Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lymphocyte development in fish and amphibians

Summary: Recently, molecular markers such as recombination activating genes (RAG), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), stem cell leukemia hematopoletic transcription factor (SCL), Ikaros and gata‐binding protein (Gata) ‐family members have been isolated and characterized from key lower vertebrates, adding to our growing knowledge of lymphopolesis in ectotherms. In all gnathostomes there appear to be two main embryonic locations derived from the early mesoderm, both intra‐ and extraembryonic, which contribute to primitive and dermitive hematopolesis based upon their differential expression of SCL, Gaia‐1, Gata‐2 and tnyeloblasto‐sis oncogene (c‐myb). In teleosts. a unique intraembryonic location for hematopoletic stem cells termed the intermediate cell mass (ICM) of Oellacter appears to be responsible for primitive or definitive hematopolesis depending upon the species being investigated. In Xenopus, elegant grafting studies in combination with specific molecular markers has led to a better definition of the roles that ventral blood islands and dorsal lateral plate play in amphibian hematopolesis, that of primitive and deffinitive lymphopolesis. After the early embryonic contribution to hematopolesis. specialized tissues must assume the role of providing the proper microenvironment for T and B‐lymphocyte development from progenitor stem cells. In all gnathostomes, the thymus is the major site for T‐cell maturation as evidenced by strong expression of developmental markers such as Ikaros, Rag and TdT plus expression of T‐cell specific markers such as T‐cell receptor β and lck. In this respect, several zebrafish mutants have provided new insights on the development of the thymopoletic environment. On the other band, the sites for B‐cell lymphopolesis are less clear among the lower vertebrates. In elasmobranchs, the spleen, Leydig's organ and the spiral valve may all contribute to B‐cell development, although pre‐B cells have yet to be fully addressed in fish. In teleosts, the kidney is undeniably the major source of B‐cell development based upon functional, cellular and molecular indices. Amphibians appear to use several different sites (spleen, bone marrow and/or kidney) depending upon the species in question.
Task-specific learning supports control over visual distraction

There is more information in the visual environment than we can process at a given time, and as a result selective attention mechanisms have developed that allow us to focus on information that is relevant to us while ignoring information that is not. It is often assumed that our ability to overcome distraction by irrelevant information in the environment requires conscious, effortful processing, and traditional theories of selective attention have emphasized the role of an observer‟s explicit intentions in driving this control. At the same time, effortful control on the basis of explicit processes may be maladaptive when the behaviors to be executed are complex and dynamic, as is the case with many behaviors that we carry out on a daily basis. One way to increase the efficiency of this process would be to store information regarding past experiences with a distracting stimulus, and use this information to control distraction upon future encounters with that particular stimulus. The focus of the current thesis was to examine such a “learned control” view of distraction, where experience with particular stimuli is the critical factor determining whether or not a salient stimulus will capture attention and distract us in a given situation. In Chapters 2 through 4, I established a role for taskspecific learning in the ability of observers to overcome attentional capture, showing that experience with particular attributes of distracting stimuli and the context in which the task was performed led to a predictable decrease in capture. In Chapter 5, I examined the neural basis of these learned control effects, and the results suggest that neocortical and medial temporal lobe learning mechanisms both contribute to the experience-dependent modulation of attentional capture observed in Chapters 2-4. Based on these results, a model of attentional capture was proposed in which experience with particular stimulus attributes and their context critically determine the ability of salient, task-irrelevant
Clinical anatomy of the superficial peroneal nerve in the distal leg

Applied anatomy of the superficial peroneal nerve in real clinical situations requires a good knowledge of the anatomical relationships and their common variations. Here we present an anatomoclinical description not only of the normal superficial peroneal nerve but also of its different variations with surgical implications based on twelve lower limbs. In order to gain some landmarks, the followings measurements were taken: a) distance from the upper end of the fibular head to the lower eminence of the lateral malleolus; b) number of branches from the nerve when it emerges through the superficial sural fascia; c) distance from the nerve emergence point to the lateral malleolus; d) distance from the nerve division to the lateral malleolus. We also recorded the site were the nerve pierces the sural fascia from the anterior or lateral muscular compartment. The data obtained seem to be sufficiently reliable for usual clinical practice, but it must be taken into account that frequent and important variations may occur.
A novel approach to thermal design of solar modules: Selective-spectral and radiative cooling

