Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does the avoidance of sexual costs increase fitness in asexual invaders?

The high prevalence of sexual reproduction is considered a paradox mainly for two reasons. First, asexuals should enjoy various growth benefits because they seemingly rid themselves of the many inefficiencies of sexual reproduction—the so-called costs of sex. Second, there seems to be no lack of asexual origins because losses of sexual reproduction have been described in almost every larger eukaryotic taxon. Current attempts to resolve this paradox concentrate on a few hypotheses that provide universal benefits that would compensate for these costs and give sexual reproduction a net advantage. However, are new asexual lineages really those powerful invaders that could quickly displace their sexual ancestors? Research on the costs of sex indicates that sex is often stabilized by highly lineage-specific mechanisms. Two main categories can be distinguished. First are beneficial traits that evolved within a particular species and became tightly associated with sex (e.g., a mating system that involves sexual selection, or a sexual diapausing stage that allows survival through harsh periods). If such traits are absent in asexuals, simple growth efficiency considerations will not capture the fitness benefits gained by skipping sexual reproduction. Second, lineage-specific factors might prevent asexuals from reaching their full potential (e.g., dependence on fertilization in sperm-dependent parthenogens). Such observations suggest that the costs of sex are highly variable and often lower than theoretical considerations suggest. This has implications for the magnitude of universal benefits required to resolve the paradox of sex.
The Influence of HLA-DRB1 Genes on Disease Severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVE To explore the role of HLA-DRB1 genes in determining disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN Case series of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. SETTING The outpatient clinic of the Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic. PATIENTS One hundred and two patients with seropositive, erosive rheumatoid arthritis and a minimum disease duration of 3 years. MEASUREMENTS Patients were genotyped for both HLA-DRB1 alleles and were categorized according to the expression of one or two disease-linked HLA-DRB1 alleles. Identification of HLA-DRB1 alleles was done by the polymerase chain reaction and subsequent oligonucleotide hybridization. Homozygosity for allelic variants was confirmed by sequence analysis. Immunogenetically defined patient subgroups were retrospectively evaluated for joint destruction and patterns of disease manifestation, including rheumatoid organ disease. RESULTS Of 102 patients, 98 (96%) expressed the disease-linked sequence polymorphism. Forty-seven patients (46%) carried a double dose of the relevant sequence stretch: Twenty-eight patients expressed HLA-DRB1*04 variants on both alleles, and 19 combined an HLA-DRB*04 variant with HLA-DRB1*0101 or DRB1*1402. Nodular disease was present in 100% of patients typed as HLA-DRB1*04/04 and in 59% of patients typed as HLA-DRB1*04 and who had inherited only a single dose of the disease-linked sequence polymorphism (P < 0.0001). Major organ systems were involved in 61% and 11% of these two patient groups, respectively (P < 0.0001); and joint surgery was required in 61% and 25% (P < 0.002), respectively. Patients typed as HLA-DR*04/01 had intermediate clinical courses. CONCLUSION Genotyping patients with rheumatoid arthritis for both HLA-DRB1 alleles identifies clinical subsets with distinct profiles of disease manifestations.
Effect on sperm quality of different cryoprotectants in sperm of Chinchilla lanigera

Summary Chinchilla lanigera is an endangered species therefore the development of cryopreservation protocols for its gametes is a useful tool in the application of assisted reproduction techniques. A study of the functionality of the spermatozoa punctured from the cauda epididymis was performed on fresh or frozen–thawed samples with three cryoprotective media (test-yolk buffer, sucrose and glycerol). The effect that these media had on sperm physiology during the freezing, storage and later thawing process was analysed. A decrease in the percentages of viability, motility, membrane integrity and capacity to undergo the induced acrosome reaction was found with all the media assayed, an increase in the percentages of DNA fragmentation was also observed. The comparative analysis of the effect of the different cryoprotectants assayed showed that the best medium to use to cryopreserve epididymal sperm in this species is test-yolk buffer. This medium had the least effect on the abovementioned physiological parameters, especially at the level of genetic material.
iLTC: Achieving Individual Comfort in Shared Spaces

