jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Correlation between activities of starch debranching enzyme and α‐polyglucan structure in endosperms of <i>sugary‐1</i> mutants of rice

Summary The biochemical lesion of the sugary‐1 mutation was examined in five different mutants of rice with varying phenotypes but with mutations at the same locus. The cells in the inner part of the endosperm of all mutants tested contained phytoglycogen instead of starch, while the cells located in the outer part of the endosperm tissue from some mutants were filled with numerous starch granules. The molecular size of phytoglycogen was markedly smaller than that of amylopectin as measured by Sephacryl S‐1000 chromatography. Analysis of the distribution of α‐1,4 chain lengths revealed that in phytoglycogen the number of A‐chains dramatically increased, while long B chains with DP ≥ 37 remarkably decreased or were almost absent, which resulted in the disappearance of the cluster structure. The results suggest that changes in the balance of enzymic activities induced by the mutations brought about a drastic alteration in polyglucan structure and the shape of the polyglucan granule. The greater the extent of phytoglycogen regions in su1 endosperm tissues became, the greater was the phytoglycogen content, and the greater the reduction in the activity of starch debranching enzyme, a type of enzyme referred to as R‐enzyme (RE), limit dextrinase or pullulanase. Immunoblot analysis showed that the reduction in RE activity was due to a decrease in the amount of RE protein, and that the reduction in RE was specific since proteins of starch‐branching enzymes I and IIa and ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase were not markedly affected by su1 mutations. The proportion of starch region to the whole endosperm tissue of various su1 mutants was correlated with the RE activity in these endosperms. The results strongly suggest that the reduction in RE activity is involved in the su1 phenotype and that the enzyme plays an essential role in determining the fine structure of the amylopectin molecule

Topic: Enzyme Production and Characterization
Subfield: Biotechnology
Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Synthesis, characterization, and property of biodegradable PEG-PCL-PLA terpolymers with miktoarm star and triblock architectures as drug carriers

A series of amphiphilic terpolymers with miktoarm star and triblock architectures of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(l-lactide acid) (PLLA) or poly(DL-lactide acid) (PDLLA) terpolymers were synthesized as carriers for drug delivery. The architecture, molecular weight and crystallization behavior of the terpolymers were characterized. Anticancer drug doxorubicin was encapsulated in the micelles to investigate their drug loading properties. The miktoarm star terpolymers exhibited stronger crystallization capability, smaller size and better stability than that of triblock polymeric micelle, owing to the lower CMC values of miktoarm star polymeric micelle. Furthermore, the drug-loaded miktoarm star polymeric micelles showed the cumulative DOX release account of the micelles with PDLLA blocks was 65.3% while the release account of the corresponding micelles containing PLLA blocks was 45.2%. The IC 50 values of drug-loaded miktoarm star polymeric micelle were lower than triblock polymeric micelle. Meanwhile, Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and Flow Cytometry results demonstrated that the miktoarm star micelles were more favorable for cellular internalization. The miktoarm star micelles with PDLLA blocks were promising carriers for anticancer drug delivery.

Topic: Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Speed breeding for multiple quantitative traits in durum wheat

Plant breeding requires numerous generations to be cycled and evaluated before an improved cultivar is released. This lengthy process is required to introduce and test multiple traits of interest. However, a technology for rapid generation advance named 'speed breeding' was successfully deployed in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to achieve six generations per year while imposing phenotypic selection for foliar disease resistance and grain dormancy. Here, for the first time the deployment of this methodology is presented in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) by integrating selection for key traits, including above and below ground traits on the same set of plants. This involved phenotyping for seminal root angle (RA), seminal root number (RN), tolerance to crown rot (CR), resistance to leaf rust (LR) and plant height (PH). In durum wheat, these traits are desirable in environments where yield is limited by in-season rainfall with the occurrence of CR and epidemics of LR. To evaluate this multi-trait screening approach, we applied selection to a large segregating F2 population (n = 1000) derived from a bi-parental cross (Outrob4/Caparoi). A weighted selection index (SI) was developed and applied. The gain for each trait was determined by evaluating F3 progeny derived from 100 'selected' and 100 'unselected' F2 individuals.Transgressive segregation was observed for all assayed traits in the Outrob4/Caparoi F2 population. Application of the SI successfully shifted the population mean for four traits, as determined by a significant mean difference between 'selected' and 'unselected' F3 families for CR tolerance, LR resistance, RA and RN. No significant shift for PH was observed.The novel multi-trait phenotyping method presents a useful tool for rapid selection of early filial generations or for the characterization of fixed lines out-of-season. Further, it offers efficient use of resources by assaying multiple traits on the same set of plants. Results suggest that when performed in parallel with speed breeding in early generations, selection will enrich recombinant inbred lines with desirable alleles and will reduce the length and number of years required to combine these traits in elite breeding populations and therefore cultivars.

