Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification, molecular cloning and functional characterization of flavonoid C-glucosyltransferases from Fagopyrum esculentum M. (buckwheat) cotyledon.

C-Glycosides are characterized by their C-C bonds in which the anomeric carbon of the sugar moieties is directly bound to the carbon atom of aglycon. C-Glycosides are remarkably stable, as their C-C bonds are resistant to glycosidase or acid hydrolysis. A variety of plant species are known to accumulate C-glycosylflavonoids; however, the genes encoding for enzymes that catalyze C-glycosylation of flavonoids have been identified only from Oryza sativa (rice) and Zea mays (maize), and have not been identified from dicot plants. In this study, we identified the C-glucosyltransferase gene from the dicot plant Fagopyrum esculentum M. (buckwheat). We purified two isozymes from buckwheat seedlings that catalyze C-glucosylation of 2-hydroxyflavanones, which are expressed specifically in the cotyledon during seed germination. Following purification we isolated the cDNA corresponding to each isozyme [FeCGTa (UGT708C1) and FeCGTb (UGT708C2)]. When expressed in Escherichia coli, both proteins demonstrated C-glucosylation activity towards 2-hydroxyflavanones, dihydrochalcone, trihydroxyacetophenones and other related compounds with chemical structures similar to 2',4',6'-trihydroxyacetophenone. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of plant glycosyltransferases shows that flavonoid C-glycosyltransferases form a different clade with other functionally analyzed plant glycosyltransferases.
The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Orthographic and Phonological Preview Benefits: Parafoveal Processing in Skilled and Less-skilled Deaf Readers Orthographic and Phonological Preview Benefits: Parafoveal Processing in Skilled and Less-skilled Deaf Readers

distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. Many deaf individuals do not develop the high-level reading skills that will allow them to fully take part into society. To attempt to explain this widespread difficulty in the deaf population, much research has honed in on the use of phonological codes during reading. The hypothesis that the use of phonological codes is associated with good reading skills in deaf readers, though not well supported, still lingers in the literature. We investigated skilled and less-skilled adult deaf readers' processing of orthographic and phonological codes in parafoveal vision during reading by monitoring their eye movements and using the boundary paradigm. Orthographic preview benefits were found in early measures of reading for skilled hearing, skilled deaf, and less-skilled deaf readers, but only skilled hearing readers processed phonological codes in parafoveal vision. Crucially, skilled and less-skilled deaf readers showed a very similar pattern of preview benefits during reading. These results support the notion that reading difficulties in deaf adults are not linked to their failure to activate phonological codes during reading. It is well known that for hearing individuals, phono-logical codes play an important part in learning these codes play in determining advanced reading skill in deaf readers, however, is a matter of debate (Mayberry, Del Giudice, & Lieberman, 2011). Because deaf children and adults only have degraded (or absent) access to the sounds of spoken language, they may only develop partial or underspecified phonological representations (Kelly & Barac-Cikoja, 2007) that support reading acquisition of an alphabetical language in readers who Klinton Bicknell for help with data collection or analysis, and Reinhold Kliegl, Matt Traxler, and Sarah White for their comments on an earlier version of the paper. can hear (Rayner et al., 2001). Deaf individuals do have access to some levels of phonological information developed via nonauditory channels (i.e., visual lip reading and articulatory speech production ; Kelly & Barac-Cikoja, 2007, for review). Some …
A Mini-Review of Reactive Oxygen Species in Urological Cancer: Correlation with NADPH Oxidases, Angiogenesis, and Apoptosis

Oxidative stress refers to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and NADPH oxidases (NOXs), which are one of the most important sources of ROS. Oxidative stress plays important roles in the etiologies, pathological mechanisms, and treatment strategies of vascular diseases. Additionally, oxidative stress affects mechanisms of carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and prognosis in malignancies. Nearly all solid tumors show stimulation of neo-vascularity, termed angiogenesis, which is closely associated with malignant aggressiveness. Thus, cancers can be seen as a type of vascular disease. Oxidative stress-induced functions are regulated by complex endogenous mechanisms and exogenous factors, such as medication and diet. Although understanding these regulatory mechanisms is important for improving the prognosis of urothelial cancer, it is not sufficient, because there are controversial and conflicting opinions. Therefore, we believe that this knowledge is essential to discuss observations and treatment strategies in urothelial cancer. In this review, we describe the relationships between members of the NOX family and tumorigenesis, tumor growth, and pathological mechanisms in urological cancers including prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and urothelial cancer. In addition, we introduce natural compounds and chemical agents that are associated with ROS-induced angiogenesis or apoptosis.
case of influenza The reinfection threshold regulates pathogen diversity : the

