Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protein–Nanoparticle Interaction: Corona Formation and Conformational Changes in Proteins on Nanoparticles

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) are highly potent tools for the diagnosis of diseases and specific delivery of therapeutic agents. Their development and application are scientifically and industrially important. The engineering of NPs and the modulation of their in vivo behavior have been extensively studied, and significant achievements have been made in the past decades. However, in vivo applications of NPs are often limited by several difficulties, including inflammatory responses and cellular toxicity, unexpected distribution and clearance from the body, and insufficient delivery to a specific target. These unfavorable phenomena may largely be related to the in vivo protein–NP interaction, termed “protein corona. ” The layer of adsorbed proteins on the surface of NPs affects the biological behavior of NPs and changes their functionality, occasionally resulting in loss-of-function or gain-of-function. The formation of a protein corona is an intricate process involving complex kinetics and dynamics between the two interacting entities. Structural changes in corona proteins have been reported in many cases after their adsorption on the surfaces of NPs that strongly influence the functions of NPs. Thus, understanding of the conformational changes and unfolding process of proteins is very important to accelerate the biomedical applications of NPs. Here, we describe several protein corona characteristics and specifically focus on the conformational fluctuations in corona proteins induced by NPs.
FOSSILS, PHYLOGENY, AND TAXONOMIC RATES OF EVOLUTION

Novacek, M. J., and M. A. Norell (Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., New York 10024; Department of Zoology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182) 1982. Fossils, phylogeny, and taxonomic rates of evolution. Syst. Zool. , 31:366-375. -Studies of taxonomic rates of evolution depend largely on a literal reading of the fossil record for extinction and origination events. This approach can yield estimates that grossly misrepresent phylogenetic patterns derived independently from character analysis. Such distortion can arise even in cases (e.g., Primates) where the fossil record is thought to be comparatively well-documented. Results of studies of rates at broader taxonomic levels (e.g., mammals versus bivalves) vary markedly according to, often unwarranted, assumptions regarding origination times. The significance of much of the published study on taxonomic rates is moot until fossil data for these rates are broadly compared with cladistic hypotheses. [Fossils; phylogeny; rates of evolution. ] At least since the 19th Century, paleontologists have recognized turnover in the fossil record as evidence for sweeping biological histories-the rise and fall of diverse clades and communities in the face of environmental change. But these paleontological data eventually took on additional, and more refined, implications. Simpson's (1944) contributions to the Modern Synthesis included his assessments of taxonomic rates of evolution. Such rates were derived from recorded durations of members (usually genera) of large clades. Average rates were thought to be signatures of a kind of "evolutionary metabolism" for a particular group. Simpson (1944) emphasized calculable differences in taxonomic rates; he thus contrasted the upbeat tempos in the evolution of mammals (represented by the Carnivora) with the sluggish evolutionary pace of the clams. The measurement of such taxonomic rates has been, and remains, a popular area of research (see, for example, recent volumes of the journal Paleobiology). Following the basic techniques applied by Simpson (1944), many workers have recognized three categories of taxonomic rate. While most groups show a characteristic frequiency distribution of rates, known as horotely, a few clades fall outside this distribution by demonstrating distinctly faster (tachytelic) or slower (bradytelic) rates. Classic examples of tachytelic lineages include mammals, trilobites, and ammonites. Representives of bradytelic lineages include the so-called "living fossils" (Simpson, 1944), the horseshoe "crabs," lungfishes, bairdiid ostracods, and an assortment of other poorly diversified groups (Stanley, 1975,
Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercises Evokes Longer Reductions on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Resistant Hypertension: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Aim The present study compared the acute effects of aerobic (AER), resistance (RES), and combined (COM) exercises on blood pressure (BP) levels in people with resistant hypertension (RH) and nonresistant hypertension (NON-RH). Methods Twenty patients (10 RH and 10 NON-RH) were recruited and randomly performed three exercise sessions and a control session. Ambulatory BP was monitored over 24 hours after each experimental session. Results Significant reductions on ambulatory BP were found in people with RH after AER, RES, and COM sessions. Notably, ambulatory BP was reduced during awake-time and night-time periods after COM. On the other hand, the effects of AER were more prominent during awake periods, while RES caused greater reductions during the night-time period. In NON-RH, only RES acutely reduced systolic BP, while diastolic BP was reduced after all exercise sessions. However, the longest postexercise ambulatory hypotension was observed after AER (~11 h) in comparison to RES (~8 h) and COM (~4 h) exercises. Conclusion Findings of the present study indicate that AER, RES, and COM exercises elicit systolic and diastolic postexercise ambulatory hypotension in RH patients. Notably, longer hypotension periods were observed after COM exercise. In addition, NON-RH and RH people showed different changes on BP after exercise sessions, suggesting that postexercise hypotension is influenced by the pathophysiological bases of hypertension.
Post-traumatic stress in parents of long-term childhood cancer survivors compared to parents of the Swiss general population

