Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous levels of reducing sugars, free amino acids and phenols during various stages of in vitro culture of cotton ( Gossypium Spp. )

Somatic embryogenesis is widely preferred as the regeneration route for in vitro studies in cotton. However, the regeneration efficiency through this approach is low; a problem that is believed to be as a result of the biochemical properties of the plant. The objective of this study was to investigate possible relationships between three biochemical factors (reducing sugars, phenols, and free amino acids) and somatic embryogenesis. In vitro cultures of the different embryogenic and non-embryogenic cultivals were established. The levels of reducing sugars, phenols and free amino acids were determined at different developmental stages of the cultures. Higher levels of reducing sugars and lower level of phenol were observed in embryogenic cultivars compared to their non-embryogenic counterparts. There was a general increase in the levels of free amino acids, which decreased with time in the highly embryogenic cultivars, whereas the levels remained high in the poorly embryogenic and non-embryogenic cultivars. The higher content of phenols and free amino acids may be implicated in the poor somatic embryogenic response. The data show that there are factors that may serve as markers of somatic embryogenesis in cotton, which need to be empirically determined for any particular cultivar chosen for genetic improvement through embryogenesis.
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of systemic sclerosis patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in China.

OBJECTIVES Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Since there was no published study regarding PAH in the Chinese SSc population, we aimed to describe a cohort to provide some data for early diagnosis. METHODS We evaluated 236 systemic sclerosis patients prospectively registered in the EUSTAR (European League Against Rheumatism Scleroderma Trial and Research Group) database from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2009 to 2012. Among them, 33 individuals received right heart catheterisations (RHC) while the remaining patients were grouped by echocardiographic data. These patients were classified into two groups, PAH and non-PAH group. Their clinical and laboratory features were statistically analysed to identify possible risk factors for PAH in Chinese SSc population. RESULTS The possible prevalence of PAH in SSc patients was approximately 11% in our study. Digital ulcers (52.0% vs. 31.2%), telangiectasias (64.0% vs. 37.6%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (60.0% vs. 36.2%) were more common in SSc patients with PAH. Some laboratory results were also proved to be significantly correlated with it. Logistic regression analysis showed that telangiectasias (OR=2.888, 95% CI=1.176-7.093), presence of GERD (OR=2.592, 95% CI=1.067-6.296), anti-RNP positivity (OR=24.384, 95% CI=1.978-36.651), IgA level elevation (OR=8.745, 95% CI 4.838-122.896) and FVC/TLCO ratio (OR=97.067, 95% CI 12.475-755.271) were associated with an increased odds for PAH in SSc patients. CONCLUSIONS This study described possible predictors of PAH in Chinese SSc population, which have been supported by similar studies in other ethnic groups.
A 130-kDa plasma membrane glycoprotein involved in Dictyostelium phagocytosis.

Phagocytosis involves interactions between cell-surface receptors and the actin-based cytoskeleton. Plasma membrane glycoproteins cosedimenting with detergent-insoluble cytoskeletons were postulated to be phagocytosis receptor candidates of the unicellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. A 130-kDa glycoprotein (gp130) was associated with cytoskeletons of bacterially but not axenically grown cells, suggesting a cytoskeletal interaction that depended on nutrient conditions. Labeling of gp130 with a membrane-impermeant biotinylating reagent showed it was surface-exposed and provided a tag that was used to monitor gp130. Biotin-labeled gp130 was an integral protein and found to be a single species by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. An antibody was raised against a synthetic octapeptide corresponding to internal amino acid sequence of biotin-labeled gp130 enriched through avidin affinity chromatography. The affinity-purified antibody was monospecific, reacting with both axenic and bacterial forms of gp130 on immunoblots. There was less gp130 in plasma membranes of bacterially grown cells than in plasma membranes of axenically grown cells, which was consistent with the idea that as a receptor, gp130 would be internalized during phagocytosis and fewer molecules would be on the cell surface of actively feeding cells. This suggestion was supported by the observation that there was a reduced amount of surface (biotin)-labeled gp130 on bacterially grown cells relative to axenically grown cells. gp130 also was implicated in phagocytosis through immunoblotting analyses that revealed smaller versions of gp130 in plasma membranes of phagocytosis mutant HV29 (Vogel et al.J. Cell Biol. 86: 456, 1980). Taken together, these biochemical and immunological data support the idea that gp130 plays a role in the phagocytosis process.
Formalin-Fixed and Heat-Retrieved Tissue Antigens: A Comparison of Their Immunoreactivity in Experimental Antibody Diluents

