Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Divergent role of the Hox gene Antennapedia in spiders is responsible for the convergent evolution of abdominal limb repression

Evolution often results in morphologically similar solutions in different organisms, a phenomenon known as convergence. However, there is little knowledge of the processes that lead to convergence at the genetic level. The genes of the Hox cluster control morphology in animals. They may also be central to the convergence of morphological traits, but whether morphological similarities also require similar changes in Hox gene function is disputed. In arthropods, body subdivision into a region with locomotory appendages (“thorax”) and a region with reduced appendages (“abdomen”) has evolved convergently in several groups, e.g., spiders and insects. In insects, legs develop in the expression domain of the Hox gene Antennapedia (Antp), whereas the Hox genes Ultrabithorax (Ubx) and abdominal-A mediate leg repression in the abdomen. Here, we show that, unlike Antp in insects, the Antp gene in the spider Achaearanea tepidariorum represses legs in the first segment of the abdomen (opisthosoma), and that Antp and Ubx are redundant in the following segment. The down-regulation of Antp in A. tepidariorum leads to a striking 10-legged phenotype. We present evidence from ectopic expression of the spider Antp gene in Drosophila embryos and imaginal tissue that this unique function of Antp is not due to changes in the Antp protein, but likely due to divergent evolution of cofactors, Hox collaborators or target genes in spiders and flies. Our results illustrate an interesting example of convergent evolution of abdominal leg repression in arthropods by altering the role of distinct Hox genes at different levels of their action.
Expression and localization of the CDC34 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation impacts many cellular processes.However, the regulation of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (UBCs) in cancer is unknown. We find that the human CDC34 UBC protein is expressed at a 3-4 fold higher level (P < 0.001) in pediatric T cell than in pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before treatment in two independent patient sets. The level of CDC34 mRNA was similar in both types of leukemia. CDC34 expression levels in normal resting T cells, B cells and activated T lymphocytes was comparable with pre-B-cell ALL. CDC34 protein (but not mRNA) was also increased in T-cell ALL compared with pre-B-cell ALL cell lines. The difference in expression was not attributable to mutation or associated with altered CDC34 stability. Immunohistochemistry and cellular fractionation reveals a heterogeneous CDC34 expression pattern including cells containing primarily cytoplasmic or nuclear protein. Thus, a feature of pediatric T-cell ALL is posttranscriptional up-regulation and heterogeneous localization of the human CDC34 UBC.
Evaluation of pearl millet and flaxseed effects on egg production and n-3 fatty acid content

1. A 6-week trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of pearl millet (PM) as a replacement for maize, in combination with flaxseed (FS), on productivity, egg trait parameters and egg n-3 fatty acid (FA) content in White Leghorn hens. 2. Six diet treatments were used: a control (CTL, maize–soybean meal based) diet, and diets containing 0, 2, 4, 8 or 12% FS, in which all maize was replaced by PM (PM-0, PM-2, PM-4, PM-8 and PM-12, respectively). All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and met NRC (1994) requirements. Eight cage replicates per treatment were used (three hens per cage). At the end of each week, three eggs were randomly collected from each cage to measure egg trait parameters and yolks were separated, pooled and lyophilised for FA determination. Body weights and feed consumption were recorded weekly. Egg production (number of eggs and egg mass produced) was recorded daily. At the end of the experiment, all hens were killed to determine liver haemorrhage score. 3. Egg traits and flock performance parameters were not different among treatments except at week 4, when birds on the PM-12 diet produced smaller eggs than hens on the PM-0 and PM-2 diets. Yolk pigmentation scores were lower for the PM-0 and PM-2 diets (1·60 ± 0·24 and 1·80 ± 0·20, respectively), increased with higher inclusions of FS (2·75 ± 0·47 for PM-12 diet) but did not reach control levels (6·00 ± 0·01). Liver haemorrhage scores were not affected by dietary treatment. Hens given the PM-8 and PM-12 diets produced eggs with n-3 FA content higher than required to be considered as n-3 FA enriched eggs, and had a lower n-6/n-3 FA acid ratio than eggs of hens consuming CTL or the PM based diets with lower FS supplementation. 4. These results suggest that PM can be used to substitute for maize in the diets of layers and may reduce the amount of FS needed to obtain n-3 FA enriched eggs.
Clinical and family studies in genetic hemochromatosis: Microsatellite and HFE studies in five atypical families

