Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms and gene expression in the almond IGT family are not correlated to variability in growth habit in major commercial almond cultivars

Almond breeding programs aimed at selecting cultivars adapted to intensive orchards have recently focused on the optimization of tree architecture. This multifactorial trait is defined by numerous components controlled by processes such as hormonal responses, gravitropism and light perception. Gravitropism sensing is crucial to control the branch angle and therefore, the tree habit. A gene family, denominated IGT family after a share conserved domain, has been described as involved in the regulation of branch angle in several species, including rice and Arabidopsis, and even in fruit trees like peach. Here we identified six members of this family in almond: LAZY1, LAZY2, TAC1, DRO1, DRO2, IGT-like. After analyzing their protein sequences in forty-one almond cultivars and wild species, little variability was found, pointing a high degree of conservation in this family. Gene expression was analyzed in fourteen cultivars of agronomical interest comprising diverse tree habit phenotypes. Only LAZY1, LAZY2 and TAC1 were expressed in almond shoot tips during the growing season. No relation was established between the expression profile of these genes and the tree habit. However, some insight has been gained in how LAZY1 and LAZY2 are regulated, identifying the IPA1 almond homologues and other transcription factors involved in hormonal responses as regulators of their expression. Besides, we have found various polymorphisms that could not be discarded as involved in a potential polygenic origin of regulation of architectural phenotypes. Therefore, we have established that unlike many species, IGT family genes do not play a critical role in the control of tree habit in currently commercialized almond cultivars, with other gene families contributing to the variability of these traits.
Intracellular vesicle entrapment of nanobubble ultrasound contrast agents targeted to PSMA promotes prolonged enhancement and stability in vivo and in vitro

Previous work has shown that active targeting of nanobubble (NB) ultrasound contrast agents to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) significantly prolongs ultrasound signal enhancement in PSMA-expressing prostate cancer. However, the specific mechanism behind this effect is not well understood. Furthermore, prior studies were carried out using clinical ultrasound scanners in a single imaging plane. Because tumor heterogeneity can have a drastic effect on bubble kinetics and resulting contrast enhancement, a single region of interest in one imaging plane over time may not fully represent the contrast dynamics of the entire tumor. Accordingly, in the current work, we used high-frequency dynamic parametric contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) imaging to gain a detailed understanding of NB kinetics in prostate tumors in mice. Specifically, we examined the differences in enhancement between the tumor periphery and tumor core in the same imaging plane. We also quantified intact nanobubble retention in the entire tumor volume. To better understand the mechanism behind prolonged tumor enhancement, intracellular retention and the acoustic activity of PSMA-NB were evaluated in cell culture. DCE-US US data suggest that both tumor wash-in and retention of PSMA-NB are delayed due to biomarker interaction and binding. The longer retention of PSMA-NB signal in tumor core supported target-driven bubble extravasation. In vitro studies demonstrated a higher level of internalization and prolonged-acoustic activity of internalized PSMA-NB. GC/MS analysis confirmed gas persistence in the cells after PSMA-NB internalization. The active-targeting of NB results in cellular internalization via receptor-mediated endocytosis, and the location with intracellular vesicles (late-stage endosomes/lysosomes) significantly prolongs gas retention within the cells. These features can enable background-free diagnostic imaging of the target cells/tissues, as well as highly focused ultrasound-modulated therapeutic interventions.
Transcranial doppler ultrasonography should it be the first choice for persistent foramen oval screening?

