Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis mutant deficient in 3 abscisic acid-activated protein kinases reveals critical roles in growth, reproduction, and stress

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone regulating seed dormancy, germination, seedling growth, and plant transpiration. We report here an Arabidopsis triple mutant that is disrupted in 3 SNF1-related protein kinase subfamily 2 (SnRK2s) and nearly completely insensitive to ABA. These SnRK2s, SnRK2.2, SnRK2.3, and SnRK2.6 (also known as OST1), are activated by ABA and can phosphorylate the ABA-responsive element binding factor family of b-ZIP transcription factors, which are important for the activation of ABA-responsive genes. Although stomatal regulation of snrk2.6 and seed germination and seedling growth of the snrk2.2/2.3 double mutant are insensitive to ABA, ABA responses are still present in these mutants, and the growth and reproduction of these mutants are not very different from those of the WT. In contrast, the snrk2.2/2.3/2.6 triple mutant grows poorly and produces few seeds. The triple mutant plants lose water extremely fast when ambient humidity is not high. Even on 50 μM ABA, the triple mutant can germinate and grow, whereas the most insensitive known mutants cannot develop on 10 μM ABA. In-gel kinase assays showed that all ABA-activated protein kinase activities are eliminated in the triple mutant. Also, the expression of ABA-induced genes examined is completely blocked in the triple mutant. These results demonstrate that the protein kinases SnRK2.2, SnRK2.3, and SnRK2.6 have redundant functions, and suggest that ABA signaling is critical for plant growth and reproduction.
Modulation of Motor Excitability during Speech Perception: The Role of Broca's Area

Studies in both human and nonhuman primates indicate that motor and premotor cortical regions participate in auditory and visual perception of actions. Previous studies, using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), showed that perceiving visual and auditory speech increased the excitability of the orofacial motor system during speech perception. Such studies, however, cannot tell us which brain regions mediate this effect. In this study, we used the technique of combining positron emission tomography with TMS to identify the brain regions that modulate the excitability of the motor system during speech perception. Our results show that during auditory speech perception, there is increased excitability of motor system underlying speech production and that this increase is significantly correlated with activity in the posterior part of the left inferior frontal gyrus (Broca's area). We propose that this area primes the motor system in response to heard speech even when no speech output is required and, as such, operates at the interface of perception and action.
Motor Imagery Ability in Patients With Early- and Mid-Stage Parkinson Disease

Background. Motor imagery has recently gained attention as a promising new rehabilitation method for patients with neurological disorders. Up to now, however, it has been unclear whether this practice method can also be successfully applied in the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Objective. This study aimed to investigate whether the motor imagery ability of patients with PD is still intact despite basal ganglia dysfunctioning. Methods. A total of 14 patients with early- and mid-stage PD (Hoehn and Yahr 1-3) and 14 healthy controls were evaluated by means of an extensive imagery ability assessment battery, consisting of 2 questionnaires, the Chaotic Motor Imagery Assessment battery, and a test based on mental chronometry. Results. PD patients performed the imagery tasks more slowly than controls, but the motor imagery vividness and accuracy of most patients were well preserved. Conclusions. These results are promising regarding the potential use of motor imagery practice in the rehabilitation of patients with PD.
Imaging Structural Abnormalities in the Hip Joint: Instability and Impingement as a Cause of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is thought to be caused by a combination of intrinsic vulnerabilities of the joint, such as anatomic shape and alignment, and environmental factors, such as body weight, injury, and overuse. It has been postulated that much of osteoarthritis is due to anatomic deformities. Advances in surgical techniques such as the periacetabular osteotomy, safe surgical dislocation of the hip, and hip arthroscopy have provided us with effective and safe tools to correct these anatomical problems. The limiting factor in treatment outcome in many mechanically compromised hips is the degree of cartilage damage which has occurred prior to treatment. In this regard, the role of imaging, utilizing plain radiographs in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging, is becoming vitally important for the detection of these anatomic deformities and pre-radiographic arthritis. In this article, we will outline the plain radiographic features of hip deformities that can cause instability or impingement. Additionally, we will illustrate the use of MRI imaging to detect subtle anatomic abnormalities, as well as the use of biochemical imaging techniques such as dGEMRIC to guide clinical decision making.
SUMOylation of the hepatoma‐derived growth factor negatively influences its binding to chromatin