References http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/4/12/137.full. html#ref-list-1 This article cites 22 articles, 7 of which can be accessed free Rapid response http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing. org/letters/submit/royinterface;4/12/137 Respond to this article Email alerting service here right-hand corner of the article or click Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box at the top
A force acquisition method in a catheter navigation system

Endovascular intervention is expected to become increasingly popular in medical practice, both for diagnosis and for surgery. Accordingly, researches of robotic systems for endovascular surgery assistant have been carried out widely. Robotic catheter navigation systems are with advantages of higher precision, can be controlled remotely etc. However, the haptic feelings, the important function for propelling robotic catheter navigation system is immature. In the paper, a robotic catheter navigation system is proposed. The navigation system is designed to simulate the surgeon Os operating procedure. And the haptic feedback issue is concerned. A clamping force measure method is developed. Therefore, surgeons can carry out operation with their own skills. System implement and performance are presented.
Conventional Median Sternotomy vs. Upper Partial Sternotomy in Mitral Valve Replacement

In the mid-1990s, minimally invasive approaches for mitral valve operations were pioneered with the intent of reducing morbidity, postoperative pain, and blood loss; improving cosmesis; shortening hospital stay; and reducing cost compared with the 50-year-old conventional median sternotomy approach. Furthermore, it was believed that less spreading of the incision, no interference with the diaphragm, and less tissue dissection might improve outcomes, particularly respiratory function [1,2].
Dynamic Hedging of Portfolio Credit Derivatives

We compare the performance of various hedging strategies for index collateralized debt obligation (CDO) tranches across a variety of models and hedging methods during the recent credit crisis. Our empirical analysis shows evidence for market incompleteness: a large proportion of risk in the CDO tranches appears to be unhedgeable. We also show that, unlike what is commonly assumed, dynamic models do not necessarily perform better than static models, nor do high-dimensional bottom-up models perform better than simpler top-down models. When it comes to hedging, top-down and regression-based hedging with the index provide significantly better results during the credit crisis than bottom-up hedging with single-name credit default swap (CDS) contracts. Our empirical study also reveals that while significantly large moves—“jumps”—do occur in CDS, index, and tranche spreads, these jumps do not necessarily occur on the default dates of index constituents, an observation which shows the insufficiency of some recently proposed portfolio credit risk models.
Caveolar and intercellular channels provide major transport pathways of macromolecules across vascular endothelial cells

Serum macromolecules are transported through the vascular endothelial layer to the interstitium via the caveolae and interendothelial clefts, but the nature of the permeability of these structures is unknown, and the manner of caveola‐vesicle transport is controversial. We have developed a method of detecting macromolecular channels using an in situ HRP perfusion into arteries previously perfused with aldehyde and random conventional sectioning for electron microscopy. Using unbiased morphometry, 4.75% of the abluminal caveolae and 15.13% of the intercellular clefts were the tracer‐positive in rat aortic endothelium. In rat aortas treated with N‐ethylmaleimide, all caveolae and most free vesicles in the cytoplasm except those around the Golgi area were HRP‐positive in the endothelial cells; 1.48% of abluminal caveolae were structurally recognized as caveolar channels through the endothelial layer in a plane of single section. The length density of the abluminal caveolae was decreased to about 80% to the physiological control level whereas the larger invaginations were more frequently observed. Moreover 96.17% of the intercellular clefts were HRP‐positive. We suggest that a flexible channel‐system functions extensively as a macromolecular transport pathway in the arterial endothelium in vivo because the tracer‐labeled abluminal caveolae and intercellular clefts should be opened to the luminal surfaces methodologically. We therefore propose that caveolar channels, rather than transcytosis, provide a mechanism of caveola‐vesicle transport in the endothelial cells, because free vesicles involved in transcytosis were few in number. Anat Rec 264:32–42, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ssessing floristic composition with multispectral sensors — A comparison based n monotemporal and multiseasonal field spectra

Assessing and mapping patterns of (semi-)natural vegetation types at a large spatial scale is a difficult task. The challenge increases if the floristic variation within vegetation types (i.e., subtype variation of species composition) is the target. A desirable way to deal with this task may be to address such vegetation patterns with remote-sensing approaches. In particular data from multispectral sensors are easy to obtain, globally accessible, and often provide a high temporal resolution. They hence offer a comprehensive basis for vegetation mapping. The potential of such sensors for vegetation mapping has, however, never been thoroughly investigated. In particular, a systematic test regarding the spectral capabilities of these data for an assessment of detailed floristic variation has not been implemented to date. We thus addressed in this study the question how the ability of optical sensors to map floristic variation is affected by their respective spectral coverage and number of bands. To answer this question, we simulated monotemporal and multiseasonal data of eleven multispectral sensors. These data were used to model gradual transitions in species composition (i.e., floristic gradients) within three types of spontaneous vegetation typical for 2 Central Europe using Partial Least Squares regression. Comparison of the model fits (ranging up to R = 0.76 in cross-validation) illustrated the potential of multispectral data for detailed vegetation mapping. The results show that spectral coverage of the entire solar-reflective domain is the most important sensor characteristic for a successful assessment of floristic variation. Model and sensor performances as well as limitations are thoroughly discussed, and recommendations for sensor development are made based on the final conclusions of this study.
Xorshift random number generators from primitive polynomials

