Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Network Analyses Reveal Shifts in Transcript Profiles and Metabolites That Accompany the Expression of SUN and an Elongated Tomato Fruit1[OPEN]

High expression of a gene that controls tomato shape is accompanied by dramatic shifts in gene expression and metabolite and hormone accumulation during the early stages of fruit development. SUN controls elongated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) shape early in fruit development through changes in cell number along the different axes of growth. The gene encodes a member of the IQ domain family characterized by a calmodulin binding motif. To gain insights into the role of SUN in regulating organ shape, we characterized genome-wide transcriptional changes and metabolite and hormone accumulation after pollination and fertilization in wild-type and SUN fruit tissues. Pericarp, seed/placenta, and columella tissues were collected at 4, 7, and 10 d post anthesis. Pairwise comparisons between SUN and the wild type identified 3,154 significant differentially expressed genes that cluster in distinct gene regulatory networks. Gene regulatory networks that were enriched for cell division, calcium/transport, lipid/hormone, cell wall, secondary metabolism, and patterning processes contributed to profound shifts in gene expression in the different fruit tissues as a consequence of high expression of SUN. Promoter motif searches identified putative cis-elements recognized by known transcription factors and motifs related to mitotic-specific activator sequences. Hormone levels did not change dramatically, but some metabolite levels were significantly altered, namely participants in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Also, hormone and primary metabolite networks shifted in SUN compared with wild-type fruit. Our findings imply that SUN indirectly leads to changes in gene expression, most strongly those involved in cell division, cell wall, and patterning-related processes. When evaluating global coregulation in SUN fruit, the main node represented genes involved in calcium-regulated processes, suggesting that SUN and its calmodulin binding domain impact fruit shape through calcium signaling.
A new look at conflict styles: goal orientation and outcome preferences

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into conflict styles by examining a new set of antecedents and outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – A theory is outlined and a theoretical model is presented to explain the relationship between a motivational antecedent – goal orientation – and conflict styles, and to explain the relationship between conflict styles and resolution preferences.Findings – The paper suggests that goal orientation serves as an antecedent for subsequent conflict style. Moreover, resolution preferences vary depending on goal orientation and conflict style.Research limitations/implications – This paper has several implications for future research. Empirical research is needed to investigate the relationship between goal orientation and conflict styles as well as the relationship between conflict style and outcome preferences. Such research may either provide grounding to the model or generate further theory development regarding the antecedents and outcomes of conf.
Interlukine-17 and TGF-β levels in patients with acute brucellosisbefore and after treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIM T-helper cell type 1 (Th1)/Th2 cytokine balance is involved in the resistance or susceptibility to Brucella infection. The analysis of cytokine levels is valuable to determine the role of the immune system in Brucella prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and their alterations with treatment in patients with acute brucellosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS TGF-β was tested in 33 acute brucellosis patients and 19 controls and IL-17 was analyzed in 40 patients and 12 controls. Cytokine levels were tested in controls and patients before and after treatment by ELISA. RESULTS TGF-β levels were significantly lower in brucellosis cases compared to controls. At the end of the treatment, the serum levels of this cytokine had increased, but there was no significant difference between this cytokine level before and after treatment. The IL-17 level was significantly higher in the brucellosis group compared to controls and its value decreased in patients at the end of treatment without any significant difference. CONCLUSION This study indicated that TGF-β was lower and IL-17 was higher in brucellosis cases and, after treatment, the serum level of TGF-β increased and that of IL-17 decreased in these patients.
The History Workshop, Teacher Development and Outcomes-Based Education over the Past Seven Years1

Besides its pioneering scholarship on the social histories of the marginalised and oppressed communities in South Africa, the History Workshop (HW) at the University of the Witwatersrand has also made an immense contribution to the teaching of history in secondary school through its teachers’ workshops. Its input in the realm of teacher development has been quite remarkable in the context of the changing curriculum and educational policy more generally since the 1990s – an aspect of the HW's intellectual project that has received limited scholarly attention. After the introduction of the new curriculum, oral history was placed at the centre of the history syllabus from the early 2000s. However, the curriculum gave no concrete guidelines on how to deal with the complexities of oral history or other new components of the syllabus. Furthermore, no provision had been made for the retraining of the teachers, who were mostly left to their own devices. The HW with its many years of oral history experience partially filled the vacuum. It resuscitated its annual teachers’ workshops and provided the most critical support of introducing oral history to the educators, exploring its strengths and weaknesses, as well as showing how this could be beneficial in the classroom. This article reflects critically on the experiences of the HW on the issue of oral history in the schools mainly in Mpumalanga (but also in other provinces) between 2002 and 2009 – experiences that showed a mixture of possibilities and challenges.
GABAergic transmission in rat pontine reticular formation regulates the induction phase of anesthesia and modulates hyperalgesia caused by sleep deprivation

