Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity Increases Insect Herbivory on Oak Saplings

A growing body of evidence from community genetics studies suggests that ecosystem functions supported by plant species richness can also be provided by genetic diversity within plant species. This is not yet true for the diversity-resistance relationship as it is still unclear whether damage by insect herbivores responds to genetic diversity in host plant populations. We developed a manipulative field experiment based on a synthetic community approach, with 15 mixtures of one to four oak (Quercus robur) half-sib families. We quantified genetic diversity at the plot level by genotyping all oak saplings and assessed overall damage caused by ectophagous and endophagous herbivores along a gradient of increasing genetic diversity. Damage due to ectophagous herbivores increased with the genetic diversity in oak sapling populations as a result of higher levels of damage in mixtures than in monocultures for all families (complementarity effect) rather than because of the presence of more susceptible oak genotypes in mixtures (selection effect). Assemblages of different oak genotypes would benefit polyphagous herbivores via improved host patch location, spill over among neighbouring saplings and diet mixing. By contrast, genetic diversity was a poor predictor of the abundance of endophagous herbivores, which increased with individual sapling apparency. Plant genetic diversity may not provide sufficient functional contrast to prevent tree sapling colonization by specialist herbivores while enhancing the foraging of generalist herbivores. Long term studies are nevertheless required to test whether the effect of genetic diversity on herbivory change with the ontogeny of trees and local adaptation of specialist herbivores.
Occupational neck and shoulder pain among automobile manufacturing workers in Iran.

BACKGROUND Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper extremities are a major problem globally, though most relevant studies have been reported from high income countries. AIMS AND METHODS The prevalence of neck and shoulder pain and its association with work-related physical and psychosocial factors and life style was determined by a cross-sectional survey using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) in the largest Iranian car manufacturing company, with more than 18,000 employees. RESULTS A total of 14,384 (79.8%) of all employees completed the questionnaire. Depending on the questions used to measure neck and shoulder symptoms, the prevalence varied widely (from 20.5% to 3.9%). In the multiple logistic regression model, limited to employees with at least 1 year of work experience, risk indicators for disabling pain of the neck and/or shoulder that remained for male were: duration of employment, high visual demands, repetitive work, sitting position at work, awkward working position, no regular exercise, monotonous work, lack of encouraging organizational culture, and anxiety concerning change. For female repetitive work, sitting position at work and no support if there is trouble at work were the only remaining factors. CONCLUSIONS The study confirms the effects of physical and psychosocial factors on neck and shoulder symptoms among automobile manufacturing workers in a low to middle income country in spite of the relative youth and job insecurity of the population.
Observation of Thermopower Oscillations in the Coulomb Blockade Regime in a Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube

We have measured the thermoelectric power (TEP) and Coulomb charging characteristics of an individual p-type semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) in the quantum dot regime. The TEP measured as a function of gate voltage oscillates around a baseline value that is first positive and becomes more negative as the SWNT is depleted. When the device behaves as a single quantum dot, the TEP oscillation period and amplitude agree with theory. We ascribe the positive baseline level to p-type Schottky barriers at the SWNT−metal contacts, and the negative baseline to n-type barrier regions that cause multidot behavior as carriers are removed from the system. Near depletion, large TEP oscillations are observed even though Coulomb oscillations of the conductance are immeasurably small.
Association between prehospital vitamin D status and incident acute respiratory failure in critically ill patients: a retrospective cohort study

Objective We hypothesise that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels before hospitalisation are associated with increased risk of acute respiratory failure. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Medical and Surgical Intensive care units of two Boston teaching hospitals. Patients 1985 critically ill adults admitted between 1998 and 2011. Interventions None. Measurements and main results The exposure of interest was prehospital serum 25(OH)D categorised as ≤10 ng/mL, 11–19.9 ng/mL, 20–29.9 ng/mL and ≥30 ng/mL. The primary outcome was acute respiratory failure excluding congestive heart failure determined by International Classification of Diseases Ninth Edition (ICD-9) coding and validated against the Berlin Definition of acute respiratory sistress syndrome. Association between 25(OH)D and acute respiratory failure was assessed using logistic regression, while adjusting for age, race, sex, Deyo-Charlson Index and patient type (medical vs surgical). In the cohort, the mean age was 63 years, 45% were male and 80% were white; 25(OH)D was ≤10 ng/mL in 8% of patients, 11–19.9 ng/mL in 24%, 20–29.9 ng/mL in 24% and ≥30 ng/mL in 44% of patients. Eighteen per cent (n=351) were diagnosed with acute respiratory failure. Compared to patients with 25(OH)D ≥30 ng/mL, patients with lower 25(OH)D levels had significantly higher adjusted odds of acute respiratory failure (≤10 ng/mL, OR=1.84 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.77); 11–19.9 ng/mL, OR=1.60 (95% CI 1.19 to 2.15); 20–29.9 ng/mL, OR=1.37 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.86)). Conclusions Prehospital 25(OH)D was associated with the risk of acute respiratory failure in our critically ill patient cohort.
The identification of stone and metal toolmarks on bone artifacts

