Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New pedal remains of Megaladapis and their functional significance.

New remains of Megaladapis from the caves within the Ankarana Range of northern Madagascar and the cave site of Ankilitelo near Toliara in southwestern Madagascar add considerably to the present sample of pedal remains for this genus. Here we describe and analyze the new pedal material and discuss the function of the Megaladapis foot in terms of positional behavior and substrate use. The northern specimens belong to the M. madagascariensis /M. grandidieri group in terms of size and morphology whereas the new southwestern fossils are assigned to M. madagascariensis. The new specimens demonstrate that the small and intermediate sized M. madagascariensis and M. grandidieri were very similar in anatomy and inferred locomotor function, findings that also support the prior suggestion that they belong to a single widespread subgenus (Megaladapis). The new fossils provide the first examples of many pedal elements and present the first opportunity to analyze the whole pedal complex from associated remains. The foot of Megaladapis is distinctive among primates in numerous features. Intrinsic proportions of the hindlimb indicate that the foot is relatively longer than that of any other primate. The first complete calcanei reveal a large and highly modified hindfoot. The calcaneus is reduced distally, indicating an emphasis on climbing over leaping or quadrupedal walking and running. Proximally, a large, medially directed calcaneal tuberosity suggests both a strong inversion component to plantarflexion and a well-developed abductor mechanism and recalls the calcaneal morphology of the larger lorisines in some respects. Talar shape is consistent with considerable tibial rotation during plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. The subtalar joint is designed to emphasize supination/pronation and medial/lateral rotation over proximodistal translation. The distal tarsals are extremely reduced in length, and they form a high transverse arch and a serial tarsus; this configuration promotes inversion/eversion at the transverse tarsal joint. The phalanges are long and moderately curved, and the hallux is very long, robust, and abducted. Pedal morphology suggests that Megaladapis (subgenus Megaladapis) was well adapted to exploit an arboreal environment. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
Characterization of Xenopus digits and regenerated limbs of the froglet

Xenopus has 4 and 5 digits in a forelimb and hindlimb, respectively. It is thought that their limbs and digits develop in Xenopus by mechanisms that are almost conserved from amphibians to higher vertebrates. This is supported by some molecular evidence. The 5′hoxd genes are convenient marker genes for characterizing digits in the chick and mouse. The anteriormost digit is characterized by being hoxd13‐positive and hoxd12 (hoxd11)‐negative in the chick and mouse. In this study, we revealed that the anteriormost digit of the Xenopus forelimb is hoxd13‐positive and hoxd11‐positive, that is, a more posterior character than digit I. The order of formation of digit cartilages also suggested that Xenopus forelimb digit identity is II to V, not I to IV. We have also been interested in the relationship between digit identity and shh. The anteriormost digit develops in a shh‐independent way. A limb treated with cyclopamine (a shh inhibitor) has a gene expression pattern (hoxd11‐negative) similar to that in shh‐deficient mice, suggesting that a hindlimb treated with cyclopamine has a digit I character. However, a Xenopus froglet regenerate (spike), which lacks shh expression during its regeneration process, does not have such an expression pattern, being hoxd11‐positive. We investigated hoxd11 transcriptions in blastemas that formed in the anteriormost and posteriormost digits, and we found that the blastemas have different hoxd11 expression levels. These findings suggest that the froglet limb blastema does not have a mere digit I character in spite of shh defectiveness and that the froglet limb blastema recognizes its positional differences along the anterior‐posterior axis. Developmental Dynamics 235:3316–3326, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mountain ranges favour vigorous Atlantic meridional overturning

We use a global Ocean‐Atmosphere General Circulation Model (OAGCM) to show that the major mountain ranges of the world have a significant role in maintenance of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). A simulation with mountains has a maximum AMOC of 18 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1) compared with ∼0 Sv for a simulation without mountains. Atlantic heat transport at 25°N is 1.1 PW with mountains compared to 0.2 PW without. The difference in AMOC is due to major changes in surface heat and freshwater (FW) fluxes over the Atlantic. In the Pacific changed surface fluxes lead to a meridional overturning circulation of 10 Sv. Our results suggest that the effects of mountains on the large‐scale atmospheric circulation is to force the ocean towards a state with a vigorous AMOC and with no overturning in the Pacific.
Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: A Place for Conservatism

