likely to lag contemporary climate change.
Bracket de-bonding and breakage prevalence in orthodontic patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of orthodontic bracket breakage and de-bonding amongst orthodontic patients at Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Karachi. The study stretched over a 13-month period from April 2008 to May 2009. For this cross sectional study 470 routine patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment at the Department of Orthodontics were examined. The male to female ratio was 225: 245 with a mean age of 16.4 years. The patients were divided into 4 age groups namely A (8-10 years), B (11-13 years), C (14-16 years) and D (>18 years) respectively. In this study, 150 patients had skeletal class 1, 265 had skeletal class II division one and 55 had skeletal class II division two malocclusions, respectively. All patients were bonded with 3M Transbond XT TM light cure orthodontic syringe adhesive system. Prior to bonding, the enamel was polished with 10-15 seconds slurry of pumice paste on slowspeed rotation rubber cup. The teeth were washed and dried, followed by 15-30 seconds enamel etch time per tooth with Coltene Whaledent Swiss-Tec TM 35% ortho-phosphoric acid gel. The results of the present study demonstrated more mandibular dentition bracket de-bonding as compared to the maxillary dentition. Both sexes demonstrated greater lower buccal segment bracket breakage followed by the lower anterior segment, with males having slightly higher de-bonding rate as compared to their female counterparts. Furthermore, the lower age groups demonstrated greater breakage compared to older age groups. It was concluded that both sexes had affinity for bracket de-bonding during active orthodontic treatment especially in the mandibular buccal segments. Teenage subjects had more bracket breakage compared to adults. This could be due to greater self-awareness self-motivation and proper oral care in adults during treatment. However, further studies are required to investigate the reasons for bracket breakage and to compare chemically and light-cured composite systems in orthodontics.
IL17A and IL23R gene polymorphisms affect the clinical features and prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin 17 (IL17A) and IL‐23 receptor (IL23R) are involved in the pathogenesis of many cancers and autoimmune diseases. We investigated the influence of IL17A and IL23R SNPs on the risk of developing multiple myeloma (MM) and its clinical features. We obtained genomic DNA from 120 patients with MM and 201 healthy controls and detected IL17A −197 G/A (rs2275913) and IL23R H3Q (rs1884444) genotypes using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL17A −197 G/A and IL23R H3Q between the controls and patients with MM. Compared with the GG and GA genotypes, the IL17A AA genotype was significantly associated with lower hemoglobin levels. The IL23R HH genotype was significantly associated with higher frequency of bone lesions and plasmacytoma than the HQ and QQ genotypes. We observed significant differences in overall survival (OS) between patients treated with thalidomide and/or bortezomib and those treated conventionally. Therefore, we also examined the effect of IL17A and IL23R polymorphisms on the clinical variables and OS in patients treated with thalidomide and/or bortezomib. We observed that the IL23R HH genotype was significantly associated with poor survival compared with the QH and HH genotypes in these patients. Our findings indicate that IL17A −197 G/A and IL23R H3Q are not associated with susceptibility to MM. However, IL‐17 and IL‐23R polymorphisms may affect severity, bone lesions, and extra‐medullary disease in patients with MM. Moreover, IL23R polymorphisms may contribute to poor prognosis in patients with MM treated with thalidomide and/or bortezomib.
Gender Differences in Paediatric Patients of the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study

Purpose Gender differences in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently reported as a secondary outcome and the results are divergent. To assess gender differences by analysing data collected within the Swiss IBD cohort study database since 2008, related to children with IBD, using the Montreal classification for a systematic approach. Methods Data on gender, age, anthropometrics, disease location at diagnosis, disease behaviour, and therapy of 196 patients, 105 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 91 with ulcerative or indeterminate colitis (UC/IC) were retrieved and analysed. Results The crude gender ratio (male : female) of patients with CD diagnosed at <10 years of age was 2.57, the adjusted ratio was 2.42, and in patients with UC/IC it was 0.68 and 0.64 respectively. The non-adjusted gender ratio of patients diagnosed at ≥10 years was 1.58 for CD and 0.88 for UC/IC. Boys with UC/IC diagnosed <10 years of age had a longer diagnostic delay, and in girls diagnosed with UC/IC >10 years a more important use of azathioprine was observed. No other gender difference was found after analysis of age, disease location and behaviour at diagnosis, duration of disease, familial occurrence of IBD, prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations, complications, and requirement for surgery. Conclusion CD in children <10 years affects predominantly boys with a sex ratio of 2.57; the impact of sex-hormones on the development of CD in pre-pubertal male patients should be investigated.
DNA lesions proximity modulates damage tolerance pathways in Escherichia coli

