Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ADAPTATION OF RAINBOW FISH TO LAKE AND STREAM HABITATS

Abstract Fish occupy a range of hydrological habitats that exert different demands on locomotor performance. We examined replicate natural populations of the rainbow fishes Melanotaenia eachamensis and M. duboulayi to determine if colonization of low-velocity (lake) habitats by fish from high-velocity (stream) habitats resulted in adaptation of locomotor morphology and performance. Relative to stream conspecifics, lake fish had more posteriorly positioned first dorsal and pelvic fins, and shorter second dorsal fin bases. Habitat dimorphism observed between wild-caught fish was determined to be heritable as it was retained in M. eachamensis offspring raised in a common garden. Repeated evolution of the same heritable phenotype in independently derived populations indicated body shape divergence was a consequence of natural selection. Morphological divergence between hydrological habitats did not support a priori expectations of deeper bodies and caudal peduncles in lake fish. However, observed divergence in fin positioning was consistent with a family-wide association between habitat and morphology, and with empirical studies on other fish species. As predicted, decreased demand for sustained swimming in lakes resulted in a reduction in caudal red muscle area of lake fish relative to their stream counterparts. Melanotaenia duboulayi lake fish also had slower sustained swimming speeds (Ucrit) than stream conspecifics. In M. eachamensis, habitat affected Ucrit of males and females differently. Specifically, females exhibited the pattern observed in M. duboulayi (lake fish had faster Ucrit than stream fish), but the opposite association was observed in males (stream males had slower Ucrit than lake males). Stream M. eachamensis also exhibited a reversed pattern of sexual dimorphism in Ucrit (males slower than females) relative to all other groups (males faster than females). We suggest that M. eachamensis males from streams responded to factors other than water velocity. Although replication of muscle and Ucrit phenotypes across same habitat populations within and/or among species was suggestive of adaptation, the common garden experiment did not confirm a genetic basis to these associations. Kinematic studies should consider the effect of the position and base length of dorsal fins.
Ultrastructural relations between nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and cholinergic nerve endings in the human brain

The connections between cholinergic nerve endings anct nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons were s t ~ ~ d i e d i n the substantia nigra pars compacta of the human brain. Irnmunocytochemistry of tyrosine hydroxylase followed by ionic fixation of acetylcholinelike cation i l l synaptic vesicles allowed dopaminergic neurons and cholinergic nerve endings to be visualized on the same ultrathin section. Numerous contacts, some of them with synaptic structures, were observed between nerve endings, with or without precipitates of acetylcholine-like cation and dendrites or cell bodies of tyrosine hydroxylase-inimunoreactive neurons. These results, which agree with previous studies performed in the rat. suggest that cholinergic nerve endings control the activity of the nigrostriatal neurons at the level of the dendrites and cell bodies in the substantia nigra.
Obesity, respiratory disease and pulmonary infections

Obesity is one of the major epidemics of our time and its prevalence is only believed to increase over coming years. The detrimental effect of obesity on the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer has long been recognised and has subsequently impacted on public health policy across the globe. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge regarding the complex relationship between obesity, respiratory disease and infection. Obesity causes dysregulation of the immune system through mediation in various immune, metabolic and thrombogenic responses. However, the clinical impact of this immune dysregulation on the susceptibility, severity and outcome from various infections is still not clearly understood. Confounding aspects such as medical comorbidities, challenges in obtaining microbiology samples and invasive testing, issues with drug dosing and administration, and polypharmacy are probably also important in determining this risk in obese patients. The causal relationship between obesity and several respiratory diseases such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is clear. However, the impact of obesity on the risk and outcome of respiratory infections, the infective complications in OSA and OHS, and the morbidity and mortality risk from infections in mechanically ventilated obese patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting is less well defined. Heterogeneity in study populations, differing methods of recording of weight and body mass index (BMI), variations in defining and reporting study outcomes and multiple confounding factors make for a disparity in study findings in this field that require further clarification. Large prospective cohort studies are needed to address many of the unanswered questions that remain.
The psychosocial context of Black women's health.

