Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
It’s Complicated: Intraroot System Variability of Respiration and Morphological Traits in Four Deciduous Tree Species[W][OPEN]

Extended branching order classification describes morphological variability in root systems and respiration better than traditional root diameter classes or root orders alone. Within branched root systems, a distinct heterogeneity of traits exists. Knowledge about the ecophysiology of different root types is critical to understand root system functioning. Classification schemes have to match functional root types as closely as possible to be used for sampling and modeling. Among ecophysiological root traits, respiration is of particular importance, consuming a great amount of carbon allocated. Root architecture differs between the four deciduous tree seedlings. However, two types of terminal root segments (i.e. first and second orders), white colored and brown colored, can be distinguished in all four species but vary in frequency, their morphology differing widely from each other and higher coarse root orders. Root respiration is related to diameter and tissue density. The use of extended root ordering (i.e. order and color) explains the variance of respiration two times as well as root diameter or root order classes alone. White terminal roots respire significantly more than brown ones; both possess respiration rates that are greater than those of higher orders in regard to dry weight and lower in regard to surface area. The correlation of root tissue density to respiration will allow us to use this continuous parameter (or easier to determine dry matter content) to model the respiration within woody root systems without having to determine nitrogen contents. In addition, this study evidenced that extended root orders are better suited than root diameter classes to picture the differences between root functional types. Together with information on root order class frequencies, these data allow us to calculate realistic, species-specific respiration rates of root branches.
Influence of Gender and SNPs in GPX1 Gene on Biomarkers of Selenium Status in Healthy Brazilians

Selenium (Se) status varies worldwide as a result of natural variation of Se content in soils, dietary pattern, and the presence of SNPs. Further, Se status in Brazilians and its relationship between genetic variation and Se biomarkers is unknown. This work investigated the association between SNPs in glutathione peroxidase genes and biomarkers of Se status in healthy Brazilians. The study was conducted in 116 healthy adults in São Paulo, Brazil. Plasma and erythrocyte Se were measured by HGFAAS. Erythrocyte GPx (eGPx) activity was measured spectrometrically in a biochemical analyzer. Genotypes were determined by real-time PCR using Taqman® Assays. eGPx activity was higher in females compared with males. Lower erythrocyte Se concentrations were found in heterozygous GC carriers for GPX1 rs8179169. eGPx activity was higher in females with the common genotypes, except for rs8179169. GC carriers for rs8179169 had lower erythrocyte Se in both genders, and only male carriers of the variant alleles of both rs1050450 and rs1800668 had higher eGPx activity. In conclusion, the genotype for SNPs in GPX1 and gender affected biomarkers of Se status in this pilot study with healthy Brazilians.
Effect of endocannabinoid degradation on pain: role of FAAH polymorphisms in experimental and postoperative pain in women treated for breast cancer

Abstract Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) metabolizes the endocannabinoid anandamide, which has an important role in nociception. We investigated the role of common FAAH single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in experimentally induced and postoperative pain. One thousand women undergoing surgery for breast cancer participated in the study. They were tested for cold (n = 900) and heat pain (n = 1000) sensitivity. After surgery, their pain intensities and analgesic consumption were carefully registered. FAAH genotyping was performed using MassARRAY platform and genome-wide chip (n = 926). Association between 8 FAAH SNPs and 9 pain phenotypes was analyzed using linear regression models. The results showed that carrying 2 copies of a missense variant converting proline at position 129 to threonine (rs324420) resulted in significantly lower cold pain sensitivity and less need for postoperative analgesia. More specifically, rs324420 and another highly correlated SNP, rs1571138, associated significantly with cold pain intensity (corrected P value, 0.0014; recessive model). Patients homozygous for the minor allele (AA genotype) were less sensitive to cold pain (&bgr; = −1.48; 95% CI, −2.14 to −0.8). Two other SNPs (rs3766246 and rs4660928) showed nominal association with cold pain, and SNPs rs4141964, rs3766246, rs324420, and rs1571138 nominal association with oxycodone consumption. In conclusion, FAAH gene variation was shown to associate with cold pain sensitivity with P129T/rs324420 being the most likely causal variant as it is known to reduce the FAAH enzyme activity. The same variant showed nominal association with postoperative oxycodone consumption. Our conclusions are, however, limited by the lack of replication and the results should be replicated in an independent cohort.
Genetic and Clinical Factors Are Associated With Statin‐Related Myotoxicity of Moderate Severity: A Case–Control Study

