Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The regulation of leaf elongation and xyloglucan endotransglycosylase by gibberellin in ‘Himalaya’ barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The potential role of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET) in GA-stimulated cell elongation was investigated during leaf expansion in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). XET activity in aqueous extracts of leaves was detected in all segments along the elongating blade of leaf 1 of seedlings, but was at highest levels in basal segments. Leaf 1 elongation rates of gibberellin (GA)-responsive dwarf mutants were lower than the wild type, and accompanied by reduced levels of XET activity. Leaf elongation rates of the dwarfs increased following treatment with gibberellic acid (GA 3 ), associated with higher levels of XET activity. The slender mutant, crossed into a dwarfing background, exhibited high rates of leaf 1 elongation and high levels of XET activity without added GA 3 . The elongation of leaf 3 in a GA-responsive dwarf mutant was also studied. Treatment with GA 3 resulted in blade and sheath lengths being 5-fold and 7-fold (respectively) the lengths of controls, and again there were increases in blade and sheath XET activities. To investigate the basis for changes in XET activity levels two XET-related cDNA clones were isolated. RNAs detected by the two clones occurred at the highest levels in basal segments of rapidly elongating leaves, but they had different distribution patterns along the leaf. Overall, the data indicate that an XET-like activity is detectable in barley leaves, that the activity level and related mRNA levels increase in response to GA, and that their predominantly basal distribution largely, though not exclusively, coincides with known regions of epidermal cell elongation.
Modulation of the Cardiac Sodium Channel NaV1.5 by Fyn, a Src Family Tyrosine Kinase

Dynamic modulation of ion channels can produce dramatic alterations of electrical excitability in cardiac myocytes. This study addresses the effects of the Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn on NaV1.5 cardiac sodium channels. Sodium currents were acquired by whole cell recording on HEK-293 cells transiently expressing NaV1.5. Acute treatment of cells with insulin caused a depolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation, an effect eliminated by the Src-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2. Sodium channels were coexpressed with either constitutively active (FynCA) or catalytically inactive (FynKD) variants of Fyn. FynCA caused a 10-mV depolarizing shift of steady-state inactivation compared with FynKD without altering the activation conductance-voltage relationship. Comparable effects of these Fyn variants were obtained with whole-cell and perforated-patch recording. Tyrosine phosphorylation of immunoprecipitated NaV1.5 was increased in cells expressing FynCA compared with FynKD. We show that Fyn is present in rat cardiac myocytes, and that NaV1.5 channels from these myocytes are tyrosine-phosphorylated. In HEK-293 cells the effect of FynCA on NaV1.5 inactivation is abolished by the single point mutation Y1495F, a residue located within the cytoplasmic linker between the third and fourth homologous domains of the sodium channel. We provide evidence that this linker is a substrate for Fyn in vitro, and that Y1495 is a preferred phosphorylation site. These results suggest that cardiac sodium channels are physiologically relevant targets of Src family tyrosine kinases.
University ’ s repository of research publications and other research outputs Tracking epistemic beliefs and sensemaking in collaborative information retrieval Conference Item

Collaborative information retrieval is an area of increasing interest. However, the wider sensemaking context in which it occurs is understudied. Furthermore, the role of users’ beliefs about the domain they are querying, its structure, stability, complexity, and justifications – their epistemic beliefs – has been little studied in either individual or collaborative IR software development contexts. Here we discuss a tool to combine the knowledge mapping tool Cohere, with reference management capabilities through which the iterative, epistemically germane, potentially (but not necessarily) collaborative IR process may be ‘brought out’ both for sensemaking, and research purposes.
Causal powers, causal questions, and the place of regularity information in causal attribution

This article extends the causal powers theory of causal processing (White, 1989) by dealing with the use of regularity (e.g. covariation) information under the terms of the theory. The paper begins by arguing that regularity information is not basic to causal attribution because it is neither necessary nor sufficient for causal attribution. The type of information preferred for causal attribution, and the way in which it is used, are determined primarily by the type of causal question implicity or explicitly posed, in accordance with the constraint to provide something that counts as an answer to the question posed. Thus, types of regularity information are preferred for some types of causal question, specifically those referring to multiple occasions, but are not preferred for those referring to single occasions. Regularity information may still be used when preferred types of information are not available, and for two purposes: (i) ascertaining whether some thing or person has a certain causal power, and (ii) judging the strength of a power or a liability, when the effect to be explained concerns a relation between a power of one thing or person and a liability of another.
Comparative Proteomic and Biochemical Analyses Reveal Different Molecular Events Occurring in the Process of Fiber Initiation between Wild-Type Allotetraploid Cotton and Its Fuzzless-Lintless Mutant