Researchers have demonstrated that Black women exhibit a disproportionate risk of ill health. We examined the relationship between psychosocial factors, including economic status, race-based social inequality, gender-based violence, and the health status of 323 Black women between the ages of 18 and 65. Black women from a community sample completed a health survey with open-ended responses. Results indicated that women in lower economic groups are more likely to be treated for allergies (p = < .05) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID; p = < .01). Women who experienced increased incidents of race-based social inequality received more medical treatments for yeast infections, pregnancy-related problems, allergies, and PID. Those with histories of physical, psychological, and early sexual abuse are more likely to be treated for depression, allergies, yeast infections, and hypertension. In addition, qualitative data examined the process in which economic, race-based social inequality, and gender-based violence contributed to the ill health of Black women. The implications of these findings suggest that understanding the psychosocial context is essential for appropriate clinical practice. Additionally, future research should conceptualize health as a complex interaction of psychosocial risks that have a profound effect on the health status of Black women.
Phospholipid Fatty Acid Composition, Biomass, and Activity of Microbial Communities from Two Soil Types Experimentally Exposed to Different Heavy Metals

The phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) pattern was analyzed in a forest humus and in an arable soil experimentally polluted with Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, or Zn at different concentrations. In both soil types, there were gradual changes in the PLFA patterns for the different levels of metal contamination. The changes in the forest soil were similar irrespective of which metal was used, while in the arable soil the changes due to Cu contamination differed from those due to the other metals. Several PLFAs reacted similarly to the metal amendments in the two soil types, while others showed different responses. In both soils, the metal pollution resulted in a decrease in the iso-branched PLFAs i15:0 and i17:0 and in the monounsaturated 16:1ω5 and 16:1ω7c fatty acids, while increases were found for i16:0, the branched br17:0 and br18:0, and the cyclopropane cy17:0 fatty acids. In the forest soil, the methyl branched PLFAs 10Me16:0, 10Me17:0, and 10Me18:0 increased in metal-polluted soils, indicating an increase in actinomycetes, while in the arable soil a decrease was found for 10Me16:0 and 10Me18:0 in response to most metals. The bacterial PLFAs 15:0 and 17:0 increased in all metal-contaminated samples in the arable soil, while they were unaffected in the forest soil. Fatty acid 18:2ω6, which is considered to be predominantly of fungal origin, increased in the arable soil, except in the Cu-amended samples, in which it decreased instead. Effects on the PLFA patterns were found at levels of metal contamination similar to or lower than those at which effects on ATP content, soil respiration, or total amount of PLFAs had occurred.
Electron Transport and Velocity Oscillations in a Carbon Nanotube

We report Monte Carlo (MC) simulation results showing applied bias dependent spatial velocity oscillations for semiconducting single-walled zig-zag carbon nanotubes (CNTs). MC simulations show velocity oscillations in CNTs at different lengths due to high scattering rates associated with optical phonon emissions in the one-dimensional CNT system. The frequencies of these oscillations are as high as 30 THz. In addition, we investigate average ensemble electron velocities as a function of tube length.
Structure and expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana homeobox gene Athb-12.

We have isolated the Arabidopsis thaliana homeobox gene Athb-12, determined its structure and activation domain, demonstrated that its promoter is inducible in response to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, and characterized the cellular distribution of its transcripts. The single intron of the gene interrupted the leucine-zipper domain region. The 5' regulatory region of Athb-12 can drive beta-glucuronidase (GUS) expression in tobacco transgenic plants. Athb-12 gene expression was further examined using in situ hybridization to determine the cellular distribution of Athb-12 transcripts during ABA induction. A complex pattern of Athb-12 expression was observed, often associated with regions of developing vascular tissues. Analysis of chimeras constructed from Athb-12 and the DNA-binding domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor GAL4 revealed that the activation domain of Athb-12 lies in the C-terminal region (amino acids 180 to 235). Taken together, our data suggest that Athb-12 is a transcriptional activator important in regulating certain developmental processes as well as in the plant's response to water stress involving ABA-mediated gene expression.
Safety and efficacy of sonographically guided random core biopsy for diffuse liver disease.

