Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Germ cell-autonomous Wunen2 is required for germline development in Drosophila embryos

In many animals, primordial germ cells (PGCs) migrate through the embryo towards the future gonad, a process guided by attractive and repulsive cues provided from surrounding somatic cells. In Drosophila, the two related lipid phosphate phosphatases (LPPs), Wunen (Wun) and Wun2, are thought to degrade extracellular substrates and to act redundantly in somatic cells to provide a repulsive environment to steer the migration of PGCs, or pole cells. Wun and Wun2 also affect the viability of pole cells, because overexpression of either one in somatic cells causes pole cell death. However, the means by which they regulate pole cell migration and survival remains elusive. We report that Wun2 has a maternal function required for the survival of pole cells during their migration to the gonad. Maternal wun2 RNA was found to be concentrated in pole cells and pole cell-specific expression of wun2 rescued the pole cell death phenotype of the maternal wun2 mutant, suggesting that wun2 activity in pole cells is required for their survival. Furthermore, we obtained genetic evidence that pole cell survival requires a proper balance of LPP activity in pole cells and somatic cells. We propose that Wun2 in pole cells competes with somatic Wun and Wun2 for a common lipid phosphate substrate, which is required by pole cells to produce their survival signal. In somatic cells, Wun and Wun2 may provide a repulsive environment for pole cell migration by depleting this extracellular substrate.
Low-RCS Monopolar Patch Antenna Based on a Dual-Ring Metamaterial Absorber

In this letter, a novel ring-type layout of metamaterial absorber (MA) is investigated for the first time. Three-layer MA unit cell is duplicated along the ring lattices to obtain the proposed dual-ring MA structure, which possesses desirable electromagnetic wave absorbing characteristics. A center-fed circular patch antenna (CPA) coupled with the dual-ring MA is presented to produce a monopole-like radiation pattern and reduce the in-band radar cross section (RCS). MA array acts as an absorber and a radiator simultaneously in this integrated antenna. Both the simulated and measured results demonstrate that compared with the CPA with an annular ring, the in-band RCS of the proposed antenna is dramatically reduced without degradation of antenna radiation performance.
A Critical Role for the Var2 FtsH Homologue of Arabidopsis thaliana in the Photosystem II Repair Cycle in Vivo *

Using a var2-2 mutant ofArabidopsis thaliana, which lacks a homologue of the zinc-metalloprotease, FtsH, we demonstrate that this protease is required for the efficient turnover of the D1 polypeptide of photosystem II and protection against photoinhibition in vivo. We show that var2-2 leaves are much more susceptible to light-induced photosystem II photoinhibition than wild-type leaves. Furthermore, the rate of photosystem II photoinhibition in untreated var2-2 leaves is equivalent to that of var2-2 and wild-type leaves, which have been treated with lincomycin, an inhibitor of the photosystem II repair cycle at the level of D1 synthesis. This is in contrast to untreated wild-type leaves, which show a much slower rate of photosystem II photoinhibition due to an efficient photosystem II repair cycle. The recovery of var2-2 leaves from photosystem II photoinhibition is also impaired relative to wild-type. Using Western blot analysis in the presence of lincomycin we show that the D1 polypeptide remains stable in leaves of the var2-2 mutant under photoinhibitory conditions that lead to D1 degradation in wild-type leaves and that the abundance of DegP2 is not affected by thevar2-2 mutation. We conclude, therefore, that the Var2 FtsH homologue is required for the cleavage of the D1 polypeptide in vivo. In addition, we identify a conserved lumenal domain in Var2 that is unique to FtsH homologues from oxygenic phototrophs.
A new approach to linear estimation for Markov jump linear systems

This paper investigates the linear minimum mean square error estimation for the Markov jump linear system (MJLS). To derive the existence condition of such estimator, we first transform the MJLS into a linear system with multiplicative noises; and then the system is converted into an averaged one just with addition noises by using the fictitious noise technique. The existence condition is established based on the novel transformation, and different kinds of estimators including predictor, filter and smoother are proposed via the projection formula. Compared with the augmented approach, the computational cost is reduced. And the estimators have the same dimensions as the original system.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis modulates its cell surface via an oligopeptide permease (Opp) transport system