The genome of all organisms is constantly threatened by numerous agents that cause DNA damages. When the replication fork encounters an unrepaired DNA lesion, two DNA damage tolerance pathways are possible: error-prone translesion synthesis (TLS) that requires specialized DNA polymerases, and error-free Damage Avoidance (DA) that relies on homologous recombination. The balance between these two mechanisms is essential since it defines the level of mutagenesis during lesion bypass, allowing genetic variability and adaptation to the environment, but also introducing the risk of generating genome instability. Here we report that the mere proximity of replication-blocking lesions that arise in Escherichia coli's genome during a genotoxic stress, leads to a strong increase in the use of the error-prone TLS. We show that this increase is caused by the local inhibition of homologous recombination due to the overlapping of single-stranded DNA regions generated downstream the lesions. This increase in TLS is independent of SOS activation, but its mutagenic effect is additive with the one of SOS. Hence, the combination of SOS induction and lesions proximity leads to a strong increase in TLS that becomes the main lesion tolerance pathway used by the cell during a genotoxic stress.
Regulatory Objectives and the Intensity of Unbundling in Electricity Markets

Despite the positive effect electricity grids separated from generation and supply by ownership are expected to have on the level of competition in the non-network activities, several EU member states still adhere to a solely legally unbundled transmission grid. This choice might be induced by regulators focusing on objectives other than the promotion of consumer interests: theoretically analyzing the decisions an authority takes on both the unbundling regime and the grid charge when it supervises a network monopolist providing a downstream Cournot duopoly with capacity, we find an agency pursuing consumer-oriented goals to always implement Ownership Unbundling. For a regulator acting in the interests of the industry or the government, though, results suggest the authority to be indifferent between Legal and Ownership Unbundling; minor potential drawbacks of a network separated by ownership for the agency or the companies might then tip the scales and cause the regulator to adhere to Legal Unbundling.
A CMOS AGC-less IF strip for bluetooth

This paper presents an IF chain suitable for Low-IF fully-integrated GFSK receivers. The circuit performs amplification and channel selection (including image rejection). A five-pole Gm-C polyphase filter forms the core of the IF strip. The filter is current driven and has transimpedance gain of ≃ 120 kΩ. The filter is architectured so that GFSK signals with dynamic range exceeding 50dB can be decoded without the need of any automatic gain control. This AGC-less IF strip was fabricated in standard 0.25 µm CMOS process. It draws 6.2 mA from a 2.5 V supply and has better than 4.8 nA rms input referred noise. Input signals (compliant with Bluetooth) were applied and the output signal was collected for "software decoding". Generated BER plots meet Bluetooth specifications.
Light Accelerates Morphogenesis and Acquisition of Interlimb Stepping in Chick Embryos

Chicks are bipedal precocious vertebrates that achieve adaptive locomotor skill within hours after hatching. Development of limb movement has been extensively studied in the chicken embryo, but few studies have focused on the preparations leading to precocious locomotor skill. Chicks typically hatch after 21 days of incubation, and recent studies provided evidence that the neural circuits for intralimb control of stepping are established between embryonic days (E) 18–20. It has also been shown that variations in light exposure during embryogenesis can accelerate or delay the onset of hatching and walking by 1 to 2 days. Our earlier work revealed that despite these differences in time to hatch, chicks incubated in different light conditions achieved similar locomotor skill on the day of hatching. Results suggested to us that light exposure during incubation may have accelerated development of locomotor circuits in register with earlier hatching. Thus, in this study, embryos were incubated in 1 of 3 light conditions to determine if development of interlimb coordination at a common time point, 19 days of incubation, varied with light exposure during embryogenesis. Leg muscle activity was recorded bilaterally and burst analyses were performed for sequences of spontaneous locomotor-related activity in one or more ankle muscles to quantify the extent of interlimb coordination in ovo. We report findings indicating that the extent of interlimb coordination varied with light exposure, and left-right alternating steps were a more reliable attribute of interlimb coordination for embryos incubated in constant bright light. We provide evidence that morphological development of the leg varied with light exposure. Based on these findings, we propose that light can accelerate the development of interlimb coordination in register with earlier hatching. Our results lead us to further propose that alternating left-right stepping is the default pattern of interlimb coordination produced by locomotor circuits during embryogenesis.
Predictability of population displacement after the 2010 Haiti earthquake