We evaluated the contribution of patient‐specific clinical and genetic factors to statin‐related muscle toxicity (SRM) without a significant creatine kinase elevation (125 cases related to simvastatin or atorvastatin and 481 controls). The association between 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine candidate genes and clinical factors with SRM was evaluated. Of the 12 SNPs genotyped, only rs4149056 in SLCO1B1 was associated with SRM in univariate analysis (with any statin, odd ratio (OR) = 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14–2.62, P = 0.010) and this association was influenced by sex (P = 0.006) and BMI (P = 0.02). In multivariate and binary logistic regression analyses, SLCO1B1 rs4149056 genotype (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.08–2.54, P = 0.014) and sex (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.15–2.59, P = 0.006) were independently associated with muscle toxicity related to statin treatment. Patient‐specific genetic and clinical factors associated with increased systemic exposure to statins are implicated in the full spectrum of SRM, including myalgia in addition to severe myopathy.
Diagnostic utility of aqueocentesis and aqueous humor analysis in dogs and cats with anterior uveitis

Abstract Objective To evaluate diagnostic utility of aqueous humor analysis in animals with anterior uveitis. Animals Client‐owned dogs (n = 12) and cats (n = 10). Procedures Examination findings and diagnostic test results including aqueous humor cytology were compared. Results Disease duration prior to aqueocentesis was not significantly different between dogs with idiopathic anterior uveitis and those with an etiologic diagnosis, but was shorter in cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) than those with idiopathic uveitis. Microbial nucleic acids, antigens, or antibodies against them were seldom found in blood/serum; however, serum feline coronavirus titers ≥1:6400 were detected only in cats with FIP. Aqueous humor cytology was diagnostic in no cats and two dogs, both with neoplasia. Although aqueous humor contained predominantly neutrophils in cats with FIP and large reactive lymphocytes and plasma cells appeared more frequent in cats with idiopathic uveitis, neither clinical nor cytologic assessment of anterior chamber contents differed significantly between cats with idiopathic or FIP‐associated uveitis. Cytologically assessed plasma cell number was correlated with keratic precipitates and disease duration. Clinically detectable hyphema and cytologic erythrocyte number were correlated. However, cytologic cell grades and clinical grade of flare or cell numbers within the anterior chamber were not correlated. Conclusions Aqueous humor cytology permitted diagnosis of neoplasia in dogs with anterior uveitis but was generally not helpful in cats. Poor correlation between clinical and cytologic assessment of cell numbers and type within the anterior chamber dictates that clinical grading should not be the sole criterion for electing to perform aqueocentesis.
First-Order Decoupled Finite Element Method of the three-Dimensional Primitive Equations of the Ocean

This paper is concerned with a first-order fully discrete decoupled method for solving the three-dimensional (3D) primitive equations of the ocean with the Dirichlet boundary conditions on the side, where a decoupled semi-implicit scheme is used for the time discretization, and the $P_1(P_1)-P_1-P_1(P_1)$ finite element for velocity, pressure, and density is used for the spatial discretization of these equations. The $H^1-L^2-H^1$ optimal error estimates for the numerical solution $(u_h^n,p_h^n,\theta_h^n)$ and the $L^2$ optimal error estimate for $(u^n_h,\theta_h^n)$ are established under the restriction of $0<h\le \beta_1$ and $0<\tau\le \beta_2$ for some positive constants $\beta_1$ and $\beta_2$. Moreover, numerical investigations are provided to show that the first-order decoupled method is of almost unconditional convergence with accuracy $\mathcal{O}(h+\tau)$ in the $H^1$-norm and $\mathcal{O}(h^2+\tau)$ in the $L^2$-norm for solving the 3D primitive equations of the ocean. Numerical results are gi.
A study on the intergranular corrosion and pitting resistance of Inconel 625 coating by PTA-P