Hepatoma‐derived growth factor is a nuclear targeted mitogen containing a PWWP domain that mediates binding to DNA. To date, almost nothing is known about the molecular mechanisms of the functions of hepatoma‐derived growth factor, its routes of secretion and internalization or post‐translational modifications. In the present study, we show for the first time that hepatoma‐derived growth factor is modified by the covalent attachment of small ubiquitin‐related modifier 1 (SUMO‐1), a post‐translational modification with regulatory functions for an increasing number of proteins. Using a basal SUMOylation system in Escherichia coli followed by a MALDI‐TOF‐MS based peptide analysis, we identified the lysine residue SUMOylated located in the N‐terminal part of the protein adjacent to the PWWP domain. Surprisingly, this lysine residue is not part of the consensus motif described for SUMOylation. With a series of hepatoma‐derived growth factor mutants, we then confirmed that this unusual location is also used in mammalian cells and that SUMOylation of hepatoma‐derived growth factor takes place in the nucleus. Finally, we demonstrate that SUMOylated hepatoma‐derived growth factor is not binding to chromatin, in contrast to its unSUMOylated form. These observations potentially provide new perspectives for a better understanding of the functions of hepatoma‐derived growth factor.
Towards Variability Management in Bidirectional Model Transformation

The bidirectional model transformation (BX) comprises a forward transformation get and a backward transformation put. Given that get may be an information-loss transformation, the behavior of put may be uncertain. An uncertain put produces many valid outputs that fit different application scenarios. This paper proposes an approach to variability management in BX to enable put to generate an output model with several variation points that can be configured to adapt this output for different uses. Firstly, this paper proposes a variability metamodel and management framework, which are used to characterize and configure variation points in a transformation result model. Secondly, this paper extends a BX language to specify a BX with variability. Thirdly, this paper presents a BX engine, which can execute a BX with variability and generate a model that contains variation points. Lastly, an evaluation is presented to show the feasibility and scalability of our approach.
Characterization of cytokine interactions by flow cytometry and factorial analysis.

BACKGROUND Multiple cytokines are required for the growth and development of hematopoietic cells. The effect of many cytokines depends on the activity of other signaling pathways. These interactions are quantified using factorial experimental design and analysis. METHODS Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) CD34+ cells were cultured in fully defined media containing various combinations of recombinant cytokines as defined by resolution IV factorial (2(7-3)(IV)) or full factorial (2(4)) design experiments. The cytokines studied were stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin (IL)-3, megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), Flt-3 ligand, IL-6, IL-11, and erythropoietin (EPO). In vitro cell divisions were tracked by staining CD34+ cells with 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester, followed by flow cytometric analysis at 4 days of culture. In separate experiments, lineage commitment and differentiation were determined at 7 days by immunophenotype. RESULTS In addition to the main effects of single cytokines, cytokine interactions were identified. There was a negative interaction between IL-3 and MGDF that resulted in a less than additive effect of these factors on erythroid and megakaryocytic development. The effect of Flt-3 ligand and SCF factor on CD34+ cell production was also less than additive, although the response to both cytokines was greater than single cytokines. The only positive interaction that was identified was between EPO and SCF, which resulted in the synergistic production of erythroid cells. CONCLUSIONS Factorial analysis provides a powerful methodology to study the integration of multiple signals at the cellular and molecular level.
Equity and guidance: the challenge of following up young graduates

In this paper we present a support strategy of guidance for the young people from vulnerable population, both urban and rural, who have completed high school and are involved in an extension program so called Equity and guidance: the challenge of a proposal in state educational institutions from the La Plata, Berisso and Ensenada districts. This program gives them a reflection space to analyze their personal, social and community situation as a self-managed process towards a project of life. For some time we have supported young people with the purpose of helping them to make a life project. When doing so, we’ve always noticed the need of finding strategies to provide reasons to carry on the project of completing high school, to search new knowledge, request scholarships, to think of alternatives according to their circumstances, etc. In this sense, the Project: “Equity and Guidance: the challenge of following up young graduates” is a revealing experience since it shows the urgent need to provide real means to enable communities we work with to make the most of opportunities. For the young people who belong to a vulnerable community, a project of life doesn’t mean just thinking of the choice of careers, trainings or jobs. It also means to find how to make it possible in their daily life. Everything we make, think and manage in this project has the same purpose: help them so they can make a life project according to their subjectivity.
The Evaluation of Green Growth in Selected OECD Countries

