Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skipping of Exons by Premature Termination of Transcription and Alternative Splicing within Intron-5 of the Sheep SCF Gene: A Novel Splice Variant

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a growth factor, essential for haemopoiesis, mast cell development and melanogenesis. In the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM), SCF is produced either as a membrane-bound (−) or soluble (+) forms. Skin expression of SCF stimulates melanocyte migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. We report for the first time, a novel mRNA splice variant of SCF from the skin of white merino sheep via cloning and sequencing. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and molecular prediction revealed two different cDNA products of SCF. Full-length cDNA libraries were enriched by the method of rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE-PCR). Nucleotide sequencing and molecular prediction revealed that the primary 1519 base pair (bp) cDNA encodes a precursor protein of 274 amino acids (aa), commonly known as ‘soluble’ isoform. In contrast, the shorter (835 and/or 725 bp) cDNA was found to be a ‘novel’ mRNA splice variant. It contains an open reading frame (ORF) corresponding to a truncated protein of 181 aa (vs 245 aa) with an unique C-terminus lacking the primary proteolytic segment (28 aa) right after the D175G site which is necessary to produce ‘soluble’ form of SCF. This alternative splice (AS) variant was explained by the complete nucleotide sequencing of splice junction covering exon 5-intron (5)-exon 6 (948 bp) with a premature termination codon (PTC) whereby exons 6 to 9/10 are skipped (Cassette Exon, CE 6–9/10). We also demonstrated that the Northern blot analysis at transcript level is mediated via an intron-5 splicing event. Our data refine the structure of SCF gene; clarify the presence (+) and/or absence (−) of primary proteolytic-cleavage site specific SCF splice variants. This work provides a basis for understanding the functional role and regulation of SCF in hair follicle melanogenesis in sheep beyond what was known in mice, humans and other mammals.
Chain model of phytoplankton P, N and light colimitation

Models of multiple potentially limiting nutrients currently employ either multiplicative or threshold formulations, neither of which has a sound mechanistic explanation. Despite experimental evidence that lack of P severely constrains N assimilation, this mechanism has not been considered for constructing models of multi-nutrient limitation. We construct a phytoplankton optimal growth model linking C, chlorophyll (Chl), N, and P through a limitation chain in which P limits N assimilation, N limits photosynthesis and photosynthesis limits growth. The resulting formulation possesses characteristics of both multiplicative and threshold approaches and provides a mechanistic foundation for modelling multi-nutrient and light limitation of phytoplankton growth. The model compares well with experimental observations for a variety of unicellular phytoplankton species. It is suggested that the widely held view that N and P limitation act independently of each other is based on an invalid interpretation of experimental observations and that the transition from N to P limitation occurs over a wide range of colimitation rather than a sharply-defined transition point. If the species considered in this study are representative for marine phytoplankton, our model results indicate that most phytoplankton are colimited by N and P when inorganic N and P are simultaneously exhausted in the surface ocean. The model suggests that the close match between marine inorganic (Redfield) and phytoplankton N:P ratios results from optimal nutrient utilisation but does not indicate optimality of Redfield N:P.
“We Have a Right to Know”: Exploring Consumer Opinions on Content, Design and Acceptability of Enhanced Alcohol Labels

Aims This study aimed to refine content and design of an enhanced alcohol label to provide information that best supports informed drinking and to gauge consumer acceptability of enhanced alcohol labels among a subset of consumers. Methods Five focus groups (n = 45) were conducted with stakeholders and the general public (age 19+) across one jurisdiction in northern Canada. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo software. Results The majority of participants showed strong support for enhanced alcohol labels with an emphasis on the consumers' right to know about the health risks related to alcohol. Participants preferred larger labels that included standard drink (SD) information, national low-risk drinking guidelines presented as a chart with pictograms, cancer health messaging and a pregnancy warning. Supporting introduction of the labels with a web resource and an educational campaign was also recommended. Conclusions Displaying enhanced labels on alcohol containers that include SD information, low-risk drinking guidelines and other health messaging in an accessible format may be an effective way to better inform drinkers about their consumption and increase awareness of alcohol-related health risks. Introduction of enhanced labels shows potential for consumer support. Short summary Focus group findings indicate strong support for enhanced alcohol labels displaying SD information, national drinking guidelines, health messaging and a pregnancy warning. Introduction of enhanced alcohol labels in tandem with an educational campaign may be an effective way to better inform Canadian drinkers and shows potential for consumer support.
Moisture-Dependent Dielectric Properties of Pea and Black-Eyed Pea

In this paper, a cylindrical capacitor was used to measure the dielectric constant of seeds. By measuring the dielectric constant, the moisture content of grains may be predicted. Change in dielectric constant of pea and black eyed-pea was investigated as a function of moisture content. Results showed that the dielectric constant highly depended on moisture content at all frequencies. The best results were obtained at 1 MHz frequency for pea and black-eyed pea with R 2 of 0.994 and 0.999 respectively. This frequency can be used to calibrate the instrument for measuring the moisture content of pea and black eyed-pea. (Mahmoud Soltani and Reza Alimardani. Moisture dependent dielectric properties of Pea and Black-Eyed Pea. Journal of American Science 2011; 7(4):60-64). (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience. org)
Third head of biceps brachii in an Indian population.

