Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal temperature alone can synchronize life cycles

In this paper we discuss the effects of yearly temperature variation on the development and seasonal occurrence of poikiliothermic organisms with multiple life stages. The study of voltinism in the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins), an important forest insect living in extreme temperature environments and exhibiting no diapause, provides a motivational example. Using a minimal model for the rates of aging it is shown that seasonal temperature variation and minimal stage-specific differences in rates of aging are sufficient to create stable uni-and multi-voltine oviposition cycles. In fact, these cycles are attracting and therefore provide an exogenous mechanism for synchronizing whole populations of organisms. Structural stability arguments are used to extend the results to more general life systems.
Exclusive and common targets of neostriatofugal projections of rat striosome neurons: a single neuron‐tracing study using a viral vector

The rat neostriatum has a mosaic organization composed of striosome/patch compartments embedded in a more extensive matrix compartment, which are distinguished from each other by the input–output organization as well as by the expression of many molecular markers. The matrix compartment gives rise to the dual γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic striatofugal systems, i.e. direct and indirect pathway neurons, whereas the striosome compartment is considered to involve direct pathway neurons alone. Although the whole axonal arborization of matrix striatofugal neurons has been examined in vivo by intracellular staining, that of striosome neurons has never been studied at the single neuron level. In the present study, the axonal arborizations of single striosome projection neurons in rat neostriatum were visualized in their entirety using a viral vector expressing membrane‐targeted green fluorescent protein, and compared with that of matrix projection neurons. We found that not only matrix but also striosome compartments contained direct and indirect pathway neurons. Furthermore, only striatonigral neurons in the striosome compartment projected directly to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), although they sent a substantial number of axon collaterals to the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus and/or substantia nigra pars reticulata. These results suggest that striosome neurons play a more important role in the formation of reward‐related signals of SNc dopaminergic neurons than do matrix neurons. Together with data from previous studies in the reinforcement learning theory, our results suggest that these direct and indirect striosome–SNc pathways together with nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons may help striosome neurons to acquire the state‐value function.
ABI domain‐containing proteins contribute to surface protein display and cell division in Staphylococcus aureus

The human pathogen Staphyloccocus aureus requires cell wall anchored surface proteins to cause disease. During cell division, surface proteins with YSIRK signal peptides are secreted into the cross‐wall, a layer of newly synthesized peptidoglycan between separating daughter cells. The molecular determinants for the trafficking of surface proteins are, however, still unknown. We screened mutants with non‐redundant transposon insertions by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting for reduced deposition of protein A (SpA) into the staphylococcal envelope. Three mutants, each of which harboured transposon insertions in genes for transmembrane proteins, displayed greatly reduced envelope abundance of SpA and surface proteins with YSIRK signal peptides. Characterization of the corresponding mutations identified three transmembrane proteins with abortive infectivity (ABI) domains, elements first described in lactococci for their role in phage exclusion. Mutations in genes for ABI domain proteins, designated spdA, spdB and spdC (surface protein display), diminish the expression of surface proteins with YSIRK signal peptides, but not of precursor proteins with conventional signal peptides. spdA, spdB and spdC mutants display an increase in the thickness of cross‐walls and in the relative abundance of staphylococci with cross‐walls, suggesting that spd mutations may represent a possible link between staphylococcal cell division and protein secretion.
Semigroups, d‐invariants and deformations of cuspidal singular points of plane curves

We study δ ‐constant deformations of plane curve singularities from a topological point of view. We introduce a topological counterpart to a δ ‐constant deformation in singularity theory. Methods from Heegaard Floer theory give a purely topological proof of the semicontinuity property for semigroups of singular points of plane curves under δ ‐constant deformation. Using the same approach, we also give a knot‐theoretical result concerning minimal unknotting sequences of torus knots. To conclude, we describe generalizations to arbitrary knots.
Some effects on the rumen micro-organisms of overfeeding a high barley ration.

