Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HERITABILITY OF NECTAR TRAITS: WHY DO WE KNOW SO LITTLE?

Although floral and extrafloral nectar traits are important for plant repro- duction and defense, we know little about their genetic basis. Only a handful of studies have quantified heritable variation for nectar traits, primarily in controlled environments that minimize environmental variation. Most such studies have reported strong genetic influences, with heritabilities often . 0.35. However, because nectar traits are often very responsive to environmental variation, even substantial amounts of genetic variation may be swamped out in the field. Environmental variation deserves to be studied in its own right, including exploration of genotype 3 environment interaction for nectar traits. Most genetic studies of nectar have focused on production rate and concentration, whereas we know almost nothing about the heritability of other important traits such as production patterns, sugar ratios, amino acid composition, taste, and scent. Likewise, almost nothing is known about the heritability of extrafloral nectar traits. Important progress on all of these fronts can be made using simple experimental designs to quantify environmental effects, genotype 3 environment interactions, clonal repeatability, and correlated traits. There is great promise in molecular approaches, but their use will not obviate the need for more quantitative genetic studies in the field and greenhouse.
Functional properties and fatty acids profile of different beans varieties

Abstract Dried seeds of four varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris, three of Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata and two of Vigna angularis grown and marketed in Italy, Mexico, India, Japan, Ghana and Ivory Coast were analysed for fatty acids content. In oils from seeds of P. vulgaris, the main fatty acids were linolenic (34.7–41.5%) and linoleic (30.7–40.3%), followed by palmitic (10.7–16.8%). The first three aforementioned fatty acids in the lipid fraction of V. unguiculata varieties were 28.4, 28.7 and 26.2%, respectively; while in V. angularis varieties, main fatty acids were linoleic (36.4–39.1%) and palmitic (26.9–33.3%), followed by linolenic (17.9–22.2%). Statistical analyses indicate that botanical species play a rule in bean fatty acids distribution, while the same was not verified for geographical origin. Furthermore, the atherogenic index (AI) and the thrombogenic index (TI) were investigated for health and nutritional information. The results showed that these wide spread legumes have functional features to human health.
THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL SIGNALS: MORPHOLOGICAL, FUNCTIONAL, AND GENETIC INTEGRATION OF THE SEX PHEROMONE IN NAUPHOETA CINEREA

Social signals that mediate intraspecific interactions can be complex, conveying considerable information concerning the probable behavior of individuals and minimizing overt aggression and wasted energy. In the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea, male‐male competition and female mate choice are mediated by a multicomponent male‐produced sex pheromone. In this study, I examine variation in this pheromone. First I measure differences among males in both individual pheromone compounds and the overall composition of the pheromone. Principal component analysis is used to quantify and describe pheromone composition. Next, I explore some of the causes and consequences of this variation by examining the pheromone of males with different social experiences. Compared to subordinate males, dominant males have significantly less variable quantities of the individual pheromone compounds and are significantly less variable in the composition of their pheromone. Because of an association between status and mating success, male‐male competition can result in stabilizing sexual selection on the sex pheromone. Finally, I test the hypothesis that the pheromone compounds evolve in a manner consistent with their function. As predicted for morphologically integrated characters, the patterns of phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations among my measures of pheromone compounds and composition match functional patterns suggested by this study and the developmental patterns demonstrated in my previous studies. Based on these studies of the N. cinerea sex pheromone, I argue that stabilizing sexual selection shapes the evolution of pheromonal communication involved in social interactions among male N. cinerea. Further, I argue that coordinated evolution of social signals may be possible due to the morphological integration of their multiple compounds.
Functional versus phenotypic analysis of T cells in subjects seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus: a prospective study of in vitro responses to Cryptococcus neoformans.