Automatic control of HVAC and artificial lights has been one of the popular methods for achieving energy-efficient buildings. The current systems operate using fixed set-point controls, which are usually based on a conservative approach. Additionally, the lighting systems require additional sensor deployment to cope up with continuous fluctuation of natural light intensity. In this work, we describe a smart system called indoor Lighting and Temperature Controller (iLTC), which eliminates the fixed set-points and requirement of additional light sensors. iLTC decides operating set-points more aggressively, which is energy optimal and it tries to provide maximal user comfort to all the co-occupants in a shared space. The flexibility in choosing energy optimal set-points stems from the knowledge of comprehensive temperature and lighting comfort functions of individuals. To track the fluctuations in natural light intensity, we employ a smart estimation technique that requires light measurements only once during the training phase. Using the proposed system, we show the energy consumption by HVAC can be reduced up to 39\%. Similarly, compared to traditional on/off based and multilevel lighting systems with iLTC, energy consumption can be reduced up to 33\% and 60\%, respectively. We also provide qualitative user experience evaluation.
Quantitative Characterization of Microscopic Variations in the Cross-Link Density of Gels

We report the visualization and quantitative analysis of the cross-link structure in model core/shell hydrogel polymers on the microscopic scale, in a fully swollen state, using soft X-ray microscopy. The cross-link density in these materials and their microscopic or even nanoscopic variation critically influence materials characteristics, yet the cross-link density is difficult to characterize by conventional methods. By the use of soft X-ray microscopy, one can investigate these materials in a fully swollen state and thus directly visualize and quantitatively determine the cross-link structure on a microscopic scale. Materials that were cross-linked by different methods were shown to give rise to differently shaped profiles. Abrupt and gradient cross-link density profiles have been investigated, and the spatial variation in their cross-link density has been determined quantitatively.
Dual Role of CCR2 during Initiation and Progression of Collagen-Induced Arthritis: Evidence for Regulatory Activity of CCR2+ T Cells1

Chemokines play an important role in the recruitment of leukocytes and have recently been shown to also attract regulatory T cells. Using blocking mAbs, we analyzed the role of the chemokine receptor CCR2 during initiation and progression of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Blockade of CCR2 from days 0 to 15 markedly improved clinical signs of arthritis and histological scores measuring leukocyte infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, and bone and cartilage erosion. CCR2 blockade during disease initiation significantly reduced plasma titers of collagen Abs in vivo. In vitro CCR2 blockade also interfered with collagen-specific activation and proliferation of T cells. Surprisingly, CCR2 blockade from days 21 to 36 markedly aggravated clinical and histological signs of arthritis and increased the humoral immune response against collagen. We show that CCR2 is expressed on regulatory T cells. Purified CCR2+ T cells are fully anergic toward polyclonal and collagen-specific activation and potently suppress activation of other T and B cells. The subpopulation of CCR2+ CD25+ regulatory T cells increases ∼5-fold in the progression phase, while CCR2 expression on other leukocyte populations remains unchanged. These findings identify CCR2+ T cells as regulatory T cells and indicate that CCR2 also plays an important role in down-modulating an inflammatory response.
Histocompatibility-linked immune response genes.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides information on histocompatibility-linked immune response genes. The genetic study of the capacity to form specific immune responses has revealed that the recognition of antigens as immunogens by individual animals and inbred strains is governed by the product of individual dominant genes located in the genome in close relationship with the genes coding for the molecules bearing the major histocompatibility specificities. These genes are termed as “histocompatibility,” or “H-linked Ir genes. ” The presence of relevant genes permit immune responses to be formed, characterized by cellular immunity and antibody synthesis against the determinants on the antigens concerned. Three types of antigens are most useful in the identification of H-linked Ir genes: (1) synthetic polypeptides with limited structural heterogeneity; (2) alloantigens that differ slightly from their autologous counterparts, and (3) complex multideterminants antigens administered in limiting immunizing doses in conditions where only the most immunogenic determinants are recognized. Thus, the discovery of specific H-linked Ir genes depends upon experiments wherein the immunological system is presented with a challenge of highly restricted heterogeneity and specificity. The chapter presents a description of the specific immune responses that are under the control of H-linked Ir genes in guinea pigs, mice, and rats.
Physical activity and risk of ovarian cancer: An Italian case‐control study

