Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The origin of the animals and a ‘Savannah’ hypothesis for early bilaterian evolution

The earliest evolution of the animals remains a taxing biological problem, as all extant clades are highly derived and the fossil record is not usually considered to be helpful. The rise of the bilaterian animals recorded in the fossil record, commonly known as the ‘Cambrian explosion’, is one of the most significant moments in evolutionary history, and was an event that transformed first marine and then terrestrial environments. We review the phylogeny of early animals and other opisthokonts, and the affinities of the earliest large complex fossils, the so‐called ‘Ediacaran’ taxa. We conclude, based on a variety of lines of evidence, that their affinities most likely lie in various stem groups to large metazoan groupings; a new grouping, the Apoikozoa, is erected to encompass Metazoa and Choanoflagellata. The earliest reasonable fossil evidence for total‐group bilaterians comes from undisputed complex trace fossils that are younger than about 560 Ma, and these diversify greatly as the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary is crossed a few million years later. It is generally considered that as the bilaterians diversified after this time, their burrowing behaviour destroyed the cyanobacterial mat‐dominated substrates that the enigmatic Ediacaran taxa were associated with, the so‐called ‘Cambrian substrate revolution’, leading to the loss of almost all Ediacara‐aspect diversity in the Cambrian. Why, though, did the energetically expensive and functionally complex burrowing mode of life so typical of later bilaterians arise? Here we propose a much more positive relationship between late‐Ediacaran ecologies and the rise of the bilaterians, with the largely static Ediacaran taxa acting as points of concentration of organic matter both above and below the sediment surface. The breaking of the uniformity of organic carbon availability would have signalled a decisive shift away from the essentially static and monotonous earlier Ediacaran world into the dynamic and burrowing world of the Cambrian. The Ediacaran biota thus played an enabling role in bilaterian evolution similar to that proposed for the Savannah environment for human evolution and bipedality. Rather than being obliterated by the rise of the bilaterians, the subtle remnants of Ediacara‐style taxa within the Cambrian suggest that they remained significant components of Phanerozoic communities, even though at some point their enabling role for bilaterian evolution was presumably taken over by bilaterians or other metazoans. Bilaterian evolution was thus an essentially benthic event that only later impacted the planktonic environment and the style of organic export to the sea floor.
The Pimp and the Happy Whore: “Doing Gender” in Film Talk in a School Setting

The present paper concerns the use of film for eliciting discussions of fundamental values in an upper secondary school setting. In this case, Lilya 4‐ever, a feature film about sex trafficking, is used. The present paper contributes some empirical knowledge about how young people are “doing gender” in a natural setting—an educational context—that celebrates equality values. The examples from a group discussion between pupils reveal a balance between performing the school task, discussing the questions on the sheet the teacher provided, and working on their private identities, which here includes social interplay that among teenagers could involve rejecting an academic identity. The analysis concerns how pupils use discourses drawn from a film in that balancing act. The paper explores how discourses on sex are used to gain power in conversation, to challenge male sexuality, and to reject victimization.
Recent Advances in the Modeling of the Impact of Nonlinear Fiber Propagation Effects on Uncompensated Coherent Transmission Systems

The last few years have seen a wealth of new nonlinear propagation modeling results appear in the literature, especially regarding coherent systems operating in the absence of optical dispersion compensation. One of the most prolific lines of research, though not the only one, has been that of improvements and upgrades to the Gaussian-noise (GN) model, which have also led to the so-called enhanced GN model, or EGN model. In addition, many specific aspects of nonlinear propagation, including format and symbol-rate dependence of nonlinearity generation, long-correlated nonlinear phase and polarization noise, the effect of copropagating amplified spontaneous emission noise and distributed amplification, and still others, have been focused on and several new related results have been published. This has been a very positive trend but, from the viewpoint of the end users, such as system and network designers, this large body of new knowledge may have been found difficult to sort out. The question of when and whether more sophisticated models are truly needed in any given system/network scenario, for a given set of accuracy and computational complexity constraints, then naturally arises. This paper tries to address this practical issue and provide indications regarding possible effective solution to varied end-users’ requirements.
Cortical thinning in psychopathy.