Most severe disasters cause large population movements. These movements make it difficult for relief organizations to efficiently reach people in need. Understanding and predicting the locations of affected people during disasters is key to effective humanitarian relief operations and to long-term societal reconstruction. We collaborated with the largest mobile phone operator in Haiti (Digicel) and analyzed the movements of 1.9 million mobile phone users during the period from 42 d before, to 341 d after the devastating Haiti earthquake of January 12, 2010. Nineteen days after the earthquake, population movements had caused the population of the capital Port-au-Prince to decrease by an estimated 23%. Both the travel distances and size of people’s movement trajectories grew after the earthquake. These findings, in combination with the disorder that was present after the disaster, suggest that people’s movements would have become less predictable. Instead, the predictability of people’s trajectories remained high and even increased slightly during the three-month period after the earthquake. Moreover, the destinations of people who left the capital during the first three weeks after the earthquake was highly correlated with their mobility patterns during normal times, and specifically with the locations in which people had significant social bonds. For the people who left Port-au-Prince, the duration of their stay outside the city, as well as the time for their return, all followed a skewed, fat-tailed distribution. The findings suggest that population movements during disasters may be significantly more predictable than previously thought.
Postprandial lipid metabolism : effects of dietary fatty acids

Current dietary recommendations for fatty acid intakes aimed at reducing the prevalence of CHD are largely based on the cholesterol hypothesis and on the well-established effects of specific fatty acid classes on fasting total cholesterol, LDL and HDL concentrations (Department of Health, 199 1, 1994). Increasing recognition of the potential atherogenic and thrombogenic consequences of elevated triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRL; Cohn, 1994; Havel, 1994; Karpe et al. 1994; Hodis & Mack, 1995; Karpe & Hamsten, 1995) has revealed the paucity of dietary studies which evaluate postprandial as well as fasting lipoproteins. The need for a greater understanding of effects of diet on postprandial lipoproteins is emphasized by the fact that most individuals are in a postprandial state for the greater part of every 24 h period. A typical 24 h triacylglycerol profile of a normal individual eating three or four meals and snacks per day is shown in Fig. 1, and illustrates that triacylglycerol levels are elevated above fasting values for approximately 17 h of each 24 h period. Only in the early morning between 03.00 and 06.00 hours, do triacylglycerol levels reflect the values measured after a 12 h fast, the measurement usually made in most epidemiological studies. It is clear that the fasting state does not reflect total 24 h triacylglycerol values and is not the normal nutritional state for most individuals, at least as far as lipid metabolism is concerned.
MvaT Family Proteins Encoded on IncP-7 Plasmid pCAR1 and the Host Chromosome Regulate the Host Transcriptome Cooperatively but Differently

ABSTRACT MvaT proteins are members of the H-NS family of proteins in pseudomonads. The IncP-7 conjugative plasmid pCAR1 carries an mvaT-homologous gene, pmr. In Pseudomonas putida KT2440 bearing pCAR1, pmr and the chromosomally carried homologous genes, turA and turB, are transcribed at high levels, and Pmr interacts with TurA and TurB in vitro. In the present study, we clarified how the three MvaT proteins regulate the transcriptome of P. putida KT2440(pCAR1). Analyses performed by a modified chromatin immunoprecipitation assay with microarray technology (ChIP-chip) suggested that the binding regions of Pmr, TurA, and TurB in the P. putida KT2440(pCAR1) genome are almost identical; nevertheless, transcriptomic analyses using mutants with deletions of the genes encoding the MvaT proteins during the log and early stationary growth phases clearly suggested that their regulons were different. Indeed, significant regulon dissimilarity was found between Pmr and the other two proteins. Transcription of a larger number of genes was affected by Pmr deletion during early stationary phase than during log phase, suggesting that Pmr ameliorates the effects of pCAR1 on host fitness more effectively during the early stationary phase. Alternatively, the similarity of the TurA and TurB regulons implied that they might play complementary roles as global transcriptional regulators in response to plasmid carriage.
Corporate Responsibility and Financial Performance: The Role of Intangible Resources