For commercial solar modules, up to 80% of the incoming sunlight may be dissipated as heat, potentially raising the temperature 20-30°C higher than the ambient. In the long run, extreme self-heating may erode efficiency and shorten lifetime, thereby, dramatically reducing the total energy output by almost ~10% Therefore, it is critically important to develop effective and practical cooling methods to combat PV self-heating. In this paper, we explore two fundamental sources of PV self-heating, namely, sub-bandgap absorption and imperfect thermal radiation. The analysis suggests that we redesign the optical and thermal properties of the solar module to eliminate the parasitic absorption (selective-spectral cooling) and enhance the thermal emission to the cold cosmos (radiative cooling). The proposed technique should cool the module by ~10°C, to be reflected in significant long-term energy gain (~ 3% to 8% over 25 years) for PV systems under different climatic conditions.
Effects of T-Cell Depletion on Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Outcomes in AML Patients

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality associated with conventional allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). The use of T-cell depletion significantly reduces this complication. Recent prospective and retrospective data suggest that, in patients with AML in first complete remission, CD34+ selected grafts afford overall and relapse-free survival comparable to those observed in recipients of conventional grafts, while significantly decreasing GVHD. In addition, CD34+ selected grafts allow older patients, and those with medical comorbidities or with only HLA-mismatched donors to successfully undergo transplantation. Prospective data are needed to further define which groups of patients with AML are most likely to benefit from CD34+ selected grafts. Here we review the history of T-cell depletion in AML, and techniques used. We then summarize the contemporary literature using CD34+ selection in recipients of matched or partially mismatched donors (7/8 or 8/8 HLA-matched), and provide a summary of the risks and benefits of using T-cell depletion.
Bone marrow concentrate for autologous transplantation in minipigs

Summary Autologous bone marrow plays an increasing role in the treatment of bone, cartilage and tendon healing disorders. Cell-based therapies display promising results in the support of local regeneration, especially therapies using intra-operative one-step treatments with autologous progenitor cells. In the present study, bone marrow-derived cells were concentrated in a point-of-care device and investigated for their mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics and their osteogenic potential. Bone marrow was harvested from the iliac crest of 16 minipigs. The mononucleated cells (MNC) were concentrated by gradient density centrifugation, cultivated, characterized by flow cytometry and stimulated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Cell differentiation was investigated by histological and immunohistological staining of relevant lineage markers. The proliferation capacity was determined via colony forming units of fibroblast and of osteogenic alkaline-phosphatase-positive-cells. The MNC could be enriched 3.5-fold in nucleated cell concentrate in comparison to bone marrow. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a positive signal for the MSC markers. Cells could be differentiated into the three lines confirming the MSC character. The cellular osteogenic potential correlated significantly with the percentage of newly formed bone in vivo in a porcine metaphyseal long-bone defect model. This study demonstrates that bone marrow concentrate from minipigs display cells with MSC character and their osteogenic differentiation potential can be used for osseous defect repair in autologous transplantations.
The effects of nitrogen form on root morphological and physiological adaptations of maize, white lupin and faba bean under phosphorus deficiency

Root morphological/physiological modifications are important for phosphorus (P) acquisition of plants under P deficiency, but strategies differ among plant species. Detailed studies on the response of maize roots to P deficiency are limited. Nitrogen (N) form influences root morphology/physiology, and thus may influence root responses to P deficiency. This work investigated adaptive mechanisms of maize roots to low P by comparison with white lupin and faba bean supplied with two N forms. Plants were grown for 7–16 days in hydroponics with sufficient (250 µmol L−1) and deficient P supply (1 µmol L−1) under supply of NH4NO3 or Ca(NO3)2. Plant growth and P uptake were measured, and release of protons and organic acid anions, and acid phosphatase activity in the root were monitored. The results showed that P deficiency significantly decreased shoot growth while increased root growth and total root length of maize and faba bean, but not white lupin. It enhanced the release of protons and organic acid anions, and acid phosphatase activity, from the roots of both legumes but not maize. Compared with Ca(NO3)2, NH4NO3 dramatically increased proton release by roots but did not alter root morphology or physiology of the three species in response to low P. It is concluded that the N form did not fundamentally change root morphological/physiological responses of the three species to P deficiency. Morphological variation in maize and morpho-physiological modifications in white lupin and faba bean were the main adaptive strategies to P deficiency.
Multipactor Effect in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide Partially Filled With Magnetized Ferrite

