Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alps, genes, and chromosomes: their role in the formation of species in the Sorex araneus group (Mammalia, Insectivora), as inferred from two hybrid zones

During the Pleistocene glaciations, the Alps were an efficient barrier to gene flow between isolated populations, often leading to allopatric speciation. Afterwards, the Alps strongly influenced the post-glacial recolonization of Europe and represent a major suture zone between differentiated populations. Two hybrid zones in the Swiss and French Alps between genetically and chromosomally well-differentiated species—the Valais shrew, Sorex antinorii, and the common shrew, S. araneus—were studied karyotypically and by analyzing the distribution of seven microsatellite loci. In the center of the Haslital hybrid zone the two species coexist over a distance of 900 m. Hybrid karyotypes, among them the most complex known in Sorex, are rare. F-statistics based on microsatellite data revealed a strong heterozygote deficit only in the center of the zone, due to the sympatric distribution of the two species with little hybridization between them. Structuring within the species (both FIS and FST) was low. An hierarchical analysis showed a high level of interspecific differentiation. Results were compared with those previously reported in another hybrid zone located at Les Houches in the French Alps. Genetic structuring within and between species was comparable in both hybrid zones, although chromosomal incompatibilities are more important in Haslital, where a linkage block of the race-specific chromosomes should additionally impede gene flow. Evidence for a more restricted gene flow in Haslital comes from the genetically intermediate hybrid karyotypes, whereas in Les Houches, hybrid karyotypes are genetically identical to individuals of the pure karyotypic races. Genic and chromosomal introgression was observed in Les Houches, but not in Haslital. The possible influence of a river, separating the two species at Les Houches, on gene flow is discussed.
A Brief Survey of the Current Applications of ENP

The center of attention in this paper is a computer-based music notation application Expressive Notation Package (ENP). ENP is among the various music related software packages developed at Sibelius Academy. ENP is of central importance in the music related applications collected under the umbrella of PWGL (PWGL is a free cross-platform visual programming language with a strong emphasis on music and sound related applications). ENP is an important bridge between the different software components inside PWGL. It allows these packages to inter-operate by using ENPs versatile representation of musical objects. There is a close integration between ENP and PWGLSynth (the synthesis environment of PWGL). The rule-based language called PWGLConstraints, in turn, can be used to calculate (i.e., compose) musical material with the help of ENP. Furthermore, ENP-Script, a music scripting language, can be used to automatically analyze a score using multiple view-points. It is also possible to visualize the analysis information directly on the score. This paper gives an overview of the current status of ENP and gives concrete examples of some of its applications.
Information Diffusion in Complex Networks : Measurement-Based Analysis Applied to Modelling. (Phénomènes de diffusion sur les grands réseaux : mesure et analyse pour la modélisation)

Understanding information diffusion on complex networks is a key issue from a theoretical and applied perspective. Epidemiology-inspired SIR models have been proposed to model information diffusion. Recent papers have analyzed this question from a data-driven perspective. We complement these findings investigating if epidemic models calibrate with a systematic procedure are capable of reproducing key spreading cascade properties. We first identify a large-scale, rich dataset from which we can reconstruct the diffusion trail and the underlying network. Secondly, we examine the simple SIR model as a baseline model and conclude that it was unable to generate structurally realistic spreading cascades. We found the same result examining model extensions to which take into account heterogeneities observed in the data. In contrast, other models which take into account time patterns available in the data generate qualitatively more similar cascades. Although one key property was not reproduced in any model, this result highlights the importance of taking time patterns into account. We have also analyzed the impact of the underlying network structure on the models examined. In our data the observed cascades were constrained in time, so we could not rely on the theoretical results relating the asymptotic behavior of the epidemic and network topological features. Performing simulations we assessed the impact of these common topological properties in time-bounded epidemic and identified that the distribution of neighbors of seed nodes had the most impact among the investigated properties in our context. We conclude discussing identifying perspectives opened by this work.
Stapling Mimics Noncovalent Interactions of γ-Carboxyglutamates in Conantokins, Peptidic Antagonists of N-Methyl-d-Aspartic Acid Receptors*

