Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genotype-Specific Variation in the Structure of Root Fungal Communities Is Related to Chickpea Plant Productivity

ABSTRACT Increasing evidence supports the existence of variations in the association of plant roots with symbiotic fungi that can improve plant growth and inhibit pathogens. However, it is unclear whether intraspecific variations in the symbiosis exist among plant cultivars and if they can be used to improve crop productivity. In this study, we determined genotype-specific variations in the association of chickpea roots with soil fungal communities and evaluated the effect of root mycota on crop productivity. A 2-year field experiment was conducted in southwestern Saskatchewan, the central zone of the chickpea growing region of the Canadian prairie. The effects of 13 cultivars of chickpea, comprising a wide range of phenotypes and genotypes, were tested on the structure of root-associated fungal communities based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 18S rRNA gene markers using 454 amplicon pyrosequencing. Chickpea cultivar significantly influenced the structure of the root fungal community. The magnitude of the effect varied with the genotypes evaluated, and effects were consistent across years. For example, the roots of CDC Corrine, CDC Cory, and CDC Anna hosted the highest fungal diversity and CDC Alma and CDC Xena the lowest. Fusarium sp. was dominant in chickpea roots but was less abundant in CDC Corrine than the other cultivars. A bioassay showed that certain of these fungal taxa, including Fusarium species, can reduce the productivity of chickpea, whereas Trichoderma harzianum can increase chickpea productivity. The large variation in the profile of chickpea root mycota, which included growth-promoting and -inhibiting species, supports the possibility of improving the productivity of chickpea by improving its root mycota in chickpea genetic improvement programs using traditional breeding techniques.
X-Ray Properties of Lyman Break Galaxies in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey

We constrain the X-ray emission properties of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) at z ≈ 3–6 using the ≈2 Ms Chandra Deep Field North and ≈1 Ms Chandra Deep Field South. Large samples of LBGs were discovered using the Hubble Space Telescope as part of the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS). Deep optical and X-ray imaging over the GOODS fields have allowed us to place the most significant constraints on the X-ray properties of LBGs to date. Mean X-ray properties of 449, 1734, 629, and 247 LBGs with z ∼ 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively, were determined using stacking techniques. When stacked, we detect X-ray emission from LBGs at z ∼ 3 (∼7 σ) and from an optically bright subset (brightest 25%) of LBGs at z ∼ 4 (∼3 σ); the latter is the highest redshift detection yet for "normal" galaxies in the X-ray band. The effective exposure times for these stacked observations are ≈0.7 and 0.5 Gs, respectively. The derived average rest-frame 2.0–8.0 keV luminosities are 1.5 × 1041 and 1.4 × 1041 ergs s-1, respectively. X-ray emission from these LBGs is likely due to high-mass X-ray binaries and Type II supernovae; the corresponding star formation rates are ≈10–30 M⊙ yr-1. The X-ray–to–B-band mean luminosity ratio (LX/LB) at z ∼ 3 is somewhat elevated with respect to that measured for starburst galaxies in the local universe (significance ∼3 σ). When stacking full samples of LBGs at z ∼ 4, 5, and 6, we do not obtain significant detections (<3 σ) and derive rest-frame 2.0–8.0 keV luminosity upper limits (3 σ) of 0.9, 2.8, and 7.1 × 1041 ergs s-1, respectively. These upper limits constrain any widespread active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity in these objects to be modest at best. Furthermore, we find that ∼0.5% of our LBGs from z ≈ 3 to z ≈ 6 are detected individually in the X-ray band. These LBGs have spectral shapes and luminosities characteristic of moderate-power AGNs (e.g., Seyfert galaxies and quasars).
Bioconversion of grape and chokeberry wine polyphenols during simulated gastrointestinal in vitro digestion

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the qualitative and quantitative changes of wine polyphenols during in vitro digestion process conducted in a gastrointestinal tract model. Wines selected for these experiments were red grape, white grape and chokeberry wines. Following the stages of in vitro digestion—stomach, small and large intestine—qualitative and quantitative changes particularly in phenolic acids were monitored. Decomposition of resveratrol and chlorogenic acid, secretion of caffeic acid and formation of other derivatives characterized with high antioxidant activity were determined. As a second focus of this work the evaluation of interactions between human fecal microflora (Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium) and polyphenolic compounds and their derivatives secreted during the digestion were performed.
Quantifying the effect of tissue deformation on diffusion-weighted MRI: a mathematical model and an efficient simulation framework applied to cardiac diffusion imaging

