Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological evidence supports an early and complex emergence of the Isthmus of Panama

Significance The formation of the Isthmus of Panama, which linked North and South America, is key to understanding the biodiversity, oceanography, atmosphere, and climate in the region. Despite its importance across multiple disciplines, the timing of formation and emergence of the Isthmus and the biological patterns it created have been controversial. Here, we analyze molecular and fossil data, including terrestrial and marine organisms, to show that biotic migrations across the Isthmus of Panama began several million years earlier than commonly assumed. An earlier evolution of the Isthmus has broad implications for the mechanisms driving global climate (e.g., Pleistocene glaciations, thermohaline circulation) as well as the rich biodiversity of the Americas. The linking of North and South America by the Isthmus of Panama had major impacts on global climate, oceanic and atmospheric currents, and biodiversity, yet the timing of this critical event remains contentious. The Isthmus is traditionally understood to have fully closed by ca. 3.5 million years ago (Ma), and this date has been used as a benchmark for oceanographic, climatic, and evolutionary research, but recent evidence suggests a more complex geological formation. Here, we analyze both molecular and fossil data to evaluate the tempo of biotic exchange across the Americas in light of geological evidence. We demonstrate significant waves of dispersal of terrestrial organisms at approximately ca. 20 and 6 Ma and corresponding events separating marine organisms in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at ca. 23 and 7 Ma. The direction of dispersal and their rates were symmetrical until the last ca. 6 Ma, when northern migration of South American lineages increased significantly. Variability among taxa in their timing of dispersal or vicariance across the Isthmus is not explained by the ecological factors tested in these analyses, including biome type, dispersal ability, and elevation preference. Migration was therefore not generally regulated by intrinsic traits but more likely reflects the presence of emergent terrain several millions of years earlier than commonly assumed. These results indicate that the dramatic biotic turnover associated with the Great American Biotic Interchange was a long and complex process that began as early as the Oligocene–Miocene transition.
Fabrication AlGaN/GaN MIS UV Photodetector by H2O2 Oxidation

This letter demonstrates and investigates AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor ultraviolet photodetector (MIS-UV-PD) with a cost-effective wet oxidation technique. The H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> oxidation technique is adopted to grow an insulator layer. The material qualitative and semiquantitative analyses of the H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-grown aluminum oxide are studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy The performances of the present MIS-UV-PD with different H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> treatment time are also investigated. The MIS-PD with 5-min H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> treatment time has the optimum performances. The dark current is suppressed from 4.23 nA to 5.15 pA at -10 V. The responsivity and the UV to visible rejection ratio are enhanced to 1.03×10<sup>-2</sup> A/W and 3.38×10<sup>5</sup>. Moreover, the noise equivalent power and detectivity are determined to be 4.8 × 10<sup>-11</sup> W and 4.52 × 10<sup>10</sup> cmHz<sup>0.5</sup>W<sup>-1</sup>. This cost-effective oxidation technique provides a simple approach to fabricate AlGaN/GaN MIS-UV-PD and its performances are also improved.
Burst‐firing patterns in the prefrontal cortex underlying the neuronal mechanisms of depression probed by antidepressants

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide. Several antidepressants have been widely prescribed to treat patients with MDD. However, neuronal changes in brain function remain poorly understood. Based on the standard chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression in mice, we investigated the neuronal mechanisms of the classic antidepressant, fluoxetine, and a new compound (termed YY‐23 in this study) derived from furostanol saponin. The results showed that both fluoxetine and YY‐23 normalized CMS‐induced depressive‐like behaviors. YY‐23 caused antidepressant‐like behaviors with a faster action than fluoxetine. In terms of in vivo neuronal activities, a CMS‐induced decrease in spontaneous firing in burst of medial prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons rather than ventral tegmental area (VTA) was reversed by the chronic administration of fluoxetine and YY‐23. We also found that CMS‐induced deficits in the expression of prefrontal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also restored by chronically administering YY‐23 and fluoxetine. In addition, chronic administration of fluoxetine rather than YY‐23 resulted in an improvement of antidepressive‐like behavior and a change of burst firing of VTA in control‐housed animals, indicating that the pharmacological effects of YY‐23 were specific to CMS‐treated animals. Together, these data suggest that the burst‐firing patterns of pyramidal cells may be a neural biomarker of depressive‐like mice and antidepressant action. Furthermore, synaptic transmission and BDNF may contribute to the rapid antidepressant‐like effects on depression.
Friends' influence on adolescents' first sexual intercourse.