Sonographic guidance is commonly used in the biopsy of focal hepatic lesions, but biopsy for diffuse disease is often non‐image‐guided. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of real‐time sonographically guided random core biopsy in the assessment of diffuse liver disease in 210 patients. The two most common indications for biopsy were viral hepatitis (in 113 patients) and elevated liver function test results of unknown cause (in 54 patients). Ultrasonography and pathology reports were reviewed retrospectively to determine number of needle passes and final diagnoses. Adequate tissue was obtained in all 210 patients, with 259 of 269 (96%) passes having been successful. Specimens were submitted for light microscopy and other tests as indicated. No difference in success rates was found for right and left lobe biopsies. No major complications occurred. Minor complications occurred in 10 of 210 (4.8%) patients and were self‐limited. Sonographically guided core liver biopsy is a safe and effective method for the diagnosis of liver disease.
• Gestão empresarial em sistemas de produção de leite na microregião de São João Batista do Glória/MG

O aumento da eficiencia produtiva torna-se fator decisivo para a competitividade do setor leiteiro, pouco importando o tamanho da propriedade, do rebanho ou do volume de producao. Objetivou-se no presente artigo, identificar e correlacionar aspectos relevantes da gestao empresarial em sistemas de producao de leite de um municipio do Sudoeste de Minas Gerais. A pesquisa foi realizada junto a produtores rurais e profissionais da assistencia tecnica com vinculo com a producao leiteira, avaliado-se as percepcoes quanto ao entendimento geral sobre gestao, a pratica do planejamento, organizacao, direcao e controle. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados e os resultados se mostraram altamente significativos (P<0,05). Em linhas gerais, conclui-se que ha uma diferenca significativa entre as percepcoes de tecnicos e produtores de leite, quanto ao processo administrativo nas areas de producao, financas, comercializacao e recursos humanos dos sistemas de producao de leite, e ate mesmo quanto aos objetivos que os produtores vislumbram para seus sistemas de producao. Uma restricao a maior participacao dos tecnicos no processo administrativo das empresas agropecuarias diz respeito ao sigilo de informacoes, aliado ao vinculo comercial e uma relativa inseguranca dos produtores rurais em expressar sua opiniao sobre o assunto; O baixo uso de tecnicas de gestao nos sistemas de producao leiteira possui uma relacao com o baixo envolvimento dos profissionais da assistencia tecnica com as questoes administrativas dessas empresas que exploram estes sistemas, embora existam diferentes opinioes e percepcoes sobre o problema, por parte dos produtores e dos profissionais da assistencia tecnica.
Matrix factorizations and Cohomological Field Theories

We give a purely algebraic construction of a cohomological field theory associated with a quasihomogeneous isolated hypersurface singularity W and a subgroup G of the diagonal group of symmetries of W. This theory can be viewed as an analogue of the Gromov-Witten theory for an orbifoldized Landau-Ginzburg model for W/G. The main geometric ingredient for our construction is provided by the moduli of curves with W-structures introduced by Fan, Jarvis and Ruan. We construct certain matrix factorizations on the products of these moduli stacks with affine spaces which play a role similar to that of the virtual fundamental classes in the Gromov-Witten theory. These matrix factorizations are used to produce functors from the categories of equivariant matrix factorizations to the derived categories of coherent sheaves on the Deligne-Mumford moduli stacks of stable curves. The structure maps of our cohomological field theory are then obtained by passing to the induced maps on Hochschild homology. We prove that for simple singularities a specialization of our theory gives the cohomological field theory constructed by Fan, Jarvis and Ruan using analytic tools.
Development of 10 highly‐polymorphic microsatellite markers in the vulnerable Galápagos land iguanas (genus Conolophus)