Abstract Background: We describe post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in parents of long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS-parents) and compare them to parents of similar-aged children (comparison-parents) of the Swiss general population (SGP). We compare type of reported stressful event, prevalence of PTSS and PTSD, and psychosocial and cancer-related characteristics associated with PTSS. We further describe the respective normative data for the SGP. Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey in a population-based sample of long-term CCS-parents (survivors aged ≤16 years at diagnosis, ≥20 years at study, >5 years post-diagnosis) and in the SGP. Using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, we measured PTSS regarding the most stressful event experienced, and computed probable cases of PTSD. Results: Participants included 663 CCS-parents (39.4% fathers) and 1035 individuals of the SGP (40.0% male), of which we identified 391 comparison-parents (41.2% fathers). Illness was most often indicated as stressful event (CCS-parents: 49.5%, comparison-parents: 27.6%, SGP: 25.3%). Prevalence of PTSS and PTSD (CCS-parents: 4.8%, comparison-parents: 6.7%, SGP: 5.6%) did not significantly differ. Lower education was associated with higher intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal in all samples (all P ≤ .003). Parents of children with a chronic illness reported higher intrusion (all P ≤ .004). We found no associations with cancer-related characteristics. Conclusions: No increased risk for PTSS or PTSD was found among CCS-parents. Individuals with lower education and those with a chronically ill child might benefit from additional support to help manage and resolve the stress symptoms in the long term.
Developing Prospects of Microarray Proteomics

“Proteomics” can be defined as a field of research studying proteins in terms of their function, expression, structure, modification and their interaction in physiological and in pathological states. It is not only a powerful research tools for the proteomics, but also a new means of early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment evaluation in the clinical application. Protein microarray technology possesses some of the greatest potential for providing direct information on protein function and potential drug targets. In the near future, protein chips may allow construction of complete relational databases for metabolic and signal transduction pathways. For example, functional protein microarrays are ideal tools suited for the mapping of biological pathways. The principle, classification, preparation, application, advantages, disadvantages and development prospects of the Microarray Proteomics are introduced. Protein microarray technology possesses some of the greatest potential for providing direct information on protein function and potential drug targets. We strongly believe that functional protein microarrays will soon become an indispensible and invaluable tool in proteomics research and systems biology.
INTERSEXUAL COMPETITION IN A POLYGYNOUS MATING SYSTEM

In the facultatively polygynous European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) males attract from one to four mates. Males gain by mating polygynously because they produce more offspring by doing so. This is true also genetically, since polygynous males on average father the same proportion of offspring as monogamous males. However, the marginal benefit of attracting additional mates is negatively affected by extra-pair parentage, which is slightly higher in males' secondary broods. Whereas mating as a secondary female is a better option for floater females than either not reproducing at all or reproducing as a brood parasite, already mated females suffer a cost when their mates attract additional mates. This is because they have to share the parental care provided by the male. Males divide parental investment primarily in relation to the timing of the broods produced by their females, investing mainly in the earliest brood. Male parentage has little effect on male care. Already mated females use aggression to prevent floater females to establish a pair-bond with their mates. The mating system in the starling results from the differing interests of males and females. To be able to construct models predicting when a particular mating system should be expected, more has to be learnt about the costs of male mate attraction and nest defence behaviour and female aggression.
Brain plasticity of rats exposed to prenatal immobilization stress

H. Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry, NAS of Republic of Armenia 5/1, P. Sevak Str. , Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, 0014 1L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology, NAS of Republic of Armenia 22, Orbeli Str. , Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, 0028 2Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi, Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Armenia 2, Koryun Str. , Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, 0025
The Evolution of CATS

