Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MICROCALORIMETRY: A NOVEL APPROACH TO DECISION MAKING IN CUT ROSE PRODUCTION

Since its innovative use by Lavoisier at the end of the eighteen-century, calorimetry has been one of the most important foundations of modern science. However, only recently, with the advent of modern and accurate sensors, has it to play a central role in the life sciences. The combination of calorimetric and respirometric studies resulted in a thermodynamic model that represents the rate of storage of chemical energy in structural biomass or Specific Growth Rate (RSG) that serves as an indicator for potential growth rate (PGR) of the tested tissue. Simultaneous measurements of metabolic heat rate (q) and respiratory heat production (RCO2) at the relevant range of environmental conditions such as temperature provides an insight into plant’s response to these factors and allow us to define their optimal range. The actual measurement is destructive in nature but with microcalorimetry only a small amount of plant tissue (2-3 mg DM) is required for each observation. This report demonstrates the use of calorespirometric analyses for two processes, using Rosa x hybrida ‘Kardinal’: • RSG as a function of temperature of young rose leaflets and sprouting axillary buds. • RSG as a function of moisture tension of young rose leaflets. Optimal temperature for young leaflets was found to be 25°C while that of young buds was below 15°C. Optimal temperature control in rose greenhouses is discussed in view of these results. The effect of physical characteristics of the root zone, such as moisture tension and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(h) on (Specific Growth Rate) RSG of young leaflets was evaluated at the optimal temperature. It was found that the higher the tension, the lower was the RSG. However, based on comparing the physical properties of 2 different media: UC mix and coir, it can be assumed that at high moisture tension, K(h) is more effective than moisture tension per se in moderating RSG.
SCN5A Rare Variants in Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy Decrease Peak Sodium Current Depending on the Common Polymorphism H558R and Common Splice Variant Q1077del

Obtaining functional data with newly identified rare variants increases certainty that the variant identified is relevant for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causation. Two novel SCN5A rare variants, R222Q and I1835T, segregated with DCM in two families with affected individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the common SCN5A polymorphism H558R. cDNAs with each rare variant were constructed in the common Q1077del or Q1077 splice variant backgrounds with and without the H558R polymorphism and expressed in HEK293 cells. Sodium current (INa) was studied for each using whole‐cell voltage clamp. In the Q1077del background INa densities of R222Q and I1835T were not different from wild type, but the combined variants of R222Q/H558R, I1835T/H558R caused approximately 35% and approximately 30% reduction, respectively, and each showed slower recovery from inactivation. In the Q1077del background R222Q and R222Q/H558R also exhibited a significant negative shift in both activation and inactivation while I1835T/H558R showed a significant negative shift in inactivation that tended to decrease window current. In contrast, expression in the Q1077 background showed no changes in peak INa densities, decay, or recovery from inactivation for R222Q/H558R and I1835T/H558R. We conclude that the biophysical findings, dependent upon common SCN5A variants, provide further evidence that these novel SCN5A rare variants are relevant for DCM. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 287–294
Delta/Notch-like Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-related Receptor, a Novel EGF-like Repeat-containing Protein Targeted to Dendrites of Developing and Adult Central Nervous System Neurons*

We have identified a novel epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeat-containing single-pass transmembrane protein that is specifically expressed in the developing and mature central nervous system. Sequence analysis revealed that the 10 EGF-like repeats in the extracellular domain are closely related to those of the developmentally important receptor Notch and its ligand Delta. We thus named the molecule Delta/Notch-like EGF-related receptor (DNER). DNER protein is strongly expressed in several types of post-mitotic neurons, including cortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons, cerebellar granule cells, and Purkinje cells. DNER protein is localized to the dendritic plasma membrane and endosomes and is excluded from the axons, even when overexpressed. The tyrosine-based sorting motif in the cytoplasmic domain is required for dendritic targeting of DNER. Direct in vivo binding of DNER to the coat-associated protein complex AP-1 strongly suggests that DNER undergoes AP-1-dependent sorting to the somatodendritic compartments from the trans-Golgi network and subsequent passage through the endosomal system.
Trends in deaths from respiratory illness in children in England and Wales from 1968 to 2000

