Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterologous Expression of Wheat VERNALIZATION 2 (TaVRN2) Gene in Arabidopsis Delays Flowering and Enhances Freezing Tolerance

The vernalization gene 2 (VRN2), is a major flowering repressor in temperate cereals that is regulated by low temperature and photoperiod. Here we show that the gene from Triticum aestivum (TaVRN2) is also regulated by salt, heat shock, dehydration, wounding and abscissic acid. Promoter analysis indicates that TaVRN2 regulatory region possesses all the specific responsive elements to these stresses. This suggests pleiotropic effects of TaVRN2 in wheat development and adaptability to the environment. To test if TaVRN2 can act as a flowering repressor in species different from the temperate cereals, the gene was ectopically expressed in the model plant Arabidopsis. Transgenic plants showed no alteration in morphology, but their flowering time was significantly delayed compared to controls plants, indicating that TaVRN2, although having no ortholog in Brassicaceae, can act as a flowering repressor in these species. To identify the possible mechanism by which TaVRN2 gene delays flowering in Arabidopsis, the expression level of several genes involved in flowering time regulation was determined. The analysis indicates that the late flowering of the 35S::TaVRN2 plants was associated with a complex pattern of expression of the major flowering control genes, FCA, FLC, FT, FVE and SOC1. This suggests that heterologous expression of TaVRN2 in Arabidopsis can delay flowering by modulating several floral inductive pathways. Furthermore, transgenic plants showed higher freezing tolerance, likely due to the accumulation of CBF2, CBF3 and the COR genes. Overall, our data suggests that TaVRN2 gene could modulate a common regulator of the two interacting pathways that regulate flowering time and the induction of cold tolerance. The results also demonstrate that TaVRN2 could be used to manipulate flowering time and improve cold tolerance in other species.
Expression and Localization of Opioid Receptors in Male Germ Cells and the Implication for Mouse Spermatogenesis

The presence of endogenous opioid peptides in different testicular cell types has been extensively characterized and provides evidence for the participation of the opioid system in the regulation of testicular function. However, the exact role of the opioid system during the spermatogenesis has remained controversial since the presence of the mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors in spermatogenic cells was yet to be demonstrated. Through a combination of quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry approaches, we report for the first time the presence of active mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors in mouse male germ cells. They show an exposition time-dependent response to opioid agonist, hence suggesting their active involvement in spermatogenesis. Our results contribute to understanding the role of the opioid receptors in the spermatogenesis and could help to develop new strategies to employ the opioid system as a biochemical tool for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Comparative Analysis Reveals Distinct and Overlapping Functions of Mef2c and Mef2d during Cardiogenesis in Xenopus laevis

The family of vertebrate Mef2 transcription factors is comprised of four members named Mef2a, Mef2b, Mef2c, and Mef2d. These transcription factors are regulators of the myogenic programs with crucial roles in development of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle cells. Mef2a and Mef2c are essential for cardiac development in mice. In Xenopus, mef2c and mef2d but not mef2a were recently shown to be expressed during cardiogenesis. We here investigated the function of Mef2c and Mef2d during Xenopus laevis cardiogenesis. Knocking down either gene by corresponding antisense morpholino oligonucleotides led to profound heart defects including morphological abnormalities, pericardial edema, and brachycardia. Marker gene expression analyses and rescue experiments revealed that (i) both genes are required for proper cardiac gene expression, (ii) Mef2d can compensate for the loss of Mef2c but not vice versa, and (iii) the γ domain of Mef2c is required for early cardiac development. Taken together, our data provide novel insights into the function of Mef2 during cardiogenesis, highlight evolutionary differences between species and might have an impact on attempts of direct reprogramming.
Anti-Candida Activity of Fluoxetine Alone and Combined with Fluconazole: a Synergistic Action against Fluconazole-Resistant Strains

ABSTRACT The purpose of this work was to determine the antimicrobial activity of fluoxetine, alone and combined with fluconazole, against 29 Candida strains isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. MIC and minimum lethal concentration values ranged from 9.8 to 625 μg/ml for all strains tested. The combination of fluconazole with fluoxetine resulted in synergistic activity against six Candida strains, with fractional inhibitory index (FIX) values between 0.15 and 0.31. An indifferent effect was found for the remaining strains, with FIX values between 0.63 and 1.
Multiple Object Class Detection with a Generative Model