We performed a prospective study of 50 subjects at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to determine if assays of antigen-specific T cell function provide an earlier indication of future progression to AIDS or a better assessment of immune function than do current methods of evaluation. We measured in vitro T cell responses to Cryptococcus neoformans and tetanus toxoid, response to mitogens, HIV p24 antigenemia, and clinical parameters. Progression to AIDS was significantly associated with loss of T cell response to cryptococci (P = .015), HIV antigenemia (P = .001), and low CD4+ cell numbers (P = .001). Most importantly, we found that loss of antigen-specific responses to cryptococci and tetanus can occur before changes in CD4 cell number. Abnormal response to mitogens and marked depletion of CD4+ cells were late signs of progressive HIV infection. Measurement of antigen-specific T cell function may be useful for assessing the efficacy of antiviral therapy in HIV infection before onset of symptoms.
Adaptive resistance to anti-PD1 therapy by Tim-3 upregulation is mediated by the PI3K-Akt pathway in head and neck cancer

ABSTRACT Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) and T cell Ig and mucin domain-3 protein (Tim-3) are immune checkpoint receptors that are expressed on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in tumor-bearing mice and humans. As anti-PD-1 single agent response rates are only <20% in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, it is important to understand how multiple inhibitory checkpoint receptors maintain suppressed cellular immunity. One such receptor, Tim-3, activates downstream proliferative pathways through Akt/S6, and is highly expressed in dysfunctional TIL. We observed that PD-1 and Tim-3 co-expression was associated with a more exhausted phenotype, with the highest PD-1 levels on TIL co-expressing Tim-3. Dampened Akt/S6 phosphorylation in these PD-1+Tim-3+ TIL, when the PD-1 pathway was ligated, suggested that signaling cross-talk could lead to escape through Tim-3 expression. Indeed, PD-1 blockade of human HNSCC TIL led to further Tim-3 upregulation, supporting a circuit of compensatory signaling and potentially permitting escape from anti-PD-1 blockade in the tumor microenvironment. Also, in a murine HNC tumor model that is partially responsive to anti-PD-1 therapy, Tim-3 was upregulated in TIL from persistently growing tumors. Significant antitumor activity was observed after sequential addition of anti-Tim-3 mAb to overcome adaptive resistance to anti-PD-1 mAb. This increased Tim-3-mediated escape of exhausted TIL from PD-1 inhibition that was mediated by phospho-inositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt complex downstream of TCR signaling but not cytokine-mediated pathways. Taken together, we conclude that during PD-1 blockade, TIL upregulate Tim-3 in a PI3K/Akt-dependent manner, providing further support for dual targeting of these molecules for more effective cancer immunotherapy.
The Coil-to-Globule-to-Coil Transition of Linear Polymer Chains in Dilute Aqueous Solutions: Effect of Intrachain Hydrogen Bonding

Our previous studies of the captioned transition have shown that thermally sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) in water can form stable individual single-chain globules, but not for polystyrene (PS) in cyclohexane. In the current study, using poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEAM) (Mw = 1.7 × 107 g/mol and Mw/Mn = 1.06) with no hydrogen donator site, we intend to find whether the intrachain hydrogen bonding plays a role in stabilizing individual collapsed PNIPAM single-chain globules. We found that PDEAM can also form stable single-chain globules in water even though the transition is less sharp. The resultant individual PDEAM single-chain globules are less compact, reflecting in a lower chain density and a higher ratio of the radius of gyration to hydrodynamic radius, presumably due to the lack of intrachain hydrogen bonding. Our result also shows that, unlike PNIPAM, there is no hysteresis in the transition, indirectly supporting our previous assumption that the hysteresis observed for PNIPAM is.
INCREASING RETURNS AND LOCK-IN BY HISTORICAL EVENTS