Background: Childhood mortality has decreased markedly over the last three decades. A study was undertaken to determine trends in deaths from respiratory illness in children in England and Wales. Methods: Mortality data collected by the Office for National Statistics were analysed. The data included all deaths registered from all causes in children aged between 28 days and 16 years in England and Wales from 1 January 1968 to 31 December 2000. The main outcome measures were overall and age-specific mortality rates due to all respiratory disorders and specific rates for pneumonia, asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF), and bronchiolitis. Results: In children aged 1–16 years the overall mortality rate (per 100 000 children) declined from 49.9 in 1968 to 16.3 in 2000, and rates due to respiratory illness fell from 8.6 to 1.3. The proportion of all deaths caused by respiratory illness in children aged 28 days to 16 years fell from 30.8% in 1968 to 9.9% in 2000. In post-neonatal infants (aged 28–364 days), the “all cause” mortality rate fell from 592.8 in 1968 to 176 in 2000 and the rates due to respiratory illness fell from 280 to 22.8. In 2000, pneumonia, asthma and CF together accounted for 73% of all respiratory deaths in 1–16 year olds. In this age group, mortality rates per 100 000 for pneumonia fell from 4.22 to 0.57, for asthma from 0.83 to 0.25, and for CF from 0.66 to 0.12 between 1968 and 2000. Over the same period mortality rates for pneumonia in post-neonatal infants fell from 165 to 6.78 per 100 000 and for CF from 4.88 to 0.33. Bronchiolitis mortality rates per 100 000 in post-neonatal infants fell from 21.47 in 1979 to 1.82 in 2000. Conclusions: Mortality rates due to all respiratory illnesses in children have fallen markedly in the last three decades. This decline has been more rapid than the overall decline in childhood mortality and respiratory diseases are now responsible for a smaller proportion of deaths in children. These data could provide a foundation for assessing the impact on mortality of future health initiatives such as the introduction of a universal pneumococcal vaccination programme in England and Wales.
Chemical modification of the RTEM‐1 thiol β‐lactamase by thiol‐selective reagents: Evidence for activation of the primary nucleophile of the β‐lactamase active site by adjacent functional groups

The RTEM‐1 thiol β‐lactamase (Sigal, I. S., Harwood, B. G., Arentzen, R., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 79:7157–7160, 1982) is inactivated by thiol‐selective reagents such as iodoacetamide, methyl methanethiosulfonate, and 4,4′‐dipyridyldisulfide, which modify the active site thiol group. The pH‐rate profiles of these inactivation reactions show that there are two nucleophilic forms of the enzyme, EH2 and EH, both of which, by analogy with the situation with cysteine proteinases, probably contain the active site nucleophile in the thiolate form. The pKa of the active site thiol is therefore shown by the data to be below 4.0. This low pKa is thought to reflect the presence of adjacent functionality which stabilizes the thiolate anion. The low nucleophilicity of the thiolate in both EH2 and EH, with respect to that of cysteine proteinases and model compounds, suggests that the thiolate of the thiol β‐lactamase is stabilized by two hydrogen‐bond donors. One of these, of pKa greater than 9.0, is suggested to be the conserved and essential Lys‐73 ammonium group, of pKa around 6.7, is less clear, but may be the conserved Glu‐166 carboxylic acid. β‐Lactamase activity is associated with the EH2 form, and thus the β‐lactamase active site is proposed to contain one basic or nucleophilic group (the thiolate in the thiol β‐lactamase) and two acidic (hydrogen‐bond donor) groups (one of which is likely to be the above‐mentioned lysine ammonium group).
Developing a strategic approach for managing an ageing workforce

