Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelial-secreted Endocan protein acts as a PDGFR alpha ligand and regulates vascularity, radioresistance, and regional phenotype in glioblastoma

One of the hallmarks of glioblastoma (GBM) is extensive neovascularization. In addition to supplying blood and nutrients, vascular endothelial (VE) cells provide trophic support to GBM cells via paracrine signaling, the precise mechanisms of which are being unraveled. Here, using patient-derived GBM and VE cells as well as orthotopic GBM mouse models, we report that Endocan (ESM1), an endothelial-secreted proteoglycan, confers enhanced proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic properties to GBM cells and regulates their spatial identity. Mechanistically, Endocan exerts at least part of its functions via direct binding and activation of the PDGFRA receptor. Subsequent downstream signaling enhances chromatin accessibility of the Myc promoter and upregulates Myc expression inducing highly stable phenotypic changes in GBM cells. Furthermore, Endocan confers a radioprotection phenotype in GBM cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of Endocan-PDGFRA signaling with ponatinib increases survival in the Esm1 wild-type but not in the Esm1 knock-out mouse GBM model. Our findings identify Endocan and its downstream signaling axis as a potential target to subdue the recurrence of GBM and further highlight the importance of vascular to tumor cell signaling for GBM biology. Significance statement Identification of the Endocan/PDGFRA/Myc axis demonstrates an important role of VE cells in GBM malignancy. The contribution of Endocan to the development of GBM cell populations with different phenotypes reveal an additional pathway underlying the origin of GBM intratumoral heterogeneity. Targeting Endocan-mediated crosstalk may enhance the efficacy of GBM treatment.
Genetic variation and structure in peatmosses (Sphagnum)

Peat mosses (Sphagnum) are known to be difficult to identify, especially in the field, because of extensive morphological variation that can blur distinctions among closely related species. The extent to which phenotypic variation reflects genetic differentiation versus environmentally induced plasticity is, however, poorly understood. The common and widespread Sphagnum fuscum is relatively easy to recognize, but two different colour morphs, dark and pale brown, have been observed along the western coast of Europe for some time. In this study we aimed to test whether the two colour morphs are genetically differentiated, and assess their phylogenetic relationship to the recently described S. beothuk from eastern North America. We used a combination of morphological characters and genetic markers (microsatellites and cpDNA sequences). Our results indicate that the dark colour morph of S. fuscum in Europe is conspecific with S. beothuk from eastern North America. On the other hand, the pale morph of S. fuscum and S. beothuk differ in morphology, are separated genetically, and have different habitat preferences and distribution ranges. The known occurrences of S. beothuk are restricted to the oceanic regions along the North Atlantic coast. It is one of few peat mosses restricted to the amphi-Atlantic region. We show that by combining morphology, genetic data, distributional information, and habitat knowledge it is possible to evaluate taxonomic uncertainties in Sphagnum. We also epitypify the name S. fuscum.
The healthy exocrine pancreas contains preproinsulin-specific CD8 T cells that attack islets in type 1 diabetes

Preproinsulin-specific CD8+ T cells residing in the exocrine pancreas become attracted to islets in type 1 diabetes. Preproinsulin (PPI) is presumably a crucial islet autoantigen found in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) but is also recognized by CD8+ T cells from healthy individuals. We quantified PPI-specific CD8+ T cells within different areas of the human pancreas from nondiabetic controls, autoantibody-positive donors, and donors with T1D to investigate their role in diabetes development. This spatial cellular quantitation revealed unusually high frequencies of autoreactive CD8+ T cells supporting the hypothesis that PPI is indeed a key autoantigen. To our surprise, PPI-specific CD8+ T cells were already abundantly present in the nondiabetic pancreas, thus questioning the dogma that T1D is caused by defective thymic deletion or systemic immune dysregulation. During T1D development, these cells accumulated in and around islets, indicating that an islet-specific trigger such as up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex class I might be essential to unmask beta cells to the immune system.
Conyza bonariensis (flax-leaf fleabane) resistant to both glyphosate and ALS inhibiting herbicides in north-eastern Victoria