Cardiac motion presents a major challenge in diffusion weighted MRI, often leading to large signal losses that necessitate repeated measurements. The diffusion process in the myocardium is difficult to investigate because of the unqualified sensitivity of diffusion measurements to cardiac motion. A rigorous mathematical formalism is introduced to quantify the effect of tissue motion in diffusion imaging. The presented mathematical model, based on the Bloch–Torrey equations, takes into account deformations according to the laws of continuum mechanics. Approximating this mathematical model by using finite elements method, numerical simulations can predict the sensitivity of the diffusion signal to cardiac motion. Different diffusion encoding schemes are considered and the diffusion weighted MR signals, computed numerically, are compared to available results in literature. Our numerical model can identify the existence of two time points in the cardiac cycle, at which the diffusion is unaffected by myocardial strain and cardiac motion. Of course, these time points depend on the type of diffusion encoding scheme. Our numerical results also show that the motion sensitivity of the diffusion sequence can be reduced by using either spin echo technique with acceleration motion compensation diffusion gradients or stimulated echo acquisition mode with unipolar and bipolar diffusion gradients.
Flowthrough Reactor Flasks for Study of Microbial Metabolism in Sediments

Flowthrough reactor flasks are described that allow continuous low-level nutrient input to mixed anoxic sediments without dilution of the sediment. The flasks were tested by simulating sulfate inputs into sediments collected from a freshwater eutrophic lake. After an initial 2-day adaptation within the reactor system, rates of methane production and sulfate consumption were constant for the duration of a 12-day incubation. A sulfate input rate of 0.15 mmol liter of sediment−1 day−1 resulted in an equivalent rate of sulfate removal, which was unaffected by inputs of acetate (1.0 mmol liter of sediment−1 day−1). The rate of methane production in control reactors, 0.18 mmol liter of sediment−1 day−1, was doubled by the addition of acetate, whereas sulfate consumption was only stimulated by additions of high concentrations of sulfate plus acetate (1.5 and 1.0 mmol liter of sediment−1 day−1, respectively). The reactor system appears to be effective in maintaining the balance between sulfate reduction and methane production in freshwater sediments and is potentially useful for study of the response of sediment populations to varying inputs of naturally occurring substrates, selected inhibitors, or xenobiotic compounds.
Characteristics of TiO2 Compact Layer prepared for DSSC application

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer an economically reliable and suitable alternative in moderating the challenges presented by the existing convectional photovoltaic cells. However, the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells has remained relatively low. For this reason, this research was aimed at studying the characteristics of TiO 2 compact layer that can be applied in DSSCs as a way of improving efficiency. To achieve this, TiO 2 compact layer was deposited on a conductive glass substrate by using Holmarc’s Spray Pyrolysis system, using Ultrasonic Spray Head and spraying in the vertical geometry. X-ray Diffraction studies revealed that TiO 2 compact layer was of anatase phase and had tetragonal crystalline structure. Raman spectroscopy showed that the most intense peak appeared at 142 cm -1 due to the external vibration of the anatase structure. Hall Effect studies revealed that TiO 2 compact layer has a high density of charge carriers’ value of 1.25 × 1019 cm -3 hence it can be used in DSSC applications.
Molecular Hydrogen in the Ionized Region of Planetary Nebulae

This paper presents an analysis of the concentration of hydrogen molecules inside the ionized region of planetary nebulae (PNs). The equations corresponding to the ionization and chemical equilibria of H, H+, H-, H2, H, and H are coupled with the equations of ionization and thermal balance for a photoionized atomic gas. A total of 40 different reactions related to the formation or destruction of these species are included. The presence of dust is taken into account, since grains act as catalysts for the production of H2 as well as shield the molecules against the stellar ionizing radiation. We analyze the effect of the stellar ionizing continuum as well as of the gas and grain properties on the calculated H2 mass. It is shown that a significant concentration of H2 can survive inside the ionized region of planetary nebulae, mostly in the inner region of the recombination zone. The total H2 to total hydrogen mass ratio inside the ionized region increases with the central star temperature, and, depending on the PN physical conditions, it may be of the order of ~10-6 or even higher. The increase of the recombination zone with stellar temperature can account for such correlation. This may explain why H2 emission is more frequently observed in bipolar PNs (Gatley's rule), since this kind of object typically has hotter stars. Applying our results to the planetary nebula NGC 6720, we obtain an H2 to hydrogen mass ratio similar to the value obtained from the observed H2 line emission.
DLX5 (Distal-less Homeobox 5) Promotes Tumor Cell Proliferation by Transcriptionally Regulating MYC*

