Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occasional recombination of a selfish X‐chromosome may permit its persistence at high frequencies in the wild

The sex‐ratio X‐chromosome (SR) is a selfish chromosome that promotes its own transmission to the next generation by destroying Y‐bearing sperm in the testes of carrier males. In some natural populations of the fly Drosophila neotestacea, up to 30% of the X‐chromosomes are SR chromosomes. To investigate the molecular evolutionary history and consequences of SR, we sequenced SR and standard (ST) males at 11 X‐linked loci that span the ST X‐chromosome and at seven arbitrarily chosen autosomal loci from a sample of D. neotestacea males from throughout the species range. We found that the evolutionary relationship between ST and SR varies among individual markers, but genetic differentiation between SR and ST is chromosome‐wide and likely due to large chromosomal inversions that suppress recombination. However, SR does not consist of a single multilocus haplotype: we find evidence for gene flow between ST and SR at every locus assayed. Furthermore, we do not find long‐distance linkage disequilibrium within SR chromosomes, suggesting that recombination occurs in females homozygous for SR. Finally, polymorphism on SR is reduced compared to that on ST, and loci displaying signatures of selection on ST do not show similar patterns on SR. Thus, even if selection is less effective on SR, our results suggest that gene flow with ST and recombination between SR chromosomes may prevent the accumulation of deleterious mutations and allow its long‐term persistence at relatively high frequencies.
Better Regulation A Renewed Impetus Of The European Union

The aim of the present analysis is to present in a brief and step-by-step all the particular phases of making better regulation at European Union level. The intention is to emphasize the issues and identify the goals of the renewed commitment of European Commission to simplify and make the decision-making process more efficient. Our special purpose is to draw stakeholdersi? ½ attention to the European Union and Member Statesi? ½ better regulation system.
The Roles of Bacteria and TLR4 in Rat and Murine Models of Necrotizing Enterocolitis1

Bacteria are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), but it is unknown whether their interaction with the epithelium can participate in the initiation of mucosal injury or they can act only following translocation across a damaged intestinal barrier. Our aims were to determine whether bacteria and intestinal epithelial TLR4 play roles in a well-established neonatal rat model and a novel neonatal murine model of NEC. Neonatal rats, C57BL/6J, C3HeB/FeJ (TLR4 wild type), and C3H/HeJ (TLR4 mutant) mice were delivered by Cesarean section and were subjected to formula feeding and cold asphyxia stress or were delivered naturally and were mother-fed. NEC incidence was evaluated by histological scoring, and gene expression was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR from cDNA generated from intestinal total RNA or from RNA obtained by laser capture microdissection. Spontaneous feeding catheter colonization or supplementation of cultured bacterial isolates to formula increased the incidence of experimental NEC. During the first 72 h of life, i.e., the time frame of NEC development in this model, intestinal TLR4 mRNA gradually decreases in mother-fed but increases in formula feeding and cold asphyxia stress, correlating with induced inducible NO synthase. TLR4, inducible NO synthase, and inflammatory cytokine induction occurred in the intestinal epithelium but not in the submucosa. NEC incidence was diminished in C3H/HeJ mice, compared with C3HeB/FeJ mice. In summary, bacteria and TLR4 play significant roles in experimental NEC, likely via an interaction of intraluminal bacteria and aberrantly overexpressed TLR4 in enterocytes.
Public sphere participation online: The ambiguities of affect

Resume Cet article repose sur l’attention croissante pretee a l’affectif comme element important de la participation politique, particulierement dans le cadre du role joue par les medias en ligne dans la democratie et dans les spheres publiques. Cette approche convoque un large echantillon de recherches sur la participation, les spheres publiques et l’affectif, afin d’en souligner les importants progres ainsi que les problemes et ambiguites qu’ils posent. Nous montrons que dans ce faisceau de preoccupations nous ne trouvons pas un noyau unifie autour d’une meme cause, mais plutot des meches/franges/pistes emanant de traditions differentes. La premiere partie porte sur la participation et propose de la concevoir comme intervention, aussi petite soit-elle, dans les relations de pouvoir. La seconde partie approfondit la notion d’affectif, la cadrant a partir de la rationalite et des emotions, qui soulevent des questions dans la theorie de la democratie. La troisieme partie se concentre sur l’environnement en ligne, particulierement sur les reseaux socionumeriques, et souligne les ambivalences persistantes de la participation en ligne et de leur pertinence au regard de l’affectif. Enfin, l’article ouvre sur des reflexions portant sur la relation entre l’affectif et le populisme et sur des voies d’acces legitimes et publiques a la connaissance.
The Role of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Differentiation of Cultural Tourism Products – The Case of Zagreb