Abstract. Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq. (syn. of Erigeron bonariensis L.) is a difficult-to-control summer weed species in the cropping belt of south-eastern Australia. Herbicide resistance may be affecting the ability to control C. bonariensis in the agricultural region of north-eastern Victoria; therefore, a survey was conducted to evaluate resistance to herbicides from several mode-of-action groups. Of the populations collected, 40% were resistant to glyphosate at 1080 g ha–1. Chlorsulfuron failed to control any of the populations collected. Further research identified multiple herbicide resistance to glyphosate, chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl and sulfometuron-methyl in five of nine populations fully characterised. Resistance was not found to 2,4-D, clopyralid or paraquat. There was no correlation between prevailing land use and the frequency of glyphosate-resistant populations, suggesting that resistance had been selected in multiple production systems. The high frequency of resistance could explain the difficulty experienced in controlling C. bonariensis across north-eastern Victoria and demonstrates the importance of integrated weed management to manage this weed.
Electrothermal soft manipulator enabling safe transport and handling of thin cell/tissue sheets and bioelectronic devices

This soft machine can pick up and release an ultrathin “living” cell sheet and electronics without crumpling. “Living” cell sheets or bioelectronic chips have great potentials to improve the quality of diagnostics and therapies. However, handling these thin and delicate materials remains a grand challenge because the external force applied for gripping and releasing can easily deform or damage the materials. This study presents a soft manipulator that can manipulate and transport cell/tissue sheets and ultrathin wearable biosensing devices seamlessly by recapitulating how a cephalopod’s suction cup works. The soft manipulator consists of an ultrafast thermo-responsive, microchanneled hydrogel layer with tissue-like softness and an electric heater layer. The electric current to the manipulator drives microchannels of the gel to shrink/expand and results in a pressure change through the microchannels. The manipulator can lift/detach an object within 10 s and can be used repeatedly over 50 times. This soft manipulator would be highly useful for safe and reliable assembly and implantation of therapeutic cell/tissue sheets and biosensing devices.
Comparative Study of Antioxidant Potential in Hairy Roots and Field grown Roots of Solanum nigrum L.

Solanum nigrum (black nightshade) is a medicinal plant member of the Solanaceae family. This family comprises many genera, well known for their therapeutic properties. It occurs on a wide range of soils but prefers soil rich in nitrogen. Solanum nigrum Linn. is commonly used in the traditional medicine as a remedy for treating various ailment such a pain, inflammation and fever (Zakaria et al., 2006.). Solanum nigrum is also used as antitumorigenic, antioxidant (Lee et al., 2003), anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antipyretic agent (Zakaria et al., 2006), hepatoprotective (Raju et al., 2003), anticancer, immunomodulatory (Jian et al., 2009), larvicidal (Ahmed et al., 2002), hepatoprotective (Raju et al., 2003) and antibacterial (Rani et al., 2004). It has been used against sexually transmitted diseases as well (Atanu et al., 2011). The species exhibits a high level of morphological plasticity and several subspecies have been identified. The plant and berries can form a sticky mass during harvesting operations. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 8 (2016) pp. 42-54 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Breeding for increased nitrogen‐use efficiency: a review for wheat (T. aestivum L.)

Nitrogen fertilizer is the most used nutrient source in modern agriculture and represents significant environmental and production costs. In the meantime, the demand for grain increases and production per area has to increase as new cultivated areas are scarce. In this context, breeding for an efficient use of nitrogen became a major objective. In wheat, nitrogen is required to maintain a photosynthetically active canopy ensuring grain yield and to produce grain storage proteins that are generally needed to maintain a high end-use quality. This review presents current knowledge of physiological, metabolic and genetic factors influencing nitrogen uptake and utilization in the context of different nitrogen management systems. This includes the role of root system and its interactions with microorganisms, nitrate assimilation and its relationship with photosynthesis as postanthesis remobilization and nitrogen partitioning. Regarding nitrogen-use efficiency complexity, several physiological avenues for increasing it were discussed and their phenotyping methods were reviewed. Phenotypic and molecular breeding strategies were also reviewed and discussed regarding nitrogen regimes and genetic diversity.
Inhibition ofPhotosynthesis. byOxygeninIsolated Spinach Chloroplasts" 2

