Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Re‐creating Ancient Hybrid Species’ Complex Phenotypes from Early‐Generation Synthetic Hybrids: Three Examples Using Wild Sunflowers

Can the complex phenotypes that characterize naturally occurring hybrid species be re‐created in early‐generation artificial hybrids? We address this question with three homoploid hybrid species (Helianthus anomalus, Helianthus deserticola, Helianthus paradoxus) and their ancestral parents (Helianthus annuus, Helianthus petiolaris) that are phenotypically distinct and ecologically differentiated. These species, and two synthetic hybrid populations of the ancestral parents, were characterized for morphological, physiological, and life‐history traits in greenhouse studies. Among the synthetic hybrids, discriminant analysis identified a few individuals with the multitrait phenotype of the natural hybrid species: 0.7%–1.1% were H. anomalus‐like, 0.5%–13% were H. deserticola‐like, and only 0.4% were H. paradoxus‐like. These relative frequencies mirror previous findings that genetic correlations are favorable for generating the hybrid species’ phenotypes, and they correspond well with phylogeographic evidence that demonstrates multiple natural origins of H. deserticola and H. anomalus but a single origin for H. paradoxus. Even though synthetic hybrids with hybrid species phenotypes are rare, their phenotypic correlation matrices share most of the same principal components (eigenvectors), setting the stage for predictable recovery of hybrid species’ phenotypes from different hybrid populations. Our results demonstrate past hybridization could have generated hybrid species‐like multitrait phenotypes suitable for persistence in their respective environments in just three generations after initial hybridization.
Relational perceptions in high school physical education: teacher- and peer-related predictors of female students’ motivation, behavioral engagement, and social anxiety

Although researchers have demonstrated the importance of interpersonal processes in school-based physical education (PE), there have been calls for further studies that account for multiple relational perspectives and provide a more holistic understanding of students’ relational perceptions. Guided by principles outlined within self-determination theory and the tripartite efficacy model, our aim was to explore the ways in which students’ perceptions about their teacher and classmates directly and/or indirectly predicted motivation, anxiety, and engagement in PE. A total of 374 female high-school students reported the extent to which their teachers and classmates independently (a) engaged in relatedness-supportive behaviors, (b) satisfied their need for relatedness, and (c) were confident in their ability in PE (i.e., relation-inferred self-efficacy). Students also rated their motivation and anxiety regarding PE, and teachers provided ratings of in-class behavioral engagement for each student. Analyses demonstrated support for the predictive properties of both teacher- and peer-focused perceptions. Students largely reported more positive motivational orientations when they held favorable perceptions regarding their teacher and peers, and autonomous motivation was in turn positively related to behavioral engagement ratings. These findings offer novel insight into the network of interpersonal appraisals that directly and indirectly underpins important in-class outcomes in PE.
Effect of early compensation of distal motor deficiency by the Chignon ankle-foot orthosis on gait in hemiplegic patients: a randomized pilot study

Objective: To compare the effect of the Chignon ankle-foot orthosis on gait versus a standard ankle-foot orthosis. Method: A multicentre randomized study was conducted in seven rehabilitation centres. Hemiplegic patients were recruited after unilateral stroke lasting less than six months. Exclusion criteria were: impossibility to stand for 10 seconds; ankle passive dorsiflexion <5 degrees with knee flexed to 90 degrees; triceps spasticity ≥3/4 on the Ashworth modified scale; diseases that might impair active participation in the study. Thirteen patients were randomized to the Chignon group and 15 to the control group. Included patients were given a standard ankle-foot orthosis or Chignon ankle-foot orthosis. The Chignon ankle-foot orthosis is an articulated double-stopped custom-made orthosis with elements to assist dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Gait speed improvement (ten-metre test), kinematic assessment, and functional scales were assessed. Results: Gain ratio of walking speed with the orthosis increased significantly more in the Chignon group than in the control group at day 0 (27.2 ± 36% versus −0.8 ± 17%; P = 0.006), day 30 (39.9 ± 19% versus 7.5 ± 17%; P = 0.0004) and day 90 (44.6 ± 27% versus 17.1 ± 0.3%; P = 0.04). There was also a significant improvement in kinematic parameters and spasticity in the Chignon group. Conclusion: Early compensation of distal motor deficiency by the Chignon ankle-foot orthosis improves the immediate gait of hemiplegics more than the standard ankle-foot orthosis and seems to modify motor recovery processes in the legs after stroke.
Three year visual outcome for treated stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity: cryotherapy versus laser