The relationship between physical activity and the risk of ovarian cancer was analyzed using data from a case‐control study conducted between 1992 and 1999 in Italy. Cases were 1,031 women with incident, histologically confirmed, invasive epithelial ovarian cancer and controls were 2,411 women admitted to hospital for acute non‐neoplastic, non‐hormonal conditions. Compared to women with the lowest level of occupational physical activity, the ORs of ovarian cancer obtained adjusting for center, year of interview and age for women with the highest level of physical activity were 0.70, 0.52 and 0.64 (all statistically significant) respectively, at ages 15–19, 30–39 and 50–59 years, with significant trends in risk for the 2 youngest age groups. The corresponding ORs became 0.89, 0.67 and 0.76 after further allowance for several co‐variates of ovarian cancer, including education, which was positively associated with cancer risk. No significant association was found with leisure‐time physical activity though the risk was below unity in women with the highest level of activity. The multivariate OR was 0.44 for women with the highest level of combined occupational plus leisure‐time physical activity. The inverse relationship between occupational physical activity and ovarian cancer risk was not heterogeneous across strata of selected co‐variates. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A reactive power-aware on-demand routing protocol for wireless ad hoc networks

Ad hoc network routing protocols can be designed to give better energy conservation performance. We summarize the problems of power control in wireless ad hoc networks. The main discussion is to propose an energy-efficient reactive routing protocol. For such a routing protocol some related topics are considered, such as MAC layer requirement, transmitter power imbalance, route establishment, and route stability. Our protocol can be applied to some existing reactive routing protocols such as AODV or DSR to give significant efficient energy performance. A simulation model is used to test the performance and the results show that our protocol gives significant energy saving and improves link stability as well.
Proteomic analysis of lung cancer tumors.

7028 Background: In this study we assess the utility of direct tumor tissue MALDI-MS in a large prospective collection of surgically resected lung cancers to distinguish cancer from non-cancer, histology, occult lymph node involvement, and survival. METHODS 175 non-small cell lung cancer specimens and 62 histologically normal lung tissues obtained at the time of surgery were used in this analysis. Twelve micron thick frozen sections were placed on conductive glass slides. Sections were stained with Cresyl Violet and matrix applied to areas identified by a pathologist under microscopic guidance as containing greater than 80% tumor before three separate areas involved with tumor was analyzed by MALDI MS. Relative intensities of selected peaks were used for class comparison. A class prediction model was built based on the weighted flexible compound covariate method of analysis (WFCCM). RESULTS We created a prediction model from a training cohort consisting 81 tumors and 19 histologically normal tissue samples. A total of 221 peaks were used for statistical analysis. In tumor/normal discrimination, 46 peaks were used for the prediction model (p<0.0001), while, 22 were used (p<0.005) to predict histology, 11 (p<0.05) to predict nodal involvement, and 14 (p<0.005) in survival prediction. Using these prediction models, classification accuracy was 90% in normal/tumor discrimination, 81.8% in histology and 61.7% in nodal involvement prediction. In the survival prediction model, patients with longer than median survival could be distinguished from those with shorter than median survival (p<0.0001, Log-rank test). We then validated the same features in a blind test set from the remaining 93 tumors and 43 normals. For tumor/normal discrimination, prediction accuracy in test cohort was 94.3%. Histology prediction accuracy was 93.9% in predicting squamous cell carcinoma. Nodal involvement prediction accuracy was 49.3%. Longer or shorter median survival was also predicted in this set with statistical significance p<0.08. (Log rank test). CONCLUSION We report the analysis of a large set of tumor and normal samples by MALDI MS and confirm similar accuracy in tumor/normal, histology and survival discrimination to previous our report. This project was supported by the Lung SPORE P50 CA90949 (DPC) and NCI 5R33CA86243 (RMC). No significant financial relationships to disclose.
The Forum BEVI Project: Applications and Implications for International, Multicultural, and Transformative Learning.

