Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foliar morphological and physiological plasticity in Picea abies and Abies alba saplings along a natural light gradient.

The role of morphological versus physiological foliar plasticity in the capacity for, and mechanisms of, photosynthetic acclimation was assessed in Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Abies alba Mill. saplings in a forest gap-understory light gradient (relative irradiance, RI, ranging from 0.02 to 0.32). The species investigated showed a similar foliar morphological plasticity along the light gradient, at both the needle level (through alteration in leaf dry mass per area) and the shoot level (through alteration in the silhouette area ratio, e.g., shoot silhouette to projected needle area ratio). In both species chlorophyll (Chl) concentration on a mass basis decreased at increasing RI, but was independent of RI when expressed on an area basis. In contrast, leaf N concentration on a mass basis was independent of RI, but was positively influenced by RI when expressed on an area basis. The parameters describing photosynthetic performance at low light (dark respiration rate, apparent quantum yield and light compensation point) suggest that Abies alba was better suited to maintain a positive carbon balance in shaded conditions. By contrast, parameters describing biochemical capacity at high light (maximum electron transport rate, Jmax and maximum ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylation capacity, Vcmax) indicate that only Picea abies was capable of acclimating physiologically to high photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) by increasing nitrogen partitioning to Rubisco and Vcmax/mass by increasing RI. These results support the hypothesis that interspecific differences in nitrogen partitioning within the photosynthetic apparatus may provide a mechanistic basis for species separation along a light gradient. The differences in photosynthetic plasticity observed are likely to influence regeneration patterns and habitat breadth of the species investigated. The limited ability of Abies alba saplings to exploit high-light conditions may be a competitive disadvantage in large canopy gaps and thus limit recruitment of this species to small gaps.
A Phase I, First-in-Human Study of AMG 780, an Angiopoietin-1 and -2 Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Purpose: To assess the toxicity, pharmacokinetics, tumor vascular response, tumor response, and pharmacodynamics of AMG 780, a mAb designed to inhibit the interaction between angiopoietin-1 and -2 and the Tie2 receptor. Experimental Design: This was a phase I dose-escalation study of patients with advanced solid tumors refractory to standard treatment without previous antiangiogenic treatment. AMG 780 was administered by intravenous infusion every 2 weeks in doses from 0.1 to 30 mg/kg. The primary endpoints were incidences of dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and adverse events (AE), and pharmacokinetics. Secondary endpoints included tumor response, changes in tumor volume and vascularity, and anti-AMG 780 antibody formation. Results: Forty-five patients were enrolled across nine dose cohorts. Three patients had DLTs (0.6, 10, and 30 mg/kg), none of which prevented dose escalation. At 30 mg/kg, no MTD was reached. Pharmacokinetics of AMG 780 were dose proportional; median terminal elimination half-life was 8 to 13 days. No anti-AMG 780 antibodies were detected. At week 5, 6 of 16 evaluable patients had a >20% decrease in volume transfer constant (Ktrans), suggesting reduced capillary blood flow/permeability. The most frequent AEs were hypoalbuminemia (33%), peripheral edema (29%), decreased appetite (27%), and fatigue (27%). Among 35 evaluable patients, none had an objective response; 8 achieved stable disease. Conclusions: AMG 780 could be administered at doses up to 30 mg/kg every 2 weeks in patients with advanced solid tumors. AMG 780 treatment resulted in tumor vascular effects in some patients. AEs were in line with toxicity associated with antiangiopoietin treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 22(18); 4574–84. ©2016 AACR.
Role of the Antigenic Loop of the Hepatitis B Virus Envelope Proteins in Infectivity of Hepatitis Delta Virus

