Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microsatellite multiplex method for potential use in Black Slavonian pig breeding

Previous studies on Black Slavonian pig breed were focused on the main coat color MC1R locus and on development of the method for Black Slavonian cross-breeds identification, based on coat color genotype. Microsatellites have been used for population studies in pigs for last 25 years and are convenient markers for evaluating the genetic diversity of pig breeds, for parental analysis and identification of pigs as well as traceability of different pig breeds meat in meat products. We developed a PCR multiplex, containing 9 microsatellites in a single reaction. The method was tested on 50 Black Slavonian pig samples (30 homozygous and 20 heterozygous for MC1R locus). For the 9 microsatellite loci analyzed, 79 alleles were detected. The number of detected alleles was high for all loci, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 5 for S0026, Sw24 and Swr1941 to 22 alleles for S0005. Our results demonstrate that described MS multiplex method may provide a reasonable amount of genetic information to be suitable for use in Black slavonian pig breeding programs in the future.
Effects of gamma irradiation on BCL2 and TPR53BP2 expression in the porcine ciliary body.

BACKGROUND When dissection of porcine eyes from a living body results in the cessation of aqueous humor production and blood flow, programmed cell death regulated by TPR53BP2 and BCL2 genes may occur in the pigmented epithelium (PE) and non-pigmented epithelium (NPE) of the ciliary body. Blood products are subjected to gamma irradiation in order to prevent cellular damage resulting from transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease. We investigated whether gamma irradiation influenced BCL2 or TPR53BP2 genes as well as the morphology of the porcine ciliary body. METHODS We irradiated the anterior segments of porcine eyes by using (60)Co gamma-rays (20 Gy). To study BCL2 and TPR53BP2 expression, the irradiated specimens were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin and then incubated with mouse monoclonal anti-human BCL2 or TPR53BP2 antibody. RESULTS Following dissection, an imbalance in homeostasis began with positive BCL2 and TPR53BP2 expression in the edematous ciliary processes, and resulted in atrophy of the NPE. Increased BCL2 and TPR53BP2 expression were evident just after gamma irradiation. Decreased TPR53BP2 expression occurred after 8 h of incubation, and thereby suppressed apoptosis in the NPE; hence, the structure of the ciliary body that was incubated for 8 h after gamma irradiation was well preserved. CONCLUSIONS Irradiation renders the ciliary body in enucleated porcine eyes less vulnerable to apoptosis, and thereby exerts a profound preservative effect.
The relationships of the Euparkeriidae and the rise of Archosauria

For the first time, a phylogenetic analysis including all putative euparkeriid taxa is conducted, using a large data matrix analysed with maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis. Using parsimony, the putative euparkeriid Dorosuchus neoetus from Russia is the sister taxon to Archosauria + Phytosauria. Euparkeria capensis is placed one node further from the crown, and forms a euparkeriid clade with the Chinese taxa Halazhaisuchus qiaoensis and ‘Turfanosuchus shageduensis’ and the Polish taxon Osmolskina czatkowicensis. Using Bayesian methods, Osmolskina and Halazhaisuchus are sister taxa within Euparkeriidae, in turn sister to ‘Turfanosuchus shageduensis’ and then Euparkeria capensis. Dorosuchus is placed in a polytomy with Euparkeriidae and Archosauria + Phytosauria. Although conclusions remain tentative owing to low node support and incompleteness, a broad phylogenetic position close to the base of Archosauria is confirmed for all putative euparkeriids, and the ancestor of Archosauria +Phytosauria is optimized as similar to euparkeriids in its morphology. Ecomorphological characters and traits are optimized onto the maximum parsimony strict consensus phylogeny presented using squared change parsimony. This optimization indicates that the ancestral archosaur was probably similar in many respects to euparkeriids, being relatively small, terrestrial, carnivorous and showing relatively cursorial limb morphology; this Bauplan may have underlain the exceptional radiaton and success of crown Archosauria.
Population ecology of free-ranging American mink Mustela vison in Denmark

