Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How feather colour reflects its melanin content

Summary 1Melanin coloration is the most common type of colour in animals. Many species use melanin-based black, brown, grey or earth-toned colours as intraspecific signals of quality. 2Melanin comes in two main forms in vertebrates – eumelanin and phaeomelanin – and these are said to create different colours, with eumelanin giving a darker black, brown or grey appearance and phaeomelanin a lighter reddish or buff hue. 3However, the few studies that have examined the melanin content of animal colours, namely from bird feathers, have shown that both phaeomelanin and eumelanin are present in nearly all melanized patches. These pigment types also have different synthetic origins and may be differentially costly to display. 4Thus, to fully understand the costs and benefits of melanic colours, we must first quantitatively determine the relationship between pigment composition and colour characteristics. 5We studied melanin content and colour variation in the ventral chestnut-coloured plumage of male and female Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) from North America. 6Total melanin concentration explained significant variation in the hue, saturation and brightness of male breast plumage and female breast plumage. Eumelanin is the predominant type in these feathers, constituting over 75% of total melanins. Eumelanin and phaeomelanin concentration were significantly positively correlated in the feathers of females but not males. 7In both sexes, levels of both eumelanin and phaeomelanin concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with hue, saturation and brightness. In males but not females, however, the ratio of eumelanin-to-phaeomelanin was also an important predictor of colour, with smaller ratios conferring browner hues. Males also deposit more phaeomelanins, but not eumelanins or total melanins, in breast feathers than do females. These results suggest that phaeomelanin plays a unique role in the colouring strategy of male Barn Swallows.
L‐lactate reduces in vitro the inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (bche) by paraoxon (e 600)

Intoxication with the organophosphorus compound paraoxon (POX), an inhibitor of serine hydrolases, is frequent. Oximes are the only enzyme reactivators clinically available. Serendipitous observation led us to the hypothesis that lactate might attenuate some of the POX effects. In vitro effects of lactate on the inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) by POX were assessed in plasma of 12 healthy human volunteers. The determinations were repeated using different lactate and different POX concentrations. The BChE activity determinations were performed in the following settings:baseline untreated plasma (BL); ii after addition of POX to plasma (pl+POX); iii after POX and plasma were incubated and then lactate was added (pl+POX/lact); iv after addition of lactate to plasma (pl+lact); v after lactate and plasma were incubated and then POX was added (pl+lact/POX); vi after lactate and POX were incubated and then added to plasma (lact+POX/pl). In the micro‐ and millimolar ranges, lactate is able to abolish in vitro the inhibition of BChE by POX in human plasma when added to plasma prior to POX or when incubated with POX prior to addition to plasma. Lactate added to plasma after POX has no protective effect. In a second set of experiments, the effect of lactate on BChE activity was determined. At high millimolar concentrations, lactate itself inhibits BChE to an extent comparable to POX. Lactate is a mixed inhibitor of BChE, being able to interfere with the enzyme–substrate complex (inhibition constant for the enzyme–inhibitor–substrate complex K I (EIS)<<< WCODE [220] >>>rb<<< WCODE [220] >>>ee = 81 mM) and the enzyme (inhibition constant for the enzyme–inhibitor complex K I (EI) = 26 mM). Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mimicking a conformational B cell epitope of the heat shock protein PfHsp70‐1 antigen of Plasmodium falciparum using a multiple antigenic peptide

The Pf72/Hsp70‐1 antigen is a major target in the naturally acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. We carried out an extensive analysis of the responses to several epitopes on the least conserved C‐terminal domain, according to the mode of sensitization: malaria infection or immunization with different immunogens. We found significant differences in the panel of B‐cell epitopes recognized by animal models including primates, and by humans sensitized by natural infection. We focused the analysis on one epitope that is unique to Plasmodium species. It is specifically recognized by a monoclonal antibody that mediates the killing of infected hepatocytes in vitro. We produced a polymeric multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) form of this sequence, which enabled us to identify a new B‐cell epitope not detected by ELISA with linear peptides. The polymer was strongly recognized by sera from monkeys or humans sensitized by natural infection, whereas the monomer was not. We modelled the three‐dimensional structure of the Pf72/Hsp70‐1 sequence, using known Escherischia coli DnaK structures as a template. This predicted that the corresponding region would form a loop in the native antigen. The results presented here suggest that the MAP strategy is also particularly useful as a means of obtaining suitable synthetic models for conformation‐dependent epitopes.
A Rigidity Property of Some Negatively Curved Solvable Lie Groups

We show that for some negatively curved solvable Lie groups, all self quasiisometries are almost isometries. We prove this by showing that all self quasisymmetric maps of the ideal boundary (of the solvable Lie groups) are bilipschitz with respect to the visual metric. We also define parabolic visual metrics on the ideal boundary of Gromov hyperbolic spaces and relate them to visual metrics.
Therapeutic implication of concomitant chromosomal aberrations in patients with aggressive B-cell lymphomas

