Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
'And then there were three': highly efficient uptake of potassium by foliar trichomes of epiphytic bromeliads.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vascular epiphytes have to acquire nutrients from atmospheric wash out, stem-flow, canopy soils and trapped litter. Physiological studies on the adaptations to nutrient acquisition and plant utilization of nutrients have focused on phosphorus and nitrogen; potassium, as a third highly abundant nutrient element, has received minor attention. In the present study, potassium uptake kinetics by leaves, within-plant distribution and nutrient accumulation were analysed to gain an improved understanding of physiological adaptations to non-terrestrial nutrient supply of plants. METHODS Radioactively labelled (86)RbCl was used as an analogue to study uptake kinetics of potassium absorbed from tanks of epiphytes, its plant distribution and the correlation between uptake efficiency and abundance of trichomes, functioning as uptake organs of leaves. Potassium in leaves was additionally analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy to assess plant responses to potassium deficiency. KEY RESULTS Labelled rubidium was taken up from tanks over a wide range of concentrations, 0.01-90 mm, which was achieved by two uptake systems. In four tank epiphytes, the high-affinity transporters had average K(m) values of 41.2 microm, and the low-affinity transporters average K(m) values of 44.8 mm. Further analysis in Vriesea splenriet showed that high-affinity uptake of rubidium was an ATP-dependent process, while low-affinity uptake was mediated by a K(+)-channel. The kinetic properties of both types of transporters are comparable with those of potassium transporters in roots of terrestrial plants. Specific differences in uptake velocities of epiphytes are correlated with the abundance of trichomes on their leaf surfaces. The main sinks for potassium were fully grown leaves. These leaves thus function as internal potassium sources, which allow growth to be maintained during periods of low external potassium availability. CONCLUSIONS Vascular epiphytes possess effective mechanisms to take up potassium from both highly diluted and highly concentrated solutions, enabling the plant to incorporate this nutrient element quickly and almost quantitatively from tank solutions. A surplus not needed for current metabolism is stored, i.e. plants show luxury consumption.
Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy Associated with Lower Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels in Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Oral hypoglycemic medications sometimes do not control type 2 diabetes well. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as adjunctive therapy might improve diabetes control through increasing serum gastrin and fasting insulin levels. Methods: Electronic medical records in a family medicine residency program office practice were reviewed for 73 individuals with type 2 diabetes (not taking insulin), for whom PPIs were prescribed. Values for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for periods of time when a PPI had been prescribed were compared with HbA1c levels for periods of time with no record of PPI prescribing or over-the-counter PPI use. Results: The mean HbA1c for patients not taking insulin was 7.11 during periods with recorded prescribing or over-the-counter use of PPIs, compared with 7.70 during periods without recorded PPI therapy (P = .001). Mean HbA1c for metformin monotherapy was not significantly different (6.81 with PPI vs. 7.10 without PPI; n = 16; P = .25). Mean HbA1c was significantly different for combination therapy that included metformin and/or sulfonylurea and/or giltazone (7.26 vs. 7.80; n = 27; P = .002). Conclusion: The observed association between PPI therapy and lower HbA1c levels suggests that PPIs may be useful as adjunctive therapy for type 2 diabetes.
Low resistivity Hf/Al/Ni/Au Ohmic Contact Scheme to n-Type GaN

The electrical and structural properties of Hf/Al/Ni/Au (20/100/25/50 nm) ohmic contact to n-GaN are reported in this study. Specific contact resistivities of Hf/Al/Ni/Au based contacts have been investigated as a function of annealing temperature and achieve the lowest value of 1.09×10 Ω·cm after annealing at 650 C in vacuum. A detailed mechanism of ohmic contact formation is discussed. By using different chemical analyses, it is anticipated that the formation of Hf-Al-N alloy might be responsible to form low temperature ohmic contacts for the Hf-based scheme to n-GaN. Keywords—Gallium nitride, ohmic contact, Hafnium
Interactive Character Animation Using Simulated Physics: A State‐of‐the‐Art Review