In a diverse portfolio of curricular and programmatic options in colleges and universities, global education has become highly prominent over the past 50 years (O'Meara, Mehlinger, & Newman, 2001; De Wit & Merkx, 2012). To take one of any number of indices in this regard, the Institute of International Education (2014) reported that a record number of global students, 886,052, studied at U.S. institutions in 2013-14 (up 8.1 percent over the previous year) and 289,408 American students studied abroad in 2012-13 (an increase of 2.1 percent over the previous year) (see also International Association of Universities, 2010; Knight, 2006). At a complementary level, institutions of higher education now are interested in “the internationalization of research, offering dual degrees with foreign partners, establishing a branch of campuses abroad,” among other areas of emphasis (Marmolejo, 2011). Duru and Poyrazli (2007) contend that these sorts of trends demonstrate the important role that colleges and universities play in training workers for entry into the global marketplace. Likewise, Green (2013) notes that “higher education institutions in the United States are increasingly using the language of ‘global citizenship’ to describe the skills and habits they seek to cultivate in their students” (p. 52). Against this introductory backdrop, we begin this article with an overview of global education in the United States and a review of assessment instruments and approaches. We then will present 15 implications from the Forum-BEVI Project, a multi-year, multi-site assessment initiative that examined the processes and outcomes of international, multicultural, and transformative learning.1
System-level design and simulation of automation systems

As the complexity of production plants and factories grows, the complexity of the corresponding automation systems grows correspondingly. And therefore the size and the degree of interconnectivity of the software grows. For these reasons, the automation domain now encounters the same problems other domains such as avionic, telecommunication, or automotive have experienced before: The number of software problems and bugs does not grow proportionally with the software size. Instead, after a certain software size, software becomes a problem in its own right. And consequently, the automation domain applies similar solution strategies: model-based design on the system level, software component methods, or standardizations of software layers and platforms. This paper presents a new modeling approach which supports both model and software reuse: The Plant Signal Abstraction Layer.
Competition over Price and Service Rate when Demand is Stochastic: A Strategic Analysis

We consider a two-stage game in which firms simultaneously select prices and capacities (or equivalently, outputs). Then, a random number of consumers attend the market, and each consumer selects a firm to visit. Consumers know all prices and quantities but not the realization of aggregate demand. The probability of being served at any firm depends on its capacity and the mixed strategy chosen by consumers. Consumers distribute themselves across firms so as to equalize the utility of each price-service pair. We show that there exists at most one equilibrium in which firms choose pure strategies, and characterize the "candidate" equilibrium. Consumers face a probability of being rationed, firms may have excess inventory, and the price remains above marginal cost. When there are many firms, the candidate is shown to be an equilibrium.
RNA Binding Protein Regulation and Cross-Talk in the Control of AU-rich mRNA Fate

mRNA metabolism is tightly orchestrated by highly-regulated RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs) that determine mRNA fate, thereby influencing multiple cellular functions across biological contexts. Here, we review the interplay between six well-known RBPs (TTP, AUF-1, KSRP, HuR, TIA-1, and TIAR) that recognize AU-rich elements (AREs) at the 3′ untranslated regions of mRNAs, namely ARE-RBPs. Examples of the links between their cross-regulations and modulation of their targets are analyzed during mRNA processing, turnover, localization, and translational control. Furthermore, ARE recognition can be self-regulated by several factors that lead to the prevalence of one RBP over another. Consequently, we examine the factors that modulate the dynamics of those protein-RNA transient interactions to better understand the final consequences of the regulation mediated by ARE-RBPs. For instance, factors controlling the RBP isoforms, their conformational state or their post-translational modifications (PTMs) can strongly determine the fate of the protein-RNA complexes. Moreover, mRNA specific sequence and secondary structure or subtle environmental changes are also key determinants to take into account. To sum up, the whole understanding of such a fine tuned regulation is a challenge for future research and requires the integration of all the available structural and functional data by in vivo, in vitro and in silico approaches.
Dysfunction of the auditory cortex persists in infants with certain cleft types

