Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The genetic polymorphisms of angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion and glioma susceptibility: A meta-analysis

Objective: The previous studies on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) genetic polymorphism and glioma risk were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association between ACE I/D polymorphisms and glioma risk. Methods and Results: In total, four populations (1110 cases and 1335 controls) on ACE I/D polymorphism were included. Overall, the meta-analysis demonstrated no significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism and glioma risk. In addition, the analysis of the association of ACE I/D polymorphism and clinical grade also showed no significant association. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis didn’t find a significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism glioma risk. However, further studies with larger sample size and more ethnic groups are required to confirm the results.
Internal geometric friction in a Kitaev-chain heat engine

We investigate a heat engine with a finite-length Kitaev chain in an ideal Otto cycle. It is found that the critical point of the topological phase transition coincides with the maxima of the efficiency and work output of the total Otto engine. Finite-size effects are taken into account using the method of Hill's nanothermodynamics, as well as using the method of temperature-dependent energy levels. We identify the bulk and boundary thermal cycles of the Kitaev chain engine and find that they are non-ideal Otto cycles. The physics of deviation from ideal Otto cycle is identified as a finite size effect, which we dub as "internal geometric friction", leading to heat transfer from the bulk to the boundary during adiabatic transformation of the whole system. Besides, we determine the regimes allowing for independently running an ideal Otto refrigerator at the boundary and an ideal Otto engines in the bulk and in the whole system. Furthermore, we show that the first-order phase transition in the boundary and the second-order phase transition in the bulk can be identified through their respective contributions to the engine work output.
MAPK in Dunaliella tertiolecta regulates glycerol production in response to osmotic shock

Glycerol production is modulated in some halo-tolerant organisms in response to extracellular osmotic stress. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) is a rate-limiting enzyme of glycerol synthesis in both yeast and the green microalgae Dunaliella. In yeast, a High-Osmolarity-Glycerol (HOG) pathway, which is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, has been suggested to activate the expression of GPDH and thus the accumulation of glycerol under osmotic stress. In Dunaliella tertiolecta, however, the osmo-regulatory mechanisms for glycerol synthesis are not well understood. In this study, the homologues of MAPK and GPDH in D. tertiolecta were cloned using Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) to investigate the molecular basis of the osmo-regulatory mechanisms. The isolated cDNA sequences were named DtMAPK (GenBank: KJ930518) and DtGPDH (GenBank: KJ930370), respectively. It was found that after osmotic shock DtMAPK and DtGPDH expression increased within 0.5 h and 1 h, respectively. In addition, glycerol production and DtGPDH expression level paralleled the expression of DtMAPK under various osmotic stress conditions. This suggests a close correlation between the expression of these two genes and glycerol production in D. tertiolecta. Moreover, suppressed transcription of DtGPDH and delayed accumulation of intracellular glycerol were observed in DtMAPK knock-down cells upon hyper-osmotic shock, providing further evidence that DtMAPK is involved in the regulation of DtGPDH expression and thus glycerol synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that a MAPK-mediated signalling pathway similar to the yeast HOG pathway may exist in D. tertiolecta in response to osmotic stress.
Cost-effective tissue culture media for large-scale propagation of three commercial banana (Musa spp.) varieties

ABSTRACT Cost-effective tissue culture protocols have been established for the commercial multiplication of three banana varieties, ‘Rasthali’ (AAB – Silk), ‘Grand Naine’ (AAA – Cavendish), and ‘Udhayam’ (ABB – Pisang Awak). Reverse osmosis water and 3% (w/v) table sugar were used as the low-cost water and carbon source, respectively. Six different gelling agent treatments were tested: sago alone (T1), Isabgol alone (T2), sago + agar (T3), Isabgol + agar (T4), sago + Isabgol (T5), and agar alone as a control (T6). Full-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg l–1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1 mg l–1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were used for culture initiation and subculturing. Rooting was accomplished on low-cost MS medium containing 1.0 mg l–1 α-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 1.0 mg l–1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and 250 mg l–1 activated charcoal. Statistical analysis indicated that sago + Isabgol (T5) produced the maximum number of shoots (10 per explant) in ‘Udhayam’ and ‘Rasthali’, while sago alone (T1) produced the maximum number of shoots (6 per explant) in ‘Grand Naine’. The genetic stability of tissue-cultured banana plantlets produced using these low-cost substitutes was assessed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The results indicated that the ISSR profiles of the five treatments and the control (T6) were similar, indicating genetic stability using these cost-effective tissue culture protocols. Reductions in cost over the control (l–1 of MS medium) ranged from 65% to 86%, while the per plant production cost was reduced by 12.5%–20.0%. Adoption of these treatments (T1–T5) as low-cost tissue culture protocols for in vitro propagation would reduce production costs significantly, leading to an expansion of the area planted with tissue-cultured banana, thereby increasing productivity.
Warming and shifting phenology accelerate an invasive plant life cycle