Physics simulation offers the possibility of truly responsive and realistic animation. Despite wide adoption of physics simulation for the animation of passive phenomena, such as fluids, cloths and rag‐doll characters, commercial applications still resort to kinematics‐based approaches for the animation of actively controlled characters. However, following a renewed interest in the use of physics simulation for interactive character animation, many recent publications demonstrate tremendous improvements in robustness, visual quality and usability. We present a structured review of over two decades of research on physics‐based character animation, as well as point out various open research areas and possible future directions.
Using Team-based Learning to Teach a Hybrid Pharmacokinetics Course Online and in Class

Objective. To compare the effectiveness of face-to-face and online team-based learning (TBL) to teach phenytoin pharmacokinetics. Design. A TBL format was used to teach an online cohort of 222 pharmacy students and two face-to-face cohorts (Tampa and Las Vegas) of pharmacy students. Students in all cohorts completed individual and team readiness tests (iRATs and tRATs), and a self-assessment survey to determine teamwork and content understanding. Knowledge retention questions also were added to the final examination. Assessment. Mean scores on iRATs were: 54% for the Tampa group; 72% for the Las Vegas group; and 58% for the online. Mean tRAT scores were 78.5% for the Tampa cohort and 82.2% for the Las Vegas cohort, compared to 89.5% for the online cohort. The mean tRAT scores for the online cohorts were significantly higher than those of the face-to-face cohorts. Data from the teamwork survey provided evidence of positive interactions among teams for all cohorts. Conclusion. Team-based learning can be an effective method for teaching applied pharmacokinetics in both face-to-face and online classes.
Effect of salt stress on the growth and photosynthesis rate of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

The effect of salt stress оn some physiological parameters in young bean plants (cv. Lody) was studied under controlled conditions in a climatic room. The plants were grown in pots as hydroponic cultures in half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution. The plants were treated for 7 days with 50 and 100 mM NaCl and Na2SO4 , starting at the appearance of the fi rst trifoliate leaf unfolded. The salts were added to the nutrient solution. It was established that the applied doses of both salt types caused stress on the young bean plants, which found expression in the suppression of growth, photosynthesis activity and the plastid pigment content. The amount of proline in the tissues of the salt-treated plants was increased, while the cell water potential was reduced.
Mutation in the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule Interferes with the Differentiation of Anterior Pituitary Secretory Cells

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and its polysialylated isoform (PSA-NCAM) have been shown to influence the proliferation, differentiation and survival of different cell types. Here, we report the pattern of expression of NCAM and PSA-NCAM in the anterior lobe (AL) of the pituitary gland of the adult mouse. We demonstrate that the majority of cells express NCAM, while PSA-NCAM is retained mostly on corticotropes. Analysis of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation shows that the presence of PSA-NCAM on corticotropes is not related to proliferation but most likely to their functional properties. We subsequently analyzed defects induced by NCAM deficiency in adult NCAM knockout mice. In these mice, all secretory cell types in the AL are present and their distribution within the gland is similar to that in wild-type mice. However, proliferation of AL cells is significantly increased. In particular, more BrdU-positive cells are detected among somatotropes and mammotropes in NCAM-deficient mice. In addition, the percentages of secretory cells are changed: somatotropes are more numerous while the number of corticotropes is reduced. These data demonstrate the involvement of NCAM in the proper generation and/or maintenance of the different cell populations in the AL and suggest the importance of PSA in corticotrope functioning.
Factores explicativos de la implicación de los ERP en las PYMES: el caso de Cantabria.

