Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The resource availability hypothesis revisited: a meta‐analysis

Summary 1. Several theories have provided a framework for understanding variation in plant defence against herbivores. Among them, the plant apparency theory and the resource availability hypothesis (RAH) have aimed to explain the patterns of defence investment and the selective pressures that have led to the variety of defensive strategies across species. Here we provide a historical review of both theories, present evidence that shaped their development and contrast their predictions. 2. We present the results of a meta-analysis of the utility of the RAH 25 years after it was proposed and compare it to apparency theory. We performed a meta-analysis of 50 studies that have examined plant growth, defences and herbivory in relation to resource availability across latitude and ontogeny. Specifically, we tested four predictions that follow the RAH: (i) species adapted to resource-rich environments have intrinsically faster growth rates than species adapted to resource-poor environments; (ii) fast-growing species have shorter leaf lifetimes than slow-growing species; (iii) fast-growing species have lower amounts of constitutive defences than slow-growing species; and (iv) fast-growing species support higher herbivory rates than slow-growing species. 3. Our results confirm the predictions that species adapted to resource-poor environments grow inherently more slowly, invest more in constitutive defences and support lower herbivory than species from more productive habitats. Our data also showed that variation in growth rate among species better explains the differences in herbivory than variation in apparency, suggesting that the evolution of different defensive strategies across species is resource, rather than herbivore driven. We also found that the application of this theory appears robust across latitude and ontogeny, as the magnitude of the effect sizes for most of the predictions did not vary significantly between ecosystems or across ontogenic stages. 4. We conclude that the RAH has served as a valid framework for investigating the patterns of plant defences and that its applicability is quite general.
An unusual internal ribosomal entry site of inverted symmetry directs expression of a potato leafroll polerovirus replication-associated protein

Potato leafroll polerovirus (PLRV) genomic RNA acts as a polycistronic mRNA for the production of proteins P0, P1, and P2 translated from the 5′-proximal half of the genome. Within the P1 coding region we identified a 5-kDa replication-associated protein 1 (Rap1) essential for viral multiplication. An internal ribosome entry site (IRES) with unusual structure and location was identified that regulates Rap1 translation. Core structural elements for internal ribosome entry include a conserved AUG codon and a downstream GGAGAGAGAGG motif with inverted symmetry. Reporter gene expression in potato protoplasts confirmed the internal ribosome entry function. Unlike known IRES motifs, the PLRV IRES is located completely within the coding region of Rap1 at the center of the PLRV genome.
Impact of Peer-Related Factors on Student-Related Outcomes in Technology-Mediated Learning: Evidence from Secondary Schools in India

This research develops and tests a model to examine the impact of peer-based learning on student outcomes in the context of technology-mediated learning (TML). Using a purposive sampling methodology, a survey was administered to 600 students of secondary schools in India. A sample of 443 complete responses was obtained. Results supported the key hypothesis demonstrating the impact of peer-related factors on student outcomes. Insights for the use of TML in schools are discussed, based on this study.
Coexpression of CD9 augments the ability of membrane-bound heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (proHB-EGF) to preserve renal epithelial cell viability.

