Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloning, Characterization and Functional Analysis of the LtuPTOX Gene, a Homologue of Arabidopsis thaliana IMMUTANS Derived from Liriodendron tulipifera

Flower colour and colour patterns are crucial traits for ornamental species; thus, a comprehensive understanding of their genetic basis is extremely significant for plant breeders. The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera Linn.) is well known for its flowers, odd leave shape and tree form. However, the genetic basis of its colour inheritance remains unknown. In this study, a putative plastid terminal oxidase gene (LtuPTOX) was identified from L. tulipifera based on multiple databases of differentially expressed genes at various developmental stages. Then, the full-length cDNA of LtuPTOX was derived from tepals and leaves using RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) approaches. Furthermore, gene structure and phylogenetic analyses of PTOX as well as AOXs (alternative oxidases), another highly similar homologue in the AOX family, were used to distinguish between the two subfamilies of genes. In addition, transient transformation and qPCR methods were used to determine the subcellular localization and tissue expression pattern of the LtuPTOX gene. Moreover, the expression of LtuPTOX as well as pigment contents was investigated to illustrate the function of this gene during the formation of orange bands on petals. The results showed that the LtuPTOX gene encodes a 358-aa protein that contains a complete AOX domain (PF01786). Accordingly, the Liriodendron PTOX and AOX genes were identified as only paralogs since they were rather similar in sequence. LtuPTOX showed chloroplast localization and was expressed in coloured organs such as petals and leaves. Additionally, an increasing pattern of LtuPTOX transcripts leads to carotenoid accumulation on the orange-band during flower bud development. Taken together, our results suggest that LtuPTOX is involved in petal carotenoid metabolism and orange band formation in L. tulipifera. The identification of this potentially involved gene will lay a foundation for further uncovering the genetic basis of flower colour in L. tulipifera.
Experiments on propagating and branching positive streamers in air

The evolution of streamers is known to depend on gas composition and electrode geometry, on polarity and size of the voltage and also on the electric circuit that produces the high voltage pulse. To characterize the phenomena better and to compare with theory, a new larger experimental setup with vacuum enclosure has been built. We here present first results in this setup on positive streamers in air at fixed voltage and varying electrode distance. While next to the emitting anode tip, a similar number of streamers seems to emerge due to multiple branching, more streamers seem to survive over a fixed distance, when the gap is shorter. When lowering the voltage, streamers branch less at all distances from the anode tip or do not branch at all beyond a certain distance.
Capacity and confidence building for general practitioners on optimum insulin use

Type 2 diabetes is characterised by a progressive decline in insulin secretion, and sooner or later patients require insulin therapy. However, physicians are reluctant to initiate insulin therapy because of perceived inadequacy in managing insulin therapy, cost and lack of benefits. Experts from across the country met at a workshop during 12th National Insulin Summit which was held in September at Hyderabad and came up with key recommendations to build capacity and confidence in general practitioners for insulin usage. Barriers can be overcome through self-education and training; effective patient education; imparting coping skill training to patients; and bridging gaps to improve adherence. Moreover, optimum insulinization requires knowledge about the available options for initiation and intensification of insulin therapy; various insulin regimens; dosing and titration; and choosing effective and simple insulin therapy as per patient characteristics. Hence, the objective of this review article is to help build capacity and confidence among general practitioners on optimising insulin therapy.
Multiple System Atrophy: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a variable combination of parkinsonism, cerebellar impairment, and autonomic dysfunction. The pathologic hallmark is the accumulation of aggregated α‐synuclein in oligodendrocytes, forming glial cytoplasmic inclusions, which qualifies MSA as a synucleinopathy together with Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The underlying pathogenesis is still not well understood. Some symptomatic treatments are available, whereas neuroprotection remains an urgent unmet treatment need. In this review, we critically appraise significant developments of the past decade with emphasis on pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment development. We further discuss unsolved questions and highlight some perspectives. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Comparison of Group Medical Visits Combined With Intensive Weight Management vs Group Medical Visits Alone for Glycemia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Traditionally, group medical visits (GMVs) for persons with diabetes improved glycemia by intensifying medications, which infrequently led to weight loss. Incorporating GMVs with intensive dietary change could enable weight loss and improve glycemia while decreasing medication intensity. Objective To examine whether a program of GMVs combined with intensive weight management (WM) is noninferior to GMVs alone for change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level at 48 weeks (prespecified margin of 0.5%) and superior to GMVs alone for hypoglycemic events, diabetes medication intensity, and weight loss. Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized clinical trial identified via the electronic medical record 2814 outpatients with type 2 diabetes, uncontrolled HbA1c, and body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 27 or higher from Veterans Affairs Medical Center clinics in Durham and Greenville, North Carolina. Between January 12, 2015, and May 30, 2017, 263 outpatients started the intervention. Interventions Participants randomized to the GMV group (n = 136) received counseling about diabetes-related topics with medication optimization every 4 weeks for 16 weeks, then every 8 weeks (9 visits). Participants randomized to the WM/GMV group (n = 127) received low-carbohydrate diet counseling with baseline medication reduction and subsequent medication optimization every 2 weeks for 16 weeks followed by an abbreviated GMV intervention every 8 weeks (13 visits). Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes included HbA1c level, hypoglycemic events, diabetes medication effect score, and weight at 48 weeks analyzed using hierarchical generalized mixed models to account for clustering within group sessions. Results Among 263 participants (mean [SD] age, 60.7 [8.2] years; 235 [89.4%] men; 143 [54.4%] black), baseline HbA1c level was 9.1% (1.3%) and BMI was 35.3 (5.1). At 48 weeks, HbA1c level was improved in both study arms (8.2% in the WM/GMV arm and 8.3% in the GMV arm; mean difference, -0.1%; 95% CI, -0.5% to 0.2%; upper 95% CI, <0.5% threshold; P = .44). The WM/GMV arm had lower diabetes medication use (mean difference in medication effect score, -0.5; 95% CI, -0.6 to -0.3; P < .001) and greater weight loss (mean difference, -3.7 kg; 95% CI, -5.5 to -1.9 kg; P < .001) than did the GMV arm at 48 weeks and approximately 50% fewer hypoglycemic events (incidence rate ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.71; P < .001) during the 48-week period. Conclusions and Relevance In GMVs for diabetes, addition of WM using a low-carbohydrate diet was noninferior for lowering HbA1c levels compared with conventional medication management and showed advantages in other clinically important outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01973972.
AMPK α1 mediates the protective effect of adiponectin against insulin resistance in INS‐1 pancreatic β cells