The oral part of the pontine reticular formation (PnO) contributes to the regulation of sleep, anesthesia and pain. The role of PnO γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in modulating these states remains incompletely understood. The present study used time to loss and time to resumption of righting response (LoRR and RoRR) as surrogate measures of loss and resumption of consciousness. This study tested three hypotheses: (i) pharmacologically manipulating GABA levels in rat PnO alters LoRR, RoRR and nociception; (ii) propofol decreases GABA levels in the PnO; and (iii) inhibiting GABA synthesis in the PnO blocks hyperalgesia caused by sleep deprivation. Administering a GABA synthesis inhibitor [3‐mercaptopropionic acid (3‐MPA)] or a GABA uptake inhibitor [nipecotic acid (NPA)] into rat PnO significantly altered LoRR caused by propofol. 3‐MPA significantly decreased LoRR for propofol (−18%). NPA significantly increased LoRR during administration of propofol (36%). Neither 3‐MPA nor NPA altered RoRR following cessation of propofol or isoflurane delivery. The finding that LoRR was decreased by 3‐MPA and increased by NPA is consistent with measures showing that extracellular GABA levels in the PnO were decreased (41%) by propofol. Thermal nociception was significantly decreased by 3‐MPA and increased by NPA, and 3‐MPA blocked the hyperalgesia caused by sleep deprivation. The results demonstrate that GABA levels in the PnO regulate the time for loss of consciousness caused by propofol, extend the concept that anesthetic induction and emergence are not inverse processes, and suggest that GABAergic transmission in the PnO mediates hyperalgesia caused by sleep loss.
Characterization of a Unique Group-Specific Protein (U122) of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

ABSTRACT A novel coronavirus (CoV) has been identified as the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The SARS-CoV genome encodes the characteristic essential CoV replication and structural proteins. Additionally, the genome contains six group-specific open reading frames (ORFs) larger than 50 amino acids, with no known homologues. As with the group-specific genes of the other CoVs, little is known about the SARS-CoV group-specific genes. SARS-CoV ORF7a encodes a putative unique 122-amino-acid protein, designated U122 in this study. The deduced sequence contains a probable cleaved signal sequence and a C-terminal transmembrane helix, indicating that U122 is likely to be a type I membrane protein. The C-terminal tail also contains a typical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retrieval motif, KRKTE. U122 was expressed in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells, as it could be detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. U122 is localized to the perinuclear region of both SARS-CoV-infected and transfected cells and colocalized with ER and intermediate compartment markers. Mutational analyses showed that both the signal peptide sequence and ER retrieval motif were functional.
A Panton-Valentine Leucocidin (PVL)-Positive Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strain, Another Such Strain Carrying a Multiple-Drug Resistance Plasmid, and Other More-Typical PVL-Negative MRSA Strains Found in Japan

ABSTRACT Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) was collected from children with bullous impetigo in 2003 and 2004. One strain collected in 2003 was Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) positive. In 2004, a multiple-drug-resistant PVL+ CA-MRSA strain was isolated from an athlete with a cutaneous abscess. These strains were analyzed by multilocus sequence typing, spa typing, agr typing, coagulase typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, PCR assay for 30 virulence genes, drug susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and for plasmids. The two Japanese PVL+ CA-MRSA strains belonged to the globally extant (“pandemic”) sequence type 30 (ST30) with SCCmec IV. A transmissible, multiple-drug resistance plasmid emerged in such ST30 strains. The PVL− CA-MRSA strains (“domestic” CA-MRSA) accumulated for bullous impetigo, exhibiting new genotypes. Hospital-acquired MRSA of ST91 (but not pandemic ST5) shared common features with the PVL− CA-MRSA strain.
Associations of human leukocyte antigen-G with resistance and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in the Pumwani sex worker cohort

Objective:To determine the association between human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-G genotypes and resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1. Design:A group of sex workers in Pumwani, Kenya can be epidemiologically defined as resistant to HIV-1 infection despite frequent exposure and provide an example of natural protective immunity. HLA class I and II molecules have been shown to be associated with resistance/susceptibility to infection in this cohort. HLA-G is a nonclassical class I allele that is primarily involved in mucosal and inflammatory response, which is of interest in HIV-1 resistance. Methods:In this study, we used a sequence-based typing method to genotype HLA-G for 667 women enrolled in this cohort and examined the influence of HLA-G genotypes on resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Results:The G*01 : 01:01 genotype was significantly enriched in the HIV-1-resistant women [P = 0.002, Odds ratio: 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.259–0.976], whereas the G*01 : 04:04 genotype was significantly associated with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection (P = 0.039, OR:0.502, 95% CI:0.259–0.976). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis correlated with these results. G*01 : 01:01 genotype was associated with significantly lower rate of seroconversion (P = 0.001). Whereas, G*01 : 04:04 genotype was significantly associated with an increased rate of seroconversion (P = 0.013). The associations of these HLA-G alleles are independent of other HLA class I and II alleles identified in this population. Conclusion:Our study showed that specific HLA-G alleles are associated with resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 acquisition in this high-risk population. Further studies are needed to understand its functional significance in HIV-1 transmission.
Data confidentiality: A review of methods for statistical disclosure limitation and methods for assessing privacy

