Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Plant Functional Group Removal on Inorganic Soil Nitrogen Concentrations in Native Grasslands

Abstract High plant functional group diversity has been hypothesized to reduce resource concentrations based on the assumption that species from one functional group acquire resources similarly to one another, while species from other functional groups acquire resources dissimilarly. To determine if functional groups use soil nutrients different from one another, we investigated the impact of removing individual functional groups on soil inorganic nitrogen (NO−3 and NH+4) concentrations in the Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis Elmer)/bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Löve) habitat type in Montana. Treatments were imposed by removing 1) all plant species (total plant removal), 2) shallow-rooted (< 15 cm) forbs, 3) deep-rooted (> 15 cm) forbs, 4) all forbs (total forb removal), 5) grasses, and 6) spikemoss, compared to intact control plots. Inorganic nitrogen was measured at 2 soil depths (0–15 cm and 16–40 cm) in the spring, summer, and fall 1 year after treatment imposition. The removal of individual functional groups generally increased soil NO−3 and NH+4 concentrations. Total plant removal increased NO−3 concentrations more than removing individual functional groups. Grass removal generally increased soil NO−3 concentrations in the 0–15-cm depth more than other functional groups removal. Whether the grass or total forb removal treatment resulted in greater soil NH+4 concentrations in the 0–15-cm depth depended on season. These results suggest that functional groups vary in their soil nutrient acquisition patterns and that increased functional diversity decreases soil nutrient concentrations. Therefore, maintaining or improving functional diversity may be a method to more fully utilize soil nutrients because functional groups can differ in their spatial and temporal acquisition of resources.
Geodesics in Asymmetric Metric Spaces

Abstract In a recent paper [17] we studied asymmetric metric spaces; in this context we studied the length of paths, introduced the class of run-continuous paths; and noted that there are different definitions of “length spaces” (also known as “path-metric spaces” or “intrinsic spaces”). In this paper we continue the analysis of asymmetric metric spaces.We propose possible definitions of completeness and (local) compactness.We define the geodesics using as admissible paths the class of run-continuous paths.We define midpoints, convexity, and quasi-midpoints, but without assuming the space be intrinsic.We distinguish all along those results that need a stronger separation hypothesis. Eventually we discuss how the newly developed theory impacts the most important results, such as the existence of geodesics, and the renowned Hopf-Rinow (or Cohn-Vossen) theorem.
Systems Approaches to Predict the Functions of Glycoside Hydrolases during the Life Cycle of Aspergillus niger Using Developmental Mutants ∆brlA and ∆flbA

Background The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger encounters carbon starvation in nature as well as during industrial fermentations. In response, regulatory networks initiate and control autolysis and sporulation. Carbohydrate-active enzymes play an important role in these processes, for example by modifying cell walls during spore cell wall biogenesis or in cell wall degradation connected to autolysis. Results In this study, we used developmental mutants (ΔflbA and ΔbrlA) which are characterized by an aconidial phenotype when grown on a plate, but also in bioreactor-controlled submerged cultivations during carbon starvation. By comparing the transcriptomes, proteomes, enzyme activities and the fungal cell wall compositions of a wild type A. niger strain and these developmental mutants during carbon starvation, a global overview of the function of carbohydrate-active enzymes is provided. Seven genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes, including cfcA, were expressed during starvation in all strains; they may encode enzymes involved in cell wall recycling. Genes expressed in the wild-type during starvation, but not in the developmental mutants are likely involved in conidiogenesis. Eighteen of such genes were identified, including characterized sporulation-specific chitinases and An15g02350, member of the recently identified carbohydrate-active enzyme family AA11. Eight of the eighteen genes were also expressed, independent of FlbA or BrlA, in vegetative mycelium, indicating that they also have a role during vegetative growth. The ΔflbA strain had a reduced specific growth rate, an increased chitin content of the cell wall and specific expression of genes that are induced in response to cell wall stress, indicating that integrity of the cell wall of strain ΔflbA is reduced. Conclusion The combination of the developmental mutants ΔflbA and ΔbrlA resulted in the identification of enzymes involved in cell wall recycling and sporulation-specific cell wall modification, which contributes to understanding cell wall remodeling mechanisms during development.
Business Process and Information Technology Alignment: Construct Conceptualization, Empirical Illustration, and Directions for Future Research