Background: Persistent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered a cause of cryptogenic stroke and a risk factor for neurological events in young patients. The reference standard for identifying a PFO is contrast-enhanced transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of transcranial color Doppler (TCD) and its diagnostic sensitivity compared with TEE. Methods: We investigated 420 patients admitted to our department with cryptogenic stroke, transient ischemic attacks or other neurological symptoms. All patients underwent TCD and TEE evaluation. TCD and TEE examinations were performed according to a standardized procedure: air-mixed saline was injected into the right antecubital vein three times, while the Doppler signal was recorded during the Valsalva maneuver. During TCD the passage of contrast into the right-middle cerebral artery was recorded 25 seconds following the Valsalva maneuver. Results: We detected a right-to-left shunt in 220 patients (52.3%) and no-shunts in 159 patients (37.9%) with both TCD and TEE. In 20 (4.8%) patients TEE did not reveal contrast passage which was then detected by TCD. In 21 (5.0%) patients only TEE revealed a PFO. The feasibility of both methods was 100%. TCD had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 92% in the diagnosis of PFO. Conclusions: TCD has a relatively good sensitivity and specificity. TCD and TEE are complementary diagnostic tests for PFO, but TCD should be recommended as the first choice for screening because of its simplicity, non-invasive character, low cost and high feasibility.
Citation for published version Garay, L., Font, X. & Corrons, A. (2019). Sustainability-oriented innovation in tourism: an analysis based on the decomposed theory of planned

Drawing on Taylor and Todd’s ‘decomposed theory of planned behavior’, this study explores the sustainability beliefs, attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioral controls and behavioral intentions of accommodation managers, and considers how these relate to their uptake of water-related innovations. An online survey is used to capture data from over 300 accommodation establishments located in Catalonia (Spain). Using a structural equation model to interpret the data, 17 hypotheses are established, of which 15 are found to be significant. The findings show how the second order constructs informed by organizational innovation literature explain the attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioral controls of the managers; these factors inform 56% of the sustainability behavioral intentions. We explore the cognitive mechanisms that motivate managers to introduce sustainability practices in their businesses. We contribute to theory by demonstrating the benefits of studying the belief structures that inform taking sustainability actions from the perspective of innovation.
Serum miR-27a is a biomarker for the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Background Lung cancer has a high incidence and a 5-year survival rate of less than 15%. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancer cases. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the most frequently used alternative treatments for patients with advanced-stage NSCLC in whom surgery failed. Previous studies have suggested that miR-27a is involved in cancer development and progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of miR-27a in the prognosis of NSCLC patients after chemotherapy. Methods Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of SPC-A1 cells treated with optical cisplatin at different times. Simultaneously, the expression of miR-27a in supernatants and cells was detected. Fifty-two newly diagnosed NSCLC patients were recruited. All patients received gemcitabine and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy and docetaxel as second-line chemotherapy. At the end of every chemotherapy cycle, a therapeutic evaluation was performed according to the RECIST criteria. The expression of serum miR-27a was detected in each cycle. Results After treatment with 2.5 µg/mL cisplatin, the apoptosis rates of SPC-A1 cells were significantly greater than those of the paired untreated control groups at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The expression of miR-27a in supernatants and cells was also consistent with the apoptosis rate and changed a time-dependent manner. The chi-square test showed that an increase in miR-27a after chemotherapy was more common in patients who achieved partial response (PR) than in those who achieved no response (NR) (61.5% vs. 30.8%, P=0.026). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with decreased miR-27a levels had poorer outcomes than those with increased miR-27a levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, dynamic changes in serum miR-27a with a gradual increasing trend during chemotherapy predicted a good prognosis. Conclusions Collectively, our results suggest that miR-27a is involved in the apoptosis of lung cancer cells and that serum miR-27a levels are related to the prognosis of NSCLC patients. The expression levels of miR-27a in the serum may be an independent predictor for the prognosis of NSCLC.
Directional Plasmonic Excitation by Helical Nanotips

The phenomenon of coupling between light and surface plasmon polaritons requires specific momentum matching conditions. In the case of a single scattering object on a metallic surface, such as a nanoparticle or a nanohole, the coupling between a broadband effect, i.e., scattering, and a discrete one, such as surface plasmon excitation, leads to Fano-like resonance lineshapes. The necessary phase matching requirements can be used to engineer the light–plasmon coupling and to achieve a directional plasmonic excitation. Here, we investigate this effect by using a chiral nanotip to excite surface plasmons with a strong spin-dependent azimuthal variation. This effect can be described by a Fano-like interference with a complex coupling factor that can be modified thanks to a symmetry breaking of the nanostructure.
Design Exploration of Machine Learning Data-Flows onto Heterogeneous Reconﬁgurable Hardware

