Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Theoretical Model for ROP Localisation by Auxin in Arabidopsis Root Hair Cells

Background Local activation of Rho GTPases is important for many functions including cell polarity, morphology, movement, and growth. Although a number of molecules affecting Rho-of-Plants small GTPase (ROP) signalling are known, it remains unclear how ROP activity becomes spatially organised. Arabidopsis root hair cells produce patches of ROP at consistent and predictable subcellular locations, where root hair growth subsequently occurs. Methodology/Principal Findings We present a mathematical model to show how interaction of the plant hormone auxin with ROPs could spontaneously lead to localised patches of active ROP via a Turing or Turing-like mechanism. Our results suggest that correct positioning of the ROP patch depends on the cell length, low diffusion of active ROP, a gradient in auxin concentration, and ROP levels. Our theory provides a unique explanation linking the molecular biology to the root hair phenotypes of multiple mutants and transgenic lines, including OX-ROP, CA-rop, aux1, axr3, tip1, eto1, etr1, and the triple mutant aux1 ein2 gnom eb. Conclusions/Significance We show how interactions between Rho GTPases (in this case ROPs) and regulatory molecules (in this case auxin) could produce characteristic subcellular patterning that subsequently affects cell shape. This has important implications for research on the morphogenesis of plants and other eukaryotes. Our results also illustrate how gradient-regulated Turing systems provide a particularly robust and flexible mechanism for pattern formation.
Pyruvate Protects Neurons against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Toxicity

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is suspected to be involved in numerous brain pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases or in acute injury such as ischemia or trauma. In this study, we examined the ability of pyruvate to improve the survival of cultured striatal neurons exposed for 30 min to H2O2, as estimated 24 hr later by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]−2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. Pyruvate strongly protected neurons against both H2O2 added to the external medium and H2O2 endogenously produced through the redox cycling of the experimental quinone menadione. The neuroprotective effect of pyruvate appeared to result rather from the ability of α-ketoacids to undergo nonenzymatic decarboxylation in the presence of H2O2 than from an improvement of energy metabolism. Indeed, several other α-ketoacids, including α-ketobutyrate, which is not an energy substrate, reproduced the neuroprotective effect of pyruvate. In contrast, lactate, a neuronal energy substrate, did not protect neurons from H2O2. Optimal neuroprotection was achieved with relatively low concentrations of pyruvate (≤1 mm), whereas at high concentration (10 mm) pyruvate was ineffective. This paradox could result from the cytosolic acidification induced by the cotransport of pyruvate and protons into neurons. Indeed, cytosolic acidification both enhanced the H2O2-induced neurotoxicity and decreased the rate of pyruvate decarboxylation by H2O2. Together, these results indicate that pyruvate efficiently protects neurons against both exogenous and endogenous H2O2. Its low toxicity and its capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier open a new therapeutic perspective in brain pathologies in which H2O2is involved.
Do Differences in Schools' Instruction Time Explain International Achievement Gaps? Evidence from Developed and Developing Countries

The time that children spend in school varies across countries. Do these differences explain international gaps in pupils' academic achievements? In this article I estimate the effects of instructional time on students' achievement using PISA 2006 data, which include data samples from over 50 countries. I find that instructional time has a positive and significant effect on test scores, and that the effect is much lower in developing countries. Evidence also suggests that the productivity of instructional time is higher in countries which implemented school accountability measures or that gave schools autonomy in budgetary decisions and in hiring/firing teachers.
Optimal tree node ordering for child/descendant navigations

There are many applications in which users interactively access huge tree data by repeating set-based navigations. In this paper, we focus on label-specific/wildcard children/ descendant navigations. For efficient processing of these operations in huge data stored on a disk, we need a node ordering scheme that clusters nodes that are accessed together by these operations. In this paper, (1) we show there is no node order that is optimal for all these operations, (2) we propose two schemes, each of which is optimal only for some subset of them, and (3) we show that one of the proposed schemes can process all these operations with access to a constant-bounded number of regions on the disk without accessing irrelevant nodes.
Neural plasticity and development in the first two years of life: Evidence from cognitive and socioemotional domains of research