Theinhibition ofphotosynthetic CO9 fixation byO,,commonlyreferred to as theWarburgeffect, was examined inisolated intact spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chloroplasts. Themajorcharacteristics ofthiseffect inisolated chloroplasts are rapidreversibility when 02 isreplaced byN2,an inoreased inhibition by 09 at lowconcentrations ofCO2 anda decreased effect of09 withincreased concentrations ofCO2. BoththeDPN-andTPN-linked glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenases butnoteldolase were inhibited by 02. The photoreduction ofTPN measuredinfragmented chloroplast preparations was similar inN2 andO2downtoa concantration of5 micromolar TPN. The effect of100 % 02 on 14CO2assimilation was overcome oompletely byfructose 1,6-diphosphate andbyribose 5-phosphate butnotbyascorbate, cysteine, dithiothreitol andreduced lipoate. Glycolate becamethemajorphotosynthetic product athighpartial pressures of02 or atlow CO2 concentrations. Itisconcluded that02 depresses photosynthesis primarily by causing a shift ofa majorportion ofthetotal carbon intoglycolate andimpairing thefunctioning ofthe photosynthetio carbonreduction cycle. Themechanismwhereby 02 alters theflowofcarbon intoglycolate remainsunknown.
Effect of phytase supplementation in maize based diet on growth performance and nutrients utilization of broiler chickens

A biological trial was conducted to study the effect ofphytase supplementation on the performance of broiler chickens fed maize based rations containing different levels of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP). Day-old broiler chicks (n=240) were divided into 12 groups of 20 birds in each. Four dietary treatments viz. T 1 (control, NPP 0.50%), T 2 (NPP 0.30%). T 2 (T 2 + phytase) and T 4 (T 1 + phytase) were formulated. Each dietary treatment was offered to 3 groups of birds during their starter (0-4 weeks) and finisher phases (4-6 weeks). There was significant (P≤0.05) depression in growth and feed intake in birds received diet without supplemental phosphorus (T 2 ) but body weight gains, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency improved significantly (P≤0.05) on supplementation of phytase (T 3 ). Dry matter metabolisability and retention of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus improved significantly (P≤0.05) in diets supplemented with phytase. However. phytase supplementation to high NPP (0.50%) diets didn't improved (P≤0.05) the performance of broilers. The supplementation ofphytase on low NPP diet increased concentration of serum phosphorus, tibial ash and its calcium and phosphorus content. The results indicated that supplementary phytase was beneficial in diets without inorganic phosphorus supplementation (0.30% NPP).
Effects of Different Dietary Rosmarinus Officinalis Powder and Vitamin E Levels on the Performance and Gut Gross Morphometry of Broiler Chickens

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the dietary addition of different levels of rosemary powder (RP) and vitamin E (VitE) on broiler performance and gut gross morphometry. A total of 270 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly assigned to nine dietary treatments with three replicates of10 birds each. Treatments consisted of diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5 or 1.0% RP and 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg VitE (alpha-tocopherol acetate). Feed intake and weight gain were recorded weekly. On day 42, one bird per replicate was euthanized after blood sampling. Gastrointestinal tract segments were measured and/or weighed. Means were compared by least significant difference. Overall, broilers fed1.0% RP presented lower (p< 0.05) feed intake, weight gain, and final weight body than those fed 0.5% RP. Broilers fed the 0.5% RP plus 200 mg/kg VitE diet presented higher weight gain (p<0.05) in than those in the control group (0% RP and 0 mg VitE). Jejunum length and weight, colon length and width, and right cecum weight were also negatively affected (p<0.05) by the 1.0% RP diet when compared with the 0.5% RP diet. We suggest that the dietary supplementation of 0.5% RP plus 200mg/kg of vitE improves broiler performance and does not have significant adverse effects on gross gut morphometry. Dietary VitE may play a potential protective role against the negative effects of high levels of RP.
Interrogating Data Science