Machine/Deep learning applications are currently the center of the attention of both industry and academia, turning these applications acceleration a very relevant research topic. Acceleration comes in different ﬂavors, including parallelizing routines on a GPU, FPGA, or CGRA. In this work, we explore the placement and routing of Machine Learning applications dataﬂow graphs onto three heterogeneous CGRA architectures. We compare our results with the homogeneous case and with one of the state-of-the-art tools for placement and routing (P&R). Our algorithm executed, on average, 52% faster than Versatile Place&Routing (VPR) 8.1. Furthermore, a heterogeneous architecture reduces the cost without losing performance in 76% of the cases.
A Comparison of the Level of Acceptance and Hesitancy towards the Influenza Vaccine and the Forthcoming COVID-19 Vaccine in the Medical Community

Despite research conducted worldwide, there is no treatment specifically targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection with efficacy proven by randomized controlled trials. A chance for a breakthrough is vaccinating most of the global population. Public opinion surveys on vaccine hesitancy prompted our team to investigate Polish healthcare workers’ (HCWs) attitudes towards the SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccinations. In-person and online surveys of HCWs: doctors, nurses, medical students, and other allied health professionals (n = 419) were conducted between 14 September 2020 and 5 November 2020. In our study, 68.7% of respondents would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations would persuade 86.3% of hesitant and those who would refuse to be vaccinated. 3.1% of all respondents claimed that no argument would convince them to get vaccinated. 61.6% of respondents declared a willingness to receive an influenza vaccination, of which 83.3% were also inclined to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Although most respondents—62.5% (262/419) indicated they trusted in the influenza vaccine more, more respondents intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the 2020/2021 season. The study is limited by its nonrandom sample of HCWs but provides a preliminary description of attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Do the highest-paid CEOs affect the accounting conservatism? An empirical investigation in France

How to cite this paper: Aguir, A. , Alqatan, A. , & Bzeouich, B. (2021). Do the highest-paid CEOs affect the accounting conservatism? An empirical investigation in France. Journal of Governance & Regulation, 10(2), 96–107. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv10i2art9 Copyright © 2021 The Authors This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
A cultural aperture: An inter-provincial analysis of FNMI representation in Canadian news dailies

This study acts as a multi-disciplinary contribution to existing research in discourses of news production practices, and representation of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) issues and protest. Specifically, quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed to explore FNMI representation across three mainstream Canadian dailies leading to and following the Idle No More (INM) movement from October 1, 2012 until February 28, 2013. In doing so, the study acts as a longitudinal confirmation of previous studies, revealing minimal FNMI salience during “everyday” news cycles, a narrow range of key topics, and a drastic increase in coverage during times of protest. Keywords: protest coverage, FNMI media representation, media bias, agenda-setting, uses and gratifications theory, Idle No More, news framing
University of Groningen Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling of antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia

Citation for published version (APA): Reddy, V. P., Kozielska, M. , Suleiman, A. A. , Johnson, M. , Vermeulen, A. , Liu, J., de Greef, R. , Groothuis, G. M. M. , Danhof, M. , & Proost, J. H. (2013). Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling of antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia: Part II: The use of subscales of the PANSS score. Schizophrenia Research, 146(1-3), 153-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres. 2013.02. 010
Value of Pre-Induction Cervical Fetal Fibronectin (FFN) Assessment as A Predictor of Succesful Vaginal Birth in Nulliparas Undergoing Labor Induction

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of pre-induction assessment of cervical FFN in the prediction of succesful vaginal birth within 24 hours post-sampling. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational trial of nulliparous women undergoing labor induction. Inclusion criterias were: gestational age between 36 to 42 weeks, singleton cephalic presentation of the fetus, intact membrane and Bishop score <6. Pre-induction cervical ripening was performed by using 25 microgr intravaginal misoprostol (PGE1), repeated every four hours, up to a maximum dose of three doses. Induction was subsequently continued by oxytocin and amniotomy. Prior to cervical ripening, FFN samples were collected by using steril speculum and analyzed by standard quantitative immunoassay. RESULTS: A total number of 43 women met the inclusion criterias, of which 51.1% delivered vaginally within 24 hours of labor induction. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of vaginal delivery betwen women with positive (84%) and negative (72.0%) FFN results (p=0.54), although more FFN positive cases were vaginally delivered. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FFN in predicting successful vaginal birth within 24 hours of labor induction were:0.44,0.67,0.83 and 0.24, respectively. There were no differences in any of the neonatal outcomes between FFN negative and positive groups. Indications of cesarean section did not differ among two groups. CONCLUSION: In nulliparas undergoing pre-induction cervical ripening, positive FFN test prior to labor induction did not predict successful vaginal birth within 24 hours.
Viscous heating in the disk of the outbursting star FU Orionis

Context. FU Orionis is the archetypal FUor star, a subclass of young stellar objects (YSOs) that undergo rapid brightening events, often gaining between four and six magnitudes on timescales of days. This brightening is often associated with a massive increase in accretion, which is one of the most ubiquitous processes in astrophysics for bodies ranging from planets and stars to super-massive black holes. We present multi-band interferometric observations of the FU Ori circumstellar environment, including the first J-band interferometric observations of a YSO. Aims. We investigate the morphology and temperature gradient of the innermost regions of the accretion disk around FU Orionis. We aim to characterise the heating mechanisms of the disk and comment on potential outburst-triggering processes. Methods. Recent upgrades to the MIRC-X instrument at the CHARA array have allowed for the first dual-band J and H observations of YSOs. Using baselines up to 331 m, we present high-angular-resolution data of a YSO covering the near-infrared bands J, H, and K. The unprecedented spectral range of the data allowed us to apply temperature gradient models to the innermost regions of FU Ori. Results. We spatially resolved the innermost astronomical unit of the disk and determine the exponent of the temperature gradient of the inner disk to T ∝ r−0.74± 0.02. This agrees with theoretical works that predict T ∝ r−0.75 for actively accreting, steady-state disks, which is a value only obtainable through viscous heating within the disk. We found a disk that extends down to the stellar surface at 0.015± 0.007 au, where the temperature is found to be 5800± 700 K. We found a disk inclined at 32± 4◦ with a minor-axis position angle of 34± 11◦. Conclusions. We demonstrate that J-band interferometric observations of YSOs are feasible with the MIRC-X instrument at CHARA. The temperature gradient power-law derived for the inner disk is consistent with theoretical predictions for steady-state, optically thick, viciously heated accretion disks.
Methodological immaturity in childhood research ? Thinking through ’ participatory methods

Much of the recent literature on social research with children advocates the use of participatory techniques. This article attempts to rethink such techniques in several ways. The authors argue that participatory approaches, in their insistence that children should take part in research, may in fact involve children in processes that aim to regulate them. Using examples drawn from their own work, the authors question whether participatory methods are necessary for children to exercise agency in research encounters. They conclude by suggesting that researchers working with children might benefit from an attitude of methodological immaturity.
Correlation analysis of pre-sowing treatments, sowing positions and age of stones after extraction on germination of mango (Mangifera indica L.)

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the correlations between pre-sowing treatments, sowing positions and age of stone after extraction from the fruit on germination of mango cv. Kotookonam Varikka. Mango stones of different age groups viz., freshly extracted stones, 10 and 20 days after extraction of pulp were soaked for 24 hours in aqueous solutions of GA3 (100 and 200 ppm), KNO3 (1 and 2 ppm), cow dung slurry, water and control (without treatments)and sown in flat and stalk end up positions. The correlation coefficients indicates the presence of inherent association between various characters. The study revealed that the Seedling Vigour Index –I had very high positive and very dependable relationship with germination percentage (r=0.988**) and seedling length (r=0.974**) whereas Seedling Vigour Index-II had very high positive, significant correlation and very dependable relationship with seedling length (0.931**) in case of stalk end up method over the flat method of sowing.
Influence of Promotions and Change in Buyer Behaviour Due to Covid 19 on the Intent to Increase Usage of Digital Payment Systems

The study is concerned with assessing the impact of changes in buyer behaviour on the usage of digital payment systems (DPS) The framework considers promotions associated with DPS and changes in buyer behaviour associated with DPS to be determinants of the intent to increase usage of DPS The analysis is based on the responses of 100 respondents through a 17item questionnaire Changes in buyer behaviour (associated with DPS due to Covid 19 and the intent to increase the usage of DPS during the Covid 19 crisis are segmented based on demographic factors such as age group (Generation X, Millennials, Gen Z), preferred mode of digital payments (credit & debit cards, internet banking, mobile payment systems, digital wallets) and residential location (urban, suburban, rural) The current usage of DPS is analysed through descriptive statistics and the relationship between demographic variables and various uses/services under DPS are assessed using non parametric tests The findings reveal that there is a significant association between promotions associated with DPS and the intent to increase usage of DPS, although the combination of influencing factors vary among demographics Furthermore, there is a significant association between changes in buyer behaviour associated with DPS and the intent to increase usage of DPS
Circulating SARS-CoV-2

Citation: Thomson, Emma C. , Rosen, Laura E. , Shepherd, James G. , Spreafico, Roberto, da Silva Filipe, Ana, Wojcechowskyj, Jason A. , Davis, Chris, Piccoli, Luca, Pascall, David J., Dillen, Josh, Lytras, Spyros, Czudnochowski, Nadine, Shah, Rajiv, Meury, Marcel, Jesudason, Natasha, De Marco, Anna, Li, Kathy, Bassi, Jessica, O'Toole, Aine, Pinto, Dora, Colquhoun, Rachel M. , Culap, Katja, Jackson, Ben, Zatta, Fabrizia, Rambaut, Andrew, Jaconi, Stefano, Sreenu, Vattipally B. , Nix, Jay, Zhang, Ivy, Jarrett, Ruth F. , Glass, William G. , Beltramello, Martina, Nomikou, Kyriaki, Pizzuto, Matteo, Tong, Lily, Cameroni, Elisabetta, Croll, Tristan I. , Johnson, Natasha, Di Iulio, Julia, Wickenhagen, Arthur, Ceschi, Alessandro, Harbison, Aoife M. , Mair, Daniel, Ferrari, Paolo, Smollett, Katherine, Sallusto, Federica, Carmichael, Stephen, Garzoni, Christian, Nichols, Jenna, Galli, Massimo, Robertson, David L. , Snell, Gyorgy, Bashton, Matthew, Smith, Darren, Nelson, Andrew and Young, Greg (2021) Circulating SARS-CoV-2 spike N439K variants maintain fitness while evading antibody-mediated immunity. Cell, 184 (5). 1171-1187.e20. ISSN 0092-8674
Ecological Vulnerability of Tourism Scenic Spots:
Based on Remote Sensing Ecological Index

The assessment of ecological vulnerability plays an important role in the protection and management of scenic tourism sites. In this study, using remote sensing image data in the same month of 2000 and 2017, ecological vulnerability in the Tianchi Scenic Area (TSA) was analyzed by calculating the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI), and the influencing factors of ecological vulnerability were detected using the geographical detector model. From 2000 to 2017, the values of wetness, dryness, and temperature in the study area increased, and the value of greenness and RSEI decreased. Spatial correlations of the RSEI were significant, showing strong spatial agglomeration and alternating cold spots-hot spots-cold spots-hot spots from north to south. The impact factors of land use type, temperature, and precipitation showed greater contribution to ecological vulnerability. In addition, the local government implemented policies such as prohibition of mining, grazing prohibition, and landscape protection, which decreased ecological vulnerability in the study area. This study provides a reference for the formulation of ecological vulnerability protection measures in the TSA and theoretical basis for defining the monitoring indicators for heritage sites around the world.