Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environment-dependent regulation of spliceosome activity by the LSM2-8 complex in Arabidopsis

Abstract Spliceosome activity is tightly regulated to ensure adequate splicing in response to internal and external cues. It has been suggested that core components of the spliceosome, such as the snRNPs, would participate in the control of its activity. The experimental indications supporting this proposition, however, remain scarce, and the operating mechanisms poorly understood. Here, we present genetic and molecular evidence demonstrating that the LSM2–8 complex, the protein moiety of the U6 snRNP, regulates the spliceosome activity in Arabidopsis, and that this regulation is controlled by the environmental conditions. Our results show that the complex ensures the efficiency and accuracy of constitutive and alternative splicing of selected pre-mRNAs, depending on the conditions. Moreover, miss-splicing of most targeted pre-mRNAs leads to the generation of nonsense mediated decay signatures, indicating that the LSM2–8 complex also guarantees adequate levels of the corresponding functional transcripts. Interestingly, the selective role of the complex has relevant physiological implications since it is required for adequate plant adaptation to abiotic stresses. These findings unveil an unanticipated function for the LSM2–8 complex that represents a new layer of posttranscriptional regulation in response to external stimuli in eukaryotes.
p53, Heat Shock Protein 70 and Topoisomerase II Expression in Gallbladder Carcinoma

Background : The present study was designed to investigate the expression of p53, Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), and Topoisomerase (Topo) II in the preneoplastic lesions and carcinomas of the gallbladder (GB) and to assess the correlation between the expression of these proteins and the clinicopathologic parameters by performing immunohistochemistry. Methods : The immunohistochemical expressions of p53, HSP70 and Topo II were evaluated in 38 gallbladder carcinomas and 3 adenomas. Fifteen CISs and 8 dysplasias that were located adjacent to invasive carcinomas were also studied. Results : A p53 expression was identified in 22 (57.9%) of the 38 GB carcinomas, in 9 (64.3%) of 14 CISs, and in none of the 8 dysplasias and 3 adenomas. A HSP70 expression was found in 11 (29%) of the 38 carcinomas, in 11 (78.6%) of 14 CISs, and in 4 (57.2%) of 7 dysplasias. A Topo II expression was present in 36 (94.7%) of the 38 carcinomas, in 13 (92.9%) of 14 CISs, in 7 (100%) of 7 dysplasias and in 3 (100%) of 3 adenomas. p53 overexpression was related to the T stage of the primary tumor, while HSP70 and Topo II were not related to any of the clinicopathologic parameters. Conclusion : p53 may be involved in GB carcinogenesis and in the progression of cancer. p53 may be also helpful for making the differential diagnosis between dysplasia and CIS. A further large study is needed to better elucidate the roles of HSP70 and Topo II in GB carcinogenesis.
High Latitude Epipelagic and Mesopelagic Scattering Layers—A Reference for Future Arctic Ecosystem Change

Scattering structures, including deep (>200 m) scattering layers are common in most oceans, but have not previously been properly documented in the Arctic Ocean. In this work, we combine acoustic data for distribution and abundance estimation of zooplankton and fish with biological sampling from the region west and north of Svalbard, to examine high latitude meso- and epipelagic scattering layers and their biological constituents. Our results show that typically, there was strong patchy scattering in the upper part of the epipelagic zone (440 m) in the Arctic habitat north of Svalbard compared to those south in the Fram Strait west of Svalbard (WMD ~400 m). The surface integrated backscatter (Nautical Area-Scattering Coefficient, NASC, sA [m2∙nmi-2]) was considerably lower in the waters around Svalbard compared to the more southern regions (62-69oN). Also, the mesopelagic nautical area scattering coefficient was a factor of approximately 6-10 lower around Svalbard compared to the areas in the south-eastern part of the Norwegian Sea ~62o30’N. The documented patterns and structures, particularly the DSL and its constituents, will be key reference points for understanding and quantifying future changes in the pelagic ecosystem at the entrance to the Arctic Ocean.
Different hydraulic traits of woody plants from tropical forests with contrasting soil water availability

In southwestern China, tropical karst forests (KF) and non-karst rain forests (NKF) have different species composition and forest structure owing to contrasting soil water availability, but with a few species that occur in both forests. Plant hydraulic traits are important for understanding the species' distribution patterns in these two forest types, but related studies are rare. In this study, we investigated hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability to drought-induced cavitation and wood anatomy of 23 abundant and typical woody species from a KF and a neighboring NKF, as well as two Bauhinia liana species common to both forests. We found that the KF species tended to have higher sapwood density, smaller vessel diameter, lower specific hydraulic conductivity (ks) and leaf to sapwood area ratio, and were more resistant to cavitation than NKF species. Across the 23 species distinctly occurring in either KF or NKF, there was a significant tradeoff between hydraulic efficiency and safety, which might be an underlying mechanism for distributions of these species across the two forests. Interestingly, by possessing rather large and long vessels, the two Bauhinia liana species had extremely high ks but were also high resistance to cavitation (escaping hydraulic tradeoff). This might be partially due to their distinctly dimorphic vessels, but contribute to their wide occurrence in both forests.
Information content for quantum states

