Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Rescue in an Isolated Metapopulation of a Naturally Fragmented Plant Species, Parnassia palustris

Abstract: The loss of habitat of naturally fragmented species may result in isolated metapopulations: small groups of populations that are still connected by gene flow but have become isolated from other metapopulations. Genetic isolation may result in genetic differentiation between metapopulations and lowered genetic diversity within the metapopulation. Gene input from outside the metapopulation can hence be expected to enhance crosscompatibility and seed viability. Simultaneously, due to genetic drift, inbreeding, and pollen limitation in the small populations, fitness is likely to increase with population size within a metapopulation. I tested these hypotheses in three isolated metapopulations of the endangered plant species Parnassia palustris L. in a study area of 15 × 0.5 km along the coast of western Belgium and northwestern France. Seed and fruit weight, measured in the 27 populations distributed over the three metapopulations, significantly differed among the metapopulations, which suggests genetic differentiation. These fitness variables also increased with population size within two metapopulations. With a pollination experiment, I investigated whether genetic rescue with pollen from another metapopulation enhanced seed set. Outside‐metapopulation crosses led to a significantly higher seed set than within‐metapopulation crosses, and this effect was more pronounced in small populations. This means pollen from outside the metapopulation was more compatible than pollen from within the metapopulation, due to a lowered genetic diversity within the metapopulation. The seed set of naturally pollinated flowers was at least equal to that of hand‐pollinated flowers, which can be explained by a compensation effect of pollen quantity and donor diversity for pollen quality. One can assume that the loss of genetic diversity at the level of the metapopulation affected loci not just related to cross compatibility. Reconnection of metapopulations by stepping stones may be necessary to prevent further genetic erosion and assure the viability of the Parnassia populations in the study area over the long term.
Very low frequency power of heart rate variability is a powerful predictor of clinical prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND The present study examined whether the very low frequency (VLF) power of heart rate variability (HRV) is predictive of clinical prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHOD AND RESULTS The study recruited 54 consecutive CHF patients with emergency admission because of exacerbation of pulmonary congestion. Holter monitoring was performed after improvement of pulmonary congestion. The frequency components of HRV were calculated in the frequency domain (VLF, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), total power (TP) and the ratio of LF to HF power). The left ventricular ejection fraction was calculated, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and norepinephrine were also measured at discharge. Within a mean follow-up period of 19.8 +/- 11.7 months, 18 patients experienced cardiovascular events; 7 patients died and 11 patients required rehospitalization because of worsening of CHF. In univariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM), BNP and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class were significant as risk factors for cardiac events. VLF power, LF power and TP were the strong predictors for cardiac events in HRV. In multivariate analysis, VLF power predicted cardiac events independently of LF power, TP, DM, BNP and NYHA functional class (chi-square=6.24, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS VLF power is an independent risk predictor in patients with CHF.
Systemic activation of the immune system induces aberrant BAFF and APRIL expression in B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE Elevated levels of BAFF and APRIL are characteristic of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The reasons for enhanced cytokine production are not well understood. This study was undertaken to identify the cells responsible for the overproduction of these cytokines. METHODS BAFF expression was analyzed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells by multiparameter flow cytometry and in tissue samples by immunofluorescence staining. The levels of BAFF and APRIL mRNA were quantified in sorted B cells. In vitro cultures were used to analyze whether B cell survival and differentiation was supported by autocrine BAFF and/or APRIL. RESULTS Aberrant activation of B cells in patients with SLE was associated with a significant up-regulation of BAFF expression in naive, memory, and plasma cells. Furthermore, strong expression of BAFF and APRIL was found in plasma cells from the lymph node, bone marrow, and kidney. The levels of BAFF and APRIL mRNA in CD19+ B cells correlated both with the titer of anti-double stranded DNA antibodies and with the SLE Disease Activity Index. In vitro experiments demonstrated that B cells released functional BAFF/APRIL upon activation. CONCLUSION Our data show that B cells contribute to the enhanced levels of circulating BAFF and APRIL. The aberrant up-regulation of these cytokines may initiate a vicious circle in which enhanced levels of BAFF and APRIL act in an autocrine manner to reinforce the systemic activation of the humoral immune system.
An experimental analysis of jackpotting