ABSTRACT The infectious particles of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) are coated with the large, middle, and small envelope proteins encoded by HBV. While it is clear that the N-terminal pre-S1 domain of the large protein, which is exposed at the virion surface, is implicated in binding to a cellular receptor at viral entry, the role in infectivity of the envelope protein antigenic loop, also exposed to the virion surface and accessible to neutralizing antibodies, remains to be established. In the present study, mutations were created in the antigenic loop of the three envelope proteins, and the resulting mutants were evaluated for their capacity to assist in the maturation and infectivity of HDV. We observed that short internal combined deletions and insertions, affecting residues 109 to 133 in the antigenic loop, were tolerated for secretion of both subviral HBV particles and HDV virions. However, when assayed for infectivity on primary cultures of human hepatocytes or on the recently described HepaRG cell line, virions carrying deletions between residues 118 and 129 were defective. Single amino acid substitutions in this region revealed that Gly-119, Pro-120, Cys-121, Arg-122, and Cys-124 were instrumental in viral entry. These results demonstrate that in addition to a receptor-binding site previously identified in the pre-S1 domain of the L protein, a determinant of infectivity resides in the antigenic loop of HBV envelope proteins.
TS-fuzzy based controller for grid connected PV system

Grid connected photo voltaic system is emerging as reliable and sustainable solution in future renewable energy segment. General structure of solar photovoltaic array (SPVA) consist of PV cell which convert irradiation in to electrical energy and control the flow of converter that energy fed into the grid or load. This paper presents a control scheme for a grid connected voltage source converter (VSC) based on Synchronous reference frame theory (SRFT), Takagi Sugeno fuzzy logic control scheme (TSFLC) is developed to control DC link voltage and regulate it to its reference value. A Complete two stage grid-connected photovoltaic system consisting of PV array, DC to DC Boost converter, MPPT control algorithm, SRFT control scheme for VSC is designed and discussed. On sunny days, the system injects PV generated power to the load, remaining power required by the load will be provided by the grid. Hence SPVA and the grid system together process all the reactive and active load power. If the load requirement is less then PV generation the extra energy is fed to the grid. Simulation results show the validity of the PV system under various load conditions. The array is interfaced to the grid through power conditioning unit (PCU) to change output voltages and currents. The total harmonic distortion for various load conditions falls within two percentage in proposed control scheme.
Filter-Antenna Module Using Substrate Integrated Waveguide Cavities

A design procedure for filter-antenna modules based on substrate integrated waveguide cavities is presented in this letter. The filter-antenna module is modeled as an asynchronously tuned coupled-resonator circuit in which the last resonator also contains the radiating element. The design of the filter-antenna module is based on the classical process applied to obtain filters through the use of coupled resonators. The designed filter-antenna module is manufactured and measured, obtaining the following: a central frequency (fo) of 1.94 GHz, a -3-dB fractional band- width (FBW) of 5.57%, a gain (G) of 4.87 dBi, a front-to-back ratio (FTBR) of 25.60 dB, and a co-to-cross-polarization ratio of 22.86 dB in the direction of maximum radiation. The integration of the filter and the antenna into just one module leads to a reduction of size and weight in the RF front-end, while the implementation by means of the substrate integrated waveguide technique makes the integration with planar circuits easier.
Constipation: proposed natural laxative mixtures.

The treatment of constipation in the elderly is one of the most common problems encountered by the geriatric nurse practitioner (Aman, 1990; Brocklehurst, 1983; Shefts, 1984). Management of bowel habits with this age group is difficult, often resulting in mismanagement and the need for invasive measures, such as suppositories and enemas. Yet, it is possible bowel habits for these patients might be regulated by maintaining their dietary, dentition, and mobility requirements so that the use of invasive measures as well as associated product costs are minimized. A review of the literature revealed normal defecation ranges in frequency from three times a day to three times a week (Connel, 1965). As reported by Wright and Staats (1986), however, the "interval between bowel movements generally lengthens in debilitated older people. "
Relative Frequencies of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies and Optic Neuropathies in Southern France: Assessment of 21-year Data Management

