Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New channel reservation techniques for media access control protocol in high bit-rate wireless communication systems

This paper presents a new class of channel reservation techniques for medium access control protocols suitable for high bitrate wireless communication systems. Seven distinct channel reservation schemes are proposed, namely CFP (cascade fixed probability), CAP (cascade adaptive probability), COP (cascade optimal probability), COP+SPL (split), CFP+SPL, UNI (uniform) and UNI+LA (limited access) and their performances are analytically evaluated and compared with existing techniques. In the high-speed environment, transmission time is comparatively shorter than the propagation delay so that the user request outcome cannot be acquired within the same reservation period. Consequently, users will request only once in each reservation period. Under such an environment, it is shown that conventional reservation techniques become less effective and the proposed schemes are superior as they take both the number of active users and available slots simultaneously into consideration while accessing the request slots.
Virus Particles and Receptor Interaction Monitored by Fluorescence Spectroscopy¶

Abstract Native fluorescence spectroscopy (NFS), primarily from tryptophan (trp), was used for in situ investigation of the virus–receptor attachment process in φ6, a lipid-containing bacteriophage from the Cystoviridae family. NFS allowed us to monitor the viral attachment directly to its receptor, which was isolated from the pseudomonad host. Immediately upon mixing, an increase in tryptophan emission intensity was observed followed by a subsequent decrease in emission intensity. The initial increase in emission intensity reflects changes in trp quantum efficiency as the φ6 surface proteins change their conformation as a result of virus attachment to the pilus. The cystovirus spike protein P3 is responsible for receptor recognition and the fluorescence changes observed are likely to be the consequence of its conformational transition at this initial infection stage, providing a kinetic view of this process. The subsequent decrease in trp emission intensity could be due to changes in viral proteins as a result of disassembly of the pili. The technique may have important applications for the dynamic monitoring of additional stages of the virus replication cycle such as assembly, interaction with nucleic acids and maturation. This work expands on a previous demonstration that fluorescence offered a novel tool to detect virus particle interaction with its host cell.
Comments on Environmental and Sanitary Aspects of the Scorpionism by Tityus trivittatus in Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Deaths by venomous animals are medical emergencies that can lead to death and thus constitute sanitary problems in some regions of the world. In the South of America, the accidents by these animals are a common sanitary problem especially in warm, tropical or subtropical regions, related with rural work in several countries. Argentina is located in the extreme South of South America and a minor part of the continental surface is in tropical or subtropical regions, where most of the accidents by venomous animals happen. However, in the big cities in the center and South of the country, with no relation to rural work, scorpionism, mostly due to the synanthropic and facultative parthenogenetic scorpion Tityus trivittatus, has become a sanitary problem in the last few decades. This scorpion is present in the biggest cities of Argentina and in the last decades has killed over 20 children in provinces of the center and north of the country, mostly in big cities. In addition, it seems that this species is growing and spreading in new regions of the cities. In this revision, some characteristics of this scorpion regarding its habitat, spreading in Buenos Aires city, combat measures and available treatments are discussed.
Increase in meso‐prefrontal dopaminergic activity after stimulation of CB1 receptors by cannabinoids

The intravenous administration of the psychoactive constituent of marijuana, Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC) (62.5–1000 μg/kg), and the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55212,2 (WIN) (62.5–500 μg/kg), produced a dose‐related increase in the firing rate and burst firing in the majority of antidromically identified meso‐prefrontal dopaminergic neurons.
Phenotypic diversity in human fibroblasts from myelometaplasic and non‐myelometaplasic hematopoietic tissues