The two species of Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus and C. pallidus) are listed as ‘vulnerable’ species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List; http://www.iucnredlist.org). Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite markers using 562 individuals sampled on all Galápagos islands where Conolophus species occur today. We show that these 10 loci are highly polymorphic and display diagnostic alleles for five out of the six island populations. These markers will be useful for Conolophus population genetic analyses as well as for guiding ongoing captive breeding programmes.
Proliferation of CD4CD25Foxp3 regulatory T lymphocytes in ex vivo expanded ascitic fluid from primary and recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE Regulatory T lymphocytes evoke the immune tolerance by suppressing and inactivating cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The objective of this study was to compare the proportion of regulatory T lymphocytes, precisely defined as CD4(+)CD25(high+)Foxp3(+) T lymphocytes, in primary and recurrent ovarian carcinoma before and after ex vivo expansion of ascites with interleukin-2 (IL-2). METHODS Ascitic fluid samples were obtained from 26 patients with ovarian carcinoma. Lymphocytes were isolated from ascites and cell markers were analyzed by flow cytometry using anti-CD3/CD4/CD8/CD16/CD56/CD25 and anti-Foxp3 antibodies. Lymphocytes were incubated for 2 to 3 weeks and expanded ex vivo by IL-2 stimulation and their phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Following ex vivo expansion, ascitic fluid lymphocytes increased by a greater extent in the recurrent group than in the primary group. The proportion of ex vivo-expanded lymphocytes changed as follows; CD4(+) T lymphocytes increased, CD8(+) T lymphocytes decreased, and the proportion of CD3(-)CD16(+)56(+) NK cells was unchanged. The proportion of CD4(+)CD25(high+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T lymphocytes in CD4(+) T lymphocytes increased after ex vivo expansion in both groups, but to a greater degree in the recurrent group. CONCLUSION This study showed that regulatory T lymphocytes, neither cytotoxic T lymphocytes nor NK cells, were extensively increased after ex vivo expansion, especially in recurrent ovarian carcinoma. These results may provide information that helps to guide the future development of adoptive immunotherapy against ovarian carcinoma.
Associations between omega-3 fatty acids and 25(OH)D and psychological distress among Inuit in Canada

ABSTRACT Background: Inuit in Canada have experienced dietary changes over recent generations, but how this relates to psychological distress has not been investigated. Objective: To evaluate how nutritional biomarkers are related to psychological distress. Design: A total of 36 communities in northern Canada participated in the International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey (2007–2008). Of 2796 households, 1901 (68%) participated; 1699 Inuit adults gave blood samples for biomarker analysis and answered the Kessler 6-item psychological distress questionnaire (K6). Biomarkers included n-3 fatty acids and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). The K6 screens for psychological distress over the last 30 days with six items scored on a 4-point scale. A total score of 13 or more indicates serious psychological distress (SPD). Logistic regression models were used to investigate any associations between SPD and biomarkers while controlling for age, gender, marital status, days spent out on the land, feeling of being alone, income and smoking. Results: The 30-day SPD prevalence was 11.2%, with women below 30 years having the highest and men 50 years and more having the lowest SPD prevalence at 16.1% and 2.6%, respectively. SPD was associated with being female, younger age, not being married or with a common-law partner, spending few days out on the land, feelings of being alone, smoking and low income. Low levels of both 25(OH)D and long-chain n-3 FAs were associated with higher odds for SPD in both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional analysis, low levels of 25(OH)D and long-chain n-3 FAs were associated with higher odds ratios for SPD, which highlights the potential impact of traditional foods on mental health and wellbeing. Cultural practices are also important for mental health and it may be that the biomarkers serve as proxies for cultural activities related to food collection, sharing and consumption that increase both biomarker levels and psychological well-being. Abbreviations: n-3 FAs: omega-3 fatty acids; PUFAs: polyunsaturated fatty acids; 25(OH)D: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; IPY: International Polar Year; IHS : Inuit Health Survey; RBC: red blood cell; OR: odds ratio; K6: Kessler 6-item screening scale; SPD: serious psychological distress; EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3); DHA: docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3); DPA n-3: docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3); n-3 LC-PUFAs: EPA (20:5 n-3) + DHA (22:6 n-3) + DPA (22:5 n-3); BMI: body mass index (kg m–2)
[The effects of earlier resuscitation on following therapeutic response in sepsis with hypoperfusion].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of early sufficient resuscitation on important organs function and their therapeutic response in sepsis with hypoperfusion. METHODS From January 2004 to December 2005, 34 sepsis patients with hypoperfusion in surgical and respiratory intensive care units were resuscitated sufficiently for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock. According to the time of resuscitation end points, these patients were divided to early resuscitation group (E group, 15 patients) and later group (L group, 19 patients). The important organs function and their therapeutic response followed resuscitation were investigated and compared in the tow groups. RESULTS After earlier sufficient resuscitation, the incidence of repeated resuscitation was 73.7% in L group and 20.0% in E group (P < 0.01); the incidence of steroids replacement, coagulation dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) were 63.2%, 73.7% and 68.4% respectively in L group and significantly higher than those in E group (P < 0.05). Seven days after resuscitation, the level of serum creatinine in E group was lower than that in L group (P < 0.05). In the day 1 and 7 after resuscitation, heart rate in E group was lower than that in L group (P < 0.05). Seven days post resuscitation, PaO(2) and PaO(2)/FiO(2) were higher in E group than in L group (P < 0.05). The mortality was 42.1% in L group and 13.3% in E group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Early sufficient resuscitation in sepsis patients with hypoperfusion could significantly enhance the effects of following treatment, relieve inflammation and coagulation reaction and thereby reduce the mortality.
Individually optimal solutions to a remote state estimation problem with communication costs

