Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Sequence Heterochrony on Hadrosaurid Dinosaur Postcranial Development

A goal of modern dinosaur paleobiology is to synthesize the understanding of dinosaurian development and phylogeny. This study explores the Iguanodontia, one clade that includes several taxa for which growth series are preserved. It is hypothesized that analysis of growth series of iguanodontian taxa will reveal important developmental differences at play during the evolution of the clade. Such differences can reflect the impact of sequence heterochrony on iguanodontian evolution. Data were collected on the growth stages of the postcranial skeleton of a basal iguanodontian, Tenontosaurus; a lambeosaurine hadrosaurid, Hypacrosaurus; and two hadrosaurine hadrosaurids, Brachylophosaurus and Maiasaura to test the hypothesis. The event‐pairing method provides a framework for the comparison of ontogenetic sequences among related taxa to detect significant evolutionary changes in developmental sequence. Significant developmental events are identified for the group and then the relative timings of those events in the developmental sequence are compared among the different species. Synapomorphic characters of Hadrosauridae, including the development of a prominent biceps tubercle on the coracoid, appear to be the result of changes in the developmental sequences of hadrosaurid taxa compared to basal iguanodontian taxa. This analysis also recognizes the developmental sequence differences that result in the development of the robust appendicular elements that characterize Lambeosaurinae. This comparative methodology shows that the development of characters such as the well developed supraacetabular process of the ilium results from the early onset of the development of those characters in the lambeosaurine hadrosaurid Hypacrosaurus compared to the hadrosaurines Brachylophosaurus and Maiasaura. Anat Rec, 292:1427–1441, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tax risk and stock return volatility: case study for French firms

The purpose of this paper is to address the relationship between tax risk and the stock return volatility for listed French firms. The context of this research is the connection between accounting and taxation for listed French firms. This research is based on a sample of 40 French listed firms from 2009 to 2013; these companies are not from the financial sector. The result is consistent with the literature which suggests that tax risk activities increase a firm's risk. We find, also, that a positive relationship between the accruals and stock return is due to the managers' decisions to reduce the amount of tax rates by making favourable interpretations of tax laws. We find, also, a negative relationship between the debt and stock return and this is explained by the increase of debt representing a risk to the firm. In addition, this study can be the object of replications in other contexts. This paper's findings contribute to the sparse literature on tax risk and stock return volatility in French management practices. The findings could improve the management relationship between tax and accounting.
Early rehabilitative treatment in patients with traumatic brain injuries: outcome at one-year follow-up.

AIM The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome at one-year follow-up of patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) after 4 years of application of our organizing model and compare our results with the international data in terms of disability (functional independence measure [FIM], disability rating scale [DRS] scores) and social integration (community integration questionnaire [CIQ], work reentry) METHODS We started a routine based on the presence of the physiatrist in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Neurosurgery 3 times per week to evaluate all patients with TBI, program and control physiotherapeutic treatments and transfers to rehabilitative centers. Data were collected considering 80 TBI patients sequentially discharged from our department, from August 1999 to December 2003. The sample was composed of patients with severe brain injury evaluated at rehabilitation admission, rehabilitation discharge and one-year follow-up. We compared our data with those of the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Data Base (TBI MSDB) and Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio delle Cerebrolesioni Acquisite Riabilitazione (GISCAR). RESULTS Disability at one-year follow-up was better than at discharge: increase in FIM value, in DRS value. Social reintegration and return to work were not optimal: CIQ value was 16 and only 38% of patients returned to work at follow-up. Disability and social integration mean scores in our sample were similar to those obtained in TBI MSDB and so were the values of onset-admission interval (OAI) and length of stay (LOS). Differences were found with the Italian GISCAR database where mean OAI and LOS were higher than in our sample (55 and 86 days vs 18 and 37 days). CONCLUSIONS Our data show that this kind of organizing model for the rehabilitative evolution of TBI patients can positively influence the cost-efficiency rate of rehabilitation process reducing care costs in terms of ICU and rehabilitation LOS without affecting outcome in terms of disability and reintegration.
New insights into Fat cadherins

Cell-cell adhesion is fundamental to multicellular architecture. Several classes of adhesion molecule are used to achieve this, and cadherins represent a major family of such molecules. The cadherin family has multiple subfamilies. Members of the Fat cadherin subfamily, which is conserved across species, have an extraordinarily large extracellular region, comprising 34 repeated domains, making them the largest cadherin molecules. Classic Fat, identified in Drosophila, is known to regulate cell proliferation and planar cell polarity. Recent studies of one of its mammalian homologs, Fat1, have revealed novel functions of this molecule. Fat1 binds to Ena/VASP proteins and regulates actin dynamics at both cell-cell contacts and leading edges. These observations suggest that Fat1 is an important regulator of actin dynamics and controls cell-cell interactions through this activity.
A match made in heaven? explaining patterns of cooperation between the Commission and the European Parliament

Abstract At the beginning of the 1990s, the Commission saw the European Parliament (EP) as an immature and irresponsible actor lacking appropriate competence on international trade matters. Why then did the Commission become an ardent advocate for extending the EP’s role in trade during the European Convention resulting in a significant increase in the EP’s trade powers? Three potential explanations are investigated: that the Commission saw the EP as a strategic ally, that it wanted to avoid interinstitutional conflict, and that it sought to make EU policy more legitimate. All contribute in accounting for the Commission’s support, but the latter in particular sheds light on both the timing and the form of its change in position. It is suggested that the Commission will emphasise systematic cooperation with the EP when there is external normative pressure, but the article also underscores the extensive pragmatic relations between the EP and the Commission.
Transitioning from a hospital rehabilitation programme to home: Exploring the experiences of people with complex regional pain syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is difficult to diagnose and is characterised by burning pain in one or more limbs. Treatment is palliative not curative and focuses on improving function. This requires patients to make long-term changes to their behaviour. As with all such regimens, adherence is often poor. This study explored the lived experience of 10 patients who had returned home after completing a two-week in-patient treatment programme. The interviews focused on how they coped with the transition from hospital to home, and on the things that they considered had facilitated or hindered this transition. Battling for Control was an overarching theme that connected the four superordinate themes: ‘Gaining Momentum’ that facilitated the implementation of treatment advice, ‘Distance from the pool of expertise’ that detailed the barriers to adherence experienced; ‘It helped me realise it was not all in my head’ that detailed a facilitative process, and the ‘nag list’ that was a technique patients’ used to garner support. This article offers insights into the transition experience. A key outcome is the recognition of the need to better prepare patients for their transition back home.
An On-Farm Study for Feeding Impact of Total Mixed Ration (TMR) in Milking Cow

Aims: To compare the compatibility of maize stover based Total Mixed Ration (TMR) over conventional feeding in terms of dry matter intake, milk production and composition and economic outcome from cows. Study Design: CRD. Place and Duration of Study: This field trial was carried out for a period of 60 days on 10 early lactating Holstein Friesian crossbred cows belonging to the farmers of Sirajgonj district. Methodology: Cows were divided into two homogenous groups considering lactation status and yield. In control (T0) group, cows were provided conventional feeds comprising of 20.0 kg Napier grass, 5.0 kg paddy straw, 2 kg pelleted feed and 10.0 kg concentrate mixture (composed of 5 kg wheat bran, 2 kg pulse bran, 2 kg red gram bran and 1.0 kg oil cake), while in another group (T1), cows were fed TMR comprising of maize stover and concentrate with 50:50 proportions, according to their nutrient requirements. The DM and CP contents in concentrate mixture of T0 and T1 were 90.33% and 15.6% and 38.01% and 16.7%, respectively. The data were analyzed by "SPSS 20.0" statistical program. Result: Fresh feed intakes were significantly (P<0.001) higher in T0 (37.4±0.008) than those of animals in T1; CP intakes were significantly (P=0.008) higher in T1 (1.60±0.02). Differences were not significant (P=0.07) in case of DMI and DMI on %live weight between two treatment groups. Milk yield and fat content significantly (P=0.05) differed between groups. Highest milk yield (9.99±0.07 kg) and milk fat (3.62±0.06%) were observed in cows of T1. However, milk protein, lactose and SNF did not vary significantly between groups. Considering milk price @BDT 60.0/ltr, profit gained maximum in T1 group. Conclusion: TMR improved substantial amount of milk yield and quality with concurrent reduction of milk production cost.
TonB-Dependent Systems of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli: Aerobactin and Heme Transport and TonB Are Required for Virulence in the Mouse