Fibroblasts from a variety of tissues interact with and influence the behavior of the cell types they are associated with by producing specific proteins that mediate these interactions. Thus, it is not surprising that fibroblasts have been shown to differ phenotypically and functionally depending on the tissue they are isolated from and its physiologic state. To study fibroblasts of hematopoietic tissues, cultures were established from human normal bone marrow (BM), and from non‐myelometaplasic (NS) and myelometaplasic spleen (MMS) tissues and analyzed for phenotypic characteristics. The results are summarized as follows: (1) cytoskeletal elements: virtually all the MMS fibroblasts were stained positively for α‐sm‐actin while only a small fraction of BM and of NS fibroblasts were positive for this antigen; (2) extracellular matrix elements: MMS fibroblasts stained positively for ED‐B fibronectin and tenascin while the other 2 fibroblast cell types did not; (3) cell surface molecules: NS and MMS fibroblasts expressed significantly higher levels of ICAM‐1, VLA‐4 and CD9 than BM fibroblasts. Moreover, MMS fibroblasts showed a higher expression of ICAM‐1 and VLA‐4 than NS fibroblasts; and (4) cytokines: IL‐11, RANTES and MIP‐1α were produced in higher amounts by BM than by NS fibroblasts. Conversely, production of GM‐CSF, SCF, M‐CSF and MCP‐1α was elevated in NS compared with BM fibroblasts. The production of these cytokines was generally reduced in MMS cells. Overall, our results demonstrate that phenotypic characteristics can be identified to distinguish fibroblasts from normal and pathologic hematopoietic tissues. Such phenotypic characteristics suggest functional differences of each type of fibroblast in their influence on the blood cells with which they are associated. Int. J. Cancer 76:767–773, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hemograma de bovinos (Bos indicus) sadios da raça nelore no primeiro mês de vida, criados no estado de São Paulo

Changes on the hemogram parameters were evaluated for healthy Nelore purebreed bovines at the first month age, with 71 male and 56 female, and raised in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. For this purpose, 127 samples of blood were collected, and divided in five groups ; 0-3 , 3-7 . 7-14 , 14-21 and 21-30 days of age. The mean values were: erithrocyte counts 8.31± 1.84 x 106/ m l; Package Cell Volume 39 ± 6%: hemoglobin 12.89 ± 2.04g/dl; Mean Corpuscular Volume 48.19 ± 5.68fl; Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration 32.81 ± 1.84 ; Reticulocytes 0.27 ± 0.54%; erythroblast 214 ± 594/ml; leukocytes (m l): 10593 ± 3008; band neutrophils 97 ± 165; segmented neutrophils 4837 ± 2201; lymphocytes 5222 ± 1909; eosinophils 86 ± 139: monocytes 346 ± 221; basophils 3 ± 24. Sex had no influencing the hemogram values except to reticulocytes and erythroblast that were higher in females. Age significantly influenced the leucogram and eritrogram values (p≤0.0 3). The Package Cell Volume, erythrocytes, and hemoglobin decreasing and the Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration and reticulocytes increasing until the thirth to seventh days. There was an subsequent inversion of this variation in this period until the thirtieth day. The lymphocyte percentage regression curve increasing and neutrophils decreasing after birth. The intersection between the two leukocytes curves occurred between the seventh and the fourteenth day of life.
Simultaneous analysis of 16S, 28S, COI and morphology in the Hymenoptera: Apocrita – evolutionary transitions among parasitic wasps☆

Abstract Simultaneous analysis of morphological and molecular characters from the 16S rDNA, 28S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase 1 genes was employed to resolve phylogenetic relationships among the apocritan (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apocrita) wasps. Parsimony analyses, employing a broad range of models, consistently recovered the Proctotrupomorpha as a natural group, the Megalyridae and Trigonalidae as sister groups, a clade comprising the Monomachidae, Diapriidae, and Maamingidae, the Vanhorniidae and Proctotrupidae as sister groups, the Proctotrupoidea as polyphyletic, and the Evaniomorpha as a grade (but including the Ichneumonoidea, Aculeata, and Stephanidae). The Proctotrupomorpha, containing virtually all of the wholly endoparasitic lineages, was consistently recovered as an apical clade, with the remaining groups forming a paraphyletic grade below them. Although the relative placement of the groups forming this basal grade varied among analyses, the most commonly recovered arrangement is consistent with the ancestral biology being ectoparasitism of coleopteran, wood-boring larvae. Furthermore, the recovery of the ectoparasitic-containing proctotrupomorphs (Chalcidoidea and, in some analyses, Ceraphronoidea) as apical lineages argues that these biologies are reversals.
Morfología Vertebral de Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae) y la Validez del Género Mioceno Pseudoepicrates Auffenberg, 1923