This PhD thesis presents the results of various studies of free-ranging American mink Mustela vison in Denmark. Stable carbon isotope analyses of teeth and claws from 213 free-ranging mink from two areas in Denmark showed that nearly 80% were escaped farm mink. A genetic analysis of a sub-sample of the same animals by means of microsatellites corroborated this result. The isotope analyses permitted the separation of the mink into three groups; newly escaped mink, ‘earlier’ escaped mink (having lived in nature for more than ca. two months), and wild mink. The survival of these three groups differed. Once an escaped farm mink had managed to stay alive in nature for more than two months, its chances of survival were as good as for the wild mink. Mink diet consisted primarily of mammals, followed by amphibians, birds and fish. Diet of polecats from the same area is also described. Finally, the thesis gives results from model simulations (including evolution) of the possible effects on the free-ranging population of reducing the number of escapes or completely closing down fur farms in Denmark.
Stochastic DCA for the Large-sum of Non-convex Functions Problem and its Application to Group Variable Selection in Classification

In this paper, we present a stochastic version of DCA (Difference of Convex functions Algorithm) to solve a class of optimization problems whose objective function is a large sum of nonconvex functions and a regularization term. We consider the `2,0 regularization to deal with the group variables selection. By exploiting the special structure of the problem, we propose an efficient DC decomposition for which the corresponding stochastic DCA scheme is very inexpensive: it only requires the projection of points onto balls that is explicitly computed. As an application, we applied our algorithm for the group variables selection in multiclass logistic regression. Numerical experiments on several benchmark datasets and synthetic datasets illustrate the efficiency of our algorithm and its superiority over well-known methods, with respect to classification accuracy, sparsity of solution as well as running time.
Guidelines for School Programs to Prevent Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Since 1973, new cases of the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, have increased approximately 150%. During the same period, deaths from melanoma have increased approximately 44%. Approximately 65%-90% of melanomas are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. More than one half of a persons lifetime UV exposure occurs during childhood and adolescence because of more opportunities and time for exposure. Exposure to UV radiation during childhood plays a role in the future development of skin cancer. Persons with a history of > or = 1 blistering sunburns during childhood or adolescence are two times as likely to develop melanoma than those who did not have such exposures. Studies indicate that protection from UV exposure during childhood and adolescence reduces the risk for skin cancer. These studies support the need to protect young persons from the sun beginning at an early age. School staff can play a major role in protecting children and adolescents from UV exposure and the future development of skin cancer by instituting policies, environmental changes, and educational programs that can reduce skin cancer risks among young persons. This report reviews scientific literature regarding the rates, trends, causes, and prevention of skin cancer and presents guidelines for schools to implement a comprehensive approach to preventing skin cancer. Based on a review of research, theory, and current practice, these guidelines were developed by CDC in collaboration with specialists in dermatology, pediatrics, public health, and education; national, federal, state, and voluntary agencies; schools; and other organizations. Recommendations are included for schools to reduce skin cancer risks through policies; creation of physical, social, and organizational environments that facilitate protection from UV rays; education of young persons; professional development of staff involvement of families; health services; and program evaluation.
Dead‐end intermediates in the enterobacterial common antigen pathway induce morphological defects in Escherichia coli by competing for undecaprenyl phosphate

Bacterial morphology is determined primarily by the architecture of the peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall, a mesh‐like layer that encases the cell. To identify novel mechanisms that create or maintain cell shape in Escherichia coli, we used flow cytometry to screen a transposon insertion library and identified a wecE mutant that altered cell shape, causing cells to filament and swell. WecE is a sugar aminotransferase involved in the biosynthesis of enterobacterial common antigen (ECA), a non‐essential outer membrane glycolipid of the Enterobacteriaceae. Loss of wecE interrupts biosynthesis of ECA and causes the accumulation of the undecaprenyl pyrophosphate‐linked intermediate ECA‐lipid II. The wecE shape defects were reversed by: (i) preventing initiation of ECA biosynthesis, (ii) increasing the synthesis of the lipid carrier undecaprenyl phosphate (Und‐P), (iii) diverting Und‐P to PG synthesis or (iv) promoting Und‐P recycling. The results argue that the buildup of ECA‐lipid II sequesters part of the pool of Und‐P, which, in turn, adversely affects PG synthesis. The data strongly suggest there is competition for a common pool of Und‐P, whose proper distribution to alternate metabolic pathways is required to maintain normal cell shape in E. coli.
Extracting Scientists from Wikipedia

