Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A U2-snRNP–independent role of SF3b in promoting mRNA export

Significance To ensure efficient and accurate gene expression, pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export need to be balanced. SF3b is a core component of U2 snRNP that participates in splicing and 3′ processing of pre-mRNAs. Here, we uncovered a role of SF3b in promoting mRNA export by directly binding with the mature mRNA and recruiting the key mRNA export adaptor THO. Intriguingly, this role is not dependent on U2 snRNP, but is rather enhanced upon U2 snRNP disruption as a result of enhanced SF3b–THO interaction and recruitment to the mRNA. Together, our work uncovers an important role of SF3b in promoting mRNA export and suggests that competition between U2 snRNP and the mature mRNP for SF3b contributes to balancing pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export. To ensure efficient and accurate gene expression, pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export need to be balanced. However, how this balance is ensured remains largely unclear. Here, we found that SF3b, a component of U2 snRNP that participates in splicing and 3′ processing of pre-mRNAs, interacts with the key mRNA export adaptor THO in vivo and in vitro. Depletion of SF3b reduces THO binding with the mRNA and causes nuclear mRNA retention. Consistently, introducing SF3b binding sites into the mRNA enhances THO recruitment and nuclear export in a dose-dependent manner. These data demonstrate a role of SF3b in promoting mRNA export. In support of this role, SF3b binds with mature mRNAs in the cells. Intriguingly, disruption of U2 snRNP by using a U2 antisense morpholino oligonucleotide does not inhibit, but promotes, the role of SF3b in mRNA export as a result of enhanced SF3b–THO interaction and THO recruitment to the mRNA. Together, our study uncovers a U2-snRNP–independent role of SF3b in mRNA export and suggests that SF3b contributes to balancing pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export.
Top‐down or bottom up: decreased stimulus salience increases responses to predictable stimuli of auditory thalamic neurons

Temporal imprecision leads to deficits in the comprehension of signals in cluttered acoustic environments, and the elderly are shown to use cognitive resources to disambiguate these signals. To mimic ageing in young rats, we delivered sound signals that are temporally degraded, which led to temporally imprecise neural codes. Instead of adaptation to repeated stimuli, with degraded signals, there was a relative increase in firing rates, similar to that seen in aged rats. We interpret this increase with repetition as a repair mechanism for strengthening the internal representations of degraded signals by the higher‐order structures.
Sexual Satisfaction in Spouses of Ex-POWs: The Role of PTSD Symptoms and Self-Differentiation

Abstract Spouses of former prisoners-of-war (ex-POWs) are at risk for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and marital distress. This study assessed the implications of PTSS and self-differentiation for sexual satisfaction among 90 ex-POWs’ spouses and 75 matched combatants’ spouses from the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Standardized questionnaires were used. Ex-POWs’ spouses had elevated PTSS and imbalanced self-differentiation. PTSS were associated with poorer self-differentiation and lower sexual satisfaction. Imbalanced self-differentiation mediated the association between PTSS and sexual satisfaction. The findings imply that PTSS and imbalanced self-differentiation contribute to low sexual satisfaction among spouses of primary trauma survivors.
Cyclosporine A improves pregnancy outcomes in women with recurrent pregnancy loss and elevated Th1/Th2 ratio

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a one of the most common obstetrical complications. Since, the successful pregnancy occurs in T helper 2 (Th2)‐dominant situation and since, Th1 type immunity is related to pregnancy failure, we investigated the effects of cyclosporine on Th1 and Th2 cells in RPL women. Totally, 76 RPL patients (38 women as treated group and 38 as control group) were included in this study. Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze the frequency of Th1 and Th2 in blood samples. Also, real‐time polymerase chain reaction was carried out to assess the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of transcription factors and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate Th1 and Th2 related cytokines. Significant decrease in Th1 frequency (p = 0.0004), Th1/Th2 ratio (p < 0.0001), T‐bet mRNA expression (p < 0.0001), interferon‐γ (p = 0.0007), and tumor necrosis factor α (p = 0.0002) secretion level were observed in cyclosporine group. Moreover, significant increase in Th2 frequency (p < 0.0001), mRNA expression of GATA binding protein 3 (p = 0.0001), and interleukin 10 secretion level (p = 0.0027) was also evident in treated group. At the end of the investigation, 31 (81.5%) patients in cyclosporine‐treated group had successful childbirth when compared with 16 (42.1%) women in control group (p = 0.0001). Given this, cyclosporine treatment for RPL patients with elevated Th1/Th2 ratio can result in improved pregnancy outcome.
Integration of Genotype, Physiological Performance, and Survival in a Lizard (Uta stansburiana) with Alternative Mating Strategies