Language and learning disabilities occur in almost half of individuals with oral clefts. The characteristics of these cognitive dysfunctions vary according to the cleft type, and the mechanisms underlying the relation between cleft type, cognitive dysfunction, and cleft‐caused middle‐ear disease are unknown. This study investigates preattentive auditory discrimination, which plays a significant role in language acquisition and usage, in infants with different cleft types. A mismatch negativity (MMN) component of brain evoked potentials, which indexes preconscious sound discrimination, and brain responses to rare sine‐wave tones were recorded in 12 healthy infants and 32 infants with oral clefts at the ages of 0 and 6 months. Infants with clefts were subdivided into two categories: those with cleft lip and palate (CLP) (n=11 at birth, n=6 at the age of 6 months) and those with cleft palate only (CPO) (n=17 at birth, n=8 at the age of 6 months). At both ages, brain responses to rare sounds tended to be smaller in both cleft subgroups than in healthy peers. However, in the latency range of 300 to 500 ms, the MMN was significantly smaller in infants with CPO. In infants with CLP, the MMN was comparable to that of healthy infants. Differences in auditory discrimination between infants with CLP and CPO, as reflected by MMN, were detectable at birth and persisted into later infancy. This pattern parallels known behavioural differences between children with these cleft types. Brain responses to rare sounds, in contrast, had no differentiative power with respect to the cleft type.
MUNICIPAL MARKET MEASURES AND REPORTING PRACTICES - AN EXTENSION

In a recent paper, Wallace [1981] reported the results of her study on the effects of accounting and auditing practices of municipal bond issuers on their borrowing costs and bond ratings. The study concluded that "interest costs reflect cross-sectional differences in accounting variables and bond ratings reflect cross-sectional differences in auditors and audit reports. " However, the sample was constrained to municipal issues within the state of Florida, so she was unable to generalize beyond this sample. Our study provides an extension of Wallace's research by (1) examining a more representative sample of United States municipalities, (2) employing alternative measures of bond risk and return, and (3) focusing on state-mandated accounting, auditing, and financial management practices. The magnitude of municipal bond risk and return measures is hypothesized to be associated with state-mandated practices. Our findings confirm those of Wallace in that we also found accounting and auditing practices to be associated with the interest cost and risk of municipal bonds. In particular, more stringent accounting and auditing requirements were associated with lower interest costs and risk measures.
Leadership at a Distance: Research in Technologically-Supported Work

This volume offers insights from a noted group of scholars who discuss the complex phenomenon of leadership in distributed work settings - also known as leadership at a distance. Editor Suzanne Weisband addresses the ubiquitous roles leaders play, their scale of work, and the range of technologies available to them, while setting new directions in studying leadership at a distance. A unique perspective of empirical research unfolds, representing a variety of fields and methods to foster a better understanding of the role technology plays in leadership, and how leadership is shaped by the use of technology.Leadership at a Distance begins with an overview of the challenges leaders face in the 21st century, followed by a discussion of:field studies and innovative ways of thinking about leadership in distributed work settings;experiments on the group dynamics and social processes involved in leading teams at a distance; andresearch on leadership in large-scale distributed collaborations, as well as lessons learned about leadership at a distance and future research directions.Managers, organizational behavior psychologists, human factors and industrial engineers, and sociologists will consider this book of interest and will appreciate its interdisciplinary scope.