Data science provides powerful tools and methods. CSCW researchers have contributed insightfulstudies of conventional work-practices in data science - and particularly machine learning. However,recent research has shown that human skills and collaborative decision-making, play important rolesin defining data, acquiring data, curating data, designing data, and creating data. This workshopgathers researchers and practitioners together to take a collective and critical look at data sciencework-practices, and at how those work-practices make crucial and often invisible impacts on theformal work of data science. When we understand the human and social contributions to data sciencepipelines, we can constructively redesign both work and technologies for new insights, theories, andchallenges.
Democratic Reflection: Nudging Citizens? Democratic Engagement with Political Election Debates

Nudges are increasingly adopted by governments to promote social welfare, but there is an open debate on the ethics of nudges and their application in highly contested domains. We present a tool for nudging citizens? democratic engagement with political election debates. Democratic Reflection is a moment-by-moment second screen interaction technology for capturing audience feedback to time-based stimuli like speeches, TV debates, or video replays. While viewing the stimuli, users select from a matrix of icons, each describing a reflective nudge and instant audience reaction. Initial insights from the applications of this technology in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 UK elections, suggest that the reflective nudges enabled by Democratic Reflection can promote active engagement with politics, and may increase the willingness of people to be involved in political processes in the future.
Reconsidering Scale and Scaling in CSCW Research

This one-day workshop invites discussion on the various socio-technical processes and dynamics that characterize scale and scaling in local, community-sited initiatives. Seeking to move beyond a view of scale as mere growth in numbers and a matter of technology-mediated replication, the workshop aims at developing a nuanced vocabulary to talk about various forms of scale and practices of scaling in CSCW research. It will bring together interdisciplinary scholars, activists, practitioners and representatives of the public sector who wish to question and further develop the notion of scale generally associated with processes of upscaling. The workshop provides a forum to discuss:i) concepts, theories and empirical cases that broaden our view of what constitutes scale; andii) the implications for CSCW research in assessing the long-term impact and sustenance of socio-technical innovations. The workshop will accommodate up to twenty participants and will be run virtually.
Factors Influencing Premature Cyathia Abscission in Poinsettia ‘Annette Hegg Dark Red’

Low irradiance levels, high temperatures, and water stress all promoted premature cyathia abscission in poinsettia ‘Annette Hegg Dark Red’ (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.). Abscission was greater in plants placed under 75% shade at 16°C night temperature (NT) than on plants placed under normal daylight (ND) at 16° or 21° NT. Water stress (0.6 MPa) promoted abscission on plants grown at an 18° NT and ND but did not promote abscission on plants grown at 16° NT and ND or on under 75% shade (13° to 21° NT). As plant density increased, transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) through the bracts to the leaf canopy decreased while cyathia abscission increased concomitantly. More than 90% of the PAR above the bracts was absorbed or reflected 5 cm below the bracts on 20 cm tall plants spaced at 65 or more plants m-2. Reducing natural irradiation 75% by shading leaves of poinsettia promoted cyathia abscission, whereas removing immature bracts decreased abscission. Leaf removal on plants with intact bracts promoted abscission to a degree that 100% of the cyathia abscised prior to anthesis, whereas bract removal on plants with intact leaves resulted in only 23% abscission of the cyathia 25 days after first anthesis. Measurements of nonsoluble carbohydrate showed a significant increase in leaf carbohydrate on plants with bracts removed while carbohydrate decreased in leaves of plants with bracts intact. Carbohydrate depletion appears to be the primary factor responsible for premature cyathia abscission in poinsettia.
Haptic PIVOT: On-Demand Handhelds in VR

We present PIVOT, a wrist-worn haptic device that renders virtual objects into the user's hand on demand. Its simple design comprises a single actuated joint that pivots a haptic handle into and out of the user's hand, rendering the haptic sensations of grasping, catching, or throwing an object anywhere in space. Unlike existing hand-held haptic devices and haptic gloves, PIVOT leaves the user's palm free when not in use, allowing users to make unencumbered use of their hand. PIVOT also enables rendering forces acting on the held virtual objects, such as gravity, inertia, or air-drag, by actively driving its motor while the user is firmly holding the handle. When wearing a PIVOT device on both hands, they can add haptic feedback to bimanual interaction, such as lifting larger objects. In our user study, participants (n=12) evaluated the realism of grabbing and releasing objects of different shape and size with mean score 5.19 on a scale from 1 to 7, rated the ability to catch and throw balls in different directions with different velocities (mean=5.5), and verified the ability to render the comparative weight of held objects with 87% accuracy for ~100g increments.
Seed Germination of Magnolia dealbata Zucc. (Magnoliaceae), An Endangered Species from Mexico