Topic: Wheat and Barley Genetics and Pathology
Subfield: Plant Science
Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Domain: Life Sciences
Additional file 1: Figure S1. of Critical residues involved in tau binding to fyn: implications for tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer’s disease

High intensity scans of western blots of control and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) post-mortem human brain tissue from Fig. 4 reveal weak detection of tau phosphorylated at (a) S202 (CP13) and (b) S396/S404 (PHF-1) in control brain tissue, whereas the signal in AD brain is overexposed when shown at this intensity. The molecular weight marker (50 kDa) is shown on the left. (PDF 2638 kb)

Topic: Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Networked virtual environments for the Web: the WebTalk-I and WebTalk-II architectures

Networked virtual environments (Net-VEs) are a class of applications which allow for cooperation between multiple users within a 3D representation of an environment. We have developed a general platform-webtalk-i-which allows the creation of any of these environments with easy accessibility via the Web, and fully provides for third-party authoring. After several experiments with different applications deployed using this technique (among these, the Italian National Science Museum), we analyzed user response and usage data, in order to design a new architecture-WebTalk-II-for an improved class of Net-VEs. WebTalk-II is able to generate 3D worlds dynamically based on a database with all major 3D formats, defines different sets of cooperation metaphors within users, and is entirely written in Java. We describe both architectures, assessing their flaws and advantages.

Topic: Multimedia Communication and Technology
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Remuneration Policy as a Key Determinant Factor Motivating Togolese Healthcare Employees

Motivating high levels of employee performance is an important organizational consideration. Both academic researchers and practicing managers have been trying to understand and explain employee motivation for years. Then, supported by an ever increasing body of literature, it is clear that health workers motivation has become a center of debate in Enterprises’ HRM Strategy and still be some current issues in today’s health care system. While a high incentive remuneration system motivated and encouraged the whole caregivers who became more productive and committed, poor or lack of incentive remuneration policy however not motivated and discouraged some caregivers professional who went from public sector to private sector or from developing countries to developed countries. To shed this problem this article examined the remuneration policy as a key determinant that motivated Togolese health employees. The objective of this article is to explore that incentive remuneration system tend to motivate caregivers. Based on the descriptive research methodology, data was collected and analyzed using SPSS. Findings suggest that a veritable remuneration policy is seen as a key determinant factor motivating Togolese healthcare employees. Money is important as a motivator and the motivating minimum-wage help employees to be more performance. and conclusions and recommendations were taken.

Topic: Healthcare Systems and Practices
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Incidence and progression of cervical lesions in women with HIV: a systematic global review

Global data on cervical lesion incidence and progression in HIV-positive women are essential for understanding the natural history of cervical neoplasia and informing screening policy. A systematic review was performed summarizing the incidence and progression of cervical lesions in HIV-positive women. Of 5882 HIV-positive women from 15 studies, incidence ranged from 4.9 to 21.1 cases per 100 woman-years for any cervical lesion and 0.4 to 8.8 cases per 100 woman-years for high-grade cervical lesions. HIV-positive women showed a median three-fold higher incidence of cervical lesions compared to HIV-negative women. Of 1099 HIV-positive women from 11 studies, progression from low- to high-grade lesions ranged from 1.2 to 26.2 cases per 100 woman-years. Both incidence and progression rates increased with lower CD4 counts. The effect of antiretroviral therapy on the natural history of cervical neoplasia remains unclear. HIV-positive women have higher incidence and progression of cervical neoplasia. Cervical cancer screening should be integrated into HIV treatment programmes.

Topic: Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Supplementary Material for: Acute Kidney Injury after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and clinicaltrials.gov from inception through October, 2014. Studies that reported relative risks, ORs, or hazard ratios comparing the AKI risk in patients who underwent TAVR versus those who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement were included. We performed the pre-specified sensitivity analysis including only propensity score-based studies. Mortality risk was evaluated among the studies that reported AKI outcome. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1,852 patients and 14 cohort studies with 3,113 patients were analyzed to assess the AKI risk in patients undergoing TAVR. The pooled RRs of AKI in patients undergoing TAVR were 0.65 (95% CI 0.36-1.15, I<sup>2</sup> = 75%) in the analysis of RCTs and propensity score-based studies and 0.76 (95% CI 0.44-1.34, I<sup>2</sup> = 79%) in the analysis of observational studies. Sensitivity analysis in RCTs and propensity score-based studies using a standard AKI definition demonstrated a significant association between TAVR and lower AKI risk (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.25-0.50, I<sup>2</sup> = 0%). Our meta-analyses of RCTs and propensity score-based studies did not find associations between TAVR and reduced risks of severe AKI requiring dialysis (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.38-1.79, I<sup>2</sup> = 63%). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our meta-analysis demonstrates an association between TAVR and lower AKI risk.