The Internet is, among other things, a very large and continuously growing source of information and knowledge. This knowledge can be found in the form of text, images, databases, tables, etc. In this article, we describe a system that gathers information from Wikipedia articles and existing data from Wikidata, which is then combined and put in a searchable database. This system is dedicated to making the process of finding scientists both quicker and easier.
Floating-bioadhesive gastroretentive Caesalpinia pulcherrima-based beads of amoxicillin trihydrate for Helicobacter pylori eradication

Abstract Context: An oral dosage form containing floating bioadhesive gastroretentive microspheres forms a stomach-specific drug delivery system for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori. Objectives: To prepare and evaluate controlled release floating bioadhesive gastroretentive chitosan-coated amoxicillin trihydrate-loaded Caesalpinia pulcherrima galactomannan (CPG)-alginate beads (CCA-CPG-A), for H. pylori eradication. Materials and methods: CCA-CPG-A beads were prepared by ionotropic gelation, using 23 factorial design with quantity of drug, combination of CPG with sodium alginate and concentration of calcium chloride as variables. Beads facilitated mucoadhesion to gastric mucosa with floating nature caused by chitosan coating for wide distribution throughout GIT. Developed beads were evaluated for characteristics like beads size-morphology, entrapment efficiency, DSC, XRD, FTIR, swelling ratio, in vitro mucoadhesion, in vitro drug release, in vitro floating and in vitro H. pylori growth inhibition studies. CCA-CPG-A beads were studied in Wistar rats for in vivo gastric mucoadhesion, in vivo H. pylori growth inhibition studies using PCR amplification of isolated DNA, rapid urease test. Result: Developed beads possess drug release of 79–92%, entrapment efficiency of 65–89%, mucoadhesion of 61–89%. In vivo mucoadhesion study showed more than 85% mucoadhesion of beads even after 7th hour. In vitro–in vivo growth inhibition study showed complete eradication of H. pylori. Discussion: CPG-alginate and chitosan in beads interacts with gastric mucosubstrate surface for prolonged gastric residence with floating bioadhesion mechanism for H. pylori eradication in rats. Conclusion: Floating bioadhesive CCA-CPG-A beads offer a promising drug delivery system for H. pylori eradication at lower dose, reduced adverse effect and enhance bioavailability.
Software Defined Cognitive Radio Network Framework: Design and Evaluation

Software defined networking SDN provides a novel network resource management framework that overcomes several challenges related to network resources management. On the other hand, Cognitive Radio CR technology is a promising paradigm for addressing the spectrum scarcity problem through efficient dynamic spectrum access DSA. In this paper, the authors introduce a virtualization based SDN resource management framework for cognitive radio networks CRNs. The framework uses the concept of multilayer hypervisors for efficient resources allocation. It also introduces a semi-decentralized control scheme that allows the CRN Base Station BS to delegate some of the management responsibilities to the network users. The main objective of the proposed framework is to reduce the CR users' reliance on the CRN BS and physical network resources while improving the network performance by reducing the control overhead.
Mantle detachment faults and the breakup of cold continental lithosphere