The human DLX homeobox genes, which are related to Dll (Drosophila distal-less gene), encode transcription factors that are expressed primarily in embryonic development. Recently, DLX5 was reported to act as an oncogene in lymphomas and lung cancers, although the mechanism is not known. The identification of target genes of DLX5 can facilitate our understanding of oncogenic mechanisms driven by overexpression of DLX5. The MYC oncogene is aberrantly expressed in many human cancers and regulates transcription of numerous target genes involved in tumorigenesis. Here we demonstrate by luciferase assay that the MYC promoter is specifically activated by overexpression of DLX5 and that two DLX5 binding sites in the MYC promoter are important for transcriptional activation of MYC. We also show that DLX5 binds to the MYC promoter both in vitro and in vivo and that transfection of a DLX5 expression plasmid promotes the expression of MYC in a dose-dependent manner in mammalian cells. Furthermore, overexpression of DLX5 results in increased cell proliferation by up-regulating MYC. Knockdown of DLX5 in lung cancer cells overexpressing DLX5 resulted in decreased expression of MYC and reduced cell proliferation, which was rescued by overexpression of MYC. Because DLX5 has a restricted pattern of expression in adult tissues, it may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancers that overexpress DLX5.
Hormonal therapy use for prostate cancer and mortality in men with coronary artery disease-induced congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction.

CONTEXT Hormonal therapy (HT) when added to radiation therapy (RT) for treating unfavorable-risk prostate cancer leads to an increase in survival except possibly in men with moderate to severe comorbidity. However, it is unknown which comorbid conditions eliminate this survival benefit. OBJECTIVE To assess whether neoadjuvant HT use affects the risk of all-cause mortality in men with prostate cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD)-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) or myocardial infarction (MI), CAD risk factors, or no comorbidity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS A total of 5077 men (median age, 69.5 years) with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer were consecutively treated with or without a median of 4 months of neoadjuvant HT followed by RT at a suburban cancer center between 1997 and 2006 and were followed up until July 1, 2008. Cox regression multivariable analyses were performed assessing whether neoadjuvant HT use affected the risk of all-cause mortality, adjusting for age, year and type of RT, treatment propensity score, and known prostate cancer prognostic factors in each comorbidity group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Risk of all-cause mortality. RESULTS Neoadjuvant HT use was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with no comorbidity (9.6% vs 6.7%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-1.32; P = .86) or a single CAD risk factor (10.7% vs 7.0%, adjusted HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.75-1.43; P = .82) after median follow-ups of 5.0 and 4.4 years, respectively. However, for men with CAD-induced CHF or MI, after a median follow-up of 5.1 years, neoadjuvant HT use was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (26.3% vs 11.2%, adjusted HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.04-3.71; P = .04). CONCLUSION Neoadjuvant HT use is significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality among men with a history of CAD-induced CHF or MI but not among men with no comorbidity or a single CAD risk factor.
Single Molecule Raman Spectroscopy at the Junctions of Large Ag Nanocrystals

Molecular surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in compact clusters of 30−70 nm Ag nanocrystals has shown single molecule Raman scattering cross sections that are orders of magnitude larger than free space single molecule luminescence cross sections. We analyze certain aspects of this phenomenon with new numerical electromagnetic calculations, and we also present new spectral depolarization data for single molecule rhodamine 6G scattering. We stress the central role of the Ag femtosecond radiative lifetime, and the spatial distribution of the excited Ag electrons, in the near field and far field optical properties. The fundamental nature of the Ag plasmon excited-electronic-state changes from a volume excitation to a surface junction excitation as two particles approach each other within 1 nm. Adsorbed molecules in the junction interact directly with the metallic excited-state wave function, showing electron-transfer-initiated photochemistry as well as enhanced Raman scattering. Depolarization studies .
Fault modeling and testing of resistive nonvolatile-8T SRAMs

In modern system-on-chips (SOCs), static power consumption represents a significant portion of the chip power. Since static random access memory (SRAM) typically occupies more than one half of the chip area, static power of a SOC is mainly constituted by the SRAMs. Resistive nonvolatile-8T (Rnv8T) SRAM has been proposed to alleviate static power and preserve data in power-down mode and provide fast poweron speed. A Rnv8T SRAM cell is composed of a 6T SRAM cell, two resistive devices, and two transistors. In this paper, we define several memristor-related faults for the Rnv8T SRAM considering electrical defects. Also, a March-like test algorithm which can cover simple SRAM faults and defined memristor-related faults are proposed. In comparison with the existing work, the proposed March-like test needs longer test time, but provides better fault coverage on the targeted faults.
Impact of testosterone on body fat composition

An excessive food supply has resulted in an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, conditions accompanied by serious health problems. Several studies have confirmed the significant inverse correlation between testosterone and obesity. Indeed after decades of intense controversy, a consensus has emerged that androgens are important regulators of fat mass and distribution in mammals and that androgen status affects cellularity in vivo. The high correlation of testosterone levels with body composition and its contribution to the balance of lipid metabolism are also suggested by the fact that testosterone lowering is associated with important clinical disorders such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In contrast, testosterone supplementation therapy in hypogonadic men has been shown to improve the lipid profile by lowering cholesterol, blood sugar and insulin resistance. Leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin are some of the substances related to feeding as well as androgen regulation. Thus, complex and delicate mechanisms appear to link androgens with various tissues (liver, adipose tissue, muscles, coronary arteries and heart) and the subtle alteration of some of these interactions might be the cause of correlated diseases. This review underlines some aspects regarding the high correlations between testosterone physiology and body fat composition. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3744–3748, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Storage of aliquots of apheresis platelets for neonatal use in syringes with and without agitation