Background: Can dicarba bridges (stapling) replace noncovalent interactions that stabilize helical conformation of neuroactive peptides? Results: A rational design, synthesis, structural, and functional characterization of stapled conG analogs that target NMDA receptors is reported. Conclusion: Stapled conG analogs are potent antagonists of NMDA receptors and anticonvulsant compounds. Significance: Stapling can be successfully applied to convert neuroactive peptides into drug leads. Conantokins are short peptides derived from the venoms of marine cone snails that act as antagonists of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor family of excitatory glutamate receptors. These peptides contain γ-carboxyglutamic acid residues typically spaced at i,i+4 and/or i,i+7 intervals, which by chelating divalent cations induce and stabilize helical conformation of the peptide. Introduction of a dicarba bridge (or a staple) can covalently stabilize peptide helicity and improve its pharmacological properties. To test the hypothesis that stapling can effectively replace γ-carboxyglutamic acid residues in stabilizing the helical conformation of conantokins, we designed, synthesized, and characterized several stapled analogs of conantokin G (conG), with varying connectivities in terms of staple length and location along the face of the α-helix. NMR studies confirmed that the ring-closing metathesis reaction yielded a single product with the Z configuration of the olefinic bond. Based on circular dichroism and molecular modeling, the stapled analogs exhibited significantly enhanced helicity compared with the native peptide in a metal-free environment. Stapling i,i+4 was benign with respect to effects on in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties. One analog, namely conG[11–15,Si,i+4S(8)], blocked NR2B-containing NMDA receptors with IC50 = 0.7 μm and provided significant protection in the 6-Hz psychomotor model of pharmacoresistant epilepsy in mice. Remarkably, unlike native conG, conG[11–15,Si,i+4S(8)] produced no behavioral motor toxicity. Our results extend the applications of peptide stapling to helical peptides with extracellular targets and provide a means for engineering conantokins with improved pharmacological properties.
SERVICE QUALITY, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY: A TEST OF MEDIATION

The present research was conducted in a bank in Tehran, Iran, in 2009/2010. This report is the outcome of a field research, which aimed to determine the quality of services offered by Sepah Bank, and also to study the relationship between the service quality, satisfaction and loyalty. In this research, the service quality standard model has been used for evaluation of service quality, Gremler and Brown (1996) model with some revision was used for evaluating the loyalty, and the instrument offered by Bitner and Hubbert (1994) was used for evaluation of customer satisfaction. The focus of this research is a Sepah Bank branch around Fatemi St., Tehran, Iran, and 147 customers of this bank were sampled. The results of this research show that in all aspects, customers’ expectation, are higher than their perceptions of the Bank’s operation, and in fact the quality of offered services is low. Besides, this research findings show that the customer satisfaction plays the role of a mediator in the effects of service quality on service loyalty. These findings are further explored.
Elevation Extraction and Deformation Monitoring by Multitemporal InSAR of Lupu Bridge in Shanghai

Monitoring, assessing, and understanding the structural health of large infrastructures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, and highways, is important for urban development and management, as the gradual deterioration of such structures may result in catastrophic structural failure leading to high personal and economic losses. With a higher spatial resolution and a shorter revisit period, interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) plays an increasing role in the deformation monitoring and height extraction of structures. As a focal point of the InSAR data processing chain, phase unwrapping has a direct impact on the accuracy of the results. In complex urban areas, large elevation differences between the top and bottom parts of a large structure combined with a long interferometric baseline can result in a serious phase-wrapping problem. Here, with no accurate digital surface model (DSM) available, we handle the large phase gradients of arcs in multitemporal InSAR processing using a long–short baseline iteration method. Specifically, groups of interferometric pairs with short baselines are processed to obtain the rough initial elevation estimations of the persistent scatterers (PSs). The baseline threshold is then loosened in subsequent iterations to improve the accuracy of the elevation estimates step by step. The LLL lattice reduction algorithm (by Lenstra, Lenstra, and Lovasz) is applied in the InSAR phase unwrapping process to rapidly reduce the search radius, compress the search space, and improve the success rate in resolving the phase ambiguities. Once the elevations of the selected PSs are determined, they are used in the following two-dimensional phase regression involving both elevations and deformations. A case study of Lupu Bridge in Shanghai is carried out for the algorithm’s verification. The estimated PS elevations agree well (within 1 m) with the official Lupu Bridge model data, while the PS deformation time series confirms that the bridge exhibits some symmetric progressive deformation, at 4–7 mm per year on both arches and 4–9 mm per year on the bridge deck during the SAR image acquisition period.
Design of amplifier- and modulator-integrated laser diode for 10-Gb/s 80-km transmission

We present the amplifier- and modulator-integrated laser diode designed for 10-Gb/s transmission over 80-km distance. An antireflection window structure is implemented at the tilt facet of the amplifier to reduce optical feedback by 40 dB. A monitor photodiode is monolithically integrated in the antireflection window region for accurate power regulation. To better control the amplifier input power and to reduce the feedback of amplified spontaneous emission, an attenuation inner-window is incorporated by removing a section of the waveguide. The reproducibility of the chip fabrication process is tested to confirm the design margin. Through amplifying the modulated signals and reducing modulator chirp by amplifier saturation, high-power optical transmission is demonstrated.
Far-ultraviolet to Near-infrared Spectroscopy of a Nearby Hydrogen-poor Superluminous Supernova Gaia16apd