Heat-induced antigen retrieval procedures have become an effective and therefore important part of immunohistochemistry. Although used with increasing frequency, it is not known by what mechanism or to what extent these procedures restore the molecular integrity of the antigen. In an attempt to explore these questions, the immune reactions of 14 tissue antigens with their corresponding monoclonal antibodies were compared both in the absence and after the application of two widely used heat-induced antigen retrieval procedures. The tissue antigens were selected either because of the increased or lack of response to heat retrieval. The nature of their immune reactions was appraised through the variable effects that some diluent solutes were previously shown to have on monoclonal antibodies at different pH. It was found that on heat retrieval, four antigens reacting with monoclonal antibodies of subclass IgG2a or IgG1 reversed their preference for an alkaline pH to that of an acid pH. Eight of nine antigens reacting with monoclonal antibodies of subclass IgG1 and one antigen reacting with an antibody of class IgM remained most reactive at pH 6.0. The retrieved epitope of a B-cell antigen reacting with an IgG3 subclass antibody retained its preference for the alkaline pH. These patterns of response by the antigens to heat-induced retrieval are compared with the previously reported modifications in the immune reactions of monoclonal antibodies when sodium chloride and sodium phosphates were included in the antibody diluent buffer. Use of antibody diluents containing these solutes in combination with heat-induced antigen retrieval resulted in the loss of most of the sensitivity gained through this technique. The possible common mechanisms underlying the causes for these results are discussed.
Simplicispira piscis sp. nov., isolated from the gut of a Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain RSG39T, was isolated from the gut of a Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain RSG39T belonged to the genus Simplicispira in the class Betaproteobacteria and its highest sequence similarity was shared with S. psychrophila (98.4 %). The isolate grew optimally at 20 °C, at pH 7 and with 0 % (w/v) NaCl. The main respiratory quinone of the isolate was ubiquinone Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids of the isolate were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and six unidentified lipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization values showed < 7.4 % genomic relatedness with closely related strains. The genomic DNA G+C content was 65.2 mol %. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses, strain RSG39T represents a novel species of the genus Simplicispira, for which the name Simplocospira piscis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RSG39T ( = KACC 17539T = JCM 19291T).
VHDL Standards

Provides a brief overview of VHDL-related standards. The IEEE approved the original VHDL standard (IEEE Std 1076) in 1987, then revised and significantly enhanced it in 1993. In 2000, an interim edition added concurrency control features for shared variables. The new features, called protected types, are based on the idea of monitors seen in concurrent programming languages. The standard is now nearing the final stages of a further revision process, and is headed for approval later this year. This new version is essentially a maintenance revision, with no new language features. The VHDL working group has started collecting requirements for language enhancements to be included in the next revision. A task group within the VHDL working group is also writing a standard for a programming language interface for VHDL simulators and should have a draft ready toward the end of this year.
Notch function in the vasculature: insights from zebrafish, mouse and man

Vascular development entails multiple cell‐fate decisions to specify a diverse array of vascular structures. Notch proteins are signaling receptors that regulate cell‐fate determination in a variety of cell types. The finding that Notch genes are robustly expressed in the vasculature suggests roles for Notch in guiding endothelial and associated mural cells through the myriad of cell‐fate decisions needed to form the vasculature. In fact, mice with defects in genes encoding Notch, Notch ligands, and components of the Notch signaling cascade invariably display vascular defects. Human Notch genes are linked to Alagille's Syndrome, a developmental disorder with vascular defects, and CADASIL, a cerebral arteriopathy. Studies in zebrafish, mice and humans indicate that Notch works in conjunction with other angiogenic pathways to pattern and stabilize the vasculature. Here, we will focus on established functions for Notch in vascular remodeling and arterial/venous specification and more speculative roles in vascular homeostasis and organ‐specific angiogenesis. BioEssays 26:225–234, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two-Stage Energy Management of Multi-Smart Homes With Distributed Generation and Storage

