Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Arabidopsis lue1 mutant defines a katanin p60 ortholog involved in hormonal control of microtubule orientation during cell growth

The lue1 mutant was previously isolated in a bio-imaging screen for Arabidopsis mutants exhibiting inappropriate regulation of an AtGA20ox1 promoter-luciferase reporter fusion. Here we show that lue1 is allelic to fra2, bot1 and erh3, and encodes a truncated katanin-like microtubule-severing protein (AtKSS). Complementation of lue1 with the wild-type AtKSS gene restored both wild-type stature and luciferase reporter levels. Hormonal responses of lue1 to ethylene and gibberellins revealed inappropriate cortical microtubule reorientation during cell growth. Moreover, a fusion between the AtKSS protein and GFP decorated cortical microtubules. A yeast two-hybrid screen with AtKSS as the bait identified proteins related to those involved in microtubule processing, including a katanin p80 subunit and a kinesin ortholog. These results indicate that AtKSS is involved in microtubule dynamics in response to plant hormones.
Flight Mill Performance of the Lacewing Chrysoperla sinica (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) as a Function of Age, Temperature, and Relative Humidity

ABSTRACT The lacewing Chrysoperla sinica (Tjeder) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an important predator of several insect pests in China and has considerable potential as a biological control agent. An inoculative approach would be the releasing adults early in the season to ensure that populations are present before pest densities increase. However, an understanding of adult flight activity under different conditions is necessary to develop appropriate release strategies. Therefore, we used a 32-channel, computer-monitored flight mill system to determine the effect of age on the flight activity of unmated female and male adults. Both sexes had high total flight activity levels as well as the longest individual flight bouts 2 and 3 d after emergence. The effects of temperature (between 13 and 33°C at 75% RH) and relative humidity (between 30 and 90% RH at 23°C) on the flight activity of 3-d-old unmated adults also were determined. Flight activity declined at the lowest (13°C) and highest (33°C) temperatures tested, as well as at the lowest relative humidity (30% RH). These findings are discussed within the context of selecting the appropriate environmental conditions for releasing C. sinica.
Space-Charge Limited Current and Nonlinear Source Resistance in Microwave AlGaN/GaN HFET's

Wide bandgap semiconductors are used to fabricate field-effect transistors with significantly improved RF output power compared to GaAs and InP-based devices. The critical electric fields for avalanche ionization in wide bandgap semiconductors, such as SiC and GaN, are about an order of magnitude greater than for traditional semiconductors such as Si, GaAs, and InP. Nitride-based HFET's can support drain bias voltages in the range of 40-50 v before breakdown occurs, and this results in the ability to generate significantly higher RF power than is possible with traditional GaAs FET's. In addition, the use of field-plate technology permits even greater drain bias to be applied. However, the operation of these devices at high drain bias introduces physical phenomena within the device that affect both dc and RF performance. In particular, the existence of a nonlinear source resistance is demonstrated and verified. Inclusion of the nonlinear source resistance in a physics-based device simulator produces excellent agreement between simulated and measured data. The nonlinear source resistance degrades RF performance and limits amplifier linearity.
Acrux: Indoor Localization Without Strings

We present Acrux, the first indoor localization system to achieve meter level accuracy while relying exclusively on a single fix and the sensors commonly found in off-the-shelf smartphones. Acrux uses dead-reckoning, the approach that gives probably the best chance at a completely autonomous indoor localization system. Unfortunately, it has not been mastered on smartphones beyond a few dozen meters due to its inherent integration drift. As a result, all dead-reckoning based solutions in literature require periodic recalibration using input from outside -- attaching strings preventing indoor localization from becoming mainstream. While it is virtually impossible to completely eliminate integration drift, Acrux is the first solution to succeed in dead-reckoning with meter level accuracy for several hundred meters, enough to relax the requirement for periodic recalibration in most indoor scenarios. To accomplish this, Acrux replaces step-counting, the standard approach for measuring distance using sensors, with an approach that measures the speed of locomotion. Although a straightforward accurate estimation of motion speed using the erroneous sensors found on smartphones is infeasible, Acrux combines a novel approach with measurement based analysis to achieve that. Leveraging its excellent dead-reckoning capability, Acrux is shown to provide indoor localization with median error between SI0.7 meter and SI1.2 meter and 98% percentile error of SI3 meter in a dozen of scenarios in 4 different buildings -- without any recalibration.
Fruits and vegetables and renal cell carcinoma: Findings from the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC)