BACKGROUND: To facilitate volume control in neonates, platelets (PLTs) are aliquoted and stored for short periods in non–gas‐permeable syringes before infusion. Although agitation of PLTs during storage in gas‐permeable bags is performed to maintain their quality, the effect of syringe agitation during storage is unknown.
Hybrid design-based modelling and multi-objective optimization of hybrid machining of hybrid metal matrix composites

Electrical discharge diamond face surface grinding (EDDFSG) is a hybrid machining technique consisting of face surface electrical discharge grinding and diamond face surface grinding. The machining of hybrid metal matrix composites (HMMCs) is still facing challenges for better machining performance. In the present article, an effort was made for hybrid design-based experimental modelling, performance prediction and multi-objective optimization of EDDFSG of Al/Al2O3p/B4Cp and Al/SiCp/B4Cp HMMCs. Gap current, on-time, off-time, abrasive grit number, revolutions per minute (RPM) of wheel and table speed are the process parameters whose effects on material removal rate and surface roughness (Ra) were analysed. The machining characteristics of HMMCs were investigated using performance predictions. Binary coded modified distance-based Pareto genetic algorithm was integrated with hybrid design-based RSM models for multi-objective optimization of EDDFSG process. The surface texture and re-solidified layers were also analysed using scanning electron microscopy. The selected optimized results were found to have better material removal rate and surface finish along with negligible presence of re-solidified layers during verification experiments.
Efficacy of patient-administered mechanical and/or chemical plaque control protocols in the management of peri-implant mucositis. A systematic review.

AIM To systematically assess the efficacy of patient-administered mechanical and/or chemical plaque control protocols in the management of peri-implant mucositis (PM). MATERIAL AND METHODS Randomized (RCTs) and Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs) were identified through an electronic search of three databases complemented by manual search. Identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of studies was performed independently by two reviewers. Studies without professional intervention or with only mechanical debridement professionally administered were included. Quality assessment was performed by means of the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. RESULTS Eleven RCTs with a follow-up from 3 to 24 months were included. Definition of PM was lacking or heterogeneously reported. Complete resolution of PM was not achieved in any study. One study reported 38% of patients with complete resolution of PM. Surrogate end-point outcomes of PM therapy were often reported. The choice of control interventions showed great variability. The efficacy of powered toothbrushes, a triclosan-containing toothpaste and adjunctive antiseptics remains to be established. High quality of methods and reporting was found in four studies. CONCLUSIONS Professionally- and patient-administered mechanical plaque control alone should be considered the standard of care in the management of PM. Therapy of PM is a prerequisite for the prevention of peri-implantitis.
Reiterative AP2a activity controls sequential steps in the neural crest gene regulatory network

The neural crest (NC) emerges from combinatorial inductive events occurring within its progenitor domain, the neural border (NB). Several transcription factors act early at the NB, but the initiating molecular events remain elusive. Recent data from basal vertebrates suggest that ap2 might have been critical for NC emergence; however, the role of AP2 factors at the NB remains unclear. We show here that AP2a initiates NB patterning and is sufficient to elicit a NB-like pattern in neuralized ectoderm. In contrast, the other early regulators do not participate in ap2a initiation at the NB, but cooperate to further establish a robust NB pattern. The NC regulatory network uses a multistep cascade of secreted inducers and transcription factors, first at the NB and then within the NC progenitors. Here we report that AP2a acts at two distinct steps of this cascade. As the earliest known NB specifier, AP2a mediates Wnt signals to initiate the NB and activate pax3; as a NC specifier, AP2a regulates further NC development independent of and downstream of NB patterning. Our findings reconcile conflicting observations from various vertebrate organisms. AP2a provides a paradigm for the reiterated use of multifunctional molecules, thereby facilitating emergence of the NC in vertebrates.
Study of the deformation of a sandwich shield subjected to bird impact: A behaviour analysis tool using vector decomposition

In this work, a numerical finite element model of a 1.82 kg bird impacting a sandwich shield at 175 m/s is developed. Different shield designs are simulated and it appears that very different sandwich behaviours can occur, depending on the design. A new tool to analyse the deformation of the sandwich during impact is presented and is used to study the behaviour of a shield. As this tool makes it possible to easily compare the behaviour of different shields, it is used in a screening study to identify the more influential sandwich design parameters. If all design parameters are considered to be independent, the core out-of-plane plastic plateaus appear to be the most important. The core in-plane properties, elastic modulus and density and the back skin thickness have much less influence on the sandwich deformation under impact.