Covariation among behavioral and physiological traits is thought to enhance reproductive success and Darwinian fitness. Species that exhibit alternative mating strategies provide excellent opportunities to assess the relative contributions of physiological and behavioral traits to fitness. Male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) exhibit three heritable throat color morphs that are associated with alternative mating behaviors. The three morphs differ in resource holding potential, mate attraction, mate defense, and physiological performance. We examined interrelationships of body mass, stamina, field metabolic rate, growth rate, and survival to the second capture (a fitness proxy). Relationships among variables were complex, and mass, stamina, and throat color interacted to predict male survival. Our analyses suggest that male side-blotched lizards exhibit trade-offs among physiological traits related to reproductive success and survival and that differential survival for different combinations of traits has caused correlational selection, leading to adaptive integration of phenotypic traits associated with alternative mating strategies.
Grandparents’ Affectionate Communication toward Grandchildren and Grandchildren’s Mental Health Difficulties: The Moderating Role of Future Time Perspective

ABSTRACT Given that grandparent-grandchild relationships often last for several decades of grandchildren’s lives, it becomes important to examine how grandparents’ affectionate communication might be associated with their adult grandchildren’s mental well-being. Using a sample of college-aged grandchildren (n = 401), this study examined whether or not grandparents’ affectionate communication is indirectly associated with grandchildren’s loneliness, depressive symptoms, and stress, via shared family identity. It also considered whether or not grandchildren’s assessments of their grandparents’ futures as expansive versus restricted moderated these associations. Affectionate communication was indirectly associated with less loneliness via heightened shared family identity, but only for grandchildren who judged grandparents’ futures as expansive. These findings suggest the importance of healthy grandparents conveying to grandchildren that their lives as older adults are still full of possibilities and open to new growth.
High occurrence of enterotoxigenic isolates and low antibiotic resistance rates of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk from cows and ewes

This study aimed to analyse the frequency of genes encoding virulence factors and to characterize resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk. In total, 47 and 9 S. aureus isolates were recovered from 150 and 100 raw bovine and ovine milk samples, respectively, in Tunisia. The majority of isolates was resistant to penicillin, and no methicillin‐resistant S. aureus was detected. Eighteen and two isolates harboured etd and eta genes respectively. Sixteen enterotoxin‐encoding genes were detected (n, %): sed (25, 44·6%), sec (16, 28·6%), sei (16, 28·6%), seh (13, 23·2%), seln (13, 23·2%), sell (10, 17·8%), seg (9, 16%), selu (8, 14·3%), selq (7, 12·5%), selo (7, 12·5%), selm (7, 12·5%), seb (7, 12·5%), sea (6, 10·7%), selk (3, 5·4%), ser (1, 1·8%) and selp (1, 1·8%). Ten isolates carried the tsst1 gene. All isolates carried the haemolysin toxin (hla, hld and hlg). The immune evasion cluster system‐type B was predominant (20 isolates) followed by C (3 isolates), A and E (1 isolate each). The occurrence of enterotoxigenic S. aureus in raw milk constitutes a potential risk for human health.
Effectiveness of a Couple-Based HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Intervention for Men in Community Supervision Programs and Their Female Sexual Partners

Key Points Question Is a 5-session prevention intervention for HIV and sexually transmitted infections effective in reducing sexual risk behaviors among men in a community supervision program and their main female sexual partners? Findings In this randomized clinical trial of 230 couples, participants randomized to the 5-session couple-based prevention intervention arm reported significantly fewer incidences of unprotected sex, fewer sexual partners, and fewer sexual activities with other partners compared with participants randomized to a 1-session counseling, testing, and referral program. Meaning Couple-based HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention interventions appeared to have a substantial effect on reducing risky sexual behaviors.
Short‐term cost‐utility of degludec versus glargine U100 for patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of hypoglycaemia and cardiovascular events: A Canadian setting (DEVOTE 9)

To evaluate the short‐term cost‐effectiveness of insulin degludec (degludec) vs insulin glargine 100 units/mL (glargine U100) from a Canadian public healthcare payer perspective in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who are at high risk of cardiovascular events and hypoglycaemia.
Studies on Effect of Alkali Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Multi-Layer Viscose / Flax Composites

geepeeinfo525@gmail.com Abstract: Composite fabrics consist of numerous structural components and are united into a single structure. The applications of composite fabrics are versatile and it is depending upon the constituent materials and the mechanical properties are changed by the constituents. The study of mechanical properties of composite fabrics such as flexural rigidity, tensile strength, impact became very essential to understand the suitability of application in various areas. In this study the various mechanical properties are studied by treating with alkali and resins. The results of mechanical properties were analyzed and compared with treated and untreated. The results show that alkali treated fabrics have enhanced mechanical properties.
Adrift on a Sea of Troubles: Can Amphibians Survive in a Human-Dominated World?1

