Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of masseter fiber architecture in tree‐gouging (Callithrix jacchus) and nongouging (Saguinus oedipus) callitrichids

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and cotton‐top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) (Callitrichidae, Primates) share a broadly similar diet of fruits, insects, and tree exudates. Common marmosets, however, differ from tamarins by actively gouging trees with their anterior teeth to elicit tree exudate flow. During tree gouging, marmosets produce relatively large jaw gapes, but do not necessarily produce relatively large bite forces at the anterior teeth. We compared the fiber architecture of the masseter muscle in tree‐gouging Callithrix jacchus (n = 10) to nongouging Saguinus oedipus (n = 8) to determine whether the marmoset masseter facilitates producing these large gapes during tree gouging. We predict that the marmoset masseter has relatively longer fibers and, hence, greater potential muscle excursion (i.e., a greater range of motion through increased muscle stretch). Conversely, because of the expected trade‐off between excursion and force production in muscle architecture, we predict that the cotton‐top tamarin masseter has more pinnate fibers and increased physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) as compared to common marmosets. Likewise, the S. oedipus masseter is predicted to have a greater proportion of tendon relative to muscle fiber as compared to the common marmoset masseter. Common marmosets have absolutely and relatively longer masseter fibers than cotton‐top tamarins. Given that fiber length is directly proportional to muscle excursion and by extension contraction velocity, this result suggests that marmosets have masseters designed for relatively greater stretching and, hence, larger gapes. Conversely, the cotton‐top tamarin masseter has a greater angle of pinnation (but not significantly so), larger PCSA, and higher proportion of tendon. The significantly larger PCSA in the tamarin masseter suggests that their masseter has relatively greater force production capabilities as compared to marmosets. Collectively, these results suggest that the fiber architecture of the common marmoset masseter is part of a suite of features of the masticatory apparatus that facilitates the production of relatively large gapes during tree gouging. J. Morphol. 261:276–285, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Life in the Woods: Tree-throws, Settlement and Forest Cognition

The deposition of Early Neolithic material within tree-throw hollows in described, and the possible role of fallen trunks as places of occupation, settlement foci and landscape markers is discussed. Having implications for the interpretation of ubiquitous later Mesolithic pit dwellings, the evidence suggests a continuity of forest ‘identity’. Accordingly, patterns of clearances are also explored in relationship to modes of occupation, and the employment of ‘big wood’ in Neolithic monuments discussed.
Vascular Assembly in Natural and Engineered Tissues

Abstract: With the advent of molecular embryology and exploitation of genetic models systems, many genes necessary for normal blood vessel formation during early development have been identified. These genes include soluble effectors and their receptors, as well as components of cell‐cell junctions and mediators of cell‐matrix interactions. In vitro model systems (2‐D and 3‐D) to study paracrine and autocrine interactions of vascular cells and their progenitors have also been created. These systems are being combined to study the behavior of genetically altered cells to dissect and define the cellular role(s) of specific genes and gene families in directing the migration, proliferation, and differentiation needed for blood vessel assembly. It is clear that a complex spatial and temporal interplay of signals, including both genetic and environmental, modulates the assembly process. The development of real‐time imaging and image analysis will enable us to gain further insights into this process. Collaborative efforts among vascular biologists, biomedical engineers, mathematicians, and physicists will allow us to bridge the gap between understanding vessel assembly in vivo and assembling vessels ex vivo.
Search for right handed coupling in nu -N scattering.