Bacterial species utilize a vast repertoire of surface structures to interact with their surroundings and employ a number of strategies to reconfigure the cellular envelope according to specific stimuli. Gram‐ positive bacteria, exemplified by Streptomyces and Bacil‐ lus species, control production of some exposed mole‐ cules by importing oligopeptide signals via permeases (Opp). Such oligopeptides modulate intracellular sig‐ naling pathways. In this work, we functionally charac‐ terized an Opp of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and propose its reannotation. Using genome‐wide transcriptional profiling, we found that Opp was required to modulate (fold‐change ranging from —3.5 to 2.0) the expression of several genes, most of them encoding surface‐exposed molecules. These included the virulence‐associated lipids mycolic acids and phthiocerol dimycocerosates (PDIMs) as well as PE‐family proteins. By thin‐layer chromatography and MALDI‐TOF‐MS we confirmed changes in the lipid profile, including an altered accumulation of triacyl‐ glycerides and an affected ratio of mycolic acids to PDIMs. An Opp loss of function mutant showed no in vitro growth defect, but had diminished burden during chronic infection and produced a slightly de‐ layed time to death of animals when compared to WT Mtb infection. —Flores‐Valdez, M. A. , Morris, R. P., Laval, F. , Daffé, M. , Schoolnik, G. K. Mycobacterium tuberculosis modulates its cell surface via an oligopep‐ tide permease (Opp) transport system. FASEB J. 23, 4091–4104 (2009). www.fasebj. org
Regulation of the osteoblast‐specific transcription factor, Runx2: Responsiveness to multiple signal transduction pathways

The Cbfa1/Runx2 is an important transcription factor necessary for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. However, the signaling pathways regulating Runx2 activity are just beginning to be understood. Inconsistencies between Runx2 mRNA or protein levels and its transcriptional activity suggests that posttranslational modification and/or protein‐protein interactions may regulate this factor. Runx2 can be phosphorylated and activated by the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. This pathway can be stimulated by a variety of signals including those initiated by extracellular matrix (ECM), osteogenic growth factors like bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2), mechanical loading and hormones such as parathyroid hormone (PTH). Protein kinase A (PKA) may also phosphorylate/activate Runx2 under certain conditions. In addition, Runx2 activity is enhanced by protein‐protein interactions as are seen with PTH‐induced Runx2/AP‐1 and BMP‐mediated Runx2/Smads interactions. Mechanisms for interaction with Runx2 are complex including binding of distinct components such as AP‐1 factors and Smads proteins to separate DNA regions in target gene promoters and direct physical interactions between Runx2 and AP‐1/Smad factors. Post‐translational modifications such as phosphorylation may influence interactions between Runx2 and other nuclear factors. These findings suggest that Runx2 plays a central role in coordinating multiple signals involved in osteoblast differentiation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Power of Perception : Health Risk Attributed to Air Pollution in an Urban Industrial Neighbourhood

This paper describes a multi-stakeholder process designed to assess the potential health risks associated with adverse air quality in an urban industrial neighborhood. The paper briefly describes the quantitative health risk assessment conducted by scientific experts, with input by a grassroots community group concerned about the impacts of adverse air quality on their health and quality of life. In this case, rather than accept the views of the scientific experts, the community used their powers of perception to advantage by successfully advocating for a professionally conducted community health survey. This survey was designed to document, systematically and rigorously, the health risk perceptions community members associated with exposure to adverse air quality in their neighborhood. This paper describes the institutional and community contexts within which the research is situated as well as the design, administration, analysis, and results of the community health survey administered to 402 households living in an urban industrial neighborhood in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. These survey results served to legitimate the community’s concerns about air quality and to help broaden operational definitions of ‘health. ’ In addition, the results of both health risk assessment exercises served to keep issues of air quality on the local political agenda. Implications of these findings for our understanding of the environmental justice process as well as the ability of communities to influence environmental health policy are discussed.
Increasing frequency of occurrence of tuft cells in the main excretory duct during postnatal development of the rat submandibular gland

Tuft cells, a widespread cell type that is present in the mucosal epithelia of hollow organs, including the main excretory duct (MED) epithelia of the rat salivary gland, are well documented morphologically. However, studies of their development are few. The purpose of the present study was to examine the perinatal and postnatal development of tuft cells in the main excretory duct of the rat submandibular gland. Main excretory ducts of the submandibular gland were obtained from five male Wistar rats at the ages of 0, 1, 7, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, and 56 postnatal days and were prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The tuft cells, which are distinguished easily by their long microvilli protruding into the lumen, were recognizable first at 17 postnatal days. They showed a remarkable increase in number between 3 and 4 postnatal weeks. The percentages of tuft cells were 0.4% at 17 postnatal days and 0.8% at 3 postnatal weeks. The number of tuft cells represented approximately 5% of the total epithelial cells by 4 postnatal weeks. There was a significant difference between 3 and 4 postnatal weeks (P < 0.01). The microvilli of the tuft cells at the time of weaning had almost the same width as in the adult, but they were shorter. Microfilaments extending from the tips of the microvilli and microtubules and many electron‐lucent vesicles in the supranuclear cytoplasm also were observed. These results indicate that tuft cells appeared in the MED of the submandibular gland during weaning and had abundant vesicles in their apical cytoplasm. Anat. Rec. 252:276–280, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulation study for different moment sets