We examined the association between fruits and vegetables and risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Dietary intake data and complete follow‐up information on cancer incidence were available for 375,851 participants recruited in EPIC centers of 8 countries. During an average follow‐up of 6.2 years, 306 incident cases of RCC were identified. The associations of consumption of total vegetables, total fruits, combined total fruits and vegetables and specific subtypes of vegetables with RCC risk were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards, stratified by centre and adjusted for potential confounders. No significant associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and RCC risk were observed despite a wide range of intake. The estimated relative risks (95% confidence intervals [CI]) in men and women combined were 0.97 (0.85–1.11) per 40 g increase in vegetable intake, 1.03 (0.97–1.08) per 40 g increase in fruit intake and 1.02 (0.93–1.11) per 80 g increase in fruit and vegetable intake combined. Among the vegetable subtypes, an inverse association was observed for root vegetables (RR per 8 g increase: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.78–0.99). These results suggest that total consumption of fruits and vegetables is not related to risk of RCC, although we cannot exclude the possibility that very low consumption is related to higher risk. The relationship of specific fruit and vegetable subgroups with RCC risk warrant further investigation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Formulas Used by Tibetan Doctors at Men‐Tsee‐Khang in India for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Their Correlation with Pharmacological Data

The aim of the present study was to identify formulas used at Men‐Tsee‐Khang (Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute), India, for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and to compare the Tibetan usage of particular ingredients with pharmacological data from the scientific database. Using ethnographic methods, five doctors were selected and interviewed. A correlation was observed between central nervous system disorders and rLung, one of the three humors in Tibetan medicine, which imbalance is the source of mental disorders, and ten multi‐ingredient formulas used to treat the imbalance of this particular humor were identified. These formulas utilize 61 ingredients; among them were 48 plant species. Each formula treats several symptoms related to rLung imbalance, so the plants may have therapeutic uses distinct from those of the formulas in which they are included. Myristica fragrans, nutmeg, is contained in 100% of the formulas, and its seeds exhibit stimulant and depressant actions affecting the central nervous system. Preclinical and clinical data from the scientific literature indicate that all of the formulas include ingredients with neuropsychiatric action and corroborate the therapeutic use of 75.6% of the plants. These findings indicate a level of congruence between the therapeutic uses of particular plant species in Tibetan and Western medicines. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of properties that can distinguish primitive populations of stromal-cell-responsive lympho-myeloid cells from cells that are stromal-cell-responsive but lymphoid-restricted and cells that have lympho-myeloid potential but are also capable of competitively repopulating myeloablated rec

We have recently described a modification of the long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) assay that allows the identification and quantitation of a subset of murine LTC-IC that are able to generate both myeloid and lymphoid progeny in vitro. These "LTC-ICML" are inseparable from either standard LTC-IC or cells with long-term in vivo lympho-myeloid repopulating potential (competitive repopulating units, or CRU) present in normal adult mouse marrow but are detected at 15- to 30-fold lower frequencies. To determine whether at least part of this discrepancy is due to a reduced sensitivity of the LTC-ICML assay, a number of strategies to try to improve the original protocol were tested. Prolongation of the second phase of the assay (when the cells are maintained under lymphoid LTC conditions) from 7 to 10 days and inclusion of Flt3 ligand (FL) in the assay used to detect the production of B-lineage cells (CFU-pre-B) increased the average yield of CFU-pre-B per LTC-ICML by a factor of 3- to 20-fold; however, neither of these manipulations increased the frequency of LTC-ICML detected. Similarly, the use of S17 fibroblasts as feeders also did not improve the sensitivity of the LTC-ICML assay. On the other hand, approximately threefold more LTC-ICML could be detected when the initial phase of the assay (when the cells are maintained under myeloid LTC conditions) was shortened from 4 weeks to 1 week. In addition, this latter modification showed the existence in adult mouse marrow of a previously unrecognized, very early B220- stage of lymphoid development characterized by a relative resistance to both 5-fluorouracil and hydrocortisone. The discovery of such cells is of significant interest; however, their presence in adult mouse marrow in numbers comparable to those of both LTC-ICML and myeloid-restricted LTC-IC imposes severe restrictions on the use of the shorter LTC-ICML assay which offset its increased sensitivity. Interestingly, the present studies also show that both LTC-IC and LTC-ICML numbers are significantly better maintained (approximately twofold to sixfold) in myeloid LTC than are CRU. This differential maintenance of LTC-IC and CRU in vitro may be related to the fact that the detection of each of these two functionally defined progenitors involves the use of different ligand receptor systems. Alternatively, it is possible that at least some LTC-IC and CRU may represent developmentally distinct cell types. Taken together, these findings suggest a model of hematopoietic stem cell regulation in which retention of totipotentiality and maintenance of responsiveness to specific regulators may not be tightly linked.
Financial and Non-Financial Global Stock Market Volatility Shocks