ABSTRACT The uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain CFT073 has multiple iron acquisition systems, including heme and siderophore transporters. A tonB mutant derivative of CFT073 failed to use heme as an iron source or to utilize the siderophores enterobactin and aerobactin, indicating that transport of these compounds in CFT073 is TonB dependent. The TonB−derivative showed reduced virulence in a mouse model of urinary tract infection. Virulence was restored when the tonB gene was introduced on a plasmid. To determine the importance of the individual TonB-dependent iron transport systems during urinary tract infections, mutants defective in each of the CFT073 high-affinity iron transport systems were constructed and tested in the mouse model. Mouse virulence assays indicated that mutants defective in a single iron transport system were able to infect the kidney when inoculated as a pure culture but were unable to efficiently compete with the wild-type strain in mixed infections. These results indicate a role for TonB-dependent systems in the virulence of uropathogenic E. coli strains.
A Unique Immunofluorescence Protocol to Detect Protein Expression in Vascular Tissues: Tacking a Long Standing Pathological Hitch.

OBJECTIVE Autofluorescence induced interference is one of the major drawbacks in immunofluorescence analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, as it decreases the signal-to-noise ratio of specific labeling. Apart from aldehyde-fixation induced artifacts; collagen and elastin, red blood cells and endogenous fluorescent pigment lipofuscin are prime sources of autofluorescence in vascular and aging tissues. We describe herein, an optimized indirect-immunofluorescence method for archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues tissues and cryo sections, using a combination of 3-reagents in a specific order, to achieve optimal fluorescence signals and imaging. MATERIAL AND METHOD Human telomerase reverse transcriptase, a protein implicated as a proliferation marker, was chosen relevant to its expression in solid tumors along with 3 other intracellular proteins exhibiting nuclear and/or cytoplasmic expression. Staining was performed on 10 glioma tissue sections along with 5 of their cryo sections, 5 sections each of hepatocellular, lung, papillary-thyroid and renal cell carcinoma, with 10 non-malignant brain tissue samples serving as control. Specimens were imaged using epifluorescence microscopy, followed by software-based quantification of fluorescence signals for statistical analysis and validation. RESULTS We observed that the combined application of sodium-borohydride followed by crystal violet before antigen retrieval and a Sudan black B treatment after secondary antibody application proved to be most efficacious for masking autofluorescence/non-specific background in vascular tissues. CONCLUSION This unique trio-methodology provides quantifiable observations with maximized fluorescence signal intensity of the target protein for longer retention time of the signal even after prolonged storage. The results can be extrapolated to other human tissues for different protein targets.
Error Analysis of the Optimal Antenna Array Processors

The optimal weights of an antenna array processor, which maximizes the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the absence of errors, are computed using the noise-alone matrix inverse (NAMI) and the steering vector in the look direction or the signal-plus-noise matrix inverse (SPNMI) and the steering vector. In practice the estimated steering vector as well as the estimated optimal weights are corrupted by random errors. This paper has analyzed the effects of these errors on the performance of the NAMI processor and the SPNMI processor by deriving analytic expressions for the output signal power, output noise power, output SNR, and the array gain as a function of the error variance. The treatment is for a general array configuration and no assumption about a particular array geometry is made.
Does Hedging Affect Firm Value? Evidence from a Natural Experiment

We study how and why hedging affects firms. To mitigate the endogeneity of hedging decisions, we exploit an exogenous change in basis risk in the oil and gas industry. Using a difference-in-differences framework, we find that firms affected by the basis risk shock reduce investment, have lower valuations, sell assets, and reduce debt relative to control firms. Our findings are driven by firms with ex ante high leverage. Overall, our results provide evidence that reducing the probability of financial distress and underinvestment risk are first order channels through which hedging affects firm value.
Teratogen update: inorganic arsenic.