Purpose – The paper aims to shed light on intangible cultural heritage (ICH) resources that enable a stronger differentiation of cultural tourism products in the city of Zagreb. Design – The paper identifies the existing ICH-based tourism products and systematizes them according to the UNWTO’s classification; discusses current state of ICH-based tourism products in the city of Zagreb; and provides some policy recommendations for the improvement of tourism valorization of the ICH and better ICH-based tourism products' differentiation in the city of Zagreb. Methodology – The study reviews the literature on heritage tourism, ICH and the practices of using ICH for tourism purposes and particularly for tourism product differentiation. The study relies on qualitative and quantitative analysis of data. Approach – The sample includes safeguarded ICH elements of the city of Zagreb inscribed in the Registry of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia and implemented into city ICH-based tourism products. Findings – The analysis determined several most prominent elements from each UNWTO category which enable tourism product differentiation based on the characteristics of ICH of the city of Zagreb. The research results revealed that ICH serves as one of the key aspects of tourism product differentiation, which enables better market segmentation and targeting. Originality of the research – The paper adds to the growing literature on heritage tourism studies, specifically in the under-researched interdisciplinary field of ICH and tourism. Additionally, it explores issues and challenges of using ICH for differentiation of cultural tourism product and for creation of the unique tourist experiences.
Human megakaryocytic progenitors (CFU‐M) assayed in methylcellulose: Physical characteristics and requirements for growth

The basic culture requirements and several physical characteristics were defined for megakaryocytic colony‐forming cells (CFU‐M) from normal human marrow growing in methylcellulose. Ficoll‐hypaque separated mononuclear cells from human, marrow gave rise to megakaryocytic colonies in the presence of normal human plasma and phytohemagglutinin‐stimulated leukocyte‐conditioned medium (PHA‐LCM). Their identity as megakaryocytic colonies was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining with a monoclonal antibody to human factor VIII antigen and by electron microscopy of individually harvested colonies. Demonstration of the single‐cell origin of the colonies was provided by analysis of the glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G‐6‐PD) enzyme type of individually harvested colonies grown from a G‐6‐PD heterozygote. The colonies grew best in heparinized or citrated plasma as opposed to serum. Detailed studies suggested that platelet‐release products were responsible for this difference. Tritiated thymidine suicide studies showed that the percentage of CFU‐M in DNA synthesis was 23 ± 8% (n = 10). The modal velocity sedimentation rate of CFU‐M was 4.9 ± 0.6 mm/hr (n = 4) while that of concurrently studied granulocyte/macrophage colony‐forming cells (CFU‐GM) was 5.7 ± 0.5 mm/hr. Examination of the PHA‐LCM dose‐response characteristics suggested the presence in the conditioned medium of an inhibitor to megakaryocyte colony growth which was partially removed by chromatography of the medium on Sephadex G‐100. The resulting conditioned medium increased the cloning efficiency for CFU‐M compared with that with crude PHA‐LCM (15.3 ± 7.0 and 8.2 ± 5.3/105 marrow cells, respectively).
Marek’s disease virus: lytic replication, oncogenesis and control

Marek’s disease (MD) is caused by a ubiquitous, lymphotropic alphaherpesvirus, MD virus (MDV). MD has been a major concern in the poultry industry owing to the emergence of increasingly virulent strains over the last few decades that were isolated in the face of comprehensive vaccination. The disease is characterized by a variety of clinical signs; among them are neurological symptoms, chronic wasting and, most notably, the development of multiple lymphomas that manifest as solid tumors in the viscera and musculature. Much work has been devoted to study MD-induced oncogenesis and the genes involved in this process. Among the many genes encoded by MDV, a number have been shown recently to affect the development of tumors in chickens, one protein directly causing transformation of cells (Meq) and another being involved in maintaining transformed cells (vTR). Other MDV gene products modulate and are involved in early lytic in vivo replication, thereby increasing the chance of transformation occurring. In this review, we will summarize specific genes encoded by MDV that are involved in the initiation and/or maintenance of transformation and will focus mostly on current vaccination and control strategies against MD, particularly how modern molecular biological methods may be used to improve strategies to combat the disease in the future.
Should cell-free fetal DNA be included in first trimester screening (FTS) for common trisomy? A possible scenario on 6697 women screened over 10 years.