BACKGROUND Transfection of renal epithelial cells (NRK 52E) with membrane-associated heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (proHB-EGF) increased renal epithelial cell survival by promoting cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. ProHB-EGF has been shown to form a complex in the plasma membrane with the tetraspanin CD9, an interaction that significantly increases the effectiveness of proHB-EGF as a juxtacrine mitogenic agent. METHODS We examined whether the coexpression of proHB-EGF and CD9 would increase renal epithelial cell survival. CD9 was stably transfected into NRK 52E cells, either alone (NRKCD9) or together with proHB-EGF (NRKboth). RESULTS Juxtacrine mitogenic activity of NRKCD9 was no different than in cells transfected with vector alone (NRKvector), but was increased by NRKboth; juxtacrine mitogenic activity by NRKboth was twofold greater than when proHB-EGF was transfected alone (NRKproHB-EGF). When grown in 10% fetal calf serum, growth rates were similar among all transfectants. However, in 1% fetal calf serum, NRKproHB-EGF grew 50% faster than NRKvector or NRKCD9, and NRKboth grew 20% to 50% faster than NRKproHB-EGF at one, two, and three days of culture. NRKproHB-EGF attachment to plastic substratum at one, two, and three hours was 250% greater than that of NRKvector, and NRKboth was 20% to 30% greater than that of NRKproHB-EGF. Coating plates with either poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or the GRGDTP peptide prevented normal cell-extracellular matrix attachment, and NRKvector or NRKCD9 failed to attach or form cell-cell attachments. NRKproHB-EGF exhibited 300% and NRKboth exhibited 600% greater cell viability under these conditions. Expression of type I and type III collagen mRNA was enhanced similarly in NRKproHB-EGF and NRKboth, but the expression of beta1 integrin was up-regulated only in NRKboth. CONCLUSIONS Coexpression of proHB-EGF and CD9 may render the renal epithelial cells more resistant to disruption of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and could accelerate the re-establishment of these attachments.
Emperor's new clothes: Is particle disease really infected particle disease?

Aseptic loosening remains the most significant long‐term complication of total hip replacement. The current paradigm points to an inflammatory response to wear particles as its main trigger. Recently, there have been increasing numbers of positive bacterial isolates reported among patients with clinically absent infection. This paper reviews existing evidence on possible involvement of bacteria and microbial‐associated molecular patterns in the pathology of so‐called “aseptic loosening. ” © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1497–1504, 2016.
The diversion of mentally ill persons from jails to community-based services: a profile of programs.

OBJECTIVES A major proposal for appropriately treating persons with mental illnesses who have been arrested is to divert them from jail to community-based mental health programs. However, there are few available definitions, guidelines, and principles for developing effective diversion programs. The goal of this research was to determine the number and kinds of jail diversion programs that exist, how they are set up, and which types of programs are effective. METHODS On the basis of information gathered during a national mail survey (n = 1263) and follow-up telephone survey of 115 responding jails, 18 sites were selected for on-site interviews based on perceived effectiveness and presence of a formal diversion program. RESULTS Data are presented from a national sample of jail diversion programs (n = 18). Key factors for developing diversion programs and descriptors of effective programs are presented. CONCLUSIONS It is clear that controlled, longitudinal studies of these programs' effectiveness, using client-based and organizational outcome measures, are badly needed.
NO EVIDENCE FOR INFECTION OF HUMAN CELLS WITH PORCINE ENDOGENOUS RETROVIRUS (PERV) AFTER EXPOSURE TO PORCINE FETAL NEURONAL CELLS1

Background. Recent demonstration of human cell infection in vitro with porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) has raised safety concerns for new therapies that involve transplantation of pig cells or organs to humans. To assess better the specific risk that may be associated with the transplantation of fetal pig neuronal cells to the central nervous system of patients suffering from intractable neurologic disorders (Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and epilepsy), we have performed studies to determine whether there is evidence for in vivo or in vitro transmission of PERV from fetal pig neuronal cells to human cells. Methods. Ventral mesencephalon (VM) and lateral ganglionic eminence cells were isolated from fetal pigs and transplanted into patients with neurological conditions as part of clinical studies. Blood samples taken from patients at various time points posttransplant were tested for evidence of PERV. In vitro studies to test for PERV infection of human cells after cocultivation with either fetal porcine ventral mesencephalon or porcine fetal lateral ganglionic eminence cells were also performed. Results. We found no evidence of PERV provirus integration in the DNA from PBMC of 24 neuronal transplant recipients. In addition, no PERV was released from cultured fetal porcine neuronal cultures, and there was no transfer of PERV from fetal pig neuronal cells to human cells in vitro. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate by both examination of transplant patient blood samples and in vitro studies that there is no evidence for transmission of PERV from porcine fetal neural cells to human cells.
GLP-1 et homéostasie glucidique : implication du système nerveux

Aucune donnee experimentale ou clinique ne permet d'affirmer que l'action directe du GLP-1 sur les cellules beta-pancreatiques est responsable de la globalite de l'effet stimulant de l'hormone sur l'insulinosecretion. Le systeme nerveux autonome (ou vegetatif) est l'un des principaux regulateurs integres des fonctions pancreatiques endocrines. Le GLP-1 et son recepteur jouent un role cle dans la detection des concentrations circulantes de glucose au niveau de la veine hepatoportale, relayee par le systeme nerveux autonome pour controler le metabolisme energetique. Le recepteur au GLP-1 est exprime dans le cerveau ou il participe directement au controle de la prise alimentaire et, au moins chez la souris, de l'insulinosecretion. Chez la souris, l'action cerebrale du GLP-1 influence les flux metaboliques en detournant le glucose utilise par les muscles au profit du foie. Le GLP-1 est considere comme un neurotransmetteur, que l'on retrouve implique dans le controle de nombreuses fonctions cerebrales telles que les reactions emotionnelles, la memoire et la neuroprotection.
Surgical Procedure for Flexion Contracture and Recurvatum in Total Knee Arthroplasty

A specific protocol for dealing with flexion contracture and recurvatum in total knee arthroplasty surgery was evaluated. In cases of flexion contracture, this protocol included choosing the larger femoral size when the femur was between sizes to make the flexion space smaller and to allow overresection of the tibial surface to correct the flexion contracture. In all cases, bone resection was done first, osteophytes were resected next, and ligaments were balanced after the trials were in place. Extra bone was resected from the distal femur to correct residual flexion contracture only if ligament balancing failed to correct the deformity. In cases of recurvatum, the smaller femoral size was chosen to enlarge the flexion space, allowing underresection of the tibia to stabilize the knee in extension. The cutting guides were positioned so that 3 to 5 mm less than the distal thickness of the femoral component was removed to stabilize the knee in extension. To evaluate this protocol, a computerized database was used to review records of 530 patients (552 knees) who had flexion contracture (542 knees) or recurvatum (10 knees) before surgery. Ligament release and correction of varus or valgus contracture corrected flexion contracture to less than 3° in 515 knees (95%). Sixteen knees (3%) had release of the posterior capsule to correct residual flexion contracture, and 11 knees (2%) required overresection of the distal femoral surface to achieve correction of flexion contracture. By 1 year the flexion contracture was 2° ± 1°. In the knees with preoperative recurvatum, none had residual recurvatum at the conclusion of surgery, and none had recurrent deformity. None of the knees required a hinge or a stabilized component with a highly conforming central post.
Normal Thymic Architecture and Negative Selection Are Associated with Aire Expression, the Gene Defective in the Autoimmune-Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED)1

T cell development is tightly controlled by thymic stromal cells. Alterations in stromal architecture affect T cell maturation and the development of self-tolerance. The monogenic autoimmune syndrome APECED (autoimmune-polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy) is characterized by the loss of self-tolerance to multiple organs. Although mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene are responsible for this disease, the function of AIRE is not known. Here we report on the spatial and temporal pattern of murine Aire expression during thymic ontogeny and T cell selection. Early during development, thymic Aire transcription is critically dependent on RelB and occurs in epithelial cells in response to lymphocyte-mediated signals. In adult tissue, Aire expression is confined to the medulla and the corticomedullary junction, where it is modulated by thymocytes undergoing negative selection. Aire may determine thymic stromal organization and with it the induction of self-tolerance.
Constant power reconfigurable computing