Green growth is a relatively new concept, which has appeared in the international discussion in response to the increasing environmental threats and also as a potentially effective means to deal with the outcomes of the financial crisis of 2008. According to the OECD (2011a), green growth means taking measures conducive to growth and economic development, while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services that contribute to the countryâ€™s prosperity. The purpose of this article is to analyze the level of green growth in selected OECD countries. Research was carried out based on Hellwigâ€™s method, which enabled the construction of a synthetic measure of â€œgreeningâ€ of the growth. The adopted method made it possible to evaluate the studied phenomenon as a whole, providing grounds for assigning the selected countries into four groups, characterized by similar levels of green growth. In Group I, showing the highest level, there is only one countryâ€”Denmark. Conversely, 12 of the 21 countries analyzed were assigned to Group IVÂ Keywords: green growth; sustainable development; environmental protection; OECD; taxonomic methods; Hellwigâ€™s method;
Epidemiology of paediatric metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus

The epidemic in childhood obesity is a driving force behind the increase in paediatric metabolic syndrome, a collection of abnormalities that is associated in adults with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although there is no clear consensus about the paediatric definition for metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of this syndrome is clearly rising. Children with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome in adulthood. A late consequence of metabolic syndrome is type 2 diabetes, which increasingly affects adolescents. The rise in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in children is almost sure to lead to an increase in associated complications in young adulthood, including early cardiovascular disease. This epidemic will bear fruit in forthcoming decades, putting further stress on the healthcare system and probably leading to increased morbidity and a shorter lifespan for future generations.
Fluorescence‐Based Microplate Assays for In Vitro Assessment of Mitochondrial Toxicity, Metabolic Perturbation, and Cellular Oxygenation

High‐throughput in vitro cell metabolism assays are of particular use for identification and delineation of mitochondrial toxicity and related metabolic perturbation. Here, a panel of fluorescence‐based metabolism assays are described for measuring oxygen consumption, glycolytic flux, and cellular oxygenation. They can be applied to analysis of both isolated mitochondria and cell models. Sample data are presented illustrating how these protocols can be used to examine drug treatment, the interplay between oxidative and glycolytic ATP generation, and the impact of cell oxygenation on this balance. Descriptions are provided on how these measurements can be applied to 3D systems and how they can be multiplexed with other relevant metabolic readouts. Mitochondrial isolation and cell permeabilization protocols are also provided. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Area efficient FIR filter using graph based algorithm

In today's world the most widely used operation performed in DSP is finite impulse response (FIR) filtering. Design of low-complexity multiple constant multiplication (MCM) operation which reduces the complexity of many digital signal processing systems. In this paper, we design an enhanced fir filter using Graph Based algorithm. In that fir filter structure, we use modified carry save adder in the place of conventional adder. By using modified carry save adder, carry element is getting eliminated. It reduces area and power than existing one. The code is written in VHDL.
Cognition in corticobasal syndrome and progressive supranuclear palsy: A review

Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) represent challenging neurodegenerative disorders for clinicians and nonclinical scientists alike. Although initially lumped together as “Parkinson's‐Plus” syndromes, CBS and PSP are clinically and pathologically distinct from Parkinson's disease. It is now clear that behavioral and cognitive changes are common in both syndromes and affect impact quality of life and carer burden considerably. We briefly review the clinical, pathological, and neuroradiological features of each syndrome, followed by more detailed descriptions of the behavioral and cognitive deficits encountered in CBS and PSP. Clinically and pathologically heterogeneous, CBS is characterized by a wide range of cognitive and behavioral disturbances. impairments in executive function and memory are common, but nonspecific. In contrast, deficits in language and visuospatial abilities appear to be more distinctive features of CBS; the relevance of specific patterns of impairment to the underlying histopathology, or prognosis, remains to be fully elucidated. As in CBS, behavioral and cognitive changes are almost universal in PSP, with a wide range of reported deficits. Apathy is very common, often paradoxically accompanied by impulsivity. Executive dysfunction is prominent, but memory and visuospatial deficits also occur. An emerging field is the study of social cognition, which appears impaired in both syndromes. As therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative pathologies emerge, more specific diagnostic tools in CBS and PSP will be required. Careful clinicopathological correlation, and the development of biomarkers for specific histopathologies, will be important milestones on the road to effective treatments.
Extra-Role Customer Service: The Roles of Leader–Member Exchange (LMX), Affective Commitment, and Psychological Empowerment

ABSTRACT Based on the social exchange and job characteristic theories, this study advances a moderated-mediation model that tries to explain the social-psychological processes connecting the leader–member exchange (LMX) and extra-role customer service, and examined it by collecting data from employees and managers employed in tourist hotels operating in Uttarakhand, India. A hierarchical regression analysis determined that LMX was positively related to extra-role customer service where affective commitment mediated this relationship. Further, an analysis of a moderated-mediation path revealed that psychological empowerment strengthened the direct influences of LMX on affective commitment and its indirect influence on extra-role customer service. Based on these findings, important theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Assessing demand side flexibility with renewable energy resources