To explore lint fiber initiation-related proteins in allotetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), a comparative proteomic analysis was performed between wild-type cotton (Xu-142) and its fuzzless-lintless mutant (Xu-142-fl) at five developmental time points for lint fiber initiation from -3 to +3 days post-anthesis (dpa). Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) analyses, 91 differentially accumulated protein (DAP) species that are related to fiber initiation were successfully identified, of which 58 preferentially accumulated in the wild-type and 33 species in the fl mutant. These DAPs are involved in various cellular and metabolic processes, mainly including important energy/carbohydrate metabolism, redox homeostasis, amino acid and fatty acid biosynthesis, protein quality control, cytoskeleton dynamics, and anthocyanidin metabolism. Further physiological and biochemical experiments revealed dynamic changes in the carbohydrate flux and H2O2 levels in the cotton fiber initiation process. Compared with those in the fl mutant, the contents of glucose and fructose in wild-type ovules sharply increased after anthesis with a relatively higher rate of amino acid biosynthesis. The relative sugar starvation and lower rate of amino acid biosynthesis in the fl mutant ovules may impede the carbohydrate/energy supply and cell wall synthesis, which is consistent with the proteomic results. However, the H2O2 burst was only observed in the wild-type ovules on the day of anthesis. Cotton boll injection experiments in combination with electron microscope observation collectively indicated that H2O2 burst, which is negatively regulated by ascorbate peroxidases (APx), plays an important role in the fiber initiation process. Taken together, our study demonstrates a putative network of DAP species related to fiber initiation in cotton ovules and provides a foundation for future studies on the specific functions of these proteins in fiber development.
The Significance of Experience in SLE Research

SUMMARY ’Experience’ is at the root of individual, socio‐environmental existence. Inquiries into its more ‘significant’ moments and episodes have arrived at a potentially important body of knowledge in environmental education. However, in the absence of parallel research efforts that demonstrate how the findings of those inquiries translate into contextually sensitive and socially useful educational practices, this discussion returns conceptually to questions posed by Louise Chawla about ‘inner nature’ and how significance of experience is socially constructed. To that future research agenda, I add the further question of how those constructions of ‘significance’ must be seen in relation to dominant social constructions of the ‘environment/nature’, sensitivity and activism. This begs the further question, exacerbated somewhat by the above lack of a connection with existing educational practices, of how teachers’ and learners’ thoughts and actions might also need to be examined in relation to dominant conc.
Hierarchical nanoporous metals as a path toward the ultimate three-dimensional functionality

Abstract Nanoporous metals prepared via dealloying or selective leaching of solid solution alloys and compounds represent an emerging class of materials. They possess a three-dimensional (3D) structure of randomly interpenetrating ligaments/nanopores with sizes between 5 nm and several tens of micrometers, which can be tuned by varying their preparation conditions (such as dealloying time and temperature) or additional thermal coarsening. As compared to other nanostructured materials, nanoporous metals have many advantages, including their bicontinuous structure, tunable pore sizes, bulk form, good electrical conductivity, and high structural stability. Therefore, nanoporous metals represent ideal 3D materials with versatile functionality, which can be utilized in various fields. In this review, we describe the recent applications of nanoporous metals in molecular detection, catalysis, 3D graphene synthesis, hierarchical pore formation, and additive manufacturing (3D printing) together with our own achievements in these areas. Finally, we discuss possible ways of realizing the ultimate 3D functionality beyond the scope of nanoporous metals.
Recognition of Minor Adult Hip Dysplasia: Which Anatomical Indices are Important?

The rise in popularity of hip arthroscopy has led to a renewed interest in mild hip dysplasia. There is a lack of clarity in the literature regarding both the diagnosis and management of such patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the relative importance of and the inter-relationship between the classically described anatomical indices of dysplasia. One hundred and fifty hips with varying degrees of hip dysplasia were studied. The following were measured: centre-edge (CE), Sharp's and Tönnis angles, acetabular head index (AHI), and acetabular index of depth to width (AIDW). Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated. Using the CE angle 82 hips were classified as normal and 68 dysplastic. Of the 82 patients with a normal CE angle, 20-39% were dysplastic on at least one other variable. The CE angle did not have a significant correlation to other variables. The remaining four variables showed inter-correlations between 0.26 and 0.54. Overall the Tönnis angle showed the strongest correlation with the other variables. In the patient group with CE angles 21° to 25° (minor dysplasia) 72% of hips had Tönnis angles greater than 10° and 28% had angles greater than or equal to 15° indicating the great variability in the level of dysplasia within this group. In patients with mild dysplasia we have shown that measurement of a single anatomical variable may lead to under-diagnosis. We recommend the measurement the CE angle combined with at least one other variable and suggest the use of the Tönnis angle.
Cancer vaccines