Abstract The calamity of amphibian population declines has preoccupied the thoughts of many amphibian biologists for the past 30 yr. Because amphibians provide multiple essential ecosystem services at all life stages, the threats associated with their decline are likely also to be multiple and interconnected. No single cause has yet explained all amphibian declines; one potential threat after another has been investigated in isolation and found to explain only a piece of a larger puzzle. A more holistic, synergistic approach is needed to understand how, and when, normally tolerated environmental influences might exceed the capacities of amphibian populations to cope either phenotypically or evolutionarily. Ultimately, the factors generally implicated in amphibian declines are all secondary to habitat loss and degradation caused by human activity. Because the roots of this problem are cultural and economic, the solutions do not lie solely within the realm of science but instead require political and societal action.
Elevated CO2 increases microbial carbon substrate use and nitrogen cycling in Mojave Desert soils

Identifying soil microbial responses to anthropogenically driven environmental changes is critically important as concerns intensify over the potential degradation of ecosystem function. We assessed the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling in Mojave Desert soils using extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs), community‐level physiological profiles (CLPPs), and gross N transformation rates. Soils were collected from unvegetated interspaces between plants and under the dominant shrub (Larrea tridentata) during the 2004–2005 growing season, an above‐average rainfall year. Because most measured variables responded strongly to soil water availability, all significant effects of soil water content were used as covariates to remove potential confounding effects of water availability on microbial responses to experimental treatment effects of cover type, CO2, and sampling date. Microbial C and N activities were lower in interspace soils compared with soils under Larrea, and responses to date and CO2 treatments were cover specific. Over the growing season, EEAs involved in cellulose (cellobiohydrolase) and orthophosphate (alkaline phosphatase) degradation decreased under ambient CO2, but increased under elevated CO2. Microbial C use and substrate use diversity in CLPPs decreased over time, and elevated CO2 positively affected both. Elevated CO2 also altered microbial C use patterns, suggesting changes in the quantity and/or quality of soil C inputs. In contrast, microbial biomass N was higher in interspace soils than soils under Larrea, and was lower in soils exposed to elevated CO2. Gross rates of NH4+ transformations increased over the growing season, and late‐season NH4+ fluxes were negatively affected by elevated CO2. Gross NO3− fluxes decreased over time, with early season interspace soils positively affected by elevated CO2. General increases in microbial activities under elevated CO2 are likely attributable to greater microbial biomass in interspace soils, and to increased microbial turnover rates and/or metabolic levels rather than pool size in soils under Larrea. Because soil water content and plant cover type dominates microbial C and N responses to CO2, the ability of desert landscapes to mitigate or intensify the impacts of global change will ultimately depend on how changes in precipitation and increasing atmospheric CO2 shift the spatial distribution of Mojave Desert plant communities.
Genetic relatedness and population structure within the public Argentinean collection of maize inbred lines

Genetic diversity of an Argentinean public temperate inbred maize collection has not been previously assessed. This collection includes mainly locally developed orange flint germplasm and a group of temperate inbred lines introduced from the US or derived from selection of crosses to genetic stocks from other countries, providing representativeness of exotic gene pools. To establish heterotic groups and patterns for breeding purposes and to assess genetic structure and relatedness for association-mapping studies, a public panel of a 103 maize inbreds was characterized using 50 microsatellite markers and pedigree information. By means of clustering-based and model-based methods the flint germplasm collection was split into two subpopulations that were separated from the BSSS-BS13-related lines. Relatedness estimates with coancestry and kinship coefficients provided additional information in the case of structured mixed membership of some germplasm. These three main subpopulations were in agreement with prior pedigree records. Allele diversity was high and sufficient to give major, minor and specific allele profiles to characterize inbred lines. Convenience of the use of minor allele frequency for structure and relatedness assessment is also discussed. In addition, molecular characterization provided useful information to elucidate inbred ancestry origins of germplasm with unknown pedigree records and to group them into known heterotic groups to define heterotic patterns.
Influences on male reproductive success in long-lived Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)

Knowing how the number and qualities of mates influence male reproductive success (RS) can help interpret mating-system dynamics that are important for conservation efforts. We combined parentage data (1999–2006) with data from a long-term life-history study (1953–2007) of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii (Holbrook, 1838)) on the University of Michigan’s E.S. George Reserve to document the relative influence of mate number and quality on male RS. Blood samples were taken from >92% of resident adults and tissue samples were taken from 723 hatchlings from 92 nests of 54 females over eight nesting seasons. The incidence of multiple paternity averaged 41.6% (N = 77), was variable among years (minimum–maximum = 15.4%–55.6%), and was positively associated with female age, body size, and clutch size. Repeat paternity was observed in 69.9% of sequential clutches of the same female separated by 1–7 years. Male RS was variable (1–40 offspring) and was positively associated with the number of mates and clutc.
A framework for quantifying water extraction and water stress responses of perennial lucerne.

