Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytokinin response factors integrate auxin and cytokinin pathways for female reproductive organ development

The developmental programme of the pistil is under the control of both auxin and cytokinin. Crosstalk between these factors converges on regulation of the auxin carrier PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1). Here, we show that in the triple transcription factor mutant cytokinin response factor 2 (crf2) crf3 crf6 both pistil length and ovule number were reduced. PIN1 expression was also lower in the triple mutant and the phenotypes could not be rescued by exogenous cytokinin application. pin1 complementation studies using genomic PIN1 constructs showed that the pistil phenotypes were only rescued when the PCRE1 domain, to which CRFs bind, was present. Without this domain, pin mutants resemble the crf2 crf3 crf6 triple mutant, indicating the pivotal role of CRFs in auxin-cytokinin crosstalk. Summary: CRF2, CRF3 and CRF6 are required to regulate PIN1 expression in the inflorescence and this regulation is necessary for correct pistil elongation and ovule number.
Association of an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase with cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECT Delayed cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may be evoked by the decreased availability of nitric oxide (NO). Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), have been associated with the course and degree of cerebral vasospasm in a primate model of SAH. In this study, the authors sought to determine if similar changes in CSF ADMA levels are observed in patients with SAH, and whether these changes are associated with NO and NOS metabolite levels in the CSF and the presence of cerebral vasospasm. METHODS Asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine, L-arginine, L-citrulline, and nitrite levels were measured in CSF and serum samples collected during the 21-day period after a single aneurysmal SAH in 18 consecutive patients. Samples were also obtained in a control group consisting of seven patients with Chiari malformation Type I and five patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage without SAH. Vasospasm, defined as a greater than 11% reduction in the anterior circulation vessel diameter ratio compared with the ratio calculated from the initial arteriogram, was assessed on cerebral arteriography performed around Day 7. RESULTS In 13 patients with SAH, arteriographic cerebral vasospasm developed. Cerebrospinal fluid ADMA levels in patients with SAH were higher than in those in the control group (p < 0.001). The CSF ADMA level remained unchanged in the five patients with SAH without vasospasm, but was significantly increased in patients with vasospasm after Day 3 (6.2 +/- 1.7 microM) peaking during Days 7 through 9 (13.3 +/- 6.7 microM; p < 0.001) and then gradually decreasing between Days 12 and 21 (8.8 +/- 3.2 microM; p < 0.05). Nitrite levels in the CSF were lower in patients with vasospasm compared to patients without vasospasm (p < 0.03). Cerebrospinal fluid ADMA levels positively correlated with the degree of vasospasm (correlation coefficient [CC] = 0.88, p = 0.0001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.95) and negatively correlated with CSF nitrite levels (CC = -0.55; p = 0.017; 95% CI -0.81 to -0.12). CONCLUSIONS These results support the hypothesis that ADMA is involved in the progression of cerebral vasospasm. Asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine and its metabolizing enzymes may be a future target for treatment of cerebral vasospasm after SAH.
New Insights into the Mechanisms of the Interactions Between Doxorubicin and the Ion-Exchange Hydrogel DC Bead™ for Use in Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)

Ion-exchange microspheres (IEMs) are widely employed in controlled drug delivery of ionic drugs due to their high loading capacity and the possibility to obtain the controlled release of the loaded drug(s) at a specific site. Among IEMs, DC Bead™ are embolic microdevices (100–300 μm diameter) designed for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and composed of cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel, bearing anionic sulfonate moieties on the cross-links, and able to bind cationic drugs such as doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox). Even if DC Bead™ were studied for their release and bulk characteristics, a thorough characterization of these devices is still lacking. In particular, the aim of this work was the determination of bound and free water, Dox distribution within the microdevices and drug–DC Bead™ interactions, in terms of transport features within the device. Compared with previous results, different Dox radial distributions in DC Bead™ were found, and related to bead microsctructure and ion exchange mechanism. Artifacts due to the self-quenching of Dox at high concentration were prevented and the diffusion coefficients of drug-polymer (Dox-ionic sites) evaluated in different sections of the microspheres. Furthermore, DSC results indicated that in the hydrogel either free (bulk) or bound (non-freezable) water could be found, and that no freezing-bound water was present.
Results of internal fixation of Pauwels type-3 vertical femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND It has been postulated that femoral neck fractures with a more vertical fracture line (i.e., a high Pauwels angle) may experience more shear forces and therefore may be predisposed to nonunion or loss of fixation. Although there is controversy regarding which fixation method is ideal, we are aware of no large clinical series in which the treatment outcomes of these fractures were evaluated. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate a large consecutive series of high shear angle (>70 degrees) femoral neck fractures to learn more about the outcomes, complications, and performance of various internal fixation strategies. METHODS Between January 1993 and January 2005, seventy-six Pauwels type-3 (Orthopaedic Trauma Association [OTA] type-31B2.3) femoral neck fractures were treated in seventy-five patients with a mean age of forty-two years. Fourteen patients were lost to follow-up. Sixty-two fractures in sixty-one patients were followed to union or revision surgery, with a mean duration of follow-up of twenty-four months. Thirty-seven fractures were treated with cannulated screws and twenty-five, with a fixed-angle device. The reduction quality, accuracy of implant placement, time to surgery, influence of capsular decompression, and rates of nonunion and osteonecrosis were evaluated. RESULTS Fifty-nine (95%) of the fractures had good-to-excellent reduction, and three had a fair reduction. There was a nonunion of eight (14%) of the fifty-nine fractures with a good-to-excellent reduction and two of the three with a fair reduction. There was a septic nonunion of one fracture treated with a dynamic hip screw. There was an aseptic nonunion of seven (19%) of the thirty-seven fractures treated with screw fixation alone as compared with two (8%) of the twenty-five fractures treated with a fixed-angle device. Osteonecrosis occurred after treatment of seven (11%) of the sixty-two fractures. CONCLUSIONS Despite timely, excellent reduction and accurate implant placement in the vast majority of cases, the nonunion rate was 19% for fractures treated with cannulated screws alone and 8% for those treated with a fixed-angle device. Although these failure rates are not significantly different, we believe that this study documents the challenging nature of this fracture pattern and the ideal fixation device remains undefined.
Getting across—bacterial type III effector proteins on their way to the plant cell