These are exciting times for the field of cancer immunotherapy. Although the clinical efficacy of monoclonal antibodies has been demonstrated since the early 1990s, the therapeutic profile of other immunotherapeutic approaches—especially vaccines—has not yet been formally clarified. However, the recent success of several immunotherapeutic regimens in cancer patients has boosted the development of this treatment modality. These achievements stemmed from recent scientific advances demonstrating the tolerogenic nature of cancer and the fundamental role of the tumor immune microenvironment in the suppression of antitumor immunity. New immunotherapeutic strategies against cancer attempt to promote protective antitumor immunity while disrupting the immunoregulatory circuits that contribute to tumor tolerance. Cancer vaccines differ from other anticancer immunotherapeutics in that they initiate the dynamic process of activating the immune system so as to successfully re-establish a state of equilibrium between tumor cells and the host. This article reviews recent clinical trials involving several different cancer vaccines and describes some of the most promising immunotherapeutic approaches that harness antitumor T-cell responses. In addition, we describe strategies whereby cancer vaccines can be exploited in combination with other therapeutic approach to overcome—in a synergistic fashion—tumor immunoevasion. Finally, we discuss prospects for the future development of broad spectrum prophylactic anticancer vaccines.
The effects of training on the heart rate during arm and leg exercise.

AbstractThe effect on heart rate obtained by training of the arm and leg muscles respectively was studied in healthy subjects. Training performed by arm work on a bicycle ergometer caused a significant reduction of the heart rate during this type of exercise but not during leg work. Neither did training performed with the legs reduce the group mean heart rate during arm work. In two subjects, however, training of the leg muscles caused heart rate reduction during leg as well as arm work. A further decline in heart rate during arm work was obtained by a subsequent arm-training program in these two subjects. It is concluded that a substantial part of the effect of short-term physical training on the heart rate derives from extra cardiac factors, i. e. alterations in the trained muscles.
Chronic stress and age-related increases in the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6

Overproduction of IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, is associated with a spectrum of age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, periodontal disease, frailty, and functional decline. To describe the pattern of change in IL-6 over 6 years among older adults undergoing a chronic stressor, this longitudinal community study assessed the relationship between chronic stress and IL-6 production in 119 men and women who were caregiving for a spouse with dementia and 106 noncaregivers, with a mean age at study entry of 70.58 (SD = 8.03) for the full sample. On entry into this portion of the longitudinal study, 28 of the caregivers' spouses had already died, and an additional 50 of the 119 spouses died during the 6 years of this study. Levels of IL-6 and health behaviors associated with IL-6 were measured across 6 years. Caregivers' average rate of increase in IL-6 was about four times as large as that of noncaregivers. Moreover, the mean annual changes in IL-6 among former caregivers did not differ from that of current caregivers even several years after the death of the impaired spouse. There were no systematic group differences in chronic health problems, medications, or health-relevant behaviors that might have accounted for caregivers' steeper IL-6 slope. These data provide evidence of a key mechanism through which chronic stressors may accelerate risk of a host of age-related diseases by prematurely aging the immune response.
Opportunistic network decoupling in multi-source interfering relay networks

We introduce a new achievability scheme, termed opportunistic network decoupling (OND), where a novel relay scheduling strategy is utilized in the K × N × K channel with interfering relays, consisting of K source - destination pairs and N half-duplex relays in-between them. A subset of relays using alternate relaying is opportunistically selected in terms of producing the minimum total interference level, thereby resulting in network decoupling. As our main result, it is shown that under a certain relay scaling condition, the OND protocol with alternate half-duplex relaying achieves K degrees-of-freedom even in the presence of interfering links among relays. Numerical evaluation is also shown to validate the performance of the proposed OND scheme.
The Effect of Vivid Attributes on the Evaluation of Alternatives: The Role of Differential Attention and Cognitive Elaboration

The differential attention model and the cognitive elaboration model suggest vivid information has certain properties that exert greater influence on attitudinal judgments than does nonvivid information. To test these models, subjects evaluated alternatives described in terms of vivid and nonvivid attributes and elaborated on the material in high and low elaboration conditions. Our results demonstrate disproportionate influence for vivid versus nonvivid attributes included in the same description only in the high elaboration condition. Findings suggest that cognitive elaboration may be a necessary condition to produce an effect for vividness on attitudes.
Spatial and Temporal Data Path Remapping for Fault-Tolerant Coarse-Grained Reconfigurable Architectures