CONTEXT Social-psychological theories of health behavior suggest that adolescents' sexual behaviors are influenced by the sexual attitudes and behaviors of their friends. METHODS Data on 2,436 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) who were sexually inexperienced at Wave 1 (1994-1995) were analyzed to examine whether friend-related variables predicted initiation of vaginal intercourse by Wave 2 (1996). Analyses also assessed whether predictive relationships varied by level of involvement with friends. Odds ratios were generated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In the 9-18 months between Waves 1 and 2, 18% of participants initiated intercourse. In analyses controlling for gender, family structure and romantic relationships, the higher the proportion of a youth's friends who were sexually experienced, the greater the odds of sexual debut (odds ratio, 1.01); the odds also were elevated among youth who believed that they would gain their friends' respect by having sex (1.2). Relationships between friend variables and sexual initiation did not vary by level of involvement with friends. CONCLUSIONS To maximize the likelihood of success, programs focused on delaying teenage sexual intercourse should address norms for sexual behavior among adolescents' close friends as well as the perceptions, skills and behaviors of individual youth.
Disentangling the contributions of osmotic and ionic effects of salinity on stomatal, mesophyll, biochemical and light limitations to photosynthesis.

There are conflicting opinions on the relative importance of photosynthetic limitations under salinity. Quantitative limitation analysis of photosynthesis provides insight into the contributions of different photosynthetic limitations, but it has only been applied under saturating light conditions. Using experimental data and modelling approaches, we examined the influence of light intensity on photosynthetic limitations and quantified the osmotic and ionic effects of salinity on stomatal (LS ), mesophyll (LM ), biochemical (LB ) and light (LL ) limitations in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under different light intensities. Non-linear dependencies of LS , LM and LL to light intensity were found. Osmotic effects on LS and LM increased with the salt concentration in the nutrient solution (Ss ) and the magnitude of LM depended on light intensity. LS increased with the Na(+) concentration in the leaf water (Sl ) and its magnitude depended on Ss . Biochemical capacity declined linearly with Sl but, surprisingly, the relationship between LB and Sl was influenced by Ss . Our results suggest that (1) improvement of stomatal regulation under ionic stress would be the most effective way to alleviate salinity stress in cucumber and (2) osmotic stress may alleviate the ionic effects on LB but aggravate the ionic effects on LS .
Effective Leadership in the Implementation of Academic Program at Private Higher Education

This research aimed to analyze and know the implementation of academic programs in private higher education. This study applied. qualitative approach through case study, with data source of leader and lecturer. The findings indicate that in the implementation of academic programs run well proved by the education, research and community service has been running in accordance with the goals and objectives. The results indicate that the elements implemented in leadership are controlling and predicting the efficient use of resources to ensure optimum productivity and resources. Approach to followers used by encouraging, controlling, directing. This leadership measures and values individual performance, organizing, and planning. This study recommends that to achieve effective leadership in private higher educations should be implemented Leadership Perspective Model, there are leadership-based scientific management, excellence leadership, value-based leadership, trust leadership, and spiritual leadership. The recommendation is the emphasis on scientific leadership in the implementation of academic programs. Keywords—leadership; college leadership; effective leadership of private university
Socioeconomic status and ischaemic heart disease mortality in 10 western European populations during the 1990s