This study presents a new two-stage hybrid optimization algorithm for scheduling the power consumption of households that have distributed energy generation and storage. In the first stage, non-identical home energy management systems (HEMSs) are modeled. HEMS may contain distributed generation systems (DGS) such as PV and wind turbines, distributed storage systems (DSS) such as electric vehicle (EV), and batteries. HEMS organizes the controllable appliances considering user preferences, amount of energy generated/stored and electricity price. A group of optimum consumption schedules for each HEMS is calculated by a Genetic Algorithm (GA). In the second stage, a neighborhood energy management system (NEMS) is established based on Bayesian Game (BG). In this game, HEMSs are players and their pre-determined optimal schedules are their actions. NEMS regulates the total power fluctuations by allowing the energy transfer among households. In the proposed algorithm, HEMS decreases the electricity cost of the users, while NEMS flats the load curve of the neighborhood to prevent overloading of the distribution transformer. The proposed HEMS and NEMS models are implemented from scratch. A survey of 250 participants was conducted to determine user habits. The results of the survey and the proposed system were compared. In conclusion, the proposed hybrid energy management system saves power by up to 25% and decreases cost by 8.7% on average.
Independent Modes of Natural Killing Distinguished in Mice Lacking Lag3

The LAG3 protein has several features in common with CD4, suggesting that it may be important in controlling T cell reactivity. However, mice with a Lag3 null mutation have now been shown to exhibit a defect in the natural killer cell, rather than the T cell, compartment. Killing of certain tumor targets by natural killer cells from these mice was inhibited or even abolished, whereas lysis of cells displaying major histocompatibility complex class I disparities remained intact. It appears that LAG3 is a receptor or coreceptor that defines different modes of natural killing.
Stressful Life Events and Women's Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum Period

Eventos estressores podem afetar a saude mental da mulher durante a gestacao e o puerperio. Este estudo investigou relacoes entre variaveis sociodemograficas, estressores durante a gestacao e a saude mental da mulher na gestacao e no puerperio. Setenta e nove gestantes responderam ao Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), e no primeiro mes de vida do bebe, responderam ao Inventario de Eventos de Vida Estressores (ISLE) e ao Inventario Beck de Depressao (BDI-I). Analises de regressao revelaram que: (a) o escore de transtornos mentais comuns na gestacao foi o unico preditor significativo da depressao pos-parto; (b) quando o efeito da depressao pos-parto sobre a percepcao dos eventos estressores foi controlado, o impacto dos eventos estressores sobre a variância nos transtornos mentais comuns na gestacao desapareceu, e apenas a renda permaneceu como preditor significativo. Esses achados indicam a estabilidade dos sintomas de transtornos mentais da gestacao para o puerperio.
Autotrophic Methanotrophy in Verrucomicrobia: Methylacidiphilum fumariolicumSolV Uses the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle for Carbon Dioxide Fixation

ABSTRACT Genome data of the extreme acidophilic verrucomicrobial methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicumstrain SolV indicated the ability of autotrophic growth. This was further validated by transcriptome analysis, which showed that all genes required for a functional Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle were transcribed. Experiments with 13CH4or 13CO2in batch and chemostat cultures demonstrated that CO2is the sole carbon source for growth of strain SolV. In the presence of CH4, CO2concentrations in the headspace below 1% (vol/vol) were growth limiting, and no growth was observed when CO2concentrations were below 0.3% (vol/vol). The activity of the key enzyme of the CBB cycle, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), measured with a 13C stable-isotope method was about 70 nmol CO2fixed · min−1· mg of protein−1. An immune reaction with antibody against the large subunit of RuBisCO on Western blots was found only in the supernatant fractions of cell extracts. The apparent native mass of the RuBisCO complex in strain SolV was about 482 kDa, probably consisting of 8 large (53-kDa) and 8 small (16-kDa) subunits. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the corresponding RuBisCO gene, we postulate that RuBisCO of the verrucomicrobial methanotrophs represents a new type of form I RuBisCO.
Thermodynamic Insight in the High-Pressure Behavior of UiO-66: Effect of Linker Defects and Linker Expansion