BACKGROUND Inorganic arsenic has been used by many laboratories to study the pathogenesis of exencephaly in rodents. These studies, which used predominantly injection exposures, coupled with the paucity of epidemiology data, resulted in the erroneous inference that inorganic arsenic should be considered a human teratogen. METHODS This study assembles and assesses literature analyses of older human and animal investigations together with the results of new experimental studies. These recent studies were performed according to modern regulatory guidelines, and relevant exposure routes (inhalation and ingestion) were used to evaluate the potential risk of developmental effects in humans. RESULTS The existing epidemiological data are inadequate to support risk assessment because of the failure to confirm or measure arsenic exposure during early gestation and the deficiencies in accounting for potential confounding factors. The animal data revealed that inorganic arsenic caused malformations in offspring only when it was injected into the veins or peritoneal cavity of pregnant animals during early gestation. Exposure via inhalation or oral ingestion, even at concentrations that were nearly fatal to pregnant females, caused no arsenic-related malformations. CONCLUSIONS Inorganic arsenic poses virtually no danger to developing offspring when maternal exposure occurs by relevant routes (oral and inhalation) at concentrations that are likely to be experienced in the environment or in the workplace.
Effects of Various Resin Composite (Co)monomers and Extracts on Two Caries-associated Micro-organisms in vitro

Previous studies have shown that extracts of various filling materials, e.g., resin composites, may influence the growth of cariogenic micro-organisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of important resin composite (co)monomers (Bis-GMA, UDMA, TEGDMA, EGDMA) and extracts of two commercial dental composites with similar composition (composite A, Arabesk™; composite S, Superlux™) on the growth of the two cariogenic bacterial pathogens Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. It was found that neither the monomers Bis-GMA and UDMA, nor the comonomer EGDMA, nor the extract of composite A influenced the growth of S. sobrinus in the log phase. The comonomer TEGDMA and the extract of composite S were found to stimulate growth in the log phase, but this stimulation was not statistically significant. However, EGDMA, TEGDMA, and the extract of composite S did stimulate the total growth of S. sobrinus. In the assays with L. acidophilus, Bis-GMA, UDMA, and the extract of composite A inhibited the growth in the log phase, whereas TEGDMA stimulated it. Furthermore, EGDMA, TEGDMA, and the extract of composite S stimulated the biomass production of L. acidophilus. We conclude from our results that a release of EGDMA and TEGDMA from resin composites should be avoided due to their growth-stimulating effects on the caries-associated micro-organisms S. sobrinus and L. acidophilus.
ELISA versus routine tests in the diagnosis of patients with systemic and neurobrucellosis

Sera from patients in different stages of brucellosis as well as sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with central nervous system (CNS) brucellosis and controls, were tested by ELISA for Brucella‐specific IgG, IgM and IgA. The results were compared with culture findings, micro‐agglutination (MA), slide agglutination with Rose Bengal (RB), and Brucella melitensis stained antigens (SA). In sera of patients with acute brucellosis (296), ELISA was positive for IgM (100%), IgG (97%) and IgA (98%), and comparable results were found in sera of patients with subacute brucellosis (44): IgG (100%), IgM (86%) and IgA (100%). However, in patients with chronic brucellosis (40), IgG and IgA were consistently positive (100%) while IgM was only positive in 33% of their sera. The MA and RB showed similar results, being more positive in patients with acute (98%) and subacute (84%) than in chronic (61%) brucellosis. The SA and culture showed significantly lower positive results. In the CSF of patients with CNS brucellosis (45), ELISA was positive in 100%, 20% and 85% for IgG, IgM and IgA, respectively, compared to 13% positive by culture, 25% by MA and 22% by RB. ELISA was negative in the CSF specimens from patients with brucellosis without CNS involvement (66), or meningitis other than Brucella (62), and no meningitis (144). Thus, ELISA with its IgG, IgM and IgA profiles is the test of choice in the diagnosis of patients with brucellosis, especially those with chronic or CNS infection.
Timing of onset of growth hormone deficiency is a major influence on insulin‐like growth factor I status in adult life

