Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of inbreeding on reproduction and wool production of Rambouillet, Targhee, and Columbia ewes.

Because of a traditional interest in inbreeding as a tool for breed improvement, it was desirable to evaluate the effects of inbreeding on the most important products of the sheep industry, lamb and wool production. The data for this study were based on 13,807 ewe and 16,470 lamb records from Rambouillet (R), Targhee (T), and Columbia (C) sheep collected over 9 or 10 yr from 54 inbred lines. Average inbreeding of the lambs and ewes involved was near 25 and 20%, respectively. The combined effects of lamb's and dam's inbreeding reduced litter weight weaned at 120 d approximately . 5 kg for each percentage of increase in inbreeding in every breed. For ewes and lambs of average inbreeding, the reductions relative to noninbred ewes amounted to 12.4, 10.3, and 11.3 kg for R, T, and C, respectively. The reductions constituted declines in weight weaned per ewe of 34, 25, and 28%. Similarly, net reproduction rate (lambs weaned per ewes put into breeding) was reduced more than one percentage point for each percentage of increase in inbreeding, with net declines at average inbreeding of 31.7, 23.5, and 25.7 percentage points for each breed, respectively. These reductions were equivalent to reductions in net rate of 29, 20, and 23%. The combined effect of lamb and dam inbreeding reduced weaning weight by 3.5, 2.6, and 2.2 kg, which constituted reductions of 10, 7, and 6%, respectively. Reduced weaning weight was approximately 30% as important as reduced net reproduction rate in contributing to the decline in litter weight weaned. Effects on fleece weight were curvilinear and amounted to reductions of . 35, . 18, and . 00 kg, respectively, at levels of average inbreeding; however, Columbia fleece weights declined rapidly at levels exceeding 20% for ewes. Potential selection differentials were reduced 16% at inbreeding levels of 25 and 20% for lambs and dams, respectively, and 62% at levels of 55 and 50%. The average economic loss per ewe in value of production was estimated at $17 for average inbreeding and as high as $36 for inbreeding approaching 50%. It seems that the use of inbreeding as a tool for improving productive merit in sheep is much more certain to be a detriment, economically and genetically, than an advantage.
Organized Cell Swimming Motions in Bacillus subtilis Colonies: Patterns of Short-Lived Whirls and Jets

ABSTRACT The swimming motions of cells within Bacillus subtiliscolonies, as well as the associated fluid flows, were analyzed from video films produced during colony growth and expansion on wet agar surfaces. Individual cells in very wet dense populations moved at rates between 76 and 116 μm/s. Swimming cells were organized into patterns of whirls, each approximately 1,000 μm2, and jets of about 95 by 12 μm. Whirls and jets were short-lived, lasting only about 0.25 s. Patterns within given areas constantly repeated with a periodicity of approximately 1 s. Whirls of a given direction became disorganized and then re-formed, usually into whirls moving in the opposite direction. Pattern elements were also organized with respect to one another in the colony. Neighboring whirls usually turned in opposite directions. This correlation decreased as a function of distance between whirls. Fluid flows associated with whirls and jets were measured by observing the movement of marker latex spheres added to colonies. The average velocity of markers traveling in whirls was 19 μm/s, whereas those traveling in jets moved at 27 μm/s. The paths followed by markers were aligned with the direction of cell motion, suggesting that cells create flows moving with them into whirls and along jets. When colonies became dry, swimming motions ceased except in regions close to the periphery and in isolated islands where cells traveled in slow whirls at about 4 μm/s. The addition of water resulted in immediate though transient rapid swimming (> 80 μm/s) in characteristic whirl and jet patterns. The rate of swimming decreased to 13 μm/s within 2 min, however, as the water diffused into the agar. Organized swimming patterns were nevertheless preserved throughout this period. These findings show that cell swimming in colonies is highly organized.
Adsorption/Desorption of Copper by a Sandy Soil Amended with Various Rates of Manure, Sewage Sludge, and Incinerated Sewage Sludge