Objective: To assess the association between socioeconomic status and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in 10 western European populations during the 1990s. Design: Longitudinal study. Setting: 10 European populations (95 009 822 person years). Methods: Longitudinal data on IHD mortality by educational level were obtained from registries in Finland, Norway, Denmark, England/Wales, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Turin (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), and Madrid (Spain). Age standardised rates and rate ratios (RRs) of IHD mortality by educational level were calculated by using Poisson regression. Results: IHD mortality was higher in those with a lower socioeconomic status than in those with a higher socioeconomic status among men aged 30–59 (RR 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51 to 1.60) and 60 years and over (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.24), and among women aged 30–59 (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.98 to 2.29) and 60 years and over (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.38). Socioeconomic disparities in IHD mortality were larger in the Scandinavian countries and England/Wales, of moderate size in Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria, and smaller in southern European populations among men and younger women (p < 0.0001). For elderly women the north–south gradient was smaller and there was less variation between populations. No socioeconomic disparities in IHD mortality existed among elderly men in southern Europe. Conclusions: Socioeconomic disparities in IHD mortality were larger in northern than in southern European populations during the 1990s. This partly reflects the pattern of socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular risk factors in Europe. Population wide strategies to reduce risk factor prevalence combined with interventions targeted at the lower socioeconomic groups can contribute to reduce IHD mortality in Europe.
Internet Use and Misuse

The Internet is an affordable and easily accessible technology that has many potential applications to psychology. Interactive technologies engage users psychologically and may facilitate adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. This research explored the Internet-use patterns, psychological characteristics, and negative consequences associated with online activities of 393 college students using the Internet Use Survey (IUS), a self-report instrument designed to administer online. Results indicated that participants spent an average of 3.3 total hours per day on the Internet during the past 12 months and used the medium for multiple purposes. Although participants reported the occurrence of some potentially negative consequences related to Internet use, the prevalence rates for most problematic behaviors were generally low. Exploratory principal component analysis of the IUS subscale that attempts to measure Internet-related impairment revealed four factors: absorption, negative consequences, disrupted sleep, and deception. All of these factors were then significantly related to a measure of boredom proneness. This research supports the necessity for multidimensional assessment (e.g., frequency and context) of Internet usage to enhance our understanding of how this new technology interfaces with users psychologically and behaviorally.
Fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in community setting in Casablanca

Abstract Background: The importance of community-acquired infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) has been increasingly recognized in recent years. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal carriage of ESBL-PE in the community in Casablanca, Morocco. Methods: During 6 months (2013), 93 fecal samples were examined for ESBL-PE. Isolates expressing an ESBL phenotype were investigated for the presence of genes encoding β-lactamases and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance. Conjugation experiments were done to determine the mobility of ESBL genes. Results: The prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-PE was 4.3% (4/93; 95% CI, 0.2–8.4). Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 2), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 2), Escherichia coli (n = 1), and Serratia odorifera (n = 1) were the ESBL-producing species. Four (66.7%) of these isolates were multidrug-resistant. The blaSHV-12 (n = 5) was the most frequent ESBL gene detected, followed by blaCTX-M-15 (n = 3). The non-ESBL gene detected was blaTEM-1 (n = 5). One isolate harbored the qnrB1 variant. Results of conjugation experiments indicated that blaSHV-12 + blaTEM-1 + qnrB1 and blaCTX-M-15 + blaTEM-1 genes were co-transferred and that these genes were carried by a conjugative plasmid of high molecular weight (125 kb). Conclusion: Our results show the importance of the intestinal tract as a reservoir for ESBL-PE in the community in Morocco.
IL-4-Induced Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Activation Inhibits NF-κB Trans Activation in Central Nervous System (CNS) Glial Cells and Protects Oligodendrocyte Progenitors under Neuroinflammatory Disease Conditions: Implication for CNS-Demyelinating Diseases1