: Since strategic alignment first rose to prominence with Henderson and Venkatraman’s (1993) seminal paper, research has tended to focus on the extent of fit between IT and business strategy at the firm level. Although useful, a firm-level view of alignment could mask what firms are doing to realize intellectual alignment between business and IT strategy and whether their actions will likely succeed. In this study, we build on an emergent stream of research that considers alignment between IT and business strategy at the process level. Since research tends to view this form of alignment through the lens of IT support for business strategy, this perspective fails to account for how IT can enable the development of new business strategies. Accordingly, we conceptualize alignment between IT and business strategy at the process level using the lens of IT shortfall (a lack of IT support for business activities) and IT slack (having more IT than needed to support current business activities). Using data from matched surveys of IT and business executives at 317 U.S. and E.U. firms, we illustrate the value of this conceptualization and its process measures. Our results show that IT shortfall is negatively correlated with IT business value, while IT slack is positively correlated with IT business value. We further note that the existence of IT shortfall and IT slack depends on differences in firms’ chosen business strategy and whether a process is critical or non-critical to that strategy’s success.
Association of proton pump inhibitor use with renal outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease

Background Several studies have suggested that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is associated with adverse renal outcomes, but obvious evidence for this association is lacking. We investigated the association between PPI use and adverse renal outcomes in patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods Of the 1,284 patients hospitalized for percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2007 and May 2012, 934 patients with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were enrolled. Multivariable Cox models were used to examine whether PPI use was associated with acute and chronic adverse renal outcomes. Results In adjusted time-dependent Cox models, PPI use was associated with acute kidney injury (hazard ratio [HR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.05–2.02), especially in patients aged 65 years or younger (HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.09 3.96) or in patients with diabetes (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.23–3.25). In multivariable Cox models, the association between duration of PPI use and chronic kidney disease development was not statistically significant (HR of heavy users, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.61–3.67), but a longer duration of PPI use was associated with mild renal progression in patients younger than 65 years (HR of heavy users, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.09–4.60). Conclusion Our results suggest that PPI use increases the risk of AKI development, and that PPI use is more significantly associated with acute and chronic renal injuries in younger patients.
Pre‐ and Post‐Transfusion Alloimmunization in Dogs Characterized by 2 Antiglobulin‐Enhanced Cross‐match Tests

Background When dogs are transfused, blood compatibility testing varies widely but may include dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1 typing and rarely cross‐matching. Objectives Prospective study to examine naturally occurring alloantibodies against red blood cells (RBCs) and alloimmunization by transfusion using 2 antiglobulin‐enhanced cross‐match tests. Animals Eighty client‐owned anemic, 72 donor, and 7 control dogs. Methods All dogs were typed for DEA 1 and some also for DEA 4 and DEA 7. Major cross‐match tests with canine antiglobulin‐enhanced immunochromatographic strip and gel columns were performed 26–129 days post‐transfusion (median, 39 days); some dogs had an additional early evaluation 11–22 days post‐transfusion (median, 16 days). Plasma from alloimmunized recipients was cross‐matched against RBCs from 34 donor and control dogs. Results The 2 cross‐match methods gave entirely concordant results. All 126 pretransfusion cross‐match results for the 80 anemic recipients were compatible, but 54 dogs died or were lost to follow up. Among the 26 recipients with follow‐up, 1 dog accidently received DEA 1‐mismatched blood and became cross‐match‐incompatible post‐transfusion. Eleven of the 25 DEA 1‐matched recipients (44%) became incompatible against other RBC antigens. No naturally occurring anti‐DEA 7 alloantibodies were detected in DEA 7− dogs. Conclusions and clinical importance The antiglobulin‐enhanced immunochromatographic strip cross‐match and laboratory gel column techniques identified no naturally occurring alloantibodies against RBC antigens, but a high degree of post‐transfusion alloimmunization in dogs. Cross‐matching is warranted in any dog that has been previously transfused independent of initial DEA 1 typing and cross‐matching results before the first transfusion event.
Sociodemographic factors associated with female genital cutting among women of reproductive age in Nigeria

Abstract Objectives: The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC) among women of reproductive age in Nigeria and identify the sociodemographic factors associated with the practice. Methods: A secondary analysis of the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey was carried out in 38,948 women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Results: The prevalence of FGC among respondents was almost 25%, most of whom (82%) had undergone the procedure when they were under 5 years of age. Traditional circumcisers performed 72.2% of all procedures. Type 2 was the common form (62.6%) of FGC. Almost a quarter of respondents (23.1%) wanted the practice to continue. Women aged 45–49 years were approximately twice as likely to have undergone FGC compared with women aged 15–19 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.99, 2.92; p < .001). Women from parts of Nigeria other than the North East zone were significantly more likely to have experienced FGC (p < .001). Women of Yoruba ethnicity were significantly more likely to have experienced FGC compared with women of Hausa/Fulani ethnicity (OR 4.86; 95% CI 3.03, 8.12; p < .001). Conclusions: Our findings have programmatic implications for ending the practice of FGC in Nigeria. Elimination efforts should be intensified among women of Yoruba ethnicity. To instigate behavioural change, communication interventions should particularly target residents in parts of Nigeria other than the North East zone.
Pressure gradient vs. flow relationships to characterize the physiology of a severely stenotic aortic valve before and after transcatheter valve implantation

