Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlates of genetic differentiation and isolation by distance in 17 congeneric Silene species

The contemporary pattern of intraspecific genetic variation can indicate the relative role of gene flow and local differentiation in shaping the evolutionary history and future trajectory of a species. To assess the recent influence of contrasting life history and demographic characteristics on genetic structure within a group of closely related species, patterns of genetic differentiation (FST and related statistics) and isolation by distance (IBD) were compared among 17 congeneric herbaceous plant species. Data came from 35 published studies of 16 species, and a previously unpublished analysis of chloroplast genetic variation in the rare endemic Silene rotundifolia. Among‐population genetic variance was most strongly influenced by the type of genetic marker used; cytoplasmic markers showed larger values than allozyme and anonymous nuclear markers. Other independently significant factors were geographical range size and, for allozyme studies, reproductive system; in particular, endemism and hermaphroditism were associated with higher among‐population genetic variance, whereas large native geographical range and dioecy were associated with lower among‐population variance. Over equivalent spatial scales, dioecious populations also showed weaker IBD than hermaphrodites, perhaps because increased population transience and/or variance in the spatial pattern of gene flow are more closely associated with dioecy in this genus. Invasive populations had both highly variable among‐population genetic variance, and no evidence for IBD, consistent with nonequilibrium conditions. Other analysed factors including predominant pollinator had no discernable influence on genetic structure or patterns of IBD. In general, this comparative approach appears to be valuable for synthesizing the complementary information provided by F‐statistics and IBD, and for indicating the relative importance of particular biological factors in shaping genetic variation within different species of a closely related plant group.
DelegaTEE: Brokered Delegation Using Trusted Execution Environments

We introduce a new concept called brokered delegation. Brokered delegation allows users to flexibly delegate credentials and rights for a range of service providers to other users and third parties. We explore how brokered delegation can be implemented using novel trusted execution environments (TEEs). We introduce a system called DELEGATEE that enables users (Delegatees) to log into different online services using the credentials of other users (Owners). Credentials in DELEGATEE are never revealed to Delegatees and Owners can restrict access to their accounts using a range of rich, contextually dependent delegation policies. DELEGATEE fundamentally shifts existing access control models for centralized online services. It does so by using TEEs to permit access delegation at the user's discretion. DELEGATEE thus effectively reduces mandatory access control (MAC) in this context to discretionary access control (DAC). The system demonstrates the significant potential for TEEs to create new forms of resource sharing around online services without the direct support from those services. We present a full implementation of DELEGATEE using Intel SGX and demonstrate its use in four real-world applications: email access (SMTP/IMAP), restricted website access using a HTTPS proxy, e-banking/credit card, and a third-party payment system (PayPal).
Determinants of sexual arousal and the accuracy of its self‐estimation in sexually functional males

Men with and without sexual dysfunction present with varying patterns of agreement between subjective estimates of sexual arousal and more objective psychophysiological measures of the same construct. This relative accuracy seems to be associated with sexual function, with men who have sexual dysfunction presenting less accurate estimations (mostly reporting below measured arousal levels). The purpose of this study is to clarify the processes underlying sexual arousal and the accuracy of its self‐estimation. We looked at potential predictors of sexual arousal (subjective and physiological) and accuracy in estimating objective sexual arousal in a sample of 60 sexually functional males. Predictors included pre‐existing sexual attitudes (erotophobia), both trait and state positive and negative affect, self‐focused attention, and interoceptive awareness. Results indicate that this sexually functional sample generally reported below their own erection level. Interestingly, trait negative affect was associated with somewhat lower levels of subjective arousal and higher levels of physiological arousal. On the other hand, state positive affect facilitated both subjective and objective arousal and increased somewhat the accuracy of estimates of erectile responding. Pre‐existing sexual attitudes as well as variations in self‐focused attention and interoceptive awareness evidenced little effect on sexual arousal or the accuracy of its estimation.
Polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase gene and their associations with plasma lipid concentrations in 40-year-old Danish men.

BACKGROUND In some previous studies, HindIII and Pvu II restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene were associated with coronary heart disease and plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. However, the populations studied were relatively small and heterogeneous in regard to age, sex, and ethnic background. METHODS AND RESULTS Associations of a HindIII (intron 8) and a Pvu II (intron 6) RFLP in the LPL gene with plasma concentrations of cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were studied in 457 randomly selected 40-year-old Danish men. The HindIII and the Pvu II sites were in strong linkage disequilibrium. The frequencies of the H+ and P+ alleles (+ denotes presence of cutting site) were 0.717 and 0.464, respectively. In multivariate analysis, there was a clear gene dosage effect of the H+ allele on HDL. The lowest HDL cholesterol concentration was in the H+H+ group, the highest concentration was in the H-H- group, and the H+H- group had intermediate HDL concentrations (P = .03). There was a similar, but not statistically significant gene dosage effect on triglyceride concentrations, with the highest value seen in the H+H+ group. There were no other associations between LPL RFLPs and lipoprotein components. In males reporting family history of premature ischemic heart disease, the H+H+ genotype was overrepresented (odds ratio, 2.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.37 to 5.53). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that genetic variation in or near the LPL gene plays a role in interindividual differences in HDL cholesterol concentration and in risk of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease in men.
Exciting Times for PIP2