Summary. When the barley ration fed to a heifer was increased from a steady rate of 3 × 1·7 kg/24 h to 10 kg within 7 h, the animal became lethargic and scoured, and rumen movement ceased. These clinical symptoms were accompanied by gross changes in the bacterial flora of the rumen. Lactobacilli increased from 1·3 × 104/ml to 1·96 × 109/ml and comprised 60–65% of the total viable count, displacing the usual ‘barley type organisms’ (bacteroides and Gram negative vibrio types) as the predominant organisms. At the same time rumen lactic acid concentration rose to 912 mg/100 ml and the pH value fell from 5·7 to 4·5. After recovery of the animal and reintroduction of restricted feeding the ration was slowly increased until it reached a daily level approximating to the amount taken during the period of rapid feeding. The ration of a second animal was similarly increased. The animals showed no ill effects; lactobacilli comprised only 0·19 and 1·17%, respectively, of the total viable counts, rumen lactic acid was < 5 mg/100 ml and the rumen pH values were 5·2 and 5·5 for the 2 animals. Bacteria of the genus Bacteroides predominated in both rumina.
LEVELS OF 5-HYDROXYINDOLEACETIC ACID, GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID AND NITRIC OXIDE METABOLITES IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF EGYPTIAN WOMEN SUFFERING OF FIBROMYALGIA

Hypothesis: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex chronic disorder predominately affects women. The lack of objective analytical image for diagnosis and prognosis of FM attract many investigators to evaluate the neuroendocrine changes in body fluids that may be related to the pathophysiology of FM. Objectives & Methodology: To compare the levels of 5hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA, serotonin metabolite), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of normoglycemic women suffering of FM with those of control group. In addition, levels of insulin, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cortisol, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin), GABA, and NO metabolites were determined in serum of FM patients compared to control group. Moreover, the correlations between all the studied parameters were performed. Results: The present study showed altered serum levels of insulin and cortisol in normoglycemic women suffering of FM (n=15) compared to those of control group (n=15). However, the data did not find significant differences between serum levels of IGF-1 in women suffering of FM and those in healthy women. Cortisol levels in FM sera were inversely correlated with the number of tender points (r=-0.76, p<0.001). Also, negative
Clinical importance of bone marrow monocytic nodules in patients with myelodysplasia: Retrospective analysis of 21 cases

Bone marrow monocytic nodules (MNs) can occur in various myeloid disorders. This retrospective review identified 21 patients with myelodysplasia who had unusual and distinct MNs. Eight patients had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML); 4 had acute myeloid leukemia (AML); and 9 had myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases. In each case, the cells forming MNs expressed strong CD68. MNs appeared to persist even after aggressive chemotherapy, including conventional chemotherapy for 2 AML patients and high‐dose chemotherapy preceding allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for 1 CMML patient. Thirteen of 21 patients (62%) died, and acute leukemic transformation was the main cause of death in 3 of 8 patients with CMML. The median survival of the 20 patients with appropriate follow‐up was 9.8 months. Our findings demonstrate that MNs are associated with CMML, AML, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative diseases and suggest that MNs are resistant to intensive chemotherapy and patients with bone marrow MNs have a poor prognosis. Am. J. Hematol. 79:329–331, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidental Findings in CT Colonography: Literature Review and Survey of Current Research Practice

Incidental findings (IFs) of potential medical significance are seen in approximately 5-8 percent of asymptomatic subjects and 16 percent of symptomatic subjects participating in large computed tomography (CT) colonography (CTC) studies, with the incidence varying further by CT acquisition technique. While most CTC research programs have a well-defined plan to detect and disclose IFs, such plans are largely communicated only verbally. Written consent documents should also inform subjects of how IFs of potential medical significance will be detected and reported in CTC research studies.
Scan-phase antenna diversity system for improvements in SDARS audio availability at very low signal-to-noise ratios

Satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) systems are available in North America since 2001. They offer a high audio quality with a coverage of the complete continental US as well as Canada. The advantages of SDARS systems are their large coverage area, a high quality of service and a broad variety of channels.
DNA polymerase template switching at specific sites on the φ29 genome causes the in vivo accumulation of subgenomic φ29 DNA molecules

The accumulation of subgenomic phage φ29 DNA molecules with specific sizes was observed after prolonged infection times with delayed lysis phage mutants. Whereas the majority of the molecules had a size of 4 kb, additional DNA species were observed with sizes of 8.2, 6.5, 2.3, 2 and 1 kb. Most of the molecules were shown to originate from the right end of the linear Bacillus subtilis phage φ29 genome. The nature of the 4, 2.3, 2 and 1 kb molecules was studied. The 2 kb molecules were shown to be single‐stranded self‐complementary strands forming hairpin structures. The other molecules consisted of palindromic linear double‐stranded DNA molecules. Most probably, the subgenomic DNA molecules were formed when the moving phage replication fork from the right origin encountered a block that induces the DNA polymerase to switch template. Once formed, the subgenomic molecules are then amplified in vivo. Determination of the centres of symmetry of the 4 and 1 kb molecules revealed that both contained the almost 16 bp perfect dyad symmetry element (DSE): 5′‐TGTTtCAC‐GTGgAACA‐3′ being a likely candidate for a protein binding site. Database analysis showed that this sequence occurs four times in the φ29 genome. In addition, the almost identical sequence 5′‐TgGTTTCAC‐GTGGAAtCA‐3′ was found once. These five DSEs are all located in the right half of the φ29 genome, and the same sequences are also present in the linear DNA of related B. subtilis phages. Most interestingly, this sequence is also found in the spoOJ gene of the B. subtilis chromosome. Recently, it has been shown that the SpoOJ protein is associated in vivo with the same DSE. As the same subgenomic φ29 DNA molecules accumulate after infection of B. subtilis spoOJ deletion strains, it is likely that, in addition to and/or independently of SpoOJ, other protein(s) bind to DSE.
The impact of digital games in education

The impact of digital games in education by Begoña Gros In recent years, electronic games, home computers, and the Internet have assumed an important place in the lives and children and adolescents. New media are causing major changes in the nature of learning. There is a vast gap between the way people learn and the way in which new generations approach information and knowledge. Nonetheless, in the formal educational setting the new media are still under­represented.
The Kveim reaction in sarcoidosis.

CONSIDERABLE interest has recently been aroused by Kveim's report1of the production of an unusual cutaneous reaction in patients with sarcoidosis by the intracutaneous injection of heated saline suspensions of tissue obtained from persons with active disease. Kveim found that after the transient inflammatory response caused by the trauma of such an injection had subsided, a small, indurated papule developed at the test site within a variable period of time. This delayed papular reaction was distinctive in that it often required weeks to attain its maximum size and usually remained visible for many months thereafter. Microscopic examination of tissue from sites of such reactions showed a histologic structure essentially the same as that of the lesions of the natural disease. Since control injections of Frei antigen and old tuberculin injected simultaneously with the suspensions of tissue into the same patients produced no comparable response, and, since the sarcoid material
Integration in a Normal World: Fractional Brownian Motion and Beyond

Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076 Aalto www.aalto. fi Author Lauri Viitasaari Name of the doctoral dissertation Integration in a Normal World: Fractional Brownian Motion and Beyond Publisher School of Science Unit Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis Series Aalto University publication series DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS 14/2014 Field of research Mathematics Manuscript submitted 12 November 2013 Date of the defence 28 February 2014 Permission to publish granted (date) 14 January 2014 Language English Monograph Article dissertation (summary + original articles) Abstract This thesis is about stochastic integration with respect to Gaussian processes that are not semimartingales. Firstly, we study approximations of integrals with respect to fractional Brownian motion and derive an upper bound for an average approximation error. Secondly, we study the existence of pathwise integrals with respect to a wide class of Gaussian processes and integrands. We prove the existence of two different notions of pathwise integrals. Moreover, these two different integrals coincide. As an application of these results, the thesis contains integral representations for arbitrary random variables. Finally, we study a certain model involving a Gaussian process and provide estimators for different parameters. We apply Malliavin calculus and divergence integrals to obtain central limit theorems for our estimators.
Reduction of the nucleic acid content of single‐cell protein concentrates