With the advent of microvascular free flaps and complex musculocutaneous flaps in head and neck reconstruction, simpler methods are often forgotten. Since complication rates have been high with more complex intraoral reconstructions, experience in 112 patients who were reconstructed using conservative methods whenever possible was reviewed. Complications were found to be minimal after simple reconstruction in less massive resections, and reconstructive results were satisfactory. More complex methods of reconstruction may well be reserved for those situations in which they are required for better results with respect to speech and swallowing.
Astrocytes mediate HIV‐1 Tat‐induced neuronal damage via ligand‐gated ion channel P2X7R

During human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 infection, perturbations in neuron–glia interactions may culminate in neuronal damage. Recently, purinergic receptors have been implicated in the promotion of virus‐induced neurotoxicity and supporting the viral life cycle at multiple stages. The astrocytes robustly express purinergic receptors. We therefore sought to examine if P2X7R, a P2X receptor subtype, can mediate HIV‐1 Tat‐induced neuronal apoptosis. Tat augmented the expression of P2X7R in astrocytes. Our data reveal the involvement of P2X7R in Tat‐mediated release of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP‐1) /chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) from the astrocytes. P2X7R antagonists, such as the oxidized ATP, A438079, brilliant blue G, and broad spectrum P2 receptor antagonist suramin, attenuated Tat‐induced CCL2 release in a calcium‐ and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2‐dependent manner. Calcium chelators, (1,2‐bis(o‐aminophenoxy) ethane‐N,N,N',N'‐tetraacetic acid) acetoxymethyl ester and EGTA, and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 abolished chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 release from astrocytes. Furthermore, in human neuronal cultures, we demonstrated P2X7R involvement in Tat‐mediated neuronal death. Importantly, in the TUNEL assay, the application of P2X7R‐specific antagonists or the knockdown of P2X7R in human astrocytes reduced HIV‐Tat‐induced neuronal death significantly, underlining the critical role of P2X7R in Tat‐mediated neurotoxicity. Our study provides novel insights into astrocyte‐mediated neuropathogenesis in HIV‐1 infection and a novel target for therapeutic management of neuroAIDS.
Patterns of Progression of Aortic Stenosis: A Longitudinal Hemodynamic Study

To examine factors that might affect progression in valvular aortic stenosis (AS), we reviewed serial hemodynamic studies in 50 adult patients. Seven patients had congenital, 22 rheumatic and 21 degenerative-calcific aortic stenosis. The patients with calcific aortic stenosis were older (62 ± 6 vs 51 ± 9 years, p < 0.001) and had onset of murmur later in life. For all patients average values at first study include age 54 ± 4 years, a peak gradient of 38 ± 27 mm Hg and a calculated aortic valve area of 1.3 0.7 cm2. A mean of 3.5 ± 3 years later, the gradient was 57 + 30 mm Hg and aortic valve area 0.8 ± 0.4 cm2. Peak left ventricular pressure increased 9 + 33 mm Hg and cardiac output decreased 0.5 + 0.2 I/mmn. Patients were divided into rapid (n = 21) and slow (n = 29) progressors; the rates of a change in aortic valve area were 0.30 0.21 and 0.02 ± 0.08 cm2/yr, respectively. Degenerative-calcific aortic stenosis was present in 76% of the rapid progressors and in 21% of slow progressors (p < 0.001); the groups also differed in that 48% of rapid progressors had a serial decrease in cardiac output of more than 1 I/min compared with 17% of slow progressors (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all patients who progressed into the critical range of severity of aortic stenosis (< 0.05 cm2) and developed left ventricular failure had degenerative-calcific aortic stenosis. We conclude that aortic stenosis progresses more rapidly in patients with degenerative-calcific than in those with congenital or rheumatic disease. In some patients, calculated aortic valve area is reduced due to an impaired ability of the failing left ventricle to move calcified leaflets rather than to an anatomic reduction in valve orifice.
Perspectiva das atividades sobre robótica para estudantes do ensino fundamental de Joinville - SC