OBJECTIVE Psychopathy is a personality disorder associated with severely antisocial behavior and a host of cognitive and affective deficits. The neuropathological basis of the disorder has not been clearly established. Cortical thickness is a sensitive measure of brain structure that has been used to identify neurobiological abnormalities in a number of psychiatric disorders. The authors assessed cortical thickness and corresponding functional connectivity in psychopathic prison inmates. METHOD Using T1 MRI data, the authors computed cortical thickness maps in a sample of adult male prison inmates selected on the basis of psychopathy diagnosis (21 psychopathic inmates and 31 nonpsychopathic inmates). Using restingstate functional MRI data from a subset of these inmates (20 psychopathic inmates and 20 nonpsychopathic inmates), the authors then computed functional connectivity within networks exhibiting significant thinning among psychopaths. RESULTS Relative to nonpsychopaths, psychopaths had significantly thinner cortex in a number of regions, including the left insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, the left and right precentral gyri, the left and right anterior temporal cortices, and the right inferior frontal gyrus. These neurostructural differences were not due to differences in age, IQ, or substance use. Psychopaths also exhibited a corresponding reduction in functional connectivity between the left insula and the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. CONCLUSIONS Psychopathy is associated with a distinct pattern of cortical thinning and reduced functional connectivity.
Mean inactivation dose: a useful concept for intercomparison of human cell survival curves.

The mean inactivation dose (D) is calculated for published in vitro survival curves obtained from cell lines of both normal and neoplastic human tissues. Cells belonging to different histological categories (melanomas, carcinomas, etc.) are shown to be characterized by distinct values of D which are related to the clinical radiosensitivity of tumors from these categories. Compared to other ways of representing in vitro radiosensitivity, e.g., by the multitarget parameters D0 and n, the parameter D has several specific advantages: (i) D is representative for the whole cell population rather than for a fraction of it; (ii) it minimizes the fluctuations of the survival curves of a given cell line investigated by different authors; (iii) there is low variability of D within each histological category; (iv) significant differences in radiosensitivity between the categories emerge when using D. D appears to be a useful concept for specifying intrinsic radiosensitivity of human cell lines.
Metaplastic breast cancer : Pathological subtypes, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, Immunohistochemistry, treatment and prognosis -

Metaplastic breast cancer is a rare subtype of breast cancer that is histologically heterogeneous, being composed of both sarcomatous and epithelial components. It presents as rapidly growing palpable masses. Incidence of nodal metastasis is low, as compared to intraductal carcinoma, but it has a high metastatic potential and more chances of local recurrence. Many different pathological classifications are available, the most popular being "Wargotz and Norris classification". Imaging features mimic those of intraductal carcinoma. Immunohistochemically, these tumors show a basal/myoepithelial phenotype with positivity for cytokeratins, AE1/AE3, smooth muscle actin, p63, alpha B-crystallin, etc. These tumors show no or very low positivity for hormone receptors or HER-2 over expression. Therefore, they are often called triple negative carcinomas. They are aggressive tumors with suboptimal response to standard chemotherapy regimens. Overall prognosis of the patients with metaplastic breast cancer is worse than the patients with intraductal breast carcinoma. Further research is needed for formulating targeted therapies for this aggressive tumor.
Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 5. Eleutherodactylus coqui, the Coqui Frog (Anura: Leptodactylidae)1

Abstract: The nocturnal, terrestrial frog Eleutherodactylus coqui, known as the Coqui, is endemic to Puerto Rico and was accidentally introduced to Hawai‘i via nursery plants in the late 1980s. Over the past two decades E. coqui has spread to the four main Hawaiian Islands, and a major campaign was launched to eliminate and control it. One of the primary reasons this frog has received attention is its loud mating call (85–90 dB at 0.5 m). Many homeowners do not want the frogs on their property, and their presence has influenced housing prices. In addition, E. coqui has indirectly impacted the floriculture industry because customers are reticent to purchase products potentially infested with frogs. Eleutherodactylus coqui attains extremely high densities in Hawai‘i, up to 91,000 frogs ha-1, and can reproduce year-round, once every 1–2 months, and become reproductive around 8–9 months. Although the Coqui has been hypothesized to potentially compete with native insectivores, the most obvious potential ecological impact of the invasion is predation on invertebrate populations and disruption of associated ecosystem processes. Multiple forms of control have been attempted in Hawai‘i with varying success. The most successful control available at this time is citric acid. Currently, the frog is established throughout the island of Hawai‘i but may soon be eliminated on the other Hawaiian Islands via control efforts. Eradication is deemed no longer possible on the island of Hawai‘i.
Insulin response to oral glucose load is associated with coronary artery disease in subjects with normal glucose tolerance.