OBJECTIVE The primary aim was to determine the performance of the first trimester screening (FTS) test in a general obstetrics population. Cost-benefit analysis of a hypothetic model based on implementation of the FTS test by cell-free fetal (cff) DNA was calculated. METHODS A total of 6697 women were screened using FTS test. A two-step strategy based upon nuchal translucency, serum screening and ultrasound assessment of nasal bone (NB) was applied. Three groups were identified (high-risk: >1:250; intermediate-risk: 1:251-1:999 and low-risk group: <1:1000). Women at intermediate-risk (1:251-1:999) underwent NB assessment and recalculation of individual risk. All women at high-risk were offered fetal karyotyping. RESULTS A total of 321 women (4.8%) resulted at high-risk while 480 women (7.1%) with intermediate-risk underwent assessment of the NB, which was absent in 15 fetuses. Overall, 54 aneuploidies were detected for a 96.4% sensitivity, a 96.1% specificity, a 99.9% negative predictive value and a false positive rate of 4.8%. Audit was conducted on a yearly basis and lost to follow up was 0.47% (32 cases). CONCLUSIONS Public health system would not be able to cover the cost of including cff DNA in women undergoing first trimester screening on universal basis. However, assuming a possible scenario based on implementation of FTS by cff DNA in women at high-risk would result in a 6-fold reduction in the number of invasive procedures while avoiding two false negative results (trisomy 21) that were diagnosed in women with intermediate-risk using current screening strategy by combined test.
Molecular identification of mosquito species in the Anopheles annularis group in southern Asia

Abstract The Anopheles annularis group of subgenus Cellia Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) includes five currently recognized species in southern Asia: An. annularis Van der Wulp, Anopheles nivipes (Theobald) and Anopheles philippinensis Ludlow, which are widespread in the region, Anopheles pallidus Theobald, which is known in Sri Lanka, India and Myanmar, and Anopheles schueffneri Stanton, which occurs in Java and Sumatra. Identification of the four mainland species based on morphology is problematic. In view of the fact that the three widespread species are variously involved in malaria transmission in different parts of the region, we developed a species‐specific polymerase chain reaction assay based on rDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences to facilitate entomological and epidemiological studies of the four species. The method proved to be reliable when tested over a wide geographical area.
Role of galaptin in ovarian carcinoma adhesion to extracellular matrix in vitro

Immunohistochemical studies indicated that galaptin is a major protein of ovarian carcinoma cells present in patient effusions and it is distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Enzyme‐linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that galaptin is also a major protein of the A121 ovarian carcinoma cell line, constituting ≤1% of extractable protein bound by DEAE Sephacel. Western blot analyses revealed that the galaptin present in ovarian carcinoma consists of a 14.5 KD subunit. Ovarian carcinoma and mesothelial cells isolated from patient effusions display surface receptors for galaptin with an apparently greater density of receptors present on the carcinoma cells. A121 cells also display surface receptors for galaptin: binding sites/cell = 3 × 108 and Ka = 1.2 × 109M−1. The presence of galaptin in bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCEC) and BCED‐derived extracellular matrix (ECM)was demonstrated by ELISA. Of the total ECM‐bound galaptin, about 75% appears to be insoluble in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) lactose. ECM was also found to contain abundant receptors for galaptin. Treatment of ECM with lactose increased the apparent galaptin receptor density:binding sites/cm2 = 7 × 1013 and Ka = 2.6 × 109 M−1. Pretreatment of A121 cells with galaptin inhibited adhesion to ECM. The addition of exogenous galaptin to ECM had variable effect on cell adhesion. The data presented here suggest that early adhesion events may be carbohydrate‐specific involving interaction between ECM‐bound galaptin and cell surface galaptin receptors.
Improving Immunization Rates Using Lean Six Sigma Processes: Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers National Initiative III Project.

BACKGROUND Quality improvement education and work in interdisciplinary teams is a healthcare priority. Healthcare systems are trying to meet core measures and provide excellent patient care, thus improving their Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems scores. Crittenton Hospital Medical Center in Rochester Hills, MI, aligned educational and clinical objectives, focusing on improving immunization rates against pneumonia and influenza prior to the rates being implemented as core measures. Improving immunization rates prevents infections, minimizes hospitalizations, and results in overall improved patient care. Teaching hospitals offer an effective way to work on clinical projects by bringing together the skill sets of residents, faculty, and hospital staff to achieve superior results. METHODS WE DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED A STRUCTURED CURRICULUM IN WHICH INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE ON QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND TEAMWORK, WHILE FOCUSING ON A SPECIFIC CLINICAL PROJECT: improving global immunization rates. We used the Lean Six Sigma process tools to quantify the initial process capability to immunize against pneumococcus and influenza. RESULTS The hospital's process to vaccinate against pneumonia overall was operating at a Z score of 3.13, and the influenza vaccination Z score was 2.53. However, the process to vaccinate high-risk patients against pneumonia operated at a Z score of 1.96. Improvement in immunization rates of high-risk patients became the focus of the project. After the implementation of solutions, the process to vaccinate high-risk patients against pneumonia operated at a Z score of 3.9 with a defects/million opportunities rate of 9,346 and a yield of 93.5%. Revisions to the adult assessment form fixed 80% of the problems identified. CONCLUSIONS This process improvement project was not only beneficial in terms of improved quality of patient care but was also a positive learning experience for the interdisciplinary team, particularly for the residents. The hospital has completed quality improvement projects in the past; however, this project was the first in which residents were actively involved. The didactic components and experiential learning were powerfully synergistic. This and similar projects can have far-reaching implications in terms of promoting patient health and improving the quality of care delivered by the healthcare systems and teaching hospitals.
Consumers’ Perceptions of Sustainable Wine: An Exploratory Study in France and Italy

