Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomics assisted proteomic analysis of Nicotiana occidentalis infected by Candidatus Phytoplasma mali strain AT

Phytoplasmas are pathogenic bacteria within the class of Mollicutes, which are associated with more than 1000 plant diseases. In this study, we applied quantitative mass spectrometry to analyse affected pathways of the model plant tobacco (Nicotiana occidentalis) upon Candidatus Phytoplasma mali strain AT infection. Using tissue obtained from leaf midribs, 1466 plant‐assigned proteins were identified. For 1019 of these proteins, we could reproducibly quantify the expression changes of infected versus noninfected plants, of which 157 proteins were up‐ and 173 proteins were downregulated. Differential expression took place in a number of pathways, among others strong downregulation of porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism and upregulation of alpha‐linolenic acid metabolism, which was consistent with observed increased levels of jasmonic acid, a key signal molecule of plant defence. Our data shed light on the molecular networks that are involved in defence of plants against phytoplasma infection and provide a resource for further studies.
The State of Parent Training: Program Offerings and Empirical Support

Parent training programs, with a range of empirical support, are available to improve parenting skills and reduce child behavior problems. Yet, little is known about programs provided in typical communities. This pilot study's purpose was to identify and describe parent programs–-and the agencies that provide them–-in one midsized Midwestern city. The sample included 21 program directors and 25 practitioners employed by 19 agencies. Data were gathered using structured phone interviews. Of the 35 programs represented, 37.1% were developed by the agency, while close to two thirds were previously developed interventions. Only a small number of the parent programs identified were classified into the category of strong empirical support; however, several included hallmarks often associated with empirically supported parent programs.
Semi-Supervised Learning with IPM-based GANs: an Empirical Study

We present an empirical investigation of a recent class of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) using Integral Probability Metrics (IPM) and their performance for semi-supervised learning. IPM-based GANs like Wasserstein GAN, Fisher GAN and Sobolev GAN have desirable properties in terms of theoretical understanding, training stability, and a meaningful loss. In this work we investigate how the design of the critic (or discriminator) influences the performance in semi-supervised learning. We distill three key take-aways which are important for good SSL performance: (1) the K+1 formulation, (2) avoiding batch normalization in the critic and (3) avoiding gradient penalty constraints on the classification layer.
A Proximity-Contingent Stereoscopic Depth Aftereffect: Evidence for Adaptation to Disparity Gradients

Prolonged inspection of a surface slanted in the third dimension of visual space typically results in a negative aftereffect such that, after adaptation, a surface in the fronto-parallel plane will appear slanted in the opposite direction. Binocular disparity is not necessary to generate such effects, since they can be obtained monocularly, presumably via adaptation to texture gradient. Six experiments demonstrated durable stereoscopic depth aftereffects in the absence of a texture gradient—by using discrete disparate objects rather than slanted surfaces— and demonstrated that adaptation was to the interobject disparity gradient rather than to the relative disparity of the objects per se. The disparity required to null the obtained aftereffects was inversely proportional to the horizontal separation of elements, for a constant disparity, and directly proportional to the separation of subsequently presented probes. When elements differed in depth (disparity), but were not laterally separated, nulling disparity was significant but invariant with changes in the horizontal separation of probe elements. In that case, adaptation was (i) either to the disparity gradient generated by the vertical separation of probe elements (of which the relative disparity component was tapped); or (ii) to relative disparity per se.
Increased Donor CD86+CD14+ Cells in the Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood of Patients With Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Background. Based on experimental models, chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) may depend on activated donor antigen-presenting cells presenting host antigens to donor T cells. Methods. Peripheral blood (PB) and marrow samples from 24 patients with cGVHD and 17 patients without GVHD after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant were analyzed by flow cytometry. The absolute number of myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) (BDCA1+CD19−), plasmacytoid DC (pDC) (BDCA2+CD123+) and monocytes (CD45+CD14+), and mean fluorescence intensity of costimulatory molecules and chemokine receptors were assessed in each antigen-presenting cell population. Results. Patients with cGVHD showed increased numbers of marrow monocytes when compared with patients without cGVHD (P=0.006). Moreover, monocytes of cGVHD patients had greater CD86 mean fluorescence intensity in marrow (P=0.02) and PB (P=0.04). Treatment with prednisone resulted in decreased CD86 expression in marrow (P=0.02) and PB (P=0.04) monocytes. The number and phenotype of mDC and pDC were similar in patients with or without cGVHD. Full-donor chimerism was detected in the PB of all patients, and in purified CD14+ monocytes from three cGVHD patients. Conclusion. Our results show an increased activation of donor-derived marrow and blood monocytes in patients with cGVHD, possibly suggesting the need to target monocytes in the treatment of cGVHD.
Research Commentary - The Design, Use, and Consequences of Virtual Processes

Process virtualization occurs when a process that relies upon physical interaction between people and/or objects is transitioned to a virtual environment. Process virtualization is having profound effects on society, as an increasing number of both business and nonbusiness processes such as those related to education, medicine, and dating are being migrated to virtual environments. There is a vast literature that relates to process virtualization topics, but it is fragmented across different domains. The purpose of this paper is to propose a research agenda to develop high-level theories and frameworks that inform the general process virtualization phenomenon. Developing these theories and frameworks will synthesize existing knowledge and provide a theoretical foundation upon which to add new knowledge as it is created. This will help policy makers maximize the substantial benefits of virtual processes while minimizing the risks. Given the background, interests, and skills of IS scholars, the IS discipline is well suited to lead in this endeavor.
Delivery system for the enhanced efficiency of immunostimulatory nucleic acids

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, including immunostimulatory nucleic acids (INAs). INAs are recognized by TLRs in endosomes, leading to the activation of signalling pathways that activate the innate immune response. This feature makes INAs and their synthetic analogues useful as adjuvants in vaccines and in cancer treatment. We tested a delivery system for the improvement of the therapeutic effect of INAs which consists of a conjugate between transferrin (Tf) and poly-L-lysine (PLL). Tf is a ligand of the transferrin receptor (TfR) and is internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis, while PLL binds negatively charged INAs. The TfPLL conjugate protected TLR3 ligand polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] from RNase degradation and enhanced the uptake of poly(I:C) in HeLa cells. Co-localization between TfPLL-bound poly(I:C) and lysosomes demonstrated delivery into the endosomal pathway. Time dependence of the production of IL-6 in the primary cell line showed that TfPLL conjugate enabled a gradual release of poly(I:C) and stronger activation of TLR3 receptor in comparison with poly(I:C) alone. Only 3 h of stimulation by poly(I:C) + TfPLL complexes initiated a strong immune response in contrast to poly(I:C) alone. The poly(I:C) + TfPLL complexes have potential use for development of advanced vaccine adjuvants and targeted cancer immune therapy in cells that express higher levels of TfR.
D2D Fogging: An Energy-Efficient and Incentive-Aware Task Offloading Framework via Network-assisted D2D Collaboration

In this paper, we propose device-to-device (D2D) Fogging, a novel mobile task offloading framework based on network-assisted D2D collaboration, where mobile users can dynamically and beneficially share the computation and communication resources among each other via the control assistance by the network operators. The purpose of D2D Fogging is to achieve energy efficient task executions for network wide users. To this end, we propose an optimization problem formulation that aims at minimizing the time-average energy consumption for task executions of all users, meanwhile taking into account the incentive constraints of preventing the over-exploiting and free-riding behaviors which harm user's motivation for collaboration. To overcome the challenge that future system information such as user resource availability is difficult to predict, we develop an online task offloading algorithm, which leverages Lyapunov optimization methods and utilizes the current system information only. As the critical building block, we devise corresponding efficient task scheduling policies in terms of three kinds of system settings in a time frame. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the proposed online algorithm not only achieves superior performance (e.g., it reduces approximately 30% ~ 40% energy consumption compared with user local execution), but also adapts to various situations in terms of task type, user amount, and task frequency.
CASE STUDY: POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND RESPONSES TO PLAGIARISM IN SLOVAKIA

The European project “Impact of Policies for Plagiarism in Higher Education Across Europe“ has identified best practices and gaps related to plagiarism in different European countries. Slovakia is one of interesting ones, where national repository for plagiarism detection was established. However, there are still gaps in terms of policies and overall understanding of plagiarism. This case study describes what happened in Slovakia in last few years, compares the situation with other European countries and discusses the results. Additionally, the number of occurrences of the terms “plagiarism” and “academic integrity” in media and on the Internet is examined in relation to recent changes.
Detecting Dementia through Retrospective Analysis of Routine Blog Posts by Bloggers with Dementia

We investigate if writers with dementia can be automatically distinguished from those without by analyzing linguistic markers in written text, in the form of blog posts. We have built a corpus of several thousand blog posts, some by people with dementia and others by people with loved ones with dementia. We use this dataset to train and test several machine learning methods, and achieve prediction performance at a level far above the baseline.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1a (p21) Modulates Response to Cocaine and Motivated Behaviors

This study investigated the functional role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1a (Cdkn1a or p21) in cocaine-induced responses using a knockout mouse model. Acute locomotor activity after cocaine administration (15 mg/kg, i.p.) was decreased in p21−/− mice, whereas cocaine-induced place preference was enhanced. Interestingly, κ-opioid–induced place aversion was also significantly enhanced. Concentration-dependent analysis of locomotor activity in response to cocaine demonstrated a rightward shift in the p21−/− mice. Pretreatment with a 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist did not alter the enhancement of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in p21−/− mice, indicating a lack of involvement of serotonergic signaling in this response. Cocaine exposure increased p21 expression exclusively in the ventral sector of the hippocampus of rodents after either contingent or noncontingent drug administration. Increased p21 expression was accompanied by increased histone acetylation of the p21 promoter region in rats. Finally, increased neurogenesis in the dorsal hippocampus of p21−/− mice was also observed. These results show that functional loss of p21 altered the acute locomotor response to cocaine and the conditioned responses to either rewarding or aversive stimuli. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a previously unreported involvement of p21 in modulating responses to cocaine and in motivated behaviors.
Identification of Flow Pattern in Two-Phase Flow Based on Complex Network Theory

We construct the flow pattern complex network from the conductance fluctuating signals. After detecting the community structure of the network through the community detection algorithm which is based on k-means clustering, we find that there are three communities in the network, which correspond to the bubble flow, slug flow and churn flow respectively, and the nodes of the network that connect tightly between two communities corresponding to the transitional flow. In this paper, from a new perspective, we achieve good identification of flow pattern in gas/liquid two-phase flow based on complex network theory, which provide reference to study the dynamic character of two-phase flow.
Rebooting the Immune System with High‐Dose Cyclophosphamide for Treatment of Refractory Myasthenia Gravis

A small but important proportion of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) are refractory to conventional immunotherapy. We have treated 12 such patients by “rebooting” the immune system with high‐dose cyclophosphamide (Hi Cy, 200 mg/kg), which largely eliminates the mature immune system, while leaving hematopoietic precursors intact. The objective of this report is to describe the clinical and immunologic results of Hi Cy treatment of refractory MG. We have followed 12 patients clinically for 1–9 years, and have analyzed their humoral and cellular immunologic parameters. Hi Cy is safe and effective. All but one of the patients experienced dramatic clinical improvement for variable periods from 5 months to 7.5 years, lasting for more than 1 year in seven of the patients. Two patients are still in treatment‐free remission at 5.5 and 7.5 years, and five have achieved responsiveness to immunosuppressive agents that were previously ineffective. Hi Cy typically reduced, but did not completely eliminate, antibodies to the autoantigen AChR or to tetanus or diphtheria toxin; re‐immunization with tetanus or diphtheria toxoid increased the antibody levels. Despite prior thymectomy, T cell receptor excision circles, generally considered to reflect thymic emigrant T cells, were produced by all patients. Hi Cy treatment results in effective, but often not permanent, remission in most refractory myasthenic patients, suggesting that the immune system is in fact “rebooted,” but not “reformatted. ” We therefore recommend that treatment of refractory MG with Hi Cy be followed with maintenance immunotherapy.
Aggregation of Gel-Filtered Guinea-Pig Platelets by Lipoproteins

Summary Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) were isolated from serum of hypercholesterolemic guinea-pigs, and the effect of these lipoproteins on guinea-pig platelets was studied. VLDL (>100 μg/ml) and LDL (>100 μg/ml) were found to cause aggregation of gel-filtered platelets (GFP), although the extent of GFP aggregation by LDL was smaller than that by VLDL. In platelet-rich plasma, however, lipoproteins could not induce platelet aggregation. VLDL and LDL even at the low concentrations at which lipoproteins alone could not induce aggregation potentiated ADP-induced aggregation of GFP. VLDL-induced aggregation of GFP was inhibited by apyrase (0.2–1.0 mg/ml) in a concentration-related manner. Prostaglandin E1, dipyridamole, potassium cyanide and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid inhibited VLDL- and ADP-induced aggregation of GFP in the almost same degree. Inhibitions of VLDL-induced GFP aggregation by acetylsalicylic acid and albumin were slightly stronger than that of ADP-induced aggregation. These findings suggest that lipoproteins modulate platelets so that endogenous ADP can be released from platelets.
Development of a Criterion Method to Determine Peak Mechanical Power Output in a Countermovement Jump

Abstract Owen, NJ, Watkins, J, Kilduff, LP, Bevan, HR, and Bennett, MA. Development of a criterion method to determine peak mechanical power output in a countermovement jump. J Strength Cond Res 28(6): 1552–1558, 2014—There is a general agreement that the most valid method of measuring peak lower-body mechanical power output (LBPP) in a countermovement jump (CMJ) is by analysis of the corresponding vertical component of the ground reaction force (VGRF)–time history of the jump. However, there is no published standard protocol. The purpose of this study was to establish a standard protocol. The variables necessary to define a valid and reliable CMJ method were: (a) vertical force range, (b) force sampling and integration frequency, (c) method of integration, (d) determination of body weight (BW), and (e) determination of the initiation of the CMJ. Countermovement jumps off a force platform (FP) were performed by 15 male professional rugby players. The 5 variables were then optimized to maximize the reliability and validity of the measure of LBPP. Errors of <1% (p ⩽ 0.05) in the measurement of LBPP were obtained using the following specification: (a) 6 times BW (using a 16-bit analog to digital converter), (b) 1,000 Hz, (c) Simpson's rule or the trapezoidal rule, (d) mean VGRF for 1 second of quiet standing immediately before jump signal, and (e) 30 ms before the instant BW ± 5 SD is exceeded after the jump signal. Peak lower-body power output was most sensitive to variables 4 and 5. It was concluded that this study has established a standard protocol for the criterion method of measuring peak power in a CMJ using an FP. As all other estimates and less reliable methods of determining LBPP in a CMJ rely on the FP method for calibration, it is proposed that this protocol be used as the basis of future criterion measures using a FP.
Injury to murine airway epithelial cells by pollen enzymes