Abstract We decompose global stock market volatility shocks into financial originated shocks and nonfinancial originated shocks. Global stock market volatility shocks that arise from financial sources reduce global outputs and inflation substantially more than shocks from nonfinancial sources. Financial stock market volatility shocks forecast 16.85% and 16.88% of the variation in global growth and inflation, respectively. In contrast, nonfinancial stock market volatility shocks forecast only 8.0% and 2.19% of the variation in global growth and inflation.
Remittances and Real Effective Exchange Rate

Remittances in India have been growing rapidly since 1991. Most of the studies find that remittance has had a significant impact on real effective exchange rate (REER). It is imperative to evaluate the impact of a transfer such as remittance and aid on country’s competitiveness. This article is an attempt to investigate the impact of workers’ remittances and some selected macro-variables on REER of India using annual data from 1980–2015. The study conducted autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bound test co-integration approach to explore this long-run relationship. The ARDL bound test approach confirms significant long-run relationships among the selected variables at 1 per cent level of significance. In addition to this, the ARDL short-run error correction model implies that while REER may temporarily deviate from its long-run equilibrium, the deviations adjust towards the equilibrium level in the long run. JEL: F31, F35, F41
SENESCENCE-SUPPRESSED PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE Directly Interacts with the Cytoplasmic Domain of SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE and Negatively Regulates Leaf Senescence in Arabidopsis1[OPEN]

A protein phosphatase negatively regulates Arabidopsis leaf senescence through dephosphorylating a senescence-promoting receptor-like kinase. Reversible protein phosphorylation mediated by protein kinases and phosphatases plays an important role in the regulation of leaf senescence. We previously reported that the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE (AtSARK) positively regulates leaf senescence in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Here, we report the involvement of a protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2C-type protein phosphatase, SENESCENCE-SUPPRESSED PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE (SSPP), in the negative regulation of Arabidopsis leaf senescence. SSPP transcript levels decreased greatly during both natural senescence and SARK-induced precocious senescence. Overexpression of SSPP significantly delayed leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. Protein pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated that the cytosol-localized SSPP could interact with the cytoplasmic domain of the plasma membrane-localized AtSARK. In vitro assays showed that SSPP has protein phosphatase function and can dephosphorylate the cytosolic domain of AtSARK. Consistent with these observations, overexpression of SSPP effectively rescued AtSARK-induced precocious leaf senescence and changes in hormonal responses. All our results suggested that SSPP functions in sustaining proper leaf longevity and preventing early senescence by suppressing or perturbing SARK-mediated senescence signal transduction.
Un outil multilingue d’extraction de collocations en ligne (This demo shows the web version of a multilingual collocation extraction tool)[In French]

Cette démonstration présente la version web d’un outil multilingue d’extraction de collocations. Elle est destinée aux lexicographes, aux traducteurs, aux enseignants et apprenants L2 et, plus généralement, aux linguistes désireux d’analyser et d’exploiter leurs propres corpus.
Tumor Necrosis Factor &agr; −308 G>A Polymorphisms and Cervical Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis

Objective Tumor necrosis factor &agr; (TNF-&agr;), secreted mainly by activated macrophages, is recently involved in fighting against tumorigenesis. Tumor necrosis factor &agr; −308 G>A, the common polymorphism in the promoter of TNF-&agr;, has been implicated to alter the risk of cervical cancer, yet the results of relative studies are inconclusive or controversial. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we performed a meta-analysis based on 8 studies. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted to examine all the eligible studies of TNF-&agr; −308 G>A polymorphism and cervical cancer risk. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association. Results Eight studies regarding TNF-&agr; −308 G>A polymorphism status including 2298 cases and 1903 controls were collected. Overall, significantly elevated cervical cancer risk was found for A allele versus G allele (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10–1.42), for GA versus GG (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.14–1.54), and for GA/AA versus GG (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14–1.52). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly increased risks were also found among whites (for A allele vs G allele: OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00–1.34; for GA vs GG: OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05–1.48; and for GA/AA vs GG: OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03–1.44) and Asians (for A allele vs G allele: OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.60–3.50; AA vs GG: OR, 3.85; 95% CI, 1.30–11.37; for GA vs GG: OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.30–3.27; GA/AA vs GG: OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.49–3.52; and for AA vs GA/GG: OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.25–10.81). However, no significant associations were found among Africans for all genetic models. Conclusions The natural genetic polymorphism in TNF-&agr; −308 G>A is a risk factor for developing cervical cancer, especially for Asians and whites.
Do the Elderly Support Public Educational Expenditure? An Empirical Analysis Focusing on the Characteristics of Spending