We report the first maximum-light far-ultraviolet (FUV) to near-infrared (NIR) spectra (1000 Å − 1.62 μm, rest) of a hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova, Gaia16apd. At z = 0.1018, it is the second closest and the UV brightest SLSN-I, with 17.4 mag in Swift UVW2 band at −11 days pre-maximum. The coordinated observations with HST, Palomar, and Keck were taken at −2 to +25 days. Assuming an exponential (or t2) form, we derived the rise time of 33 days and the peak bolometric luminosity of 3 × 1044 erg s−1. At the maximum, the photospheric temperature and velocity are 17,000 K and 14,000 km s−1, respectively. The inferred radiative and kinetic energy are roughly 1 × 1051 and 2 × 1052 erg. Gaia16apd is extremely UV luminous, and emits 50% of its total luminosity at 1000–2500 Å. Compared to the UV spectra (normalized at 3100 Å) of well studied SN1992A (Ia), SN2011fe (Ia), SN1999em (IIP), and SN1993J (IIb), it has orders of magnitude more FUV emission. This excess is interpreted primarily as a result of weaker metal-line blanketing due to a much lower abundance of iron group elements in the outer ejecta. Because these elements originate either from the natal metallicity of the star, or have been newly produced, our observation provides direct evidence that little of these freshly synthesized material, including 56Ni, were mixed into the outer ejecta, and the progenitor metallicity is likely sub-solar. This disfavors Pair-instability Supernova models with helium core masses , where substantial 56Ni material is produced. A higher photospheric temperature definitely contributes to the FUV excess from Gaia16apd. Compared with Gaia16apd, we find PS1-11bam is also UV luminous.
Weight Loss Impact on Change in Depression in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Study to Help Improve Early Evaluation and Management of Risk Factors Leading to Diabetes (SHIELD)

Objectives: This study evaluated the association between weight loss and change in depression among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Weight change from 2008 to 2009 among respondents (with and without T2DM) in the Study to Help Improve Early evaluation and management of risk factors Leading to Diabetes (SHIELD) was calculated. Change in depression was calculated as change from 2008 to 2009 in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores. Respondents with weight loss (>1%, >3%, >5%) were compared with respondents with weight gain (≥1%). Multivariate regression adjusted for baseline characteristics. Results: Among those with T2DM, more respondents with weight loss (n = 779) improved their depression scores, compared with respondents with weight gain (n = 731): 32.9%, 36.9%, 39.8% for >1%, >3%, and >5% weight loss, respectively, vs. 28.7% for weight gain (p1%, 2.96 for >3%, and 3.31 for >5% weight loss, p
Key roles of microsymbiont amino acid metabolism in rhizobia-legume interactions

Abstract Rhizobia are bacteria in the α-proteobacterial genera Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Azorhizobium and Bradyrhizobium that reduce (fix) atmospheric nitrogen in symbiotic association with a compatible host plant. In free-living and/or symbiotically associated rhizobia, amino acids may, in addition to their incorporation into proteins, serve as carbon, nitrogen or sulfur sources, signals of cellular nitrogen status and precursors of important metabolites. Depending on the rhizobia-host plant combination, microsymbiont amino acid metabolism (biosynthesis, transport and/or degradation) is often crucial to the establishment and maintenance of an effective nitrogen-fixing symbiosis and is intimately interconnected with the metabolism of the plant. This review summarizes past findings and current research directions in rhizobial amino acid metabolism and evaluates the genetic, biochemical and genome expression studies from which these are derived. Specific sections deal with the regulation of rhizobial amino acid metabolism, amino acid transport, and finally the symbiotic roles of individual amino acids in different plant-rhizobia combinations.
The origins of some hitherto undescribed inbred mouse strains

The origins of 7 inbred mouse strains (OUBW, OUCW, OUGW, OUYW, OUBCr, OUF and OUW) are reported. 6 of these strains have been in existence for a number of years, and 4 of them have not been mentioned in the literature. 2 of the strains have been referred to in published work, but because of incorrect designation may have caused some confusion. The remaining strain (OUBCr), which has considerable research potential, has been developed from a mutation in an NZB subline.
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, TOTAL PHENOLICS AND TOTAL FLAVONOIDS OF HOLARRHENA ANTIDYSENTRICA LEAF EXTRACTS

Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out for pet ether, chloroform and ethanol extracts of Holarrhena antidysentrica leaves. The extracts showed the presence of various phytocompounds like alkaloids and flavonoids. In vitro antioxidant activity was carried out with all the three extracts using DPPH assay using ascorbic acid as a standard. All the extracts had shown significant antioxidant activity. The quantitative estimations showed that ethanolic extract contains higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than the other extracts.
Hepatocyte growth factor induces pro‐apoptotic genes in HepG2 hepatoma but not in B16‐F1 melanoma cells

