Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geminiviruses Subvert Ubiquitination by Altering CSN-Mediated Derubylation of SCF E3 Ligase Complexes and Inhibit Jasmonate Signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana[C][W]

This study shows that geminivirus C2/L2 protein interferes with the derubylation of CUL1. Responses regulated by the CUL1-based SCF ubiquitin ligases, and particularly the response to jasmonates, are altered in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana expressing C2/L2. The capability to selectively interfere with SCF complexes may define a novel and powerful strategy in viral infections. Viruses must create a suitable cell environment and elude defense mechanisms, which likely involves interactions with host proteins and subsequent interference with or usurpation of cellular machinery. Here, we describe a novel strategy used by plant DNA viruses (Geminiviruses) to redirect ubiquitination by interfering with the activity of the CSN (COP9 signalosome) complex. We show that geminiviral C2 protein interacts with CSN5, and its expression in transgenic plants compromises CSN activity on CUL1. Several responses regulated by the CUL1-based SCF ubiquitin E3 ligases (including responses to jasmonates, auxins, gibberellins, ethylene, and abscisic acid) are altered in these plants. Impairment of SCF function is confirmed by stabilization of yellow fluorescent protein–GAI, a substrate of the SCFSLY1. Transcriptomic analysis of these transgenic plants highlights the response to jasmonates as the main SCF-dependent process affected by C2. Exogenous jasmonate treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants disrupts geminivirus infection, suggesting that the suppression of the jasmonate response might be crucial for infection. Our findings suggest that C2 affects the activity of SCFs, most likely through interference with the CSN. As SCFs are key regulators of many cellular processes, the capability of viruses to selectively interfere with or hijack the activity of these complexes might define a novel and powerful strategy in viral infections.
Accuracy of Implant Placement Utilizing Customized Patient Instrumentation in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Customized patient instrumentation (CPI) combines preoperative planning with customized cutting jigs to position and align implants during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We compared postoperative implant alignment of patients undergoing surgery with CPI to traditional TKA instrumentation for accuracy of implant placement. Twenty-five consecutive TKAs using CPI were analyzed. Preoperative CT scans of the lower extremities were segmented using a computer program. Limb alignment and mechanical axis were computed. Virtual implantation of computer-aided design models was done. Postoperative coronal and sagittal view radiographs were obtained. Using 3D image-matching software, relative positions of femoral and tibial implants were determined. Twenty-five TKAs implanted using traditional instrumentation were also analyzed. For CPI, difference in alignment from the preoperative plan was calculated. In the CPI group, the mean absolute difference between the planned and actual femoral placements was 0.67° in the coronal plane and 1.2° in the sagittal plane. For tibial alignment, the mean absolute difference was 0.9° in the coronal plane and 1.3° in the sagittal plane. For traditional instrumentation, difference from ideal placement for the femur was 1.5° in the coronal plane and 2.3° in the sagittal plane. For the tibia, the difference was 1.8° in the coronal plane. CPI achieved accurate implant positioning and was superior to traditional TKA instrumentation.
THE ABUNDANCE GRADIENT IN THE EXTREMELY FAINT OUTER DISK OF NGC 300

In an earlier work, we showed for the first time that the resolved stellar disk of NGC 300 is very extended with no evidence for truncation, a phenomenon that has since been observed in other disk galaxies. We revisit the outer disk of NGC 300 in order to determine the metallicity of the faint stellar population. With the Gemini Multi Object Spectrograph camera at Gemini South, we reach 50% completeness at (g′, i′) = (26.8–27.4, 26.1–27.0) in photometric conditions and 0. ″7 seeing. At these faint depths, careful consideration must be given to the background galaxy population. The mean colors of the outer disk stars fall within the spread of colors for the background galaxies, but the stellar density dominates the background galaxies by ∼2:1. The predominantly old stellar population in the outer disk exhibits a negative abundance gradient—as expected from models of galaxy evolution—out to about 10 kpc where the abundance trend changes sign. We present two scenarios to explain the flattening, or upturn, in the metallicity gradient of NGC 300 and discuss the implication this has for the broader picture of galaxy formation.
Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Workplace Incivility Scale and the Instigated Workplace Incivility Scale