Abstract VERTEBRAL MORPHOLOGY OF BOA CONSTRICTOR (SERPENTES: BOIDAE) AND THE VALIDITY OF THE MIOCENE GENUS PSEUDOEPICRATES AUFFENBERG, 1923. The vertebral morphology of the extant Neotropical snake Boa constrictor Linnaeus, is discussed on the basis of clearly described and illustrated characters that can be observed in isolated fossil vertebrae. Mid-precloacal vertebrae of B. constrictor are mainly characterized by a high neural spine; generally high and vaulted neural arch; robust and very high zygosphene, with a narrow basis; notched or concave anterior edge of zygosphene in dorsal view, without a medial protuberance or tubercle; long zygapophyseal articular facets oriented more laterally than anterolaterally, slightly inclined above the horizontal; constant presence of small paracotylar foramen; very short neural arch and vertebral centrum; and very thin, clearly defined, and prominent haemal keel. Posterior precloacal vertebrae are longer (neural arch and vertebral centrum) and have shorter zygapophyses, thinner zygosphene, and broader and less prominent haemal keel than the mid precloacal vertebrae. Based on the knowledge of the morphology of the vertebrae of B. constrictor and its intracolumnar and intraspecific variation, the genus Pseudoepicrates from the Miocene of Florida is synonymyzed with Boa. This implies that this genus reached the Greater Antilles and Florida during the Miocene, becoming later extinct in these areas.
Survey administration effects?: a comparison of web-based and traditional written self-administered surveys using the ISSP environment module

The module "environmental attitudes and values" of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) was administered both as a paper-and-pencil questionnaire to a representative sample of the German population and as a web-based survey to an online access panel representative for German Internet users. The two samples differ significantly with regard to sociodemographic and substantive variables. An attempt to weight the data of the web-based sample on the basis of distribution characteristics of several sociodemographic variables resulted in rather inconsistent findings for the comparison of substantive items. However, if only respondents with similar education levels are compared, neither relevant differences in item means nor differences in selected interitem correlations are observable. This means that for high coverage groups (e.g., participants with a high education level), the data gathered via the web are basically identical to those obtained in a traditional self-administered mode.
Floral development in Ottawa and florex red clover Trifolium pratense (papilionoideae:leguminosae)

Floral development in Florex and Ottawa cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.: Leguminosae) was examined by scanning electron microscopy. No differences between the two cultivars were found. The terminal inflorescence is initiated in the axil of the penultimate bract before the final bract is initiated. After initiation of the final bract, the remnant apical dome is transformed to become the least mature part ofthe inflorescence dome. Subsequent inflorescences are initiated laterally in basipetal sequence. Inflorescence development is zygomorphic. This leads to an unusual pattern of floret initiation, the oldest florets resting basally and proximal to the penultimate bract. Florets develop with zygomorphic symmetry, each whorl of floral organs developing unidirectionally from the abaxial side. Initiation of the adaxial organ of each whorl is delayed until the abaxial organ of the succeeding whorl has been initiated. Thus there is overlapping development of the whorls of organs. The antepetalous stamens arise in close association with their respective petal primordia. As development proceeds, the corolla tube and the staminal tube exhibit basal zonal growth. In the mature flower, above the distal zone of fusion of the keel petals, marginal cells project and interlock, producing a pollination mechanism that can be sprung by the pollinator.
Regulation of Cardiac L-Type Ca2+ Channel CaV1.2 Via the β-Adrenergic-cAMP-Protein Kinase A Pathway

