Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antisense Repression of Vacuolar and Cell Wall Invertase in Transgenic Carrot Alters Early Plant Development and Sucrose Partitioning

To unravel the functions of cell wall and vacuolar invertases in carrot, we used an antisense technique to generate transgenic carrot plants with reduced enzyme activity. Phenotypic alterations appeared at very early stages of development; indeed, the morphology of cotyledon-stage embryos was markedly changed. At the stage at which control plantlets had two to three leaves and one primary root, shoots of transgenic plantlets did not separate into individual leaves but consisted of stunted, interconnected green structures. When transgenic plantlets were grown on media containing a mixture of sucrose, glucose, and fructose rather than sucrose alone, the malformation was alleviated, and plantlets looked normal. Plantlets from hexose-containing media produced mature plants when transferred to soil. Plants expressing antisense mRNA for cell wall invertase had a bushy appearance due to the development of extra leaves, which accumulated elevated levels of sucrose and starch. Simultaneously, tap root development was markedly reduced, and the resulting smaller organs contained lower levels of carbohydrates. Compared with control plants, the dry weight leaf-to-root ratio of cell wall invertase antisense plants was shifted from 1:3 to 17:1. Plants expressing antisense mRNA for vacuolar invertase also had more leaves than did control plants, but tap roots developed normally, although they were smaller, and the leaf-to-root ratio was 1.5:1. Again, the carbohydrate content of leaves was elevated, and that of roots was reduced. Our data suggest that acid invertases play an important role in early plant development, most likely via control of sugar composition and metabolic fluxes. Later in plant development, both isoenzymes seem to have important functions in sucrose partitioning.
Incremental probabilistic latent semantic analysis for automatic question recommendation

With the fast development of web 2.0, user-centric publishing and knowledge management platforms, such as Wiki, Blogs, and Q & A systems attract a large number of users. Given the availability of the huge amount of meaningful user generated content, incremental model based recommendation techniques can be employed to improve users' experience using automatic recommendations. In this paper, we propose an incremental recommendation algorithm based on Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis (PLSA). The proposed algorithm can consider not only the users' long-term and short-term interests, but also users' negative and positive feedback. We compare the proposed method with several baseline methods using a real-world Question & Answer website called Wenda. Experiments demonstrate both the effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed methods.
The relationship between maternal depression and negative outcomes in children: Parenting deficits' impact on children's emotional regulation and behavioral expression

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATERNAL DEPRESSION AND NEGATIVE OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN: PARENTING DEFICITS’ IMPACT ON CHILDREN’S EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND BEHAVIORAL EXPRESSION by GABRIELLE FRANCESCA CIONE Advisor: Denise Hien, Ph.D. The present study examined the relationships between maternal depression, parenting practices and children’s emotional and behavioral expressions. The study was a secondary analysis of a previous cross-sectional and cross-generational study (Maternal aggression, selfregulation and adverse child outcomes, DA 08963) funded by the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) that examined the pathways between maternal impairments (crack/cocaine use disorder, general psychopathology, and self-regulation deficits), child-rearing deficits (parenting deficits, child neglect, child physical/ sexual abuse), and adverse child outcomes (substance abuse, aggressive/ delinquent behaviors, and child self-regulation deficits). The population for the current study was chosen because children of depressed mothers in certain vulnerable developmental stages, such as the adolescent period, are at a heightened risk for adverse outcomes. Indeed, past research suggests that children of depressed mothers have particular difficulties with emotion regulation capacities and internalizing and externalizing behaviors. It has also been found that maternal depression is linked with negative parenting deficits, such as harsher forms of discipline. The current study proposed that mothers with a current diagnosis of Major Depression Disorder will exhibit harsher parenting practices and that maternal depression will be positively associated with child emotion dysregulation as well as
GEFPSO: A Framework for PSO Optimization based on Grammatical Evolution

In this work, we propose a framework to automatically generate effective PSO designs by adopting Grammatical Evolution (GE). In the proposed framework, GE searches for adequate structures and parameter values (e.g., acceleration constants, velocity equations and different particles' topology) in order to evolve the PSO design. For this, a high-level Backus--Naur Form (BNF) grammar was developed, representing the search space of possible PSO designs. In order to verify the performance of the proposed method, we performed experiments using 16 diverse continuous optimization problems, with different levels of difficulty. In the performed experiments, we identified the parameters and components that most affected the PSO performance, as well as identified designs that could be reused across different problems. We also demonstrated that the proposed method generates useful designs which achieved competitive solutions when compared to well succeeded algorithms from the literature.
A central role for ceramide in the age‐related acceleration of apoptosis in the female germline