This paper examines the dynamics of allocation under increasing returns within a model where agents choose between technologies competing for adoption and where each technology improves as it gains in adoption. It shows that the economy, over time, can become locked-in, by "random" historical events, to a technological path that is not necessarily efficient, not possible to predict from usual knowledge of supply and demand functions, and not easy to change by standard tax or subsidy policies. Rational expectations about future agents' technology choices can exacerbate this lock-in tendency. It discusses the implications for economic history, policy, and forecasting. Copyright 1989 by Royal Economic Society.
An Observational Assessment of a Dementia-specific Horticultural Therapy Program

Horticultural therapy (HT) is used across the lifespan with individuals with a wide range of physical, social, and cognitive abilities. Older adults make up a large group of participants in horticultural activities. As the population of older adults grows, more adults face the risk of experiencing a dementing illness. Many families turn to institutional care programs, such as nursing homes and adult day service (ADS) programs, for assistance with the care of their relative with dementia. HT may be an appropriate activity to incorporate into dementia care activity programs, but formal evaluations of such programs are limited. The current study evaluated a 10-week HT program conducted with adults with dementia at an ADS program. Observations indicated that participants engaged in the horticultural activities for greater periods of time than the nonhorticultural activities. Participant affect during the horticultural and nonhorticultural activities was comparable. HT is appropriate for dementia care programs serving adults with a wide range of cognitive, physical, and social needs, and it should be considered as a viable alternative to more typical dementia care program activities. Horticultural therapy is an intervention that uses gardening and cultivating techniques as activities to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of clients with special needs. As action-oriented activities, horticultural and gardening activities have been reported to increase mental and physical rehabilitation, social interaction, sensory stimulation, and self-directed action (Relf and Dorn, 1995). Over the last 10 years, a growing number of professionals from institutional care programs for frail elderly, such as ADS programs and nursing homes, have requested information and training in order to incorporate HT into their activities schedules (personal observation). Mooney and Nicell (1992) reported that HT is especially suitable for older adults because it can be adapted to various levels of physical ability and its benefits can decrease or slow the negative effects of aging (e.g., gait instability) and reduce the occurrence of negative behaviors associated with dementia (e.g., agitation). Additionally, HT may be modified to suit persons with cognitive and social impairments caused by dementia so that individuals can experience success in the activity regardless of their abilities or impairments. For example, an activity may be made more challenging or simpler so that individuals of varying abilities may participate with equal success.
4F-5 An Improvement of the Picosecond Ultrasonic Technique Based on a Tunable Laser: Application to Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonator Characterizations

The control of the frequency is a challenging question for the mass production of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filters. It passes through a precise control of mechanical properties of the active layer but also of the thicknesses of the whole stack. But performing mechanical measurements at such a scale is not so easy and we may say that BAW resonators constitute a challenging object for metrology. Picosecond ultrasonics is an optical technique which uses ultrashort optical pulses to generate and detect very short acoustic pulses. It is a non-contact and non-destructive technique that is well adapted to mechanical measurements in thin films. Here we show that this technique is a well-adapted tool for the control of BAW technology. Furthermore, we propose an improvement of this technique based on the use of a tunable laser which offers two major improvements of the technique, the first being the number of measured parameters and the second being the measurement precision
Escherichia coli F41 adhesin: genetic organization, nucleotide sequence, and homology with the K88 determinant

The genetic organization of the polypeptides required for the biosynthesis of the F41 adhesin of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains was investigated. Maxicell analysis demonstrated that a recombinant plasmid which mediated mannose-resistant hemagglutination and F41 antigen production encoded four polypeptides of 29, 30, 32, and 86 kilodaltons. The 29-kilodalton protein was identified as the F41 antigen, and the nucleotide sequence of the gene was determined. Extensive homology was observed between the region encoding the putative signal sequences of the F41 and K88 antigens and in the region immediately upstream of the antigen genes. The nucleotide sequence homology between F41 and K88 determinants was further investigated by Southern blot hybridization. A K88 probe hybridized at high stringency to all fragments shown to be essential for F41 production except for fragments internal to the F41 antigen gene.
A longitudinal Perspective on Trust in IT artefacts