In this paper, we discuss a remote state estimation problem that consists of a linear plant driven by process noise, a sensing unit that assesses the state of the plant, and a remotely located estimator. At each time step, the sensing unit decides whether to transmit the state of the plant to the estimator. The purpose of this work is to design a sensing unit and an estimator that minimize a cost which combines the expectation of the squared estimation error and a communication cost. We establish the existence of a jointly optimal solution to the problem, and we propose an iterative method, which generates a sequence that approaches the set of individually optimal solutions1.
SclA, a Novel Collagen-Like Surface Protein ofStreptococcus pyogenes

ABSTRACT Surface proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes are important virulence factors. Here we describe a novel collagen-like surface protein, designated SclA (streptococcal collagen-like surface protein). The sclA gene was identified in silico using the Streptococcal Genome Sequencing Project with the recently identified protein GRAB as the probe. SclA has a signal sequence and a cell wall attachment region containing the prototypic LPXTGX motif. The surface-exposed part of SclA contains a unique NH2-terminal domain of 73 amino acids, followed by a collagen-like region. ThesclA gene was found to be positively regulated by Mga, a transcriptional activator of several S. pyogenes virulence determinants. A mutant lacking cell wall-associated SclA was constructed and was found to be as effective as wild-type bacteria in platelet aggregation, survival in fresh human blood, and adherence to pharyngeal cells. The sclA gene was found in all 12S. pyogenes strains that were investigated using PCR. Sequence analysis revealed that the signal sequence and the cell wall attachment region are highly conserved. The collagen-like domain is variable in its NH2-terminal region and has conserved repeated domains in its COOH-terminal part. SclA proteins from most strains have additional proline-rich repeats spacing the collagen-like domain and the cell wall attachment sequence. The unique NH2-terminal region is hypervariable, but computer predictions indicate a common secondary structure, with two alpha helices connected by a loop region. Immune selection may explain the hypervariability in the NH2-terminal region, whereas the preserved secondary structure implies that this region has a common function. These features and the Mga regulation are shared with the M protein of S. pyogenes. Moreover, as with the gene encoding the M protein, phylogenetic analysis indicates that horizontal gene transfer has contributed to the evolution of sclA.