As is the case in many developed countries around the world, Australia is experiencing the ageing of its population. The increasing number of older workers in Australia and many other industrialised nations presents an unprecedented challenge for employers, the economy, and for individual workers. The human resource management (HRM) challenges related to attracting and retaining older workers have received the attention of researchers, policy-makers and managers. However, many employers have been slow to respond to these challenges and research has suggested that national policy in Australia has not fully addressed the needs of an ageing workforce nor encouraged the retention of older workers. The focus of our research is at the organizational level. Drawing on the assumption of value-in-diversity, we propose that the ageing workforce should be managed at the organizational level as part of strategic HRM. We conducted semi-structured interviews with managers in 16 large organizations in Australia to identify policies and practices relevant to the ageing workforce. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 subject-matter experts, to identify macro policy issues, organizational issues and individual issues related to the ageing workforce. Our thematic analysis identified a range of issues and strategies that have implications for organizational decision makers and individual workers, with regard to the needs of the ageing workforce. Although some Australian corporations have been leaders in developing diversity programs, there is much progress yet to be made with regard to a strategic approach to managing the ageing workforce. Consistent with previous research in the field of strategic HRM, we suggest that the roles and responsibilities adopted by all managers (executives, line managers and HR managers) will be important influences on the way in which the ageing workforce is managed. A major implication of this research is that HR professionals can play an important role in strategic and cultural changes in organizations, with regard to the ageing workforce.
Characteristics of Nanosilica-Geopolymer Nanocomposites and Mixing Effect

Abstract—This paper presents the effects of mixing procedures on mechanical properties of flyash-based geopolymer matrices containing nanosilica (NS) at 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% by weight. Comparison is made with conventional mechanical dry-mixing of NS with flyash and wet-mixing of NS in alkaline solutions. Physical and mechanical properties are investigated using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results show that generally the addition of NS particles enhanced the microstructure and improved flexural and compressive strengths of geopolymer nanocomposites. However, samples, prepared using dry-mixing approach, demonstrate better physical and mechanical properties comparing to wet-mixing samples.
The Myxococcus xanthus rfbABC operon encodes an ATP-binding cassette transporter homolog required for O-antigen biosynthesis and multicellular development

A wild-type sasA locus is critical for Myxococcus xanthus multicellular development. Mutations in the sasA locus cause defective fruiting body formation, reduce sporulation, and restore developmental expression of the early A-signal-dependent gene 4521 in the absence of A signal. The wild-type sasA locus has been located on a 14-kb cloned fragment of the M. xanthus chromosome. The nucleotide sequence of a 7-kb region containing the complete sasA locus was determined. Three open reading frames encoded by the genes, designated rfbA, B and C were identified. The deduced amino acid sequences of rfbA and rfbB show identity to the integral membrane domains and ATPase domains, respectively, of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family. The highest identities are to a set of predicted ABC transporters required for the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide O-antigen in certain gram-negative bacteria. The rfbC gene encodes a predicted protein of 1,276 amino acids. This predicted protein contains a region of 358 amino acids that is 33.8% identical to the Yersinia enterocolitica O3 rfbH gene product, which is also required for O-antigen biosynthesis. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the sasA1 mutant, which was found to encode a nonsense codon in the beginning of rfbA, produced less O-antigen than sasA+ strains. These data indicate that the sasA locus is required for the biosynthesis of O-antigen and, when mutated, results in A-signal-independent expression of 4521.
Tanycytes and pituicytes: Morphological and functional aspects of neuroglial interaction

The hypothalamo‐hypophyseal system is supplied with two types of specialized glial cells that interact in neuroendocrine functional dynamics: the tanycytes and the pituicytes. Tanycytes are the dominating glial cells within the median eminence. Similar to radial glia, they extend from the floor of the third ventricle to the neurohemal surface of the median eminence. Pituicytes, as specialized astrocytes, are the main glial cells of the neural lobe. They are in intimate contact with the perivascular space of the sinusoidal vessels.
Fabrication and Excitation of a Model Magnet Using Coated Conductors for Spiral Sector FFAG Accelerators