ABSTRACT Purpose: Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) and inherited optic neuropathies (IONs) are rare diseases defined by specific clinical and molecular features. The relative prevalence of these conditions was determined in Southern France. Methods: Patients recruited from a specialized outpatient clinic over a 21-year period underwent extensive clinical investigations and 107 genes were screened by polymerase chain reaction/sequencing. Results: There were 1957 IRD cases (1481 families) distributed in 70% of pigmentary retinopathy cases (56% non-syndromic, 14% syndromic), 20% maculopathies and 7% stationary conditions. Patients with retinitis pigmentosa were the most frequent (47%) followed by Usher syndrome (10.8%). Among non-syndromic pigmentary retinopathy patients, 84% had rod-cone dystrophy, 8% cone-rod dystrophy and 5% Leber congenital amaurosis. Macular dystrophies were encountered in 398 cases (30% had Stargardt disease and 11% had Best disease). There were 184 ION cases (127 families) distributed in 51% with dominant optic neuropathies, 33% with recessive/sporadic forms and 16% with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Positive molecular results were obtained in 417/609 families with IRDs (68.5%) and in 27/58 with IONs (46.5%). The sequencing of 5 genes (ABCA4, USH2A, MYO7A, RPGR and PRPH2) provided a positive molecular result in 48% of 417 families with IRDs. Except for autosomal retinitis pigmentosa, in which less than half the families had positive molecular results, about 75% of families with other forms of retinal conditions had a positive molecular diagnosis. Conclusions: Although gene discovery considerably improved molecular diagnosis in many subgroups of IRDs and IONs, retinitis pigmentosa, accounting for almost half of IRDs, remains only partly molecularly defined.
Board Characteristics and Credit‐Union Performance

We examine the role of board characteristics on the performance of Australian credit unions during the period 2004&#8211;2012. Credit unions are unique as they are member&#8208;owned institutions, and their directors are democratically elected by their members &#8211; an unusual governance structure that poses challenges for board effectiveness. We find that board remuneration, board expertise and attendance at meetings are associated with increased credit&#8208;union performance and are consistent with the goal of maximising member benefits. While the unique features of credit unions limit the presence of external monitoring mechanisms, we provide evidence that these board characteristics are relevant for credit unions.
All-fiber passively Q-switched ytterbium laser

In this paper, we propose an all-fiber and simultaneously low-cost solution, where a double-clad Yb-doped fiber laser employing Sm-doped fiber as a saturable absorber results in passive Q-switch operation, and in association with a 6 W-diode pumping allows generation of gigantic pulses with 30 W/2.5 W-peak/average power contrast and excellent pulse-to pulse stability.
MODEL PEMBERDAYAAN PETANI MENUJU KETAHANAN PANGAN KELUARGA

The purpose of this study was to analyze the model of farmer empowerment for household food security. Research design was cross sectional, it was conducted in Lebak District on March - November 2010. The data collected was household characteristics, consumption, level of farmer empowerment, and household food security. A systematic stratified random sampling was applied to select 95 farmer households. The path analysis was applied to analyze Model of Farmer Empowerment for Household Food Security . The results showed that 42.1% of farmer household are food insecure, and most of them (52.6%) have low level of empowerment. Model of farmer empowerment for food security can be started with the development and strengthening of megapolitan environment, followed by strengthening the means of production and capital.
Peloruside A Does Not Bind to the Taxoid Site on β-Tubulin and Retains Its Activity in Multidrug-Resistant Cell Lines

Peloruside A (peloruside), a microtubule-stabilizing agent from a marine sponge, is less susceptible than paclitaxel to multidrug resistance arising from overexpression of the P-glycoprotein efflux pump and is not affected by mutations that affect the taxoid binding site of β-tubulin. In vitro studies with purified tubulin indicate that peloruside directly induces tubulin polymerization in the absence of microtubule-associated proteins. Competition for binding between peloruside, paclitaxel, and laulimalide revealed that peloruside binds to a different site on tubulin to paclitaxel. Moreover, laulimalide was able to displace peloruside, indicating that peloruside and laulimalide may compete for the same or overlapping binding sites. It was concluded that peloruside and laulimalide have binding properties that are distinct from other microtubule-stabilizing compounds currently under investigation.
Anguillicola crassus infection affects mRNA expression levels in gas gland tissue of European yellow and silver eel