An Experimental Analysis of Jackpotting Toshikazu Kuroda This experiment assessed effects of jackpotting, defined as the delivery of a larger than usual reinforcer, on responding of pigeons maintained by fixed-interval (FI) schedules. In baseline conditions, reinforcer duration was 1-s and all such reinforcers were delivered from the hopper located on the main work panel. During jackpot conditions, a 1-s reinforcer occasionally was replaced by a 7-s reinforcer (jackpot) delivered from a second hopper located at the rear of the chamber. Sham jackpot conditions also were studied. These sham conditions were identical to the jackpot conditions with one exception: A 1-s, instead of 7-s, reinforcer was delivered from the back hopper. Jackpotting occasionally suppressed rather than enhanced FI responding, which seems to contradict descriptions of its effects in the animal-training literature. While the subjects were not key pecking, however, they were inserting their heads into the back hopper. This result suggests that jackpots reinforce the consummatory response, thereby reducing the rate of operant responding. These findings may be related to incentive contrast, reinforcement omission, the concept of “surprise” in Pavlovian conditioning, response reinstatement, and conditioned emotional responses.
The Reliability of the Interpolated Twitch Technique During Submaximal and Maximal Isometric Muscle Actions

Abstract Cooper, MA, Herda, TJ, Walter-Herda, AA, Costa, PB, Ryan, ED, and Cramer, JT. The reliability of the interpolated twitch technique during submaximal and maximal isometric muscle actions. J Strength Cond Res 27(10): 2909–2913, 2013—The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability of the percent voluntary activation (%VA) vs. force relationships. Fourteen healthy men (mean ± SD age = 21 ± 2.6 years) and 8 women (age = 21 ± 1.8 years) completed 4 maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and 9 randomly ordered submaximal isometric plantar flexions from 10 to 100% of the MVC. Transcutaneous electrical stimuli were delivered to the tibial nerve using a high-voltage constant-current stimulator (DS7AH; Digitimer, Herthfordshire, United Kingdom). The %VA was calculated for each maximal and submaximal MVC. Paired-samples t-tests were used to quantify systematic variability, whereas the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of the mean (%SEM), and minimum differences (%MD; expressed as a percentage of the means) were used for test-retest reliability. Systematic variability was not present at any of the contraction intensities (p > 0.05). The ICCs ranged from 0.52 to 0.84, whereas the %SEM ranged from 6.75 to 38.45%, and the %MD ranged from 18.71 to 106.58%. The ICCs were ≥0.74 at contraction intensities ranging from 40 to 100% MVC (6.75–16.78% SEM), whereas the ICCs were ⩽0.65 (20.95–38.45% SEM) for the contraction intensities ⩽30% MVC. Although not statistically tested, the ICCs tended to be higher, whereas the %SEMs lower for contractions ≥40% MVC. Future research using %VA during submaximal contraction intensities to predict a true maximal force may want to exclude contraction intensities <40% MVC. In addition, caution is warranted when interpreting the changes in the %VA during MVCs after an experimental intervention.
Selected Issues in Innovation in the Energy Industry. The Case of Poland

Abstract Innovation determines the competitiveness of companies and countries. Innovative products and processes have revolutionized the world economy, and are particularly important in the energy industry. Demand for energy innovation originates from resource scarcity, a surge in energy consumption and stringent environmental regulations. The objective of this paper is to examine the application of selected energy-related innovations in Poland. The analysis is based on the database of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Our analysis covers the period 2009–2014, as extended by limited data availability. From it, we conclude that Poland performed well in selected energy-related innovations. This study extends knowledge concerning the link between energy efficiency/renewables and innovation.
Relationships of mammalian sperm motility and morphology to hydrodynamic aspects of cell function.

