Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of network methods for understanding evolutionary dynamics in discrete habitats

In populations occupying discrete habitat patches, gene flow between habitat patches may form an intricate population structure. In such structures, the evolutionary dynamics resulting from interaction of gene‐flow patterns with other evolutionary forces may be exceedingly complex. Several models describing gene flow between discrete habitat patches have been presented in the population‐genetics literature; however, these models have usually addressed relatively simple settings of habitable patches and have stopped short of providing general methodologies for addressing nontrivial gene‐flow patterns. In the last decades, network theory – a branch of discrete mathematics concerned with complex interactions between discrete elements – has been applied to address several problems in population genetics by modelling gene flow between habitat patches using networks. Here, we present the idea and concepts of modelling complex gene flows in discrete habitats using networks. Our goal is to raise awareness to existing network theory applications in molecular ecology studies, as well as to outline the current and potential contribution of network methods to the understanding of evolutionary dynamics in discrete habitats. We review the main branches of network theory that have been, or that we believe potentially could be, applied to population genetics and molecular ecology research. We address applications to theoretical modelling and to empirical population‐genetic studies, and we highlight future directions for extending the integration of network science with molecular ecology.
Demyelinating disease after neurologically complicated primary Epstein‐Barr virus infection

This report describes five patients who, following a neurologically complicated primary Epstein-Barr virus infection, developed progressive or relapsing neurologic deficits. The sequelae in four patients followed 4 to 12 years led to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The fifth patient presented with acute disseminated sclerosis and exhibits diffuse neurologic deficits that have persisted for 2 years. We suggest that the diagnosis of an unexplained acute neurologic or psychiatric syndrome should raise the question of a primary EBV etiology. A precisely timed serologic and hematologic study of the blood is imperative to capture the essential evidence. The data presented represent a clinical association between a neurologically complicated primary EBV infection and both chronic and acute demyelinating disease. The evidence does not justify a conclusion that EBV virus causes MS.
Efficiency improvement and downsizing of double-layered IPMSMs containing a strong magnet for automotive applications

Interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs) are currently widely utilized as traction motors. The permanent magnets used in IPMSMs are an important factor; thus, high-coercivity permanent magnets with lesser rare-earth elements are in development. This paper proposes two modified versions of double-layered IPMSMs containing a strong magnet to improve their efficiency and reduce their size. The performance of these IPMSMs is demonstrated in several scenarios and discussed based on the results of two-dimensional finite element analysis.
Exploring additional determinants of fixed broadband adoption: policy implications for narrowing the broadband demand gap

ABSTRACT Using data from the survey ‘Aspects of daily life’ conducted on Italian individuals in 2014 by the Italian Institute of Statistics, we propose new evidence on the factors that encourage the adoption of fixed broadband, a topic relevant for the reduction of the so-called broadband demand gap. We estimate a probit model through the two-step Heckman procedure for the selection bias, and find that, besides the already studied socio-demographic determinants, Internet-capable devices other than personal computers, as well as recreational (essentially video contents) and cloud-related uses of the Internet, have a relevant positive role. Policies aimed at fostering the diffusion of smart homes and more generally of the Internet of things at the residential level might be very effective in favouring fixed broadband adoption, provided that the network be neutral, not discriminating between data based on their contents and/or the destination device, and that possible foreclosing behaviours in the access to (premium) contents be properly and promptly addressed.
Opposite effects of phosphatase inhibitors on L‐type calcium and delayed rectifier currents in frog cardiac myocytes.

1. Application of the phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid (OA) and microcystin (MC) to frog cardiomyocytes caused large increases in L‐type calcium current (ICa) in the absence of beta‐adrenergic agonists. The increase occurred without effects on the peak current‐voltage relation or voltage‐dependent inactivation. OA and MC caused a decrease in amplitude of delayed rectifier current (IK), which is opposite to the increase produced by cAMP‐dependent phosphorylation. The decrease occurred without effects on voltage‐dependent activation or reversal potential. 2. Analysis of the dose‐response relations for OA and MC on ventricular cell ICa were best fitted with a single‐site relationship with a K1/2 of 1.58 microM and 0.81 microM, respectively. These data suggest the predominant form of phosphatase active on ICa in this cell type is produced by protein phosphatase 1. Inhibition of phosphatase 2B (calcineurin) was without appreciable effect. 3. Reducing intracellular ATP levels was without effect on basal ICa suggesting that calcium channels may not need to be phosphorylated to open. ATP depletion was able to block completely the ICa increase induced by OA or MC. This demonstrates that the effects of OA and MC on ICa are mediated by a phosphorylation reaction. In contrast, ATP depletion totally abolished IK, suggesting either a requirement for ATP or phosphorylation for basal function of the delayed rectifier channel. 4. Internal perfusion of a peptide inhibitor (PKI(5‐22)) of protein kinase A (PK‐A) was without effect on basal current levels of ICa or IK, suggesting that this kinase is not phosphorylating these channels under basal conditions. Furthermore, although PKI is capable of completely blocking the response of ICa to isoprenaline or forskolin, PKI does not affect the increase in ICa induced by MC or OA. Inhibition of adenylate cyclase with acetylcholine or inhibition of PK‐A with adenosine cyclic 3',5'‐(Rp)‐phosphothioate (Rp‐cAMPS) also had no effect on the response to OA or MC. 5. Application of beta‐adrenergic agonist, forskolin or cAMP all produced additional increases in the presence of saturating doses of MC or OA. This supports the hypothesis that PK‐A is not mediating the OA response and that phosphatase inhibition does not result in complete phosphorylation of PK‐A sites. 6. To attempt to identify the protein kinase activity responsible for OA effects on ICa and IK, several types of protein kinase inhibitors were internally perfused. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Vacuolar Import and Degradation Pathway Merges with the Endocytic Pathway to Deliver Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to the Vacuole for Degradation*