Using Illumina sequencing, we investigated transcriptional changes caused by the nematode Anguillicola crassus within yellow and silver eels by comparing swimbladder samples of uninfected yellow with infected yellow eels, and uninfected silver with infected silver eels, respectively. In yellow eel gas gland, the infection caused a modification of steady state mRNA levels of 1675 genes, most of them being upregulated. Functional annotation analysis based on GO terms was used to categorize identified genes with regard to swimbladder metabolism or response to the infection. In yellow eels, the most prominent category was ‘immune response’, including various inflammatory components, complement proteins, and immunoglobulins. The elevated expression of several glucose and monocarboxylate transporters indicated an attempt to maintain the level of glucose metabolism, even in due to the infection thickened swimbladder tissue. In silver eel swimbladder tissue, on the contrary, the mRNA levels of only 291 genes were affected. Genes in the categories ‘glucose metabolism’ and ‘ROS metabolism’ barely responded to the infection and even the reaction of the immune system was much less pronounced compared to infected yellow eels. However, in the category ‘extracellular matrix’, the mRNA levels of several mucin genes were strongly elevated, suggesting increased mucus production as a defense reaction against the parasite. The present study revealed a strong reaction to an Anguillicola crassus infection on mRNA expression levels in swimbladder tissue of yellow eels, whereas in silver eels the changes ware almost negligible. A possible explanation for this difference is that the silvering process requires so much energy that there is not much scope to cope with the additional challenge of a nematode infection. Another possible explanation could be that gas-secreting activity of the silver eel swimbladder was largely reduced, which could coincide with a reduced responsiveness to other challenges, like a nematode infection.
Do Low-Effort Learning Strategies Mediate Impaired Memory in ADHD?

As a group, participants with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are impaired in academic performance and learning. This may be due to a mild intellectual impairment, impaired attention, or inability to allocate sufficient effort. If the latter is the case, this should be evident in the learning strategies applied. Four indices of learning strategy, considered to measure degree of effort, were analyzed from 67 participants with ADHD and 67 age-matched normal controls between 9 and 16 years of age. The participants with ADHD were impaired with regard to semantic clustering, retroactive interference, and percentage items reported from the middle section of the list even when controlling for IQ and comorbid conduct or oppositional defiant disorders symptoms. In addition, participants with combined ADHD (ADHD-C) did not display the normal proactive interference effect. The four effort indices explained 39% and 35% of the variance in free recall among participants with inattentive ADHD (ADHD-I) and ADHD-C, respectively. IQ was still significant when the effect of strategy measures were accounted for, whereas diagnosis was no longer significant when entered into the regression analysis after the effort indices. The study shows that participants with ADHD employ less effortful learning strategies than healthy controls and that low effort to a large degree can account for diagnosis related variance in memory performance.
Advancements in the design and scalable production of viral gene transfer vectors

The last 10 years have seen a rapid expansion in the use of viral gene transfer vectors, with approved therapies and late stage clinical trials underway for the treatment of genetic disorders, and multiple forms of cancer, as well as prevention of infectious diseases through vaccination. With this increased interest and widespread adoption of viral vectors by clinicians and biopharmaceutical industries, there is an imperative to engineer safer and more efficacious vectors, and develop robust, scalable and cost‐effective production platforms for industrialization. This review will focus on major innovations in viral vector design and production systems for three of the most widely used viral vectors: Adenovirus, Adeno‐Associated Virus, and Lentivirus.
Regulation of slowly activating potassium current (IKs) by secretin in rat pancreatic acinar cells