The fat‐derived protein adiponectin is known to reverse the effects of insulin resistance and to lower blood glucose levels. The AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway plays a central role in metabolism and energy homeostasis. Here, to investigate the role of AMPK in the protective effect of adiponectin against insulin resistance, we established the model of high‐glucose (HG)‐ and high‐lipid (HL)‐induced insulin resistance in INS‐1 pancreatic β cells. We found that 25mM of glucose and 0.4mM of palmitic acid treatment significantly increased cell apoptosis and impaired insulin secretion in INS‐1 cells. However, recombinant human adiponectin dramatically reduced HG‐ and/or HL‐induced cell apoptosis and greatly improved insulin secretion. Interestingly, adiponectin treatment also activated AMPK signalling pathway by increasing the phosphorylation of Thr172 in the AMPK α subunit; 10μM of compound C, a potent AMPK inhibitor, blocked the protective effects of adiponectin against HG/HL‐induced insulin resistance. Furthermore, knockout experiments by CRISPR/Cas9 technology showed that AMPK α1, but not AMPK α2, is involved in the protective effects of adiponectin. Taken together, adiponectin reversed the effects of insulin resistance via AMPK α1, which provides a novel insight into the protective mechanism of adiponectin and may be used as a new strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Power calculation of intraocular lenses and the Orbscan-II . Part 1 : The power of the normal cornea

Purpose: To evaluate the dioptric power of the normal central cornea. Methods: Retrospective analysis of combined slitscanning and Placido-ring topography in 30 normal eyes. Results: Keratometric-mean, anterior-mean, thickness-mean, and total-mean powers; keratometric-optical and total-optical, keratometric-axial and total-axial, and total-tangential powers; equivalent power and the addition of anterior and posterior mean powers, were similar (p≥0.8361) in the four analyzed central areas with 0.04, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mm diameter. The posterior-mean power decreased (p=0.0030) from –6.62 D to –6.35 D. The average thickness increased (p=0.0231) from 524 μm to 554 μm, representing 0.13 D of total-mean corneal power. Keratometric-optical (p≤0.0167), keratometric-axial (p≤0.0099), and keratometric-mean powers (p≤0.0030) were approximately 1.5 D more positive than the respective total powers. Total-mean power was equal to equivalent power (p≥0.4907), and to the addition of anterior-mean and posteriormean powers (p≥0.3868). Anterior-mean power was about 7.5 greater than posterior-mean power. Conclusions: The real power of the cornea calculated using both surfaces, its thickness, and the physiologic refraction indices is smaller (less positive) than the power usually accepted and determined by the anterior corneal surface radius and the keratometric index of refraction (F<K). Anterior-mean/posterior-mean power ratio is not ten-to-one as conventionally assumed. Power of posterior surface and thickness vary according to the size of the analyzed area. However, power of anterior surface and total power of the cornea remain the same. Components of total corneal power and pachymetry seem to be independent of each other.
Recent advances in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease pathogenesis: from disease mechanisms to precision medicine

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating lung disease with a high personal and societal burden. Exposure to toxic particles and gases, including cigarette smoke, is the main risk factor for COPD. Together with smoking cessation, current treatment strategies of COPD aim to improve symptoms and prevent exacerbations, but there is no disease‐modifying treatment. The biggest drawback of today's COPD treatment regimen is the ‘one size fits all’ pharmacological intervention, mainly based on disease severity and symptoms and not the individual's disease pathology. To halt the worrying increase in the burden of COPD, disease management needs to be advanced with a focus on personalized treatment. The main pathological feature of COPD includes a chronic and abnormal inflammatory response within the lungs, which results in airway and alveolar changes in the lung as reflected by (small) airways disease and emphysema. Here we discuss recent developments related to the abnormal inflammatory response, ECM and age‐related changes, structural changes in the small airways and the role of sex‐related differences, which are all relevant to explain the individual differences in the disease pathology of COPD and improve disease endotyping. Furthermore, we will discuss the most recent developments of new treatment strategies using biologicals to target specific pathological features or disease endotypes of COPD. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis to explore the mechanism of heroin addiction in human nucleus accumbens

Heroin dependence is a complex behavioral disease, and a chronic encephalopathy with the important feature of relapse. The purpose of the study was to identify the regulatory mechanism of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in heroin dependence. We used weighted gene co‐expression network analysis to analyze the GSE87823 data package, which included 27 heroin users and 22 controls of human NAc tissue. Modules were correlated with basic information of samples and enrichment analyses used to identify biological function and transcription factors and online tools were used to perform the gene ontology of significant genes. We identified one gene module from the total data (blue) and the male data (turquoise), respectively. The overlap genes of top 10 hub genes in significant modules (PRR11, SLC35E1, LPP, ZNF721, ZNF611, LRRFIP1) were selected to identify as candidate genes in the regulation mechanism of NAc in heroin dependence. Then, we accorded the results to further explore that miRNA‐hsa‐miR‐155‐5p in male and total may be a potential marker. The candidate genes may serve as novel prognostic markers and treatment targets. Hsa‐miR‐155‐5p may be a promising regulatory point for the treatment of heroin addiction.
Initial Mass Function Variability (or Not) among Low-velocity Dispersion, Compact Stellar Systems

Analyses of strong gravitational lenses, galaxy-scale kinematics, and absorption-line stellar population synthesis (SPS) have all concluded that the stellar initial mass function (IMF) varies within the massive early-type galaxy (ETG) population. However, the physical mechanism that drives variation in the IMF is an outstanding question. Here we use new SPS models to consider a diverse set of compact, low-velocity dispersion stellar systems: globular clusters (GCs), an ultra-compact dwarf (UCD), and the compact elliptical (cE) galaxy M32. We compare our results to massive ETGs and available dynamical measurements. We find that the GCs have stellar mass-to-light ratios (M/L) that are either consistent with a Kroupa IMF or are slightly bottom-light, while the UCD and cE have mildly elevated M/L. The separation in derived IMFs for systems with similar metallicities and abundance patterns indicates that our SPS models can distinguish abundance and IMF effects. Variation among the sample in this paper is only in normalized M/L compared to the among the ETG sample. This suggests that metallicity is not the sole driver of IMF variability and additional parameters need to be considered.
The Declining Talent Pool of Government Torun

We consider a government for which success requires high performance by talented ministers. A leader provides incentives to her ministers by firing those who fail. However, the consequent turnover drains a finite talent pool of potential appointees. The severity of the optimal firing rule and ministerial performances decline over time: the lifetime of an effective government is limited. We relate this lifetime to various factors including external shocks; the replenishment of the talent pool; and the leader’s reputation. Some results are surprising: an increase in the stability of government and the exogenous imposition of stricter performance standards can both shorten the era of effective government, and an increase in the replenishment of the talent pool can reduce incumbent ministers’ performance. Commentators often highlight differences in the performances of governments. What accounts for these differences? At a basic level, performance depends upon the qualities of the ministers who form the executive and the actions they take during their time in office: we might expect high performance whenever talented individuals use their skills to pursue the collective goals of the government, rather than their private ambitions. The inherent talents of office-holders have been apparent in many governments of note. For example, the remarkable legislative achievements of the United Kingdom’s Liberal government of 1908–14 were arguably related to the combination of talent in Herbert Asquith’s cabinet which included such notable figures as David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill. Similarly if we consider George Washington’s first cabinet, or that of Abraham Lincoln, what is striking is the number of talented individuals in each. According to one view, the problem of enhancing performance is resolved by attracting high-calibre individuals to serve in office (Caselli and Morelli, 2004; Besley, 2006); once the talented have been induced to serve then they should be retained and not discarded. In describing his view, Besley (2006, p. 37) traced his influences to Key (1956, p. 10): 1We thank Francesco Caselli, Keith Dowding, Sandy Gordon, David Primo, and audience members at the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, the 2007 APSA Meetings, and the 2008 MPSA Meetings for helpful comments, discussions, and suggestions.
POPULATION GENETIC CONSEQUENCES OF SMALL POPULATION SIZE: Implications for Plant Conservation

Although the potential genetic risks associated with rare or endangered plants and small populations have been discussed previously, the practical role of population genetics in plant conservation remains unclear. Using theory and the available data, we examine the effects of genetic drift, inbreeding, and gene flow on genetic diversity and fitness in rare plants and small populations. We identify those circumstances that are likely to put these plant species and populations at genetic risk. Warning signs that populations may be vulnerable include changes in factors such as population size, degree of isolation, and fitness. When possible, we suggest potential management strategies.
A theoretical framework for deep transfer learning

We generalize the notion of PAC learning to include transfer learning. In our framework, the linkage between the source and the target tasks is a result of having the sample distribution of all classes drawn from the same distribution of distributions, and by restricting all source and a target concepts to belong to the same hypothesis subclass. We have two models: an adversary model and a randomized model. In the adversary model, we show that for binary classification, conventional PAC-learning is equivalent to the new notion of PAC-transfer and to transfer generalization of the VC-dimension. For regression, we show that PAC-transferability may exist even in the absence of PAC-learning. In both adversary and randomized models, we provide PAC-Bayesian and VC-style generalization bounds to transfer learning. In the randomized model, we provide bounds specifically derived for Deep Learning. A wide discussion on the tradeoffs between the different involved parameters in the bounds is provided. We demonstrate both cases in which transfer does not reduce the sample size (‘trivial transfer’) and cases in which the sample size is reduced (‘non-trivial transfer’).
The Relationship of Stock Prices and Macroeconomic Variables Revisited: Evidence from Karachi Stock Exchange

The study examines the relationships between the KSE100 index and a set of macroeconomic variables over sampling period in January 1999 to June 2008. Co-integration, Granger causality and error correction tests were used to analyze the relationship between stock prices (KSE100 index) and macroeconomic variables. The findings from the co-integrating tests suggested that stock prices and macroeconomic variables were co-integrated and that at least a uni-directional causality exists between the two sets of variables. The results further suggested that stock prices were positively related with money supply and short term interest rates and negatively related with inflation and foreign exchange reserves.
Italian consensus recommendations for a biomarker‐based aetiological diagnosis in mild cognitive impairment patients

Biomarkers support the aetiological diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders in vivo. Incomplete evidence is available to drive clinical decisions; available diagnostic algorithms are generic and not very helpful in clinical practice. The aim was to develop a biomarker‐based diagnostic algorithm for mild cognitive impairment patients, leveraging on knowledge from recognized national experts.
The Relationship Between the Heats of Formation and the Molecular Electrostatic Potentials of Polyazaarenes

In order to characterize the explosive properties of high-nitrogen, energetic compounds, the heats of formation, either in the gas or the solid state, are often used as preliminary data. Their relationship to the number of nitrogen atoms involved is usually known, so exploring it cannot furnish any new information. However, the very promising, quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) approach utilizes the molecular surface electrostatic potential V(r). We have therefore performed calculations for 12 azines and 10 azoles by the DFT B3PW91/cc-pVTZ method, and constructed their gas phase heats of formation ∆f H°(298,g) by means of the isodesmic reaction approach. The acquired gas phase heats of formation ∆f H°(298,g) were correlated with the molecular surface electrostatic potentials VS,max, VS,min, and VS(ring), which were calculated by the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)//B3PW91/cc-pVTZ method. It is shown that the VS(ring) electrostatic potential describes very precisely the structures of high-nitrogen N-heteroaromatics, with both consecutive and isolated nitrogen atoms, and their thermodynamic properties.
Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods

In vitro antioxidant activities of C-phycocyanin extracts obtained from Spirulina platensis by freeze-thaw, microwaveassisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) methods were evaluated according to 1,1-diphenyl2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging capacity. Full factorial design was used to optimise the extraction time and medium pH using multiple linear regression analysis. The third-order polynomial models with high R2 values (0.925, 0.946 and 0.858) were sufficiently fitted to the experimental antiradical activities of C-phycocyanin extracted by the three extraction methods. The optimised results showed that the lowest IC50 value for C-phycocyanin extracted by freeze-thaw extraction method (IC50 = 0.031 mg/ml) was obtained after 4 h of extraction at pH=8.00. While these values for MAE (IC50 = 0.021 mg/ml) and UAE (IC50 = 0.036 mg/ml) methods were 22.5 s at pH=8.00, and 6.71 min at pH=7.57, respectively. The models adequacy was confirmed by extracting the C-phycocyanin under the optimum values suggested by the models. Results showed that MAE could be a better method for C-phycocyanin extraction from S. platanssis in terms of antioxidant activity.