Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HKT1;5-Like Cation Transporters Linked to Na+ Exclusion Loci in Wheat, Nax2 and Kna11[OA]

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) has a greater ability to exclude Na+ from its leaves and is more salt tolerant than durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum [Desf.]). A novel durum wheat, Line 149, was found to contain a major gene for Na+ exclusion, Nax2, which removes Na+ from the xylem in the roots and leads to a high K+-to-Na+ ratio in the leaves. Nax2 was mapped to the distal region on chromosome 5AL based on linkage to microsatellite markers. The Nax2 locus on 5AL coincides with the locus for a putative Na+ transporter, HKT1;5 (HKT8). The Nax2 region on 5AL is homoeologous to the region on chromosome 4DL containing the major Na+ exclusion locus in bread wheat, Kna1. A gene member of the HKT1;5 family colocates to the deletion bin containing Kna1 on chromosome 4DL. This work provides evidence that Nax2 and Kna1 are strongly associated with HKT1;5 genes.
Aphids alter host-plant nitrogen isotope fractionation

Plant sap-feeding insects and blood-feeding parasites are frequently depleted in 15N relative to their diet. Unfortunately, most fluid-feeder/host nitrogen stable-isotope studies simply report stable-isotope signatures, but few attempt to elucidate the mechanism of isotopic trophic depletion. Here we address this deficit by investigating the nitrogen stable-isotope dynamics of a fluid-feeding herbivore-host plant system: the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, feeding on multiple brassicaceous host plants. M. persicae was consistently more than 6‰ depleted in 15N relative to their hosts, although aphid colonized plants were 1.5‰ to 2.0‰ enriched in 15N relative to uncolonized control plants. Isotopic depletion of aphids relative to hosts was strongly related to host nitrogen content. We tested whether the concomitant aphid 15N depletion and host 15N enrichment was coupled by isotopic mass balance and determined that aphid 15N depletion and host 15N enrichment are uncoupled processes. We hypothesized that colonized plants would have higher nitrate reductase activity than uncolonized plants because previous studies had demonstrated that high nitrate reductase activity under substrate-limiting conditions can result in increased plant δ15N values. Consistent with our hypothesis, nitrate reductase activity in colonized plants was twice that of uncolonized plants. This study offers two important insights that are likely applicable to understanding nitrogen dynamics in fluid-feeder/host systems. First, isotopic separation of aphid and host depends on nitrogen availability. Second, aphid colonization alters host nitrogen metabolism and subsequently host nitrogen stable-isotope signature. Notably, this work establishes a metabolic framework for future hypothesis-driven studies focused on aphid manipulation of host nitrogen metabolism.
Voice QoS in third-generation mobile systems

We analyze voice quality and system performance in third-generation mobile communication systems. We argue that in these networks that are expected to integrate voice, data, and multimedia services, the transport network can no longer be considered as a lossless transparent traffic channel. Rather, proper dimensioning is needed even for plain voice services. Furthermore, the efficient utilization of the network resources shared by voice and data traffic requires sophisticated traffic management in the statistical multiplexing environment. The contribution of the paper is twofold: first, voice quality in the cellular transport network is analyzed and network dimensioning criteria are derived. Second, building on advances reported in the literature and taking into consideration current standardization activities, a joint performance model is established for the air interface (AI) and the transmission network (TN) allowing for the analysis of end-to-end service performance within a uniform framework. To demonstrate the applicability of this model, we point to some performance problems in the multiservice environment and suggest and evaluate traffic management actions to overcome these.
B7‐1 (CD80)‐gene transfer combined with interleukin‐12 administration elicits protective and therapeutic immunity against mouse hepatocellular carcinoma

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently recurs after primary therapy, resulting in poor prognosis. To try to find a way to prevent this, we examined the combined effectiveness of B7‐1 (CD80)‐gene transfer and interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) on the induction of protective antitumor immunity against poorly immunogenic BNL1ME A.7R. 1 (BNL) mouse HCC cells. We introduced mouse B7‐1 gene into BNL1ME A.7R. 1 cells. Overexpression of B7‐1 on BNL1ME A.7R. 1 cells resulted in significant inhibititon of subcutaneous tumor development in syngeneic BALB/c mice, but not in complete rejection, suggesting that strong expression of B7‐1 molecules may enhance the immunogenicity of BNL1ME A.7R. 1 cells in immunocompetent mice. Lymphocyte study revealed that the cytolytic activity generated by immunization with B7‐1 transfectants against BNL1ME A.7R. 1 cells was mediated mainly by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We examined the synergistic effect of IL‐12 and immunization with B7‐1 transfectants. The combination led to rejection of BNL1ME A.7R. 1 cells in 6 of 10 tested mice and delayed tumor development in the remaining mice. Furthermore, the combined treatment against pre‐established BNL1ME A.7R. 1 tumors resulted in rejection in 3 of 8 tested mice or in significant inhibition of tumor growth in the remaining mice. In vivo lymphocyte subset depletion study indicated that the combined antitumor effect was dependent on the presence of both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. In conclusion, the combination of immunization of B7‐1–transfected HCC cells and IL‐12 could induce protective and therapeutic immunity against parental HCC cells, and this combination may be therapeutically useful for suppressing recurrence of HCC.
Isolation of a Bacterial Strain Able To Degrade Branched Nonylphenol

ABSTRACT Conventional enrichment of microorganisms on branched nonylphenol (NP) as only carbon and energy source yielded mixed cultures able to grow on the organic compound. However, plating yielded no single colonies capable, alone or in combination with other isolates, of degrading the NP in liquid culture. Therefore, a special approach was used, referred to as “serial dilution-plate resuspension,” to reduce culture complexity. In this way, one isolate, TTNP3, tentatively identified as a Sphingomonas sp. , was found to be able to grow on NP in liquid culture. Remarkably, this isolate was able to be filtered through a 0.45-μm-pore-diameter filter. Moreover, isolate TTNP3 did not form visible colonies on mineral medium with NP, and it formed visible colonies on R2A agar only after a prolonged incubation of 1 week. High-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of the culture media indicated that the strain starts the degradation of NP with a fission of the phenol ring and preferably uses the para isomer of NP and not the ortho isomer. No distinct accumulation of an intermediary product could be observed.
Factors influencing breath condensate volume

Analysis of breath condensate (BC) has received interest recently due to the need for easy and repetitive monitoring or airway and pulmonary disease. While many authors have used custom built systems, commercial systems are now available and will probably be used more widely. Early studies of markers and mediators in BC have reported concentrations following varying periods of sampling time. However, factors that influence the generation of BC have not been analysed and it is unclear whether breathing rate, tidal volume, lung function, body weight, height or age influence the amount of BC collected. We therefore studied the influence of these factors on breath condensate volume and breath condensate urea and protein concentrations in 22 healthy volunteers and 23 COPD patients. A strong correlation of total respired volume and breath condensate volume was observed for both groups (volunteers: r=0.952, p < 0.0001, COPD: r=0.883, p < 0.001) while no significant correlation existed for breath condensate volume and TLC, RV, Vc, FEV1, R(tot), height or body weight, As long as ventilation remained fairly constant, breath condensate volume increased linearly with time. The fraction of breath condensate extracted from total vapour contained in the exhalate was estimated by measuring relative atmospheric humidity before and after the collecting tube. The amount calculated by the change in temperature and saturation corresponded closely to the amount actually collected. We conclude from these results that breath condensate volume is primarily dependent on V(E), and does not seem to depend on lung function parameters. For standardisation it is suggested to report breath condensate measurements per volume respired. Both, urea and protein are present in measurable quantities in breath condensate and protein as well as BCV may be helpful denominators for comparison with e.g. cytokines in lung disease.
Long-term Outcome of Kidney Recipients Transplanted for Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy

Background Aristolochic acids (AA) are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of patients with AA nephropathy (AAN) after kidney transplantation. Methods Observational study. Patients' characteristics, long-term surveillance and follow-up data, patient and graft survival, as well as outcomes with respect to rejection, cardiovascular complications, infections, and cancers with a focus on urothelial carcinomas, are reported. Results Twenty patients transplanted for AAN were included. All were submitted to prophylactic bilateral ureteronephrectomy and annual surveillance of the bladder. Median duration of posttransplant follow-up was 12.5 (3-19) years. Time from diagnosis of AAN to renal replacement therapy was relatively short (1 [0-15] years). Immunosuppression consisted of a triple therapy in the majority of patients. Nineteen patients had upper urinary tract multifocal atypia. Eleven patients presented with urothelial carcinomas of the upper tract; 2 of them with additional bladder urothelial carcinomas. Of these 2 patients, one required radical cystectomy. One patient developed a hepatocarcinoma. Patient survival was 100% in AAN patients at 5, 10, and 15 years after transplantation. Graft survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was 95%, 83%, and 75%. Conclusions Despite a high prevalence of urothelial carcinoma and the risk of bladder carcinoma, the long-term patient and kidney graft survival is excellent in patients with AAN, provided that prophylactic bilateral ureteronephrectomy and lifelong surveillance of the bladder are performed.
Learning behaviours in the workplace: The role of high-quality interpersonal relationships and psychological safety

Organizational learning is an important means for improving performance. Learning is a process, that is, often relational in the sense of relying on interactions between people to determine what needs improving and how to do it. This study addresses the question of how the quality of work relationships facilitates learning behaviours in organizations through the ways it contributes to psychological safety. Data collected from 212 part-time students who hold full-time jobs in organizations operating in a wide variety of industries show that capacities of high-quality relationships (measured at time 1) are positively associated with psychological safety, which, in turn, are related to higher levels of learning behaviours (measured at time 2). The results also show that experiences of high-quality relationships (measured at time 1) are both directly and indirectly (through psychological safety) associated with learning behaviours (measured at time 2). These findings shed light on the importance of quality relationships in the workplace for cultivating and developing perceptions of psychological safety and ultimately learning behaviours in organizations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of VEGF and IGF-1 in a hypercarbic oxygen-induced retinopathy rat model of ROP.

PURPOSE We have previously described a severe form of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) in the neonatal rat, analogous to human retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), where carbon dioxide is added to the inspired environment (hypercarbic OIR). We studied the time course of emergence and resolution of neovascularization (NV) in normocarbic OIR and hypercarbic OIR and the associated changes in VEGF and IGF-1 mRNA levels in hypercarbic OIR. METHODS 550 newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were raised in 22 expanded litters of 25. Beginning at day 1 of life, rats were exposed to 7 daily cycles of hyperoxia (80% O2, 20.5 h) and hypoxia (10% O2, 0.5 h) with a gradual return to 80% O2 over 3 h. Inspired CO2 was maintained at 0.2% for 200 rats (normocarbic OIR) and 10% for 100 rats (hypercarbic OIR). Rats were sacrificed after a subsequent 5 day room air recovery period. An additional 250 rats raised in room air served as age matched controls. Retinae from left eyes were dissected and flatmounts were ADPase-stained. The presence and severity of NV was scored in a masked manner. Right eyes in hypercarbic OIR litters and room air controls were processed for analysis of VEGF and IGF-1 mRNA. RESULTS In normocarbic OIR, NV started to emerge before room air recovery began at day 8. It was maximal at day 10 and resolved by day 20. In hypercarbic OIR, a similar pattern was seen, with emergence prior to day 8, peak at day 13 and resolution by day 20. In hypercarbic OIR, retinal VEGF mRNA was decreased at day 8 and increased at day 10 compared to room air controls, correlating with maximal NV. Retinal IGF-1 mRNA was not increased at any time in hypercarbic OIR compared to room air controls. CONCLUSIONS Neovascularization resulting from normocarbic OIR or hypercarbic OIR occurs before room air recovery. Retinal VEGF mRNA was downregulated and subsequently upregulated prior to maximal NV in hypercarbic OIR. Neovascularization in the hypercarbic OIR model does not appear to be associated with increased retinal IGF-1 mRNA.
Energy and Carbon Markets: Empirical Law and Economics Studies

Dit promotieonderzoek analyseert de economische gevolgen van de regelgeving van energie- en CO¬2 –markten in de EU. Hypotheses afgeleid uit de rechtseconomie, in het bijzonder de eigendomsrechten theorie, zijn in drie EU-brede empirische studies getest. In hoofdlijnen zijn de bevindingen als volgt: 1) Aandeelhouders waarderen het Europese emissierechten systeem (het ‘EU ETS’) als een beperking op vervuiling. Aanbevolen is dat de CO¬2-markt vaker signalen moet ontvangen over de schaarste in het EU ETS. Dit is mogelijk door bedrijven vaker hun emissierechten in te laten leveren. 2) Hoewel grote bedrijven beter in staat zijn om binnen bedrijfsgrenzen hun emissierechten gebruik te optimaliseren, maken ze juist intensiever gebruik van de CO¬2-markt dan kleine bedrijven. Deze bevinding bekrachtigt dat voor deze bedrijven het EU ETS kostenbesparingen heeft gerealiseerd. 3) De wettelijke bevoegdheden van Nationale Regulerende Instanties liggen niet eenduidig op een lijn met de beleidsdoelstellingen op de energiemarkten waar ze toezicht op houden. Aanbevolen is een gewijzigde inzet van deze bevoegdheden voor deze beleidsdoelstellingen, en een evenwichtigere verdeling van de zwaarte van deze bevoegdheden. Ook het EU ETS register wordt bediscussieerd, welke tevens de voornaamste databron is voor de eerste twee empirische studies. De onderdelen die de registerdata niet consistent of onvolledig beschikbaar maken worden benadrukt, en de onderdelen die een eenduidige identificatie verhinderden van de bedrijven die uiteindelijk eigenaar zijn van deze EU emissierechten. Aanbevelingen worden verschaft om de structuur van het EU ETS register te verbeteren.
Effects of Umbilical Cord Milking on the Need for Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions and Early Neonatal Hemodynamic Adaptation in Preterm Infants Born ⩽1500 g: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of umbilical cord milking (UCM) on the need for packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion and hematologic and hemodynamic parameters in very-low–birth-weight infants. Methods: The infants were randomized into 2 groups: group 1 (UCM) and group 2 (control). The primary outcome was the number of PRBC transfusions during the first 35 days of life. The secondary outcome measures were the hemodynamic variables during the first 24 hours of life. Results: A total of 44 infants were included with 22 infants in each group. Two of 21 infants in group 1 and 4 of 21 infants in group 2 received transfusion in the first 3 days of life (P=0.384). The number and volume of PRBC transfusions were similar in both groups. However, the levels of hemoglobin (Hb) at the first and 24th hour of life were significantly higher in group 1. Phlebotomy volume was found as a statistically significant risk factor for the need for PRBC transfusion (P=0.005). Conclusions: UCM in delivery room results in a higher Hb level in the first day of life. In these groups of infants, phlebotomy losses may impact the transfusion need.
Cytosolic reducing power preserves glutamate in retina

Significance This report shows that the reducing power in the environment influences oxidation of glutamate in a neuronal tissue. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter, and it is especially important as a metabolite because it is required for synthesis of glutathione, other amino acids, and proteins. Glutamate also is a key intermediate in glutamine-dependent anaplerosis, now considered to be a principal source of citric acid cycle intermediates in cancer cells. Our analyses also show that the reducing power in the environmental can influence glutamate oxidation in cancer cells. Glutamate in neurons is an important excitatory neurotransmitter, but it also is a key metabolite. We investigated how glutamate in a neural tissue is protected from catabolism. Flux analysis using 13C-labeled fuels revealed that retinas use activities of the malate aspartate shuttle to protect >98% of their glutamate from oxidation in mitochondria. Isolation of glutamate from the oxidative pathway relies on cytosolic NADH/NAD+, which is influenced by extracellular glucose, lactate, and pyruvate.
Long-term trends in the ionospheric E and F 1 regions

Ground based ionosonde measurements are the most essential source of information about long-term variations in the ionospheric E and F1 regions. Data of such observations have been derived at many different ionospheric stations all over the world some for more than 50 years. The standard parameters foE, h’E, and foF1 are used for trend analyses in this paper. Two main problems have to be considered in these analyses. Firstly, the data series have to be homogeneous, i.e. the observations should not be disturbed by artificial steps due to technical reasons or changes in the evaluation algorithm. Secondly, the strong solar and geomagnetic influences upon the ionospheric data have carefully to be removed by an appropriate regression analysis. Otherwise the small trends in the different ionospheric parameters cannot be detected. The trends derived at individual stations differ markedly, however their dependence on geographic or geomagnetic latitude is only small. Nevertheless, the mean global trends estimated from the trends at the different stations show some general behaviour (positive trends in foE andfoF1, negative trend in h’E) which can at least qualitatively be explained by an increasing atmospheric greenhouse effect (increase of CO2 content and other greenhouse gases) and decreasing ozone values. The positive foE trend is also in qualitative agreement with rocket mass spectrometer observations of ion densities in the E region. First indications could be found that the changing ozone trend at mid-latitudes (before about 1979, between 1979 until 1995, and after about 1995) modifies the estimated mean foE trend.
Chronic Tears of the Reflected Head of the Rectus Femoris

Background: While the majority of quadriceps muscle strains can be managed nonoperatively, rare cases remain symptomatic despite nonoperative treatment. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report on results of surgical treatment of a limited number of cases of persistently symptomatic tears of the reflected head of the rectus femoris. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The records of 5 patients with chronic tears of the rectus femoris treated with excision of the reflected head were reviewed. A telephone interview regarding return to sport and current limitations was completed if patients were available for further follow-up. Results: A review of 5 cases of surgical treatment of chronic tears of the reflected head of the rectus was completed. Patients included 1 woman and 4 men with an average age of 21 years (range, 18-24 years). Three patients played football (2 kickers) and 2 played soccer at a collegiate level. All 5 reported a significant decrease in pain during sport and activities of daily living and were able to return to collegiate athletics. Two patients had a late recurrence of pain with kicking that resolved with nonoperative treatment, 1 had residual thigh pain with intense play, 1 had no pain but noted decreased kicking accuracy, and 1 patient returned to play without symptoms. Conclusion: Strain injuries to the reflected head of the rectus femoris can benefit from delayed excision in rare cases that fail nonoperative management. High-level kicking athletes are likely to experience significant reduction in pain, but may have some residual or recurrent symptoms that limit competitive level of play postoperatively.
Human capital, progressive taxation, and risk-aversion. A theoretical and empirical analysis for the spanish case

Esta tesis tiene como objetivo analizar diversos temas relacionados con los salarios y el capital humano dentro del mercado de trabajo espanol. El capitulo I presenta la introduccion donde se exponen las motivaciones para la realizacion de esta tesis doctoral, asi como una amplia descripcion de los datos utilizados. A partir de aqui, la tesis queda dividida en 4 partes. La primera que analiza salarios y capital humano, compuesta por los capitulos 2,3 y 4. El capitulo 2 analiza el nivel de desigualdad salarial en Espana durante la decada de los 80, obteniendose que la desigualdad salarial en dicho periodo se incremento significativamente. En dicho capitulo tambien se utiliza la descomposicion del coeficiente de Theil para cuantificar el peso relativo de ciertos factores de oferta explicando el nivel de desigualdad, obteniendose que durante el mencionado periodo estos han perdido relevancia a favor de los factores de demanda. En el capitulo 3 se presenta un analisis empirico de los perfiles salariales han cambiado de manera significativa. Como argumento para dicho cambio se establece el cambio tecnologco especialmente inteso en dicho periodo. El capitulo 4 estima para el caso espanol dos hechos estilizados que se derivan del cambio tecnologicio sesgado, esto es un mayor rendimiento de la educacion y la experiencia en aquellas industrias con una mayor carga tecnologica. La segunda parte, compuesta por los capitulos 5 y 6, analiza y modeliza la demanda de educacion en Espana. El capitulo 5 presenta un modelo teorico que intenta establecer el efecto que los impuestos progresivos sobre los salarios ejerce sobre la demanda de educacion, obteniedose que este efecto es negativo, es decir,un incremento en la tasa impositiva desincentiva la demanda de educacion, tanto en el supuesto de certidumbre como en el de incertidumbre sobre los ingresos futuros, ademas dicho modelo es validado empiricamente mediante la estimacion de un modelo probit que