Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Granular flow: Friction and the dilatancy transition.

Molecular-dynamics simulations of noncohesive granular assemblies under shear are described. At low shear rate \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \. {}\fi{}, the assembly is unstable to uniform motion and exhibits stick-slip dynamics involving periodic dilatancy transitions and gravitational compactification. Steady-state motion occurs at larger \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \. {}\fi{} where 6--12 layers of grains flow over a compact, static assembly. A phase boundary, characterized by a discontinuity in \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \. {}\fi{} and an enhanced normal stress, separates the static and flowing regions. In the steady-state regime, dilatancy leads to a shear stress that is independent of \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \. {}\fi{}.
Multiple R2R3-MYB Transcription Factors Involved in the Regulation of Anthocyanin Accumulation in Peach Flower

Anthocyanin accumulation is responsible for flower coloration in peach. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of eight flavonoid-related R2R3-MYB transcription factors, designated PpMYB10.2, PpMYB9, PpMYBPA1, Peace, PpMYB17, PpMYB18, PpMYB19, and PpMYB20, respectively, in peach flower transcriptome. PpMYB10.2 and PpMYB9 are able to activate transcription of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, whilst PpMYBPA1 and Peace have a strong activation on the promoters of proanthocyanin (PA) biosynthetic genes. PpMYB17-20 show a strong repressive effect on transcription of flavonoid pathway genes such as dihydroflavonol 4-reductase. These results indicate that anthocyanin accumulation in peach flower is coordinately regulated by a set of R2R3-MYB genes. In addition, PpMYB9 and PpMYB10.2 are closely related but separated into two groups, designated MYB9 and MYB10, respectively. PpMYB9 shows a strong activation on the PpUGT78A2 promoter, but with no effect on the promoter of PpUGT78B (commonly called PpUFGT in previous studies). In contrast, PpMYB10.2 is able to activate the PpUFGT promoter, but not for the PpUGT78A2 promoter. Unlike the MYB10 gene that is universally present in plants, the MYB9 gene is lost in most dicot species. Therefore, the PpMYB9 gene represents a novel group of anthocyanin-related MYB activators, which may have diverged in function from the MYB10 genes. Our study will aid in understanding the complex mechanism regulating floral pigmentation in peach and functional divergence of the R2R3-MYB gene family in plants.
Selbstwirksam lernen im schulischen Kontext. Kennzeichen - Bedingungen - Umsetzungsbeispiele

Absicht der vorliegenden Studie ist es, das Konzept der Selbstwirksamkeit zu scharfen im Sinne von selbstwirksam Lernen. Kennzeichen und Bedingungen selbstwirksamen Lernens werden aus der Theorie herausgefiltert und als Instrument weiter entwickelt. Damit wird die herrschende Umsetzungspraxis des Selbstwirksamkeits-Konzeptes im schulischen Kontext diskutierbarer, greifbarer und damit zielgerichteter gemacht, als es bis anhin der Fall war. Der wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisgewinn der vorliegenden Arbeit setzt in der Theorie an: Der Inhalt des Selbstwirksamkeits-Konzeptes wird ausfuhrlich beleuchtet (Kapitel 2). Aus der Theorie werden Kennzeichen und Bedingungen selbstwirksamen Lernens herausgearbeitet (Kapitel 5) sowie Kategorien hergeleitet. Sie dienen als Grundlage fur ein Frageinstrumentarium (Kapitel 5). Damit werden im empirischen Teil Fallbeispiele in den Blick genommen und systematisch diskutiert (Kapitel 6). Die Ergebnisse der empirischen Arbeit sowie weiterfuhrende Schlussbetrachtungen sind in Kapitel 7 nachzulesen. (DIPF/Orig.)
Teacher and student perceptions of creativity in the classroom environment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers and students perceptions about characteristics which either stimulate or inhibit the development of creativity in the classroom environment. Interviews were conducted with seven Connecticut public school teachers and 31 students (grades 3 and 4). The findings suggest that both teachers and students believe that a classroom environment which enhances creativity provides students with choices, accepts different ideas, boosts self‐confidence, and focuses on students’ strengths and interests. On the other hand, in an environment which inhibits creativity, ideas are ignored, teachers are controlling, and excessive structure exists.
Reduced integrin alpha3 expression as a factor of poor prognosis of patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