A candidate gene (HFE) has been described for hereditary hemochromatosis on chromosome 6. The study of well‐defined atypical hemochromatosis families using genetic markers may increase our understanding of the sensitivity and the specificity of genotyping in hemochromatosis. One hundred and thirteen Canadian families with genetic hemochromatosis were surveyed to find atypical families as possible examples of people with genetic recombinations. All families underwent clinical investigations including iron studies and HLA typing. Each individual was typed at three polymorphic microsatellite loci (D6S105, D6S1260, and D6S299) on chromosome 6. Sixteen subjects were studied for the two missense mutations described for the candidate gene for hemochromatosis (C282Y, H63D). There were eight HLA‐identical siblings found in four different families (five men, three women; age range 30‐72) with normal transferrin saturation and ferritin levels. There were two patients identified who were homozygous for the C282Y mutation without biochemical evidence of iron overload, and two patients with no evidence of the mutation with significant iron overload. Our conclusions are as follows: 1) finding HLA‐identical siblings without iron overload does not confirm a genetic recombination, 2) difficulties in phenotypic definition of disease and the description of new iron overload syndromes that may differ from classical genetic HC cause complicated genetic studies, and 3) finding iron‐loaded patients without a C282Y mutation and patients that are homozygous for the C282Y mutation without evidence of iron overload may limit the use of genotyping in population screening for hemochromatosis.
Analysis of near-IR photon emissions from 50-nm n- and p-channel Si MOSFETs

Photon emission from n- and p-channel transistors having 50-nm effective lengths and operating in saturation were obtained by using a photon-emission microscope equipped with an HgCdTe detector. Emission spectra were acquired in the near-IR or low photon energy range (0.85-1.1 eV) and fitted to three models: Brehmsstrahlung, direct hot-hole transitions, and direct hot electron transitions. The results show that emissions in both n-channel and p-channel devices have similar Gaussian profiles, implying that the same emission mechanism is occuring in both devices. Emissions from both devices are largely due to photons generated from direct hot electron transitions within the conduction band. The mechanism is modeled as a Gaussian intensity distribution modulated by Si absorption effects since emissions were acquired through the backside.
Background Subtraction Using Background Sets With Image- and Color-Space Reduction

Background subtraction is a basic step for a variety of multimedia applications such as live video, traffic monitoring, communication system, interactive learning space, etc. Many approaches have been proposed for this problem, but the need for lower cost approaches still exists. In this paper, a relatively low-cost background-subtraction method is proposed, using background sets with image- and color-space reduction. The background sets are used to detect objects from dynamic backgrounds, which contain waves, trees, and fountains. The image space is reduced to deal with jittered and unsteady frames, e.g., the input from handheld mobile devices. The color space is reduced to compensate for color noise, e.g., the scattered RGB values of a digital camera. To reduce the cost, a combination of color-space reduction and hash-table look-up operations are used. The results compared with other methods show the feasibility of our method; moreover, it can be useful in mobile or embedded environments.
Deep Venous Thrombosis after Posterior Spinal Surgery