In this Article, we present a molecular-level understanding of the experimentally observed loss of crystallinity in UiO-66-type metal–organic frameworks, including the pristine UiO-66 to -68 as well as defect-containing UiO-66 materials, under the influence of external pressure. This goal is achieved by constructing pressure-versus-volume profiles at finite temperatures using a thermodynamic approach relying on ab initio derived force fields. On the atomic level, the phenomenon is reflected in a sudden drop in the number of symmetry operators for the crystallographic unit cell because of the disordered displacement of the organic linkers with respect to the inorganic bricks. For the defect-containing samples, a reduced mechanical stability is observed, however, critically depending on the distribution of these defects throughout the material, hence demonstrating the importance of judiciously characterizing defects in these materials.
Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, Japan

We retrospectively confirmed 2 cases of human Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. Patient blood samples contained unique p44/msp2 for the pathogen, and antibodies bound to A. phagocytophilum antigens propagated in THP-1 rather than HL60 cells. Unless both cell lines are used for serodiagnosis of rickettsiosis-like infections, cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis could go undetected.
A Meta-Analysis of Somatic KCNJ5 K(+) Channel Mutations In 1636 Patients With an Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma.

CONTEXT Due to selection biases and inadequate statistical power, individual studies may fail to identify the clinical features of patients with an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) harboring KCNJ5 mutations. When this failure occurs, meta-analysis can provide significant outcome data. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the clinical features of these APA patients. DESIGN We systematically searched the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases library in January 2015 applying the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) strategy. The standardized differences in mean and corresponding 95% confidence interval of continuous variables were computed by random-effects modeling. SETTING We performed a meta-analysis of all available studies on somatic KCNJ5 mutations in APA. PATIENTS We could identify 13 studies that recruited 1636 patients (age 49 ± 4 years; 55% females). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Differences between APA with and without KCNJ5 mutations in gender, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, tumor size, serum potassium, and blood pressure were investigated. RESULTS The overall prevalence of KCNJ5 mutations was 43% (range = 12-80%). Their rate was lower (P < .003) in the studies done in Europe, the United States, and Australia (35%) than in Japan and China (63%); it correlated (r = 0.60, P = .029) with the mean daily urinary sodium excretion. Compared with the wild-type, the mutated APA patients were younger (45 ± 3 vs 52 ± 5 yrs), had higher plasma aldosterone (42 ± 8 vs 33 ± 8 ng/dl), larger tumors (16.1 ± 6.4 versus 14.9 ± 7.4 mm), and were more often females (67% vs 44%) (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Meta-analysis showed that more pronounced hyperaldosteronism, young age, female gender, and larger tumors are the phenotypic features of APA patients with KCNJ5 mutations. No significant differences in blood pressure and serum K(+) was found, which suggests that these clinical features do not help in identifying mutated APA patients.
Design considerations for permanent magnet machine drives for direct-drive electric vehicles

Understanding the need for improvement in efficiency of an electric vehicle drivetrain system, this paper exclusively discusses various design aspects of a permanent magnet machine drive for direct-drive electric vehicles (EV). Firstly, the motivation to employ a direct-drive configuration in EV is discussed. Thereafter, initial electric machine rating design considerations for a typical Supermini or B-segment EV employing a direct-drive configuration is discussed. Furthermore, employing an existing stator, investigations are performed through analytical equations and designed machines to understand different permanent magnet machine design aspects with regards to selection of: number of poles, type of permanent magnet rotor, stator winding configuration and number of phases. The study performed here will assist in providing decision points on various structural design indices of the machine before venturing into the FEA based permanent magnet machine design and assessment for the direct-drive EV application.
Decrease of erythropoietin level by human recombinant tumour necrosis factor alpha (hrec TNFalpha) in patients with advanced cancer.