PURPOSE We investigated the possible association between integrin alpha3 and motility-related protein (MRP-1), cluster of differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluated the prognostic significance of integrin alpha3 expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study of integrin alpha3 and MRP-1/CD9 expression in resected tumor tissues from 151 NSCLC patients using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The ratio of integrin alpha3/beta-actin expression ranged from 0 to 5.87 (mean was 0.80; median, 0.70). Using the cutoff value of 0.7, there were 78 (52%) integrin alpha3-positive tumors and 73 (48%) tumors with reduced integrin alpha3 expression. The immunohistochemical results agreed well with those of the RT-PCR assays, and 88% had no discrepancy. In case of discrepancy, the results of RT-PCR were used in specimen classification. Integrin alpha3 gene expression was independent from MRP-1/CD9 gene expression. No significant association was found between integrin alpha3 expression and the patients' clinical characteristics. The overall survival rate of patients with integrin alpha3-positive NSCLCs was only slightly better than that of individuals whose tumors had reduced integrin alpha3 expression (55.9% v 47.1%; P = .085). By comparison, the overall survival rate of patients with integrin alpha3-positive adenocarcinomas was strikingly greater than in those whose tumors had reduced gene expression (54.4% v 35.2%; P = .004). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model of NSCLC and adenocarcinoma indicated that integrin alpha3 expression correlated better (P = .0188 and P = .0008, respectively) with the overall survival rate than other variables, except lymph node status. CONCLUSION No significant association was found between integrin alpha3 and MRP-1/CD9 gene expression in lung cancer. However, reduced integrin alpha3 expression is a poor prognosis factor in patients with adenocarcinomas.
LMI Solution for Robust Static Output Feedback Control of Discrete Takagi–Sugeno Fuzzy Models

This paper deals with the stabilization problem of discrete-time Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems via static output controller (SOFC). The proposed method uses the descriptor approach to study this problem and leads to strict linear matrix inequality (LMI ) formulation. In contrast with the existing results, the method allows coping with multiple output matrices, as well as uncertainties. Moreover, the new proposed method can lead to less conservative results by introducing slack variables and considering multiple Lyapunov matrices. A robust SOFC for uncertain T-S fuzzy models is also derived in strict LMI terms. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design results.
Organisation multi-agent pour la gouvernance de systèmes Machine-to-Machine

Le paradigme Machine-to-Machine (M2M) implique des appareils (capteurs, effecteurs) interagissant pour fournir des services localises dans le monde physique. Avec la maturite du M2M, emerge une demande grandissante pour des solutions mutualisees dans lesquelles les applications peuvent partager un ensemble commun d'appareils. Dans ce contexte, le projet SensCity propose une infrastructure pour mettre en oeuvre des applications a l'echelle de la ville, ce qui necessite de fournir des moyens de gouvernance agile pour prendre en compte l'extensibilite du systeme (ie. scalability). Nous proposons d'utiliser les technologies multi-agents pour repondre a cette problematique. Selon cette approche, la strategie de gouvernance est exprimee par une organisation multi-agent a l'aide du framework organisationnel MOISE. Nous illustrons notre proposition par un systeme de gestion intelligente du strationnement.
Optimising the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