Study Design. A prospective clinical study using venography to evaluate deep venous thrombosis after posterior spinal surgery. Objectives. To demonstrate the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis after posterior spinal surgery with no prophylaxis. Summary of Background Data. There have been few studies about the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis after spinal surgery in which venography was used for screening. Methods. Of the enrolled 134 patients undergoing posterior spinal surgery, 110 (82.1%) were examined with complete surveillance for deep venous thrombosis by venography. There were 64 males and 46 females. The average age at operation was 59.0 years (range, 14–86 years). The levels of the operation were cervical in 54, thoracic in 7, and lumbar in 49. All procedures were performed with patients under general anesthesia. Neither mechanical methods nor anticoagulation medications were used for prophylaxis against thromboembolism. Bilateral ascending venography was performed within 14 days after surgery. Results. There were no patients with clinical signs of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. However, 17 patients (15.5%) showed venographic evidence of deep venous thrombosis, of whom 16 had distal thrombi, and only one had a proximal thrombus. Deep venous thrombosis was venographically evident in 3 (5.6%) of 54 patients who underwent cervical procedures, and it was evident in 13 (26.5%) of 49 patients who underwent lumbar procedures. This difference was statistical significant (&khgr;2 test, P = 0.003). Statistical comparison between patients who did and did not have deep venous thrombosis showed that age was statistically significant (Mann–Whitney test;P < 0.05). Conclusions. The prevalence of deep venous thrombosis after posterior spinal surgery is higher than generally recognized. Therefore, further study is necessary to clarify the appropriate method for screening and the effect of prophylaxis against thromboembolism after spinal surgery.
Bioimaging TOF‐SIMS: High resolution 3D imaging of single cells

The distribution of phosphocholine ions (m/z 184, m/z 86), sodium ions, and potassium ions in thyroid tumor cells was analyzed by imaging TOF‐SIMS. Repeated sputtering with a C 60+ source and subsequent analysis with a Bi 3+ gun produced a series of 138 images that were stacked to make a 3D display of the chemistry of cells. Phosphocholine was seen in the plasma membrane (m/z 184) and intracellular membranes (m/z 86). The different fragmentation of the phospholipid probably reflects the chemical composition of membranes at these sites. High intensity of secondary ion signals of potassium was seen in membrane‐encompassed cellular compartments. The data indicate that potassium ions are compartmentalized in thyroid tumor cells. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Susceptibility of Oriental Fruit Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Larvae to Selected Reduced-Risk Insecticides

ABSTRACT To determine their baseline susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole, spinetoram, spinosad, and acetamiprid, oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), neonates were placed on diet cubes containing a range of concentrations of each insecticide. Mortality was assessed after 96 h. Two populations—a long-term laboratory colony from Rutgers University and a colony established in 2007 from a southwestern Illinois (Calhoun County) field population—were tested. We used probit and logit analyses to compare the responses of Calhoun colony neonates from parents reared on ‘Gala’ apples (Malus spp.) with those of Calhoun colony neonates from parents reared on lima bean, Phaseolus lunatus L. , diet. We also compared the responses of Calhoun colony neonates with those of Rutgers colony neonates (all from parents reared on apples). LC50s (ppm in diet) for Calhoun colony progeny of adults reared on apples were 0.08, 0.06, 0.41, and 0.30, respectively, for chlorantraniliprole, spinetoram, acetamiprid, and spinosad. Parental food source (apples versus lima bean diet) did not consistently influence the concentration-mortality relationships for neonates. Based on LC50S and toxicity ratio tests, Calhoun colony neonates were slightly but significantly less susceptible to spinetoram and acetamiprid than were Rutgers colony neonates. Similarly, LC90S and toxicity ratio tests indicated that Calhoun colony neonates were slightly but significantly less susceptible to chlorantraniliprole as well. However, toxicity ratios (Calhoun/Rutgers) were low in all instances, and the highest ratio was 1.73 at LC90 for chlorantraniliprole. Overall, the two colonies responded similarly to these insecticides. Results reported here provide baseline data for future monitoring of resistance development.
Fulminant hepatic failure: Outcome after listing for highly urgent liver transplantation—12 years experience in the nordic countries