Th2 phenotype cytokine, IL-4, plays an important role in the regulation of Th1 cell responses and spontaneous remission of inflammatory CNS demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study we demonstrate IL-4-induced down-regulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression and survival of differentiating oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPs) in proinflammatory cytokine (Cyt-Mix)-treated CNS glial cells, which is a condition similar to that observed in the brain of a patient with MS. IL-4 treatment of Cyt-Mix-treated CNS glial cells significantly decreased iNOS expression/NO release with a parallel increase in survival of differentiating OPs. IL-4 effects were concentration-dependent and could be reversed by anti-IL-4R Abs. The use of inhibitors for Akt, p38 MAPK, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) antagonist revealed that inhibition of Cyt-Mix-induced iNOS expression and survival of differentiating OPs by IL-4 is via PPAR-γ activation. There was a coordinate increase in the expression of both PPAR-γ and its natural ligand-producing enzyme 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX) in IL-4-treated cells. Next, EMSA, immunoblots, and transient cotransfection studies with reporter plasmids (pNF-κB-Luc and pTK-PPREx3-Luc) and 12/15-LOX small interfering RNA revealed that IL-4-induced PPAR-γ activation antagonizes NF-κB transactivation in Cyt-Mix-treated astrocytes. In support of this finding, similarly treated 12/15-LOX−/− CNS glial cells further corroborated the result. Furthermore, there was reversal of IL-4 inductive effects in the brain of LPS-challenged 12/15-LOX−/− mice when compared with LPS-challenged wild-type mice. Together, these data for the first time demonstrate the inhibition of Cyt-Mix-induced NF-κB transactivation in CNS glial cells by IL-4 via PPAR-γ activation, hence its implication for the protection of differentiating OPs during MS and other CNS demyelinating diseases.
Dynamic colonization of Helicobacter pylori in human gastric mucosa

Objective. To investigate the dynamic behaviour of Helicobacter pylori in the colonization of the human gastric mucosa in patients previously treated for H. pylori infection. Material and methods. Twenty-one dyspeptic patients were included in the study. Biopsies from each individual were taken and analysed for H. pylori detection using cultural, molecular and ultrastructural methods. Results. Through culture, H. pylori was isolated in 7 out of 21 patients and the detection of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against drugs commonly used in H. pylori therapy revealed a susceptibility panel in which only one strain was multidrug resistant. By studying the expression of the H. pyloriglmM constitutive gene, viable H. pylori cells were detected in 19 out of 21 analysed biopsies. In these positive cases, the expression of the Quorum-Sensing related gene, luxS, was always detected. The analysis of glmM and luxS sequences confirmed the H. pylori identity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of biopsies from patients harbouring culturable bacteria showed a prevalent “S-shape” H. pylori morphotype co-existent with coccoid aggregated bacteria embedded in an abundant matrix; while samples from patients shown as H. pylori-positive only through the molecular method showed clustered coccoid bacteria arranged in a microbial biofilm. Conclusions. In the present work we describe a new scenario in H. pylori mucosa colonization suggesting, in infection recalcitrance, the planning of more efficacious protocols in order also to identify camouflaged and protected clustered bacteria, taking into account this serious microbial problem in medicine in the recommendation of therapeutic regimens.
Dietary fiber and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma in women.

BACKGROUND A high intake of dietary fiber has been thought to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma. METHODS We conducted a prospective study of 88,757 women, who were 34 to 59 years old and had no history of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or familial polyposis, who completed a dietary questionnaire in 1980. During a 16-year follow-up period, 787 cases of colorectal cancer were documented. In addition, 1012 patients with adenomas of the distal colon and rectum were found among 27,530 participants who underwent endoscopy during the follow-up period. RESULTS After adjustment for age, established risk factors, and total energy intake, we found no association between the intake of dietary fiber and the risk of colorectal cancer; the relative risk for the highest as compared with the lowest quintile group with respect to fiber intake was 0.95 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.73 to 1.25). No protective effect of dietary fiber was observed when we omitted, adjustment for total energy intake, when events during the first six years of follow-up were excluded, or when we excluded women who altered their fiber intake during the follow-up period. No significant association between fiber intake and the risk of colorectal adenoma was found. CONCLUSIONS Our data do not support the existence of an important protective effect of dietary fiber against colorectal cancer or adenoma.
Initiation of Protein Synthesis in Mammalian Cells with Codons Other Than AUG and Amino Acids Other Than Methionine