The quality of workplace social environments has been widely recognized as having an important role in employees’ experience of their workplace, which is confirmed by recent research. The greater frequency of incivility, in contrast to the more intense forms of negative workplace interactions, expands opportunities for understanding the social dynamics of workplaces. Important aspects of this research are potential cultural variations in workplace social behavior. Valid translations of measures for the core constructs are part of the essential infrastructure to support such research endeavors. To assess uncivil behavior at the workplace, we prepared a German translation of the Workplace Incivility Scale and the Instigated Workplace Incivility Scale. Our analysis of the responses from 2,168 Austrian workers indicated that the translation of both scales into German was successful, and that the concept of incivility can indeed be transferred to the German-speaking population. The factor solution was comparable to the original version of the scales. Criterion validity coefficients lay in a similar range as the coefficients found in previous studies with Canadian samples. The availability of the scales should stimulate research on incivility among the German-speaking population and can help in organization-diagnostic processes.
Co-expression of cell-wall related genes: new tools and insights

Global transcript analyses based on publicly available microarray dataset have revealed that genes with similar function tend to be transcriptionally coordinated. Indeed, many genes involved in the formation of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin have been identified using co-expression approaches in Arabidopsis. To facilitate these transcript analyses, several web-based tools have been developed that allow researchers to investigate co-expression relationships of their gene(s) of interest. In addition, several tools now also provide the possibility of comparative transcriptional analyses across species, which potentially increases the predictive power. In this short review, we describe recent developments and updates of plant-related co-expression tools, and summarize studies that have successfully used expression profiling in cell wall research. Finally, we illustrate the value of comparative co-expression relationships across species using genes involved in lignin biosynthesis.
Modern approaches to the problem of values’ formation of students’ healthy lifestyle in the course of physical training

Purpose : to prove, develop and check the model of values’ formation of a healthy lifestyle of students in the course of physical training. Material : students participated in an experiment (males - n=108; females - n=120; 18-20 years old). Results : it is determined the values’ formation level of a healthy lifestyle. It is developed the model of students’ healthy lifestyle formation. The model includes the purpose, the task, the principles, the stages, the organizational and methodical conditions, stages, the program and criteria of efficiency. The program of extracurricular occupations of physical training is a component of the model. It is defined factors which determine values’ formation of a healthy lifestyle of student's youth in the course of physical training. The following indicators were statistically and significantly improved: levels of physical activity, theoretical readiness, and motivation, level of physical health, values’ formation of a healthy lifestyle. Conclusions : The stimulating factors are information and effective basis of justification, forecasting, and development of values’ formation model of a healthy lifestyle. It is revealed the need for a change of approaches to the modernization of the educational process of physical training for institutions of the higher education.
Kinetic modeling and simulation of in vitro transcription by phage T7 RNA polymerase.

This study provides a mathematical model of T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) kinetics under in vitro conditions targeted at application of this model to simulation of dynamic transcription performance. A functional dependence of transcript synthesis rate is derived based on: (a) essential reactant concentrations, including T7 RNAP and its promoter, substrate nucleotides, and the inhibitory byproduct inorganic pyrophosphate; (b) a distinction among vector characteristics such as recognition sequences regulating transcription initiation and termination, respectively; and (c) specific properties of the nucleotide sequence including both transcript length and nucleotide composition. Inactivation kinetics showed a half-life of T7 RNAP activity of 50 min under the conditions applied in vitro using the isolated enzyme. Model parameters and their precision are estimated using dynamic simulation and nonlinear regression analysis. The particular novelty of this model is its capability to incorporate linear genomic sequence information for simulation of nonlinear in vitro transcription kinetics.
OPTIMAL FEEDBACK CONTROL PROPORTIONAL TO THE SYSTEM STATE CAN BE FOUND FOR NON-CAUSAL DESCRIPTOR SYSTEMS ( A REMARK ON A PAPER

There are many works devoted to the study of optimal control problems for systems with the state equation which is not solvable with respect to the derivative (Lewis, 1986; Mehrmann, 1991; Kurina, 1992). In the scientific literature, such systems are called descriptor, singular, implicit or differential-algebraic systems. Causality plays an important role in studying optimal control problems for descriptor systems. Causality and non-causality distinguish between the cases where the descriptor system is exclusively governed by the control input or additionally by its time-derivatives (Müller, 1998; Kostjukova, 2000).
The restricted isometry property for random convolutions

We present significantly improved estimates for the restricted isometry constants of partial random circulant matrices as they arise in the matrix formulation of subsampled convolution with a random pulse. We show that the required condition on the number m of rows in terms of the sparsity s and the vector length n is m & s log s log n.
Trends in the prevalence and ratio of diagnosed to undiagnosed diabetes according to obesity levels in the U.S.

