Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Early Pregnancy-Specific Genes Expressed in Peripheral Blood of Pregnant Sows

Early and accurate diagnosis of pregnancy is important for effective management of an economical pig farm. Besides the currently available methods used in early diagnosis of sows, circulating nucleic acids in peripheral blood may contain some early pregnancy-specific molecular markers. For the first time, microarray analysis of peripheral blood from pregnant sows versus non-pregnant sows identified 127 up-regulated and 56 down-regulated genes at day 14 post-insemination. Gene Ontology annotation grouped the total differently expressed genes into 3 significantly enriched terms, cell surface receptor linked signal transduction, G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway and regulation of vesicle-mediated transport. Signaling pathway analysis revealed the only one significantly changed pathway was arachidonic acid metabolism. Of the differently expressed genes, nine (including LPAR3, RXFP4, GALP, CBR1, CBR2, GPX6, USP18, LHB and NR5A1) were found to exert function related to early pregnancy processes. This study provides a clue that differentially abundant RNAs in maternal peripheral blood can help to identify the molecular markers of early pregnancy in pigs.
Formal framework for defining trust in multi-organisation environment

Multi-organisations environment MOE is composed of several players that depend on each other for resources and services. Having a good access control policy to these resources becomes necessary. Moreover, being able to define a dynamic policy, meaning that it adapts over time, provides us with a more versatile way when administering these systems. In this paper, we extend the classical framework: organisation-based access control OrBAC, adapted to MOE, adding trust information. Initially we present the theoretical framework to represent trust among organisations and users of the system, and then we present its inclusion in OrBAC as a new logical context for rule firing.
Sensitivity analysis of dual-satellite geolocation

An analytic solution is presented for the linearized estimation problem arising from the dual-satellite geolocation of the source of a narrowband signal using time- and frequency-difference-of-arrival (TDOA and FDOA, respectively) observations and an altitude constraint. This solution is used to analyze the covariance matrix of the resultant source location estimate, along with the sensitivity of its mean to errors in the presumed source altitude and velocity, and the measured or predicted positions and velocities of the satellites. Following the practice of differential Global Positioning System, the technique of differential calibration is used to reduce or eliminate various sources of solution bias which would otherwise require tight, and consequently expensive, individual calibration.
The coiled coil of in vitro assembled keratin filaments is a heterodimer of type I and II keratins: use of site-specific mutagenesis and recombinant protein expression

Recombinant DNA technology has been used to analyze the first step in keratin intermediate filament (IF) assembly; i.e., the formation of the double stranded coiled coil. Keratins 8 and 18, lacking cysteine, were subjected to site specific in vitro mutagenesis to change one amino acid in the same relative position of the alpha-helical rod domain of both keratins to a cysteine. The mutations lie at position -36 of the rod in a "d" position of the heptad repeat pattern, and thus air oxidation can introduce a zero-length cystine cross-link. Mutant keratins 8 and 18 purified separately from Escherichia coli readily formed cystine homodimers in 2 M guanidine-HCl, and could be separated from the monomers by gel filtration. Heterodimers with a cystine cross- link were obtained when filaments formed by the two reduced monomers were allowed to oxidize. Subsequent ion exchange chromatography in 8.5 M urea showed that only a single dimer species had formed. Diagonal electrophoresis and reverse phase HPLC identified the dimer as the cystine containing heterodimer. This heterodimer readily assembled again into IF indistinguishable from those obtained from the nonmutant counterparts or from authentic keratins. In contrast, the mixture of cystine-stabilized homodimers formed only large aberrant aggregates. However, when a reducing agent was added, filaments formed again and yielded the heterodimer after oxidation. Thus, the obligatory heteropolymer step in keratin IF assembly seems to occur preferentially at the dimer level and not during tetramer formation. Our results also suggest that keratin I and II homodimers, once formed, are at least in 2 M guanidine-HCl a metastable species as their mixtures convert spontaneously into heterodimers unless the homodimers are stabilized by the cystine cross-link. This previously unexpected property of homodimers explains major discrepancies in the literature on the keratin dimer.
Risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer in Japan - results from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study cohort.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for invasive primary epithelial ovarian cancer among Japanese women. In 1990-1994, 45,748 women aged 40-69 years were enrolled in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study cohort. Only 86 epithelial ovarian cancer cases were diagnosed during follow-up through 2008, reflecting the low ovarian cancer incidence rates in Japan. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) according to the exposure of interest. The median age at epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosis was 59 years, with a median follow-up before diagnosis of 7.6 years. There were no statistically significant associations for age at menarche or first birth, breastfeeding, use of exogenous hormones, menopausal status at cohort enrollment, height, body mass index, smoking status, second-hand smoke, alcohol consumption, physical activity and family history of cancer in a first-degree relative. The linear decrease in HR associated with each additional birth was 0.75 (95% CI 0.56-0.99). Among women who usually slept >7 h per day, an HR of 0.4 (95% CI 0.2-0.9) emerged compared to those who slept <6 h. This study did not confirm risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer among Japanese women that have been reported in studies carried out elsewhere. Usual sleep duration of >7 h per day was inversely associated with epithelial ovarian cancer risk, which is a novel finding that needs to be confirmed in other studies.
Titin-Isoform Dependence of Titin-Actin Interaction and Its Regulation by S100A1/Ca2+ in Skinned Myocardium

