Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RNAi-derived transgenic resistance to Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in cowpea

Cowpea is an important grain legume crop of Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Leaf curl and golden mosaic diseases caused by Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) have emerged as most devastating viral diseases of cowpea in Southeast Asia. In this study, we employed RNA interference (RNAi) strategy to control cowpea-infecting MYMIV. For this, we generated transgenic cowpea plants harbouring three different intron hairpin RNAi constructs, containing the AC2, AC4 and fusion of AC2 and AC4 (AC2+AC4) of seven cowpea-infecting begomoviruses. The T0 and T1 transgenic cowpea lines of all the three constructs accumulated transgene-specific siRNAs. Transgenic plants were further assayed up to T1 generations, for resistance to MYMIV using agro-infectious clones. Nearly 100% resistance against MYMIV infection was observed in transgenic lines, expressing AC2-hp and AC2+AC4-hp RNA, when compared with untransformed controls and plants transformed with empty vectors, which developed severe viral disease symptoms within 3 weeks. The AC4-hp RNA expressing lines displayed appearance of milder symptoms after 5 weeks of MYMIV-inoculation. Northern blots revealed a positive correlation between the level of transgene-specific siRNAs accumulation and virus resistance. The MYMIV-resistant transgenic lines accumulated nearly zero or very low titres of viral DNA. The transgenic cowpea plants had normal phenotype with no yield penalty in greenhouse conditions. This is the first demonstration of RNAi-derived resistance to MYMIV in cowpea.
Cells induced to undergo apo in the presence of the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone stimulate Mo derived phagocytes to secrete proinflammatory cytokines

In contrast to nec, the apo is not accompanied by local inflammation. The immunosuppressive effects of apo cells have been repeatedly reported and a dysregulation of apo is discussed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. The intracellular executioners of apo are the cysteine–aspartic acid proteases, also known as caspases that cleave a variety of intracellular substrates and mediate the morphological changes observed during apo. The association of autoimmune diseases with defects in caspase function indicates the necessity for functional integrity of caspases in the apo cell death machinery. Here, we describe that cells undergoing apo in presence of the pancaspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone stimulated MΦ to secrete proinflammatory cytokines. These findings indicate that caspase signalling is of central importance for silent and non- or anti-inflammatory cell death.
Deep tissue loads in the seated buttocks on an off‐loading wheelchair cushion versus air‐cell‐based and foam cushions: finite element studies

For wheelchair users, a common injury is a sitting‐acquired pressure ulcer (PU) which typically onsets near the interface between the ischial tuberosity (IT) and the overlying soft tissues. The risk of developing PUs can be reduced considerably if an adequate cushion is placed on the wheelchair in order to protect tissues from PUs by minimising interface mechanical loads between the body and cushion and also, exposure to internal soft tissue loads. In this work, we studied the biomechanical performances of an off‐loading (OL) cushion with limited adjustability, in comparison to a standard foam cushion and a fully adjustable air‐cell‐based (ACB) cushion. These different cushion design approaches were methodologically and quantitatively analysed and compared here using a finite element (FE) modelling framework. We determined the internal mechanical deformations, strains and stresses in soft tissues of the seated buttocks during symmetric sitting, in a specific anatomy of a person with a spinal cord injury that was acquired during sitting in an open, magnetic resonance imaging configuration. Our results have shown that strains and stresses in muscle, fat and skin tissues are orders of magnitude lower for the ACB cushion with respect to the standard foam and OL cushions. The OL cushion design has taken the approach of protecting at‐risk sites of the buttocks by transferring local internal tissue loads away from the ITs and towards the greater trochanters, at the price of increasing exposure to internal tissue loads at sites other than the ITs. The ACB cushion design, however, has taken a different approach, that is, immersion and envelopment of the entire buttocks structure, which is useful for minimising the exposure to internal tissue loads throughout the whole buttocks. Quantifying performances of wheelchair cushions using FE modelling provides insights into deep tissue loads, which is essential for informed decision‐making in developing sitting solutions for individuals at risk, as well as for patient groups.
Glycosylation of macrolide antibiotics in extracts of Streptomyces lividans