Fulminant hepatic failure is a common indication for liver transplantation. Outcomes of patients listed for a highly urgent liver transplantation have been studied, with special emphasis on etiology of the liver disease, clinical condition, and ABO blood type. Data have been collected from the Nordic Liver Transplantation Registry. All Nordic patients listed for a highly urgent primary liver transplantation during a 12‐year period have been included. Of the 315 patients listed for a highly urgent liver transplantation, 229 (73%) received a first liver allograft, 50 patients (16%) died without transplantation, and 36 patients (11%) were permanently withdrawn and survived. In 43% of the patients, no definite etiology of the liver failure could be established. Paracetamol intoxication was the most frequent specific indication for listing. Patients with blood type A had no significant shorter waiting time (3.8 v 6.6 days; P = .1) but a higher rate of transplantation (82% v 66%, P = .006) as compared with blood type O patients. In a multivariate analysis, paracetamol intoxication remained the single independent predictor of an outcome without transplantation. In conclusion, a high transplantation rate was observed among patients listed for a highly urgent liver transplantation because of fulminant hepatic failure. Blood type O patients had a lower chance of receiving a liver allograft. Patients with paracetamol intoxication had both a higher mortality without transplantation and a higher withdrawal rate attributable to improved condition.
Uso del exudado y placenta del cacao para la obtención de subproductos

El cultivo de cacao en la economia ecuatoriana representa un rubro importante, ya que es reconocido a nivel mundial por ser un producto de la mas alta calidad y por poseer un exquisito aroma. En las cosechas de cacao, el exudado y la placenta son desechadas durante el proceso de cura, por lo que el presente trabajo pretende valorizar estos elementos. Una de las posibilidades es la produccion de bebida de baja concentracion alcoholica y nectar, lo que permitira aprovechar estos subproductos que no son utilizadas por la industria, e incrementar de esta forma el valor agregado en el mercado. En este trabajo se determinaron los procesos necesarios para la obtencion de los productos indicados, para lo cual se trabajo con mazorcas de CCN51, las mismas que fueron procesadas para la obtencion y estabilizacion del exudado y la placenta, subproductos a partir de los cuales se realizaron pruebas para obtener el nectar y la bebida alcoholica. Se realizaron varias pruebas experimentales para determinar las condiciones de operacion para la estabilizacion y formulacion de los productos. Se realizo ademas una caracterizacion fisico-quimica, microbiologica, sensorial y estabilidad de los productos obtenidos. Los resultados indican que bajo determinadas condiciones de operacion, los producto obtenidos son estables en el almacenamiento y tienen una buena aceptabilidad entre los consumidores.
Recent national trends in acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations in Medicare: shrinking declines and growing disparities.

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA; National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Division of Clinical Decision Making, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center; Department of Economics, Harvard University, Cambridge MA
Memoire et recit de l'aventure historique du Quebec chez les jeunes Quebecois d'heritage canadien-francais: coup de sonde, amorce d'analyse des resultats, questionnements

<p>Contredisant une vue commune selon laquelle les jeunes ne connaissent pas l'histoire de leur collectivité d'appartenance, les auteurs, grâce à la cueillette de plus de 400 dissertations rédigées par des élèves, des cégépiens et des étudiants résidant dans la ville et la région de Québec, font ressortir le contraire. Analysant la vision de l'aventure historique québécoise qui ressort de ces textes, ils s'interrogent sur les conditions de formation de cette vision caractérisée de l'histoire québécoise. Ce faisant, les auteurs entrent au cœur de la mémoire historique des jeunes Québécois. Ils entreprennent d'en découvrir les fondements dans la mémoire collective des Québécois. Ils se penchent enfin sur la possibilité de réviser cette mémoire dans le cadre d'une pratique pédagogique rénovée. </p> <p>Based on the collection of more than 400 essays written by students attending high school, general and vocational college, and university in the Quebec City region, the authors refute the popular belief that young people do not know the history of the community to which they belong. By analyzing the students' views of the Québécois historical adventure found in the texts, the authors question the sine qua none education responsible for this view of Québécois history and by extension, touch the core of the students' historical memory. The authors attempt to discover the foundations of the Quebec collective memory. Lastly, the authors suggest the possibility of revisiting this memory in the context of a renewed teaching methodology. </p>
Reluctant privatization