This article examines genomic findings in the DNA of the world's wild cats and says the information has clarified the cat family tree and uncovered remarkable migrations in their past. DNA evidence shows that all living cats trace back to a pantherlike predator that lived in Southeast Asia nearly 11 million years ago. The big roaring cats were the first to branch off and seven other lineages followed. As the sea levels rose and fell, the cats migrated and developed into new species. INSETS: KEY CONCEPTS;SOLVING THE CAT PUZZLE.
"Ingroup Love" and "Outgroup Hate" as Motives for Individual Participation in Intergroup Conflict: A New Game Paradigm

What motivates individual self-sacrificial behavior in intergroup conflicts? Is it the altruistic desire to help the ingroup or the aggressive drive to hurt the outgroup? This paper introduces a new game paradigm, the Intergroup Prisoner’s Dilemma – Maximizing Difference (IPD-MD) game, designed specifically to distinguish between these two motives. The game involves two groups. Each group member is given a monetary endowment and can decide how much of it to contribute. Contribution can be made to either of two pools, one which benefits the ingroup at a personal cost, and another which, in addition, harms the outgroup. An experiment demonstrated that contributions in the IPD-MD game are made almost exclusively to the cooperative within-group pool. Moreover, pre-play intragroup communication increases intragroup cooperation but not intergroup competition. These results are compared with those observed in the Intergroup Prisoner's Dilemma (IPD) game, where group members' contributions are restricted to the competitive between-group pool. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Integration of Chemical, Cultural, and Biological Control of Insect and Mite Pests

In previous presidential addresses, the speaker often has concerned himself with chemical or cultural control of insect pests. In the past decade, however, there has been revived interest in the biological control of injurious insects and mites. A quick glance at the titles of papers to be presented at this meeting cannot help but impress one with this fact. I believe that we have now progressed to the point where we should be seriously considering the possibilities of integrating chemical, cultural, and biological control.
Modeling Postfire Mortality of Ponderosa Pine following a Mixed-Severity Wildfire in the Black Hills: The Role of Tree Morphology and Direct Fire Effects

We examined the relationship among tree size, crown and stem damage, and 5 years of postfire mortality of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. P. & C. Laws.) in the Black Hills following a large, mixed-severity wildfire. We measured tree morphology and direct fire effects on 963 trees and assessed individual tree mortality annually from 2001 to 2005. We used logistic regression to model tree mortality as a function of tree morphology (dbh) and bark thickness (BARK) and direct fire effects [percentage of the live crown scorched (PSCOR) and basal char measured as the percentage of the bole charred below 30 cm (CHAR)]. Models using dbh and BARK were modeled separately due to correlation between the variables. In all models, mortality decreased with increasing dbh and BARK and increased with increasing PSCOR and CHAR. Basal char contributed to the mortality of trees less than 40 cm but became less influential as dbh and BARK increased. Overall, probability of mortality modeled as a function of dbh, PSCOR, and CHAR correctly predicted the status of 78% of trees, whereas the model predicting mortality as a function of BARK, PSCOR, and CHAR had an increase in prediction accuracy of only 1%. FOR. SCI. 52(5):530–539.
Spatial distribution pattern of tree individuals in the Schrenk spruce forest, northwest China