The gluconeogenic enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) is degraded in the vacuole when glucose is added to glucose-starved cells. Before it is delivered to the vacuole, however, FBPase is imported into intermediate carriers called Vid (vacuole import and degradation) vesicles. Here, using biochemical and genetic approaches, we identified a requirement for SEC28 in FBPase degradation. SEC28 encodes the ϵ-COP subunit of COPI (coat protein complex I) coatomer proteins. When SEC28 and other coatomer genes were mutated, FBPase degradation was defective and FBPase association with Vid vesicles was impaired. Coatomer proteins were identified as components of Vid vesicles, and they formed a protein complex with a Vid vesicle-specific protein, Vid24p. Furthermore, Vid24p association with Vid vesicles was impaired when coatomer genes were mutated. Kinetic studies indicated that Sec28p traffics to multiple locations. Sec28p was in Vid vesicles, endocytic compartments, and the vacuolar membrane in various mutants that block the FBPase degradation pathway. Sec28p was also found in vesicles adjacent to the vacuolar membrane in the ret2-1 coatomer mutant. We propose that Sec28p resides in Vid vesicles, and these vesicles converge with the endocytic pathway. After fusion, Sec28p is distributed on the vacuolar membrane, where it concentrates on vesicles that pinch off from this organelle. FBPase also utilizes the endocytic pathway for transport to the vacuole, as demonstrated by its presence in endocytic compartments in the Δvph1 mutant. Taken together, our results indicate a strong connection between the Vid trafficking pathway and the endocytic pathway.
Eye movements in reading: Some theoretical context

The study of eye movements has proven to be one of the most successful approaches in research on reading. In this overview, it is argued that a major reason for this success is that eye movement measurement is not just a methodology—the control of eye movements is actually part and parcel of the dynamics of information processing within the task of reading itself. Some major developments over the last decade are discussed with a focus on the issue of spatially distributed word processing and its relation to the development of reading models. The survey ends with a description of two newly emerging trends in the field: the study of continuous reading in non-Roman writing systems and the broadening of the scope of research to encompass individual differences and developmental issues.
The Association between Hearing Loss and Social Isolation in Older Adults

Objective To determine if age-related hearing loss is associated with social isolation and whether factors such as age, gender, income, race, or hearing aid use moderated the association. Study Design Cross-sectional. Setting Randomly sampled United States communities. Subjects and Methods Cross-sectional data on adults 60 to 84 years old from the 1999 to 2006 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. The dependent variable was social isolation, which was defined using the social isolation score (SIS), a 4-point composite index consisting of items pertaining to strength of social network and support. SIS scores ≥2 were considered indicative of social isolation. The independent (predictor) variable was the pure tone average of speech frequency (0.5-4 kHz) hearing thresholds in the better-hearing ear. Covariates included potential medical, demographic, and otologic confounders. We used multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the association between hearing loss and the odds of having social isolation. An exploratory analysis was performed to assess the strength of associations between hearing loss and individual items of the SIS scale. Results Greater hearing loss was associated with increased odds of social isolation in women aged 60 to 69 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.49 per 25-dB of hearing loss; 95% confidence interval, 1.91, 6.39; P < .001). Effect modification by gender was significant in this age group (P = .003). Hearing loss was not significantly associated with social isolation in other age and gender groups. Conclusions Greater hearing loss is associated with increased odds of being social isolated in a nationally representative sample of women aged 60 to 69 years.
Rice-based oral rehydration solution for treating diarrhoea.