OBJECTIVE To examine trends in the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes and the proportion of total cases previously diagnosed, according to obesity status in the U.S. over the past 40 years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We assembled data from five consecutive cross-sectional national surveys: National Health Examination Survey I (1960-1962), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I (1971-1974), NHANES II (1976-1980), NHANES III (1988-1994), and NHANES 1999-2000. Diagnosed diabetes was ascertained, and height and weight were measured in adults aged 20-74 years in all surveys. In NHANES II, NHANES III, and NHANES 1999-2000, a fasting glucose level > or =126 mg/dl was used to identify cases among individuals not reporting diabetes. Design-based analyses and Bayesian models estimate the probability that prevalence of diabetes increased within four BMI groups (<25, 25-29, 30-34, and > or =35 kg/m2). RESULTS In the U.S. population aged 20-74 years between 1976-1980 and 1999-2000, significant increases in the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes (3.3-5.8%, probability >99.9%) were accompanied by nonsignificant increases in undiagnosed diabetes (2.0-2.4%, 66.6%). This resulted in an increase in total diabetes (5.3-8.2%, >99.9%) and a modest nonsignificant increase in the proportion of cases that were diagnosed (62-70%, 62.4%). However, these trends varied considerably by BMI level. In individuals with BMI > or =35 kg/m2, diagnosed diabetes increased markedly (from 4.9% in 1960, to 8.6% during 1976-1980, to 15.1% in 1999-2000; probability >99.9%), whereas undiagnosed diabetes declined considerably (12.5% during 1976-1980 to 3.2% in 1999-2000, probability of increase 4.5%) Therefore, the proportion of total diabetes cases that were diagnosed increased from 41 to 83% (probability 99.9%) among individuals with BMI > or =35 kg/m2. By comparison, changes in prevalence within BMI strata <35 kg/m2 were modest and there was no increase in the percent of total cases that were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS National surveys over the last several decades have found large increases in diagnosed diabetes, particularly in overweight and obese individuals, but this has been accompanied by large decreases in undiagnosed diabetes only among individuals with BMI > or =35 kg/m2. This suggests that improvements in diabetes awareness and detection are most prominent among this subgroup.
Cooperative situation assessment in a maritime scenario

In large‐scale, complex domains such as space defense and security systems, situation assessment and decision making are evolving from centralized models to high‐level, net‐centric models. In this context, collaboration among the many actors involved in the situation assessment process is critical to achieve a prompt reaction as needed in the operational scenario.
Lightweight Cross&#8212;layer Control Algorithms for Fairness and Energy Efficiency in CDMA Ad&#8212;Hoc Networks

We consider a CDMA wireless ad—hoc network in the high SINR regime. We introduce a suite of cross—layer algorithms for joint flow control, routing, scheduling and power control. The algorithms guarantee forwarding of all incoming traffic, with an energy expenditure that can get arbitrarily close to the minimum possible. When traffic arrival rates lie outside the stable throughput region supported by the wireless network, the algorithms ensure fair allocation of resources. Compared to other algorithms that have been proposed in the past in a more general setting, our scheme is of considerably lower complexity. It relies on iterative methods for solving convex throughput optimization problems for CDMA networks in the high SINR regime. The resulting cross—layer control algorithms are promising in practical implementations, for they operate in real—time, i.e., evolve in parallel with network dynamics, with limited computational complexity between successive control epochs.
Radial distortion homography

The importance of precise homography estimation is often underestimated even though it plays a crucial role in various vision applications such as plane or planarity detection, scene degeneracy tests, camera motion classification, image stitching, and many more. Ignoring the radial distortion component in homography estimation-even for classical perspective cameras-may lead to significant errors or totally wrong estimates. In this paper, we fill the gap among the homography estimation methods by presenting two algorithms for estimating homography between two cameras with different radial distortions. Both algorithms can handle planar scenes as well as scenes where the relative motion between the cameras is a pure rotation. The first algorithm uses the minimal number of five image point correspondences and solves a nonlinear system of polynomial equations using Gröbner basis method. The second algorithm uses a non-minimal number of six image point correspondences and leads to a simple system of two quadratic equations in two unknowns and one system of six linear equations. The proposed algorithms are fast, stable, and can be efficiently used inside a RANSAC loop.
Risk Factors for Long-Term Mortality after Hospitalization for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A 5-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study