The relative absence of v μ -induced charged current events with respect to v μ -induced events at large x (>0.45) and large y (>0.70) enables us to limit the right handed coupling of the weak current. Our data restrict |η| 2 =|g R /g L | 2 <0.0015 with 90% C.L. Within the framework of models, this measurement imposes a limit upon the mixing angle of the left and right handed bosons
Nonzero Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Even after Sustained Virological Response

Approximately 130 to 150 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world. HCV infection is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The existence of hepatitis C— originally identifiable only as a type of non-A, non-B hepatitis— was suggested in the 1970s and proven in 1989. In the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), antiviral therapy has seen brilliant advances and rapid evolution in efficacy as well as safety and tolerability within recent several years. New antiviral agents now promise excellent sustained virological response (SVR) rates. 1 After the widespread prescription of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the incidence of HCC will decrease gradually in the upcoming decades. However, the risk of HCC still remains in patients with advanced fibrosis, even though SVR reduces the progression to HCC. 2 Therefore, current guidelines recommended continued HCC surveillance for patients with liver cirrhosis even after SVR. 3 In a recent meta-analysis of observational studies, SVR is associated with a reduction in the relative risk for HCC for persons at all stages of liver disease (hazard ratio, 0.24; p<0.01). 4 This meta-analysis suggests that interferon (IFN) therapy is beneficial in reduction of HCC development after SVR. However, even if the absolute reduction in risk was 4.6%, approximately 1.5% of the patients with SVR developed HCC. Up to now, there is no data supporting long-term benefits of SVR achieved with DAAs-based regimens in the risk of HCC development because of insufficient follow-up time. In the near future, DAA-based regimens will induce the high SVR rates and increase the numbers of patients with SVR. Consequently, a nonzero risk of HCC development after SVR may be the hot topic in many studies. 5 Furthermore, it is very important to identify patients at high risk for developing HCC. Several markers have been identified to predict the risk of HCC in CHC patients with SVR. For example, the pretreatment platelet count, alkaline phosphatase, and older age were significantly associated with the risk of HCC development. 6
Towards an institutional capacity assessment framework for sustainable urban water management

The need to change urban water management to become more sustainable is widely recognised. Recently there has been considerable financial investment in urban water reform; however these reforms have not been as successful as anticipated, most likely because there is a lack of critical analysis of existing capacity and/or capacity deficits. Understanding and assessing institutional capacity is crucial to addressing existing institutional impediments. Institutional capacity includes the human resources, intra-organisational, inter-organisational and/or external rules and incentives capacity spheres. Institutional capacity assessment is essential to form coherent and demand driven capacity development strategies. This paper proposes a tentative institutional capacity assessment framework derived from a meta-analysis of empirical research, across five different disciplinary areas, into capacity attributes most likely to advance sustainable urban water management. Forty-two publications were reviewed and the most frequently determined capacity attributes identified. The proposed schema of enabling capacities for sustainable urban water management could be used by policy makers and practitioners for city-wide strategic planning of future investment in capacity building. This would improve the opportunity for critically informing and improving the design of current and future water reform practices.
Underestimation of developmental delay by the new Bayley-III Scale.

OBJECTIVE To assess the ability of the third edition of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III) to detect developmental delay in 2-year-old children who were extremely preterm and those carried to term. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING The state of Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS Subjects were consecutive surviving children who were born either at less than 28 weeks' gestational age (extremely preterm) or with less than 1000 g birth weight (extremely low-birth-weight; n = 221) in the state of Victoria, Australia, in 2005 and randomly selected controls who were both carried to term and of normal birth weight (n = 220). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Children were assessed by psychologists blinded to knowledge of group at 2 years of age, corrected for prematurity with the new Bayley-III scale. RESULTS Follow-up rates of both cohorts were high (>92%). Mean values for all composite and subtest scores for the extremely preterm/extremely low-birth-weight group were significantly below those of the control group (P < .001), with the magnitude of all group differences being in excess of two-thirds SD. Mean values for the extremely preterm/extremely low-birth-weight group approached the normative mean, but in contrast, the mean values for the control group were higher than expected, with composite scores being between 0.55 and 1.23 SD above the normative mean. Proportions of children with developmental delay were grossly underestimated using the reference values, but were within the expected range when computed relative to the mean (standard deviation) for the controls. CONCLUSION The Bayley-III scale seriously underestimates developmental delay in 2-year-old Australian children.
Filogeografía de los Quercus esclerófilos (Q. suber L., Q. ilex L. y Q. coccifera L.) en el Mediterráneo occidental