A class of xorshift random number generators (RNGs) are introduced by Marsaglia. We have proposed an algorithm which constructs a full period xorshift RNG from a given primitive polynomial. It is shown there is a weakness present in those RNGs and is suggested its improvement. A separate algorithm is also proposed which returns a full period xorshift generator with desired number of xorshift operations. %We also introduce the notion of tweaked primitive multiple-recursive matrix method with improved linear complexity.
The signalling factor PI3K is a specific regulator of the clathrin-independent dynamin-dependent endocytosis of IL-2 receptors

Summary Receptor-mediated endocytosis is an essential process used by eukaryotic cells to internalise many molecules. Several clathrin-independent endocytic routes exist, but the molecular mechanism of each pathway remains to be uncovered. The present study focuses on a clathrin-independent dynamin-dependent pathway used by interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2R), essential players of the immune response. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac1) and its targets, the p21-activated kinases (Pak), are specific regulators of this pathway, acting on cortactin and actin polymerization. The present study reveals a dual and specific role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in IL-2R endocytosis. Inhibition of the catalytic activity of PI3K strongly affects IL-2R endocytosis, in contrast to transferrin (Tf) uptake, a marker of the clathrin-mediated pathway. Moreover, Vav2, a GTPase exchange factor (GEF) induced upon PI3K activation, is specifically involved in IL-2R entry. The second action of PI3K is through its regulatory subunit, p85&agr;, which binds to and recruits Rac1 during IL-2R internalisation. Indeed, the overexpression of a p85&agr; mutant missing the Rac1 binding motif leads to the specific inhibition of IL-2R endocytosis. The inhibitory effect of this p85&agr; mutant could be rescued by the overexpression of either Rac1 or the active form of Pak, indicating that p85&agr; acts upstream of the Rac1-Pak cascade. Finally, biochemical and fluorescent microscopy techniques reveal an interaction between p85&agr;, Rac1 and IL-2R that is enhanced by IL-2. In summary, our results indicate a key role of class I PI3K in IL-2R endocytosis that creates a link with IL-2 signalling.
Passivity-Based Integral Sliding-Mode Control of Uncertain Singularly Perturbed Systems

This brief is concerned with passivity-based integral sliding-mode control of uncertain singularly perturbed systems. First, a proper integral sliding surface is constructed. Then, a sufficient condition in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) is derived under which the resulting closed-loop system is passive and asymptotically stable in the specified switching surface. The gain matrix of the sliding mode is achieved by means of the previous LMI. In addition, a sliding-mode controller is synthesized to guarantee the reachability of the specified sliding surface. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed theoretical results.
Insecticide Urinary Metabolites in Nonoccupationally Exposed Populations

The wide use of insecticides in agricultural and residential settings has resulted in environmental contamination, leading to increased concern about exposure of the population and possible chronic effects on health. This review summarizes the studies that have measured urinary metabolites to assess exposure of nonoccupationally exposed population to nonpersistent insecticides, organophosphates (OPs), carbamates, and pyrethroids. Electronic search yielded 36 different studies performed in a small number of countries for the last 20 years, most of them dealing with OP urinary metabolites. Dialkylphosphates, specific metabolites of OPs, and specific metabolites of pyrethroids or carbamates, have been investigated. Results indicate that a wide range of the population, adults as well as children, is exposed to OPs and to a lesser extent to pyrethroids and carbamates. Levels are one to several orders of magnitude lower than those in occupational studies. The contribution of the different sources of insecticide exposure remains uncertain. Food contamination, as well as environmental and residential contamination, appears to influence exposure, especially in the case of children. Residential use of insecticides, having pets, and living near gardens or fields have all been inconstantly related to higher urinary metabolite levels. Occupational exposure of the parents, especially of the agricultural workers, seems to be a predictive factor of higher exposure of their children. More studies investigating every source and pathway of exposure of randomized population samples and in other countries than the United States, in particular in developing countries, could improve our knowledge of factors influencing insecticide exposure of the population.
Putting the waste out: a proposed mechanism for transmission of the mycoparasite Escovopsis between leafcutter ant colonies

The attine ant system is a remarkable example of symbiosis. An antagonistic partner within this system is the fungal parasite Escovopsis, a genus specific to the fungal gardens of the Attini. Escovopsis parasitizes the Leucoagaricus symbiont that leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex, Atta) have been farming over the past 8–12 Myr. However, it has been a puzzle how Escovopsis reaches its host. During a seasonal survey of nests of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus in Atlantic rainforest in Brazil, Escovopsis was detected in all the sampled fungal garden waste tips or middens (n = 111). Middens were built strategically; always below the nest entrances. Here, we report the first evidence of a putative mechanism for horizontal transmission of Escovopsis between attine colonies. It is posited that leaf-cutting ants pick up the spores from soil and litter during foraging and vector the mycoparasite between attine colonies. Field and laboratory experiments, using At. laevigata and Ac. subterraneus subterraneus, confirm that Escovopsis spores are phoretic, and have an inbuilt dormancy, broken by the presence of their Leucoagaricus host. However, in the coevolutionary arms race, Atta ants may lose out—despite most species in the genus investing in a more advanced waste disposal system—due to the insanitary habits of their Acromyrmex neighbours.
Towards an Efficient Online Causal-Event-Pattern-Matching Framework

Event monitoring and logging, that is, recording the communication events between processes, is a critical component in many highly reliable distributed systems. The event logs enable the identification of certain safety-condition violations, such as race conditions and mutual-exclusion violations, as safety is generally contingent on processes communicating in a specific causally ordered pattern. Previous e orts at finding such patterns have often focused on online techniques, which are unable to identify operational problems as they occur. Online monitoring tools exist but they are often restricted to identifying a specific violation condition, such as a deadlock or a race condition, using dedicated data structures. We address the more general problem of detecting causally related event patterns that can be used to identify various undesired behaviours in the system. The main challenge for online pattern matching is the need to store the partial matches to the pattern, as they may combine with future events to form a complete match. Unlike pattern matching in most other domains, causally ordered patterns can span a potentially unbounded number of events and efficiently searching through this large collection poses a significant challenge. In this paper, we introduce OCEP, an efficient online causalevent- pattern-matching framework that bounds the number of partial matches it stores by reporting only a representative subset of pattern matches. We define a subset of matches as representative if it has at least one occurrence of each event in the pattern on each process, which is applicable for a large class of distributed applications. With this definition, OCEP introduces a backtracking algorithm to efficiently find a representative subset from the history of events. An evaluation of the framework shows that OCEP is capable of handling several frequently occurring violation patterns at the event rates of some representative distributed applications.
Designing for learning and empowerment: how designbased research can impact education and practice

This paper proposes design-based research as a teaching approach to enhance the learning environment of university college students and as a potential tool for empowerment in practice. The paper depicts how students, professors, professional educationalists, and people with learning disabilities worked together to develop five new visual and digital methods for interviewing in special education. Thereby enhancing students’ competences, knowledge and proficiency in innovation and research as well as designing a solution aiding people with learning disabilities to communicate with peers and professionals.
An unified framework to solve the broad and narrow phases of the collision detection problem in virtual prototype environments

The automatic recognition of geometric constraints during user interaction in virtual assembly and maintenance operations relies in the determination of intersecting surfaces between virtual prototypes. This is a central problem in many virtual prototype applications, where it is necessary to find collisions precisely and interactively. This paper presents an unified framework, for the broad and narrow phases of the collision detection problem, to determine precisely intersecting surfaces in a virtual prototyping environment. The proposed algorithm is based on R-tree structures and on the overlapping axis-aligned bounding box (OAABB) for reducing the overall time complexity of the collision detection algorithm. We show that the OAABB concept used together with the R-tree data structure can be used effectively to eliminate the number of surfaces that cannot intersect and improve the performance. The proposed architecture also facilitates the implementation using parallel computing methods.
Fusion of Multi-focus Images Based on the Nonsubsampled Contourlet Transform

In recent years, image fusion has become a hotspot of image processing. This paper presents a multi-focus image fusion method based on Nonsubsampled Contourlet transform. Firstly, taking Nonsubsampled Contourlet transform for two pairs of source images respectively to get a low-frequency sub-band and a number of high-frequency sub-band direction, and then taking fusion rules of the mean energy of direction contrast and local entropy for high-low-frequency sub-band respectively to select the corresponding coefficient. Finally, fuseing image obtained through the inverse transform. The proposed method, discrete wavelet transform, atrous wavelet transform and a simple method of nonsubsampled contourlet transform are compared in this experiment. The results show that fusion of the proposed method is the best of all.