Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Cichlid Fishes: Nature's Grand Experiment In Evolution

Cichlid fishes are amazing creatures. In terms of sheer number of species, they are the most successful of all families of vertebrate animals, and the extent and speed with which they have evolved in some African lakes has made them the darlings of evolutionary biologists. With warmth and wit, Barlow describes the remarkably high intelligence of these fishes, their complex mating and parenting rituals, their bizarre feeding and fighting habits, and their highly unusual adaptations. A celebration of their diversity, The Cichlid Fishes is also a marvelous exploration of how these animals might help resolve the age-old puzzle of how species arise and evolve.
Replication process of the parvovirus H-1. IX. Physical mapping studies of the H-1 genome.

Abstract The cleavage map of H-1 replicative-form DNA to the bacterial restriction endonuclease EcoRI, HaeII, HaeIII, HindII, HindIII, and HpaII has been determined. The 5'-phosphoryl end of the viral strand is on the right end of the molecule at or near the replication origin. Evidence is presented for the presence of inverted self-complementary sequences at the right end that differ from those at the left end. These sequences allow a foldback of the DNA after denaturation, and a minority of the native replicative-form DNA has the foldback configuration. The possible role of these structures in H-1 DNA synthesis is discussed.
Inside the ‘Red Circle’: the production of China’s corporate legal elite

This article examines the production of corporate legal elite through a systematic analysis of the profiles of the first three cohorts of partners in nine elite corporate law firms in Beijing. We argue that the social production of the Chinese corporate legal elite is primarily an outcome of domestic social factors rather than international factors. It is characterized by local elite recruitment from elite universities and endogenous elite circulation within the Red Circle firms. International credentials and work experience come only secondary to education and work experience in elite Chinese law schools and law firms for achieving elite status in the profession. Yet, international experience plays a role in promoting gender equality in elite professional service firms. This article contributes to the study of globalization and elite production in professional service firms by investigating how local and global forces manifest themselves in elite production in a major emerging market.
Vitellogenin Incorporation into Oocytes of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in Vitro: Effect of Hormones on Denuded Oocytes

An in vitro culture procedure to measure vitellogenin (VTG) incorporation into oocytes without follicle cell layers was developed using oocytes of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Oocytes incorporated VTG specifically and linearly for up to 24 hr. The maximum incorporation observed was 314 μg/24 hr/oocyte, using vitellogenic (3.6 mm diameter) oocytes.
A compact triple band circularly polarized planar antenna for wireless application

A compact planar triple band circularly polarized (CP) antenna loaded with parasitic elements is proposed for wireless applications. For achieving circular polarization 2 inverted L‐shaped strips are added to the longer arm of dual band monopole and ground plane. A rectangular patch and a U shaped radiator are added to increase the impedance bandwidth as well as polarization purity. Electrical size of the antenna is 0. 32λ × 0. 32λ, where λ is the free space wavelength at its lowest CP frequency that is, 2.4 GHz. The structure shows an impedance bandwidths (│S11│ ≤ –10 dB) of 870 MHz (1.83‐2.7 GHz), 1.17 GHz (3.27‐4.44 GHz), and 400 MHz (4.75‐5.15 GHz). The 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidths of the proposed structure are 12.2%, 5.3%, and 4.28% at 2.375, 3.47, and 4.9 GHz of center frequencies respectively. The proposed structure is fabricated and its parameters are measured. Measured results nearly match with the simulated results and it shows satisfactory gain in all the three operating CP bands.
3D On-Demand Flying Mobile Communication for Millimeter-Wave Heterogeneous Networks

Millimeter wave (mmWave) technology achieving multi-gigabits speed plays a significant role in beyond 5G and the next 6G wireless communication networks thanks to its huge spectrum utilization and beam-based directional transmissions. To tackle temporary ultra-high data demands of hotspot areas, three-dimensional (3D) heterogeneous network (HetNet) is designed with the integration of mmWave unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to provide resilient instantaneous control and data transmissions. However, some critical beam-related issues for mmWave implementation of UAVs/drones are addressed including robust initial beam alignment, mobility-aware beam tracking and beam refinement. In this research, we aim at developing robust and efficient beam control mechanisms by implementing a prototype of 3D flying heterogeneous communications. The backhaul connections operate at mmWave frequency between airship and UAV/drone, while fronthaul links adopt lower frequency bands such as Wi-Fi for multiuser data transmissions. We evaluate system performances for our proposed beam control schemes and provide a real-time prototype of 3D on-demand flying mobile communication for mmWave HetNets.
Trojan Horse Method: Basics and Recent Applications