El analisis de los patrones filogeograficos de los robles esclerofilos presentes en el Mediterraneo Occidental (Quercus suber L., Quercus ilex L. y Quercus coccifera L.) se ha realizado combinando cuatro tipos de marcadores moleculares con diferentes modos de herencia y tasas de mutacion. Primero, se estudiaron las relaciones filogeneticas de las tres especies para determinar su estatus taxonomico actual. El analisis se hizo bajo una aproximacion de genetica de poblaciones y coincide con modelos previos que incluyen a Q. ilex y Q. coccifera en el grupo ilex, mas basal, y a Q. suber en el grupo cerris, con mas de 50 especies que estan ausentes en el area de estudio. Quercus ilex mostro los mayores niveles de diversidad tanto a nivel nuclear como organular y un claro patron vicariante que separa poblaciones de los rangos ibero-marroqui-balear de aquellas de Provenza-Italia-Argelia y otras islas mediterraneas. El mismo patron vicariante se observo en Q. suber, aunque con menor diversidad genetica. Las poblaciones del Este de la Peninsula-Marruecos y de las Baleares mostraron introgresion a nivel organular aunque los marcadores nucleares no revelaron restos significativos de introgresion con Q. ilex. La introgresion explica el hecho de que se comparta el ADN organular frente a una hipotesis de 'distribucion incompleta de linajes'. Los resultados sugieren un origen antiguo de las hibridaciones en Q. suber del Este iberico, con tiempo suficiente para diluir la contribucion nuclear de Q. ilex. Se propone un modelo segun el cual, la introgresion proporcionaria una oportunidad a Q. suber de incrementar el tamano efectivo poblacional en etapas criticas (por ej. en un refugio glacial) mediante hibridacion y subsiguiente retrocruzamiento con los parentales Q. suber, diluyendo la contribucion nuclear de Q. ilex. Seguidamente se analizo la estructura espacial actual del ADN organular en la Peninsula Iberica para identificar refugios glaciares potenciales. La combinacion con la informacion paleobotanica disponible describe un escenario de refugios multiples para las tres especies en la Peninsula Iberica y de numerosas zonas de contacto secundario entre poblaciones que resultan en patrones espaciales de ADN organular complejos. Finalmente, se analizo exhaustivamente la estructura espacial del ADN organular en una zona refugio, las Islas Baleares, y se comparo con las poblaciones del entorno. Las Baleares se comportan como un area refugio y un reservorio de diversidad genetica manteniendo restos de diversidad genetica del Messiniense-Plioceno. La presencia de elementos de filiacion tirrenica e iberica es probablemente el producto de eventos de vicarianza y dispersion a larga distancia.
Omega-oxidation of stearic acid in the normal, starved and diabetic rat liver.

ω-Oxidation of stearate, catalyzed by 20000 ×g supernatant fluid of rat-liver homogenate in the presence of an NADPH-generating system, was stimulated three- to seven-fold by starvation or diabetes. The soluble fraction of liver homogenate was responsible for the stimulation. Thus, addition of 100000 ×g supernatant fluid of liver homogenate from starved rats stimulated microsomal ω1-oxidation of stearate two- to three-fold whereas addition of 100000 ×g supernatant fluid of liver homogenate from untreated rats had no effect or an inhibitory effect. Evidence was obtained to indicate that the stimulatory effect of the 100000 ×g supernatant fluid from liver of starved rats was due to the presence in this fraction of liver alcohol dehydrogenase and NAD. The role of alcohol dehydrogenase might be to protect the ω1-hydroxylase from product inhibition by oxidation of the 18-hydroxystearic acid formed. The effect of 100000 ×g supernatant fluid from liver of untreated rats was shown to be due to an inhibition of the ω1-hydroxylase reaction and not of the alcohol dehydrogenase reaction. The inhibitory effect of the 100000 ×g supernatant fluid was retained after boiling for 5 min but was partially destroyed after preincubation at 37°C or after repeated freezing and thawing. The inhibition was shown to be at least not mainly due to interference with formation of stearoyl-CoA from stearic acid. Stearoyl-CoA was ω1-hydroxylated by the microsomal fraction or by the 20000 ×g supernatant fluid at a rate about half that of free stearic acid. The possibility is discussed that the low extent of ω1-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids observed under normal conditions might be partially due to the presence of the inhibitor(s) in the soluble part of the cell and that disappearance of this inhibition under conditions of starvation and diabetes might be of physiological importance.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus–associated Neutrophilic Dermatosis: A Review and Update

