Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on MADS-box expression during orchid flower evolution and development

The diverse morphology of orchid flowers and their complex, often deceptive strategies to become pollinated have fascinated researchers for a long time. However, it was not until the 20th century that the ontogeny of orchid flowers, the genetic basis of their morphology and the complex phylogeny of Orchidaceae were investigated. In parallel, the improvement of techniques for in vitro seed germination and tissue culture, together with studies on biochemistry, physiology, and cytology supported the progress of what is now a highly productive industry of orchid breeding and propagation. In the present century both basic research in orchid flower evo-devo and the interest for generating novel horticultural varieties have driven the characterization of many members of the MADS-box family encoding key regulators of flower development. This perspective summarizes the picture emerging from these studies and discusses the advantages and limitations of the comparative strategy employed so far. I address the growing role of natural and horticultural mutants in these studies and the emergence of several model species in orchid evo-devo and genomics. In this context, I make a plea for an increasingly integrative approach.
Gender‐specific differences and the impact of family integration on time trends in age‐stratified Swiss suicide rates

Summary. Suicide has become one of the leading causes of death of Swiss males aged between 15 and 44 years, whose age‐standardized rates are about three times higher than those for females. We compared age‐stratified suicide rates of Swiss men and women aged 15–79 years and analysed gender‐specific differences from 1950 to 2007. Furthermore, we explored whether changes in measures of family integration can explain changes in suicide trends. The use of multivariate age–period–cohort models avoids age aggregation and allows the exploration of heterogeneous time trends across age, period and birth cohort. In addition, explanatory variables can be included. We found strong gender‐specific differences in suicide mortality. Although the same risk factors may act on age and overdispersion, there was no significant correlation between gender‐specific cohort effects. Family integration had an effect on Swiss suicide risk but only partially explained the underlying trends over time.
Developmental Changes in NMDA-Induced Intrinsic Optical Signals in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus of Children with Medically Intractable Seizures

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is one of the ionotropic glutamate receptor subtypes and exhibits a voltage-dependent blockade of its channel function by extracellular magnesium. This magnesium block is known to be absent or weak early in development and is gradually acquired while the brain matures. Interestingly, in adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, the magnesium block appears to be altered allowing more current to flow at a negative membrane potential. We are interested whether a similar change might be observed in children’s hippocampi that have frequently been involved in medically intractable seizures. In the present study, we grouped the patients into 2 categories based on the degree of brain maturity: (I) children under the age of 2 (immature, n = 2) and (II) children over the age of 2 (mature, n = 6). Dentate gyri were imaged in real time for intrinsic optical signals with the use of a transmitted light in hippocampal slice preparations. Light transmittance (LT), which reflects a neuronal synaptic depolarization and a concomitant change in cell volume, was calculated. In the immature hippocampus, LT increased significantly in response to NMDA in the presence of extracellular magnesium. However, the mature hippocampi showed little response to NMDA unless magnesium ions were removed from the extracellular artificial cerebrospinal fluid. LT increase was also induced in response to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole proprionic acid (AMPA); however, there were no age-dependent differences in the AMPA induced LT increase. Differential sensitivity of the NMDA receptor to extracellular magnesium between immature and mature hippocampi suggests the probable presence of developmental regulation of magnesium block for the NMDA receptor in the human hippocampus of children with medically intractable seizures.
Abolition of the renin‐releasing action of frusemide by acute renal denervation in dogs

1 The effects of infusions of frusemide at low (0.05–0.1 mg.kg‐l, min‐1) and high (0.5–2.0 mg.kg‐1.min‐1) rates were studied on renin secretion and urinary outputs of sodium and potassium in anaesthetized dogs in which one kidney was removed and the remaining kidney was either innervated or denervated. 2 When the kidney was innervated, low rates of infusion of frusemide did not significantly affect renin secretion if urinary volume and sodium losses were replaced. Without replacement of urinary losses, renin secretion increased at sodium deficits of 0.7–0.9 mmol.kg‐1 in the presence of elevated rates of sodium and potassium excretion. 3 High rates of infusion of frusemide caused an immediate increase in renin secretion from innervated kidneys which was not related to urinary losses. 4 Denervation of the kidney increased the urinary outputs of sodium and potassium while it decreased the rate of renin secretion to one‐tenth of the resting value. 5 Denervation of the kidney abolished the renin‐releasing action of frusemide at both low and high infusion rates even when the sodium deficit amounted to 4.3 mmol.kg‐1. 6 Constriction of the aorta producing a fall of 10–30 mmHg in perfusion pressure raised the rate of renin secretion from denervated kidneys to control levels and partially restored the renin‐releasing action of frusemide at high infusion rates. 7 The findings indicate that frusemide has a site of action apart from the macula densa in mediating renin release.
Optic Nerve Evaluation among Optometrists