1 The secretagogue‐activated K+ conductance is indispensable for the electrogenic Cl− secretion in exocrine tissue. In this study, we investigated the effect of secretin and other cAMP‐mediated secretagogues on the slowly activating voltage‐dependent K+ current (IKs) of rat pancreatic acinar cells (RPAs) with the whole‐cell patch clamp technique. 2 Upon depolarization, RPAs showed IKs superimposed upon the instantaneous background outward current. Secretin (5 nm), vasoactive intestinal peptide (5 nm), forskolin (5 μm), isoprenaline (10 μm) or 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX, 0.1 mm) increased the amplitude of IKs two‐ to fourfold. 3 The physiological concentration of secretin (50 pm) had a relatively weak effect on IKs (160 % increase), which was significantly enhanced by transient co‐stimulation with carbachol (CCh) (10 μm). However, the secretin‐induced production of cAMP, which was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, was not augmented by co‐stimulation with CCh. 4 This study is the first to demonstrate the regulation of K+ channels in RPAs by cAMP‐mediated agonists. The IKs channel is a common target for both Ca2+ and cAMP agonists. The vagal stimulation under the physiological concentration of secretin facilitates IKs, which provides an additional driving force for Cl− secretion.
Embolism spread in the primary xylem of Polystichum munitum: implications for water transport during seasonal drought.

Xylem network structure and function have been characterized for many woody plants, but less is known about fern xylem, particularly in species endemic to climates where water is a limiting resource for months at a time. We characterized seasonal variability in soil moisture and frond water status in a common perennial fern in the redwood understory of a costal California, and then investigated the consequences of drought-induced embolism on vascular function. Seasonal variability in air temperature and soil water content was minimal, and frond water potential declined slowly over the observational period. Our data show that Polystichum munitum was protected from significant drought-induced hydraulic dysfunction during this growing season because of a combination of cavitation resistant conduits (Air-seeding threshold (ASP) = -1.53 MPa; xylem pressure inducing 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity (P50 ) = -3.02 MPa) and a soil with low moisture variability. High resolution micro-computed tomography (MicroCT) imaging revealed patterns of embolism formation in vivo for the first time in ferns providing insight into the functional status of the xylem network under drought conditions. Together with stomatal conductance measurements, these data suggest that P. munitum is adapted to tolerate drier conditions than what was observed during the growing season.
Hierarchical Factor Models for Large Spatially Misaligned Data: A Low‐Rank Predictive Process Approach

This article deals with jointly modeling a large number of geographically referenced outcomes observed over a very large number of locations. We seek to capture associations among the variables as well as the strength of spatial association for each variable. In addition, we reckon with the common setting where not all the variables have been observed over all locations, which leads to spatial misalignment. Dimension reduction is needed in two aspects: (i) the length of the vector of outcomes, and (ii) the very large number of spatial locations. Latent variable (factor) models are usually used to address the former, although low‐rank spatial processes offer a rich and flexible modeling option for dealing with a large number of locations. We merge these two ideas to propose a class of hierarchical low‐rank spatial factor models. Our framework pursues stochastic selection of the latent factors without resorting to complex computational strategies (such as reversible jump algorithms) by utilizing certain identifiability characterizations for the spatial factor model. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is developed for estimation that also deals with the spatial misalignment problem. We recover the full posterior distribution of the missing values (along with model parameters) in a Bayesian predictive framework. Various additional modeling and implementation issues are discussed as well. We illustrate our methodology with simulation experiments and an environmental data set involving air pollutants in California.
Polymerase chain reaction for detection of Leptospira spp. in clinical samples

A sensitive assay for Leptospira spp. , the causative agent of leptospirosis, was developed on the basis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A 331-bp sequence from the Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola rrs (16S) gene was amplified, and the PCR products were analyzed by DNA-DNA hybridization by using a 289-bp fragment internal to the amplified DNA. Specific PCR products also were obtained with DNA from the closely related nonpathogenic Leptospira biflexa but not with DNA from other spirochetes, such as Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia hermsii, Treponema denticola, Treponema pallidum, Spirochaeta aurantia, or more distant organisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Proteus mirabilis. The assay was able to detect as few as 10 bacteria. Leptospira DNA was detected in urine from experimentally infected mice. In addition, the test was found to be suitable for diagnosing leptospirosis in humans. Cerebrospinal fluid and urine from patients with leptospirosis were positive, whereas samples from control uninfected patients were negative.