Magnolia dealbata Zucc. merits rescue and propagation for future ecological restoration projects in cloud-forests, for ornamental landscaping, and for pharmacological research. Seeds were warm-water soaked. Seeds were stratified at O °C for 10 days, 5 °C for 0, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 months. The highest percent germination was obtained from the nonstratified (control) seeds sown after warm-water treatment
MonoEye: Multimodal Human Motion Capture System Using A Single Ultra-Wide Fisheye Camera

We present MonoEye, a multimodal human motion capture system using a single RGB camera with an ultra-wide fisheye lens, mounted on the user's chest. Existing optical motion capture systems use multiple cameras, which are synchronized and require camera calibration. These systems also have usability constraints that limit the user's movement and operating space. Since the MonoEye system is based on a wearable single RGB camera, the wearer's 3D body pose can be captured without space and environment limitations. The body pose, captured with our system, is aware of the camera orientation and therefore it is possible to recognize various motions that existing egocentric motion capture systems cannot recognize. Furthermore, the proposed system captures not only the wearer's body motion but also their viewport using the head pose estimation and an ultra-wide image. To implement robust multimodal motion capture, we design three deep neural networks: BodyPoseNet, HeadPoseNet, and CameraPoseNet, that estimate 3D body pose, head pose, and camera pose in real-time, respectively. We train these networks with our new extensive synthetic dataset providing 680K frames of renderings of people with a wide range of body shapes, clothing, actions, backgrounds, and lighting conditions. To demonstrate the interactive potential of the MonoEye system, we present several application examples from common body gestural to context-aware interactions.
Taste Display that Reproduces Tastes Measured by a Taste Sensor

Aiming for the creation and development of taste media, a taste display was developed in this study that can reproduce tastes measured using taste sensors. By performing iontophoresis on five gels, which contain dissolved electrolytes that reproduce the five basic tastes, the quantity of ions that contact the tongue was controlled. A tasteless gel was added, so that the sum of the currents flowing in the six gels could be kept constant, ensuring a uniform amount of stimulation on the tongue. The measured tastes could be successfully reproduced through calibration, in which the indicated taste levels were matched with the taste-sensor measurements. Furthermore, video-editing software was adapted to edit taste information as well as recorded audio and video. In addition, effector and equalizer prototypes were built that can not only reproduce the recorded tastes in their original states but also adjust the tastes to match individual preferences.
Održivost proizvedenog hladno prešanog ulja chie (Salvia hispanica L.)

In this thesis, the influence of process parameters cold pressing chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) on the yield of oil was tested. The influence of temperature head presses, nozzle size, electromotor frequency and tension head presses on the yield and quality of cold pressed chia seed oil was examined. In the produced cold pressed chia seed oil the following quality parameters were determined: peroxide value, free fatty acids, moisture content, insoluble impurities, anisidine value, totox value, iodine value and saponification value. Also, the influence of the natural antioxidant supplements (rosemary extract type Oxy´Less®CS, green tea extract, extract of black cumin, clove extract, chaste berries essential oil) on the oxidative stability of cold pressed chia seed oil were examined. Determination of the oxidative stability of the oil, with and without added natural antioxidants, has been validated by the test of accelerated oxidation of oil – Rancimat test. The result of oil oxidation was expressed as induction period (IP). The results showed that the studied process parameters of the cold pressing also affect the yield of oil. Greater yield of chia seed oil is obtained at temperature of 100 oC, nozzle of ID 8 mm, frequency of 25 Hz and tension of ½ of the circle. With the addition of the natural antioxidant supplements of rosemary extract type Oxy´Less®CS and green tea extract (0,15% concentration), it is proven to achieve oxidative stability of the oil.