objective Several reports have suggested that IGF‐I levels in patients with childhood‐onset (CO) GH deficiency are lower than those observed in patients with adult‐onset (AO) GH deficiency. However, these reports are unsatisfactory as there are several differences between the cohorts studied other than the timing of onset of GH deficiency; in particular, the patients were not matched for equal severity of GH deficiency. We have pursued this question further by examining the IGF‐I standard deviation score (SDS) in patients with CO and AO GH deficiency, with equal degrees of severity of GH deficiency, as defined by the peak GH response to the insulin tolerance test (ITT).
Advances in pharmacological treatment of migraine

Migraine is a paroxysmal disorder with attacks of headache, nausea, vomiting, photo- and phonophobia and malaise. This review summarises new treatment options both for the therapy of the acute attack as well as for migraine prophylaxis. Analgesics like aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in treating migraine attacks. Few controlled trials were performed for the use of ergotamine or dihydroergotamine. These trials indicate inferior efficacy compared with serotonin (5-HT1B/D) agonists (triptans). The triptans (almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan and zolmitriptan), are highly effective. They improve headache as well as nausea, photo- and phonophobia. The different triptans show only minor differences in efficacy, headache recurrence and adverse effects. The knowledge of their different pharmacological profile allows a more specific treatment of the individual migraine characteristics. Migraine prophylaxis is recommended, when more than three attacks occur per month, if attacks do not respond to acute treatment or if side effects of acute treatment are severe. Substances with proven efficacy include the beta-blockers metoprolol and propranolol, the calcium channel blocker flunarizine, several 5-HT antagonists and amitriptyline. Recently anti-epileptic drugs (valproic acid, gabapentin, topiramate) were evaluated for the prophylaxis of migraine. The use of botulinum toxin is under investigation.
Fatty acid metabolism (desaturation, elongation and β-oxidation) in rainbow trout fed fish oil- or linseed oil-based diets

In consideration of economical and environmental concerns, fish oil (FO) substitution in aquaculture is the focus of many fish nutritionists. The most stringent drawback of FO replacement in aquafeeds is the consequential modification to the final fatty acid (FA) make-up of the fish fillet. However, it is envisaged that a solution may be achieved through a better understanding of fish FA metabolism. Therefore, the present study investigated the fate of individual dietary FA in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a FO-based diet (rich in 20 : 5n-3) or a linseed oil-based diet (LO; rich in 18 : 3n-3). The study demonstrated that much of the 18 : 3n-3 content from the LO diet was oxidised and, despite the significantly increased accretion of Δ-6 and Δ-5 desaturated FA, a 2- and 3-fold reduction in the fish body content of 20 : 5n-3 and 22 : 6n-3, respectively, compared with the FO-fed fish, was recorded. The accretion of longer-chain FA was unaffected by the dietary treatments, while there was a greater net disappearance of FA provided in dietary surplus. SFA and MUFA recorded a net accretion of FA produced ex novo. In the fish fed the FO diet, the majority of dietary 20 : 5n-3 was accumulated (53·8 %), some was oxidised (14·7 %) and a large proportion (31·6 %) was elongated and desaturated up to 22 : 6n-3. In the fish fed the LO diet, the majority of dietary 18 : 3n-3 was accumulated (58·1 %), a large proportion was oxidised (29·5 %) and a limited amount (12·4 %) was bio-converted to longer and more unsaturated homologues.