Considerando isso, muitas universidades optaram em desenvolver e apoiar projetos com enfase na robotica educacional. No municipio de Joinville, na Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, o Grupo Estudantil de Robotica Movel (GERM), apresenta como uma de suas motivacoes o incentivo da busca pelo aprendizado de ciencia e tecnologia por meio da robotica movel.
Absorption of Volatile Acids from the Alimentary Tract of the Sheep and Other Animals

1. The concentration of volatile acids in the blood draining the rumen is considerably higher than that of peripheral blood in which little volatile acid, if any, is present. 2. Volatile acid in significant amount is present in blood draining the omasum and the caecum but is absent from blood draining the abomasum and small intestine. 3. Volatile acid is also found in significant concentration in blood draining the caecum or colon of the horse, pig and rabbit. 4. Distillation curves indicate that acetic is the predominant acid present in both the rumen contents and in the blood draining the rumen, but the proportion of acids of higher molecular weight than acetic is greater in the rumen contents than in the blood. The same type of distillation curve is found for material taken from the caecum of the sheep and the large intestine of the horse and pig. 5. The rate of absorption of the sodium salts of acetic, propionic and butyric acids, as judged by the concentrations found in the blood leaving the rumen, appears to be in the order of their molecular weights; acetate is rapidly absorbed, propionate less so, while butyrate is slowly absorbed. 6. The quantity of volatile acid calculated as acetic acid absorbed in an hour from the reticulum and rumen together is estimated to vary from 1 to 5 g. , but this value must be regarded as minimal.
Identification of a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) spanning the synovial sarcoma‐specific t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) breakpoint

A somatic cell hybrid containing the synovial sarcoma‐associated t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) derivative (der(X)) chromosome was used to characterize the translocation breakpoint region on the X chromosome. By using Southern hybridization of DNA from this der(X) hybrid in conjunction with Xp‐region specific radiation reduced cell hybrids and probes, it was found that this breakpoint maps within the ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) L1 cluster. A yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone (OAT YAC2) which hybridizes to a human OAT cDNA probe and is known to contain part of the OATL1 cluster was selected and used to confirm these results both by fluorescence in situ hybridization on synovial sarcoma patient material and by hybridization of its end‐clones to the der(X) containing hybrid cells. It was found that indeed the human Xp sequences contained within this YAC are split as a consequence of the (X;18) translocation. Therefore, we conclude that OAT YAC2 spans the synovial sarcoma‐specific translocation breakpoint and, as such, may serve as an ideal starting point from which the gene(s) involved in the development of this soft tissue tumor can be isolated. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of prolonged whole-body cryostimulation treatment with different amounts of sessions on chosen pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels in healthy men

Abstract Cryotherapy is used in the early treatment of acute injuries (sprains, strains, fractures) yet only a few papers discuss the possible influence of whole-body cryostimulation on inflammation mechanisms or immunology. It is postulated that cold exposure can have an immunostimulating effect related to enhanced noradrenaline response and can be connected with paracrine effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different sequences of whole-body cryostimulations on the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in healthy individuals. The research involved 45 healthy men divided into three groups. The groups were subjected to 5, 10 or 20, 3-minute long whole-body cryostimulations each day at −130°C. Blood was collected for analysis before the stimulations, after completion of the whole series, and 2 weeks after completion of the series, for the examination of any long-term effect. The analysis of results showed that in response to cryostimulation, the level of ani-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 increased while Il-1α cytokine level decreased. It seems that the most advantageous sequence was the series of 20 cryostimulations due to the longest lasting effects of stimulation after the completion of the whole series of treatments.
Étude de l'évolution des micro-organismes bactériens par des approches de modélisation et de simulation informatique