In this paper we propose an approach capable of simultaneous recognition and localization of multiple object classes using a generative model. A novel hierarchical representation allows to represent individual images as well as various objects classes in a single, scale and rotation invariant model. The recognition method is based on a codebook representation where appearance clusters built from edge based features are shared among several object classes. A probabilistic model allows for reliable detection of various objects in the same image. The approach is highly efficient due to fast clustering and matching methods capable of dealing with millions of high dimensional features. The system shows excellent performance on several object categories over a wide range of scales, in-plane rotations, background clutter, and partial occlusions. The performance of the proposed multi-object class detection approach is competitive to state of the art approaches dedicated to a single object class recognition problem.
Association of bovine lymphocyte antigens with milk fat percentage differences.

A group of 246 Holstein artificial insemination bulls was examined for associations of bovine lymphocyte antigens with differences in transmitting ability for milk and fat yield and fat percent. The mean fat percentage associated with the w10 allele was . 15% greater than the mean for four other alleles. No differences in phenotypic or allelic effects were detected for milk or fat yield.
Involvement of a Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in Modulating the NADH/NAD+ Ratio Provides Evidence of a Mitochondrial Glycerol-3-Phosphate Shuttle in Arabidopsis[W][OA]

A mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate (G-3-P) shuttle that channels cytosolic reducing equivalent to mitochondria for respiration through oxidoreduction of G-3-P has been extensively studied in yeast and animal systems. Here, we report evidence for the operation of such a shuttle in Arabidopsis thaliana. We studied Arabidopsis mutants defective in a cytosolic G-3-P dehydrogenase, GPDHc1, which, based on models described for other systems, functions as the cytosolic component of a G-3-P shuttle. We found that the gpdhc1 T-DNA insertional mutants exhibited increased NADH/NAD+ ratios compared with wild-type plants under standard growth conditions, as well as impaired adjustment of NADH/NAD+ ratios under stress simulated by abscisic acid treatment. The altered redox state of the NAD(H) pool was correlated with shifts in the profiles of metabolites concerning intracellular redox exchange. The impairment in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis was manifest by a higher steady state level of reactive oxygen species under standard growth conditions and by a significantly augmented hydrogen peroxide production under stress. Loss of GPDHc1 affected mitochondrial respiration, particularly through a diminished capacity of the alternative oxidase respiration pathway. We propose a model that outlines potential involvements of a mitochondrial G-3-P shuttle in plant cells for redox homeostasis.
Transitions through the Lifecourse and Time Spent on Housework

This paper examines differences in men’s and women’s time spent on housework as they move through key lifecourse transitions. Most research on housework has examined change indirectly by using cross-sectional data to compare time spent on housework across groups with different characteristics. This paper adopts a longitudinal approach to directly examine differences in time spent on housework in relation to employment, marital and parental transitions. This is an important issue as the pathways that individuals take through the lifecycle have changed dramatically in recent decades. For example, many individuals experience periods of de facto cohabition prior to marriage, periods of separation and divorce, and longer periods with none or fewer children in the household compared to previous generations. It is important to examine how these differing pathways affect the gender division of labor in housework time. We use national panel data from Australia at two time points, 1996/97 and 2000. The results show that women spend far more time on housework than men, but that time on housework varies considerably in relation to key lifecourse transitions, in particular changes in marital status. We conclude that the varying paths individuals take through the lifecourse influences time spent on housework.
Sulcus-Based MR Analysis of Focal Cortical Dysplasia Located in the Central Region