An age‐dependent acceleration of apoptosis occurs in female germ cells (oocytes), and this requires communication between the oocyte and its surrounding somatic (cumulus) cells. Here we show in aged mice that ceramide is translocated from cumulus cells into the adjacent oocyte and induces germ cell apoptosis that can be prevented by sphingosine‐1‐phosphate. Trafficking of ceramide requires gap junction‐dependent communication between the cumulus cells and the oocyte as well as intact lipid rafts. Further, the occurrence of the elevated incidence of apoptosis in oocytes of aged females is concomitant with an enhanced sensitivity of the oocyte to a spike in cytosolic ceramide levels, as well as increased bax mRNA and Bax protein levels. Thus, the force driving the age‐related increase in female germ cell death is multifactorial, but changes in the intercellular trafficking of ceramide, along with hypersensitivity of oocytes to ceramide, are key factors in this process.
Genetics and Molecular Mapping of Black Rot Resistance Locus Xca1bc on Chromosome B-7 in Ethiopian Mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun)

Black rot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Pam.) Dowson is the most destructive disease of cauliflower causing huge loss to the farmers throughout the world. Since there are limited sources of resistance to black rot in B. oleracea (C genome Brassica), exploration of A and B genomes of Brassica was planned as these were thought to be potential reservoirs of black rot resistance gene(s). In our search for new gene(s) for black rot resistance, F2 mapping population was developed in Brassica carinata (BBCC) by crossing NPC-17, a susceptible genotype with NPC-9, a resistant genotype. Out of 364 Intron length polymorphic markers and microsatellite primers used in this study, 41 distinguished the parental lines. However, resistant and susceptible bulks could be distinguished by three markers At1g70610, SSR Na14-G02 and At1g71865 which were used for genotyping of F2 mapping population. These markers were placed along the resistance gene, according to order, covering a distance of 36.30 cM. Intron length polymorphic markers At1g70610 and At1g71865 were found to be linked to black rot resistance locus (Xca1bc) at 6.2 and 12.8 cM distance, respectively. This is the first report of identification of markers linked to Xca1bc locus in Brassica carinata on B-7 linkage group. Intron length polymorphic markers provided a novel and attractive option for marker assisted selection due to high cross transferability and cost effectiveness for marker assisted alien gene introgression into cauliflower.
Mathematical Model of Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Reinforced by Straight Fibers

This article describes a mathematical model of a pneumatic artificial muscle reinforced by straight fibers. The pneumatic artificial muscle is lightweight and high power. In addition, it is possible for it to emit exhaust into the atmosphere because the transmission medium of its energy is air, and it needs neither a tank nor maintenance like hydraulic equipment. In addition, safety to a person and the environment is high because the base of the actuator is a soft polymeric material even if damage to the artificial muscle is caused. On the other hand, because the device is composed of a thin film cylinder, and is easily influenced by outside power for the conversion of the volume change in rubber into physical contraction axially, and its passive character is strong, precise positional control is difficult. However, the living thing that has a verbose degree of freedom enables minute motion and walking, etc. by skillfully adjusting to avoid impedance, because it understands its own muscular characteristic beforehand. Similarly, it is thought that the precise positional control is possible by understanding the characteristics of an artificial muscle beforehand. In this research, it is assumed that the expansion shape of the pneumatic artificial muscle that we developed from the pressure distribution is equivalent to the centenary curve, and its model is based on dynamic balance. The result shows the effectiveness of control of an artificial muscle that uses highly accurate calculations and models.
Development of the First Cisgenic Apple with Increased Resistance to Fire Blight

The generation and selection of novel fire blight resistant apple genotypes would greatly improve the management of this devastating disease, caused by Erwinia amylovora. Such resistant genotypes are currently developed by conventional breeding, but novel breeding technologies including cisgenesis could be an alternative approach. A cisgenic apple line C44.4. 146 was regenerated using the cisgene FB_MR5 from wild apple Malus ×robusta 5 (Mr5), and the previously established method involving A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the fire blight susceptible cultivar ‘Gala Galaxy’ using the binary vector p9-Dao-FLPi. The line C44.4. 146 was shown to carry only the cisgene FB_MR5, controlled by its native regulatory sequences and no transgenes were detected by PCR or Southern blot following heat induced recombinase-mediated elimination of the selectable markers. Although this line contains up to 452 bp of vector sequences, it still matches the original definition of cisgenesis. A single insertion of T-DNA into the genome of 'Gala Galaxy' in chromosome 16 was identified. Transcription of FB_MR5 in line C44.4. 146 was similar to the transcription in classically bred descendants of Mr5. Three independent shoot inoculation experiments with a Mr5 avirulent strain of Erwinia amylovora were performed using scissors or syringe. Significantly lower disease symptoms were detected on shoots of the cisgenic line compared to those of untransformed 'Gala Galaxy'. Despite the fact that the pathogen can overcome this resistance by a single nucleotide mutation, this is, to our knowledge, the first prototype of a cisgenic apple with increased resistance to fire blight.
Nutrition Prescription to Achieve Positive Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

In Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), management of diet is important in prevention of disease progression and symptom management, however evidence on nutrition prescription is limited. Recent international CKD guidelines and literature was reviewed to address the following question “What is the appropriate nutrition prescription to achieve positive outcomes in adult patients with chronic kidney disease? ” Databases included in the search were Medline and CINAHL using EBSCOhost search engine, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews published from 2000 to 2009. International guidelines pertaining to nutrition prescription in CKD were also reviewed from 2000 to 2013. Three hundred and eleven papers and eight guidelines were reviewed by three reviewers. Evidence was graded as per the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia criteria. The evidence from thirty six papers was tabulated under the following headings: protein, weight loss, enteral support, vitamin D, sodium, fat, fibre, oral nutrition supplements, nutrition counselling, including protein and phosphate, nutrients in peritoneal dialysis solution and intradialytic parenteral nutrition, and was compared to international guidelines. While more evidence based studies are warranted, the customary nutrition prescription remains satisfactory with the exception of Vitamin D and phosphate. In these two areas, additional research is urgently needed given the potential of adverse outcomes for the CKD patient.
BacMet: antibacterial biocide and metal resistance genes database

Antibiotic resistance has become a major human health concern due to widespread use, misuse and overuse of antibiotics. In addition to antibiotics, antibacterial biocides and metals can contribute to the development and maintenance of antibiotic resistance in bacterial communities through co-selection. Information on metal and biocide resistance genes, including their sequences and molecular functions, is, however, scattered. Here, we introduce BacMet (http://bacmet.biomedicine.gu.se)—a manually curated database of antibacterial biocide- and metal-resistance genes based on an in-depth review of the scientific literature. The BacMet database contains 470 experimentally verified resistance genes. In addition, the database also contains 25 477 potential resistance genes collected from public sequence repositories. All resistance genes in the BacMet database have been organized according to their molecular function and induced resistance phenotype.
Cryptophthalmos in Two Families from Bahia, Brazil

Two families with cryptophthalmos are reported. Both families came from the same town in Bahia State, Brazil. Consanguinity was known between the parents themselves, but not between the individual families reported here. However, a common ancestor for both families is very likely because the four parents were born in the same `municipio'. There was one affected girl in family 1 and four affected sibs in family 2. A pair of affected monozygotic twins and a case of possible low expressivity of the syndrome are described in family 2.
Cloning and aging in a VR family

Face cloning and animation considering wrinkle formation and aging are an aspiring goal and a challenging task. This paper describes a cloning method and an aging simulation in a family. We reconstruct a father, mother, son and daughter of one family and mix their shapes and textures in 3D to get virtual persons with some variation. The idea of reconstruction of a head is to detect features from two orthogonal pictures, modify a generic model with an animation structure and use an automatic texture mapping method. It is followed by a simple method to do 3D-shape interpolation and 2D morphing based on triangulation for experiments of mixing 3D heads between family members. Finally, wrinkles within facial animation and aging are generated based on detected feature points. Experiments are made to generate aging wrinkles on the faces of the son and the daughter.
Bee Venom for the Treatment of Parkinson Disease – A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

In the present study, we examined the potential symptomatic and/or disease-modifying effects of monthly bee venom injections compared to placebo in moderatly affected Parkinson disease patients. We conducted a prospective, randomized double-blind study in 40 Parkinson disease patients at Hoehn & Yahr stages 1.5 to 3 who were either assigned to monthly bee venom injections or equivalent volumes of saline (treatment/placebo group: n = 20/20). The primary objective of this study was to assess a potential symptomatic effect of s.c. bee venom injections (100 μg) compared to placebo 11 months after initiation of therapy on United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III scores in the « off » condition pre-and post-injection at a 60 minute interval. Secondary objectives included the evolution of UPDRS III scores over the study period and [123I]-FP-CIT scans to evaluate disease progression. Finally, safety was assessed by monitoring specific IgE against bee venom and skin tests when necessary. After an 11 month period of monthly administration, bee venom did not significantly decrease UPDRS III scores in the « off » condition. Also, UPDRS III scores over the study course, and nuclear imaging, did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Four patients were excluded during the trial due to positive skin tests but no systemic allergic reaction was recorded. After an initial increase, specific IgE against bee venom decreased in all patients completing the trial. This study did not evidence any clear symptomatic or disease-modifying effects of monthly bee venom injections over an 11 month period compared to placebo using a standard bee venom allergy desensitization protocol in Parkinson disease patients. However, bee venom administration appeared safe in non-allergic subjects. Thus, we suggest that higher administration frequency and possibly higher individual doses of bee venom may reveal its potency in treating Parkinson disease. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01341431
Zachariadis The Impact of the Diffusion of a Financial Innovation on Company Performance : An Analysis of SWIFT Adoption