AIM The critical role of hyperinsulinemia, independent of hyperglycemia, in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has not been fully determined. We investigated the association between secretion patterns of insulin after oral glucose load and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). METHODS We enrolled 116 subjects with NGT from 243 patients who had undergone coronary angiography and a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. The patients were divided into 0-vessel, single-vessel and multi-vessel disease groups on the basis of the severity of CAD. RESULTS The 2-h insulin levels in the multi-vessel disease group (p=0.005) and the single-vessel disease group (p<0.05) were significantly higher than those in the 0-vessel disease group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the levels of 2-h insulin were an independent variable for the presence of CAD (p=0.02) after adjustment for gender and the presence of each criterion of metabolic syndrome using the definition of the International Diabetes Federation. CONCLUSION A slight but significant increase in prolonged insulin secretion, which is associated with the early stage of insulin resistance, in subjects with NGT, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Enhancement of enterovirus infectivity in vitro by pretreating host cell monolayers with the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine

Laboratory strains of enteroviruses, as well as viruses isolated from raw wastewater, were found to exhibit enhanced infectivity in vitro when BGM cell monolayers were pretreated with the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI). Viruses were assayed by the cytopathic effect technique and as PFU under methylcellulose and agar overlays with monolayers treated with 0 to 5.0 x 10(-3)% (wt/vol) PEI in phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum. Poliovirus type 1 cytopathic effect occurred at an enhanced rate in cells treated with 5.0 x 10(-3)% PEI compared with untreated cells. PEI-treated cells were found to adsorb viruses much more effectively than untreated cells did. When the methylcellulose overlay procedure was used, rates of infectivity were enhanced as follows: poliovirus type 1, 5.5-fold; echovirus type 1, 1.2-fold; echovirus type 5, 5.2-fold; and coxsackievirus type B5, 4.9-fold. Viruses concentrated from raw wastewater showed a 3.8-fold increase in titer when quantitated by the most-probable-number method and a 3.3-fold increase when quantitated as PFU under an agar overlay.
Insect Growth Regulators for Insect Pest Control

Insecticides with growth regulating properties (IGR) may adversely affect insects by regulating or inhibiting specific biochemical pathways or processes essential for insect growth and development. Some insects exposed to such compounds may die due to abnormal regulation of hormone-mediated cell or organ development. Other insects may die either from a prolonged exposure at the developmental stage to other mortality factors (susceptibility to natural enemies, environmental conditions etc) or from an abnormal termination of a developmental stage itself. Insect growth regulators may come from a blend of synthetic chemicals or from other natural sources, such as plants. The chemical composition of hormones indigenous to insects is now being studied and used as a basis for developing analogs or mimics against insects. The similarities, however, in certain aspects of biochemistry among vertebrates and invertebrates may result in the limited development of IGRs. Environmental contamination also creates a hurdle as well as a challenge for industries to develop compounds that provide a more environmentally or ecologically sound insect pest control.
Role of Leaf Surface Sugars in Colonization of Plants by Bacterial Epiphytes

ABSTRACT The relationship between nutrients leached onto the leaf surface and the colonization of plants by bacteria was studied by measuring both the abundance of simple sugars and the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens on individual bean leaves. Data obtained in this study indicate that the population size of epiphytic bacteria on plants under environmentally favorable conditions is limited by the abundance of carbon sources on the leaf surface. Sugars were depleted during the course of bacterial colonization of the leaf surface. However, about 20% of readily utilizable sugar, such as glucose, present initially remained on fully colonized leaves. The amounts of sugars on a population of apparently identical individual bean leaves before and after microbial colonization exhibited a similar right-hand-skewed distribution and varied by about 25-fold from leaf to leaf. Total bacterial population sizes on inoculated leaves under conditions favorable for bacterial growth also varied by about 29-fold and exhibited a right-hand-skewed distribution. The amounts of sugars on leaves of different plant species were directly correlated with the maximum bacterial population sizes that could be attained on those species. The capacity of bacteria to deplete leaf surface sugars varied greatly among plant species. Plants capable of supporting high bacterial population sizes were proportionally more depleted of leaf surface nutrients than plants with low epiphytic populations. Even in species with a high epiphytic bacterial population, a substantial amount of sugar remained after bacterial colonization. It is hypothesized that residual sugars on colonized leaves may not be physically accessible to the bacteria due to limitations in wettability and/or diffusion of nutrients across the leaf surface.
n evaluation of MODIS 8-and 16-day composite products for monitoring maize reen leaf area index oemi

The seasonal patterns of green leaf area index (GLAI) can be used to assess crop physiological and phenological status, to assess yield potential, and to incorporate in crop simulation models. This study focused on examining the potential capabilities and limitations of satellite data retrieved from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) 8and 16-day composite products to quantitatively estimate GLAI over maize (Zea mays L.) fields. Results, based on the nine years of data used in this study, indicated a wide variability of temporal resolution obtained from MODIS 8and 16-day composite periods and emporal resolution egetation indices aize reen leaf area index highlighted the importance of information about day of MODIS products pixel composite for monitoring agricultural crops. Due to high maize GLAI temporal variability, the inclusion of day of pixel composite is necessary to decrease substantial uncertainties in estimating GLAI. Results also indicated that maize GLAI can be accurately retrieved from the 250-m resolution MODIS products (MOD13Q1 and MOD09Q1) by a wide dynamic range vegetation index with root mean square error (RMSE) below 0.60 m2 m−2 or by the enhanced vegetation index with RMSE below 0.70 m2 m−2.
Hydralazine–valproate: a repositioned drug combination for the epigenetic therapy of cancer