This research focuses on differentiating marks made by stone from those made by metal, i.e., the development of distinguishing criteria for separating the traces. Examination of manufacturing marks on a variety of materials, including bone artifacts, should expand understanding of the types of metal tools present in the Bronze Age and the kinds of materials on which they were used. The finds are briefly described. Hand lens and stereomicroscope are used to examine macrowear which is characterized by manufacturing marks. Replications with silicone rubber molds for use with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to identify the microwear. In addition, there was experimental replication of stone and metal tool marks on bone and antler for comparisons.
Automatically Transforming Symbolic Shape Descriptions for Use in Sketch Recognition

Sketch recognition systems are currently being developed for many domains, but can be time consuming to build if they are to handle the intricacies of each domain. This paper presents the first translator that takes symbolic shape descriptions (written in the LADDER sketch language) and automatically transforms them into shape recognizers, editing recognizers, and shape exhibitors for use in conjunction with a domain independent sketch recognition system. This transformation allows us to build a single domain independent recognition system that can be customized for multiple domains. We have tested our framework by writing several domain descriptions and automatically created a domain specific sketch recognition system for each domain.
Lifting 2-integer knapsack inequalities

In this paper we discuss the generation of strong valid inequalities for (mixed) integer knapsack sets based on lifting of valid inequalities for basic knapsack sets with two integer variables (and one continuous variable). The description of the basic polyhedra can be made in polynomial time. We use superadditive valid functions in order to obtain sequence independent lifting.
Journal of Neuroscience Journal of Neuroscience Journal of Neuroscience 2003 Reprint Costs (please See Reverse Side for Reprint Costs/fees.) Publication Fees Ordering Details Invoice Address Name _________________________________________ Institution _________________________________________ Departme

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Experimental determination of spectral radiative heat transfer properties in participating media

Radiative properties of participating media are required in applica­ tions where energy processes in general, and high temperature solar energy applications in particular, are to be optimised with respect to radiation heat transfer in an emitting, absorbing and scattering (i.e. participating) medium. One route for determining the radiative properties is theoretical prediction, which requires knowledge of the material's composition and electromagnetic properties as well as the availability of a suitable solution to the underlying Maxwell equa­ tions. In the event where theoretical prediction is either not possible or its result too uncertain, experimental determination and verifica­ tion can offer a viable solution. The present work therefore aims at contributing to the experimental approach. It encompasses the review, summary and development of strategies for measurement and evaluation; the development of experimental set-ups enabling goniometric and transmission mode measurements; and the results of the investigations on reticulate porous ceramics (RPC) and a packedbed of zinc-oxide particles. The first major achievement is a goniometric set-up capable of measuring the angular distribution of radiation. It irradiates a sample perpendicularly with a rectangular beam sized 8 mm × 6 mm and then scans the entire sample cross-section at freely selectable wavelengths between 0.3 μm ÷ 4.0 μm and viewing angles between
A cell-free method for expressing and reconstituting membrane proteins enables functional characterization of the plant receptor-like protein kinase FERONIA