A method for representing probabilistic aspects of quantum systems by means of a density function on the space of pure quantum states is introduced. In particular, a maximum entropy argument allows us to obtain a natural density function that only reflects the information provided by the density matrix. This result is applied to derive the Shannon entropy of a quantum state. The information theoretic quantum entropy thereby obtained is shown to have the desired concavity property, and to differ from the conventional von Neumann entropy. This is illustrated explicitly for a two-state system.
Perceived Work Conditions and Turnover Intentions: The Mediating Role of Meaning of Work

Perceived working conditions lead to various negative outcomes for employee behaviors, including turnover intentions. Although potential mediators for these relationships were previously identified, the importance of meaning of work has not yet been investigated. This study examines the role of this psychological resource as a mediator for the relationships between perceived working conditions and turnover intentions in a sample of 336 French workers from different job contexts. Results show that adverse working conditions were positively and significantly associated with turnover intentions. Meaning of work is negatively related to both perceived working conditions and turnover intentions. Mediation analyses for meaning of work demonstrated indirect effects of several adverse working conditions on turnover intentions. The role of meaning of work as a psychological resource for employees facing adverse working conditions is discussed, especially regarding its implications for research and practice within organizational contexts.
The Codecs Parameter for "Bucket" Media Types

Several MIME type/subtype combinations exist that can contain different media formats. A receiving agent thus needs to examine the details of such media content to determine if the specific elements can be rendered given an available set of codecs. Especially when the end system has limited resources, or the connection to the end system has limited bandwidth, it would be helpful to know from the Content- Type alone if the content can be rendered. This document adds a new parameter, "codecs", to various type/subtype combinations to allow for unambiguous specification of the codecs indicated by the media formats contained within. By labeling content with the specific codecs indicated to render the contained media, receiving systems can determine if the codecs are supported by the end system, and if not, can take appropriate action (such as rejecting the content, sending notification of the situation, transcoding the content to a supported type, fetching and installing the required codecs, further inspection to determine if it will be sufficient to support a subset of the indicated codecs, etc.) [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Country and Industry Convergence of Equity Markets: International Evidence from Club Convergence and Clustering

This study employs the panel convergence methodology developed by Phillips and Sul (2007) to explore the convergence dynamics of international equity markets. The analysis considers both country and industry effects. While traditional portfolio management strategies usually follow a top-down procedure, assuming that country-level effects drive financial aggregates, e.g. stock returns, our empirical results suggest that the equity markets of 35 of the 42 counties in our sample do form a unified convergence club. The empirical findings also show more numerous stock-price convergence clubs in certain industries. That is, industry factors play a more important role in explaining the actual divergence in stock prices than does the stock market itself. Conversely, the volatility of stock prices exhibits much more evidence of convergence than stock prices. These findings should assist portfolio managers in the design and implementation of appropriate portfolio management strategies. Regulatory authorities also can benefit in the design of financial regulation.
The Nuclear Issue in the South Pacific: Labor Parties, Trade Union Movements, and Pacific Island Churches in International Relations

Since the end of World War II, various negotiations, with or without the immediate agreement of the two "superpowers" of the time, the United States and the Soviet Union, have been undertaken in order to prevent a military nuclear presence or even the use of civil nuclear power in some parts of the world (the nuclear-weapon-free zones)— or indeed in space. Following treaties relating to the Antarctic (1959) and Latin America (Tla- telolco Treaty, 1967), the Treaty of Rarotonga (Cook Islands), signed on 6 August 1985, seeks to make the South Pacific nuclear free. More recent treaties concern Southeast Asia and Africa (Szurek 1997). In addition, some cities, such as Faa'a, on Tahiti, have proclaimed themselves "nuclear free" without this status having any legal value. France has generally shown reticence with regard to such treaties. 1 This was the case with the Treaty of Rarotonga before France decided to sign it in 1996. In the South Pacific, France has been the focus of opposition from states, trade unions, and churches because it needed to use the South Pacific, which the Anglo-Saxon powers readily consider their backyard. However, France was not the only country to be targeted. From the early 1970s, under the leadership of New Zealand, the Pacific Island countries embarked on what they considered a new crusade, which was to lead to the signing of the Treaty of Rarotonga.
Factors that influence the patient centredness of a consultation