This study offers new insights into the sustainable wine market by exploring consumers’ perceptions of product attributes for six categories of wine that have characteristics of sustainability and one conventional wine. The study investigates product-attribute associations that French and Italian consumers attach to sustainable wines, and whether consumers’ involvement with wine and propensity towards ethically-minded behaviours affect their perceptions of sustainable wines. The research employs a cross-country analysis of France and Italy, and uses a free-choice approach to reveal consumers’ perceptions. The perceptual maps highlight the different attribute dimensions associated with conventional wines and sustainable wines. Health benefits, taste, and ethics emerge as the most relevant discriminant dimensions. The study finds that consumers involved with wine demonstrate a greater ability to evaluate product-attribute associations for sustainable wines than do ethically-minded consumers who are not involved with wine. The study elaborates some practical implications of this result for wineries. In particular, the study highlights that consumers associate different characteristics and beneficial aspects with different categories of sustainable wines; this also depends on their level of involvement with wine. The results demonstrate that sustainable wine marketers should, in their marketing and communication, take into stronger consideration the level of consumer involvement with wine and the specific associations made by consumers with the sustainable wine category they want to promote.
Performance and security evaluation of intra-vehicular communication architecture

In this paper, we propose a secure intra-vehicular wireless communication architecture based on Host Identity Protocol (HIP). It ultimately improves the security of wireless intra-vehicular communication systems. The performance evaluation of the proposed architecture is performed in a ski tunnel which emulates the real underground transportation environment. Our results verify the feasibility of proposed architecture by providing required level of service quality. Also, it outperforms the existing secure architectures. More importantly, the proposed architecture protect the wireless intra-vehicular communication system from IP based attacks.
Measurement of patient imaging dose for real-time kilovoltage x-ray intrafraction tumour position monitoring in prostate patients

The dose for image-based motion monitoring of prostate tumours during radiotherapy delivery has not been established. This study aimed to provide quantitative analysis and optimization of the fluoroscopic patient imaging dose during radiotherapy for IMRT and VMAT treatments using standard and hypofractionated treatment schedules. Twenty-two patients with type T1c N0/M0 prostate cancer and three implanted fiducial markers were considered. Minimum field sizes encompassing all fiducial markers plus a 7.5 mm motion margin were determined for each treatment beam, each patient and the complete cohort. Imaging doses were measured for different field sizes and depths in a phantom at 75 and 120 kV. Based on these measurements, the patient imaging doses were then estimated according to beam-on time for clinical settings. The population minimum field size was 5.3 × 6.1 cm2, yielding doses of 406 and 185 mGy over the course of an IMRT treatment for 75 kV (10 mAs) and 120 kV (1.04 mAs) imaging respectively, at 1 Hz. The imaging dose was reduced by an average of 28% and 32% by adopting patient-specific and treatment-beam-specific field sizes respectively. Standard fractionation VMAT imaging doses were 37% lower than IMRT doses over a complete treatment. Hypofractionated IMRT stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and VMAT SBRT imaging doses were 58% and 76% lower than IMRT doses respectively. The patient dose for kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring of the prostate was quantified. Tailoring imaging field sizes to specific patients yielded a significant reduction in the imaging dose, as did adoption of faster treatment modalities such as VMAT.
Coupling of RNA displacement and intrinsic termination in transcription from synthetic RNA.DNA bubble duplex constructs.

Functional transcription elongation complexes can be formed by adding RNA polymerase in trans to a preformed nucleic acid construct. This construct consists of a double-stranded DNA fragment that contains a noncomplementary (permanent DNA bubble) region into which an RNA primer oligonucleotide has been hybridized. By ligating a DNA fragment containing the strong intrinsic terminator T7Te to the RNA.DNA bubble duplex, we show here that Escherichia coli core RNA polymerase-catalyzed transcription, initiated from such a construct, terminates at the predicted position. Furthermore, we show that the termination efficiency obtained is comparable to that observed in a control reaction initiated with the E. coli holopolymerase from the T7A1 promoter if an RNA oligomer trap is used to permit proper displacement of the nascent RNA from the DNA template strand. The trap oligomer is complementary to the template strand of the permanent DNA bubble and prevents rehybridization of the nascent RNA at this site. Varying the amount of RNA trap that is added permits us to modulate the extent of total RNA displacement. Our results show that RNA displacement and termination efficiency are directly correlated, suggesting that intrinsic termination requires that the nascent RNA be free to assume its solution conformation. Several models of intrinsic termination are presented and discussed in light of these data.