We study the evolution of the control structure a large sample of privatized firms in OECD countries and find evidence broadly consistent with the concept of “reluctant privatization”, defined as the transfer of ownership rights in State-owned enterprises without a corresponding transfer of control rights. Indeed, as of 2000, governments are the largest shareholder or use special control powers to retain voting control of 62.4% of privatized firms. However, contrary to accepted theory, greater government control over privatized firms does not negatively affect market valuation. In fact, government stakes are positively and significantly related to peer-adjusted market-to-book ratios. Results are not driven by the choice of the benchmark, reverse causality or by agency costs associated with private ownership. Rather, it appears that the relationship documented reflects more frequent financial aid (bailouts) accruing to privatized firms that remain under government control.
Rational Information Leakage

Empirical evidence suggests that information leakage in capital markets is common. We present a trading model to study the incentives of an informed trader e.g., a well-informed insider to voluntarily leak information about an asset's value to one or more independent traders. Our model shows that, although leaking information dissipates the insider's information advantage about the asset's value, it enhances his information advantage about the asset's execution price relative to other informed traders. The profit impact of these two effects are countervailing. When there are a sufficient number of other informed traders, the profit impact from enhanced information dominates. Hence, the insider has incentives to leak some of his private information. We label this rational information leakage and discuss its implications for the regulation of insider trading. This paper was accepted by Mary Barth, accounting.
Sensor scheduling for distributed filtering under limited communication resources

In this paper we consider the problem of sensor scheduling for distributed estimation with power constraint. To satisfy the requirement of energy consumption, we assume that each sensor sends data to its adjacent sensors with a given probability, where the state of the system is estimated by means of distributed estimators. First, we design optimal estimator gain to minimize the estimation error covariance for each sensor, and then we find an upper bound of the expected state error covariance, provide a sufficient condition to guarantee the stability of the proposed estimator. To find the optimal communication probability, we further formulate the sensor scheduling problem as an optimization problem, which is relaxed to a convex optimization in the form of LMIs.
Peptides isolated from random peptide libraries on phage elicit a neutralizing anti‐HIV‐1 response: analysis of immunological mimicry

Peptides binding to a murine, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) neutralizing monoclonal antibody (F58/H3) were isolated from two random peptide libraries expressed on the surface of phage. The antibody was originally elicited by immunization with HIV‐1 envelope protein gp120LAI, and has previously been shown to interact with the ‐I–GPGRA‐ motif of the V3 loop. The peptide libraries consisted of nine or 15 random amino acid residues flanked by two cysteines, and fused to the amino terminal end of the cpIII protein on the filamentous phage. Selection of specific peptides was carried out in three rounds, with decreasing antibody concentration. An expected peptide motif ‐GPGRA‐, a similar segment, ‐GPAR‐, and two unrelated motifs ‐FRLLG‐ and ‐WRM/ALG‐ were selected. Binding of antibody was tested both to synthetic peptides in solution, and the corresponding peptide on phage. The GPXR motifs bound in both formats, while the FRLLG bound antibody only when present on the phage. The reactivity of peptides on phage was highly dependent on an intact disulphide bond between the cysteines flanking the peptide. The molecular mimicry of the found motifs was tested by immunizing mice and rabbits with conjugated synthetic peptides or peptide on phage. In mice, peptide‐specific antisera were raised, but no reactivity to the whole protein (gp120) was detected. In rabbits, however, this was accomplished with the ‐GPGRA‐ containing peptide when present on phage. In addition, this antisera precipitated virus particles, and neutralized HIV‐1SF2 virus in vitro.