There is an ever increasing demand from researchers for access to useful microdata files. However, there are also growing concerns regarding the privacy of the individuals contained in the microdata. Ideally, microdata could be released in such a way that a balance between usefulness of the data and privacy is struck. This paper presents a review of proposed methods of statistical disclosure control and techniques for assessing the privacy of such methods under different definitions of disclosure. AMS 2000 subject classifications: Primary 62A01.
Organization of optic lobes that support motion detection in a semiterrestrial crab

There is a mismatch between the documentation of the visually guided behaviors and visual physiology of decapods (Malacostraca, Crustacea) and knowledge about the neural architecture of their visual systems. The present study provides a description of the neuroanatomical features of the four visual neuropils of the grapsid crab Chasmagnathus granulatus, which is currently used as a model for investigating the neurobiology of learning and memory. Visual memory in Chasmagnathus is thought to be driven from within deep retinotopic neuropil by large‐field motion‐sensitive neurons. Here we describe the neural architecture characterizing the Chasmagnathus lobula, in which such neurons are found. It is shown that, unlike the equivalent region of insects, the malacostracan lobula is densely packed with columns, the spacing of which is the same as that of retinotopic units of the lamina. The lobula comprises many levels of strata and columnar afferents that supply systems of tangential neurons. Two of these, which are known to respond to movement across the retina, have orthogonally arranged dendritic fields deep in the lobula. They also show evidence of dye coupling. We discuss the significance of commonalties across taxa with respect to the organization of the lamina and medulla and contrasts these with possible taxon‐specific arrangements of deeper neuropils that support systems of matched filters. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:396–411, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Northern arc of ε Eridani’s Debris Ring as seen by ALMA

FONDECYT Postdoctoral Fellowship [3140479]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) [Kr 2164/15-1. AJ]; Millennium Nucleus (Chilean Ministry of Economy) [RC130007]; FONDECYT [1130857]; BASAL [CATAPFB-06]; Ministry for the Economy, Development, and Tourism's Programa Iniciativa Cientifica Milenio [IC 120009]; Millennium Institute of Astrophysics (MAS); European Union through ERC grant [279973]; Royal Society as a Royal Society University Research Fellow; PNP/CNES
Biochemical Alterations during the Obese-Aging Process in Female and Male Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)-Treated Mice

Obesity, from children to the elderly, has increased in the world at an alarming rate over the past three decades, implying long-term detrimental consequences for individual’s health. Obesity and aging are known to be risk factors for metabolic disorder development, insulin resistance and inflammation, but their relationship is not fully understood. Prevention and appropriate therapies for metabolic disorders and physical disabilities in older adults have become a major public health challenge. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate inflammation markers, biochemical parameters and glucose homeostasis during the obese-aging process, to understand the relationship between obesity and health span during the lifetime. In order to do this, the monosodium glutamate (MSG) obesity mice model was used, and data were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 months in both female and male mice. Our results showed that obesity was a major factor contributing to premature alterations in MSG-treated mice metabolism; however, at older ages, obesity effects were attenuated and MSG-mice became more similar to normal mice. At a younger age (four months old), the Lee index, triglycerides, total cholesterol, TNF-α and transaminases levels increased; while adiponectin decreased and glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity levels were remarkably altered. However, from 16 months old-on, the Lee index and TNF-α levels diminished significantly, while adiponectin increased, and glucose and insulin homeostasis was recovered. In summary, MSG-treated obese mice showed metabolic changes and differential susceptibility by gender throughout life and during the aging process. Understanding metabolic differences between genders during the lifespan will allow the discovery of specific preventive treatment strategies for chronic diseases and functional decline.
Energy Efficient Comparison between Distributed MIMO and Co-Located MIMO in the Uplink Cellular Systems

In this paper, we compare EE of the distributed MIMO (D-MIMO) and co-located MIMO (C-MIMO) in the uplink cellular systems since mobile stations are battery powered. The total energy consumption includes both the circuit energy consumption and the transmission energy. We get the closed-form expression for EE of D-MIMO and C-MIMO systems. What's more, an optimization algorithm is proposed to get the optimal EE values while satisfying given spectral efficiency (SE) requirement for both D-MIMO and C-MIMO systems. Simulation results show that the D-MIMO systems are more energy efficient than C-MIMO systems in composite fading channel, and the optimal EE value can be obtained by the proposed algorithm while satisfying given SE requirement.
Sequencing and Analysis of Neanderthal Genomic DNA