In this contribution we apply a novel strategy for partial remapping to significantly enhance the reliability of coarse-grained reconfigurable architectures. If a component of the architecture is affected by a permanent error, it will be deactivated and the architecture is reconfigured to relinquish the concerned resource. This is achieved by spatially moving operations from defective to unused components. If no unused component is available, operations are additionally moved within time domain to free the required resources. In our experiments, we regard the failure of each single component in an array of processing elements. Depending on the resource usage of the application, between 70% and 100% of the defects can be tolerated. In average, the repair of one failure takes 36 seconds, and the clock frequency has to be reduced by just 0.8% to enable the execution of the changed application mapping.
The Co-Principal: Looking at Realities

modernization. And, in a time when many observers are concerned with improving instructional leadership in our schools, attention is once again being drawn to that last island of educational continuity, the school principalship. Today's American school principalship is a job of vast dimensions. Principals count among their manifold tasks the duties and responsibilities of instructional leader, building level supervisor, school treasurer and accountant, transportation coordinator, cafeteria manager, purchasing director, and building manager. Each of these areas has its own sublist of responsibilities that would give any business student a thesis topic in trying to design an organizational chart detailing the functions of a school principal. Principals, then, are survivors of a vanishing breed. They are the jack-of-all trades, the generalist, in an increasingly technical society. They are
Approximation algorithms for NP-complete problems on planar graphs

This paper describes a general technique that can be used to obtain approximation algorithms for various NP-complete problems on planar graphs. The strategy depends on decomposing a planar graph into subgraphs of a form we call k- outerplanar. For fixed k, the problems of interest are solvable optimally in linear time on k-outerplanar graphs by dynamic programming. For general planar graphs, if the problem is a maximization problem, such as maximum independent set, this technique gives for each k a linear time algorithm that produces a solution whose size is at least (k-1)/k optimal. If the problem is a minimization problem, such as minimum vertex cover, it gives for each k a linear time algorithm that produces a solution whose size is at most (k + 1)/k optimal. Taking k = c log log n or k = c log n, where n is the number of nodes and c is some constant, we get polynomial time approximation schemes, i.e. algorithms whose solution sizes converge toward optimal as n increases. The class of problems for which this approach provides approximation schemes includes maximum independent set, maximum tile salvage, partition into triangles, maximum H-matching, minimum vertex cover, minimum dominating set, and minimum edge dominating set. For these and certain other problems, the proof of solvability on k-outerplanar graphs also enlarges the class of planar graphs for which the problems are known to be solvable.
High voltage DC power supply topology for pulsed load applications with converter switching synchronized to load pulses

High voltage power supplies for radar applications are investigated, which are subjected to pulsed load (125 kHz and 10% duty cycle) with stringent specifications (<0.01% regulation, efficiency>85%, droop<0.5 V/micro-sec.). As good regulation and stable operation requires the converter to be switched at much higher frequency than the pulse load frequency, transformer poses serious problems of insulation failure and higher losses. This paper proposes a methodology to tackle the problems associated with this type of application. Synchronization of converter switching with load pulses enables the converter to switch at half the load switching frequency. Low switching frequency helps in ensuring safety of HV transformer insulation and reduction of losses due to skin and proximity effect. Phase-modulated series resonant converter with ZVS is used as the power converter.
Physical basis of two-tone interference in hearing

The cochlea uses active amplification to capture faint sounds. It has been proposed that the amplifier comprises a set of self-tuned critical oscillators: each hair cell contains a force-generating dynamical system that is maintained at the threshold of an oscillatory instability, or Hopf bifurcation. While the active response to a pure tone provides frequency selectivity, exquisite sensitivity, and wide dynamic range, its intrinsic nonlinearity causes tones of different frequency to interfere with one another in the cochlea. Here we determine the response to two tones, which provides a framework for understanding how the ear processes the more complex sounds of speech and music. Our calculations of two-tone suppression and the spectrum of distortion products generated by a critical oscillator accord with experimental observations of basilar membrane motion and the nervous response. We discuss how the response of a set of self-tuned oscillators, covering a range of characteristic frequencies, represents the structure of a complex sound. The frequency components of the stimulus can be inferred from the timing of neural spikes elicited by the vibrating hair cells. Passive prefiltering by the basilar membrane improves pitch discrimination by reducing interference between tones. Our analysis provides a general framework for examining the relation between the physical nature of the peripheral detection apparatus and psychophysical phenomena such as the sensation of dissonance and auditory illusions.
A unified method for blind separation of sparse sources with unknown source number

Blind source separation (BSS) is of high interest in practical applications. Some approaches are proposed for the unknown number of sources of the BSS problem. However, they only consider the overdetermined case with the number of sensors more than the number of sources. To implement the practical BSS without prior assumption on the number of sources, we propose a new BSS method. It uses the unsupervised robust C prototypes algorithm to estimate the mixing matrix and then makes the estimation of sources. Simulations using speech signals confirm the validity of the proposed method.