The spatial dispersion pattern of individual trees in forest communities is one of the central topics in community ecology. The Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana) forest is the most widely spreaded forest type in Xingjiang Province, northwest China. It has profound significance in soil and water conservation, timber harvesting, and climate regulation to the region. Understanding tree dispersion pattern is important to conserve and manage the forest sustainablly. Two sample plots in the Xingjiang Agriculture University's Experimental Forest, with the area of 2.52 hm~2 and 3.0 hm~2, were set up for field investigation. Species within each plot were identified, and number of species, tree height, tree age, and DBH (diameter at breast high) were recorded for each individual tree. The spatial distribution pattern of individual trees was further analyzed using the Ripley's K function. The results showed that Schrenk Spruce tree individuals distributed in an aggregative fashion. X~2 test showed that there was no significant deviation from the Poisson expectation to a distance of 10 m, but significant clumping pattern occurred beyond this distance, and it could reach 86 m. Two measures about the population distribution pattern, Ripley's K statistic and quadrat methods were compared and the result showed that the former was better. This suggested that random distribution at the local (nearest neighbor) scales gave way to the clumpy pattern at larger scales. Furthermore, dead Schrenk trees were significantly clumped at all scales. Two other common tree species in the Schrenk spruce forest, Betula tianschanica Rupr. and Salix tianschanica Rgl. were also distributed aggregatively, and the degree of aggregation is even higher than that of spruce trees. The aggregation of Betula and Salix is different in two sample plots because of the succession stage is different. The spatial distribution pattern of Schrenk Spruce was closely related to tree ages. The younger the trees, the more aggregative the distribution pattern tended to be. But the degree of aggregation of Spruce trees with ages larger than 150 years tended to be higher than any other age classes due to the forming of forest gaps. Individual tree distribution pattern could also be influenced by its regeneration characteristics and surrounding microenvironments. Further studies should be devoted to analyze the relationship between the spatial distribution pattern and these influencing factors.
Service Quality Of University Library: A Survey Amongst Students At Osmangazi University And Anadolu University

Student satisfaction is an important measure of service quality in libraries. Students’ perceptions about libraries seem to have been largely ignored by library management in developing countries. The assessment of service quality provides an important feedback for libraries to assess and improve its service to its users. The aim of this study is to develop a reliable and valid instrument measure student satisfaction in Osmangazi University Library and Anadolu University Library. A questionnaire to measure the service quality of university libraries was used and a total of 400 students at two university libraries were interviewed. Factor analysis was utilized to determine the factor structure. The instrument of the student satisfaction developed in this study provides insights to the researches who study the improvement of student satisfaction with service quality of university libraries and decision markers.
A computational model for unsupervised word discovery

We present an unsupervised algorithm for the discovery of words and word-like fragments from the speech signal, without using an upfront defined lexicon or acoustic phone models. The algorithm is based on a combination of acoustic pattern discovery, clustering, and temporal sequence learning. It exploits the acoustic similarity between multiple acoustic tokens of the same words or word-like fragments. In its current form, the algorithm is able to discover words in speech with low perplexity (connected digits). Although its performance still falls off compared to mainstream ASR approaches, the value of the algorithm is its potential to serve as a computational model in two research directions. First, the algorithm may lead to an approach for speech recognition that is fundamentally liberated from the modelling constraints in conventional ASR. Second, the proposed algorithm can be interpreted as a computational model of language acquisition that takes actual speech as input and is able to find words as ’emergent’ properties from raw input.
ON THE EVOLUTIONARY IMPORTANCE OF CYTOPLASMIC STERILITY IN MOSQUITOES

Og Ha In mosquitoes, it has been repeatedly described that crosses between local races or subspecies may be fertile if the cross is carried out in one direction, completely sterile if it is carried out in the opposite direction. This phenomenon has been thoroughly investigated by Laven (1957) using local populations of Culex pipiens. He particularly investigated two strains from Hamburg (Ha) and Oggelshausen (Og) in which the cross ~ Ha X rl' Og is fertile, while in the cross ~ Og X rl' Ha the offspring die as embryos. He transferred the Og genome by 52 successive generations of outcrosses of (~Ha X rl' Og) hybrids to Ogmales into Ha cytoplasm, and found that the resulting animals as males do not produce viable offspring when crossed to Og females. Though other interpretations are not rigidly excluded, Laven suggests as the most likely explanation a cytoplasmic difference between strains Ha and Og which results in incompatability between the cytoplasm of an Og ovum and a cytoplasmic component of Ha sperm, leading to death of the embryos. Considering the evolutionary implications of this situation, Laven points out that in this situation genes may pass from strain Og into strain Ha, but not in the opposite direction. He suggests that a cytoplasmic cross-sterility of the type described may lead to a partial sexual isolation barrier, aiding in this way in the genetic differentiation of local popultations. The following theoretical considerations will show that this is not necessarily the case, in fact that random mating in a mixed population consisting of organisms with the cytoplasms of Ha and Og will result in the rapid elimination of the Og cytoplasm. Let the frequencies of the cytoplasmic types of individuals in the population at one generation be: