Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The cell wall-localized atypical β-1,3 glucanase ZERZAUST controls tissue morphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Orchestration of cellular behavior in plant organogenesis requires integration of intercellular communication and cell wall dynamics. The underlying signaling mechanisms are poorly understood. Tissue morphogenesis in Arabidopsis depends on the receptor-like kinase STRUBBELIG. Mutations in ZERZAUST were previously shown to result in a strubbelig-like mutant phenotype. Here, we report on the molecular identification and functional characterization of ZERZAUST. We show that ZERZAUST encodes a putative GPI-anchored β-1,3 glucanase suggested to degrade the cell wall polymer callose. However, a combination of in vitro, cell biological and genetic experiments indicate that ZERZAUST is not involved in the regulation of callose accumulation. Nonetheless, Fourier-transformed infrared-spectroscopy revealed that zerzaust mutants show defects in cell wall composition. Furthermore, the results indicate that ZERZAUST represents a mobile apoplastic protein, and that its carbohydrate-binding module family 43 domain is required for proper subcellular localization and function whereas its GPI anchor is dispensable. Our collective data reveal that the atypical β-1,3 glucanase ZERZAUST acts in a non-cell-autonomous manner and is required for cell wall organization during tissue morphogenesis. Summary: ZERZAUST acts in a non-cell-autonomous manner and is required for cell wall organization during tissue morphogenesis, while zerzaust mutants show defects in cell wall composition.
Local infiltration analgesia with levobupivacaine compared with intrathecal morphine in total hip arthroplasty patients

Recently, local infiltration analgesia (LIA) has been promoted for pain control after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We hypothesized that LIA would offer equal analgesic efficacy but less adverse effects, e.g., nausea and vomiting, when compared with an established regimen [intrathecal morphine (it‐M)] after THA.
Managing Cellular Billing Plan Switchings

Here we shall consider a very popular practical applied problem of managing mode switching (in this work we are considering managing billing plans). Out of the two parties (service provider and service consumer), participating in the processes modelled here, we shall consider only a consumer type of a problem. Herein we provide formal characterization of the problem as well as the elements necessary for its solution. We shall consider full predicted costs, originating when switching to a billing plan as a target index. The work contains an example that provides a detailed view of the application technology referring to the suggested problem solution algorithm. Using the example's data we have performed the analysis measuring the problem's sensitivity in relation to the growth of the traffic volume. Herein we provided a polynomial approximation of the target index value depending on the traffic volume.
Prediction of 1 Repetition Maximum in High‐School Power Lifters

Eighteen elite male power lifters performed 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and submaximal strength tests (70, 80, and 90% 1RM) to develop prediction equations for the squat (SQ), bench press (BP), and deadlift (DL) exercises. For each equation, stepwise multiple-regression prediction procedure included the maximum number of repetitions (REPS) completed at a given %1RM weight (REPWT). For SQ and BP the 70% 1RM yielded the best 1RM prediction equations: (1RM SQ [kg]) = 159.9 + (0.103 X REPS X REPWT) + (-11.552 X REPS), with a standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 5.06 kg; (1RM BP [kg]) = 90.66 + (0.085 X REPS X REPWT) + (-5.306 X REPS), with an SEE of 2.69 kg. For DL the 80% 1RM yielded the best prediction equation: (1RM DL [kg]) = 156.08 + (0.098 X REPS X REPWT) + (-12.106 X REPS), with an SEE of 4.97 kg. The athlete's years lifted (number of years of power lifting experience) was highly correlated with the 1RM strength for BP and DL (r > 0.70) but not for SQ (r < 0.70). No bodily structural dimension variable had a significant correlation with 1RM strength (r < 0.70). The results of this study indicate that 1RM SQ, BP, and DL may be predicted with an acceptable degree of accuracy in elite male high-school power lifter subjects.
Like Day and Night? Party Unity in Legislative Voting in Parliamentarianism and Presidentialism