Titin, also known as connectin, is a large filamentous protein that greatly contributes to passive myocardial stiffness. In vitro evidence suggests that one of titin's spring elements, the PEVK, interacts with actin and that this adds a viscous component to passive stiffness. Differential splicing of titin gives rise to the stiff N2B and more compliant N2BA isoforms. Here we studied the titin-isoform dependence of titin-actin interaction and studied the bovine left atrium (BLA) that expresses mainly N2BA titin, and the bovine left ventricle (BLV) that expresses a mixture of both N2B and N2BA isforms. For comparison we also studied mouse left ventricular (MLV) myocardium which expresses predominately N2B titin. Using the actin-severing protein gelsolin, we obtained evidence that titin-actin interaction contributes significantly to passive myocardial stiffness in all tissue types, but most in MLV, least in BLA, and an intermediate level in BLV. We also studied whether titin-actin interaction is regulated by S100A1/calcium and found that calcium alone or S100A1 alone did not alter passive stiffness, but that combined they significantly lowered stiffness. We propose that titin-actin interaction is a “viscous break” that is on during diastole and off during systole.
GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF THE COUGAR, FELIS CONCOLOR L., IN NORTHEASTERN OREGON

Helminths of nine species were identified from 39 cougars obtained in northeastern Oregon (Wallowa, Baker, and Union counties), viz., Taenia omissa Lühe, 1910 (100%); T. ovis krabbei Moniez, 1879 (61%); T. hydatigena Pallas, 1776 (10%); Mesocestoides lineatus (Goeze, 1782) (5%); Toxascaris leonina (von Linstow, 1902) (69%); Toxocara cati (Schrank, 1788) (15%); Physaloptera praeputialis von Linstow, 1889 (13%); Pterygodermatites affinis (Jägerskiöld, 1904) (ca. 2%); and Trichinella sp. (larvae) (ca. 2%). In addition, undeveloped cestodes of the genus Taenia in 26 animals had lost rostellar hooks and could not be identified. Host-records, prevalence, and biological characteristics of some of the helminths are discussed.
Exploiting Structure in Policy Construction