Abstract Three models that can be used to investigate the effects of different environmental events on brain development and organization are explored. The insult model argues against brain plasticity, and the environmental model regards the brain as infinitely plastic. Our work is guided by the transactional model, which views brain development and organization as an interaction between (a) genetically coded programs for the formation and connectivity of brain structures and (b) environmental modifiers of these codes. Data are reported from our cognitive and socioemotional research studies that support the notion of plasticity during the first 2 years of life. From our work with normal developmental processes, we draw parallels to abnormal development and speculate how the transactional model can be used to explain abnormal brain organization and development.
Generating Diverse Solutions in SAT : Paper Addendum

This document is an addendum to [1]. We complement Section 4 of [1] in two ways. First, a detailed analysis of the randomized algorithms is provided. Second, an explanation of the behavior of the quality functions of pguide and pbcpguide 100 is proposed. The reader should be familiar with the content of [1] up to and including Section 4. 1 Analyzing Randomized Algorithms This section complements the analysis presented in Section 4 of [1] by analyzing the behavior of three randomized algorithms and comparing them to prand. dpll-based sampling invokes the SAT solver k times to generate k models for the same input formula. The first assignment to a variable is random for each invocation of the SAT solver. dpll-based sampling was mentioned in [2], but we did not find any reference to work introducing it. xor-sample [3] invokes the SAT solver at least k times to generate k models. For each invocation, the initial formula is augmented with random XOR constraints, where an XOR constraint includes variables and, optionally, the constant 1. Adding an XOR constraint means enforcing that an odd number of elements in the constraint are satisfied. In the original definition, a variable is added to the XOR constraint with probability q and 1 is added with probability 1/2. One can also use XOR sampling, where the length and number of XOR constraints are predefined. prandweak [4] (AllSAT-Sampling in [4]) is a compact DiversekSet algorithm. It randomizes the polarity of a new decision variable only when a variable is selected for the first time or for the first time after a model. Let us analyze the behavior of the randomized algorithms for DiversekSet, including prand, on our instances. Table 1 summarizes their behavior for a selected number of models and Fig. 1 presents their behavior as a function of the number of models. In our experiments, we used 4 versions of xor-sample, each one generating either 100 or 10 XOR constraints of length of 100 or 10. We generated the XOR constraints and translated them to clauses using the utilities of [3]. Note that additional variables must be introduced to translate XOR constraints to clauses. Compare the summary of the behavior of xor-sample with that Table 1: Mean quality and mean run-time for randomized DiversekSet algorithms, given 100, 50 and 10 models on 66 benchmarks from semiformal verification of hardware. The algorithms are sorted by the quality obtained when generating 100 models. 100 50 10 Algorithm Quality Time Quality Time Quality Time prand 0.1923 225 0.1915 206 0.1903 186 dpll-based sampling 0.1608 3988 0.1609 1992 0.1617 402 xor-sample-100-100 0.1487 5067 0.1485 2559 0.1482 520 xor-sample-100-10 0.1376 6855 0.1373 3430 0.1371 651 xor-sample-10-100 0.1056 4117 0.1052 2059 0.1062 424 prandweak 0.09991 76 0.09405 55 0.08332 39 xor-sample-10-10 0.08896 4126 0.08894 2076 0.08976 424
An Empirical Assessment of the Adoption and Use of Collaboration Information Technologies in the US, Australia, and Hong Kong

This paper builds upon innovation diffusion theory and tests a research model to validate five antecedents of collective adoption and use of seven collaborative information technologies (CITs). Analyses of data collected from 344 organizations in the US, Australia, and Hong Kong suggests that size (organization and IT function), centralization of decision-making, degree of integration, and infrastructure connectivity are significantly related to the adoption and use of CITs across all the three regions. Implications of these findings are discussed along with some directions for practice and research.
Nanoparticles in magnetic resonance imaging: from simple to dual contrast agents