One class of potassium channels, the KATP channels, are key players in a variety of functions-insulin secretion, blood vessel tone, and the response of the heart to lack of oxygen. Ashcroft describes in her Perspective how new results in this issue explain a long-standing puzzle about the true sensitivity of these channels to ATP. Baukrowitz et al. and Shyng et al. show that the phospholipid PIPregulates the ATP sensitivity of these channels.
Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) Expression Protects Against Diet Induced Atherosclerosis in SR-BI Deficient Mice

Objective—To determine whether expression of the human CETP transgene protects against diet-induced atherosclerosis in SR-BI deficient mice. Methods and Results—SR-BI deficient (−/−) mice were crossed with CETP transgenic (CETPtg) mice to produce a colony of SR-BI−/− × CETPtg mice in a C57Bl/6 background. Age and sex matched groups of genetically modified and wild-type C57Bl/6 mice were fed a high fat, high cholesterol diet for 22 weeks. In both wild-type and SR-BI−/− mice, expression of the CETP transgene reduced the cholesterol content and increased the density of lipoprotein particles in the HDL density range. In SR-BI−/− × CETPtg mice, CETP activity inversely correlated with total plasma cholesterol levels and shifted the buoyant HDL typical of SR-BI deficiency toward a more normal density HDL particle. Atherosclerosis at the level of the aortic arch was evident in both male and female SR-BI deficient mice but occurred to a greater extent in the females. Expression of CETP markedly attenuated the development of atherosclerosis in SR-BI deficient mice fed an atherogenic diet (P<0.003). Conclusions—Expression of the human CETP transgene protects SR-BI deficient mice from atherosclerosis, consistent with a role for CETP in remodeling HDL and providing an alternative pathway for the selective uptake of HDL-CE by the liver.
Hapten-specific T cell responses to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl. XI. Pseudogenetic restrictions of hybridoma suppressor factors

Suppressor factor derived from three different murine T cell hybridomas were characterized . They specifically inhibited 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl cutaneous sensitivity responses. The factors bind antigen and bear I-J and idiotypic determinants, but lack conventional immunoglobulin constant-region determinants. The factors function during the induction phase of the immune response, by inducing a second population of suppressor cells (Ts(e)). Suppressor factor can inhibit both cellular and plaque-forming cell responses in appropriate strains of mice. These hybridoma suppressor factors directly suppress strains of mice that are Igh-V homologous with the strain producing the factor. Thus, there is an apparent Igh-V restriction in the activity of these factors. However, this is a pseudogenetic restriction because these factors generate second order suppressor cells (Ts(e)) in Igh-incompatible mice, but in order to express the suppressive activity, the cells must be adoptively transferred into recipients that are Igh compatible with the strain producing the suppressor factor. Finally, it was shown that the factor-induced Ts(e) population is under an apparent dual genetic restriction. Thus, Igh and H-2 homology is required in order for the Ts(e) population to express its suppressive activity.
Emotion recognition system based on physiological signals with Raspberry Pi III implementation

Human machine interaction fieldhas potentialapplications in different domainssuch as medicine therapies for vulnerable persons. Thus, allowing the machine to identify and understand emotional states is one of the primordial stages for affective interactivity with Humans. Recent studies have proved that physiological signals contribute to recognize the emotion. In this paper, we aim to classify the affective states into two defined classes in arousal-valence model using peripheral physiological signals. For this aim, we explored the recent multimodal MAHNOB-HCI database that contains the bodily responses of 24 participants to 20 affective videos. After preprocessing the data and extracting features, we classified the emotion using the Support Vector Machine (SVM). The classification stage was implemented on Raspberry Pi III model B using Python platform. The obtained results are encouraging compared to recent related works.
The influence of accounting regulation simplification on the financial reporting of micro entities – the case of Croatia

The specifics of the business of micro entities highlight, in particular, the complexity of the problem of accounting regulations for this segment of the economy. The paper starts from the basic research question of whether the simplification of accounting regulations is necessary or not, particularly for those micro entities where ownership and management functions are integrated into the same person. In order to achieve the research objectives, the effects of accounting regulations simplification on decision-making processes in micro entities were tested. Empirical research has confirmed that the simplification of accounting regulation is justified, because it would have effects on the cost reduction, while the information quality base will not be diminished.
Wavelet-based Image Modelling for Compression Using Hidden Markov Model