This study investigated the relationships of sperm body morphology and flagellar beat frequency and shape with the swimming velocity, power output, and stirring of nearby fluid by the spermatozoa of several mammals. Hamster spermatozoa were studied before and after the motility activation which is associated with capacitation and the acrosome reaction in that species. Human spermatozoa were assessed while swimming progressively in semen, and also while exhibiting the figure-of-eight beat pattern seen in cervical mucus and other media of high viscosity. Ram spermatozoa were studied while swimming in diluted semen. Data obtained from high-speed cinemicrography were applied to a computerized mathematical model of the hydrodynamics of sperm movement. The results demonstrate the relationships between sperm hydrodynamics and morphology, flagellar beat frequency, and shape. Many of these relationships are highly nonlinear, so that small differences in geometrical parameters of morphology and movement can produce large differences in hydrodynamic characteristics. Thus, hamster spermatozoa (preactivated) swim faster and expend more energy than ram spermatozoa which, in turn, exceed human spermatozoa in these measures. However, there is sufficient geometrical similarity in the morphologies and movement characteristics of these spermatozoa that appropriate grouping of various parameters results in dimensionless expressions with general applicability. Thus, the conclusions resulting from the present work can be used in studying the spermatozoa of other mammals as well. It was also shown that fluid stirring by spermatozoa, as opposed to smaller microorganisms, is an important mechanism of transfer of dissolved ions, molecules, and gases to and from the cell surface. In this regard, activated hamster sperm stir substantially more fluid than do preactivated hamster sperm, even though their power outputs are not significantly different.
In vitro measurement and characterization of current density profiles produced by nonrecessed, simple recessed, and radially varying recessed stimulating electrodes

Potential fields induced by nonrecessed, simple recessed and radially varying recessed electrode designs were measured in vitro. Comparison of experimental results with theoretical analyses substantiated the experimental measurement technique and emphasized the importance of considering both nonuniform charge injection and surface electrochemistry when designing implantable stimulating electrodes. Radially varying recesses produced uniform charge injection at the electrode surface and at the aperture-tissue interface. In general, the radially varying recessed electrodes provided a combination of uniform charge injection and flexibility in design and fabrication that warrants their incorporation into all appropriate planar stimulating electrode designs. <<ETX>>
Cross-species Proteomics Reveals Specific Modulation of Signaling in Cancer and Stromal Cells by Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) Inhibitors*

The tumor microenvironment plays key roles in cancer biology, but its impact on the regulation of signaling pathway activity in cancer cells has not been systemically investigated. We designed an analytical strategy that allows differential analysis of signaling between cancer and stromal cells present in tumor xenografts. We used this approach to investigate how in vivo growth conditions and PI3K inhibitors regulate pathway activities in both cancer and stromal cell populations. We found that, despite inducing more modest changes in protein expression, in vivo growing conditions extensively rewired protein kinase networks in cancer cells. As a result, different sets of phosphorylation sites were modulated by PI3K inhibitors in cancer cells growing in tumors relative to when these cells were in culture. The p110δ PI3K-selective compound CAL-101 (Idelalisib) did not inhibit markers of PI3K activity in cancer or stromal cells; however, unexpectedly, it induced phosphorylation on SQ motifs in both subpopulations of tumor cells in vivo but not in vitro. Thus, the interaction between cancer cells and the stroma modulated the ability of PI3K inhibitors to induce the activation of apoptosis in solid tumors. Our study provides proof-of-principle of a proteomics workflow for measuring signaling specifically in cancer and stromal cells and for investigating how cancer biochemistry is modulated in vivo.
Detection of Food Decay Products Using Functionalized One-Dimensional Titania Nanotubular Arrays