Pathogenicity of most Gram‐negative bacterial plant pathogens depends on hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) genes, which control the ability to cause disease and to elicit specific defense responses in resistant plants. hrp genes encode a specialized type III secretion (TTS) system that mediates the vectorial delivery of bacterial effector proteins across both bacterial membranes as well as across the eukaryotic plasma membrane into the host cell cytosol. One well‐studied effector protein is AvrBs3 from Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, the causal agent of bacterial spot in pepper and tomato. AvrBs3 induces hypertrophy symptoms in susceptible plants and triggers a resistance gene‐specific cell death reaction in resistant plants. Intriguingly, AvrBs3 has characteristic features of eukaryotic transcription factors, suggesting that it modulates the host's transcriptome. Here, we discuss the TTS system of X.campestris pv. vesicatoria in the light of current knowledge on type III‐dependent protein secretion in plant pathogenic bacteria.
Density Estimation and Classification via Bayesian Nonparametric Learning of Affine Subspaces

It is now practically the norm for data to be very high dimensional in areas such as genetics, machine vision, image analysis and many others. When analyzing such data, parametric models are often too inflexible while nonparametric procedures tend to be non-robust because of insufficient data on these high dimensional spaces. It is often the case with high-dimensional data that most of the variability tends to be along a few directions, or more generally along a much smaller dimensional submanifold of the data space. In this article, we propose a class of models that flexibly learn about this submanifold and its dimension which simultaneously performs dimension reduction. As a result, density estimation is carried out efficiently. When performing classification with a large predictor space, our approach allows the category probabilities to vary nonparametrically with a few features expressed as linear combinations of the predictors. As opposed to many black-box methods for dimensionality reduction, the proposed model is appealing in having clearly interpretable and identifiable parameters. Gibbs sampling methods are developed for posterior computation, and the methods are illustrated in simulated and real data applications.
Recent Development of Halbach Permanent Magnet Machines and Applications

Halbach magnetised PM brushless machines are novel in that their magnetisation is self-shielding. They offer many attractive features, such as sinusoidal airgap field distribution and back-emf waveform, negligible cogging torque, potentially high airgap flux density and no need of rotor back-iron. Hence, they have recently attracted many research and development interests and extensive exploitation for their applications. This paper starts with a brief introduction of Halbach machines and compares the relative merits of ideal and segmented Halbach machines, as well as shaped magnet machines. It then describes various recent applications which exploit their novel features, ranging from automotive, aerospace, industrial servo, to domestic appliances. Finally, it reports an integrated design of sensorless high-speed Halbach motors.
Candida and Candidiasis