We use a novel numerical approach that fully couples the energy, momentum, and continuum equations to investigate the physics of extension and breakup of cold continental lithosphere to form new ocean basins. Unlike hot continental systems, where fl at-lying detachment faults are nucleated in the strong part of the upper crust, cold continental systems have fl at-lying detachment faults nucleating in the strong upper mantle at a relatively early stage. These detachment faults subsequently control the development of a mantle core complex and associated crustal structures. The observed structures are analogous to those developed in mid-crustal core complexes during extension of relatively thick and hot continental crust. In the cold environment, however, a strong elastic layer is developed within the mantle, shifting the stress-bearing part of the system to below the Moho. Our modeling results reproduce key tectonic elements of a natural system (the Iberia margin, offshore the Iberian Peninsula) by stretching a randomly perturbed, unpatterned lithosphere. Results also explain the “upper plate paradox” by doming of continental lithospheric mantle separated from the crust by two diffuse detachment zones dipping toward the two future continental margins. Doming is facilitated by channel fl ow of the lower crust. Keywords: extension, detachment faults, passive margin, numerical
OR Practice - An Analysis of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Technology Choice

The Baltimore Gas and Electric Company BGE must select a strategy for adding 600 megawatts of electric generating capacity at the Perryman site near Baltimore to come on-line in the 1990s. This paper reports an analysis that evaluates strategies involving either a conventional coal facility or one of three technologies not currently available commercially. A key issue is whether the perceived advantages of the new technologies are worth the risks of not having, the generation capacity early enough to meet load growth. The analysis evaluates strategies using several BGE objectives, including customer cost, shareholder return, corporate image, health and safety, and feasibility. These objectives are combined by means of an evaluation function that uses corporate value tradeoffs, elicited first from analysts in the Generation Planning Unit and then refined in interviews with five BGE senior executives. Uncertainties addressed in the analysis include load growth, time when a new technology becomes available, and construction and licensing delay. The analysis is partially based on preliminary input information, but designed for iterative use incorporating better information. The computer software for the model has been transferred to BGE to be used to provide insights into technology choice problems.
Role of Aliskiren on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function in Patients With Primary Hypertension

Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are important determinants of cardiovascular events in patients with arterial hypertension. There are few data regarding the role of aliskiren on the central hemodynamics and endothelial function in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the addition of aliskiren to other antihypertensive drug treatment for arterial stiffness and endothelial function. Thirty uncontrolled hypertensive patients (mean age, 60.4±12.2 years), without any other cardiovascular risk factors, were enrolled. Augmentation index (AIx) and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) by applanation tonometry and reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH PAT) index using peripheral arterious tonometry at baseline and after 6 months of aliskiren titrated to 300 mg once a day was evaluated. The addition of aliskiren had no effect on values of central AIx (33.26±10.74% vs 28.86±10.74%; P=.36) but did significantly improve values of cfPWV (9.36±2.65 m/s vs 8.72±2.48 m/s; P=.04) and RH PAT index (1.64±0.57 vs 1.75±0.45; P=.05). In addition to improving systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the addition of aliskiren to concomitant antihypertensive drugs in uncontrolled hypertensive patients may be effective in improving aortic stiffness and endothelial function. These results encourage further studies to evaluate the use of aliskiren for cardiovascular prevention.
Journal of Medical Internet Research

Background: While still in its infancy, Internet-based diabetes management shows great promise for growth. However, the following aspects must be considered: what are the key metrics for the evaluation of a diabetes management site? how should these sites grow in the future and what services should they offer? Objectives: To examine the needs of the patient and the health care professional in an Internet-based diabetes management solution and how these needs are translated into services offered. Methods: An evaluation framework was constructed based on a literature review that identified the requirements for an Internet-based diabetes management solution. The requirements were grouped into 5 categories: Monitoring, Information, Personalization, Communication, and Technology. Two of the market leaders (myDiabetes and LifeMasters) were selected and were evaluated with the framework. The Web sites were evaluated independently by 5 raters using the evaluation framework. All evaluations were performed from November 1, 2001 through December 15, 2001. Results: The agreement level between raters ranged from 60% to 100%. The multi-rater reliability (kappa) was 0.75 for myDiabetes and 0.65 for LifeMasters, indicating substantial agreement. The results of the evaluations indicate that LifeMasters is a more-complete solution than myDiabetes in all dimensions except Information, where both sites were equivalent. LifeMasters satisfied 32 evaluation criteria while myDiabetes satisfied 24 evaluation criteria, out of a possible 40 in the framework. Conclusions: The framework is based on the recognition that the management of diabetes via the Internet is based on several integrated dimensions: Monitoring, Information, Personalization, Communication, and Technology. A successful diabetes management system should efficiently integrate all dimensions. The evaluation found that LifeMasters is successful in integrating the health care professional in the management of diabetes and that MyDiabetes is quite effective in providing a communication channel for community creation (however, communication with the health care professional is lacking). (J Med Internet Res 2002;4(1):e1) doi: 10.2196/jmir.4. 1.e1
Toward Concurrent Lock-Free Queues on GPUs