This study aims to evaluate the influence of heat input and dilution on the corrosion behaviour of a weld overlay coating of Inconel 625 deposited using a plasma transferred arc process. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarisation, double-loop electrochemical potentiometric reactivation and critical pitting temperature (CPT) experiments were performed to determine sensitisation and pitting corrosion resistance of the coating, besides microstructural characterisation and microhardness testing. The overlay showed to be resistant to sensitisation in all cases. Within the scope of this study, only the CPT test was able to cause pitting in the alloy, which showed that increments of the specimen's chemical dilution and heat input induced a lower CPT. This is mainly due to different chemical compositions among the distinct phases present in the coating.
P21‐activated kinase 1 regulates resistance to BRAF inhibition in human cancer cells

BRAF is a commonly mutated oncogene in various human malignancies and a target of a new class of anti‐cancer agents, BRAF‐inhibitors (BRAFi). The initial enthusiasm for these agents, based on the early successes in the management of metastatic melanoma, is now challenged by the mounting evidence of intrinsic BRAFi‐insensitivity in many BRAF‐mutated tumors, by the scarcity of complete responses, and by the inevitable emergence of drug resistance in initially responsive cases. These setbacks put an emphasis on discovering the means to increase the efficacy of BRAFi and to prevent or overcome BRAFi‐resistance. We explored the role of p21‐activated kinases (PAKs), in particular PAK1, in BRAFi response. BRAFi lowered the levels of active PAK1 in treated cells. An activated form of PAK1 conferred BRAFi‐resistance on otherwise sensitive cells, while genetic or pharmacologic suppression of PAK1 had a sensitizing effect. While activation of AKT1 and RAC1 proto‐oncogenes increased BRAFi‐tolerance, the protective effect was negated in the presence of PAK inhibitors. Furthermore, combining otherwise ineffective doses of PAK‐ and BRAF‐inhibitors synergistically affected intrinsically BRAFi‐resistant cells. Considering the high incidence of PAK1 activation in cancers, our findings suggests PAK inhibition as a strategy to augment BRAFi therapy and overcome some of the well‐known resistance mechanisms.
Magnetisation transfer ratio and mean diffusivity of normal appearing white and grey matter from patients with multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of a new technique based on diffusion anisotropy to segment white and grey matter of the brain. To use this technique to measure the mean diffusivity (D̄) and magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and grey matter (NAGM) from patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS Dual echo turbo spin echo, MT, and diffusion weighted scans of the brain were obtained from 30 patients with multiple sclerosis and 18 sex and age matched healthy controls. After image coregistration and removal of T2 visible lesions, white and grey matter were segmented from 10 supratentorial slices using diffusion anisotropy thresholds. Histograms of the average MTR and D̄ were created for normal white and grey matter of controls and NAWM and NAGM of patients with multiple sclerosis. RESULTS All the MTR histogram derived metrics of the NAWM from patients with multiple sclerosis were significantly lower than those of white matter from controls. The peak height of the D̄histogram of NAWM from patients with multiple sclerosis was also significantly different from that of normal white matter. The average MTR, the peak location of the MTR histogram, and peak height of theD̄ histogram of the NAGM of patients with multiple sclerosis were significantly lower than the corresponding quantities of grey matter from controls. CONCLUSIONS A technique was developed for segmenting white and grey matter with the potential for improving the understanding of the pathophysiology of many neurological conditions. Its application to the study of multiple sclerosis confirms the presence of a diffuse tissue damage in the NAWM of these patients and suggests that subtle changes also occur in the NAGM.
HEAD IMPACT SEVERITY MEASURES FOR EVALUATING MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY RISK EXPOSURE