This retrospective cohort study reviewed the diagnosis of all ectopic pregnancies within a district general hospital over a 5-year period after the establishment of a dedicated Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU). Of 215 ectopic pregnancies identified, notes were available for 208 (97%). Two-hundred and two cases were determined to have been diagnosed and managed as ectopic pregnancies. Six cases were excluded as they were pregnancies of unknown location managed as such. Overall, 91% were diagnosed by ultrasound scan, 5% were diagnosed clinically and 3% were diagnosed on serial human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels. This study found that the introduction of a dedicated, multi-professional, EPAU with a stable workforce improved ultrasound visualisation of ectopic pregnancies at first ultrasound scan from 22% prior to its commencement, to 61% over this period. The improvement in positive scan diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was associated with a reduction in negative laparoscopy rate from 13% to 6%.
[Inhibitory effect of ganciclovir on the HSV1-tk positive subcutaneous tumors transplanted with human ovarian cancer in nude mice].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect in vivo of ganciclovir (GCV) on the growth of human ovarian cancer cells (AO) transducted with the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus I type (HSV1-tk). METHODS Tumors were induced in nude mice by subcutaneous injection of AO cells and AO cells carried with HSV1-tk gene from China strain (AO/HSV1-tk cells). When the growing tumors were visible, GCV was injected daily into the peritoneum of the nude mice. RESULTS The average weights of survived AO/HSV1-tkc tumors and AO tumors treated with GCV were 0.087 +/- 0.036 g and 0.661 +/- 0.260 g respectively. Most of the survived AO/HSV1-tkc cells treated with GCV were characterized by hypertrophy and necrosis, but their nuclear chromatins predominantely took the forms of heterchromatins. CONCLUSIONS GCV could effectively inhibit the growth of HSV1-tk positive human ovarian cancer cells in vivo, but the nuclei of the survival tumor cells appeared to proliferate actively. As the same results of in vitro experiments, this may suggest that HSV1-tk/GCV gene therapeutic system might be combined with S-phase chemotherapy to increase the long-term effect.
Changes in the Redox Potential of Primary and Secondary Electron-Accepting Quinones in Photosystem II Confer Increased Resistance to Photoinhibition in Low-Temperature-Acclimated Arabidopsis1

Exposure of control (non-hardened) Arabidopsis leaves for 2 h at high irradiance at 5°C resulted in a 55% decrease in photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency as indicated by Fv/Fm. In contrast, cold-acclimated leaves exposed to the same conditions showed only a 22% decrease in Fv/Fm. Thermoluminescence was used to assess the possible role(s) of PSII recombination events in this differential resistance to photoinhibition. Thermoluminescence measurements of PSII revealed that S2QA- recombination was shifted to higher temperatures, whereas the characteristic temperature of the S2QB- recombination was shifted to lower temperatures in cold-acclimated plants. These shifts in recombination temperatures indicate higher activation energy for the S2QA- redox pair and lower activation energy for the S2QB- redox pair. This results in an increase in the free-energy gap between P680+QA- and P680+Pheo- and a narrowing of the free energy gap between primary and secondary electron-accepting quinones in PSII electron acceptors. We propose that these effects result in an increased population of reduced primary electron-accepting quinone in PSII, facilitating non-radiative P680+QA- radical pair recombination. Enhanced reaction center quenching was confirmed using in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence-quenching analysis. The enhanced dissipation of excess light energy within the reaction center of PSII, in part, accounts for the observed increase in resistance to high-light stress in cold-acclimated Arabidopsis plants.
Phacotrabeculectomy without peripheral iridectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Peripheral iridectomy has been a long established part of glaucoma drainage surgery. This series examines the potential to dispense with iridectomy when trabeculectomy is combined with modern small-incision cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-five unselected consecutive patients underwent a standardized phacotrabeculectomy by a single surgeon. Outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure control, and complication rates. Mean follow-up was 12.2 months. RESULTS There were no complications related to lack of peripheral iridectomy. Intraocular pressure was reduced from a mean of 23.4 mm Hg (SD 5.1) to 15.9 (SD 3.8) at 6 months, and 15.4 (SD 3.5) at 12.2 months. There were 2 relative failures of surgery whose IOP reached preoperative targets with additional medical treatment. Best Snellen acuity improved by a mean of 1.5 lines. CONCLUSIONS Phacotrabeculectomy without peripheral iridectomy appears to be safe, although we consider that a corneal fistula and careful control of postoperative overdrainage is necessary to allow this. The success rate and lack of complications is good by comparison with other series. This could be related to the absence of release of factors influencing healing at the time of an iridectomy.
From SuperGoo to Scratch: exploring creative digital media production in informal learning