With the aim of verifying the winding technology required for fixed-field alternating gradient (FFAG) accelerator magnets, and also to verify the magnetic field accuracy as compared with the designed field distribution, a reduced-size test magnet, referred to as a “model magnet,” has been developed. The model magnet was designed to incorporate multiple REBa2Cu3Ox (REBCO) coils with characteristic shapes, namely negative bend parts and 3-D winding shapes, derived from a full-scale spiral-sector FFAG accelerator design which was accomplished in this study. The coils were wound using 4-mm-wide REBCO-coated conductors made by the ion-beam-assisted deposition metal organic chemical-vapor deposition method, and the total length of the conductor for the model magnet was about 2000 m. After winding, the coils were installed in heat-conduction shells made of an aluminum alloy and were directly cooled by a Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler in a vacuum vessel. It was essential to wind the REBCO coils without degradations, such as local delamination of the superconducting layer, because the voltage generated at such degraded parts frequently increases during operation, and eventually results in thermal runaway. The superconducting properties of all coils were verified before and after installing them in the aluminum shells. This paper describes the assembly of the REBCO coils, as well as testing procedures and test results of the model magnet.
Resonating modes of vibrating microcantilevers in liquid

A study of nanomechanical cantilevers vibrating at various resonating modes in liquid is presented. Resonant frequency spectrum with 16 well resolved flexural modes is obtained. The quality factor increased from 1 at mode 1 to 30 at mode 16. The theoretical estimate of eigenfrequency using the Elmer–Dreier model [F. -J. Elmer and M. Dreier, J. Appl. Phys. 81, 12 (1997)] and Sader’s extended viscous model [C. A. Van Eysden and J. E. Sader, J. Appl. Phys. 101, 044908 (2007)] matched well with the experimental data. The apparent mass of the liquid comoved by the oscillating cantilevers decreased asymptotically with mode number.
On the application of a new method for fast and robust position control of industrial robots

A concept called predictive functional control (PFC) is presented for industrial robot (IR) control. It provides excellent control performance, a high accuracy even for fast trajectories, an outstanding tracking quality for sharp contour deviations, and a very good robustness with respect to parameter variations. It is shown that PFC can be implemented on conventional IR control systems. The performance is demonstrated by several experimental results. <<ETX>>
Radiotherapy and Surgical Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer of the Spine

Metastatic vertebral column tumors are found in up to 20% of cancer patients, and of these, a percentage will go on to develop compression of eloquent neurological structures. Neurosurgeons often encounter these patients in an emergent situation, and decisions regarding care must be made in an expedient manner. However, many treatment paradigms depend on the histology of the causative lesion. One of the most common malignancies that metastasize to the spine in today’s practice is breast cancer. Current standards of treatment revolve around utilization of radiation therapy through conventional external beam radiation therapy (cEBRT) for treatment of the pathological lesions with surgery reserved for select cases. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)/ stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases is another exciting treatment avenue for patients with new data delineating its use on the horizon. In this review, we focus on the evolving treatment paradigms and future areas of investigation needed for spinal metastatic lesions with an emphasis on evidence for breast cancer lesions.
Integrated Mobile-Robot Design-Winning the AAAI 1992 Robot Competition

The Carmel project (computer-aided robotics for maintenance, emergency, and life support) which won the AAAI 1992 Robot Competition, is discussed. Carmel's design philosophy and architecture, obstacle avoidance, global path planning, vision sensing, landmark triangulation, and supervisory planning system are described. The Carmel project shows that mobile robots can perform carefully chosen tasks reliably and efficiently, although this requires extensive integration of components and a solid engineering effort. >
Independent Component Analysis of Ictal EEG in Medial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Application of independent component analysis (ICA) to interictal EEGs and to event‐related potentials has helped noise reduction and source localization. However, ICA has not been used for the analysis of ictal EEGs in partial seizures. In this study, we applied ICA to the ictal EEGs of patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and investigated whether ictal components can be separated and whether they indicate correct lateralization.
Efferent connections of the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract in the rat