Our knowledge of Neanderthals is based on a limited number of remains and artifacts from which we must make inferences about their biology, behavior, and relationship to ourselves. Here, we describe the characterization of these extinct hominids from a new perspective, based on the development of a Neanderthal metagenomic library and its high-throughput sequencing and analysis. Several lines of evidence indicate that the 65,250 base pairs of hominid sequence so far identified in the library are of Neanderthal origin, the strongest being the ascertainment of sequence identities between Neanderthal and chimpanzee at sites where the human genomic sequence is different. These results enabled us to calculate the human-Neanderthal divergence time based on multiple randomly distributed autosomal loci. Our analyses suggest that on average the Neanderthal genomic sequence we obtained and the reference human genome sequence share a most recent common ancestor ∼706,000 years ago, and that the human and Neanderthal ancestral populations split ∼370,000 years ago, before the emergence of anatomically modern humans. Our finding that the Neanderthal and human genomes are at least 99.5% identical led us to develop and successfully implement a targeted method for recovering specific ancient DNA sequences from metagenomic libraries. This initial analysis of the Neanderthal genome advances our understanding of the evolutionary relationship of Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis and signifies the dawn of Neanderthal genomics.
A RECAM E A POLÍTICA CINEMATOGRÁFICA DO MERCOSUL: PROMOÇÃO DA INTEGRAÇÃO REGIONAL E DA DIVERSIDADE CULTURAL?

O artigo aborda as politicas cinematograficas do Mercosul para compreender como tais politicas provocam a conformacao de um espaco cinematografico regional e, por conseguinte, contribuem para a diversidade cultural. A Economia Politica da Comunicacao e da Cultura orienta a abordagem conceitual. A analise considera o conceito de governanca para investigar as complexas relacoes entre os atores interessados. O exame das politicas cinematograficas e efetuado atraves de documentos e da analise historico-descritiva do contexto. A pesquisa conclui tratar-se de uma politica incremental que promove articulacoes das redes, porem com capacidade limitada para promover a integracao regional e provocar mudancas estruturais no modelo de negocio cinematografico das majors locais e de Hollywood.
Online Support Groups for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Feasibility Pilot Study

This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of an online peer support group intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Feasibility, participation rates, participant satisfaction, and preliminary outcomes are examined from a 1999 to 2000 study of online peer support groups for women with MBC. Thirty women with MBC were randomly assigned to either an immediate online support condition or a waitlisted control condition. For practical and ethical reasons, the waitlist period was limited to 2 months. Six monthly assessments were collected using standardized measurement instruments. Intervention retention rates (73%), assessment completion rates (range = 100%–86% in retained participants) and support group participation (M = 5.9 days per week) were high compared to other published studies on this population. Reported satisfaction with the intervention was also high. An online support intervention study is feasible using a waitlist control. Despite the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures, the study design and small sample size precluded definitive conclusions about intervention effectiveness. As such, study procedures should be replicated with a larger more representative sample to examine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Thermal derating of TEFC induction motors coated or partially flooded by spilled pulp

Induction motors driving the agitators in pulp tanks are affected by the leakage of pulp that coats their inter-fin channels, blocks the air inlets of the fan cover, or partially floods them. This paper presents a complete thermal evaluation of TEFC induction motors during these abnormal conditions. A totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) induction motor fitted with 12 thermocouples was tested in the different situations of interest, including pulp spilled over the frame, in the air intake, and partially flooding it. Winding, frame, and bearing temperatures were measured. These results are used to determine the required oversizing of an agitator motor in order to assure that the motor will not fail even if the inter-fin channels become obstructed with spilled pulp.
The structure and function of the spore outer membrane in dormant and germinating spores of Bacillus megaterium.

Attempts to demonstrate the presence of the spore outer membrane in mature, dormant spores of a strain of Bacillus megaterium are described. The outer, integument, layers of this organism were found to contain one-third of the total spore cytochrome content, several enzymes of the electron transport chain (specifically NADH oxidase, dehydrogenase, cytochrome c reductase and NADPH dehydrogenase) and a large number of polypeptides extractable with sodium dodecylsulphate in the presence of dithiothreitol and protease inhibitors. These all suggest the presence of a membraneous element. Electron microscopic evidence is presented on the structure of the dormant integument enzymes. Changes in the integument enzymes and in the gel electrophoresis profile of the extractable integument polypeptides which occur during spore gemination, are described and compared with those that take place in the spore inner membrane. The heat sensitivity of the integument enzymes is compared with that of the inner membrane enzymes and the implications for theories of spore heat resistance discussed.