Markov decision processes (MDPs) have recently been applied to the problem of modeling decision-theoretic planning. While traditional methods for solving MDPs are often practical for small states spaces, their effectiveness for large AI planning problems is questionable. We present an algorithm, called structured policy Iteration (SPI), that constructs optimal policies without explicit enumeration of the state space. The algorithm retains the fundamental computational steps of the commonly used modified policy iteration algorithm, but exploits the variable and prepositional independencies reflected in a temporal Bayesian network representation of MDPs. The principles behind SPI can be applied to any structured representation of stochastic actions, policies and value functions, and the algorithm itself can be used in conjunction with recent approximation methods.
Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile in Automechanics in Relation to Lead Exposure

Context: Elevated blood pressure and alterations in lipid and lipoproteins play a major role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Aim: This study is aimed at determining the blood pressure and lipid profile in automechanics. Settings and Design: A total of 120 male subjects between 18 and 55 years of age comprised 60 automechanics and 60 age-matched occupationally unexposed control subjects in Emene, Enugu State, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: Four milliliters of fasting blood samples was collected from all subjects, 2 mL of blood was dispensed into K2-EDTA vacutainer tube for blood lead analysis, while the other 2 mL was dispensed into plain vacutainer tube, allowed to retract, centrifuged, and the serum used for serum lipid profile analysis. Blood pressure was measured using aneroid sphygmomanometer. Statistical Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Automechanics had significantly higher values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared with the controls. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) were also significantly higher in the automechanics compared with the controls (P < 0.05); serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, however, did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). Blood lead level showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TG, with no significant correlation with serum HDL-C (P > 0.05) in the automechanics and no correlation in the controls. Conclusion: The result of this study indicates that blood pressure is elevated and lipid profile altered in automechanics which suggests that these groups of workers are prone to increased risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disorders due to occupational exposure to lead.
Named Entity Recognition using Cross-lingual Resources: Arabic as an Example

Some languages lack large knowledge bases and good discriminative features for Name Entity Recognition (NER) that can generalize to previously unseen named entities. One such language is Arabic, which: a) lacks a capitalization feature; and b) has relatively small knowledge bases, such as Wikipedia. In this work we address both problems by incorporating cross-lingual features and knowledge bases from English using cross-lingual links. We show that such features have a dramatic positive effect on recall. We show the effectiveness of cross-lingual features and resources on a standard dataset as well as on two new test sets that cover both news and microblogs. On the standard dataset, we achieved a 4.1% relative improvement in Fmeasure over the best reported result in the literature. The features led to improvements of 17.1% and 20.5% on the new news and microblogs test sets respectively.
Observations on cucullanid nematodes from freshwater fishes in Mexico, including Dichelyne mexicanus sp. n.

A new cucullanid nematode, Dichelyne mexicanus sp. n. , is described from the intestine of three species of fishes, Agonostomus monticola (Bancroft) (Mugilidae, Perciformes) (type host), Ictalurus balsanus (Jordan et Snyder) (Ictaluridae, Siluriformes) and Cichlasoma beani (Jordan) (Cichlidae, Perciformes), from three rivers (La Maquina River, Veracruz; Chontalcoatlán River, Guerrero and Santiago River, Nayarit) in central Mexico. This species is characterised by the absence of a ventral sucker in the male (subgenus Dichelyne) and it differs from its congeners mainly in possessing very unequal and dissimilar spicules (left 0.465-0.768 mm and right 293-548 mm long), an asymmetrical gubernaculum, and two intestinal caeca. Another cucullanid nematode, Cucullanus caballeroi Petter, 1977, is reported from Dormitator maculatus (Bloch) (Eleotridae, Perciformes) from the La Palma and La Maquina Rivers and Balzapote stream, Veracruz, being briefly described and illustrated; this represents a new host record. Findings of D. mexicanus and C. caballeroi represent a new record of cucullanid nematodes from fishes in Mexican fresh waters.
Trehalose sustains a higher post‐thaw sperm motility than sucrose in vitrified human sperm