In the heart, adrenergic stimulation activates the β-adrenergic receptors coupled to the heterotrimeric stimulatory Gs protein, followed by subsequent activation of adenylyl cyclase, elevation of cyclic AMP levels, and protein kinase A (PKA) activation. One of the main targets for PKA modulation is the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel (CaV1.2) located in the plasma membrane and along the T-tubules, which mediates Ca2+ entry into cardiomyocytes. β-Adrenergic receptor activation increases the Ca2+ current via CaV1.2 channels and is responsible for the positive ionotropic effect of adrenergic stimulation. Despite decades of research, the molecular mechanism underlying this modulation has not been fully resolved. On the contrary, initial reports of identification of key components in this modulation were later refuted using advanced model systems, especially transgenic animals. Some of the cardinal debated issues include details of specific subunits and residues in CaV1.2 phosphorylated by PKA, the nature, extent, and role of post-translational processing of CaV1.2, and the role of auxiliary proteins (such as A kinase anchoring proteins) involved in PKA regulation. In addition, the previously proposed crucial role of PKA in modulation of unstimulated Ca2+ current in the absence of β-adrenergic receptor stimulation and in voltage-dependent facilitation of CaV1.2 remains uncertain. Full reconstitution of the β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in heterologous expression systems remains an unmet challenge. This review summarizes the past and new findings, the mechanisms proposed and later proven, rejected or disputed, and emphasizes the essential issues that remain unresolved.
The Gut's Little Brain in Control of Intestinal Immunity.

The gut immune system shares many mediators and receptors with the autonomic nervous system. Good examples thereof are the parasympathetic (vagal) and sympathetic neurotransmitters, for which many immune cell types in a gut context express receptors or enzymes required for their synthesis. For some of these the relevance for immune regulation has been recently defined. Earlier and more recent studies in neuroscience and immunology have indicated the anatomical and cellular basis for bidirectional interactions between the nervous and immune systems. Sympathetic immune modulation is well described earlier, and in the last decade the parasympathetic vagal nerve has been put forward as an integral part of an immune regulation network via its release of Ach, a system coined “the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex. ” A prototypical example is the inflammatory reflex, comprised of an afferent arm that senses inflammation and an efferent arm: the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, that inhibits innate immune responses. In this paper, the current understanding of how innate mucosal immunity can be influenced by the neuronal system is summarized, and cell types and receptors involved in this interaction will be highlighted. Focus will be given on the direct neuronal regulatory mechanisms, as well as current advances regarding the role of microbes in modulating communication in the gut-brain axis.
Support for an expanded family concept of Malvaceae within a recircumscribed order Malvales: a combined analysis of plastid atpB and rbcL DNA sequences

Abstract Sequence analyses of the plastid genes atp B and rbc L support an expanded order Malvales. Within this alliance, core Malvales are clearly supported and comprise most genera that have previously been included in Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae, Bombacaceae, and Malvaceae. Additional well supported malvalean alliances include the bixalean clade (Bixaceae, Diegodendraceae, and Cochlospermaceae), the cistalean clade (Cistaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, and Sarcolaenaceae) and Thymelaeaceae (including Gonystyloideae and Aquilarioideae). Our results indicate sister-group relationships between (1) Neuradaceae and the cistalean clade; (2) Sphaerosepalaceae and Thymelaeaceae; (3) these two clades (1 and 2); and (4) all these and an alliance comprising the bixalean clade and core Malvales, but this pattern is weakly supported by the bootstrap. The affinities of Muntingiaceae and Petenaea are especially ambiguous, although almost certainly they are Malvales s.l. The traditional delimitation of families within core Malvales is untenable. Instead, we propose to merge Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae and Bombacaceae with Malvaceae and subdivide this enlarged family Malvaceae into nine subfamilies based on molecular, morphological, and biogeographical data: (1) Byttnerioideae, including tribes Byttnerieae, Lasiopetaleae and Theobromeae (all of which have cucullate petals) and Hermannieae; (2) Grewioideae, including most genera of former Tiliaceae; (3) Tilioideae, monogeneric in our analysis; (4) Helicteroideae, comprising most of the taxa previously included in Helictereae, plus Mansonia , Triplochiton (indicating that apocarpy evolved at least twice within Malvaceae) and possibly Durioneae; (5) Sterculioideae, defined by apetalous, apocarpous, usually unisexual flowers with androgynophores; (6) Brownlowioideae, circumscribed as in previous classifications; (7) Dombeyoideae, expanded to include Burretiodendron , Eriolaena , Pterospermum , and Schoutenia ; (8) Bombacoideae, corresponding to former Bombacaceae (without Durioneae) but including Fremontodendreae and Pentaplaris ; (9) Malvoideae, monophyletic but difficult to delimit from Bombacoideae, which with more data and taxon sampling than here might prove to be paraphyletic without Malvoideae.
Efeito da suplementação protéica a pasto sobre consumo de forragens, ganho de peso e condição corporal, em vacas Nelore