Variation et selection sont au coeur de l'evolution Darwinienne. Cependant, ces deux mecanismes dependent de processus eux-memes faconnes par l'evolution. Chez les micro-organismes, qui font face a des environnements souvent variables, ces proprietes adaptatives sont particulierement bien exploitees, comme le demontrent de nombreuses experiences en laboratoire. Chez ses organismes, l'evolution semble donc avoir optimise sa propre capacite a evoluer, un processus que nous nommons evolution de l'evolution (EvoEvo). La notion d'evolution de l'evolution englobe de nombreux concepts theoriques, tels que la variabilite, l'evolvabilite, la robustesse ou encore la capacite de l'evolution a innover (open-endedness). Ces proprietes evolutives des micro-organismes, et plus generalement de tous les organismes vivants, sont soupconnees d'agir a tous les niveaux d'organisation biologique, en interaction ou en conflit, avec des consequences souvent complexes et contre-intuitives. Ainsi, comprendre l'evolution de l'evolution implique l'etude de la trajectoire evolutive de micro-organismes — reels ou virtuels —, et ce a differents niveaux d'organisation (genome, interactome, population, …). L'objectif de ce travail de these a ete de developper et d'etudier des modeles mathematiques et numeriques afin de lever le voile sur certains aspects de l'evolution de l'evolution. Ce travail multidisciplinaire, car impliquant des collaborations avec des biologistes experimentateur•rice•s, des bio-informaticien•ne•s et des mathematicien•ne•s, s'est divise en deux parties distinctes, mais complementaires par leurs approches : (i) l'extension d'un modele historique en genetique des populations — le modele geometrique de Fisher — afin d'etudier l'evolution du bruit phenotypique en selection directionnelle, et (ii) le developpement d'un modele d'evolution in silico multi-echelles permettant une etude plus approfondie de l'evolution de l'evolution. Cette these a ete financee par le projet europeen EvoEvo (FP7-ICT-610427), grâce a la commission europeenne.
Design educacional: criação e implementação de capacitação continuada a distância para professores da rede estadual de educação básica da Paraíba

O uso de Tecnologias na Educacao constitui a oportunidade de explorar diversas formas para o desenvolvimento do processo de ensino-aprendizagem. As Tecnologias da Informacao e Comunicacao (TICs) sao suportes para o processo e podem ser encontradas e utilizadas de diversas maneiras. O Design educacional (DE) e um campo teorico que se divide em tres aspectos: teoria, processo e produto. O seu principal objetivo e produzir estrategias, metodos e itens que facilitem a realizacao de metodologias educacionais, unindo o seu conceito a varias etapas de realizacao de solucoes, que sao criados para atender a uma necessidade de aprendizagem. No Ensino a Distância (EaD) o uso de TICs e frequente para atender as demandas dos alunos, alem dos suportes utilizados. O EaD e uma forma de aprendizagem que necessita de organizacao e planejamento, alem de produtos adequados pois com o seu carater de distância entre alunos e professores/tutores, os metodo de ensino precisa ser eficaz e aproveitar as possibilidades existentes. Visando isso, buscou-se no Design educacional (DE) a resposta para o planejamento de uma solucao educacional no EaD e a producao de produtos. Nessa busca, a oportunidade para realizacao de uma solucao educacional surge atraves do Projeto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (P&D) entre a Universidade Federal da Paraiba e Governo do Estado da Paraiba que necessitam da capacitacao de professores do ensino basico na utilizacao de kits didaticos. Para atingir o objetivo foi realizado o desenvolvimento de um curso de capacitacao EaD para professores desenvolvido sob as estrategias, metodos e produtos do DE. A partir de fundamentos teoricos, o curso e construido em cinco etapas: analise, design, desenvolvimento, implementacao e avaliacao. Na fase de analise, atraves de relatorio foi identificado o numero de 7.858 professores do ensino basico ligados a 399 escolas de ensino medio, distribuidos em 14 regionais dos 223 municipios componentes do estado da Paraiba. Para o desenvolvimento foi selecionado o Design educacional contextualizado, com metamodelo educacional para a realizacao da Matriz de planejamento. A partir da Matriz, os produtos sao planejados na fase do Design e realizados na fase de Desenvolvimento. A fase de Implementacao foi realizada atraves do Ambiente virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA) criado no Moodle Cloud. Descobriu-se que escolhas realizadas nas cinco etapas nos mostram que a construcao de um produto educacional e complexa, embora flexivel, pois valoriza as competencias, os processos e as tecnologias necessarias para a elaboracao. Isso significa que a utilizacao do DE para a producao de solucoes para o EaD e indicada pois tem um compromisso com a aprendizagem. A complexidade dos projetos educacionais e propensa a exploracao pelo DE, que observa os processos de gestao de projetos, gestao do conhecimento, e apresenta como objetivo intrinseco o processo ensino-aprendizagem contribuindo para atender a necessidade de mais pesquisa e desenvolvimento na area.
De la présence à l’incarnation