Abstract Numerous studies have documented changes in the seasonal timing of organisms’ growth and reproduction in response to climate warming. These changes correlate with documented changes in species’ abundance, but mechanisms linking these trends remain elusive. We investigated the joint demographic effects of advanced reproductive phenology and warming on a globally invasive plant (Carduus nutans) in a field experiment, documenting a substantial shift toward completion of the life cycle at younger ages. Demographic modeling projected 71% of warmed individuals flower as annuals, compared to 61% under current conditions. As this species only reproduces once, this represents a major acceleration of the life cycle. We project a 15% increase in this invader’s population growth rate. We show that rising temperatures accelerate this invasive species’ population growth by increasing the average size of reproducing individuals; increasing the proportion of individuals that survive to reproduce; and increasing the fraction that reproduce as annuals. Major increases in population growth in this, and potentially many other, invasive species will threaten food security and require careful planning to avoid significant environmental and economic impacts.
The Covert and Overt Reassurance Seeking Inventory (CORSI): Development, validation and psychometric analyses

Abstract Background: Reassurance seeking (RS) is motivated by perceived general and social/relational threats across disorders, yet is often under-recognized because it occurs in covert (i.e. subtle) and overt forms. Covert safety-seeking behaviour may maintain disorders by preventing corrective learning and is therefore important to identify effectively. Aims: This study presents the validation and psychometric analyses of a novel measure of covert and overt, general and social/relational threat-related interpersonal RS. Method: An initial 30-item measure was administered to an undergraduate sample (N = 1626), as well as to samples of individuals diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD; n = 50), anxiety disorders (n = 60) and depression (n = 30). The data were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and validation analyses. Results: An exploratory factor analysis using principal axis factoring with oblique rotation yielded five interpretable factors, after removing four complex items. The resulting 26-item measure, the Covert and Overt Reassurance Seeking Inventory (CORSI), evidenced good convergent and divergent validity and accounted for 54.99% of the total variance after extraction. Factor correlations ranged from r = . 268 to . 736, suggesting that they may be tapping into unique facets of RS behaviour. In comparison with undergraduate participants, all clinical groups had significantly higher total scores [t (51.80–840) = 3.92–5.84, p < . 001]. The CFA confirmed the five-factor model with good fit following the addition of four covariance terms (goodness of fit index = .897, comparative fit index = .918, Tucker–Lewis index = .907, root mean square error approximation = .061). Conclusion: The CORSI is a brief, yet comprehensive and psychometrically strong measure of problematic RS. With further validation, the CORSI has potential for use within clinical and research contexts.
Evaluation of the Y-chromosome

The main purpose of forensic genetics is ‘individualization of persons or lineages of descent’ (Roewer 2003). With this statement in mind studies have shown that the Y-chromosome has proved to be a useful and informative forensic genetic tool offering a number of unique qualities: male specificity for the majority of its length, absence of recombination providing unambiguous male lineages and the creation of population-specific allele distributions for smaller population groups. This report provides an evaluation of the Y-chromosome structure: one of the smallest chromosomes within the human genome and one of the most useful and informative haplotyping systems. Identification is made to specific individual regions including the pseudoautosomal region, the male specific region that encompasses the heterochromatic and euchromatic regions and also the sex determining region. Discussions involve the advantages and limitations in the use of various length polymorphisms including short tandem repeats (STRs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS), palindromic sequences, gene conversion hotspots and specific regions within the DAZ genes (used for the detection of infertility in males) in forensic investigations surrounding cases such as sexual assault, paternity testing, genealogical, population and evolution studies. Key Words: Y-chromosome, Y-STR, Y-SNP, Palindromic Sequences.
Electron Cyclotron Heating, Current Drive, and Emission Applications of the GENRAY Ray Tracing Code

We report benchmarking of EC absorption and CD from the GENRAY ray tracing code against results from the well-known TORAY ray tracing code for ITER and DIII-D conditions. The code is then applied to calculate nonthermal cyclotron emission from the DIII-D tokamak for high power, low density discharges, using CQL3D distributions functions. Radiation temperature is four times the Thomson temperature. The GENRAY ray tracing code [1,2] is an all-frequencies ray tracing code in three dimensional geometry. Presently, the ray tracing uses toroidal equilibria as specified by the EQDSK format, with optional toroidal variations in magnetic field and plasma parameters. Several alternative wave dispersion calculations are supported, including the fully relativistic relation of Mazzucato-Fidone-Granata[3]. Current drive is obtained with the Cohen adjoint module[4]. For modeling of high power RF injection, GENRAY is coupled to the CQL3D Fokker-Planck code[5]. GENRAY builds on the experience of the TORAY[6] and Brambilla LH/FW ray tracing[7] codes. Calculations are performed in a R, Φ,Z-cylindrical coordinate system. Numerical integration of the ray tracing equations is with Runge-Kutta techniques. Capabilities have been developed to readily incorporate any dispersion relation solver: the required derivatives with respect to wave frequency and wavenumber are obtained by numerical differentiation. In addition, GENRAY calculates nonthermal cyclotron emission resulting from analytically or numerically specified distributions. The radiation transport equation is solved following along EC rays, in the manner of the prior HORACE code[8]. Coefficients of emission and absorption are then calculated at necessary points along the ray trajectories terminating at the detector, enabling solution
The current state of navigation in robotic spine surgery

The advent and widespread adoption of pedicle screw instrumentation prompted the need for image guidance in spine surgery to improve accuracy and safety. Although the conventional method, fluoroscopy, is readily available and inexpensive, concerns regarding radiation exposure and the drive to provide better visual guidance spurred the development of computer-assisted navigation. Contemporaneously, a non-navigated robotic guidance platform was also introduced as a competing modality for pedicle screw placement. Although the robot could provide high precision trajectory guidance by restricting four of the six degrees of freedom (DOF), the lack of real-time depth control and high capital acquisition cost diminished its popularity, while computer-assisted navigation platforms became increasingly sophisticated and accepted. The recent integration of real-time 3D navigation with robotic platforms has resulted in a resurgence of interest in robotics in spine surgery with the recent introduction of numerous navigated robotic platforms. The currently available navigated robotic spine surgery platforms include the ROSA Spine Robot (Zimmer Biomet Robotics formerly Medtech SA, Montpellier, France), ExcelsiusGPS® (Globus Medical, Inc., Audubon, PA, USA), Mazor X spine robot (Medtronic Navigation Louisville, CO; Medtronic Spine, Memphis, TN; formerly Mazor Robotics, Caesarea, Israel) and TiRobot (TINAVI Medical Technologies, Beijing, China). Here we provide an overview of these navigated spine robotic platforms, existing applications, and potential future avenues of implementation.
Investigating the Contributions of Leukocyte Responses and Kidney Cell Stress on Shiga- Toxin Pathogenesis

Background: Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are emerging foodand waterborne pathogens and a leading cause of acute renal failure in otherwise healthy children. Ribotoxic Shiga toxins are the primary virulence factors and are responsible for the potentially lethal EHEC complication of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS, defined clinically by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and thrombotic microangiopathy which contribute to acute kidney injury or renal failure, is associated with significant patient morbidity. No pathogenor toxinspecific therapeutic exists, and antibiotic use is contraindicated. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of Stx toxicity could lead to the development of Stx specific therapies. Hypothesis: Experimental evidence suggests a role for leukocytes in systemic Stx2 trafficking and in Stx2 mediated kidney pathology. Cell stress responses, such as the ER stress response and ribosomal stress response, are
Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Receptor As A Molecular Target for Contraception in Feral Cats