This paper uses micro data from the 1980, 1991 and 2000 population censuses to investigate the role of changes in the industry mix in accounting for the differential trends in the incidence of child work (ages 10-15) across Brazilian states. We find that exogenous compositional changes account for around 20% of the observed fall in child employment in rural areas.
Preparation and Characterization of O-Acylated Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfate from Sea Cucumber

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FuCS), a kind of complex glycosaminoglycan from sea cucumber, has potent anticoagulant activity. In order to understand the relationship between structures and activity, the depolymerized FuCS (dFuCS) was chosen to prepare its derivates by selective substitution at OH groups. Its O-acylation was carried out in a homogeneous way using carboxylic acid anhydrides. The structures of O-acylated derivatives were characterized by NMR. The results indicated that the 4-O-sulfated fucose residues may be easier to be acylated than the other ones in the sulfated fucose branches. But the O-acylation was always accompanied by the β-elimination, and the degree of elimination was higher as that of acylation was higher. The results of clotting assay indicated that the effect of partial O-acylation of the dFuCS on their anticoagulant potency was not significant and the O-acylation of 2-OH groups of 4-O-sulfated fucose units did not affect the anticoagulant activity.
TERMINAL VALUE PROBLEMS FOR FIRST AND SECOND ORDER NONLINEAR EQUATIONS ON TIME SCALES

In this paper we examine "terminal" value problems for dynamic equations on time scales - that is, a dynamic equation whose solutions are asymptotic at infinity. We present a number of new theorems that guarantee the existence and uniqueness of solutions, as well as some comparison-type results. The methods we employ feature dynamic inequalities, weighted norms, and fixed-point theory. equations. The area of time scales originates in the work of Hilger in (23). Such investigations reveal the bonds and distinctions between the two areas and also provide a framework with which to more accurately model stop-start processes. Our main interest herein is in the qualitative properties of solutions to terminal value problems on time scales, including the existence, uniqueness, and comparison theorems. The methods that we employ involve dynamic inequalities, weighted norms, and fixed point theory. The motivation for using the weighted (or Bielecki) norms originates in (31) and the references quoted therein, where this method was used in order to prove the existence and uniqueness results for nonlinear initial value problems on bounded time scales. The existence of bounded solutions to initial value problems for second order dynamic equations and inequalities on unbounded time scales was studied in (3), while in (2) results of this type are given for certain
Influence of depressive symptoms on speech perception in adverse listening conditions

It is widely acknowledged that individuals with elevated depressive symptoms exhibit deficits in inter-personal communication. Research has primarily focused on speech production in individuals with elevated depressive symptoms. Little is known about speech perception in individuals with elevated depressive symptoms, especially in challenging listening conditions. Here, we examined speech perception in young adults with low- or high-depressive (HD) symptoms in the presence of a range of maskers. Maskers were selected to reflect various levels of informational masking (IM), which refers to cognitive interference due to signal and masker similarity, and energetic masking (EM), which refers to peripheral interference due to signal degradation by the masker. Speech intelligibility data revealed that individuals with HD symptoms did not differ from those with low-depressive symptoms during EM, but they exhibited a selective deficit during IM. Since IM is a common occurrence in real-world social settings, this listening deficit may exacerbate communicative difficulties.
Time-shifted multilayer graph: A routing framework for bulk data transfer in optical circuit-switched networks with assistive storage

Increasing bulk data transfers incur peak-hour bandwidth contention between bulky and short flows as well as between bulky flows. To mitigate this contention, storage is introduced into the forwarding path so that bulk data that are delay tolerant can be temporarily stored and forwarded at a later time. However, the storage introduces an additional complexity into the conventional routing process. What was a spatial resource allocation problem becomes a scheduling problem, in which both bandwidth and storage constraints must be considered and both spatial assignments and temporal arrangements must be performed. In this paper, we propose a routing framework for bulk data transfer in optical circuit-switched networks with assistive storage. This framework is based on a multilayer graph built from a set of snapshots (i.e., layers) of the dynamics in a network. By performing shortest path routing on the multilayer graph, "end-to-end" paths over time and space are found for requests, thus greatly simplifying the provisioning process. We study how the number of layers used for routing affects the network blocking performance and how traffic characteristics and link capacity affect the number of layers. We find that the majority of requests can be served with only one additional layer. A trade-off between computational complexity and blocking performance can be reached by limiting the number of layers used for routing. In our simulations, the request blocking probability is reduced from 13.5% to 0.9% by limiting routing to 11 layers. Request blocking is avoided when routing is allowed within 29 layers.