BACKGROUND Oral rehydration therapy is used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea. However the rehydration solution does not reduce stool loss or length of illness. A solution able to do this may lessen the use of ineffective diarrhoea treatments as well as improve morbidity and mortality related to diarrhoea. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of rice-based oral rehydration salts solution compared with glucose-based oral rehydration salts solution on reduction of stool output and duration of diarrhoea in patients with acute watery diarrhoea. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, Lilacs and the reference lists of relevant articles. We also contacted researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized trials comparing standard World Health Organization oral rehydration solution with an experimental oral rehydration salts solution in which glucose (20 grams per litre) was replaced by 50-80 grams per litre of rice powder, with the electrolytes remaining unchanged. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were extracted independently by a statistician and a clinician. MAIN RESULTS Twenty-two trials were included. Concealment of allocation was adequate in 15 of these trials. Irrespective of age, people with cholera who were given rice oral rehydration salts solution had substantially lower rates of stool loss than those given oral rehydration salts solution in the first 24 hours. Mean stool outputs in the first 24 hours were lower by 67 millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -67.4, 95% confidence interval -94.3 to -41.0) in children, and by 51 millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -51.1, 95% confidence interval -65.9 to -36.3) in adults. The rate of stool loss in infants and children with acute non-cholera diarrhoea was reduced by only four millilitres/kg of body weight (weighted mean difference -4.3, 95% confidence interval -9.3 to 0.8). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Rice-based oral rehydration appears to be effective in reducing stool output in people with cholera. This effect was not apparent in infants and children with non-cholera diarrhoea.
Wireless power transfer between one transmitter and two receivers: Optimal analytical solution

We consider wireless power transfer, realized by means of resonant reactive magnetic coupling, between one transmitter and two receivers. It is shown that, by applying a rigorous analytical procedure, maximum power transfer can be achieved by appropriately selecting the load values and closed form formulas for the latter are given. Similarly, closed form formulas for load values that maximize efficiency are also derived. It is seen that the resistances for realizing maximum power transfer are always larger than the resistances that realize maximum efficiency. Accordingly, an optimal range of operation for the load resistances values is also determined. A numerical and experimental verification of the theoretical results is also presented.
Leadership and motivation: a qualitative study of transformational leadership and public service motivation

Transformational leaders work to clarify a vision, share it with their employees and sustain it in the long run, and this is expected to result in increased employee public service motivation (PSM), that is, orientation towards doing good for others and society. Based on 48 in-depth interviews with 16 childcare leaders and 32 of their employees combined with 16 days of observation in these childcare centers, this article investigates the association between transformational leadership and PSM. When the leaders clarify, share and maintain an organizational vision, their employees are more motivated to do good for society and others, and this motivation tends to be less paternalistic and slightly more society-oriented. This implies that it is relevant to ask not only whether transformational leadership increases PSM, but also how it affects the type of PSM. Points for practitioners Transformational leadership happens when leaders strive to develop a vision for the organization, share the vision with the employees and sustain the employees’ attention to the vision. Transformational leadership seems to increase PSM and make employees less paternalistic and more focused on contributing to society.
Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Energy: The Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL)

The Fifth Eriksholm Workshop on “Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Energy” was convened to develop a consensus among interdisciplinary experts about what is known on the topic, gaps in knowledge, the use of terminology, priorities for future research, and implications for practice. The general term cognitive energy was chosen to facilitate the broadest possible discussion of the topic. It goes back to Titchener (1908) who described the effects of attention on perception; he used the term psychic energy for the notion that limited mental resources can be flexibly allocated among perceptual and mental activities. The workshop focused on three main areas: (1) theories, models, concepts, definitions, and frameworks; (2) methods and measures; and (3) knowledge translation. We defined effort as the deliberate allocation of mental resources to overcome obstacles in goal pursuit when carrying out a task, with listening effort applying more specifically when tasks involve listening. We adapted Kahneman’s seminal (1973) Capacity Model of Attention to listening and proposed a heuristically useful Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL). Our FUEL incorporates the well-known relationship between cognitive demand and the supply of cognitive capacity that is the foundation of cognitive theories of attention. Our FUEL also incorporates a motivation dimension based on complementary theories of motivational intensity, adaptive gain control, and optimal performance, fatigue, and pleasure. Using a three-dimensional illustration, we highlight how listening effort depends not only on hearing difficulties and task demands but also on the listener’s motivation to expend mental effort in the challenging situations of everyday life.
A monolithic 3D fully-differential CMOS accelerometer