Topic: Cardiac Valve Diseases and Treatments
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
[Prevalence of ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension and dyslipoproteinemia in persons with disorders of glucose tolerance].

Among 3490 males and females aged 20-69 years, oral glucose tolerance testing (GTT) revealed diabetes mellitus (DM) and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) in 94 and 401 persons, respectively. The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD), arterial hypertension (AH), and dyslipoproteinemias (DLP) was examined in groups of subjects that had normal GTT indices, patients with DM, and persons with AGT. In the latter, the prevalence of CHD was found to significantly higher than in those with normal GTT indices and be increased with severity of carbohydrate metabolic disturbances. The prevalence of AH did not drastically differ in persons with AGT and those with normal carbohydrate metabolism. The prevalence of DLP was significantly higher in subjects with AGT than in those with normal GTT values. It was also ascertained that DLP, as opposed to AH, was more meaningful as a risk factor for the development of CHD in persons with AGT and patients with DM.

Topic: Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Human complement component C4. Structural studies on the fragments derived from C4b by cleavage with C3b inactivator

1. One of the activation products of C4, C4b, was prepared, and the reactive thiol group on the alpha′-chain was radioactively labelled with iodo[2-14C]acetic acid. The alpha′-chain was isolated and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 13 residues was determined. 2. C4b was cleaved by C3bINA in the presence of C4b-binding protein and C4d and C4c isolated. The radioactive label and therefore the reactive thiol group were located to C4d. 3. C4c was reduced and alkylated and the two alpha′-chain fragments of C4c were separated. 3. The molecular weights, amino acid analyses and carbohydrate content of the three alpha′-chain fragments were determined. C4d has a mol.wt. of 44500 and a carbohydrate content of 6%. The two alpha′-chain fragments of C4c have mol.wts. of 25000 (alpha 3) and 12000 (alpha 4) and carbohydrate contents of 10 and 22% respectively. 4. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of C4d, the alpha 3 and the alpha 4 fragments were determined for 18, 24 and 11 residues respectively and, by comparison with the N-terminal sequence of the C4b alpha′-chain, the 25000-mol.wt. fragment (alpha 3) was shown to be derived from the N-terminal part of the alpha′-chain. 5. C-Terminal analyses were done on the alpha′-chain and its three fragments. Arginine was found to be the C-terminal residue of C4d and of the alpha 3 fragment. The C-terminal residue of the alpha′-chain and of the alpha 4 fragment could not be identified. The order of the three fragments of the alpha′-chain is therefore: alpha 3(25000)--C4d(44500)--alpha 4(12000). The specificity of C3bINA is for an Arg--Xaa peptide bond.

Topic: Complement system in diseases
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
A Modular Cascaded Multilevel Inverter Based Shunt Hybrid Active Power Filter For Selective Harmonic And Reactive Power Compensation Under Distorted/Unbalanced Grid Voltage Conditions

In recent years, shunt hybrid active power filters are being increasingly considered as a viable alternative to both passive filters and active power filters for compensating harmonics. In literature, their applications are restricted to balanced systems and low voltage applications and therefore not for industrial applications. This paper investigates the performance of a modular cascaded multilevel inverter based Shunt Hybrid Active Power Filter (SHAPF) for reactive power compensation and selective harmonics elimination under distorted/unbalanced grid voltage conditions in medium voltage levels. In the proposed control method, reactive power compensation is achieved successfully with a perceptible amount and the performance results of harmonic compensation are satisfactory. Theoretical analysis and simulation results are obtained from an actual industrial network model in PSCAD. The simulation results are presented for a proposed system in order to demonstrate that the harmonic compensation performance meets the IEEE-519 standard.