The importance of trust for IT adoption and diffusion has been shown in numerous studies throughout the IS discipline. Even though researchers agree that trust is not only relevant for one-time interactions, but develops gradually during an interaction and needs to be maintained, most studies rely on research designs that only capture a particular snapshot of this development. We aim to close this gap in IS trust literature, by conducting a five-wave longitudinal field study at a German university to investigate how trust in a new IT artefact – a new student information system – is established. Our results indicate that trust in a new IT artefact develops in three phases. First, the users seem to confirm whether their level of initial trust was correct and adapt their level of trust accordingly. Next – in our case after about 3 weeks – the users start to build trust, resembled by a linear growth in trust. Last – in our case after about another 6 weeks –trust stops to increase, and remains stable. Furthermore, this development does not vary comparing new and experienced users. Based on our results, we extend the trust lifecycle we derived from literature by a sixth phase called confirmation of initial trust.
Smash it!: simulating car crash in the Incredible Hulk

To simulate crumpling of metals, we revised our in-house clo th simulator in many ways. In reality, stiffness of metal is orders of magnitude higher than normal fabric. This presented challenge s cloth would stretch unrealistically and , more seriously, bendin g models would break simulation as we cranked up the stiffness of bend ing. In the limit, the cloth object had to move almost like a rigid o bject,
XY precoder for MIMO systems

In multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels with discrete input alphabets, at high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), maximizing the minimum Euclidean distance (dmin) between all possible received constellation points is known to be the optimal precoding strategy. However, finding the optimal precoder has been proved to be NP-hard. For large MIMO, a promising practical approach is to transform the channel into parallel 2 × 2 MIMO subchannels and then precode each of them separately. However, existing methods are mostly based on heuristic subchannel pairing schemes and require numerical search/optimization in the design phase. In this work, we propose a novel real-valued precoder, named as XY-precoder, which enjoys an explicit construction, a provable dmin, a provably optimal subchannel pairing scheme, and low ML-decoding complexity. We prove that the XY-precoder achieves the same diversity order as the best known precoder, but with a much lower decoding complexity. Simulation results confirm that the error performance of XY-precoder is almost the same as that of the best known precoders.
Study of visual acutiy during the ocular pursuit of moving test objects. II. Effects of direction of movement, relative movement, and illumination.

It was demonstrated that the manner in which visual acuity deteriorates as the angular velocity of the test object increases is similar regardless of whether the motion is produced by moving the target vertically, horizontally, or by rotating the observer in a horizontal plane. It was shown also that the semiempirical equation Y=a+bx3 describes satisfactorily these three types of movement. It was pointed out that individuals having a low acuity threshold in the vertical plane of movement will be likely also to have a low threshold in the horizontal plane. It was shown that although 5 to 10 footcandles may be sufficient illumination when the test object is stationary, visual acuity is substantially benefitted by increases up to 125 footcandles when the observer is rotated. This corroborates earlier findings reported by Ludvigh.
Driving automation: Learning from aviation about design philosophies

Full vehicle automation is predicted to be on British roads by 2030 (Walker et al., 2001). However, experience in aviation gives us some cause for concern for the 'drive-by-wire' car (Stanton and Marsden, 1996). Two different philosophies have emerged in aviation for dealing with the human factor: hard vs. soft automation, depending on whether the computer or the pilot has ultimate authority (Hughes and Dornheim, 1995). This paper speculates whether hard or soft automation provides the best solution for road vehicles, and considers an alternative design philosophy in vehicles of the future based on coordination and cooperation.
Circumcision in haemophiliacs: the Nigerian experience