Abstract Aims Echocardiography and tomographic imaging have documented dynamic changes in aortic stenosis (AS) geometry and severity during both the cardiac cycle and stress-induced increases in cardiac output. However, corresponding pressure gradient vs. flow relationships have not been described. Methods and results We recruited 16 routine transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI’s) for graded dobutamine infusions both before and after implantation; 0.014″ pressure wires in the aorta and left ventricle (LV) continuously measured the transvalvular pressure gradient (ΔP) while a pulmonary artery catheter regularly assessed cardiac output by thermodilution. Before TAVI, ΔP did not display a consistent relationship with transvalvular flow (Q). Neither linear resistor (median R2 0.16) nor quadratic orifice (median R2 < 0.01) models at rest predicted stress observations; the severely stenotic valve behaved like a combination. The unitless ratio of aortic to left ventricular pressures during systolic ejection under stress conditions correlated best with post-TAVI flow improvement. After TAVI, a highly linear relationship (median R2 0.96) indicated a valid valve resistance. Conclusion Pressure loss vs. flow curves offer a fundamental fluid dynamic synthesis for describing aortic valve pathophysiology. Severe AS does not consistently behave like an orifice (as suggested by Gorlin) or a resistor, whereas TAVI devices behave like a pure resistor. During peak dobutamine, the ratio of aortic to left ventricular pressures during systolic ejection provides a ‘fractional flow reserve’ of the aortic valve that closely approximates the complex, changing fluid dynamics. Because resting assessment cannot reliably predict stress haemodynamics, ‘valvular fractional flow’ warrants study to explain exertional symptoms in patients with only moderate AS at rest.
Association of Body Mass Index With Lifetime Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Compression of Morbidity

Importance Prior studies have demonstrated lower all-cause mortality in individuals who are overweight compared with those with normal body mass index (BMI), but whether this may come at the cost of greater burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown. Objective To calculate lifetime risk estimates of incident CVD and subtypes of CVD and to estimate years lived with and without CVD by weight status. Design, Setting, and Participants In this population-based study, we used pooled individual-level data from adults (baseline age, 20-39, 40-59, and 60-79 years) across 10 large US prospective cohorts, with 3.2 million person-years of follow-up from 1964 to 2015. All participants were free of clinical CVD at baseline with available BMI index and CVD outcomes data. Data were analyzed from October 2016 to July 2017. Exposures World Health Organization–standardized BMI categories. Main Outcomes and Measures Total CVD and CVD subtype, including fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and other CVD deaths. Heights and weights were measured directly by investigators in each study, and BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. We performed (1) modified Kaplan-Meier analysis to estimate lifetime risks, (2) adjusted competing Cox models to estimate joint cumulative risks for CVD or noncardiovascular death, and (3) the Irwin restricted mean to estimate years lived free of and with CVD. Results Of the 190 672 in-person examinations included in this study, the mean (SD) age was 46.0 (15.0) years for men and 58.7 (12.9) years for women, and 140 835 patients (73.9%) were female. Compared with individuals with a normal BMI (defined as a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9), lifetime risks for incident CVD were higher in middle-aged adults in the overweight and obese groups. Compared with normal weight, among middle-aged men and women, competing hazard ratios for incident CVD were 1.21 (95% CI, 1.14-1.28) and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.24-1.40), respectively, for overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9), 1.67 (95% CI, 1.55-1.79) and 1.85 (95% CI, 1.72-1.99) for obesity (BMI, 30.0-39.9), and 3.14 (95% CI, 2.48-3.97) and 2.53 (95% CI, 2.20-2.91) for morbid obesity (BMI, ≥40.0). Higher BMI had the strongest association with incident heart failure among CVD subtypes. Average years lived with CVD were longer for middle-aged adults in the overweight and obese groups compared with adults in the normal BMI group. Similar patterns were observed in younger and older adults. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, obesity was associated with shorter longevity and significantly increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared with normal BMI. Despite similar longevity compared with normal BMI, overweight was associated with significantly increased risk of developing CVD at an earlier age, resulting in a greater proportion of life lived with CVD morbidity.
Endothelial extracellular vesicles modulate the macrophage phenotype: Potential implications in atherosclerosis

Endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages engage in tight and specific interactions that play critical roles in cardiovascular homeostasis and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are circular membrane fragments released from the endosomal compartment as exosomes or shed from the surfaces of the membranes of most cell types. Increasing evidence indicates that EVs play a pivotal role in cell‐to‐cell communication. However, the contribution of EVs, as determine by oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL)‐exposed and/or Kruppel‐like factor 2 (KLF2)‐transduced ECs in the interaction between vascular ECs and monocytes/macrophages, which is a key event in atherosclerotic plaque development, has remained elusive. This study demonstrates the characteristic impact of EVs from ox‐LDL‐treated and/or KLF2‐transduced ECs on the monocyte/macrophage phenotype in vitro and in vivo.Q‐PCR showed that both the atherosclerosis inducer ox‐LDL and atheroprotective factor KLF2 regulated inflammation‐associated microRNA‐155 (miR‐155) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, coculture, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed that miR‐155 was enriched in ox‐LDL‐induced ECs‐EVs and subsequently transferred to human monocytic THP1 cells, in which these vesicles enhance monocyte activation by shifting the monocytes/macrophages balance from anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages towards proinflammatory M1 macrophages; EVs from KLF2‐expressing ECs suppressed monocyte activation by enhancing immunomodulatory responses and diminishing proinflammatory responses, which indicate the potent anti‐inflammatory activities of these cells. Furthermore, oil red staining showed that atherosclerotic lesions were reduced in mice that received EVs from KLF2‐transduced ECs with decreased proinflammatory M1 macrophages and increased anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages, and this effect is at least partly due to the decreased expression of inflammation‐associated miR‐155, confirming our in vitro findings. In summary, this study provides novel insights into the pathophysiological effects of altered EV secretion and/or microRNA content and their influence on modulating monocyte activation depending on the environment surrounding EVs‐releasing ECs.
New Insights into the Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy complication globally, characterized by poor placentation triggering vascular dysfunction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) exhibit proteolytic activity implicated in the efficiency of trophoblast invasion to the uterine wall, and a dysregulation of these enzymes has been linked to preeclampsia. A decrease in MMP-2 and MMP-9 interferes with the normal remodeling of spiral arteries at early pregnancy stages, leading to the initial pathophysiological changes observed in preeclampsia. Later in pregnancy, an elevation in MMP-2 and MMP-9 induces abnormal release of vasoactive factors conditioning hypertension. Although these two enzymes lead the scene, other MMPs like MMP-1 and MMP-14 seem to have a role in this pathology. This review gathers published recent evidence about the implications of different MMPs in preeclampsia, and the potential use of these enzymes as emergent biomarkers and biological therapeutic targets, focusing on studies involving human subjects.
Handling Obstacles in Goal-Oriented Requirements Engineering

Requirements engineering is concerned with the elicitation of high-level goals to be achieved by the envisioned system, the refinement of such goals and their operationalization into specifications of services and constraints and the assignment of responsibilities for the resulting requirements to agents such as humans, devices and software. Requirements engineering processes often result in goals, requirements, and assumptions about agent behavior that are too ideal; some of them are likely not to be satisfied from time to time in the running system due to unexpected agent behavior. The lack of anticipation of exceptional behaviors results in unrealistic, unachievable, and/or incomplete requirements. As a consequence, the software developed from those requirements will not be robust enough and will inevitably result in poor performance or failures, sometimes with critical consequences on the environment. This paper presents formal techniques for reasoning about obstacles to the satisfaction of goals, requirements, and assumptions elaborated in the requirements engineering process. The techniques are based on a temporal logic formalization of goals and domain properties; they are integrated into an existing method for goal-oriented requirements elaboration with the aim of deriving more realistic, complete, and robust requirements specifications. A key principle is to handle exceptions at requirements engineering time and at the goal level, so that more freedom is left for resolving them in a satisfactory way. The various techniques proposed are illustrated and assessed in the context of a real safety-critical system.
Rejection in Bargaining Situations: An Event-Related Potential Study in Adolescents and Adults

The neural correlates of rejection in bargaining situations when proposing a fair or unfair offer are not yet well understood. We measured neural responses to rejection and acceptance of monetary offers with event-related potentials (ERPs) in mid-adolescents (14–17 years) and early adults (19–24 years). Participants played multiple rounds of the Ultimatum Game as proposers, dividing coins between themselves and a second player (responder) by making a choice between an unfair distribution (7 coins for proposer and 3 for responder; 7/3) and one of two alternatives: a fair distribution (5/5) or a hyperfair distribution (3/7). Participants mostly made fair offers (5/5) when the alternative was unfair (7/3), but made mostly unfair offers (7/3) when the alternative was hyperfair (3/7). When participants’ fair offers (5/5; alternative was 7/3) were rejected this was associated with a larger Medial Frontal Negativity (MFN) compared to acceptance of fair offers and rejection of unfair offers (7/3; alternative was 3/7). Also, the MFN was smaller after acceptance of unfair offers (7/3) compared to rejection. These neural responses did not differ between adults and mid-adolescents, suggesting that the MFN reacts as a neural alarm system to social prediction errors which is already prevalent during adolescence.