ii Acknowledgments . v List of Tables . xii List of Figures . xiii List of Abbreviations . xv Chapter 1: Literature Review . 1 Section 1.1: The Overpopulation of Feral Cats and Its Implications . 1 Section 1.2: Approaches to Controlling the Overpopulation of Feral Cats . 6 Section 1.2.1: Shelters . 6 Section 1.2.2: Trap-neuter-release Programs . 7 Section 1.2. 3: Surgical Sterilization . 9 Section 1.2. 4: Non-surgical Sterilization . 11 Section 1.2. 4.1: Chemical Sterilants . 12 Section 1.2. 4.2: Hormonal Downregulation via Sex Steroids . 13 Section 1.2. 4.3: Immunization against Zona Pellucida . 14 Section 1.2. 4.4: Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone-based Agents . 16 Section 1.3: Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) . 21 Section 1.3. 1: GnRH Structure . 21 Section 1.3:2: Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal Axis . 23 Section 1.4: Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRHR) . 24 Section 1.4.1: Properties of GnRH binding to GnRHR . 26 Section 1.4.2: GnRHR Signaling . 27 Section 1.4.3: GnRHR Trafficking . 29 Section 1.5: DNA-based Vaccines . 33 Section 1.6: Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles . 37 Chapter 2: Construction and in vitro Characterization of DNA-Based Vaccines Directed against Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Receptor . 47 Section 2.1: Introduction . 47 Section 2.2: Materials and Methods . 51 Section 2.2.1: Animal Samples . 51 Section 2.2.2: RNA Isolation . 52 Section 2.2. 3: Restriction Digestion, Purification, and Ligation . 53 Section 2.2. 4: Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and PCR . 54 Section 2.2. 5: Cloning Strategy . 56 Section 2.2. 5.1: Construction of Template Plasmid Encoding Feline (f)GnRHR . 56 Section 2.2. 5.2: Construction of Template Plasmid Encoding Ubiquitin (Ub) . 56 Section 2.2. 5.2: Construction of Template Plasmid Encoding Ub-fGnRHR . 56 Section 2.2. 5.4: Construction of Plasmid Encoding fGnRHR for Vaccination Purposes . 57 Section 2.2. 6: Electroporation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) Cells . 58 Section 2.2. 7: Plasmid DNA Isolation . 58
In vitro propagation of Drosera spp

hormones produced multiple plantlets that entirely covered the original leaf explant (Fig. 1A). In many cases, too many plantlets were produced to count accurately. All but one leaf explant grown on 1/2 MS and 1/4 MS produced plantlets, but more plantlets were produced on 1/2 MS. Plantlets were produced on 60% and 38% of the explants on 1/8 MS and full-strength medium, respectively. Plantlets were readily subcultured on 1/2 MS without hormones. All subcultured D. rotundifolia and D. capensis plantlets produced extensive root systems after 6 to 8 weeks (Fig. 1B), in contrast to the generally weak-rooted plants found in the wild (Junitures were contaminated in the immediate HORTSCIENCE 27(7):850. 1992.
dPak functions in cytoskeletal polarization and epithelial morphogenesis during Drosophila embryogenesis and oogenesis

The Rho GTPases (Rho, Rac and Cdc42) play key roles in regulating cytoskeletal rearrangement, membrane trafficking, transcription activation and development. Many putative effector molecules for each member of the Rho family have been identified, of which the p21-activated kinases (Paks) are shared effectors for RacJCdc42. I was interested in the characterization of a Drosophila homologue of Pak (dPak) during embryonic dorsal closure (DC) and oogenesis. During DC, a hole in the dorsal epidermis, occupied by an epithelium called amnioserosa, is sealed by dorsalward migration of the epidermal flanks driven by a contractile apparatus at the dorsal end of the advancing epidermis in the leading edge cells (LE). I examined phenotypes in DC of constitutively active versions of Dracl (DraclVl2) and Dcdc42 (Dcdc42V12) induced in a dpak6 mutant background. I expressed transgenes bearing an autoinhibitory domain (AID) of dPak, which blocks the endogenous kinase activity of Pak-I subfamily kinases, in the amnioserosa and the LE during DC. Pak-I subfamily kinase activity is required in the amnioserosa for morphogenesis of the epidermis but not for amnioserosa cell shape change. Inhibition of the Pak-I kinase activity in the LE cells
Paratanytarsus Thienemann & Bause from China (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini)