We present Constant Power Reconfigurable Computing, a general and device-independent framework based on a closed-loop control system used to keep the power consumption constant for any reconfigurable computing design targeting FPGA implementation. We develop an on-chip power consumer, an on-chip power monitor and a proportional-integral-derivative controller with circuit primitives available in most commercial FPGAs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology on a square-and-multiply exponentiation circuit implemented on a Spartan-6 LX45 FPGA board. By reducing the peak autocorrelation values by a factor of 2.7 on average, the proposed Constant Power Reconfigurable Computing approach decreases the information leaked by the power consumption of this system with only 26% area overhead and 28% power overhead.
Facilitating learning organizations: An enrichment model for knowledge management

The current paper is based on the use in practice of the Gateway Review Method in the context of high risk projects and programs within the Dutch Government. The method has been deployed from a learning perspective and a helping perspective rather than from a controlling perspective. The current article describes the different levels of learning that can be recognized and that have been achieved since the adoption and adaptation to the “ Dutch Approach” of the method, which had led to the Knowledge Enrichment Model (KEM) that thrives on the existence of a knowledge community.
Enhanced myogenic activation in skeletal muscle arterioles from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the vascular myogenic response is enhanced in hypertension. Experiments were conducted in the intact cremaster muscle microcirculation as well as in isolated arterioles of hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (WKY) rats. Increasing venous pressure in vivo by approximately 5 mmHg had no effect on normotensive first- (1A) or third-order arteriolar (3A) diameters; in contrast, hypertensive 1A diameter decreased 4% (89 +/- 2 to 85 +/- 3 microns) with an 8% decrease in 3A (24 +/- 2 to 22 +/- 2 microns). To further examine this enhanced constriction to elevated intravascular pressure in SHR, diameter was monitored in isolated 1A during step increases and decreases in intraluminal pressure. Normotensive arterioles displayed myogenic responses between pressures of 50 and 170 cmH2O; in contrast, hypertensive arterioles demonstrated myogenic responses over an extended pressure range (50-210 cmH2O). In addition, the change in diameter for each step change in pressure was greater in the arterioles from SHR, indicating an increased myogenic responsiveness. The myogenic reactions were unaffected by alpha-receptor blockade with phentolamine (10(-6) M), indicating that adrenergic hypersensitivity was not involved in the enhanced response to stretch. Morphometric analysis of the vascular wall revealed no differences in wall thickness, cross-sectional wall area, or wall-to-lumen ratio between normotensive and hypertensive rats. The length-tension relationships for normotensive and hypertensive rats demonstrated that peak active tension occurred at nearly the same vascular smooth muscle length. In addition, SHR arterioles were capable of maintaining higher levels of active tension that WKY arterioles, indicating an altered length-tension curve in chronic arterial hypertension. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Classification et Reconnaissance d’Objets en Utilisant les Points d’Intérêt

Ce memoire, inscrit dans le domaine de la reconnaissance d’objets et plus particulierement les descripteurs locaux, presente un nouveau detecteur des points d’interet, que nous appellerons points de focus. La conclusion a laquelle ont abouti plusieurs etudes psychologiques est que la symetrie attire l’attention. En consequence, la detection des centres de symetrie donne des points ayant une grande importance par rapport au systeme visuel humain et sont donc plus appropries a la reconnaissance d’objets. L’objectif de beaucoup de travaux est la recherche des points d’interet dans les fortes variations du signal. Malheureusement, en l’absence de ces variations les approches s’averent inefficaces. Par contre, l’utilisation des centres de symetrie se presente comme une solution interessante. Le but de l’exploitation de ce nouveau detecteur est l’extraction de primitives de focus qui ont une signification visuelle. En prenant comme point de depart les travaux cites dans la litterature, nous apportons une amelioration consistant en l’utilisation de la couleur pour enrichir la detection et la robustesse des points detectes
Information Systems and Technology Service Introduction Success Criteria