Methods for reducing the content of nucleic acid in protein concentrates from disintegrated yeast and microalgae were investigated. Protein concentrates were prepared by acid precipitation of extracted protein after cell wall separation. The influence of alkaline protein extraction on the content of RNA in isoelectrically precipitated protein concentrates was studied. It was found that when a strong decrease in the RNA content was obtained, this was followed by a decrease in the yield of protein concentrate. Protein concentrates were also prepared without cell wall separation by precipitation with different agents after cell disintegration. In the precipitates from microalgae, a RNA reduction was obtained. Precipitation of yeast, protein gave no essential reduction with the precipitants used. Precipitation of yeast protein by heating at an alkaline pH gave a protein concentrate with a low content of RNA. A slightly lower RNA content was obtained when the precipitation was performed in the presence of NaCl. The yield of amino acid nitrogen was 70–80% and the RNA content was 1–2%. A process with precipitation at alkaline pH for the production of microbial protein concentrates with a low content of nucleic acid is suggested.
Sensitivity Analysis and Optimal Shape Design for Bone-Prosthesis Interfaces in a Femoral Head Surface Replacement

Abstract A numerical optimization procedure has been applied for the shape optimal design of a femoral head surface replacement. The failure modes of the prosthesis that were considered in the formulation of the objective functions concerned the interface stress magnitude and the bone remodelling activity beneath the implant. In order to find a compromising solution between different requirements demanded by the two objective functions, a two step optimization procedure has been developed. Through step I the minimization of interface stress was achieved, through step 2 the minimization of bone remodelling was achieved with constraints on interface stresses. The results obtained provided an optimal design that generates limited bone remodelling activity with controlled interface stress distribution. The computational procedure was based on the application of the finite element method, linked to a mathematical programming package and a design sensitivity analysis package.
Study of the PVRL1 Gene in Italian Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip Patients with or without Cleft Palate

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is a complex genetic trait and little is known about its aetiology. Recent investigations on rare clefting syndromes provided interesting clues about genes involved in face development. The PVRL1 gene encodes nectin1, a cell‐to‐cell adhesion molecule. Mutations in its sequence have been shown to cause the rare autosomal recessive syndrome CL/P‐ectodermal dysplasia syndrome (CLPED1), while heterozygosity for the mutation W185X seemed to increase the risk of non syndromic CL/P in a population from northern Venezuela. In the present study, we screened 143 Italian CL/P patients for mutations in PVRL1. Three rare sequence variants in exon 3 that create amino‐acid changes were detected in a total of 7 patients. Two of these mutations were not found in a panel of 292 unaffected controls, while the third was found in two controls. This study describes new mutations that may represent genetic risk factors for CL/P. Even though a study to look at the effects of the mutations on nectin1 function was not feasible, supporting evidence was reported, thus confirming the involvement of PVRL1 in the aetiology of non‐syndromic CL/P malformation.
Potential of bioactive glass particles of different size ranges to affect bone formation in interproximal periodontal defects in dogs.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the potential of bioactive glass particles of different size ranges to affect bone formation in periodontal defects, using the guided tissue regeneration model in dogs. METHODS In six dogs, 2-wall intrabony periodontal defects were surgically created and chronified on the mesial surfaces of mandibular third premolars and first molars bilaterally. After 1 month, each defect was randomly assigned to treatment with bioabsorbable membrane in association with bioactive glass with particle sizes between 300 and 355 microm (group 1) or between 90 and 710 microm (group 2), membrane alone (group 3), or negative control (group 4). The dogs were sacrificed 12 weeks after surgeries, and histomorphometric measurements were made of the areas of newly formed bone, new mineralized bone, and bioactive glass particle remnants. RESULTS With regard to the area of bioactive glass particle remnants, there was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2, favoring group 1. There were greater areas of mineralized bone in groups 1 and 2 compared to groups 3 and 4 (P <0.05). CONCLUSION The bioactive glass particles of small size range underwent faster resorption and substitution by new bone than the larger particles, and the use of bioactive glass particles favored the formation of mineralized bone.
Body Dysmorphic Symptoms, Functional Impairment, and Depression: The Role of Appearance-Based Teasing