One-dimensional titania nanotubular arrays (TNAs) synthesized by electrochemical anodization have been extensively studied for gas sensing applications. The present investigation is designed to explore the possible use of functionalized TNA for the electrochemical detection of volatile organic biomarkers (VOBs) associated with food decay products. Dimethyl sulfide, which is a VOB of decaying egg, is successfully detected using cobalt functionalized TNA, whereas nickel functionalization of TNA is useful in detecting ethyl acetate, which is a VOB of a decayed tomato. Choosing appropriate elements for functionalizing titania nanotube arrays was found to be necessary for the electrochemical detection of VOBs.
Competitive Frontiers: Women Managers in the Triad

World business has become intensely competitive. Japan, the United States, and the European Community, often referred to as the Triad, dominate that competition. With only 13 percent of the world's population, the Triad produces 64 percent of the world's GNP (World Bank Atlas, 1991; ILO Yearbook, 1991). Moreover, the Triad accounts for 81 percent of the world's outward foreign direct investment, 47 percent of the world's exports, and 39 percent of inward foreign direct investment (U.N. Centre for Transnational Corporations, 1991), clearly demonstrating the Triad's dominant position in global cross-border economic activity, including that of transnational corporations. Therefore, to understand women's roles in management worldwide, it is essential to understand their role in the Triad, and in particular in transnational corporations. Good people allow corporations to compete. Yet, while top-quality human resource systems provide competitive advantages, companies worldwide draw from a restricted pool of potential managers. Although women represent over SO percent of the world population, in no country do women represent half, or even close to half, of the corporate managers. Even in the United States, where many believe the proportion of female executives to be outstanding, reality belies the belief: whereas 46 percent of the American work force is female, women consti-
Ameliorating spatial neglect with non-invasive brain stimulation: From pathophysiological concepts to novel treatment strategies

Neglect is a multifaceted, complex syndrome, in which patients fail to detect or respond to stimuli or parts thereof located contralesionally. Non-invasive brain stimulation by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may not only be useful as diagnostic research tools to explore the pathophysiology of neglect, but also for ameliorating its symptoms. Current approaches for modulating neglect non-invasively are mainly based on the neurophysiological concept of interhemispheric inhibition, which suggests a pathological overactivation of the contralesional hemisphere due to reduced inhibitory influences from the lesioned one. Within this framework, non-invasive brain stimulation mainly aims to inhibit the contralesional hemisphere to allow for rebalancing the system. However, facilitatory protocols for enhancing the ipsilesional neural circuitry might also prove useful. In this review, we discuss the contribution of non-invasive brain stimulation to current pathological concepts of neglect, the promising results of the proof-of-principle studies currently available as well as the specific aspects to be systematically investigated before broader clinical trials may eventually suggest a routine clinical application.
Neoadjuvant phase II multicentre study of new agents in patients with malignant glioma after minimal surgery. Report of a cohort of 187 patients treated with temozolomide.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of new agents in patients with malignant glioma in a neoadjuvant setting not confounded by surgery. The first study of neoadjuvant temozolomide aimed to provide a benchmark for future evaluation of new treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a multicentre phase II study of chemotherapy in patients with histologically verified glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) who had undergone biopsy alone. Patients were planned to receive two cycles of temozolomide at 200 mg/m(2) orally daily for 5 days at a 28-day interval prior to radiotherapy. Response was assessed by two central observers on pre- and post-chemotherapy enhanced scans using bi-dimensional criteria and as progression-free survival (PFS) at the time of second assessment prior to radiotherapy. Withdrawal from the study due to worsening clinical condition was, in the absence of second imaging, assessed as progressive disease. Survival and quality of life (QOL) were secondary endpoints. RESULTS Between August 1999 and June 2002, 188 patients from 15 UK and two Italian centres were entered into the study and 187 were analysed. Overall, 162 patients were assessable for response; seven had partial and 25 had minimal response. The objective response rate was 20% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14-26%] and PFS prior to commencing radiotherapy was 64% (95% CI 57-72%). The median survival was 10 months, and 1-year survival 41%. The median survival of responders was 16 months compared to 3 months in patients with progressive disease (P <0.001 on multivariate analysis). CONCLUSION The phase II study design of primary chemotherapy in patients with malignant glioma following biopsy alone is feasible and provides as objective a method of assessment of efficacy as is currently available. The baseline data on temozolomide provide a benchmark for assessment of efficacy of other agents and combinations.
Observed correlations and dependencies among operational losses in the ORX consortium database