The aim of this paper is the analysis of the multipactor effect in a parallel-plate waveguide when a ferrite slab, transversally magnetized by a static magnetic field parallel to the waveguide walls, is present. Employing an in-house developed code, numerical simulations are performed to predict the multipactor radio frequency voltage threshold in such a ferrite-loaded waveguide. Variations of the ferrite magnetization field strength and the ferrite slab height are analyzed. Effective electron trajectories are also shown for a better understanding of the breakdown phenomenon, finding different multipactor regimes.
Re‐inventing or recycling?: Examples of feminist qualitative research informing the management field

Purpose – To provide examples of qualitative research based on feminist epistemological assumptions. Such research re‐invents rather than recycles management theory, producing alternative understandings which speak to the demands of managing post‐corporate workplaces characterised by growing levels of diversity and rapid discontinuous change.Design/methodology/approach – Reports on three feminist qualitative research projects. Describes research processes and outcomes which aim to reflexively attend to diverse voices and researcher and research participant subjectivities.Findings – Provides tangible examples of empirical feminist qualitative research, including discussions of how the research was conducted, the nature of the findings and critical reflections on the extent to which the researchers' feminist epistemological assumptions were enacted.Research limitations/implications – The three research projects discussed have all been conducted within the Australian education sector. Accordingly, future res.
Soil respiration under climate warming: differential response of heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration

Despite decades of research, how climate warming alters the global flux of soil respiration is still poorly characterized. Here, we use meta‐analysis to synthesize 202 soil respiration datasets from 50 ecosystem warming experiments across multiple terrestrial ecosystems. We found that, on average, warming by 2 °C increased soil respiration by 12% during the early warming years, but warming‐induced drought partially offset this effect. More significantly, the two components of soil respiration, heterotrophic respiration and autotrophic respiration showed distinct responses. The warming effect on autotrophic respiration was not statistically detectable during the early warming years, but nonetheless decreased with treatment duration. In contrast, warming by 2 °C increased heterotrophic respiration by an average of 21%, and this stimulation remained stable over the warming duration. This result challenged the assumption that microbial activity would acclimate to the rising temperature. Together, our findings demonstrate that distinguishing heterotrophic respiration and autotrophic respiration would allow us better understand and predict the long‐term response of soil respiration to warming. The dependence of soil respiration on soil moisture condition also underscores the importance of incorporating warming‐induced soil hydrological changes when modeling soil respiration under climate change.
Tea polyphenols - their antioxidant properties and biological activity - a review.

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Tea leaves are a source of polyphenols, especially catechins, a decisive group for their antioxidative activity. This paper reviews what is known of green tea species, its leaves processing and changes occurring in tea components. The main green tea polyphenols are catechins: (±)-catechin C, (-)-epicatechin EC, (+)-gallocatechin GC, (-)-epigallocatechin EGC, (-)-epicatechin gallate ECG, and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate EGCG. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of these compounds and crude extracts of teas are described. The review highlights also the potentials of green tea, its health benefits in terms of antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties as well as protective agents against cardiovascular diseases.
Impact of gender on clinical outcomes after mTOR-inhibitor drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with first manifestation of ischaemic heart disease

Background: Women have a worse outcome than men after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era, limited data are available about the impact of gender-related differences on clinical outcome. Furthermore, many series have also included patients previously treated by coronary-artery bypass grafts or PCI, which may bias the evaluation of DES-related clinical events at follow up. We aimed to assess the impact of gender on clinical outcomes in a consecutive series of patients at first manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing PCI with mTOR-inhibitor DES. Methods and results: A total of 138 consecutive patients (age 64 ± 13 years, female gender 29%) undergoing successful mTOR-inhibitor DES implantation [sirolimus-eluting stent (SES); zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES); and everolimus-eluting stent (EES)] for the treatment of stable chronic angina or an acute coronary syndrome, as their first clinical manifestation of CAD, were prospectively enrolled between February 2008 and May 2009. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a combination of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TVR) at 12-month follow up, constituted the endpoint of the study. Fifty-one (37%) patients received SES; 46 (33%) patients received ZES; and 41 (30%) patients received EES. At follow up, 21 (15%) patients experienced a MACE. Three (2%) patients had cardiac death, five (4%) had MI, while 13 (9%) patients underwent clinically driven TVR. MACE occurred more frequently in females than males [10 (25%) vs. 11 (11%), p = 0.05]. At Cox regression analysis, the only independent predictors of MACE were female gender and implantation of more than one stent [hazard ratio (HR) 3.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46–9.36, p = 0.006; HR 1.26, 95% CI 0.99–2.74, p = 0.01, respectively]. Conclusions: In conclusion, our finding suggests that women may have a worse outcome as compared with men after mTOR-inhibitor DES implantation.
Gains in life expectancy from medical interventions--standardizing data on outcomes.