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become one of the most widely used and powerful tools for noninvasive clinical diagnosis owing to its high degree of soft tissue contrast, spatial resolution, and depth of penetration. MRI signal intensity is related to the relaxation times (T1, spin–lattice relaxation and T2, spin–spin relaxation) of in vivo water protons. To increase contrast, various inorganic nanoparticles and complexes (the so-called contrast agents) are administered prior to the scanning. Shortening T1 and T2 increases the corresponding relaxation rates, 1/T1 and 1/T2, producing hyperintense and hypointense signals respectively in shorter times. Moreover, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved with the acquisition of a large number of measurements. The contrast agents used are generally based on either iron oxide nanoparticles or ferrites, providing negative contrast in T2-weighted images; or complexes of lanthanide metals (mostly containing gadolinium ions), providing positive contrast in T1-weighted images. Recently, lanthanide complexes have been immobilized in nanostructured materials in order to develop a new class of contrast agents with functions including blood-pool and organ (or tumor) targeting. Meanwhile, to overcome the limitations of individual imaging modalities, multimodal imaging techniques have been developed. An important challenge is to design all-in-one contrast agents that can be detected by multimodal techniques. Magnetoliposomes are efficient multimodal contrast agents. They can simultaneously bear both kinds of contrast and can, furthermore, incorporate targeting ligands and chains of polyethylene glycol to enhance the accumulation of nanoparticles at the site of interest and the bioavailability, respectively. Here, we review the most important characteristics of the nanoparticles or complexes used as MRI contrast agents.
Monocyte modulation of aqueous outflow and recruitment to the trabecular meshwork following selective laser trabeculoplasty.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) induces monocyte recruitment to the trabecular meshwork (TM) in human and monkey eyes and whether monocytes increase both aqueous outflow in vivo and the conductivity of human Schlemm canal endothelial cells (SCEs) in vitro. METHODS Monocyte recruitment was examined morphometrically in control human and monkey eyes and compared with that following SLT applied 1 to 3 days earlier. Outflow facility was measured for up to 4 days after the intracameral infusion of autologous macrophages in rabbits. Schlemm canal endothelial cell conductivity was measured using flow meters after exposing cultured SCEs to monocytes and monocyte-secreted factors for 24 hours. RESULTS Our estimates show that the TM in the human eye normally had an average of 15 003 monocytes, while in the monkey eye there were 3181 monocytes, and this number increased 4- to 5-fold following SLT. The intracameral infusion of autologous macrophages in rabbits increased outflow facility 2-fold in a rapid and sustained manner. Human monocytes and monocyte-secreted factors increased SCE conductivity 2-fold in vitro. CONCLUSIONS The number of monocytes/macrophages in the TM increases substantially after SLT and monocytes augment both outflow facility and SCE conductivity. Clinical Relevance These findings indicate that the innate immune system in general and monocytes in particular play an important role in aqueous outflow homeostasis. The recruitment of monocytes in increased numbers after SLT likely plays a role in lowering the intraocular pressure after this procedure. The intracameral introduction of autologous monocytes harvested from a vein could have therapeutic potential as a cell-based individualized treatment of glaucoma.
Actionable reminders did not improve performance over passive reminders for overdue tests in the primary care setting

Actionable reminders (electronic reminders linked to computerized order entry) might improve care by facilitating direct ordering of recommended tests. The authors implemented four enhanced actionable reminders targeting performance of annual mammography, one-time bone-density screening, and diabetic testing. There was no difference in rates of appropriate testing between the four intervention and four matched, control primary care clinics for screening mammography (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.02), bone-density exams (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.02), HbA1c monitoring (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.42) and LDL cholesterol monitoring (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.76 to 2.59). Of the survey respondents, 79% almost never used the system or were unaware of the functionality. In the 9/228 (3.9%) cases with indirect evidence of mammography reminder use, there was a significantly lower proportion with test performance. Our actionable reminders did not improve receipt of overdue testing, potentially due to limitations of workflow integration.
Influence of physical activity and dietary habits on lipid profile , blood pressure and BMI in subjects with metabolic syndrome