Background Contributors to long-term mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remain unclear, with little attention paid to pneumonia etiology. We examined long-term survival, causes of death, and risk factors for long-term mortality in adult patients who had been hospitalized for CAP, with emphasis on demographic, clinical, laboratory, and microbiological characteristics. Methods Two hundred and sixty-seven consecutive patients admitted in 2008–2011 to a general hospital with CAP were prospectively recruited and followed up. Patients who died during hospital stay were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected within 48 hours of admission. Extensive microbiological work-up was performed to establish the etiology of CAP in 63% of patients. Mortality data were obtained from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Cox regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for all-cause mortality. Results Of 259 hospital survivors of CAP (median age 66 years), 79 (30.5%) died over a median of 1,804 days (range 1–2,520 days). Cumulative 5-year survival rate was 72.9% (95% CI 67.4–78.4%). Standardized mortality ratio was 2.90 for men and 2.05 for women. The main causes of death were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), vascular diseases, and malignancy. Independent risk factors for death were the following (hazard ratio, 95% CI): age (1.83 per decade, 1.47–2.28), cardiovascular disease (2.63, 1.61–4.32), COPD (2.09, 1.27–3.45), immunocompromization (1.98, 1.17–3.37), and low serum albumin level at admission (0.75 per 5g/L higher, 0.58–0.96), whereas active smoking was protective (0.32, 0.14–0.74); active smokers were younger than non-smokers (P < 0.001). Microbial etiology did not predict mortality. Conclusions Results largely confirm substantial comorbidity-related 5-year mortality after hospitalization for CAP and the impact of several well-known risk factors for death, and extend previous findings on the prognostic value of serum albumin level at hospital admission. Pneumonia etiology had no prognostic value, but this remains to be substantiated by further studies using extensive diagnostic microbiological methods in the identification of causative agents of CAP.
Randomized trial to determine the effect of nebivolol on mortality and cardiovascular hospital admission in elderly patients with heart failure (SENIORS).

AIMS Large randomized trials have shown that beta-blockers reduce mortality and hospital admissions in patients with heart failure. The effects of beta-blockers in elderly patients with a broad range of left ventricular ejection fraction are uncertain. The SENIORS study was performed to assess effects of the beta-blocker, nebivolol, in patients >/=70 years, regardless of ejection fraction. METHODS AND RESULTS We randomly assigned 2128 patients aged >/=70 years with a history of heart failure (hospital admission for heart failure within the previous year or known ejection fraction </=35%), 1067 to nebivolol (titrated from 1.25 mg once daily to 10 mg once daily), and 1061 to placebo. The primary outcome was a composite of all cause mortality or cardiovascular hospital admission (time to first event). Analysis was by intention to treat. Mean duration of follow-up was 21 months. Mean age was 76 years (SD 4.7), 37% were female, mean ejection fraction was 36% (with 35% having ejection fraction >35%), and 68% had a prior history of coronary heart disease. The mean maintenance dose of nebivolol was 7.7 mg and of placebo 8.5 mg. The primary outcome occurred in 332 patients (31.1%) on nebivolol compared with 375 (35.3%) on placebo [hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% CI 0.74-0.99; P=0.039]. There was no significant influence of age, gender, or ejection fraction on the effect of nebivolol on the primary outcome. Death (all causes) occurred in 169 (15.8%) on nebivolol and 192 (18.1%) on placebo (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.71-1.08; P=0.21). CONCLUSION Nebivolol, a beta-blocker with vasodilating properties, is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for heart failure in the elderly.
Combining Different Procedures for Adaptive Regression

Given any countable collection of regression procedures (e.g., kernel, spline, wavelet, local polynomial, neural nets, etc.), we show that a single adaptive procedure can be constructed to share their advantages to a great extent in terms of global squared L2 risk. The combined procedure basically pays a price only of order 1/n for adaptation over the collection. An interesting consequence is that for a countable collection of classes of regression functions (possibly of completely different characteristics), a minimax-rate adaptive estimator can be constructed such that it automatically converges at the right rate for each of the classes being considered. A demonstration is given for high-dimensional regression, for which case, to overcome the well-known curse of dimensionality in accuracy, it is advantageous to seek different ways of characterizing a high-dimensional function (e.g., using neural nets or additive modelings) to reduce the influence of input dimension in the traditional theory of approximation (e.g., in terms of series expansion). However, in general, it is difficult to assess which characterization works well for the unknown regression function. Thus adaptation over different modelings is desired. For example, we show by combining various regression procedures that a single estimator can be constructed to be minimax-rate adaptive over Besov classes of unknown smoothness and interaction order, to converge at rate o(n? 1/2) when the regression function has a neural net representation, and at the same time to be consistent over all bounded regression functions.
Three methodological core issues of comparative personality research

Comparative personality research in human and nonhuman species advances many areas of empirical and theoretical research. The methodological foundations underlying these attempts to explain personality, however, remain an unpopular and often ignored topic. The target paper and this rejoinder explore three methodological core issues in the philosophy of science for comparative personality research: Conceptualising personality variation, identifying domains of variation and measuring variation. Clear distinctions among these issues may help to avoid misunderstandings among different disciplines concerned with personality. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.