Organic amendments are sometimes applied to agricultural soils to improve the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of the soils. The organic fractions in these soil amendments also influence metal reaction, particularly the adsorption and desorption of metals, which, in turn, determine the bioavailability of the metals and hence their phytotoxicities. In this study, a Quincy fine sandy (mixed, mesic, Xeric Torripsamments) soil was treated with 0 to 160 g kg−1 rates of either manure, sewage sludge (SS), or incinerated sewage sludge (ISS) and equilibrated in a greenhouse at near field capacity moisture content for 100 days. Following the incubation period, the soil was dried and adsorption of copper (Cu) was evaluated in a batch equilibration study at either 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg L−1 Cu concentrations in a 0.01M CaCl2 solution. The desorption of adsorbed Cu was evaluated by three successive elutions in 0.01M CaCl2. Copper adsorption increased with an increase in manure rates. At the highest rate of manure addition (160 g kg−1 soil), Cu adsorption was two-fold greater than that by the unamended soil at all rates of Cu additions. With increasing rates of Cu additions, the adsorption of Cu decreased from 99.4 to 77.6% of Cu applied to the 160 g kg−1 manure amended soil. The desorption of Cu decreased with an increase in rate of manure amendment. Effects of sewage sludge amendments on Cu adsorption were somewhat similar to those as described for manure additions. Likewise, the desorption of Cu was the least at the high rate of SS addition (160 g kg−1), although at the lower rates there was not a clear indication of the rate effects. In contrast to the above two amendments, the ISS amendment had the least effect on Cu adsorption. At the highest rate of ISS amendment, the Cu adsorption was roughly 50% of that at the similar rate of either manure or SS amendments, across all Cu rates.
Riboswitch function: Flipping the switch or tuning the dimmer?

Riboswitches are structured mRNA elements involved in gene regulation that respond to the intracellular concentration of specific small molecules. Binding of their cognate ligand is thought to elicit a global conformational change of the riboswitch, in addition to modulating the fine structure of the binding site. X-ray crystallography has produced detailed descriptions of the three-dimensional structures of the ligand-bound conformations of several riboswitches. We have employed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to generate low-resolution reconstructions of the ligand-free states of the ligand-binding domains of riboswitches that respond to thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), and cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), a bacterial second messenger. Comparison of the SAXS reconstructions with the crystal structures of these two riboswitches demonstrates that the RNAs undergo dramatic ligand-induced global conformational changes. However, this is not an universal feature of riboswitches. SAXS analysis of the solution behavior of several other riboswitch ligand-binding domains demonstrates a broad spectrum of conformational switching behaviors, ranging from the unambiguous switching of the TPP and c-di-GMP riboswitches to complete lack of switching for the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) riboswitch. Moreover, the switching behavior varies between examples of the same riboswitch from different organisms. The range of observed behaviors suggests that in response to the evolutionary need for precise genetic regulation, riboswitches may be tuned to function more as dimmers or rheostats than binary on/off switches.
SH2-Containing Inositol 5′-Phosphatase SHIP2 Associates with the p130Cas Adapter Protein and Regulates Cellular Adhesion and Spreading

ABSTRACT In a previous study, we found that the SHIP2 protein became tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with the Shc adapter protein in response to the treatment of cells with growth factors and insulin (T. Habib, J. A. Hejna, R. E. Moses, and S. J. Decker, J. Biol. Chem. 273:18605–18609, 1998). We describe here a novel interaction between SHIP2 and the p130Cas adapter protein, a mediator of actin cytoskeleton organization. SHIP2 and p130Cas association was detected in anti-SHIP2 immunoprecipitates from several cell types. Reattachment of trypsinized cells stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP2 and increased the formation of a complex containing SHIP2 and a faster-migrating tyrosine-phosphorylated form of p130Cas. The faster-migrating form of p130Cas was no longer recognized by antibodies to the amino terminus of p130Cas and appeared to be generated through proteolysis. Interaction of the SHIP2 protein with the various forms of p130Cas was mediated primarily through the SH2 domain of SHIP2. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that SHIP2 localized to focal contacts and to lamellipodia. Increased adhesion was observed in HeLa cells transiently expressing exogenous WT-SHIP2. These effects were not seen with SHIP2 possessing a mutation in the SH2 domain (R47G). Transfection of a catalytic domain deletion mutant of SHIP2 (ΔRV) inhibited cell spreading. Taken together, our studies suggest an important role for SHIP2 in adhesion and spreading.
Multi-criteria assessment of a whole-of-government planning methodology using MYRIAD

The present work describes the application of a multi-criteria assessment tool called MYRIAD to the evaluation of a methodology that was developed to improve team understanding of a complex situation. The methodology aims to support a multi-disciplinary team working collaboratively on the development of a mission plan during an expeditionary stability operation. We conducted a case study assessing collaborative understanding and team performance while subject matter experts employed the methodology as a complement to the standard planning process. Results were analyzed using MYRIAD, a preference modeling system that allows combining disparate measures into a coherent assessment capturing several key logical relationships between metrics - ones that may not be modeled using the traditional weighted sum approach. MYRIAD was also used to perform a sensitivity analysis in order to derive from the preference model which aspects of the planning methodology would lead to the greatest overall improvement. Results helped identifying priority areas for future development.
Ultrastructural analysis of sequential cyprinid herpesvirus 3 morphogenesis in vitro.