Fifty-one postpartum Nellore cows were used to study the effect of the utilization of protein concentrate, during the summer time, on the forage intake, weight gain and body condition score changes after parturition of Nellore cows. The animals were randomly allotted in the following treatments: T0 - without supplementation; T1 - supplemented with 1 kg and T2 - supplemented with 2 kg of concentrate with 40.8% of crude protein, during 105 days. During this period, body score and body weight were determined. In order to determine the intake, an external marker chromium oxide, in a daily dose of 20 g, and an internal marker (indigestible FDA of extrusa collected by esophageal fistula) were used. The supplementation with concentrate did not affect the dry matter (DM) intake from the pasture, that was around 9.87 kg DM/day, corresponding to 2.13% of the live weight, but the total DM intake was greater in the animals of T1 and T2. Body condition score, daily weight gain and final weight of the cows were greater in the supplemented animals as compared to the non-supplemented treatment. There was no difference among the calves weights at the end of the experimental period.
Acetyl-CoA carboxylase : a graminicide target site

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyses the first committed step in fatty acid (and acyl lipid) formation. The enzyme has been shown to exert a high degree of flux control for lipid biosynthesis in leaves and, therefore, it is not surprising that chemicals which can inhibit it effectively are successful herbicides. These chemicals belong mainly to the cyclohexanedione and aryloxyphenoxypropionate classes and are graminicides. The reason for the selectivity of these herbicides towards grasses lies in the nature of the target site, acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Recent advances in our knowledge of acetyl-CoA carboxylases from sensitive and resistant plants has revealed some important facts. Dicotyledons, which are resistant, have a multi-enzyme complex type of carboxylase in their chloroplasts while grasses have a multifunctional protein. Both divisions of plants have two isoforms of the enzyme, the second being in the cytosol. Detailed study of multifunctional forms of acetyl-CoA carboxylases, which have different sensitivities to herbicides, suggests that herbicide resistance is correlated with cooperativity of herbicide binding to the native dimeric form of the carboxylase.
The FRB Domain of mTOR: NMR Solution Structure and Inhibitor Design†,‡

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein that is intricately involved in signaling pathways controlling cell growth. Rapamycin is a natural product that binds and inhibits mTOR function by interacting with its FKBP-rapamycin-binding (FRB) domain. Here we report on the NMR solution structure of FRB and on further studies aimed at the identification and characterization of novel ligands that target the rapamycin binding pocket. The biological activity of the ligands, and that of rapamycin in the absence of FKBP12, was investigated by assaying the kinase activity of mTOR. While we found that rapamycin binds the FRB domain and inhibits the kinase activity of mTOR even in the absence of FKBP12 (in the low micromolar range), our most potent ligands bind to FRB with similar binding affinity but inhibit the kinase activity of mTOR at much higher concentrations. However, we have also identified one low-affinity compound that is also capable of inhibiting mTOR. Hence, we have identified compounds that can directly mimic rapamycin or can dissociate the FRB binding from the inhibition of the catalytic activity of mTOR. As such, these ligands could be useful in deciphering the complex regulation of mTOR in the cell and in validating the FRB domain as a possible target for the development of novel therapeutic compounds.