ABSTRACT Body dysmorphic disorder is associated with elevated social and occupational impairment and comorbid depression, but research on risk factors for body dysmorphic symptoms and associated outcomes is limited. Appearance-based teasing may be a potential risk factor. To examine the specificity of this factor, the authors assessed self-reported appearance-based teasing, body dysmorphic, and obsessive-compulsive symptom severity, functional impairment (i.e., social, occupational, family impairment), and depression in a nonclinical sample of undergraduates. As hypothesized, appearance-based teasing was positively correlated with body dysmorphic symptoms. The correlation between teasing and body dysmorphic symptoms was stronger than that between teasing and obsessive-compulsive symptom severity. Last, body dysmorphic symptom severity and appearance-based teasing interacted in predicting functional impairment and depression. Specifically, appearance-based teasing was positively associated with depression and functional impairment only in those with elevated body dysmorphic symptoms. When a similar moderation was tested with obsessive-compulsive, in place of body dysmorphic, symptom severity, the interaction was nonsignificant. Findings support theory that appearance-based teasing is a specific risk factor for body dysmorphic symptoms and associated functional impairment.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms derived from ancestral populations show no evidence for biased diversity estimates in Drosophila melanogaster

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are about to become one of the most popular genetic markers for genetic model organisms. To test the usefulness of SNPs for estimating genetic diversity, we surveyed three genomic regions in two Drosophila melanogaster populations, one from Africa and one European, collected in Austria. Diversity estimates based on the full SNP set indicated higher levels of variability in the African than in the European flies. When the analysis was based on the European SNP set, European and African flies had similar levels of variability. Interestingly, this bias was not observed for diversity estimates using SNPs derived from the ancestral African population. This result suggests that diversity estimates based on SNPs from ancestral populations could provide a general strategy to avoid biased SNP diversity estimates. Finally, the potential of SNPs for nonmodel organisms is discussed.
Recombinant Hirudin: Genetic Engineering and Structure Analysis

The anticoagulant properties of an extract of leech heads were recognized as early as 1884, but it was not until the 1950s that the active agent, named hirudin, was isolated and characterised as a polypeptide. 1 Hirudin, from the leech Hirudo medicinalis, is the most potent and specific thrombin inhibitor known. The purification and structural characterization of natural hirudins have been extensively studied, 2-5 and the primary structures of three variants, designated HV1, HV2, and HV3, have been determined. More recently, additional isoinhibitors were isolated from the leech with strong homology to the three known forms. 5 Hirudin isoinhibitors have a single polypeptide chain of 65 or 66 amino acid residues, six cysteine residues, and chemical molecular weights of approximately 7000 d. The N-terminal five amino acid residues are hydrophobic, followed by the core region linked through three disulfide bridges. The C-terminal region is rich in acidic residues, which are important for the binding to the recognition site of thrombin in the complex. In the natural molecules, the tyrosine at position 63 has been postribosomally modified to a tyrosine-O-sulfate. Figure 1 shows sequence alignment of the three major variants and their high degree of homology with only 13 variable positions.