One of the cryopreservation methods that best preserves sperm function is vitrification. However, comparative studies have not been performed to evaluate the effect of nonpermeable cryoprotectors on sperm function for prolonged periods of time post‐devitrification. These times are necessary, especially in in vitro fertilisation and intrauterine insemination, for gamete interaction and then fertilisation to occur, while maintaining motility to arrive at the fertilisation site. In this study, sucrose (.25 m) and trehalose (.1 and .05 m) were compared in essential parameters like motility and plasma membrane integrity for 12 hr. Post‐devitrification sperm motility using . 1 m trehalose was 68.9%, higher than that obtained with . 05 m trehalose (59.9%, p < .0081) and . 25 m sucrose (57.9%, p < .0002). Similar results were obtained at 6 and 12 hr with . 1 m trehalose (58.0% and 42.3% respectively) compared to . 05 m trehalose (p < .0184 and p < .033) and . 25 m sucrose (p < .0001 and p < .0012). There was no difference between . 25 m sucrose and . 05 m trehalose. Membrane integrity was best preserved at time 0 by . 1 m trehalose (p < .05), but there was no significance at 6 and 12 hr compared to sucrose. Our results suggest that for assisted reproduction techniques that require motile spermatozoa for a longer period of time, use of . 1 m trehalose is recommended in the sperm vitrification technique.
Diagnostic Efficacy Of 3D CT Vs Conventional Radiographs In Maxillofacial Trauma -A Comparative study

Conventional plain radiographs are the first line o f investigation in maxillofacial trauma but bear li mited advantages. CT is now a preferred diagnostic tool due to its ac curate diagnosis. Many studies have been done regar ding the efficacy of CT scan in the diagnosis and management of maxillofacial trauma but most of them have been performed in radiologist perspective. In this study we did a comparative study of conventional radiogr aphs and 3D CT in the evaluation of maxillofacial trauma based solely on Oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s perspect ive (i.e. How much an oral and maxillofacial surgeon finds radiog raphs / 3D CT valuable in the diagnosis and management of maxillofacial trauma patients). Forty five patients of either sex ranging 3 to 55 years (mean average age 27.1+_11.9 years) were included in this study and were advised conventional radiographs and non-contrast CT scan with 3D reconstruction. Cases with maxillofacial fracture w ere divided into three groups 1) Middle third face fracture, 2) Lower third face fracture and 3) Both middle third and lower third face fracture. In each group, the c onventional radiographs and 3D CT were done and analyzed. The result of our study indicate that 3D CT is statistic ally more significant ( Z= 8.8, p<0.001 ) in terms of fracture sites detection as compared to conventional radiographs. Further 3D CT is superior in displaying extent of fractures and comminution as well as for displacement and it provides additional conceptual information as compared to co nventional radiographs in majority of patients havi ng maxillofacial trauma.
Mixed Cryptosporidium Infections and HIV

Mixed Cryptosporidium infections were detected in 7 of 21 patients with a diagnosis of rare Cryptosporidium canis or C. felis infections; 6 patients were infected with 2 Cryptosporidium spp. and 1 patient with 3 species. Mixed infections may occur more frequently than previously believed and should be considered when assessing cryptosporidiosis.
Brain SPECT Simulation Using Half-Cone-Beam Collimation and Single-Revolution Helical-Path Acquisition

In this study related to human brain SPECT imaging, simulation of half-cone-beam collimation and helical-path data acquisition is performed. We discuss problems related to circular-orbit acquisition using cone-beam collimation, such as shoulder interference resulting in object truncation, and insufficient sampling of the object resulting in axial distortions in the reconstructed images. We demonstrate that a triple-camera SPECT system with half-cone-beam collimation and single-revolution helical-path acquisition eliminates both issues and offers substantially improved sampling and almost artifact-free reconstruction of the object.
The SIV Surface Spike Imaged by Electron Tomography: One Leg or Three?