This paper investigates the preferences of the elderly with respect to local public educational expenditures at the kindergarten, primary school, junior high school and high school stages in Japan focusing on the characteristics of expenditures. We applied dynamic estimation method to the data of educational expenditures after the latter half of the 1990s, during which period the aging factor would have been likely to have had a negative relationship with educational expenditure. According to the estimation results, the elderly population would not support an increase in current expenditures composed mainly of personnel expenses at every educational stage but would support capital expenditures of junior high and high schools, which consists of construction costs mostly.
Optimization of Image Reconstruction for 90Y Selective Internal Radiotherapy on a Lutetium Yttrium Orthosilicate PET/CT System Using a Bayesian Penalized Likelihood Reconstruction Algorithm

Imaging on a γ-camera with 90Y after selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) may allow for verification of treatment delivery but suffers relatively poor spatial resolution and imprecise dosimetry calculation. 90Y PET/CT imaging is possible on 3-dimensional, time-of-flight machines; however, images are usually poor because of low count statistics and noise. A new PET reconstruction software using a Bayesian penalized likelihood (BPL) reconstruction algorithm (termed Q.Clear) was investigated using phantom and patient scans to optimize the reconstruction for post-SIRT imaging and clarify whether BPL leads to an improvement in clinical image quality using 90Y. Methods: Phantom studies over an activity range of 0.5–4.2 GBq were performed to assess the contrast recovery, background variability, and contrast-to-noise ratio for a range of BPL and ordered-subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstructions on a PET/CT scanner. Patient images after SIRT were reconstructed using the same parameters and were scored and ranked on the basis of image quality, as assessed by visual evaluation, with the corresponding SPECT/CT Bremsstrahlung images by 2 experienced radiologists. Results: Contrast-to-noise ratio was significantly better in BPL reconstructions when compared with OSEM in phantom studies. The patient-derived BPL and matching Bremsstrahlung images scored higher than OSEM reconstructions when scored by radiologists. BPL with a β value of 4,000 was ranked the highest of all images. Deadtime was apparent in the system above a total phantom activity of 3.3 GBq. Conclusion: BPL with a β value of 4,000 is the optimal image reconstruction in PET/CT for confident radiologic reading when compared with other reconstruction parameters for 90Y imaging after SIRT imaging. Activity in the field of view should be below 3.3 GBq at the time of PET imaging to avoid deadtime losses for this scanner.
How patients with stroke adjust their step length to step over obstacles

Step adjustment under temporal constraint is compromised following stroke. However, how step adjustment occurs under no temporal constraint remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate how patients with stroke adjust their step length to step over obstacles under no temporal constraint. Twelve patients with stroke and 12 age-matched and sex-matched individuals without stroke participated in an experiment involving the task of stepping over obstacles. Each participant’s steps were measured by a footprint method and classified as a long-step, short-step, or even-step strategy. The differences in step length adjustment between patients with and without stroke were analyzed. Stroke survivors adjusted their step length in different ways depending on whether they led with the affected or the unaffected limb. If patients with stroke stepped over the obstacle by leading with the affected limb, they chose the short-step strategy. This strategy is probably intended to enhance accuracy and maintain stability. In conclusion, patients with stroke utilize a different step adjustment strategy to individuals without stroke, even in the absence of temporal constraint.
MR-guided adaptive focusing of ultrasound

Adaptive focusing of ultrasonic waves under the guidance of a magnetic resonance (MR) system is demonstrated for medical applications. This technique is based on the maximization of the ultrasonic wave intensity at one targeted point in space. The wave intensity is indirectly estimated from the local tissue displacement induced at the chosen focus by the acoustic radiation force of ultrasonic beams. Coded ultrasonic waves are transmitted by an ultrasonic array and an MRI scanner is used to measure the resulting local displacements through a motion-sensitive MR sequence. After the transmission of a set of spatially encoded ultrasonic waves, a non-iterative inversion process is employed to accurately estimate the spatial-temporal aberration induced by the propagation medium and to maximize the acoustical intensity at the target. Both programmable and physical aberrating layers introducing strong distortions (up to 2π radians) were recovered within acceptable errors (<;0.8 rad). This noninvasive technique is shown to accurately correct phase aberrations in a phantom gel with negligible heat deposition and limited acquisition time. These refocusing performances demonstrate a major potential in the field of MR-guided ultrasound therapy in particular for transcranial brain high-intensity focused ultrasound.