Using statistical methods (e.g. Praise-Winsten regression with panel corrected standard errors and binary logistic regression) common hypotheses about party unity in parliamentarian and presidential regimes are tested. For this purpose I use an extensive compilation of data on party unity in democracies. Parliamentarianism proves to be a (nearly) sufficient condition for high party unity. Presidentialism turns out to be a necessary condition for low party unity. But to suppose that there is always no or little party unity in presidentialism is wrong. It is hard to imagine modern democracies without parties and in modern democracies agenda-setting in legislatures is dominated by the governments. The condition “presidentialism vs. non-presidentialism” remains to have the biggest explanatory power for the differences of party unity in different countries. Competition between candidates of the same party during national elections (whereby the authority of party leadership is constricted) explains a great deal of the large variation of party unity in presidential democracies. In parliamentary democracies, however, this factor has no effect as a non-presidential government nearly guarantees a high level of party unity.
Virological Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Esophagitis by Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) esophagitis diagnosis is routinely based on the endoscopic findings confirmed by histopathological examination of the esophagitis lesions. Virological diagnosis is not systematically performed and restricted to viral culture or to qualitative PCR assay from esophagitis biopsy specimens. The aim of this study was to assess the interest of quantitative real-time PCR assay in HSV-1 esophagitis diagnosis by comparing the results obtained to those of histological examination associated with immunohistochemical staining, which is considered the “gold standard. ” From 53 esophagitis biopsy specimens, the PCR assay detected HSV-1 in 18 of 19 histologically proven to have herpetic esophagitis and in 9 of 34 that had esophagitis related to other causes, demonstrating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 94.7%, 73%, 66.7%, and 96%, respectively. Interestingly, HSV-1 was not detected in 16 specimens without the histological aspect of esophagitis. The viral loads normalized per μg of total extracted DNA in each biopsy specimen detected positive by HSV PCR were then compared and appeared to be significantly higher in histopathologically positive herpetic esophagitis (median = 2.9 × 106 ± 1.1 × 108) than in histopathologically negative herpetic esophagitis (median = 3.1 × 103 ± 6.2 × 103) (P = 0.0009). Moreover, a receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed that a viral load threshold greater than 2.5 × 104 copies would allow an HSV-1 esophagitis diagnosis with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that HSV quantitative PCR results for paraffin-embedded esophageal tissue was well correlated to histopathological findings for an HSV-1 esophagitis diagnosis and could be diagnostic through viral load assessment when histopathological results are missing or uncertain.
10 Years of Environmental Change on the Slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Its Associated Shift in Malaria Vector Distributions

Introduction Malaria prevalence has declined in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania over the past 10 years, particularly at lower altitudes. While this decline has been related to the scale-up of long-lasting insecticidal nets to achieve universal coverage targets, it has also been attributed to changes in environmental factors that are important for enabling and sustaining malaria transmission. Objectives Herein, we apply spatial analytical approaches to investigate the impact of environmental and demographic changes, including changes in temperature, precipitation, land cover, and population density, on the range of the major malaria vector species Anopheles arabiensis in two districts of Tanzania, situated on the southern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. These models are used to identify environmental changes that have occurred over a 10-year period and highlight the implications for malaria transmission in this highland region. Methods Entomological data were collected from the Hai and Lower Moshi districts of Tanzania in 2001–2004 and 2014–2015. Vector occurrence data were applied alongside satellite remote sensing indices of climate and land cover, and gridded population data, to develop species distribution models for An. arabiensis for the 2004 and 2014 periods using maximum entropy. Models were compared to assess the relative contribution of different environmental and demographic factors to observed trends in vector species distribution in lowland and highland areas. Results Changes in land cover were observed in addition to increased population densities, increased warm season temperature, and decreased wetness at low altitudes. The predicted area and extent of suitable habitat for An. arabiensis declined across the study area over the 10-year period, with notable contraction at lower altitudes, while species range in higher altitude zones expanded. Importantly, deforestation and warmer temperatures at higher altitudes may have created stable areas of suitable vector habitat in the highlands capable of sustaining malaria transmission. Conclusion We show that environmental changes have had an important influence on the distribution of malaria vector species in a highland area of northern Tanzania. Highland areas may be at continued risk for sporadic malaria outbreaks despite the overall range contraction of principal vector species at lower altitudes, where malaria transmission remains at low intensity.
Firm Size and Cooperation: The Determinants of Cooperative Agreements in Information Technology Industries

This paper aims to shed light on factors that lead firms to resort to collaborative ventures. Specific attention is devoted to the role of firm size. The study relies on an extensive econometric analysis of a representative sample of firms in three Information Technology industries (semiconductor, data processing, and telecommunications). Data relating to the number and type of agreements concluded by firms, provided by the ARPA database developed at Politecnico di Milano, are correlated with firm-, industry- and country-specific variables. The findings of the econometric estimates point to the importance of firm size, scope of activity within the industries considered, diversification in related industries, and, to a less extent, degree of internationalization in explaining use of agreements. Moreover, the study provides preliminary evidence in support of a complementary relation between interfirm linkages and R&D expenditures. A positive correlation with growth rates also seems to emerge. In contrast, the s regarding the relation between internal capital expenditures and recourse to agreements are mixed.
Forecasting models for tourism demand in city dominated and coastal areas

The paper uses Structural time series models to forecast the demand for tourism by nationality in coastal and city-dominated Spanish provinces. Intervention variables are introduced to take account of sudden shocks to tourism demand, such as the bombing of Libya and football's World Cup. The model demonstrates the considerable differences in demand by nationality, and in seasonality, which can occur at the subnational level. The Structural model generally provided more accurate forecasts than Box-Jenkins models. The results indicate that, ceteris paribus, the tourism demand growth rates in the Spanish provinces considered are unlikely to revert to their previous high levels.
Price divergence from fundamental value and the value relevance of accounting information