Based on work in media studies, new literacy studies, applied linguistics, the arts and empirical research on the experiences of urban youths' informal media arts practices, we articulate a new vision for media education in the digital age that encompasses new genres, convergence, media mixes and participation. We first outline the history of how students' creative production has been used to meet the goals of media educators and highlight new trends in media education that are instructive for creative production. Our goal is to introduce and situate the new ways in which youth are participating in creative production and the subsequent impact that this might have on teaching and learning media education today. Findings from an ethnographic study are used to demonstrate the potential of youth producing new media, such as videogames and interactive art, on media education research and practice.
High‐resolution manometry predicts the success of oesophageal bolus transport and identifies clinically important abnormalities not detected by conventional manometry

Background and aims: High‐resolution manometry (HRM) is a recent development in oesophageal measurement; its value in the clinical setting remains a matter of controversy. (i) We compared the accuracy with which bolus transport could be predicted from conventional manometry and HRM. (ii) The clinical value of HRM was assessed in a series of patients with endoscopy‐negative dysphagia in whom conventional investigations had been non‐diagnostic.
Interpretations of the Geography National Curriculum: A Common Curriculum for All?.

Depuis la reforme de l'enseignement de 1988 en Angleterre, le programme d'etudes a ete standardise pour les enfants de 5 a 16 ans. S'appuyant sur l'exemple du programme d'enseignement en geographie, l'A. etudie de quelles manieres les instructions officielles sont comprises et appliquees dans differents etablissements anglais
The romantic agony

In this now-classic study, Praz describes the whole of Romantic literature under one of its most characteristic aspects, that of erotic sensibility. This wide spread mood in literature had a major effect on 19th-century poets and painters, and the affinities between them and their 20th-century counterparts makes this account of the Romantic-Decadents an indispensible guide to the study of modern literature.
A Combination of the Kato-Katz Methods and ELISA to Improve the Diagnosis of Clonorchiasis in an Endemic Area, China

Background Examination of feces by light microscopy is widely used for specific parasitological diagnosis of clonorchiasis. However, the true incidence of infection is underestimated owing to the high missing diagnosis rate of this method. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is widely used for the detection and control of clonorchiasis but the practicality of this method is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ELISA as a supplementary method for the diagnosis of clonorchiasis. Methodology/Principal Findings The present study recruited 2,359 clinically suspected patients from Heilongjiang Province, China. In all, 954 cases were identified as antibody-positive by immunoglobulin (IgG)-ELISA and 495 individuals were diagnosed as egg-positive by the Kato-Katz (KK) method. The seropositive and egg-negative individuals were re-examined by repeated egg counts and/or the number of KK slides and 18 (18.18%) cases were confirmed as clonorchiasis. The 40.44%, antibody-positive rate determined by IgG-ELISA was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the 21.75% egg-positive rate found by examination of feces. A Bayesian approach indicated that the prevalence of clonorchiasis in this region was 22.27% and that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of IgG-ELISA were 98.7%, 76.53%, 54.66% and 99.52%, respectively. The agreement between the two methods was moderate (kappa value = 0.564). The clonorchiasis patients lived mainly along the Songhua River. The risk factors, except for ethnic factors, were estimated effectively by both methods. Conclusions/Significance The present study suggested that clonorchiasis was widely distributed in Heilongjiang Province, China. The missing diagnosis rate was high using the KK technique alone. The combination of immunological methods and parasitological techniques could improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the missing diagnosis rate. ELISA used as an auxiliary diagnostic method was realistic and practical for a large-scale screening test, monitoring the prevalence and assessing the risk factors of clonorchiasis.
Slc5a8, a Na+-coupled high-affinity transporter for short-chain fatty acids, is a conditional tumour suppressor in colon that protects against colitis and colon cancer under low-fibre dietary conditions.