Purpose To determine agreement among optometrists regarding assessment of optic nerve C/D ratios and perceived glaucomatous damage and to separately analyze these results on the basis of residency training, practice setting, and glaucoma patient experience. Methods Fifty-six optometrists from various modes of professional practice evaluated 33 stereoscopic optic nerve photographs. Observers were asked to estimate the vertical cup-to-disk (C/D) ratio and determine the glaucomatous status of the optic nerve. The mean vertical C/D ratio, percentage perceived as glaucomatous, and levels of interobserver and intraobserver agreement (&kgr;) are reported. Results Estimated C/D ratios differ significantly on the basis of training (p = 0.02) practice setting (p = 0.001), glaucoma patient experience (p = 0.001). Glaucomatous damage interpretation was significantly different (p = 0.006) based upon an optometrist’s practice setting. Interobserver agreement regarding C/D ratios is significantly higher among optometrists who have completed a residency (&kgr;w = 0.59) and practice in clinical settings (optometry school/medical center/hospital) (&kgr;w = 0.59) compared with non–residency-trained optometrists (&kgr;w = 0.52) and those practicing in commercial settings (&kgr;w = 0.54). Interobserver agreement of glaucomatous damage is significantly higher among optometrists who have completed a residency (&kgr; = 0.50) compared with non-residency-trained optometrists (&kgr; = 0.42). Conclusions Intraobserver agreement is higher than interobserver agreement among optometrists when C/D ratios are estimated and the glaucomatous status of the optic nerve is assessed. Optic nerve evaluation among optometrists is significantly influenced by residency training, practice setting, and glaucoma patient encounters.
Intellectual Property Norms in Online Communities: How User-Organized Intellectual Property Regulation Supports Innovation

In many online communities, users reveal innovative and potentially valuable intellectual property IP under conditions that entail the risk of theft and imitation. When there is rivalry and formal IP law is not effective, this could lead to underinvestment or withholding of IP, unless user-organized norms compensate for these shortcomings. This study is the first to explore the characteristics and functioning of such a norms-based IP system in the setting of anonymous, large-scale, and loose-knit online communities. To do so, we use data on the Threadless crowdsourcing community obtained through netnography, a survey, and a field experiment. On this basis, we identify an integrated system of well-established norms that regulate the use of IP within this community. We analyze the system's characteristics and functioning, and we find that the "legal certainty" it provides is conducive to cooperation, cumulative effects, and innovation. We generalize our findings from the case by developing propositions aimed to spark further research. These propositions focus on similarities and differences between norms-based IP systems in online and off-line settings, and the conditions that determine the existence of norms-based IP systems as well as their form and effectiveness in online communities. In this way, we contribute to the literatures on norms-based IP systems and online communities and offer advice for the management of crowdsourcing communities.
Comparison of Length of Stay and Outcomes of Patients with Positive Versus Negative Blood Culture Results

In the United States, sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. The fatality rate for severe sepsis is about 40%, and treatment costs over $16 billion annually. It is critical to identify and treat the source of sepsis. While there are varying guidelines determining when to draw blood for culture, at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, blood cultures are ordered for patients with new onset of fever, immunosuppression, or a suspicion of an underlying infectious etiology. We conducted a retrospective study of patients who had blood cultures after hospital admission or in the emergency department in December 2013. We compared length of stay and outcomes of patients with positive versus negative blood cultures. There was no significant difference for length of stay or outcomes among patients with positive and negative blood cultures. For patients admitted from the emergency department, there was a longer length of stay for patients with positive cultures; however, the overall prognosis was not worse.
Circulation centrifugal pump with variable speed drives and minimal electricity consumption