A generic framework was developed and validated for predicting the water extraction and water stress responses of perennial lucerne (Medicago sativa) to improve existing crop models. Perennial forages have roots established throughout a soil profile so require a different approach to quantify water extraction patterns than annual crops. Two years of experimental data from two fields in New Zealand, each containing dryland and irrigated lucerne crops, were analysed to develop the theory of the water extraction framework. This showed that the temporal pattern of water extraction was consistent and each year commenced in the shallowest layer and progressed downward. Water extraction from each soil layer was quantified as the minimum of soil water supply and crop demand for that layer. For each soil layer, water demand was represented by transpiration demand (the product of potential evapotranspiration and crop cover) minus the sum of water extraction in overlying layers. This approach gave accurate descriptions of water extraction patterns over a range of rainfall and irrigation situations. Water supply from each soil layer (l) was quantified as the product of plant-available water and an extraction rate constant (kll). The kll of lucerne could not be calculated using the traditional curve-fitting procedure so kll was calculated by integrating the water extraction framework described above with a soil water balance and fitting kll to minimise residuals for water extraction predictions in each soil layer. This gave kll values that decreased from 0.035/day in the 0-0.2m layer of soil to 0.01/day in the deepest layer measured (1.8-2.3m). The water extraction framework was validated against another 3 years of dryland and irrigated lucerne data and gave accurate predictions of water extraction patterns throughout the soil profile. Water stress was quantified from actual transpiration relative to transpiration demand (T/TD). The most sensitive variable was leaf area expansion, which decreased from an optimum at T/TD=1 to zero at T/TD=0.2, followed by radiation-use efficiency, which decreased from an optimum at T/TD=1 to zero at a T/TD of zero. The framework for quantifying water extraction and the techniques determined for identifying appropriate parameters to measure and characterise the framework are expected to be generally applicable to perennial forages in a wide range of environments.
The Impact of Knowledge Management on Innovation in Academic Libraries

In an ever-changing environment, innovation is a key concern for nearly every organization, including libraries. Innovation is not necessarily spontaneous; in fact, workplace factors including knowledge preservation and management can have both positive and negative impacts on the innovativeness of organizations. But how can knowledge management translate into innovation? What kind of knowledge do knowledge management systems capture? And most importantly, why should academic libraries care? This paper aims to assess the impact of knowledge management tools on innovation within an academic library context and highlight areas of further research. Based on the literature reviewed, common findings include that an effective KM system supports innovation and learning within organizations, and that there are several variables within the framework of KM which can increase the effectiveness of the KM system. These variables include the use of KM tools for staff and customers alike, cooperative and supportive management attitudes, and the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to codify and share knowledge between institutions.
Changes in hematological parameters in sahiwal cows reaching to estrus following PGF2α (double) injections

PGF2α being a luteolytic agent regulates the lifespan of the corpus luteum on the ovary and is therefore, used for estrus synchronization. The present study was conducted on 6 non-inseminated, non-pregnant, anestrus (pre or post-service) or repeat breeder Sahiwal cows. Blood samples were collected after double injections of PGF2α for haematological analysis on day 0, 11, 12, 13 & 14. TLC (thousands/ µl), TEC (millions /µl), Hb (%), PCV (%), MCV (fl), MCH (pg) and MCHC (g/dl) were evaluated by using an automatic blood analyser. The study indicated no significant changes in the TEC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC during estrus synchronization with double PGF2α protocol. The alteration in blood picture of cow on day of induced estrus (day 14) was non significant decrease in TEC, Hb and PCV.
Action of recombinant human interleukin 6, interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α on the mRNA induction of acute‐phase proteins

The rat hepatoma cell line Fao was used to study the role of three inflammatory mediators on the mWA regulation of several acute‐phase proteins. In the presence of 10−6 M dexamethasone β‐fibrinogen mRNA levels increased 6‐fold after addition of recombinant human IL6 (rhIL6). rhIL1β or recombinant human tumor necrosis factor a (rhTNFα) had essentially no effect on β‐fibrinogen mRNA induction but led to a 20‐fold increase in α1‐acid glycoprotein mRNA in the presence of dexamethasone. On the other hand, rhIL6 was a much weaker stimulator of α1‐acid glycoprotein mRNA synthesis. All three mediators reduced albumin mRNA concentrations to about 30% of controls.