BACKGROUND/AIMS In the management of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), several studies have demonstrated laser photocoagulation to be as effective as cryotherapy in reducing the incidence of unfavourable structural outcome. However, few data are available on the functional outcome. The 3 year visual acuity outcome of infants treated with laser or cryotherapy in a neonatal unit is presented. METHODS The case notes of 34 infants (64 eyes) treated with cryotherapy, between 1989 and 1992, and 32 infants (59 eyes) treated with laser, between 1992 and 1995, were reviewed. RESULTS In the cryotherapy group 69% of eyes had a favourable structural outcome. Of these structurally successful eyes 62.5%, 35.0%, and 33.3% of eyes had visual acuities within normal limits at the 12 month, 24 month, and 36 month corrected age milestones respectively. In the laser group 93% of eyes had a favourable structural outcome. Of these structurally successful eyes 96.4%, 66.7%, and 59.5% of eyes had visual acuities within normal limits at the 12 month, 24 month, and 36 month corrected age milestones respectively. CONCLUSION In the management of ROP, when laser photocoagulation induces a structurally successful result, the potential for normal visual acuity development at 3 years is high. Whether the poorer functional outcome of the eyes treated with cryotherapy is an artefact of the historical nature of the study or as a result of an adverse effect of the destructive transcleral application is unknown.
Tri-Gate Bulk MOSFET Design for CMOS Scaling to the End of the Roadmap

A tri-gate bulk MOSFET design utilizing a low-aspect-ratio channel is proposed to provide an evolutionary pathway for CMOS scaling to the end of the roadmap. 3-D device simulations indicate that this design offers the advantages of a multi-gate FET (reduced variability in performance and improved scalability) together with the advantages of a conventional planar MOSFET (low substrate cost and capability for dynamic threshold-voltage control).
Multi-parameter mechanisms with implicit payment computation

In this paper we show that payment computation essentially does not present any obstacle in designing truthful mechanisms, even for multi-parameter domains, and even when we can only call the allocation rule once. We present a general reduction that takes any allocation rule which satisfies "cyclic monotonicity" (a known necessary and sufficient condition for truthfulness) and converts it to a truthful mechanism using a single call to the allocation rule, with arbitrarily small loss to the expected social welfare. A prominent example for a multi-parameter setting in which an allocation rule can only be called once arises in sponsored search auctions. These are multi-parameter domains when each advertiser has multiple possible ads he may display, each with a different value per click. Moreover, the mechanism typically does not have complete knowledge of the click-realization or the click-through rates (CTRs); it can only call the allocation rule a single time and observe the click information for ads that were presented. On the negative side, we show that an allocation that is truthful for any realization essentially cannot depend on the bids, and hence cannot do better than random selection for one agent. We then consider a relaxed requirement of truthfulness, only in expectation over the CTRs. Even for that relaxed version, making any progress is challenging as standard techniques for construction of truthful mechanisms (as using VCG or an MIDR allocation rule) cannot be used in this setting. We design an allocation rule with non-trivial performance and directly prove it is cyclic-monotone, and thus it can be used to create a truthful mechanism using our general reduction.
High Bab Birth Weight Andof Hormone-Associated Cancer in Mothers: The Cancer–Cardiovascular Disease Dichotomy and its Possible Causes