Mammalian colon harbours trillions of bacteria under physiological conditions; this symbiosis is made possible because of a tolerized response from the mucosal immune system. The mechanisms underlying this tolerogenic phenomenon remain poorly understood. In the present study we show that Slc5a8 (solute carrier gene family 5a, member 8), a Na(+)-coupled high-affinity transporter in colon for the bacterial fermentation product butyrate, plays a critical role in this process. Among various immune cells in colon, dendritic cells (DCs) are unique not only in their accessibility to luminal contents but also in their ability to induce tolerogenic phenotype in T-cells. We found that DCs exposed to butyrate express the immunosuppressive enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A2 (Aldh1A2), promote conversion of naive T-cells into immunosuppressive forkhead box P3(+) (FoxP3(+)) Tregs (regulatory T-cells) and suppress conversion of naive T-cells into pro-inflammatory interferon (IFN)-γ-producing cells. Slc5a8-null DCs do not induce IDO1 and Aldh1A2 and do not generate Tregs or suppress IFN-γ-producing T-cells in response to butyrate. We also provide in vivo evidence for an obligatory role for Slc5a8 in suppression of IFN-γ-producing T-cells. Furthermore, Slc5a8 protects against colitis and colon cancer under conditions of low-fibre intake but not when dietary fibre intake is optimal. This agrees with the high-affinity nature of the transporter to mediate butyrate entry into cells. We conclude that Slc5a8 is an obligatory link between dietary fibre and mucosal immune system via the bacterial metabolite butyrate and that this transporter is a conditional tumour suppressor in colon linked to dietary fibre content.
Novel statistical approach for evaluating flow cytometric in vitro micronucleus data

Statistical methods currently recommended for analysis of in vitro micronucleus data are based on small sample sizes. The tests are designed to evaluate linear trends and differences between treated and control samples. When using flow cytometric analysis, >5 times the number of cells are easily evaluated, and the variance estimates from these large samples are small. Application of these recommended tests to large samples resulted in statistically significant outcomes which were not considered to be biologically meaningful. Alternative statistical methods for testing trends and differences among treatments that were either widely used, or sample‐size independent, were investigated. Using data from 95 experiments (from 2011–2013) where 19% of the experiments were considered positive, results for the various statistical methods were compared. When using either the recommended or alternate methods, 42–68% of the experiments resulted in statistically significant results (p < 0.05). A new concept was then tested using the same data sets: the “z′ factor”, designed to identify ‘hits’ during high throughput screening. Using this simple‐to‐compute statistic the number of significant calls was reduced to 27%. Then, when combined with a biological criterion based on historical vehicle control data, there was restoration of the original positive frequency (19%). Given the larger sample sizes evaluated using flow cytometry, we have demonstrated that traditional statistical tests may be overly sensitive to small changes in micronucleus induction, and that a simple‐to‐compute index of separation (z′) may be a better tool for analysis, provided that the response is first determined to be biologically meaningful. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:589–604, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Add-on therapy of EPA reduces oxidative stress and inhibits the progression of aortic stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease and statin therapy: a randomized controlled study.

AIM We examined the anti-oxidant mechanisms of combined therapy of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus statin on the progression of atherosclerosis. METHODS Patients receiving statin therapy for dyslipidemia and with coronary artery disease (CAD) were assigned randomly in an open-label manner to the EPA (1,800 mg/day) -plus-statin group (n= 25; combined-therapy group) or to the statin-only group (n= 25), and followed for 48 weeks. At baseline and 48 weeks after enrollment, oxidative stress, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and stiffness parameter β-index of the carotid were measured. RESULTS The lipid profile remained unchanged throughout the study. Although the median value of baPWV increased more in the statin-only group than in the combined-therapy group, this difference was not significant (p= 0.29); however, a decrease in baPWV was associated with combined-therapy treatment by multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and mean blood pressure (p= 0.04). In addition, the β-index of the carotid was lower in the combined-therapy group than in the statin-only group (p= 0.02). Furthermore, although the difference in the reduction of the urinary concentration of 8-isoprostane between the two groups did not reach statistical significance, this concentration was significantly lower in the combined-therapy group with higher baseline levels (≥ 183 pg/mL · Cr) of urinary 8-isoprostane (p= 0.004). CONCLUSIONS EPA may reduce oxidative stress and inhibit the progression of arterial stiffness more efficiently than statin-only therapy in patients with dyslipidemia and CAD.