Topic: Power Quality and Harmonics
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
The effects of Moringa stenopetala on blood parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney in mice

Background: Moringa stenopetala and related species are commonly used in folk medicine for various human diseases such as antimalarial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and as antispasmodic. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of M. stenopetala on blood parameters, and histopathology of liver and kidney in experimental mice. Methods: Fresh leaves of M. stenopetala were collected from Arbaminch area, Southwest Ethiopia, in November 2005. The leaves were dried and extracted with water. Three month-old Swiss albino male mice, which were kept under uniform laboratory conditions, were randomly divided into four groups (one group of controls and three experimental). (The control group was orally given 0.5 ml of distilled water, and groups II, III and IV were given the aqueous leaf extract of M. stenopetala using intragastric tube to achieve the required doses of 600, 750 and 900 mg/kg body weight, respectively once a day at 24 hours intervals for six weeks and then sacrificed). Blood sample was collected from each mouse and examined for hematological and biochemical parameters. Liver and kidney were removed, stained and examined for histopathological profiles. The effects of treatment with aqueous extract of M. stenopetala on hematological, biochemical and histopathology features were compared with control group following standard procedures. Results: Mice treated with 900 mg/kg of the extract per kg of body weight showed a significant increase in body weight compared to the controls (P=0.014). Neither a significant change in the weight nor in histopathology of liver and kidney were observed in the animals treated with aqueous extract of M. stenopetala compared to those of the controls. Serum glucose level (P=0.034) and serum cholesterol level (P=0.016) decreased significantly after six weeks treatment. Conclusion: The aqueous leaf extract of M. stenopetala is shown to increase body weight and reduce serum glucose and cholesterol level in mice. This indicates nutritional and medicinal values, but we cannot yet recommend its therapeutic use before more and complete studies are done.

Topic: Moringa oleifera research and applications
Subfield: Plant Science
Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Domain: Life Sciences
Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories

Contents: Introduction: Regional Growth and Development Theories in the Twenty-first Century - Recent Theoretical Advances and Future Challenges Roberta Capello and Peter Nijkamp PART I: GROWTH THEORIES AND SPACE 1. Theories of Agglomeration and Regional Economic Growth: A Historical Review Philip McCann and Frank van Oort 2. Space, Growth and Development Roberta Capello 3. Location/Allocation of Regional Growth Gunther Maier and Michaela Trippl 4. Regional Growth and Trade in the New Economic Geography and Other Recent Theories Kieran P. Donaghy 5. Endogenous Growth Theories: Agglomeration Benefits and Transportation Costs G. Alfredo Minerva and Gianmarco I.P. Ottaviano PART II: DEVELOPMENT THEORIES: REGIONAL PRODUCTION FACTORS 6. Agglomeration, Productivity and Regional Growth: Production Theory Approaches Jeffrey P. Cohen and Catherine J. Morrison Paul 7. Territorial Capital and Regional Development Roberto Camagni 8. Human Capital and Regional Development Alessandra Faggian and Philip McCann 9. Infrastructure and Regional Development Johannes Brocker and Piet Rietveld 10. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Manfred M. Fischer and Peter Nijkamp PART III: DEVELOPMENT THEORIES: INNOVATION, KNOWLEDGE AND SPACE 11. Knowledge Spillovers, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development David B. Audretsch and T. Taylor Aldridge 12. R&D Spillovers and Regional Growth Daria Denti 13. Knowledge and Regional Development Borje Johansson and Charlie Karlsson 14. Agglomeration Externalities, Innovation and Regional Growth: Theoretical Perspectives and Meta-Analysis Henri L.F. de Groot, Jacques Poot and Martijn J. Smit 15. Sustainable Development and Regional Growth Amitrajeet A. Batabyal and Peter Nijkamp PART IV: REGIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT MEASUREMENT METHODS 16. Measuring Agglomeration Ryohei Nakamura and Catherine J. Morrison Paul 17. Measuring the Regional Divide Roberto Ezcurra and Andres Rodriguez-Pose 18. Measuring Regional Endogenous Growth Robert J. Stimson, Alistair Robson and Tung-Kai Shyy 19. Regional Growth and Convergence: Heterogeneous Reaction versus Interaction in Spatial Econometric Approaches Cem Ertur and Julie Le Gallo 20. CGE Modeling in Space: A Survey Kieran P. Donaghy 21. Modern Regional Input-Output and Impact Analyses Jan Oosterhaven and Karen R. Polenske PART V: REGIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES 22. Institutions and Regional Development T.R. Lakshmanan and Kenneth J. Button 23. Regional Policy: Rationale, Foundations and Measurement of its Effects Jouke van Dijk, Henk Folmer and Jan Oosterhaven 24. New Regional Policies for Less Developed Areas: The Case of India Maria Abreu and Maria Savona 25. Economic Decline and Public Intervention: Do Special Economic Zones Matter? Peter Friedrich and Chang Woon Nam Index

Topic: Regional Development and Policy
Subfield: Political Science and International Relations
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences