Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Origin and relationships of the tarweed-silversword lineage (Compositae-Madiinae).

Based on results from phylogenetic analyses of nuclear 18S-26S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences, we suggest that the monophyletic tarweed and silversword subtribe (Madiinae) is phylogenetically nested among epaleate, x = 19 species of helenioid Heliantheae. Strong bootstrap support (100%) was obtained for a sister-group relationship between Madiinae and Arnica (including Mallotopus and Whitneya) in an analysis including representatives of recognized genera in a principally Californian clade (Madieae sensu Baldwin) identified from a phylogenetic investigation of Heliantheae s.l. (sensu lato) and Eupatorieae. In all minimum-length trees, the robust lineage comprising Madiinae and Arnica (x = 19) is part of a larger clade that also comprises Eatonella s.s. (sensu stricto), Hulsea, and Venegasia, all with x = 19. The phylogenetic position of Madiinae within a group of genera based uniformly on x = 19 leads us to conclude that the modal numbers of n = 7 and n = 8 (and other numbers, as low as n = 4) in Madiinae are the results of extreme dysploidy. Among the x = 19 "arnicoid" taxa, the near-universal characteristics of perenniality (except in the monotypic Eatonella s.s. and a minority of hulseas) and montane or high-latitudinal occurrence (except in the monotypic Venegasia) lead us to suggest that the most recent common ancestor of the tarweeds (a principally annual group of seasonally dry, low-elevation habitats) was probably a montane, herbaceous perennial resembling the unusual subalpine and alpine tarweeds constituting Raillardella s.s. (x = 17), an arnica-like genus. In Madiinae, Raillardella s.s. may be plesiomorphic in habit, capitular and ecological characteristics, and high base chromosome number. Shifts to an annual habit and to low chromosome numbers in Madiinae have been followed by subsequent episodes of polyploidy and descending dysploidy. We conclude that genome evolution in Madiinae has been marked by wide swings in chromosome number that confuse identification of diploids and polyploids.
The membrane expression of Neisseria meningitidis adhesin A (NadA) increases the proimmune effects of MenB OMVs on human macrophages, compared with NadA– OMVs, without further stimulating their proinflammatory activity on circulating monocytes

Hypervirulent MenB causing fatal human infections frequently display the oligomeric‐coiled coil adhesin NadA, a 45‐kDa intrinsic outer membrane protein implicated in binding to and invasion of respiratory epithelial cells. A recombinant soluble mutant lacking the 10‐kDa COOH terminal membrane domain (NadAΔ351–405) also activates human monocytes/macrophages/DCs. As NadA is physiologically released during sepsis as part of OMVs, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that NadA+ OMVs have an enhanced or modified proinflammatory/proimmune action compared with NadA– OMVs. To do this we investigated the activity of purified free NadAΔ351–405 and of OMVs from MenB and Escherichia coli strains, expressing or not full‐length NadA. NadAΔ351–405 stimulated monocytes and macrophages to secrete cytokines (IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐12p40, IL‐12p70, IL‐10) and chemokines (IL‐8, MIP‐1α, MCP‐1, RANTES), and full‐length NadA improved MenB OMV activity, preferentially on macrophages, and only increased cytokine release. NadAΔ351–405 induced the lymphocyte costimulant CD80 in monocytes and macrophages, and NadA+ OMVs induced a wider set of molecules supporting antigen presentation (CD80, CD86, HLA‐DR, and ICAM‐1) more efficiently than NadA– OMVs only in macrophages. Moreover, membrane NadA effects, unlike NadAΔ351–405 ones, were much less IFN‐γ‐sensitive. The activity of NadA‐positive E. coli OMVs was similar to that of control OMVs. NadA in MenB OMVs acted at adhesin concentrations ∼106 times lower than those required to stimulate cells with free NadAΔ351–405.
Percutaneous carbon dioxide treatment using a gas mist generator enhances the collateral blood flow in the ischemic hindlimb.

AIM Highly concentrated carbon dioxide (CO2) is thought to be useful for ischemic diseases. We investigated whether treatment with a few micrometers of CO2 molecules atomized via two fluidnozzles (CO2 mist) exerts an angiogenic effect in a mouse ischemic hindlimb model. METHODS Mice with unilateral hindlimb ischemia were divided into untreated (UT), 100% CO2 gas alone-treated (CG), mixed air (O2; 20%, N2; 80%) mist-treated (AM) and 100% CO2 mist-treated (CM) groups. The lower body of the mice was encased in a polyethylene bag filled with each gaseous agent using a gas mist generator for 10 minutes daily. RESULTS According to a laser Doppler analysis, the ischemic hindlimb blood flow was persistently higher after the seventh day of induction of ischemia in the CM group than in the UT group. The capillary density was also greater in the CM group on day 28 compared with that observed in the UT group. In addition, the parameters in the AM and CG groups were similar to those obtained in the UT group. The observed effects were abolished by the administration of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression and protein levels and the phosphorylated endothelial NOS level were increased in the CM group compared with that observed in the UT group. A proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry identified novel protein candidates regulated by CO2 mist. CONCLUSION Percutaneous CO2 mist therapy may be useful for treating ischemia-induced angiogenesis.
Combining Software-Defined and Delay-Tolerant Approaches in Last-Mile Tactical Edge Networking

Network-centric warfare is a no-way-back trend in modern military operations. The application of this concept ranges from upper-level decision making echelons to troop guidance on the battlefield, and many studies have been carried out in this area. However, most of these are concerned with either the higher-level strategic networks, that is, the networks linking the higher echelons with abundant resources, satellite communications, or even a whole network infrastructure, or high-end TEN, representing resource-rich troops in the field, with military aircraft, battleships, or ground vehicles equipped with powerful wireless communication devices and (almost) unrestricted energy resources for communication. However, these studies fail to take into account the "last-mile TEN," which comprises resource constrained communication devices carried by troopers, equipping sensor nodes deployed in the field or small unmanned aerial vehicles. In an attempt to fill this gap in the studies on battlefield networking, this article seeks to combine software-defined and delay-tolerant approaches to support the diverse range of strict requirements for applications in the last-mile TEN.
Relationships between lumbar flexibility, sit-and-reach test, and a previous history of low back discomfort in industrial workers.

The sit-and-reach (S&R) test is often included in standard fitness tests (e.g., Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness and Lifestyle Appraisal [CPAFLA]), justified on the assumption that it is an indicator of low back health. Two issues were examined here: Is low back flexibility linked to having a history of low back disorders? And is the S&R test an indicator of low back flexibility? The relationship between S&R test scores, lumbar range of motion, and having a history of low back discomfort was examined in 72 asymptomatic (at test time) industrial workers (70 M, 2 F; mean age 35 ys; height 1.79 m; mass 84.7 kg). The S&R test, among many collected, was performed according to the CPAFLA guidelines. History of low back discomfort (LBD) was categorized based on whether or not time was lost from work. The S&R test was unable to distinguish between those with a history of LBD and those without. Specific lumbar sagittal range of motion could make this distinction. A moderate correlation (r = 0.42) surfaced between S&R and lumbar flexibility. This study suggests that the value of S&R as an indicator of previous back discomfort is questionable and there may be better indicators for inclusion in the CPAFLA.
An intact Box C sequence in the U3 snRNA is required for binding of fibrillarin, the protein common to the major family of nucleolar snRNPs.

The mammalian U3 snRNP is one member of a recently described family of nucleolar snRNPs which also includes U8, U13, U14, X and Y. All of these snRNPs are immunoprecipitable by anti‐fibrillarin autoantibodies, suggesting the existence of a common binding site for the 34 kDa fibrillarin (Fb) protein. Two short nucleotide sequences, called Boxes C and D, present in each of these RNAs are the most likely sites for fibrillarin binding. We have developed a HeLa in vitro assembly system for binding of fibrillarin to human U3 snRNA. Reconstitution of the input RNA is specific in our assay since four of the other nucleolar small RNAs (U8, U13, X and Y) which have Boxes C and D become immunoprecipitable by anti‐fibrillarin whereas two RNAs which lack these sequences (5S and 5.8S) do not. Deletion analyses of the U3 snRNA demonstrate that the presence of Box C but not Box D is required for fibrillarin binding. Moreover, seven single or double site‐specific mutations in the U3 Box C abolish binding. The role of the Box C‐fibrillarin interaction in the biogenesis of the Fb snRNPs is discussed.
Assessing Team Learning Practices in Project/Design Based Learning Approach

Team learning is considered as a constructive way for enhancing students learning in collaborative environment. It involves interaction between students through peer-to-peer learning, which makes students to be problem solver, an excellent communicator, a good reviewer and a manager. The School of Engineering at Xxx University practices project/design based learning as one of its learning and teaching approach. The project/design based learning process helps students to be self directed leaners which enhances the student learning outcomes towards attaining graduate career expected skills. An Overarching goal of this study is assessing the team learning experiences of cohort of students from third year civil undergraduate engineering in a project/design based learning approach at Xxx University. From the students’ experiences and views, this study will investigate and visualize the students choice of a unique team learning practice which enhances their learning outcomes in project/design based curriculum.
On-line partial discharges monitoring of high voltage XLPE / fluid-filled transition joints

Partial Discharge (PD) measurement is an effective method to detect degradation processes in medium and high voltage equipment. As an example, after-laying PD test have become mandatory in many countries as a commissioning test for high voltage cable systems. This type of test can assess the presence of defects just after installation, but thermal cycling, electrical and thermal stress as well as contamination can lead to the onset of defects at a later time. To cope with defects arising during operation, the key is PD monitoring (offline tests are often too costly in terms of equipment, personnel and loss of revenues). This paper presents the application a of permanent PD monitoring system based on a Ultra-Wide band (UWB) detector to high voltage transition joints linking old fluid-filled cables with new XLPE cable lines. These cable accessories are highly critical because of the complexity of their insulation system and the fact they are realized on field (uncontrolled environment). The innovative monitoring scheme fully exploits the benefits coming from using a UWB detector, i.e., selective tracking of PD based on PD pulse characteristics. This approach enables to trend various PD sources separately, highlighting those that are associated with degradation phenomena within the insulation system. This approach will be unraveled and demonstrated by monitoring data coming from two cable lines.
Comparison of two methods of administering bronchodilator aerosol to asthmatic patients.

In 78 patients with chronic asthma the increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) after the administration by intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (I.P.P.V.) of 10 mg of salbutamol was compared with that recorded after the inhalation of a conventional dose (200 mug) from a pressurized canister. The mean increase was significantly greater after I.P.P.V. administration, and the superiority of this method was greatest in patients with the lowest pretreatment FEV-1.
The pseudogap state in high- superconductors: an infrared study

We report on a study of the electromagnetic response of three different families of high- superconductors that in combination allowed us to cover the whole doping range from under- to overdoped. The discussion is focused on the ab-plane charge dynamics in the pseudogap state which is realized in underdoped materials below a characteristic temperature , a temperature that can significantly exceed the superconducting transition temperature . We explore the evolution of the pseudogap response by changing the doping level, by varying the temperature from above to below , or by introducing impurities in the underdoped compounds. We employ a memory function analysis of the ab-plane optical data that allows us to observe the effect of the pseudogap most clearly. We compare the infrared data with other experimental results, including the c-axis optical response, dc transport, and angle-resolved photoemission.
TIMP-2 Is Required for Efficient Activation of proMMP-2 in Vivo *

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are synthesized as latent proenzymes. A proteolytic cleavage event involving processing of the cysteine-rich N-terminal propeptide is required for their full activation. Previous in vitro studies indicated that activation of proMMP-2 can occur through formation of a trimolecular complex between MMP-14, TIMP-2, and proMMP-2 at the cell surface. Using TIMP-2-deficient mice and cells derived from them, TIMP-2 was shown to be required for efficient proMMP-2 activation both in vivoand in vitro. The requirement for TIMP-2 was not cell-autonomous as exogenously added TIMP-2 could restore activation of proMMP-2 to TIMP-2-deficient cells. Mutant mice were overtly normal, viable, and fertile on the C57BL/6 background, indicating that both TIMP-2 and activated proMMP-2 are dispensable for normal development.
Lisco: A Continuous Approach in LiDAR Point-cloud Clustering

The light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology allows to sense surrounding objects with fine-grained resolution in a large areas. Their data (aka point clouds), generated continuously at very high rates, can provide information to support automated functionality in cyberphysical systems. Clustering of point clouds is a key problem to extract this type of information. Methods for solving the problem in a continuous fashion can facilitate improved processing in e.g. fog architectures, allowing continuous, streaming processing of data close to the sources. We propose Lisco, a single-pass continuous Euclidean-distance-based clustering of LiDAR point clouds, that maximizes the granularity of the data processing pipeline. Besides its algorithmic analysis, we provide a thorough experimental evaluation and highlight its up to 3x improvements and its scalability benefits compared to the baseline, using both real-world datasets as well as synthetic ones to fully explore the worst-cases.
The system of care for the diabetic foot: objectives, outcomes, and opportunities

Most cases of lower extremity limb loss in the United States occur among people with diabetes who have a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). These DFUs and the associated limb loss that may occur lead to excess healthcare costs and have a large negative impact on mobility, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. The strategies for DFU prevention and management are evolving, but the implementation of these prevention and management strategies remains challenging. Barriers to implementation include poor access to primary medical care; patient beliefs and lack of adherence to medical advice; delays in DFU recognition; limited healthcare resources and practice heterogeneity of specialists. Herein, we review the contemporary outcomes of DFU prevention and management to provide a framework for prioritizing quality improvement efforts within a resource-limited healthcare environment.
Stable gene transfer and expression of human blood coagulation factor IX after intramuscular injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus.

We sought to determine whether intramuscular injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector expressing human factor IX (hF.IX) could direct expression of therapeutic levels of the transgene in experimental animals. High titer (10(12)-10(13) vector genomes/ml) rAAV expressing hF.IX was prepared, purified, and injected into hindlimb muscles of C57BL/6 mice and Rag 1 mice. In the immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, immunofluorescence staining of muscle harvested 3 months after injection demonstrated the presence of hF.IX protein, and PCR analysis of muscle DNA was positive for AAV DNA, but no hF.IX was detected in mouse plasma. Further studies showed that these mice had developed circulating antibodies to hF.IX. In follow-up experiments in Rag 1 mice, which carry a mutation in the recombinase activating gene-1 and thus lack functional B and T cells, similar results were seen on DNA analysis of muscle, but these mice also demonstrated therapeutic levels (200-350 ng/ml) of F. IX in the plasma. The time course of F.IX expression demonstrates that levels gradually increase over a period of several weeks before reaching a plateau that is stable 6 months after injection. In other experiments we demonstrate colocalization of hF.IX and collagen IV in intersitial spaces between muscle fibers. Collagen IV has recently been identified as a F.IX-binding protein; this finding explains the unusual pattern of immunofluorescent staining for F.IX shown in these experiments. Thus rAAV can be used to direct stable expression of therapeutic levels of F.IX after intramuscular injection and is a feasible strategy for treatment of patients with hemophilia B.
Facilitation and inhibition caused by the orienting of attention in propositional reasoning tasks

In an attempt to study the orienting of attention in reasoning, we developed a set of propositional reasoning tasks structurally similar to Posner's (1980) spatial cueing paradigm, widely used to study the orienting of attention in perceptual tasks. We cued the representation in working memory of a reasoning premise, observing whether inferences drawn using that premise or a different, uncued one were facilitated, hindered, or unaffected. The results of Experiments 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, using semantically (1a–1c) or statistically (1d) informative cues, showed a robust, long-lasting facilitation for drawing inferences from the cued rule. In Experiment 2, using uninformative cues, inferences from the cued rule were facilitated with a short stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA), whereas they were delayed when the SOA was longer, an effect that is similar to the “inhibition of return” (IOR) in perceptual tasks. Experiment 3 used uninformative cues, three different SOAs, and inferential rules with disjunctive antecedents, replicating the IOR-like effect with the long SOAs and, at the short SOA, finding evidence of a gradient-like behaviour of the facilitation effect. Our findings show qualitative similarities to some effects typically observed in the orienting of visual attention, although the tasks did not involve spatial orienting.
Predicting subcellular localization of proteins by hybridizing functional domain composition and pseudo‐amino acid composition

Recent advances in large‐scale genome sequencing have led to the rapid accumulation of amino acid sequences of proteins whose functions are unknown. Since the functions of these proteins are closely correlated with their subcellular localizations, many efforts have been made to develop a variety of methods for predicting protein subcellular location. In this study, based on the strategy by hybridizing the functional domain composition and the pseudo‐amino acid composition (Cai and Chou [ 2003 ]: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 305:407–411), the Intimate Sorting Algorithm (ISort predictor) was developed for predicting the protein subcellular location. As a showcase, the same plant and non‐plant protein datasets as investigated by the previous investigators were used for demonstration. The overall success rate by the jackknife test for the plant protein dataset was 85.4%, and that for the non‐plant protein dataset 91.9%. These are so far the highest success rates achieved for the two datasets by following a rigorous cross validation test procedure, further confirming that such a hybrid approach may become a very useful high‐throughput tool in the area of bioinformatics, proteomics, as well as molecular cell biology. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting High-Order Directional Drug-Drug Interaction Relations

High-order Drug-Drug Interactions (DDI) are common particularly for elderly people. It is highly non-trivial to detect such interactions via in vivo/in vitro experiments. In this paper, we present SVM-based classification methods to predict whether a high-order directional drug-drug interaction (HoDDDI) instance is associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and induced side effects. Specifically, we developed kernels for HoDDDI instances of arbitrary orders that are constructed from various single-drug information. The experiments over datasets extracted from electronic health records demonstrate that our classification methods can achieve the best F1 as 0.793.
Association study between CAG trinucleotide repeats in the PCQAP gene (PC2 glutamine/Q‐rich‐associated protein) and schizophrenia

Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders are quite common features in patients with DiGeorge/velocardiofacial syndrome (DGS/VCFS) as a result of hemizygosity of chromosome 22q11.2. We evaluated the PCQAP gene, which maps within the DGS/VCFS interval, as a potential candidate for schizophrenia susceptibility. PCQAP encodes for a subunit of the large multiprotein complex PC2, which exhibits a coactivator function in RNA polymerase II mediated transcription. Using a case–control study, we searched association between schizophrenia and the intragenic coding trinucleotide polymorphism. The distribution of the CAG repeat alleles was significantly different between patients and controls with the Mann‐Whitney test (z = −2.5694, P = 0.0051; schizophrenics: n = 378, W = 161,002.5, Mean rank = 425.9325; controls: n = 444, W = 177,250.5, Mean rank = 399.2128). This result may indicate a possible involvement of the multiprotein complex PC2 in schizophrenia susceptibility. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intraspecific sexual selection on a speciation trait, male coloration, in the Lake Victoria cichlid Pundamilia nyererei

The haplochromine cichlids of Lake Victoria constitute a classical example of explosive speciation. Extensive intra– and interspecific variation in male nuptial coloration and female mating preferences, in the absence of postzygotic isolation between species, has inspired the hypothesis that sexual selection has been a driving force in the origin of this species flock. This hypothesis rests on the premise that the phenotypic traits that underlie behavioural reproductive isolation between sister species diverged under sexual selection within a species. We test this premise in a Lake Victoria cichlid, by using laboratory experiments and field observations. We report that a male colour trait, which has previously been shown to be important for behavioural reproductive isolation between this species and a close relative, is under directional sexual selection by female mate choice within this species. This is consistent with the hypothesis that female choice has driven the divergence in male coloration between the two species. We also find that male territoriality is vital for male reproductive success and that multiple mating by females is common.