Inducible resistance to macrolide antibiotics in Streptomyces lividans involves MGT, a macrolide glycosyl transferase that utilizes UDP-glucose as cofactor. Substrates for MGT include macrolides with 12-, 14-, 15-, or 16-atom cyclic polyketide lactones (as in methymycin, erythromycin, azithromycin, or tylosin, respectively), although spiramycin and carbomycin are not apparently modified. The enzyme is specific for the 2'-OH group of saccharidic moieties attached to C-5 of the 16-atom lactone ring (corresponding to C-5 or C-3 in 14- or 12-atom lactones, respectively).
Localization of uterine peroxidase activity in estrogen-treated rats.

Uterine peroxidase activity is known to increase dramatically following estrogen treatment and to be sensitive to modulation by substances which modify the uterine responses to estrogen. How- ever, it is not clear how much of the uterine peroxidase originates within the uterine epithelium and how much may be due to eosinophils that migrate into the uterus after estrogen treatment. We have addressed this problem by comparing the distribution of rat uterine peroxidase by biochemi- cal and histochemical methods. Histochemical examination of frozen uterine Sections, as well as biochemical analysis of separated uterine tissue components, demonstrates that the peroxidase is localized predominantly in cells of the endometrial stroma and myometrium. When the uterine peroxidase response to estrogens was inhibited to variable degrees by concomitant administration of progesterone, dexamethasone, the synthetic antiestrogen Cl628, or actinomycin D, parallel decreases in the uterine eosinophil response were observed. To determine the quantity of uterine eosinophil peroxidase directly, the peroxidase content of purified eosinophils was measured. With this specific activity and the estimated number of uterine eosinophils, the total eosinophilic peroxi- dase of one uterine horn was calculated and found to be quantitatively the same as the total bio- chemically assayed enzyme of the contralateral horn for various uteri. Solubilized peroxidase of the uterus and of eosinophils could not be distinguished by sedimentation analysis. These experi- ments indicate that while the uterine epithelium contains estrogen-inducible peroxidase, virtually all of the peroxidase activity extracted from estrogen-stimulated uteri originates in the uterine
Cost-Effectiveness Analyses: Applications in Surgery and Cardiology

In de klinisch wetenschappelijk onderzoek speelt de economische analyse een steeds grotere rol. De economische analyse kan niet los worden gezien van het klinische onderzoek. In dit proefschrift zijn de kosten artikelen dan ook zoveel mogelijk geflankeerd door het klinische onderzoek. Het belangrijkste onderwerp van dit proefschrift is de economische analyse van diagnostische, logistieke en behandelprocessen. In de introductie staat beschreven hoe een economische analyse moet worden uitgevoerd. Daarna beslaat het proefschrift twee delen: een chirurgisch deel (waaronder gastrointestinale en vasculaire chirurgie) en een (interventie-) cardiologisch deel. Het gastrointestinale deel beschrijft de studie naar selectieve darmdecontaminatie bij patienten die een electieve gastro-enterologische chirurgie ondergingen. Het vasculaire deel beschrijft onderzoek naar de beeldvormende technieken bij patienten met perifeer vaatlijden, en een endovasculaire benadering versus open benadering bij patienten met een acuut geruptureerde aneurysma van de abdominale aorta. Het cardiologische deel bevat onderzoek naar de mogelijkheid om patienten met een electieve percutane coronair angiografie dezelfde dag naar huis te sturen, versus een overnachting na de procedure. Daarnaast een economische evaluatie van een klinisch onderzoek naar vroeg invasieve versus selectieve (laat) invasieve percutane coronair angiografie bij patienten met een non-ST-segment elevatie coronair syndroom.
On the dynamic linkages between CO2 emissions, energy consumption and growth in Greece

This paper attempts to analyze the short-and long-run causal dynamic interactions between energy consumption, CO2 emissions and economic growth in Greece, using time-series techniques. To this end, annual data covering the period 1980-2012 are employed and tests for unit roots, the ARDL-bounds approach of cointegration, and Granger-causality based on error-correction models are applied. The results reveal strong feedback in the long-run between all the examined variables. For the shortrun, there is evidence of two-way causality in all examined pairs with only exception the direction CO2 towards GDP.
A Parallel Architecture for Analog-to-Digital Conversion with Improved Dynamic Range