ABSTRACT Protein synthesis is initiated universally with the amino acid methionine. In Escherichia coli, studies with anticodon sequence mutants of the initiator methionine tRNA have shown that protein synthesis can be initiated with several other amino acids. In eukaryotic systems, however, a yeast initiator tRNA aminoacylated with isoleucine was found to be inactive in initiation in mammalian cell extracts. This finding raised the question of whether methionine is the only amino acid capable of initiation of protein synthesis in eukaryotes. In this work, we studied the activities, in initiation, of four different anticodon sequence mutants of human initiator tRNA in mammalian COS1 cells, using reporter genes carrying mutations in the initiation codon that are complementary to the tRNA anticodons. The mutant tRNAs used are aminoacylated with glutamine, methionine, and valine. Our results show that in the presence of the corresponding mutant initiator tRNAs, AGG and GUC can initiate protein synthesis in COS1 cells with methionine and valine, respectively. CAG initiates protein synthesis with glutamine but extremely poorly, whereas UAG could not be used to initiate protein synthesis with glutamine. We discuss the potential applications of the mutant initiator tRNA-dependent initiation of protein synthesis with codons other than AUG for studying the many interesting aspects of protein synthesis initiation in mammalian cells.
Performance and Cost Comparisons for Continuous Rearing of Arma chinensis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) on a Zoophytogenous Artificial Diet and a Secondary Prey

ABSTRACT The impact of a zoophytogenous, insect-free artificial diet and a secondary prey, pupae of Chinese oak silk moth Antheraea pernyi (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), on the developmental rate, life history parameters, and fertility was examined for F6, F9, and F12 consecutive generations for domesticated Arma chinensis (Fallou) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). This study showed that when fed an insect-free artificial diet during both the nymphal and adult stages, developmental times were prolonged, and fecundity, egg viability, net reproductive rates (R0), and intrinsic rates of increase (rm) declined. As a result, the cost to rear A. chinensis on the artificial diet approached 2.0 times the cost of rearing A. chinensis on pupae of A. pernyi. Future diet improvements should attempt to reduce developmental time, increase fecundity, and egg viability and use less costly nutrient sources.
Concentration and pH dependence of skeletal muscle chloride channel ClC‐1.

1. The influence of Cl‐ concentration and pH on gating of the skeletal muscle Cl‐ channel, ClC‐1, has been assessed using the voltage‐clamp technique and the Sf‐9 insect cell and Xenopus oocyte expression systems. 2. Hyperpolarization induces deactivating inward currents comprising a steady‐state component and two exponentially decaying components, of which the faster is weakly voltage dependent and the slower strongly voltage dependent. 3. Open probability (Po) and kinetics depend on external but not internal Cl‐ concentration. 4. A point mutation, K585E, in human ClC‐1, equivalent to a previously described mutation in the Torpedo electroplaque chloride channel, ClC‐0, alters the I‐V relationship and kinetics, but retains external Cl‐ dependence. 5. When external pH is reduced, the deactivating inward currents of ClC‐1 are diminished without change in time constants while the steady‐state component is enhanced. 6. In contrast, reduced internal pH slows deactivating current kinetics as its most immediately obvious action and the Po curve is shifted in the hyperpolarizing direction. Addition of internal benzoate at low internal pH counteracts both these effects. 7. A current activated by hyperpolarization can be revealed at an external pH of 5.5 in ClC‐1, which in some ways resembles currents due to the slow gates of ClC‐0. 8. Gating appears to be controlled by a Cl(‐)‐binding site accessible only from the exterior and, possibly, by modification of this site by external protonation. Intracellular hydroxyl ions strongly affect gating either allosterically or by direct binding and blocking of the pore, an action mimicked by intracellular benzoate.