We survey a range of correlation and dependence measures among operational losses among an international consortium (ORX) of banks. In general, we find little evidence of strong correlations, and some slight evidence of tail dependencies among quarterly aggregate loss values among business line, event type, and Basel cell (combination business line/event type) units of measure. The implications for diversification benefits when aggregating losses across units of measure are further explored through direct empirical measurement.
Estimates of the mean per capita daily intake of benzoic and sorbic acids in Brazil

The daily intakes of benzoates and sorbates from selected food categories were estimated in Brazil in 1999. The Budget method was used as a first screening procedure for the estimation of the safety aspects of the maximum permitted levels of benzoates and sorbates established by the Brazilian food legislation. This screening indicated that benzoates should be further investigated. In a second step, the daily intakes of these preservatives were assessed by combining measured levels of these additives with national food consumption data derived from a household economic survey and a packaged good market survey. Benzoate and sorbate levels in soft drinks, fruit juices, margarine, yoghurt and cheese were determined by HPLC with a photodiode array detector (detection at 228 nm for benzoic acid, 260 nm for sorbic acid). The estimated intakes of benzoates and sorbates for the average consumer were below the ADIs, ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 and 0.2 to 0.3 mg kg-1 body weight, respectively. Soft drinks were identified as the main source of benzoates representing >80% of the estimated intake.
ADP Ribosylation Factor 6 (ARF6) Promotes Acrosomal Exocytosis by Modulating Lipid Turnover and Rab3A Activation*

Background: Sperm acrosomal exocytosis requires GTPases, SNAREs, and a complex lipid signaling. Results: Exocytic stimuli promote ARF6 activation, which accomplishes exocytosis by stimulating PLC and Rab3A. Conclusion: ARF6 induces acrosome calcium efflux and assembles the fusion machinery leading to membrane fusion. Significance: This study explores a novel molecular link between ARF6, PLC, and Rab3A and provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of exocytosis and reproduction. Regulated secretion is a central issue for the specific function of many cells; for instance, mammalian sperm acrosomal exocytosis is essential for egg fertilization. ARF6 (ADP-ribosylation factor 6) is a small GTPase implicated in exocytosis, but its downstream effectors remain elusive in this process. We combined biochemical, functional, and microscopy-based methods to show that ARF6 is present in human sperm, localizes to the acrosomal region, and is required for calcium and diacylglycerol-induced exocytosis. Results from pulldown assays show that ARF6 exchanges GDP for GTP in sperm challenged with different exocytic stimuli. Myristoylated and guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPγS)-loaded ARF6 (active form) added to permeabilized sperm induces acrosome exocytosis even in the absence of extracellular calcium. We explore the ARF6 signaling cascade that promotes secretion. We demonstrate that ARF6 stimulates a sperm phospholipase D activity to produce phosphatidic acid and boosts the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. We present direct evidence showing that active ARF6 increases phospholipase C activity, causing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent intra-acrosomal calcium release. We show that active ARF6 increases the exchange of GDP for GTP on Rab3A, a prerequisite for secretion. We propose that exocytic stimuli activate ARF6, which is required for acrosomal calcium efflux and the assembly of the membrane fusion machinery. This report highlights the physiological importance of ARF6 as a key factor for human sperm exocytosis and fertilization.