Analysis of variance for coefficient of variation is performed under various noise levels and moment orders. As a measure for response stability for features in a pattern recognition system, the coefficient of variation is analyzed and compared among various moment sets, such as, the geometric moments, Legendre moments, complex moments, rotational moments and Zernike moments. A convenient definition for binary segmented images is introduced in order to quantify the level of the noise in the noisy patterns. Traditional two-way table data analysis is carried out to fit the nearly additively structured data and the analysis of variance is done on the fittings (row and column effects). A simple summary for the fittings is displayed by boxplots to show the distribution of effects due to the various noise levels and the moment orders. Among the different moment sets, the Zernike moments are shown to be optimal in the sense that Zernike moments are reliable features with the property of least varying response under various noise and orders.
Making muscle: skeletal myogenesis in vivo and in vitro

Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in the body and loss of its function or its regenerative properties results in debilitating musculoskeletal disorders. Understanding the mechanisms that drive skeletal muscle formation will not only help to unravel the molecular basis of skeletal muscle diseases, but also provide a roadmap for recapitulating skeletal myogenesis in vitro from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). PSCs have become an important tool for probing developmental questions, while differentiated cell types allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive overview of skeletal myogenesis from the earliest premyogenic progenitor stage to terminally differentiated myofibers, and discuss how this knowledge has been applied to differentiate PSCs into muscle fibers and their progenitors in vitro. Summary: This Review discusses the mechanisms that underpin the formation of skeletal muscle during development and its recapitulation from pluripotent stem cells in vitro.
Top universities, top libraries: do research services in academic libraries contribute to university output?

University context is nowadays mostly characterized by the implementation of competitiveness and cost-effectiveness criteria. There are two main characteristics of the new management model: a new relevancy to the university funding and the predominance of the research criteria as excellence indicator. Evidence of the growing role of research in universities are the parameters to rank the excellence of higher education institutions, such as ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) of the University of Shangai, SIR (SCImago Institutions Rankings) or the THE (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). The research orientation also imposes to the academic library, with the growing implementation of services to support research. Evidences are at last reports about trends in academic libraries by ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries), especially at the latest edition: The 2015 Environmental Scan of Academics Libraries. The international survey Bridging the Librarian-Faculty Gap in the Academic Library (2015) also emphasizes the greater impact and relevance of the academic library to research, stressing the perception of the library as essential in this process. This paper tries to establish a connection between excellent universities and the research oriented services by their libraries. Our research hypothesis is: the universities at the top of the rankings have libraries that provide excellent services to support research processes. Ten of the top universities at the ARWU and Times rankings are used as sample and their libraries services analyzed. As research method we used the observation of the selected libraries webpages, with a checklist where the most relevant services to support research processes are identified.
The Participation of Women Managers in Managing Sport: Challenges and Reality

The aim of this research is to present the analysis of the qualitative semi-structured interviews to determine the challenges and reality faced by women managers in managing the sport industry. Three major concerns are identified to be analysed based on the experiences of these women to determine the capabilities as managers through sport activities and challenges face by women sport managers in local sport industry. The three main concerns are firstly, the women sport managers’ requisite skills and corresponding qualities. Secondly, the women sport managers’ experience in juggling multiple responsibilities. Thirdly, the availability of support network for women sport managers. The research also found that these women sport managers gave positive feedback on the state of their readiness in facing the challenges of managing contemporary local sport industry. Overall, the respondents acknowledges that women play an important part in managing sport, although admitting that women in top-level positions is still lacking in numbers in contrast to the population. The engagement of women sport managers demand certain sacrifices and challenges that are balanced out mostly by the exceptional support they received from their spouses and immediate family members. The implications of the study would provide more data and inform policy-makers on future policy promulgations that concern the women sport managers. Among others is the consideration for an enabling infrastructure for more women to engage and subsequently contribute to the development of the local sport industry. [Megat Daud M.A.K, Radzi W. M. , Abdullah R. , Johari F. The Participation of Women Managers in Managing Sport: Challenges and Reality. Life Sci J 2013;10(3):870-878] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 130
Diagnostic Accuracy of a CA125-Based Biomarker Panel in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Increasing evidence from recent studies has revealed the association of CA125 with the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, but inconsistent findings have been reported. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of a serum CA125-based diagnostic panel in predicting malignant pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science for relevant articles from inception to October 2016. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Comparative Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) checklist. The performance characteristics were pooled using random-effects models. The statistical analysis was performed using Meta-Disc 1.4 and Stata Version 12.0 software. Results: A total of 1235 participants pooled from 8 eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of tumor predictors for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The pooling accuracy analysis of CA125 alone indicated that the pooled sensitivity was 0.59 (95% CI: 0.54-0.62) and the specificity was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75-0.82), whereas the serum CA125-based diagnostic panel had a pooled sensitivity of 0.47 (95% CI 0.47-0.51) and a specificity of 0.88 (95% CI 0.86-0.90). Furthermore, the AUC and Q-value of the CA125-based diagnostic panel were 0.89 and 0.82, respectively, which indicated that the CA125-based panel is superior to CA125 or CA19-9 alone in diagnosing pancreatic cancer. No obvious publication bias was found. Conclusions: In summary, a CA125-based diagnostic panel is better at diagnosing pancreatic cancer than a test using CA125 or CA19-9 alone. Further studies should be performed to confirm our conclusion.
T‐Wave Amplitude Variability and the Risk of Death in Chagas Disease