The Trojan Horse Method has been developed and applied by the Catania Nuclear Astrophysics group over the last three decades. In this work, the basic features of the method together with a review of validity checks and recent applications will be reviewed. In particular examples of studies of reactions induced by charged particles and neutrons in presence of radioactive species will be shown.
Mineralogical and Chemical Investigations of the Amguid Crater (Algeria): Is there Evidence on an Impact Origin?

Mineralogical and chemical investigations were carried out on intra-craterial bedrocks (Lower Devonian sandstone) and regolithic residual soil deposits present around the Amguid structure, to discuss the hypothesis of its formation through a relatively recent (about 0.1 Ma) impact event. Observations with an optical microscope on intra-craterial rocks do not unequivocally confirm the presence of impact correlated microscopic planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz crystals. Field observations, and optical and instrumental analysis (Raman spectroscopy) on rocks and soils (including different granulometric fractions) do not provide any incontrovertible pieces of evidence of high energy impact effects or products of impact (e.g., high pressure—temperature phases, partially or totally melted materials, etc.) either in target rocks or in soils. A series of selected main and trace elements (Al, Fe, Mg, Ni, Co and Cu) were analysed on rocks and soils to evaluate the presence in these materials of extraterrestrial sources. Comparative chemical data on rocks and soils suggest that these last are significantly enriched in Fe-poor Mg-rich materials, and in Co, Ni and Cu, in the order. A large number of EDAX-SEM analyses on separated soil magnetic particles indicate an abnormally high presence of Al-free Mg-rich sub-spherical or drop-like silicate particles, showing very similar bulk chemistries compatible with forsterite olivine. Some particles were found associated with a Ni-rich iron metal phase, and this association suggests a specific extraterrestrial origin for them. Electron microscope analysis made on a large number of soil magnetic particles indicates that 98% of them are terrestrial phases (almandine garnet, tourmaline and Fe-oxides, in abundance order), whereas, only a few grains are of questionable origin. One of the Mg-rich silicate particles was found to be a forsterite (Mg = 0.86) Mn-rich (MnO: 0.23%) Cr-free olivine, almost surely of extraterrestrial sources. Electron microprobe analysis of three soil particles allowed identification of uncommon Cr-rich (Cr2O3 about 8%) spinels, poorly compatible with an origin from terrestrial sources, and in particular from local source rocks. We propose a specific extraterrestrial origin for sub-spherical olivine particles characterised by quite similar magnesian character. Excluding any derivation of these particles from interplanetary dust, two other possible extraterrestrial sources should be considered for them, i.e., either normal micrometeorite fluxes or strongly un-equilibrated, or the Vigarano type Carbonaceous (CV) chondrite meteorite material. In this case, further studies will confirm an impact origin for Amguid, as such magnesian olivine components found in soils might represent the only remnants of a vaporised projectile of ordinary non-equilibrated meteoritic composition.
Noniterative Design of Litz-Wire High-Frequency Gapped-Transformer (Lw-HFGT) for LLC Converters Based on Optimal Core-Geometry Factor Model (OKGM)

Litz-wire high-frequency gapped-transformer (Lw-HFGT) is a vital component that facilitates efficient operation of LLC converters. The converter designers go through cumbersome multiobjective optimization techniques, with many iterations, to obtain an optimal Lw-HFGT design. High reliance on such techniques is due to deficiencies in existing analytical core and winding selection (CWS) methodologies; most analytical CWS models do not focus on optimization. Therefore, this article proposes noniterative analytical CWS methodology for Lw-HFGT based on an innovative optimal core-geometry factor model (OKGM). The aim is to obtain Lw-HFGT design with minimized losses and size, integrated magnetizing inductance, and temperature rise within limits. The method incorporates application requirements (excitation-voltage waveform, LLC circuit-parameters, thermal limit), along with Lw-HFGT physical characteristics [core geometrical features, peak flux density <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(B_{{\rm{pk}}})$</tex-math></inline-formula>, current density, core-material parameters, air-gap, effective permeability, and Litz-wire-sizing (LwS)] in the CWS process. Analytical models with improved accuracy for core geometrical features extraction from core-geometry factor, optimal-<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$B_{{\rm{pk}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, and LwS are also proposed. The complete methodology is improved based on proposed models, optimality criteria, application requirements, and energy storage inside gapped transformer. Optimal values of initial setup parameters, calculated using optimal-<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$B_{{\rm{pk}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, enable OKGM to carryout optimal CWS in single iteration. The methodology is experimentally validated by designing Lw-HFGT for the 110-kHz, 200-W, 400–12 VDC LLC converter. The PC40-material-based Lw-HFGT design achieves up to 67% reduction in volume-loss product, in comparison to various existing methods with the same input.
Algorithm 1003

Partitioning graphs is a common and useful operation in many areas, from parallel computing to VLSI design to sparse matrix algorithms. In this article, we introduce Mongoose, a multilevel hybrid graph partitioning algorithm and library. Building on previous work in multilevel partitioning frameworks and combinatoric approaches, we introduce novel stall-reducing and stall-free coarsening strategies, as well as an efficient hybrid algorithm leveraging (1) traditional combinatoric methods and (2) continuous quadratic programming formulations. We demonstrate how this new hybrid algorithm outperforms either strategy in isolation, and we also compare Mongoose to METIS and demonstrate its effectiveness on large and social networking (power law) graphs.
Étude de CHES1/FOXN3, un facteur de transcription de la famille des forkheads, dans la régulation du cycle cellulaire et de la sénescence

Senescence is a state of stable cell cycle arrest where cells undergo vanous morphological and genetic changes. Senescence can be induced in vitro and in vivo by different oncogenes such as RasV12 and STAT5Al *6. Although its relevance to tumour suppression is well established,' the mechanisms goveming this phenomenon are still poorly understood. Thus, in an effort to clarify this issue, we sought to identify new regulators of cellular senescence by comparing gene expression profile of STAT5-senescent cells to the one of actively growing cells. We could identify a transcription factor named CHES 1/FOXN3 that was significantly up-regulated III senescent cells. We then hypothesized that CHES 1 could regulate the cell cycle and hence, participate in the senescence program. We demonstrated, through transfection, that CHES 1 can suppress the growth of the osteosarcoma cell line, U20S, and that this effect depends on the forkhead DNA-binding domain. Analysis of deletion mutants of the protein allowed us to identify an amino-terminal inhibitory domain that is phosphorylated at three distinct sites. Through retroviral gene infection on normal fibroblasts, we showed that CHES 1 by itself can induce senescence in a p53-dependant manner. Microarray analysis revealed· CHES 1 as a transcriptional repressor and a negative regulator of the G2/M transition. Moreover, CHES 1 over-expression results in a genetic profile very similar to the one of aged fibroblasts and coincides with our observation that CHES 1 mRNA is increased in aged rats. Since another forkhead transcription factor, FOXMl, regulates the G2/M transition, is drastically downregulated in aging and because he is a well established oncogene, we propose that CHESI is the cellular antagonist of FOXMl that act to protect cells against ma~ignant transformation and that with time, contribute to the aging phenotype.
Etude fonctionnelle des formes oncogéniques de KIT : nouvelles stratégies d'inactivation de la signalisation oncogénique KIT

Lorsqu’il est surexprime ou active constitutivement par mutation, le recepteur tyrosine kinase KIT est implique dans le developpement de pathologies proliferatives comme les mastocytoses, les tumeurs stromales gastro-intestinales (GIST) et certaines leucemies. La voie de signalisation KIT represente donc une cible therapeutique majeure en oncologie. Le developpement d’une nouvelle classe de molecules pharmacologiques appelees inhibiteurs de tyrosine kinase (ITK) est en plein essor. Un exemple majeur d’ITK est l’imatinib qui cible, entre autre, KIT et est efficace dans la plupart des GIST. Cependant, le traitement aux ITK est souvent confronte au phenomene de resistance primaire ou acquise par mutation secondaire. C’est pourquoi nous cherchons a developper de nouveaux composes ciblant KIT ou les voies de transductions activees par ses formes oncogeniques, et ce par 3 approches.Nous avons recemment montre que les mutants oncogeniques de KIT ont une localisation intracellulaire alors que KIT sauvage est exprime a la membrane. L’inhibition de l’activite kinase des mutants restaure une localisation normale. A partir de cette observation, nous avons cree et valide un test de criblage par cytometrie mesurant la relocalisation de KIT mute a la surface cellulaire. Le criblage d’une chimiotheque nous a permis de selectionner de nouveaux inhibiteurs de la signalisation KIT actifs sur des lignees cellulaires mutees pour KIT.Nous avons utilise la technique du phage display pour selectionner des anticorps au format scFv et VHH specifiques de la partie intracellulaire de KIT mutant. Lors de leur expression dans le cytosol (on parle alors d’intrabodies), leur fixation au niveau de KIT inhibe soit directement l’activite kinase, soit le recrutement de partenaires de signalisation. Nous avons obtenu des intrabodies de differentes specificites vis-a-vis des formes de KIT dont la caracterisation fonctionnelle est en cours Les intrabodies inhibiteurs seront utilises pour cribler des chimiotheques par ELISA. Les molecules chimiques recherchees empecheront la fixation des intrabodies sur la region intracellulaire de KIT. On selectionnera donc des molecules inhibant potentiellement l’oncogenicite de KIT.Nous avons developpe des anticorps au format scFv-Fc par phage display qui reconnaissent le domaine extracellulaire de KIT. Deux des anticorps selectionnes inhibent donc la signalisation induite par le SCF. Dans des lignees de leucemie exprimant KIT WT, nous avons montre que l’utilisation de ces anticorps entraine une diminution de la viabilite cellulaire. De plus, ils diminuent egalement la proliferation de lignees de leucemie a mastocytes sensibles et resistantes a l’imatinib (HMC11 et HMC12, respectivement). Ils representent donc des outils therapeutiques potentiels pour le traitement des pathologies impliquant KIT ainsi que pour contourner la resistance aux ITK de certains mutants.
Foraging and pollination behaviour of Xylocopa calens Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Phaseolus coccineus L. (Fabaceae) flowers at Yaounde (Cameroon)

To evaluate impact of carpenter bee, Xylocopa calens, on pod and seed set of Phaseolus coccineus, its foraging and pollinating activities were studied in Yaounde, for two seasons (May–July 2008 and April–June 2009). Observations were made on 40 inflorescences per treatment. The treatments included unlimited floral access by all visitors, bagged flowers to deny all visits, and limited visits by X. calens only. In addition, all flower visitors were recorded. The carpenter bee's seasonal rhythm of activity, its foraging behavior on flowers, its pollination efficiency, the fructification rate and the number of seeds per pod were recorded. Individuals from 16 species of insects were recorded visiting flowers of P. coccineus in the 2 years. Xylocopa calens was the most frequent, followed by Chalicodoma cincta cincta and Apis mellifera. Apart from bees, wasps were also recorded as likely predators. Xylocopa calens mainly foraged for nectar resources. The mean foraging speed was 9.62 flowers/min. Flowers visited by X. calens had higher fruiting rate compared with others, while those bagged had the lowest. In addition, seed formation was higher in X. calens‐visited flowers compared with all others. The results show that this crop experiences pollination deficit even under normal circumstances, considering that flowers visited by X. calens had higher yields compared with those under unlimited access by all visitors. The fruiting rate, the number of seeds/pod and the percentage of normal seeds of unprotected inflorescences were significantly higher than those of inflorescences protected from insects. X. calens foraging resulted in a significant increment of the fruiting rate by 25.80%, as well as the number of seeds/pod by 14.97% and the percentage of normal seeds by 27.75% in 2008 and 18.39% in 2009. Conservation of X. calens nests close to P. coccineus fields could be recommended to improve pod and seed production in the region.
Surfatron acceleration of the protons to high energy in relativistic jets

This paper describes the acceleration of high energies protons captured by electrostatic waves in the frame of jet arising in the area of instability of relativistic jet, where spiral structures are excited. The wave has a spatially heterogeneous structure of $\exp(i k_\parallel z +i m_\phi \phi)$. Protons can be captured in potential wells created by spiral waves, and thereby experience acceleration with a mechanism known as surfatron acceleration. Expressions of the maximum energy ($ E_p \simeq 10^{19} eV $) and the energy spectrum from jet parameters are obtained.
Mechanisms of Notch-mediated inhibition of skeletal myogenesis