There are more than 600 receptor-like kinases (RLKs) in Arabidopsis, but due to challenges associated with the characterization of membrane proteins, only a few have known biological functions. The plant RLK FERONIA is a peptide receptor and has been implicated in plant growth regulation, but little is known about its molecular mechanism of action. To investigate the properties of this enzyme, we used a cell-free wheat germ-based expression system in which mRNA encoding FERONIA was co-expressed with mRNA encoding the membrane scaffold protein variant MSP1D1. With the addition of the lipid cardiolipin, assembly of these proteins into nanodiscs was initiated. FERONIA protein kinase activity in nanodiscs was higher than that of soluble protein and comparable with other heterologously expressed protein kinases. Truncation experiments revealed that the cytoplasmic juxtamembrane domain is necessary for maximal FERONIA activity, whereas the transmembrane domain is inhibitory. An ATP analogue that reacts with lysine residues inhibited catalytic activity and labeled four lysines; mutagenesis demonstrated that two of these, Lys-565 and Lys-663, coordinate ATP in the active site. Mass spectrometric phosphoproteomic measurements further identified phosphorylation sites that were examined using phosphomimetic mutagenesis. The results of these experiments are consistent with a model in which kinase-mediated phosphorylation within the C-terminal region is inhibitory and regulates catalytic activity. These data represent a step further toward understanding the molecular basis for the protein kinase catalytic activity of FERONIA and show promise for future characterization of eukaryotic membrane proteins.
Environmental Factors That Affect the Survival and Persistence of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Burkholderia pseudomallei is listed by the Centers for Disease Control as a potential bioterrorism agent ([www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/agentlist.asp][1]) because it causes melioidosis in humans, a potentially fatal septicemic infection following soil or water exposure ([6][2], [41][3]). Melioidosis usually
Increased mortality related to heavy alcohol intake pattern

Study objective: Although moderate alcohol intake is related to decreased all cause and ischaemic heart disease mortality, intake of large amounts at a time may be harmful. Design: A cohort study, average follow up time was 7.3 years. Setting: Finland. Participants: General population sample of 5092 men, aged from 25 to 64 years, who had consumed alcohol during the 12 months before the baseline examination. Main results: The main outcome measure was death. After excluding cases with previous myocardial infarction at the baseline examination and after adjustment for age, education, smoking, and average alcohol intake in Cox proportional hazards model, subjects with heavy drinking pattern (six or more drinks at a time) still had higher mortality from all causes than drinkers without heavy drinking occasions (RR 1.57; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.10). Respective analyses showed increased risk also for ischaemic heart disease (1.77; 95% CI 1.01 to 3.08), external causes (2.90; 95% CI 1.47 to 5.72) and alcohol related causes of death (2.73; 95% CI 1.13 to 6.64). The last two risk ratios were not adjusted for smoking. Relative risk point estimates were approximately similar for drinkers with heavy drinking occasions irrespective of beverage type, although those for beer and wine did not reach significance, probably because of the small number of cases. The highest average alcohol intake was found among drinkers who consumed all three types of beverage. Conclusions: Consuming six or more drinks at a time is related to increased mortality among working age male drinkers. The authors found no clear evidence for beverage specific differences.
AVALIAÇÃO HISTOLÓGICA DO PROCESSO DE REPARAÇÃO DA SUPERFÍCIE ARTICULAR DE COELHOS 1

The repairing process in the articular surface was evaluated microscopically in an osteochondral gap produced in the left troclear groove of 12 adult rabbits. It was observed that the granulation tissue wich initially filled this gap had diferentiated into hyaline cartilage by 4 weeks after surgery, presenting parcial reconstitution of subchondral bone excised at seven weeks following surgery. In some animals, cleft formation was observed between the repair tissue and adjacent bone, always where bone remodeling did not occured. In animals wich the bottom and lateral edges of the defect were formed by lamelar subchondral bone with few blood vessels, bone remodeling was not observed, having no attachment of the repair tissue to the adjacent bone. The results show the importance of complete removal of the lamelar subcondral bone during the surgical procedures in the articular surface, in order to allow better blood supply from the subjacent cancellous bone, better bone remodeling, and attachment of the repair tissue to the bottom of the defect.
Detection of Cast Shadows in Surveillance Applications

Cast shadows from moving objects reduce the general ability of robust classi cation and tracking of these objects, in outdoor surveillance applications. A method for segmentation of cast shadows is proposed, combining statistical features with a new similarity feature, derived from a physics-based model. The new method is compared to a reference method, and found to improve performance signi cantly, based on a test set of real-world examples.
Mammalian formin Fhod3 plays an essential role in cardiogenesis by organizing myofibrillogenesis

Summary Heart development requires organized integration of actin filaments into the sarcomere, the contractile unit of myofibrils, although it remains largely unknown how actin filaments are assembled during myofibrillogenesis. Here we show that Fhod3, a member of the formin family of proteins that play pivotal roles in actin filament assembly, is essential for myofibrillogenesis at an early stage of heart development. Fhod3−/− mice appear normal up to embryonic day (E) 8.5, when the developing heart, composed of premyofibrils, initiates spontaneous contraction. However, these premyofibrils fail to mature and myocardial development does not continue, leading to embryonic lethality by E11.5. Transgenic expression of wild-type Fhod3 in the heart restores myofibril maturation and cardiomyogenesis, which allow Fhod3−/− embryos to develop further. Moreover, cardiomyopathic changes with immature myofibrils are caused in mice overexpressing a mutant Fhod3, defective in binding to actin. These findings indicate that actin dynamics, regulated by Fhod3, participate in sarcomere organization during myofibrillogenesis and thus play a crucial role in heart development.
Spreading proteins in neurodegeneration: where do they take us?