Good project management practice has been a major research theme over the last few decades with its practical impact on successful implementation of organisational strategy, becoming more paramount as business objectives become more closely linked to the lowering of prices and improvement in quality of service. It is expected that such strategy is delivered by information systems and technology. Unfortunately the need to develop and deliver innovative Information Systems and Technology projects is constrained by the belief that such projects are always going on for longer than expected. In addition, they fail to meet user requirements or a return on investment. Against this background, there have been repeated reports of very high failure rates of such projects, which indicate that businesses need to be concerned. The approach taken to examine IS&T failure at this stage of the development of this theme is non empirical. It also avoids the traditional approach of examining the entire project lifecycle. Instead, it concentrates on examining success criteria of the project from the service introduction stage.
Tagged-Token Data-Flow for Skeletons

This paper discusses the use of a tagged-token macro data-flow execution model for implementing skeletons within the SKIPPER parallel programming environment. We show that it provides a suitable implementation model for skeletons involving runtime-bounded iterations and/or recursion such as data and task farms, especially in the presence of nesting. The new version of SKIPPER relies on a custom data-flow interpreter controlling SPMD based parallelism. Input data-flow graphs are obtained from a skeletal program specification written in CAML and making use of user defined sequential functions written in C. Initial evaluation suggests that performance close to handcrafted C with MPI can be achieved and that the support for nesting does not entail a significant performance penalty.
DNA Damage-Induced Cell Cycle Checkpoint Control Requires CtIP, a Phosphorylation-Dependent Binding Partner of BRCA1 C-Terminal Domains

ABSTRACT The BRCA1 C-terminal (BRCT) domain has recently been implicated as a phospho-protein binding domain. We demonstrate here that a CTBP-interacting protein CtIP interacts with BRCA1 BRCT domains in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. The CtIP/BRCA1 complex only exists in G2 phase and is required for DNA damage-induced Chk1 phosphorylation and the G2/M transition checkpoint. However, the CtIP/BRCA1 complex is not required for the damage-induced G2 accumulation checkpoint, which is controlled by a separate BRCA1/BACH1 complex. Taken together, these data not only implicate CtIP as a critical player in cell cycle checkpoint control but also provide molecular mechanisms by which BRCA1 controls multiple cell cycle transitions after DNA damage.
A Real-time Global Illumination Approach for High Resolution Reflective Shadow Maps in Open World Scenes

The complexity of offline and real–time rendering of global illumination effects is a vast field of research. Covering the complexity of dynamic open–world environments with changing light conditions and moving objects is challenging in real–time rendering. Especially the quality of light properties needs to be physically correct and sufficiently fast even if the light and environment conditions are changing. In this paper, we present a fast global illumination approach suitable to achieve indirect lighting using high–resolution reflective shadow maps in real time. Based on LightSkin, we present an enhancement applying bidirectional shadow maps to improve the quality of shadows and global illumination effects in open–world environments. A novel combination of accumulating virtual area lights from the reflective shadow map with an indirect light representation using LightSkin’s proxy light sources shows a significant improvement. In an urban scene typical for open–world environments, the proposed approach is up to approx. 12 times faster than the original LightSkin approach. This makes our novel approach suitable for high–quality indoor as well as outdoor global
El valor de la igualdad

Es la igualdad un valor? y, si lo es, ? puede ser el unico valor de una teoria moral? Para abordar estas dos preguntas, en este trabajo se parte del analisis de argumentos vertidos por Martin Farrell en La Etica en las Relaciones Internas e Internacionales, dirigidos a mostrar, el primero, que la igualdad —a diferencia de la felicidad— es un valor opaco, y, el segundo, que es un valor intrinseco. La opacidad de la igualdad, y no su caracter meramente instrumental, seria la causa que le impediria ser el unico valor reconocido por una teoria moral. Junto con cuestionar ambos argumentos, Hugo O. Seleme propone en estas paginas refinar la nocion de opacidad con el fin de corregir las falencias del segundo argumento de Farrell y, a su vez, poner de manifiesto el error del primero. Tanto la igualdad como la felicidad —sostiene Seleme— poseen el mismo tipo de opacidad valorativa, un monismo de la felicidad seria tan implausible como uno de la igualdad.