tors. Thromb Haemost 1998; 80: 912±8. 5 Santagostino E, Gringeri A, Mannucci PM. Home treatment with recombinant activated factor VII in patients with factor VIII inhibitors: the advantages of early intervention. Br J Haematol 1999; 104: 22±6. 6 Lusher JM. Recombinant activated factor VII for treatment of intramuscular hemorrhages: a comparison of early versus late treatment. Blood Coagul Fibrinol 1998; 9 (Suppl. 1): S111±4. 7 Chuansumrit A, Isarangkura P, Angchaisuksiri P et al. Controlling acute bleeding episodes with recombinant factor VIIa in haemophiliacs with inhibitor: continuous infusion and bolus injection. Haemophilia 2000; 6: 61±5. 8 Nesheim ME. TAFI. Fibrinolysis Proteolysis 1999; 13: 72±7. 9 Suwannuraks M, Chuansumrit A, Sri-Udomporn N. The use of ®brin glue as an operative sealant in dental extraction in bleeding disorder patients. Haemophilia 1999; 5: 280±7.
Effect of control of systolic blood pressure on survival in cats with systemic hypertension.

BACKGROUND Systemic hypertension is a common clinical problem, often occurring in association with renal disease in cats. Limited information is available to assess the effect of blood pressure and the treatment of hypertension on survival. HYPOTHESIS That adequacy of blood pressure control is associated with the duration of survival in cats with systolic hypertension. ANIMALS One hundred and forty-one client-owned cats with systolic hypertension. METHODS Hypertensive cats were treated with amlodipine besylate and were followed until death or the study end point. Time-averaged systolic blood pressure (SBPOT) after implementation of antihypertensive medication and stabilization of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was calculated by using the equation (area under the curve/survival [days]). Cats were divided into quartiles based on their SBPOT, representing varying levels of blood pressure control (median [25th, 75th percentile]: Q1 = 137 [132, 141] mm Hg, Q2 = 148 [145, 151] mm Hg, Q3 = 157 [155, 158] mm Hg, Q4 = 170 [164, 175] mm Hg). Survival and clinical variables were compared between the quartiles. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine the association of age, renal function, proteinuria, SBPOT, and the presence of hyperthyroidism on survival. Urine protein to creatinine ratio (UP:C) was compared at diagnosis of hypertension and after initiating treatment. RESULTS Only UP:C and SBP at diagnosis differed significantly between SBPOT quartiles. Proteinuria was the only variable significantly related to survival in hypertensive cats. A significant decline in UP:C was found in cats treated with amlodipine besylate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Proteinuria before and after treatment of hypertension is strongly associated with survival in cats with systolic hypertension. Treatment with amlodipine besylate can result in a significant reduction in UP: C.
Phospholipase A2 Antagonists Inhibit Constitutive Retrograde Membrane Traffic to the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Eukaryotic cells contain a variety of cytoplasmic Ca2+‐dependent and Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2s (PLA2s; EC 2.3.1.2.3). However, the physiological roles for many of these ubiquitously‐expressed enzymes is unclear or not known. Recently, pharmacological studies have suggested a role for Ca2+‐independent PLA2 (iPLA2) enzymes in governing intracellular membrane trafficking events in general and regulating brefeldin A (BFA)‐stimulated membrane tubulation and Golgi‐to‐endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retrograde membrane trafficking, in particular. Here, we extend these studies to show that membrane‐permeant iPLA2 antagonists potently inhibit the normal, constitutive retrograde membrane trafficking from the trans‐Golgi network (TGN), Golgi complex, and the ERGIC‐53‐positive ER‐Golgi‐intermediate compartment (ERGIC), which occurs in the absence of BFA. Taken together, these results suggest that iPLA2 enzymes play a general role in regulating, or directly mediating, multiple mammalian membrane trafficking events.
Haematogenous pyogenic osteomyelitis of the spine: a study of 17 cases.

Pyogenic haematogenous osteomyelitis of the spine is a not uncommon condition in India, especially in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. The condition can be diagnosed and treated effectively by careful study of skiagrams taken at monthly intervals and microbiological examination of the material obtained by needle aspiration from the affected vertebral region, and failing these measures, by surgical exploration.