Background. Research suggests that patients are more satisfied with patient-centred consultations than with doctorcentred consultations and that some health measures are positively influenced by this type of consultation. Research on the factors that influence the patient centredness of the consultation is sparse but suggests that women doctors are more patient centred than men doctors. Aim. A study was designed, first, to confirm or reject the suggestion that women general practitioners are more patient centred than men general practitioners and, secondly, to determine some of the factors that might influence the patient centredness of a general practitioner. Method. The audiotaped consultations of 41 general practitioners were analysed using an instrument designed to measure patient centredness. The general practitioners were selected from a group of volunteers to represent both sexes as well as a wide range of age and experience. Results. The results of the analysis showed that women general practitioners, particularly trainers, had higher patient-centredness scores than men general practitioners. This behaviour is characterized by an increased frequency of open questions and greater attention to patient offers (anything of potential. significance that a patient brings to the general practitioner consultation). Additionally, the combination of sexes in a consultation seemed to have an effect on the interaction, with woman general practitioner! female patient dyads (pairings) having the highest median patient-centredness score, woman general practitioner! male patient and man general practitioner/male patient dyads scoring the same as each other and man general practitioner/female patient dyads having the lowest median scores. Conclusion. The results suggest that women general practitioners, in this sample, were more patient centred than men general practitioners. The results also suggest that inherent inequalities exist, with female patients receiving a more patient-centred service from general practitioners of their own sex than from general practitioners of the opposite sex. Male patients, on the other hand, seemed to fare equally well, irrespective of the sex of their general practitioner. Training is required to address these inequalities and to improve the level of patient centredness in the consultation.
Risk for Severe Group A Streptococcal Disease among Patients’ Household Contacts

From January 1997 to April 1999, we determined attack rates for cases of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease in household contacts of index patients using data from Active Bacterial Core Surveillance sites. Of 680 eligible index-patient households, 525 (77.2%) were enrolled in surveillance. Of 1,514 household contacts surveyed, 127 (8.4%) sought medical care, 24 (1.6%) required hospital care, and none died during the 30-day reference period. One confirmed GAS case in a household contact was reported (attack rate, 66.1/100,000 household contacts). One household contact had severe GAS-compatible illness without confirmed etiology. Our study suggests that subsequent cases of invasive GAS disease can occur, albeit rarely. The risk estimate from this study is important for developing recommendations on the use of chemoprophylaxis for household contacts of persons with invasive GAS disease.
Vertical Silicon Nanowire Gate-All-Around Field Effect Transistor Based Nanoscale CMOS

In this letter, we investigate a novel vertical silicon nanowire-based (NW) complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology for logic applications. The performance and the behavior of two- and single-wire CMOS inverters are simulated and analyzed. We show that vertical NW based CMOS offers a reduction of up to 50% in layout area, along with delay reductions of 50% (two wire) and 30% (single wire) compared with fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET) technology. The results show that vertical NW CMOS technology has a very high potential for ultralow-power applications with a power saving of up to 75% and offers an excellent overall performance for deca-nanoscale CMOS.
Complexity and Diversity in the Southern Levant during the Third Millenium BC: The Evidence of Khirbet Kerak Ware

Archaeologists have generally viewed the appearance of Khirbet Kerak Ware (KKW) in the southern Levant in the early 3rd millennium BC in terms of a movement into the area of population groups of east Anatolian origin. However, there are serious theoretical and empirical objections to this position. It is suggested that by concentrating upon KKW as a macro-level phenomenon, scholars have neglected to consider the existence of significant inter-community distinctions in the scale and manner in which KKW was employed. This paper offers an alternative view which sees KKW as a material resource, knowledge of which was linked to participation in previously existing coastal networks of communication, the adoption or rejection of which was linked to socio-economic conditionals prevailing in specific areas of the southern Levant.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography during Follow-Up: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mixed Type I and II Choroidal Neovascularization after Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Trap Therapy