In this thesis, a parallel architecture for Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) is developed to increase the system dynamic range. The proposed architecture is a critical component for a Continuous Wave Stepped Frequency (CWSF) radar system. Existing Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components are inadequate to meet the demands of a high sample rate and a high dynamic range specification. The proposed parallel architecture meets the design criteria by extending the upper voltage limit of high sample rate converters. Extensive simulation study verifies that the desired high sample rate and increased resolution is achieved.
A new soft-switching forward DC-DC converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode

The paper presents a simple soft-switching forward DC-DC converter suitable for low power applications. A lossless passive turn-off snubber is employed to provide zero voltage turn off of the switch as well as transformer reset. Moreover, the choice to operate the converter in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), while providing zero current turn on of the switch, also allows to simplify the topology by eliminating the inductive output filter. A detailed converter analysis, aimed to highlight advantages and drawbacks of the presented topology, is reported, together with a suitable design procedure. Experimental results are also included to verify the theoretical expectations.
The Role of Extracellular Factors in Human Metastatic Chordoma Cell Growth In Vitro

Study Design. Human metastatic chordoma cells were isolated, and initial in vitro characterization was performed. Biochemical and physiologic changes were observed in response to pH, oxygen, and glucose. Objective. The extracellular microenvironment directly affects metastatic chordoma cell phenotype in vitro. Summary of Background Data. Chordomas are primary bone tumors that usually occur in the spine or skull. Chordomas arise from embryonic notochordal remnants along the axial skeleton, most commonly the sacrum, followed by the base of the skull and the mobile spine. Due to a high degree of resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, chordomas eventually cause death by direct growth or by metastasizing to other organs. Methods. Extracellular pH, oxygen, and glucose levels in the culture medium were controlled, and cell response was assessed using MTT staining, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, tandem mass spectrometry, TUNEL, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. Results. In this study, we present a new chordoma cell line established from metastatic tissue and novel data characterizing some aspects of chordoma cell phenotype in different conditions in vitro. Chordoma biologic markers were expressed in the new cell line. Alkaline pH dramatically increased intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation, metabolic activity, and albumin accumulation in the cells, while acidic pH caused apoptosis. Conclusion. The level of proliferation, apoptosis, and tyrosine phosphorylation, as well as the overall protein expression profile, strongly depended on extracellular media pH and oxygen/glucose levels. Chordoma's preferred extracellular microenvironment in vitro was rather alkaline, with an optimum at pH 8.5, and apoptotic changes were induced at acidic pH. We found that bovine serum albumin was accumulated by chordoma cells from the incubation media, and this accumulation depended on extracellular pH, with the highest accumulation at alkaline pH.
Heterogeneous space switches for power-efficient optical interconnection networks

Space switches are the fundamental elements in single plane and multi-plane optical interconnection networks. This paper proposes a heterogeneous implementation of optical space switches based on two gating elements, amplifiers such as semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and modulators such as Mach-Zehnder modulators. The heterogenous implementation has the advantage of being more power-efficient than a homogeneous implementation based only on SOAs and more scalable than a homogeneous implementation based only on modulator-based gates as the optical power loss can be compensated by the SOAs. The paper derives the requirements in number of gating elements for different space switch architectures (i.e., crossbar, Beneš, Spanke, Clos, Spanke-Benes, and hybrid Clos). Based on the such derivation, the scalability and the power-efficiency of the different non-blocking architectures with heterogeneous design are assessed, with the aim at identifying the most suitable architecture based on today's available optical technologies. Results show that power saving around 80% are achievable when using a heterogeneous implementation instead of a homogenous SOA-based implementation.
Natural gas storage valuation and optimization under time-inhomogeneous exponential Lévy processes