Les sentiments de présence et d’incarnation sont deux dimensions centrales de l’expérience utilisateur en environnement virtuel immersif. Suite à une revue de littérature portant sur ces deux concepts, nous en proposons une articulation théorique au sein d’un méta-modèle « Présence – Incarnation ». L’introduction de ce modèle aboutit à la proposition d’un questionnaire permettant l’évaluation subjective des sentiments de présence et d’incarnation d’utilisateurs immergés dans une application de réalité virtuelle. Les implications méthodologiques de ce modèle et ses perspectives applicatives sont ensuite évoquées afin d’introduire la ligne directrice de nos travaux futurs.
In Utero and Postnatal Maternal Smoking and Asthma in Adolescence

Background: Asthma in early childhood has been associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy and parental smoking soon after birth. However, less is known about these exposures and the development of asthma symptoms in adolescence. Methods: Data were taken from the Mater University Study of Pregnancy, a large birth cohort study of mothers and children enrolled in Brisbane, Australia, beginning in 1981. Smoking was assessed at 2 stages during pregnancy and at the 6-month and 5-year follow-up visits. Asthma was assessed from maternal reports that were provided when the child was age 14 years. We conducted multivariable multinomial logistic regression analyses to assess the effect of maternal smoking on asthma symptoms. Results: There was a strong sex interaction such that girls whose mothers had smoked heavily (20 or more cigarettes per day) in pregnancy and at the 6-month follow up had increased odds of experiencing asthma symptoms at age 14 (odds ratio = 1.96; 95% confidence interval = 1.25–3.08). The contribution of heavy smoking during pregnancy appeared to be stronger than heavy smoking after the birth. No similar associations were seen for boys. Conclusion: Female adolescents whose mothers smoked heavily during the fetal period and the early months of life have increased risk of asthma symptoms in adolescence. In utero exposure to heavy smoking was found to have a stronger effect than postnatal environmental tobacco exposure.
EyeCloud : Cloud Computing for Pervasive Eye-Tracking

In order to move away from limited laboratory studies to pervasive mobile contexts, eye-tracking needs to be combined with technologies that allow instant access to large amounts of data of a massive number of users simultaneously. Cloud-computing seems to offer the solutions for these needs. In this conceptual paper, we map the forming research area from an interactive technology development point of view.
Improving transportability of a cognitive-behavioral treatment intervention for anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders: Results from a US–Canada collaboration

Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur in youth with autism spectrum disorders. In addition to developing efficacious treatments for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders, it is important to examine the transportability of these treatments to real-world settings. Study aims were to (a) train clinicians to deliver Facing Your Fears: Group Therapy for Managing Anxiety in Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders to fidelity and (b) examine feasibility of the program for novel settings. A secondary aim was to examine preliminary youth treatment outcome. Results indicated that clinicians obtained excellent fidelity following a workshop and ongoing consultation. Acceptability ratings indicated that Facing Your Fears Therapy was viewed favorably, and critiques were incorporated into program revisions. Meaningful reductions in anxiety were reported posttreatment for 53% of children. Results support the initial effectiveness and transportability of Facing Your Fears Therapy in new clinical settings.
Focus on Meiosis Stops and starts in mammalian oocytes: recent advances in understanding the regulation of meiotic arrest and oocyte maturation

Mammalian oocytes grow and undergo meiosis within ovarian follicles. Oocytes are arrested at the ﬁrst meiotic prophase, held in meiotic arrest by the surrounding follicle cells until a surge of LH from the pituitary stimulates the immature oocyte to resume meiosis. Meiotic arrest depends on a high level of cAMP within the oocyte. This cAMP is generated by the oocyte, through the stimulation of the G s G-protein by the G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR3. Stimulation of meiotic maturation by LH occurs via its action on the surrounding somatic cells rather than on the oocyte itself. LH induces the expression of epidermal growth factor-like proteins in the mural granulosa cells that act on the cumulus cells to trigger oocyte maturation. The signaling pathway between the cumulus cells and the oocyte, however, remains unknown. This review focuses on recent studies highlighting the importance of the oocyte in producing cAMP to maintain arrest, and discusses possible targets at the level of the oocyte on which LH could act to stimulate meiotic resumption.