BACKGROUND The gain in life expectancy is an important measure of the effectiveness of medical interventions, but its interpretation requires that it be placed in context. The interpretation of gains in life expectancy is particularly problematic for preventive interventions, for which the gains are often just weeks or even days when averaged across the entire target population. METHODS We tabulated the gains in life expectancy from a variety of medical interventions as reported in 83 published sources and categorized them according to target population and disease. We considered prevention in populations at average risk for particular diseases, prevention in populations at elevated risk, and treatments in populations with established disease. RESULTS The gains in life expectancy from preventive interventions in populations at average risk ranged from less than one month to slightly more than one year per person receiving the intervention, but the gains were as high as five years or more if the prevention was targeted at persons at especially high risk. The gains in life expectancy from treatments of established disease ranged from several months (for coronary thrombolysis and revascularization to treat heart disease) to as long as nine years (for chemotherapy to treat advanced testicular cancer). CONCLUSIONS A gain in life expectancy from a medical intervention can be categorized as large or small by comparing it with gains from other interventions aimed at the same target population. A gain in life expectancy of a month from a preventive intervention targeted at populations at average risk and a gain of a year from a preventive intervention targeted at populations at elevated risk can both be considered large. The framework we developed for standardizing gains in life expectancy can be used in the interpretation of data on the outcomes of interventions.
Glycerate 2-Kinase of Thermotoga maritima and Genomic Reconstruction of Related Metabolic Pathways

ABSTRACT Members of a novel glycerate-2-kinase (GK-II) family were tentatively identified in a broad range of species, including eukaryotes and archaea and many bacteria that lack a canonical enzyme of the GarK (GK-I) family. The recently reported three-dimensional structure of GK-II from Thermotoga maritima (TM1585; PDB code 2b8n) revealed a new fold distinct from other known kinase families. Here, we verified the enzymatic activity of TM1585, assessed its kinetic characteristics, and used directed mutagenesis to confirm the essential role of the two active-site residues Lys-47 and Arg-325. The main objective of this study was to apply comparative genomics for the reconstruction of metabolic pathways associated with GK-II in all bacteria and, in particular, in T. maritima. Comparative analyses of ∼400 bacterial genomes revealed a remarkable variety of pathways that lead to GK-II-driven utilization of glycerate via a glycolysis/gluconeogenesis route. In the case of T. maritima, a three-step serine degradation pathway was inferred based on the tentative identification of two additional enzymes, serine-pyruvate aminotransferase and hydroxypyruvate reductase (TM1400 and TM1401, respectively), that convert serine to glycerate via hydroxypyruvate. Both enzymatic activities were experimentally verified, and the entire pathway was validated by its in vitro reconstitution.
Corrective Modeling for Non-Projective Dependency Parsing

We present a corrective model for recovering non-projective dependency structures from trees generated by state-of-the-art constituency-based parsers. The continuity constraint of these constituency-based parsers makes it impossible for them to posit non-projective dependency trees. Analysis of the types of dependency errors made by these parsers on a Czech corpus show that the correct governor is likely to be found within a local neighborhood of the governor proposed by the parser. Our model, based on a MaxEnt classifier, improves overall dependency accuracy by . 7% (a 4.5% reduction in error) with over 50% accuracy for non-projective structures.
Effect of Protein Source in Calf Milk Replacers on Morphology and Absorptive Ability of Small Intestine

Abstract Holstein calves were fed milk or one of four milk replacers with one-third of the total protein supplied by casein, soy protein concentrate, soy flour, or fish protein concentrate. The remainder of the protein in each replacer was from milk sources. Milk and milk replacers (13% solids) were fed at 10% of body weight daily. No dry feed or bedding was provided. Absorptive ability of small intestine was evaluated by xylose absorption test at 2-wk intervals. With calves under general anesthesia, a biopsy of small intestine was taken after each xylose test to examine morphological changes in mucosa by scanning electron microscopy. Villi were long, tapering, and uniform in calves fed milk. Calves fed casein had greater variation in size and conformation of villi. Gradual deterioration in villous integrity was seen in calves fed soy proteins. Calves fed fish protein concentrate performed poorly and had abnormal villi. Diets were changed to milk to test for reversal of effects after marked alterations in intestinal structure had been observed. Atrophy was reversed as villi returned toward normal size and shape within 2 wk after milk feeding began. The surgical procedure apparently did not cause harmful effects of villi. Absorption of xylose and daily gain were greater, and feces firmer, in calves fed milk than in those fed milk replacers.