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exerts a cytostatic effect on HepG2 and B16‐F1 cell lines. To evaluate the possible involvement of the apoptotic process in this effect, we performed studies at cellular and molecular levels. HGF induced apoptosis only in HepG2 hepatoma cells at day 3 in about 20% of the cells undergoing growth inhibition, while hallmarks of apoptosis did not occur in B16‐F1 melanoma cells. During the first 24 h after HGF treatment, enhanced expression of the pro‐apoptotic genes bax and c‐Myc was observed at level of mRNA and protein. Concomitant induction of antizyme (AZ) might lower ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) protein level though a huge increase in ODC mRNA level took place. This was suggested as a signal for apoptosis decisional phase. The levels of the proteins examined except that of AZ fell down thereafter when HepG2 cells underwent apoptosis. In B16‐F1 cells, only ODC and AZ protein levels were elevated probably in relation to the initial elevated growth rate and the absence of apoptosis involvement in the following cytostatic effect of HGF in melanoma cells. Consistent with this hypothesis, bax mRNA and protein levels were unchanged or even lower relative to control values. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections 2009

AND FULL-TEXT SCREENING To identify studies which were a) relevant to one or more key questions b) primary analytic research, systematic review or meta-analysis and c) written in English DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data abstracted into evidence tables; study quality assessed DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS Strength of evidence graded; summaries and recommendations drafted FINALIZE RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations finalized; guideline published
Genetic variability for synthesis of bioactive compounds in peppers (Capsicum annuum) from Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability for synthesis of bioactive compounds in pepper ( Capsicum annuum, Solanaceae). Total phenolics, anthocyanins, carotenoids and antioxidant activity were evaluated in 14 accessions of Capsicum annuum from the Capsicum Genebank of Embrapa Temperate Agriculture (Pelotas – RS, Brazil). Thirty plants of each accession were cultivated in the field during spring and summer. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with 14 treatments (accessions) and three replications. The laboratory evaluations followed the same experimental design to field, but with two repetitions more. Seeds were discarded and opposite longitudinal portions of fruits were manually prepared for chemical analyzes. The data obtained showed high genetic variability for phenolics, anthocyanins, carotenoids and antioxidant activity. The P39, P77, P119, P143 and P302 accessions exhibited the highest levels of antioxidants, which are strongly indicated to be used in breeding programs of Capsicum peppers.
Exploring adolescent complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) use in Canada

A qualitative study using a grounded theory approach investigated adolescents' perceptions about complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) use. Adolescents, attending a clinic at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, were interviewed after receiving ethics approval. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The decision of adolescents to use CAM was based within the context of their world and how it shaped influencing factors. Factors that influenced adolescents' decision to use CAM were identified as certain personality traits, culture, media, social contacts and the ability of CAM providers to develop therapeutic relationships. The barriers and benefits of CAM use influenced evaluation of choices. The importance of barriers in limiting freedom of choice in health care decisions should be investigated by practitioners as they provide care to adolescents. Health care planning for integrative models of care requires determining the “right” blend of expertise by knowing interprofessional boundaries, determining mixed skill sets to provide the essential services and ensuring appropriate regulation that allows practitioners to use their full scope of practice.
Design and operation for a standalone DG-SPV-BES microgrid system

This paper proposes a systematic control for a solar photo-voltaic (SPV) array, diesel generator (DG) and battery energy storage (BES) integrated microgrid system. This system intends to utilize the maximum SPV power using the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller under varying operating conditions. It maintains the power balance with the provision of catering the load requirement by providing charging and discharging of the battery and provide an optimal operation of DG. The peak detection control technique is deployed for the management of power between the distributed energy sources. The control method together with three leg voltage source converter (VSC) allows reactive power compensation, harmonics elimination and voltage regulation at the point of common coupling (PCC). The frequency of the system is maintained through a DG set. The detailed analysis is conducted by modelling this system using sim power system (SPS) toolbox in Matlab/Simulink and the performance of the system is validated using simulation results.
The Lysosomal Protein Saposin B Binds Chloroquine

Chloroquine (CQ) has been widely used in the treatment of malaria since the 1950s, though toxicity and resistance is increasingly limiting its use in the clinic. More recently, CQ is also becoming recognized as an important therapeutic compound for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and has shown activity as an anticancer agent. However, the full extent of CQ pharmacology in humans is still unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that the lysosomal protein saposin B (sapB), critical for select lipid degradation, binds CQ with implications for both CQ function and toxicity. Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and fluorescence quenching experiments, CQ was shown to bind to the dimeric form of sapB at both pH 5.5 and pH 7.4 with an average binding affinity of 2.3×104 m−1. X‐ray crystallography confirmed this, and the first complete crystal structure of sapB with a bound small molecule (CQ) is reported. The results suggest that sapB might play a role in mitigating CQ‐based toxicity and that sapB might itself be overwhelmed by CQ causing impaired lipid degradation.