Purpose: To report the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings in an exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patient presenting mixed type I and II choroidal neovascularization (CNV) during follow-up after intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap treatment. Methods: The clinical assessment included both traditional multimodal imaging, based on fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and B-scan OCT, and OCT-A at baseline and follow-up. OCT-A images were obtained using a Spectralis OCT-A prototype able to acquire 70,000 A-scans per second, with a resolution of 7 µm axially and 14 µm laterally. An amplitude decorrelation algorithm developed by Heidelberg Engineering was applied to a volume scan, on a 15 × 5° area, which was composed of 131 B-scans (35 frames per scan) at a distance of 11 µm each. The borders of type I and type II CNV were manually outlined and then the areas were analyzed using the provided automated software before and after treatment. Results: The qualitative approach revealed a substantial decrease in the visibility of tiny branching vessels and anastomoses both in type I and type II components of the neovascular complex, associated with persistence of a clear hyperintense signal coming from the larger trunks, which remained well-perfused. Quantitative analysis confirmed a reduction of the lesion area after VEGF trap treatment: the type II component decreased from 0.25 to 0.19 mm2, while the type I component decreased from 2.03 to 1.80 mm2. Conclusions: Our study qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrated the response of a mixed type I-II CNV to intravitreal VEGF trap therapy. Although FA remains the gold standard for determining the presence of leakage and OCT easily shows fluid accumulation and its variations, OCT-A offers noninvasive monitoring of the retinal and choriocapillaris microvasculature in patients with CNV, aiding in diagnosis and treatment decisions during follow-up.
An aggregating immunoglobulin in hyperimmune equine anti-pneumococcal sera.

The antibodies in hyperimmune equine anti-pneumococcal sera which have been described as ultracentrifugally heterogeneous with sedimentation coefficients of 9 S to 15 S were shown to be noncovalently linked aggregates of 6.3 S globulins. The aggregates were dissociated by detergents, urea and elevated salt concentrations but were unaffected by reducing or chelating agents. A goat antiserum produced by immunization with an SXII-horse-anti-SXII specific precipitate reacted with an immunoglobulin which was antigenically distinct from γG-, γM- and T globulins. This horse immunoglobulin appeared to be the reversibly aggregating protein and was the major antibody type in hyperimmune anti-pneumococcal sera. It was antigenically demonstrable in all of 12 horse sera tested, whether fresh or stored, normal or immune. The relative levels of the immunoglobulin seemed to be related to intensity of the immune response rather than to duration of storage of the sera. Its antigenic specificity could not be simulated by proteolysis, reduction and alkylation, or heat denaturation of other horse immunoglobulins.
Vitamin and mineral intakes in European children. Is food fortification needed?

Abstract Objective: To provide an overview of vitamin and mineral intakes among children and adolescents in European countries and to present results from studies showing the impact of food fortification. Design: Comparative analysis of a number of nutritional studies among children and adolescents performed during the last decade in certain European countries. Setting: Spain, France, UK, North Ireland, Portugal, Germany. Subjects: Europeans aged 6 to 18. Results: Dietary surveys across Europe showed that varying levels of nutrient adequacy existed from one country to another, and that even within the same country, there were important nutritional gaps between different regions. In general, studies are difficult to compare, and information for many countries was missing. The results suggest that children and adolescents are the population group most likely to have higher risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly for iron, vitamins C, E, B6 and folates. In France, Ireland, UK and Spain, food fortification, and particularly of breakfast cereals, has positively contributed to increasing vitamin and mineral intakes in childhood and adolescence. Conclusions: Information on vitamin and mineral intakes in European children is less available than in adults. Fortified foods may contribute to reducing nutrient inadequacy in European children and adolescents, but should not replace nutrition education.
Results of a Stepwise Approach to Extrahepatic Portal Vein Obstruction in Children

Background: The management of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) in children is controversial. We report our experience with a prospective evaluation of a stepwise protocol based on severity of portal hypertension and feasibility of mesoportal bypass (MPB). Methods: After diagnosis, children with EHPVO underwent surveillance endoscopies and received nonselective &bgr;-blockers (NSBBs) or endoscopic variceal obliteration (EVO) when large varices were detected. In patients who failed NSBBs and EVO, we considered MPB as first-line and shunts or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as second-line options. Results: Sixty-five children, median age 12.5 (range 1.6–25.8), whose age at diagnosis was 3.5 (0.2–17.5) years, were referred to our unit. Forty-three (66%) had a neonatal illness, 36 (55%) an umbilical vein catheterisation. Thirty-two (49%) presented with bleeding at a median age of 3.8 years (0.5–15.5); during an 8.4-year follow-up period (1–16), 43 (66%) had a bleeding episode, 52 (80%) were started on NSBBs, 55 (85%) required EVO, and 33 (51%) required surgery or TIPS. The Rex recessus was patent in 24 of 54 (44%), negatively affected by a history of umbilical catheterisation (P = 0.01). Thirty-four (53%) patients underwent a major procedure: MPB (13), proximal splenorenal (13), distal splenorenal (2), mesocaval shunt (3), TIPS (2), and OLT (1). At the last follow-up, 2 patients died, 53 of 57 (93%) are alive with bleeding control, 27 of 33 (82%) have a patent conduit. Conclusions: Children with EHPVO have a high rate of bleeding episodes early in life. A stepwise approach comprising of medical, endoscopic, and surgical options provided excellent survival and bleeding control in this population.