By employing two alternative measures of fundamental value, we re-examine the value relevance of accounting information over time. Consistent with some recent studies (e.g. Dontoh et al. 2007), we do not find evidence on the temporal decline in R-squares of conventional value-relevance regressions when the stock price is replaced by these measures as the dependent variable. Further, our results show that the divergence between fundamental value and the prevailing stock price: (1) increases over time and (2) is associated with measures of noise trading and other arbitrage risks and costs. Additional analyses also reveal that proxies measuring the extent of noise trading increase over time, consistent with Dontoh et al. (2004). Overall, we do not find evidence that there is a loss over time in the value relevance of accounting information with respect to fundamental value. More importantly, we show that measures of price divergence are associated with noise trading as well as other arbitrage costs and risks (such as transaction costs and information uncertainty) that prohibit market prices from converging to fundamental values.
Machine Learning Applied to Airspeed Prediction During

In this paper, we apply Machine Learning methods to improve the aircraft climb prediction in the context of groundbased applications. Mass and speed intent are key parameters for climb prediction. As they are considered as competitive parameters by many airlines, they are currently not available to groundbased trajectory predictors. Consequently, most predictors today use reference parameters that may be quite different from the actual ones. In our most recent paper ([1]), we have demonstrated that Machine Learning techniques provide a mass estimation significantly more precise than two state-of-the-art mass estimation methods. In this paper, we apply similar techniques to the speed intent. We first build a set of examples by adjusting CAS/Mach speed profile to each climb trajectory in our database. Then, using the adjusted values (ĉas, M̂) in this database, we learn a model able to predict the (cas,M) values of a new trajectory, using its past points as input. We apply this technique to actual Mode-C radar data and we consider 9 different aircraft types. When compared with the reference speed profiles provided by BADA, the reduction of the speed RMSE ranges from 36 % to 79 %, depending on the aircraft type. Using the predicted mass and speed profile, BADA is used to compute the predicted future trajectory with a 10 minute horizon. When compared with BADA used with the reference parameters, the reduction of the future altitude RMSE ranges from 45 % to 87 %.
Evaluation of CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein (C/EBP) Alpha (CEBPA) and Runt‐Related Transcription Factor 1 (RUNX1) Expression in Patients with De Novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) alpha (CEBPA) and Runt‐related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) genes have been traditionally regarded as two essential genes involved in normal myeloid maturation. Although the link between mutations in these genes and the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been extensively documented, the ramifications of gene expression dysregulations of CEBPA and RUNX1 has drawn less attention. The present study investigated CEBPA and RUNX1 gene expression levels in 96 primary AML specimens against a normal control group by way of real‐time RT‐PCR. Our results reveal that CEBPA and RUNX1 gene expression levels were unexpectedly and significantly higher in patients with AML when compared to the levels detected in the normal control group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the correlation between CEBPA and RUNX1 was significant and positive (P‐value: 0.011, r: 0.257).
siRNA-mediated silencing of Notch-1 enhances docetaxel induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

PURPOSE Notch is an important signaling pathway that regulates cell fate, stem cell maintenance and the initiation of differentiation in many tissues. It has been reported that activation of Notch-1 contributes to tumorigenesis. However, whether Notch signaling might have a role in chemoresistance of prostate cancer is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Notch-1 silencing on the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to docetaxel treatment. METHODS siRNA against Notch-1 was transfected into PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were examined in the presence or absence of docetaxel by MTT and flow cytometry. Expression of p21(waf1/cip1) and Akt as well as activation of Akt in PC-3 cells were detected by Western blot and Real-time PCR. RESULTS Silencing of Notch-1 promoted docetaxel induced cell growth inhibition, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in PC-3 cells. In addition, these effects were associated with increased p21(waf1/cip1) expression and decreased Akt expression and activation in PC-3 cells. CONCLUSION Notch-1 promotes chemoresistance of prostate cancer and could be a potential therapeutic target.
Mutations in the Listerial proB Gene Leading to Proline Overproduction: Effects on Salt Tolerance and Murine Infection

ABSTRACT The observed sensitivity of Listeria monocytogenes to the toxic proline analogue l-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (AZ) suggested that proline synthesis in Listeria may be regulated by feedback inhibition of γ-glutamyl kinase (GK), the first enzyme of the proline biosynthesis pathway, encoded by theproB gene. Taking advantage of the Epicurian coli mutator strain XL1-Red, we performed random mutagenesis of the recently described proBA operon and generated three independent mutations in the listerial proB homologue, leading to proline overproduction and salt tolerance when expressed in an E. coli (ΔproBA) background. While each of the mutations (located within a conserved 26-amino-acid region of GK) was shown to confer AZ resistance (AZr) on an L. monocytogenes proBA mutant, listerial transformants failed to exhibit the salt-tolerant phenotype observed in E. coli. Since proline accumulation has previously been linked to the virulence potential of a number of pathogenic bacteria, we analyzed the effect of proline overproduction on Listeria pathogenesis. However, our results suggest that as previously described for proline auxotrophy, proline hyperproduction has no apparent impact on the virulence potential of Listeria.
European Integration and the Demand for Broad Money