BACKGROUND Pollens are important triggers for asthma but the mechanism of sensitisation to their proteins remains poorly understood. The intrinsic protease activity of some allergens may contribute to sensitisation by disrupting the integrity of the airway epithelial barrier. Pollens release a variety of enzymes, including proteases, upon hydration. The hypothesis that such enzymes might be able to damage airway epithelial cells was therefore tested. METHODS Diffusates from pollens ofLolium perenne (ryegrass), Poa pratensis(Kentucky bluegrass), Acacia longifolia (Sydney golden wattle), or Casuarina distyla (she-oak) were incubated with mouse tracheal epithelial cells in culture and cellular detachment was quantified using a methylene blue dye binding assay. RESULTS Diffusates prepared using 100 mg/ml of pollen caused detachment of 30–90% of airway epithelial cells in separate experiments. Within each experiment comparable detachment was observed with all diffusates tested, although total protein in the diffusates varied markedly between species. Viability of the cells recovered after exposure to Acacia diffusate was higher than after detachment by exposure to Loliumdiffusate. Cellular detachment by all of the diffusates could be almost completely inhibited by addition of 10% serum. Aprotinin, an inhibitor of serine proteases, partially blocked activity in diffusates ofLolium pollen but not of Acacia pollen. In contrast, α1-protease inhibitor and secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) were not able to block the activity of either diffusate at concentrations which inhibited cellular detachment by trypsin. CONCLUSIONS Proteases released by pollens are able to cause detachment of airway epithelial cells from their substratum in vitro and may not be effectively inhibited by endogenous antiproteases.
Community Health Workers Assisting Patients With Diabetes in Self-management

AbstractCommunity health workers (CHWs) have gained prominence in health care, recognizing the influence of community and environment on health. This study evaluates CHWs' efforts to assess patients' readiness to change and facilitate self-management goal setting. Six pairs of community health centers were randomly assigned to employ CHWs on health care teams. Each team worked with a defined population of patients. We assessed changes in documented patient self-management goals and clinical measures from both control and intervention CHCs before and after deploying CHWs, finding a significant increase in self-management goal setting between the intervention and control health centers.
The Biosynthetic Pathway of Indole-3-Carbaldehyde and Indole-3-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives in Arabidopsis1[W]

Arabidopsis synthesizes, in addition to camalexin, an array of defense metabolites from indole-3-acetonitrile in substantial quantities dependent on a specific Arabidopsis Aldehyde Oxidase. Indolic secondary metabolites play an important role in pathogen defense in cruciferous plants. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), in addition to the characteristic phytoalexin camalexin, derivatives of indole-3-carbaldehyde (ICHO) and indole-3-carboxylic acid (ICOOH) are synthesized from tryptophan via the intermediates indole-3-acetaldoxime and indole-3-acetonitrile. Based on feeding experiments combined with nontargeted metabolite profiling, their composition in nontreated and silver nitrate (AgNO3)-treated leaf tissue was comprehensively analyzed. As major derivatives, glucose conjugates of 5-hydroxyindole-3-carbaldehyde, ICOOH, and 6-hydroxyindole-3-carboxylic acid were identified. Quantification of ICHO and ICOOH derivative pools after glucosidase treatment revealed that, in response to AgNO3 treatment, their total accumulation level was similar to that of camalexin. ARABIDOPSIS ALDEHYDE OXIDASE1 (AAO1), initially discussed to be involved in the biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid, and Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 71B6 were found to be transcriptionally coexpressed with camalexin biosynthetic genes. CYP71B6 was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and shown to efficiently convert indole-3-acetonitrile into ICHO and ICOOH, thereby releasing cyanide. To evaluate the role of both enzymes in the biosynthesis of ICHO and ICOOH derivatives, knockout and overexpression lines for CYP71B6 and AAO1 were established and analyzed for indolic metabolites. The observed metabolic phenotypes suggest that AAO1 functions in the oxidation of ICHO to ICOOH in both nontreated and AgNO3-treated leaves, whereas CYP71B6 is relevant for ICOOH derivative biosynthesis specifically after induction. In summary, a model for the biosynthesis of ICHO and ICOOH derivatives is presented.