The idea of intrauterine or fetal factors being the cause of several prevalent noninfectious diseases in adults has recently gained the status of an axiom. One of the most thoroughly studied predictors is birth weight (BW). Although many published studies point at relations between BW and later adult morbidity or mortality, much less attention is paid to associations between baby BW and maternal morbidity. Available data suggest a sort of dichotomy in these relationships. Thus, cardiovascular risk is higher in mothers of babies with a reduced BW, while cancer risk, mainly of the breast and some other hormone-dependent cancers, is often higher among mothers of babies with a large BW (newborn macrosomia). This review addresses possible causes and endocrine mechanisms of this topic and suggests a ‘particular’ and ‘general’ solution for arising controversy. Emphasis is placed on a probable competition between chronic diseases (mainly, between female hormone-related cancer and cardiovascular pathology) within the concept of multiple causes of death. These associations should be remembered while studying the relation between offspring BW and maternal predisposition to hormone-associated cancers and other noncommunicable diseases.
(S)-Albuterol Increases the Production of Histamine and IL-4 in Mast Cells

Background: Racemic albuterol is an equimolar mixture of (R)-albuterol and (S)-albuterol. Previous studies indicated that (S)-albuterol may exert proinflammatory effects. We investigated the effect of (S)-albuterol in the production of mast cell mediators such as histamine and interleukin (IL)-4. Methods: Murine mast cells were either unstimulated or stimulated by IgE-receptor crosslinking. Both groups of mast cells were pretreated with either (R)- or (S)-albuterol. Histamine release and IL-4 secretion were measured by ELISA. Expression of L-histidine decarboxylase (L-HDC) and IL-4 was analyzed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain re- action. Results: In the overnight IgE-stimulated group, secreted histamine and total histamine were approximately 19.9 and 18.3% greater in cells co-treated with (S)-albuterol than untreated cells, respectively (n = 4, p < 0.002, p < 0.02), whereas there was no significant difference between the cells treated with (R)-albuterol and untreated cells. When the IgE-stimulated cells were treated with (S)-albuterol for 6 and 24 h, histamine release was approximately 18.3 and 24% greater, respectively (n = 4, p < 0.01). L-HDC is an essential enzyme for synthesizing histamine and its message was significantly induced in mast cells treated with (S)-albuterol. Both IL-4 message and protein were also significantly increased after treatment with (S)-albuterol. In the overnight IgE-stimulated group, IL-4 secretion was increased by approximately 58.8% upon exposure to (S)-albuterol (n = 5, p < 0.01). (R)-albuterol had no effect on mast cell mediator release. Conclusion: (S)-albuterol may have adverse effects in asthma control by activating mast cells to produce inflammatory mediators such as histamine and IL-4.
Towards Learnable Gestures for Exploring Hierarchical Information Spaces at a Large Public Display

Large displays are fast entering the public spaces, and some are beginning to support interaction based on mid-air gestures. At present, there is no set of standard gestures for that interaction; so people need to draw on existing mental models to learn such interaction. As a step towards closing this gap, we present the design and evaluation of learnable gestures for exploring a hierarchical information space on a public display. We draw on a series of in-the-wild studies, observing how people learn our 4 gestures, combined with explanatory icons and a skeleton representation for feedback. We conclude that people readily learnt the pair for exploring a linear information space, while having more difﬁculty learning the gestures to move up and down the hierarchy.
HIF-2α Expression Regulates Sprout Formation into 3D Fibrin Matrices in Prolonged Hypoxia in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Background During short-term hypoxia, Hypoxia Inducible Factors (particular their subunits HIF-1α and HIF-2α) regulate the expression of many genes including the potent angiogenesis stimulator VEGF. However, in some pathological conditions chronic hypoxia occurs and is accompanied by reduced angiogenesis. Objectives We investigated the effect of prolonged hypoxia on the proliferation and sprouting ability of human microvascular endothelial cells and the involvement of the HIFs and Dll4/Notch signaling. Methods and Results Human microvascular endothelial cells (hMVECs), cultured at 20% oxygen for 14 days and seeded on top of 3D fibrin matrices, formed sprouts when stimulated with VEGF-A/TNFα. In contrast, hMVECs precultured at 1% oxygen for 14 days were viable and proliferative, but did not form sprouts into fibrin upon VEGF-A/TNFα stimulation at 1% oxygen. Silencing of HIF-2α with si-RNA partially restored the inhibition of endothelial sprouting, whereas HIF-1α or HIF-3α by si-RNA had no effect. No involvement of Dll4/Notch pathway in the inhibitory effect on endothelial sprouting by prolonged hypoxia was found. In addition, hypoxia decreased the production of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), needed for migration and invasion, without a significant effect on its inhibitor PAI-1. This was independent of HIF-2α, as si-HIF-2α did not counteract uPA reduction. Conclusion Prolonged culturing of hMVECs at 1% oxygen inhibited endothelial sprouting into fibrin. Two independent mechanisms contribute. Silencing of HIF-2α with si-RNA partially restored the inhibition of endothelial sprouting pointing to a HIF-2α-dependent mechanism. In addition, reduction of uPA contributed to reduced endothelial tube formation in a fibrin matrix during prolonged hypoxia.
Brain tumors in children.