ABSTRACT A subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) harbors concomitant rearrangements of MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 and is characterized by clinical aggressiveness and intrinsic refractoriness to standard chemo-immunotherapy. Commonly identified as “double or triple hit” lymphomas, these diseases represent a therapeutic challenge to chemotherapy-based regimens and likely require a more targeted approach. Herein we summarize the unique biological behavior of double and triple hit lymphomas focusing on the coordinated network of pathways that enable cancer cells to tolerate the oncogenic stress imposed by the co-expression of MYC, BCL2 and BCL6. We discuss how these enabling pathways contribute to the chemo-refractoriness of these tumors. We propose to exploit lymphoma cells' addiction to these oncogenic networks to design combinatorial treatments for this aggressive disease based on the modulation of epigenetically-silenced pathways and decreasing expression and activity of these oncogenic drivers.
How to predict location and for what to use it?

Significant developments of technology over the last years, especially in pervasive/ubiquitous computing, have made the dream of smart environment technology true. Merging of this technology with mathematical prediction apparatus allowed raising a new level of smart environments - automating the routine control tasks and pro-active interaction. This paper deals with the potential of automation of the routine control tasks to significantly improve human experience in our houses, offices, buildings and environments in general. We present advantages, shortcomings and upcoming challenges of this technology, state-of-the-art research results as well as the results of our original research in focused area.
Faculty experience and engagement in a longitudinal integrated clerkship

Abstract The authors sought to understand rewards and challenges of teaching third-year medical students in the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM) Denver Health Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (DH-LIC) compared to teaching in rotation-based clerkships (RBCs). The authors considered implications for the recruitment and retention of faculty in clinical educational programs. Preceptors completed surveys at baseline and year-end. Of eligible faculty, 28 of 40 completed both baseline and year-end surveys. The majority (85.2%) of faculty were satisfied with the DH-LIC and 85.7% continued to teach in year-two of the program. Faculty reported increased satisfaction from teaching and improved teaching and mentoring skills. Faculty familiarity with DH-LIC students was significantly higher than with students previously taught (p = .004); 89.3% of faculty knew their DH-LIC student well enough to tailor instruction to individual learning needs. Teaching techniques utilized at baseline and end of year differed significantly; faculty reported asking questions to promote thinking, providing feedback to students, and providing students with practice in clinical reasoning more frequently in the DH-LIC. Innovative models of education such as LICs offer a strategy to recruit and retain excellent, invested faculty in outpatient settings.
Renal Function following Nephroangiography with Diatrizoate

The ionic contrast medium diatrizoate used in high-dose unilateral nephroangiography in dogs produced an abnormal nephrogram, ‘patchy contrast medium retention’, and a marked decrease in renal blood flow in five of eight injected kidneys. Increased glomerular permeability (albuminuria), reduced glomerular filtration rate (creatinine clearance), and reduced osmotic diuresis were demonstrated in all selectively injected kidneys.
Patterns of Bullying Behavior by Sexual Orientation

Bullying has a long-lasting effect on both victims and their perpetrators; however, there is little literature dedicated to understanding the roles of sexual minority adolescents beyond being a victim or the specific types of bullying behaviors (verbal, relational, physical) in which sexual minority adolescents engage. Even less is known about the experiences of mostly heterosexual youth, as distinct from their lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) peers. This exploratory study sought to identify sexual orientation differences in bullying behavior participation using a random cluster sample obtained from a county school district in the Southeastern United States. The sample included 3,463 middle and high school students from 66 schools. Four latent classes of bullies and victims emerged, with similar patterns of behaviors for heterosexual, mostly heterosexual, and LGB groups.
Effect of glutamine supplement and hepatectomy on DNA and protein synthesis in the remnant liver.

One of the physiological roles of glutamine is as a precursor for DNA synthesis. The aims of this study were to determine (1) whether glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition (TPN) enhanced DNA and protein synthesis in the liver and (2) whether glutamine uptake was increased following partial hepatectomy in rats. Male Donryu rats (n = 59; body weight, 250-275 g) were randomized into four groups: (1) sham operation + standard TPN solution (C-STPN); (2) C + glutamine-supplemented TPN (C-GTPN); (3) 70% partial hepatectomy + STPN (H-STPN); (4) partial hepatectomy + GTPN (H-GTPN). On Day 0, rats underwent either a sham operation or 70% partial hepatectomy and concomitantly were catheterized in the jugular vein. TPN was begun immediately after the surgery. GTPN was isocaloric and isonitrogenous with STPN and 25% of total nitrogen was given as glutamine. On Day 2, the animals were sacrificed after either a continuous infusion of 1-14C-leucine or a bolus i.v. injection of bromodeoxyuridine. The rate of hepatic regeneration was enhanced with glutamine supplementation (H-STPN, 60.8 +/- 1.6% vs H-GTPN, 66.3 +/- 2.0, P < 0.05) due to an increase in protein synthesis in the liver (H-STPN, 134.0 +/- 10.3%/day vs H-GTPN, 160.9 +/- 6.9, P < 0.05) and DNA synthesis in hepatocytes (H-STPN, 23.1 +/- 2.5% vs H-GTPN, 31.4 +/- 2.9, P < 0.05). The uptake of glutamine by the liver was increased following hepatectomy with GTPN supplementation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effectiveness of mutual support and psychoeducation group interventions for family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia

1. A client-led mutual support group for Chinese family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia is more effective and less costly to improve psychosocial functioning of families and patients’ functioning than family psychoeducation group and standard care, over a 1-year follow-up. 2. Mutual support can effectively improve family care of Chinese patients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong without increasing demands for mental health services. 3. Further study is needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of family mutual support groups in diverse settings and psychiatric patient groups, whilst examining different family and patient outcomes.
Amycolatopsis keratiniphila sp. nov., a novel keratinolytic soil actinomycete from Kuwait.

A keratinolytic, nocardioform actinomycete, strain D2(T), was isolated from Kuwait marsh soil by the bait technique using animal wool. Strain D2(T) was an aerobic, Gram-positive organism that produced light-grey aerial mycelium but no specific spore chains. 16S rDNA sequence analyses and chemotaxonomic markers were consistent with the classification of strain D2(T) in the genus Amycolatopsis, i.e. it had meso-diaminopimelic acid in its peptidoglycan, arabinose and galactose as its diagnostic sugars, the polar lipids phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol, menaquinone MK-9(H4) and an iso-/anteiso-branched fatty acid pattern combined with 10-methyl-branched and 2-hydroxy-branched fatty acids. Amycolatopsis japonica was the closest phylogenetic neighbour of strain D2(T), showing 99.4% 16S rDNA sequence similarity with the novel strain. A. japonica and strain D2(T) could be clearly separated from each other on the basis of their low DNA-DNA reassociation value (55.9%). These data, together with its distinct physiological traits, led to the conclusion that strain D2(T) represented a novel species within the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis keratiniphila (type strain D2(T) = DSM 44409(T) = NRRL B24117(T)) is proposed.
A Prospective Randomized Trial of Aspirin in Femoral Popiteal and Tibial Bypass Grafts

A prospective, randomized clinical trial to study the effect of aspirin on late patency of femoral popliteal and tibial bypass grafts is reported. One hundred limbs in 93 patients were randomized to receive daily 650 mgs aspirin postoper atively (ASA, n=45) or no aspirin (NASA, n=55). Indication for surgery was limb salvage in 88% and poor runoff (0-1 vessel) was present in 68%. Graft material consisted of autogenous vein (AV) in 63, expanded PTFE in 82 and composite grafts in five limbs. Distal anastomosis was to the popliteal artery in 72 limbs, tibial vessels in 19 and sequential in nine limbs. Patient followup ranged from 1-51 months (mean 12.97). Sixteen (16%) grafts occluded late, eight each in the ASA and NASA groups, (p>.05). No significant differences in graft patency existed between ASA and NASA groups in limbs with AV (88.5% vs 92.9%) or PTFE grafts (74% vs 62%) (p>.05). A total of 21 (19%) anastomoses occluded. No differences were noted between ASA and NASA limbs, although patency in AV was greater than PTFE (p < .05). Cumulative patency rates were 84.4% at 12 months, 81.5% at 24 months, 67.3% at 36 months and 52.4% at 48 months (ASA vs NASA, p>.05). Therefore, daily administration of 650 mgs of aspirin did not appear to influ ence late graft patency of femoral popliteal and tibial AV or PTFE bypass grafts at a mean followup period of 12.97 months.
Why buyer-supplier chains differ: a strategic framework for electronic network organizations

Strategic planning in electronic networks has to cope with two interdependent layers of strategies: collective network strategies and firm-level network strategies. Collective strategies take the outside view and position a network against its competitive environment, particularly against rival networks. Firm-level strategies are inside-oriented and deal with the alignment of the collective strategy, the business strategy and functional strategies (including strategies for the implementation of information and communication technologies in networks). Both strategy layers depend on the network topology, size and corresponding bargaining power distribution. In the first part of this paper, we develop a formal approach to explain bargaining power based on network size and topology. The results guide the second part of the paper, where we describe and classify contingent strategic options for the two strategy layers.
A gradient guided search algorithm for multiuser detection

