Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AtOMA1 Affects the OXPHOS System and Plant Growth in Contrast to Other Newly Identified ATP-Independent Proteases in Arabidopsis Mitochondria

Compared with yeast, our knowledge on members of the ATP-independent plant mitochondrial proteolytic machinery is rather poor. In the present study, using confocal microscopy and immunoblotting, we proved that homologs of yeast Oma1, Atp23, Imp1, Imp2, and Oct1 proteases are localized in Arabidopsis mitochondria. We characterized these components of the ATP-independent proteolytic system as well as the earlier identified protease, AtICP55, with an emphasis on their significance in plant growth and functionality in the OXPHOS system. A functional complementation assay demonstrated that out of all the analyzed proteases, only AtOMA1 and AtICP55 could substitute for a lack of their yeast counterparts. We did not observe any significant developmental or morphological changes in plants lacking the studied proteases, either under optimal growth conditions or after exposure to stress, with the only exception being retarded root growth in oma1-1, thus implying that the absence of a single mitochondrial ATP-independent protease is not critical for Arabidopsis growth and development. We did not find any evidence indicating a clear functional complementation of the missing protease by any other protease at the transcript or protein level. Studies on the impact of the analyzed proteases on mitochondrial bioenergetic function revealed that out of all the studied mutants, only oma1-1 showed differences in activities and amounts of OXPHOS proteins. Among all the OXPHOS disorders found in oma1-1, the complex V deficiency is distinctive because it is mainly associated with decreased catalytic activity and not correlated with complex abundance, which has been observed in the case of supercomplex I + III2 and complex I deficiencies. Altogether, our study indicates that despite the presence of highly conservative homologs, the mitochondrial ATP-independent proteolytic system is not functionally conserved in plants as compared with yeast. Our findings also highlight the importance of AtOMA1 in maintenance of proper function of the OXPHOS system as well as in growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana.
The Economic Burden of High School Dropouts and School Suspensions in Florida

The Economic Burden of High School Dropouts and School Suspensions in Florida Clive R. Belfield Queens College City University of New York Center for Benefit-Cost Studies in Education Teachers College, Columbia University November 2014 Commissioned by The Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles at UCLA with support from The Atlantic Philanthropies The author appreciates comments from Daniel Losen and Russell Rumberger.
Relationships between insulin resistance and frailty with body composition and testosterone in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been associated with insulin resistance and frailty, controlled prospective studies are lacking. We aimed to examine the relationships between insulin resistance and frailty with body composition and testosterone. DESIGN Case-control prospective study. METHODS Sixty three men with non-metastatic prostate cancer newly commencing ADT (n=34) and age-matched prostate cancer controls (n=29) were recruited. The main outcomes were insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), Fried's frailty score, body composition by dual x-ray absorptiometry and short physical performance battery (SPPB) measured at 0, 6 and 12months. A generalised linear model determined the mean adjusted difference (95% CI) between groups. RESULTS Compared with controls over 12months, men receiving ADT had reductions in mean total testosterone level (14.1-0.4nmol/L, P<0.001), mean adjusted gain in fat mass of 3530g (2012, 5047), P<0.02 and loss of lean mass of 1491g (181, 2801), P<0.02. Visceral fat was unchanged. HOMA2-IR in the ADT group increased 0.59 (0.24, 0.94), P=0.02, which was most related to the increase in fat mass (P=0.003), less to lean mass (P=0.09) or total testosterone (P=0.088). Frailty increased with ADT (P<0.0001), which was related to decreased testosterone (P=0.028), and less to fat mass (P=0.056) or lean mass (P=0.79). SPPB was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS ADT is associated with increased insulin resistance and frailty within 12months of commencement, independently of confounding effects of cancer or radiotherapy. Insulin resistance appears to be mediated by subcutaneous or peripheral sites of fat deposition. Prevention of fat gain is an important strategy to prevent adverse ADT-associated cardiometabolic risks.
The palaeomagnetism of Lesbos, NE Aegean, and the eastern Mediterranean inclination anomaly