Co-integration analysis and error-correction modelling show that a stable and predictable aggregate demand for broad money holds for the group of countries participating in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) of the European Monetary System. This result seems robust to different econometric techniques, samples and methods of conversion of national variables into ecus. Furthermore, ERM-wide equations compare favourably with national equations and with the previous estimates of area-wide equations for narrow money. These findings suggest that an area-wide broad monetary aggregate can play a useful role in the co-ordination of monetary policy at the European level.
The Mu Transposase Interwraps Distant DNA Sites within a Functional Transpososome in the Absence of DNA Supercoiling*

A Mu transpososome assembled on negatively supercoiled DNA traps five supercoils by intertwining the left (L) and right (R) ends of Mu with an enhancer element (E). To investigate the contribution of DNA supercoiling to this elaborate synapse in which E and L cross once, E and R twice, and L and R twice, we have analyzed DNA crossings in a transpososome assembled on nicked substrates under conditions that bypass the supercoiling requirement for transposition. We find that the transposase MuA can recreate an essentially similar topology on nicked substrates, interwrapping both E-R and L-R twice but being unable to generate the single E-L crossing. In addition, we deduce that the functional MuA tetramer must contribute to three of the four observed crossings and, thus, to restraining the enhancer within the complex. We discuss the contribution of both MuA and DNA supercoiling to the 5-noded Mu synapse built at the 3-way junction.
Policies and Programmes for Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods: Recent English Experience

This paper sets out to review to what extent policies aimed at improving the quality of ‘council-built’ neighbourhoods achieved their objectives in the period 1975–2000, and the relevance of the experience for current policy. It discusses the main approaches to and diagnoses of problem estates, including the failure of the welfare state, the absence of enterprise, the failure of housing management, ‘housing is not enough’ and ‘effort fragmentation’, and provides an evaluation of the impacts of the main programmes, based mainly on the results of official evaluations. The paper notes the difficulties in making assessments of impacts in this area due to data shortcomings, but concludes that over 20 years of policies and programmes did not resolve the complex problems of these estates, nor reposition council-built estates from the bottom of the residential hierarchy. It suggests the reason for this failure was partly that the macro-economic climate and other government policies were countervailing, but also that policy lacked both clear goals and a good understanding of the problems to be faced. It also notes that housing improvements were often compromised by the failure to deal with wider problems. The paper argues that recent policy shows more promise, and seeks to better integrate mainstream spending programmes with area initiatives, although there is little evidence yet on how this is really working.
The Distribution of Futures Prices: A Test of the Stable Paretian and Mixture of Normals Hypotheses

Abstract Two alternate hypotheses, the stable Paretian and mixture of normals, have been proposed to explain the observed thick-tailed distributions of futures price movements. The two hypotheses are tested by applying the stability-under-addition test of stable distribution parameters to twenty lengthy time series of changes in daily closing futures prices. Tests are conducted on both the original data series and randomized data. The results offer support for the mixture of normals hypothesis.
Caspase-Independent Cell Death by CD300LF (MAIR-V), an Inhibitory Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor on Myeloid Cells1

The myeloid-associated Ig-like receptor family (CD300) consists of nine activating or inhibitory cell surface receptors preferentially expressed on myeloid cells and are encoded by the genes in a small cluster on mouse chromosome 11. One of the receptors, CD300LF (MAIR-V), has a long cytoplasmic tail containing two consensus ITIMs and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switching motif, suggesting that CD300LF regulates the activation of myeloid cells. However, the functional characteristics of this receptor are still incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrate that cross-linking CD300LF with anti-CD300LF mAb induced cell death in peritoneal macrophages as well as in several transfectants expressing CD300LF. CD300LF-mediated cell death was dependent on the cytoplasmic region but did not require an ITIM or immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switching motif. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a loss of blebs from the surface of the dead cells mediated by CD300LF, a morphological feature similar to that observed in apoptotic cells. However, CD300LF-mediated cell death was not inhibited by a caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, or autophagy inhibitors, 3-methyladenine or N-acetyl-l-cystein. Moreover, the splicing isoform of a transcription factor, X-box binding protein-1, which is produced in dead cells as a response to endoplasmic reticulum stress, was not detected. Together, these results indicate that CD300LF mediates caspase and endoplasmic reticulum stress-independent cell death by a novel mechanism.