ABSTRACT We analyse a stochastic control problem for the valuation of a natural gas storage facility while taking into account operating characteristics. The underlying natural gas spot price dynamics is assumed to follow a time-inhomogeneous exponential Lévy process [4]. This underlying incorporates common features of gas spot prices such as seasonality, mean-reversion and price spikes with seasonal jump intensities. The corresponding HJB equation is the nonlinear PIDE which is solved by an explicit finite difference method for the special case where the model is driven by a time-dependent compound Poisson process. The numerical approach gives us both the value of the storage facility and optimal operating strategy depending on the gas price, current level of gas in the storage and time. The effects of seasonality and seasonal jump intensity are investigated by observing the surfaces of control strategies and contract values.
Spectrum estimation with missing values: A regularized nuclear norm minimization approach

In this paper, we consider estimation of a power spectrum from noise corrupted spectrum samples on uniform grids of frequencies with missing values. We propose two schemes based on the regularized nuclear norm minimization in combination with a recent subspace identification algorithm. The proposed schemes estimate the model order and the missing spectrum values in one step and are robust to large amplitude noise over short data records. Although this estimation problem can be cast as a spectrum estimation problem from nonuniformly spaced measurements and the algorithms developed for this type of data can be used, the identification example of this paper shows that the incomplete data formulation yields more accurate results. The properties of one of the proposed schemes are illustrated in an application example concerned with low-pass modeling of transformer current.
Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibition sensitizes renal mechanoreceptors activated by increases in renal pelvic pressure.

In anesthetized rats, the activation threshold of renal pelvic mechanoreceptors was determined by graded increases in renal pelvic pressure. Ipsilateral afferent renal nerve activity increased 9 +/- 4 (NS), 34 +/- 12, 47 +/- 8, 58 +/- 13, 68 +/- 14, and 91 +/- 17% (all P < 0.01) by the increase in renal pelvic pressure from 2.5 to 15 mmHg in 2.5-mmHg steps. Contralateral diuresis and natriuresis were elicited by renal pelvic pressures > 2.5 mmHg. Renal pelvic perfusion with 1.4 mM ouabain, an inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase), increased basal afferent renal nerve activity transiently, lowered the activation threshold of renal mechanoreceptors to < 2.5 mmHg, and enhanced the afferent renal nerve activity, responses to increasing renal pelvic pressures by 8 and 30 mmHg. The afferent renal nerve activity response to increased renal pelvic pressure was also enhanced by renal pelvic perfusion with 900 mM NaCl but was unaltered by NaCl concentrations ranging from 10 to 600 mM. These findings show that renal pelvic mechanoreceptors are activated by increases in renal pelvic pressure within the physiological range. Although renal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase contributes to the maintenance of the resting membrane potential of renal pelvic mechanoreceptors, the renal pelvic mechanoreceptor discharge is not influenced by physiological renal pelvic Na+ concentrations.
ESTIMATIVA DE ÍNDICES DE CONFORTO TÉRMICO NA CIDADE DE CUIABÁ/MT

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o Indice de Temperatura e Umidade (ITU) e o Indice de Desconforto Termico (IDT) em locais com diferentes usos de solo na cidade de Cuiaba. Para isso foram instaladas duas estacoes meteorologicas fixas na parte superior de caixas d’aguas de escolas publicas, com registros diarios e horarios em dois meses representativos na sazonalidade regional de 2011. O mapeamento do entorno dos locais foi feito com imagens do Google Earth e processados no ArcGis 9.3 . A validacao dos dados foi feita atraves da correlacao de Pearson e regressao linear mediante Bootstrap com 5000 reamostragens. Os resultados estimados do ITU mostraram o predominio de dias “levemente desconfortaveis” em marco e “extremamente desconfortaveis” em setembro, enquanto os resultados estimados do IDT mostraram o predominio de dias “parcialmente confortaveis” para o periodo nos locais. A analise estatistica mostrou forte correlacao e determinacao da temperatura do ar com os valores estimados. Concluiu-se pela estimativa que na cidade de Cuiaba predominaram dias com tendencia de desconforto termico, sendo que o uso do solo diferenciado entre os locais nao modificou as condicoes de conforto termico no entorno dos ambientes.
ELASTIC REVERSE TIME MIGRATION