This paper introduces a new multiuser detection algorithm based on a gradient guided search that can achieve near-optimum performance while its implementation complexity is linear in the number of users. The new algorithm attempts to perform jointly optimum multiuser detection by updating one user's bit decision each iteration in the best possible way. When a decorrelating multiuser detector is employed to initialize the proposed algorithm, in all cases tested the gradient guided search converges to a solution with performance very close to optimum. Further, tests indicate that the proposed algorithm provides excellent performance for cases where other suboptimum algorithms perform poorly. Although we focus only on synchronous multiuser detection, the algorithm is equally applicable to asynchronous multiuser detection problems.
Simplified Birthday Statistics and Hamming EDAC

Space systems use error detection and correction (EDAC) schemes to protect memory contents from single event upsets (SEUs). Hamming EDAC is the preferred scheme for fast, random access memories. It allows for the correction of a single bit error within a word and the detection of a double bit error. The common assumption is that the likelihood of an uncorrectable double bit error is very small. This paper develops a simple equation that predicts the cumulative probability of a double bit error occurring within some word of Hamming protected memory as the number of random upsets increase and shows how it can be used to better understand the protection provided by EDAC.
Ambiguity in Tactile Apparent Motion Perception

Background In von Schiller’s Stroboscopic Alternative Motion (SAM) stimulus two visually presented diagonal dot pairs, located on the corners of an imaginary rectangle, alternate with each other and induce either horizontal, vertical or, rarely, rotational motion percepts. SAM motion perception can be described by a psychometric function of the dot aspect ratio (“AR”, i.e. the relation between vertical and horizontal dot distances). Further, with equal horizontal and vertical dot distances (AR = 1) perception is biased towards vertical motion. In a series of five experiments, we presented tactile SAM versions and studied the role of AR and of different reference frames for the perception of tactile apparent motion. Methods We presented tactile SAM stimuli and varied the ARs, while participants reported the perceived motion directions. Pairs of vibration stimulators were attached to the participants’ forearms and stimulator distances were varied within and between forearms. We compared straight and rotated forearm conditions with each other in order to disentangle the roles of exogenous and endogenous reference frames. Results Increasing the tactile SAM’s AR biased perception towards vertical motion, but the effect was weak compared to the visual modality. We found no horizontal disambiguation, even for very small tactile ARs. A forearm rotation by 90° kept the vertical bias, even though it was now coupled with small ARs. A 45° rotation condition with crossed forearms, however, evoked a strong horizontal motion bias. Discussion Existing approaches to explain the visual SAM bias fail to explain the current tactile results. Particularly puzzling is the strong horizontal bias in the crossed-forearm conditions. In the case of tactile apparent motion, there seem to be no fixed priority rule for perceptual disambiguation. Rather the weighting of available evidence seems to depend on the degree of stimulus ambiguity, the current situation and on the perceptual strategy of the individual observer.
Efficient analysis of antenna radiation in the presence of airborne dielectric radomes of arbitrary shape

A technique based on the surface integral equation is applied for the analysis of antenna radiation in the presence of an arbitrarily shaped dielectric radome terminated by a conducting surface. The equivalence principle is used to characterize the effect of the radome on the transmitted field in terms of equivalent surface electric and magnetic currents which radiate in an unbounded medium. A set of coupled integral equations involving these currents is obtained by using the boundary conditions on the tangential components of the total fields. The adaptive integral method is applied to solve the integral equations so that electrically large radomes can be analyzed. The radiation patterns of dipole arrays with dielectric radomes of superspheroidal shape are also presented.
Race and Ethnic Variation in Proximal Femur Structure and BMD Among Older Men

Femoral neck dimensions and vBMD from QCT were compared among 3305 black, Asian, Hispanic, and white men ≥65 yr of age. All had similar stature‐adjusted mean femoral neck volume, but black and Asian men had thicker cortices and higher trabecular vBMD, which may increase bone strength.
Cell number and cell characteristics of the normal human lung.

Eight normal human lungs obtained from patients dying from causes not related to the lung were subjected to morphometric analysis to determine the number of cells in the alveolar region and their mean volume and surface characteristics. The age range was 19 to 40 yr, average body weight was 74 kg, and the average fixed lung volume was 4,300 ml. The overall mean nuclear diameters of the nuclei of 5 major cell types in the lung parenchyma were found to have little variation, with means ranging from 7.54 to 8.77 μm. Alveolar type I epithelial cells were found to comprise 8% of the cells and to be one of the largest cells, having a mean volume of 1,764 μm3 and covering an average of 5,098 μm2 of alveolar surface. Seven percent of the alveolar surface was covered by alveolar type II cells, which make up 16% of the total alveolar cells and have a mean volume that is half that of the type I pneumocyte. Capillary endothelial cells make up 30% of the lung cells and were significantly smaller in both size and avera.