Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The neuroanatomy of grapheme–color synesthesia

Grapheme–color synesthetes perceive particular colors when seeing a letter, word or number (grapheme). Functional neuroimaging studies have provided some evidence in favor of a neural basis for this type of synesthesia. Most of these studies have reported extra activations in the fusiform gyrus, which is known to be involved in color, letter and word processing. The present study examined different neuroanatomical features (i.e. cortical thickness, cortical volume and cortical surface area) in a sample of 48 subjects (24 grapheme–color synesthetes and 24 control subjects), and revealed increased cortical thickness, volume and surface area in the right and left fusiform gyrus and in adjacent regions, such as the lingual gyrus and the calcarine cortex, in grapheme–color synesthetes. In addition, we set out to analyze structural connectivity based on fractional anisotropy (FA) measurements in a subsample of 28 subjects (14 synesthetes and 14 control subjects). In contrast to the findings of a recent neuroanatomical study using modern diffusion tensor imaging measurement techniques, we did not detect any statistically significant difference in FA between synesthetes and non‐synesthetes in the fusiform gyri. Our study thus supports the hypothesis of local anatomical differences in cortical characteristics in the vicinity of the V4 complex. The observed altered brain anatomy in grapheme–color synesthetes might be the anatomical basis for this particular form of synesthesia but it is also possible that the detected effects are a consequence (rather than the primary cause) of the life‐long experience of grapheme–color synesthesia.
VARIATION IN GENETIC ARCHITECTURE OF CALLING SONG AMONG POPULATIONS OF ALLONEMOBIUS SOCIUS, A. FASCIATUS, AND A HYBRID POPULATION: DRIFT OR SELECTION?

Predictions using quantitative genetic models generally assume that the variance‐covariance matrices remain constant over time. This assumption is based on the supposition that selection is generally weak and hence variation lost through selection can be replaced by new mutations. Whether this is generally true can only be ascertained from empirical studies. Ideally for such a study we should be able to make a prediction concerning the relative strength of selection versus genetic drift. If the latter force is prevalent then the variance‐covariances matrices should be proportional to each other. Previous studies have indicated that females in the two sibling cricket species Allonemobius socius and A. fasciatus do not discriminate between males of the two species by their calling song. Therefore, differences between the calling song of the two males most likely result from drift rather than sexual selection. We test this hypothesis by comparing the genetic architecture of calling song of three populations of A. fasciatus with two populations of A. socius. We found no differences among populations within species, but significant differences in the G (genetic) and P (phenotypic) matrices between species, with the matrices being proportional as predicted under the hypothesis of genetic drift. Because of the proportional change in the (co)variances no differences between species are evident in the heritabilities or genetic correlations. Comparison of the two species with a hybrid population from a zone of overlap showed highly significant nonproportional variation in genetic architecture. This variation is consistent with a general mixture of two separate genomes or selection. Qualitative conclusions reached using the phenotypic matrices are the same as those reached using the genetic matrices supporting the hypothesis that the former may be used as surrogate measures of the latter.
Intraspecific variation in carapace morphology among fiddler crabs (Genus Uca) from the Atlantic coast of Brazil

Isolation due to geographical barriers should promote genetic and morphological divergence among populations. Marine currents flowing in opposing directions along landmasses can constitute barriers that isolate populations dependent upon aquatic dispersal. The distribution of fiddler crabs (genus Uca) is regulated primarily by the oceanic transport of their planktonic lar- vae and by available adult habitat. Along the Brazilian coast of eastern South America, the flow of 2 major oceanic currents separates northern from southern Uca populations, which may promote intraspecific divergence in 'trans-Brazilian' species. Populations of 10 Uca species were sampled at 64 locations north and south of the Ponta do Calcanhar, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Carapace shape was assessed using geometric morphometrics to analyze 12 surface landmarks in 1319 female crabs. Carapace shape differs significantly in each species. In morphospace, the carapace forms of the 10 species appear to separate into traditional subgeneric clusters. Within the 8 species exhibiting trans-Brazilian distributions, northern and southern populations show distinct carapace differences. Depending on species, either the hepatic or the branchial region is larger in northern populations. Since significant genetic variability among such populations has not been confirmed, divergence in carapace shape suggests significant ecological modulation of phenotype within each species. Apparently, environmental differences between northern and southern localities exert a greater impact on carapace morphology than impeded gene flow. The drivers under - pinning diversification of carapace shape remain unknown, however.
Widespread Endogenization of Densoviruses and Parvoviruses in Animal and Human Genomes

ABSTRACT Parvoviruses infect humans and a broad range of animals, from mammals to crustaceans, and generally are associated with a variety of acute and chronic diseases. However, many others cause persistent infections and are not known to be associated with any disease. Viral persistence is likely related to the ability to integrate into the chromosomal DNA and to establish a latent infection. However, there is little evidence for genome integration of parvoviral DNA except for Adeno-associated virus (AAV). Here we performed a systematic search for homologs of parvoviral proteins in publicly available eukaryotic genome databases followed by experimental verification and phylogenetic analysis. We conclude that parvoviruses have frequently invaded the germ lines of diverse animal species, including mammals, fishes, birds, tunicates, arthropods, and flatworms. The identification of orthologous endogenous parvovirus sequences in the genomes of humans and other mammals suggests that parvoviruses have coexisted with mammals for at least 98 million years. Furthermore, some of the endogenized parvoviral genes were expressed in eukaryotic organisms, suggesting that these viral genes are also functional in the host genomes. Our findings may provide novel insights into parvovirus biology, host interactions, and evolution.
A Combined Photoluminescence and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of Low Energy Electron Irradiated 4H SiC

Several 4H SiC samples have been electron-irradiated at near threshold energies at low fluence, either along the [0001] or [000-1] direction. PL and EPR techniques have been used to investigate the dependence of the beam direction on defect generation and, together with a sample irradiated at a higher fluence, to correlate differences brought about by irradiating with a change in electron fluence. Attempts are made to correlate the information derived from the two techniques.
Hydrogen Bonding-Mediated Microphase Separation during the Formation of Mesoporous Novolac-Type Phenolic Resin Templated by the Triblock Copolymer, PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO

After blending the triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO) with novolac-type phenolic resin, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the ether groups of the PEO block were stronger hydrogen bond acceptors for the OH groups of phenolic resin than were the ether groups of the PPO block. Thermal curing with hexamethylenetetramine as the curing agent resulted in the triblock copolymer being incorporated into the phenolic resin, forming a nanostructure through a mechanism involving reaction-induced microphase separation. Mild pyrolysis conditions led to the removal of the PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO triblock copolymer and formation of mesoporous phenolic resin. This approach provided a variety of composition-dependent nanostructures, including disordered wormlike, body-centered-cubic spherical and disorder micelles. The regular mesoporous novolac-type phenolic resin was formed only at a phenolic content of 40–60 wt %, the result of an intriguing balance of hydrogen bonding interactions among the phenolic resin and the PEO and PPO segments of the triblock copolymer.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEXTURE OF RAW AND COOKED POTATOES

The relationship between texture of raw and cooked potatoes was studied. Tangent modulus of elasticity (E) using axial compression test and elasticity and viscosity parameters (E 1 , E 2 , η 1 and η 2 ) from creep tests were used as measures of texture on -cylindrical test specimens. Raw potatoes were stored at 5, 15, 25C and variable temperature for 16 or 26 weeks and subjected to textural evaluation periodically in the raw state or after cooking at 90C for 25 min. The values of E decreased by about 50.0-74.0% and 42.0-68.0% for raw and cooked potatoes, respectively. The elasticity and viscosity parameters decreased by about 30.0-55.0% and 25.0-70.0% for raw and cooked potatoes, respectively. The changes in the texture of raw potatoes followed a systematic trend with storage temperature. However, such a trend in relation to storage temperature was not observed for textural changes in cooked potatoes. There was an apparent correlation between the textural parameters of raw and cooked potatoes irrespective of storage conditions (P < 0.05). Such relationships led to the estimation of textural parameters of cooked potatoes directly from textural measurements of raw potatoes regardless of the storage history with R 2 ranging from 0.70 to 0.87.
Development of an Experimental Model of Diabetes Co-Existing with Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Background. The incidence of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus is on the rise globally. Objective. The present study was designed to develop a unique animal model that will mimic the pathological features seen in individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, suitable for pharmacological screening of drugs. Materials and Methods. A combination of High-Fat Diet (HFD) and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) at 30, 35, and 40 mg/kg was used to induce metabolic syndrome in the setting of diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats. Results. The 40 mg/kg STZ produced sustained hyperglycemia and the dose was thus selected for the study to induce diabetes mellitus. Various components of metabolic syndrome such as dyslipidemia {(increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and decreased HDL cholesterol)}, diabetes mellitus (blood glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin, and C-peptide), and hypertension {systolic blood pressure} were mimicked in the developed model of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus. In addition to significant cardiac injury, atherogenic index, inflammation (hs-CRP), decline in hepatic and renal function were observed in the HF-DC group when compared to NC group rats. The histopathological assessment confirmed presence of edema, necrosis, and inflammation in heart, pancreas, liver, and kidney of HF-DC group as compared to NC. Conclusion. The present study has developed a unique rodent model of metabolic syndrome, with diabetes as an essential component.
Enhanced apoptotic reaction correlates with suppressed tumor glucose utilization after cytotoxic chemotherapy: use of 99mTc-Annexin V, 18F-FDG, and histologic evaluation.

UNLABELLED Cancer chemotherapy enhances the apoptosis, whereas apoptosis is a suicidal mechanism requiring energy. We determined the relationship between apoptosis and glucose utilization during cancer chemotherapy using (99m)Tc-annexin V ((99m)Tc-annexin A5) and (18)F-FDG and compared their uptake with histologic findings in a rat tumor model. METHODS Allogenic hepatoma cells (KDH-8) were inoculated into the left calf muscle of male Wistar rats (WKA). Eleven days after the inoculation, the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: The first group (n = 7) received a single dose of gemcitabine (90 mg/kg, intravenously), the second group (n = 8) received cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), and the third group (n = 7) was untreated and served as the control group. We injected (99m)Tc-annexin V 48 h after the chemotherapy and then injected (18)F-FDG to all rats 1 h before sacrifice. Six hours after (99m)Tc-annexin V injection, the rats were sacrificed and the organs, including the tumor, were removed and radioactivity was counted. The radioactivities of (18)F and (99m)Tc in the organs were determined using normalization by tissue weight. Histologic evaluation by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method and the immunostaining of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) were also performed to obtain the indices of apoptosis and glucose utilization, respectively. The rate of positively stained cells was calculated and analyzed statistically. RESULTS After chemotherapy using gemcitabine and cyclophosphamide, the (99m)Tc-annexin V uptake (percentage injected dose per gram x kg [(%ID/g) x kg]; mean +/- SD) in tumor increased significantly (0.062 +/- 0.012 (%ID/g) x kg in the gemcitabine-treated group and 0.050 +/- 0.012 (%ID/g) x kg in the cyclophosphamide group vs. 0.031 +/- 0.005 (%ID/g) x kg in the control group; P < 0.01). In contrast, the (18)F-FDG in tumor decreased significantly (0.483 +/- 0.118 (%ID/g) x kg in the gemcitabine group and 0.583 +/- 0.142 (%ID/g) x kg in the cyclophosphamide group) compared with that in the control group (0.743 +/- 0.084 (%ID/g) x kg; P < 0.01). In addition, (18)F-FDG uptake in tumor negatively correlated with (99m)Tc-annexin V uptake (r = -0.75; P < 0.01). In the gemcitabine and cyclophosphamide groups, the rate of TUNEL positively stained cells was significantly higher than that in the control group (10.2% +/- 1.7% and 8.0% +/- 1.5% vs. 5.2% +/- 1.5%; P < 0.01), whereas the GLUT-1 expression level showed no definite changes in histologic analyses. CONCLUSION These data indicate that an enhanced apoptotic reaction correlated with suppressed tumor glucose utilization after cytotoxic chemotherapy as determined using radiotracers and histologic evaluation. The increase in (99m)Tc-annexin V and the decrease in (18)F-FDG in tumor can be useful markers for predicting therapeutic outcomes and for prognosis at the early stage of chemotherapy.
Spinal Functions of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, Gastrin-Releasing Peptide, and Their Cognate Receptors for Regulating Itch in Mice

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)–natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA) and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)–GRP receptor (GRPR) systems contribute to spinal processing of itch. However, pharmacological and anatomic evidence of these two spinal ligand-receptor systems are still not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the spinal functions of BNP-NPRA and GRP-GRPR systems for regulating scratching activities in mice by using pharmacological and immunohistochemical approaches. Our results showed that intrathecal administration of BNP (0.3–3 nmol) dose dependently elicited scratching responses, which could be blocked by the NPRA antagonist (Arg6,β-cyclohexyl-Ala8,D-Tic16,Arg17,Cys18)-atrial natriuretic factor(6-18) amide (A71915). However, A71915 had no effect on intrathecal GRP-induced scratching. In contrast, pretreatment with a GRPR antagonist (D-Tpi6,Leu13ψ(CH2-NH)-Leu14)bombesin(6-14) (RC-3095) inhibited BNP-induced scratching. Immunostaining revealed that NPRA proteins colocalize with GRP, but not GRPR, in the superficial area of dorsal horn, whereas BNP proteins do not colocalize with either GRP or GRPR in the dorsal horn. Intradermal administration of ligands including endothelin-1, U-46619, bovine adrenal medulla 8-22, and Ser-Leu-Ile-Gly-Arg-Leu-NH2 (SLIGRL) increased scratching bouts at different levels of magnitude. Pretreatment with intrathecal A71915 did not affect scratching responses elicited by all four pruritogens, whereas pretreatment with RC-3095 only inhibited SLIGRL-induced scratching. Interestingly, immunostaining showed that RC-3095, but not A71915, inhibited SLIGRL-elicited c-Fos activation in the spinal dorsal horn, which was in line with behavioral outcomes. These findings demonstrate that: 1) BNP-NPRA system may function upstream of the GRP-GRPR system to regulate itch in the mouse spinal cord, and 2) both NPRA and GRPR antagonists may have antipruritic efficacy against centrally, but not peripherally, elicited itch.
In vitro effects of a sulfonylurea on insulin action in adipocytes. Potentiation of insulin-stimulated hexose transport.

The mechanism(s) by which the oral sulfonylurea, tolazamide, exerts its extrapancreatic hypoglycemic effects was studied using rat epididymal adipose tissue maintained 20-44 h in the presence or absence of the drug. Insulin binding, hexose transport and glucose metabolism were compared in adipocytes isolated from the cultured tissue. In contrast to earlier reports that suggested that sulfonylureas alter the binding of insulin, neither receptor number nor affinity were changed by tolazamide treatment. The uptake of the glucose analogs 2-deoxyglucose and 3-0-methylglucose in the absence of insulin (i.e., basal) was also unchanged. However, exposure to tolazamide resulted in a potentiation of the stimulatory effects of insulin by approximately 30% at each hormone concentration assayed (0.4-40 ng/ml). This potentiation was dependent on the tolazamide concentration (0.003-0.30 mg/ml), with a maximal effect observed at therapeutic levels. A tolazamide analog hypoglycemic activity in vivo was found not to enhance either basal or insulin-stimulated uptake in vitro. Conversion of 0.1-5.0 mM glucose to CO2 and total lipids in the presence of insulin was also potentiated by tolazamide treatment. The inability of the drug to directly stimulate basal glucose uptake was paralleled by its lack of effect on glucose metabolism. At 50 mM glucose, where transport is no longer rate-limiting, tolazamide did not potentiate metabolism in the absence or the presence of insulin. These studies demonstrate that tolazamide in vitro alters postreceptor insulin action without influencing the receptor, and suggests insulin-stimulated hexose transport as the cellular process responsible for the hypoglycemic effect of sulfonyureas in adipose tissue.
Degradation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) heartwood and sapwood during 5.5 years’ above-ground exposure

Abstract Differences in durability between heartwood and sapwood of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] were investigated to determine wood qualities most favourable for use in outdoor constructions above ground. Trees grown on sites with either good or poor access to water were used. Seventy-eight specimens measuring 20 × 50 × 300 mm3 separated into heartwood and sapwood, half untreated, half painted, were exposed horizontally outdoors above ground for 5.5 years with the pith side up and the bark side down. Crack length and crack number were measured. Fungus growth and surface changes were visually estimated. Fungus type was determined by microscopic analysis. The main finding was that spruce heartwood had fewer and shorter cracks and less surface-discolouring fungus growth than sapwood. This was valid for both painted and untreated wood. After 2 years’ exposure, the cracks in sapwood (upper surface) were more than three times longer and about five times more numerous than in heartwood for both painted and untreated boards. Microscopic study showed that surface discoloration was due mainly to Aureobasidium pullulans, together with a few other discolouring fungi. After 5.5 years, initial decay was established on the surface and in the end grain of four untreated test objects.
(Leveled) fully homomorphic encryption without bootstrapping

We present a novel approach to fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) that dramatically improves performance and bases security on weaker assumptions. A central conceptual contribution in our work is a new way of constructing leveled fully homomorphic encryption schemes (capable of evaluating arbitrary polynomial-size circuits), without Gentry's bootstrapping procedure. Specifically, we offer a choice of FHE schemes based on the learning with error (LWE) or ring-LWE (RLWE) problems that have 2λ security against known attacks. For RLWE, we have: • A leveled FHE scheme that can evaluate L-level arithmetic circuits with Õ(λ · L3) per-gate computation -- i.e., computation quasi-linear in the security parameter. Security is based on RLWE for an approximation factor exponential in L. This construction does not use the bootstrapping procedure. • A leveled FHE scheme that uses bootstrapping as an optimization, where the per-gate computation (which includes the bootstrapping procedure) is Õ(λ2), independent of L. Security is based on the hardness of RLWE for quasi-polynomial factors (as opposed to the sub-exponential factors needed in previous schemes). We obtain similar results to the above for LWE, but with worse performance. Based on the Ring LWE assumption, we introduce a number of further optimizations to our schemes. As an example, for circuits of large width -- e.g., where a constant fraction of levels have width at least λ -- we can reduce the per-gate computation of the bootstrapped version to Õ(λ), independent of L, by batching the bootstrapping operation. Previous FHE schemes all required Ω(λ3.5) computation per gate. At the core of our construction is a much more effective approach for managing the noise level of lattice-based ciphertexts as homomorphic operations are performed, using some new techniques recently introduced by Brakerski and Vaikuntanathan (FOCS 2011).
Low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among dentists in Taiwan

To evaluate whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an occupational hazard in the dental environment, serum samples collected in 1990–1991 from 461 dentists were tested for the antibody to HCV (anti‐HCV) with first‐ and second‐generation HCV enzyme‐linked immunoassays (EIAs). Five of the 363 (1.38%) serum samples were reactive by the first‐generation (C100–3) HCV EIA. Of the same 363 samples and the other 98 samples, 3 (0.65%) were reactive by the second‐generation EIA. Those samples positive by the first‐ and/or second‐generation HCV EIA were analyzed further by cDNA/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of HCV RNA. Only 1 of the 5 first‐generation EIA reactive samples were PCR positive. These results are comparable to the anti‐HCV prevalence of healthy blood donors (0.95% by C100–3 assay) and pregnant women (0.63% by recombinant immunoblot assay). We conclude that the prevalence of HCV infection among dentists in Taiwan is low, and there is no increased risk of HCV infection through the practice of dentistry, at least in our area. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.