La situacion economica actual ha potenciado los problemas para las empresas, en particular para las PYMES por ser mas vulnerables. Esto ha hecho que la flexibilidad y la toma de decisiones rapida y efectiva sean aun mas importantes, y por tanto, cualquier herramienta de apoyo para los directivos, como los ERP, resulta de vital importancia. En este contexto, planteamos el trabajo con el objetivo de identificar las caracteristicas que determinan la propension de las PYMES a implantar uno de estos sistemas. Para ello, se aplica la prueba Chi-cuadrado y la regresion logistica sobre una muestra de 382 PYMES cantabras. Los resultados muestran una mayor tendencia a la implantacion de estas herramientas entre las empresas de mayor tamano, no familiares y con gerentes con educacion superior. Tambien la estrategia empresarial, el nivel tecnologico y la planificacion estrategica tienen un efecto positivo sobre la probabilidad a implantar estos sistemas. Estos resultados suponen un avance en la investigacion de las implantaciones de ERP en PYMES, a la vez que para estas empresas puede suponer un factor de benchmarking al identificar las soluciones utilizadas por aquellas empresas mas innovadoras y lideres de sus mercados.
Quantitative Evaluation of the Location of the Vertebral Artery in Relation to the Transverse Foramen in the Lower Cervical Spine

Study Design. This study assessed the relationship of the vertebral artery and the transverse foramens in the lower cervical spine by computer tomographic angiography (CTA) measurements. Objective. To study the location and the size of the vertebral artery in relation to the transverse foramens in the lower cervical spine. Summary of Background Data. Although many transverse foramen violations had been reported during pedicle screw insertion, the vertebral artery injury seems not as much as expected. The location and size of the vertebral artery in relation to the transverse foramen in the lower cervical spine is not very clear until now. Methods. Fifty patients were selected in our study group. Several parameters were measured on the CTA axial imagines of C3–C7, including the maximal width (W) and the maximal height (H) of transverse foramen, the diameter of vertebral artery (AL), the shortest distance between the vertebral artery and the border of transverse foramen medial (M), lateral (L), anterior (A) and posterior (P), the shortest distance between the vertebral artery and pedicle (h), the area of vertebral artery (AVA) and transverse foramen (AF), and the ratio between AVA and AF (AVA/AF). Results. W, H, and AF increase from C3–C6. M is shorter than L at all measurements. A is shorter than P at C3, C4, and C5, a little bit longer than P at C6 on the contrary. The shortest distance between vertebral artery and pedicle (h) vary from C3–C7, the shortest 0.5 ± 0.2 mm at C3, the longest 7.3 ± 2.7 mm at C7. AVA/AF decrease from C3–C6, 35.7 ± 15.7% at C3 and 27.4 ± 12.8% at C6. Conclusion. Vertebral artery is in the medial part of transverse foramen. There is a relative “abundance space” for vertebral artery in transverse foramen.
Daily Patterns of Metabolic Rate among New Zealand Lizards (Reptilia: Lacertilia: Diplodactylidae and Scincidae)

In addition to the effects of temperature fluctuations on metabolic rate, entrained endogenous rhythms in metabolism, which are independent of temperature fluctuations, may be important in overall energy metabolism in ectotherms. Daily entrained endogenous rhythms may serve as energy‐conserving mechanisms during an animal’s active or inactive phase. However, because nocturnal lizards often take advantage of thermal opportunities during the photophase (light), their daily metabolic rhythms may be less pronounced than those of diurnal species. We measured the rate of oxygen consumption (V̇o2) as an index of metabolic rate of eight temperate lizard species (four nocturnal, three diurnal, and one crepuscular/diurnal; n = 7–14) over 24 h at 13°C and in constant darkness to test whether daily patterns (including amplitude, magnitude, and time of peak V̇o2) of metabolic rate in lizards differ with activity period. We also tested for phylogenetic differences in metabolic rate between skinks and geckos. Three daily patterns were evident: 24‐h cycle, 12‐h cycle, or no daily cycle. The skink Cyclodina aenea has a 12‐h crepuscular pattern of oxygen consumption. In four other species, V̇o2 increased with, or in anticipation of, the active part of the day, but three species had rhythms offset from their active phase. Although not correlated with activity period or phylogeny, amplitude of V̇o2 may be correlated with whether a species is temperate or tropical. In conclusion, the metabolic rate of many species does not always correlate with the recorded activity period. The dichotomy of ecology and physiology may be clarified by more in‐depth studies of species behaviors and activity periods.
Combining standardized time series area and Cramér–von Mises variance estimators