INTRODUCTION The biceps brachii is one of the muscles of the anterior compartment of the upper arm. It is characteristically described as a two-headed muscle that originates proximally by a long head and a short head. The present study was carried out to find the occurrence of a third head of biceps brachii among a sample Indian population from the southern coastal part. METHODS The arms of 42 cadavers were dissected and observed for variations in the origin and insertion of biceps brachii muscle bilaterally. The cadavers were embalmed and preserved in ten percent formalin. RESULTS Among 42 arms studied, three had biceps brachii with three heads on the right side. The third head was of humeral origin, which inserted into the radial tuberosity by a common tendon with the long and short heads. The results of the present study compared with that of previous studies from medical literature shows that the occurrence of a third head of the biceps brachii muscle is relatively rare in Indians. CONCLUSION Knowledge of the existence of the third head of biceps brachii may become significant in preoperative diagnosis and during surgery of the upper limb.
LIQUIDUS OF Au-Cu-Si SYSTEM

The diagram of srstem AU-Cu-Si was constructed from data of 9 internal sectionsby DTA in an atmosphere of dry N_2. The composition of ternary eutectic point melting at337℃ lies in Au(74.7)-Cu(6.1)-Si(19.2) at. -%. The liquidus of the 3 side-binary systems havebeen redetermined.
The produsing expert consumer: Co-constructing, resisting and accepting health-related claims on social media in response to an infotainment show about food

This article examines the Twitter and Facebook uptake of health messages from an infotainment TV show on food, as broadcasted on Belgium’s Dutch-language public broadcaster. The interest in and amount of health-related media coverage is rising, and this media coverage is an important source of information for laypeople, and impacts their health behaviours and therapy compliance. However, the role of the audience has also changed; consumers of media content increasingly are produsers, and, in the case of health, expert consumers. To explore how current audiences react to health claims, we have conducted a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of Twitter and Facebook reactions to an infotainment show about food and nutrition. We examine (1) to which elements in the show the audience reacts, to gain insight in the traction the nutrition-related content generates and (2) whether audience members are accepting or resisting the health information in the show. Our findings show that the information on health and production elicit the most reactions, and that health information incites a lot of refutation, low acceptance and a lot of suggestions on new information or new angles to complement the show’s information.
Gorenstein projective , injective and flat dimensions

Gorenstein homological dimensions are refinements of the classical homological dimensions, and finiteness singles out modules with amenable properties reflecting those of modules over Gorenstein rings. As opposed to their classical counterparts, these dimensions do not immediately come with practical and robust criteria for finiteness, not even over commutative noetherian local rings. In this paper we enlarge the class of rings known to admit good criteria for finiteness of Gorenstein dimensions: ✩ Part of this work was done at MSRI during the spring semester of 2003, when the authors participated in the Program in Commutative Algebra. We thank the institution and program organizers for a very stimulating research environment. * Corresponding author. Current address: Department of Mathematics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA. E-mail addresses: winther@math.unl. edu (L.W. Christensen), frankild@math.ku. dk (A. Frankild), holm@imf.au. dk (H. Holm). 1 The author was partly supported by a grant from the Danish Natural Science Research Council. 2 The author was supported by Lundbeck Fonden, the Danish Natural Science Research Council, and Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI). 3 Current address: Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Aarhus, Ny Munkegade Bldg. 530, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. 0021-8693/$ – see front matter © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jalgebra. 2005.12. 007 232 L.W. Christensen et al. / Journal of Algebra 302 (2006) 231–279 It now includes, for instance, the rings encountered in commutative algebraic geometry and, in the noncommutative realm, k-algebras with a dualizing complex. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
How Broadband Internet Affects Labor Market Matching