This article reviews the Tanytarsini genus Paratanytarsus from China. Paratanytarsus paralauterborni is described as new to science. The male of an unnamed species (sp. A) also is described. Two newly recorded species from China — P. inopterus (Walker) and P. tenuis (Meigen) — and P. dissimilis (Johansen) are redescribed and figured as males. The female of P. grimmii (Schneider) is reexamined and illustrated. A key to the males of the Chinese Paratanytarsus is given.
Biology and Systematics of the Leafmining Gracillariidae of Brazilian Pepper Tree, Schinus terebinthifolius raddi, with Descriptions of a New Genus and Four New Species)

ABSTRACT. Recent surveys in southern Florida, USA, Brazil and Argentina, for biological control agents to assist in the control of the invasive Brazilian peppertree, have discovered several previously unknown species of plant mining Lepidoptera of the family Gracillariidae. Morphological descriptions with summaries of their biology for the following four new species and one new genus are presented: Caloptilia schinusifolia Davis and Wheeler, from Brazil and possibly Argentina; Eucosmophora schinusivora Davis and Wheeler, from Argentina and Brazil; Leurocephala schinusae Davis and Mc Kay, new genus and species, from Argentina and Brazil; and Marmara habecki Davis, new species, from Florida, USA. The larvae of all four species exhibit a hypermetamorphic development consisting of early instar sapfeeding and later instar tissue feeding stages typical for members of Gracillariidae. Larvae of M. habecki were also observed to possess an additional nonfeeding, transitional instar prior to the final instar as is typical for the genus (Wagner et al. 2000). Larvae of the new genus Leurocephala were discovered to undergo an intermediate, nearly apodal tissue feeding stage between the sapfeeding and final tissue feeding instars. Unique specimens representing an additional three species of Gracillariidae also have been reared from this tree in Argentina or Brazil, but these could not be identified because of inadequate material. COI barcodes were obtained for Marmara habecki, M. smilacisella, and an undescribed Marmara from Brazil. Each species was separated by a minimum barcode divergence of > 4.5% (Fig. 111).
Hymenochaete in China. 4. H. parmastoi sp. nov. and H. ustulata new to China

Hymenochaete parmastoi is described as new to science. It is similar to H. minor and H. rhabarbarina, but morphological and molecular (ITS rDNA sequences) evidence show that they are distinct from each other. Hymenochaete ustulata, which was collected from Guangdong Province, southern China, is newly recorded in China. It is characterized by anatomical structure (in sect. Paragymnochaete and with abundant crystals). Illustrated descriptions of these two species are provided.
Pose Imitation Constraints for Collaborative Robots.

Achieving human-like motion in robots has been a fundamental goal in many areas of robotics research. Inverse kinematic (IK) solvers have been explored as a solution to provide kinematic structures with anthropomorphic movements. In particular, numeric solvers based on geometry, such as FABRIK, have shown potential for producing human-like motion at a low computational cost. Nevertheless, these methods have shown limitations when solving for robot kinematic constraints. This work proposes a framework inspired by FABRIK for human pose imitation in real-time. The goal is to mitigate the problems of the original algorithm while retaining the resulting humanlike fluidity and low cost. We first propose a human constraint model for pose imitation. Then, we present a pose imitation algorithm (PIC), and it's soft version (PICs) that can successfully imitate human poses using the proposed constraint system. PIC was tested on two collaborative robots (Baxter and YuMi). Fifty human demonstrations were collected for a bi-manual assembly and an incision task. Then, two performance metrics were obtained for both robots: pose accuracy with respect to the human and the percentage of environment occlusion/obstruction. The performance of PIC and PICs was compared against the numerical solver baseline (FABRIK). The proposed algorithms achieve a higher pose accuracy than FABRIK for both tasks (25%-FABRIK, 53%-PICs, 58%-PICs). In addition, PIC and it's soft version achieve a lower percentage of occlusion during incision (10%-FABRIK, 4%-PICs, 9%-PICs). These results indicate that the PIC method can reproduce human poses and achieve key desired effects of human imitation.