Statistical signal modeling using hidden Markov model is one of the techniques used for image compression. Wavelet based statistical signal models are impractical for most of the real time processing because they usually represent the wavelet coefficients as jointly Gaussian or independent to each other. In this paper, we build up an algorithm that succinctly characterizes the interdependencies of wavelet coefficients and their Non-Gaussian behavior especially for image compression. This is done by extracting the combine feature of hidden Markov model and Wavelet transformation that gives us comparatively better results. To estimate the parameter of wavelet based Hidden Markov model, an efficient expectation maximization algorithm is developed.
Drop-off rhythms of engorged rabbit ticks, Haemaphysalis Leporispalustris (Packard, 1896) (Acari: Ixodidae).

A definite rhythm of dropping off the host following engorgement is a part of the behavior of each of the 3 instars of the rabbit tick, HaemaPhysalis leporispalustris. Experiments done in the laboratory under controlled conditions revealed that as much as 90% of the total “drop-off” of larvae, nymphs, and adults occurred during the daytime in a 6-hr interval that ended 2 hr before the onset of darkness. The periodicity of drop-off is regulated primarily by a circadian rhythm of the ticks which is entrained by the daily light cycle. It appears that darkness plays the principal role in setting the phase of the rhythm. Experiments in which drop-off occurred in either constant light or darkness yielded evidence that the drop-off of ticks which had not been entrained by a light cycle could be influenced by some physiological rhythm of the lagomorph host.
Mesiobuccal root resection in endodontic-periodontal combined lesions.

AIM To present two successful cases involving management of endodontic-periodontal combined lesions with root resection and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy. SUMMARY Mesiobuccal resection surgery was performed concomitant with GTR therapy to manage endodontic-periodontal combined lesions on teeth 17 and 26. The increased mobility after the periodontal surgery gradually decreased during the healing period. At 15 and 20 month follow-ups, respectively, the teeth showed no mobility, 2-3 mm pocket depths and no further bone loss. KEY LEARNING POINTS Treatment of periodontally involved maxillary teeth creates unique challenges, given the presence of furcations, root proximities and the maxillary sinus. Root resection combined with GTR therapy can enable tooth maintenance with a good long-term prognosis.
Anterior Skull Base and Pericranial Flap Ossification after Frontofacial Monobloc Advancement

Background: Frontofacial monobloc advancement creates a communication between the anterior cranial fossa and nasal cavities. To tackle this issue, transorbital pericranial pedicled flaps are routinely performed in the authors’ center. This study aimed to assess the postoperative ossification of the anterior skull base and pedicled flaps following frontofacial monobloc advancement, and to identify factors influencing this ossification. Methods: Measurements of the skull base only and of the ossified pedicled flaps together with the skull base were performed on computed tomographic scans at the nasofrontal and the nasoethmoid frontal junctions. The total thickness of the skull vault was measured and a qualitative defect score for the anterior skull base was computed. Results: Twenty-two patients who underwent frontofacial monobloc advancement at a median age of 3.1 years (range, 1.9 to 3.6 years) were included: 14 with Crouzon, five with Pfeiffer, and three with Apert syndrome. One year and 5 years after surgery, the distraction gap was completely ossified in the anterior skull base midline in all patients. Ossified pedicled flaps together with the skull base were thicker in patients than in controls at these two time points (p < 0.005 and p < 0.02). Patients with Pfeiffer syndrome had a significantly thicker skull base only and ossified pedicled flaps together with the skull base thicknesses (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03) and lower defect scores than patients with Crouzon or Apert syndrome (p = 0.03) 1 year postoperatively. Conclusion: As ossification of the pedicled flaps and total reossification of the anterior skull base midline were observed in all patients, the authors indicate that performing pedicled flaps in frontofacial monobloc advancement surgery could promote the reossification of the anterior skull base. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
Mind–Body Therapies for Sleep Disturbances in Women at Midlife

Multiple factors contribute to sleep disturbances in women at midlife. Poor sleep is a common occurrence in women transitioning through midlife and is associated with significant morbidity. Factors that are known to disturb sleep in women at midlife include vasomotor symptoms, nocturia, sleep apnea, and stress. Stress in particular has a significant impact on sleep. Various treatments, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, are available to treat sleep disturbances. One nonpharmacologic option includes mind-body medicine, which encompasses several therapies. Practices within this realm have been shown to moderate the experience of stress and help restore sleep quality. Each woman’s experience of disturbed sleep and transition through midlife is unique. By having a broad awareness of all evidence-based therapeutics, the clinician is able to present a diverse set of options for women at midlife who are affected by poor sleep.
Measurement of corneal curvature in young and older normal subjects.