When potential beneficiaries share their knowledge and attitudes about a policy intervention, their decision to participate and the effectiveness of both the policy and its evaluation may be influenced. This matters most notably in integrated social policies with several components. In this article, spillover effects on take-up behaviors are investigated in the context of a conditional cash transfer program in rural Mexico. These effects are identified using exogenous variations in the local frequency of beneficiaries generated by the program's randomized evaluation. A higher treatment density in the areas surrounding the evaluation villages is found to increase the take-up of scholarships and enrollment at the lower-secondary level. These cross-village spillovers operate exclusively within households receiving another component of the program, and do not carry over larger distances. While several tests reject heterogeneities in impact due to spatial variations in program implementation, evidence is found suggesting that spillovers stem partly from the sharing of information about the program among eligible households.
Cohort Profile Cohort Profile : The 1895 , 1905 , 1910 and 1915 Danish Birth Cohort Studies-secular trends in the health and functioning of the very old

Cohort Profile: The 1895, 1905, 1910 and 1915 Danish Birth Cohort Studies secular trends in the health and functioning of the very old Signe Høi Rasmussen, Karen Andersen-Ranberg, Mikael Thinggaard, Bernard Jeune, Axel Skytthe, Lene Christiansen, James W. Vaupel, Matt McGue and Kaare Christensen* Danish Aging Research Center, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, Department of Geriatrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark, Max-Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, Max-Planck Odense Center on the Biodemography of Aging, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA, Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
Social isolation and loneliness as risk factors for the progression of frailty: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Abstract Background loneliness and social isolation have been associated with mortality and with functional decline in older people. We investigated whether loneliness or social isolation are associated with progression of frailty. Methods participants were 2,817 people aged ≥60 from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Loneliness was assessed at Wave 2 using the Revised UCLA scale (short version). A social isolation score at Wave 2 was derived from data on living alone, frequency of contact with friends, family and children, and participation in social organisations. Frailty was assessed by the Fried phenotype of physical frailty at Waves 2 and 4, and by a frailty index at Waves 2–5. Results high levels of loneliness were associated with an increased risk of becoming physically frail or pre-frail around 4 years later: relative risk ratios (95% CI), adjusted for age, sex, level of frailty and other potential confounding factors at baseline were 1.74 (1.29, 2.34) for pre-frailty, and 1.85 (1.14, 2.99) for frailty. High levels of loneliness were not associated with change in the frailty index—a broadly based measure of general condition—over a mean period of 6 years. In the sample as a whole, there was no association between social isolation and risk of becoming physically frail or pre-frail, but high social isolation was associated with increased risk of becoming physically frail in men. Social isolation was not associated with change in the frailty index. Conclusion older people who experience high levels of loneliness are at increased risk of becoming physically frail.
Symmetric Variational Autoencoder and Connections to Adversarial Learning

A new form of the variational autoencoder (VAE) is proposed, based on the symmetric Kullback-Leibler divergence. It is demonstrated that learning of the resulting symmetric VAE (sVAE) has close connections to previously developed adversarial-learning methods. This relationship helps unify the previously distinct techniques of VAE and adversarially learning, and provides insights that allow us to ameliorate shortcomings with some previously developed adversarial methods. In addition to an analysis that motivates and explains the sVAE, an extensive set of experiments validate the utility of the approach.
Spanish Adaptation of the Morningness-Eveningness-Stability-Scale improved (MESSi)

Abstract The aim of the present study was to conduct the preliminary adaptation of the Morningness-Eveningness-Stability-Scale improved (MESSi) to Spanish population, testing its factor structure and construct validity. Participants were 261 adults (65% women; M = 31.4, SD = 12.01) who filled out measures of Morningness-Eveningness (MESSi and CSM), sleep habits, personality traits, positive and negative affect, and subjective level of alertness during the day. Psychometric results supported a three factorial model with the factors Morning Affect, Eveningness and Distinctness (RMSEA = .072). The factors showed good internal consistence (α = 0.72–0.85). The pattern of correlations between MESSi and the other measures were in the expected direction (low to moderated size effects). Morning Affect was positively predicted by morning chronotype (R 2 = .64), Eveningness was negatively predicted by age and positively by evening chronotype (R 2 = .41), and Distinctness was negatively predicted by sex (women reported higher DI than men) and age (R 2 = .08). This study provides evidence for the factor structure of a new measure of Morningness-Eveningness based on a rigorous psychometric evaluation.
Cannabis, alcohol use, psychological distress, and decision-making style