The Notch pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling cascade that regulates many cell fate decisions. Recent work has revealed that Notch plays critical roles in the control of skeletal muscle development and regeneration. In the embryo, Notch maintains a pool of myogenic progenitor cells and prevents their premature differentiation. In the adult, after muscle injury, Notch signaling is essential for the initial expansion of muscle stem cells, or satellite cells. While it has been known for over a decade that Notch activity represses myogenic differentiation, the molecular mechanisms by which this inhibition occurs are poorly defined. In this thesis, I sought to identify the key transcriptional effectors of Notch in muscle and explore how these proteins repress the myogenic program. Using the mouse myoblast cell line C2C12, I identified 82 transcripts upregulated after six hours of ligand-mediated Notch stimulation. When constitutively expressed in myoblasts, several of these genes (Nrarp, HeyL, Trib2) had no apparent impact on differentiation, while at least two of them, the canonical effector Hey1 and the novel Notch-responsive gene MyoR, were capable of recapitulating the pathway’s inhibitory effects. Interestingly, siRNA knockdown of Hey1 or MyoR, or the two factors in combination, failed to rescue the differentiation of myoblasts exposed to Notch ligands. These results support a model in which Notch acts through multiple, potentially redundant pathways to repress myogenesis. In subsequent work, I focused on the mechanistic question of how the Notch effector Hey1 interferes with myogenic transcription. My functional and biochemical data revealed that Hey1 does not target the inherent transcriptional activity of the skeletal muscle master regulator MyoD. I found that Hey1 repressed only a subset of MyoD target genes, and consistently, did not disrupt dimerization of MyoD with its obligate binding partner E47. My results indicated that Hey1 is recruited to the promoter regions of Myogenin and Mef2C, two genes whose induction is critical for differentiation. Expression of Hey1 in C2C12 myoblasts correlated with reduced recruitment of MyoD to these promoters, arguing that Hey1 inhibits myogenesis by associating with and repressing expression of key myogenic targets. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Cell & Molecular Biology First Advisor Tom Kadesch
The aetiology of severe community-acquired pneumonia requiring intensive care unit admission in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common condition, with mortality increasing in patients who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. A better understanding of the current aetiology of severe CAP will aid clinicians in requesting appropriate diagnostic tests and initiating appropriate empiric antimicrobials. Objectives To assess the comorbidities, aetiology and mortality associated with severe CAP in a tertiary ICU in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods We retrospectively analysed a prospective registry of all adults admitted to the medical intensive care unit at Tygerberg Hospital with severe CAP over a 1-year period. Results We identified 74 patients (mean (SD) age 40.0 (15.5) years; 44 females). The patients had a mean (SD) APACHE II score of 21.4 (7.9), and the mean ICU stay was 6.6 days. Of the 74 patients, 16 (21.6%) died in ICU. Non-survivors had a higher mean (SD) APACHE II score than survivors (28.3 (6.8) v. 19.4 (7.1); p<0.001). Mycobacterium tuberculosis (n=16; 21.6%) was the single most common agent identified, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=9; 12.2%). All P. aeruginosa isolates were sensitive to first-line treatment. No organism was identified in 32 patients (43.2%). Conclusion M. tuberculosis was the single most common agent identified in patients presenting with CAP. The mortality of CAP requiring invasive ventilation was relatively low, with a strong association between mortality and a higher APACHE II score.
Leucine Intake as Determinant of Muscle Strength and Gait Speed in the Elderly

The purpose of this study was to analyse the intake of leucine as a determinant of muscle strength and gait speed in the elderly. This research is a cross-sectional study that involved 132 elderly people in the community (34 men and 98 women), aged 60–69 years. Data were obtained from interviews, physical examinations (body weight, body height, muscle mass, muscle strength, and gait speed), as well as food recall 3x24 hours. The statistical analysis employed Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. Intake of leucine was positively correlated with muscle strength (r=0.3; p<0.001) and gait speed (r=0.244; p<0.05). It was not inta