The paper focuses on the flexible management of the centrifugal pumps with variable speed drives primarily used for water circulation in closed processes, such as heating, cooling, and air conditioning. The goal of the study is to implement the mutual pressure and flow control, which provides the minimal electricity consumption along with the speed range enlargement. To resolve the problem, two methods are combined: throttling and speed adjustment. The methodology of the offered approach is described and analyzed. A research is supported by a set of experiments on the ABB Ebara CDX 120/12 pumping station fed by ACQ810 variable speed induction motor drives and ABB programmable logical controller AC500 PM 571.
Soluble IL-2 receptor in rheumatoid arthritis. Correlation with disease activity, IL-1 and IL-2 inhibition.

An ELISA was used to measure soluble IL-2R (sIL-2R) in the sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatic diseases. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had raised levels of sIL-2R both in their sera and in their synovial fluid compared to patients with osteoarthritis and age-matched healthy controls. Mononuclear cells from the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients were found to produce spontaneously high levels of sIL-2R which eluted at approximately m.w. 40,000 on gel filtration. In contrast, autologous peripheral blood cells only produced comparable levels upon stimulation with mitogenic lectin. Sequential studies indicated that serum sIL-2R levels were highly correlated with disease activity, indicating that measurement of sIL-2R may be a useful clinical marker in the future. Within the joint, synovial fluid sIL-2R levels correlated significantly with immunoreactive IL-1 beta levels, providing evidence for a role of IL-1 in immune activation in the synovium. In synovial fluids, sIL-2R level also correlated with functional inhibition of IL-2-driven responses in vitro. Furthermore, sIL-2R immunoreactivity in synovial fluid eluted at m.w. 100,000 coeluting with IL-2-inhibitory activity and consistent with a role for sIL-2R in down-regulation of IL-2 responses. The abnormal m.w. may be accounted for by complex formation in the synovial fluid. Given the ability of sIL-2R to bind IL-2, the presence of sIL-2R within the joint may contribute to the well documented "IL-2 defect" seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
Survey of Surveys (SoS) ‐ Mapping The Landscape of Survey Papers in Information Visualization

Information visualization as a field is growing rapidly in popularity since the first information visualization conference in 1995. However, as a consequence of its growth, it is increasingly difficult to follow the growing body of literature within the field. Survey papers and literature reviews are valuable tools for managing the great volume of previously published research papers, and the quantity of survey papers in visualization has reached a critical mass. To this end, this survey paper takes a quantum step forward by surveying and classifying literature survey papers in order to help researchers understand the current landscape of Information Visualization. It is, to our knowledge, the first survey of survey papers (SoS) in Information Visualization. This paper classifies survey papers into natural topic clusters which enables readers to find relevant literature and develops the first classification of classifications. The paper also enables researchers to identify both mature and less developed research directions as well as identify future directions. It is a valuable resource for both newcomers and experienced researchers in and outside the field of Information Visualization and Visual Analytics.
Involvement of CD4+ Th1 Cells in Systemic Immunity Protective against Primary and Secondary Challenges withTrypanosoma cruzi

ABSTRACT In general, gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD4+Th1 cells are important for the immunological control of intracellular pathogens. We previously demonstrated an association between parasite-specific induction of IFN-γ responses and resistance to the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. To investigate a potential causal relationship between Th1 responses andT. cruzi resistance, we studied the ability of Th1 cells to protect susceptible BALB/c mice against virulent parasite challenges. We developed immunization protocols capable of inducing polarized Th1 and Th2 responses in vivo. Induction of parasite-specific Th1 responses, but not Th2 responses, protected BALB/c mice against virulent T. cruzi challenges. We generated T. cruzi-specific CD4+ Th1 and Th2 cell lines from BALB/c mice that were activated by infected macrophages to produce their corresponding cytokine response profiles. Th1 cells, but not Th2 cells, induced nitric oxide production and inhibited intracellular parasite replication in T. cruzi-infected macrophages. Despite the ability to inhibit parasite replication in vitro, Th1 cells alone could not adoptively transfer protection againstT. cruzi to SCID mice. In addition, despite the fact that the adoptive transfer of CD4+ T lymphocytes was shown to be necessary for the development of immunity protective against primary T. cruzi infection in our SCID mouse model, protective secondary effector functions could be transferred to SCID mice from memory-immune BALB/c mice in the absence of CD4+ T lymphocytes. These results indicate that, although CD4+ Th1 cells can directly inhibit intracellular parasite replication, a more important role for these cells in T. cruzi systemic immunity may be to provide helper activity for the development of other effector functions protective in vivo.
Evaluation of Child Health Matters