PURPOSE A decrease in the vertex radius occurs with aging. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the degree of flattening from the vertex to the periphery of the cornea, ie, the surface profile, also changes with age. METHODS A "p" value (a parameter that denotes the rate of flattening from the apex to the limbus) and vertex radius were measured in the horizontal meridian in a group of young and older subjects using the EyeSys videokeratoscope and the Topcon autokeratometer. RESULTS With EyeSys data, horizontal vertex radius and p value were computed by means of plotting a graph of r2 (sagittal radius) versus y2 (perpendicular distance from the instrument optical axis). For Topcon data, previously derived equations were used. Mean vertex radii in the younger Topcon autokeratometer group was 7.91+/-0.31 and for the EyeSys videokeratoscope was 7.98+/-0.31. For the older group, Topcon mean vertex radii was 7.68+/-0.22 and EyeSys mean was 7.74+/-0.24. Mean p value in the younger group was 0.66+/-0.09 for the Topcon and 0.78+/-0.07 for the EyeSys. In the older group, mean vertex radii was 0.74+/-0.07 for the Topcon and 0.86+/-0.07 for the EyeSys. CONCLUSION Vertex radius decreased with age, demonstrating a steepening of the cornea, and confirming previous results. The p value increases with age, indicating a shift toward a more spherical surface. The rate of change in the vertex radius and p value with age are predicted.
Spirometry is really useful and feasible in the GPs' daily practice but guidelines alone are not

C O S ~ S . ~ ~ ~ Costs may be reduced by increasing the utilisation of spirometry as a diagnostic tool, and improving physician adherence to treatment guidelines6 Asthma represents a significant health risk and public health burden in the United States. ' The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD)' and for Asthma (GINA)* summarises the current treatment and staging. FEVl is the main parameter to refer to for disease staging and therapy. 'JJ
Nasal Rhinosporidiosis in the Dog

Rhinosporidiosis was diagnosed in six dogs from the southeastern United States. All six dogs had unilateral nasal polyps with multiple small white sporangia visible beneath the surface. Microscopically, the polyps consisted of organisms and fibrovascular tissue with a surface of columnar or squamous epithelium. Juvenile sporangia were unilamellar, 15-75 in diameter, nucleated, and accounted for about 65% of sporangia seen. Approximately 5% of the sporangia were in intermediate stages of maturation, were bilamellar, 100-150 μm in diameter, and contained immature endospores. Mature sporangia comprised about 30% of the total, were usually unilamellar, 100-400 μm in diameter, and contained a mixture of immature and mature endospores. The inner layer of the wall of the intermediate sporangia and the single wall of the mature sporangia were argyrophilic and carminophilic. Ultrastructurally. the earliest stage contained a nucleus and many ribosomes, lipid droplets, and phagolysosomes. Maturing sporangia contained discrete membrane-bound, round clevage products. These structures subsequently matured to spores, each of which had a wall and contained a nucleus and many lipid droplets. The organism from one dog was cultured and grown in vitro for 7 months and is the first successful cultivation of Rhinosporidium seeberi.
Characteristics of Fps1-dependent and -independent glycerol transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eadie-Hofstee plots of glycerol uptake in wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1A grown on glucose showed the presence of both saturable transport and simple diffusion, whereas an fps1delta mutant displayed only simple diffusion. Transformation of the fps1delta mutant with the glpF gene, which encodes glycerol transport in Escherichia coli, restored biphasic transport kinetics. Yeast extract-peptone-dextrose-grown wild-type cells had a higher passive diffusion constant than the fps1delta mutant, and ethanol enhanced the rate of proton diffusion to a greater extent in the wild type than in the fps1delta mutant. In addition, the lipid fraction of the fps1delta mutant contained a lower percentage of phospholipids and a higher percentage of glycolipids than that of the wild type. Fps1p, therefore, may be involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism in S. cerevisiae, affecting membrane permeability in addition to fulfilling its specific role in glycerol transport. Simultaneous uptake of glycerol and protons occurred in both glycerol- and ethanol-grown wild-type and fps1delta cells and resulted in the accumulation of glycerol at an inside-to-outside ratio of 12:1 to 15:1. Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone prevented glycerol accumulation in both strains and abolished transport in the fps1delta mutant grown on ethanol. Likewise, 2,4-dinitrophenol inhibited transport in glycerol-grown wild-type cells. These results indicate the presence of an Fps1p-dependent facilitated diffusion system in glucose-grown cells and an Fps1p-independent proton symport system in derepressed cells.