The ‘prion-like’ nature of neurodegenerative diseases has been mooted for a number of years. The central concept is of self-propagating misfolded proteins spreading from neuron to neuron, associated with more or less stereotypical patterns of neurodegeneration in specific diseases. Apart from prion protein (PrP) in the archetypal prion diseases, the evidence that amyloid-β, tau, and now—in this issue of Brain —α-synuclein, all propagate through the brain is compelling, with implications for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementias and other tauopathies, and Parkinson’s disease. The spread of neurodegenerative diseases through protein misfolding thus appears to be a truly generic phenomenon. Why does this matter and where does it take us? The inescapable fact of neurodegenerative diseases is that we currently have no effective way of treating them. However, the more we learn about pathogenesis, the more likely we are to identify therapeutic approaches that could succeed. So how does the spreading protein hypothesis help us? Will inhibiting cell-to-cell transmission of these pathological conformers prevent neurodegeneration? Importantly, what is the connection between spread of proteins and actual neurodegeneration? The study by Masuda-Suzukake et al. (2013) goes beyond confirming the place of α-synuclein on the list of self-propagating proteins. It raises interesting questions about the link—or lack of it—between transmission of pathological proteins and their neurotoxic effects. The relationship between toxicity and ‘infectivity’ is an important phenomenon in prion and other protein misfolding disorders. Increasing our insights into this is likely to inform our approach to understanding and treating these diseases. …
Where are the sources of the near-infrared background?

The observed near-infrared background excess over light from known galaxies is commonly ascribed to redshifted radiation from early, very massive, Population III (Pop III) stars. We show here that this interpretation must be discarded as it largely overpredicts the number of J-dropouts and Lyα emitters in ultradeep field searches. Independently of the detailed physics of Lyα line emission, J-dropouts limit the background excess fraction due to Pop III sources to be (at best) ≤1/24. As alternative explanations can either be rejected (e.g. miniquasars, decaying neutrinos) or appear unlikely (zodiacal light), but the reality of the excess is supported by the interpretation of the angular fluctuations, the origin of this component remains very puzzling. We briefly discuss possible hints to solve the problem.
EGFR and K-ras Mutation Analysis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Comparison of Paraffin Embedded versus Frozen Specimens

Background: Mutational analysis of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and K-ras genes to select non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients for treatment with novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors is an appealing possibility currently under investigation. Although frozen tumor tissue would probably be the optimal source for analysis, the most common source of tumor material is fixed and paraffin embedded (FPE) archival specimens. Here, we evaluate how different procedures of tissue sample processing and preservation may affect the outcome of EGFR and K-ras mutation analysis. Furthermore, we compare the sensitivity of the analysis using genomic DNA (gDNA) versus RNA. Methods: We used PCR amplification and direct sequencing to analyze EGFR and K-ras genes in paired FPE and frozen tumor samples corresponding to 47 NSCLC patients. In frozen samples, the analysis was carried out using both gDNA and RNA extracted in parallel. Results: Whereas 100% of frozen samples were successfully amplified, the rate of successful PCR amplification in FPE samples was approximately 50%. We detected three previously described EGFR point mutations in 2 samples. In ten other samples, a K-ras mutation was observed. These mutations were detected in DNA extracted from frozen samples as well as in DNA obtained from FPE tissue. In addition, 10 nucleotide changes, were detected in FPE samples that were not detected in the frozen specimens. Upon re-analysis, these nucleotide changes could not be confirmed and were most likely the result of paraffin embedding and fixation procedures. All mutations found in gDNA were also detected in the corresponding RNA and, in two cases, the presence of the mutant allele was easier to identify by using RNA. Conclusions: Our results indicate that RNA extracted from frozen tissue is the preferred source for EGFR and K-ras mutation testing. When analyzing FPE samples, reducing the size of the amplified fragments would increase PCR success rate, and care should be taken to control for false-positive results.