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is an alloherpesvirus, and it is the aetiological agent of koi herpesvirus disease. Although the complex morphogenic stages of the replication cycle of CyHV-3 were shown to resemble that of other members of the Herpesvirales, detailed analysis of the sequence and timing of these events was not definitively determined. This study describes these features through a time course using cyprinid cell cultures (KF-1 and CCB) infected with CyHV-3 (KHV isolate, H361) and analysed by transmission electron microscopy. Rapid viral entry was noted, with high levels of intracellular virus within 1-4 h post-infection (hpi). Intranuclear capsid assembly, paracrystalline array formation and primary envelopment of capsids occurred within 4 hpi. Between 1 and 3 days post-infection (dpi), intracytoplasmic secondary envelopment occurred, as well as budding of infectious virions at the plasma membrane. At 5-7 dpi, the cytoplasm contained cytopathic vacuoles, enveloped virions within vesicles, and abundant non-enveloped capsids; also there was frequent nuclear deformation. Several morphological features are suggestive of inefficient viral assembly, with production of non-infectious particles, particularly in KF-1 cells. The timing of this alloherpesvirus morphogenesis is similar to other members of the Herpesvirales, but there may be possible implications of using different cell lines for CyHV-3 propagation.
Great Law of Thermodynamic (Entropy S + Counter-entropy - S *) = 0

Ludwig Boltzmann - the author of statistical Thermodynamics - discovered a simple law that postulates the high probability W of the real existence of Entropy S of the thermal energy of all bodies of the Universe = Analyzing the properties of the "New Ether" - cosmic microwave background radiation - [2], the author of this book discovered signs of the real existence of Counter-entropy −∗ = − ∗ which replenishes the loss of thermal energy (Entropy S + Counter-entropy - S *) = 0 and thereby eliminates the danger of thermal death of the Universe.
Increased ΔNp63 expression is predictive of malignant transformation in oral epithelial dysplasia and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

This study examined immunohistochemical expression of ΔNp63, a keratinocyte stem cell marker, in oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and then to elucidate usefulness of ΔNp63 as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis. One-hundred and twelve cases of OL and 81 cases of OSCC were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for ΔNp63, Ki-67, and cytokeratin 14. These labeling indices (LIs) were calculated, and the association of these LIs with clinicopathologic characteristics in the OL and OSCC was evaluated. In the OL, these LIs increased significantly according to the severity of epithelial dysplasia (p<0.0001). ΔNp63-LI in the OL with malignant transformation was significantly higher than that in the OL without (49.3 vs. 34.2%; p<0.01). In the OSCC, the LIs increased significantly in association with the histologic grade (p<0.0001). A significant difference between the high and low ΔNp63-LI groups was found in the incidence of cervical lymph node and distant metastasis (p<0.05). The prognosis of the high ΔNp63-LI (mean value >73.8%) group is poorer than that of the low ΔNp63-LI (mean value ≤73.8%) group (p<0.05). These results suggested that increased ΔNp63 expression is involved in malignant transformation in epithelial dysplasia and poor prognosis in OSCC.
Adaptive tracking algorithm for a rigid spacecraft with input saturation

In this paper, the tracking problem for a rigid spacecraft with input saturation is investigated. Due to the complexity of the dynamic of a rigid spacecraft, a hierarchical control scheme, dividing the model of a rigid spacecraft into translational level and attitude level, is designed. The controllers for translational dynamic and attitude dynamic of the six-freedom-degrees spacecraft are successively proposed respectively. The input saturation is also considered in designing the two controllers. For translational level, a kind of special saturation function is employed to get the controller whose amplitude is constrained. For the attitude dynamic, a new adaptive quaternion-based control scheme is proposed to withstand the effect of bounded uncertain items and input saturation. Finally, simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Oxidoreductase activity of oligosaccharyltransferase subunits Ost3p and Ost6p defines site-specific glycosylation efficiency

Asparagine-linked glycosylation is a common posttranslational modification of diverse secretory and membrane proteins in eukaryotes, where it is catalyzed by the multiprotein complex oligosaccharyltransferase. The functions of the protein subunits of oligoasccharyltransferase, apart from the catalytic Stt3p, are ill defined. Here we describe functional and structural investigations of the Ost3/6p components of the yeast enzyme. Genetic, biochemical and structural analyses of the lumenal domain of Ost6p revealed oxidoreductase activity mediated by a thioredoxin-like fold with a distinctive active-site loop that changed conformation with redox state. We found that mutation of the active-site cysteine residues of Ost6p and its paralogue Ost3p affected the glycosylation efficiency of a subset of glycosylation sites. Our results show that eukaryotic oligosaccharyltransferase is a multifunctional enzyme that acts at the crossroads of protein modification and protein folding.
Insulin Signaling Mediates Sexual Attractiveness in Drosophila

Sexually attractive characteristics are often thought to reflect an individual's condition or reproductive potential, but the underlying molecular mechanisms through which they do so are generally unknown. Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) is known to modulate aging, reproduction, and stress resistance in several species and to contribute to variability of these traits in natural populations. Here we show that IIS determines sexual attractiveness in Drosophila through transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the production of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC), many of which function as pheromones. Using traditional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) together with newly introduced laser desorption/ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) we establish that CHC profiles are significantly affected by genetic manipulations that target IIS. Manipulations that reduce IIS also reduce attractiveness, while females with increased IIS are significantly more attractive than wild-type animals. IIS effects on attractiveness are mediated by changes in CHC profiles. Insulin signaling influences CHC through pathways that are likely independent of dFOXO and that may involve the nutrient-sensing Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway. These results suggest that the activity of conserved molecular regulators of longevity and reproductive output may manifest in different species as external characteristics that are perceived as honest indicators of fitness potential.
An 8-GHz continuous-time /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ analog-digital converter in an InP-based DHBT technology

An 8-GHz clock-rate second-order continuous-time /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ analog-digital converter achieves 57.4 dB, 51.7 dB and 40.2 dB SNR at signal sampling rates of 125 Ms/s, 250 Ms/s and 500 Ms/s, respectively. The ADC also achieves > 75 dBc of intermodulation suppression. The IC occupies a die area of 1.45mm/sup 2/, contains 76 transistors, and is fabricated in an InP-based HBT technology.
The hierarchical control strategy based on the concept of cyber physical system for islanded micro-grid with communication data disturbance

Communication data in the communication network of the islanded micro-grid can be disturbed by many methods, such as data attack or packet loss. In order to overtake the communication data disturbance (CDD), a new hierarchical control structure is proposed in the paper. Based on the concept of cyber physical system (CPS), the control structure is divided into two layers: cyber layer and physical layer. In cyber layer, the influence of CDD on the system is analyzed in this paper. A response strategy with back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed in the layer. It's used to complete the data compensate and eliminate the influence. In physical layer, the droop control is used as the primary control to control the voltage and frequency in the micro-grid. And a virtual leader-following consistency protocol is used to complete the new secondary control method which is proposed in the paper. Finally, the MATLAB is used to verify the effectiveness of the control strategy which is presented in the paper.
Relationship between home food-handling practices and sporadic salmonellosis in adults in Louisiana, United States

Salmonellosis is the leading cause of death caused by foodborne bacterial pathogens in the United States. Approximately 90% of salmonella infections are sporadic, but most of what is known about salmonellosis has come from outbreak investigations. We studied the risk for sporadic salmonellosis among 115 persons aged [ges ]15 years reported to the Louisiana Office of Public Health during May 1998–April 1999, compared with 115 age-matched controls. Significantly more case-patients than controls had chronic underlying medical conditions [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.2–8.7]. Although reported consumption of specific food items likely to contain salmonella was not associated with illness, inconsistent handwashing between preparation of meat and non-meat items was associated with illness (aOR = 8.3; CI = 1.1–61.8). Enhanced measures to provide a consistently safe food supply and promote safer food preparation in households will depend on prevention of sporadic salmonellosis.
Two Italian Twin Registers for Research in Human Biology and Sport Science

Abstract Two Italian twin registers are described, the Register of Italian Twin Athletes (RITA) and the Twin Register of Rome (TERRY), developed in recent years at the newly established University of Sport and Movement Sciences of Rome-Foro Italico (IUSM). Ascertainment procedures, database, applications and current prospects are outlined, along with their research focus, which mainly consists of epidemiological and clinical research on the determinants of sport performance as well as on the role of genetic factors versus lifestyle, especially physical activity, in health and aging.
Liquid Crystal Leaky-Wave Antennas With Dispersion Sensitivity Enhancement

A novel design, fabrication, and packaging technology is proposed for liquid crystal (LC)-based beam-scanning leaky-wave antennas (LWAs). Different from conventional ones, extra dispersion sensitivity enhancement (DSE) components are introduced to increase the slope of effective phase constant versus frequency of LWAs and, hence, the beam scanning range. CST MW Studio software package is used to validate the design method. It is shown that, by adding the DSE components, the electrical beam scanning range is extended by more than 56% in the Ku satellite communication band, where good impedance matching and balanced condition are kept for both extreme tuning states of LCs. Prototypes of the designed LC-composite right/left-handed LWAs with and without the DSE components are fabricated and measured. The fabrication methodology incorporating printed circuit board and precision metal processing technology ensures the mechanical stability, flexible design, perfect packaging, and low cost. Finally, the feature-selective validation technique validates that the measured and simulated results are in good agreement.