The efferent connections of the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT) were examined in the rat with the Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) technique. Our observations reveal that layers II and III of LOT have largely segregated outputs. Layer II projects chiefly ipsilaterally to the olfactory bulb and anterior olfactory nucleus, bilaterally to the anterior piriform cortex, dwarf cell cap regions of the olfactory tubercle and lateral shell of the accumbens, and contralaterally to the lateral part of the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure. Layer III sends strong bilateral projections to the rostral basolateral amygdaloid complex, which are topographically organized, and provides bilateral inputs to the core of the accumbens, caudate‐putamen, and agranular insular cortex (dorsal and posterior divisions). Layer II projects also to itself and to layers I and II of the contralateral LOT, whereas layer III projects to itself, to ipsilateral layer II, and to contralateral layer III of LOT. In double retrograde labeling experiments using Fluorogold and cholera toxin subunit b tracers, LOT neurons from layers II and III were found to provide collateral projections to homonymous structures on both sides of the brain. Unlike other parts of the olfactory amygdala, LOT neither projects directly to the extended amygdala nor to the hypothalamus. Thus, LOT seemingly influences nonpheromonal olfactory‐guided behaviors, especially feeding, by acting on the olfactory bulb and on ventral striatal and basolateral amygdaloid districts that are tightly linked to lateral prefrontal cortical operations. J. Comp. Neurol. 471:314–332, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biomimetic MRI Contrast Agent for Imaging of Inflammation in Atherosclerotic Plaque of ApoE−/− Mice: A Pilot Study

Objective:Atherosclerosis involves an inflammatory process characterized by cellular and molecular responses. A slow-clearance blood-pool paramagnetic agent (CMD-A2-Gd-DOTA: P717) chemically modified to create a functionalized product (F-P717) for targeting inflammation in vessel walls was evaluated in vivo in mice. Methods and Results:Carboxylate and sulfate groups were grafted onto the macromolecular paramagnetic Gd-DOTA-dextran backbone. Products were also fluorescently labeled with rhodamine isothiocyanate. Pre- and postcontrast MRI was performed on a 2-Tesla magnet in ApoE−/− and control C57BL/6 mice after P717 or F-P717 injection at a dose of 60 &mgr;mol Gd/kg. Axial T1-weighted images of the abdominal aorta were obtained using a 2D multislice spin-echo sequence. F-P717 significantly enhanced the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal in the abdominal aortic wall of ApoE−/− mice (>50% signal-to-noise ratio increase between 10 and 30 minutes), but not of control mice. P717 produced only moderate (<20%) MRI signal enhancement within the same time frame. The MRI data were correlated to histopathology. Immunofluorescence in ApoE−/− mice colocalized F-P717 but not P717 with the inflammatory area revealed by P-selectin labeling. Conclusion:This study demonstrates the efficacy of F-P717 as a new molecular imaging agent for noninvasive in vivo MRI location of inflammatory vascular tree lesions in ApoE−/− mice.
Corticocortical connections among visual areas in the cat

The cortical interconnections of 17 visual areas in the cat were studied by making single injections through recording micropipettes of the neuroanatomical tracers 3H‐leucine and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the visual cortex of 40 adult animals. Coronal sections from each of the brains were analyzed for location of silver grains and HRP‐filled neurons. There are five main results: (1) all corticocortical connections among visual areas are reciprocal. (2) Each cortical visual area has a unique set of cortical connections; the cortical targets of no two cortical visual areas are identical. (3) There is a vast and complicated pattern of connections among the visual areas which implies that there are numerous parallel circuits which run through any one visual area. (4) The connections among the cortical visual areas link retinotopically similar loci and are consistent with the visuotopic maps which microelectrode recording experiments have provided. (5) The connections among visual cortical areas often originate from, or terminate in, discontinuous patches within each area; this result obtains not only for areas 17, 18, 19, and posteromedial lateral suprasylvian area (PMLS), but for at least 13 other areas as well.
A cooperative problem-solving process in hierarchical organization

In this paper, we present a model for a cooperative problem solving process. The model consists of four distinct phases: Recognition, Skills' Search, Agents' Choice and Execution. These different behavior-driven phases of our model describe the circumstances under which agents will identify the need for cooperation, and how these agents will behave when such situations arise.