A fast prestack elastic reverse-time migration scheme is developed. A variablegrid scheme is used to propagate the wave through the shallow low-velocity layers and deep high velocity layers. A new time-step method, which is able to change the time step locally, is developed to provide suitable time-step changes for a staggered grid nite di erence scheme. The reverse-time operator migrates the stressand particlevelocity components simultaneously. Compared to the conventional reverse-time operator, which only uses stressor particle-velocity data, the reverse-time operator here reverses the elds along upand down-going wavepaths and thus migrates both primary and multiple energy to the correct position. The scheme is applied to synthetic marine multicomponent data and eld survey data from CADDO region. Results show that the reverse-time operator using both stressand particle-velocity data can provide migration images with multiples signi cantly attenuated. The variable grid size and time-step methods speed up the reverse-time migration more than 10 times for the model used here, compared to a standard reverse-time migration method.
Isolation of Streptococcus gallolyticus with very high degradability of condensed tannins from feces of the wild Japanese rock ptarmigans on Mt. Tateyama.

None of the authors of this manuscript has any financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence their work. ing on the snow-covered Mt. Tateyama, were at least 80 times more active in tannase than those previously shown in the strain from koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, and at least 8 times more active than those in the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. Freshly defecated cecal feces, or rectal feces, were promptly collected from the snow following close observation (ca. 5 m distance) of the birds on Mt. Tateyama at the end of November 2014 and the middle of May 2015. A portion of the feces was streaked on a BL plate (Nissui, Tokyo, Japan), which was supplemented with 5% defibrinated chicken blood, or a GAM plate (Nissui, Tokyo, Japan). Plates were immediately placed in a plastic bag containing an Anaeropouch (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Tokyo, Japan) and then incubated at 41∞C in a portable incubator after returning to the Raicyo-so Lodge (15–30 minute after collection), where electricity was available. After overnight culture, plates were placed in a styrene foam box with cooling devices and transported to our laboratory. Visible colonies were chosen and re-streaked on the same plate medium. After purification, partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were determined as described previously (Tsuchida et al., 2014). Similar sequences were retrieved from public databases, and calculations for pairwise sequence similarities for 16S rRNA genes were made using MEGA version 6.06 (Tamura et al., 2013). Multiple sequence alignments were performed using the CLUSTAL W program (Thompson et al., 1994) and phylogenetic trees were constructed using the neighbor-joining method (Saitou and Nei, 1987). Tree topology was evaluated by a bootstrap analysis with 1000 replicates using CLUSTAL W. In accordance with Osawa (1990), we prepared tanninIsolation of Streptococcus gallolyticus with very high degradability of condensed tannins from feces of the wild Japanese rock ptarmigans on Mt. Tateyama
Jaw movement and tooth use in recent and fossil primates.

Masticatory movements and molar wear facets in species of Tupaia, Galago, Saimiri, and Ateles have been examined using cinefluorography and occlusal analysis. The molars have been compared with those of a fossil series: Palenochtha, Pelycodus and Aegyptopithecus. The extant primates are almost identical in their feeding behaviour, the movements and timing of the masticatory cycle. Food is first puncture-crushed where the cycle is elongated, the power stroke attenuated and abrasion facets are produced on the molars. Chewing follows, the movements are more complex, the power stroke has two distinct parts and attrition facets are produced. In the primitive forms (Tupaia, Palenochtha), shearing blades, arranged in series (en echelon) were used to cut the food during the first part (Phase I) of the power stroke as the lower teeth move into centric occlusion. This mechanism has been progressively replaced by a system of blade-ringed compression chambers which cut and compartmentalise the food in Phase I. This is followed by an anteromedially and inferiorly directed movement away from centric occlusion (Phase II) in which the food is ground. In both extant and fossil series there has been a clear trend towards the elongation of Phase II with a corresponding reduction in Phase I. These results suggest that the observed changes in the morphology of the jaw apparatus have probably occurred within the limits set by a pre-existing behavioral pattern.