SUMMARY General purpose computing on GPU (GPGPU) has become a popular computing model for high-performance, data-intensive applications. Accordingly, there is a strong need to develop highly e ﬃ cient data structures to ease the development of GPGPU applications. In this work, we proposed an e ﬃ cient concurrent queue data structure for GPU computing. The GPU based provably correct, lock-free FIFO queue allows a massive number of concurrent producers and consumers. Warp-centric en-queue and de-queue procedures are introduced to better match the underlying Single-Instruction, Multiple-Thread execution model of modern GPUs. It outperforms the best previous GPU queues by up to 40 fold. The correctness of the proposed queue operations is formally validated by lin-earizability criteria.
Parental and endosymbiont effects on sex determination in haplodiploid wasps : Who is in control?

Although there are only two sexes, the genetic mechanisms that determine male or female development are bewilderingly diverse throughout the animal kingdom. This applies also to insects who determine their sex by a cascade of genes that ultimately set the switch into a male or female mode. This thesis presents novel insight into the sex determination cascade of four parasitoid wasp species. These species belong to a group of insects that do not have sex chromosomes. Instead, males develop from unfertilized haploid eggs, and females from fertilized diploid eggs. In the sequenced genomes of all four species the sex determination genes were identified and compared, showing that the four sex determination cascades have even more variation that originally assumed. Sex determination in fertilized eggs is initiated by an interaction between gene products that the mother wasps put into their eggs and gene products that are derived from the father’s genome in the embryo. However, in some species, females are infected with a bacterium that manipulates their reproduction. Such females produce only daughters from unfertilized eggs. To understand this phenomenon, the expression of the sex determination gene products were determined in infected and uninfected females and their embryos. This showed for the first time that the bacteria changes the maternal supply of gene products in such a way that their eggs do not require a paternal genome anymore for female development. Hence, the bacteria have taken control over the sex determination of their wasp host.
The nude mouse skin phenotype: the role of Foxn1 in hair follicle development and cycling.

The original nude mouse mutation has proven to be an incredibly valuable biomedical tool since its discovery in 1966. Initially its value was as a tool to study the immune system. The immunodeficiency in this mutant mouse made nude mice valuable as hosts for xenografts, primarily for cancer research. More recently, the most obvious clinical feature of this mutant mouse, lack of hair, has been capitalized on to define the role of Foxn1 in normal and pathological skin and hair follicle physiology.
THE PRELUDE ON CONVENTIONAL AND ADVANCE TREATMENT OF PEMPHIGUS VULAGARIS (PV): A REVIEW

The Pemphigus vul garis (PV) is a group of highly lethal autoimmune disease characterized by mucocutaneous erosions or blisters. Pemphigus vulgaris can be present in different forms l ike oral and topical. S o , it is challenging to manage and treat. Mortality rate due to Pemp higus vulgaris can be decreased by using systemic corticosteroids, but the present treatment options are limited due to the toxicity profiles of drugs available for treating Pemphigus vulgaris . Recent studies that shed light on the molecular mechanisms inv olved in the disease had lead to introduction of advance therapies like immunoadso rption, extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), tumor Necrosis Factor - α (TNF - α ) treatment and few other treatments have been subject to randomized control trials to firmly establish es therapeutic efficacy. The present review emphasized on management of th e condition, most commonly conventional treatments and recent treatment advances.