In the perspective of network operators, demand response (DR) is a form of shaping of the overall consumption in the system by peak clipping and shifting. Bearing the necessity and importance and the role of DR in the overall system in focus, the objective of the paper is to extend an analysis on the flexibility of the demand. The potential and the corresponding cost for demand flexibility of different levels in private households is determined from literature. Following that, consumption in a residential house in Nordic Europe climatic conditions was measured. In order to identify the patterns and categorize the consumption, a clustering algorithm is implemented on time-series load demand based on the trend using Wards agglomerative hierarchical clustering to formulate classifications. Using the classifications, a model was simulated in GAMS based Balmorel platform, which chooses optimal operation scheme for categorised loads. Two distinct models were created. One as in grid integrated, where market price acts as an incentive and second as islanded mode, where the resource availability is the motivation. The resulting consumption profiles and the decision making economic stand-point of flexibility offered by means of DR are discussed. The dendogram of the associated individual devices in the consumption pattern confirms that the weekend and weekday pattern of consumption are of different construct. However, same devices provide different flexibility whether operating on workdays or weekends. Modelling results indicate an overall increase in the efficiency of energy consumption with a demand-shifting possibility. In analysis, no attention was paid to type nor price of devices that allow to control individual appliances.
Early release of arachidonic acid prevents an otherwise immediate formation of toxic levels of peroxynitrite in astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide/interferon‐γ

Addition of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) to rat astrocytes in primary culture promotes an early release of arachidonic acid (ARA) associated with an immediate inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Preventing the release of constitutive nitric oxide (NO) is indeed critical for activation of the nuclear factor kappa B, and for the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase responsible for the formation of large amounts of NO. LPS/IFN‐γ also promotes an early release of superoxide, via activation of NADPH oxidase, but the generation of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is prevented by the different timing of superoxide (minutes) and NO (hours) formation. Upstream inhibition of the ARA‐dependent nNOS inhibitory signaling, however, caused the parallel release of superoxide and constitutive NO, thereby leading to formation of ONOO− levels triggering loss of ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential followed by the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3 and morphological evidence of apoptosis. Nanomolar levels of exogenous ARA prevented all these events via inhibition of early ONOO− formation. Thus, the ARA‐dependent nNOS inhibition observed in astrocytes exposed to pro‐inflammatory stimuli, as LPS/IFN‐γ, is critical for both the expression of nuclear factor kappa B‐dependent genes and for survival.
A novel finite-element method for nonreciprocal magneto-photonic crystal waveguides

A new formulation of the finite-element method to analyze nonreciprocal waveguides in magneto-photonic crystals (MPCs) is proposed. Accurate solutions of light propagations for two different directions are obtained by the asymmetrical input condition. As numerical examples, the performance of a waveguide-type optical isolator in MPCs designed by the eigenmode analyses is confirmed by using this method. Subsequently, an effective way to enhance the nonreciprocity of the optical isolator is shown.
Towards an artificial training expert system for basketball

Low power wearable devices equipped with powerful embedded processors found their place in applications such as personalized health, wellness/sports/fitness, rehabilitation, personal entertainment, social communications and lifestyle computing. In sports, the use of these devices together with powerful machine learning algorithms have opened up opportunity to create so called artificial training expert systems. In this work, an example of such system is discussed with the application in basketball training. The designed system is capable of recognizing basketball training type automatically by sampling data from battery powered wireless wearable device equipped with motion sensors. Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used as classification algorithm. The algorithm is capable of achieving 99.5% accuracy on the examined dataset.
Scheduling-Aware Data Prefetching for Data Processing Services in Cloud

Cloud computing services provide flexible computing and storage resources to process large amount of datasets. In-memory techniques keep the frequently used data into faster and more expensive storage media for improving performance of data processing services. Data prefetching aims to move data to low-latency storage media to meet requirements of performance. However, existing mechanisms do not consider how to benefit the data processing applications which do not frequently access the same datasets. Another problem is how to reclaim memory resources without affecting other running applications. In this paper, we provide a Scheduling-Aware Data Prefetching (SADP) mechanism for data processing services in a cloud data center. The SADP includes data prefetching and data eviction mechanisms. It firstly evicts the data from memory to release resources for hosting other data blocks, and then it caches the data that will be used in near future. Finally, real-testbed experiments are performed to show the effectiveness of the proposed SADP.