Introduction: DNA methylation (DNMTi) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are in development for cancer therapy. So far, four epigenetic drugs are approved for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The combination of hydralazine-valproate (TRANSKRIP™) is being repositioned as an oral DNMT and HDAC inhibitor. Areas covered: Brief discussion on the current status of epigenetic drugs and studies published on the preclinical and clinical development of the hydralazine-valproate combination. Expert opinion: Drug repositioning is a strategy for prompt and cost-efficient drug discovery. There is evidence that combining DNMTi with HDACi would be more efficacious than administering each agent on its own. Hydralazine-valproate is safe when used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or chemoradiation. The fact that both drugs are orally administered is another advantage over current epigenetic drugs. This combination is promising but larger studies are needed. Among these, the randomized Phase III trials in advanced and in locally advanced cervical cancer combined with chemotherapy and cisplatin-radiation respectively, would eventually confirm its efficacy. Studies on MDS and CTCL would also eventually prove the efficacy of hydralazine valproate so that in the coming years hydralazine-valproate could have a role in cancer epigenetic therapy.
5‐Hydroxytryptophan‐induced myoclonus in guinea pigs and the possible role of serotonin in infantile myoclonus

The term “myoclonus” has been used for more than 80 years to describe a wide variety of abnormal and even normal muscle contraction s. The p he n o m e n a referred t o by this term differ i n virtually all of the parameters that can be used to describe movements. They differ in the extent o f muscular involvement; the speed and duration, degree of rhythmicity, and degree of symmetry of the contractions; the manner in which the contractions may be precipitated; and the clinical setting in which they occur . i Aigner and Mulder’ recognized these difficulties in their attempt to define myoclonus as “an involuntary repetitive, desultory instantaneous irregular contraction o f a group of muscles o r occasionally a single muscle. ” These movements may be symmetrically synchronous or asymmetric, and in some patients various types of stimulation, including sudden noises, can accentuate the tnyoc10nus.2. :’ Myoclonus itself is n o t associated with a d i s t u r b a n c e o f consc iousness , a n d the movements may o r may not be accompanied by a discharge detectable on the elect r o e n c e p ha I o gr a m . L~:’ T he se move m e n t s , i n fact, may represent a manifestation of hyperexcitability of the nervous system at almost any level, and the form o f the movement abnormality may vary according to the level of nervous system dysfunction. ’. :’ The various types of niovements classified as myoclonus can be seen in numerous disease states, and the pathophysiology of myoclonus 1234 Neurology / Volume 23 /November 1973 may be different in different disorders. Two sets of observations suggest that, in certain instances, a neurohumoral mechanism may play a part i n the pathophysiology of at least some types of myoclonus. The first of these mechanisms is the occur re lice o f shock I i ke in v o I u n t a r y move in en ts of muscles in children with occult tumors of neural crest origin, especially neurob l a ~ t o m a s . ~ ~ These rapid, j e rky movements of the head, trunk and limbs often a re associated with abnormal rapid eye movements. The syndrome was first described in 1962 by Kinsbourne under the term myoclonic encephalopathy. ’” Dyken and Kolarj and Moe and Nellhaus’ feel that infantile polymyoclonia is a better descriptive term. This type of syndrome apparently can be observed as a benign manifestation of encephalitic, postencephalitic o r immunologic
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children Presenting with Lymphoreticular Malignancies and the Effect of Induction Therapy

There is scant information regarding iron deficiency in children with malignant disorders. Serum iron status of children with lymphoreticular malignancies (LRMs) at onset and at the end of induction therapy, compared to the normal population, was evaluated. Prospective cohort study conducted between July 2002 and March 2004. Previously untreated children recently diagnosed with LRM were studied. Age-matched controls were enrolled from follow-up and growth monitoring clinics. Hematological (complete blood counts and red cell indices) parameters and markers of iron status (serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity) were estimated at presentation and at the end of remission induction therapy, that is, 5 weeks after initial evaluation. Bone marrow iron store were only assessed in cases. Thirty-five children (31 with acute lymphoid leukemia, 2 with acute myeloid leukemia, and 2 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma; 27 boys and 8 girls; 2 to 12 years of age) were evaluated in the study cohort. Anemia was documented in 80% of children with LRM. Iron deficiency was an important etiological factor. In the majority of cases therapy resulted in significant improvement towards normalization of deranged hematological parameters. This phenomenon could be attributed to enhanced quantity and quality of erythropoietic activity and red cell transfusions. The observation suggests that therapeutic iron supplements are not indicated in the majority of children on therapy for malignant disorders. Various hematological and body iron status parameters should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.