Tumors of the central nervous system constitute the largest group of solid neoplasms in children and are second only to leukemia in their overall frequency during childhood. Each year, brain tumors develop in approximately 1500 to 2000 children in the United States; the number of tumors appears to have increased slightly from 1974 to 19881–3. Although the mortality rate for these neoplasms exceeds the rates for many other childhood tumors, recent therapeutic advances coupled with refinements in neuroimaging techniques, which have facilitated earlier diagnosis and improved treatment planning, have increased the percentage of affected children who survive to .
The correlation function of X-ray galaxy clusters in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey 1 Bright Sample

We analyse the spatial clustering properties of the RASS1 Bright Sample, an X-ray flux-limited catalogue of galaxy clusters selected from the southern part of the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. The two-point correlation function �(r) of the whole sample is well fitted (in an Einstein-de Sitter model) by the power-law � = (r/r0) , with r0 = 21.5 +3.4 4.4 h 1 Mpc and = 2.11 +0.53 0.56 (95.4 per cent confidence level with one fitting parameter). We use the RASS1 Bright Sample as a first application of a theoretical model which aims at predicting the clustering properties of X-ray clusters in flux-limited surveys for different cosmological scenarios. The model uses the theoretical and empirical relations between mass, temperature and X-ray cluster luminosity, and fully accounts for the redshift evolution of the underlying dark matter clustering and cluster bias factor. The comparison between observational results and theoretical predictions shows that the Einstein-de Sitter models display too low a correlation length, while models with a matter density parameter 0m = 0.3 (with or without a cosmological constant) are successful in reproducing the observed clustering. The dependence of the correlation length r0 on the Xray limiting flux and luminosity of the sample is generally consistent with the predictions of all our models. Quantitative agreement is however only reached for 0m = 0.3 models. The model presented here can be reliably applied to future deeper X-ray cluster surveys: the study of their clustering properties will provide a useful complementary tool to the traditional cluster abundance analyses to constrain the cosmological parameters.
Adult Bone Marrow Neural Crest Stem Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Not Able to Replace Lost Neurons in Acute MPTP-Lesioned Mice

Adult bone marrow stroma contains multipotent stem cells (BMSC) that are a mixed population of mesenchymal and neural-crest derived stem cells. Both cells are endowed with in vitro multi-lineage differentiation abilities, then constituting an attractive and easy-available source of material for cell therapy in neurological disorders. Whereas the in vivo integration and differentiation of BMSC in neurons into the central nervous system is currently matter of debate, we report here that once injected into the striatum of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice, pure populations of either bone marrow neural crest stem cells (NCSC) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) survived only transiently into the lesioned brain. Moreover, they do not migrate through the brain tissue, neither modify their initial phenotype, while no recovery of the dopaminergic system integrity was observed. Consequently, we tend to conclude that MSC/NCSC are not able to replace lost neurons in acute MPTP-lesioned dopaminergic system through a suitable integration and/or differentiation process. Altogether with recent data, it appears that neuroprotective, neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory features characterizing BMSC are of greater interest as regards CNS lesions management.
Use of the Ilizarov External Fixator in the Treatment of Patients With Ollier’s Disease