UNLABELLED Anaemia is a frequent complication of chronic inflammation, infectious diseases and cancer. Inappropriate erythropoietin production is regarded as one of the main causative factors responsible for the occurrence of anaemia. The pathogenesis of TNFalpha induced-anaemia has not been fully clarified yet and its influence on hematopoiesis has been suggested. We performed a clinical study to access the influence of hrec TNFalpha administration on plasma EPO concentration and the degree of anaemia in patients with advanced solid tumours for whom no other kind of therapy but palliative treatment was available. All these patients exposed mild anaemia (HT 36.1 +/- 1.0%). Plasma EPO was estimated at 8 a.m. before and after 5 days of TNFalpha therapy with a dose of 75 pg/day iv (cycle I). Two weeks later plasma EPO was estimated again before and after 5 days of TNFalpha administration of a double dose (150 microg/day) (cycle II). The control group comprised 8 non-cancer patients (5M/3F, age 48.5 +/- 6yr) with the same degree of anaemia (HT 36 +/- 1.1%) due to haemorrhage. In the control group the plasma EPO level was significantly higher (54.2 +/- 8 mU/ml) than in cancer patients before cycle I (17.1 +/- 2.5 mU/ml) and II (14.6 +/- 3.8 mU/ml) respectively.TNF administration was followed by a significant decline of plasma EPO both after the first (17.1 +/- 2.5 vs 9.0 +/- 1.5 mU/ml) and second cycle (14.6 +/- 3.8 vs 8.4 +/- 2.0 mU/ml) of TNF treatment. CONCLUSIONS Patients with solid cancer and mild anaemia are characterised by inappropriate low plasma EPO concentration. Therapy with TNFalpha exerts a suppressive effect on EPO secretion in these patients.
Dynamic Eccentricity and Demagnetized Rotor Magnet Detection in Trapezoidal Flux (Brushless DC) Motors Operating Under Different Load Conditions

Brushless dc (BLDC) machines are finding increasing use in applications that demand high and rugged performance. Automotive and aerospace are some such areas where these machines may be used. In this context, condition monitoring of these machines would provide added value. This paper investigates the effect of several potential rotor faults on the current spectrum of BLDC motors with a view to develop an effective condition-monitoring scheme. The effect of load unbalances, misalignments, and varying load torques on the diagnosis of such machines is investigated. A method to estimate the strength of the rotor magnets is also provided. Simulation and experimental results are presented to substantiate that current signature analysis could be a viable tool for diagnosing the condition of BLDC machines.
Sistema silvopastoril con diferentes coberturas arbóreas habilitado por rolado de baja intensidad. Impacto de glomalinas y fracciones de carbono del suelo

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del rolado de baja intensidad en indicadores biologicos y bioquimicos de calidad del suelo, utilizado para habilitar un bosque secundario en un sistema silvopastoril (SSP) con siembra de Panicum maximum var. Gatton panie y sometido a pastoreo controlado (RBIs) en Santiago del Estero, Argentina bajo coberturas arboreas de Ziziphus mistol (M); Aspidosperma quebracho blanco (Qb), Schinopsis lorentzii (Qc) y suelo sin cobertura arborea (D). Las variables evaluadas fueron carbono organico total (COT), carbono organico particulado (COP), carbono de la biomasa microbiana (Cbm), las relaciones COP: COT y Cbm:COT, glomalinas totales (CT) y facilmente extraibles (GFE). Para estudiar la relacion entre tratamientos, cobertura y variables de suelo se realizo ANOVA, test de Duncan para la comparacion de medias (a. = 0,05) y analisis de componentes principales (ACP). El SSP con siembra de gatton panie (RBIs) no modifico las variables evaluadas. La cobertura arborea modifico las variables evaluadas de tal manera que en areas sin cobertura se registro una disminucion importante y aumentaron bajo cobertura arborea de Qc, Qb y aun mas de M. Los valores medios de la relacion Cbm:COT promediaron un 2% evidenciando que la biota del suelo tiene una baja eficiencia metabolica, propia de los ambientes semiaridos.