Objective Focal cortical dysplasias (FCDs) are mainly located in the frontal region, with a particular tropism for the central sulcus. Up to 30% of lesions are undetected (magnetic resonance [MR]-negative FCD patients) or belatedly diagnosed by visual analysis of MR images. We propose an automated sulcus-based method to analyze abnormal sulcal patterns associated with central FCD, taking into account the normal interindividual sulcal variability. Methods We retrospectively studied 29 right-handed patients with FCD in the central region (including 12 MR negative histologically-confirmed cases) and 29 right-handed controls. The analysis of sulcal abnormalities from T1-weighted MR imaging (MRI) was performed using a graph-based representation of the cortical folds and an automated sulci recognition system, providing a new quantitative criterion to describe sulcal patterns, termed sulcus energy. Results Group analysis showed that the central sulcus in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the FCD exhibited an abnormal sulcal pattern compared with controls (p = 0.032). FCDs were associated with abnormal patterns of the central sulci compared with controls (p = 0.006), a result that remained significant when MR-negative and MR-positive patients were considered separately, while the effects of sex, age and MR-field were not significant. At the individual level, sulcus energy alone failed to detect the FCD lesion. We found, however, a significant association between maximum z-scores and the site of FCD (p = 0.0046) which remained significant in MR-negative (p = 0.024) but not in MR-positive patients (p = 0.058). The maximum z-score pointed to an FCD sulcus in four MR-negative and five MR-positive patients. Conclusions We identified abnormal sulcal patterns in patients with FCD of the central region compared with healthy controls. The abnormal sulcal patterns ipsilateral to the FCD and the link between sulcus energy and the FCD location strengthen the interest of sulcal abnormalities in FCD patients.
Distributed Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education

Jaettu pedagoginen johtajuus varhaiskasvatuksessa Pedagogisen johtajuuden tavoitteena varhaiskasvatuksessa on turvata kasvatuksen ja opetuksen laatu. Sen toteuttajina varhaiskasvatuksen johtajilla on haasteellinen tehtava kunnissa. Kuntaorganisaation konteksti, hajautuneiden kunnallisten toimijoiden toteuttama johtajuus, toiminnan puitteet ja saatavilla olevat resurssit asettavat haasteita pedagogisen johtajuuden toteuttamiselle ja toiminnan kehittamiselle. KM Johanna Heikan vaitostutkimuksessa tarkastellaan sita, kuinka kuntien varhaiskasvatuksen johtajuudessa osallisena olevat toimijat nakevat varhaiskasvatuksen, erityisesti pedagogisen johtajuuden toteutumisen. Tutkimuksen aineisto kerattiin paivakotien kasvatushenkiloston, paivakodin johtajien, varhaiskasvatuksen johtavien virkamiesten ja varhaiskasvatuksesta vastaavien lautakuntien focus group haastatteluilla 10 kunnassa. Ryhmahaastattelujen avulla pyrittiin tavoittamaan varhaiskasvatuksen toimijoiden erilaiset nakemykset johtajuuden toteutumisesta ja luomaan naiden rinnakkaisen tarkastelun avulla kokonaisvaltainen kasitys varhaiskasvatuksen johtajuudesta. Tutkimuksen mukaan kaikki osallistujaryhmat – lautakunnat, johtavat viranhaltijat, paivakotien johtajat seka kasvatushenkilosto – pitivat keskeisena johtajuusvastuuna pedagogista johtajuutta. Kaikki ryhmat kuitenkin kokivat, etta vastuuta pedagogisesta johtajuudesta ei jaeta riittavasti. Nahtiin, etta paivakodin johtajilla, joihin odotus pedagogiikan kehittamisesta yksikoissaan kohdistuu, oli riittamattomat mahdollisuudet systemaattiseen kehittamiseen yhdessa paivakotien kasvattajatiimien kanssa. Paivakotien johtajat ja kasvatushenkilosto kokivat, etta makrotason johtajat ovat etaantyneet paivittaisista kaytannoista. Heidan mukaansa tama heikentaa makrotason johtajien mahdollisuuksia luoda jaettuja ja tehokkaita pedagogisen kehittamisen strategioita. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittivat, etta pedagogisen johtajuuden toimivuus ja kehittaminen on haastavaa kuntien hierarkkisissa organisaatiorakenteissa. Vallalla olevaa johtajuuden toteutumisen tapaa punnittiin ryhmakeskusteluissa jaetun pedagogisen johtajuuden ihanteen pohjalta, mutta kaytannossa ratkaisut tehtiin paljolti viela traditionaalisiin johtamisen tapoihin ja rooleihin nojautuen. Osallistujien ryhmakeskusteluissa kuitenkin ilmeni uudenlaisia tulkintoja johtajuudesta jaettuna toimintana: naissa keskusteluissa pidettiin tarkeana, etta vastuuta pedagogisesta johtajuudesta jaetaan toimijoiden kesken. Lisaksi tuotiin esille, etta eri tasojen johtajuustoiminta tulisi liittaa tiiviimmin toisiinsa. Tutkimuksen tulosten perusteella voidaan paatella, etta varhaiskasvatuksessa vastuu pedagogiikan kehittamisesta uudistaa johtajuusajattelua. Kunnissa on alettu etsia uusia tapoja johtaa varhaiskasvatusta. Jaettua vastuuta pedagogiikasta ja sen kehittamisesta tavoitellaan. Kunnissa on luotu kehittamistoimintaa vahvistavia rakenteita ja uudistettu johtajien ja henkiloston positioita ja rooleja. Varhaiskasvatuksen johtajuutta kunnissa voitaisiin tukea…
An algebraic multigrid solver for analytical placement without layout based clustering