Summary Palaeomagnetic results for 44 sites in 16–22 Ma volcanic rocks from Lesbos, NE Aegean, yield a mean pole at 81.8°N, 178.1°E, K = 9.0, A95 = 7.6°. The mean direction for these sites (D = 4.3°, I = 48.5°, k = 10.8, α95 = 6.9°) is 5.9° ± 6.1° shallower than the reference direction for Miocene Lesbos calculated from Besse & Courtillot (1991). Combining these new data with previous work yields a mean inclination that is 5.6° ± 4.7° too shallow. Experimental problems, magnetic anisotropy, the magnetic terrain effect, geomagnetic anomalies, and problems with the reference path all seem unable to account for this observation. Shallow inclinations are a common feature of the Aegean region: 17 of 18 palaeomagnetic studies on Cenozoic igneous rocks have returned an inclination that is shallower than expected. Northward motion of the Aegean block by ∼500 km with respect to northern Europe would account for this observation.
Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin Levels in Acute Mesenteric Ischemia.

BACKGROUND Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a potentially fatal disease. Difficulties in diagnosis make it essential to find early biomarkers. AIMS This study investigated the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) levels in AMI. STUDY DESIGN Animal experimentation. METHODS Rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. In the experimental group, an experimental ischemia model was established by clamping the superior mesenteric artery from the aortic outflow tract. Blood and tissue specimens were collected from rats in the experimental mesenteric ischemia model at 30 min and 2 and 6 h, and these were compared with specimens from the respective control groups. PCT levels were compared at 30 min and 2 and 6 h. RESULTS PCT levels were 185.3 pg/mL in the control group and 219.3 pg/mL in the study group, 199.6 pg/mL in the control group and 243.9 pg/mL in the study group, and 201.9 pg/mL in the control group and 286.9 pg/mL in the study group, respectively, at 30 minute, 2 and 6 hours. Significant differences were determined between 6-h control group and ischemia group PCT levels (p=0.005). CONCLUSION The absence of a significant increase in PCT levels in the early period, while a significant difference was detected in the later period (6 h), shows that PCT levels rise late in mesenteric ischemia and can be a marker in the late period.
IN VITRO EVALUATION OF SOME PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST Alternaria alternata CAUSING LEAF SPOT OF Aloe vera

Aloe Vera (L.) Burn f. is a perennial succulent plant grown worldwide mainly for medicinal and cosmetic uses. During a routine survey a leaf spot disease of Aloe vera having infected plants with large necrotic, sunken, circular to oval, dark brown spots present on both surface of leaves was observed at SHIATS and neighboring areas. Microscopical examination revealed the presence of Alternaria alternata in the infected areas. Pathogen was isolated and cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. Leaf extracts of six plants viz, Jatropa curcas, Datura strumarium, Azadirachata indica, Moringa oleifera, Calotropis gigantean and Morus Alba @ 50% were evaluated In vitro by food poison techniques against the fungus. The results revealed that all plant extracts @ 50% significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of pathogen. However leaf extract of J. curcas demonstrated maximum mycelial growth inhibition of A. alternata (62.9%) followed by D. strumarium leaf extract (55.6%) and was significantly superior to all other tested extracts. A. indica extract (51.9%) also inhibited its mycelial growth followed by M. oleifera (46.9%), C. gigantea extract (23.45%) and M. Alba (13.6%) as compared to control.
When does event valence affect unrealistic optimism?

“Unrealistic optimism” (UO) has been found to be greater for negative (i.e. undesirable) than for positive (i.e. desirable) events. In two studies, we tested whether this “valence effect” is explicable in terms of motivational processes. Ineach case, participants were students (n = 159 in Study 1, n = 90 in Study 2), UO for the same health event was measured, and valence was manipulated by framing the event either negatively or positively. The degree to which the event would be expected to evoke concern was varied by manipulating the ease with which it could be avoided (Study 1) or the severity of its consequences (Study 2). A similar pattern of results was found in each study: the valence effect was exhibited in the condition where the event would have evoked concern, but not inthe condition where it would have evoked little concern. The findings are in accord with an explanation of the valence effect in motivational terms. Implications for health education are discussed.
Cognitive impairment by spatial disorientation.

INTRODUCTION Maintaining spatial orientation is a biological imperative. When orientation is threatened, attention resources are diverted to regaining orientation, possibly to the detriment of attention required by concurrent tasks. Hence, a factor in aviation mishaps may be the negative impact of disorientation on concurrent performance, such as interpreting instruments. We examined how subjects learn to manage the impact of acute disorienting stimuli on concurrent spatial cognitive tasks. METHODS Subjects performed the Manikin (MAN) and Choice Reaction Time (CRT) tests under three disorienting experiments: i) after self-controlled head rolls, N = 16; ii) during rotation of the background field of view, N = 12; and iii) after head movements provoking Coriolis during body rotation in yaw, N = 6. RESULTS Number correct and reaction times on the MAN task were negatively affected by each type of disorientation only when the task was performed in the presence of disorienting motion presented early in the experimental session. Later in the session, subjects learned to attain best performance levels irrespective of disorientation. Performance on the CRT task, which has good stimulus response compatibility with little high order processing, was unaffected. The slight symptoms of malaise provoked by disorientation did not interfere with performance in experiments (i) and (ii) but more severe symptoms in (iii) correlated with loss of performance. CONCLUSION Our studies suggest that the ability to maintain a high level of cognitive performance is susceptible to impairment when novel circumstances of disorientation are encountered. Extensive practice on particular tasks protects against encounters with novel disorientation. Once disorientation is identified, its potential impact on multitasking may be quarantined despite disorientation symptoms. The results indicate the need for over-training on tasks and experience with a wide variety of disorientation scenarios.
Engineering Overdamped Niobium-Based Josephson Junctions for Operation Above 4.2 K

Niobium-based junctions are still the best candidates for many small-scale applications of superconductivity and in particular, for the design and the fabrication of programmable voltage standards and D/A converters of fundamental accuracy. Non-hysteretic junctions with a large current density JC, and a reasonable characteristic voltage Vc are required, while, in order to make these circuits available to a wider market, operation at temperatures above 4.2 K would be important. In this work we report our results achieved on Nb/Al-AlOX/Nb junctions whose properties are studied in order to optimize the aforementioned features. Their behavior is analyzed showing how the overdamped characteristic is obtained with a less critical structure compared to other type of junctions. Moreover, using the scattering matrix approach, we have calculated a deviation of superconducting current-phase relation in such a SNIS Josephson junction from sinusoidal one and its effect on the current amplitudes of Shapiro steps as function of temperature. Measurement of the step dependence on temperature are also reported, where we considered the possibility of using both n = 1 and n = 2 RF step above 4.2 K, for a possible reduction of the number of junctions in array circuits.
The Critical Power Function is Dependent on the Duration of the Predictive Exercise Tests Chosen

The linear relationship between work accomplished (W(lim)) and time to exhaustion (t(lim)) can be described by the equation: W(lim) = a + CP x t(lim). Critical power (CP) is the slope of this line and is thought to represent a maximum rate of ATP synthesis without exhaustion, presumably an inherent characteristic of the aerobic energy system. The present investigation determined whether the choice of predictive tests would elicit significant differences in the estimated CP. Ten female physical education students completed, in random order and on consecutive days, five all-out predictive tests at preselected constant-power outputs. Predictive tests were performed on an electrically-braked cycle ergometer and power loadings were individually chosen so as to induce fatigue within approximately 1-10 mins. CP was derived by fitting the linear W(lim)-t(lim) regression and calculated three ways: 1) using the first, third and fifth W(lim)-t(lim) coordinates (I135), 2) using coordinates from the three highest power outputs (I123; mean t(lim) = 68-193 s) and 3) using coordinates from the lowest power outputs (I345; mean t(lim) = 193-485 s). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that CPI123 (201.0+/-37.9W) > CPI135 (176.1+/-27.6W) > CPI345 (164.0+/-22.8W) (P<0.05). When the three sets of data were used to fit the hyperbolic Power-t(lim) regression, statistically significant differences between each CP were also found (P<0.05). The shorter the predictive trials, the greater the slope of the W(lim)-t(lim) regression; possibly because of the greater influence of 'aerobic inertia' on these trials. This may explain why CP has failed to represent a maximal, sustainable work rate. The present findings suggest that if CP is to represent the highest power output that an individual can maintain "for a very long time without fatigue" then CP should be calculated over a range of predictive tests in which the influence of aerobic inertia is minimised.
Evaluation of Nyholt’s Procedure for Multiple Testing Correction – Author’s Reply

issue of multiple testing within a set of correlated SNPs, still have an important role to play. Indeed, this is supported by the recommendation of Salyakina et al. (2005) that ‘any signifi cant result obtained using Nyholt’s procedure which is not already signifi cant using Šidák’s original correction should be confi rmed by a permutation test’. I almost agree with this recommendation, on the basis that a signifi cant (or nearly signifi cant) association using the SNPSpD procedure which is not already signifi cant using Šidák’s (or Bonferroni’s) original correction, would indicate substantial non-independence (i.e., strong linkage disequilibrium, LD) among the tested SNPs and one may therefore benefi t from performing permutations. That is, I acknowledge my approach is slightly conservative in the presence of strong LD. Specifi cally, as in my original publication [2] and noted on the SNPSpD webpage (http://genepi.qimr.edu.au/ general/daleN/SNPSpD/) my approach will be conservative in the presence higher order inter-marker LD and in particular, SNPs in perfect LD ( r = 1). As Salyakina et al. (2005) note, the latter is only true when you have a combination of perfectly ( r = 1) and imperfectly ( r ! 1) correlated SNPs. Although the note on my webpage did not explicitly make this distinction, it does not change the interpretation of my recommendation to exclude all SNPs but one from any set of SNPs that are in perfect LD (i.e., remove ‘redundant’ SNPs). It is therefore unfortunate I welcome Salyakina et al.’s (2005) [1] thorough evaluation of my approach to estimate the effective number of independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a set of correlated SNPs [2] , and I hope their paper and this response will stimulate more researchers to think seriously about their analysis methods. I emphatically agree with the author’s main conclusion that my procedure (SNPSpD) is a useful exploratory tool and is not a replacement for using a permutation test. The development of high throughput and inexpensive SNP genotyping platforms coupled with the availability of numerous SNP databases and their high frequency throughout the genome has lead to the enthusiastic utilization of SNP markers in genetic trait association studies. Indeed, an NCBI PubMed search using (SNP, association, gene, 2005) indicates approximately 1000 studies testing SNPs for association to a trait will be published in 2005 alone. Furthermore, this fi eld is shifting toward a more (thorough) gene-based approach in which many variants within a candidate gene (region) are considered (see for example [3] ). However, although both the number of studies being performed and the development of powerful statistical analysis techniques are proceeding at an astounding rate, the reality exists that the knowledge and computational skills of many researchers who are performing these studies has not kept pace. Therefore, access to simple approximate approaches such as SNPSpD, which address the Received: July 3, 2005 Accepted: July 5, 2005 Published online: August 31, 2005
Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein G (gG) and gI genotypes in patients with different herpetic diseases during the last four decades

The objective of this study was to genotype 375 clinical herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) isolates collected from the German Reference Laboratory of HSV and VZV between 1973 and 2010. The method is based on the amplification and the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the glycoprotein G (gG) and gI. 45.1% of isolates were classified as genotype A, 28.5% as B, and 4.3% as C. 22.1% presented different cleavage patterns for gG and gI suggesting intergenic recombinants A/B in 7.7%, A/C in 0.5%, B/A in 9.3%, B/C in 1.9%, C/A in 1.6%, and C/B in 0.5% of isolates. Two isolates from 1982 and 2010 presented atypical gI cleavage pattern consistent with novel intragenic recombination between genotypes A and C. There were no significant differences of the prevalence of genotypes A, B as well as the recombinants A/B, B/A dependent on the age/gender of patients and the time period in which the strains were isolated. Likewise, there were no significant differences in the distribution of the genotypes A and B as etiological agents of eczema herpeticum, herpes labialis, herpes genitalis, and herpetic gingivostomatitis. The number of recombinants was not different significantly in the groups of the distinct herpetic diseases. In conclusion, the study confirms the high prevalence of recombinants in clinical HSV‐1 strains. HSV‐1 infections result in clinical manifestations which are independent of the gG/gI genotype and recombinants are not associated with special herpetic diseases. J. Med. Virol. 84:651–656, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inflammatory Pseudotumor of Lymph Nodes: Additional Observations and Evidence for an Inflammatory Etiology

Inflammatory pseudotumor of lymph nodes (IPT), a recently described benign cause of lymphadenopathy, was studied in 14 patients using paraffin-section immunohistochemistry. AH biopsies showed a proliferation of spindle cells (small blood vessels, histiocytes, and “activated” fibroblasts resembling myofibroblasts) containing a mixture of inflammatory cells without atypia and involving the connective tissue framework (hilum and sinuses) of the lymph node. Ten patients had additional histologic features of IPT originally described (extranodal extension, obliterative vasculitis, and endothelial infiltration), and nine of these had associated fever of unknown origin, which in some was relieved by biopsy alone. Additional features observed focally in some cases but not previously described included lymph node parenchymal infarction, fibrinoid vascular necrosis, karyorrhexis, and involvement of only part of the lymph node. Immunostaining showed the lymphoid infiltrate to be predominantly of T-lineage (except for plasma cells), only a minority of which marked as T-helper cells. Numerous mononuclear cells resembling histiocytes were identified, some of which had a spindled shape but reacted with an antibody (KP1) of myelomonocytic specificity. Large fibroblastic cells expressed a-muscle actin but not desmin, similar to myofibroblasts in granulation tissue. The morphologic and immunohistologic features were similar to those in inflammatory pseudotumors of spleens and livers also studied, but the lack of simultaneous lymph node involvement argued against a common etiology. The findings suggest that the mass lesion of IPT is produced in response to localized lymph node inflammation or injury and further exclude hematolymphoid or mesenchymal neoplasia as a cause.
The Volumetric Change of Orbital Fat With Age in Asians

Lower eyelid prominence occurs as an aging process. Several causes of age-related lower eyelid prominence including herniated excessive intraorbital fat or fat atrophy, weakening of supporting components, and globe descent have been proposed. However, actual occurrence of excessive intraorbital fat herniation is still controversial. We measured volume of total orbital fat (OF) and fat anterior to the inferior orbital rim (IORF) using computed tomography (CT) to evaluate volumetric change of orbital fat with age in Asians. A total of 130 patients (65 men and 65 women) were evaluated, and volumes of OF and IORF were measured. OF and IORF volumes increased until the 60 years of age, and then decreased in both male and female groups. IORF/OF ratio increased with age, and, unlike fat volume, there was no decline after 70 years of age. Increase of orbital fat volume contributed to lower eyelid prominence. Reduction of anterior orbital fat volume could improve age-related lower eyelid prominence, and conservative fat excision in lower blepharoplasty can be useful in management of lower eyelid prominence.
Within-Subject Renewal in Sign Tracking

Three sign-tracking experiments using pigeon subjects examined the contextual dependence of extinction after conditioning. Renewal of extinguished responding occurred when testing occurred in a different context, using a variety of different renewal designs. In each case, a within-subject design ensured that the various contexts were equivalent in their general treatment histories and differed only in whether or not a particular stimulus had been extinguished in their presence. These results strengthen the view that extinction is relatively context specific.