Yeast of the genus Candida have exploded into prominence in recent years as opportunistic and nosocomial fungal pathogens. However, the most recent textbook on these organisms was written in 1988. Candida and Candidiasis is a worthy successor in providing comprehensive information on the biology of these organisms. A total of 28 chapters cover the general properties, virulence factors, cell biology, immunity, genomics, diseases, and laboratory aspects of Candida species, with particular emphasis on its most prominent member, Candida albicans. The strongest chapters are those covering research aspects of these organisms. Complex subjects like the chemistry of the cell wall, host recognition and adherence, the cell biology of the yeast-hyphal transformation, and extracellular hydrolases as virulence factors in C. albicans are well summarized with clear, useful graphics and current references. The book is beautifully laid out, with a series of color plates that help describe phenotype switch variants and chromosome maps. The clinical chapters appear rather superficial for an infectious diseases clinician but may be useful to a student seeking basic material. The chapter on identification and subtyping contains information available in other sources for less than the cost of this book. A discussion of current practices in antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species would have been helpful. Chapters 2 and 4 contain repetitious material, including photographs of C. dubliniensis. A consolidated chapter on the epidemiology of Candida infections should be considered for the next edition. The chapters covering the cell biology are most useful, either as a comprehensive overview or as a reference text for researchers and students interested in the biology of these organisms.
Dynamic Spectrum Access Algorithm Based on Cournot Game Theory in Cognitive Radio Networks

As the key technology in cognitive radio network, dynamic spectrum access provides a feasible scheme for secondary users (SUs) reasonably and efficiently using the licensed spectrum in dynamic environment. To solve the problem of mutual interference among SUs and selection of spectrum rented by SUs during dynamic spectrum access, therefore, this paper studies spectrum access algorithm based on cournot game theory, which is suitable for cognitive radio network among SUs. Finally, spectrum bandwidth rented by multiple SUs in the cournot model algorithm along with the increase of the number of SUs was simulated. Simulation results show that when the spectrum bandwidth rented by SUs has reached Nash equilibrium, the scheme can obviously make SUs reasonably and efficiently use the licensed spectrum in dynamic environments, so as to realize the spectrum sharing between secondary users and primary users as well as to maximize the spectrum utilization rate.
The virtual disappearance of rheumatic fever in the United States: lessons in the rise and fall of disease

I AM DEEPLY HONORED to have been invited to give the 1984 T. Duckett Jones Memorial Lecture. This year marks 40 years since Dr. Jones first published his paper entitled "The Diagnosis of Rheumatic Fever. "' Jones had the foresight to recognize the importance of standardized diagnostic criteria from three points of view. He wrote: "(1) Otherwise, [without standardized criteria] the incidence of rheumatic fever may be interpreted as varying greatly whether the data are collected by surveys, the development of a rheumatic fever register, making the disease reportable, or the study of hospital records. (2) The interpretation of study programs of prevention and care is obviously dependent on such diagnostic criteria. " Jones' third point dealt with the importance of standardized diagnostic criteria if valid information regarding ultimate prognosis were to be obtained and provided to patients and their families. It is noteworthy that the primary benefits he described were not so much the improved clinical management of individual patients with rheumatic fever, but rather facilitation of the collection of meaningful incidence data and evaluation of the effectiveness of prevention programs. In this article I would like to discuss the dramatically changing incidence of rheumatic fever and its relation to our preventive efforts. The studies I will present were possible only because of the broad acceptance and utilization of the diagnostic criteria promulgated by Dr. Jones 40 years ago. Throughout history people have been intrigued by the apparent appearance and disappearance of human disease, believed by many to be actions of the gods in direct response to humain behavior. Over the years there have been attempts to develop a scientific ration-
The hormonal action of IGF1 in postnatal mouse growth

The mammalian insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), which is a member of a major growth-promoting signaling system, is produced by many tissues and functions throughout embryonic and postnatal development in an autocrine/paracrine fashion. In addition to this local action, IGF1 secreted by the liver and circulating in the plasma presumably acts systemically as a classical hormone. However, an endocrine role of IGF1 in growth control was disputed on the basis of the results of a conditional, liver-specific Igf1 gene knockout in mice, which reduced significantly the level of serum IGF1, but did not affect average body weight. Because alternate interpretations of these negative data were tenable, we addressed genetically the question of hormonal IGF1 action by using a positive experimental strategy based on the features of the cre/loxP recombination system. Thus, we generated bitransgenic mice carrying in an Igf1 null background a dormant Igf1 cDNA placed downstream of a transcriptional “stop” DNA sequence flanked by loxP sites (floxed) and also a cre transgene driven by a liver-specific promoter. The Igf1 cDNA, which was inserted by knock-in into the mutated and inactive Igf1 locus itself to ensure proper transcriptional regulation, was conditionally expressed from cognate promoters exclusively in the liver after Cre-mediated excision of the floxed block. Our genetic study demonstrated that the endocrine IGF1 plays a very significant role in mouse growth, as its action contributes approximately30% of the adult body size and sustains postnatal development, including the reproductive functions of both mouse sexes.
Variations in the Nutrition of the Canine Intervertebral Disc Induced by Motion

In this experiment study, we have investigated some transport and metabolic parameters of the canine intervertebral disc induced by spinal motion. The movements of the spine were obtained during supervised exercise, where either moderate, violent, or specific movements were performed. The results show changes in the metabolic rates as well as in concentration profiles of metabolites of the exercised groups in comparison to the control group. An increasing aerobic metabolism was noted in the outer part of the annulus and in the central part of the nucleus pulposus, resulting in a reduction of the lactate concentration. These findings do indicate that spinal movements, over a longer period of time give rise to positive nutritional variations. Furthermore, the reported changes might be of significance also for the human lumbar disc problem, since previous studies have demonstrated nutritional similarities between the discs of dogs and men.
Reversible effects of oxygen partial pressure on genes associated with placental angiogenesis and differentiation in primary‐term cytotrophoblast cell culture

Timely regulated changes in oxygen partial pressure are important for placental formation. Disturbances could be responsible for pregnancy‐related diseases like preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. We aimed to (i) determine the effect of oxygen partial pressure on cytotrophoblast differentiation; (ii) measure mRNA expression and protein secretion from genes associated with placental angiogenesis; and (iii) determine the reversibility of these effects at different oxygen partial pressures. Term cytotrophoblasts were incubated at 21% and 2.5% O2 for 96 hr, or were switched between the two oxygen concentrations after 48 hr. Real‐time PCR and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to evaluate cell fusion and differentiation, measuring transcript levels for those genes involved in cell fusion and placental angiogenesis, including VEGF, PlGF, VEGFR1, sVEGFR1, sENG, INHA, and GCM1. Cytotrophoblasts underwent fusion and differentiation in 2.5% O2. PlGF expression was inhibited while sVEGFR1 expression increased. VEGF and sENG mRNA expressions increased in 2.5% compared to 21% O2, but no protein was detected in the cell supernatants. Finally, GCM1 mRNA expression increased during trophoblast differentiation at 21% O2, but was inhibited at 2.5% O2. These mRNA expression effects were reversed by returning the cells to 21% O2. Thus, low‐oxygen partial pressure does not inhibit term‐cytotrophoblast cell fusion and differentiation in vitro. Lowering the oxygen partial pressure from 21% to 2.5% caused normal‐term trophoblasts to reversibly modify their expression of genes associated with placental angiogenesis. This suggests that modifications observed in pregnancy diseases such as preeclampsia or growth retardation are probably due to an extrinsic effect on trophoblasts. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 774–784, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Contrast sensitivity function in pseudophakics and aphakics.

PURPOSE To study the effect of posterior chamber intraocular lenses and aphakic spectacles on contrast sensitivity. METHODS Contrast sensitivity was evaluated in 20 patients in each group of pseudophakics with post chamber IOL (group I), aphakics with spectacle correction (group II), and age and sex-matched normal subjects (group III) using the Pelli-Robson chart. RESULTS The mean values of log contrast sensitivity in pseudophakics (1.665+/-0.105) and aphakes with spectacle correction (1.5075+/-0.1) were found to be statistically significantly low (t: 5.186, p < 0.001; t: 11.302, p < 0.001, respectively) as compared to the mean value of normal phakic subjects (1.8075+/-0.0576). Further, mean values of log contrast sensitivity in aphakes with spectacles correction were also found to be statistically significantly low (t: 4.727, p < 0.001) when compared to that in pseudophakes. CONCLUSION From observations of the present study, it can be concluded that posterior chamber IOL implantation offers an added advantage of higher contrast sensitivity, over and above the well documented advantages of increased field of vision, negligible effect on image size and elimination of prismatic effect and spherical aberration of thick glasses.
Development of conductive fusion technology : Advanced die attach materials for high power applications

High power semiconductor applications such as RF and microwave applications, GaN and SiC power devices and High Brightness LEDs (HBLED), require a die attach material with high thermal conductivity to efficiently release the heat generated from these devices. In these types of applications, the main path for heat dissipation is from the device through the die attach material. In order to provide an effective thermal path, it is important for the die attach material to maintain good interfacial contact with backside of the die and substrate. In addition to meeting the necessary thermal performance, die attach materials are required to offer high reliability, ready for high volume manufacturing (HVM), and be readily available while meeting RoHS compliance requirements. Current die attach solutions such as eutectic solders (e.g. AuSn and lead (Pb) solders) have been industry standards offering good reliability and effective thermal conductivity, however both have their drawbacks. High thermal conductive silver epoxies and sintered silver adhesives have provided an attractive alternative to solders, but may fall short in performance for high temperature or high stress applications. Recent developments in sintered silver die attach pastes offer the latest solutions to replacing solders in the semiconductor market, providing a RoHS compliant material with unmatched thermal performance and high reliability. This presentation will focus on development of a reinforced sintered silver die attach solution for high power semiconductor applications with focus on a pressure-less, low temperature sintering technology that offers high reliability for high temperature (250°C) applications.