Strategies to inhibit the cellular entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) constitute an important element of current approaches to develop an effective vaccine against AIDS [1]. The entry of viruses such as HIV-1, and its closely related simian counterpart simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), is mediated by the interaction of glycoprotein spikes on the viral membrane surface with receptors on the target cell membrane. The viral spike itself is a trimeric complex of gp41, a membrane protein which anchors the spike to the membrane, and gp120 which is non-covalently associated with gp41. Cartoon representations of the spike as a trimeric entity abound, but what does it really look like? So far, structural information on the spike has come largely from X-ray crystallographic analysis of the core of the gp120 monomer in the CD4-liganded [2] or unliganded forms [3], and of trimers of the helical regions of gp41 in a post-fusion conformation [4]. The structure of an intact trimeric spike itself has, nevertheless, remained elusive.
The Neural Underpinnings of Event-file Management: Evidence for Stimulus-induced Activation of and Competition among Stimulus–Response Bindings

The present fMRI study tested the assumption that a single pairing of a stimulus and a logically unrelated response is sufficient for binding the corresponding stimulus and response codes into an event representation (event file) that is automatically retrieved upon processing of at least one of its components. In particular, we investigated whether repeating a face or a house stimulus and/or a left or a right manual response induces the automatic retrieval of the response or stimulus that it previously accompanied. ROI analyses of fusiform face area, parahippocampal place area, and right and left motor cortex revealed that repeating one component of a previously encountered stimulus-response episode leads to the suppression of cortical areas processing the other components, suggesting that these components were indeed automatically retrieved and conflicted with ongoing processing. The particular pattern obtained is consistent with predictions from diffusion models of decision making, which suggest a crucial role of local competition in response selection.
History and evolution of alpine plants endemic to the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau: Aconitum gymnandrum (Ranunculaceae)

How Quaternary climatic oscillations affected range distributions and intraspecific divergence of alpine plants on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) remains largely unknown. Here, we report a survey of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA variation aimed at exploring the phylogeographical history of the QTP alpine endemic Aconitum gymnandrum. We sequenced three cpDNA fragments (rpl20–rps12 intergenic spacer, the trnV intron and psbA‐trnH spacer) and also the nuclear (ITS) region in 245 individuals from 23 populations sampled throughout the species’ range. Two distinct lineages, with eastern and western geographical distributions respectively, were identified from a phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequence variation. Based on a fast substitution rate, these were estimated to have diverged from each other in the early Pleistocene approximately 1.45 Ma. The analysis of cpDNA variation identified nine chlorotypes that clustered into two major clades that were broadly congruent in geographical distribution with the two ITS lineages. The east–west split of cpDNA divergence was supported by an amova which partitioned approximately half of the total variance between these two groups of populations. Analysis of the spatial distribution of chlorotypes showed that each clade was subdivided into two groups of populations such that a total of four population groups existed in the species. It is suggested that these different groups derive from four independent glacial refugia that existed during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and that three of these refugia were located at high altitude on the QTP platform itself at that time. Coalescent simulation of chlorotype genealogies supported both an early Pleistocene origin of the two main cpDNA clades and also the ‘four‐refugia’ hypothesis during the LGM. Two previous phylogeographical studies of QTP alpine plants indicated that such plants retreated to refugia at the eastern/south‐eastern plateau edge during the LGM and/or previous glacial maxima. However, the results for A. gymnandrum suggest that at least some of these cold‐tolerant species may have also survived centrally on the QTP platform throughout the Quaternary.
Limit orders and the bid } ask spread q

We examine the role of limit-order traders and specialists in the market-making process. We "nd that a large portion of posted bid}ask quotes originates from the limit-order book without direct participation by specialists, and that competition between traders and specialists has a signi"cant impact on the bid}ask spread. Specialists' spreads are widest at the open, narrow until late morning, and then level o! The U-shaped intraday pattern of spreads largely re#ects the intraday variation in spreads established by limit-order traders. Lastly, the intraday variation in limit-order spreads is signi"cantly related to the intraday variation in limit-order placements and executions. ( 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved. JEL classixcation: G14