This study presents a novel inertia sensor design to monolithic integrate x, y, and z-axis accelerometers on a single chip. The chip is implemented using the TSMC 0.35 mum 2P4M CMOS process, and post metal wet-etching and dielectric dry-etching processes. Thus, the fully-differential capacitance sensing in-plane and out-plane CMOS accelerometers are realized. The measurement results demonstrate the sensitivities for in-plane and out-of-plane accelerometers are 3.9 mV/G and 0.9 mV/G, respectively. The coupling ratios for in-plane and out-plane accelerometer are 3~5% and 15~30%, respectively.
GaAs MMIC chipset for 17/18 GHz indoor radio LANs

The design, fabrication and measurement of a transceiver chipset for 17/18 GHz indoor radio LANs are presented. The transmitter employs direct carrier modulation and comprises a VCO and M-ary PSK modulator in one chip and a separate HPA/preamplifier chip. The receiver is a single-chip downconverter with a LNA, VCO, mixer and IF amplifier. The receiver has 18.5+1.5 dB conversion gain and a noise figure of 4.1 dB. The HPA shows good linearity with saturated output power of 23dBm, which is appropriate for indoor requirements at 17/18 GHz. The chips were fabricated using the GMMT (Caswell) F20 MESFET foundry process.
Tissue regeneration after injury in adult zebrafish: The regenerative potential of the caudal fin

The zebrafish has the potential to regenerate many of its tissues. In this study, we examined caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish that received repeated injuries (fin amputation) at different ages. In zebrafish that received repeated injuries, the potential for caudal fin regeneration, such as tissue growth and the expression of regeneration marker genes (msxb, fgf20a, bmp2b), did not decline in comparison to zebrafish that received only one amputation surgery. The process of initial fin regeneration (e.g., tissue outgrowth and the expression of regeneration marker genes at 7 days post‐amputation) did not seem to correlate with age. However, slight differences in fin outgrowth were observed between young and old animals when examined in the late regeneration stages (e.g., 20 and 30 days post‐amputation). Together, the data suggest that zebrafish has unlimited regenerative potential in the injured caudal fin. Developmental Dynamics 240:1271–1277, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clostridium difficile: biological therapies

Purpose of review Biological therapies for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) include probiotics and faecal microbiota transplant (FMT). There is significant interest in their use in treating refractory/recurrent CDI. This review summarizes the latest evidence for these approaches. Recent findings The small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using probiotics in CDI have produced variable results; the most recent showed no benefit in preventing disease. However, several meta-analyses published in the last year have suggested benefit in their use, but these conclusions are limited by the poor quality of many of the primary studies, and lack of standardization of the probiotic administered. In contrast, FMT appears highly effective for the treatment of CDI. In the only published RCT, the cure rate was 81%, which is close to the rate shown by meta-analyses of previous case series. The use of artificially produced bacterial mixtures in place of faecal samples is now under investigation. Summary Biological therapies for CDI, especially FMT, will continue to attract attention. Further, large-scale RCTs are required to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from these therapies in the future.
Flexibility and molecular recognition in the immune system

Photon echo spectroscopy has been used to measure the response of three antibody-binding sites to perturbation from electronic excitation of a bound antigen, fluorescein. The three antibodies show motions that range in time scale from tens of femtoseconds to nanoseconds. Relative to the others, one antibody, 4-4-20, possesses a rigid binding site that likely results from a short and inflexible heavy chain complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3) loop and a critical Tyr that acts as a “molecular splint,” rigidifying the antigen across its most flexible internal degree of freedom. The remaining two antibodies, 34F10 and 40G4, despite being generated against the same antigen, possess binding sites that are considerably more flexible. The more flexible combining sites likely result from longer HCDR3 loops and a deletion in the light chain complementarity-determining region 1 (LCDR1) that removes the critical Tyr residue. The binding site flexibilities may result in varying mechanisms of antigen recognition including lock-and-key, induced-fit, and conformational selection.
Plasticity‐related genes in brain development and amygdala‐dependent learning

Learning about motivationally important stimuli involves plasticity in the amygdala, a temporal lobe structure. Amygdala‐dependent learning involves a growing number of plasticity‐related signaling pathways also implicated in brain development, suggesting that learning‐related signaling in juveniles may simultaneously influence development. Here, we review the pleiotropic functions in nervous system development and amygdala‐dependent learning of a signaling pathway that includes brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signaling‐related kinases (ERKs) and cyclic AMP‐response element binding protein (CREB). Using these canonical, plasticity‐related genes as an example, we discuss the intersection of learning‐related and developmental plasticity in the immature amygdala, when aversive and appetitive learning may influence the developmental trajectory of amygdala function. We propose that learning‐dependent activation of BDNF, ERK and CREB signaling in the immature amygdala exaggerates and accelerates neural development, promoting amygdala excitability and environmental sensitivity later in life.