Background: The present study was determined the influence of physical activity and dietary habits on Iipid profile, blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). Aims: Identify the relationship between physical activity and proper nutrition and the probability of suffering from myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Hundred chronically iII with MS who were active and followed a healthy diet were c1assified as compliant, while the remaining subjects were c1assified as non-compliant. Results: The compliant subjects show lower BMI values (30.8 ± 4.9 vs 32.5 ± 4.6), as well as lower levels of triacylglycerol (130.4 ± 48.2 vs 242.1 ± 90.1), total cholesterol (193.5 ± 39 vs 220.2 ± 52.3) and low-density Iipoprotein cholesterol (105.2 ± 38.3 vs 139.2 ± 45). They show higher values in terms of high-density Iipoprotein cholesterollevels (62.2 ± 20.1 vs 36.6 ± 15.3), with statistically significant differences. In terms of both systolic and diastolic pressure, no differences were revealed between the groups; however, those who maintain proper dietary habits show lower systolic blood pressure levels than the inactive subjects. The probability of suffering from MI greatly increases among the group of non-compliant subjects. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate how performing aerobic physical activity and following an individualized, Mediterranean diet significantly reduces MS indicators and the chances of suffering from MI. (Nutr Hosp. 2011;26: 1105-1109) DO1:10.3305/nh.2011. 26.5. 5206
A Learning Rate Analysis of Reinforcement Learning Algorithms in Finite-Horizon

Many reinforcement learning algorithms, like Q-Learning or R-Learning, correspond to adaptative methods for solving Markovian decision problems in innnite-horizon when no model is available. In this article we consider the particular framework of non-stationary nite-horizon Markov Decision Processes. After establishing a relationship between the nite-horizon total reward criterion and the average-reward criterion in nite-horizon, we deene Q H-Learning and R H-Learning for nite-horizon MDPs. Then we introduce the Ordinary Diierential Equation (ODE) method to conduct a learning rate analysis of Q H-Learning and R H-Learning. R H-Learning appears to be a version of Q H-Learning with matrix-valued step-sizes, the corresponding gain matrix being very close to the optimal matrix which results from the ODE analysis. Experimental results connrm that performance hierarchy.
Study on Approaching Precision to Standard Fuzzy Systems with Two Different Basic Functions

The standard fuzzy systems are established with partition of normal quadratic polynomial membership functions and normal trigonometric membership functions. Universal approximation error bounds of these fuzzy systems from SISO to MISO are given and their relations are founded. The error remainder term and auxiliary function are employed for the first time in proving process. Moreover, advantage and shortcoming of the two fuzzy systems are compared and correlative conclusions are obtained. Finally, computing examples are given and the validity of the conclusions is confirmed.
Eastern Partnership: bringing “the political” back in

ABSTRACT This article rethinks the Eastern Partnership agenda using Edkins’ framework of “the political”. Part of the problem, it argues, is the EU’s failure to imagine a new social order, which would give a relational value to the Other, and not by way of disciplining it to the EU standards, but rather, by way of aligning differences to a shared “normal”. The article problematises power relations as a process of “othering” in order to re-conceptualise them via key notions of differentiation, and normalisation. It argues for bringing “the political” back in, for debating and legitimising contesting social orders.
Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide Regulates Arterial Elasticity in Human Arteries In Vivo