Neutrophilic dermatoses are a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In recent years, a growing body of literature describes a pathologic spectrum of neutrophilic infiltrates that may be seen in lupus patients. It is particularly important to recognize that neutrophilic dermatoses can be the initial manifestation of SLE in a third of patients. We were able to identify 47 patients with SLE associated with neutrophilic tissue reactions. In this review, we describe the histologic and clinical features of these cases in the hope that increased awareness of this unusual manifestation of SLE will generate prompt diagnosis and improved patient care.
Increasing the Security of Wireless Communication through Relaying and Interference Generation

The exchange of confidential messages is an inherent problem in wireless communication due to the broadcast nature of the radio channel. In this paper, we enhance standard cryptography with information-theoretic techniques by exploiting relays to increase the confidentiality of wireless communication in the presence of one or more eavesdroppers with low-noise receivers. To achieve this, we present a protocol which makes use of relays in two ways. First, the relays re-transmit disjoint encrypted chunks of a message. Second, the relays utilize cooperative jamming techniques to generate pseudo-random signals in order to increase the interference level in the propagation domain. Chunks and interference levels are allocated over relays in such a way that the message can only be decoded within a critical area around the intended receiver. Our simulation results show that this area can be minimized under realistic assumptions on propagation environment and channel knowledge.
Behaviour of suspended particles at bifurcations: implications for embolism.

A mechanism for the Fahraeus-Lindqvist phenomenon, responsible for the direction of cerebral emboli to distal arteries, has been modelled. Results indicate that emboli are distributed along a radial concentration gradient that is in part determined by particle size and that this determines the topographical destiny of emboli in the cerebral circulation.
Hmo1 Is Required for TOR-Dependent Regulation of Ribosomal Protein Gene Transcription

ABSTRACT Ribosome biogenesis requires equimolar amounts of four rRNAs and all 79 ribosomal proteins (RP). Coordinated regulation of rRNA and RP synthesis by eukaryotic RNA polymerases (Pol) I, III, and II is a key requirement for growth control. Using a novel global genetic approach, we showed that the absence of Hmo1 becomes lethal when combined with mutations of components of either the RNA Pol II or Pol I transcription machineries, of specific RP, or of the TOR pathway. Hmo1 directly interacts with both the region transcribed by Pol I and a subset of RP gene promoters. Down-regulation of Hmo1 expression affects RP gene expression. Upon TORC1 inhibition, Hmo1 dissociates from ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and some RP gene promoters simultaneously. Finally, in the absence of Hmo1, TOR-dependent repression of RP genes is alleviated. Therefore, we show here that Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hmo1 is directly involved in coordinating rDNA transcription by Pol I and RP gene expression by Pol II under the control of the TOR pathway.
Prolonged Nrf1 overexpression triggers adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance

Adipose tissue is currently being recognized as an important endocrine organ, carrying defects in a number of metabolic diseases. Mitochondria play a key role in normal adipose tissue function and mitochondrial alterations can result in pathology, like lipodystrophy or type 2 diabetes. Although Pgc1α is regarded as the main regulator of mitochondrial function, downstream Nrf1 is the key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. Nrf1 is also involved in a wide range of other processes, including proliferation, innate immune response, and apoptosis. To determine transcriptional targets of Nrf1, 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes were transfected with either pNrf1 or a control vector. Two days post‐confluence, 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes were allowed to differentiate. At day 8 of differentiation, Nrf1 overexpressing cells had an increased mtDNA copy number and reduced lipid content. This was not associated with an increased ATP production rate per cell. Using global gene expression analysis, we observed that Nrf1 overexpression stimulated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cytokine expression. In addition, prolonged Nrf1 induced an adipokine expression profile of insulin resistant adipocytes. Nrf1 has a wide range of transcriptional targets, stimulators as well as inhibitors of adipose tissue functioning. Therefore, post‐transcriptional regulation of Nrf1, or stimulating specific Nrf1 targets may be a more suitable approach for stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis and treating adipose tissue defects, instead of directly stimulating Nrf1 expression. In addition, our results show that short‐term effects can drastically differ from long‐term effects. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 1575–1585, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgical Maze Procedures for Atrial Arrhythmias in Univentricular Hearts, from Maze History to Conversion-Fontan

In general, symptoms of atrial fibrillation are an indication for intervention, the most important being the elevated risk for thrombo-embolism. While pharmaco-medical treatment for atrial fibrillation is aimed at either rate or rhythm control (van Gelder et al., 2002), invasive treatment for atrial fibrillation is aimed at rhythm control. An invasive approach may consist of percutaneous catheter techniques, various surgical approaches or hybrid approaches. With regard to the Fontan circulation, the lateral tunnel has been introduced as primary surgical technique to reduce later atrial enlargement and Fontan constructions with an atrio-pulmonary or atrio-ventricular connection are changed into a Fontan with a lateral tunnel or with an extra-cardiac conduit (Fontan & Baudet, 1971; de Leval et al., 1998; Mavroudis et al., 1998). This chapter concentrates on surgical maze procedures for atrial fibrillation occurring late after Fontan surgery.
Modeling and simulation of a SEPIC converter based photovoltaic system with battery energy storage

The variability and intermittency associated with the production of electricity by photovoltaic (PV) systems pose unique challenges to power systems engineers. Overcoming these challenges requires the use of computer models that accurately simulate the behavior of such systems. There is a dearth of such reliable and accurate models for PV systems study. This paper develops models for an integrated PV system which comprises the PV array, the SEPIC (single ended primary inductance converter) converter, bidirectional dc-dc converter, the inverter, and battery energy storage system using Matlab/Simulink. Control systems for maximum power point tracking and battery charge/discharge are implemented and used for simulations to study: 1) the response of the system to the ever-changing environmental variables, 2) the ability to track the maximum power point, and 3) the role of the battery energy storage in the mitigation of voltage and power oscillations. The simulation results are presented and discussed.
Donor Human Milk for Preterm Infants: Current Evidence and Research Directions

ABSTRACT The Committee on Nutrition of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition aims to document the existing evidence of the benefits and common concerns deriving from the use of donor human milk (DHM) in preterm infants. The comment also outlines gaps in knowledge and gives recommendations for practice and suggestions for future research directions. Protection against necrotizing enterocolitis is the major clinical benefit deriving from the use of DHM when compared with formula. Limited data also suggest unfortified DHM to be associated with improved feeding tolerance and with reduced cardiovascular risk factors during adolescence. Presence of a human milk bank (HMB) does not decrease breast-feeding rates at discharge, but decreases the use of formula during the first weeks of life. This commentary emphasizes that fresh own mother's milk (OMM) is the first choice in preterm infant feeding and strong efforts should be made to promote lactation. When OMM is not available, DHM is the recommended alternative. When neither OMM nor DHM is available, preterm formula should be used. DHM should be provided from an established HMB, which follows specific safety guidelines. Storage and processing of human milk reduces some biological components, which may diminish its health benefits. From a nutritional point of view, DHM, like HM, does not meet the requirements of preterm infants, necessitating a specific fortification regimen to optimize growth. Future research should focus on the improvement of milk processing in HMB, particularly of heat treatment; on the optimization of HM fortification; and on further evaluation of the potential clinical benefits of processed and fortified DHM.