This paper examines the effects of a firm's intangible resources in mediating the relationship between corporate responsibility and financial performance. We hypothesize that previous empirical findings of a positive relationship between social and financial performance may be spurious because the researchers failed to account for the mediating effects of intangible resources. Our results indicate that there is no direct relationship between corporate responsibility and financial performance—merely an indirect relationship that relies on the mediating effect of a firm's intangible resources. We demonstrate our theoretical contention with the use of a database comprising 599 companies from 28 countries. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on the fabrication of plasticized polystyrene-carbon nanotube nanocomposites for foaming

The impregnation of carbon nanotubes within fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) is a sought after capability for the advancement of composite systems. This study evaluates the novel processing of a carbon nanotube nanocomposite that has been developed to incorporate varying carbon nanotube loadings within final composite foams. This material is manufactured through a melt mix process of carbon nanotubes and polystyrene at ∼2.0–13.0 wt. % that further underwent a plasticization process in an acetone solvent. The chemical foaming agent 2.2′-Azobi(isobutyronitrile) is used to facilitate foaming at a constant 3.0 wt. % concentration. The foamed nanocomposite results in a carbon nanotube-loaded micro-porous structure showing capabilities of delivering localized carbon nanotube placement within fiber composite laminate systems. This report’s aim is to illustrate the effects of plasticizing polystyrene-carbon nanotube nanocomposite and calendaring the softened material to form foams imbedded with carbon nanotubes (carbon nanotubes). Scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were the tools that are used to characterize the materials at the various morphologies with their findings inclusive.
Early immune recovery after autologous transplantation in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients: predictive factors and clinical significance

Abstract Limited data is available about the factors affecting early immune recovery or its clinical significance after autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). We prospectively analyzed factors affecting early immune recovery and outcome among 72 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. Absolute lymphocyte count 15 d after auto-SCT (ALC-15) ≥ 0.5 × 109/L was associated with the use of plerixafor (p = 0.004), the number of CD34+ cells (p = 0.015), and CD34+ CD38− cells (p = 0.005) in the grafts. ALC-15 ≥ 0.5 × 109/L was associated with improved overall survival (p = 0.021). In patients with aggressive histology, ALC-15 ≥ 0.5 × 109/L was beneficial in regard to both progression-free survival (p = 0.015) and overall survival (p = 0.002). Early immune recovery seems to be important in transplanted patients with NHL and, therefore, an easy and affordable method for disease-related risk analysis. Patients with aggressive histology and slow immune recovery may need additional post-transplant treatment.
A LABORATORY COMPARISON OF CLOCKWISE AND COUNTER-CLOCKWISE RAPIDLY ROTATING SHIFT SCHEDULES..

Abstract : Many air traffic control specialists work relatively unique counter-clockwise, rapidly rotating shift schedules. Researchers recommend, however, that if rotating schedules are to be used, they should rotate in a clockwise, rather than a counterclockwise direction. Unfortunately, few studies have examined clockwise and counter-clockwise, rapidly rotating shifts. This study was designed to partially remedy this lack by examining the effects of both types of schedules on sleep duration, timing, and quality. Participants (n = 28) worked a week of day shifts (0800-1600), followed by two weeks of either a Clockwise (n = 14) or Counter-Clockwise (n = 14) shiftwork schedule, including early morning (0600-1400), afternoon (1400-2200), and midnight shifts (2200-0600). Participants recorded sleep data in daily logbooks and wore wrist activity sensors to provide an objective source of sleep/wake data. Both groups reported less sleep before the early morning shifts (M(sub Clockwise) = 5.1h; M(sub counter-clockwise) = 5.5h) than before the afternoon shifts (M(sub Clockwise) = 7.5h; M(sub counter-Clockwise) = 7.9h). The Clockwise group reported an average of 7.2h of sleep during the night before the midnight shifts and a nap during the day of 0.9h. In addition to a nighttime sleep of 6.0h, the Counter-Clockwise group also took a nap before the midnight shifts of 2.2h. Objective sleep data and subjective sleep quality ratings are also reported. While these data indicate that a longer concentrated sleep period is obtained prior to the midnight shift on the Clockwise rotation schedule, they do not fully support the hypothesis that a clockwise rotation will result in less sleep disruption.