Arterial elasticity is determined by structural characteristics of the artery wall and by vascular smooth muscle tone. The identity of endogenous vasoactive substances that regulate elasticity has not been defined in humans. We hypothesized that NO, a vasodilator released constitutively by the endothelium, augments arterial elasticity. Seven healthy young men were studied. A 20-MHz intravascular ultrasound catheter was introduced through an arterial sheath to measure brachial artery cross-sectional area, wall thickness, and intra-arterial pressure. After control was established, indices of elasticity (pressure-area relationship, instantaneous compliance, and stress-strain, pressure–incremental elastic modulus (Einc), and pressure–pulse wave velocity relationships) were examined over 0 to 100 mm Hg transmural pressure obtained by inflation of an external cuff. Thereafter, the basal production of endothelium-derived NO was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMMA) (4 and 8 mg/min). Finally, nitroglycerin (2.5 and 12.5 &mgr;g/min), an exogenous donor of NO, was given to relax the vascular smooth muscle. Elasticity was measured under all of these conditions. L-NMMA (8 mg/min) decreased brachial artery area (P =0.016) and compliance (P <0.0001) and increased Einc (P <0.01) and pulse wave velocity (P <0.0001). Nitroglycerin (12.5 &mgr;g/min) increased brachial artery area (P <0.001) and compliance (P <0.001) and decreased pulse wave velocity (P =0.02). NO, an endothelium-derived vasodilator, augments arterial elasticity in the human brachial artery. Loss of constitutively released NO associated with cardiovascular risk factors may adversely affect arterial elasticity in humans.
Content-based image retrieval via distributed databases

The overall objective of this paper is to present an extended application of Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) over distributed (decentralized) image databases. Traditional image retrieval system design has implicitly relied on a local (centralized) query server, such as IBM's QBIC [1], Columbia's VisualSEEk [2], MIT's PhotoBook [3], and UCSD's Viagem™ [4]. With the growing popularity of the internet, however, the focus of the research in this area has been shifted toward content query over distributed databases. Ng et al. [5] has studied a peer-clustering model for the query with the assumption that the image collection at each peer node falls under one category. Even though, this assumption is effective for preliminary studies, it is unable to implant the practical end-user behaviors. Lee et al. [6] has introduced a novel approach to study practical scenarios where multiple image categories exist in each individual database in the distributed storage network. This approach is proven to be an effective method to improve retrieval precision via identifying the community neighborhood who shares similar content collection. The main focus of this paper is to study behavior of a CBIR engine in an interactive distributed environment. In the proposed approach, the query image is sent to all registered databases in the network. Response of each database is then collected and transferred to a local server where a supervised relevance identification approach is applied to identify final outcome of the search. Response of each database is quantified via estimating the statistical resemblance of top image candidates to the existing query image. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate feasibility of the proposed methodology.
Psychological Distance

The utility function with traditional exponential discount cannot explain individuals´ problems of inter-temporal inconsistence and self-control. Several economists have explained these problems with what is known as “present-bias”. The present-bias means that a good becomes more tempting when it is in the present than when it is in the future. Nevertheless, how tempting a good is depends
V-BLAST-Based Virtual MIMO for Distributed Wireless Sensor Networks

A virtual multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications architecture based on vertical Bell Laboratories layered space-time (V-BLAST) receiver processing is proposed for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The proposed scheme does not require transmitter-side node cooperation unlike previously proposed virtual MIMO schemes. The energy and delay efficiencies of the proposed virtual MIMO scheme are derived for networks with both single-and multiple-antenna data gathering nodes (DGNs). Numerical results show the significant energy savings offered by the proposed method. These results also indicate that rate optimization over transmission distance is not essential as in virtual MIMO systems based on Alamouti scheme. In most scenarios, a fixed-rate virtual MIMO system with 4-quadrature amplitude modulation can achieve performance very close to that of an optimized, variable-rate system. In the case of single-antenna DGNs, the proposed scheme typically incur larger delay values compared to traditional single-input single-output communication, making it a good candidate for energy-starved but delay-tolerant WSNs.
Interstitial radiosurgery in the treatment of gelastic epilepsy due to hypothalamic hamartomas

The authors evaluated a new stereotactic radiosurgical approach in seven patients with gelastic epilepsy due to hypothalamic hamartomas. Stereotactic implantation of 125I-seeds into the hamartoma was feasible in six patients. At follow-up at least 1 year after interstitial radiotherapy, two patients had become seizure-free within 2 months, and two others had only persisting auras. There were no major perioperative or postoperative side effects.