The authors present the results of treatment of 10 patients with Ollier’s disease using the Ilizarov technique. The Ilizarov device was used to treat leg length discrepancy and to enhance the conversion of chondroma cartilage into normal mature bone, with no curettage and bone grafting. The mean duration of treatment was 9.4 months. This technique was highly efficient in treating the disease. It led to conversion of the abnormal cartilage into histologically mature bone in all patients. Some complications were seen, such as decreased knee mobility, which required prolonged use of the device. The Ilizarov technique is successful in treating patients with Ollier’s disease despite some complications and the difficulty in using the technique.
Medicaid, Medicare, and the Michigan Tumor Registry: A Linkage Strategy

The study of health outcomes and the reduction in health disparities is at the forefront of the nation's health care agenda. A theme in the disparities literature is the call for a data infrastructure that can track progress toward goals aimed at reducing differences in health outcomes. This article describes a strategy for linking Medicaid, Medicare, and Michigan Tumor Registry data for the purposes of studying disparities in cancer diagnosis, quality of care, and survival. The authors review their procedures for ensuring that a correct match between files occurred and offer guidance for merging and assessing the quality of these complex linked data sets. A cohort of 113,604 subjects (90%) from a population of 125,900 subjects was correctly linked from the Michigan Tumor Registry to Medicare and Medicaid files. Using probabilistic and deterministic methods, the prediction rate of the Medicaid match to the Michigan Tumor Registry was 93%. Approximately 13% of the subjects were dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. An expansive data set reflecting the Medicare and Medicaid medical service utilization and outcomes for a cohort of individuals age 65 years and older when diagnosed with cancer was created. This data set serves as a cornerstone of a health outcomes data infrastructure. The methodology described may serve as a model for other researchers seeking to create a similar data set in their state.
Poison and alarm: the Asian hornet Vespa velutina uses sting venom volatiles as an alarm pheromone

ABSTRACT In colonial organisms, alarm pheromones can provide a key fitness advantage by enhancing colony defence and warning of danger. Learning which species use alarm pheromone and the key compounds involved therefore enhances our understanding of how this important signal has evolved. However, our knowledge of alarm pheromones is more limited in the social wasps and hornets compared with the social bees and ants. Vespa velutina is an economically important and widespread hornet predator that attacks honey bees and humans. This species is native to Asia and has now invaded Europe. Despite growing interest in V. velutina, it was unknown whether it possessed an alarm pheromone. We show that these hornets use sting venom as an alarm pheromone. Sting venom volatiles were strongly attractive to hornet workers and triggered attacks. Two major venom fractions, consisting of monoketones and diketones, also elicited attack. We used gas chromatography coupled to electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) to isolate 13 known and 3 unknown aliphatic ketones and alcohols in venom that elicited conspicuous hornet antennal activity. Two of the unknown compounds may be an undecen-2-one and an undecene-2,10-dinone. Three major compounds (heptan-2-one, nonan-2-one and undecan-2-one) triggered attacks, but only nonan-2-one did so at biologically relevant levels (10 hornet equivalents). Nonan-2-one thus deserves particular attention. However, the key alarm releasers for V. velutina remain to be identified. Such identification will help to illuminate the evolution and function of alarm compounds in hornets. Summary: The Asian hornet Vespa velutina uses sting venom volatiles as an alarm pheromone.
Free Riding in Peer-to-Peer Networks: Review and Analysis

Abstract— The popularity of P2P network paradigm due to the inadequacy of the traditional client-server model to handle increasing exchange of resources amongst millions of users worldwide comes with lots of challenges. One of these challenges is the problem of free riding. Free riding has been identified as a threat to the existence of P2P networks, as it degrades utilization and network performance. The ability to properly understand free riding is vital and critical in order to develop effective countermeasures. In this paper, we examine and discuss the problem of free riders in P2P networks, review the state of the art approaches to combating them and the challenges facing them.