An efficient matrix solver is critical to the analytical placement. As the size of the matrix becomes huge, the multilevel methods turn out to be more efficient and more scalable. Algebraic Multigrid (AMG) is a multilevel technique to speedup the iterative matrix solver in K. Stuben (1999). We apply the algebraic multigrid method to solve the linear equations that arise from the analytical placement. A layout based clustering scheme is put forward to generate coarsening levels for the multigrid method. The experimental results show that the algebraic multigrid solver is promising for analytical placement.
Robust real-time blind source separation for moving speakers in a room

This paper describes a robust real-time blind source separation (BSS) method for moving speech signals in a room. Our method employs frequency domain independent component analysis (ICA) using a blockwise batch algorithm in the first stage, and the separated signals are refined by postprocessing using crosstalk component estimation and nonstationary spectral subtraction in the second stage. The blockwise batch algorithm achieves better performance than an online algorithm when sources are fixed, and the postprocessing compensates for performance degradation caused by source movement. Experimental results using speech signals recorded in a real room show that the proposed method realizes robust real-time separation for moving sources. Our method is implemented on a standard PC and works in real time.
The space complexity of pass-efficient algorithms for clustering

We present multiple pass streaming algorithms for a basic clustering problem for massive data sets. If our algorithm is allotted 2l passes, it will produce an approximation with error at most ε using Õ(k3/ε2/l) bits of memory, the most critical resource for streaming computation. We demonstrate that this tradeoff between passes and memory allotted is intrinsic to the problem and model of computation by proving lower bounds on the memory requirements of any l pass randomized algorithm that are nearly matched by our upper bounds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time nearly matching bounds have been proved for such an exponential tradeoff for randomized computation.In this problem, we are given a set of n points drawn randomly according to a mixture of k uniform distributions and wish to approximate the density function of the mixture. The points are placed in a datastream (possibly in adversarial order), which may only be read sequentially by the algorithm. We argue that this models, among others, the datastream produced by a national census of the incomes of all citizens.
Assessment of a dye permeability assay for determination of inactivation rates of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts

The ability to determine inactivation rates of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in environmental samples is critical for assessing the public health hazard of this gastrointestinal parasite in watersheds. We compared a dye permeability assay, which tests the differential uptake of the fluorochromes 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and propidium iodide (PI) by the oocysts (A. T. Campbell, L. J. Robertson, and H. V. Smith, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 58:3488-3493, 1992), with an in vitro excystation assay, which tests their ability to excyst and, thus, their metabolic potential and potential for infectivity (J.B. Rose, H. Darbin, and C.P. Gerba, Water Sci. Technol. 20:271-276, 1988). Formaldehyde-fixed (killed) oocysts and untreated oocysts were permeabilized with sodium hypochlorite and subjected to both assays. The results of the dye permeability assays were the same, while the excystation assay showed that no excystation occurred in formaldehyde-fixed oocysts. This confirmed that oocyst wall permeability, rather than metabolic activity potential, was the basis of the dye permeability viability assessment. A previously developed protocol (L. J. Anguish and W. C. Ghiorse, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:724-733, 1997) for determining viability of oocysts in soil and sediment was used to examine further the use of oocyst permeability status as an indicator of oocyst viability in fecal material stored at 4 degrees C and in water at various temperatures. Most of the oocysts in fresh calf feces were found to be impermeable to the fluorochromes. They were also capable of excystation, as indicated by the in vitro excystation assay, and were infective, as indicated by a standard mouse infectivity assay. The dye permeability assay further showed that an increase in the intermediate population of oocysts permeable to DAPI but not to PI occurred over time. There was also a steady population of oocysts permeable to both dyes. Further experiments with purified oocysts suspended in distilled water showed that the shift in oocyst populations from impermeable to partially permeable to fully permeable was accelerated at temperatures above 4 degrees C. This sequence of oocyst permeability changes was taken as an indicator of the oocyst inactivation pathway. Using the dye permeability results, inactivation rates of oocysts in two fecal pools stored in the dark at 4 degrees C for 410 and 259 days were estimated to be 0.0040 and 0.0056 oocyst day-1, respectively. The excystation assay gave similar inactivation rates of 0.0046 and 0.0079 oocyst day-1. These results demonstrate the utility of the dye permeability assay as an indicator of potential viability and infectivity of oocysts, especially when combined with improved microscopic methods for detection of oocysts in soil, turbid water, and sediments.
The ethyl acetate fraction of a methanolic extract of unripe noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn.) fruit exhibits a biphasic effect on the dopaminergic system in mice

In earlier ex vivo studies, we reported the biphasic effect of a methanolic extract of unripe Morinda citrifolia fruit (MMC) on dopamine-induced contractility in isolated rat vas deferens preparations. The present in vivo study was designed and undertaken to further explore our earlier ex vivo findings. This study examined the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of a methanolic extract of unripe Morinda citrifolia Linn. fruit (EA-MMC; 5–100 mg/kg, p.o.) on the dopaminergic system using mouse models of apomorphine-induced climbing time and climbing behavior, methamphetamine-induced stereotypy (sniffing, biting, gnawing, and licking) and haloperidol-induced catalepsy using the bar test. Acute treatment with EA-MMC at a low dose (25 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated the apomorphine-induced climbing time and climbing behavior in mice. Similarly, EA-MMC (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior in mice. These results demonstrated that the antidopaminergic effect of EA-MMC was observed at relatively lower doses (<25 mg/kg, p.o.). On the other hand, EA-MMC showed dopaminergic agonistic activity at a high dose (3,000 mg/kg, p.o.), which was evident from alleviation of haloperidol (a dopamine D2 blocker)-induced catalepsy in mice. Therefore, it is concluded that EA-MMC might possess a biphasic effect on the dopaminergic system, i.e., an antagonistic effect at lower doses (<25 mg/kg, p.o.) and an agonistic effect at higher doses (>1,000 mg/kg, p.o.). However, further receptor-ligand binding assays are necessary to confirm the biphasic effects of M. citrifolia fruit on the dopaminergic system.
Synergistic protection by specific antibodies and interferon against infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro

Trypanosoma cruzi infects many mammalian cell types in vitro, including fibroblasts and macrophages. We have analyzed and compared the infection of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and J774 macrophage‐like tumor cells by cloned Y‐A1.2 T. cruzi trypomastigotes. The effects of T. cruzi‐specific antibodies and of interferon (IFN) on infection were considered. Specific antibodies protected 3T3 fibroblasts from infection by T. cruzi, but increased the relative infectivity for J774 cells due to binding of the opsonized parasite to J774 Fc receptors. It was also apparent that IFN‐α,β (produced by fibroblasts) and IFN‐γ (produced by T lymphocytes) activated trypanocidal activities in both 3T3 and J774 cells, although IFN‐γ was 100 to 2000 times more effective than IFN‐α,β on the basis of IFN antiviral units added per culture. When anti‐T. cruzi antibodies and IFN‐α,β or IFN‐γ were used jointly, a synergistic protective effect was observed with both 3T3 fibroblasts and J774 cells. These results suggest that B and T lymphocytes might collaborate in vivo in the protection against T. cruzi infections by the production of anti‐trypomastigote antibodies and IFN‐γ, respectively.