We propose three related estimators for the variance parameter arising from a steady‐state simulation process. All are based on combinations of standardized‐time‐series area and Cramér–von Mises (CvM) estimators. The first is a straightforward linear combination of the area and CvM estimators; the second resembles a Durbin–Watson statistic; and the third is related to a jackknifed version of the first. The main derivations yield analytical expressions for the bias and variance of the new estimators. These results show that the new estimators often perform better than the pure area, pure CvM, and benchmark nonoverlapping and overlapping batch means estimators, especially in terms of variance and mean squared error. We also give exact and Monte Carlo examples illustrating our findings. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2007
Nerve Regeneration Occurs in the Absence of Apolipoprotein E in Mice

Abstract: The concentration of apolipoprotein E (apoE), a high‐affinity ligand for the low‐density lipoprotein receptor, increases dramatically in peripheral nerve following injury. This endoneurial apoE is thought to play an important role in the redistribution of lipids from the degenerating axonal and myelin membranes to the regenerating axons and myelin sheaths. The importance of apoE in nerve repair was examined using mutant mice that lack apoE. We show that at 2 and 4 weeks following sciatic nerve crush, regenerating nerves in apoE‐deficient mice were morphologically similar to regenerating nerves in control animals, indicating that apoE is not essential for peripheral nerve repair. Moreover, cholesterol synthesis was reduced in regenerating nerves of apoE‐deficient mice as much as in regenerating nerves of control animals. These results suggest that the intraneural conservation and reutilization of cholesterol following nerve injury do not require apoE.
Zygomatic implants placed with a two-stage procedure: a 5-year retrospective study.

AIM The zygomatic implant represents a non-grafting alternative for the oral rehabilitation of patients with extreme resorption of the maxilla. Nevertheless, there are few studies concerning their long-term prognosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prosthetic rehabilitation success rate and the survival rates of machined surface zygomatic implants and conventional implants placed using a 2-stage protocol in 21 consecutively treated patients with atrophic maxillae after a 5-year followup period. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 24 consecutively treated patients (8 men, 16 women), with a mean age of 51.4 years (range 36 to 72 years) were included in this study. Rehabilitations were accomplished in 22 edentulous arches, and two partially edentulous arches. In total, 45 zygomatic and 109 conventional implants were inserted. A total of 21 patients had a screw-retained fixed implant-supported prosthesis within 6 months of implant placement and three patients had an implant-supported overdenture. Outcome measures were survival rates of the prosthetic rehabilitations, of the zygomatic and conventional implants, as well as complications. RESULTS Three patients dropped out, two after 1 year and one after 3 years. Continuous stability of the prostheses was achieved in 20 out of the 21 patients throughout the study. Therefore, the success rate for the prosthetic rehabilitation after 5 years was 95.8%. One overdenture supported on two zygomatic implants was removed after 1 year of function. The patient is currently waiting for the installation of two more zygomatic implants or a grafting procedure. One zygomatic implant was lost giving a survival rate 97.4% after the 5-year follow-up period. A total of 11 conventional implants were lost, resulting in a survival rate of 89.9% after 5 years of follow-up. Sinusitis was observed in five patients throughout the study, which was solved with antibiotics, meatotomy, or Caldwell-Luc antrostomy with no further consequences. CONCLUSIONS Zygomatic implants together with conventional implants in the atrophic maxillae appear to have an acceptable 5-year clinical outcome.
O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Activity and Promoter Methylation Status in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma

Objectives To determine the activity of the DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and MGMT promoter methylation status of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and examine MGMT in RMS tumors from different prognostic groups. Methods Fifteen samples each of the alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS) subtypes were obtained for analysis of MGMT activity and promoter methylation status. MGMT activity was assayed by measuring the removal of O6-[3H] methylguanine from [3H]-methylated substrate by a tumor extract containing the enzyme. Promoter methylation status was examined using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results MGMT activity was successfully assayed from 25 samples, 10 ERMS and 15 ARMS. All ERMS and 11 of the 15 ARMS samples displayed high activity levels. There was significant intertumor variability among both subtypes but no significant difference in mean activity between the two histologic groups. There were trends toward increased activity in ERMS tumors and tumors from anatomically unfavorable locations. Only one tumor was hypermethylated at the MGMT promoter region. Conclusions This analysis suggests that a low percentage of RMS samples are hypermethylated at the MGMT promoter and that most have significant MGMT activity, implying that clinical trials with MGMT-modulating agents may have a role in the treatment of these tumors. This analysis does not support MGMT activity as an explanation of the differential response to chemotherapy demonstrated by ARMS and ERMS, but does suggest that MGMT may be involved in RMS treatment failure regardless of subtype and in the poorer response shown by tumors from unfavorable locations.
An Attitudinal Study of Responses to a Range of Dermatological Conditions Using the Implicit Association Test

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) was used to explore implicit attitudes to dermatological conditions. The stimuli employed were photographs representing skin conditions and clear skin. Explicit attitudes were measured using rating scales and questions concerning participants’ experience of dermatitis. Participants (N= 64) completed the IAT, explicit measures and demographics. The results showed a statistically significant implicit preference for people with clear skin and suggested that people who knew someone with a skin condition may exhibit stereotype inhibition. This concurs with earlier research into disfigurement, and in accord with previous IAT research, correlations between implicit and explicit measures were not significant.
Design of Grooved Microstrip Patch Resonator Filters for Mobile Communication

In advanced communication technology the microstrip filter has an important job in terms of selectivity and elimination of the undesired signals. In microwave and RF frequency applications the design of filter is complex task as lumped components cannot be used in this range of frequency. Microstrip filters are always preferred over the lumped filters at larger frequency for their compact size, lighter weight, lower cost and higher performance. In this paper the design of grooved microstrip patch resonator bandpass filter is presented at mid-band frequency 1.8 GHz for L-Band applications. It also acts as a band-reject filter at center frequency 1.1 GHz, which is innovative concept in microstrip filter design. Band-pass filter has a high attenuation in stop band, small insertion loss of 0.5744 dB and high return loss of 26.52 dB in the pass band whereas Band-reject filter has a low attenuation, high insertion loss of 21.95 dB and low return loss of 0.2432 dB in the stop band. The result is encouraging and fabrication is also very easy.
Wide and Narrow Complex Tachycardias: What Is the Mechanism?

December 2001 PACE, Vol. 24 A 49-year-old woman was referred for electrophysiological testing and radiofrequency catheter ablation of recurrent episodes of palpitations of a 10-year duration. The patient had typically been able to terminate the episodes of palpitations with vagal maneuvers until recent months, when they increased in frequency and severity. A 24-hour Holter monitor test showed frequent runs of wide and narrow complex tachycardias, with a recurring pattern of wide complex leading to narrow complex tachycardia of slightly faster rate (Fig. 1). The patient had a full cardiac workup for atypical chest pain and palpitations that included normal stress-thallium test and echocardiogram. During the electrophysiological study, the patient was in sinus rhythm with normal atrio-His (AH) and His-ventricular (HV) intervals of 75 and 50 ms, respectively. The atrioventricular nodal (AVN) Wenckebach cycle length (CL) was 330 ms and the AVN effective refractory period was 200 ms at a drive CL of 600 ms. Ventriculoatrial conduction was observed and the retrograde effective refractory period was 360 ms at a drive CL of 600 ms. With premature atrial stimulation, discontinuous A2H2 versus A1A2 curve was demonstrated. Isoproterenol infusion produced spontaneous runs of wide complex tachycardia that changed into a narrow complex tachycardia at a slightly faster rate. This phenomenon was very reproducible and similar to what was documented on the Holter monitor. What are the mechanisms of the wide and narrow complex tachycardias?