The goal of the current study was to assess the efficacy and acceptability of a web-based tutorial (Child Health Matters, CHM) designed to improve school nurses’ communications with families about pediatric weight-related health issues. Using a randomized wait-list control design, a nationally representative sample of school nurses was assigned to immediate or delayed access conditions. Pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments of knowledge, barriers to providing obesity treatment, and intended practices were conducted. Results indicated that, relative to wait-list controls, immediate-access nurses demonstrated significant increases in knowledge and decreases in perceived barriers to discussing weight-related health, and significantly greater intentions to assess physical activity, and to recommend dietary changes and physical activity. Wait-list nurses demonstrated significant within-group improvements after completing CHM. Nurses reported a high degree of satisfaction with CHM. Results suggest that web-based tutorials can effect changes in nurses’ knowledge, perceived barriers, and intended practices with regard to weight-related health care.
A Review of the Theoretical Context of the Role of Innovation in Economic Development

It is the aim of this paper to place the role of innovation in economic development in its theoretical context through a literature review. The review compares classical economic theory and the neoclassical theories of “equilibrium in the markets” and “perfectly competitive markets” with the Schumpeterian theory. It was found that Schumpeter’s role in contributing towards economic development theories, and by creating awareness of the role of innovation in these theories is of immeasurable importance. His contribution led to a change in economic thinking, although this was only realized much later than when his theories were first published. The neo-Schumpeterian thinking expanded on the Schumpeterian theory by studying innovation within a system of interaction among different role players. Studies on innovation should be founded in the neo-Schumpeterian school of thought in order to accommodate the complexity of the innovation system concept. Keywords—Economic development, evolutionary economics, innovation, Schumpeter.
Geriatric Consultations Offer Help and Maybe Education

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Body Image and Quality of Life in Men With Prostate Cancer

Each of the successful treatment options for men with prostate cancer is accompanied by its unique side effect profile. However, treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and the resulting castrate level of testosterone lead to profound changes in one's physical appearance. The goal of this descriptive study was to describe the relationship between changes in body image and quality of life (QOL) among prostate cancer survivors based upon whether or not treatment was with ADT. A convenience sample of 132 men (aged ≥60 years) with prostate cancer were recruited from the oncology and urology outpatient departments at an urban Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The participants completed 2 established questionnaires, the Body Image Scale and the Quality of Life Index-Cancer Version. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis. There was no difference in QOL based on ADT. There was a significant negative correlation between body image dissatisfaction and QOL. The findings add to our knowledge regarding body image and QOL among men with prostate cancer, provide a foundation for future research endeavors, and support the development of evidence-based interventions to mitigate body image dissatisfaction.
Using ABM to redesign corporate staff units

This article focuses on the use of activity‐based management (ABM) theory for the control and the redesign of the centralized units of a large multinational company operating in the chemical sector. To this aim, ABM has been adapted to the peculiar characteristics of support services. In particular, greater emphasis has been put on the analysis of the nature of activity drivers, and on cross‐functional processes. The analysis was structured in two s.tif: the first ended with the identification of some hypotheses of intervention on single activities aimed at eliminating redundancies, duplications, and, more generally, at improving their efficiency. The subsequent analysis of cross‐functional links focused on the redesign of the most pervasive processes, which led to important reductions in general costs, estimated from 15 to 30 per cent, according to the specific process. The last part of the article illustrates the early results of the implementation phase, with particular emphasis on organizational and cultural issues.
Mechanism of Cyclic Carbonate Synthesis from Epoxides and CO2**

Three interconnected catalytic cycles account for the title reaction catalyzed by a bimetallic aluminum(salen) complex and Bu(4)NBr. In the first, Bu(4)NBr acts as a nucleophile to activate the epoxide. In the second, Bu(3)N generated in situ serves to activate CO(2). In the third, the aluminum(salen) complex brings the two activated species together so that the key bonds can be formed intramolecularly.