OBJECTIVEThe aims of this study were to quantify the sensitivity of various biomechanical measures (linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, impact duration, and impact location) of head impact to the clinical diagnosis of concussion in United States football players and to develop a novel measure of head impact severity combining these measures into a single score that better predicts the incidence of concussion. METHODSOn-field head impact data were collected from 449 football players at 13 organizations (n = 289,916) using in-helmet systems of six single-axis accelerometers. Concussions were diagnosed by medical staff and later associated with impact data. Principal component analysis and a weighting coefficient based on impact location were used to transform correlated head impact measures into a new composite variable, weighted principal component score (wPCS). The predictive power of linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, head injury criterion, and wPCS was quantified using receiver operating characteristic curves. The null hypothesis, that a measure was no more predictive than guessing, was tested (α = 0.05). In addition, receiver operating characteristic curves for wPCS and classical measures were directly compared to test the hypothesis that wPCS was more predictive of concussion than were classic measures (α = 0.05). RESULTSWhen all of the impacts were considered, every biomechanical measure evaluated was statistically more predictive of concussion than guessing (P < 0.005). However, for the top 1 and 2% of impacts based on linear acceleration, a subset that consisted of 82% of all diagnosed concussions, only wPCS was significantly more predictive of concussion than guessing (P < 0.03); when compared with each other, wPCS was more predictive of concussion than were classical measures for the top 1 and 2% of all of the data (P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONA weighted combination of several biomechanical inputs, including impact location, is more predictive of concussion than a single biomechanical measure. This study is the first to the authors' knowledge to quantify improvements in the sensitivity of a biomechanical measure to incidence of concussion when impact location is considered.
A comparative study of electrochemical machining process parameters by using GA and Taguchi method

In electrochemical machining quality of machined surface strongly depend on the selection of optimal parameter settings. This work deals with the application of Taguchi method and genetic algorithm using MATLAB to maximize the metal removal rate and minimize the surface roughness and overcut. In this paper a comparative study is presented for drilling of LM6 AL/B4C composites by comparing the significant impact of numerous machining process parameters such as, electrolyte concentration (g/l),machining voltage (v),frequency (hz) on the response parameters (surface roughness, material removal rate and over cut). Taguchi L27 orthogonal array was chosen in Minitab 17 software, for the investigation of experimental results and also multiobjective optimization done by genetic algorithm is employed by using MATLAB. After obtaining optimized results from Taguchi method and genetic algorithm, a comparative results are presented.
Calretinin as a Diagnostic Adjunct for Ameloblastoma

Background. Calretinin is a 29 kDa calcium-binding protein of the EF-hand family which is expressed in a variety of normal and tumorigenic tissues. Its expression in odontogenic epithelium during odontogenesis and in neoplastic odontogenic tissues has been demonstrated. Unicystic ameloblastoma poses a diagnostic challenge, as its histologic presentation can be sometimes mistaken for keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). This study was performed to assess the usefulness of calretinin as a confirmatory marker for ameloblastic tissue. Methodology. Total of 40 cases: 16 unicystic ameloblastoma, 4 multicystic ameloblastoma, and 20 KCOT, were evaluated immunohistochemically for the presence, localization, distribution, and intensity of calretinin expression. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test to intercompare the expression between ameloblastoma and KCOT. Results. Sixteen cases of ameloblastoma (12 unicystic, 4 multicystic) showed positive calretinin staining of ameloblastic epithelium and only one case of KCOT was positive for calretinin, with the positivity restricted to the stellate reticulum like epithelium. Intercomparison between two groups revealed statistically significant difference (P = 0.000). Conclusion. Calretinin appears to be a specific immunohistochemical marker for neoplastic ameloblastic epithelium and may be an important diagnostic adjunct in the differential diagnosis of ameloblastoma and KCOT.
Predicting the effect of successful human papillomavirus vaccination on existing cervical cancer prevention programs in the United States