ABSTRACT Introduction: There have been suggestions of hypofrontality in cannabis users. To understand cannabis-related differences in decisional processes, Janis and Mann’s conflict model of decision making was applied to recreational cannabis smokers who varied in their alcohol use and level of psychological distress. Method: An online sample of recreational substance users (114 male, 119 female) completed the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) for cannabis. Results: Multivariate analysis of variance examined self-reported decision-making styles as a function of gender, recent cannabis use, risky alcohol consumption, and levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress was associated with lower decisional self-esteem and higher levels of procrastination and buck-passing. There were gender differences associated with cannabis use. Female cannabis users reported higher levels of hypervigilance, while male cannabis users reported lower levels of buck-passing. Conclusions: Although there was little indication of an avoidant decisional style in cannabis users, the results suggest that cannabis affects decisional processes, contributing to panic in females and impulsivity in males.
The specialized proresolving lipid mediator maresin 1 protects hepatocytes from lipotoxic and hypoxia‐induced endoplasmic reticulum stress

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) are hallmarks of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome associated with obesity. The specialized proresolving lipid mediator maresin 1 (MaR1) preserves tissue homeostasis by exerting cytoprotective actions, dampening inflammation, and expediting its timely resolution. Here, we explored whether MaR1 protects liver cells from lipotoxic and hypoxia‐induced ER stress. Mice were rendered obese by high‐fat diet feeding, and experiments were performed in primary hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and precision‐cut liver slices (PCLSs). Palmitate‐induced lipotoxicity increased ER stress and altered autophagy in hepatocytes, effects that were prevented by MaR1. MaR1 protected hepatocytes against lipotoxicity‐induced apoptosis by activating the UPR prosurvival mechanisms and preventing the excessive up‐regulation of proapoptotic pathways. Protective MaR1 effects were also seen in hepatocytes challenged with hypoxia and TNF‐α‐induced cell death. High‐throughput microRNA (miRNA) sequencing revealed that MaR1 actions were associated with specific miRNA signatures targeting both protein folding and apoptosis. MaR1 also prevented lipotoxic‐triggered ER stress and hypoxia‐induced inflammation in PCLSs and enhanced Kupffer cell phagocytic capacity. Together, these findings describe the ability of MaR1 to oppose ER stress in liver cells under conditions frequently encountered in NAFLD. —Rius, B. , Duran‐Güell, M. , Flores‐Costa, R. , López‐Vicario, C. , Lopategi, A. , Alcaraz‐Quiles, J., Casulleras, M. , Lozano, J. J., Titos, E. , Clària, J. The specialized proresolving lipid mediator maresin 1 protects hepatocytes from lipotoxic and hypoxia‐induced endoplasmic reticulum stress. FASEB J. 31, 5384–5398 (2017). www.fasebj. org
The torments of the cohesin ring

ABSTRACT Cohesin is a ring-shaped protein complex which comprises the Smc1, Smc3 and Scc1 subunits. It topologically embraces chromosomal DNA to connect sister chromatids and stabilize chromatin loops. It is required for proper chromosomal segregation, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation. We have recently reported that cohesin rings can adopt a “collapsed” rod-like conformation which is driven by the interaction between the Smc1 and Smc3 coiled coil arms and is regulated by post-translational modifications. The “collapsed” conformation plays a role in cohesin ring assembly and its loading on the DNA. Here we speculate about the mechanism of cohesin's conformational transitions in relation to its loading on the DNA and draw parallels with other Smc-like complexes.
Developmental and gut‐related changes to microbiomes of the cultured juvenile spiny lobster Panulirus ornatus

ABSTRACT With recent technologies making it possible for commercial scale closed life‐cycle aquaculture production of spiny lobster (Panulirus ornatus) comes a strong impetus to further understand aspects of lobster health. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in host health, affecting growth, digestion, immune responses and pathogen resistance. Herein we characterise and compare gut microbiomes across different developmental stages (6‐7 days post‐emergence [dpe], 52 dpe and 13 months post‐emergence [mpe]) and gut regions (foregut, midgut and hindgut) of cultured P. ornatus juveniles. Gut samples were analysed using 16S rRNA next‐generation sequencing. Core gut microbiomes of P. ornatus comprised the phyla Tenericutes and Proteobacteria. Within class Gammaproteobacteria, families Pseudoalteromonadaceae and Vibrionaceae were dominant members across the majority of the gut microbiomes. Characterisation of bacterial communities from 13 mpe lobsters indicated that the hindgut microbiome was more diverse and compositionally dissimilar to the foregut and midgut. The bacterial composition of the hindgut was more similar among younger juveniles (6‐7 dpe and 52 dpe) compared to 13 mpe lobsters. This is the first study to explore gut microbiomes of spiny lobster juveniles. We demonstrate that the composition of the gut microbiome was shaped by gut region, whereas the structure of the hindgut microbiome was influenced by developmental stage. &NA; Graphical Abstract Figure. This is the first study to explore gut microbiomes of ornate spiny lobster juveniles and demonstrates that the gut‐associated bacteria are influenced by gut region and developmental stage.