T‐Wave Amplitude Variability in Chagas Disease. Introduction: Measurement of beat‐to‐beat T‐wave amplitude variability (TWV) has been described as a promising new technique for the stratification of arrhythmic risk in postmyocardial infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy patients. Chagas disease (ChD) can lead to a potentially lethal cardiopathy that can present with ventricular arrhythmias, heart blocks, heart failure, and sudden death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of TWV in ChD patients in addition to traditional prognostic predictors.
Building the Crossroad Between Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation and Lifelong Community-Based Fitness for People With Neurologic Disability

The length of stay in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation after an injury or illness has declined in recent years, exposing those with newly acquired neurologic disability to a risk of significant postrehabilitation health decline. Following a short stay in outpatient rehabilitation, individuals with neurologic disability have few, if any, options to continue their physical recovery after discharge, thus further increasing their risk for functional decline and secondary conditions. Professionals who work in community-based fitness facilities have the potential to assist therapists in extending the recovery process and preventing this decline. The focus of this article was to address a conceptual framework for better understanding how rehabilitation and health/fitness professionals can work together to help with this growing need. To that end, the antecedents to and effects of postrehabilitation health decline are discussed, followed by the introduction of a theoretical model illustrating a therapist-to-trainer system that facilitates the use of community-based fitness facilities by individuals with neurologic disabilities to continue their recovery postrehabilitation. Finally, a thorough description of an exemplary existing community-based inclusive fitness program is presented, followed by examples of select disability groups using these programs for continued recovery. Video Abstract available (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A45) for more insights from the authors.
Randomized Trial of Donor Human Milk Versus Preterm Formula as Substitutes for Mothers' Own Milk in the Feeding of Extremely Premature Infants

Objective. Compared with preterm formula (PF), mother's milk (MM) is associated with lower rates of late-onset sepsis (LOS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among premature infants. Because not all mothers of premature infants produce sufficient milk to supply their infants throughout hospitalization, we reasoned that pasteurized donor human milk (DM) would be a suitable alternative. Methods. Extremely premature infants (<30 weeks of gestation) whose mothers intended to breastfeed were assigned randomly to receive either pasteurized DM or PF if the supply of their own MM became insufficient during the study (birth to 90 days of age or hospital discharge). Infection-related events (LOS, NEC, meningitis, presumed sepsis, or urinary tract infection) that occurred after the attainment of a milk intake of 50 mL/kg, dietary intake, growth, skin-to-skin contact, and duration of hospital stay were compared. The primary analysis compared groups DM and PF on an intent-to-treat basis. If no differences were noted, then these groups were combined and compared with the reference group, group MM. If differences were noted, then the subsequent analyses compared each group with group MM. Results. Of 243 infants, 70 (29%) received only MM; group DM included 81 infants and group PF included 92 infants. Because of poor weight gain, 17 infants (21%), all in group DM, were switched to PF. There were no differences in birth weight, gestational age, multiple births, and age at attainment of feeding of 50 mL/kg among groups. There were no differences between group DM and group PF in LOS and/or NEC, other infection-related events, hospital stay, or number of deaths. Group DM received a greater intake of milk and more nutritional supplements but had a slower rate of weight gain, compared with group PF. Compared with groups DM and PF, group MM had fewer episodes of LOS and/or NEC and total infection-related events and a shorter duration of hospital stay. Group MM also had fewer Gram-negative organisms isolated from blood cultures than did the other groups. Conclusions. In this randomized, blinded trial of feeding of extremely premature infants, we found that, as a substitute for MM, DM offered little observed short-term advantage over PF for feeding extremely premature infants. Advantages to an exclusive diet of MM were observed in terms of fewer infection-related events and shorter hospital stays.