The development of a prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that potentially may eliminate a majority of cervical cancers is a landmark in cancer prevention. Cervical screening, however, will continue to play an important role for the foreseeable future. Maintaining screening at the same intensity and simply adding on the expense of vaccination would result in redundancy of prevention efforts at enormously increased costs without necessarily further reducing cervical cancer mortality. Effectively integrating vaccination and screening efforts will be a critical and evolving challenge over the next decade; this will require understanding not only the impact of vaccination on reducing cervical abnormalities but also the influence of vaccination on screening test performance. Cancer 2008;113:(10 suppl):3031–5. Published 2008 by the American Cancer Society.
Testing a German Adaption of the Entrapment Scale and Assessing the Relation to Depression

The construct of entrapment is used in evolutionary theory to explain the etiology of depression. The perception of entrapment can emerge when defeated individuals want to escape but are incapable. Studies have shown relationships of entrapment to depression, and suicidal tendencies. The aim of this study was a psychometric evaluation and validation of the Entrapment Scale in German (ES-D). 540 normal subjects completed the ES-D along with other measures of depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and distress. Good reliability and validity of the ES-D was demonstrated. Further, whereas entrapment originally has been regarded as a two-dimensional construct, our analyses supported a single-factor model. Entrapment explained variance in depressive symptoms beyond that explained by stress and hopelessness supporting the relevance of the construct for depression research. These findings are discussed with regard to their theoretical implications as well as to the future use of the entrapment scale in clinical research and practice.
Ten Years of N‐Heteropentacenes as Semiconductors for Organic Thin‐Film Transistors

Introducing N atoms to the pentacene backbone leads to N‐heteropentacenes, whose properties can be tuned by changing the number, position and valence state of N atoms in the pentacene backbone. With a rapid development in recent years, N‐heteropentacenes and their derivatives have arisen as a new family of organic semiconductors with high performance in organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs). This article reviews the research efforts of developing N‐heteropentacenes into organic semiconductors starting from 2003 with emphasis on the work of the author's group since 2009. The structure–property relationship and design rationale are highlighted based on an overview of reported organic semiconductors of N‐heteropentacenes.
Self-Assembly and Electronic Properties of π-expanded Macrocycles

The design, synthesis and self-assembly of supramolecular nanostructures with attractive physical and chemical characteristics have drawn much attention during recent decades, mainly due to their applications in a vast number of fields, including chemistry, physics and engineering. The development of novel electronic devices, smart surfaces and pre-programmed architectures, among others, have been envisaged. The present thesis concerns to the self-assembly and the electronic properties of π-expanded macrocycles into ordered supramolecular architectures, investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) at the solidliquid interface between organic solutions and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Particularly, self-assembled monolayers of macrocycles of four π-expanded macrocyclic oligothiophene 8-mers were investigated. One of the macrocycles, cyclo[8](3,4dibutyl-2,5-thienylene-ethynylene) 8T8A, contains eight ethynylenes, while two other macrocycles are the photoisomers Z,Z–8T6A and E,E–8T6A, where two of the ethynylenes in opposite positions of the ring are replaced by cisand trans-ethylenes, respectively. An additional macrocycle, E–8T7A, corresponds to seven ethynylenes and one trans-ethylene groups. STM height images reveal hexagonally ordered 2D-networks with small differences in the unit cells. Current–voltage (I–V) characteristics confirm the expected donor-like character of the macrocycles with very similar LUMO positions for all macrocycles, and HOMO positions independent of the amount of ethynylene and ethylene groups. Cyclic STS measurements indicate that Z,Z–8T6A switches to its isomer E,E–8T6A after formation of a most stable cationic species, consistent with voltammetry and chemical oxidation experiments. This result represents the first reported electrochemi-